Many attempts against his life
were made by assassins eager for the promised reward. How the
treacherous end was finally compassed is told by Motley with all the
dramatic realism necessary for a faithful description of the scene.
In March, 1583, one Pietro Dordogno was executed in Antwerp for
endeavoring to assassinate the Prince. Before his death he confessed
that he had come from Spain solely for the purpose, and that he had
conferred with La Motte, Governor of Gravelines, as to the best means of
accomplishing his design. In April, 1584, Hans Hanzoon, a merchant of
Flushing, had been executed for attempting to destroy the Prince by
means of gunpowder concealed under his house in that city and under his
seat in the church. He confessed that he had deliberately formed the
intention of performing the deed, and that he had discussed the details
of the enterprise with the Spanish ambassador in Paris.
At about the same time one Le Goth, a captive French officer, had been
applied to by the Marquis de Richebourg, on the part of Alexander of
Parma, to attempt the murder of the Prince. Le Goth had consented,
saying that nothing could be more easily done, and that he would
undertake to poison him in a dish of eels, of which he knew him to be
particularly fond. The Frenchman was liberated with this understanding,
but, being very much the friend of Orange, straightway told him the
whole story and remained ever afterward a faithful servant of the
states.
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