Finding the Father a man of intelligence, Quentin did not neglect the opportunity of making himself acquainted with the state of affairs in the country of Liege, of which, during the last two days of their journey, he had heard such reports as made him very apprehensive for the security of his charge during the remainder of their route, nay, even of the Bishop's power to protect them, when they should be safely conducted to his residence.

The replies of the Prior were not very consolatory.
He said that the people of Liege were wealthy burghers, who, like Jeshurun [a designation for Israel] of old, had waxed fat and kicked--that they were uplifted in heart because of their wealth and their privileges--that they had divers disputes with the Duke of Burgundy, their liege lord, upon the subject of imports and immunities and that they had repeatedly broken out into open mutiny, whereat the Duke was so much incensed, as being a man of a hot and fiery nature, that he had sworn, by Saint George, on the next provocation, he would make the city of Liege like to the desolation of Babylon and the downfall of Tyre, a hissing and a reproach to the whole territory of Flanders.
[Babylon: taken by Cyrus in 538 B.C.See Revelation xviii, 21: "A mighty angel took up a stone...

and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more."] [Tyre: conquered by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.

"I will make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more...

yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord God." Ezekiel xxvi, 21.] "And he is a prince by all report likely to keep such a vow," said Quentin, "so the men of Liege will probably beware how they give him occasion." "It were to be so hoped," said the Prior, "and such are the prayers of the godly in the land, who would not that the blood of the citizens were poured forth like water, and that they should perish, even as utter castaways, ere they make their peace with Heaven.