Bells rang their merriest peals, artillery thundered, beacons blazed, the splendid cathedral spire flamed nightly with three hundred burning cresaets, the city was strewn with flowers and decorated with triumphal arches, the Guilds of Rhetoric amazed the world with their gorgeous processions, glittering dresses and bombastic versification, the burghers all, from highest to humblest, were feasted and made merry, wine flowed in the streets and oxen were roasted whole, prizes on poles were climbed for, pigs were hunted blindfold, men and women raced in sacks, and in short, for nine days long there was one universal and spontaneous demonstration of hilarity in Antwerp and throughout the provinces.
But with this merry humor of his subjects, the sovereign had but little sympathy.

There was nothing in his character or purposes which owed affinity with any mood of this jocund and energetic people.

Philip had not made peace with all the world that the Netherlanders might climb on poles or ring bells, or strew flowers in his path for a little holiday time, and then return to their industrious avocations again.

He had made peace with all the world that he might be free to combat heresy; and this arch enemy had taken up its strong hold in the provinces.

The treaty of Cateau Cambresis left him at liberty to devote himself to that great enterprise.