Soest.  Here come the seven wise men of Greece.

Soapboiler.  I know there are many who in secret hold with the Calvinists, abuse the bishops, and care not for the king.  But a loyal subject, a sincere Catholic!—­

(By degrees others join the speakers, and listen.)

[Enter Vansen.

Vansen.  God save you, sirs!  What news?

Carpenter.  Have nothing to do with him, he’s a dangerous fellow.

Jetter.  Is he not secretary to Dr. Wiets?

Carpenter.  He has already had several masters.  First he was a clerk, and as one patron after another turned him off, on account of his roguish tricks, he now dabbles in the business of notary and advocate, and is a brandy-drinker to boot. (More people gather round and stand in groups.)

Vansen.  So here you are, putting your heads together. 
Well, it is worth talking about.

Soest.  I think so too.

Vansen.  Now if only one of you had heart and another head enough for the work, we might break the Spanish fetters at once.

Soest.  Sirs! you must not talk thus.  We have taken our oath to the king.

Vansen.  And the king to us.  Mark that!

Jetter.  There’s sense in that?  Tell us your opinion.

Others.  Hearken to him; he’s a clever fellow.  He’s sharp enough.  I had an old master once, who possessed a collection of parchments, among which were charters of ancient constitutions, contracts, and privileges.  He set great store, too, by the rarest books.  One of these contained our whole constitution; how, at first, we Netherlanders had princes of our own, who governed according to hereditary laws, rights, and usages; how our ancestors paid due honour to their sovereign so long as he governed them equitably; and how they were immediately on their guard the moment he was for overstepping his bounds.  The states were down upon him at once; for every province, however small, had its own chamber and representatives.

Carpenter.  Hold your tongue!  We knew that long ago!  Every honest citizen learns as much about the constitution as he needs.

Jetter.  Let him speak; one may always learn something.

Soest.  He is quite right.

Several Citizens.  Go on!  Go on!  One does not hear this every day.

Vansen.  You citizens, forsooth!  You live only in the present; and as you tamely follow the trade inherited from your fathers, so you let the government do with you just as it pleases.  You make no inquiry into the origin, the history, or the rights of a Regent; and in consequence of this negligence, the Spaniard has drawn the net over your ears.

Soest.  Who cares for that, if one has only daily bread?

Jetter.  The devil!  Why did not some one come forward and tell us this in time?

Vansen.  I tell it you now.  The King of Spain, whose good fortune it is to bear sway over these provinces, has no right to govern them otherwise than the petty princes who formerly possessed them separately.  Do you understand that?