Page:Great Men and Famous Women Volume 1.djvu/193

 EDWARD THE BLACK PRINCE 121 from the rain ; and a flight of arrows fell among the Genoese, piercing their heads, arms, and faces, and causing them instantly to retreat in confusion among the horsemen in their rear. The passionate French king, instead of trying to rally the fugitives, at once ordered the men-at-arms to fall upon them. The cavalry, the heavy troops, and the cross-bow men, soon formed a wild and reeling crowd, amid which the Eng- lish poured a continued flight of unerring arrows, and not a single bowstring was drawn in vain. Meantime the Count of Alengon, dividing his men into two parties, swept round on one side of this scene of confusion ; while the Count of Flanders did the same on the other side, and, avoiding the archers, furiously attacked the men- at-arms around the prince. England's chivalry, headed by the gallant boy, met the impetuous charge with equal valor and with greater success ; and as each headlong effort of the French deranged the ranks for a moment, they were formed anew, each man fighting where he stood, none quitting his place to make a prisoner, while growing piles of dead told of their courage and vigor. The two counts were slain, and terror began to spread through their troops. A large body of German cavalry now bore down on the prince's archers, and, in spite of the terrible flight of arrows, cut their way through, and charged the men-at-arms. By this time nearly forty thousand men were pressing round the little English phalanx ; but the combat was renewed, hand to hand, with more energy than ever, while the Earls of Northampton and Arundel moved up with their division, to repel the tremendous attack. King Edward still remained with his powerful reserve, viewing the battle from the windmill above. The Earl of Warwick now called a knight, named Thomas of Norwich, and despatched him to the king. "Sir Thomas," demanded Edward, " is my son killed, or overthrown, or wounded beyond help ? " "Not so, my liege," answered the knight; "yet he is in a rude shock of arms, and much does he need your aid." " Go back, Sir Thomas, to those who sent you," rejoined the king, " and tell them from me, that whatever happens, to require no aid from me, so long as my son is in life. Tell them, also, that I command them to let the boy win his spurs ; for, God willing, the day shall be his, and the honor shall rest with him, and those into whose charge I have given him." The prince, and those around him, seemed inspired with fresh courage by this message ; and efforts surpassing all that had preceded were made by the English soldiers. The French men-at-arms, as they still dashed down on the ranks, met the same fate as their predecessors ; and, hurled wounded from their dying horses, were thrust through by the short lances of the half-armed Welshmen, who rushed hither and thither through the midst of the fight. Charles of Luxem- bourg, who led the German cavalry, seeing his banner down, his friends slain, his troops routed, and himself wounded severely in three places, fled, casting off his rich surcoat, to avoid recognition.