Page:Studies in Irish History, 1649-1775 (1903).djvu/274

Sarsfield commander-in-chief, the Frenchman Lauzun, marched by their left with the main body of the French troops, and separating themselves by a couple of miles from their centre and right came face to face with William's right wing under Portland. The two forces stood facing each other, and Sarsfield, who was with James's bodyguard, was sent out to reconnoitre. He reported that the order to attack which James had given could not be carried out, as the bottom of the valley had a stream between deep ditches, and beyond this lay an impassable bog. James, therefore, remained for a while inactive, then began his retreat to Dublin—Sarsfield with the bodyguard accompanying him; for in the meanwhile William's main body had forced the crossing at the lower fords which James and Lauzun had left scantily defended.

Yet though Sarsfield's part in this action was so small, there is evidence that he shared in none of the ignominies of defeat. Macaulay quotes from a contemporary dramatic lampoon, "The Royal Flight," in which Sarsfield is represented in heroic colours: the King protesting "This fellow will make me brave in spite of myself"; and Sarsfield meanwhile cursing at the orders which kept him with the reserves. If this was his repute in England, we may guess at it in 262