Then, having stuffed themselves as full as they could hold, threw to their dogs choice viands and rich cakes.
Gave to be broken and pounded up for their hawks and falcons, the meat of fowls, cockerels, and doves; had the hooves of their horses bathed in wine.
Oftentimes until midnight, or even until cock-crow, there would be beating of drums, trilling of pipes, squeaking of viols, skirling of bagpipes, and winding of horns, for their entertainment.
XVI. How the burgesses of the good town of Ghent gave protection to the virgins of the domain of Halewyn.
Meanwhile in the cottages of the peasant folk were tears, hunger, and great misery.
And when the fifteenth maid had been taken in the domain of Halewyn,
The mothers prayed to God that he would make them barren, or else that they might bear men-children only.
And the fathers complained and said to one another sadly: “Is it not a pitiful thing to see these sweet and gentle flowers of youth so brought to death and dishonour!”
And some among them said: “Let us go by night to the good town of Ghent, taking with us all our virgin daughters, and tell the whole tale to the burgesses, begging their blessed protection for them, and leaving them there in the town if we are so permitted. So they will escape death at the hands of our master.”