Was it strange that the proud Earl should be fretting his heart away when such golden chances were eluding his grasp?
He would "creep upon the ground," he said, as far as his hands and knees would carry him, to have a good peace for her Majesty, but his care was to have a peace indeed, and not a show of it.

It was the cue of Holland and England to fight before they could expect to deal upon favourable terms with their enemy.

He was quick enough to see that his false colleagues at home were playing into the enemy's hands.

Victory was what was wanted; victory the Earl pledged himself, if properly seconded, to obtain; and, braggart though he was, it is by no means impossible that he might have redeemed his pledge.

"If her Majesty will use her advantage," he said, "she shall bring the King, and especially this Prince of Parma, to seek peace in other sort than by way of merchants." Of courage and confidence the governor had no lack.