The Legend of Ulenspiegel Volume I Part 66

"In these letters, Messire de Montigny wrote:

"'The king is exceeding wroth at what has come to pa.s.s in the Low Countries, and he will punish the abettors of trouble at a given hour.'"

Herewith the Count of Egmont said that he was cold and that it would be well to light a great fire of wood. That was done while the two lords discussed the letters.

The fire did not catch because of the over-great stopper that was in the chimney, and the chamber was filled with smoke.

The Count of Hoogstraeten then read, coughing, the intercepted letters of Alava, the Spanish Amba.s.sador, addressed to the Lady Governor.

"The Amba.s.sador," said he, "writes that all the ill that has befallen the Low Countries has come from the doings of three men: to wit, Orange, Egmont, and Hoorn. We must, says the Amba.s.sador, show a fair face to these three lords and tell them that the king recognizes that he holds these countries in his obedience through their services. As for the two single ones, Montigny and De Berghes, they are in the place where they ought to be."

"Ah," said Ulenspiegel, "I like better a smoky chimney in Flanders than a cool, airy prison in Spain: for garrottes spring up out of the damp walls."

"The said Amba.s.sador adds that the king said in the city of Madrid:

"'By all that hath come to pa.s.s in the Low Countries our royal reputation is diminished, the service of G.o.d is disparaged, and we shall rather expose all our other lands than leave such a rebellion unpunished. We are determined to go in person to the Low Countries and to request the help of the Pope and of the Emperor. Under the present evil lies the future good. We will reduce the Low Countries under our absolute sway, and will change and modify to our mind state, religion, and government.'"

"Ah! Philip King," said Ulenspiegel to himself, "if I could in my mode modify thee, thou shouldst undergo a great modification of thy thighs, arms, and legs under my Flemish cudgel; I should fasten thy head in the middle of thy back with two nails to see whether in that state, looking at the graveyard thou leavest behind thee, thou wouldst sing in thine own fashion thy song of tyrannical modifying."

Wine was brought in. D'Hoogstraeten rose and said: "I drink to the countries!" All followed his example, and putting his tankard down empty on the table, he added: "The evil hour strikes for the Belgian n.o.bles. We must take thought for means of defending ourselves."

Waiting for an answer, he looked at Egmont, who uttered not a word.

But the Silent One spoke: "We will resist," said he, "if Egmont who twice, at Saint Quentin and at Gravelines, made France tremble, who has all authority over the Flemish soldiers, will come to our rescue and prevent the Spaniard from coming into our countries."

Messire d'Egmont replied: "I think of the king with too much respect to believe that we must arm ourselves like rebels against him. Let those who fear his anger draw back. I will remain, having no way of living save by his help."

"Philip may take cruel vengeance," said the Silent.

"I have complete trust!" answered Egmont.

"Your head included?" asked Ludwig of Na.s.sau.

"Included," replied Egmont, "head, body, and loyal devotion, which are his."

"Trusty and well-beloved, I will do even as thou," said De Hoorn. Said the Silent:

"We must foresee and not wait."

Then Messire d'Egmont, speaking vehemently, "I have," said he, "had two and twenty reformed hanged at Grammont. If the preachings come to an end, if the image breakers are punished, the king's anger will be appeased."

The Silent replied:

"There are hopes that are uncertain."

"Let us put on the armour of trust," said Egmont.

"Let us put on the armour of trust," said De Hoorn.

"It is iron we should arm with, not trust," replied D'Hoogstraeten.

Hereupon the Silent made a sign that he wished to go.

"Adieu, Prince without land!" said Egmont.

"Adieu, Count without a head!" replied the Silent. Ludwig of Na.s.sau said then: "For the sheep the butcher, and glory for the soldier that is the saviour of the land of our fathers!"

"I cannot, and will not," said Egmont.

"Blood of the victims," said Ulenspiegel, "fall upon the head of the courtier!"

The lords withdrew.

Then Ulenspiegel came down out of his chimney and went immediately to bring the news to Praet. The latter said: "Egmont is a traitor, G.o.d is with the Prince."

The Duke! the Duke in Brussels! Where are the strong boxes that have wings?

END OF VOL. I