HAROLD.

257

tipon their pursuers, and the cavalry make an cassault upon their wings , and both of thempursue the advantage, which the surprize andterror of the enemy must give them in thatcritical and decisive moment. The Englishwere repulsed with great slaughter, and drivenback to the hill ; where, being rallied by thebravery of Harold , they were able, notwith-standing their loss , to maintain the post andcontinue the combat. The duke tried the samestratagem a second time with the same success;but even after this double advantage , he stillfound a great body of the English , who , main-taining themselves in firm array, seemed determinedto dispute the victory to the last extremity. Heordered his heavy armed infantry to make anassault upon them ; while his archers, placedbehind, should gall the enemy, who were ex-posed by the situation of the ground , and whowere intent in defending themselves against theswords and spears of the assailants. By this dis-position he at last prevailed : Harold was slain byan arrow, while he was combating with greatbravery at the head of his men : His two brothersshared the same fate : And the English, dis-couraged by the fall of those prineps, gave groundon all sides, and were pursued with great slaugh-ter by the victorious Normans. A few troopshowever of the vanquished had still the courageto turn upon their pursuers ; and attacking themin deep and miry ground , obtained some revengefor the slaughter and dishonour of the day. ButVol. I. S

HAP

III.