The negotiations pointed to a speedy abjuration of Philip; the Republic was contemplated by none; the Prince of Orange absolutely refused to stretch forth his own hand; who then was to receive the sceptre which was so soon to be bestowed?  A German Prince—­had been tried—­in a somewhat abnormal position—­but had certainly manifested small capacity for aiding the provinces.  Nothing could well be more insignificant than the figure of Matthias; and, moreover, his imperial brother was anything but favorably disposed.  It was necessary to manage Rudolph.  To treat the Archduke with indignity, now that he had been partly established in the Netherlands, would be to incur the Emperor’s enmity.  His friendship, however, could hardly be secured by any advancement bestowed upon his brother; for Rudolph’s services against prerogative and the Pope were in no case to be expected.  Nor was there much hope from the Protestant princes of Germany.  The day had passed for generous sympathy with those engaged in the great struggle which Martin Luther had commenced.  The present generation of German Protestants were more inclined to put down the Calvinistic schism at home than to save it from oppression abroad.  Men were more disposed to wrangle over the thrice-gnawed bones of ecclesiastical casuistry, than to assist their brethren in the field.  “I know not,” said Gaultherus, “whether the calamity of the Netherlands, or the more than bestial stupidity of the Germans, be most deplorable.  To the insane contests on theological abstractions we owe it that many are ready to breathe blood and slaughter against their own brethren.  The hatred of the Lutherans has reached that point that they can rather tolerate Papists than ourselves.”

In England, there was much sympathy for the provinces and there—­although the form of government was still arbitrary—­the instincts for civil and religious freedom, which have ever characterized the Anglo-Saxon race, were not to be repressed.  Upon many a battle-field for liberty in the Netherlands, “men whose limbs were made in England” were found contending for the right.  The blood and treasure of Englishmen flowed freely in the cause of their relatives by religion and race, but these were the efforts of individuals.  Hitherto but little assistance had been rendered by the English Queen, who had, on the contrary, almost distracted the provinces by her fast-and-loose policy, both towards them and towards Anjou.  The political rivalry between that Prince and herself in the Netherlands had, however, now given place to the memorable love-passage from which important results were expected, and it was thought certain that Elizabeth would view with satisfaction any dignity conferred upon her lover.