his wrath at the appointment of the Duke.  It is doubtful whether the country would have benefited by the gratification of his wishes.  It is possible that the pranks of so malignant an ape might have been even more mischievous than the concentrated and vigorous tyranny of an Alva.  When the new Captain-general called, before his departure, to pay his respects to the Infante, the Duke seemed, to his surprise, to have suddenly entered the den of a wild beast.  Don Carlos sprang upon him with a howl of fury, brandishing a dagger in his hand.  He uttered reproaches at having been defrauded of the Netherland government.  He swore that Alva should never accomplish his mission, nor leave his presence alive.  He was proceeding to make good the threat with his poniard, when the Duke closed with him.  A violent struggle succeeded.  Both rolled together on the ground, the Prince biting and striking like a demoniac, the Duke defending himself as well as he was able, without attempting his adversary’s life.  Before the combat was decided, the approach of many persons put an end to the disgraceful scene.  As decent a veil as possible was thrown over the transaction, and the Duke departed on his mission.  Before the end of the year, the Prince was in the prison whence he never came forth alive.

The figure of Don Carlos was as misshapen as his mind.  His head was disproportionately large, his limbs were rickety, one shoulder was higher, one leg longer than the other.  With features resembling those of his father, but with a swarthy instead of a fair complexion, with an expression of countenance both fierce and foolish, and with a character such as we have sketched it, upon the evidence of those who knew him well, it is indeed strange that he should ever have been transformed by the magic of poetry into a romantic hero.  As cruel and cunning as his father, as mad as his great-grandmother, he has left a name, which not even his dark and mysterious fate can render interesting.

1568 [Chapter iv.]

Continued and excessive barbarity of the government—­Execution of Antony van Straalen, of “Red—­Rod” Spelle—­The Prince of Orange advised by his German friends to remain quiet—­Heroic sentiments of Orange—­His religious opinions—­His efforts in favor of toleration—­ His fervent piety—­His public correspondence with the Emperor—­His “Justification,” his “Warning,” and other papers characterized—­The Prince, with a considerable army, crosses the Rhine—­Passage of the Meuse at Stochem—­He offers battle to Alva—­Determination of the Duke to avoid an engagement—­Comparison of his present situation with his previous position in Friesland—­Masterly tactics of the Duke—­Skirmish on the Geta—­Defeat of the Orangists—­Death of Hoogstraaten—­Junction with Genlis—­Adherence of Alva to his original plan—­The Prince crosses the frontier of France—­ Correspondence between Charles ix. and Orange—­The patriot army disbanded at Strasburg—­Comments