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diff --git a/old/55035-0.txt b/old/55035-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3e38578..0000000 --- a/old/55035-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8975 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Marvellous Adventures and Rare Conceits -of Master Tyll Owlglass, by Kenneth R. H. Mackenzie - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Marvellous Adventures and Rare Conceits of Master Tyll Owlglass - Newly collected, chronicled and set forth, in our English tongue - -Author: Kenneth R. H. Mackenzie - -Illustrator: Alfred Crowquill - -Release Date: July 3, 2017 [EBook #55035] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARVELLOUS ADVENTURES *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - THE - - MARVELLOUS ADVENTURES - - AND RARE CONCEITS OF - - MASTER OWLGLASS. - - -[Illustration: Folly Governeth the World] - - - - - THE - MARVELLOUS ADVENTURES - AND - RARE CONCEITS - OF - Master Tyll Owlglass. - - _Newly collected, chronicled and set forth, in our English tongue_, - - - BY KENNETH R. H. MACKENZIE, - - FELLOW OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. - - _And Adorned with many most Diverting and Cunning Devices_, - - BY ALFRED CROWQUILL. - -[Illustration] - - LONDON: - TRÜBNER & CO. 60, PATERNOSTER ROW. - 1860. - - - - - LONDON: - PRINTED BY WERTHEIMER AND CO. - CIRCUS PLACE, FINSBURY CIRCUS. - - - - - AM GANZEN RHEINE AUF UND AB - DER MENSCHEN GEDÄCHTNISS IST SEIN GRAB. - - - WHERE’ER THE WAVE OF RHINE DOTH LAVE. - MAN’S MEMORY IS STILL HIS GRAVE. - - _Fischart_, p. 179. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - PREFACE. - - - “Wit, an’t be thy will, put me into good fooling! Those wits - that think they have thee do very oft prove fools; and I that - am sure I lack thee, may pass for a wise man: For what says - Quinapalus? Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” - - _Clown in “Twelfth Night,”_ Act I., Scene 5. - - -Among the folkbooks of the German nation, not one has obtained so -general a circulation as that now presented in an English form. It has -been deemed worthy, as by the Appendix may be perceived, of being -translated into French, Dutch, Danish, Polish, nay, even Hebrew, and -honoured by being reprinted on every kind of paper, good and bad. A -favourite among the young for its amusing and quaint adventures, and a -study among those who strive, by the diligent comparison of different -eras of national literature, to arrive at a due appreciation of national -character, Eulenspiegel, or Owlglass the boor (peasant), possesses a -peculiar value for the old. I well remember how, as a very little child, -I first made the friendship of the lithe though clumsy hero; and to the -present time do not feel that I can say I have lost my interest in the -humourous quips and quiddities of the strolling vagabond. I little -thought, when I then read the German book, that it would be my privilege -to introduce him to other readers in my own language. - -The Gil Blas of German mediæval story, there is deep instruction in the -pungent jests and literal ways of the man who held up his mirror for -owls to look in, and each of whose tricks might form the groundwork of a -moral reflection. And for the early times in which it appeared, there -was not a little courage in the author of it. Strange to say, this -person appears to have been a Franciscan friar, Thomas Murner, who, in -other matters, made not a little stir in his own day. He visited this -country, and wrote a book in defence of our good King Hal the Bluff -against that famous monk, Luther; and he received some assistance in a -substantial gift from that monarch. An account of him will be found in -the Appendix; we have here only to deal with the significance of the -book itself. - -Like the deep searching work of Rabelais, the book is a satire, not upon -human life only, but upon special and dangerous topics. Very early -editions contain the story of how Eulenspiegel procured an old skull -from a churchyard, and turned the passion for worshipping relics to -profitable account;[1] and the priests and would-be learned men of his -time continually appear in ludicrous, undignified, or humiliating -positions. Rank was not respected, nor was vice in high places passed by -with (so-called) discreet silence. Yet with all the graver objects in -the book, the immediate aim of amusement was never forgotten; and, -letting us into the secrets of peasant life in Germany at an era when -peasants had little to rejoice over, we almost imagine that we can hear -the shouts of laughter with which the blunt outspoken jokes of this sly -clown were received. But Mr. Hallam does justice to a higher -appreciation of this kind of literature among the better classes of the -time. - -“They had a literary public, as we may call it,” says this distinguished -writer,[2] “not merely in their courts and universities, but in their -respectable middle class, the burghers of the free cities, and perhaps -in the artizans whom they employed. Their reading was almost always with -a serious end: but no people so successfully cultivated the art of moral -and satirical fable. These in many instances spread with great favour -through Cisalpine Europe. Among the works of this kind, in the fifteenth -century, two deserve mention; the Eulenspiegel, popular afterwards in -England by the name of Howleglass, and a superior and better known -production,[3] the _Narrenschiff_, or Ship of Fools, by Sebastian Brandt -of Strasburg.... It is a metrical satire on the follies of every class, -and may possibly have suggested to Erasmus his _Encomium Moriæ_. But the -idea was not absolutely new; the theatrical company established at Paris -under the name of _Enfans de Sans Souci_, as well as the ancient office -of jester or fool in our courts and castles, implied the same principle -of satirising mankind with ridicule so general, that every man should -feel more pleasure from the humiliation of his neighbours than pain from -his own.... The influence such books of simple fiction and plain moral -would possess over a people, may be judged by the delight they once gave -to children, before we had learnt to vitiate the healthy appetite of -ignorance by premature refinements and stimulating variety.”[4] - -Yet with all the repute which the book must have had among the boors and -country louts of what people choose, with doubtful taste or insight, to -call the “dark ages,” Owlglass, if it had not contained within itself -great vitality, might have lain in the obscurity which surrounds many a -contemporary work. Of the three great philosophers then extant, I have -somewhere read a kind of parallel, that Rabelais in his work satirised -fantastically, and with peculiar reference to the more educated and -scholarly readers of his time. Erasmus, on the other part, struck at the -monks with vigorous hand in other fashion; while both Brandt and Murner -took a more popular form in their compositions: yet, while Brandt is now -scarce remembered, Eulenspiegel remains, a striking and applicable book, -setting forth, indeed, in a good light, the truth everywhere, that “the -letter killeth but the spirit giveth life.” In this may be found the -reason of its wonderful popularity in Germany—in this is the secret of -its constant reproduction in so many languages. - -The fool in idle hour claims our attentive ear, charms, instructs, -enchains the mind, when the sonorous voice and weighty arguments of the -preacher would have no greater effect than the production of a yawn, or, -at most, a fugitive repentance. The fact of the subjection of the letter -to the spirit must be borne in mind throughout. Mighty times were those -when, by sturdy hands and wise pates, the world was ridding itself of -the rule of monks and literal interpreters of the universe and of the -duties of society. Yet Murner, as has been mentioned, fought against -Luther; nor, indeed, could Rabelais or Erasmus perceive, save somewhat -dimly, whither their words tended. Perhaps, in secret, they saw, in -fitful glimpses, the truth that history proceeds according to -progressive laws of development; and when the monks, who at one time had -done good service, were no longer useful to mankind, they decayed from -inherent fitlessness, and so vanished, overcome by the light of such -lamps as these. - -A remarkable feature in the adventures of Owlglass must not be passed -over without notice, viz., the very few allusions anywhere made to the -occult sciences, or to similar subjects. In the story of the invisible -picture there is one slight reference to alchymy; and in that where he -is led forth to the gallows, the multitude regard Owlglass as a -magician, who will rescue himself by the aid of demons. But so real is -the character everywhere, that not even by the many editors has any tale -been introduced connecting the hero with such matters. Yet the absence -of such a colouring displays a greater skill and a deeper purpose in the -author; from the tendency of the age in which it was written, any -mention of occult science would have been excusable, nay, almost -natural. If we remember that the era of its publication was rife with -magicians, astrologers, and alchymists; that Cornelius Agrippa very -shortly afterwards found it necessary to protest against the abuse of -such subjects in his treatise “Of the Uncertainty and Vanity of the -Sciences and Arts,” that Trithemius was then Abbot of the Benedictine -Monastery of Spanheim: all these considerations would have caused no -surprise at the introduction of scenes of enchantment, or, at least, an -employment of them allusively or by implication. But no; true to its -mission of a folk-book, filled with the manners and customs of its time, -Owlglass is thoroughly worldly, and for us, therefore, possesses greater -interest and value. - -It may be interesting for a moment to set side by side the jester -exhibited in the pages of Shakspere and the good Master Owlglass. -Historical Owlglass there certainly was at some time of the fourteenth -century, his tomb yet standing at Möllen, as will be seen; but the -pranks of many excellent jesters were all centred in the book telling of -Owlglass; so that he has been overlaid with jokes, not in his own power -to perform. Indeed, in the present edition, from a respect I have for -chronology, I have been obliged to extrude two or three which would have -involved anachronisms. However, they were somewhat dull, and therefore -need not be regretted. - -The first English version of Owlglass (as to which see the Appendix, p. -220) having been published early in the sixteenth century, in a “little -dumpy quarto,” by Master William Copland, its fame might, without much -difficulty, have infiltrated the country parts of England; and, if we -regard the clowns of Shakspere, Touchstone, in “As You Like It,” for -example, it might appear that Shakspere had seen this Black Letter of -William Copland: yet, while the humour of Owlglass consists in his -stolid performance of the exact words commanded him, there is clearly a -quite other appreciation of wit in the English writer. It is, in fact, -the polished foil beside the homely cudgel—both effective weapons, but -one of them far more glittering, swift, and murderous. The cudgel may be -warded off by a less skilful hand, the glancing steel hath made a wound, -and been withdrawn in the very flash of its own rapidity. Dogberry and -Verges, Costard perhaps, nay, even Sir Toby Belch, have points of -character more resembling Owlglass than do the clowns of our great poet. -The Fool in King Lear, has some kin to him, but is infinitely wiser. -Indeed, we might perhaps rather class Bardolph, Pistol, and Nym, -humourists in their way, with Master Owlglass than the subtle wits -Shakspere brings upon the stage. Yet has Owlglass an existence beyond -and outside all question of contrast, all opinion of similarity. -Gervinus, in his comprehensive History of German Fiction[5] has well -defined Owlglass to be “the personified quip and crank” (_der -personificirte Schwank_). In fact, he is a Gothic Diogenes set in a -Teutonic frame, living, moving, and having his being in an atmosphere as -peculiarly distinct in its grotesque and massive proportions, as was the -earlier Hellenic age, in its union of elegance and power. No previous -time could have produced such an out-birth, and, with all our modern -tendencies towards humour, fostered by the constant study of our -quainter dramatists, another Owlglass would be a distortion, if not an -impossibility. - -That, even in grave England, and with quaint Ben Jonson, Master Owlglass -was a favourite, we may see from two allusions which he makes to him; -one in the “Poetaster,” Act the Third, Scene the Fourth, where Tucca -exclaims: “What, do you laugh, Owlglass?” And again in the “Masque of -the Fortunate Isles,” produced in 1626, Ben Jonson introduces -Howleglass; and Johphiel says to Merefool:— - - Or what do you think - Of Howleglass instead of him? - - _Merefool._—No him - I have a mind to. - - _Johphiel._—O, but Ulen-spiegle, - Were such a name—but you shall have your longing. - -And later on, the remark is made:— - - Whether you would present him with an Hermes - Or with an Howleglass? - - _Skelton._—An Howleglass - To come to pass - On his father’s ass; - There never was, - By day, nor night, - A finer sight, - With feathers upright - In his horned cap, - And crooked shape, - Much like an ape, - With owl on fist. - And glass at his wrist.[6] - -A most unjustifiable libel, by the way, is committed here, for Owlglass -was always a “proper” gentleman, having no crook-back or ape-like -appearance.[7] - -One of the most thoughtful and philosophic writers of our day, Mr. -Carlyle, has a few noteworthy sentences regarding this strange book, -which we shall do well to transfer to these pages:— - -“Lastly, in a third class, we find in full play that spirit of broad -drollery, of rough saturnine humour, which the Germans claim as a -special characteristic; among these, we must not omit to mention the -_Schiltbürger_ correspondent to our own _Wise Men of Gotham_; still less -the far-famed _Tyll Eulenspiegel_ (Tyll Owlglass), whose rogueries and -waggeries belong in the fullest sense to this era. - -“This last is a true German work; for both the man, Tyll Eulenspiegel, -and the book which is his history, were produced there. Nevertheless, -Tyll’s fame has gone abroad into all lands; thus, the narrative of his -exploits has been published in innumerable editions, even with all -manner of learned glosses, and translated into Latin, English, French, -Dutch, Polish; nay, in several languages, as in his own, an -_Eulenspiegelerei_ and _Espiéglerie_, or dog’s trick, so named after -him, still by consent of lexicographers, keeps his memory alive. We may -say, that to few mortals has it been granted to earn such a place in -universal history as Tyll; for now, after five centuries, when Wallace’s -birth-place is unknown even to the Scots; and the admirable Crichton -still more rapidly is grown a shadow; and Edward Longshanks sleeps -unregarded save by a few antiquarian English, Tyll’s native village is -pointed out with pride to the traveller, and his tombstone, with a -sculptured pun on his name,—namely, an Owl and a Glass,—still stands, or -pretends to stand, at Möllen, near Lübeck, where, since 1350, his once -nimble bones have been at rest. Tyll, in the calling he had chosen, -naturally led a wandering life, as place after place became too hot for -him; by which means he saw into many things with his own eyes; having -been not only over all Westphalia and Saxony, but even in Poland, and as -far as Rome. That in his old days, like other great men, he became an -autobiographer, and in trustful winter evenings, not on paper, but on -air, and to the laughter-lovers of Möllen, composed this work himself, -is purely a hypothesis; certain only that it came forth originally in -the dialect of this region, namely, the _Platt-Deutsch_; and was -therefrom translated, probably about a century afterwards, into its -present High German, as Lessing conjectures, by one Thomas Murner, who, -on other grounds, is not unknown to antiquaries. For the rest, write it -who might, the book is here, ‘abounding,’ as a wise critic remarks, ‘in -inventive humour, in rough merriment, and broad drollery, not without a -keen rugged shrewdness of insight; which properties must have made it -irresistibly captivating to the popular sense; and with all its -fantastic extravagancies, and roguish crotchets, in many points -instructive.’”[8] - -Mr. Carlyle then cites one adventure, that of the Easter Play, which has -not been included in the present version; for although it illustrates -well enough the interior of a parson’s household of the fourteenth -century, there is a smack of profanity about it which it is well to -avoid. And, indeed, it is due to the reader of this volume, to inform -him, that our present chronicle differs in one material point from all -former editions. While it has been my object everywhere to tell the -story of Owlglass in a quaint and simple manner, modern good taste -required a special duty at the chronicler’s hands: viz., that of -purification and modification, for it may readily be believed that a -book written _of_ the fourteenth century, _for_ the sixteenth century, -would abound with homely wit, not quite consonant with the ideas of the -nineteenth. Therefore several stories of a somewhat indelicate, and -generally pointless, character have been omitted, and their place -supplied with matter obtained by a collation of several editions in the -German, French, and Flemish languages. - -And another aim which I have had in view has been, where good taste and -opportunity admitted, to apply, in a veiled manner, the axioms and quips -of our knight-errant of roguery, to subjects and follies not banished -from our own more polite age. The reader will thus be able to judge in -how far this modern Owlglass differs from its predecessors. In no -instance, however, have I permitted myself to lose sight of the object -in view, which was to give as good a picture of the original as might -be, and that in spirit rather than in letter. This spirit has been so -justly estimated by M. Robin, a clever and dashing French critic, whose -sad death may still be remembered by a few, that, at the risk of adding -too much to this preface, I subjoin an epitome of his remarks:— - -“It is quite true,” says he, “that glory is nothing but vanity. I have -seen in the sepulchral silence of libraries, names quite unknown, on the -backs of gigantic volumes, the librarians could tell me nothing of -these, except that they were the authors of these books. I have seen, on -the pavement of ancient churches, pompous epitaphs, and heraldic arms, -and the nails of the peasant’s shoe tread them under foot. Be then in -life a man of learning, knowing every language, be a noble of Spain, a -Knight of the Golden Fleece, Viceroy of Mexico or Peru, say you have the -right of keeping your hat on in the presence of the King, yet it will -scarcely be known that you have lived, while a _vaurien_, a man who had -neither hearth nor home, a practical joker, a drunkard, having the devil -in his purse, living from hand to mouth, sleeping to-day in the streets, -and to-morrow in the bed of his host, whom he never pays, and -understanding too well the buffoonery of life ever to have thought of -glory; as soon as this man is dead, and ignobly buried, he enters at -once into immortality, bequeathing to the people a name which they will -never forget, and, to the Attic language of the moderns, a word of which -they stood much in need. Who can boast of having invented a word? Very -few of the greatest writers can arrogate to themselves this most rare -glory. But to leave one’s name to the most grave and self-sufficient -language in Europe, to force it to say _espiègle_, because one’s name -was Ulenspiegel; and to pass fifty years in practical joking and -laughter; to be able to call oneself the father of the great family of -Mystificators, surely this is no common fate, and doubtless the -contemplator of it will cry out: ‘Where doth Immortality dwell? Poor -author, it was well worth thy pains to wear out thy brain in writing -folios! Unfortunate hidalgo, it was well worth the trouble of being -puffed up with pride at a long name unpronounceable in a breath, that -this name should be forgotten, and that the name of a boorish jester -should be transmitted almost intact to the most distant posterity.” - -The best test of the worth of a book, whether it be several centuries -old, or, as it were, a production of our own day, is the proportion of -times that it has been reproduced or imitated. Singularly enough, while, -in most continental languages, such translations and imitations have -been frequent, in two instances only has this celebrated folk-book -appeared in an English dress; first, as has been already stated, in -Black Letter, in 1528–1530, and again in a modified form in 1720. With a -description of these two editions I will not trouble the reader here, as -in the Appendix at the end an accurate account of them will be found; -and I will merely add, in this place, that of the Black Letter -translation only two copies are known to exist, both in the British -Museum; and that of the second, a copy of which is now in my own -possession, I have only been able to find one other, which is in the -Douce Collection in the Bodleian. - -It was originally in contemplation to reprint the scarce Black Letter -edition; but, on a careful examination, I found this an impossibility, -as the contents, for reasons already hinted at, would have shocked good -taste; nor, in point of fact, would that edition have offered so great a -variety as in this volume has been presented; which may be understood -when it is explained, that of all kinds of stories, good and bad, the -Black Letter gives but forty-eight; while in the present chronicle there -are—such questionable adventures being omitted—no less than one hundred -and eleven. Although the idea of such reprint was thus abandoned, there -appeared no reason, however, why the old-fashioned form should not be -adopted in the telling of the tale. For this and any other faults which -the reader may detect I hold myself responsible; and I may mention, that -so careful have I been to imitate the style of the time in which it is -supposed to be written, that I have even followed the confusion between -the use of the “thee” and “thou” and “you” and “ye” common in early -books, especially at the transition era of the Stuarts. - -The edition which I have adopted as a guide or clue-line, is the Low -German original of 1519 in the excellent and exhaustive work of Dr. -Lappenberg; and I need not here especially refer to any other, save that -of M. Octave Delepierre, long time a zealous antiquary, who argues for a -Flemish origin for our hero, an origin in which, giving every meed of -praise to that gentleman for the singular ingenuity and complete -localization which his book exhibits, I need scarcely say that I cannot -coincide. Nay, it may even be suspected that he himself is but in jest -with his argument. - -I have also to draw the notice of the reader to the Appendices at the -end of this volume, which enter into the bibliographical and other -history of the book, and to mention that I am greatly indebted to the -Rev. Dr. Bandinel, the venerable Librarian of the Bodleian Library at -Oxford, and also to my friends, the Rev. Alfred Hackman, M.A., Precentor -of Christ Church, and the Rev. John S. Sidebotham, M.A., Chaplain of New -College, and Preacher at St. Martin’s, Carfax, Oxford, for much valuable -assistance in searching for Eulenspiegel literature amidst the treasures -contained in that valuable library. - -This is all, I think, which need here be said touching the task I have -here completed; for the reader need not be asked to appreciate the -artistic skill of my friend and coadjutor, Mr. Alfred Crowquill. If the -reader does but experience in the perusal of this singular -book—practically the first English edition of it—one tithe of the -pleasure I have had in preparing it, all that was to be accomplished -will have been duly fulfilled. - - KENNETH ROBERT HENDERSON MACKENZIE. - - 35, Bernard Street, Russell Square, W.C. - _October 3, 1859._ - ------ - -Footnote 1: - - See Adventure the 36th, p. 63. - -Footnote 2: - - Introduction to the Literature of Europe, vol. i. p. 235 (Library - ed.); vol. i. p. 240 (Cabinet ed.). - -Footnote 3: - - Matter of doubt to the present writer whether it be thus superior; in - any case, it would be scarcely so interesting to people now-a-days. - But see the Appendix. - -Footnote 4: - - Bouterwek, in his “History of German Poetry and Eloquence” - (_Geschichte der deutschen Poesie und Beredsamkeit_), vol. ix. p. 336, - confirms the observations of Hallam, and lends additional testimony to - the popularity of the Eulenspiegel. Adolf Rosen von Kreutzheim, in the - Preface to his poem, the _Esel-König_ (Ass-King), alludes to the - general dispersion of Eulenspiegel, Marcolphus, Katziporo, and other - works, and abuses them in set terms as shameful, mischievous, and - dangerous. - -Footnote 5: - - History of German Fiction, vol. ii. p. 298. - -Footnote 6: - - Jonson’s Works, p. 650. - -Footnote 7: - - An Howleglass is mentioned as being in the library of a Captain Cox. - On which, see the Appendix, p. 221. - -Footnote 8: - - Carlyle, Miscellaneous Essays, Edition 1857, Vol. II. pp. 287–288. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - PREFACE. - - PAGE - - THE INTRODUCTION TOUCHING MASTER TYLL OWLGLASS 1 - - - Adventures. - - I.—How Tyll Owlglass was born, and was on one day three times - christened 2 - - II.—How that Owlglass when that he was a child did give a - marvellous answer to a man that asked the way 3 - - III.—How all the boors did cry out shame upon Owlglass for his - knavery; and how he rode upon a horse behind his father 5 - - IV.—How Owlglass did learn to dance upon a rope, and did fall - therefrom into the River Saale 6 - - V.—How Owlglass did move two hundred young people, that they did - give unto him their shoes, with the which he made rare sport upon - his rope 8 - - VI.—How that Owlglass his mother did move him that he should learn - a handicraft 9 - - VII.—How Owlglass did deceive a baker at Strasfurt, and gat bread - for his mother 10 - - VIII.—How Owlglass, with other children, was forced to eat fat - soup, and gat blows likewise 11 - - IX.—How Owlglass brought it about that the stingy farmer’s poultry - drew for baits 12 - - X.—How Owlglass was again moved of his mother to depart to a - foreign land, that he might learn a handicraft 13 - - XI.—How Owlglass crept into a bee-hive; how two thieves came by - night to steal honey; what honey they did steal; and how Owlglass - made it come to pass, that the thieves did fight one with the - other, and did leave the bee-hive standing 14 - - XII.—How Owlglass for little money did have a singing bird for his - dinner 16 - - XIII.—How Owlglass did eat the roasted chicken from off the spit 17 - - XIV.—How Owlglass did publish abroad that he would fly from off - the roof of the town-house at Magdeburg 19 - - XV.—How Owlglass did cure the sick folks in the hospital at - Nürnberg in one day, and what came thereafter 21 - - XVI.—How Owlglass bought bread according to the proverb, “To him - that hath bread is bread given” 23 - - XVII.—How Owlglass became a doctor, and did cure many folk 23 - - XVIII.—How that Owlglass became a drawer of teeth, and cured all - by a wondrous pill 25 - - XIX.—How that Owlglass did at Brunswick hire him to a baker, and - did there bake owls and monkeys 26 - - XX.—How Owlglass did again hire him unto a baker, and how he - bolted meal in the moon’s light 29 - - XXI.—Telleth of what manner of thinking was Owlglass, and how he - formed his life according unto principles of virtue and goodness 32 - - XXII.—How that Owlglass did hire him to the Count of Anhalt to - blow the horn on a tower; and when that enemies did approach, then - blew he not, and when that they came not, then blew he 33 - - XXIII.—How that Owlglass did have golden shoes struck unto his - horse’s feet 37 - - XXIV.—How that Owlglass did have a great contention before the - King of Poland with two other fools 38 - - XXV.—How that Owlglass did make confession to a priest, and took - from him a silver box 39 - - XXVI.—How that Owlglass was forbidden the dukedom of Lunenburg, - and how he did cut open his horse and stand therein 40 - - XXVII.—How that Owlglass did buy an inheritance in land from a - boor, and how he sate therein in a cart 42 - - XXVIII.—How that Owlglass painted the forbears of the Landgrave of - Hessen, and told him that an if he were ignobly born, he might not - behold his painting 43 - - XXIX.—How that Owlglass was for little money well entertained of - two innkeepers 49 - - XXX.—How that Owlglass did tell his master how he might ’scape - giving pork unto his neighbours 51 - - XXXI.—How that Owlglass conferred with the rector and masters of - the University of Prague in Bohemia, and how he did make answer - unto their questions, and therein came off most wisely 52 - - XXXII.—How that Owlglass did on a time mix him up in a marriage - strife, and did soon end it with great renown 54 - - XXXIII.—How that Owlglass did cause an ass to read certain words - out of a book at the great university of Erfurt 55 - - XXXIV.—How that Owlglass did kill a hog, and answered for his evil - doings unto the burghmaster 58 - - XXXV.—How that Owlglass at Nugenstädten, in the land of Thuringia, - did wash the women’s furs 61 - - XXXVI.—Telleth how that Owlglass journeyed about the land with a - saint’s head, and did beguile many therewith 63 - - XXXVII.—How that Owlglass did make the town-watch of Nürnberg to - fall into the water which is called the Pegnitz 65 - - XXXVIII.—How that Owlglass did at Bamberg eat for money 67 - - XXXIX.—How that Owlglass did make a wager with a Jew about a - horse, and did deceive him 68 - - XL.—How that Owlglass did have much money for an old hat 70 - - XLI.—How that Owlglass journeyed unto Rome to see the Pope, and - how his Holiness considered that Owlglass was a heretic 72 - - XLII.—How that Owlglass without money bought poultry at - Quedlingburg, and for security gave unto the farmer’s wife the - cock 75 - - XLIII.—How that Owlglass, with a knavish confession, did beguile - the priest of Riesenburg of his horse 76 - - XLIV.—How that Owlglass did hire him to a smith, and what he did - while with him 80 - - XLV.—How that Owlglass did cause all the tools, hammers, and tongs - of a smith to be as one mass of iron 83 - - XLVI.—How that Owlglass did speak a word of truth unto a smith, - his wife, man, and maid, each one before the house 85 - - XLVII.—How that Owlglass, at Frankfort-on-the-Main, did with guile - delude two Jews of rings 87 - - XLVIII.—How that Owlglass served a shoemaker, and how that he - inquired of him what shapes he should cut; and the master answered - him, and said: “Great and small, as the herdsman driveth forth to - field.” Therefore cut he oxen, cows, calves, sheep and pigs 88 - - XLIX.—How that Owlglass bought eggs and had them tightly packed 90 - - L.—How that Owlglass made a soup for a boor, and put therein - shoemaker’s oil; for that, in his nobility, he thought it good - enow for the boor 91 - - LI.—This chapter is a special chapter, telling how that a - bootmaker sought to beguile Owlglass by greasing his boots, and - how that Owlglass looked through the window, and brake it 93 - - LII.—Telleth how that Owlglass at Einbeck became a brewer’s man, - and did seethe a dog which was called Hops 95 - - LIII.—How that Owlglass hired him to a tailor, and sewed so - secretly that it was not seen of any one 97 - - LIV.—How that Owlglass caused three tailors to fall from their - board, and then would have persuaded the people that the wind had - blown them down 99 - - LV.—How that Owlglass assembled all the tailors throughout the - whole land of Saxony, by proclaiming that he would teach them a - mighty useful thing, that would get bread both for them and their - children 101 - - LVI.—How that Owlglass beat wool upon a saint’s day, and that very - high 103 - - LVII.—How that Owlglass was hired by a furrier, and did sleep - among the skins 105 - - LVIII.—How that Owlglass on a time at Berlin did make wolves 107 - - LIX.—How that Owlglass, being servant to a great lord, did fetch - for him wine and beer together in a most delectable manner 109 - - LX.—How that Owlglass for a tanner prepared leather with stools - and benches, at the good city of Brunswick on the Dam 111 - - LXI.—How that Owlglass was groom unto a noble lord, and what - knavery he wrought unto his lord’s horse Rosamond 112 - - LXII.—How that Owlglass beguiled the drawer at the town-house - cellar of Lübeck, and did for a can of wine give him a can of - water 114 - - LXIII.—How that Owlglass ’scaped hanging by his cunning, and would - have hanged himself for a crown, yet did not 116 - - LXIV.—How that Owlglass, at Helmstadt, caused a great pocket to be - made 119 - - LXV.—How that Owlglass, at Erfurt, beguiled a butcher 120 - - LXVI.—Telleth how that good Master Owlglass again beguiled the - butcher at Erfurt, by pleasing him with a most grateful jingle 122 - - LXVII.—Touching the faults of the which our noble Master Owlglass - had a few; for he was human, and in all human things is - imperfection 123 - - LXVIII.—How that Owlglass, at Dresden, became a carpenter, and for - his pains earned little thanks 125 - - LXIX.—How that Owlglass did hire himself unto the master of a - saw-mill 127 - - LXX.—How that Owlglass became a maker of spectacles, and perceived - that trade was very bad 129 - - LXXI.—How that Owlglass of a boor at the fair of Gerau took - leather 132 - - LXXII.—How that at Hildesheim Owlglass did hire himself unto a - merchant, to be his cook, and what tricks he played unto him 133 - - LXXIII.—How that at Greifswald good Master Owlglass came unto the - Rector of the University, and proclaimed himself to be a master in - all languages, save in one only, to wit, the Spanish tongue 140 - - LXXIV.—How that Owlglass did, at Wismar, become a horse-dealer, - and beguiled a merchant 143 - - LXXV.—How that Owlglass wrought a great knavery upon a pipemaker, - at Lüneburg 145 - - LXXVI.—How that an old woman mocked the good Master Owlglass when - that at Gerdau he lost his pocket 148 - - LXXVII.—How that Owlglass gained money by a horse 152 - - LXXVIII.—How that, at Oltzen, Owlglass did beguile a boor of a - piece of green cloth, and caused him to confess that it was blue 153 - - LXXIX.—How that Owlglass most strangely gat a potful of money 157 - - LXXX.—How that Owlglass ran great peril of his neck for receiving - the pot of money, yet gat fifteen shillings instead of a hanging 160 - - LXXXI.—How that Owlglass told many that he had lost his - money-girdle, and thereby came with good luck unto a warm fire 162 - - LXXXII.—How that Owlglass did at Bremen of the market-women buy - milk, and cause it to be poured altogether into one tun 163 - - LXXXIII.—How that Owlglass spake unto twelve blind men, and - persuaded them that he had unto them given twelve shillings, and - how that they spent the money and came evilly off thereafter 164 - - LXXXIV.—How that in a city of Saxony Owlglass sowed knaves 169 - - LXXXV.—How that in the good city of Hamburg, Owlglass hired him - unto a barber, and went through the casement unto his service 173 - - LXXXVI.—How that Owlglass did cause the host of the inn at - Eisleben to be beset with great terror, by showing unto him a - wolf, of the which he professed no fear 175 - - LXXXVII.—How that Owlglass paid his host with the ring of his - money 180 - - LXXXVIII.—How that Owlglass, at Lübeck, did escape from a house, - when that the watch would have taken him for his debts 181 - - LXXXIX.—How that Owlglass, at Stassfurt, of a dog took the skin, - the which he gave unto his hostess for her charges 182 - - XC.—How that our noble master gave assurance unto the same - hostess, that Owlglass lay upon the wheel 184 - - XCI.—How that Owlglass caused a Hollander from a plate to take an - apple, the which evilly ended for the eater 185 - - XCII.—How that Owlglass caused a woman to break in pieces the - whole of her wares, in the market-place at Bremen 187 - - XCIII.—How that Owlglass sold a horse, the which would not go over - trees 191 - - XCIV.—How that of a horse-dealer Owlglass bought a horse and only - paid half of the money therefor 192 - - XCV.—How that in the land of Brunswick Owlglass turned shepherd 193 - - XCVI.—How that without money Owlglass bought a pair of shoes 195 - - XCVII.—How that Owlglass sold unto the furriers, at Leipzig, a - live cat, the which was sewed into the skin of a hare; and how - rare sport came thereof 196 - - XCVIII.—How that Owlglass hired himself unto a boor 197 - - XCIX.