Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/142

1 22 REIGN OF ELIZABE TH. [CH . 5 8 . creeds were untempered by other knowledge, and they could indulge the brutality of their natural appetites? without dread of the Divine displeasure ; while alike in priest's stole or. Geneva gown, the clergy, like a legion of furies, lashed them into wilder madness. On land the chief sufferers had been the Protestants : on the sea they had the advantage, and had used it. The privateers had for the most part disposed swiftly of the crews and passengers of their prizes. Prisoners were inconvenient and dangerous ; the sea told no tales, and the dead did not come back. With the capture of Brille and Flushing the black flag had been transferred to the shore. Sir Humfrey Gilbert, following the practice which he had learnt in Ireland, hung the Spaniards as fast as he caught them. 1 The Hollanders had shown no mercy to the priests ; they had been the instruments of Alva's Blood Council, and the measure which they had dealt was dealt in return to them. The Prince of Orange crossed the Rhine in July, coming forward towards Mons. He took Ruremonde by assault, and the monks in the abbeys and priories there were instantly murdered. Mechlin opened its gates to him, and after Mechlin some other neighbouring towns followed the example ; in all of them the Prince could not prevent his cause from being dishonoured by the same atrocities. 2 1 ' The Spaniards would be glad to make good war with us, for that ^e have hanged so many of them, and are liker to take of them than they of us 'Gilbert to Burghley, September 28 : JlfSS. Flanders. Alva to Philip, July 28 and August 21. Correspondence of Philip II ; GACHARD.