And although our neighbours, crestfallen, and rushing upon their own destruction, leave us in quiet, we are not without plenty of work.

It would be of inestimable advantage to make diversions in Gelderland and Friesland, because, in that case, the Hollanders, seeing the enemy so near their own borders, would be obliged to withdraw their assistance from Antwerp.

'Tis pity to see how few Spaniards your Majesty has left, and how diminished is our army.

Now, also, is the time to expect sickness, and this affair of Antwerp is obviously stretching out into large proportions.

Unless soon reinforced, we must inevitably go to destruction.