A series of victories by Parma was substituted for the possible triumphs of Elizabeth and the States.
The dissimulation of the Spanish court was fathomless.

The secret correspondence of the times reveals to us that its only purpose was to deceive the Queen and her counsellors, and to gain time to prepare the grand invasion of England and subjugation of Holland--that double purpose which Philip could only abandon with life.

There was never a thought, on his part, of honest negotiation.

On the other hand, the Queen was sincere; Burghley and Hatton and Cobham were sincere; Croft was sincere, so far as Spain was concerned.

At least they had been sincere.