The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1555-1566 | Page 8

men. "It was esteemed
honorable," says the historian, "for women to lament, for men to

remember."
The parallel need be pursued no further. Thus much it was necessary to
recall to the historical student concerning the prominent characteristics
by which the two great races of the land were distinguished:
characteristics which Time has rather hardened than effaced. In the
contrast and the separation lies the key to much of their history. Had
Providence permitted a fusion of the two races, it is, possible, from
their position, and from the geographical and historical link which they
would have afforded to the dominant tribes of Europe, that a
world-empire might have been the result, different in many respects
from any which has ever arisen. Speculations upon what might have
been are idle. It is well, however; to ponder the many misfortunes
resulting from a mutual repulsion, which, under other circumstances
and in other spheres, has been exchanged for mutual attraction and
support.
It is now necessary to sketch rapidly the political transformations
undergone by the country, from the early period down to the middle of
the sixteenth century; the epoch when the long agony commenced, out
of which the Batavian republic was born.

III.
The earliest chapter in the history of the Netherlands was written by
their conqueror. Celtic Gaul is already in the power of Rome; the
Belgic tribes, alarmed at the approaching danger, arm against the
universal, tyrant. Inflammable, quick to strike, but too fickle to prevail
against so powerful a foe, they hastily form a league of almost every
clan. At the first blow of Caesar's sword, the frail confederacy falls
asunder like a rope of sand. The tribes scatter in all directions.
Nearly all are soon defeated, and sue for mercy. The Nervii, true to the
German blood in their, veins, swear to die rather than surrender. They,
at least, are worthy of their cause. Caesar advances against them at the
head of eight legions. Drawn up on the banks of the Sambre, they await
the Roman's approach. In three days' march Caesar comes up with them,
pitches his camp upon a steep hill sloping down to the river, and sends
some cavalry across. Hardly have the Roman horsemen crossed the
stream, than the Nervii rush from the wooded hill-top, overthrow horse
and rider, plunge in one great mass into the current, and, directly

afterwards, are seen charging up the hill into the midst of the enemy's
force. "At the same moment," says the conqueror, "they seemed in the
wood, in the river, and within our lines." There is a panic among the
Romans, but it is brief. Eight veteran Roman legions, with the world's
victor at their head, are too much for the brave but undisciplined Nervii.
Snatching a shield from a soldier, and otherwise unarmed, Caesar
throws himself into the hottest of the fight. The battle rages foot to foot
and hand to hand but the hero's skill, with the cool valor of his troops,
proves invincible as ever. The Nervii, true to their vow, die, but not a
man surrenders. They fought upon that day till the ground was heaped
with their dead, while, as the foremost fell thick and fast, their
comrades, says the Roman, sprang upon their piled-up bodies, and
hurled their javelins at the enemy as from a hill. They fought like men
to whom life without liberty was a curse. They were not defeated, but
exterminated. Of many thousand fighting men went home but five
hundred. Upon reaching the place of refuge where they had bestowed
their women and children, Caesar found, after the battle, that there were
but three of their senators left alive. So perished the Nervii. Caesar
commanded his legions to treat with respect the little remnant of the
tribe which had just fallen to swell the empty echo of his glory, and
then, with hardly a breathing pause, he proceeded to annihilate the
Aduatici, the Menapii, and the Morini.
Gaul being thus pacified, as, with sublime irony, he expresses himself
concerning a country some of whose tribes had been annihilated, some
sold as slaves, and others hunted to their lairs like beasts of prey, the
conqueror departed for Italy. Legations for peace from many German
races to Rome were the consequence of these great achievements.
Among others the Batavians formed an alliance with the masters of the
world. Their position was always an honorable one. They were justly
proud of paying no tribute, but it was, perhaps, because they had
nothing to pay. They had few cattle, they could give no hides and horns
like the Frisians, and they were therefore allowed to furnish only their
blood. From this time forth their cavalry, which was the best of
Germany, became renowned in the Roman army upon every battle-field