had been at war ever since
     Nations tied to the pinafores of children in the nursery
     Natural tendency to suspicion of a timid man
     Not safe for politicians to call each other hard names
     One of the most contemptible and mischievous of kings (James I)
     Peace founded on the only secure basis, equality of strength
     Peace seemed only a process for arriving at war
     Repose under one despot guaranteed to them by two others
     Requires less mention than Philip III himself
     Rules adopted in regard to pretenders to crowns
     Served at their banquets by hosts of lackeys on their knees
     Take all their imaginations and extravagances for truths
     The expenses of James’s household
     The pigmy, as the late queen had been fond of nicknaming him
     To negotiate with Government in England was to bribe
     Unproductive consumption being accounted most sagacious
     War was the normal condition of Christians
     We have been talking a little bit of truth to each other
     What was to be done in this world and believed as to the next
     You must show your teeth to the Spaniard

HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS

From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year’s Truce—­1609

By John Lothrop Motley

History United Netherlands, Volume 77, 1604-1605

CHAPTER XLIII.

Policy of the King of France—­Operations of Prince Maurice—­Plans for a Flemish Campaign—­Passage into Flanders—­Fort St. Catharine—­ Flight of its garrison, and occupation by Maurice—­Surrender of Ysendyke and Aardenburg—­Skirmish at Stamper’s Hook—­Siege of Sluys by Prince Maurice—­Ineffectual attempt of Spinola to relieve the town—­Its capitulation and restoration to the States—­Death of Lewis Gunther of Nassau—­Operations at Ostend—­Surrender of the garrison—­ Desolation of the scene after its evacuation.

The States-General had begun to forget the severe lesson taught them in the Nieuport campaign.  Being determined to hold Ostend, they became very impatient, in the early part of the present year, that Maurice should once more invade Flanders, at the head of a relieving army, and drive the archdukes from before the town.

They were much influenced in this policy by the persistent advice of the French king.  To the importunities of their envoy at Paris, Henry had, during the past eighteen months, replied by urging the States to invade Flanders and seize its ports.  When they had thus something to place as pledges in his hands, he might accede to their clamour and declare war against Spain.  But he scarcely concealed his intention, in such case, to annex both the obedient and the United Netherlands to his own dominions.  Meantime, before getting into the saddle, he chose to be guaranteed against