The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1563-64 | Page 4

called upon to abandon the policy or to
sustain the minister. He could make up his mind to do neither the one
nor the other. In the mean time a well-turned period of mock
magnanimity had been furnished him. This he accordingly transmitted
as his first answer to a most important communication upon a subject

which, in the words of the writers, "admitted neither of dissimulation
nor delay." To deprive Philip of dissimulation and delay, however, was
to take away his all. They were the two weapons with which he fought
his long life's battle. They summed up the whole of his intellectual
resources. It was inevitable, therefore, that he should at once have
recourse to both on such an emergency as the present one.
At the same time that he sent his answer to the nobles, he wrote an
explanatory letter to the Regent. He informed her that he had received
the communication of the three seigniors, but instructed her that she
was to appear to know nothing of the matter until Egmont should speak
to her upon the subject. He added that, although he had signified his
wish to the three nobles, that one of them, without specifying which,
should come to Madrid, he in reality desired that Egmont, who seemed
the most tractable of the three, should be the one deputed. The King
added, that his object was to divide the nobles, and to gain time.
It was certainly superfluous upon Philip's part to inform his sister that
his object was to gain time. Procrastination was always his first refuge,
as if the march of the world's events would pause indefinitely while he
sat in his cabinet and pondered. It was, however, sufficiently puerile to
recommend to his sister an affectation of ignorance on a subject
concerning which nobles had wrangled, and almost drawn their swords
in her presence. This, however, was the King's statesmanship when left
to his unaided exertions. Granvelle, who was both Philip and Margaret
when either had to address or to respond to the world at large, did not
always find it necessary to regulate the correspondence of his puppets
between themselves. In order more fully to divide the nobles, the King
also transmitted to Egmont a private note, in his own handwriting,
expressing his desire that he should visit Spain in person, that they
might confer together upon the whole subject.
These letters, as might be supposed, produced any thing but a
satisfactory effect. The discontent and rage of the gentlemen who had
written or sustained the 11th of March communication, was much
increased. The answer was, in truth, no answer at all. "'Tis a cold and
bad reply," wrote Louis of Nassau, "to send after so long a delay. 'Tis
easy to see that the letter came from the Cardinal's smithy. In summa it
is a vile business, if the gentlemen are all to be governed by one person.
I hope to God his power will come soon to an end. Nevertheless,"

added Louis, "the gentlemen are all wide awake, for they trust the red
fellow not a bit more than he deserves."
The reader has already seen that the letter was indeed "from the
Cardinal's smithy," Granvelle having instructed his master how to reply
to the seigniors before the communication had been despatched.
The Duchess wrote immediately to inform her brother that Egmont had
expressed himself willing enough to go to Spain, but had added that he
must first consult Orange and Horn. As soon as that step had been
taken, she had been informed that it was necessary for them to advise
with all the gentlemen who had sanctioned their letter. The Duchess
had then tried in vain to prevent such an assembly, but finding that,
even if forbidden, it would still take place, she had permitted the
meeting in Brussels, as she could better penetrate into their proceedings
there, than if it should be held at a distance. She added, that she should
soon send her secretary Armenteros to Spain, that the King might be
thoroughly acquainted with what was occurring.
Egmont soon afterwards wrote to Philip, declining to visit Spain
expressly on account of the Cardinal. He added, that he was ready to
undertake the journey, should the King command his presence for any
other object. The same decision was formally communicated to the
Regent by those Chevaliers of the Fleece who had approved the 11th of
March letter --Montigny; Berghen, Meghem, Mansfeld, Ligne,
Hoogstraaten, Orange, Egmont, and Horn. The Prince of Orange,
speaking in the name of all, informed her that they did not consider it
consistent with their reputation, nor with the interest of his Majesty,
that any one of them should make so long and troublesome a journey,
in order to accuse the Cardinal. For any