name might not be dishonored, nor his children brought to shame.  His beloved wife and innocent children were to endure misery enough by his death and the confiscation of his estates.  It was at least due to his long services that they should be spared further suffering.  He then asked his father confessor what advice he had to give touching his present conduct.  The Bishop replied by an exhortation, that he should turn himself to God; that he should withdraw his thoughts entirely from all earthly interests, and prepare himself for the world beyond the grave.  He accepted the advice, and kneeling before the Bishop, confessed himself.  He then asked to receive the sacrament, which the Bishop administered, after the customary mass.  Egmont asked what prayer would be most appropriate at the hour of execution.  His confessor replied that there was none more befitting than the one which Jesus had taught his disciples—­Our Father, which art in heaven.

Some conversation ensued, in which the Count again expressed his gratitude that his parting soul had been soothed by these pious and friendly offices.  By a revulsion of feeling, he then bewailed again the sad fate of his wife and of his young children.  The Bishop entreated him anew to withdraw his mind from such harrowing reflections, and to give himself entirely to God.  Overwhelmed with grief, Egmont exclaimed with natural and simple pathos—­“Alas! how miserable and frail is our nature, that, when we should think of God only, we are unable to shut out the images of wife and children.”

Recovering from his emotion, and having yet much time, he sat down and wrote with perfect self-possession two letters, one to Philip and one to Alva.  The celebrated letter to the King was as follows: 

“Sire,—­I have learned, this evening, the sentence which your Majesty has been pleased to pronounce upon me.  Although I have never had a thought, and believe myself never to have done a deed, which could tend to the prejudice of your Majesty’s person or service, or to the detriment of our true ancient and Catholic religion, nevertheless I take patience to bear that which it has pleased the good God to send.  If, during these troubles in the Netherlands, I have done or permitted aught which had a different appearance, it has been with the true and good intent to serve God and your Majesty, and the necessity of the times.  Therefore, I pray your Majesty to forgive me, and to have compassion on my poor wife, my children, and my servants; having regard to my past services.  In which hope I now commend myself to the mercy of God.

               “From Brussels,
                    “Ready to die, this 5th June, 1568,
     “Your Majesty’s very humble and loyal vassal and servant,
          
                                   “Lamoral D’EGMONT.”

Having thus kissed the murderous hand which smote him, he handed the letter, stamped rather with superfluous loyalty than with Christian forgiveness, to the Bishop, with a request that he would forward it to its destination, accompanied by a letter from his own hand.  This duty the Bishop solemnly promised to fulfil.