The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1577-78 | Page 5

superseded by the sword. A
remarkable pamphlet was now published, in seven different languages,

Latin, French, Flemish, German, Italian, Spanish; and English,
containing a succinct account of the proceedings between the Governor
and the estates, together with copies of the intercepted letters of Don
John and Escovedo to the King, to Perez, to the German colonels, and
to the Empress. This work, composed and published by order of the
estates- general, was transmitted with an accompanying address to
every potentate in Christendom. It was soon afterwards followed by a
counter-statement, prepared by order of Don John, and containing his
account of the same matters, with his recriminations against the
conduct of the estates.
Another important movement had, meanwhile, been made by the third
party in this complicated game. The Catholic nobles, jealous of the
growing influence of Orange, and indignant at the expanding power of
the people, had opened secret negotiations with the Archduke Matthias,
then a mild, easy-tempered youth of twenty, brother of the reigning
emperor, Rudolph. After the matter had been discussed some time in
secret, it was resolved, towards the end of September, to send a
messenger to Vienna, privately inviting the young Prince to Brussels,
but much to the surprise of these nobles, it was discovered that some
fifteen or sixteen of the grandees of the land, among them Aerschot,
Havre, Champagny, De Ville, Lalain, De Heze, and others, had already
taken .the initiative in the matter. On the 26th of August, the Seigneur
de Maalsteede had set forth, by their appointment, for Vienna. There is
no doubt that this step originated in jealousy felt towards Orange, but at
the same time it is certain that several of the leaders in the enterprise
were still his friends. Some, like Champagny, and De Heze, were
honestly so; others, like Aerschot, Havrd, and De Ville, always traitors
in heart to the national cause, loyal to nothing but their own
advancement, were still apparently upon the best terms with him.
Moreover, it is certain that he had been made aware of the scheme, at
least, before the arrival of the Archduke in the Netherlands, for the
Marquis Havre, on his way to England, as special envoy from the
estates, had a conference with him at Gertruydenberg. This was in the
middle of September, and before his departure for Brussels. Naturally,
the proposition seemed, at first, anything but agreeable; but the
Marquis represented himself afterwards as having at last induced the
Prince to look upon it with more favorable eyes. Nevertheless, the step

had been taken before the consultation was held; nor was it the first
time that the advice, of Orange had been asked concerning the adoption
of a measure after the measure had been adopted.
Whatever may have been his original sentiments upon the subject;
however, he was always less apt to complain of irrevocable events than
quick to reconcile them with his own combinations, and it was soon to
be discovered that the new stumbling-block which his opponents had
placed in his path, could be converted into an additional stepping-stone
towards his goal. Meanwhile, the secret invitation to the Archduke was
regarded by the people and by foreign spectators as a plot devised by
his enemies. Davison, envoy from Queen Elizabeth, was then in
Brussels, and informed his royal mistress, whose sentiments and
sympathies were unequivocally in favor of Orange, of the intrigues
against the Prince. The efforts of England were naturally to counteract
the schemes of all who interfered with his policy, the Queen especially,
with her customary sagacity, foreseeing the probable inclination of the
Catholic nobles towards the protectorate of Alencon. She did not feel
certain as to the precise plans of Orange, and there was no course better
adapted to draw her from barren coquetry into positive engagements;
than to arouse her jealousy of the French influence in the provinces. At
this moment, she manifested the warmest friendship for the Prince.
Costly presents were transmitted by her to his wife; among others, an
ornament, of which a sculptured lizard formed a part. The Princess, in a
graceful letter to her husband, desiring that her acknowledgments
should be presented to her English Majesty, accepted the present as
significative. "Tis the fabled virtue of the lizard (she said) to awaken
sleepers whom a serpent is about to sting. You are the lizard, and the
Netherlands the sleepers,--pray Heaven they may escape the serpent's
bite." The Prince was well aware, therefore, of the plots which were
weaving against him. He had small faith in the great nobles, whom he
trusted "as he would adders fanged," and relied only upon the
communities, upon the mass of burghers. They deserved his confidence,
and watched over his safety with jealous care. On one occasion, when
he was engaged at the State Council