d dagger, which cost
3,500 French crowns. (!!) All their lances are painted of divers
colours, blue and white, green and White, and most part blood-red--
so there is as great preparation for a triumph as for war. A great
number of English priests come to Antwerp from all places. The
commandment is given to all the churches to read the Litany daily
for the prosperity of the Prince in his enterprise." John Giles to
Walsingham, 4 Dec. 1587.(S. P. Office MS.)

The same letter conveyed also very detailed information concerning
the naval preparations by the Duke, besides accurate intelligence in
regard to the progress of the armada in Cadiz and Lisbon.

Sir William Russet wrote also from Flushing concerning these
preparations in much the same strain; but it is worthy of note that
he considered Farnese to be rather intending a movement against
France.

"The Prince of Parma," he said, "is making great preparations for
war, and with all expedition means to march a great army, and for a
triumph, the coats and costly, apparel for his own body doth exceed
for embroidery, and beset with jewels; for all the embroiderers and
diamond-cutters work both night and day, such haste is made. Five
hundred velvet coats of one sort for lances, and a great number of
brave new coats made for horsemen; 30,000 men are ready, and gather
in Brabant and Flanders. It is said that there shall be in two days
10,000 to do some great exploit in these parts, and 20,000 to march
with the Prince into France, and for certain it is not known what
way or how they shall march, but all are ready at an hour's warning
--4,000 saddles, 4000 lances. 6,000 pairs of boots, 2,000 barrels of
beer, biscuit sufficient for a camp of 20,000 men, &c. The Prince
hath received a marvellous costly garland or crown from the Pope,
and is chosen chief of the holy league..."]

Nor was much concealed from the Argus-eyed politicians in the republic.
The States were more and more intractable. They knew nearly all the truth
with regard to the intercourse between the Queen's government and
Farnese, and they suspected more than the truth. The list of English
commissioners privately agreed upon between Burghley and De Loo was known
to Barneveld, Maurice, and Hohenlo, before it came to the ears of
Leicester. In June, Buckhurst had been censured by Elizabeth for opening
the peace matter to members of th