Boderie, the King’s envoy in Great Britain, wrote that James would be willing to make a defensive league for the affairs of Cleve and Julich only, which was the slenderest amount of assistance; but Henry always suspected Master Jacques of intentions to baulk him if possible and traverse his designs.  But the die was cast.  Spinola had carried off Conde in triumph; the Princess was pining in her gilt cage in Brussels, and demanding a divorce for desertion and cruel treatment; the King considered himself as having done as much as honour allowed him to effect a reconciliation, and it was obvious that, as the States’ ambassador said, he could no longer retire from the war without shame, which would be the greatest danger of all.

“The tragedy is ready to begin,” said Aerssens.  “They are only waiting now for the arrival of our ambassadors.”

On the 9th March the King before going to Fontainebleau for a few days summoned that envoy to the Louvre.  Impatient at a slight delay in his arrival, Henry came down into the courtyard as he was arriving and asked eagerly if Barneveld was coming to Paris.  Aerssens replied, that the Advocate had been hastening as much as possible the departure of the special embassy, but that the condition of affairs at home was such as not to permit him to leave the country at that moment.  Van der Myle, who would be one of the ambassadors, would more fully explain this by word of mouth.

The King manifested infinite annoyance and disappointment that Barneveld was not to make part of the embassy.  “He says that he reposes such singular confidence in your authority in the state, experience in affairs, and affection for himself,” wrote Aerssens, “that he might treat with you in detail and with open heart of all his designs.  He fears now that the ambassadors will be limited in their powers and instructions, and unable to reply at once on the articles which at different times have been proposed to me for our enterprise.  Thus much valuable time will be wasted in sending backwards and forwards.”

The King also expressed great anxiety to consult with Count Lewis William in regard to military details, but his chief sorrow was in regard to the Advocate.  “He acquiesced only with deep displeasure and regret in your reasons,” said the Ambassador, “and says that he can hope for nothing firm now that you refuse to come.”

Villeroy intimated that Barneveld did not come for fear of exciting the jealousy of the English.

ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: 

He who spreads the snare always tumbles into the ditch himself Most detestable verses that even he had ever composed She declined to be his procuress

*** End of the project gutenberg EBOOK life of John of Barneveld, 1609-10 ***

************ This file should be named jm87v10.txt or jm87v10.zip ***********