There was often something ludicrous mingled with the atrocious in these ungovernable explosions of wrath.  Don Pedro Manuel, his chamberlain, had once, by his command, ordered a pair of boots to be made for the Prince.  When brought home, they were, unfortunately, too tight.  The Prince after vainly endeavouring to pull them on, fell into a blazing passion.  He swore that it was the fault of Don Pedro, who always wore tight boots himself, but he at the same time protested that his father was really at the bottom of the affair.  He gave the young nobleman a box on the ear for thus conspiring with the King against his comfort, and then ordered the boots to be chopped into little pieces, stewed and seasoned.  Then sending for the culprit shoemaker, he ordered him to eat his own boots, thus converted into a pottage; and with this punishment the unfortunate mechanic, who had thought his life forfeited, was sufficiently glad to comply.

Even the puissant Alva could not escape his violence.  Like all the men in whom his father reposed confidence, the Duke was odious to the heir apparent.  Don Carlos detested him with the whole force of his little soul.  He hated him as only a virtuous person deserved to be hated by such a ruffian.  The heir apparent had taken the Netherlands under his patronage.  He had even formed the design of repairing secretly to the provinces, and could not, therefore, disguise his wrath at the appointment of the Duke.  It is doubtful whether the country would have benefited by the gratification of his wishes.  It is possible that the pranks of so malignant an ape might have been even more mischievous than the concentrated and vigorous tyranny of an Alva.  When the new Captain-general called, before his departure, to pay his respects to the Infante, the Duke seemed, to his surprise, to have suddenly entered the den of a wild beast.  Don Carlos sprang upon him with a howl of fury, brandishing a dagger in his hand.  He uttered reproaches at having been defrauded of the Netherland government.  He swore that Alva should never accomplish his mission, nor leave his presence alive.  He was proceeding to make good the threat with his poniard, when the Duke closed with him.  A violent struggle succeeded.  Both rolled together on the ground, the Prince biting and striking like a demoniac, the Duke defending himself as well as he was able, without attempting his adversary’s life.  Before the combat was decided, the approach of many persons put an end to the disgraceful scene.  As decent a veil as possible was thrown over the transaction, and the Duke departed on his mission.  Before the end of the year, the Prince was in the prison whence he never came forth alive.