Louvain must fall, and Mechlin, Nieuport, and Ostend.

The Batavian frontier would be in danger.

The cry for peace throughout Holland might be such as neither States General nor Stadtholder would be able to resist.

[450] But there was delay; and a very short delay was enough for William.

From the field of battle he made his way through the multitude of fugitives to the neighbourhood of Louvain, and there began to collect his scattered forces.