“Speak, Ulenspiegel!”
“Sacred Majesty,” said Ulenspiegel, “I shall ask thee neither for money, nor for lands, nor for life, but only one thing, for which thou must not, if I dare to say it, have me whipped nor laid on the rack, before I depart to the land of spirits.”
“I promise thee this,” said the Emperor.
“Majesty,” said Ulenspiegel, “I ask that before I be hanged, you shall come and kiss the mouth with which I speak no Flemish.”
The Emperor, laughing like all the people, replied:
“I cannot do what thou dost ask, and thou shalt not hang, Ulenspiegel.”
But he condemned the burgomasters and sheriffs to wear spectacles on the back of their heads for six months, in order, said he, that if the Audenaerde folk do not see in front, they may at least see behind.
And by imperial decree, these spectacles are still seen in the arms of the town.
And Ulenspiegel went away modestly, with a little bag of money the women had given him.