The Germans fought well, died well, but they could not reanimate the courage of the Walloons, and all were now in full retreat, pursued by the ferocious Spaniards.

In vain Champagny stormed among them; in vain he strove to rally their broken ranks.

With his own hand he seized a banner from a retreating ensign, and called upon the nearest soldiers to make's stand against the foe.

It was to bid the flying clouds pause before the tempest.

Torn, broken, aimless, the scattered troops whirled through the streets before the pursuing wrath.
Champagny, not yet despairing, galloped hither and thither, calling upon the burghers everywhere to rise in defence of their homes, nor did he call in vain.