The motto, "incertum quo fate ferent" (who knows whither fate is sweeping her ?) expressed most vividly the ship wrecked condition of the country.

Alexander of Parma, the most accomplished general and one of the most adroit statesmen of the age, was swift to take advantage of the calamity which had now befallen the rebellious Provinces.

Had he been better provided with men and money, the cause of the States might have seemed hopeless.

He addressed many letters to the States General, to the magistracies of various cities, and to individuals, affecting to consider that with the death of Orange had died all authority, as well as all motive for continuing the contest with Spain.

He offered easy terms of reconciliation with the discarded monarch--always reserving, however, as a matter of course, the religious question--for it was as well known to the States as to Parma that there was no hope of Philip making concessions upon that important point.
In Holland and Zeeland the Prince's blandishments were of no avail.