Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/263

 it has pleased God to disappoint us, it is necessary to have patience and not to lose courage, conforming ourselves to His divine will, yet proceeding onward in our work with his almighty aid." William's faith was sublime. He did not waver an instant, even when the storm was wildest and the night darkest.

"The God of armies is with us," he wrote, "and he will fight in the midst of his forces."

With a small army of chosen followers. Orange went to Holland, the only province now which regarded him as protector and sovereign. When he reached Holland he both expected and prepared to die. "Here will I make my sepulchre," he said, in the touching words of Scripture. If he could not effect the liberation of Holland he was ready to share her fate.

And Holland received with tears of gratitude and words of affection the unsuccessful and proscribed Prince of Orange. With heart and soul the people obeyed William's commands implicitly, and began to raise money and levy troops for the final desperate struggle for liberty.

Alva, finding to his cost that these "men of butter" could offer prolonged resistance, wearied at length of the contest, and resigned the governorship of the Netherlands. Requesens was appointed to fill his place.

Part of the Prince's forces were at Delft and part at Rotterdam.