CHAPTER XII
UNITED STATES—ANJOU—ASSASSINS
1581-1583
After the mortal defiance exchanged between King and Prince by the Ban and Apology, nothing remained but war to the knife. William fonnally submitted his defence to the States with an earnest appeal to them offering them his devotion through life. It was adopted with enthusiasm. He thereupon printed the Apology in French, Dutch, and Latin, and sent it forth with a really passionate circular letter from himself to the leading princes of Europe (4th February 1581). He evidently desired to show the whole world that he had burnt his ships and meant to fight Spain to the death; for William always had his eloquence under the control of his judgment. But the violence of the Apology alarmed some and disgusted others. "Now the Prince is indeed a dead man!" said the cautious Ste. Aldegonde. Honest John of Nassau shook his head, and the German chiefs grumbled. John at length withdrew from Holland altogether; he married a second wife; and settled down as a patriarch in Nassau. From the Lutherans nothing more could be hoped; they had ceased to take any further part. And this fierce war
