The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1577 part 2 | Page 2

with the Huguenots in France had,
however, been again succeeded by war. Henry of Valois had already

commenced operations in Gascony against Henry of Navarre, whom he
hated, almost as cordially as Margaret herself could do, and the Duke
of Alencon was besieging Issoire. Meantime, the beautiful Queen came
to mingle he golden thread of her feminine intrigues with the dark woof
of the Netherland destinies.
Few spirits have been more subtle, few faces so fatal as hers. True child
of the Medicean mother, worthy sister of Charles, Henry; and
Francis--princes for ever infamous in the annals of France--she
possessed more beauty and wit than Mary of Scotland, more learning
and accomplishments than Elizabeth of England. In the blaze of her
beauty, according to the inflated language of her most determined
worshiper, the wings of all rivals were melted. Heaven required to be
raised higher and earth made wider, before a full sweep could be given
to her own majestic flight. We are further informed that she was a
Minerva for eloquence, that she composed matchless poems which she
sang most exquisitely to the sound of her lute, and that her familiar
letters were so full of genius, that "poor Cicero" was but a fool to her in
the same branch of composition. The world has shuddered for ages at
the dark tragedy of her nuptials. Was it strange that hatred, incest,
murder, should follow in the train of a wedding thus hideously
solemnized?
Don John, as in his Moorish disguise he had looked upon her
perfections, had felt in danger of becoming really the slave he
personated--"her beauty is more divine than human," he had cried, "but
fitter to destroy men's souls than to bless them;" and now the
enchantress was on her way to his dominions. Her road led through
Namur to Liege, and gallantry required that he should meet her as she
passed. Attended by a select band of gentlemen and a few horsemen of
his body-guard, the Governor came to Namur.
Meantime the Queen crossed the frontier, and was courteously received
at Cambray. The bishop-of the loyal house of Berlaymont--was a
stanch supporter of the King, and although a Fleming, was Spanish to
the core. On him the cajolery of the beautiful Queen was first essayed,
but was found powerless. The prelate gave her a magnificent ball, but
resisted her blandishments. He retired with the appearance of the
confections, but the governor of the citadel, the Seigneur d'Inchy
remained, with whom Margaret was more successful. She found him a

cordial hater of Spain, a favorer of France, and very impatient under the
authority of the bishop. He obtained permission to accompany the royal
visitor a few stages of her journey, and returned to Cambray, her
willing slave; holding the castle in future, neither for king nor bishop,
but for Margaret's brother, Alencon, alone. At Mons she was received
with great state by the Count Lalain, who was governor of Hainault,
while his Countess governed him. A week of festivities graced the
advent of the Queen, during which period the hearts of both Lalain and
his wife were completely subjugated. They agreed that Flanders had
been too long separated from the parental France to which it of right
belonged. The Count was a stanch Catholic, but he hated Spain. He was
a relative of Egmont, and anxious to avenge his death, but he was no
lover of the people, and was jealous of Orange. Moreover, his wife had
become entirely fascinated by the designing. Queen. So warm a
friendship had sprung up between the two fair ladies as to make it
indispensable that Flanders and Hainault should be annexed to France.
The Count promised to hold his whole government at the service of
Alencon, and recommended that an attempt should be made to gain
over the incorruptible Governor of Cambray. Margaret did not inform
him that she had already turned that functionary round her finger, but
she urged Lalain and his wife to seduce him from his allegiance, if
possible.
The Count, with a retinue of mounted men, then accompanied her on
her way towards Namur, but turned as the distant tramp of Don John's
cavalcade was heard approaching, for it was not desirable for Lalain, at
that moment, to find himself face to face with the Governor. Don John
stood a moment awaiting the arrival of the Queen. He did not dream of
her political intrigues, nor see in the fair form approaching him one
mortal enemy the more. Margaret travelled in a splendid litter with gilt
pillars, lined with scarlet velvet, and entirely enclosed in glass, which
was followed by those of the Princess de la Roche sur Yon, and of
Madame de Tournon. After these came ten ladies of honor on
horseback, and six chariots filled