This measure was in strict accordance with the advice given more than once by the Prince of Orange, and was almost in literal fulfilment of the Compromise, which he had sketched before the arrival of Don John.
The deliberations were soon resumed with the new Governor, the scene being shifted from Luxemburg to Huy.

Hither came a fresh deputation from the states-general--many signers of the Brussels Union among them--and were received by Don John with stately courtesy: They had, however, come, determined to carry matters with a high and firm hand, being no longer disposed to brook his imperious demeanour, nor to tolerate his dilatory policy.

It is not surprising, therefore, that the courtesy soon changed to bitterness, and that attack and recrimination usurped the place of the dignified but empty formalities which had characterized the interviews at Luxemburg.
The envoys, particularly Sweveghem and Champagny, made no concealment of their sentiments towards the Spanish soldiery and the Spanish nation, and used a freedom of tone and language which the petulant soldier had not been accustomed to hear.

He complained, at the outset, that the Netherlanders seemed new-born--that instead of bending the knee, they seemed disposed to grasp the sceptre.

Insolence had taken the place of pliancy, and the former slave now applied the chain and whip to his master.