"Have some more to drink," said the landlady, "and do not speak so loud." "I have also heard," continued Ulenspiegel, "that one day he swore like a soldier, Al dispetto di Dio, potta di Dio, and all because they did not bring him the cold peacock that he had ordered to be kept for his supper. And he excused himself, saying, 'If my Master was angered over an apple, I, who am the vicar of God, can certainly swear an oath about a pheasant!' You see, my pet, I know the Pope very well, and understand just what sort of a man he is!" "Oh dear," she said, "pray be careful and do not tell this to any one else. But still, and in spite of all you tell me, I maintain that you will not get to see him." "I shall," said Ulenspiegel. "I will wager you a hundred florins." "They are mine!" said Ulenspiegel. The very next day, tired as he was, he ran through all the city and found out that the Pope was to say Mass that morning at the Church of St. John Lateran. Thither Ulenspiegel repaired, and took up a position as prominently in the Pope's view as he could. And every time that the Pope elevated chalice or Host, Ulenspiegel turned his back to the altar. Now one of the cardinals was officiating with the Pope, swarthy of countenance he was, malicious and corpulent; and on his shoulder he carried a monkey. He reported Ulenspiegel's behaviour to the Pope, who straightway after Mass sent four terrible-looking soldiers (such as one finds in those warlike lands) to seize the pilgrim. "What religion do you profess?" the Pope asked him. "Most Holy Father," answered Ulenspiegel, "my religion is the same as my landlady's." The Pope had the woman fetched. "What is your religion?" he asked her. "The same as your Holiness's," she told him. "That also is mine," said Ulenspiegel. The Pope asked him why he turned his back upon the Holy Sacrament. "I felt myself unworthy to look upon it face to face," he answered. "You are a pilgrim?" said the Pope. "Yes," answered Ulenspiegel, "and I am come from Flanders to beg remission of my sins." The Pope absolved and blessed him, and Ulenspiegel departed in the company of his landlady, who paid over to him his hundred florins. And with this good store of money he departed from Rome and set out to return again to the land of Flanders. But he had to pay seven ducats for the certificate of his pardon, all scribed upon parchment. XXXI In those days there came to Damme two brothers of the Premonstratensian Order, sellers of indulgences. And over their monastic robes they wore beautiful jackets bordered with lace.