Even their want of prudence in thus provoking the King; when their strength was compared to his, should be spoken of by Farnese as--wonderful, and he was to express the opinion that his Majesty would think him much wanting in circumspection, should he go on negotiating while they were playing such tricks.

"You must show yourself very sensitive, about this event," continued Philip, "and you must give them to understand that I am quite as angry as you.

You must try to draw from them some offer of satisfaction--however false it will be in reality--such as a proposal to recall the fleet, or an assertion that the deeds of Drake in Cadiz were without the knowledge and contrary to the will of the Queen, and that she very much regrets them, or something of that sort." It has already been shown that Farnese was very successful in eliciting from the Queen, through the mouth of Lord' Burghley, as ample a disavowal and repudiation of Sir Francis Drake as the King could possibly desire.
Whether it would have the desired effect--of allaying the wrath of Philip; might have been better foretold, could the letter, with which we are now occupied, have been laid upon the Greenwich council-board.
"When you have got, such a disavowal," continued his Majesty, "you are to act as if entirely taken in and imposed upon by them, and, pretending to believe everything they tell you, you must renew the negotiations, proceed to name commissioners, and propose a meeting upon neutral territory.

As for powers; say that you, as my governor-general, will entrust them to your deputies, in regard to the Netherlands.

For all other matters, say that you have had full powers for many months, but that you cannot exhibit them until conditions worthy of my acceptance have been offered .-- Say this only for the sake of appearance.