An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (8 of 8)
History
An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (8 of 8)
English literature
I set not down the ugly and filthy polluting of every street with the
gore and carcases of horses; neither do I complain that the one lacked
burial, and the other flaying, until the air, corrupted with their
carion, infected all that yet remained alive in the town.
And why should I describe the particularity of every such annoyance
as commonly happens both in camps and castles where martial feats are
managed?
But I may not pass over with silence the wilful burning and destroying
of the stately Town House, and all the muniments and records of the
city: neither can I refrain to tell their shameful rapes and outrageous
forces presented unto sundry honest dames and virgins.
It is also a ruthful remembrance, that a poor English Merchant, who
was but a servant, having once redeemed his master's goods for 300
crowns, was yet hanged until he were half dead, because he had not
200 more to give them. And the halter being cut down, and he come to
himself again; [he] besought them on knees, with bitter tears, to give
him leave to seek and try his credit and friends in the town, for the
rest of their unreasonable demand. At his return, because he sped not,
as indeed no money was then to be had, they hung him again outright:
and afterwards, of exceeding courtesy, procured the Friars Minor to
bury him.
To conclude. Of the 17,000 carcases which were viewed on the Thursday:
I think, in conscience, 5,000, or few less, were massacred after their
victory; because they had not ready money wherewith to ransom their
goods at such prices as they pleased to set on them. At least, all
the World will bear me witness, that ten days after, whosoever was
but pointed at, and named to be a Walloon, was immediately massacred
without further audience or trial.
For mine own part, it is well known that I did often escape very
narrowly; because I was taken for a Walloon. And on Sunday, the 11th
of this instant [November 1576], which was the day before I gat out of
the town, I saw three poor souls murdered in my presence, because they
were pointed [at] to be Walloons: and it was well proved, immediately
[after], that one of them was a poor artificer, who had dwelt in the
town eight years before, and [had] never managed arms, but truly
followed his occupation.
Furthermore, the seed of these and other barbarous facts brought forth
this crop and fruit, That, within three days, Antwerp, which was one
of the richest towns in Europe, had now no money nor treasure to be
found therein, but only in the hands of murderers and strumpets. For
every Don DIEGO must walk, jetting up and down the streets, with his
harlot by him, in her chain and bracelets of gold. And the notable
Bourse, which was wont to be a safe assembly for merchants and men of
all honest trades, had now none other merchandise therein but as many
dicing tables as might be placed round about it, all the day long.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account