In short, they had entered the torrent.

If they would avoid being dashed over the precipice, they must struggle manfully with the mad waves of civil war into which they had plunged.

"I beg you, with all affection," he said to the states of Brabant, "to consider the danger in which you have placed yourselves.
You have to deal with the proudest and most overbearing race in the world.

For these qualities they are hated by all other nations.

They are even hateful to themselves.