Being the deadly enemy of the States and their leaders, it was a matter of course that he should be bitter against Maurice.  That young Prince, bold, enterprising, and determined, as he was, did not ostensibly meddle with political affairs more than became his years; but he accepted the counsels of the able statesmen in whom his father had trusted.  Riding, hunting, and hawking, seemed to be his chief delight at the Hague, in the intervals of military occupations.  He rarely made his appearance in the state-council during the winter, and referred public matters to the States-General, to the States of Holland, to Barneveld, Buys, and Hohenlo.  Superficial observers like George Gilpin regarded him as a cipher; others, like Robert Cecil, thought him an unmannerly schoolboy; but Willoughby, although considering him insolent and conceited, could not deny his ability.  The peace partisans among the burghers—­a very small faction—­were furious against him, for they knew that Maurice of Nassau represented war.  They accused of deep designs against the liberties of their country the youth who was ever ready to risk his life in their defence.  A burgomaster from Friesland, who had come across the Zuyder Zee to intrigue against the States’ party, was full of spleen at being obliged to dance attendance for a long time at the Hague.  He complained that Count Maurice, green of years, and seconded by greener counsellors, was meditating the dissolution of the state-council, the appointment of a new board from his own creatures, the overthrow of all other authority, and the assumption of the, sovereignty of Holland and Zeeland, with absolute power.  “And when this is done;” said the rueful burgomaster, “he and his turbulent fellows may make what terms they like with Spain, to the disadvantage of the Queen and of us poor wretches.”

But there was nothing farther from the thoughts of the turbulent fellows than any negotiations with Spain.  Maurice was ambitious enough, perhaps, but his ambition ran in no such direction.  Willoughby knew better; and thought that by humouring the petulant young man it might be possible to manage him.

“Maurice is young,” he said, “hot-headed; coveting honour.  If we do but look at him through our fingers, without much words, but with providence enough, baiting his hook a little to his appetite, there is no doubt but he might be caught and kept in a fish-pool; while in his imagination he may judge it a sea.  If not, ’tis likely he will make us fish in troubled waters.”

Maurice was hardly the fish for a mill-pond even at that epoch, and it might one day be seen whether or not he could float in the great ocean of events.  Meanwhile, he swam his course without superfluous gambols or spoutings.

The commander of her Majesty’s forces was not satisfied with the States, nor their generals, nor their politicians.  “Affairs are going ’a malo in pejus,’” he said.  “They embrace their liberty as apes their young.  To this end are Counts Hollock and Maurice set upon the stage to entertain the popular sort.  Her Majesty and my Lord of Leicester are not forgotten.  The Counts are in Holland, especially Hollock, for the other is but the cipher.  And yet I can assure you Maurice hath wit and spirit too much for his time.”