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Varax himself lay dead upon the field, too fortunate not to survive his disgrace. It was hardly more than daylight on that dull January morning; nine o'clock had scarce chimed from the old brick steeples of Turnhout, yet two thousand Spaniards had fallen before the blows of eight hundred Netherlanders, and there were five hundred prisoners beside.
It is beyond all doubt that the force under Varax was at least four times as large as that portion of the States' army which alone was engaged; for Maurice had not a foot-soldier on the field until the battle was over, save the handful of musketeers who had followed Vere and Bax at the beginning of the action.
Varax took no such heroic resolution. Had he done so that January afternoon, the career of Maurice of Nassau might have been brought to a sudden close, despite the affectionate warning of the state-council. Certainly it was difficult for any commander to be placed in a more perilous position than that in which the stadholder found himself.
The whole force of Varax, at least five thousand strong, was advancing in close marching order towards the narrow passage by which only they could emerge from the heath.
The dead body of Varax was sent to the archduke with a courteous letter, in which, however, a categorical explanation was demanded as to a statement in circulation that Albert had decided to give the soldiers of the republic no quarter.
The chances were all against him, and if instead of Varax those legions had been commanded that morning by old Christopher Mondragon, there might perhaps have been another tale to tell. Even as it was, there had been a supreme moment when the Spanish disaster had nearly been changed to victory.
But no attack was made, and the little army of Maurice was allowed to sleep off its fatigue. With the dawn of the 24th January, a reconnoitring party, sent out from the republican camp, discovered that Varax, having no stomach for an encounter, had given his enemies the slip.
The brother of Varambon, Count Varax, had succeeded la Motte as general of artillery, and of his doings there was a tale ere long to be told. On the whole, the best soldier in the archduke's service for the moment was the Frenchman Savigny de Rosne, an ancient Leaguer, and a passionate hater of the Bearnese, of heretics, and of France as then constituted.
Archduke Cardinal Albert appointed governor of the Netherlands Return of Philip William from captivity His adherence to the King of Spain Notice of the Marquis of Varambon, Count Varax, and other new officers Henry's communications with Queen Elizabeth Madame de Monceaux Conversation of Henry with the English ambassador Marseilles secured by the Duke of Guise The fort of Rysbank taken by De Roane Calais in the hands of the Spanish Assistance from England solicited by Henry Unhandsome conditions proposed by Elizabeth Annexation of Calais to the obedient provinces Pirates of Dunkirk Uneasiness of the Netherlanders with regard to the designs of Elizabeth Her protestations of sincerity Expedition of Dutch and English forces to Spain Attack on the Spanish war-ships Victory of the allies Flag of the Republic planted on the fortress of Cadiz Capitulation of the city Letter of Elizabeth to the Dutch Admirals State of affairs in France Proposition of the Duke of Montpensier for the division of the kingdom Successes of the Cardinal Archduke in Normandy He proceeds to Flanders Siege and capture of Hulat Projected alliance against Spain Interview of De Sancy with Lord Burghley Diplomatic conference at Greenwich Formation of a league against Spain Duplicity of the treaty Affairs in Germany Battle between the Emperor and the Grand Turk Endeavours of Philip to counteract the influence of the league His interference in the affairs of Germany Secret intrigue of Henry with Spain Philip's second attempt at the conquest of England.
The whole force of Varax, at least five thousand strong, was advancing in close marching order towards the narrow passage by which only they could emerge from the heath.
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