Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/121

 1572.] THE DUKE OF NORFOLK. I0 present, was lost. Rotterdam was likely to revolt at the news, and thither Bossu hastened, to find the gates closed and entrance refused, Promises made to rebels and broken when they had answered their purpose, were the legitimate stratagems of Spanish warfare. Bossu entreated only that his men might be allowed to pass through, and swore that no hurt should be done to any one. The burghers weakly consented, and to prevent the contagion from spreading, there was a general massacre of men, women, and children. But Bossu gained little by his treachery. Preparations had been made all along the coast towns for a rising, and 'de la Mark's arrival was the signal for it to break out The success at Brilie was scarcely known in England, when news came that Flushing had risen also, over- powered its garrison, and fired upon Alva's fleet. The English Government had lighted the train, and looked quietly on. The excitement in London was uncon- trollable. Torrents of money poured out of the Pro- testant churches, and streamed across the Channel converted into guns and powder. The Flemish exiles formed in companies and went to join their comrades, accompanied by hundreds of English volunteers, and the cry rose in Parliament and out of it to drive the accursed Spaniards out of the Provinces for ever. 1 The bishops petitioned Elizabeth to declare war May. - On the 24th of May de Guaras writes : ' Es increible cosa las pas- siones desta gente ; con toda la soli- citud que pueden, envian todas las municiones, dineros y ayuda, a la Brilla y Flushing, y mucha gente dellos, y asimismos persuaden amu- chos Ingleses ir alia. For las calles hay grandes lamentaciones por la faina que ban echado, de que en