At London, in January 1577.
That he undertook the Government of Antwerp most unwillingly, at the
express desire and command of the King of Spain. That, during his
Government, he did all in his power to restrain the excesses of the
Spaniards in the Citadel; so far as to incur their odium and hatred.
That he was unable to prevent the sack of the town, owing to the
treachery of the Almain Colonels [_VAN EINDEN &c._] of the only troops
under his command; who would not suffer the burghers to arm in their
defence.
10. EDWARD GRIMESTON, in his _General History of the
Netherlands to 1608_ (which is mainly based on J. F. LE
PETIT's _Chronique_, printed at Dordrecht in 1601) gives
the following account of the destruction of Antwerp
Castle, which had been built by the Duke of ALVA.
The inhabitants of Antwerp being still in fear, by reason of their
Castle, so long as the war was thus wavering, fearing they should
be, at some time, again surprised (terming it a den of thieves, an
invention of men full of cruelty, a nest of tyranny, a receptacle of
all filthy villany abomination and wickedness) obtained leave of the
States to dismantle it towards the town.
The which the burghers began the 28th of August [1577], with such
spleen as there was neither great nor small (wives children,
gentlewomen, and burghers; and all in general) but would pull down a
piece of it; men, women, and servants going thither, with their Ensigns
displayed, having many victuallers on the plain before the Castle [_the
Esplanade_]; so as it seemed a camp. And although the masons' work was
great, strong, and thick; yet were they not long in beating it down on
that side.
Soon after, in imitation of that of Antwerp, followed the dismantling
of the Castles of Ghent, Utrecht, Valenciennes, Bethune, Lille, Aire,
and others; and the Citadel of Arras was laid open towards the town.
p. 647.]
[Footnote 2: The necessary corrections have been herein made.--E.A.]
[Footnote 3: This Plan of Antwerp at the time of the
Spanish Fury, drawn up from the instructions of GEORGE
GASCOIGNE, is wanting in every copy of this Narrative
that we have met with. We have strenuously searched
for it in every direction; but without success. Its
disappearance is a great loss.--E.A.]
[Illustration: CHLORIS,
or
The Complaint of the
passionate despised
Shepherd.
By WILLIAM SMITH.
[Illustration]
_Imprinted at London_,
by EDMUND BOLLIFANT.
1596.]
_To the most excellent and learned
Shepherd COLIN CLOUT_
[i.e. EDMUND SPENSER].
COLIN, my dear and most entire beloved,
My Muse audacious stoops her pitch to thee!
Desiring that thy patience be not moved
By these rude lines, written here you see.
Fain would my Muse, whom cruel Love hath wronged,
Shroud her love-labours under thy protection!
And I myself, with ardent zeal, have longed
That thou mightst know, to thee my true affection.
Therefore, good COLIN, graciously accept
A few sad Sonnets which my Muse hath framed:
Though they but newly from the shell are crept,
Suffer them not by envy to be blamed!
But, underneath the shadow of thy wings,
Give warmth to these young-hatchèd orphan things!
Give warmth to these young-hatchèd orphan things!
Which, chill with cold, to thee for succour creep.
They of my study are the budding springs:
Longer I cannot them in silence keep.
They will be gadding! sore against my mind.
But, courteous Shepherd, if they run astray,
Conduct them, that they may the pathway find:
And teach them how the Mean observe they may!
Thou shalt them ken by their discording notes!
Their weeds are plain, such as poor shepherds wear;
Unshapen, torn, and ragged are their coats:
Yet forth they wandering are, devoid of fear.
They which have tasted of the Muses' spring,
I hope, will smile upon the tunes they sing.