That fate could no longer be protracted.  The city of Middelburg had reached and passed the starvation point.  Still Mondragon was determined not to yield at discretion, although very willing to capitulate.  The Prince of Orange, after the victory of Bergen, was desirous of an unconditional surrender, believing it to be his right, and knowing that he could not be supposed capable of practising upon Middelburg the vengeance which had been wreaked on Naarden, Zutfen, and Harlem.  Mondragon, however, swore that he would set fire to the city in twenty places, and perish with every soldier and burgher in the flames together, rather than abandon himself to the enemy’s mercy.  The prince knew that the brave Spaniard was entirely capable of executing his threat.  He granted honorable conditions, which, on the 18th February, were drawn up in five articles, and signed.  It was agreed that Mondragon and his troops should leave the place, with their arms, ammunition, and all their personal property.  The citizens who remained were to take oath of fidelity to the Prince, as stadholder for his Majesty, and were to pay besides a subsidy of three hundred thousand florins.  Mondragon was, furthermore, to procure the discharge of Saint Aldegonde, and of four other prisoners of rank, or, failing in the attempt, was to return within two months, and constitute himself prisoner of war.  The Catholic priests were to take away from the city none of their property but their clothes.  In accordance with this capitulation, Mondragon, and those who wished to accompany him, left the city on the 21st of February, and were conveyed to the Flemish shore at Neuz.  It will be seen in the sequel that the Governor neither granted him the release of the five prisoners, nor permitted him to return, according to his parole.  A few days afterwards, the Prince entered the city, re-organized the magistracy, received the allegiance of the inhabitants, restored the ancient constitution, and liberally remitted two-thirds of the sum in which they had been, mulcted.

The Spaniards had thus been successfully driven from the Isle of Walcheren, leaving the Hollanders and Zealanders masters of the sea-coast.  Since the siege of Alkmaar had been raised, however, the enemy had remained within the territory of Holland.  Leyden was closely invested, the country in a desperate condition, and all communication between its different cities nearly suspended.  It was comparatively easy for the Prince of Orange to equip and man his fleets.  The genius and habits of the people made them at home upon the water, and inspired them with a feeling of superiority to their adversaries.  It was not so upon land.  Strong to resist, patient to suffer, the Hollanders, although terrible in defence; had not the necessary discipline or experience to meet the veteran legions of Spain, with confidence in the open field.  To raise the siege of Leyden, the main reliance of the Prince was upon Count Louis, who was again in Germany.  In the latter days of