spirit, aided by the advantage of the ground, and animated by the example of their prince fighting on foot, he tried the stratagem of a false retreat, in order to allure them from their position, knowing that if he did not do something to retrieve the fortunes of the day, it would be hard with him. The enemy had maintained their ground so manfully, that all his hopes of a sudden and easy victory had vanished. He had gained no visible advantage over them : they still showed as good a front as when the battle commenced, and unless fortune speedily came to his assistance, his sun of glory would soon set. The artifice he employed succeeded. He ordered his men to retire and give ground ; not loosely, not disorderly, as in a fearful and confused haste, but advisedly and for advantage, without disbanding on foot in array. Nothing was more hurtful to the English than being of a frank and noble spirit, which carried them too far in the hope of victory ; for, finding the enemy giving ground, and appearing not so eager in the fight, they rashly followed into the plain, loosening and disordering their ranks, and thinking of nothing but the chase, and the garland of victory. William espying the advantage, ordered the infantry to face about upon their pursuers, and the cavalry to make an assault upon their wings, following up the advantage which the surprise and terror of the enemy gave them. In that critical and decisive moment the English were beaten back with considerable loss.
But it is scarcely credible with what strength, both of courage and hand, they, even in despite of death, sustained themselves in this disorder, drawing into small squadrons, and beating down their enemies on every hand in their retreat back to the hill, where Harold rallied them, and notwithstanding their loss, continued their combat and maintained their post.