—How that Owlglass gat him to the High School at Paris 199 - - C.—How Owlglass would fain have been an innkeeper at Rouen, but - was beguiled by a one-eyed man, and again, in turn, cozened him 199 - - CI.—How, in Berlin, Owlglass was an officer, and collected taxes - of the boors 201 - - CII.—How that in his latter days Owlglass became a pious monk, and - what came thereof 203 - - CIII.—How that when at Möllen Owlglass lay sick, his mother came - unto him 206 - - CIV.—How that when Owlglass was sick unto death, he made - confession of three things, the which it sorely troubled him he - had not done 207 - - CV.—Saith, how that to a greedy priest Owlglass confessed his - sins, and paid him handsomely for his pains 209 - - CVI.—How that Owlglass in three parts did divide all that belonged - unto him; and the one part gave he freely unto his friends, and - another thereof humbly to the town council of Möllen, and the - third part unto the priest there 211 - - CVII.—How that at Möllen Owlglass died, and the swine did cast - down the coffin when that the good priests sang the vigil 212 - - CVIII.—How that our for ever prized Master Owlglass was buried 213 - - CIX.—Telleth what stood upon his gravestone 214 - - CX.—How in after time our most excellent Owlglass was esteemed so - worthy that he was made a holy Saint; and on the day of All Fools - in April do the folk alway keep his memory, as also when they do a - foolish thing, the which maketh him continually esteemed of great - and small 215 - - CXI.—Reciteth a few grave reflections of this present chronicler 216 - - - APPENDICES. - - APPENDIX A. - - Bibliographical Notes for the Literary History of Eulenspiegel 219 - - - APPENDIX B. - - The Historical Eulenspiegel and his Gravestone 240 - - - APPENDIX C. - - Of Dr. Thomas Murner, the Author of Eulenspiegel 244 - - - APPENDIX D. - - The Verses inserted by William Copland in the English black-letter - Howleglas of 1528 247 - - - APPENDIX E. - - The Bakâla Legend of the Valacqs analogous to Owlglass 249 - - - APPENDIX F. - - Works akin to the Eulenspiegel Literature 252 - -[Illustration] - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - Cup and Ball (Frontispiece) - - Vignette Owlglass (Title) - - PAGE - - Tyll Owlglass 1 - - Child Owlglass 4 - - Beehive borne, _coloured_ 15 - - Doctor Owlglass, _coloured_ 23 - - Hot Water Cure 24 - - Wisdom and Impudence 27 - - Watchman Owlglass 34 - - Painter Owlglass 46 - - Respected Reader 56 - - Furrier Owlglass 61 - - Poulterer Owlglass, _coloured_ 75 - - Blacksmith Owlglass 81 - - Brewer Owlglass, _coloured_ 96 - - Ware Wolf! 107 - - Nimble Owlglass 116 - - Provident Owlglass 121 - - Sawyer Owlglass 127 - - Optical Owlglass 129 - - Nothing like Leather! 132 - - A Pleasant Sight 137 - - Horse-dealer Owlglass 144 - - A Young Bride 151 - - A Genial Fellow 175 - - A Fat Friend 186 - - Unhorsed 191 - - Shepherd Owlglass 194 - - Owlglass selleth Puss, _coloured_ 196 - - Monk Owlglass 203 - - Dip not too deep! _coloured_ 208 - - The Device of the Owl and Glass 214 - - Put out the Light! 217 - - The Gravestone 240 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - THE - - MERRY ADVENTURES AND JESTS - - OF - - MASTER OWLGLASS. - - - - - The Introduction touching Master Tyll Owlglass. - - -With what joy and inward content do I not greet ye, my masters, bringing -with me for your sweet delectation and delightful comfort the history, -the which I have most diligently written, and out of many learned and -wise books gathered together, and which indeed telleth of the merry -jests, rare conceits, and subtile cony-catching of that renowned Master -Tyll Owlglass, who in the Brunswick land was born. And i’ faith, ye do -owe me not a little grace and thankfulness for that which I have now -finished,—but an if my pains had been a thousandfold greater than they -have been, I would not have spared myself. This is mine answer unto ye. -And my desire hath been, that ye shall most merrily sit ye round the -fire and laugh until that your sides shall ache, and your inner man be -shaken with the continual reverberation of your delighted spirit. For an -ill heart is such an one that doth never rejoice, but trembleth ever and -anon at the wonders with the which we be encompassed, so do ye now, -without any other speech from me, accept this little book, and therein -read, and ponder well the deeds of this noble master, who from low -estate and boorish condition rose to be the companion of princes and -dukes, and, by his infinitude of rare parts, remaineth well known and -beloved of all men in divers countries and lands all over the fair -domain of Christendom. And now do I bid ye farewell, and leave ye with a -companion less tedious than am I, and in the reading of his life will ye -not lose your labour, that know I well. - - - - - The First Adventure. - -_How Tyll Owlglass was born and was in one day three times christened._ - - -As verily all creatures must have a beginning of their lives, so that -they may come into this world to abide therein, so also must it be with -the famous Master Owlglass, who lived in Germany many years, and of whom -many notable adventures are told and noised about all over that country. -In the land of Brunswick, in the deep wood named Melme, lieth a village -named Kneitlingen, and there was born the pious child Owlglass. And the -name of his father was Nicolaus, commonly said Claus, Owlglass, and his -mother’s name was Anna Wertbeck. It fortuned, that when the child was -born that they made a great feast, and sent the child to be christened -in the village of Amptlen; hard by the castle of Amptlen, which was -after destroyed by the people of Magdeburg. And when the child was -baptised, he was called Tyll Owlglass. Truly, however, after that the -feast had come to an end, the godfathers and godmothers of the child -having eaten and drunken right lustily (for it was the custom of that -place most heartily to do these things), set forth on their way -homeward, and the sun being hot, they were tired and they minded not -their steps to be careful of them, and so it came to pass, that one of -them carrying the child caught her foot upon a stone and fell into a -ditch, so child and all were quickly covered with mud. But as weeds -cannot so easily come to harm, the child was not hurt, but only thus -christened in the mire. - -When they got home, the child was washed clean in hot water. Thus was -Owlglass in one day three times christened, first in the church, then in -the mud of the ditch, and at last in warm water. So is it always shown -with great and famous persons, that, in their infancy, strange and most -wonderful things do foreshow their future greatness. - - - - - The Second Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass when that he was a child did give a marvellous answer - to a man that asked the way._ - - -[Illustration] - -Upon a time went the father and mother of Owlglass forth, and left -Owlglass within the house. Then came a man riding by, and he rode his -horse half into the house in the doorway, and asked: “Is there nobody -within?” Then answered the child: “Yea, there is a man and a half, and -the head of a horse.” Then asked the man: “Where is thy father?” and the -child made answer and said: “My father is of ill making worse; and my -mother is gone for scathe or shame.” And the man said to the child: “How -understandest thou that?” And then the child said: “My father is making -of ill worse, for he plougheth the field and maketh great holes, that -men should fall therein when they ride. And my mother is gone to borrow -bread, and when she giveth it again and giveth less it is a shame, and -when she giveth it and giveth more it is scathe.” Then said the man: -“Which is the way to ride?” And the child answered and said: “There -where the geese go.” And then rode the man his way to the geese, and -when he came to the geese they flew into the water; then wist he not -whither to ride, but turned again to the child and said: “The geese be -flown into the water, and thus wot I not what to do nor whither to -ride.” Then answered the child: “Ye must ride where the geese go and not -where they swim.” Then departed the man and rode his way, and marvelled -of the answer of the child. Thus from the mouths of babes cometh forth -wisdom and ready conceit. - - - - - The Third Adventure. - -_How all the boors did cry out shame upon Owlglass for his knavery; and - how he rode upon a horse behind his father._ - - -Now when Owlglass had come to an age to run about, he began playing -divers tricks and knavish actions among the boys of his village; and he -fought and tumbled about upon the grass, that he looked more like a -monkey than a boy. But when it came to pass that he was four years old, -his malice waxed greater and greater, so that his father was ever being -disputed with by the neighbours, who cried out shame upon Owlglass, as -being so great a knave; and though it happened that his father did scold -him with many words, Owlglass did always excuse himself by knavish -answers. Thereat the father thought he would quickly learn the verity of -these sayings of the neighbours, and at a time when the boors were all -walking in the streets, he did set his son Owlglass behind him on his -horse. Then, also, he commanded Owlglass that he should be most quiet -and silent. What, then, did the pious and good child? He did silently -play tricks and mocked the people, whereon they did most loudly cry out -upon Owlglass: “Fie upon the little malicious knave!” - -Now as Owlglass spake never a word in all this time, his father did not -know how it came to pass that the people did cry out so loudly; and -Owlglass complained to him, and said: “Hearest thou, father! Here sit I -silently behind thee upon thy horse and say no word, and yet the people -cry out against me for my knavery.” Then the father sayeth but little, -and taketh Owlglass and setteth him upon the horse in front of him. Then -did Owlglass open his mouth wide, and did stretch forth his tongue, in -mockery of the people. And the people did run forth, crying: “Out upon -the little knave!” Yet did not the father see the knavery, but said: -“Alas for thee, that thou shouldst have been born in an unhappy hour!” -So much did he love Owlglass, that he then departed out of the land of -Brunswick, and he did abide in the land of Magdeburg, hard by the river -Saale. - -In a little time thereafter, so sorrowful was he, that he gave up the -ghost, and left his wife and child in great poverty. Thus it is that -great men are often persecuted and smitten with many blows in their own -land, nor do they find good comfort therein! Owlglass, although he knew -not any handicraft, did grow up and wax older in knavery; and when that -he was sixteen years old, did excel in tricks, quips, and quiddities. - - - - - The Fourth Adventure. - - _How Owlglass did learn to dance upon a rope, and did fall therefrom - into the river Saale._ - - -It hath been said of old time, by the wise and cunning: “When that the -cat is out of the house, then play the mice.” Thus fared it with -Owlglass after that his father was dead. His mother had become old and -full of years, and she could no longer have the mastery over Owlglass, -and he did learn many greatly knavish conceits. And his mother was -sorely troubled of Owlglass, and bore not with his knavery. - -Now it fortuned, that the house where Owlglass and his mother did live, -lay hard by the river Saale, and Owlglass did go up into the garret of -the house, and there did learn to dance upon a rope, until that his -mother did find him going to and fro upon the rope, and did so belabour -him with a cudgel, that he fled through the window of the garret on to -the roof, where she could not follow him. And this often came to pass, -until he grew older, and she became weak and of no strength to have -power over him. Then thought he, it was time that he should in open day -render it manifest unto all, how great was his perfection in the art of -dancing upon the rope, and he did stretch the rope across the river -Saale, from one house even unto a house which lay over against them on -the other side. And when that the people beheld such unwonted sport, -they did run together, old and young, in a great crowd, and did marvel -much that Owlglass should go hither and thither in so sure a manner upon -the rope. - -Happiness is, however, but for the few, and seldom doth evil fortune -fail to sow sorrowful seeds in the midst of joyous doings; and thus -fortuned it, that the mother of Owlglass did hear the shouting of the -people at the feats of Owlglass, and that she might reprove with heavy -punishment the knavery of her son, she hastened to the place where the -rope was tied, and cut it through with a knife secretly. Then did good -Master Owlglass plump into the water with much mockery and despite; and -all the people did laugh greatly thereat, and Owlglass was vexed, so -that he could speak no word; nor did he fear the bath and the peril of -drowning as much as the jests of the people, who ran after him, blessing -the bath with much outcry. Thus did Master Owlglass come evilly off in -his first undertaking. - - - - - The Fifth Adventure. - -_How Owlglass did move two hundred young people, that they did give unto - him their shoes, with the which he made rare sport upon his rope._ - - -In no long space of time thereafter, Owlglass did desire to avenge him, -concerning the mockery which befel him after the bath, therefore did he -tie the rope across unto another house, and once again told the people -that he would dance to and fro upon the rope. Soon did the people come -together in great multitude, and there were in that place both old and -young; then Owlglass spake unto the young people, and said that he would -show unto them a most rare device upon the rope with their shoes. Then -did they believe him, and with that put their shoes off their feet and -gave them unto Owlglass, and he did put them all together upon a string -and went up on to the rope; and all the people thought that he was going -to make some wonderful stroke therewith. But the boys were sad, and -would fain have received their shoes again. - -When, therefore, Owlglass was sitting upon the rope and had ended his -trickery, he cried out with a loud voice and spake these words: “Be ye -now every one in readiness, and let him seek his shoes again;” and he -cut the string and threw all the shoes upon the ground, in such wise -that one shoe fell upon another into a great heap, and none could be -distinguished. Then did the people, old and young, come in great crowds, -and caught a shoe here and another there; and one spake and said this -was his shoe, whereat another did make answer that it was his; and then -fell they to fisticuffs, and with great blows they pulled out the hairs -from their heads: one lay on the ground, and the other belaboured him -with sturdy strokes; and one wept with a loud voice while another did -laugh, and a third screamed like a peacock. Thus went things forward, -until the old men began also to give many stripes to the crowd. - -But Owlglass, sitting upon his rope, laughed until his stomach shook -again, and cried out: “Right merry may ye be! Seek ye your shoes again -in that wise in which I sought my way forth from the bath.” Then did he -come down from his rope, and left them in contention; nor did he again -come forth, for fear of the people, but abode at home with his mother. -Thereover did his mother greatly rejoice, and thought that now he was a -wise and gentle person, and soon, therefore, would things go better with -them all. Yet knew she not of his knavery, and wherefore he dared not go -out. But the wisdom of Owlglass was great; for it is better to abide in -darkness with a whole skin, than live in a palace of light and be beaten -with many stripes. Thus did, therefore, our great example of wit and -judgment. - - - - - The Sixth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass his mother did move him that he should learn a - handicraft._ - - -The mother of Owlglass was right glad that her son was so still, and -chid him only for that he would learn no handicraft. Yet answered he -never a word unto all her reproofs, the which she was never tired of -bestowing upon him. At last he opened his mouth and spake unto her, -saying: “Dear mother, as it happeneth that one beginneth action, so also -is the ending thereof.” For he knew in his wisdom, that if he had begun -with knavish doings, and should turn therefrom and live honestly, yet in -the world would no one give heed unto him, but the rather regard him as -a greater knave than before, esteeming him to be a hypocrite as well as -a knave. “That believe I right truly,” answered his mother; “and thus -have I seen no bread in my house these four weeks gone by, nor have I -had thereof any.” “That toucheth not my speech,” said Owlglass. “But -with Saint Nicolaus must the poor man fast upon his even; and if -perchance he should have bread, he may feast right merrily with Saint -Martin on his day. Therefore will we also eat.” - - - - - The Seventh Adventure. - - _How Owlglass did deceive a baker at Strasfurt, and gat bread for his - mother._ - - -Then thought Owlglass: “God help us, how shall I compass it that my -mother may be rendered quiet? Where shall I get me bread for her needs?” -Thus went he forth from the village where they abode, and departed on -the way towards the town of Strasfurt, and there beheld he a baker’s -shop. Then went he in unto the baker, and asked him, saying: “Would he -for a crown send bread unto his lord?” Then named he the name of a lord -who abode in that town, and also the place where he lay, that the baker -might send with Owlglass a boy to carry the bread and receive the money -therefor. - -Thereat answered the baker, that he would do everything that he -commanded, and Owlglass gave him a sack wherein to count the loaves; but -this sack had a secret hole, not to be seen. The baker sent with him a -lad to receive the money. - -Now when Owlglass had gat him a bow-shot from the house of the baker, he -privily let a wheaten loaf fall down into the mire, and thereat set he -the bag down and said unto the baker’s lad: “Alas! the bread which is -thus made dirty I can never bring in unto my lord. Run quickly home and -get for it another loaf, and I will wait here till that thou dost come -again.” Then hasted the good lad to his master’s house, and did get -another loaf for him; but Owlglass secretly hid himself in a house -outside the town until that a cart came by, which did receive him and -his bag; and he returned unto the house of his mother. - -When that the lad came back unto the place where Owlglass had let the -loaf fall, he found that he was beguiled; and he went back and told his -master, who speedily ran unto the inn where lay the worshipful lord of -whom Owlglass spake, and he asked the serving-men of that lord for -Owlglass; but they knew him not. Then the baker perceived that he was -cheated of his bread, and so returned home. But Owlglass gave the bread -to his mother, and bade her to feast with Saint Martin. Thus can a great -man ever overcome the besetting evils of life. - - - - - The Eighth Adventure. - - _How Owlglass with other children, was forced to eat fat soup, and gat - blows likewise._ - - -There was in the village where Owlglass lived with his mother, a custom -that when anyone killed a pig, the neighbour’s children came to him in -his house to eat a soup or broth, which was called the butcher-broth. -Now there lived in this village a farmer who was avaricious, and yet he -dared not to refuse the children the soup; then thought he of a cunning -way by which he might make them sick of the soup-eating; and he cut into -it the sour crumb of the bread. - -When the boys and girls came, Owlglass also was among them, and he let -them come in, and closed the doors and poured out the soup, and the -broth was more than the children could eat; when one of them was full -and was going away, the farmer had a rod with the which he struck him, -so that each child was forced to eat more than it wished. The host knew -well of the knavery of Owlglass, and therefore when that he was beating -another child he always bestowed some hearty strokes upon him. And this -did he for so long, as that they had ended all the eating, and that they -felt like the dogs after grass-grazing. Thereafter would no one go unto -the stingy farmer’s house to eat the butcher-broth. - - - - - The Ninth Adventure. - -_How Owlglass brought it about that the stingy farmer’s poultry drew for - baits._ - - -The next day, when he that had beaten the children went forth, Owlglass -met him, and he said unto Owlglass: “Dear Owlglass, when wilt thou come -again to eat the butcher-soup at my house?” “Yea, that will I,” answered -Owlglass, “when thy poultry draw for baits, and four and four together -fight for a little bread.” Then said the other: “Wilt thou be so long?” -But Owlglass said: “An if I came ere the time of the fat soup hath -come?” Then he went on his way and thought over it until the time that -the man’s poultry ran about the streets; then had Owlglass some twenty -strings tied together at the midst, and at either end of the string was -a morsel of bread hanging. These took he and threw to the poultry. When -then the fowls here and there picked up and swallowed the bread, they -could not keep hold, for at the other end another fowl was pulling, so -that they were contending, and thus from the size of the bread they -could not get rid of it, and so stood more than thirty fowls one over -against the other and in throttling ran a wager. - - - - - The Tenth Adventure. - -_How Owlglass was again moved of his mother to depart to a foreign land, - that he might learn a handicraft._ - - -After that Owlglass had played a bitter knavery somewhere, so that he -might not dare show himself, he sat at home with his mother; and she, -with many words, continually chid him, in that he would learn no craft -to get money thereby. And she spake unto him saying, that he should -depart into a foreign land, that he might there profit somewhat. But his -mother had just killed a pig and so long as our good master Owlglass -knew that any of it remained he would not quit. The mother of Owlglass -thereat scolded him, until that he agreed to set forth, and made a small -bundle of clothes and food, and, at length, went his way. Soon our wise -master felt hungry, and thereat took forth from his wallet the provision -he had, and did eat until there was none left. Thereafter did he not -tarry long on thought, but when that it was dark, came again to the -house of his mother. Then went he up to the garret and lay among the -straw, where he slept lustily until the day had broken, then wake he up -by reason of a noise he did hear in the neighbour’s court. And Owlglass -did look forth, and beheld a fox stealing the poultry from the roosting -place. Then could Owlglass no longer keep silent, but cried with a loud -voice: “Alas! thou cunning thief, an if I were not in a far country from -this, it would go hard with thee but I would kill thee.” Then heard the -mother of Owlglass what he said, and came and marvelled not a little at -beholding him. - - - - - The Eleventh Adventure. - - _How Owlglass crept into a bee-hive, how two thieves came by night to -steal honey, what honey they did steal, and how Owlglass made it to come - to pass, that the thieves did fight one with the other, and did leave - the bee-hive standing._ - - -Upon a time went Owlglass with his mother to the dedication of the -church.[9] And at the feast there he drank so much, did our good -Owlglass, that he was tired, and he sought a place where he might lie -down to sleep in peace. Then found he a yard where stood many bee-hives, -and some were empty, and into one of these crept he privily and thought -to sleep awhile; behold he slept from midday till midnight, and his -mother thought surely that he had departed homeward again, as she -nowhere could see him. That same night came two thieves and they had it -in mind to steal a hive of honey, and they conferred together, in that -they heard it said that the heaviest is also the best. - -[Illustration: HOW OWLGLASS CATCHETH THE THIEVES.] - -Then did they lift up one after the other to see the which might be the -most heavy, and at last came they to the one in which lay good master -Owlglass; and it was the heaviest of all. Then spake the one to the -other, saying: “Here is the best among the bee-hives.” So took they that -one and carried it away, but wist not what good burden they bare. Good -Master Owlglass, feeling the motion, thereupon awoke up, and heard what -they said about stealing honey; and he rejoiced in himself to think what -honey they had stolen. It was now so dark that ye could not see your -hand before ye, an if ye even held it up to your eyes. Then put Owlglass -his hand from out of the bee-hive, and caught hold of the foremost thief -by the hair and pulled it until he roared. And the thief was very angry -at the one who was behind, and thought it was he who had plucked him by -the hair. Then spake the one who was behind him, saying: “Dost thou -dream, or goest thou to sleep? How could I pluck thee by the hair? -Hardly, is it possible for me to hold the bee-hive with both my hands.” -Then laughed Owlglass within himself at what the thief said, and thought -that the game would go better in a while after, and waited till they had -got a fine distance further forward. Then put he out his hand again, and -plucked the hindmost smartly by the hair; and the hindmost man became -yet more angry and said: “Thou sayest I pluck thee by the hair and I -bear the bee-hive till I break my neck, and now thou pluckest me by the -hair thyself.” Then answered the foremost: “I pull thee by the hair? -thou liest in thy throat. I cannot see my way before my face, and yet -sayest thou: I pluck thine hair, quotha!” Thus with many revilings did -they carry the hive along. And, as they were thus quarreling the one -with the other in great choler and wrath, Owlglass plucked the foremost -one by the hair again, and that so hard that he knocked his head against -the hive. Thereat grew he angry, and let down the hive, and took his -fellow by the head. That did also the other, and did manfully resist the -blows of his comrade. Then fought they until they fell down in the dark -and neither of them could behold the other, for the darkness continued -very thick. Thus lost they their way and fled asunder with a great cry, -and the bee-hive stood in the place where they had left it. Then -Owlglass lay down again at ease to sleep until dawn; and when that it -was light he thanked his stars that by this adventure it was shown him -that he should see the world. And then gat he up from out of the -bee-hive and did take a road, which lay before him, having a good heart -that by his wit, wisdom, and knavery, he would live a merry and happy -life in his time, and not die unhonoured of those that should come after -him. - ------ - -Footnote 9: - - Feasts of the Dedication. These feasts, common in Germany, were also - not uncommon, even to the present century, in parts of England. They - were held in the churchyard on the anniversary of the day of the - parish church being dedicated for divine service. See in _Tom Brown’s - School Days_ (p. 30), a recent eloquent country-book, for a mention of - this as applying to Berkshire. - - - - - The Twelfth Adventure. - -_How Owlglass for little money did have a singing bird for his dinner._ - - -In no long time thereafter, came Owlglass to Würzburg and there entered -he into a good inn. Now the host of the inn had a singing bird hanging -up in the house by the which he set great price, for it could sing -divers merry ditties and songs of marvellous choiceness. Then said -Owlglass unto him: “What take ye for this bird!” Then the host, who was -of a miserly mind, answered him a great sum, the which Owlglass would -not give him, yet at last they agreed that Owlglass should have the bird -for four shillings. Then spake Owlglass: “Take ye the bird and roast it -for my dinner, I would fain have a bit of him.” Thereat marvelled the -host, and did much pity the bird; but his miserly love overcame him. -Then was the bird killed, plucked, and made ready. When that it was -roasted, the landlord brought it on a dish to Owlglass; then spake -Owlglass, and commanded the host that he should cut him therefrom a -piece for six pennies; for he had not said he would pay for a whole -bird, but only for a part thereof which he was fain to eat. Thereat -marvelled the host still more, yet what could he say thereupon. He that -is wise sayeth but little when the beguiler is nigh at hand, so the host -held his tongue and the knave Owlglass departed thence in haste. - - - - - The Thirteenth Adventure. - - _How Owlglass did eat the roasted chicken from off the spit._ - - -In the land of Brunswick there lieth a village, within the government of -Magdeburg, and the name of it is called Budenstadt; thither came -Owlglass and did present himself unto the priest there, and the priest, -thinking our wise and pious master Owlglass a good and proper fellow, -did then hire him for a servant in his house, but little did he know -him. And the priest spake unto him, saying that he should have a good -time of it and a good service. Also should he have meat and drink as -good as his maid-servant, and all that he did should be done with half -labour. Then did Master Owlglass agree with him, and said that he would -do according to his word. Then he saw that the cook had but one eye. On -that day took she two young chickens and she put them on the spit to -roast over the fire. And she bade Owlglass turn, and so he did; and when -the chickens were roasted, he brake one away off from the spit, and did -eat it without any bread, for he remembered well what the priest had -told him as to faring as well as himself and the maid-servant, and he -thought it might be that he would lose his part of the dinner. And when -that it was dinner-time, there came into the kitchen the one-eyed -cook-maid to baste the chickens. Then beheld she but one chicken on the -spit. Then spake she to Owlglass: “Behold, there were two chickens on -the spit, and now there is but one, and tell me now where is the fellow -that was beside it.” Then answered Owlglass: “Woman, do but open your -other eye, and you will behold the other chicken on the spit.” Now when -he thus spake of the want of her eye, she waxed wroth, and ran unto the -priest, and said unto him that he might look how his new serving-man was -doing. That she had put two chickens on the spit, and lo! there was but -one at this time. And she said: “Then he mocked me, and said that I had -but one eye.” Thereat went the priest into the kitchen, and spake unto -Owlglass, saying: “Hearest thou, Owlglass! wherefore didst thou mock my -serving-maid? I see well that only one chicken is now upon the spit, and -yet know I truly that there were two. Where then is now the other?” Then -said Owlglass: “It is yet thereon; open both your eyes, and you will -well see that there be the twain upon the spit. So said I also to thy -maid, and thereat grew she quite angry and wroth.” Then the priest -laughed, and said: “The serving-maid cannot open both her eyes, for in -good truth she hath but one.” Owlglass made answer to the priest, -saying: “That sayest thou, not I.” But then said the priest: “Yet it is -so; but the one chicken is in any wise gone.” Owlglass spake then and -said: “That chicken have I eaten myself, according unto thy words. For -ye said unto me that I should fare as well as your maid-servant; and -much grief would it have caused me had ye eaten the chickens without me, -and made your words vain and a lie. Therefore for your honour’s sake -have I eaten the chicken, that ye might not fall into evil reputation -for speaking that which is untruth.” Then the priest was content and -said: “Dear serving-man, I care not for the roasted chicken; but after -this time do ye always according to the will of my cook.” And Owlglass -said: “Yea, holy father and worshipful master, be it so done as you -will.” Then whatsoever the cook-maid commanded Owlglass that he should -do, that did he but in the half. An if she did bid him to bring a pail -of water from the well, he brought but the half thereof, and if he -should fetch two faggots from the wood pile then brought he but one. And -so did he, and she saw well that it was all performed in that she might -be spited thereat. Then spake the priest once again unto him, and said: -“Lo, my well beloved serving-man Owlglass, let me tell ye that my maid -doth complain right grievously of thee.” Thereat said Owlglass: “Yea, -master, yet have I never done except according unto thy words. For thou -didst say, that all I did should be done with but half labour. Well -would your serving maid desire to see with both eyes and yet hath she -but one—which is but half-seeing, and therefore did I but half-labour.” -And thereat was the priest right merry, and laughed much; but his -servant was full of wrath, and said: “Master, an if ye keep yon knavish -rogue any longer then will I depart from ye.” Thus came it that the -priest was fain to send Owlglass away, yet forgat he him not; and it -fortuned that the parish clerk died, so he made Owlglass clerk in his -room. Thus, by foolishness and little knaveries, do men come in this -world to dignities and honours. - - - - - The Fourteenth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did publish abroad that he would fly from off the - roof of the town-house at Magdeburg._ - - -After that Owlglass had some time been clerk of the parish at -Budenstadt, came he into the great and famous town of Magdeburg, and -there did he fix upon the church doors letters of great import, so that -the name of Owlglass became well known and noised abroad through the -streets of that city of Magdeburg; and it was in the mouths of all the -gossips, that the noble Master Owlglass did purpose the doing of some -marvellous strange feat. And so it came to pass, that when the people -were all full of great wonder, that Owlglass spake unto them, saying: “I -will flee down through the air from the roof of the town-house.” Thereat -was there a great outcry through the city; and both young and old did in -great multitude crowd unto the market-place, that by them might this -most marvellous wonder be seen; for, in the memory of man, had not any -person ever done so strange a thing before, nor had without wings so -fled down through the air from that high place. - -Then came Owlglass and stood upon the roof of the town-house, and did -make motion with his arms, waving them hither and thither, as if he -would flee down. And all the people gazed at his motion in great marvel, -for they thought he would flee down presently. Thereat laughed Owlglass -right merrily, and said unto the people: “Truly thought I, that nowhere -in the world was there a fool so great as am I. Yet here in this city do -I well see that ye are almost every one of ye fools; for when that ye -did say that I could flee down from where I stand, then believed I ye -not. I am not a goose, nor a bird, nor have I either feathers or wings -to flee with, without the which can nobody flee. Therefore manifestly -now do ye well see, that it is a deceit and a lie.” - -Then came he down away from the roof of the town-house in the same -manner that he had gone up, and left the people standing. And some of -them laughed, and others said: “Although he is both knave and fool, yet -hath he spoken the truth.” Thus is it with many besides the people of -Magdeburg, who rush eagerly to believe that the which they might see is -most plainly untrue; while what is possible and within their means to -make them good sport, and serve them with good service, that neglect -they with great scorn and contempt. - - - - - The Fifteenth Adventure. - -_How Owlglass did cure the sick folks in the hospital at Nürnberg in one - day, and what came thereafter._ - - -On a time came Owlglass to Nürnberg, where he did again set upon the -church doors letters of great import, in the which he did publish abroad -that he was a learned physician, more learned than in the world had yet -been known; and that in all sicknesses, whosoever should turn to him -should have content and his health again. - -Now in the hospital at the town were there a multitude of people, who -lay sick unto death, and of them did the master of that house crave in -great truth to be relieved. Right verily would this benevolent man have -given them their health and made them whole, and, if he could, have got -ridden of them in the house. Then went he unto Owlglass, the learned -physician, and spake with him, asking him whether he could, as in his -letters he set forth, work such marvellous cures. And Owlglass answered -and said: “Yea, if that the hospital-master would give unto him two -hundred pieces.” Then upon that conference did the master agree and -promise him the money; and Owlglass said unto him, that he would not -receive from him one penny, if the people did not all, within a few -days, leave the hospital of their own desiring and action. Thereat was -the master of the hospital very content, and gave unto Owlglass twenty -pieces as a hansell. - -Thereafter went Owlglass into the hospital, and took with him two -servants; and he asked of each person that was sick, what it was that he -lay sick of, and they answered. And at the last he said unto each, that -he should not betray the secret which he should then tell unto them, and -that swore they all. Then he spake unto each secretly, saying: “If that -I should make ye whole, and give back unto all health and strength, then -must I needs burn one of ye into powder, the which to mingle with your -drink and give you to swallow, and with that will ye be made whole. Now -I will take from among ye the one that is most sick, and him will I burn -to powder. And I will stand at the door of the hospital, with the master -of the hospital near at hand, and I will cry with a loud voice: ‘He that -is not sick, let him now go forth from the house quickly.’ And that one -which is last within the hospital door, him will I take. Forget ye not -that in your sleep.” - -Thus it came to pass, that all did remember his words; and when he stood -with the master at the door, the sick and lame, and halt and dying, all -came forth in haste, for none would be that one who should be burned in -fire. So the hospital was quite empty, for many which had not for ten -years arisen from their beds, now found their legs and departed thence. - -Then did Owlglass demand from the master of the hospital that he should -receive his reward, and the master with gracious thanks did present it -unto him; then rode he forth from that city, and returned not again. In -three days thereafter, came all the sick folk back again unto the -hospital, and complained sorely of their sickness. Then said the master: -“What will ye? Have I not brought unto ye a physician of skill, who did -marvellously make you whole, that ye could all depart hence?” Then the -sick folk discovered to the master the knavery that Owlglass had done, -in that he had threatened them, that the last that should depart should -be burned. So the master of the hospital perceived that he had been -beguiled of Owlglass, and the sick folk abode in the house: yet was the -money lost. Owlglass still was a great physician, for he had for three -days cured them; and how many learned doctors are there who cure not in -any wise? - -[Illustration: HOW OWLGLASS TURNETH DOCTOR.] - - - - - The Sixteenth Adventure. - - _How Owlglass bought bread according to the proverb: “To him that hath - bread is bread given.”_ - - -Trusty faith giveth bread. And now that Owlglass had deceived the -hospital-master, came he unto Halberstadt, and went round about the -market, and saw that it was cold and winter time. Thought he, cold and -hard is the winter, thereto bloweth a strong wind, and thou hast often -heard that to him that hath bread is bread given. Then for a few pence -buyeth Owlglass bread, borroweth also a table, and sitteth down in the -front of St. Stephen’s Dome. There held he up his knavery so long until -a dog came by, the which caught me up a loaf from the table, and ran -toward the cathedral court. While Owlglass ran after the dog, there -passed by a sow with ten young pigs; these overthrew the table, and -each, seizing a loaf, departed. - -Then laughed Owlglass and said: “Now do I see that the words are not -true: ‘To him that hath bread is bread given;’ for mine is taken.” -Thereat he departed from Halberstadt unto Brunswick. - - - - - The Seventeenth Adventure. - - _How Owlglass became a doctor, and did cure many folk._ - - -The City of Frankfort is a great and handsome city, and in it do dwell -many worshipful burghers, whose riches are many, and they eat and drink -much, as is the custom with citizens; thus it fortunes that they are -often ill. No marvel therefore that in Frankfort abide many doctors, who -gain much money. Owlglass when that he came there, by his ready wit soon -perceived the better part to take, and hired himself to be a doctor’s -man, and soon it was meet that he should go with his master to visit the -patients. The good Owlglass would much have desired to know something of -the names on the bottles which stood in the house of his master; but -that could he not do, and therefore of all that his master did he could -learn nothing but that when people were sick, they should drink warm -water and be blooded. It fortuned in no long time thereafter, that his -master had on a sudden to take a journey, in such wise that he had no -time to tell the patients thereof. Then spake he unto Owlglass saying: -“Go thou about the city unto the sick, and say unto them that in no long -time shall I return unto them.” - -[Illustration] - -Yet the cunning Master Owlglass followed not his master’s saying, but -put on his head the wig of his master, and on his shoulders he bare his -mantle. Then, with a grave and noble demeanour, he departed unto the -houses of the sick patients who sent for him. When that he arrived, he -sat gravely down with a serious face, felt their pulses, and after much -heavy thought, he ordered them always to be blooded and to drink warm -water. Thereafter he departed from them. - -Then, marvellous to tell, all his patients grew wondrously well in no -long time, and they paid him much money for his pains. When that his -master returned, the knavery of Owlglass was soon discovered, and he was -fain to depart. Yet such was the wisdom of good Master Owlglass, that it -is related that his master thereafter followed no other art than had -been thus invented by Owlglass; and after that time the doctor became -famous, and wrote a large book upon the virtue of warm water and -blood-letting. - - - - - The Eighteenth Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass became a drawer of teeth and cured all by a wondrous - pill._ - - -As Owlglass was going along the road, he met upon the highway, a man -whose face was overcome with misery. Owlglass thereat gazed upon him for -a season, and after some time spake unto him these words: “Worthy -fellow! thou dost seem so wrapped in melancholic humour, would’st tell -me what aileth thee?” “Everything in the wide world,” the other made -answer: “for I have no money, which is the joy of all worldly business; -for it maketh learned, maketh noble, maketh lovely, and merry. Also, -maketh it an end of hunger and thirst which now sorely assail me.” Then -Owlglass bethought himself for a while, and presently took up from the -next field some clay, whereof he made little pills, which he then -wrapped in pieces of paper, and said to his comrade: “Be of good cheer, -friend! Soon will we have money. Lo, in yonder city, the towers of which -we can now see, are there fools in number great. Enter thou in before -me, and there go forward till thou seest the best inn in the town, and -therein do thou stay. At dinner stay thou as long as thou canst and be -merry; yet after a while do thou cry out in great agony, as if thou -hadst the tooth-ache. Then will I not be far from thee; and when I come -in, be thou ready, and make answer to everything I say: ‘Yea.’ But do -not thou let it be perceived that thou knowest me.” - -Then did the twain go forward into the town, and as Owlglass had -commanded, so all things came to pass. Owlglass told the people that he -was a dentist of great skill, and they called him to the man who was -ill. Then took he from his pocket the pills which he had made of the -clay, and laid one in the man’s mouth. “Art not thou well now”? said he -unto him. “Yea, truly,” answered the other, “all the pain is gone.” Then -all the people in the inn came round the doctor in great multitude, and -demanded that he should sell unto them his pills. And Owlglass sold what -he had for a great sum of money, and an he had had clay enough he could -have sold many more. Then shared he the gain with his comrade, and they -departed hastily from that place. - - - - - The Nineteenth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did at Brunswick hire him to a baker, and did there - bake owls and monkeys._ - - -It fortuned upon a time that Owlglass came into Brunswick city, and unto -an inn where bakers met together; and hard by lived a baker, who called -upon Owlglass to enter into his house, and made inquiry of him, as to -the business he might follow. Then answered Owlglass to the baker, and -spake, for our noble and well beloved master of jests was wily, and, -indeed, all things unto all men: “I am a baker’s man.” Thereat said the -baker: “Even now have I not any man in my house to serve me; wilt thou -come to me, for I have need of thee?” Owlglass at that answered: “Yea.” -And when that he had been with him two days, the baker commanded him to -bake at eventide, for that he could not help him until the morning. Then -said Owlglass: “But what would ye have me to bake?” Thereat waxed the -baker wroth, for he was a man soon hot i’ the head, and he made answer -in scorn, and said: “Art a baker’s man, and askest thou what ye should -bake? What do ye bake? Owls and monkeys bake ye?” And thereafter gat he -him to bed. - -[Illustration] - -Then departed Owlglass into the bake-room, and made the dough into -nought but the shape of owls and monkeys, and these did he bake in the -oven. At morning time arose the master baker, and went into the -bake-room to aid his man. Then cometh he, and findeth neither rolls nor -loaves, but rather a goodly mass of owls and monkeys. And he opened his -mouth in great rage and said unto Owlglass: “What is it that thou hast -baken?” And Owlglass did answer him and said: “Verily have I done that -which thou didst tell me to do.” And the baker, in great wroth, said: -“What shall I do with this foolish knave? Such bread will no one have?” -And therewith took he him by the head, and said unto him: “Pay me for -the dough thou hast spoiled!” Then said Owlglass: “And if I pay ye for -the dough, will the goods be mine?” And the master answered: “What care -I for such bread?” So Owlglass paid the baker for his dough, and he took -the owls and monkeys in a basket, and he carried them away unto the inn, -the sign of which was the Wild Man. And Owlglass thought within himself: -“Thou hast often heard it said, that to Brunswick canst thou bring -nothing novel or strange, but therefrom mayst thou draw great profit for -thy pains.” And it was Saint Nicholas’ even. Then stood Owlglass with -his store hard by the church gate; and he sold all his owls and monkeys -at great price, and therefrom drew he a much greater profit than what he -had paid unto the baker for his dough. This was noised about, and soon -came it heard of the baker, who waxed very angry thereupon, and he ran -unto Saint Nicolas’ Church, and would have demanded either his share, or -the charges of baking. But Owlglass had already departed with the money, -and the baker might look far and wide for him. This feat of our good -exemplar showeth plainly, that there is nothing so vain or foolish in -this world, but that it hath profit contained within it for those who -study to arrive thereat. - - - - - The Twentieth Adventure. - -_How Owlglass did again hire him unto a baker, and how he bolted meal in - the moon’s light._ - - -Thereafter departed Owlglass, and wandered hither and thither in the -land; and at last came he toward Oltzen, and entered into the village -there. And when he was besought of the people to say what trade he -exercised, he told them that he was a baker. Then did a master baker in -the village hire him; and when that Owlglass was with him present in his -house, his master did make ready that he should bake, and he spake unto -Owlglass, and did enjoin him that he should bolt the meal, so that it -might be prepared against the morning. Then Owlglass answered, and said: -“Master, I would fain have a candle, that I may see with, and so -diligently do your bidding.” “Nay,” answered the baker; “but that will I -not do. No candle shalt thou have, nor have I at any time given unto my -serving-men any such candle. Always did they bolt the meal in the moon’s -light, and verily must thou likewise do this. And this charge I thee to -do.” And Owlglass made answer, saying: “An if your former servants did -bolt the meal in the moon’s light, truly then will I also do it.” At -that was the master content, and he gat him to bed for a short while. - -Thereafter taketh good Master Owlglass the bag, and he openeth the -window and putteth forth the bag, until the moon’s light doth shine -thereupon, and then letteth he all the meal fall out on the ground where -that the moon shone. And in the morning cometh the master, who desireth -to bake, and he findeth Owlglass still casting out the meal. And the -baker marvelled much when that he beheld Owlglass, for Owlglass was -white with the meal. Then said the master, who was full of anger: “What -do ye here, ye knave? Think ye that yon meal cost me nought, that ye -throw it in the dirt there?” - -Then answered Owlglass: “Did not ye command me that I should, without a -candle, bolt the meal in the moon’s shine, and have not I fulfilled this -according to your words?” Then said the baker: “I said you should bolt -the meal by the moon’s light.” And Owlglass answered him: “Be then of -good cheer, master; verily thy meal is bolted both in and by the moon’s -light, and with much pains and weariness have I done this labouring. Nor -is there much lost thereby; scarce a handful. Soon will I gather it up -again, and the meal will not be in any wise made the worse.” Thereat -sayeth the baker: “In that time that thou dost gather up the meal, will -it grow too late to make the dough, and then fall to baking.” Then said -Owlglass: “Behold, master, I know a piece of counsel, how we may bake as -soon as our neighbour yonder. His dough lieth ready in the trough, and I -will go thither and quickly fetch it, and carry our meal thither in -place thereof.” Thereat grew the master of Owlglass right angry, and -said unto him: “May the evil one have thee! Get thee to the -gallows-tree, thou knave, and fetch thee thence the first thing that -thou dost find; and let the neighbour’s dough lie where it be.” “Yea,” -answered Owlglass. - -Then departed he out of the house and went unto the gallows-tree, and -there lay the skull of a thief, which had fallen down. This took -Owlglass and bare it unto his master, and brought it into his house and -said: “Here bring I from the gallows-tree the first thing that I did -find. Wherefore would ye have this? Of a truth know I not what may be -the best thing it is fit for.” And then the baker spake in anger, and -said: “Lo! bringest thou me nothing more than this?” Then Owlglass -answered and said: “If that any other thing had been there, I would also -have brought it for thee; but no other thing was lying there.” Then -waxed the baker more wroth, and said unto Owlglass: “Behold, thou hast -robbed the law and the gallows; that will I tell unto the burghmaster, -and thou shalt answer it.” - -And the baker departed from out of the house to the market-place, and -Owlglass followed him. So hastily, howsoever, went the baker, that he -looked not round, and knew not that Owlglass was following him. Then -stood the baker before the burghmaster, who was on the market-place, and -he began to make complaint against Owlglass. And Owlglass was lithe and -nimble, and when that the baker began his words, he stood hard by and -opened his eyes very wide. And when the baker beheld Owlglass, he clean -forgat, in his anger, what it might be that he would make complaint of, -and said to Owlglass, with great malice: “What wilt thou have?” Owlglass -made answer to him: “I desire not to have anything, than that I should -behold what complaint you make against me to the burghmaster. And that I -might see your words, do I open mine eyes very wide, for words are most -difficult to see.” Then said the baker: “Get out of my sight, thou -knavish beguiler, I desire nought else!” Owlglass then said: “If that I -should get out of thy sight, then needs must I get my body into thine -eyes; and if ye shut your eyes, must I come through thy nostrils.” Then -went the burghmaster on his way, for he perceived that it was but -foolishness; and he left them both standing. And when Owlglass saw that, -he followed the baker, and spake unto him, saying: “Master, when shall -we bake? It is time now, for the sun shineth no more.” Then departed he, -and left the baker standing in the market-place. - - - - - The Twenty and First Adventure. - -_Telleth of what manner of thinking was Owlglass, and how he formed his - life according unto principles of virtue and goodness._ - - -Of our most noble and beloved Master Owlglass, have I now told ye not a -few truthful and diverting histories and adventures; but, yet have I not -said any word in respect of his ways of thinking, gathered by great -experience out of many lands, in his continual travel to and fro, up and -down in his country. Now he loved much to be always among friends and in -company, and as long as he lived were there three things, which with -great avoidance he did always run from and leave undone. The first thing -was, that he never did ride a horse which was gray, but at all times a -bay horse, for the gray horse did mind him of an ass, the which animal -held he in great scorn. The second thing which he could not bear to be -with him was the company of little children, for that wheresoever he -found them, there was more care taken of them than of his own noble -person. The third thing was, that he would never lie in an inn where -that he found an old mild host; for a host that was old and mild held -Owlglass in but little esteem, and was thereto also for the most part -nought but a fool. - -Every morn when that he rose up from his bed, he blessed himself against -healthy victual, great happiness, and strong drink, in which three -blessings none can deny that he was a wise man. And when it fortuned -that he passed by an apothecary’s house, did he bless himself against -healthy victual, for it mote truly be a healthy place whence victual -might issue; yet it was a sign of sickness before. Good fortune was it -when a stone fell from the house top and struck him not down; for then -might he of a truth cry, with great praise: “If that I had myself been -standing on that place, so would it have fallen upon me and killed me;” -and such fortune would he most willingly not have. The strong drink -against which he blessed himself, was water, for it be so strong as soon -to drive round great mill-wheels, and to the good fellow that drinketh -thereof cometh death. It was also told of Owlglass that he wept always -when that he did go down a hill, and he laughed when he climbed one. For -truly wist he, in the descending, that soon would he come again unto a -mountain, while in climbing knew he that soon would he come again to the -top, whence to pass down into the valley. In fine weather, or at a time -when summer began, then did he also weep with many tears, and when that -winter approached, laughed he. And ye that read herein may, in your -wisdom, answer the reason why he did this thing. - - - - - The Twenty and Second Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass did hire him to the Count of Anhalt to blow the horn - on a tower, and when that enemies did approach, then blew he not; and - when that they came not, then blew he._ - - -[Illustration] - -Not long thereafter, came Owlglass unto the Count of Anhalt, and he did -hire him unto the count as a tower watchman. And the count at that time -had enemies in great multitude, so that he had with him in number not -small, both horsemen and foot folk, unto whom he must needs give meat -and drink every day. And Owlglass sat up on the tower, and he was clean -forgat of them that should give him provision. And on that day it came -to pass, that the enemy did, in strong force, come unto the town and -castle of the count’s grace, and they took therefrom all the cattle, and -drave them off. Owlglass then lay still upon the tower, and he looked -through the window and made not any outcry, either in that he blew, or -in that he did cry aloud. But it did come unto the ears of the count -that he heard the enemy, and with his folk he quickly gat him forth, and -pursued them and drave them before his face. Then saw some of the folk, -that Owlglass lay in the window of the tower, and laughed. Thereat did -the count cry out unto him: “Wherefore liest thou on the tower and art -so still?” And Owlglass made answer unto the count, saying: “Ere dinner -time do I not with grace and comfort ever delight in crying out.” Then -cried the count back unto him: “Wilt thou, when the enemy cometh, blow -thy horn?” Thereat said Owlglass: “Enemies dare I not blow, or would the -field be full, and with the cows would they depart. And if I blew -enemies a second time, in such multitude would they come, that they -would fight with thee, and overcome thee even in thine own gate.” -Therewith ended they their conference. Then departed the count in great -haste after his enemies, and contended with them with much strife; and -Owlglass was again forgotten as he lay upon his tower. - -But the count was greatly content with his prowess, and with him brought -back from the field of battle a goodly heap of pork, the which did they -thereafter cut up, and some roasted they and other did they boil. And -Owlglass would most willingly have had thereof as he sat on his tower. -Then did he begin to plan how that he might get thereof, and he did -watch when that it should be dinner time. And when that it had become -dinner time, he began to blow his horn, and to cry with a loud voice: -“The foe cometh! The foe cometh!” Then the count gat him up with his -arms, and put on his harness, and took his weapons, and departed quickly -forth from the castle into the field. Thereat rejoiced our noble Master -Owlglass, and quickly did he get him down from the tower, and came unto -the count’s table, and took therefrom boiled and roast, in the which -delighted he, and he returned back on his steps, and gat him to the -tower. And, when that the horsemen and foot folk came again unto the -castle, and of enemies had found not a hair, then murmured they one to -the other, saying: “This hath the watchman done to mock us with great -scorn and knavery.” And the count cried aloud unto Owlglass, and said -unto him: “Wherefore hast thou become foolish and mad?” And Owlglass -said: “If that hunger and thirst drive mad, then do I not marvel at my -madness.” Thereat said the count: “Why didst thou blow on thy horn for -enemies, and there were none?” Then spake Owlglass, and made answer unto -the count, saying: “Whereas it fortuned that no enemies were present, I -thought in my mind that it would be well to blow on my horn, for that -they might come.” Then said the count unto him: “Thou goest about to -deceive us with knavish beguiling. When that the enemy cometh, thou wilt -not blow; yet when no enemy is nigh at hand, then blowest thou. Of a -truth, it is a matter of treachery.” Therewith relieved he Owlglass of -lying in the tower, and appointed thereunto another watchman. - -Then came it to pass, that Owlglass should run with the foot folk to -strive in battle with the enemy. And thereat was good Master Owlglass -moved to anger, and cast about in his mind to discover how he might be -relieved, and obtain other service. And when the count’s folk departed -out from the castle to fight with the foe, then was Owlglass always the -last man; and when they returned back unto the castle, was he truly -likewise the first man to enter therein. Then spake the count unto him, -saying: “How shall I understand this thing? Wherefore art thou always -last to depart from the castle, and the first to return back again?” And -Owlglass answered and said: “Let not thine anger fall upon me, noble -lord; for when that thou and all thy people sat and ate and drank, with -great feasting, then lay I upon the tower and fasted so that I fainted -thereby, and lost much strength. If therefore ye should be minded, that -I should be the first in the field to encounter the foe, I pray thee -that ye do let me eat now that with strength may I be filled, and then -will I do it, and ye shall perceive that I shall be the first against -the enemy and the last to depart from him.” “I mark well,” spake the -count, “that thou wilt be a long time in doing this thing, and as long -as thou didst sit on the tower.” Thereat said Owlglass: “That which -belongeth of right unto a man do others take from him most willingly.” -And the count said: “Long shalt thou not be my servant,” and therewith -gave him leave to depart. And thereat rejoiced Owlglass, for he cared -not every day to fight with the enemy. - - - - - The Twenty and Third Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass did have golden shoes struck unto his horse’s feet._ - - -Owlglass was one of those men that the fame of his holy doings came unto -the ears of many great lords. The princes, also, loved him much, and did -give unto him garments, horses, money, and provision. And he came unto -the King of Denmark, who said unto him, that he should do for him a -wondrous strange thing, having his horse shod with the best shoes that -could be found. Then answered Owlglass to the king, and spake unto him -and asked him: “If that he should believe him?” And the king answered -and said: “Yea, and if he did according unto his word, it should come to -pass as he had promised him.” Then Owlglass did ride his horse unto the -goldsmith’s house, and there had golden shoes, with nails of silver, -struck unto his horse’s feet, and gat him home again unto the king’s -presence, and asked him if that he would pay for the shoeing of his -horse? The king said: “Yea, that would be right truly;” and said unto -his treasurer, and commanded him, that he should pay for the shoeing of -the horse of Owlglass. The treasurer thought that it had been done by a -blacksmith. And Owlglass led him unto the goldsmith’s house, and the -goldsmith demanded of him one hundred golden marks therefor. The -treasurer would not pay this; but went and told the king thereof. Then -sent the king for Owlglass, and said unto him: “Owlglass, how dear hast -thou made this horse shoeing to be? If that all my horses were shod as -thou hast had thine, soon should I have to sell my country and my -people!” Then Owlglass answered and spake unto him: “My gracious lord -and king, thou didst say I should have my horse to be shod with the best -shoes, and have I not done according unto thy words, for would ye have -better shoeing than silver and gold.” Then said the king: “Thou art my -dearest servant, thou dost that I tell thee to do.” And the king laughed -at the merry jest, and did pay the hundred marks. Then Owlglass brake -off the golden shoes from his horse’s feet, and had shoes of iron struck -on, and he abode with the king unto the day of his death. - - - - - The Twenty and Fourth Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass did have a great contention before the King of Poland - with two other fools._ - - -While that the noble Prince Casimir, King of Poland, yet lived, there -came unto him at his court, good Master Owlglass. And Casimir (blessed -be his memory!) did have two fools there, who, in knavery, could not be -overcome. And the king of Poland had heard much said of Owlglass, that, -in truth, he was not in any way to be quipped or deceived. Nor did -Owlglass agree with the fools of the king, and that beheld the king -right soon. Then spake the king unto Owlglass and the two fools, saying: -“Behold! unto that one of ye the which can wish the greatest wish will I -give a coat and twenty gold pieces thereto, and this shall be within my -presence.” Then said the first fool: “I would have that heaven were -nothing but paper, and the sea nothing but ink, that therewith might I -in figures write down how much money I would have, and that it came unto -me.” The second spake, saying: “I would have as many towers and castles -as there be stars in heaven, so that therein might I hold all the money -that my fellow here would have.” Then was it time that Owlglass should -speak, and the king thought that in truth he could not wish anything -greater. But Owlglass opened his mouth and spake, saying: “I, in truth, -would desire that after ye two have made me your heir, that the king -would yet on this day hang ye both.” Thereat laughed the king right -merrily, and Owlglass won the coat and the twenty gold pieces, with the -which he departed in joy. - - - - - The Twenty and Fifth Adventure. - - _How Owlglass did make confession to a priest, and took from him a - silver box._ - - -On a time it happened that Owlglass thought to go to confession, for his -sins were many, and therewith was his soul sore laden, so that he -meditated much on the badness of his ways. Then came he to the church, -where sate the priest in the confessional, and before him stood a silver -box, by which he set great store. Then Owlglass began a long speech, in -the which he told the good priest his heavy sins, so great in number; -and at last, the saying of Owlglass was so long, that the priest did -lean back and slept, for he was weary of the knaveries of Owlglass. Then -Owlglass took the box away, and did put it in pouch. - -When that the priest again awoke he did rub his eyes with his fingers, -and spake unto Owlglass, saying: “Where stood we, my son?” Then answered -Owlglass, and said unto the priest: “We stood at the eighth commandment, -father.” Then said the priest: “Speak on, my son; fear not, nor in any -wise conceal what lieth upon thy conscience.” Then continued Owlglass, -saying: “Alas! holy father, on a time I did steal a silver box from a -person, and I will now give it unto thee.” Then said the priest: “Nay, -my son, stolen goods will I not have; give the box unto him that owneth -it.” “That would I already do,” answered Owlglass; “but he refused me, -saying that he would not receive it.” Thereat spake the priest, and -said: “Then canst thou keep it with a good conscience; go in peace, thy -sins are forgiven thee.” - -Then Owlglass departed, and sold the box unto a Jew for several pieces -of silver. But the priest slept not again in confession; and thus -Owlglass gat for others more sins forgiven than before, which did great -good unto all men. - - - - - The Twenty and Sixth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass was forbidden the dukedom of Lunenburg, and how he - did cut open his horse and stand therein._ - - -In the land of Lunenburg, near unto Zell, did Owlglass work some great -knavery on a time. Therefore did the Duke of Lunenburg forbid him the -land; and he gave commandment to his servants, if that Owlglass should -be found therein they should seize him, and, without any mercy or -shrift, hang him up. Yet did not Owlglass in any manner forsake the -land, or in his journeyings avoid it, so as to come round through any -other country; but when that it came in his way to be convenient to pass -through Lunenburg, did he nevertheless ride or walk through it when he -would. - -Thus it came to pass on a time, that Owlglass had much reason to ride -through Lunenburg, and it fortuned that as he was riding along, he saw -the duke with many folk riding the same way. Then thought he within -himself: “Lo! it is the duke; and if that thou dost hasten away to fly -from before his face, then with their horses will they soon come up with -thee, and they will take thee; then will the duke with great anger come -and command them to hang thee up unto a tree.” Then did he confer within -himself what thing it were best that he should do; and he gat him down -from his horse, and took a knife, and quickly cut open the horse’s -belly, casting forth the entrails, and then gat he in and stood within -the four legs in the midst. Then when the duke came riding by with his -horsemen, and gat to the place where sat Owlglass in his horse’s belly, -then the servants of the duke spake unto him, saying: “Behold, gracious -lord, here sitteth Owlglass within his horse.” Thereat did the duke ride -up to Owlglass, and say unto him: “Art thou there, Owlglass? What -bringeth thee into my country when that I did warn thee with great -punishment not to come thither? Did I not say, if ye came therein I -would have thee hanged on a tree?” Then said Owlglass to the duke: -“Noble and gracious lord, I pray thee that thou wilt be pleased to spare -my life, for I have not done so evilly as to be punished with death.” -Then said the duke unto Owlglass: “Come thee hither unto me, and do thou -make thy innocence plain unto me, or what meanest thou that thou dost so -stand in the belly of thy horse?” And Owlglass answered, and said: “Most -high and gracious lord! have I not heard it always said of all that from -old time between his own four posts is a man safe? Now do I stand in -such wise between my four posts, as ye can see; for I feared the -displeasure with the which I knew in my heart that ye would visit me,” -Then did the duke laugh right merrily, and said unto Owlglass: “Yea, -this time will I excuse thee. But wilt thou henceforward stay far away -from my land, nor enter it at any time?” And Owlglass answered and said: -“Gracious lord, so mote it be as ye would have.” Thereat rode the duke -away from him, saying: “Stay as ye now be.” But Owlglass leaped quickly -forth from his horse’s skin, and spake unto the dead horse: “I thank -thee, my good beast, for thou hast preserved my neck from great danger -of the halter, and through thy death am I made alive. From a hunted -donzel hast thou changed me into a gentleman; therefore, lie thou there, -for it is better that the crows eat thee than that they should tear me.” -Then departed he out of the land on foot. - - - - - The Twenty and Seventh Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did buy an inheritance in land from a boor, and how - he sate therein in a cart._ - - -In no long time thereafter came Owlglass again into the land of -Lunenburg, and he tarried in a village near unto Zell, until the time -came in the which the Duke should again ride that way. And it came to -pass that a boor did come by Owlglass as he went along to plough his -land. And by that time had Owlglass gotten him another horse, and a cart -therewith, and he came unto the boor, and spake unto him, saying: “Whose -land is this that thou ploughest?” Then answered the boor and said: -“Truly is it mine, and I did have it in inheritance from my forbears.” -Thereat said Owlglass unto the boor: “What money wilt thou have for as -much earth as would fill my cart?” Then said the boor: “Truly will I -have a shilling therefor.” And Owlglass gave unto him what he demanded, -and filled his cart therewith, and crept into it, and drove his cart -into Zell unto the castle there, unto the Aller water. And when that it -came to pass that the duke rode by, did he behold Owlglass as he sate in -the cart with the earth up to his shoulders. Then spake the duke unto -Owlglass, and said unto him: “How comest thou here again? Have I not -forbidden thee to come into my land, and did not I say thou shouldst -suffer death? And now, after that I pardoned thee when thou didst stand -in thy horse, thou dost again tempt my wrath with thee?” Then spake -Owlglass unto the duke in answer, saying: “My gracious lord, I am not in -your land but in mine own, wherein do I sit; and I bought it of a boor -for a shilling, and rightfully could he sell it, for from his forbears -hath he inherited it. So is this truly my land.” Then spake the duke, -and laughed the while: “Depart ye now straightway with thy land out of -my land, and come not again, or will I have thee hung up, with thy horse -and thy cart beside.” Then leaped Owlglass on to his horse from out of -the cart, and left the cart with his land standing before the castle. - - - - - The Twenty and Eighth Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass painted the forbears of the Landgrave of Hessen, and - told him that an if he were ignobly born, he might not behold his - painting._ - - -Many marvellous things did Owlglass bring to pass in the land of Hessen. -After that he had journeyed up and down in the country of Saxony, and -his fame had spread so abroad that no longer dare he work his knaveries -and beguilings in that land, came our worshipful Master forth from -Saxony, and did enter into the land of Hessen, and came therein unto -Marburg, unto the Landgrave where that he kept his court. Then inquired -the landgrave of Owlglass, what manner of man he was and what he could -do. Then answered Owlglass, and said: “Lord, I know the arts, and that -manner of man am I, and your humble servant.” Thereat rejoiced the -landgrave greatly, for he thought that Owlglass was an alchymist, and in -alchymy had the