The reason why _Moluc_ did not command the Army himself, was, that he was sensible of the Increase of his lingring Disease, and found that in all probability this Day would be his last, and therefore resolved to make it the most glorious of his Life. He put his Army, as I said before, in Battalia himself, and gave all the necessary Orders with as much Presence of Mind, as if he had enjoy'd the greatest Health. He went farther than this; for foreseeing what a sudden Damp the News of his Death might cast upon the Courage of his Soldiers, he order'd the Officers that were about him, that if during the Heat of the Battle he should die, they should carefully conceal it, and that even after his Death, his _Aides de Camp_ should come up to his Litter, as if to receive fresh Orders. After this he was carried from Rank to Rank, where he exhorted his Soldiers to fight bravely for the Defence of their Religion and their Country. But now the Combat began, and the great Artillery being discharg'd, the Armies join'd. The _Portuguese_ Infantry soon routed the _Moorish_ Foot-Soldiers, who, as was before mention'd, were raw and undisciplin'd; the Duke _d'Aviedo_ engaged with a Parry of Horse so happily, that they gave ground, and retir'd to the very Center of the Army, where the King was. Enraged at so unexpected a Sight, notwithstanding what his Officers could say or do, he threw himself out of his Litter; Sword in hand he clear'd himself a Passage, rallied his flying Soldiers, and led them back himself to the Engagement. But this Action quite exhausting his remaining Strength and Spirits, he fainted; his Officers put him into his Litter, where he just recover'd Strength enough to put his Finger upon his Mouth once more, to enjoin Secrecy, then died before they could convey him back to his Tent. His Commands were obey'd, and the News of his Death conceal'd. [Sidenote: _Aug. 4. 1578._] Hitherto the Christians seem'd to have the Advantage, but the _Moorish_ Horse advancing at last, hemm'd in _Sebastian_'s whole Army, and attack'd them on every side. The Cavalry was drove back upon their Infantry, whom they trampled under foot, and spread every where amongst their own Soldiers, Disorder, Fear, and Confusion. The Infidels seiz'd upon this Advantage, and Sword in hand fell upon the conquer'd Troops; a dreadful Slaughter ensu'd, some on their knees begg'd for quarter, others thought to save themselves by flight, but being surrounded by their Foes, met their Fate in another place. The rash Don _Sebastian_ himself was slain, but whether he fell amidst the Horror and Confusion of the Battle, not being known by the _Moors_, or whether he was resolv'd not to survive the Loss of so many of his Subjects, whom he had led on to a Field of Slaughter, is doubtful. _Muley Mahomet_ got off, but passing the River _Mucazen_, was drown'd. Thus perish'd, in one fatal Day, three Heroick Princes.