In this important harangue, the states were informed that the King had convened them in order that they might be informed of his intention of leaving the Netherlands immediately.

He would gladly have remained longer in his beloved provinces, had not circumstances compelled his departure.

His father had come hither for the good of the country in the year 1543, and had never returned to Spain, except to die.
Upon the King's accession to the sovereignty he had arranged a truce of five years, which had been broken through by the faithlessness of France.
He had, therefore, been obliged, notwithstanding his anxiety to return to a country where his presence was so much needed, to remain in the provinces till he had conducted the new war to a triumphant close.

In doing this he had been solely governed by his intense love for the Netherlands, and by his regard for their interests.

All the money which he had raised from their coffers had been spent for their protection.
Upon this account his Majesty expressed his confidence that the estates would pay an earnest attention to the "Request" which had been laid before them, the more so, as its amount, three millions of gold florins, would all be expended for the good of the provinces.