Mediation was necessary, and was at last successful.
But much time was lost; and the spring was far advanced before the new Governor of the Netherlands entered on his functions.

[300] William had saved the coalition from the danger of perishing by disunion.

But by no remonstrance, by no entreaty, by no bribe, could he prevail on his allies to be early in the field.

They ought to have profited by the severe lesson which had been given them in the preceding year.

But again every one of them lingered, and wondered why the rest were lingering; and again he who singly wielded the whole power of France was found, as his haughty motto had long boasted, a match for a multitude of adversaries.