landgrave much delight. Then spake he unto him, saying: -“Art thou an alchymist?” And Owlglass answered: “Nay, that am I not, in -good sooth, for of dross make not I gold, but rather quite the other -thing. Yet am I a painter, the equal unto whom can be nowhere found in -any country, for my work is far better than the work of any other -painter.” Then said the landgrave: “Come, let us now look upon some of -thy work.” And Owlglass said: “Yea, my lord.” And he had with him some -paintings cunningly devised, the which he had brought out of Flanders. -These took he from his wallet, and displayed them before that prince. -These pleased the lord much, and he said unto Owlglass: “Worshipful sir -painter, what money will ye have if that ye would paint on the wall of -our castle hall the story of the family of the landgraves of Hessen, and -how that through them I became friendly unto and with the King of -Hungary, and other lords and princes, and how long the land of Hessen -hath been established? And that must ye tell me in the wise that will be -most costly and precious.” Then answered Owlglass: “Behold, most -gracious prince, if that ye would have it so rarely done, it might truly -cost not less than four hundred marks.” Then answered the landgrave, and -said unto Owlglass: “Master, an if you do but make it rarely, the money -shall not fail, nor will we forget to reward thee as ye shall deserve.” -Then did Owlglass consent to become the painter of the picture; and -thereat gave the landgrave unto Owlglass one hundred marks so that he -might buy colours therewith. - -But when that Owlglass came with three servants he had found, to see -what the work was which was to be done, he gat him unto the landgrave, -and spake unto him, and entreated him, saying: “Behold, noble prince, I -would crave a grace from ye, which I would ask that ye should grant unto -me.” Then spake the landgrave: “Yea, that I will grant thee. Speak on.” -And Owlglass answered, and said: “The grace I crave from thee is, that, -while my work is going forward, no one shall enter without that they ask -of me whether they may enter therein.” And therewith the landgrave -granted Owlglass the grace he desired. Then conferred Owlglass with his -men, and said unto them, that they must take an oath unto him not to -betray him; and so did they. And he said unto them, that they need not -do any kind of labour, but they might play at tables and chess and other -merry pastimes. And thereat were the men content; nor was it greatly -marvellous that in such wise they should be, for Owlglass did promise to -pay them for serving him after this manner. - -[Illustration] - -Then it came to pass, after some three or four weeks had gone by, that -the landgrave craved much to see in what measure the painting of -Owlglass was ready, and whether, of a truth, it did resemble the -ensamples which Owlglass had shewn unto him, which were so goodly and -fair. Thereat gat he him to Owlglass, and said unto him: “Alas, most -worshipful master, I would fain come into the hall and see in what -measure my picture doth grow ready.” Then Owlglass spake unto the -landgrave, and answered him, and said: “Yea, and that shall ye also do. -But I must tell unto thee a marvellous secret which doth touch all my -painting, in that no one, if he be ignobly born, or not according unto -the ordinance of Holy Church, can behold my painting to see it.” The -landgrave said thereafter: “Truly that is a marvellous thing.” Yet, my -masters, ye may perceive in that the landgrave was an alchymist, so had -he also more belief in such affairs than cometh unto the lot of all men. -And then went he with Owlglass into the hall, and there had Owlglass -hanged up a white cloth, that he should have painted. And with a white -wand did he point to the wall when that he had with his hand put the -cloth somewhat aside, and then spake he to the landgrave, and said unto -him: “Most noble landgrave, look upon this painting, so marvellous well -done and with fair colours, and behold here in this corner he that was -first lord of Hessen and earl of the land. And here perceive ye one that -was an earl of Rome thereunto, and he had a princess and a wife, who was -duchess of Bavaria and a daughter of the mild and good Justinian, who -afterwards became emperor. And look ye, noble lord; of them was born -Adolphus. And of Adolphus came William the Swart; and this William had a -son Ludwig, who was named the Pious; and so forward until that we come -down unto your lordship’s grace. And I know well that there is no person -living that can reprove my work, so curiously have I made it, and with -such fair and goodly colours.” Yet saw the lord nought before his face -but the white wall, and he thought unto himself: “Though I see nothing -but the wall, yet will I say nought unto the master, else will he know -full well that I am not nobly born, but basely and vilely.” Therefore -said the landgrave unto Owlglass: “Learned and cunning master painter, -your work pleaseth me marvellously well, yet is my understanding very -small therein.” Therefore departed he out of the hall. - -And when that he did come unto the princess his wife, she spake unto -him, and asked him, saying: “How goeth it with the master painter? Ye -have seen his work and devices, and how are ye pleased therewith? Truly -have I but small belief in him; for he seemeth unto me a rare and most -cunning knave and beguiler.” And the landgrave answered her: “I have -shrewd trust in him; and therein is displayed great cunning and mastery: -I like it well. Would it please thee also to look thereon?” And she -said: “Yea, that it would.” And the landgrave said: “Then, with the -master’s consent, shall ye do it.” Then sent she for Owlglass, and said -unto him, that she did desire to behold his painting. And that did -Owlglass grant unto her; but he told her likewise the marvellous secret -which did hang upon his painting. And they entered in, and with the -princess came eight maidens of her women and her woman-fool, which did -everywhere be in her company. And Owlglass put back the cloth with his -hand, and with his wand told them the same story which he had told unto -the landgrave. Yet perceived they nothing; but being ashamed, spake not -any word, neither praising nor blaming the picture. But then did the -woman-fool open her mouth, and spake, and said unto Owlglass: -“Worshipful master, an if it be that I am basely born, yet see I nothing -of thy device upon the wall.” And Owlglass thought: “Now goeth the -matter not so rarely on as before; for if the fools speak truth, then -truly must I depart hence:” and laughed thereat within himself. - -Thereafter departed the princess, and went unto her lord and husband, -and he spake unto her, and asked her how that the work liked[10] her. -And she answered and said: “Most gracious lord, it liketh me as well as -it did you, and truly is most rare. But my woman-fool it liketh not; and -she saith that she cannot see any painting there at all. And she and my -maidens think that there lieth hid some knavish practice therein.” -Thereat began the landgrave to take counsel within himself, if it might -be that he was beguiled; but he sent word unto Owlglass that he should -make ready his work, for that all his court was coming to behold the -picture, and that if any among them fortuned to be base-born, then -should their lands be escheated unto the landgrave. Thereat gat him -Owlglass unto his fellows and discharged them, and gave them money, and -they departed. And then went he unto the treasurer, and of him gat he -other hundred marks; and then went he forth from the castle, and so -departed on his way. - -And it came to pass that on the morrow the landgrave demanded where that -his painter might be—but he had departed. Thereat went he with all his -lords into the hall where that the master had exercised his cunning -device, but there saw they no painting; so they spake no words, but kept -their mouths shut. Thereat said the landgrave, for he beheld the sign -which Owlglass did always write where that he had worked any knavery, -which was that he wrote up the device of an owl and a glass: “Now do we -know that we are beguiled; and with Owlglass have we but little for to -be moved, but rather for the two hundred marks, but the loss thereof can -we likewise bear. But a great knave is he, and must henceforth remain -far from our lands.” - -Thus did our noble Master Owlglass everywhere teach wisdom unto the -lieges; but from Marburg had he gat him forth, nor would he again have -to do with the painter’s mastery. - ------ - -Footnote 10: - - _i.e._ Pleased. - - - - - The Twenty and Ninth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass was for little money well entertained of two - innkeepers._ - - -It fortuned that in a village were there two innkeepers, who did with -great hatred pursue each other, and they could not bear to live in -friendship, or as neighbours should. And if it came to pass, that the -one did have in his house more custom than the other, then was there -much anger and envy therefrom, and they grew ever more enemies -thereafter. - -On a time it came to pass, that Owlglass came thither, although thereby -he ran great danger. And he entered into the house of one of these -twain, and he spake unto the host, and asked of him, whether for twelve -pennies he might have wine? “Yea,” answered the host, “that he might in -good truth;” and went and brought him speedily a measure of wine. -Thereafter asked Owlglass again, whether he might for twelve pennies -have beef and salad? “Yea,” said the host; and brought beef and salad, -the which did Owlglass eat with rare enjoyment. And as he was eating, -the cook carried a fowl by on a plate, and Owlglass saw it, and he -called for the host, and asked him, if for twelve pennies he might have -a part thereof? “Most truly,” said the host. And behold his measure of -wine was empty, and Owlglass moreover called the host unto him, and -said: “Can I for twelve pennies again have wine?” “Yea,” answered the -host, and rejoiced in his good visitor, and brought him a fresh measure -of wine. And Owlglass was full and fairly provisioned within, and he -prepared to depart, and rose up, and he laid twelve pennies on the -table, and then he would have departed out of the door. Thereat the host -held him back, and said unto him, that the money was not enough, and -that he must pay four times as much. “What mean ye?” said Owlglass. “Did -not I ask ye every time, if that I might have for twelve pennies that -which I required? And now would ye have much more? How mean ye? There is -my debt, and is it to be laid unto my charges that ye have not -understood me?” Then saw the host that it was most plain he had been -beguiled; and he spake unto Owlglass, that he would forgive him the debt -and add thereto the present of a piece of money, if that he would go -unto his neighbour hard by and there work the same thing. Then Owlglass -put the piece of money in his doublet, and laughed, and said unto the -host: “Verily have I already done thus at your neighbour’s house, and he -it was that did give me a piece of money an if I would but come to you.” -And therewith departed our well beloved brother Owlglass, and the host -marvelled with great marvel. - - - - - The Thirtieth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did tell his master how he might scape giving pork - unto his neighbours._ - - -On a time Owlglass was servant unto a boor, who was a man of great -avarice, and did never like to give unto others anything he might have. -Now it fortuned that he killed a pig, and as he had received from others -pieces of bacon when that they killed, so now would they expect that he -would give unto them in return. Then he spake unto Owlglass, saying: -“Truly art thou of a quick wit and ready invention. Tell me how shall I -escape giving unto my neighbours.” Thereat said Owlglass: “In truth, -nothing is more easy. Behold, when it is night-time hang thy pig without -thy door upon a hook, and when that it cometh unto midnight take it -secretly away, and make great complaint that it hath been stolen.” And -the boor did according unto the words of Owlglass, for he was content. - -When that he came in the night to take his pig secretly away, he found -it not, and did cry out woundily that robbers had taken it. And truly -our good Master Owlglass had conveyed the pig away himself. And when he -heard the boor cry, he came up to him, and asked what might have -happened. And the boor answered Owlglass, and said: “The thieves have -come and taken away my pig.” Then answered Owlglass: “Excellently spake! -So tell thou unto all thy neighbours.” But the other said: “Nay; but the -matter hath not ended as I desired. The pig hath truly been stolen.” And -Owlglass answered him: “An if ye speak thus well, all the town will -believe you. Most excellent, by my halidom!” And although the boor would -have persuaded Owlglass of the truth, did that great master only laugh. -And thereafter did he tell unto the neighbours what he had advised; and -no one would believe the boor. - - - - - The Thirty and First Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass conferred with the rector and masters of the - University of Prague in Bohemia, and how he did make answer unto their - questions, and therein came off most wisely._ - - -And Owlglass departed and came unto the city of Prague in Bohemia, and -there he set letters upon the church-doors, and therein said unto all -that might read, that of a truth was he a most famous master, and one -that could make answer unto all questions. And the rector and masters of -the university heard that this learned man had come; and they were -troubled thereat, and they took counsel how that they might put such -questions unto him as he could not resolve, and thus might they cause -him to be cast forth from the town with much mockery and shame. And so -did they agree. And they sent the bedell of the university unto the inn -where Owlglass lay, and charged the host that he should bring his guest -into the chamber of the rector and masters; and he promised to do this -thing. And they charged Owlglass that the next day he should give -answers unto the questions which they had writ down, and if he could not -answer, then should he be declared unworthy. And Owlglass answered, and -said: “Tell the most learned rector and masters that I will do it -straightway as they do require of me; and I trust to prove myself a -pious man as from old time have I done.” - -And on the next day the rector and masters and students of the -university assembled together, and Owlglass came with his host and some -few of the citizens, so that all might proceed with good content. And -when that he had entered into the assembly, they signified unto him that -he should stand upon the stool, and make reply unto the questions so -demanded of him. Then the rector opened his mouth, and spake unto -Owlglass, and asked him, how many gallons of water there were in the -sea; and he charged him to speak the truth and to conceal nothing from -him, for an if he could not answer, then would he punish him as an -ignorant beguiler, and cast him forth. And Owlglass thereupon answered -him and said: “Four hundred and eighty million seven hundred and thirty -thousand two hundred and sixty-four gallons and two-thirds of good -measure. An ye will not believe what I say, cause ye the rivers and -lakes and streams which run therein to stand still, and I will mete it, -and if it prove not as I say, then will I confess that I am unwise.” And -the rector could not do this thing, and therefore he was obliged to -admit the answer of Owlglass; and he next asked him this following -question: “Tell me how many days have passed by from Adam’s time until -this present hour?” And Owlglass spake unto him, saying: “Most -worshipful master rector, the number is not great; only seven have so -passed—Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and -Saturday; and when that they have passed, then begin other seven days, -and so will it go forward until the end of the world.” Then said the -rector: “Now answer me exactly, and say where is the middle of the -world?” Then Owlglass answered: “That is here where we now stand; and if -ye believe me not, do ye take a cord and mete it, and if it be a hair’s -breadth less, then will I stand ashamed.” Then the rector waxed wroth, -and asked Owlglass the fourth question: “How far is it from earth to -heaven?” And Owlglass made answer: “When that one speaketh in heaven it -is easy to hear it down here; therefore get ye one of ye up thither, and -I will cry aloud, and if ye hear me not, then will I confess my wrong.” -And the rector waxed tired of questioning Owlglass, and asked him: “How -great was heaven?” And Owlglass said unto him: “It is a thousand fathoms -wide, and a thousand cubits high; and if ye believe me not, take the sun -and moon and stars from heaven, and mete it, and ye will find I am right -therein.” - -And, my masters, I charge ye to tell me, what could the worthy folks -answer unto Owlglass? In all things was he too cunning for them; and by -knavery had he beguiled them all. Then did he strip off his long coat, -and departed from Prague. - - - - - The Thirty and Second Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did on a time mix him up in a marriage strife, and - did soon end it with great renown._ - - -It came to pass on a time, that Owlglass entered into a town where much -wine was made, and where the folk of the town did oftentimes drink -themselves drunken thereupon. And, my masters, well do you know that -when on a time ye have peeped into the glass, so that ye have been not -as it would like me an if ye always were; and after that ye come home, -ye do not find that your wives receive ye in so goodly and excellent a -wise as at other times, so happened it that our noble and beloved Master -Owlglass, as he was passing along the street to get him to the inn where -he lay, did hear a brawling within a house hard by, as of people -disputing the one with the other in great anger. So our good friend -therewith stood still, and he hearkened, and perceived that it was the -wife of a cobbler who, unto her husband, the which had come back from -the winehouse well drunken, was reading the evening blessing, the which -doeth such great and excellent good unto all husbands. And with many -words contended they until that it was supper time; then the husband -took his wife by the head, and said unto her: “Wilt thou cook for me my -supper?” And she said: “Nay, that would she not,” and then went they to -quarreling again with much contention. At last said the cobbler: “I -would have that the devil should come and fly away with thee!” And when -that Owlglass heard these words, he took up a large stone which lay in -the street, and threw it at the window, so that the frame and glass all -fell together, and brake with a loud noise. And the twain who were -contending within, thought in truth that the devil had come thither, and -were stricken with great terror. But Owlglass gat him away, for that he -might not have the charges of the broken window demanded of him. Yet -went the story forth with great renown, and even unto this day do the -town folk believe that the devil appeared in shape like unto a great -stone; and if that ye believe not my saying, get ye thither and ask it -of them yourselves. - - - - - The Thirty and Third Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass did cause an ass to read certain words out of a book - at the great university of Erfurt._ - - -Now after that Owlglass had departed, and had gat him away, it came to -pass that he journeyed until he entered the city of Erfurt, at the which -place is a most learned university. And our well-beloved Master -Owlglass, like unto some wise men of our days, could not hide his wisdom -under a bushel; but wheresoever it fortuned for him to sojourn, there -must he teach the people some cunning thing. And after that he had come -unto Erfurt, he gat him unto a notary, and with fine writing had he -letters marvellously done in goodly and fair manuscript, setting forth -therein his wondrous parts. And such letters of challenge he set upon -the church doors. And the great fame of Owlglass had come unto Erfurt, -where the rector and learned doctors had heard not a little of his -knavish beguilings and conceits; thereat conferred they together as to -how they might so enjoin him to do a thing the which he might not be -able to perform, but have great shame thereby, and that they themselves -might not be deceived and mocked. And then they agreed that they would -give unto Owlglass an ass to be his scholar, the which he should teach -that he might in time become a reader and a wise beast, for of asses -were there great plenty in that university. - -[Illustration] - -Thereat went they unto Owlglass, and they spake unto him, saying: -“Worshipful master, well know we that you have set letters of art upon -the doors of the church, by the which ye say ye can teach unto any -beast, both that he shall learn to write and to read; now, therefore, -have the doctors of the university resolved, in that among us be no lack -of asses, that ye shall receive one to be a scholar and student under -thee, and that he shall learn to read. Will ye have him to be a scholar, -and receive him and therewith, when that ye have taught him, a great -reward?” Then answered Owlglass and said: “Yea, that will I; but -thereunto must I have time, for an ass is an animal not wise nor easy to -be taught.” So they conferred together, and agreed that he was to be -allowed twenty years in the which to teach him. Then thought Owlglass in -his own mind: “So there are three of us unto this bargain. If that the -rector should die, then am I free. And if it should come to pass that I -should die, then can I break the contract. But if my scholar should not -live, then am I also quit.” And he agreed with them, and of the money he -received some in part. Then he gat him into the inn of the town, and the -master of the house was a man of singular mind. And for his scholar did -Owlglass hire him a stable, and he gat him a great old book, and laid it -into the manger before him, and between each leaf of the book he laid -oats, and the ass soon beheld that, and he turned over the leaves with -his tongue to eat the oats, and when that the oats were all gone, he -cried out with a loud voice: “E, A—E, A!” - -And when that Owlglass perceived this, he rose up and gat him unto the -rector, and came into his presence, and said unto him: “Worshipful -master rector, when will it please ye to come unto me to see how my -disciple doth get forward with his book?” Then said the rector: “Doth he -agree unto that which thou teachest him?” And Owlglass answered him, and -said: “Truly he is a difficult disciple, and one that loveth not his -book; yet have I brought it about that by much labour he pronounceth two -vowel sounds very well, that is to say, E and A. Will it not make ye -pleasure to come and hear him?” And all this time had the good scholar -fasted. And when that Owlglass came with the rector, and some of the -doctors of the university, he took a book and laid it in the manger -before him, and when that the ass beheld it, he turned over the leaves -backward and forward, hither and thither, with his tongue to find the -oats, but, as he found nothing therein, he cried with a loud voice: “E, -A—E, A!” Then said Owlglass: “Behold, most learned doctors, my disciple -doth now pronounce well, although yet somewhat broadly, the two vowels E -and A, and that can he do. I have great hope of him that he will soon -get farther.” In no long time after died the rector; and then Owlglass -abode no longer with his disciple, but with his money departed, thinking -that in truth it would demand great industry to make all the asses in -Erfurt wise. Therefore he did it not; and they be all asses in that city -unto this day. - - - - - The Thirty and Fourth Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass did kill a hog, and answered for his evil doing unto - the burghmaster._ - - -Now it fortuned, that Owlglass once came unto a village, and did hire -him unto a boor to be his serving man. And this boor rejoiced greatly in -all the wise sayings of Owlglass; and in no long time was Owlglass the -best man in the house. And it came to pass upon one even that the boor -made complaint unto Owlglass, and said unto him that he had an evil -neighbour who endeavoured with all his might to afflict him in all ways -that he might, and who, as the old saw saith, would have given an eye -that the boor might be blind. Then Owlglass thought within him: “That -will I soon repay with marvellous heavy interest. And so that my master -doth thereat have joy and goodly satisfaction, then shall I be content.” -And when that he entered into the farm-yard on the next morning to -depart about his labour, Owlglass beheld that the neighbour’s hog had -broken into that place, and was rolling on the dunghill in the yard; and -hard upon the dunghill was there a pond of water, which stood still, and -was covered with green. Then took Owlglass a cudgel and did strike the -hog therewith, until that the hog ran into the pool and was therein -drowned. But privily had the neighbour watched Owlglass, and beheld that -which was done; and he cried aloud, and ran unto Owlglass, and demanded -money for the hog which he had thus lost. And as Owlglass heeded him -not, he came unto his master and desired the same thing. But the master -of Owlglass said: “Truly, therewith have I nought to do. My servant man -did this thing; go ye therefore unto the burghmaster and speak thereof -unto him, and let my man answer it.” Thereat the owner of the hog gat -him unto the burghmaster, and complained unto him of what Owlglass had -done. Then the burghmaster sent for Owlglass, and spake unto him, and -demanded that he should answer it. - -And Owlglass did rise up early in the morning, and he saddled a horse, -and gave him to eat, and then departed, and gat him unto the house of -the burghmaster. And the burghmaster, at that time, fortuned to be at -his breakfast, and had before him a porringer of barley broth. And the -burghmaster questioned Owlglass how that it had come to pass that he had -killed the hog. Then Owlglass answered cunningly, and told him how that -the hog brake his way into the yard and wallowed upon the dunghill; and, -moreover, he told him how he had struck the hog, that he departed into -the pool, and was there drowned. But the burghmaster was a man of slow -understanding,—as is in truth not a thing marvellous strange amid people -set in authority,—and he demanded of Owlglass that he should tell him -the story more plainly. Whereat replied Owlglass and said: “Most -worshipful sir, I will set forth unto you this thing very plain and easy -to be comprehended of you. Look you, suppose ye that ye were yourself -the hog, and your porringer of barley the pool, and suppose that I came -after this wise, and with my hand smote you thus”—and therewith fetched -Owlglass the burghmaster a great blow over the head—“thou mightest fall -therein.” Thereat cried the burghmaster aloud, and would have held -Owlglass; but he ran forth and leapt upon his horse and departed thence -with great haste. - - - - - The Thirty and Fifth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass at Nugenstädten, in the land of Thuringia, did wash - the women’s furs._ - - -Now after that did Owlglass come into the land of Thuringia, into the -village of Nugenstädten, and there he entered and besought the inn-folk -that he should receive a night’s lodging. Thereat came the hostess unto -him, and asked him, saying: “What manner of trade followest thou?” - -And Owlglass answered and said unto her: “Truly am I of no trade, but do -in all things accustom myself to speak the truth.” Then said the -hostess: “Such do I most gladly receive into my house, and -truth-speakers are welcome.” And Owlglass looked round him, and he -perceived that the hostess did squint; therefore he said: “Squint-wife, -squint-wife, where doth it please ye that I shall sit, and where would -ye have me to lay my staff and wallet?” Thereat waxed the hostess very -wroth, and said unto him: “May nought good ever happen unto thee; in all -my life did no one ever say unto me that I squinted!” But Owlglass -answered and said unto her: “Dear hostess, be not angry with me, for an -if I do speak the truth, then must I do it at all times, and in all -things.” And thereat was her wrath turned away, and she, being merry, -laughed and was content. - -Now after that Owlglass had abode that night in her inn, they conferred -together, and he told her that he could wash old furs so that they -became new again. Thereat rejoiced the hostess greatly, and begged that -he would do this, and she would tell all her neighbours that they should -also bring their furs to be washed. And Owlglass said: “Yea, verily, -that would he do.” Then all the women in the village brought unto -Owlglass their furs, that they might be washed. And Owlglass said unto -them: “Ye must have milk.” And all the women desired greatly to have new -furs, and they each gat them home, and brought unto Owlglass all the -milk that they had there. And Owlglass set two cauldrons upon the fire, -and he poured the milk into them, and then put the furs into the milk, -and they were boiled therein. - -And it came to pass, that when he thought that they had boiled enough, -he said unto the women: “Now must ye bring me young white elm twigs, and -peel ye them, and when that ye come again unto me, I will take out the -furs, for then will they be boiled enough, and I will wring them; yet -must I have wood to do this.” And the women departed right joyfully to -fetch the wood, and the children ran with them, and sang and danced, and -said: “O beautiful new fur cloaks! O beautiful new fur cloaks!” Then -stood Owlglass and laughed, and said: “Wait ye yet a while, the furs be -not right yet.” And while they were gone for the twigs, Owlglass piled -more wood on the fire, and left the furs boiling, and departed out of -the village. And yet hath he not returned to wash the furs. When that -the women folk came back, they began to quarrel, and strive one with the -other, for each would have her fur first forth from the cauldron; but -when that they looked how they were proceeding, lo! they were all boiled -to rags and fell to pieces. And Owlglass rejoiced that he had so happily -gone forth. - - - - - The Thirty and Sixth Adventure. - -_Telleth how that Owlglass journeyed about the land with a saint’s head, - and did beguile many therewith._ - - -Now the malice of Owlglass had been so great that everywhere was he -known, and his knavery noised abroad, so that where he once came at any -time, to that place durst he not go again, unless it mote be that he -disguised himself in strange appearance that others might not know him. -And although, with his idleness, he could never have much content, yet -from his youth up had he always been one that loved good living, and by -his divers beguilings he always had by him good store of money. But by -his knavishness he had fallen into such evil repute, that nowhere might -he get money, and he began to see the bottom of his money-pouch oftener -than it pleased him to do. So he began to consider within himself, how -that he might without labour get more money, for he knew that often more -money is gained by idle courses than by hard work. Then thought he that -he would become a pardoner, and journey to and fro with a holy relic, -therewith to persuade the people that they should give him money. -Therefore he gat him the long gown of a priest’s scholar, and went unto -the sexton, who gave unto him a skull; therewith he departed unto the -silversmith, who set it about fairly with brave workmanship in silver. -Then came he into the land of Pomerania, where have I also been, my -masters. And there are the people right honest and good, brave men and -true, believing that which ye say unto them; and their piety is as great -as their faith. Yet in that land Owlglass found that the priests cared -more for drinking than preaching; and when that a church feast, a -wedding, or any other assembly came to pass in a village, then did -Owlglass go unto the priest, and entreat of him that he might preach, -and shew unto the boors the holy relic which he bare with him; and -Owlglass promised to give unto the priest half of whatever offerings the -village folk made thereto. The unlearned priest was content enough if -that he might only receive money thereby. - -And when that there were many folk in the church, Owlglass gat him up -into the pulpit, and spake somewhat to them of the old covenant and of -the new covenant, of the ark and the golden vessels where lay the holy -bread. Thereafter spake he of the head of the holy Saint Brandonus, he -that was a sanctified man, and that to his honour was it now resolved, -that a church should be builded, and that with money not got by knavery; -nor would he receive aught from any that loved not their husbands. Then -gave he the head unto the peasants to kiss, and it might have been the -head of a thief for what Owlglass knew; and after that he blessed them, -and gat him down, and went to the altar, and there began he to sing, and -ring the bells. Then came all the women, good and bad, unto him with -their offerings; and the bad came twice and thrice, and he received all, -nor turned away any. And the women believed in his saying, and thought -that one that came not should be reproved. And any woman who had no -money brought unto him a golden ring, and they strove together which -should offer more often than another, for therewith was their virtue -confirmed. And many offered so that all folks might behold it, for -charity covereth a multitude of sins. Thus did Owlglass get the fairest -offering which in that land had been offered, and all the women of the -land held Owlglass in great reverence for his piety. And Owlglass knew -how to practise malice with gain. Nor do the folks even unto this day -omit with much openness to give unto charitable uses a trifle from their -substance, and their names are written in great letters; and some that -respect charity have an awe for them, but a few there be that think ye -should work goodness in secret. - - - - - The Thirty and Seventh Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass did make the town-watch of Nürnberg to fall into the - water which is called the Pegnitz._ - - -Owlglass was most wise in knavery. And when that he had journeyed far -and wide with the holy head of Saint Brandonus, and had beguiled the -people, so that he felt it in his pocket as a heavier weight than it lay -upon his soul, he came unto Nürnberg, where he purposed to make good -cheer with the money which the head gat for him. And after that he had -lain there for a while, he could no longer live unless that he committed -some vile knavery; therefore he looked round as to what he might do. -And, behold, it came to pass that the town watchmen slept in a great -watch-box, beneath the town-hall, in their armour, and this saw -Owlglass. Now Owlglass had learned all the highways and byways at -Nürnberg, and he craftily took heed of the small bridge which is called -the Hangman’s Bridge, and which leads between the Pig-market and the -Little House, where of a night it is ill to pass; and many a one who -hath gone thereby to fetch a measure of wine, hath had too great a drink -of water. Thereafter waited Owlglass with his knavery, until the people -had begun to sleep—and truly watchmen sleep always early; and when that -it was quite still brake he craftily from the bridge three planks, and -cast them into the Pegnitz, and then departed on his way to the -town-hall, and there ’gan he to swear, and with an old knife which he -had he struck the stones of the street, that fire flew far round. Now -the watch awoke thereat, and they heard him, and gat them up, and -followed after him. So Owlglass fled before them, and ran in the way -which led to the Pig-market, and when he came unto the bridge he helped -himself diligently across as best he might where that he brake away the -planks; and after that he had come thereover, he lifted up his voice, -and cried unto them: “Ho! ho! ye shamefaced knaves! where be ye that ye -follow not?” And thereat were the watchmen angry, and they pursued him -yet faster, and each desired to be the first to catch the mocking -beguiler. Then fell they one after the other into the Pegnitz; and it -fortuned that the hole was so narrow, that they dashed their teeth out -as they fell against the other side. Then spake Owlglass unto them, and -said: “Ho! ho! come ye not forward yet? To-morrow follow after me yet -more hastily.” And one there was of them who brake his leg, and another -his arm, and the third knocked a hole in his skull; thus no one came off -without some hurt. Now, after that