do not act with some vigour, they will be so encouraged, that they will
force us to some action, which may be to our disadvantage, which cannot
happen, if we keep the army in the heart they are now in, for 'tis impos-
sible to see finer troops."

Still farther to secure the open towns east of the Senne,
Marlborough did not linger at Beaulieu; but moving again
the 31st, he crossed the Dyle below Louvain, and advanced
to the strong position of Meldert, which covered the opening
into Brabant, between the Dyle and the Gheets. The
French, who had spread rumours of their design to besiege
Huy, were satisfied with preventing his advance, and en-
camped in the vicinity of Gemblours. His friends in En-
land could not, however, contemplate the awful situation in
which he appeared to be placed, without the deepest anxiety;
and knowing the magnanimity with which he always ex-
posed his person, they expected every post the intelligence
of a battle, which, from the equality of the two armies, and
the spirit of the respective commanders, could not fail to be
in the highest degree desperate and bloody. Godolphin
writes:--

"May 23.-June 3. -- I have just now received the favour of yours of
the 26th and 30th of May, by which I find the French act otherwise
then you expected, and the Dutch no otherwise than you expected. I
wish you may have an opportunity of as much advantage as you
seem to hope for. In the mean time, I am eased at present of a good
deal of agitation of mind for the event of an immediate action, which I
did not think so remote as it now seems to be; for whether M. de Ven-
dome has any notice of the States' inclinations or not, I never looked
upon him as a man that would care to be cooped up within lines, having
so great an army. I wish the duke of Savoy may be so forward as to
oblige them to make a detachment very soon; but if you should have
any opportunity, in the mean time, it may be of ill consequence to baulk
your own troops, while they are in so good heart. I make no question
but you will have every thing in your thoughts, and I hope God will
direct you for the best, and keep you in his protection."

On this also, as on former occasions, the duchess evinced
her tender solicitude for his safety, by importuning him not
to expose his person. We find an affectionate letter, in
which he calms her apprehensions, by assuring her that the
French would not venture a battle, although their numbers
had been recently increased by the junction of the reinforce-
ments from Italy, which rendered their army superior in
strength, though not in courage.

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