On each side, therefore, is a distinguished general and a powerful army. The King’s forces are supposed to be somewhat larger than Parma’s, and he has also a decided superiority in the composition of his troops, for, with a few exceptions, they are all men of the same nation and his own subjects, whereas Parma’s forces have been recruited from various nations, and are to a large extent made up of raw levies, on whom not much reliance can be placed. Again, the King has the great advantage of fighting on his own ground, that is to say, on ground which he has previously chosen and fortified, while Parma, by the circumstances of his position, is compelled to attack at a disadvantage.
Such are the premises; whether they are sufficient for forming an opinion as to what the result of a battle would be, is more than I can say. They are valuable only in the same sense as the warnings of a sunset are valuable in enabling us to guess what weather we shall have to-morrow. Besides, it is mere guessing, and no more; victory does not depend on scythed chariots, or horses, or on the number of soldiers, or the abundance of munitions, but solely on the will of God.
If I have lingered longer over this subject than has been agreeable, I trust I may be pardoned. That God may long preserve your Majesty is the prayer of your most humble servant.
Mantes, August 27, 1590.[269]
APPENDIX.
CONTENTS OF APPENDIX.
| PAGE | |||
| I. | Sketch of Hungarian History | [267] | |
| II. | Itineraries | [284] | |
| III. | Editions | [288] | |
| IV. | Original Documents:— | ||
| i. | Patent of Legitimation of Ogier Ghiselin | [292] | |
| ii. | Patent of Knighthood of Ogier de Busbecq | [295] | |
| iii. | Purchase Deed of the Seigneurie de Bousbecque | [300] | |
| iv. | Copy of the Sauve-garde | [303] | |
| v. | Pardon of Daniel de Croix for the homicide ofCharlot Desrumaulx | [305] | |
| vi. | Pardon of Jehan Dael for the homicide of Guillibertdu Mortier | [309] | |