Though there can be no form of government in the world which is without disadvantages, and which may not be abused, yet it is clear that no more efficient or lasting form of government may be devised or established in these evil times than aristocracy combined with democracy, that is government by the best nobles and the wisest commoners. Under such a system the most suitable and capable inhabitants and citizens are chosen to govern their fellow-citizens on certain conditions and for a fixed period of time. The citizens obey their chosen masters readily and loyally, but retain the power and the freedom to dismiss the members of the government whom they find incapable of governing or not behaving as they should in government, and to fill the vacancy properly. After shaking off the yoke of the tyrants, the Swiss, to their honour, established such a government and so far have honestly kept it. It is clear that our fatherland which endured under the Spaniards a tyranny incomparably more savage than the Swiss ever suffered and which recently experienced the murderous and treacherous disloyalty of the French, has much more reason, ability and opportunity to establish such a government or a similar one, than the Swiss have ever had. Indeed, the duke of Alva, Requesens, Don John of Austria and the prince of Parma are now conscious that our Netherlands have the ability and opportunity to establish a fine government of this sort and that we have many forces and strongholds…