Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/362

 34^ REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 66. influenced human character in so many curious ways, was singularly productive of men who would risk their lives to deliver the Church from, an enemy. On the 2nd I2th of May, Orange returned thanks for his recovery in the Cathedral at Antwerp. The commonwealth unfortunately was sick of diseases which were less easy to cure. In all countries the noble part of the people is but a minority, and the trials of a protracted war bring the baser elements into prominence. The Catholics of Brabant and Flanders, weary of a freedom which brought with it religious toleration, were sighing for reabsorption into Spain. The presence of Alencon and the French was an excuse to the States to relax their own energies. They con- ceived that they had fought long enough and spent money enough, and that their allies might now relieve them of the burden. Peculation and corruption, the besetting sins of commercial communities, were rife among them. Sixteen thousand officials intercepted and consumed the revenues, while the English volunteer army, under John Norris, was left unpaid. Elizabeth found money for them, but with more right than usual resented the States' neglect. Alone, Norris could do but little service, yet Alencon neither helped him nor appeared to be conscious that he was in the country for any object except to sit still. Everywhere and in every- thing there was confusion of purpose, heartburning, and jealousy. Parma meanwhile was pushing forward slowly but irresistibly. Town was falling after town; and though his success was checked once in a brilliant action