In the midst of such embarrassments it is impossible not to admire his heroism as a military chieftain, and his singular adroitness as a diplomatist.

He had painted for his sovereign a most faithful and horrible portrait of the obedient Provinces.

The soil was untilled; the manufactories had all stopped; trade had ceased to exist.
It was a pity only to look upon the raggedness of his soldiers.

No language could describe the misery of the reconciled Provinces--Artois, Hainault, Flanders.

The condition of Bruges would melt the hardest heart; other cities were no better; Antwerp was utterly ruined; its inhabitants were all starving.