The French advanced boldly to the combat, having their artillery in front, which played four hours incessantly, and did great damage to the Spaniards, principally to their men at arms. Some Spaniards sallied out of their camp, and the French rushed in,--when both parties met, and two superb and bold nations might then be seen contending with courage and earnestness for the victory. Never was heard such clattering of swords and lances: the gallant duke of Nemours hastened forward, fighting most wonderfully, to encourage his men; and it was for some time uncertain which side would have the advantage,--for the Spaniards shouted at times 'Victory! Julius, Julius!' at others, the French cried out 'Victory, Nemours!' At length, the French made their enemies fly. During the battle, the lord de Molarc was killed by a cannon-shot,--a great loss to the king, for he was a valiant, and enterprising captain. He led that day the french infantry, a most courageous and steady band. La Crotte and captain Jacobs, who commanded the Lansquenets, were among the first of the slain; and their loss was a heavy blow: however, both French and Lansquenets advanced with greater courage to revenge the deaths of their captains, and pushed on until they came to where the baggage was, and some famished adventurers had already begun to knock in the heads of the casks of different wines,--when, having drank their fill, they ran away as fast as they could: not so the Spaniards, who still held on fighting,--for I can assure you, that these spanish troops were no way fainthearted, and there had not been so severe a battle fought as this for a long time. May God pardon those who were killed! The remnant of the Spaniards and Italians that escaped wandered here and there. Upwards of twenty of the great lords of Italy lay dead on the field. There were many prisoners made: in the number were Pedro de Navarre, don John de Cardona, the marquis of Pescara, Pomare, Epinose, Castinago, John Antony Vosino, the count de Montelon, the marquis de Betonde, the marquis de l'Estelle, the son to the count of Consege, and others of renown. No one knew what became of the duke du Traict,[44] who was of their company. The viceroy of Naples saved himself by flight, until he gained the seashore, and embarked for Naples. The marquis de la Padulla and the count del Popolo made good a retreat before the end of the conflict, with eleven or twelve hundred horse, as well men at arms as light cavalry, and from sixteen to seventeen-hundred infantry, the remains of their army, and saved themselves as well as they could. Numbers of Frenchmen were doubtless slain, for the Spaniards fought with the utmost bravery; and when the french men at arms returning from the pursuit, passed over the field of battle, the wounded laid hands on any swords near them, and, in the miserable state they were in on the ground, cut the legs of the horses the French were mounted on.