250 CATHERINE OP SCHWARTZBURC?. 



countefs from the hall. His tidings informed her, that 

 the fpanifii foldiers had ufed violence in fome villages 

 on the way, and had driven off the cattle belonging to 

 the peafants. Catharina was a true mother to her peo- 

 ple ; whatever the poorer! of her fubjecls unjuftly fuf- 

 fered wounded her to the very quick. Full of indig- 

 nation at this breach of faith, yet not forfaken by her 

 prefence of mind, fhe ordered her whole retinue to 

 arm themfelves immediately in private, and to bolt 

 and bar all the gates of the caftle ; which done, Ihe 

 returned to the hall, and rejoined the princes who 

 were frill at table. Here fhe complained to them, in 

 the moft moving terms, of the ufage fhe had met with, 

 and how badly the imperial word was kept. They 

 told her, laughing, that this was the cuftom in war, 

 and that fuch trifling diforders of foldiers in marching 

 through a place, were not to be minded. " That we 

 jftiall prefent/Iy fee," replied fhe floutly. " My poor fub- 

 jecls mufr. have their own again, or by Ged J . — raijing 

 her voice in a threatening tone — princes' blood for oxen's 

 blood !" With this emphatical declaration fhe quitted 

 the room, which, in a few moments, was filled with 

 armed men ; who, fword in hand, yet with great re - 

 Terence, planting themfelves behind the chairs of the 

 princes, took place of the waiters. On the entrance of 

 thefe fierce - looking fellows, duke Alva directly 

 changed colour ; and they all gazed at one another in 

 filence and affright. Cut ! off from the army, fur- 

 rounded by a refolute body men, what had they to do, 

 but to fummon up their patience, and to appeafe the 

 offended lady on the beffc terms they could ? Henry 

 of Brunfwic was the firft that collected his fpirits ; 



and 



