Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/381

355 CONQUEST OF NAVARRE. ' 355 ters. ^^ Unfortunately, neither his merits nor defects chapter were of a kind best adapted to extricate him from ■ ^^— his present perilous situation, or enable him to cope with his wily and resolute adversary. For this, however, more commanding talents might well have failed. The period had arrived, when, in the reg- ular progress of events, Navarre must yield up her independence to the two great nations on her bor- ders ; who, attracted by the strength of her natural position, and her political weakness, would be sure, now that their own domestic discords were healed, to claim each the moiety, which seemed naturally to fall within its own territorial limits. Particular events might accelerate or retard this result, but it was not in the power of human genius to avert its final consummation. King; Ferdinand, who descried the storm now Djscontent o ' of the Eng- gathering on the side of France, resolved to meet '"''• it promptly, and commanded his general to cross the mountains, and occupy the districts of Lower Navarre. In this he expected the cooperation of the English. But he was disappointed. The marquis of Dorset alleged, that the time consumed in the reduction of Navarre made it too late for the expedition against Guienne, which was now placed in a posture of defence. He loudly com- plained that his master had been duped by the Catholic king, who had used his ally to make con- quests solely for himself; and, in spite of every remonstrance, he reembarked his whole force, with- 15 Aleson, Annales de Navarra, du Royaume de Navarre, pp. 603, torn. V. lib. 35. cap. 2. — Histoire 604.