Owlglass had thus accomplished his -knavery, he abode no longer in the town of Nürnberg, but gat him forth, -and departed; for he was sore afraid, that, if it should be discovered, -the lords of the city of Nürnberg might cause him to suffer therefor. - - - - - The Thirty and Eighth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did at Bamberg eat for money._ - - -On a time, did Owlglass receive money through his cunning, when that he -had departed from Nürnberg and came unto Bamberg, where that he found -that he was an hungered. And in that city of Bamberg entered he into an -inn, and the hostess thereof was a good soul and a merry, and she bade -him welcome with gay words, for by his clothes perceived she that he was -a guest of rare quality. When that the time came in the morning that -they should eat, she spake unto Owlglass, and asked him, saying: -“Whether would he sit at table to eat, or have a portion for so much -money?” And Owlglass answered, and said unto her “I am a poor man and a -needy.” Then entreated he her, that she should, for God his sake, give -unto him to eat. Thereat said the hostess: “Friend, an if I gave unto -thee to eat, I should lose thereby, for the flesher and the baker will -demand to have money of me for their wares. Therefore, for eating must I -also receive money.” Then said Owlglass: “Alas! my dear woman, to eat -for money doth also content me: tell me now how much shall I eat for?” -And the woman spake unto him, saying: “At the gentles’ table, four and -twenty pence; and the next table thereunto, for eighteen pence; and with -my serving people, twelve pence.” Then answered Owlglass unto her words, -and said: “Hostess, the table for four and twenty pence is the most, and -will best convene unto me.” Therefore sat he down to the gentles’ table, -and did eat as much as ever he could. And when that he had eaten and -drunken very heartily, he said unto the hostess, and besought her that -she would settle with him, for that by poverty it was necessary he -should depart. Then answered she unto Owlglass, saying: “Gentle guest, -an if ye give unto me twenty-four pence, ye may, in God’s name, depart -whither it please ye.” But thereat said Owlglass: “Nay, but ye should -give unto me twenty-four pence, for ye said unto me, that for four and -twenty pence should I eat; and therefore apprehended I, that ye meant to -cause that I should earn money, and most heavily did I earn it, for if -life and strength had touched the matter, then could I not have eaten -more. Therefore pray I ye, render unto me my hard earnings.” Then said -the hostess: “Friend, thou speakest truly, for thou hast eaten as much -as any three could have done; but that I should give unto thee money -cometh not within my thought. Yet, in so far as toucheth the dinner, -that will I excuse thee; go therewith in peace; but I give ye no money, -be ye assured. Nor will I demand it of ye; but come not hitherward -again, for if that I should with every guest have such, little would -come therefrom but loss to me.” Then departed Owlglass, and little -thanks gat he. - - - - - The Thirty and Ninth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did make a wager with a Jew about a horse, and did - deceive him._ - - -In no long time thereafter came Owlglass into Mechlenburg, and there he -gat him a horse of excellent goodness. And as he would have departed on -his way thence, and rode by an inn, the horse would no longer go -forward, for it had an evil habit that at every inn would it stop. -Thereat said Owlglass: “In truth, thou canst also drink thee a measure -of liquor, for it is hot;” and therefore he gat down from the horse, and -tied him up unto the gateway. Then entered he into the inn, and the -guest-chamber thereof, and there sat several guests within, making -merry. At the table there sat a Jew, who was a dealer in horses; and the -Jew had perceived the horse of Owlglass as he came up unto the house. -And he spake unto Owlglass, saying: “Wilt thou sell thy horse, and what -wouldst thou have in money therefor?” Then Owlglass answered, and said -unto the Jew: “This horse canst thou not buy, Jew; it is a Mechlenburg -horse, and of a most rare breed, and three hundred nobles would scarce -pay for it.” Then said the Jew: “Nay, but what think ye, gracious sir, -for twenty nobles would I buy thee such a horse. Wilt thou set a wager -upon it?” “Most contemptible son of Moses,” said Owlglass, “thou couldst -not. He hath not one fault, and is as gentle as a tender lamb.” “Well,” -answered the Jew: “wilt thou take twenty nobles therefor?” Then Owlglass -spake unto him, and said: “Look you, Hebrew Jew, an if thou wilt take -three strokes from my riding-whip, then will I give thee the horse, and -he shall be fairly thine own.” Thereat said the Jew: “Ye would fain jest -with me, noble sir; may I trust your word?” And Owlglass said: “Hast -thou not heard it?” Then cried the Jew: “Yea; and the gentlefolk yonder -will be witnesses thereunto.” Then said Owlglass: “Good: when wilt thou -have the three strokes? Wilt thou have it that I begin now at this place -and time?” Thereupon the Jew answered Owlglass, and said: “An if that I -must have them, it may as well now be as at any other time.” Then -Owlglass commanded that the Jew should be tied up, and said unto him: -“Now do thou remember. Thou hast to receive from me three strokes, and -when thou hast received them, then shalt thou truly become possessor of -my horse.” - -Then he took his whip, and lifted it, and came down with a great stroke -upon the back of the Jew, so that he cried aloud with marvellous pain. -Then said Owlglass: “Son of Abraham, art thou content, or wilt thou -straightway receive the next stroke?” And the Jew answered, and said: -“Gracious sir, the other will I have now; but I entreat thee, for pity’s -sake, not to strike me so sore.” And Owlglass spake unto him, and said: -“Then make thou thyself ready:” and therewith gave he unto the Jew a yet -sorer stroke. The poor Jew thereat bit his tongue woundily with the -pain, and cried to Owlglass that he should speedily give him the third -stroke. Then said Owlglass: “Nay; but for the third stroke mayest thou -stay a while, so long as thou receivest it not is the horse mine. -Behold, here are the witnesses.” Thereat, although the Jew scarce could -stand with the pain, he entreated Owlglass that he should then give him -the third stroke; but Owlglass would not. Then lamented the Jew, and -Owlglass gave unto him a measure of wine; but he ceased not to complain -in that he had been beguiled of Owlglass. Yet was the Jew justly served, -in that, with small pains and labour, he would have received the horse -of Owlglass. - -O most worthy teacher of wisdom unto the ignorant and sinful, why camest -thou not in the days in which I do here chronicle thy marvellous deeds? - - - - - The Fortieth Adventure. - - _How Owlglass did have much money for an old hat._ - - -Money remaineth not always with any of us, my masters; and so truly did -Owlglass find, when that he was in the town of Cologne. And he was so -poor, that of all his money he possessed only four shillings; and on his -head he wore an old hat, with three corners, and thereat did all people -laugh. Then Owlglass thought that he would therewith have rare sport and -profit. And as he was going along the street of the town, he beheld two -officers of the soldiers; and he knew that they had pouches well lined -with gold pieces. And they laughed at his hat. Then spake Owlglass unto -them: “Behold, ye do laugh at my hat. Verily will I shew unto ye that in -no wise is it to be accounted nought, but hath great virtue; and to -content you therein, I bid ye both dine with me on this day.” And the -soldiers consented, and so gat them with Owlglass. When that they came -unto the gate of the best inn, Owlglass said: “What say ye? where shall -we dine?” Then they answered and said: “Let us enter herein and dine, if -that ye have a good pouch of money?” And Owlglass said: “Be of good -cheer, that maketh no matter, let us enter therein.” Then entered they; -and Owlglass secretly conferred with the hostess, and gave her the four -shillings, therewith to satisfy her for the dinner. - -And when that the dinner was served, the officers waxed merry, for it -was a very excellent dinner, and they were content. Thereafter did -Owlglass say unto the hostess: “What money dost thou want to satisfy -thee for thy dinner?” And she answered and said: “Four shillings.” “Four -shillings, sayest thou?” answered Owlglass, and therewith he took his -little hat and he turned it four times about upon his finger, and asked -her if that she were content. And she said: “Yea; and fair thanks unto -ye likewise.” And therewith departed she. But the officers, when that -they beheld it, said: “But how marvellous is this thing!” And they were -most astonished. “Alas! my masters,” said Owlglass unto them: “do not ye -now see how great is the value of the hat? With the money that more than -twenty times hath been offered me therefor, should I be rich.” - -Then said one of his guests: “If that I offered unto thee a good sum, -would not ye sell it? For poor soldiers as be we, so great a marvel -would be accounted very useful unto us, for then should we never die of -hunger.” And Owlglass was persuaded, and he gave them the hat for four -hundred marks. And the next day, he who bought it desired to make trial -of it; and he went unto the inn and had a great banquet made ready, and -he assembled his friends together to eat thereof. Then when the time -came for paying the host, he sought to pay the charges by turning the -hat about; but the host understood it not. And so the soldier had to pay -many marks therefor; and when he looked after Owlglass he found him not. - - - - - The Forty and First Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass journeyed unto Rome to see the Pope, and how his - Holiness considered that Owlglass was an heretic._ - - -It hath been every where seen, that Owlglass was a most knavish wight. -And when it had come to pass that he had worked these such deceiving -actions, he thought of the old proverb which saith: - - “If that thou a knave wouldst see, - At Rome eftsoon thou’lt fitted be.” - -And Owlglass was aweary of his own devices, and thereat wished that he -might find another like unto him. So departed he, and he journeyed -forward, and at last came unto Rome. There entered he into an inn, which -a widow kept, and she saw that he was a goodly man to look upon, and she -spake unto him, and asked him of what country was he. And Owlglass told -her that he was of the land of Saxony, and that he had come unto Rome -because that he craved to confer with the Pope touching a certain -business. Then answered the widow and said unto him: “The Pope canst -thou see, but as to speaking with him that mayest thou not do. I have -been bred and born in this place, and of gentle birth also, yet have I -never spoken with the Pope. How then, think ye, that ye will do this -thing? Truly would I give a hundred ducats an if that I could have -speech of him.” And Owlglass answered and said: “My good hostess an if I -gat ye speech of him would ye give me the hundred ducats?” The woman -said: “Marry that would I,” and straightway promised them unto him. But -she thought that it could never be that Owlglass would do this thing; -for she knew that it was a heavy and long labour to bring it about. But -Owlglass said unto her that if he did cause it to come to pass, then -would he demand the hundred ducats; and therewith were they both -content. - -And Owlglass tarried until it fortuned that the Sunday came round, on -which the Pope read the mass in the chapel called Jerusalem, in the -church of the holy Saint John Lateran, the which he did once in every -four weeks. Then gat him Owlglass to the chapel, and thrust himself in -as near as might be unto the Pope’s person, and stood there; and when -that the host was lifted up, or a blessing given from the altar, then -did Owlglass turn his back thereunto, the which was a thing not fit to -be done. And thereafter was the Pope told of this, that a very proper -handsome man had stood at the mass and so acted. Then said his Holiness -that such a thing was an abomination, and that he feared the man who had -done so was in unbelief and an heretic. If that this were not punished, -it would be a great scandal. Then sent the Pope for Owlglass, and the -messengers came unto him and carried him before the Pope. Then said the -Pope unto Owlglass: “What manner of man art thou?” And Owlglass answered -and said: “I am a good Christian.” Then said the Pope: “What belief hast -thou?” To which Owlglass made reply: “That he was of the same belief as -his hostess,” and named her by name, and she was a woman well-known. And -the Pope commanded that she should be brought to him; and he asked her, -saying: “What belief hast thou, woman?” And she made answer unto the -Pope and said: “I am a thorough Christian, and a believer in that which -the Holy Church ordaineth is to be believed, and no other belief have -I.” In the which the good woman did marvellously resemble divers other -excellent Christians, which take from the mouth of ignorance the -confirming grace of wisdom. - -Then stood Owlglass by, and with much humility, did seem to be very -pious, and said: “Most gracious Father! this true faith hold I also, and -that most firmly, and am a good Christian man.” Then said the Pope unto -him: “Wherefore dost thou turn thy back to the altar?” And Owlglass -answered and said: “That did I, forasmuch as I am a grievous sinner, and -one not worthy to behold the altar, as I have not received absolution -for my crimes.” Thereat was the Pope content, and giving him absolution, -he let Owlglass go; and he returned unto his inn, and demanded the -hundred ducats, the which the widow gave unto him. Yet found not -Owlglass the knave he sought, and himself was not a whit more honest -than before; so that his Roman journey did him no great good. - -[Illustration: HOW OWLGLASS MAKETH THE COCK THE SECURITY FOR THE HENS.] - - - - - The Forty and Second Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass without money bought poultry at Quedlingburg, and for - security gave unto the farmer’s wife the cock._ - - -In all things of old time were the people not so knavish as is now the -case, especially they that are of the boors. On a time came Owlglass -unto Quedlingburg, while that it was the weekly market day therein. And -Owlglass had little provision; for when that it happened that he had -money, in like manner that he wan it, it departed from him again. So he -took counsel within himself, how that he might have good provision. And -there sate upon the market a woman, and before her had she a large -basket of live poultry, all hens; and among them was a cock. And -Owlglass spake unto her saying: “How much wilt thou have for thy -poultry?” And the woman made answer unto him, and said: “Truly mayest -thou have them for a couple of St. Stephen’s pennies.” Then said -Owlglass: “Wilt thou not give them cheaper?” But the woman said unto -him: “Nay”; and then took Owlglass the basket, and departed therewith -unto the town gate. Thereat ran the woman after him, and said unto him: -“Merchant, how shall I understand thee? Wilt thou not pay me for the -poultry?” Then said Owlglass: “Yea, most cheerily. I am the secretary of -my lord’s lady.” “That ask I not,” said the woman; “it brooks not me -what noble people thou mayest serve. If that thou wilt have the poultry, -then do thou pay me therefor, and with my lord or my lady have I nought -to do. My father taught me that with noble folk should I nor buy nor -sell, nor lend nor borrow. Therefore pay thou me that which I demand -from thee. Dost hear me?” And Owlglass said unto the woman: “Woman, thou -art of little faith; if that all folk were like unto thee, the rich -needy would not long have their needs answered. But so that ye may, -indeed, have surety, give I ye the cock, the which will I fetch when -that I bring ye the money and the basket.” Then took the good woman the -cock, and bethought her that of a truth was she rarely secured to -receive her money. But in all vain hopes can there be no happiness; for -Owlglass returned not again, nor had she satisfaction in any wise. And -unto such as make themselves so greatly sure, is it given to be -disappointed, wherefore when that Owlglass approacheth unto ye, do ye -straightway deliver up unto him that which he demandeth, lest with wily -ways he doth beguile ye of much more. And Owlglass thereafter departed -thence, and the good wife still kept her security. - - - - - The Forty and Third Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass, with a knavish confession, did beguile the priest at - Riesenburg of his horse._ - - -Never was Owlglass unready to commit a vile piece of knavery, when that -there was opportunity thereunto. Now there abode at Riesenburg the -priest thereof, and he had a maid serving-woman, who was of a comely -countenance, and thereto also a horse of much beauty, of the which he -was greatly fond. And at that time was the Duke of Brunswick at -Riesenburg, and had, by the agency of many persons, besought the priest -that he should let him have the horse, and for him would he pay many -more times than the value. But the priest at all times denied the prince -the favour, nor would in any wise grant him his desire, for he loved his -horse, and with violence might the horse not be taken. - -And it came to pass, that this thing was told unto Owlglass, and he -understood it well; and he went unto the duke, and said unto him: -“Gracious lord, what wilt thou give unto me if that I bring unto thee -the priest his horse?” “If that thou canst do it,” answered the duke, -“will I give unto thee the coat which now I wear.” And the coat was of -red satin, set and broidered with pearls. And Owlglass accepted this, -and gat him away, and departed from Wolfenbüttel unto the village of -Riesenburg, and there entered into the priest’s house; for they were -well known the twain each to each, for of old times had Owlglass abode -with him and been welcome. And after that he had been there some three -days, he did bear himself in such wise, that he seemed to be sick unto -the death; and he laid himself down, and prepared for his end. And the -priest and his serving-maid were greatly vexed thereat, and grieved over -him. Thereafter grew Owlglass so ill, that the priest said unto him, -that, in truth, for his soul’s comfort, it was meet and fit that he -should make confession. And Owlglass grew mightily inclined thereunto, -but he begged the priest that he should make inquiry of him most -acutely. Then said the priest unto him, that he should discover his soul -unto him, and confess, for that in his lifetime had he wrought much -evil. And Owlglass made answer, that in his lifetime had he only done -one thing evil the which he regretted, and that would he not confess -unto him; but if they brought unto him another priest, then would he -confess, for he was afraid that the priest might be wroth with him. - -Now when that the priest heard this thing, he thought that truly was -there somewhat hidden under the words of Owlglass, the which he craved -much to know; for priests are greatly more inquisitive than other men. -Therefore he opened his mouth, and said unto Owlglass: “Dear Owlglass, -the distance is great, and it would take me a long time to find another -priest; and if that ye did give up the ghost while that I sought thee -such an one, both thou and I would have a heavy sin to answer. Therefore -be not afraid, and confess unto me thy sin; and so heavy also it be, -will I absolve thee. An if I should grow angry thereover, what doth that -matter unto thee, for thy confession may I not tell unto another?” Then -answered Owlglass, and said unto him: “Verily, then will I confess unto -thee, for the sin is not so heavy that I may not tell it; but only I -feared thee, for it concerneth thyself.” Thereat waxed the priest the -more anxious to hear what Owlglass said, and he opened his ears to hear -him, and said unto him, that if he had stolen aught from him, or wrought -him any evil, let him only confess, and he would give him content, nor -visit it upon him in any wise. Then said Owlglass unto him: “Alas! -reverend sir, well know I that ye will be an angered with me. Yet I feel -that soon shall I depart out of this world, and, therefore, must I -relieve my soul of this confession. And of that which I did, most -reverend sir, must ye shrive me. For I have in thy church kissed thy -servant woman, the which I know to be an offence of much gravity against -the Church, and against all dignity likewise.” Thereat asked the priest -of Owlglass, how often that it might have happened. And Owlglass -answered, and said: “But five times.” Then did the priest give unto -Owlglass absolution; and he took a stick and departed unto the serving -woman, and told her that which Owlglass said. But she answered that it -was not so. But the priest said unto her, that Owlglass had confessed it -unto him. Thereat said she: “Nay,” and he: “Yea”; and with no more ado, -took her and gave unto her a sound beating, until that she was black and -blue all over. The while lay Owlglass in bed, and laughed, and thought: -“Bravely doth thy purpose go forward, and ere long will thy harvest -season approach.” - -And he lay still all that night, and when that it was morning he arose, -and said: “Now am I whole, and well will it be if I depart unto another -country. What have I to pay thee?” And the priest was right glad to be -ridden of his guest, and he took his money, when that they reckoned. And -the woman-servant was glad also. Then said Owlglass unto the priest: -“Wherefore hast thou revealed to another my confession? Truly will I now -go unto Halberstadt before my lord the Bishop, and lay a complaint -against thee, for that thou hast been unfaithful in thy office.” Then -did the priest tremble, and think how he might content Owlglass that he -should not complain; and he entreated him and asked what he should give -him to be silent thereupon, and would he have twenty pieces to say no -word more? But Owlglass said: “An if ye gave unto me one hundred pieces, -would I not do this, and verily will I straightway depart thither.” And -the priest humbly, and with tears, besought him to refrain, and that he -would give him whatever he would have. Thereat said Owlglass: “Give then -unto me thy horse, and I will say no more; but the horse will I have.” -But the priest loved his beast, and desired not to give it away, and he -would rather have given unto Owlglass every penny that he had; but -Owlglass demanded that he should have the horse, and would hear no word. -So the priest gave unto Owlglass the horse, and he departed therewith, -and he came unto Wolfenbüttel, and there upon the bridge stood the duke, -and beheld the coming of Owlglass. Then took the duke the coat from off -his back and gave it unto him, and received the horse. And the duke -rejoiced greatly over Owlglass his cunning in beguiling the priest, and -made pleasant sport with the tale; and he gave unto our noble Master -Owlglass another horse; and the priest was wroth at losing his horse, -and he often did comfort himself by beating the maid sorely, until that -she departed from him. So lost the priest both horse and maid. - - - - - The Forty and Fourth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did hire him to a smith, and what he did while with - him._ - - -And it fortuned that on a time came Owlglass unto Rostock, in the land -of Mechlenburg, and hired him unto a smith there. The smith had a -favourite saying, when that he would have the bellows blown: “Ha! ho! -follow ye with the bellows!” Then stood Owlglass and blew, and the smith -spake unto him, saying: “Ha! ho! follow ye with the bellows!” And he gat -him into the court thereafter. Then came Owlglass behind him with the -bellows on his back, and laid it down beside him, and said: “Master, -behold I have done thy bidding! Where would you have me to put it?” Then -the master looked upon him and beheld what he had done, and said: “My -good man! so did I not mean it. Go thou in again and put it back where -it stood.” And Owlglass did as his master bade him, and placed it again -where it had been before. But the master thought within himself how he -might pay him handsomely for this knavery; and he resolved that for five -days he would rise every night at midnight to begin labour in the forge. -And he wakened all his men, and they began to labour. Then said Owlglass -his comrade unto him: “What is this thing that now we labour at -midnight? Wherefore is it; of old did our master not this thing?” And -Owlglass said: “Wilt thou that I shall ask of him wherefore it is?” And -his fellow said: “Yea;” and then Owlglass asked him. And the smith made -answer unto him, and said: “It is my rule that at first my men shall -not, for eight days, lie on my bed more than half the night.” And -Owlglass held his peace, and his companion dared not to speak. - -[Illustration] - -And it came to pass the next night that Owlglass and his fellow were -again awakened by the master; and the other man went down and fell to -work. Then took up Owlglass the bed, and, with cords, bound it upon his -back, and when that the iron was hot, he cometh down unto the forge, and -taketh a hammer, and beginneth to smite the iron, so that the sparks -flew into the bed and burned holes therein. Thereat said the smith: -“What is’t thou dost? Why didst not thou leave the bed lying in that -place where that it should lie?” Then answered Owlglass and spake unto -the smith, saying: “Master, be not angry; my rule is it that half the -night will I lie upon the bed, and the other half shall it lie upon me.” -Then the master waxed wroth, and said unto Owlglass: “Go thou lay the -bed where thou tookest it from;” and furthermore said he: “Marry, thou -knave, get thee up out of my house, and may I never see thee more, for -evil is the day in which I beheld thee.” And Owlglass said “Yea,” unto -the master’s commands, and he went and laid back the bed upon its place. -Then gat he a ladder, and climbed up into the garret, and he broke -through the roof, and mounted up and drew the ladder after him, and so -gat him up out of the house as his master told him, and thereafter -descended he unto the street, and left the ladder, and so departed. And -the smith heard the noise that he made, and ran up stairs, and lo! there -was a great hole in the roof. - -Then grew he yet more angry, and sought his pike, and departed in haste, -and ran after Owlglass. But the other man held him, and said: “Nay, -master, do not this thing, for behold, he did but that which thou didst -command him. Thou didst say: ‘Get thee _up_ out of my house,’ and that -hath he done, for he hath departed through this hole in the roof.” And -the smith was persuaded; and was not that the best thing? What booted it -unto him; he could not longer lay hands upon Owlglass, for he had -departed thence. So he fell to mending his roof, and the fellow of -Owlglass said: “With such comrades, can but little be won. And he that -knoweth not Owlglass, let him only have to do with him, he shall surely -know him well in no long time.” - - - - - The Forty and Fifth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did cause all the tools, hammers, and tongs of a - smith to be as one mass of iron._ - - -Now when that Owlglass departed away from the smith, it came near unto -the winter season, and the weather was very cold. And it did freeze -hard, and all things soever waxed very dear, and at great price could -you alone get victual, so that serving-men went with scant lining to -their stomachs. Like unto many others, Owlglass was without money in his -pouch, and he came unto a village, where was another smith. Now Owlglass -craved not again to become a smith’s man; but great hunger and thirst -and cold drave him thereto, and merciless masters be they. So went he -unto the smith, but the smith would have none of him, by reason of -little work which there was; yet did Owlglass beseech him, so that at -last the smith took him. And Owlglass promised that he would eat -whatever that the smith set before him. Now the smith was a knave, and -thought in himself, he shall not eat me until that I am poor. - -And it came to pass in the morning, that they fell to labour, and -laboured very hard until that it was dinner time. Then took the smith -Owlglass, and led him unto the court unto the lime-pit, and he said unto -him: “Thou didst promise to eat that which I set before thee. Now take, -eat, and make thee good cheer.” But he departed into the house, and ate -roast and boiled. Then Owlglass abode without, and thought within -himself: “Unto many hast thou wrought great knaveries, thou art repaid -in that coin which thou didst pass to others. Yet shall master smith -dearly pay for this deceitful practise.” And after the dinner hour did -Owlglass return in silence unto his labour, and said nought at all, and -so went it until supper time. Then had the smith pity for Owlglass, and -gave unto him some supper, and said unto him: “Rise ye up early in the -morning, and do ye begin in good time. Then shall ye knock together what -ye shall find, and make me a round number of horse nails. The maid may -stand at the bellows until that I come unto thee.” Then did Owlglass go -to rest, and when that it was morning he rose up early, and thought: -“Now shall he pay for the dinner.” So he took the tongs and hammers, -fire-irons, sand-ladles, and everything that he could find, which was of -iron, and hammered it into one mass in the fire. The same did he with -the horse-nails; and when that he heard the master coming, departed he. - -And when that the smith came in and found the pretty business, he waxed -wroth, and asked the maid how it came that this was so, and where might -his man be? And the maid answered and said: “He hath gone forth without -the door.” The smith said: “Like unto a knave hath he gone; and if that -I wist whither that he went, I would beat him with heavy stripes.” Then -said the maid: “Before he departed, he wrote somewhat over the door.” -Then went the smith and beheld that Owlglass had, as his fashion was, -painted over the door an owl and a glass, the which signified his name. -Then knew the smith thereby who his man had been, and was glad that -Owlglass had done him no worse knavery than that he had practised. But -Owlglass returned not again unto that village, or that master. And the -smith had heavy work to make his tools again as they should be. - - - - - The Forty and Sixth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did speak a word of truth unto a smith, his wife, - man, and maid, each one before the house._ - - -Unto Wismar came Owlglass upon a holy day, and when he passed by over -against the smithy, he then beheld before the smithy door a good wife -standing dressed in her best clothes, and with her was her maid, and she -was the smith’s wife. And Owlglass went and lay at the inn opposite that -night, and in the night time he brake from off his horse’s feet all his -shoes, and the next day went over unto the smithy. On this wise came he -to know them. And when that he approached unto the smithy, lo! they -perceived that he was Owlglass; and the good wife, and her maid, came -forth before the house door, so that they might behold that which -Owlglass said and did. And Owlglass lifted up his voice, and spake unto -the smith saying: “Wilt thou now shoe these my horse’s feet?” And the -smith answered him “Yea”; and it pleased the smith that he should talk -with so wonderful a man as was Owlglass. After that they had talked and -conferred together awhile, the smith said unto him: “Behold now, if that -thou canst unto me say a word of truth, then will I give unto thee a -shoe therefor.” And Owlglass answered: “Yea”; and thus spake unto him: - - “An if hammer and iron and coals have ye, - And wind enow in the bellows free, - Brave smith of might then can ye be.” - -Then said the smith: “That word is truth,” and gave unto him a shoe. -Then did the apprentice put the shoe on the horse’s foot; and he spake -unto Owlglass and said: “That an if Owlglass would say unto him also -such a word of verity, he would likewise bestow upon him a shoe.” Then -answered Owlglass: “Yea”; and said unto him: - - “The master and the man they two, - If that work they fain would do, - Hard labour should they never rue.” - -“True is thy saying,” answered the smith’s man, and gave him a shoe. -Thereat marvelled the good wife, and her maid; and they came unto him, -and conferred with him, and the good wife said unto him: “That an if he -said also to her words of true meaning, she would give unto him a shoe.” -And thereat answered Owlglass, and said: “Yea”; and spake thus: - - “Good wife, good wife, eye that’s bright, - Sparkling with such knavish light, - Loves a trysting place at night.” - -Then said the good wife: “Marry but thou sayest truth,” and therewith -gave him a shoe. Then would the maid fain have a true word also spoken -unto her; and if that Owlglass did it, she would give him a shoe. And he -said: - - “When that thou dost dine on veal, - Eat with care, or thou shalt feel - Tooth-ache pangs thee over-steal.” - -And the maid said thereat: “O and alas! how true is that saying,” and -gave him a shoe. Then departed Owlglass from that place with his horse -well shod. But if any of us, my masters, went unto a blacksmith, I fear -me greatly we should have no satisfaction, or horseshoes, for telling -truths unto him. This sheweth that of old time were the people wiser -than now. - - - - - The Forty and Seventh Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass, at Frankfort-on-the-Main, did with guile delude two - Jews of rings._ - - -On a time came Owlglass unto the city of Frankfort-on-the-Main, and it -was yearly market day when that he entered therein. And in that town -dwelt many Jews, and those that dwelt not there, dwelt in other places; -and some have come out thence, and go not thither again. Then did -Owlglass send for two rich Jews, and he spake unto them, saying: “That -he would have two pair of ear-rings of them, beset with precious stones; -but they must all be of one pattern and size, nor one in the least -larger or smaller than the other.” And it was for a noble lady that he -said he would have them. Then the Jews brought a great number of costly -rings, and Owlglass dealt with each alone, and of each did he have a -pair. But unto the first he gave back a ring, and said: “That he should -take it unto the goldsmith and have it made a little larger.” And this -the Jew agreed should be done, and departed with the ring, and promised -that he would return ere long; but he left the other ring with Owlglass. -And Owlglass did likewise with the second Jew, and kept one of the twain -rings. And the Jews departed each alone. Then had Owlglass wan him a -pair of ear-rings, and therewith did he go forth from Frankfort, and -came not again. But the Jews were beguiled; yet cared not Owlglass a jot -therefor. - - - - - The Forty and Eighth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass served a shoemaker, and how that he inquired of him -what shapes he should cut; and the master answered him, and said: “Great - and small, as the herdsman driveth forth to field.” Therefore cut he - oxen, cows, calves, sheep, and pigs._ - - -Now in a place where Owlglass sojourned on a time, was there a -shoemaker, who loved rather to walk about in the market than to labour, -and he hired Owlglass for his servant, and he bade Owlglass cut out the -shapes himself. Then said Owlglass unto him: “Master, what would you -have me to cut?” And the shoemaker answered him, and said: “Cut ye out -great and small, as the herdsman driveth forth to field.” And Owlglass -spake unto him, and said: “Yea, master, that will I.” And therewith -departed the master unto the market. Then fell Owlglass to work, and -began to cut out pigs, and oxen, and calves, and sheep, and goats, and -all kind of cattle. When that it was night, the master returned him home -again, and fain would see what his serving-man had done; then found he -these animals cut out of the leather. Thereat grew he angry, and said -unto Owlglass: “What is it that thou hast done, so to cut and destroy my -leather?” And Owlglass said: “Dear master, I have done it as thou -wouldst most desire it should be.” The master answered, and said: “Nay, -thou liest; I would not have thee to destroy the leather; that did I not -command thee that thou shouldst do.” Then answered Owlglass to him: -“Master, wherefore be ye angry? Ye commanded me that I should cut the -leather great and small, like as the herdsman driveth forth to field; -and most truly to be seen is it that I have thus done.” Then said the -master: “Nay, but I meant ye should cut out shoes great and small.” -Thereupon said Owlglass: “Had ye said that