rekindle the fires of religious persecution.  His appeal was in vain.  The poor tailor was beheaded at Mechlin on the 15th of June, the Conqueror of Lepanto being present at the execution, and adding dignity to the scene.  Thus, at the moment when William of Orange was protecting the Anabaptists of Middelburg in their rights of citizenship, even while they refused its obligations, the son of the Emperor was dipping his hands in the blood of a poor wretch who had done no harm but to listen to a prayer without denouncing the preacher.  The most intimate friends of the Prince were offended with his liberality.  The imperial shade of Don John’s father might have risen to approve the son who had so dutifully revived his bloody edicts and his ruthless policy.

Three parties were now fairly in existence:  the nobles, who hated the Spaniards, but who were disposed to hold themselves aloof from the people; the adherents of Don John, commonly called “Johanists;” and the partisans of the Prince of Orange—­for William the Silent had always felt the necessity of leaning for support on something more substantial than the court party, a reed shaken by the wind, and failing always when most relied upon.  His efforts were constant to elevate the middle class, to build up a strong third party which should unite much of the substantial wealth and intelligence of the land, drawing constantly from the people, and deriving strength from national enthusiasm—­a party which should include nearly all the political capacity of the country; and his efforts were successful.  No doubt the Governor and his Secretary were right when they said the people of the Netherlands were inclined to brook the Turk as easily as the Spaniard for their master, and that their hearts were in reality devoted to the Prince of Orange.

As to the grandees, they were mostly of those who “sought to swim between two waters,” according to the Prince’s expression.  There were but few unswerving supporters of the Spanish rule, like the Berlaymont and the Tassis families.  The rest veered daily with the veering wind.  Aerschot, the great chief of the Catholic party, was but a cringing courtier, false and fawning both to Don John and the Prince.  He sought to play a leading part in a great epoch; he only distinguished himself by courting and betraying all parties, and being thrown away by all.  His son and brother were hardly more respectable.  The Prince knew how little dependence could be placed on such allies, even although they had signed and sworn the Ghent Pacification.  He was also aware how little it was the intention of the Governor to be bound by that famous Treaty.  The Spanish troops had been, indeed, disbanded, but there were still, between ten and fifteen thousand German mercenaries in the service of the King; these were stationed in different important places, and held firm possession of the citadels.  The great keys of the country were still in the hands of the Spaniards.  Aerschot, indeed, governed the castle of Antwerp, in room of Sancho d’Avila, but how much more friendly would Aerschot be than Avila, when interest prompted him to sustain Don John against the Prince?