Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/355

 J573-J THE SPANISH TREATY. 33$ rounded him, and unable to distinguish friend from foe, was obliged to dismiss all the English companies and send them home. The irritation caused by a measure so necessary, yet so painful, was followed by fresh dif- ferences tending further to alienate England from the Prince's cause. Alva, at his own request, was now recalled. He re- turned to Spain leaving behind him an eternal memory of infamy because he had not succeeded. Those who attempt to extinguish a revolution in blood play for a high stake. If they win, their cruelties pass in history as the necessary severities of a wise and courageous rule. If they fail, they are ministers of Satan to be for ever execrated and abhorred. Yet the difference after all may be only in the intellectual appreciation of the circum- stances ; and if the honour is deserved in the one case, the shame may be unmerited in the other. Alva was conscious of nothing but that he had tried to do his duty to his master. It had proved too hard for him, and he gladly relinquished it to another. There was now to be an attempt at milder treatment. His successor, Don Louis de Requescens, Grand Com- mander of Castile, brought with him an offer of peace : peace upon terms short of the absolute submission de- manded by Alva, with a saving to the Provinces of their old rights of self-government, on condition of reunion with the Church. This point conceded, and the mass restored in the churches, the Spanish army would be withdrawn, and the States would be governed as before the revolt under their own laws, administered by their