Adrian Van der Werf, the dignified and honored Burgomaster of the city, appeared on the stone steps high above the crowd. The universal babel of tongues immediately ceased, and the hush that followed was broken only by the occasional booming of the Spanish guns battering at the walls of the city. Then the Burgomaster began to speak:
“Men and women of Leyden, I am here to read to you two proclamations,—one from our beloved William the Silent, Prince of Orange-Nassau,—” here he was interrupted by loud and prolonged cheers from the multitude, “—and one from His Majesty, King Philip the Second of Spain.” The absolute and scornful silence with which the people received the last name was but a fitting indication of their hatred.
“I shall read the message from the Prince of Orange first.” And while the people listened in eager, respectful silence, he repeated to them how their Prince and leader, whose headquarters were now at Delft and Rotter-
