Alexander's master sat in his cabinet with his head full of Mucio, Don Antonio, and Queen Elizabeth; while Alexander himself was left neglected, almost forgotten.

His army was shrinking to a nullity.

The demands upon him were enormous, his finances delusive, almost exhausted.

To drain an ocean dry he had nothing but a sieve.

What was his position?
He could bring into the field perhaps eight or ten thousand men over and above the necessary garrisons.