History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

was covered with black cloth; nineteen companies
of soldiers kept guard around it; a vast assembly
occupied the space beyond, and the windows of the
houses were crowded with spectators, among
whom was Alva himself, who had come to witness
the tragedy of his own ordering. Count Egmont
was the first to ascend the scaffold, accompanied
by the Bishop of Ypres.
He had walked thither, reciting the 51st Psalm:
"In the multitude of thy compassions, O God, blot
out all mine iniquities," etc. He conducted himself
with dignity upon the scaffold. It was vain to think
of addressing the spectators; those he wished to
reach were too far off to hear him, and his words
would have fallen only on the ears of the Spanish
soldiers. After a few minutes' conversation with the
bishop, who presented him with a silver cross to
kiss, and gave him his benediction, the count put
off his black mantle and robe of red damask, and
taking the Cross of the Golden Fleece from his
neck, he knelt down and put his head on the block.
Joining his hands as if in the act of supplication, he
cried aloud, "O Lord, into thy hands I commit my
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