Philip will annihilate the reformers there, or they will shake off the yoke of Spain.
England will be driven to join in one or both struggles; for if papacy is triumphant in France and Holland, Spain and France would unite against her.
"So you see, sister, that in my opinion we are at the commencement of a long and bloody struggle for freedom of worship; and at any rate it will be good that the boy should be trained as he would have been, had you married one of your own rank in France; in order that, when he comes to man's estate, he may be able to wield a sword worthily in the defence of the faith.
"Had I sons, I should train them as your husband intends to train Phil.

It may be that he will never be called upon to draw a sword, but the time he has spent in acquiring its use will not be wasted.
These exercises give firmness and suppleness to the figure, quickness to the eye, and briskness of decision to the mind.

A man who knows that he can, at need, defend his life if attacked, whether against soldiers in the field or robbers in the street, has a sense of power and self reliance that a man, untrained in the use of the strength God has given him, can never feel.

I was instructed in arms when a boy, and I am none the worse weaver for it.
"Do not forget, Lucie, that the boy has the blood of many good French families in his veins; and you should rejoice that your husband is willing that he shall be so trained that, if the need should ever come, he shall do no discredit to his ancestors on our side.

These English have many virtues, which I freely recognize; but we cannot deny that many of them are somewhat rough and uncouth, being wondrous lacking in manners and coarse in speech.