272 OF A WAR WITH SPAIN. 



that of the States exceeded somewhat in number 

 but that again was recompensed in the quality of 

 the soldiers ; for those of the Spanish part were of 

 the flower of all their forces. The archduke was 

 the assailant, and the preventer, and had the fruit of 

 his diligence and celerity. For he had charged 

 certain companies of Scotish men, to the number of 

 eight hundred, sent to make good a passage, and 

 thereby severed from the body of the army, and cut 

 them all in pieces : for they, like a brave infantry, 

 when they could make no honourable retreat, and 

 would take no dishonourable flight, made good the 

 place with their lives. This entrance of the battle 

 did whet the courage of the Spaniards, though it 

 dulled their swords : so as they came proudly on, 

 confident to defeat the whole army. The encounter 

 of the main battle which followed, was a just en 

 counter, not hastening to a sudden rout, nor the 

 fortune of the day resting upon a few former ranks, 

 but fought out to the proof by several squadrons, 

 and not without variety of success ; tf Stat pedi pes 

 &quot; densusque viro vir.&quot; There fell out an error in 

 the Dutch army, by the overhasty medly of some of 

 their men with the enemies, which hindred the 

 playing of their great ordnance. But the end was 

 that the Spaniards were utterly defeated, and near 

 five thousand of their men in the fight, and in the 

 execution, slain and taken ; amongst whom were 

 many of the principal persons of their army. The 

 honour of the day was, both by the enemy and the 

 Dutch themselves, ascribed unto the English ; of 



