The swallow flew round the chamber thrice and went off with a cry.
Then there entered a second swallow, bigger and blacker than the other. It circled around Ulenspiegel, and he said:
“Father and Mother, the ashes beat against my breast, I shall do what ye ask.”
And the second went away crying shrill like the first. The day showed brighter; Ulenspiegel saw thousands of swallows skimming the meadows, and the sun arose.
And Soetkin was buried in the field of the poor.
LXXXIV
After Soetkin’s death, Ulenspiegel, dreamy, sorrowful, or angry, wandered about the kitchen, hearing nothing, taking what food or drink was given him, without choosing. And he often rose at night.
In vain did Nele with her soft voice exhort him to hope. Vainly did Katheline tell him that she knew Soetkin was in paradise with Claes. To all Ulenspiegel replied:
“The ashes are beating.”