[307] This was perhaps the moment at which the arrogance of Lewis reached the highest point.

He had achieved the last and the most splendid military exploit of his life.

His confederated foes, English, Dutch and German, had, in their own despite, swelled his triumph, and had been witnesses of the glory which made their hearts sick.

His exultation was boundless.
The inscriptions on the medals which he struck to commemorate his success, the letters by which he enjoined the prelates of his kingdom to sing the Te Deum, were boastful and sarcastic.

His people, a people among whose many fine qualities moderation in prosperity cannot be reckoned, seemed for a time to be drunk with pride.