The Legend of Ulenspiegel and LammeGoedzak
1922
London: William Heinemann
London: William Heinemann.
To
Béatrice de Holthoir
The Legend of Ulenspiegel and Lamme Goedzak
And their Adventures Heroical, Joyous, andGlorious in the Land of Flanders and Elsewhere.
Book I
I
When May was unfolding the whitethorn blossomUlenspiegel, son of Claes, was born at Damme in Flanders.
A gossip midwife, by name Katheline, wrapt him in warm swaddlingclothes, and, looking at his head, pointed out a caul on it.
“A caul! he is born under a lucky star!” exclaimed she,rejoicing.
But in a moment, lamenting and displaying a little black spot on thebabe’s shoulder:
“Alas,” she wept, “’tis the black print ofthe devil’s finger.”
“Master Satan has been getting up very early, then,”rejoined Claes, “if he has had time already to put his mark on myson.”
“It was not yet his bedtime,” said Katheline, “forthere is Chantecleer only now waking up the hens.”
And she went away, putting the child in the arms of Claes.
Then the dawn burst through the night clouds, the [2]swallowsskimmed the meadows with shrill cries, and the sun showed his dazzlingcountenance, bright and red upon the horizon. Claes threw the windowwide and spake to Ulenspiegel.
“Son with the caul,” said