History of the United Netherlands, 1587d | Page 5

manner, "to
doubt my sincerity. Yet the Lord-Treasurer intimates that the most
serene Queen is disposed so to do. But if I had not the very best
intentions, and desires for peace, I should never have made the first
overtures. If I did not wish a pacific solution, what in the world forced
me to do what I have done? On the contrary, it is I that have reason to
suspect the other parties with their long delays, by which they have
made me lose the best part of the summer."
He then commented on the strong expressions in the English letters, as
to the continuance of her Majesty in her pious resolutions; observed
that he was thoroughly advised of the disputes between the Earl of

Leicester and the States; and added that it was very important for the
time indicated by the Queen.
"Whatever is to be done," said he, in conclusion, "let it be done
quickly;" and with that he said he would go and eat a bit of supper.
"And may I communicate Lord Burghley's letter to any one else?"
asked De Loo.
"Yes, yes, to the Seigneur de Champagny, and to my secretary
Cosimo," answered his Highness.
So the merchant negotiator proceeded at once to the mansion of
Champagny, in company with the secretary Cosimo. There was a long
conference, in which De Loo was informed of many things which he
thoroughly believed, and faithfully transmitted to the court of Elizabeth.
Alexander had done his best, they said, to delay the arrival of his fresh
troops. He had withdrawn from the field, on various pretexts, hoping,
day after day, that the English commissioners would arrive, and that a
firm and perpetual peace would succeed to the miseries of war. But as
time wore away, and there came no commissioners, the Duke had come
to the painful conclusion that he had been trifled with. His forces would
now be sent into Holland to find something to eat; and this would
ensure the total destruction of all that territory. He had also written to
command all the officers of the coming troops to hasten their march, in
order that he might avoid incurring still deeper censure. He was much
ashamed, in truth, to have been wheedled into passing the whole fine
season in idleness. He had been sacrificing himself for her sacred
Majesty, and to, serve her best interests; and now he found himself the
object of her mirth. Those who ought to be well informed had assured
him that the Queen was only waiting to see how the King of Navarre
was getting on with the auxiliary force just, going to him from
Germany, that she had no intention whatever to make peace, and that,
before long, he might expect all these German mercenaries upon his
shoulders in the Netherlands. Nevertheless he was prepared to receive
them with 40,000 good infantry, a splendid cavalry force, and plenty of
money.'
All this and more did the credulous Andrew greedily devour; and he
lost no time in communicating the important intelligence to her Majesty
and the Lord-Treasurer. He implored her, he said, upon his bare knees,
prostrate on the ground, and from the most profound and veritable

centre of his heart and with all his soul and all his strength, to believe in
the truth of the matters thus confided to him. He would pledge his
immortal soul, which was of more value to him--as he correctly
observed --than even the crown of Spain, that the King, the Duke, and
his counsellors, were most sincerely desirous of peace, and actuated by
the most loving and benevolent motives. Alexander Farnese was "the
antidote to the Duke of Alva," kindly sent by heaven, 'ut contraria
contrariis curenter,' and if the entire security of the sacred Queen were
not now obtained, together with a perfect reintegration of love between
her Majesty and the King of Spain, and with the assured tranquillity
and perpetual prosperity of the Netherlands, it would be the fault of
England; not of Spain.
And no doubt the merchant believed all that was told him, and--what
was worse--that he fully impressed his own convictions upon her
Majesty and Lord Burghley, to say nothing of the comptroller, who,
poor man, had great facility in believing anything that came from the
court of the most Catholic King: yet it is painful to reflect, that in all
these communications of Alexander and his agents, there was not one
single word of truth.--It was all false from beginning to end, as to the
countermanding of the troops,--as to the pacific intentions of the King
and Duke, and as to the proposed campaign in Friesland, in case of
rupture; and all the rest. But this will be conclusively proved a little
later.
Meantime the conference had