at lived in those provinces. He had opposed, by all regular
and dutiful means, the progress of the Spanish usurpations; and
when Alva conducted his army into the Netherlands, and assumed the
government, this prince, well acquainted with the violent character of
the man, and the tyrannical spirit of the court of Madrid, wisely fled
from the danger which threatened him, and retired to his paternal estate
and dominions in Germany. He was cited to appear before Alva's
tribunal, was condemned in absence, was declared a rebel, and his ample
possessions in the Low Countries were confiscated. In revenge, he had
levied an army of Protestants in the empire, and had made some attempts
to restore the Flemings to liberty; but was still repulsed with loss by
the vigilance and military conduct of Alva, and by the great bravery
as well as discipline of those veteran Spaniards who served under that
general.

The revolt of Holland and Zealand, provinces which the prince of Orange
had formerly commanded, and where he was much beloved, called him anew
from his retreat; and he added conduct, no less than spirit, to that
obstinate resistance which was here made to the Spanish dominion. By
uniting the revolted cities in a league, he laid the foundation of that
illustrious commonwealth, the offspring of industry and liberty, whose
arms and policy have long made so signal a figure in every transaction
of Europe. He inflamed the inhabitants by every motive which religious
zeal, resentment, or love of freedom could inspire. Though the present
greatness of the Spanish monarchy might deprive them of all courage, he
still flattered them with the concurrence of the other provinces,
and with assistance from neighboring states; and he exhorted them, in
defence of their religion, their liberties, their lives, to endure the
utmost extremities of war. From this spirit proceeded the desperate
defence of Harlem; a defence which nothing but the most consuming famine
could overcome, and which the Spaniards revenged by the execution of
more than two thousand of the inhabitants.[*] This extreme severity,
instead of striking terror into the Hollanders, animated them by
despair; and the vigorous resistance made at Alemaer, where Alva was
finally repulsed, showed them that their insolent enemies were not
invincible. The duke, finding at last the pernicious effects of
his violent counsels, solicited to be recalled; Medinaceli, who was
appointed his successor, refus