The Zelanders, however, had become so exasperated by their presence that they resolutely refused to lay a single hand upon the dykes, which, as usual at that season, required great repairs.

Rather than see their native soil profaned any longer by these hated foreign mercenaries, they would see it sunk forever in the ocean.

They swore to perish-men, women, and children together-in the waves, rather than endure longer the outrages which the soldiery daily inflicted.

Such was the temper of the Zelanders that it was not thought wise to trifle with their irritation.

The Bishop felt that it was no longer practicable to detain the troops, and that all the pretext devised by Philip and his government had become ineffectual.