He recommended that the rebels should take into consideration their own declining strength, the inexhaustible resources of the King, the impossibility of obtaining succour from France, and the perplexing dilatoriness of England, rather than waste their time in idle expectations of a change in the Spanish policy.

He also intimated, obliquely but very plainly, to Sainte Aldegonde, that his own fortune would be made, and that he had everything to hope from his Majesty's bounty, if he were now willing to make himself useful in carrying into effect the royal plans.
The Prince urged these views with so much eloquence, that he seemed, in his own words, to have been directly inspired by the Lord for this special occasion! Sainte Aldegonde, too, was signally impressed by Alexander's language, and thoroughly fascinated-magnetized, as it were--by his character.

He subsequently declared, that he had often conversed familiarly with many eloquent personages, but that he had never known a man more powerful or persuasive than the Prince of Parma.

He could honestly say of him--as Hasdrubal had said of Scipio--that Farnese was even more admirable when seen face to face, than he had seemed when one only heard of his glorious achievements.
"The burgomaster and three deputies," wrote Parma to Philip, "were here until the 12th July.

We discussed (30th July, 1585) the points and form of a capitulation, and they have gone back thoroughly satisfied.