willingly swallow the cost if we could only get the ships.”  He then described Don John as so cast down by his disappointment as to be fit for nothing, and most desirous of quitting the Netherlands as soon as possible.  He had no disposition to govern these 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,