The bitterness of that foe was likely, in the future, to outweigh all the plaudits of his friends.

The Duke of Alva had strongly advised against giving battle to De Thermes.

He depreciated the triumph after it had been gained, by reflections upon the consequences which would have flowed, had a defeat been suffered instead.

He even held this language to Egmont himself after his return to Brussels.

The conqueror, flushed with his glory, was not inclined to digest the criticism, nor what he considered the venomous detraction of the Duke.