In the autumn of 1746, the French, after capturing Namur, had occupied Tongres, in the market-place of which Favart had constructed a theatre. The allied army, under Prince Charles of Lorraine, was close at hand, and a decisive engagement was daily expected; but this did not prevent the improvised playhouse from being crowded every evening. Early in the afternoon of October 9, the Marshal sent for Favart to come to his quarters, and, on his arrival, dismissed the officers who were with him, and, turning to the poet, said: "To-morrow I shall give battle. As yet I have issued no orders to that effect. Announce it this evening at the conclusion of the performance, in couplets suitable to the occasion. Until that moment let nothing transpire." Favart obeyed, and composed the following verses, which were sung by a young and pretty actress between the two pieces of which the performance consisted:-- "Nous avons rempli notre tâche, Demain nous donnerons relâche; Guerriers, Mars va guider vos pas; Que votre ardeur se renouvelle: A des intrépides soldats La Victoire est toujours fidèle. "Demain bataille, jour de gloire; Que dans les fastes de l'histoire Triomphe encore le nom français Digne d'eternelle mémoire! Revenez après vos succès, Jouir des fruits de la victoire." These verses caused the most unbounded astonishment. It was at first supposed that the poet had lost his head; a battle announced between two comic operas, the order of the day to the air of a popular song, seemed too absurd! Officers hastened to the Marshal's box to inquire if Favart had had any authority for his announcement; but Maurice smilingly replied that he had acted under his orders. Thereupon the astonishment changed to enthusiasm, and the theatre resounded with applause. "On all sides," writes Favart, "but two words were heard: '_Demain, bataille! demain, bataille!_' The intoxication passed rapidly from officers to men, and was so intense that one could not fail to see therein a presage of victory."[123] The battle so eagerly anticipated did not take place next day, but on October 11, when Maurice attacked the allies at Roucoux, a little to the north of Liège, and completely defeated them, though the English, who, as usual, bore the brunt of the engagement, fought right valiantly, and the victory was in consequence very dearly purchased. In celebration of his compatriots' triumph, Favart, on the morrow of the battle, hurriedly composed two or three scenes full of happy allusions to the events of the preceding day. These were performed the same night, and were, of course, received with enthusiasm. He did not confine himself, he tells us, to chanting the praises of the victors, but paid a generous tribute to the courage of the vanquished, one of his couplets concluding thus:-- "Anglais chéris de la victoire Vous ne cédez qu'aux seuls Français; Vous n'en avez pas moins de gloire."