Philip’s envoys were indignant at the apathy displayed towards the great Catholic cause, and felt humbled at the imbecility exhibited by Spain in its efforts against the Netherlands and France.  San Clemente, who was attending the Diet at Ratisbon, was shocked at the scenes he witnessed.  “In less than three months,” said that temperate Spaniard, “they have drunk more than five million florins’ worth of wine, at a time when the Turk has invaded the frontiers of Germany; and among those who have done the most of this consumption of wine, there is not one who is going to give any assistance on the frontier.  In consequence of these disorders my purse is drained so low, that unless the king helps me I am ruined.  You must tell our master that the reputation of his grandeur and strength has never been so low as it is now in Germany.  The events in France and those which followed in the Netherlands have thrown such impediments in the negotiations here, that not only our enemies make sport of Marquis Havre and myself, but even our friends—­who are very few—­dare not go to public feasts, weddings, and dinners, because they are obliged to apologize for us.”

Truly the world-empire was beginning to crumble.  “The emperor has been desiring twenty times,” continued the envoy, “to get back to Prague from the Diet, but the people hold him fast like a steer.  As I think over all that passes, I lose all judgment, for I have no money, nor influence, nor reputation.  Meantime, I see this rump of an empire keeping itself with difficulty upon its legs.  ’Tis full of wrangling and discord about religion, and yet there is the Turk with two hundred thousand men besieging a place forty miles from Vienna, which is the last outpost.  God grant it may last!”

Such was the aspect of the Christian world at the close of the year 1594

     ETEXT editor’s bookmarks: 

     Beneficent and charitable purposes (War)
     Chronicle of events must not be anticipated
     Eat their own children than to forego one high mass
     Humanizing effect of science upon the barbarism of war
     Slain four hundred and ten men with his own hand

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 67, 1595

CHAPTER XXXI.

Formal declaration of war against Spain—­Marriage festivities—­Death of Archduke Ernest—­His year of government—­Fuentes declared governor-general—­Disaffection of the Duke of Arschot and Count Arenberg—­Death of the Duke of Arschot——­Fuentes besieges Le Catelet—­The fortress of Ham, sold to the Spanish by De Gomeron, besieged and taken by the Duke of Bouillon—­Execution of De Gomeron—­Death of Colonel Verdugo—­Siege