Mayenne was accompanied by more than four thousand horse,
and twelve thousand foot. Henry himself, in his despatch to Monsieur
de la Verune, governor of Caen, does not venture even to guess at the
numbers of his adversary, but merely says, that the prisoners state
their army to have consisted of four thousand horse, and twelve
thousand foot, thus confirming the account of Victor Cayet. The
Royalist force did not amount to more than two thousand horse, and
about eight thousand foot. Just as the battle was about to commence,
however, Sully arrived from Pacy, bringing with him his own company,
and two companies of English horse arquebusiers, under Colonel James.
Several other reinforcements joined during the morning; and it cannot
be doubted that the flocking in of zealous friends, while Henry
occupied the plain of Ivry, tended greatly to encourage his forces,
and to make them forget the superiority of the enemy. As at Coutras,
the army of the League appeared covered with glittering trappings,
lace and embroidery, while that of the King displayed nothing but
cold gray steel.

"As soon as his troops had taken up their position, Henry rode along
the line, mounted on a powerful bay charger, clothed in complete
armour, but with his head bare, speaking words of hope and confidence
to the soldiers, and exhorting them to show the same valour here that
they had already displayed in many a perilous enterprise. His
countenance was bold and fearless; but it was remarked, that, moved
by his own words, his eyes more than once filled with tears. He
represented to his troops, that the road to safety, as well as to
glory, lay before them; that the crown of France depended upon their
swords; that there were no new armies to fall back upon in case of
defeat: no other nobles in France to take the field for him, if they
who surrounded him should fail. He then put himself at the head of
the line, where he could be seen by all, and heard by many, and with
his hands clasped and his eyes raised to heaven, he exclaimed: 'I
pray thee, oh God, who alone knowest the intentions of man's heart,
to do thy will upon me as thou shalt judge necessary for the weal of
Christendom, and to preserve me so long as thou knowest I am needful
for the happiness and repose of this land, and no longer.'