A Dutch woman that dwelt in the city; who was commanded thither to tell them what I spake;
because I spake many times in the Dutch tongue.
And lastly, the Tormentor.
The rack now standing ready before them; with seven flaxen ropes lying thereon, new[ly] bought from the market.
Then the Inquisitor charged me, as at all other times he used to do, That I should speak what I had to say, and to speak the truth; otherwise I should be even now tormented to death.
I, seeing myself in the hands of such cruel tyrants as always thirst after the blood of the innocent; even as Cain (who being wroth with his brother Abel, and carrying a heavy countenance) could be no way eased but with his brother's blood: so I, past hope of life, turned my back towards them, and seeing my torments present before me, I fell down on my knees, and besought the Lord to forgive my sins, and to strengthen my faith, and to grant me patience to endure to the end.
Then they took me into a void room, and stripped me out of my ornaments of sheepskins which I repeated [spoke of] before; and put a pair of strong canvas breeches upon me.
Then bringing me to the rack again, he commanded me to lie down. The bars of the rack under me were as sharp as the back of a knife.
Now I, willingly yielding myself, lay down. Then the Tormentor bound my hands over my breast crosswise; and my legs clasped up together, were fast tied the one foot to the other knee. Then he fastened to either arm a cord, about the brawn of the arm; and likewise to either thigh another; which were all made fast again under the rack to the bars: and with another cord he bound down my head; and [he] put a hollow cane into my mouth. Then he put four cudgels into the ropes which were fastened to my arms and thighs.
Now the woman which was present, being interpreter, began to persuade me to yield, and confess the faith of the Church of Rome.