To wait until the enemy was at their throat, and then to rely upon a king who trembled at the sight of a drawn sword, was hardly the highest statesmanship.

Even if it had been the chivalrous Henry instead of the pacific James that had held out the promise of help, they would have been mad to follow such counsel.
The conversation lasted more than an hour.

It was in vain that Caron painted in dark colours the cruel deeds done by the Spaniards in Mulheim and Aachen, and the proceedings of the Archbishop of Cologne in Rees.

The King was besotted, and no impression could be made upon him.
"At any rate," said the Envoy, "the arrangement cannot be concluded without the King of France." "What excuse is that ?" said James.

"Now that the King is entirely Spanish, you are trying to excuse your delays by referring to him.