On the morrow (which was the day before the execution of Claes) the
decision of the court was made known to Nele, to Ulenspiegel, and
Soetkin. They asked the judges for leave to visit Claes in prison,
which permission was granted in the case of the wife and the son only.
On entering the prison cell they found Claes tied to the wall by
a long chain. A small fire was burning in the grate because of the
damp. For it is custom and law in Flanders that they who are condemned
to death shall be gently treated and be given bread and meat to eat,
or cheese and wine. Still gaolers are a greedy race, and oftentimes
the law is broken, there being many prison guards who themselves eat
up the greater part of the nourishment provided for the poor prisoners,
or keep the best morsels for themselves.
Claes embraced Ulenspiegel and Soetkin, crying the while. But he was
the first to dry his eyes, for he put control upon himself, being
a man and the head of the family. Soetkin, however, went on crying,
and Ulenspiegel kept muttering under his breath:
"I must break these wicked chains!"
And Soetkin said through her tears:
"I shall go to King Philip. He surely will have mercy!"
But Claes answered that this would be no use since the King was wont
to possess himself of the property of those who died as martyrs.... He
said also:
"My wife and child, my best beloved, it is with sadness and sorrow that
I am about to leave this world. If I have some natural apprehension
for my own bodily sufferings, I am no less concerned when I think of
you and of how poor and wretched you will be when I am gone, for the
King will certainly seize for himself all your goods."
Ulenspiegel made answer, speaking in a low voice for fear of being
overheard:
"Yesterday Nele and I hid all the money."
"I am glad," Claes answered; "the informer will not laugh when he
comes to count his plunder."
"I had rather he died than had a penny of it," said Soetkin with a
look of hate in her eyes now dry of tears. But Claes, who was still
thinking about the caroluses, said to Ulenspiegel:
"That was clever of you, Tyl, my lad; now Soetkin need not be afraid
of going hungry in the old age of her widowhood."
And Claes embraced her, pressing her close to his breast, and she
wept all the more bitterly as she thought how soon she was to lose
his tender protection.
Claes looked at Ulenspiegel and said:
"My son, it was wrong of you to go running off along the high roads of
the world like any ruffian. You must not do that any more, my boy. You
must not leave her alone at home, my widow in her sorrow. For now it
is your duty to protect her and take care of her--you, a man."
"I will, father," said Ulenspiegel.
"O my poor husband!" cried Soetkin embracing him again. "What crime
can we have committed? Nay, we lived our life peaceably together,
lowly and humbly, loving each other well--how well Thou, Lord,
knowest! Early in the morning we rose for work, and at eventide,
rendering our thanks to Thee, we ate our daily bread. Oh, would that
I could come at this King, and tear him with my nails! For in nothing,
O Lord God, have we offended!"
But here the gaoler entered and said that it was time for them
to depart.
Soetkin begged to be allowed to stay, and Claes felt her poor face
burning hot as it touched his, and her tears falling in floods and
wetting all his cheek, and her poor body shaking and trembling in
his arms. He, too, entreated the gaoler that she might be suffered
to remain with him. But the gaoler was obdurate, and removed Soetkin
by force from the arms of Claes.
"Take care of her," Claes said to Ulenspiegel.
He promised, and son and mother left the room together, she supported
in his arms.