triot likely to come forward in the cause of liberty.

At length, the Compromise having been signed by a large number of
noblemen and gentlemen, it was resolved to present the petition to the
Regent, then holding her court at Brussels. Master Clough, hearing what
was about to take place, sent me over there to gain information. I
arrived on the 3rd of April, 1566.

On the evening of that day notice was given that a cavalcade of noblemen
was entering the city, and I, with many thousands of the citizens,
hurried out to meet it. There were at least two hundred noblemen on
horseback, all magnificently dressed, with pistols in their holsters,
and swords by their sides. Count Brederode rode at their head--a tall,
stout man, with a soldier-like bearing and handsome features, his light
curling locks hanging down over his shoulders. Close to him rode Count
Louis of Nassau, one of the bravest and most gallant of knights. As the
cavalcade advanced, slowly making its way through the streets, it was
greeted from all sides with frequent demonstrations of applause. The
two Counts alighted at the house of the Prince of Orange, while the rest
of the company, with their numerous attendants, separated to other parts
of the city. The following day the Counts Culembourg and De Berg
entered the city with a hundred other cavaliers. The 5th of April was
the day fixed for presenting the petition. The confederates assembled
at the mansion of Count Culembourg, a short distance from the palace
where the Duchess Margaret was prepared to receive them. It was a brave
sight to see these three hundred young noblemen, arrayed in the most
magnificent costumes, walking arm in arm through the street. There was
little doubt of the risk they ran, but they had resolved to attempt the
deliverance of their country from Spanish tyranny. The daughter of
Charles the Fifth received them in the very hall where he had abdicated
his throne, many of the nobles who appeared on that occasion being
present. Among them were Orange and Egmont. Brederode, advancing,
addressed the Duchess, expressing his devotion both to her and to the
King, at the same time pointing out that the edicts and the Inquisition
would certainly produce a general rebellion if continued. He stated,
also, that there was not a man in the country, whatever his condition,
who was not liable at any moment to lose his life under the edicts; and
that the life and property of each individual w