The moderate Germans, who had expected him with such anxiety, felt their hearts fail them when they learnt the form in which he was at last coming. For the first time the free soil of their country would be trodden by the Spanish infantry, with whose prowess and whose cruelty two hemispheres were ringing.[1] Henry, too, was not without uneasiness. An ally who was sharing the dangers of a campaign was entitled to confidence; and Charles's secrets were locked impenetrably in his own cabinet. There had been a meeting with the Pope, and a veil was flung over it. The treaty had stipulated for ships from Spain or the Low Countries, to assist in protecting the Channel; the English had sent their contingent into Flanders; but the Imperial cruisers delayed their appearance, and the Portsmouth fleet was defending the harbours of Holland.[2] An English renegade, again, a friend of Pole—who, at the request of Bonner, had been imprisoned at the Castle of Milan,—had escaped unaccountably, and, as it seemed, with official connivance. The Emperor, the King considered, was more careful of his own interests than of those of his ally.[3]
But Charles's intentions were not long in revealing themselves. July 25.On the 25th of July he arrived at Spires. His army followed him in detachments, and was collected in full force by the middle of