his gigantic and innocuous malignity. Dissembling,
however, his displeasure, he permitted Don John to expect, when the
Netherlands had been pacified, his approval of the invasion of England.

"At the same time, to become acquainted with all his brother's
designs, and watch the intrigues of Escovedo, he authorized Perez,
who was the confidant of the one and the friend of the other, to
correspond with them, to enter into their views, to appear to gain
his favour for them, to speak even very freely of him, in order to
throw them the more off their guard, and afterwards to betray their
secrets to him. Perez sought, or, at the very least, accepted this
odious part. He acted it, as he himself relates, with a shameless
devotion to the king, and a studied perfidy towards Don Juan and
Escovedo. He wrote letters to them, which were even submitted to
the inspection of Philip, and in which he did not always speak
respectfully of that prince; he afterwards communicated to Philip
the bold despatches of Escovedo, and the effusions of Don Juan's
restless and desponding ambition. In forwarding to the king a
letter from Escovedo, he at once boasts, and clears himself of this
disloyal artifice. 'Sire,' says he, 'it is thus one must listen and
answer for the good of your service; people are held much better
thus at sword's length; and one can better do with them whatever is
conducive to the interest of your affairs. But let your majesty use
good precaution in reading these papers; for, if my artifice is
discovered, I shall no longer be good for any thing; and shall have
to discontinue the game. Moreover, I know very well that, for my
duty and conscience, I am doing, in all this, nothing but what I
ought; and I need no other theology than my own to comprehend it.'
The king answers--'Trust, in every thing, to my circumspection. My
theology understands the thing just as yours does, and considers
not only that you are doing your duty, but that you would have been
remiss towards God and man, had you not done so, in order to
enlighten my understanding, as completely as is necessary, against
human deceits and upon the things of this world, at which I am
truly alarmed."

The laurels of the conqueror of the Turks drooped and withered in
Flanders.

"This young and glorious captain found, in