Thus there had almost ceased to be any grimacing between the two kings, although it was still a profound mystery where or when hostilities would begin, and whether they would break out at all.  Henry frequently remarked that the common opinion all over Europe was working in his favour.  Few people in or out of France believed that he meant a rupture, or that his preparations were serious.  Thus should he take his enemies unawares and unprepared.  Even Aerssens, who saw him almost daily, was sometimes mystified, in spite of Henry’s vehement assertions that he was resolved to make war at all hazards and on all sides, provided My Lords the States would second him as they ought, their own existence being at stake.

“For God’s sake,” cried the King, “let us take the bit into our mouths.  Tell your masters that I am quite resolved, and that I am shrieking loudly at their delays.”  He asked if he could depend on the States, if Barneveld especially would consent to a league with him.  The Ambassador replied that for the affair of Cleve and Julich he had instructions to promise entire concurrence, that Barneveld was most resolute in the matter, and had always urged the enterprise and wished information as to the levies making in France and other military preparations.

“Tell him,” said Henry, “that they are going on exactly as often before stated, but that we are holding everything in suspense until I have talked with your ambassadors, from whom I wish counsel, safety, and encouragement for doing much more than the Julich business.  That alone does not require so great a league and such excessive and unnecessary expense.”

The King observed however that the question of the duchies would serve as just cause and excellent pretext to remove those troublesome fellows for ever from his borders and those of the States.  Thus the princes would be established safely in their possession and the Republic as well as himself freed from the perpetual suspicions which the Spaniards excited by their vile intrigues, and it was on this general subject that he wished to confer with the special commissioners.  It would not be possible for him to throw succour into Julich without passing through Luxemburg in arms.  The Archdukes would resist this, and thus a cause of war would arise.  His campaign on the Meuse would help the princes more than if he should only aid them by the contingent he had promised.  Nor could the jealousy of King James be excited since the war would spring out of the Archdukes’ opposition to his passage towards the duchies, as he obviously could not cut himself off from his supplies, leaving a hostile province between himself and his kingdom.  Nevertheless he could not stir, he said, without the consent and active support of the States, on whom he relied as his principal buttress and foundation.