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MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol. 27
By John Lothrop Motley
1855
Triumphal entrance of Don John into Brussels—Reverse of the picture —Analysis of the secret correspondence of Don John and Escovedo with Antonio Perez—Plots against the Governor's liberty—His desponding language and gloomy anticipations—Recommendation of severe measures—Position and principles of Orange and his family— His private views on the question of peace and war—His toleration to Catholics and Anabaptists censured by his friends—Death of Viglius—New mission from the Governor to Orange—Details of the Gertruydenberg conferences—Nature and results of these negotiations—Papers exchanged between the envoys and Orange—Peter Panis executed for heresy—Three parties in the Netherlands— Dissimulation of Don John—His dread of capture.
As already narrated, the soldiery had retired definitely from the countryat the end of April, after which Don John made his triumphal entranceinto Brussels on the 1st of May. It was long since so festive a May-dayhad gladdened the hearts of Brabant. So much holiday magnificence hadnot been seen in the Netherlands for years. A solemn procession ofburghers, preceded by six thousand troops, and garnished by the freecompanies of archers and musketeers, in their picturesque costumes,escorted the young prince along the streets of the capital. Don John wason horseback, wrapped in a long green cloak, riding between the Bishop ofLiege and the Papal nuncio. He passed beneath countless triumphalarches. Banners waved before him, on which the battle of Lepanto, andother striking scenes in his life, were emblazoned. Minstrels sangverses, poets recited odes, rhetoric clubs enacted fantastic dramas inhis honor, as he rode along. Young virgins crowned him with laurels.Fair women innumerable were clustered at every window, roof, and balcony,their bright robes floating like summer clouds above him. "Softly fromthose lovely clouds," says a gallant chronicler, "descended the gentlerain of flowers." Garlands were strewed before his feet, laurelledvictory sat upon his brow. The same conventional enthusiasm anddecoration which had characterized the holiday marches of a thousandconventional heroes were successfully produced. The proceedings beganwith the church, and ended with the banquet, the day was propitious, thepopulace pleased, and after a brilliant festival, Don John of Austria sawhimself Governor-General of the provinces.
Three days afterwards, the customary oaths, to be kept with the customaryconscientiousness, were rendered at the Town House, and for a briefmoment all seemed smiling and serene.
There was a reverse to the picture. In truth, no language can describethe hatred which Don John entertained for the Netherlands and all theinhabitants. He had come to the country only as a stepping-stone to theEnglish throne, and he never spoke, in his private letters, of theprovinces or the people but in terms of abhorrence. He was in a "Babylonof disgust," in a "Hell," surrounded by "drunkards," "wineskins,""scoundrels," and the like. From the moment of his arrival he hadstrained every nerve to retain the Spanish troops, and to send them awayby se