What is the wandering louse to do?”
And the will-o’-the-wisps said:
“The fire, ’tis we, vengeance for the bygone tears, the woes of the people; vengeance for the lords that hunted human game upon their lands; vengeance for the fruitless battles, the blood spilt in prisons, men burned and women and girls buried alive; vengeance for the fettered and bleeding past. The fire, ’tis we: we are the souls of the dead.”
At these words the Seven were changed to wooden statues, while keeping every point of their former shape.
And a voice said:
“Ulenspiegel, burn the wood.”
And Ulenspiegel turning towards the will-o’-the-wisps:
“Ye that are fire,” said he, “perform your office.”
And the will-o’-the-wisps in a crowd surrounded the Seven, which burned and were reduced to ashes.
And a river of blood ran down.