Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/435

 I577-] THE SPANISH TREATY. 4*5 What was the meaning of 'words like these ? Was it conceivable that Don John was flying in the face of the known intentions of the King, or was Philip him- self as false as his brother ? Don Bernardino, though appointed ambassador to England, was still lingering in the Low Countries, and Don John's own conduct confirmed the worst suspicions. No sooner were Esco- bedo's letters published than he fled from Brussels to Namur, shut himself into the castle, and sent ex- presses for his army to return. 1 Walsingham, sup- ported by Leicester, represented to Elizabeth that she was betrayed. With Don John in arms again and Guise omnipotent at Paris, her only safety lay in espous- ing the cause which she had trifled with. Conde and the King of Navarre had been petitioning in vain for assistance ever since the revocation of the Edicts. She now took up their request, hesitated, refused, again resolved, and, finally, decided, as it seemed, to send come; if force and a stout hand, your Majesty must provide what is necessary. The reduction of Holland and Zealand is the point, and this is more difficult than the enterprise of England. Redeem England first, and the rest is ours. No great force will be needed. Let not your Majesty think I say this in the interest of Don John. I leave that aside. I mean only that your Majesty's affairs cannot be remedied otherwise. Time has proved it, and every hour will make it more clear.' Escohedo to Philip, April 9. Taken with other letters to similar purpose in June, 1577: MSS. Flanders. 1 There is reason to think that the Prince of Orange, acting with the advice of Wilson, intended to seize Don John, and send him to England. Antonio de Guaras writes : ' He tenido informacion muy espantosa que los huenos officios del Doctor Wil- son y de todos ellos juntamente eran para quitar a su Alteza su libertad y poneiie en mano destos, pretendiendo proceder por los termmos que usan con la Eeyna de Escocia.' Cartas de Guaras, September 20, 1577 : MSS. Simancas.