Part 56 (1/2)

”Signor Ruggieri,” said he, ”you have propounded unto me speeches of two sorts: the one proceeds from Doctor Ruggieri, the other from the lord amba.s.sador of the most serene Queen of England. Touching the first, I do give you my hearty thanks for your G.o.dly speeches, a.s.suring you that though, by reason I have always followed the wars, I cannot be ignorant of the calamities by you alleged, yet you have so truly represented the same before mine eyes as to effectuate in me at this instant, not only the confirmation of mine own disposition to have peace, but also an a.s.surance that this treaty shall take good and speedy end, seeing that it hath pleased G.o.d to raise up such a good instrument as you are.”

”Many are the causes,” continued the Duke, ”which, besides my disposition, move me to peace. My father and mother are dead; my son is a young prince; my house has truly need of my presence. I am not ignorant how ticklish a thing is the fortune of war, which--how victorious soever I have been--may in one moment not only deface the same, but also deprive me of my life. The King, my master, is now, stricken in years, his children are young, his dominions in trouble. His desire is to live, and to leave his posterity in quietness. The glory of G.o.d, the honor of both their Majesties, and the good of these countries, with the stay of the effusion of Christian blood, and divers other like reasons, force him to peace.”

Thus spoke Alexander, like an honest Christian gentleman, avowing the most equitable and pacific dispositions on the part of his master and himself. Yet at that moment he knew that the Armada was about to sail, that his own nights and days were pa.s.sed in active preparations for war, and that no earthly power could move Philip by one hair's-breadth from his purpose to conquer England that summer.

It would be superfluous to follow the Duke or the Doctor through their long dialogue on the place of conference, and the commissions. Alexander considered it ”infamy” on his name if he should send envoys to a place of his master's held by the enemy. He was also of opinion that it was unheard of to exhibit commissions previous to a preliminary colloquy.

Both propositions were strenuously contested by Rogers. In regard to the second point in particular, he showed triumphantly, by citations from the ”Polonians, Prussians, and Lithuanians,” that commissions ought to be previously exhibited. But it was not probable that even the Doctor's learning and logic would persuade Alexander to produce his commission; because, unfortunately, he had no commission to produce. A comfortable argument on the subject, however, would, none the less, consume time.

Three hours of this work brought them, exhausted and hungry; to the hour of noon and of dinner Alexander, with profuse and smiling thanks for the envoy's plain dealing and eloquence, a.s.sured him that there would have been peace long ago ”had Doctor Rogers always been the instrument,” and regretted that he was himself not learned enough to deal creditably with him. He would, however, send Richardot to bear him company at table, and chop logic with him afterwards.

Next day, at the same, hour, the Duke and Doctor had another encounter.

So soon as the envoy made his appearance, he found himself ”embraced most cheerfully and familiarly by his Alteza,” who, then entering at once into business, asked as to the Doctor's second point.

The Doctor answered with great alacrity.

”Certain expressions have been reported to her Majesty,” said he, ”as coming both from your Highness and from Richardot, hinting at a possible attempt by the King of Spain's forces against the Queen. Her Majesty, gathering that you are going about belike to terrify her, commands me to inform you very clearly and very expressly that she does not deal so weakly in her government, nor so improvidently, but that she is provided for anything that might be attempted against her by the King, and as able to offend him as he her Majesty.”

Alexander--with a sad countenance, as much offended, his eyes declaring miscontentment--asked who had made such a report.

”Upon the honour of a gentleman,” said he, ”whoever has said this has much abused me, and evil acquitted himself. They who know me best are aware that it is not my manner to let any word pa.s.s my lips that might offend any prince.” Then, speaking most solemnly, he added, ”I declare really and truly (which two words he said in Spanish), that I know not of any intention of the King of Spain against her Majesty or her realm.”

At that moment the earth did not open--year of portents though it was--and the Doctor, ”singularly rejoicing” at this authentic information from the highest source, proceeded cheerfully with the conversation.

”I hold myself,” he exclaimed, ”the man most satisfied in the world, because I may now write to her Majesty that I have heard your Highness upon your honour use these words.”

”Upon my honour, it is true,” repeated the Duke; ”for so honourably do I think of her Majesty, as that, after the King, my master, I would honour and serve her before any prince in Christendom.” He added many earnest a.s.severations of similar import.

”I do not deny, however,” continued Alexander, ”that I have heard of certain s.h.i.+ps having been armed by the King against that Draak”--he p.r.o.nounced the ”a” in Drake's name very broadly, or ”Doric”--”who has committed so many outrages; but I repeat that I have never heard of any design against her Majesty or against England.”

The Duke then manifested much anxiety to know by whom he had been so misrepresented. ”There has been no one with me but Dr. Dale,” said, he, ”and I marvel that he should thus wantonly have injured me.”

”Dr. Dale,” replied Ropers, ”is a man of honour, of good years, learned, and well experienced; but perhaps he unfortunately misapprehended some of your Alteza's words, and thought himself bound by his allegiance strictly to report them to her Majesty.”

”I grieve that I should be misrepresented and injured,” answered Farnese, ”in a manner so important to my honour. Nevertheless, knowing the virtues with which her Majesty is endued, I a.s.sure myself that the protestations I am now making will entirely satisfy her.”

He then expressed the fervent hope that the holy work of negotiation now commencing would result in a renewal of the ancient friends.h.i.+p between the Houses of Burgundy and of England, a.s.serting that ”there had never been so favourable a time as the present.”

Under former governments of the Netherlands there had been many mistakes and misunderstandings.

”The Duke of Alva,” said he, ”has learned by this time, before the judgment-seat of G.o.d, how he discharged his functions, succeeding as he did my mother, the d.u.c.h.ess of Parma who left the Provinces in so flouris.h.i.+ng a condition. Of this, however, I will say no more, because of a feud between the Houses of Farnese and of Alva. As for Requesens, he was a good fellow, but didn't understand his business. Don John of Austria again, whose soul I doubt not is in heaven, was young and poor, and disappointed in all his designs; but G.o.d has never offered so great a hope of a.s.sured peace as might now be accomplished by her Majesty.”

Finding the Duke in so fervent and favourable a state of mind, the envoy renewed his demand that at least the first meeting of the commissioners might be held at Ostend.

”Her Majesty finds herself so touched in honour upon this point, that if it be not conceded--as I doubt not it will be, seeing the singular forwardness of your Highness”--said the artful Doctor with a smile, ”we are no less than commanded to return to her Majesty's presence.”

”I sent Richardot to you yesterday,” said Alexander; ”did he not content you?”

”Your Highness, no,” replied Ropers. ”Moreover her Majesty sent me to your Alteza, and not to Richardot. And the matter is of such importance that I pray you to add to all your graces and favours heaped upon me, this one of sending your commissioners to Ostend.”