Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/129

103 INVASION OF SPAIN. 103 ions, " Had he been as good a general as he was chapter a statesman," says a Spanish historian, " he might _ have penetrated to the centre of France." ^^ Fer- dinand, however, was too prudent to attempt con- quests, which could only be maintained, if main- tained at all, at an infinite expense of blood and treasure. He had sufficiently vindicated his honor by meeting his foe so promptly, and driving him triumphantly over the border ; and he preferred, like a cautious prince, not to risk all he had gained by attempting more, but to employ his present suc- cesses as a vantage-ground for entering on negotia- tion, in which at all times he placed more reliance than on the sword. In this, his good star still further favored him. The armada, equipped at so much cost by the French king at Marseilles, had no sooner put to sea, than it was assailed by furious tempests, and so far crippled, that it was obliged to return to port without even effecting a descent on the Spanish coast. These accumulated disasters so disheartened Truce wuh France. Louis the Twelfth, that he consented to enter into negotiations for a suspension of hostilities ; and an armistice was finally arranged, through the mediation of his pensioner Frederic, ex-king of Naples, between the hostile monarchs. It ex- 25 Aleson, Annales de Navarra, have lived to carry back the tidings torn. V. p. lis. of defeat to his own land." If Oviedo, who was present in this we are to believe him, Ferdinand campaign, seems to have been of desisted from the pursuit at the the same opinion. At least he earnest entreaty of Bishop Deza, says, " If the king had pursued his confessor. Quincuagenas,MS. vigorously, not a Frenchman would