1579- 1 THE ALENCON MARRIAGE. 481 introduced by the conflicts of religion, and the false shows of friendship, disguising treachery and hate, may partly excuse these lawless doings ; but every pillaged hulk increased the score for which Spain intended at last to apply for payment ; the French alliance was sorely tried, and the shipowners of Leith and Edinburgh were alienated from England when their friendship was of first necessity, and were tempted by real wrongs to play into the hands of her enemies. 1 In these wild ways the English sailors were educat- ing themselves for the impending struggle. A wise and resolute sovereign might perhaps have forced their dis- ordered energies into more honourable courses ; but it suited the temper of Elizabeth's genius to leave her subjects to their own responsibilities. When Mendoza complained, she replied that En gland was a large island, with many ports in it. She disclaimed her corsairs as Philip disclaimed the Inquisition, and pleaded her ina- bility to keep them in check, as Philip pleaded the in- dependence of the Holy Office. The Alencon marriage became now her grand occu- pation, and if it was intended to benefit the Low Coun- tries, the immediate effects were anything but promising. The two months were gone for which the Duke had un- dertaken to serve, and nothing had been done. Eliza- beth now required him as a condition of her favour to withdraw. He obeyed, and returned to France. His disbanded troops enlisted with the Hainault nobles, who 1 For accounts of English piracy, see the Domestic MSS. for the years 1577, 1578, and 1579. VOL. X. 31
