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THE REIGN

his point than when he first began the attack; with much vexation he was at last obliged to open the trenches: and a slow siege could not but be fatal to his affairs; yet he trusted to the Duke of Lerma's keeping George engaged till he was master of it. In this situation, he continued his approaches for some time, but saw little prospect of his being able to carry the city. At last advice was brought, that the King of England had totally defeated the Spaniards: a terrible blow to Philip: he was at first struck dumb with surprise; but recovering himself, ordered the siege to be raised immediately, and falling back to Paris, entrenched his army under the walls of his capital. Every day brought him accounts of whole provinces over-run by George, and seeing that his affairs were on the brink of ruin, he determined to sue for peace; and accordingly sent two ambassadors to the British Monarch; buthe