t the reader mark the date--that, "although a great doubt had
been conceived as to the King's sincerity, . . . . yet that discretion
and experience induced him--the envoy--to think, that besides the
reverent opinion to be had of princes' oaths, and the general incommodity
which will come by the contrary, God had so balanced princes' powers in
that age, as they rather desire to assure themselves at home, than with
danger to invade their neighbours."

Perhaps the mariners of England--at that very instant exchanging
broadsides off the coast of Devon and Dorset with the Spanish Armada, and
doing their best to protect their native land from the most horrible
calamity which had ever impended over it--had arrived at a less reverent
opinion of princes' oaths; and it was well for England in that supreme
hour that there were such men as Howard and Drake, and Winter and
Frobisher, and a whole people with hearts of oak to defend her, while
bungling diplomatists and credulous dotards were doing their best to
imperil her existence.

ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:

Bungling diplomatists and credulous dotards
Fitter to obey than to command
Full of precedents and declamatory commonplaces
I am a king that will be ever known not to fear any but God
Infamy of diplomacy, when diplomacy is unaccompanied by honesty
Mendacity may always obtain over innocence and credulity
Never did statesmen know better how not to do
Pray here for satiety, (said Cecil) than ever think of variety
Simple truth was highest skill
Strength does a falsehood acquire in determined and skilful hand
That crowned criminal, Philip the Second

CHAPTER XVIII. 1588, Part 2.

Dangerous Discord in North Holland--Leicester's Resignation arrives
--Enmity of Willoughby and Maurice--Willoughby's dark Picture of
Affairs--Hatred between States and Leicestrians--Maurice's Answer to
the Queen's Charges--End of Sonoy's Rebellion--Philip foments the
Civil War in France--League's Threats and Plots against Henry--Mucio
arrives in Paris--He is received with Enthusiasm--The King flies,
and Spain triumphs in Paris--States expostulate with the Queen--
English Statesmen still deceived--Deputies from Netherland Churches
--Hold Conference with the Queen--And present long Memorials--More
Conversations with the Queen--National Spirit of England and
Holland--Dissatisfaction with Queen's Course--Bitt