stated that ninety-five colours and standards were taken, besides
three which the Prussians kept to send to their King : but the
French historian, General Pelet, affirmed that they lost neither
artillery, nor colours, nor standards, nor baggage, but on the
other hand captured one colour from the Allies.
150. B a t t l e o f O u d e n a r d e . 1708.
Castor and Pollux, on horseback, charging, r. Leg. salvta-
e iv m s id e b vm a p p a e it io . (The appearance of propitious stars.)
Ex. EVGENII ET MARLEBOBVGII FELIX CONIVNCTIO. (The pro-
pitious conjunction of Eugene and Marlborough.)
Rev. Yiew of Oudenarde with the battle before the walls.
Leg. VANDOM . IN FLANDB . SICVT IN ITAL . EVNDEM FVGIT ET
v t f v g i e n d v s d o c e t . (Vendome flees from the same person in
Flanders as in Italy, and shows how he is to be fled from.)
Ex. MVLT . MILL . GALLOBVM CLADES AD ALDENAB . MDCCIIX .
d . x i . rvL . (The slaughter of many thousand French at O'ude-
narde, 11 July, 1708.)
Edge, n i l d e s p e b a n d v m t e v c e o d v c e e t a v s p i c e t e v c b o .
h o » . (Nothing to be despaired of under the guidance and auspices
of Teucer.—Hor. Car. I. vii. 27.)
1*7: Bapin, vi. 2. Yan Loon, Y. 106. Thes. Num.
794.
MB. At. pewter. Gotha, At. Rare.
Eugene and Marlborough are aptly typified by Castor and
Pollux, who alike ran a career of glory, each rejoicing in the
other’s fame, mutually sharing and contributing to each other’s
honour, and maintaining an uninterrupted friendship. According
to astrologers, stars in conjunction diffuse a propitious
influence over the fortunes of their satellites. Marlborough
had long expected Eugene to join him with strong reinforcements,
but as German councils delayed the advance of the
troops, Eugene hurried away alone and arrived at head-quarters
only a day or two before the battle. As the timely appearance
of Castor and Pollux at the battle of Lake Regillus brought
success to the Romans, so the fortunate conjunction of Eugene
and Marlborough was alike propitious to the Allies at Oudenarde.
The legend on the reverse is a foolish vaunt. At the
battle of Cassano, Eugene and Yendome met, but there was no
flight or even retreat, and both parties sang their Te Deum.
It was only after Yendome was called away to the Low
Countries that the career of Eugene in Italy was marked with
any great success; and at Oudenarde it was to Vendome alone
that the merit was due of having saved a single battalion from
destruction or capture. This medal was executed by Philipp
Heinrich Miiller, which may account for the complimentary
allusions being directed to Eugene rather than to Marlborough.
151. B a t t l e o f O u d e n a e d e . ™ j™°, 1708.
The above medal also occurs with a different inscription on
the edge : p e b p e t v a s o l v e t f o e m i d in e t e b b a s . t i e s . (He shall
release the earth from perpetual dread.— comp. Virg. Eclog. iv.
1-7.
MB* R a r e .
-152. B a t t l e o f O u d e n a e d e . 1708.
Marlborough and Eugene, habited as Roman generals; each
holds a laurel wreath and plucks a flower from a lily. * Leg.
ad exobnandam LAVBEAM. (To adorn the laurel wreath.) Ex.
EVGENII ET MABLBOBVGII . CONIVNCTIO GALLOBVM DISSIPATIO.
(The conjunction of Eugene and Marlborough is the dispersion
of the French.)
Rev. A boy seated, r., under a tree, catches a cock with a
hook and line. Leg. v® t i b i l v d e n t i nam mox p o s t iv b il a
f l e b i s . (Woe to you, sporting, for soon after your joy you will
weep.) Ex. g a l l i gandavo e t b bvga capta, ald ena ed am
o b s e s s v e i v in c v n tv b . MDCCIIX . XI . IVL. (The French, having
captured Ghent and Bruges, are defeated when attempting the
siege of Oudenarde, 11 July, 1708.)