But in vain did the governor of the place, stout Arnold Froenevelt, assisted by the rough and direct eloquence of Roger Williams, urge upon the Earl of Leicester and the States-General the necessity and the practicability of the plan proposed.  The fleet never entered the harbour.  There was no William of Orange to save Antwerp and Sluys, as Leyden had once been saved, and his son was not old enough to unravel the web of intrigue by which he was surrounded, or to direct the whole energies of the commonwealth towards an all-important end.  Leicester had lost all influence, all authority, nor were his military abilities equal to the occasion, even if he had been cordially obeyed.

Ten days longer the perpetual battles on the ramparts and within the mines continued, the plans conveyed by the bold swimmer, Captain Hart, for saving the place were still unattempted, and the city was tottering to its fall.  “Had Captain Hart’s words taken place,” wrote Williams, bitterly, “we had been succoured, or, if my letters had prevailed, our pain had been, no peril:  All wars are best executed in sight of the enemy . . . .  The last night of June (10th July, N. S.) the enemy entered the ditches of our fort in three several places, continuing in fight in mine and on rampart for the space of eight nights.  The ninth; he battered us furiously, made a breach of five score paces suitable for horse and man.  That day be attempted us in all, places with a general, assault for the space of almost five hours.”

The citadel was now lost.  It had been gallantly defended; and it was thenceforth necessary to hold the town itself, in the very teeth of an overwhelming force.  “We were forced to quit the fort,” said-Sir Roger, “leaving nothing behind us but bare earth.  But here we do remain resolutely to be buried, rather than to be dishonoured in the least point.”

It was still possible for the fleet to succour the city.  “I do assure you,” said-Williams, “that your captains and mariners do not their duty unless they enter with no great loss; but you must consider that no wars may be made without danger.  What you mean to do, we beseech you to do with expedition, and persuade yourself that we will die valiant, honest-men.  Your Excellency will do well to thank the old President de Meetkerk far the honesty and valour of his son.”

Count Maurice and his natural brother, the Admiral, now undertook the succour by sea; but, according to the Leicestrians, they continued dilatory and incompetent.  At any rate, it is certain that they did nothing.  At last, Parma had completed the bridge; whose construction, was so much dreaded:  The haven was now enclosed by a strong wooden structure, resting an boats, on a plan similar to that of the famous bridge with which he had two years before bridled the Scheldt, and Sluys was thus completely shut in from the sea.  Fire-ships were now constructed, by order of Leicester—­feeble imitations:  of the floating volcanoes of Gianihelli—­and