“God is on his side,” said de Lumey. “Unloose his fetters.”
Then riding up close to the scaffold he saw how the executioner was endeavouring to prevent the maid from severing the cords which bound Ulenspiegel, telling her at the same time that he didn’t know who would pay the price of the cords if she cut them. But the damsel did not appear even to hear him. Seeing her so hasty in her love and so cunning withal, the heart of de Lumey was softened within him, and he asked the maid who she might be.
“I am Nele,” she answered him, “the betrothed of Ulenspiegel, and I am come from Flanders to seek him.”
“You have done well,” said de Lumey in a disdainful tone. And he went away.
Then Très-Long approached the scaffold.
“Young Fleming,” he said, “when once you are married, will you still serve as a soldier in our ships?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Ulenspiegel.
“But you, my girl, what will you do without your husband?”
Nele answered:
“If you will allow me, sir, I am fain to become a piper in his ship.”