He had collected more money, he declared than had ever been seen before in the world.

He had two million ducats in reserve, besides the Pope's million; the French were in a most excellent state of division, and the invasion should be made this year without fail.

The fleet would arrive in the English channel by the end of the summer; which would be exactly in conformity with Alexander's ideas.

The invasion was to be threefold: from Scotland, under the Scotch earls and their followers, with the money and troops furnished by Philip; from the Netherlands, under Parma; and by the great Spanish armada itself, upon the Isle of Wight.

Alexander must recommend himself to God, in whose cause he was acting, and then do his duty; which lay very plain before him.