had been his passive victim, and the magnificent Balafre a blind instrument in his hands.

Nothing could equal Alexander's fidelity, but his perfidy.

Nothing could surpass his ability to command but his obedience.

And it is very possible that had Philip followed his nephew's large designs, instead of imposing upon him his own most puerile schemes; the result far England, Holland, and, all Christendom might have been very different from the actual one.

The blunder against which Farnese had in vain warned his master, was the stolid ignorance in which the King and all his counsellors chose to remain of the Holland and Zeeland fleet.