“Remember,” said he again, “only they of noble birth can see my pictures, whether they be lords or ladies.” And again, presently: “He of low birth is blind to my pictures But he who clearly sees, that man is a nobleman without a doubt.”
At that every one present opened wide his eyes, pretending—you may be sure—to see, and feigning to recognize the various faces and pointing themselves out to one another, though in reality they beheld nothing at all but a bare wall. And for this they were each and all secretly ashamed.
Suddenly the court jester, who was standing by, jumped three feet in the air and jaggled his bells.
“Take me for a villain,” he cried, “a most villainous villain, but I verily will affirm and assert and say with trumpets and fanfares that there I see a wall, a blank, white wall, and nothing but a wall, so help me God and his saints!”
Ulenspiegel said:
“When fools ’gin talking, time for wise men to be walking.”
And he was about to leave the palace when the Landgrave stopped him.
“Fool in your folly,” said he, “you make boast that you go through the world praising what is good and fair and making mock of foolery, and you have dared to make open game of so many and so high-born ladies, and of their yet more noble lords, bringing ridicule on the pride of their nobility! Of a truth I tell you that the day will come when you will hang for your free speech.”
“If the cord is of gold,” said Ulenspiegel, “it will break with dread at my approach.”
“Stay,” said the Landgrave. “Here is the first bit of your rope,” and he gave him fifteen florins.