"They either guarantee our lives or they do not.

I give not up my castle on terms like these, but I will exercise no pressure on the townspeople.

If they choose to defend themselves till the last I will fight here with them; if they choose to surrender they can do so; and those who differ from their fellows and put no faith in Tilly's wolves can enter the castle with me." The principal inhabitants of the town debated the question hotly.
Malcolm lost patience with them, and said: "Are you mad as well as stupid?
Do you not see the smoking villages round you?
Do you not remember the fate of Magdeburg, New Brandenburg, and the other towns which have made a resistance?
You have chosen to resist.

It was open to you to have fled when you heard the Imperialists were coming.

You could have opened the gates then with some hope at least of your lives; but you decided to resist.