Lamme, paralyzed, said:
“Have pity and compassion upon me; I have sworn faithfulness to my poor wife and will keep it, although she left me in evil fashion. Ulenspiegel, dear friend, help!”
But Ulenspiegel did not show himself.
“See me,” said Lamme to the light ladies, “see me at your knees. Is there a humbler posture? Is it not enough to say that I honour your great beauties like the very saints? Happy is he that, not being married, can enjoy your charms! ’Tis paradise, without doubt; but do not beat me, if you please.”
Suddenly the baesine, who remained between her two candles, spoke in a strong and threatening voice:
“Good women and girls,” said she, “I take my oath on my great devil that if, in a moment, you have not, by laughter and gentle ways, brought this man to a good mind, that is to say into your bed, I will go fetch the night watch and have you all whipped instead of him. Ye do not deserve to be called girls of amorous life if in vain you have free mouth, wanton hand, and flaming eyes to excite the males, as do the females of the glow-worms that have their lanterns but to this end. And you shall be whipped without mercy for your simpleness.”
At that word the girls trembled and Lamme became joyful.
“Now, then, good women, what news bring you from the land of sharp thongs? I will myself go and fetch the watch. They will do their duty, and I shall help them with it. It will give me great pleasure.”
But then a pretty little girl of fifteen threw herself at Lamme’s knees:
“Messire,” said she, “you see me here before you, humbly resigned; if you do not deign to choose me from among us, I must needs be beaten for you, monsieur. And the baesine there will put me into a foul cellar, under the Scheldt, where the water oozes from the wall, and where I shall have but black bread to eat.”