unto me so that I understood -it, then would I have done it with great joy; and yet would I do it.” -Then agreed Owlglass and his master, the one with the other; and he -forgave him the leather he had cut up, for Owlglass promised him that he -would do him content thereafter, and as he told him that would he do. - -Then did the shoemaker cut a number of soles for shoes, and laid them -before Owlglass, and said unto him: “Look ye, sew ye them little and -great as they be altogether.” And Owlglass said: “Yea” thereunto, and -began to sew them. Then tarried the master awhile, and departed not -forth, for he desired to see how Owlglass did sew. For well knew he that -which he had told him, and he craved to behold how he would do according -to his words. And Owlglass took a small shoe and a great shoe, and with -his needle and thread he sewed them together. And thereat stole the -master secretly up to him, and he perceived that which he did. Then said -he unto Owlglass: “Thou art truly a man after mine own heart; thou doest -that which I desire thee to do.” And Owlglass answered, and said unto -him: “He that doeth his master’s bidding will receive no stripes.” Then -said the master: “Yea, my good servant, my words were so, but my meaning -was other. What I meaned was, that thou shouldst first make a pair of -small shoes, and then make a pair of large, or the great first and the -small ones after; but thou sewest them altogether, according to my words -and not my meaning.” And then waxed he wroth, and took the leather which -was cut up, and said: “Now take thee other leather, and cut me new shoes -on one last.” - -Thereafter thought he no more about the matter, and departed forth to -walk. And when that he had been out for more than an hour, he remembered -him that he had told Owlglass to cut all on one last; and he hastened -him home to see what was done. And Owlglass had sate him still the -while, and taken a small last, and cut all the shoes thereunto. So that -when the master came, he found he had cut it all according to the little -last; and he said unto him: “What dost thou mean, that thou hast on the -one last cut me all these shoes? How can the great sole belong to the -little shoe?” And Owlglass said unto him: “That will I do after, and the -other will I cut.” Then said the master: “But thou takest only one last, -and makest them all for one foot; what dost thou expect can I do with -thy work?” Then answered Owlglass unto him: “Of a truth, master, thou -didst bid me to cut them over one last only, and that have I done.” -Thereat said the master: “If that I had much to do with thee, should I -have to run with thee to the hangman;” and he furthermore said unto him: -“Pay thou me for the leather thou hast marred.” Then said Owlglass: “If -that I have marred thy leather, the currier can he not make more?” Then -arose he, and stood in the door, and turning himself round unto the -master, said: “If that I come not again, have I yet been with thee. -Farewell.” And he departed from that city. - - - - - The Forty and Ninth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass bought eggs and had them tightly packed._ - - -On a time Owlglass came into a village in Swabia, where abode a man very -stupid, who with lard and eggs drave a trade. And Owlglass did become -serving-man unto him, and much business did for his master, by the which -he gained greatly. In this wise and after this manner was it that -Owlglass did all that his master required. His master sent him unto the -market, that he might cheaply buy and dearly sell; for according to such -modes grow all merchants rich. And it came to pass on a day, that -Owlglass had bought so much, that his baskets, panniers, and chests were -all full of lard and butter and eggs, and yet craved he to buy much -more. Then lifted he up his voice, and spake unto his master, saying: -“Behold, master, between each egg is there a great room; might it not -be, that we might get more in if that, like unto cabbages, we trod them -closer together?” And the stupid egg-merchant perceived that to be most -true; and then bid he the folk which helped him to tread the eggs close -together. And so did they; but, lo! then were their feet all yellow, and -the eggs were soon broken to pieces. Then did the master of Owlglass cry -out upon his man, and despatched him hastily to do business elsewhere; -for the egg-trade did he not understand. Yet was the story soon noised -abroad; and thenceforward laughed the people, and called the Swabians -yellow-feet, the which name remaineth even unto days of this chronicler. - - - - - The Fiftieth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass made a soup for a boor, and put therein shoemaker’s - oil; for that, in his nobility, he thought it good enow for the boor._ - - -Now after these knaveries came Owlglass unto Stade, and there he again -hired him unto a shoemaker. And when that he began the first day to -work, his master went unto market, and of a boor bought a load of wood, -and then came home, and commanded that the boor should have a soup given -unto him. But he found no one at home; for the goodwife and the maid had -gone forth, and Owlglass was alone within the house; and he was sewing -shoes. And the master was obliged again to go to the market. So spake he -to Owlglass, and said, that he should make ready a soup for the boor; -for that had he promised him into their bargain. And Owlglass answered: -“Yea;” then the boor unloaded the wood, and came into the house. But -when that Owlglass sought in the cupboard, and had made ready the soup, -he found nothing to flavour it save shoemaker’s oil; so he took the -bottle, and poured therefrom a goodly measure into the soup, and a fine -flavour was there then therein. And when that the boor began to eat, he -tasted that it was very evil; but he was an hungered, and he soon ate up -the soup. In no long time thereafter came the shoemaker home, and asked -the boor how the soup tasted. And the boor answered him: “That it was -good all but one thing, and that was, that it savoured woundily of new -shoes.” Then departed the boor. And the shoemaker laughed, and said unto -Owlglass: “What didst thou put in the soup thou gavest to the boor?” And -Owlglass answered, and said: “Thou commandest me that I should take that -I found and put in the soup; and I found nought but the shoemaker’s oil. -Therefore put I that in.” And the shoemaker said: “It is well, and quite -good enough to give for a bargain to a boor.” And so were the two knaves -contented; but as two of a trade never can agree together, in no long -time parted they, and Owlglass continued his journey. - - - - - The Fifty and First Adventure. - -_This chapter is a special chapter, telling how that a bootmaker sought -to beguile Owlglass by greasing his boots, and how that Owlglass looked - through the window, and brake it._ - - -Christopher was the name of a bootmaker, who, in Brunswick, lived upon -the Cabbage-market. Unto him on a time went Owlglass, that he might have -his boots greased. And when that he came into the house, he opened his -mouth, and said: “Master, an if ye will smear me these boots well and -throughly, I will pay your demand, so that I have them by Monday.” And -the master answered, and said: “Yea, truly shall ye have them.” Then -departed Owlglass from the house, and thought no longer thereupon; for -when wise men say things shall be done, it is the fool’s fault if they -be not. And after that he had gone his way, the bootmaker’s man said: -“Behold, master, have a care; for that is Owlglass, and to all men doth -he work knavery. Do, therefore, that he said, or he will work ye a vile -turn.” Then answered the master, and said: “What would he have?” And the -man said: “He said, smear me these boots and throughly. Therefore do ye -according to his words, and smear ye them within and without.” Then -answered the master unto him, and said: “That will I do.” So did he, in -truth. - -And on the Monday cometh Owlglass, and he saith unto them: “Have ye my -boots ready?” And the master had hung them upon a hook in his shop, and -answered unto him, and said, as he pointed unto them: “Behold, there -have ye your boots as they hang.” And Owlglass looked, and saw that they -were so smeared within and without; and he laughed, and said: “How good -and pious a master bootmaker have I found, that he doth smear me my -boots throughly. And what may ye desire to have for your pains?” Then -spake the master: “An old penny will I have.” Then did Owlglass give him -an old penny he had by him, and departed from the house; and then -laughed the master and his man, and said one to the other: “How may he -take that? Surely now hath he been made a fool!” That heard our good -Master Owlglass; and he put his head within the window so that it brake, -and head and shoulders followed after, to the great wonderment of all -thereby. And Owlglass said unto the bootmaker: “Master, what lard used -ye? Tell me if it be lard from a sow or a boar?” Thereat was the master -amazed with his man, and at last perceived that Owlglass lay in the -window, and he had broken it. Then the bootmaker grew angry, and said: -“The genius of evil take thee! What meanest thou? With this lapstone -will I break thy head!” Then said Owlglass: “Honourable sir, be not -angry. It is but a simple answer I would have. Which is it from which ye -have taken the lard, from a sow or a boar?” And the master wished his -window whole. But he answered never a word; and thereat said Owlglass: -“If that ye will not tell me, I must depart to foreign lands to have it -certified, and of another must I learn whether it be of a sow or a -boar.” Therewith departed Owlglass. - -Then waxed the master wroth with his man, and said unto him: “That -counsel gavest thou me; now give me other counsel how that my window may -be whole.” But the servant was dumb. So said the master: “Which hath -been the greatest fool among these, and who shall pay the damage?” But -the comrade held his tongue; and the master continued: “Who is it that -hath mocked the other? How shall my window be made whole? I have always -heard it said: He that is heavy laden with a fool may soon rejoice to -lose his pack from his shoulders; and if I had done that might I have -kept my window, nor would I have cared an if it had been in that wise.” -Therefore departed the apprentice, and bootmaker Christopher paid for -his broken window himself. - - - - - The Fifty and Second Adventure. - - _Telleth how that Owlglass at Einbeck became a brewer’s man, and did - seethe a dog which was called Hops._ - - -Owlglass tarried not at any time in doing his evil knavery. And he came -unto Einbeck after a time, and in that town did he hire him unto a -brewer to be his man. Then came it to pass, that the brewer his master -desired to go unto a wedding; and he spake unto Owlglass, and said unto -him: “Do thou brew with the maid while I am away from hence, and -to-morrow will I return to help thee in thy labour. Yet, above all, do -ye not forget to put hops into the beer, so that it shall savour -strongly thereof, and be a most desirable thing to buy.” And Owlglass -answered and said unto his master, that would he diligently perform unto -his content. Then did the brewer with his wife depart out of the door to -the wedding. Then began Owlglass to brew the beer; and the serving-woman -taught him what he should do, forasmuch as she understood it better than -he did. And when it came to be time that the hops should be put therein, -the maid said unto him: “Lo! my dear fellow-servant, thou canst boil the -hops alone as well as while I am with thee. Therefore do thou boil them, -and I will go for an hour unto the dance.” And Owlglass said: “Yea;” and -thought within himself: “When that she hath departed out of the way, -then canst thou better do thy knavery. What shall it be that thou wilt -do unto this brewer?” - -Now the brewer had in his house a great dog, whose name was Hops; and -when the water was hot, took Owlglass the poor beast, and threw him into -the vat, and boiled him therein, so that the flesh was boiled from off -the bones, and the skin and hair was sodden altogether. Thereafter -thought the maid, that it was time she should return home unto Owlglass, -for the hops must have been seethed enough. She entered in unto him, and -spake unto him: “Lo! my brother, now have the hops seethed enough; draw -off.” Then took she a sieve and strained the beer, but found nought -therein; then said she unto Owlglass: “Hast thou also put therein the -hops, as I said unto ye? I find nought therein.” But Owlglass said: -“Thou wilt find all at the bottom.” And the woman took a shovel, and -found the bones of the dog at the bottom. Then cried she aloud: “What is -this thing thou hast put therein? The evil one defend me from this -beer!” And Owlglass answered: “What our master commanded me that did I. -I seethed therein Hops our dog.” - -It fortuned that the brewer then entered in unto them, and he had -drunken himself drunk at the wedding; and he said unto them: “Ha! ha! -what is it that ye do, my children?” Then answered the maid, and said -unto him: “Lo! I did but go for half an hour unto the dance, and bade -this our new man to seethe the hops in the beer; and he hath taken our -dog, and hath seethed him. Behold, ye may see his bones.” Then spake -Owlglass, and said: “Truly did I nothing more than ye enjoined me to do. -Ye said that Hops should I seethe, and that have I done. But ye are -ungrateful when that I am obedient. Had ye servants which ever did that -which ye commanded as I have done, would ye surely have great content.” -Then departed he, and was wroth that they thanked him not. - -[Illustration: HOW OWLGLASS BOILETH HOPS.] - - - - - The Fifty and Third Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass hired him unto a tailor, and sewed so secretly that - it was not seen of any one._ - - -And when that Owlglass approached unto Berlin, he there hired him unto a -tailor of that town. Then said his master unto him, as he sate in the -workshop: “If that thou sewest for me, sew for me after that wise that -it shall be seen of no one.” To him answered Owlglass: “Yea;” and with -that took his work, and crept him under the counter, and put his work -across his knee, and began there to sew. The tailor stood thereby, and -looked upon him, and said unto him: “What doest thou? Of a truth that is -a marvellous way to sew thy coat.” And Owlglass answered: “Master, said -ye not that I should sew in such wise as that it should be seen of no -one, and can any one behold me where I sew?” Then said the tailor: “Nay; -but, my dear serving-man, sew ye no longer after that wise, but begin to -sew that all may see.” - -So fared they on for a matter of three days; and it fortuned one night, -that a peasant’s great over-coat, such as in that country is called a -wolf, lay unfinished in the shop. This took the tailor, and gave it unto -Owlglass, and said unto him: “Here, take the wolf and make it ready, and -thereafter mayest thou get thee to bed.” Then answered Owlglass: “Yea; -and if ye go will I right quickly do it as ye enjoin.” Then departed the -master; and Owlglass took the coat, and he cut it up, and made first a -wolf’s head, and then legs and body, and with sticks set it upright on -the bench, so that it looked like unto a wolf, and then gat he him unto -bed. And when that it was day, the master gat him up, and awakened -Owlglass also, and found the wolf standing in the shop. And he marvelled -with great wonderment at this doing of Owlglass; and he said unto him -when that he came: “I’ the prince of mischief’s name, what is this thing -thou hast done?” And Owlglass answered, and said: “A wolf have I made, -as ye enjoined me.” Then said the tailor: “Such a wolf would I not have; -but a peasant’s great coat. That called I a wolf.” Thereat answered -Owlglass, and spake unto the tailor, saying: “Dear master, that knew not -I. An ye had said unto me, that ye would have a peasant’s coat, then -would I have made it; but ye said I should make a wolf, and, lo! have I -not done it? And with greater content would I have made a coat than a -wolf.” And the tailor forgave him; for as it was ended, what should he -do? - -And after four days had passed, was the tailor fain again to sleep, and -yet he judged that it was too soon for his man to get him to bed. And -there lay a coat in the shop, the which had been finished, all save the -arms, which should be sewed on. This took he, and gave it unto Owlglass, -saying: “Whip me these arms to the coat, and then mayest thou sleep.” -And Owlglass answered: “Yea;” and therewith departed the tailor. Then -did Owlglass light two candles, and he hung the coat on a hook, and made -him a whip with whipcord, and ’gan to whip the sleeves, so that he might -get them unto the coat. Yet stirred they not. And when that his candles -were burned down, gat he two more, and lighted them, and burned candles -through the whole night. At last arose the master, and came unto -Owlglass into the shop, and said unto him: “What mystery play ye here?” -And Owlglass answered gravely, and said: “No mystery is this, but hard -labour; for the whole night through have I stood here, and whipped me -these sleeves with whipcord, yet move they not unto the coat. Better had -it been if that ye had bid me sleep; for ye surely knew that I must lose -my labour.” Then answered the tailor, and said: “Lay ye that to my -charge? Am I ever to be finding ye brains to understand that which I -say? Didst not see that I meant that ye should sew the sleeves on to the -coat?” Answered straightway unto him Owlglass: “Nay; but, in the evil -one’s name, how can ye think that it be my fault, that when ye say one -thing I should understand ye to mean another thing? If that I had known -what ye would have done, would I not have sewn the sleeves on, and then -slept an hour or twain? Now may ye sit ye down, for I will get me unto -my bed.” Thereat said the tailor: “Not so; I will not receive into my -house folk that lazy be and sleep.” Then did they strive together in -anger; and the tailor would have payment of Owlglass for the candles he -had burned, but this would not Owlglass give him; therefore took he that -which belonged unto him, and departed. - - - - - The Fifty and Fourth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass caused three tailors to fall from their board, and -then would have persuaded the people that the wind had blown them down._ - - -On the market at Brandenburg, Owlglass abode in an inn for a matter of -fourteen days. And hard by there dwelt a tailor, and on his board had he -three of his men sitting at work. And when that Owlglass passed by over -against them, they did nothing but mock him, and throw rags after him. -And all this time kept Owlglass silence; and one day when that it was a -full market-day, did he secretly the night before saw through the posts -which held up the board, and so left them standing. In the morning did -the men put the board on the posts, and sate them down as usual, and -sewed. At the time when that the swineherd blew his horn that every one -might drive forth his swine, came the tailor’s swine forth likewise, and -ran under the window, and against the posts began to rub themselves; -then came down the three tailors, and fell upon the ground, and sorely -hurt themselves. And when Owlglass marked that they fell, he cried with -a loud voice: “Behold, ye people, of what light account are tailors, -when that by the wind three are blown down from the board!” These words -of Owlglass heard the whole market, and the people therein. Then ran all -the market-place in great haste, and laughed, and mocked the tailors -with great scorn; and then did the tailors abuse each one the other with -much evil language, for they wist not how it had come to pass that they -had fallen. At last did they behold that the posts were sawed through, -and knew well that it was Owlglass. Then did they set new posts in the -ground, but mocked him no longer. - - - - - The Fifty and Fifth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass assembled all the tailors throughout the whole land - of Saxony, by proclaiming that he would teach them a mighty useful - thing, that would get bread both for them and their children._ - - -On a time, Owlglass made proclamation in the whole of the Wendic Union, -and in the land of Saxony, that is, in Holstein, Pommern, Stettin, and -Mecklenburg, and likewise in Lübeck, Hamburg, in the Sound, and at -Wismar; and in his letters said, that truly the tailors in those parts -should come unto him, for tidings of great joy and content did he bring, -and a cunning and rare art would he disclose unto them, by the which -they should have great comfort and gain, and their children after them. -And he said, that they should come unto him into the town of Rostock, -and so should assemble together. Then did they all make answer unto -Owlglass, that for so great an art would they willingly come, and learn -that art of which he spake. - -And so came they all together upon occasion to Rostock; and the folks -were all amazed as to why so great a number of tailors came and abode in -that town. When that Owlglass also heard that they had approached and -entered into the town, he was right glad; and he let them grow in -multitude until that among these tailors were a goodly number of men. -Thereafter spake they unto Owlglass, and said unto him, that, according -unto his word, they had come together, and that they would fain learn of -him what that art was which they should be taught, and the which should -benefit both them and their children. Then besought they him that he -should soon teach them; and rarely would they recompence him therefor. -And Owlglass answered, and said unto them: “Yea; do ye all together come -into a field, so that all may hear.” And according unto his saying did -they. - -Then gat him Owlglass up into a house, which overlooked the field, and -there looked he forth from a window; and he lifted up his voice, and -said unto them: “Honourable artificers in the tailoring trade, I bid ye -mark and perceive, that when ye have by ye scissors, ellwand, thread, -thimble, needle, and a smoothing-iron, the which ye call a goose, then -have ye enough tools for your business; and to get them, therein is no -art, for common is it, and cometh of itself. But do ye steadfastly learn -of me this art, and bear ye me in mind when that ye do it. When that ye -take a thread, forget ye not at the end thereof that is contrary unto -that which ye thread in the needle to make a knot, or, in good sooth, ye -will make many a stitch in vain.” Thereat did one tailor look upon his -neighbour; and they each one said unto the other: “Lo! was not this a -thing well known unto all of us, and of old time a rule among us?” Then -did they ask him whether he had anything further to tell them. “Verily! -for phantasy’s sake would not we have come twelve weary miles, or -despatched from one to the other messengers of speed; and this art ye -have told us have we known these thousand years.” Then answered Owlglass -unto the tailors, and said unto them: “That which hath been known these -thousand years is marked of no man; and when that people are bidden to -think upon it, do they not in any wise thank the speaker.” Therefore -might they depart again unto where they had come from. Then were the -tailors who had come from afar very wroth with Owlglass, and would fain -have come to him, and beaten him; but he was nimble and escaped them. -Then conferred they one with the other, and laughed, and said: “Truly -was it their own fault that they were thus befooled; for knew they not -of old what a slippery fellow was this same Owlglass?” - - - - - The Fifty and Sixth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass beat wool upon a saint’s day, and that very high._ - - -And when that Owlglass came unto Stendal, he gave it out, that he was a -woolstapler, and hired himself unto a master in that town. Then upon a -Sunday spake the master unto him, saying: “Mark ye, my good fellow, upon -a Monday do ye commonly keep holiday, and that love I not in any man who -cometh into my house; for here must all diligently labour.” And Owlglass -made answer: “That pleaseth me right well, master.” So he gat him up -early on the Monday, and laboured hard, and the same thing did he on -Tuesday; and that pleased the master exceedingly. And on the Wednesday -there fell a saint’s day, the which was a holy day and should be kept; -yet gat Owlglass to his labour again, and ’gan to work and beat his -wool, so that ye might hear him right down the street. The master arose -from his bed when that he heard the noise, and cried unto Owlglass with -a loud voice: “Be ye still; be ye still; to-day is a holy day, and we -may not labour.” Then said Owlglass: “Dear master, said ye not on -Sunday, that ye loved not that one should be idle on a holy day; but ye -said, that I should work the whole week through.” And the woolstapler -answered him: “Nay; but I meant not that. Leave thy labour now, and that -which thou wouldst have earned to-day will I pay thee.” And this fitted -Owlglass right well; and he kept the holy day, and at eventide he supped -with his master. Then conferred they; and the master said unto him, that -the wool contented him not, and he bade Owlglass, that he should beat it -up a little higher. And Owlglass said: “Yea;” and in the morning he -arose from his bed early, and fixed up the frame to the beam, and gat -him a ladder, and mounted thereupon, and with his rod beat the wool, so -that all the town could hear the noise. The while lay the master in bed, -and he perceived right certainly that Owlglass was not beating the wool -as he should do; therefore he gat up, and went, and looked upon him. And -he spake unto him jestingly: “By my troth, and if ye stood upon the roof -so would ye be yet higher; and little would it rede whether ye stood on -the ladder or the roof.” And therewith departed he unto the church. -Thereupon did Owlglass take the frame, and climbed up on the roof, and -there beat the wool. That saw his master from the street as he came -along; and he cried aloud unto him, and came running: “Ha! ho! what do -ye there upon the roof? Is that a thing ye should do, to beat the wool -upon the roof?” And Owlglass said: “Truly did I according unto thy -words. For thou didst say, that it would be better upon the roof than -the ladder, for that the roof was higher than the beam.” And the -woolstapler said: “Play ye no more of your knaveries; get ye forth from -my house, nor do ye again come hither.” Thereat departed Owlglass, and -lamented that he could never earn any thanks. - - - - - The Fifty and Seventh Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass was hired by a furrier, and did sleep among the - skins._ - - -On a time did Owlglass take service with a furrier, and when that it was -night, he bade Owlglass get him to work and hang out the skins. But -Owlglass loved not the labour, and would fain have escaped therefrom. -And he spake unto his master, saying: “How is this that with so ill -savour this smelleth. I’ faith, I cannot bear it!” And the furrier -answered him and said: “Verily, it seemeth unto me that of this trade -knowest thou nought. For an if thou hadst slept only four nights among -the furs, then wouldst thou no longer mark their ill savour.” Then said -Owlglass: “Four nights will I sleep among the skins, master, and then -shall I not mark it.” So the furrier gat him to bed. And behold, -Owlglass took the skins which were prepared, and which hung upon the -wall, and he took also the skins which were dry; and lastly, took he the -wet skins; and he cast them together upon the floor of the loft, and -crept in among them and slept until the morning. When that it was day, -then rose up his master, and he beheld that the skins were taken from -the wall; and he ran unto the loft, and spake unto Owlglass to inquire -of him what it might fortune that he knew about the skins. And he -perceived not Owlglass; but lo! his eyes fell upon the skins, which, wet -and dry, lay together in a heap one with the other. Thereat was he -strangely moved, and with a weeping voice called the maid and the women -folk; and these cries did cause Owlglass to awake, and he looked forth -from among the skins, and said: “Honoured master, what may it be that -doth move ye so to cry out and to clamour?” Then did the furrier marvel -greatly, and knew not what might be in the heap of skins. - -And he opened his mouth, and said unto Owlglass: “Where art thou?” And -Owlglass to him answered: “Behold, here am I.” Then said the master: -“That good fortune may never come unto thee! Hast taken me the dry furs -from the wall, and the wet from the lime-pit, and cast me them together -in this heap, so that they be spoiled. What wilt thou with this -phantasy?” But the wise and prudent Master Owlglass answered him and -said: “How, master, be ye not angry! for an if ye be angry for that I -have slept one night amidst the skins, what will ye be when that I have -slept the four nights ye enjoined me; for ye said that I knew nought of -the labour.” Then said the furrier: “Now liest thou like unto a false -and ready knave! I bid thee not carry together the wet and the dry, and -sleep amid them after this wise!” Then sought the furrier for a stick, -and tried to beat Owlglass. But then went Owlglass towards the door to -depart thence; and as he went he met the wife of the furrier, and the -maid servant, and they would fain have held him. But he said unto them: -“Peace be with ye, good friends, let me hasten for a chirurgeon, for my -master hath fallen, and his leg hath broken!” Then they let him go, and -ran up the stairs unto the master; but he came running down at a great -pace, and overthrew the maid and his good wife, and they all stumbled -and fell together. Yet our good master had speedily departed, and gotten -him thence with all haste. - - - - - The Fifty and Eighth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass on a time, at Berlin, did make wolves._ - - -Of a cunning and wily mind are the Swabians, and where they come and -find not victual, ye may approve it of a certainty that other folk will -starve. Yet are they more lovers of the beer jug, and of drinking, than -thoughtful of their labour, so comes it likewise that their business -lieth but sadly. Now it happened on a time that at Berlin lived a -furrier, and he was in Swabia born, and in his art was he most handy, -and had much business, and thereto was rich, with a good workshop, by -the which he had gained much, as he served those which held lands, and -moneys, and houses, and goodly titles. And it came to pass that one -winter season a great and noble prince, with all his court, desired to -hunt; and they commanded the furrier to prepare for them not a few wolf -skins to wear. Of this was Owlglass told, so he gat him unto the -furrier, and besought him that he would give unto him work, that he -might have money and food. At that time, also, did the master lack -people, and was right glad that Owlglass had come unto him; and he spake -unto him, and asked him, if that he would make such wolves. And Owlglass -answered: “That he was of the land of Saxony, and knew well how to make -them.” Then said the furrier unto him: “Truly art thou well come unto -me, and I bid thee stay. And touching the reward of thy pains will we -agree, and thou shalt abide with me, and have a good time while that -thou stayest.” Owlglass answered and said unto the furrier: “Yea, -master, I do bethink me that thou art right honest and true; and I crave -nothing so much as that ye shall know me for what manner of man I am, -when that ye behold my labour. But I work not in fellowship with other -men; but ever alone in mine own company.” - -Then did the furrier allot unto Owlglass a small chamber wherein he -abode; and he received from the furrier the metage of certain furs, and -the wolves’ skins. Then took Owlglass the wolves’ skins as they were, -and cut them, and made of them a number of wolves; and these he stuffed -full of hay, and gat feet made of sticks, and they stood up in manner as -if they lived. And when that he had thus cut up all the furs, and made -an end of his labours, he cried aloud to his master: “Ho! master, come -hither; truly have I ended my labour, and made the wolves.” And the -master answered and said: “Yea, my good man, verily have I yet much -labour to do! Be thou diligent, and continue as thou art.” Then turned -he about to go thence, and he beheld the wolves standing in the chamber, -and he lifted up his voice thereat, and cried aloud in great anger: -“What is this that thou hast done! Thou bird of unhappy fortune! what -evil hast thou wrought unto me? For this will I have thee cast into -gaol, and thou shalt suffer therefor.” Then answered Owlglass and said: -“Master, call ye that my reward and my thanks. Ye commanded me that I -should make wolves, and wolves have I also made. Had ye but said that I -should make wolf furs, then had I understood ye, and also have done it -with great joy. In the beginning should ye have explained carefully unto -one that is a stranger that which ye would have. And, indeed, had it -appeared unto me that I should have gained no greater thanks than that -which hath been given me, then would I not have wrought thy work in any -wise.” Then departed Owlglass from Berlin, and gat him into the city of -Leipzig. - - - - - The Fifty and Ninth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass, being servant unto a great lord, did fetch for him - wine and beer together in a most delectable manner._ - - -Once again did Owlglass take service with a noble lord, and became unto -him body servant. And it fortuned, that this master of his loved good -cheer,—the which is a thing not rare among all manner of men,—and -especially loved he a cup of generous wine, or a deep draught of good -beer. - -It came to pass, that on a time Owlglass and his master journeyed -together, and lay at an inn. And the day was hot, and they twain were -faint, for they had ridden hard. Then spake the lord unto his -serving-man Owlglass, and said: “Go thou and find mine host the landlord -of this inn, and fetch him unto me.” That did Owlglass on that instant; -for well knew he, that when the master drank the man was seldom dry. And -his lord spake unto the host, and said unto him: “Lo! we have come far, -and the sun hath burned us so that we be dry, and would have some -drink.” And the host answered him: “Verily, in all the wide world, and -the Duchy of Mecklenburg to boot, is there no such liquor as in my -cellar. Therefore have ye come unto the best place to slake your -thirst.” Then commanded the master, that Owlglass should depart with the -host; and he said unto him: “I know not the which is best, therefore do -thou bring me good store of both wine and beer, and bring ye them -together.” And Owlglass said: “Yea;” and departed with the host. Then -the host meted unto him both of wine and of beer; and Owlglass said unto -himself: “If that I faint then loseth my master his good servant; -therefore, that I may truly serve him, will I first drink, for -peradventure I shall not have strength to bring the liquor unto my -lord.” Therefore drank he merrily the half of the wine and the half of -the beer, and remembered his lord’s words, that they should be together; -therefore mingled he the wine and the beer in one measure, and gave unto -his lord to drink. And when that the lord found how delectable was the -mixture, he waxed very wroth, and said unto Owlglass: “What is this that -thou hast done, and what vile liquor is this?” “Truly, my lord,” quoth -honest Owlglass, “it is wine and beer mingled together, as ye enjoined -me to bring unto ye.” But his master perceived it was a knavery, and -bade Owlglass to depart from his sight; for, of a truth, was his -beguiling most evilly done. But sorrowfully departed Owlglass, for he -thought that he wrought no harm in doing the thing which was commanded -unto him. Indeed, my masters, often times falleth the evil temper of the -one upon the other; and for the too exact enactment of the commands of -the master is the man chidden. - - - - - The Sixtieth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass for a tanner prepared leather with stools and - benches, at the good city of Brunswick on the Dam._ - - -Now it fortuned that as Owlglass journeyed from Leipzig, he came unto -Brunswick to a tanner there, who made ready the leather for the -shoemaker. And it was winter time, and he said unto himself: “Now shalt -thou stay the winter through with this tanner.” Then agreed they -together, and he hired himself unto him. And after that eight days had -gone by, it came to pass that the tanner desired to depart unto a feast, -and he commanded Owlglass the while that he should make ready some -leather. For he said unto him: “The cauldron of leather prepare ye.” And -Owlglass asked him: “What