Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/60

 22 Readings in Europea7i History his horse had two pike wounds in his flanks and more than twenty sword cuts on his head. Next day, however, some one happened to notice that the horse was browsing and that it commenced to whinny ; so the animal was brought back to the lodging of the Good Chevalier, who had him cured; and it is a fact hardly to be believed that the horse lay down like a person and let his wounds be dressed without moving at all. And afterwards when he got sight of a sword he would rush at it as if to devour it. A braver horse was never seen — not even that of Alexander, Bucephalus. However this may be, the Good Chevalier was very joy- ful to have escaped so great a danger and to be mounted once more on so good a horse ; but he was troubled because he had no headpiece, for in such affairs it was very dangerous to have the head bare. So he approached a nobleman, a very good friend of his, whose page was carrying his helmet, and said to him : " I am afraid of catching cold, for I am in a great sweat, having been so long on foot. I pray you, lend me your helmet, which your man is carrying, for an hour or so." The noble. not knowing what was in the mind of the Good Chevalier, loaned him his helmet, which he was glad enough to have, and kept until the battle was all over, and that was Friday at ten or eleven o'clock. intrepidity of At daybreak the Swiss recommenced the battle and the Swiss. marched straight toward the French artillery, who gave them a very warm reception indeed. Nevertheless no men ever fought more bravely, and the affair lasted for three or four hours, but at last they were routed and defeated, leaving ten or twelve thousand of their number dead on the field. The remainder retired in fairly good order along the highroad to Milan. . . . Francis I The evening of Friday, when the battle was finished to t^Good 1 ^ ^ e honor of the king of France, there was joy without Chevalier. measure in the camp. There was much talk as to who had shown themselves valorous above their fellows ; but it was agreed by all that the Good Chevalier during both