This speech caused the greatest excitement among all present. Some, though but a few, made it apparent by their gestures that they thought with Brakels; but by far the greater number disapproved of the sentiments he had expressed.
Deconinck had narrowly watched the countenances of his brethren, and had told over the number of those upon whose support he could reckon. Having speedily convinced himself that the party of his adversary was but small, he replied:
"It stands written expressly in our laws that no new burden can be laid upon the people without their own consent. This freedom has been purchased at a very costly price; and no person, be he who he may, has the power to violate it. True it is that to one who does not look far forward, eight groats, paid once for all, are no great matter; and certainly it is not for eight groats' sake that I would urge you to resistance; but the liberties, which are our bulwark against the despotism of the Lilyards—shall we allow them to be broken down? No; that were at once most base and most improvident. Know, brethren, that liberty is a tender plant, which, if you break but a single branch from off it, soon fades and dies; if we allow the Lilyards to clip our tree, we shall soon have no longer power to defend its withered trunk. Once for all, whoever has a man's heart in his bosom does not pay the eight groats! Whoever feels true Claward blood in his veins, let him lift his 'good-day,' and strike for the people's rights! But let the vote determine; what I have said is my opinion, not my command."
To these words the master who had already spoken on the opposite side rejoined:
"Your advice is evil. You take pleasure in tumult and bloodshed, in order that in the midst of the confusion your name may pass from mouth to mouth as our leader. Were it not much wiser, as true subjects, to submit to the French Government, and so to extend our commerce over the whole of the great land of France? Yes, I say, the government of Philip the Fair will forward our prosperity; and every right-minded citizen therefore must regard the French rule as a benefit. Our magistrates are wise men and honorable gentlemen."
The greatest astonishment showed itself throughout the assembly, and not a few angry and contemptuous looks were cast upon him who held this unseemly language. As for Deconinck, he could no longer contain his wrath; his love for the people was unbounded, and moreover he felt it a dishonor to the whole guild that one of his own Clothworkers should thus express himself.
"What!" he exclaimed, "is all love for rreedom and fatherland dead in our bosoms? Will you, out of thirst for gold, kiss the very hands that are riveting the chains about your feet? And shall posterity have it to say that it was the men of Bruges that first bowed their heads before the foreigner and his slaves? No, my brethren, you will not endure it; you will not let this blot come upon your name. Let the cowardly Lilyards barter away their freedom to the stranger for miserable gold, and peace such as dastards love; but let us remain free from reproach and shame. Let free Bruges once again pour out the blood of her free children for the right! So much the fairer floats the bloodred standard; so much the faster stands the people's power!"
Here Deconinck made a short pause; and before he could resume. Master Brakels again broke in:
"I repeat it, say what you will. What disgrace is it to us that our prince is a stranger? On the contrary, we ought to feel proud that we are now a part of mighty France. What matters it to a nation that lives and thrives by commerce to whose sway it bows? Is not Mahomet's gold as good as ours?"
The indignation against Brakels was now at the highest—so high, in truth, that no one deigned to answer him; only Deconinck sighed deeply, and at last exclaimed;
"Oh, shame! a Lilyard, a bastard, has spoken in our hall! We are disgraced forever!"
A tumultuous movement passed through the assembly, and many an eye flashed wrath upon Master Brakels.
Suddenly a voice was heard from the midst of the assembly, "Turn the Lilyard out! no French hearts among us!" and the cry was repeated again and again from one to another.
It now required all Deconinck's influence to keep the peace; not a few seemed inclined to violence; and the question was put, whether Brakels should be expelled the company, or fined in forty pounds' weight of wax.
While the clerk was busy taking the votes, Brakels stood with an unconcerned air before the Dean. Fie relied upon those who had received with favor his first speech; but in this he greatly deceived himself, for the name of Lilyard, a sore reproach in the eyes of all, had not left him a single friend. The sentence that he should be expelled the company was given without a dissentient voice, and received with general acclamation.
Upon this all the fury of the Lilyard burst forth, and a torrent of threats and abuse flowed from his mouth. The Dean sat on in his place with the greatest composure, without deigning a reply to his adversary's insults. Presently there came up two stout journeymen, who
