Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/514

5 oo REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 56. plete. It was thought however that with an effort the intended arrangements could be hurried forward. It could be represented that Alva's troops required to be relieved, as well as their general, and without exciting a suspicion a second army and a large fleet could then be collected, under pretence of accompanying the new Viceroy. The army in the Netherlands, in the same way, could be marched to the ports, as if to embark for Spain ; and the money for the English campaign could be provided, p,lso, as if for the necessities of the Brussels treasury. So far no great difficulty was anticipated. Twice the number of men for which Norfolk asked could be landed in England with ease ; but the question next arose, what reason they were to allege to the world for their appearance there? what proclamation were the Spaniards to put out ? what were they to announce that they were come to do ? The Nuncio at onee took upon himself to answer. Like his master, he made light of difficulties. He be- lieved that twelve legions of angels would accompany the expedition. The one sufficient pretext, he said, was in the Bull of Excommunication. The Yicar of God had deprived Elizabeth of her throne. The soldiers of the Church were the instruments of his decree, and were executing the sentence of Heaven against the heretical tyrant. The Spanish ministers were loyal members of Holy Church. Alone among Christian Sovereigns, the Span- ish King had upheld in the Mediterranean the Cross against the Crescent, and was still performing, single-