The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1577 part 1 | Page 4

wineskins. Any one who ruled in the provinces was
obliged to do exactly what they ordered him to do. Such rule was not to
the taste of Don John. Without any comparison, a woman would
answer the purpose better than any man, and Escovedo accordingly
suggested the Empress Dowager, or Madame de Parma, or even
Madame de Lorraine. He further recommended that the Spanish troops,
thus forced to leave the Netherlands by land, should be employed
against the heretics in France. This would be a salve for the disgrace of
removing them. "It would be read in history," continued the Secretary,
"that the troops went to France in order to render assistance in a great
religious necessity; while, at the same time, they will be on hand to
chastise these drunkards, if necessary. To have the troops in France is

almost as well as to keep them here." He begged to be forgiven if he
spoke incoherently. 'T was no wonder that he should do so, for his
reason had been disordered by the blow which had been received. As
for Don John, he was dying to leave the country, and although the force
was small for so great a general, yet it would be well for him to lead
these troops to France in person. "It would sound well in history," said
poor Escovedo, who always thought of posterity, without ever
dreaming that his own private letters would be destined, after three
centuries, to comment and earnest investigation; "it would sound well
in history, that Don John went to restore, the French kingdom and to
extirpate heretics, with six thousand foot and two thousand horse. 'Tis a
better employment, too, than to govern such vile creatures as these."
If, however, all their plans should fail, the Secretary suggested to his
friend Antonio, that he must see and make courtiers of them. He
suggested that a strong administration might be formed in Spain, with
Don John, the Marquis de Los Velez, and the Duke of Sesa. "With such
chiefs, and with Anthony and John--[Viz., John of Escovedo and
Antony Perez.]-- for acolytes," he was of opinion that much good work
might be done, and that Don John might become "the staff for his
Majesty's old age." He implored Perez, in the most urgent language, to
procure Philip's consent that his brother should leave the provinces.
"Otherwise," said he, "we shall see the destruction of the friend whom
we so much love! He will become seriously ill, and if so, good night to
him! His body is too delicate." Escovedo protested that he would rather
die himself. "In the catastrophe of Don John's death," he continued,
"adieu the court, adieu the world!" He would incontinently bury
himself among the mountains of San Sebastian, "preferring to dwell
among wild animals than among courtiers." Escovedo, accordingly, not
urged by the most disinterested motives certainly, but with as warm a
friendship for his master as princes usually inspire, proceeded to urge
upon Perez the necessity of, aiding the man who was able to help them.
The first step was to get him out of the Netherlands. That was his
constant thought, by day and night. As it would hardly be desirable for
him to go alone, it seemed proper that Escovedo should, upon some
pretext, be first sent to Spain. Such a pretext would be easily found,
because, as Don John had accepted the government, "it would be
necessary for him to do all which the rascals bade him." After these

minute statements, the Secretary warned his correspondent of the
necessity of secrecy, adding that he especially feared "all the court
ladies, great and small, but that he in everything confided entirely in
Perez."
Nearly at the same time, Don John wrote to Perez in a similar tone. "Ah,
Senor Antonio," he exclaimed, "how certain is my disgrace and my
misfortune. Ruined is our enterprise, after so much labor and such
skilful management." He was to have commenced the work with the
very Spanish soldiers who were now to be sent off by land, and he had
nothing for it but to let them go, or to come to an open rupture with the
states. "The last, his conscience, his duty, and the time, alike forbade."
He was therefore obliged to submit to the ruin of his plans, and "could
think of nothing save to turn hermit, a condition in which a man's
labors, being spiritual, might not be entirely in vain." He was so
overwhelmed by the blow, he said, that he was constantly thinking of
an anchorite's life. That which he had been leading had become
intolerable. He was not fitted for the people of the Netherlands, nor
they for him. Rather than stay longer than was necessary in order to
appoint his successor,