It was a proof of this incompetency, that now, when really called upon
for advice in an emergency, he should recommend a continuance of the
interim. Certainly nothing worse could be devised. Granvelle
recommended a reappointment of the Duchess Margaret. Others suggested
Duke Eric of Brunswick, or an Archduke of the Austrian house; although
the opinion held by most of the influential councillors was in favor of
Don John of Austria. In the interests of Philip and his despotism,
nothing, at any rate, could be more fatal than delay. In the condition of
affairs which then existed, the worst or feeblest governor would have
been better than none at all. To leave a vacancy was to play directly
into the hands of Orange, for it was impossible that so skilful an
adversary should not at once perceive the fault, and profit by it to the
utmost. It was strange that Philip did not see the danger of inactivity
at such a crisis. Assuredly, indolence was never his vice, but on this
occasion indecision did the work of indolence. Unwittingly, the despot
was assisting the efforts of the liberator. Viglius saw the position of
matters with his customary keenness, and wondered at the blindness of
Hopper and Philip. At the last gasp of a life, which neither learning
nor the accumulation of worldly prizes and worldly pelf could redeem from
intrinsic baseness, the sagacious but not venerable old man saw that a
chasm was daily widening; in which the religion and the despotism which
he loved might soon be hopelessly swallowed. "The Prince of Orange and
his Beggars do not sleep," he cried, almost in anguish; "nor will they be
quiet till they have made use of this interregnum to do us some immense
grievance." Certainly the Prince of Orange did not sleep upon this nor
any other great occasion of his life. In his own vigorous language, used
to stimulate his friends in various parts of the country, he seized the
swift occasion by the forelock. He opened a fresh correspondence with
many leading gentlemen in Brussels and other places in the Netherlands;