History of the United Netherlands, 1587c | Page 5

to hazard battle
before you succour this town. Let my Lord Willoughby and Sir
William Russell land at Terhoven, right against Kadzand, with 4000,
and entrench hard by the waterside, where their boats can carry them
victual and munition. They may approach by trenches without engaging

any dangerous fight . . . . We dare not show the estate of this town more
than we have done by Captain Herte. We must fight this night within
our rampart in the fort. You may sure the world here are no Hamerts,
but valiant captains and valiant soldiers, such as, with God's help, had
rather be buried in the place than be disgraced in any point that belongs
to such a number of men-of-war."
But in vain did the governor of the place, stout Arnold Froenevelt,
assisted by the rough and direct eloquence of Roger Williams, urge
upon the Earl of Leicester and the States-General the necessity and the
practicability of the plan proposed. The fleet never entered the harbour.
There was no William of Orange to save Antwerp and Sluys, as Leyden
had once been saved, and his son was not old enough to unravel the
web of intrigue by which he was surrounded, or to direct the whole
energies of the commonwealth towards an all-important end. Leicester
had lost all influence, all authority, nor were his military abilities equal
to the occasion, even if he had been cordially obeyed.
Ten days longer the perpetual battles on the ramparts and within the
mines continued, the plans conveyed by the bold swimmer, Captain
Hart, for saving the place were still unattempted, and the city was
tottering to its fall. "Had Captain Hart's words taken place," wrote
Williams, bitterly," we had been succoured, or, if my letters had
prevailed, our pain had been, no peril: All wars are best executed in
sight of the enemy . . . . The last night of June (10th July, N. S.) the
enemy entered the ditches of our fort in three several places, continuing
in fight in mine and on rampart for the space of eight nights. The ninth;
he battered us furiously, made a breach of five score paces suitable for
horse and man. That day be attempted us in all, places with a general,
assault for the space of almost five hours."
The citadel was now lost. It had been gallantly defended; and it was
thenceforth necessary to hold the town itself, in the very teeth of an
overwhelming force. "We were forced to quit the fort," said-Sir Roger,
"leaving nothing behind us but bare earth. But here we do remain
resolutely to be buried, rather than to be dishonoured in the least point."
It was still possible for the fleet to succour the city. "I do assure you,"
said-Williams, "that your captains and mariners do not their duty unless
they enter with no great loss; but you must consider that no wars may
be made without danger. What you mean to do, we beseech you to do

with expedition, and persuade yourself that we will die valiant, honest-
men. Your Excellency will do well to thank the old President de
Meetkerk far the honesty and valour of his son."
Count Maurice and his natural brother, the Admiral, now undertook the
succour by sea; but, according to the Leicestrians, they continued
dilatory and incompetent. At any rate, it is certain that they did nothing.
At last, Parma had completed the bridge; whose construction, was so
much dreaded: The haven was now enclosed by a strong wooden
structure, resting an boats, on a plan similar to that of the famous
bridge with which he had two years before bridled the Scheldt, and
Sluys was thus completely shut in from the sea. Fire-ships were now
constructed, by order of Leicester--feeble imitations: of the floating
volcanoes of Gianihelli--and it was agreed that they should be sent
against the bridge with the first flood-tide. The propitious moment
never seemed to arrive, however, and, meantime, the citizens of
Flushing, of their own accord, declared that they would themselves
equip and conduct a fleet into the harbour of Sluys. But the Nassaus are
said to have expressed great disgust that low-born burghers should
presume to meddle with so important an enterprise, which of right
belonged to their family. Thus, in the midst of these altercations and
contradictory schemes; the month of July wore away, and the city was
reduced to its last gasp.
For the cannonading had thoroughly done its work. Eighteen days long
the burghers and what remained of the garrison had lived upon the
ramparts, never leaving their posts, but eating, sleeping, and fighting
day and night. Of the sixteen hundred Dutch and English but seven
hundred remained. At last a swimming messenger was sent out by the
besieged with