“There is no lack of fodder,” answered the lady, “in the stable of Monsieur le Comte de Meghen!”
Thereupon the cook left her saucepan, and led Lamme and Ulenspiegel into the stable yard, they still riding on their donkeys, who now began to bray inordinately.
“Hark,” cried Ulenspiegel, “hearken to the fanfare with which they greet their coming nourishment. They are blowing their trumpets for joy, the poor beasts!”
But when they were dismounted, Ulenspiegel said to the cook:
“Come now, my dear, tell me, if you were a she-ass would you choose for your mate a donkey like me?”
“If I were a woman,” the cook replied, “I would desire a fellow that had a merry countenance.”
“What are you then,” asked Lamme, “being neither woman nor she-ass?”
“I am a maid,” quoth she, “and that is neither woman nor she-ass into the bargain. Now do you understand, fat-belly?”
Meantime the lady was inviting Ulenspiegel to drink a pint of bruinbier and to partake of some ham, a gigot, a pâté, and some salad. Ulenspiegel clapped his hands.
“Ham!” he cried, “that’s good to eat; and bruinbier is a drink divine. Gigot is food fit for the Gods! And the thought of a pâté is enough to send one’s tongue a-tremble in one’s mouth for joy! A rich salad is worthy victual for a king, forsooth. But blessed above all men shall that man be to whom it is given to dine off thy loveliness, O lady mine!”