road  to  Jiilich,  in  order  to  cut  off  Leopold's  supplies,  they
sent  to  request  that  the  two  French  regiments  in  the  States'
service  might  be  ordered  to  their  assistance,  Archduke
Albert  having  threatened  to  open  the  passage  by  force  of
arms.  "  This  is  a  fine  stratagem,"  said  Aerssens,  "  to  fling
the  States-General  headlong  into  the  war,  and,  as  it  were,
without  knowing  it."  l

But  the  States-General,  under  the  guidance  of  Barneveld,
were  not  likely  to  be  driven  headlong  by  Brandenburg  and
Neuburg.  They  managed  with  caution,  but  with  perfect
courage,  to  move  side  by  side  with  Henry,  and  to  leave  the
initiative  to  him,  while  showing  an  unfaltering  front  to  the
enemy.  That  the  princes  were  lost,  Spain  and  the  Emperor
triumphant,  unless  Henry  and  the  States  should  protect
them  with  all  their  strength,  was  as  plain  as  a  mathematical
demonstration.
Yet  firm  as  were  the  attitude  and  the  language  of  Henry,
he  was  thought  to  be  hoping  to  accomplish  much  by  bluster.
