The king and Marshal Biron, who were near each other, were furious with rage, but already doubtful of the result.

They exerted themselves to rally the troops under their immediate command, and to reform the shattered ranks.
The German riders and French lancers under Brunswick and Bassompierre had, however, not done their work as thoroughly as Egmont had done.

The ground was so miry and soft that in the brief space which separated the hostile lines they had not power to urge their horses to full speed.
Throwing away their useless lances, they came on at a feeble canter, sword in hand, and were unable to make a very vigorous impression on the more heavily armed troopers opposed to them.

Meeting with a firm resistance to their career, they wheeled, faltered a little and fell a short distance back.

Many of the riders being of the reformed religion, refused moreover to fire upon the Huguenots, and discharged their carbines in the air.
The king, whose glance on the battle-field was like inspiration, saw the blot and charged upon them in person with his whole battalia of cavalry.
The veteran Biron followed hard upon the snow-white plume.