Черный тюльпан
The Execution
Corneliusheardthisclause,but,thefirstfeelingofvexationanddisappointmentover,hesaidtohimself,—
“Nevermind,allthisisnotlostyet;thereissomegoodinthisperpetualimprisonment;Rosawillbethere,andalsomythreebulbsoftheblacktuliparethere.”
ButCorneliusforgotthattheSevenProvinceshadsevenprisons,oneforeach,andthattheboardoftheprisonerisanywhereelselessexpensivethanattheHague,whichisacapital.
HisHighness,who,asitseems,didnotpossessthemeanstofeedVanBaerleattheHague,senthimtoundergohisperpetualimprisonmentatthefortressofLoewestein,verynearDort,but,alas!alsoveryfarfromit;forLoewestein,asthegeographerstellus,issituatedatthepointoftheisletwhichisformedbytheconfluenceoftheWaalandtheMeuse,oppositeGorcum.
VanBaerlewassufficientlyversedinthehistoryofhiscountrytoknowthatthecelebratedGrotiuswasconfinedinthatcastleafterthedeathofBarneveldt;andthattheStates,intheirgenerositytotheillustriouspublicist,jurist,historian,poet,anddivine,hadgrantedtohimforhisdailymaintenancethesumoftwenty-fourstivers.
“I,”saidVanBaerletohimself,“IamworthmuchlessthanGrotius.Theywillhardlygivemetwelvestivers,andIshalllivemiserably;butnevermind,atalleventsIshalllive.”
Thensuddenlyaterriblethoughtstruckhim.
“Ah!”heexclaimed,“howdampandmistythatpartofthecountryis,andthesoilsobadforthetulips!AndthenRosawillnotbeatLoewestein!”
