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History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

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accuses Philip, with a yet more awful deed -- <strong>the</strong><br />

murder <strong>of</strong> his son, <strong>the</strong> heir <strong>of</strong> his vast dom<strong>in</strong>ions,<br />

Don Carlos.<br />

With wi<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g scorn he speaks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> K<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong><br />

Spa<strong>in</strong>'s attempt to frighten him by rais<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />

him "all <strong>the</strong> malefactors and crim<strong>in</strong>als <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

world." "I am <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> hand <strong>of</strong> God," said <strong>the</strong><br />

Christian patriot, "he will dispose <strong>of</strong> me as seems<br />

best for his glory and my salvation." The pr<strong>in</strong>ce<br />

concludes his Apology by dedicat<strong>in</strong>g afresh what<br />

rema<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>of</strong> his goods and life to <strong>the</strong> service <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

States. If his departure from <strong>the</strong> country would<br />

remove an impediment to a just peace, or if his<br />

death could br<strong>in</strong>g an end to <strong>the</strong>ir calamities, Philip<br />

should have no need to hire assass<strong>in</strong>s and<br />

poisoners: exile would be sweet, death would be<br />

welcome. He was at <strong>the</strong> disposal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> States.<br />

They had only to speak -- to issue <strong>the</strong>ir orders, and<br />

he would obey; he would depart, or he would<br />

rema<strong>in</strong> among <strong>the</strong>m, and cont<strong>in</strong>ue to toil <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

cause, till death should come to release him, or<br />

liberty to crown <strong>the</strong>m with her bless<strong>in</strong>gs.[7]<br />

490

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