It was in this vein that he ever wrote and spoke:  The Netherlands were to rely upon their own exertions, and to procure the best alliance, together with the most efficient protection possible.  They were not strong enough to cope singlehanded with their powerful tyrant, but they were strong enough if they used the instruments which Heaven offered.  It was not trusting but tempting Providence to wait supinely, instead of grasping boldly at the means of rescue within reach.  It became the character of brave men to act, not to expect.  “Otherwise,” said the Prince, “we may climb to the top of trees, like the Anabaptists of Munster, and expect God’s assistance to drop from the clouds.”  It is only by listening to these arguments so often repeated, that we can comprehend the policy of Orange at thin period.  “God has said that he would furnish the ravens with food, and the lions with their prey,” said he; “but the birds and the lions do not, therefore, sit in their nests and their lairs waiting for their food to descend from heaven, but they seek it where it is to be found.”  So also, at a later day, when events seemed to have justified the distrust so, generally felt in Anjou, the Prince; nevertheless, held similar language.  “I do not,” said he, calumniate those who tell us to put our trust in God.  That is my opinion also.  But it is trusting God to use the means which he places in our hands, and to ask that his blessings may come upon them.

There was a feeling entertained by the more sanguine that the French King would heartily assist the Netherlands, after his brother should be fairly installed.  He had expressly written to that effect, assuring Anjou that he would help him with all his strength, and would enter into close alliance with those Netherlands which should accept him as prince and sovereign.  In another and more private letter to the Duke, the King promised to assist his brother, “even to his last shirt.”  There is no doubt that it was the policy of the statesmen of France to assist the Netherlands, while the “mignons” of the worthless King were of a contrary opinion.  Many of them were secret partizans of Spain; and found it more agreeable to receive the secret pay of Philip than to assist his revolted provinces.  They found it easy to excite the jealousy of the monarch against his brother—­a passion which proved more effective than the more lofty ambition of annexing the Low Countries, according to the secret promptings of many French politicians.  As for the Queen Mother, she was fierce in her determination to see fulfilled in this way the famous prediction of Nostradamus.  Three of her sons had successively worn the crown of France.  That she might be “the mother of four kings,” without laying a third child in the tomb, she was greedy for this proffered sovereignty to her youngest and favorite son.  This well-known desire of Catherine de Medici was duly insisted upon by the advocates of the election; for her influence, it was urged, would bring the whole power of France to support the Netherlands.