See how the bear-cubs taught them To tread a merry dance! And the priests, how well we shrived them With the pricking of a lance! Ours is the victory! Forward then! For aid Geneva calls, Haste to the help of those whose shame Is to love God's Word and Christ's dear name— Haste! yonder are her walls! Meanwhile the report of the battle had spread through the whole district; all the neighboring villages were in commotion; couriers, dispatched by Lugrin, hastily ordered up the various corps, stationed at intervals, to the support of their unhappy commander. These troops hurried forward at the top of their speed. When the Swiss had finished their thanksgiving, they looked before them and perceived that the hostile chiefs were busied in filled up their thinned ranks, and that fresh bands were joining the Savoyard army. The Sire de Lugrin and the Baron of La Sarraz at the head of these fresh troops, supported by the old ones, were about to attack the terrible battalion, posted on the Molard. The Savoyards were much superior in number, and their leaders were determined to do everything to recover their honor and crush liberty in Geneva. The Swiss did not hesitate; they moved forward and descended the hill to scatter their enemies once more. The struggle was about to be renewed. Could these famished and exhausted men sustain the shock of soldiers burning with desire to avenge the deaths of their comrades? That was the question: a few hours would probably answer it; but an unexpected circumstance occurred to give a new turn to affairs. [634] 'Die Strasse von ihren Feinden der Savoyern verhaget war.'—Stettler, _Chronik_, p. 70. [635] Froment, _Gestes de Genève_, p. 194.—Stettler, _Chronik_, p. 70. [636] 'Zu ümgeben, fahen under hencken.'—Stettler, _Chronik_, p. 70.—MSC. de Roset, liv. iii. ch. 41. [637] 'Den Berg herab, willens mit den Bernern zu conferiren.'—Stettler, _Chronik_, p. 71. [638] Stettler, _Chronik_, p. 70. [639] 'Mit guten Brægedinen angethan.'—_Ibid._ p. 71. [640] Berne MS. ascribed to Bonivard. [641] It would appear from the chroniclers, that these are two distinct cases. Froment (_Gestes de Genève_, p. 195) says positively that the woman of whom he speaks _n'eut pas de dommage_; Stettler (_Chronik_, p. 71) says, on the contrary, of her whom he mentions, that she had _vor ihrem Tod vier Mann erlegt_. Could one or other of these writers be mistaken? [642] 'Stachen, schlossen, und schlugen se männlich.'—Stettler, _Chronik_, p. 71. [643] _Supra_, Vol. II. p. 377. [644] 'Bei hundert priestlichen Personen . . . auf den Platz gelassen.'—Stettler, _Chronik_, p. 71. [645] Verdeil, _Histoire du Canton de Vaud_. [646] Grands Welches. [647] 'Den Rucken kehrten,' &c.—Stettler, _Chronik_, p. 71. [648] 'O Bern! du magst wohl frölich seyn!' etc. Recueil de Werner Sterner. This song is probably by the famous contemporary poet Manuel. [649] The Bear, i.e. Berne, which has a bear on its shield.