shall I do it with? and where shall I find -wood for the fire?” And the tanner answered and said unto him: -“Wherefore ask ye such an idle question? If that I had no wood upon the -wood-heap, have I yet store of stools and benches enough in the house, -with the which thou mayest prepare the leather.” And Owlglass answered: -“Yea;” and then departed the tanner. Then did Owlglass take a cauldron, -and hung it over the fire, and put one skin of leather after another -therein, and boiled the leather until it was so soft that ye might, with -two fingers, rend it in twain. And when that Owlglass found this he took -a hatchet, and therewith hewed in pieces every stool and bench the which -were in the house, and he put them in the fire under the cauldron, and -boiled the leather yet more until that he looked therein again, and lo! -these stools and benches were all burned up. Then took he the leather -out of the cauldron, and put it in a heap, and departed out of the house -and the city, and continued his journeying. - -But the tanner thought not a jot upon the matter, but ate and drank, and -gat him to bed, and slept. Next morning ’gan he to think it was time he -should see what labour had been fulfilled of his man; therefore he -arose, and went unto the workshop, and found the heap of leather so -marred, and neither stool or bench in the place. Then grew he right -angry, and went unto his wife, and said unto her: “Behold, I fear our -man that we hired was Owlglass, that great knave, cheat, and beguiler; -for it is his custom to do everything that is told according to the -words spoken unto him. And now hath he departed, and marred me all the -leather, and burned me up every stool and bench the which stood in our -house.” Then wept his wife, and spake unto him, saying: “Get ye after -him with all speed, and bring him back hither.” But the tanner said: -“Nay, that will I not do. I have had of him enough.” And perchance was -this saying true. - - - - - The Sixty and First Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass was groom unto a noble lord, and what knavery he - wrought unto his lord’s horse, Rosimond._ - - -On a time it fortuned, that with a lord of great wealth and much land, -our noble Master Owlglass took service. Now this most noble gentleman, -when that he entered into the lord his household, was made to be groom -of the horses; and his lord commanded and enjoined him, that he should -have a great care of the horses, and in especial he desired Owlglass to -dress and tend a horse of a milk-white skin and gentle blood, named -Rosimond. And this horse did his lord love better than any other steed; -for that it was of a disposition most rare. Yet did Owlglass none the -less bethink him of a knavery the which he might do unto this lord; for -from a deceitful beguiling could he at no time refrain. But he answered -his lord when that he charged him; and spake unto him, saying: “Yea, my -good lord and master; all that ye bid me to do will I with great -diligence perform.” And therewith departed his lord from him, and -rejoiced with great content that he had obtained for himself so -excellent a groom. - -In no long time thereafter were all the horses put forth into the -fields, there to graze, and to exercise themselves after the manner of -horses. Then gat Owlglass unto his lord, and stood before him, and said: -“Of a truth, master, well know I that of thy horses there is not one -that thou lovest so well as thou dost the milk-white steed Rosimond.” -And thereto said his master: “Yea.” “Then of that steed,” answered -Owlglass, “have I had special care. Yet I fear me, master, that by thy -answer unto me, he will not be long to live.” Then said his master: “If -that be so, and my beloved steed is not long to live, go thou, my trusty -groom, and get ye me his skin, that I may have it.” For Rosimond’s skin -was of a most rare beauty. Thereat answered Owlglass: “Yea;” and gat him -to the field where Rosimond was grazing, and pursued him. But the horse -was very fleet, and fled before Owlglass; and it was eventide ere -Owlglass caught him. Then when he had thus caught him, he took a knife -and killed Rosimond, and took his skin, and brought it unto his lord. -And when that he brought it unto him, he said unto Owlglass: “How cometh -this? Verily, the whole day hast thou been away, and surely in a less -time than a whole day couldst thou have taken off the skin.” And -Owlglass excused himself, saying: “Lo! my good lord, most truly sayest -thou that in less than a whole day could I have taken off the skin; yet -had I great labour in the matter, for Rosimond fled before me, and was -fleet of foot. Now have I brought the skin, as thou didst enjoin me.” -Then waxed the master of Owlglass very wroth, and cried aloud unto him: -“Thou knave, was not my horse Rosimond dead then? Didst thou kill my -horse?” To him quoth Owlglass: “Yea, truly killed I the horse; for so -cruel am I not, that I should take the skin off a living horse. For in -torture-chambers do they only such things, either unto man or unto -beast.” Then wept the lord greatly for his beloved horse; and he would -have killed Owlglass, but that Owlglass fled, saying: “I did but -according to the words of my master; for I said unto him, that I feared -me that the horse would not live any long while; and then commanded he -that I should take his skin, the which I have done, and my kind heart -hath injured me, in that I did not skin the horse ere I killed it.” Then -departed Owlglass in great haste, and came not again into that lord’s -house. - - - - - The Sixty and Second Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass beguiled the drawer at the town-house cellar of - Lübeck, and did for a can of wine give him a can of water._ - - -When that Owlglass came unto Lübeck, he took great heed to commit no -knavery; for in that town are the folk very strict upon such as beguile -or deceive. Therefore was our good master sadly perplexed and unhappy, -for that in no wise could he gratify the feelings of his heart and -content himself as he was wont to do. And at that time there lived in -the town of Lübeck a drawer, named Lamprecht, who kept the cellar at the -town house; and he was a man very proud, who believed that no person in -Lübeck,—yea, no person in the whole world,—was so wise and so important -and so discerning as he. Nor did he at any time think that he might not -say it of himself; and when that he said it, he used to add, that one -that would beguile him must of a morning rise very early. For this -reason were the citizens very wroth with him, and held him as an enemy. - -Now when that Owlglass heard of the arrogance of this man, he could no -longer keep hidden the knave which he was; and he thought within -himself, that he would soon shew that he was an even master in craft and -cunning with him. Therefore took he two cans of the same size and form; -the one he carried openly in his hand, and it was empty; but the other -bare he secretly under his cloak, and it was filled with water. Then -departed he unto the wine-cellar, and there had a measure of wine meted -unto him, and then deftly took forth the can with water and set it down, -and put the wine-can within his cloak. And Owlglass lifted up his voice, -and said unto the drawer: “Worshipful master drawer, what costeth this -wine?” And he answered, and said unto him: “Truly, it is tenpence the -measure.” Then said Owlglass: “The wine is marvellous costly. I have no -more than sixpence. Can I have it for that money?” Then waxed the drawer -very wroth, and said: “Wilt thou dare to value the wine of my lords the -town council? Here have we a fixed sum; and he that liketh not the -price, may let the wine stay in the butt.” Therewith taketh he in his -wrath the can with the water in it; and Owlglass said unto him: “See -thou, an if ye will not have the sixpence, therefore I am content ye -shall pour it back.” Then the drawer poured the water into the butt, for -he thought that it was the wine; and he said unto him: “What a foolish -knave art thou? Thou hast wine meted unto thee, but thou carest not to -pay therefor.” Then took Owlglass the empty can, and departed, and said: -“Verily do I see that thou art a fool; and there is no one so cunning -and wise in this world, that may not by a fool be beguiled. Aye, and -that too if he were a drawer!” Then he returned forth from the cellar, -and he thought himself safe. - - - - - The Sixty and Third Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass ’scaped hanging by his cunning, and would have hanged - himself for a crown, yet did not._ - - -When that Owlglass came forth into day from the cellar, the drawer, -Lamprecht, did bethink him of the words which Owlglass spake, and he ran -hastily for a police officer, and they pursued Owlglass, and in no long -time took him in the street as he went forward. The officer seized him, -and they examined our noble Master Owlglass, and found upon him the two -cans, and of them one contained the wine of the which he had beguiled -the drawer, and the other was empty. And, O and alas! that the pen of -this chronicler should write so sad a thing of the virtuous Master -Owlglass!—they held him for a thief, and took him first and carried him -and cast him into the city prison, and there lay he. And then assembled -the council of the town, and they conferred together touching the -offence of Master Owlglass, and it was agreed amongst them that he had -committed a grave crime, for the doing and enactment of which it was -fitting that he should be hanged up until that he was dead. Yet did some -aver that it was nought else but a subtle device and knavery, and that -the drawer should have, with more care, avoided the over-reaching with -the which he had been visited; so that, indeed, the fault, in so much as -it touched Master Owlglass, was but an impudent action. But the many -who, with great hatred, hated Master Owlglass, carried it that it was -flat robbery, so with their voices outweighed the rest, and he was -decreed to die. - -And when the day came on the which he should be hanged up, there was a -great assembly of people in the city, for my good masters (as in this -town of ours in the which this book is imprinted and published), there -are ever lying in wait evil and cruel persons who, if it so chance, that -they themselves be not in fear of the gallows’ tree, will always hastily -run and see another die the death they would not command should be done -to their dogs. They came upon horses and on foot, and so great an uproar -was there, that at last the council was greatly vexed that they had -resolved to put him to death; for in good truth this deed was not -sufficient to be worthy of the gallows. And some desired to look upon -him to see how so marvellous a man would take his end. Others considered -that he was a magician, and with the aid of evil demons would rescue and -save himself, and of a truth did all hope that after some wise he would -come off alive. But all this time, as he was led forth, remained -Owlglass silent and still, and held his peace; and the multitude -marvelled, for they thought he would have despaired greatly. And when -that he was come unto the gallows’ tree, he opened his mouth and spake, -and besought the town council that as he was a dying man, and one that -would never again speak, that they would grant unto him one grace, and -he would not ask them for his life, nor for money, nor for anything the -which should cost them a penny; nay, but that by it he might, in good -sooth, save them a sum, and the charges of the town being heavy, it -would relieve them. - -And then stood the council altogether, and marvelled what this might be; -and they conferred together, and agreed that, indeed, they would grant -him that he desired, if that it proved not against the things he had -himself said unto them. Then spake Owlglass unto the town council, and -said: “Indeed, it shall be manifest unto ye that it runneth not counter -unto my words. It is but a little matter the which can easily be told -unto ye, and give me now your hands, that it may be granted.” Thereat -did they according to his words. Then said good Master Owlglass, the -prisoner: “Noble and worshipful councillors of Lübeck! I have said unto -ye, that for as much as ye have condemned me to death, I should truly -suffer death as ye have decreed. But a grievous and heavy debt lieth -upon the city, the which every man should strive to lighten according -unto his means; and to do this will I also aid as best I may. This day -have ye brought me out to be hanged up; but see ye the halter wherewith -ye would hang me is a new one, and ye must be at charges therefor unto -two crowns. Now, if I say unto ye that I will, an if ye give me a crown, -go and fetch an old rope, and therewith hang myself, will ye make no -little profit; for my good friend the hangman, will not be at the pains -to hang me, and ye will save his fee, and all these men with the which -ye guard me, may freely depart unto their homes. Therefore I pray ye -that ye will give unto me the money, and at mine ease, when that I have -nought else to do, will I hang myself, in good faith, with an old rope.” -Then said the chief magistrate: “Of a truth the knave is right, and we -would do well to let him do this as he saith.” And they granted his -wish, and he departed thence; but in all his life was he never at his -ease sufficient to fulfil his saying. But oft he meditated thereupon, -intending to do it; yet the best intents are oft not to be discharged. - - - - - The Sixty and Fourth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass, at Helmstadt, caused a great pocket to be made._ - - -A knavery did once Owlglass perform with a pocket. For in the town of -Helmstadt there lived a pocket-maker, and unto him came Owlglass, and -spake unto him, saying: “Wilt thou make for me a great pocket?” Then -answered the pocket-maker: “Yea, that will I. How great will thou have -it to be?” And Owlglass said unto him: “So that it be great enough I -shall be content therewith.” And at that time was it the set fashion to -wear great pockets of hair, broad and deep. Then did the pocket-maker -make for Owlglass such a great pocket as he would have him to do. And -when Owlglass came and looked upon it, he said: “Lo! this pocket is not -great enough. This is but a pocket-kin. Make for me one the which shall -be large enough. Of a truth will I pay thee well all thy labour.” Then -took the pocket-maker the skin of an ox, and made the pocket so great -that one might have put a calf of one year old within it, and it would -tax one man’s strength to lift it. Thereafter came Owlglass again unto -the house of the pocket-maker, and looked upon it, but it liked him not, -and again said he: “This pocket is not great enough. If that thou wilt -make me a pocket great enough, will I now give thee two crowns on the -business.” And the pocket-maker answered him: “Yea;” and took the two -crowns, and made another pocket; and thereunto took he three ox-hides, -and it was so heavy that two men would have had to bear it upon a frame, -and within might ye have put great store of corn. But when Owlglass -looked again upon the work of the master, he spake unto him, saying: -“Lo! my good master, this pocket is great enough, but the pocket I would -crave is not this one; therefore will I not have it. But an if ye would -fashion for me such a pocket that when I take from it one penny I shall -ever leave therein twain, I would most willingly pay thee for thy -labour.” And therewith departed Owlglass, and left the man with his -three pockets and the two crowns. Yet in leather had the work cost hard -upon ten crowns. - - - - - The Sixty and Fifth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass, at Erfurt, beguiled a butcher._ - - -When that Owlglass came unto the town of Erfurt, he forgat not to work -some piece of knavery. And soon was he well-known of the students and -townsfolk. One day he was going through the market-place, over against a -butcher’s shop, and the butcher cried aloud unto him that he should buy -somewhat of him that he might carry it home. Then answered Owlglass unto -the butcher, and said unto him: “What wilt thou that I shall take with -me?” And the butcher said: “What shalt thou take, sayest thou? Why, -truly, a good piece of beef!” Then said Owlglass: “Yea,” and took such a -piece and departed. Then ran the butcher, and pursued him, and said unto -him: “Nay; but do thou now pay me for this meat!” Thereat spake Owlglass -unto him, saying: “Of money didst thou say nothing at all unto me. Thou -didst say unto me with great kindness and courtesy, that I should take -something, and when I asked thee what it should be, thou didst single -out the beef; and that took I. And I can, by thy neighbours, prove that -it was after that wise that thou gavest unto me the beef.” Then came the -other butchers, neighbours of the one who had controversy with Owlglass, -and they confirmed our noble master from hatred of their neighbour, and -said: “Yea, that it was as the butcher had said unto the young man.” For -when that folk came to buy in the shambles, this butcher would always -cry aloud unto the customers that they should buy always of him. -Therefore did the neighbours help good Master Owlglass unto his piece of -beef. And while that the butcher was arguing and contending with anger -and strife on this matter, Owlglass put the beef within his cloak and -departed; thus left he them to contend together as long as it delighted -them. - -[Illustration] - - - - - The Sixty and Sixth Adventure. - - _Telleth how that good Master Owlglass again beguiled the butcher at - Erfurt, by pleasing him with a most grateful jingle._ - - -In less than a week after, came Owlglass again unto the shambles. And -the same butcher spake once more to Owlglass, and mocked him, and said: -“Come hither again, and for thyself get a piece of beef.” And unto such -comforting words answered Owlglass: “Yea;” and would have taken a good -piece of meat; but the butcher in haste took hold of his meat, and kept -it. Then said Owlglass unto him: “Bide a while, and let the meat lie; I -will pay thee for it.” And the butcher laid the meat again upon the -bench. Then said Owlglass unto him: “Hear me what I say. If that I speak -such a word unto thee as shall content thee, will that be payment for -this meat, and I will not touch it in any wise?” And the butcher said: -“Lo! thou mightest say words unto me that would content me most greatly, -or words that would not agree; yet if thou sayest such words as shall be -pleasant, then canst thou take the meat.” Then spoke Owlglass after this -wise: - - “Be merry this day, and drink good wine; - Thy meat will be paid for,—the money thine.” - -“Truly this is a brave saying,” said the butcher; “but I would rather -have the doing. This likes me not. Say on.” Thereat spake Owlglass once -more: - - “The good wife scolds nor prates to-day; - Be happy therefore whilst thou may.” - -“Nay, nay,” said the butcher; “how can that be when that I have no wife. -Thy saying likes me not. Say on.” Then laughed Owlglass, and said: - - “The butcher best likes to be paid, - So money-bag be now my aid.” - -Then cried the butcher: “Such words are brave and true words. Behold, -thou speakest sensibly, and the saying like I well.” Thereat said -Owlglass: “Behold, then, the meat is mine. Good friends that stand -around, is it not true that I have now fulfilled my part?” And with much -clamour said they: “Yea;” and Owlglass took the meat, and departed. But -the butcher stood still, and knew not what to say unto them; for the -neighbours mocked him, and turned him to scorn. And if thereat he was -vexed, truly was it no great wonder. - - - - - The Sixty and Seventh Adventure. - - _Touching the faults of the which our noble Master Owlglas had a few; - for he was human, and in all human things is imperfection._ - - -My worthy masters, truly must ye have seen how virtuous, how wise, how -kind, how excellent a man was our noble Master Owlglass; so that as a -mirror of honesty and simplicity ye mote admire him. But, alas! this -present chronicler hath, with grief and sorrow, to confess, that even in -this great man was there error; and it behoveth a true historian justly -to set forth the imperfections of men as much as their marvellous -excellencies. And thus, with scrupulous care, say I now, that Master -Owlglass had, with his many noble qualities, the error of a short -memory. Most strange is this defect in so great a person: yet is it -true, that if he received money to pay to another, he forgat it; if he -owed money to another, he forgat it; and in eating and drinking most of -all was his memory treacherous and failing. - -He sate at meat once in a noble house, where the folk were making -excellent cheer, and where, for more than six hours, sate they eating -and drinking; and Owlglass was with them, for he marked not the time. -Yet, at last, it was meet they should rise up from the table, and depart -each to his home. Then departed Owlglass also; and as he went, he passed -by a house where they sate at supper, and the master of that house -entreated him, that he should enter in unto them and eat. And so did he; -for he had forgotten altogether, that for six hours he had dined. Then -most excellently played he the guest at the table; and one that knew he -had come from the feast spake unto him, saying: “Lo! my beloved Master -Owlglass, how cometh it that ye eat so well now, having lately at the -banquet so lustily eaten?” And Owlglass answered: “Did I so? That have I -forgotten; for I have the misfortune to carry with me a belly that -lacketh memory in every wise.” - - - - - The Sixty and Eighth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass at Dresden became a carpenter, and for his pains - earned little thanks._ - - -Soon departed Owlglass, and came unto Dresden, near unto the Bohemian -forest, upon the Elbe water, and there proclaimed that he was a -carpenter. And it fortuned, that a master carpenter in the town heard of -him, and hired him to be his journeyman; for his man had departed from -him, and he lacked some one to be man unto him. And as in this world of -ours, my masters, there be pleasure and gadding about and weddings as -well as woe and buryings, so fortuned it, that at that time there was in -the town such a wedding, and thereunto was the master carpenter bidden. -And he spake unto Owlglass, saying: “Good fellow of mine, unto this -wedding must I go, and to-day shall I not return home again. Do thou, -therefore, labour diligently, and bind me these four table boards most -cunningly together with glue.” And Owlglass answered, and said unto him: -“Yea; but which of these belong together?” Then laid the master the -table boards together as he would have them joined, and gat him forth -with his wife unto the wedding. - -Then did our Owlglass, that pious man, diligently go to work, and, after -his manner of doing all things wrong, took the four table boards, and -bored holes in them, and laid them one upon the other. Then set he the -glue-pot on the fire, and heated it, and with the brush glued all the -boards together, and carried them up stairs unto the top of the house, -and put them forth out of the window to dry, and then kept he holiday -all the eventide. And at night cometh the master home, and well had he -drunken at the festival. Then spake he unto Owlglass, and said unto him: -“How hast thou laboured during the day?” And Owlglass answered, and -said: “Lo! my good master, verily have I done that which thou didst bid -me to do, and joined the boards together with glue, and then made I an -early holiday at eventide.” And therewith was his master right well -pleased and content; and he said unto his wife: “In good sooth is this a -most excellent serving-man, and he doth with great diligence fulfil that -which I have commanded him. Therefore must we hold him in great honour -and esteem.” These words spoken, he gat him to bed. - -And when that it was day he arose, and so did also Owlglass; and the -master bade Owlglass that he should bring unto him the table that he had -made. Then went Owlglass unto the loft, and brought down the boards all -glued together and marred. And when that the master saw how the work was -spoiled, he said unto Owlglass: “Where didst thou learn the art of -carpenter’s work?” And Owlglass answered, and said: “Wherefore ask ye me -this thing?” Then said the master: “Forasmuch as thou hast marred me -much costly wood in thy labour.” When that Owlglass heard this he was -greatly moved, and said: “Nay; but, master, I did only that which ye -commanded, and if that I marred the wood, it is thy fault, not mine.” -Then was the master right wroth, and said unto him: “Thou knave, get ye -forth from my house, and be gone from my workshop; for of thy work have -I no profit.” Thus departed Owlglass, and very little thanks earned he -for his labour. - - - - - The Sixty and Ninth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did hire himself unto the master of a saw mill._ - - -As Owlglass journeyed on from place to place, it fortuned that he passed -hard by a saw-mill, at a time when the men were diverting themselves, -and eating their suppers, the which a maiden servant had brought unto -them. Owlglass then conferred with the men, and told them of his many -marvellous adventures, the which he was not unmindful of extolling. -Thereat came the master, and listened with an attentive ear. Now, it -happened, that the manners of Owlglass pleased the master of the -saw-mills much, and he took great delight in his merry jests. Then -Owlglass told him he was a carpenter, and had also worked in saw-pits, -which caused the master to move him to tarry, for he might have as much -work there as it pleased him to do. Thereat did Owlglass consent unto -him; and in order that the bargain might at once be shewn of effect, he -sate himself down, and did eat of the supper; nor did he seem after that -in any wise strange at that house, but did eat with so much appetite, -that in truth it appeared unto all as if he had eaten of that fare all -his life. - -Thereafter did they depart unto their work again, and Owlglass had to -carry heavy oaken stems up unto the saw-mill, the which did not agree -with him in the wise that meat and drink always did. Soon, therefore, -was he aweary of this labour, and he cast about in his mind how -cunningly he might become quit thereof. So when it came to pass that his -work-fellows set a huge block of oak over the pit, and began to saw it, -drawing the saw each way, Owlglass spake unto them, saying: “What is -that I see ye do? Wherefore pull ye the saw so as if each would have it -alone. In my country, every man hath his own labour; but ye labour not -to do any good purpose in pulling away the saw each from the other. But -I will shew unto you a simple way by which ye can profitably labour.” -Therewith took he the axe in his hand and brake the saw in two pieces, -and said unto them: “Now can ye each labour in comfort without getting -into anger.” Then ran the workmen unto the master to tell him how -Owlglass brake the saws; and when the master came to demand money for -his saws, had Owlglass departed thence. - - - - - The Seventieth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass became a maker of spectacles, and perceived that - trade was very bad._ - - -Angry and contentious were the monarchs and electors, and there was no -Roman Cæsar or king all this while. And it came to pass, that the Count -of Supplenburg was chosen to be Roman king; yet were there others who -with might desired to enter into the empire. Therefore was it, that the -newly chosen Roman king had to sit down before Frankfort with a large -army for the space of six months, and there lie in wait for some one to -beat him off. And as with him abode there much folk, both foot and -horse, Owlglass bethought him within himself: “Lo! now among the king’s -people shall thy affairs be most profitably advanced; and now will I get -me up, and among the many strange lords which be there, will I make -happy fortune; for of money will these gentles bestow not a little upon -me.” Then did he according to his words, and gat him up, and departed on -his way. And all the great folk of all countries came together there. -And in the Wetterau by Friedberg it came to pass, that the Bishop of -Trier, with his folk, encountered our noble Master Owlglass by the way, -as he journeyed on toward Frankfort. Now Owlglass was curiously -apparelled; and the bishop—who, like unto most meddling priests, -delighted much in prying into all matters—asked of Owlglass what manner -of man he was, and in what way he earned his living. - -Then opened Owlglass his mouth, and spake unto the bishop, and said unto -him: “Most reverend lord and father, a maker of spectacles am I, and -from Brabant do I fare. And in that country do people so clearly see, -that I can by my trade win nothing. Therefore do I journey in search of -work, the which I might do because trade is bad.” Then said the bishop: -“Of a truth believe I not that which thou sayest unto me. For thy trade -should wax greater and greater every day, for as much as people now grow -more shortsighted, and see less and less that which is before them. Thus -do folk require many spectacles.” To him replied our noble master after -this wise: “Yea, my noble lord; but there is one thing that destroyeth -our handicraft, and that would I tell you, but that you would with great -scorn reject my saying, and with anger visit me.” - -And the bishop answered, saying: “Nay, to the crying out of the people -are we well used. Say freely on that which thou wouldst say.” Then said -Owlglass: “Noble and reverend lord, one thing is there the which doth -mar our handicraft altogether, and I fear me greatly, that, with all -obeisance unto thee, it will utterly ruin and destroy it. For that ye -and other great lords, popes, cardinals, bishops, Cæsars, kings, -princes, counsellors, governors, and judges, now look rather through -your fingers, than after any other wise. And thus think ye your sight -long and true, and therefore buy ye not of such poor artizans as we be. -And of old time read we, that men which are reputed learned did with -much diligence read, study, and explore the mysteries of wisdom, so that -their eyes grew faint and weak, in order that thereby no evil might -arise unto the people; and at that time was our trade yet good. In the -like manner did the parsons most carefully read and study; but now is -every one so learned, that, without looking upon any book, doth he know -everything, and by his inward wisdom perceiveth he all that he would -know. Thus is our trade marred. Now run I from one land unto another, -and nowhere can I find any work; for even hath this reached so far into -the hearts of men, that the very boors do ape and imitate their betters, -and would be so wondrous wise.” Without gloss perceived the bishop good -Master Owlglass his text, and spake unto him fair words, and said: -“Behold now, come thou with us unto Frankfort, and there will we mend -thy trade, and recompence thee richly for thy pains, and to thee shall -be given our dress and arms; for truly art thou worthy to be with us.” - -Thus did the bishop reward Owlglass, and chose the vagabond for his -fellow, and in right fellowship were they the twain; and from the -Church, the which Owlglass despised, gat he at last great comfort. For -that which now with great contempt we put away, may anon be of great -worth and advantage. So he abode with the bishop until the count was -confirmed emperor, and then departed again into Saxony. - - - - - The Seventy and First Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass of a boor at the fair of Gerau took leather._ - - -[Illustration] - -In the town of Gerau was there a fair, and from all the country side and -parts both far and near, came folk in great multitude exceeding many, to -buy and to sell and to chaffer. All manner of ware might ye behold -there; but (O good fortune!) in especial was there no lack of leather, -and almost every boor which came unto that place bought of leather a -roll or twain. But the crowd of folk pushing hither and thither, each -contending and striving with each, was so great, that it was hard to -tell which owned any special roll of the good leather they had bought. - -And among the good folk which came unto that place was our worthy and -trusty Master Owlglass, and he came with the crowd, and was greatly -contented therewith. And, behold, there came before him a boor with a -roll of leather; and Owlglass perceived what an excellent knavery could -be practised. So took he a needle and thread with speed, and deftly -sewed a corner of the leathern roll unto his own doublet. In no short -space of time did he with his hands pluck by force the piece of leather -from the boor, and turned him about, and departed another way among the -folk. Thereat marvelled the boor with great marvel, and stood still; but -in a little while thereafter departed he after Owlglass, and took him, -and said: “Thou knave, thou hast from me stolen my leather.” But -Owlglass answered, and said unto him gently: “Nay, friend, thou art -unjust towards me. Seest thou not that the leather is mine, for it is -sewed unto my coat, so that none may steal it. And hadst thou done so -likewise, then couldst thou not have lost thy leather.” And the boor -believed the words of Owlglass, and departed elsewhere to seek the -leather he had lost. - - - - - The Seventy and Second Adventure. - - _How that at Hildesheim Owlglass did hire himself unto merchant to be - his cook, and what tricks he played unto him._ - - -As thou goest down that street at Hildesheim which leadeth from the -Haymarket, dwelt, on a time, a rich merchant, and he did come forth unto -the gate, and would have entered into his garden. And he passed along, -and behold, he found Owlglass lying in a green field, and he greeted him -and spake unto him, and would have known of him what manner of man he -was, and in what wise he earned his bread. Then with hidden knavery -answered Owlglass unto him, and said: “I am a cook, yet have I now no -service.” And the merchant said unto him: “If that thou would be pious -and diligent, would I myself hire thee, and give unto thee new clothes; -for my wife doth every day most bitterly cry out touching the cooking.” -Then did Owlglass, with great sincerity, promise and vow unto him -obedience. Thereafter hired him the merchant, and asked him what his -name might be? And Owlglass answered, and said: “PAN-CRA-TI-US.” The -merchant said: “Of a truth is this name very long; behold, one cannot -with brief time speak it. Thy name shall be Crazy.” And Owlglass -answered: “Yea, most excellent master, so mote it be, for it is all one -to me, what I am called.” Then did the merchant approve him, and said to -him: “Behold, thou art a servant in whom I can have pleasure. Follow me, -therefore, and we will get unto my garden before the town, and there -gather herbs, and carry home with us young chickens, for on the next -Sunday have I guests coming, and I would fain give unto them good -cheer.” Owlglass followed him unto the garden, and there cut they -rosemary, to make a stuffing for the chickens, after the Italian mode; -and they took of onions, and of other herbs good store, and thereto of -eggs, and departed, and came home again. - -And when the good wife looked upon the strangely apparelled Owlglass, -she said unto her husband, and asked him: “What manner of man have ye -here? Would ye waste our bread on such a fellow?” And the merchant -straightway answered and said: “Be content good wife; to thee shall he -be obedient. Lo! he is a good cook.” And the wife replied unto him: -“Yea, good man, I am content, and goodly messes shall he cook for us.” -Then said the merchant: “To-morrow shall ye see how bravely he can -cook.” And he called Owlglass, and said unto him: “Crazy!” Then spake -Owlglass: “Master!” “Go thou and take the meat sack, and follow me unto -the shambles, for I would buy meat for the dinner.” Then followed -Owlglass his master, and the meat was bought accordingly. Then the -merchant enjoined Owlglass, and said unto him: “Behold, take thou the -meat and set it me down where it may slowly become cooked, in a cool -place, so that it be not burned. And the other meat set me down -likewise.” Owlglass answered: “Yea,” and rose up early the next morning, -and some of the meat put he unto the fire to roast; but the other put he -upon the spit, and laid it in the cellar between two butts of Einbeck -beer, so that it could not be burned. - -And when the friends of the merchant entered, among them was the town -clerk, and many other worthy folk; and the merchant went unto Owlglass, -and said unto him: “How doth the meat fare? Hast thou done as I told -thee.” “Yea,” said Owlglass, “that have I. For no cooler place in all -thy house could I find than the cellar, and there lieth the