"Thus he is pledged to give me the subsidy, and I am not pledged for the time," said Philip, "and I keep my secret, which is the most important of all." Yet after all, Farnese did not see his way clear towards the consummation of the plan.

His army had wofully dwindled, and before he could seriously set about ulterior matters, it would be necessary to take the city of Sluys.

This was to prove--as already seen--a most arduous enterprise.

He complained to Philip' of his inadequate supplies both in men and money.
The project conceived in the royal breast was worth spending millions for, he said, and although by zeal and devotion he could accomplish something, yet after all he was no more than a man, and without the necessary means the scheme could not succeed.

But Philip, on the contrary, was in the highest possible spirits.