VAN END

This is Van Ends opinion my good Lord, That the rich promise of such noble Peers, As Marks Hanurie and Count Egmont are, Is pawn nough for all the Cities wealth. In silence be it my Lord, you needs the ̄ not. Oh may these slaves refuse this succour sent, Their misery shall bring their misery. This: Say, that you fear the Spaniards will conceive Some high displeasure, if you take them in, My Lords these fat pursed peasants are so proud, Friends and defence, are less esteemed then pelf. Hee'll rend you better if our purpose hold. In troth I think the Spaniard means no harm. Younker come here, haste to the Castle wall, And call to speak with Sancto Danila, Tell him from me, the Flies begin to swarm The Sun grows hight, the heards do shake their horns, The Shepherds bring great flocks home to the fold; Say, if the Butcher slaughter not in to ne, The beasts will surfeit, and the Soldiers pine, Therefore begin before one glass be run, And we shall win ere setting of the Sun: Remember this, be secret and away. Now (Antwerp) comes the Spaniards holiday, With them join I, my share is in the gold, I run with the Hare, and with the hound I hold; This Sunday shall be dismal to the town, The Burghers die, their gallant wives go down. And I no less, than who is best content. Thus will I feast my self with Antwerps spoil, And glut my pining soul with tragic Acts, Say pampered Fro, where is thy treasure hid? Speak truth, or breath thy last upon this steel, The bloody tempered torment of this town. I'll batter down your pride from whence it came, And with your ornaments adorn vast hell. Pity prevails not, treasure is the fee, That bribes the terror of my threatening breast; And therefore speak, else hast thou spoke thy last. Then, there that heap of glory lies for me, Which is the way? Speak softly good my Lord least ye be herd, The Citizens are scouting here about. I wish my Lord as much as you detain, But such and enterprise must be well grounded, Least in performance there be found defect. My Lord, what lies in me ye shall dispose, My Regiment of Almains, and my self, Will on the first assault revolt to you; Mean space I'll give you close intelligence, Of any thing the Citizens pretend: But as I said, what makes this to the spoil, Of such a might City as this is, Unless we be confirmed with more supply? I marry my Lord, this soundeth somewhat Like, Now dares Cornelius promise victory. But how intends your Lordship to begin, And give and entrance to this business? You know the Antwerpians never yet took partly, In any Actium gainst his Majesty, But have remained as neutral, neither aiding The Prince of Orange nor offending you: How will you then inkindle flames of war, And take occasion to commence your quarrel? It cannot be but good my noble Lord, And shortly (as their daily custom is) Changing the Governor and other Burghers, Intend a solemn banquet at the Statehouse. Even then, and at that place, give you direction, The Gunner take his Levill, 'twill affright, And strike the greater terror to their souls. Once more my Lord I gage my hand with yours, And as he is a Soldier and a Knight, Cornelius vows to be a friend to Spain. Farewell my Lord, Cornelius is agreed. I'll not be behind. Suppose my Lord I gave you my consent, In all the world there's not (at my command) Above six hundred Almains; you your self, Are in the Castle scarce a thousand strong, And what are these to sack so great a town? So populous and large as Antweerpe is. The Citizens (were they but politic, Careful and studious to preserve their peace) Might and hours warning, fill their streets, With forty thousand well appointed Soldiers.