Sir Warham St. Leger, who hated Ormonde and all his works, attributed the evil state of Munster to the 'cockling and dandling of hollow-hearted wretches,' in pursuance of the Earl's policy. In the meantime he intrigued for a capitulation on Desmond's part. He had taken the Seneschal's natural son--a boy of seven--'as like him as if he had spit him out of his mouth,' and proposed to hang him in case the father should break out again. In the meantime he endeavoured to treat with Desmond through his means, but the rebel Earl was buoyed up constantly with the hopes of aid from abroad. The Countess persuaded him never to write anything, for fear of compromising himself with foreign princes. St. Leger was authorised to offer him his life, restraint without any imprisonment in some part of England or Ireland, and hope of further mercy for himself and child; but a full restoration was not to be thought of. There seems to have been little sincerity in the negotiation, though doubtless both the Queen and Burghley would have been glad to avoid further expense; and Ormonde, on his arrival, found the state of affairs unaltered. St. Leger foretold his failure. The protectees would fail him, and he would have enough to do to keep his own. 'He is,' he said, 'a person most odious of all men to Desmond's friends.... It is death to all the lords and chieftains of both factions to have English government come among them, for they know that if English government be established here, their Irish exactions is laid aground; the which to forego they had as leave die, such is their devilish consciences.' How true was the prophecy as to Ormonde's failure will appear hereafter.[97] [Sidenote: Ormonde returns to Ireland with fresh powers 1583.]