Then danger threatened the Emperor Otho in his turn.

The French drove back those about him, and came right up to him; a sword thrust, delivered with vigor, entered the brain of Otho's horse; the horse, mortally wounded, reared up and turned his head in the direction whence he had come; and the emperor, thus carried away, showed his back to the French, and was off in full flight.

"Ye will see his face no more to-day," said Philip to his followers: and he said truly.

In vain did William des Barres, the first knight of his day in strength, and valor, and renown, dash off in pursuit of the emperor; twice he was on the point of seizing him, but Otho escaped, thanks to the swiftness of his horse and the great number of his German knights, who, whilst their emperor was flying, were fighting to a miracle.

But their bravery saved only their master; the battle of Bouvines was lost for the Anglo-Germano-Flemish coalition.