How was an English soldier who valued his knightly word--how were English diplomatists--among whom one of the most famous--then a lad of twenty, secretary to Lord Essex in the Netherlands--had poetically avowed that "simple truth was highest skill,"-- to deal with the thronging Spanish deceits sent northward by the great father of lies who sat in the Escorial?
"It were an ill lesson," said Willoughby, "to teach soldiers the dissimulations of such as follow princes' courts, in Italy.

For my own part, it is my only end to be loyal and dutiful to my sovereign, and plain to all others that I honour.

I see the finest reynard loses his best coat as well as the poorest sheep." He was also a strong Leicestrian, and had imbibed much of the Earl's resentment against the leading politicians of the States.

Willoughby was sorely in need of council.

That shrewd and honest Welshman--Roger Williams--was, for the moment, absent.