The inhabitants formed themselves into a guard of honour, and the Prince was greeted by a shout of pure wild joy.
The councillors, including among them Jacob de Beveren, the brother-in-law of the Grand Pensionary, greeted him humbly, even kissing his hand.
One offered him a coach.
William declined, and to the great satisfaction of the people walked among them on foot to the town hall.
He was plainly dressed, without armour, wore only a light sword and carried a cane.
He kept his hat on, and took no notice in his solemn entry of the people or of the councillors who accompanied him.
The distance was not great between the Groothoofd Poort and the Stadhuis, but William, as he walked slowly down the Wynstraat, had time to observe both that he could do what he pleased with the people and that the magistrates intended to thrust on him all responsibility.
They followed him with heads uncovered, but they made no suggestion.
The enormous crowd gathered as they advanced through the Groenmarkt, and considerably impeded their progress to the fine Gothic Stadhuis. The canals were choked with boats laden with armed citizens, and people came crowding up from the ship-building yards, from the barges and timber-yards, till the streets could hold no more.
On the Stadhuis steps William paused.