noon
Then the Spaniards hearing this and growing afraid of what these desperate men might do , fell back on guile . If they would surrender , the citizens of Haarlem were told , and pay two hundred and forty thousand florins , no punishment should be inflicted . So , having neither food nor hope , they listened to the voice of the tempter and surrendered , they who had fought until their garrison of four thousand was reduced to eighteen hundred men . It was noon and past on the fatal twelfth of July . The gates were open , the Spaniards , those who were left alive of them , Don Frederic at their head , with drums beating , banners flying , and swords sharpened for murder , were marching into the city of Haarlem . In a deep niche between two great brick piers of the cathedral were gathered four people whom we know . War and famine had left them all alive , yet they had borne their share of both .