three fingers above his
knee, the bone broken quite in pieces; but for which chance, God did
send such a day as I think was never many years seen, so few against so
many." The earl then enumerates the other commanders and distinguished
persons engaged in the action. Colonel Norris, the earl of Essex, sir
Thomas Perrot; "and my unfortunate Philip, with sir William Russell, and
divers gentlemen; and not one hurt but only my nephew. They killed four
of their enemy's chief leaders, and carried the valiant count Hannibal
Gonzaga away with them upon a horse; also took captain George Cressier,
the principal soldier of the camp, and captain of all the Albanese. My
lord Willoughby overthrew him at the first encounter, man and horse. The
gentleman did acknowledge it himself. There is not a properer gentleman
in the world towards than this lord Willoughby is; but I can hardly
praise one more than another, they all did so well; yet every one had
his horse killed or hurt. And it was thought very strange that sir
William Stanley with three hundred of his men should pass, in spite of
so many musquets, such troops of horse three several times, making them
remove their ground, and to return with no more loss than he did.
Albeit, I must say it, it was too much loss for me; for this young man,
he was my greatest comfort, next her majesty, of all the world; and if I
could buy his life with all I have, to my shirt I would give it. How God
will dispose of him I know not, but fear I must needs, greatly, the
worst; the blow in so dangerous a place and so great; yet did I never
hear of any man that did abide the dressing and setting of his bones
better than he did; and he was carried afterwards in my barge to
Arnheim, and I hear this day, he is still of good heart, and comforteth
all about him as much as may be. God of his mercy grant me his life!
which I cannot but doubt of greatly. I was abroad that time in the
field giving some order to supply that business, which did endure almost
two hours in continual fight; and meeting Philip coming upon his
horseback, not a little to my grief. But I would you had stood by to
hear his most loyal speeches to her majesty; his constant mind to the
cause; his loving care over me, and his most resolute determination for
death, not one jot appalled for his blow; which is the most grievous I
ever saw with such a bullet; riding so a long mile and a half upon his
horse, ere he came to the camp; not ceasing to spea