To treat the Archduke with indignity, now that he had been partly established in the Netherlands, would be to incur the Emperor's enmity.

His friendship, however, could hardly be secured by any advancement bestowed upon his brother; for Rudolph's services against prerogative and the Pope were in no case to be expected.

Nor was there much hope from the Protestant princes of Germany.

The day had passed for generous sympathy with those engaged in the great struggle which Martin Luther had commenced.

The present generation of German Protestants were more inclined to put down the Calvinistic schism at home than to save it from oppression abroad.
Men were more disposed to wrangle over the thrice-gnawed bones of ecclesiastical casuistry, than to assist their brethren in the field.