the six officers under him, who were thought to be conducting their operations with languor, were christened the Seven Sleepers.  Gigantic spectacles, three feet in circumference, were planted derisively upon the ramparts, in order that the artillery, which it was said that the papists of Arras were sending, might be seen, as soon as it should arrive.  Councillor Outreman, who had left the city before the siege, came into it again, on commission from Noircarmes.  He was received with contempt, his proposals on behalf of the government were answered with outcries of fury; he was pelted with stones, and was very glad to make his escape alive.  The pulpits thundered with the valiant deeds of Joshua, Judas Maccabeus, and other bible heroes.  The miracles wrought in their behalf served to encourage the enthusiasm of the people, while the movements making at various points in the neighborhood encouraged a hope of a general rising throughout the country.

Those hopes were destined to disappointment.  There were large assemblages made, to be sure, at two points.  Nearly three thousand sectaries had been collected at Lannoy under Pierre Comaille, who, having been a locksmith and afterwards a Calvinist preacher, was now disposed to try his fortune as a general.  His band was, however, disorderly.  Rustics armed with pitchforks, young students and old soldiers out of employment, furnished with rusty matchlocks, pikes and halberds, composed his force.  A company similar in character, and already amounting to some twelve hundred in number, was collecting at Waterlots.  It was hoped that an imposing array would soon be assembled, and that the two bands, making a junction, would then march to the relief of Valenciennes.  It was boasted that in a very short time, thirty thousand men would be in the field.  There was even a fear of some such result felt by the Catholics.

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1566, the last year of peace Dissenters were as bigoted as the orthodox If he had little, he could live upon little Incur the risk of being charged with forwardness than neglect Not to let the grass grow under their feet

MOTLEY’S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, PG EDITION, VOLUME 13.

THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC

By John Lothrop Motley
1855

1567 [Chapter IX., Part 2.]

Calvinists defeated at Lannoy and at Waterlots—­Elation of the government—­The siege pressed more closely—­Cruelties practised upon the country people—­Courage of the inhabitants—­Remonstrance to the Knights of the Fleece—­Conduct of Brederode—­Orange at Amsterdam—­ New Oath demanded by Government—­Orange refuses—­He offers his resignation of all offices—­Meeting at Breda—­New “Request” of Brederode—­He creates disturbances and levies troops in Antwerp—­ Conduct of Hoogstraaten—­Plans of Brederode—­Supposed