"Finis coronat opus." It was very easy to speak of a league, but a league was not to be made in order to sit with arms tied, but to do good work.

The States ought not to suffer that the Germans should prove themselves more energetic, more courageous, than themselves.
And again the King vehemently urged the necessity of his Excellency and some deputies of the States coming to him "with absolute power" to treat.
He could not doubt in that event of something solid being accomplished.
"There are three things," he continued, "which cause me to speak freely.
I am talking with my friends whom I hold dear--yes, dearer, perhaps, than they hold themselves.

I am a great king, and say what I choose to say.

I am old, and know by experience the ways of this world's affairs.

I tell you, then, that it is most important that you should come to me resolved and firm on all points." He then requested the ambassadors to make full report of all that he had said to their masters, to make the journey as rapidly as possible, in order to encourage the States to the great enterprise and to meet his wishes.