OBSERVATIONS ON A LIBEL. 147 



lowed the defection and revolt of those countries. In 

 which action, being the greatest of all those which 

 have passed between Spain and England, the pro 

 ceeding of her majesty hath been so just, and 

 mingled with so many honourable regards, as no 

 thing doth so much clear and acquit her majesty, not 

 only from passion, but also from all dishonourable 

 policy. For first, at the beginning of the troubles, 

 she did impart unto him faithful and sincere advice 

 of the course that was to be taken for the quieting 

 and appeasing them ; and expressly forewarned both 

 himself and such as were in principal charge in 

 those countries, during the wars, of the danger like 

 to ensue if he held so heavy a hand over that people ; 

 lest they should cast themselves into the arms 

 of a stranger. But finding the king s mind so ex- 

 ulcerated as he rejected all counsel that tended to 

 mild and gracious proceeding, her majesty never 

 theless gave not over her honourable resolution, 

 which was, if it were possible, to reduce and recon 

 cile those countries unto the obedience of their 

 natural sovereign the king of Spain ; and if that 

 might not be, yet to preserve them from alienating 

 themselves to a foreign lord, as namely unto the 

 French, with whom they much treated ; and amongst 

 whom the enterprise of Flanders was ever pro 

 pounded as a mean to unite their own civil dissen 

 sions, but patiently temporising, expected the good 

 effect which time might breed. And whensoever the 

 states grew into extremities of despair, and thereby 

 ready to embrace the offer of any foreigner, then 



