The figure of Don Carlos was as misshapen as his mind.  His head was disproportionately large, his limbs were rickety, one shoulder was higher, one leg longer than the other.  With features resembling those of his father, but with a swarthy instead of a fair complexion, with an expression of countenance both fierce and foolish, and with a character such as we have sketched it, upon the evidence of those who knew him well, it is indeed strange that he should ever have been transformed by the magic of poetry into a romantic hero.  As cruel and cunning as his father, as mad as his great-grandmother, he has left a name, which not even his dark and mysterious fate can render interesting.

1568 [Chapter iv.]

Continued and excessive barbarity of the government—­Execution of Antony van Straalen, of “Red—­Rod” Spelle—­The Prince of Orange advised by his German friends to remain quiet—­Heroic sentiments of Orange—­His religious opinions—­His efforts in favor of toleration—­ His fervent piety—­His public correspondence with the Emperor—­His “Justification,” his “Warning,” and other papers characterized—­The Prince, with a considerable army, crosses the Rhine—­Passage of the Meuse at Stochem—­He offers battle to Alva—­Determination of the Duke to avoid an engagement—­Comparison of his present situation with his previous position in Friesland—­Masterly tactics of the Duke—­Skirmish on the Geta—­Defeat of the Orangists—­Death of Hoogstraaten—­Junction with Genlis—­Adherence of Alva to his original plan—­The Prince crosses the frontier of France—­ Correspondence between Charles IX. and Orange—­The patriot army disbanded at Strasburg—­Comments by Granvelle upon the position of the Prince—­Triumphant attitude of Alva—­Festivities at Brussels—­ Colossal statue of Alva erected by himself in Antwerp citadel—­ Intercession of the Emperor with Philip—­Memorial of six Electors to the Emperor—­Mission of the Archduke Charles to Spain—­His negotiations with Philip—­Public and private correspondence between the King and Emperor—­Duplicity of Maximilian—­Abrupt conclusion to the intervention—­Granvelle’s suggestions to Philip concerning the treaty of Passau.

The Duke having thus crushed the project of Count Bouts, and quelled the insurrection in Friesland, returned in triumph to Brussels.  Far from softened by the success of his arms, he renewed with fresh energy the butchery which, for a brief season, had been suspended during his brilliant campaign in the north.  The altars again smoked with victims; the hanging, burning, drowning, beheading, seemed destined to be the perpetual course of his administration, so long as human bodies remained on which his fanatical vengeance could be wreaked.  Four men of eminence were executed soon after his return to the capital.  They had previously suffered such intense punishment on the rack, that it was necessary to carry them to the scaffold and bind them upon chairs, that they might