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The English sustained the shock with great firmness and intrepidity ; and opening their ranks to let their slingers pass through, those galled the Normans prodigiously, and killed a great number in the first onset. Harold, willing to improve the advantage, ordered fresh troops to advance, to which the Duke opposed some squadrons that were not only repulsed, but the cavalry and infantry of Bretagne, who were stationed upon the left wing with some auxiliaries, were put to flight. At the same time a rumour was spread through the left wing, by the artifice of Harold, that the Duke had been killed by the stroke of a lance ; at which the Normans began to shrink back, and to be filled with horror and consternation. William, alarmed at the fatal consequences that might follow, rode along the lines, and called with a loud voice, "My fellow-soldiers, take courage; your leader is still alive !" He took his helmet from his head, and shewed them his countenance ; and restraining them from flight, cried out, " that he was come to perish with them !" His presence and his voice inspired the re pulsed battalions ; the fainting squadrons were animated to return again to the charge ; -