History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

ecame mutinous, and the prince had no alternative
but to lead back his army into Germany and there
disband it. The Flemings lost far more than
William did. The offer of freedom had come to
their gates with the banners of William, but they
failed to perceive the hour of their opportunity.
With the retreating standards of the Deliverer
liberty also departed, and Belgium sank down
under the yoke of Spain and Rome.
The Duke of Alva was not a little elated at his
success, and he set about rearing a monument
which should perpetuate its fame to after-ages. He
caused the cannon taken in the battle of
Gemmingen to be melted, and a colossal bronze
statue of himself to be cast and set up in the citadel
of Antwerp. It pleased Alva to be represented in
complete armor, trampling on two prostrate
figures, which were variously interpreted, but from
the petitions and axes which they held in their
hands, and the symbolical devices of the Beggars
hung round their necks, they were probably meant
to denote the image-breaking Protestants and the
Confederates. On the pedestal was the following
285