She pronounced it, however, an absolute falsehood that he had ever saved her life, as if she had ever been condemned to death.

She likewise denied earnestly the charge regarding the Prince of Parma.

She protested herself incapable of such a crime, besides declaring that he had never given her offence.

On the contrary, he was a man whom she had ever honoured for the rare qualities that she had noted in him, and for which he had deservedly acquired a high reputation.
Such, in brief analysis, was the memorable Declaration of Elizabeth in favour of the Netherlands--a document which was a hardly disguised proclamation of war against Philip.

In no age of the world could an unequivocal agreement to assist rebellious subjects, with men and money, against their sovereign, be considered otherwise than as a hostile demonstration.