But Shales had let them out for harvest work to the farmers of Cheshire, had pocketed the hire, and had left the troops in Ulster to get on as they best might, [442] Schomberg thought that, if he should, with an ill trained and ill appointed army, risk a battle against a superior force, he might not improbably be defeated; and he knew that a defeat might be followed by the loss of one kingdom, perhaps by the loss of three kingdoms.

He therefore made up his mind to stand on the defensive till his men had been disciplined, and till reinforcements and supplies should arrive.
He entrenched himself near Dundalk in such a manner that he could not be forced to fight against his will.

James, emboldened by the caution of his adversary, and disregarding the advice of Rosen, advanced to Ardee, appeared at the head of the whole Irish army before the English lines, drew up horse, foot and artillery, in order of battle, and displayed his banner.

The English were impatient to fall on.

But their general had made up his mind, and was not to be moved by the bravadoes of the enemy or by the murmurs of his own soldiers.