Thus on the last day of 1596, Philip, whose fleet sent forth for the conquest of Ireland and England had been too crippled to prosecute the adventure, was proposing to his nephew to conquer England without any fleet at all.  He had given the same advice to Alexander Farnese so soon as he heard of the destruction of the invincible armada.

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     Allow her to seek a profit from his misfortune
     Burning of Servetus at Geneva
     Constant vigilance is the price of liberty
     Evil has the advantage of rapidly assuming many shapes
     French seem madmen, and are wise
     Hanging of Mary Dyer at Boston
     Imposed upon the multitudes, with whom words were things
     Impossible it was to invent terms of adulation too gross
     In times of civil war, to be neutral is to be nothing
     Meet around a green table except as fencers in the field
     One-third of Philip’s effective navy was thus destroyed
     Patriotism seemed an unimaginable idea
     Placid unconsciousness on his part of defeat
     Plea of infallibility and of authority soon becomes ridiculous
     Religion was rapidly ceasing to be the line of demarcation
     So often degenerated into tyranny (Calvinism)
     Spaniards seem wise, and are madmen
     The Alcoran was less cruel than the Inquisition
     There are few inventions in morals
     To attack England it was necessary to take the road of Ireland
     Tranquil insolence
     Unproductive consumption was alarmingly increasing
     Upon their knees, served the queen with wine
     Wish to sell us the bear-skin before they have killed the bear

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 69, 1597-1598

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Straggle of the Netherlands against Spain—­March to Turnhout—­ Retreat of the Spanish commander—­Pursuit and attack—­Demolition of the Spanish army—­Surrender of the garrison of Turnhout—­Improved military science—­Moral effect of the battle—­The campaign in France—­Attack on Amiens by the Spaniards—­Sack and burning of the city—­De Rosny’s plan for reorganization of the finances—­Jobbery and speculation—­Philip’s repudiation of his debts—­Effects of the measure—­Renewal of persecution by the Jesuits—­Contention between Turk and Christian—­Envoy from the King of Poland to the Hague to plead for reconciliation with Philip—­His subsequent presentation to Queen Elizabeth—­Military events Recovery of Amiens—­Feeble operations of the confederate powers against Spain—­Marriage of the Princess Emilia, sister of Maurice—­Reduction of the castle and town of Alphen—­Surrender