“Well, Thyl?” he asked.
“Ah! sire Landgrave, they are travelling towards the end.”
The sixtieth day, the landgrave became angry, and entering the room:
“Thou art immediately to show me the pictures,” said he.
“Yea, great lord,” replied Ulenspiegel, “but deign not to draw aside this curtain until you have summoned hither the lords and captains and ladies of your court.”
“I consent to this,” said the landgrave.
They all came at his command.
Ulenspiegel stood before the curtain closely drawn.
“Monseigneur Landgrave,” said he, “Madame Landgravine, and you, Monseigneur de Lunebourg, and you other beauteous dames and valiant captains, I have pourtrayed as best I could your pretty or warlike faces behind this curtain. It will be easy to recognize each one of you there. You are curious to see yourselves, it is natural, but pray have patience and permit me to say a word or two to you. Beauteous ladies and valiant captains, who are all of noble blood, you can see and admire my painting; but if among you there is one of low origin, he will see nothing save the blank wall. And now deign to open your noble eyes.”
Ulenspiegel pulled the curtain back.