So conversing with his ass, Ulenspiegel came before the landgrave’s palace.
Two captains of musketeers were playing dice on the stair.
One of them, red headed and of giant size, caught sight of Ulenspiegel modestly sitting upon Jef and watching their play.
“What do you want with us,” said he, “hungry pilgrim-face?”
“I am exceedingly hungry, in very deed,” said Ulenspiegel, “and am pilgrimaging against my will.”
“If you are hungry,” rejoined the captain, “eat with your neck the rope that swings from the nearest gallows destined for vagabonds.”
“Messire captain,” replied Ulenspiegel, “if you were to give me that fine gold cord you wear on your hat, I should go and hang myself with my teeth to that fat ham that swings yonder at the cook shop.”
“Where do you come from?” asked the captain.
“From Flanders,” replied Ulenspiegel.
“What would you?”