XV
NO sooner did the Belgians know that the occupying government had fallen, than their long-hidden, beloved tricolour appeared. Revolutionary leaders, fearing this might cause trouble, asked those now in authority to have the colours removed, and the people were requested to withdraw them, until one appeared on the Hôtel de Ville. This was accordingly done in the more important thoroughfares, but in others the flag continued to float above the moving streams of enemy forces, who showed no resentment. On the contrary, they seemed to admire the daring patriotism it expressed; and on one occasion, to my knowledge, German troops marched under those flags through the Chaussée d’Ixelles singing the Marseillaise!
In the eyes of the more intelligent one could read the anguish at their hearts, and a passion of resentment that suggested they were mentally recalling the lines of their cherished poet:
“Ich rief den Teufel und er kam,
Und ich sah ihm mit Verwundrung an;
Er ist nicht hasslich und ist nicht lahm,
Er ist ein lieber, scharmanter Mann,
Ein Mann in seiner besten Jahren,
Verbindlich und höflich und Welterfahren!