Had the rival nations been once more brought face to face on the element of which both claimed the sovereignty, all other thoughts might have given place to mutual animosity.

A bloody and obstinate battle might have been fought.

Defeat would have been fatal to William's enterprise.

Even victory would have deranged all his deeply meditated schemes of policy.

He therefore wisely determined that the pursuers, if they overtook him, should be hailed in their own mother tongue, and adjured, by an admiral under whom they had served, and whom they esteemed, not to fight against old mess-mates for Popish tyranny.