They had at their absolute command all the resources of the greatest kingdom in Europe; and he was merely the servant of a commonwealth, of which the whole territory was inferior in extent to Normandy or Guienne.

A succession of generals and diplomatists of eminent ability had been opposed to him.

A powerful faction in his native country had pertinaciously crossed his designs.
He had undergone defeats in the field and defeats in the senate; but his wisdom and firmness had turned defeats into victories.

Notwithstanding all that could be done to keep him down, his influence and fame had been almost constantly rising and spreading.

The most important and arduous enterprise in the history of modern Europe had been planned and conducted to a prosperous termination by him alone.