meat upon a -spit between two casks of Einbeck beer.” “But is it not ready then?” -asked the merchant. “Nay,” said Owlglass, “I wist not that ye would have -it.” - -And then came the guests, and the merchant told them how Owlglass had -put the meat in the cellar; and thereat laughed they greatly at the -merry jest, and so was Owlglass excused. But the good wife was not -content therewith by reason of the guests, and besought her husband that -he would let him go, for well saw she that he was a knave. Then said the -merchant: “Dear wife, behold! I fain would have his services to assist -me when that I go unto the town of Goslar; be patient, and when that I -return thence will I bid him depart in God’s name.” And they sate and -made good cheer, and drank good wine, and had much comfort; and at -eventide the merchant called for Owlglass, and said unto him: “Toll, -prepare thou the coach and smear it right well, for to-morrow will we -depart unto Goslar, and with us doth ride that good priest, Master Henry -Hamenstede, for there abideth he, and will go with us.” Then said -Owlglass unto his master: “Yea, he would do his bidding.” And he -inquired of him, saying: “What manner of unction shall I use to smear -the coach withal?” The merchant cast down a shilling for him to take, -and said unto him: “Go ye straightway and buy ye cart grease, and that -unction will serve thee as well as any other.” And the obedient Owlglass -did, therefore, according unto the words of his master. - -When that all men had gat them to bed, stood our Master Owlglass and -smeared the coach within and without with the cart grease the which he -had bought, and on that spot where his master sate smeared he the most. -In the morning arose his master, and came with the priest unto the -coach, and commanded that he should put the horses unto the coach; and -that also did Owlglass. And then departed they in the coach; and as they -went forward, the grease with the which Owlglass had greased the seat -began to smell with no sweet savour, and the priest opened his mouth, -and spake unto the merchant, saying: “Lo! what is this? There is a -savour in this coach which savoureth not of a goodly savour. And when -that I would hold me unto the sides of the coach, for as much as it -jolteth and jarreth me, then are my hands covered over with grease, the -which love I not.” Then commanded they Owlglass that he should stop, and -then told they him that of a truth were they smeared all over with -grease, and with grievous anger visited they our good master. - -[Illustration] - -Then cometh by a peasant with a load of straw, going unto the market; of -him bought they sundry bundles, and they wiped the coach, and all their -clothes, and again gat them in. And the merchant spake with great anger -unto Owlglass, and said unto him: “Thou evil and most beguiling knave, -what is this thing which thou hast done? Get ye unto the town gallows -with all speed.” And Owlglass did as he was commanded, and when that he -came unto the gallows tree, he stayed the coach, and unharnessed the -horses thereof. Then cried the merchant unto Owlglass, with a loud -voice: “What is this other thing which thou hast done, thou knave?” And -Owlglass said: “Of a truth bid ye me drive unto the town gallows, and -there stand we. I thought that here would ye rest.” Then looked the -merchant and perceived the place where they stood, and the gallows -thereby. What could these worthy men do? Was it not the best to laugh -thereat as they might. So laughed they; but the merchant said unto -Owlglass: “Now do thou drive straight forward, and look not round in any -wise.” Then drew Owlglass the pole from out of the carriage, and drave -the horses forward. - -And it came to pass, when that they had driven some small distance, that -the fore-part of the coach was from the hinder part loosened, and the -merchant and the priest sate within, and abode standing on the road. -They cried aloud unto Owlglass, but he would not look round, but -departed with the fore-part of the coach and the horse, and cast not his -eyes behind to see what had happened. And though they pursued him, was -it a long time ere they came up with him. Then would the merchant have -killed him, but the priest would not have this done. And when that the -journey was ended, said the merchant’s wife unto him: “What manner of -voyage hast thou had?” And the merchant answered unto her: “Marvellous -strange hath it been; yet have we returned back again with safety.” Then -called he Owlglass, and said unto him: “Hear me what I say, fellow -voyager. This night mayest thou yet remain here with me, and thou mayest -also bravely eat and drink. To-morrow morn do thou rise up and clear me -the house that I may be quit of thee and of thy company. For a knave art -thou wheresoever thou wert born.” Then said the poor and worthy Master -Owlglass: “Dear heart of me! all that is required of me that do I, but -no one giveth me thanks therefor. Yet my service contenteth me not, then -according as thou commandest will I in the morning clear the house and -get me hence.” “Yea, so do thou,” said the merchant. - -The next day arose the merchant, and said unto Owlglass: “Do thou eat -and drink until thy stomach is contented, and then get forth from this -house, so that I look not upon thy face again, when that I come from the -church.” But Owlglass held his peace. And when that the merchant had -departed from the house, he began to clear the house, and stools, -benches, tables, and all that he could drag forth took he and cast it in -the street. The wares of the merchant likewise cast he forth, and the -neighbours marvelled greatly what it should signify that all the goods -were thus brought out from the house. And one that was a friend of the -merchant departed and told him, so with great wrath ran he unto his -house, and sware more than in the church he had prayed. And then said he -unto Owlglass: “How cometh it that yet ye are here? Did I not command -thee to go hence?” “Yea, master,” quoth honest Master Owlglass, “I would -fain only have fulfilled your command, for ye enjoined me that I should -clear the house, the which am I not performing? And truly am I glad ye -are returned, for some matters are too heavy for me, and I would crave -your help.” “Let all things lie,” said the master, “I have been at more -charges for them than that they should be cast into the mire. And thou, -get thee unto the evil one, and let me not see thee more.” And Owlglass -lamented and said: “Alas! is it not a marvellous strange thing that -everywhere do I what I am told; yet am I ever chidden for my pains? In -an unfortunate hour must I have come into the world.” Then departed he, -and left the merchant to carry back into his house his chattels and -merchandise. Thereat laughed the neighbours with great content. - - - - - The Seventy and Third Adventure. - -_How that at Greifswald good Master Owlglass came unt the Rector of the -University, and proclaimed himself to be a master in all languages, save - in one only, to wit, the Spanish tongue._ - - -Now unto the good town of Greifswald, on that stormy sea which is called -the Baltic, came Owlglass on a time. And when that he arrived set he -upon the church doors letters, and upon the University gates also, -proclaiming therein, that of all languages, save one only was he the -master, and he could understand every tongue save one, to wit, the -Spanish. Thereat marvelled the people with great marvel. - -When that the Rector saw the letters which Owlglass had set upon the -university gate, he called together his masters, and they conferred -together; and then was it agreed amongst them, that Owlglass should be -bidden to come before them, and that if he could do that which he said, -then would they do him high honour, and entertain, and endue him with -all the dignities of their venerable college; but if that he might be a -deceiver, then would they with great indignity visit him, and command -him to depart out of their town. So appointed they a day for this to be -done. And Owlglass accepted the challenge which the rector and masters -sent him; and the town was busy all the time with gossips here and -gossips there, talking of the marvellous professor which had come. And, -after the manner of gossips, did they make two where before was one; and -of the foreign master was great conference and noise. - -When that the day had come for this wonderful disputation and -examination, there assembled together the rector and the masters, the -chief councillors of the town and the most considerable citizens; and -then entered to them Owlglass, who was attired in like manner unto them, -with gown and grave look. And the rector bade him, that he should sit on -a stool in the midst of the assembly, over against him. And Owlglass -signified unto him, that now would he fain be examined. Then arose the -rector, and, with much gravity, spake unto him, and addressed him in the -Latin tongue. And Owlglass said to him: “Most noble rector, but one -language in the world have I not learned, the which language is Spanish; -and now that thou speakest unto me, it appeareth unto me that thy words -savour of that tongue.” Then the rector said unto him, that truly was -Latin like unto Spanish, yet was it not Spanish, and, therefore, should -he have known. But Owlglass said: “Nay; but if any tongue were like unto -Spanish, then shut he his ears; for that it was great shame unto the -Christian world, that yet should in Spain such vile unbelievers be as -the Moors and their black king.” So by reason of his fervour excused -they Owlglass. Then stood up the rector, and spake unto him in the Greek -language. And Owlglass answered, that unto him it sounded like Spanish. -And the rector said unto him: “If that thou knowest all languages, then -must thou truly also know the Greek tongue.” “That,” quoth Owlglass, “is -the reason why unto me it sounded like unto Spanish. For of old time -were the Greek nations idol worshippers, and bowed down unto senseless -stocks and stones; and shame were it that Christian man should speak -such a tongue.” Then did the assembly praise Owlglass with great praise. - -A third time arose the learned rector, and spake unto Owlglass; and this -time spake he Italian. And Owlglass said unto him: “Behold, that too is -like Spanish, and I must hold my peace.” And the rector told unto him -that it was Italian. “Shame should it be,” said Owlglass, “that I should -speak the language of brigands and robbers.” And again praised the -assembly the wisdom of the new professor. And the rector spake unto him -in the French. “Marvellous like unto Spanish,” cried Owlglass. “Nay, but -it is the French,” said the rector. “Then marvel I no longer,” said -Owlglass; “for the French would everywhere continually have more land; -and the mountains which lie betwixt France, Navarre, and Spain, would -they fain have cast into the sea.” Then spake the rector to him in -English. “That tongue likes me not; I fear me it is Spanish,” quoth -Master Owlglass. The rector told him that it was English. “Let me hear -no more on’t,” answered he; “for in England is mist and fog and snow, so -that there be no marvel if that it sound like Spanish or any other. Give -me,” he said unto the rector, “the honest German tongue, for that must -for ever be a noble tongue and a useful.” And the assembly had great -content with Owlglass; for they perceived, that truly he was a master of -languages, and understood not the words so much as the intent, and that -he judged of the lands by the tongues used by the inhabitants thereof. -For truly, my masters, all languages are like each unto the other; for -in every one will ye find liars, cozeners, knaves, cutpurses, deceivers, -and beguilers, in number a great multitude. So with honour departed -Owlglass. - - - - - The Seventy and Fourth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass did at Wismar become a horse-dealer, and beguiled a - merchant._ - - -By the water at Wismar most knavishly did Owlglass beguile a -horse-dealer. For unto that place came a horse-dealer, and he bought no -horse unless by a certain thing he learned whether the horse was long to -live. And thus did he: when that he had bargained and the price was -fixed, he seized the horse by the tail, and marked, by the plucking of -the tail, whether he would long live or no. For if the horse had a long -tail, and he plucked him thereby, and the hair was weak, then judged he -the horse would not long live. Then bought he not that horse. An if the -tail were firm in the horse, then did he buy it, and believed truly that -it would long live and had a hardy body. For this was a common saying at -Wismar, and in it believed all people which abode there. Of this saying -heard Owlglass, and upon it meditated he a great knavery; for he held it -to be a thing most grave, that all error should from the folk be taken, -for Owlglass would have no beguiler of the people but himself; and, my -masters, was not this our good master an exemplar unto many which even -unto this day have followed in his footsteps? - -In the black art was our master also well grounded; therefore with rosin -and blood made he a tail unto a horse, the which had no tail, and -therewith gat he him to market, and there did he bid to the folk dear -enough so that none would buy it. And the merchant, which plucked the -horses by the tail, after that came by, and Owlglass offered it unto him -at cheap rate, in all good conscience. Then the merchant looked upon the -horse that it was fair, and in truth worth the money which Owlglass -demanded therefor. So he came thither, and desired to pluck it by the -tail. Now Owlglass had so wrought the tail, that if peradventure the -dealer so plucked, the tail would therewith stay within his hand, and it -should seem as if he had plucked it forth. And so also it came to pass. -Then stood the merchant with the tail, and was abashed; and Owlglass -cried with a loud voice: “Behold the knave, he hath plucked my horse by -the tail, and lo! he hath plucked it out, and my horse hath he marred.” -Then ran the townsfolk, and held the merchant, and would not let him -depart until that he had satisfied Owlglass with ten crowns for the -damage unto the horse. Then Owlglass went on his way rejoicing. - -[Illustration] - - - - - The Seventy and Fifth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass wrought a great knavery upon a pipemaker at - Lüneburg._ - - -At Lüneburg abode a pipemaker, and he once had been a pedlar, and, with -a pack, had trudged many a league; and this man fortuned to sit drinking -his beer. And to him entered Owlglass, and much company found he there. -And in jest did the pipemaker bid Owlglass to dine with him, and said -unto him: “To-morrow do thou come unto meat with me, and eat that which -thou wouldst have, an thou art able.” And Owlglass answered: “Yea;” and -took his words to be serious, and the next day came unto the pipemaker’s -house, and would have entered in and eaten at his table. But there found -he that above and below was the door bolted and the windows shut. Then -Owlglass walked up and down before the house a few times, until that the -dinner-hour came; but the door was fast shut all this time, and he -perceived that he had been beguiled of the pipemaker. So he departed -from that place, and said not a word, but held his peace. And it came to -pass, that on the next day Owlglass beheld the pipemaker in the -market-place, and he stood before him, and spake unto him, saying: “Thou -dost bid guests unto the feast, and when that they come, find they the -door fast closed, so that they cannot enter therein.” Then answered the -pipemaker unto Owlglass, and said unto him: “Behold, I bid thee to be my -guest, but with certain words; for I said unto thee that thou shouldst -eat with me, an thou wert able; but that couldst thou not, for when that -thou camest were the doors shut, and thou mightst not enter therein.” -“Truly,” quoth Master Owlglass, “we live and learn. That wist not I -before, so have thou my thanks.” And the pipemaker laughed, and said: -“Yet shalt thou not fast this day. Go thou unto my house, and, behold, -there wilt thou find boiled and roast, and the doors are open. Enter -therein and eat, and in no long time will I follow thee; and thou shalt -be alone, and no other guest but thee will I have.” And Owlglass -meditated within himself, and said, privily: “Bravely goeth this -forward.” Then gat he him unto the pipemaker’s house, and findeth it as -the master said unto him. And the pipemaker’s wife stood cooking by the -fire. Then said Owlglass unto her: “Behold, thy good man is at the -market, and hath received a great fish as a gift, and he desireth that -thou shouldst depart unto him, and help him to carry it home. Meanwhile -will I turn the spit for thee.” The good wife answered Owlglass, and -said: “Alas! good Master Owlglass, that will I do; and with my maid will -I get me quickly unto him, and soon return.” And Owlglass said: “Peace -go with thee.” Then departed the good wife and her maid unto the market, -and as they went forward met they the pipemaker coming towards his -house; and he said unto them: “What do ye here?” And they answered, and -said: “Owlglass came unto us, and bade us hasten unto thee upon the -market, for thou hast had a large fish given unto thee, and thou wouldst -have help to carry it home. And Owlglass hath remained in the house, and -turneth the spit.” And the pipemaker waxed very wroth, and said unto his -wife: “Here is a knavery. Why didst thou not stay within; for he hath -not done this without thereby signifying some deceitful work. Behold, I -have no fish.” Then turned they, and altogether came unto the house; and -while they were conferring together, Owlglass had shut both door and -windows, and that found they when that they came unto the house. Then -spake the pipemaker unto his wife: “Now seest thou what manner of fish -thou shouldest fetch?” - -Then beat they upon the door. Thereat came Owlglass behind the door, and -said: “Beat ye the door no longer, for to no one will I open it. The -host said unto me, that I should be alone within the house, and no other -guest would he have but myself. Therefore depart ye, and after dinner -come hither again.” The pipemaker said: “It is true, I said according -unto thy words, but I meant not that it should be thus.” And the -pipemaker said unto his wife: “I’ good faith, let him now eat and drink, -for I have in my pate that which shall reward him for his knavery.” - -So the three departed, and abode in a neighbour’s house until that -Owlglass had made an end of eating and drinking. Then set Owlglass to -his labour, and boiled the meat, and roasted the roast, and set it upon -a dish, and brought a stool unto the table, and with great content ate -and drank and made good cheer; and he drank health unto his worthy host, -the pipemaker. And when he had filled himself, then arose he and opened -the door, and set the dishes unto the fire again. Then entered in the -pipemaker, his wife and maid; and he said unto Owlglass: “After this -wise, the which thou hast done, do not honest folk.” But Owlglass -answered and said: “How might it be that I should do otherwise? For, -behold, thou didst say I should be alone and the only guest; and if that -I had let more guests in, shame would it have been to me, for my host -would have brooked it not.” And therewith departed he. Then looked the -pipemaker upon him as he went, and said: “Be not afraid, this matter -will I richly repay unto thee, thou knave!” Thereat said Owlglass: “He -is the best man who is ever the master.” Then in that same hour went the -pipemaker unto the hangman, who also gat money by carting dead horses; -and he said unto him: “At the inn lieth a pious man, named Owlglass, and -this night hath his horse died. This would he have carted away.” And the -pipemaker showed the hangman the house where lodged Owlglass. And the -hangman perceived that it was the pipemaker, and agreed with him that he -would do it, and took his cart and went unto the house. Then said -Owlglass unto him: “What wouldst thou have?” And the hangman answered -Owlglass, and said unto him: “Lo! the pipemaker hath been with me, and -said unto me that thy horse was dead and should be carried away. Is it -truly so?” But Owlglass mocked him, and bade him carry the pipemaker -unto the gallows. Then was the hangman wroth, and departed unto the -pipemaker’s house, and made complaint, and with six shillings did the -pipemaker satisfy him. But Owlglass saddled his horse and rode forth -from the town. - - - - - The Seventy and Sixth Adventure. - - _How that an old woman mocked the good Master Owlglass when that at - Gerdau he lost his pocket._ - - -Of old time lived there at Gerdau, in the Lüneburg country, an aged and -venerable couple, who for fifty years lived there together, being good -man and wife; and had goodly sons and daughters, the which had grown to -ripe age. And it came to pass, that the priest of the town was a merry -good-humoured wight, who loved jolly company; and wherever there was a -cup of wine to be quaffed, there would he fain be. With his parishioners -had he so fitted it, that every boor in the country side did at least -receive him and his cook once in each year; and then stayed he some day -or twain, and made excellent cheer. Now, the two old people had for many -a year kept neither dedication, nor christening, or any feast at which -the priest could have content for his fair round belly; and thereat was -he greatly moved and vexed. Therefore he meditated much within himself, -how that he might bring it about that they should give a feast. - -Then sendeth he unto the boor a messenger, and asketh how long that it -had been since he had by Holy Church been married unto his good wife? To -him answered the boor: “Reverend father, so long is it ago, that I have -forgotten how many years it hath been.” And the priest rejoined unto -him: “That such forgetfulness was an evil thing for the salvation of his -soul, and he should strive to remember that thing.” Then did the boor -confer with his wife, and considered the matter; yet could they not find -the true time to tell it unto the priest. Therefore came they both unto -the priest, and were greatly troubled, and entreated of him that he -should give unto them some wholesome counsel wherewithal they might -comfort themselves. Then said the priest unto them: “Forasmuch as ye -know not the time at the which ye were married, will it be best that -next Sunday I marry you again, and then will ye be comforted. Therefore -do ye prepare a feast, and kill an ox, and a sheep, and a pig, and bid -your children and good friends to rejoice with ye on that day, and with -all favour give unto them good cheer; and I promise ye that I also will -be with ye.” Then said the boor: “In good sooth, reverend father, is thy -counsel most comforting unto the spirit. It shall go hard, but I will -have a feast which shall be fitting unto the day; for it would not be -well that after fifty years we should be put forth from the marriage -state.” These words spoken, he departed unto his house, and failed not -to do as the priest had advised him. - -And the priest bid unto the feast several of his own friends, other -priests and dignitaries of the most Holy Church. Among these was the -Dean of Epsdorf, who in his stables had always a horse or twain, the -which were not to be despised; and, like unto other priests, he loved -good cheer. And with him had Owlglass served some time. And the dean -said unto him: “Sit ye upon my young horse and ride with me, and to that -are ye right welcome.” To that agreed Owlglass. And when that they were -right merry, and did eat and drink with marvellous content, the old -woman, the which was the bride, sat at the head of the table. And after -so much labour was she tired; so she gat up and departed out of her -house, at the back, down to the river Gerdau, and therein bathed she her -feet. By this time did the Dean of Epsdorf and Owlglass set forth to -ride home; and when that they approached unto her, Owlglass caused his -horse to prance and curvet, that the bride might have content thereof; -and so lustily did he this, that his girdle came unfastened, and his -side-pocket fell down upon the ground. And when that the woman beheld -this, she rose up and took the pocket, and sat down thereupon by the -water. So it came to pass, that when Owlglass had got about a field’s -length from the place where the woman sate, he found that he had lost -his pocket, and therefore turneth he about and cometh again unto Gerdau, -and he saith unto the woman: “Hast thou seen an old pocket anywhere upon -the ground?” And the woman said: “Aye, upon my wedding-day did I find an -old rusty pocket, and that have I yet unto this hour.” And Owlglass said -unto her: “Thy wedding-day? Oho! long since was it that thou wast a -bride! truly must it be an old rusty pocket, such an one will not I -have!” Then said the woman: “Is it this?” but would not give it unto -him; and so cunning might he be, yet gat he not his pocket, and he was -fain to leave it behind him; and at Gerdau it is unto this day, and -thither mayest thou travel if that thou desirest to look upon it. - -[Illustration] - - - - - The Seventy and Seventh Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass gained money by a horse._ - - -On a time was Owlglass very poor; and of all his possessions there -remained unto him nought but his horse; and he was sorely troubled in -his mind, how it might be that he should get him food, lodging, and -raiment. Then came he unto a village where there was a fair, and he gat -him unto the chief inn, and in the stable lodged he the horse, and he -bade the host bring him food to eat, and good cheer of wine. And -according unto his words was it done. - -And when he had eaten and drunk, and was no longer hungry, he bethought -him how that he might get him some money. Therefore went he into the -market-place, and there cried with a loud voice, that he had brought -with him the most marvellous horse which had ever been seen, and that -its tail was where its head should be, and in the place of its tail was -its head. And this horse would he for little money show unto the village -folk. Then came they unto him in great multitude, and each gave unto him -some money according to his wealth; and he let them into the stable, and -required of them that they should not in any wise betray him, and this -promised they unto him. Then did he display unto them the horse, and lo! -his tail was tied unto the manger, and his head looked forth the other -way. Then laughed the village folk at the merry jest of Owlglass, and -forgave him the money he had taken from them. Thus gat he store of -money, and departed on his way with great content. - - - - - The Seventy and Eighth Adventure. - - _How that at Oltzen Owlglass did beguile a boor of a piece of green - cloth, and caused him to confess that it was blue._ - - -Of roast and boiled was Owlglass most woundily fond at all times, -seasons, and occasions; and for that hunger pinched and griped him, by -reason that honest bread he would never eat, it so befel, that to eat he -must seek diligently for what he would have. Now it came to pass, that -while the fairing was going forward in the good little town of Oltzen, -whither from the Wend country came many, and also from divers other -towns, it came to pass, I say, that the great and beloved Master -Owlglass bent thitherward his steps, with intent to sell of his ware, -which be fool-making and coney-catching, like any other honest merchant -of them all. And truly do ye know, that all goods be most difficult to -sell, and such ware as Master Owlglass possessed not less than other -kind; so it behoved him to walk hither and thither, that he might have -occasions to display that wit and honesty, for the which he was so -famous. - -Thereafter as he was, with weary steps—believing that honest trade had -departed clean out of this mad and strange world in which we -be—purposing to turn away, he beheld a country boor, of loutish mien, -chaffering and cheapening with a peddling huckster vagabond, for a piece -of green cloth, the which the boor gat, and therewith set forth toward -home. “Fine work be this,” thought Owlglass unto himself, “that loutish -boors should thus chaffer and cheapen cloth, the which for their betters -was woven! Here be thou arbiter, and of wrongs redresser.” And within -himself took he counsel how that cloth he might himself have, for, as -being the compeer of princes and bishops, it would the better grace his -good and fair personage and trappings. Therefore he sought out the name -of the village unto which the boor was departed, and went and took unto -him a hedge parson, and one other, a loose fellow, and gat him with them -forth from the city, on that road whereby the boor should go; and -bidding the twain to swear in faith and by’r lady to all he might say -unto the country boor, set them in order upon the road, removed some -little space the one from the other, and in such wise lay in wait for -the coming of good master green-cloth boor. - -In no long time came that worthy trudging along the road, with great -rejoicing within his heart; for it seemed unto him most brave, that in -good green cloth he should attire himself, like unto such as did with -reviling and hard words take service from him; and he was, in very -truth, right merry at heart, for he loved the colour green, as do all -country wights. Unto him approached Owlglass, and opened his mouth, and -spake unto him, saying: “Lo! what a fine blue cloth hast thou there. Of -a truth it is azure, like the darkening sky which hangeth above our -heads in marvellous mystery. Nay, but such a blue cloth is rarely woven. -Prithee, whence didst thou get it?” And the boor answered, and said unto -Owlglass: “Ne’er a blue cloth be this at all, but a swart green, the -which I bought in the fair of Oltzen.” Then said Owlglass: “Nay, but it -is blue; and thereon will I set twenty silver marks, and let the first -man that cometh by between us twain determine and end the contention.” -Thereat said the boor: “Nay, if that thou be beside thyself and wilt -lose thy money, have with thee. I am content.” So they agreed thereupon. - -With a good swinging trot cometh the first of Owlglass’s fellows -trudging along the road, for he spied that the boor had made agreement -with Owlglass. And the boor said unto the voyager: “Hold thou an -instant; we have here a contention betwixt us upon the colour of this -cloth. Say thou the truth if that it be blue or green, and we will -therewith be content.” Then the man spake unto them, saying: “It is, of -a truth, as fine blue cloth as ever eyes of mine beheld.” But the boor -would not agree thereunto, and said: “Nay, but ye are two beguilers, -cheats, and cozeners; green it is, but ye have agreed to deceive me.” -But unto him quoth the wily Owlglass: “Lo! now that it may be perceived -of me, that in this matter I am as innocent as any spotless lamb of the -flock unto which I pertain, and that right and truth is on my side, let -us make fresh agreement. See, hither, with measured steps, cometh a most -reverend priest, who in pious meditation beguileth the weariness of -travel. Let him be judge betwixt us, and by his word be we bound; for if -Holy Church bind us not, then will no ties constrain us within virtuous -paths.” And with such speech was the boor content. - -Then when the priest (right good exemplar of all his tribe!) drew nigh -unto them, Owlglass spake unto him, and said: “Reverend father, upon thy -devout thoughts may we for a brief space intrude the base matters of -this outer world; and we beseech thee, determine between this boor and -myself what be the colour of this cloth.” “Nay, son,” quoth the reverend -man, “but that can ye for yourselves most easily behold.” Thereat said -the boor: “Yea, reverend father; but here have we two that would with -knavery constrain me to believe a thing the which is contrary to reason -and justice.” And unto him answered the priest, and said: “What have I -to do with your contentions? So many things there be in this world -which, contrary to reason and justice, find hot believers, men heated -and molten in the furnace of vanity and self-conceit; and would ye -contend over the hue and dye of a cloth? What care I if it be black or -white? That with your own eyes can ye see.” “But, reverend sir,” quoth -Master Bumpkin, “do ye, in the plenitude of your kindness, judge betwixt -us, and say what be the colour of this cloth.” Then the priest said: -“That ye twain may be at peace, and have no grief or ill-will at heart, -or vain rejoicing one above the other, will I say that which ye may so -easily see. The cloth is a deep blue.” And the boor marvelled thereat; -but Owlglass turned round unto him, and said: “Lo! hearest thou what the -good priest sayeth? O Holy and Excellent Church, in the which such true -and faithful men be! O noble and worthy cause, which is upheld by such -instruments of acute and keen temper! Behold, boor, the cloth is mine; -and unto the Church must I pay somewhat of its value, as by decree of -ecclesiastic it hath been awarded me.” Then the boor looked upon the -three with much amazement, and said these words: “O’ my halidom! an if -this man were not an ordained and sanctified priest, I would fain -believe that ye were all liars, intending to cozen me of my cloth with -conspiration and deceit, being three thorough-going knaves; but as I -perceive that ye be a priest, I must put faith in ye whether ye be knave -or no.” - -Then he gave the cloth unto Owlglass; but if that he had known -jack-priests as well as thou and I, he had not left it. Yet such is the -world’s way; when the parson doeth justice, the boor must trudge home in -ragged frock. - - - - - The Seventy and Ninth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass most strangely gat a potful of money._ - - -Nay but wiles and deceits be many in this world! Nor can it grow better, -or wiser, or nobler, unless the sayings which men, in the fulness of -their hearts and their wine-cups, publish abroad, be regarded and -reflected in the deeds they do the next morning. It fortuned that -Owlglass had been carousing with companions, who, indeed, were neither -worse nor better than was he himself in proper person; but who, for that -he discharged the expenses of the tippling, was extolled to the skies by -ruined gamesters, cunning and lying boon companions,—noble pothouse -friends, whose faces, marred and scored like the table whereon, in grimy -circlets, pot and glass lovingly stand together, would, in after days, -look grimly forth from the tablets of memory, and brand the soul of any -man but such a philosopher as was Owlglass. And elated and ennobled, -besmouched and bemired, by their commendation, he descended from the -throne of the wine-chamber, and set forth to come homeward, where he lay -that night. Philosophy was in his heart beaming with placid face upon -the world; from his countenance looked forth universal love of brother -to brother, in bond, apparently as firm as that of Church, in truth, as -rotten at the core, and Owlglass, in such thoughts as fumy wine -bestoweth, was for a while no longer the roving knave, cheat, and -cozener, but a true man filled full of impotent benevolence, clasping -the world in drunken joy. - -Therefore, master mine, marvel not if that in mazy glory, our good -friend and brother journeyed on, and forgat what place it was where he -should lie. And while that the stars ’gan to blink down upon him, he -found that he had departed clean forth from the village, and was nigh -unto another. “Nay,” quoth he, “but here must I find me a lodging, for I -am aweary, and my steps be short and leaden.” So he shook away from -himself the loathly praise and glorifyings of reeling brethren of the -wine-pot, and diligently sought in that village for some house where he -might sleep. But of a truth it was late, and no friendly door stood wide -to let him enter. Coming at last unto the village end, he beheld a -twinkling light, and he took counsel within him what he should do. Then -crept he up privily unto the casement, and lay in wait thereby, and -looked in and beheld how a boor did count the money, the which he had -taken at the mart for a lusty yoke of oxen he had sold. “Nay,” thought -Owlglass, “here be we close by the threshold of avarice, for i’ faith -why should a man sit in the midst of the night to count and finger the -greasy coin, the which by chaffering he hath obtained? Could he not i’ -the morning’s light full as happily have set forth the gain?” - -Money waxeth neither with counting nor with handling; and yet men tire -not in the reckoning thereof. Better bid farewell unto a shiny Edward -shovel-groat, say I, and let it work its office in many and divers -pouches, than mar its silver beauty with the hot hands of a miser. For -if that money be a great instrument of wicked wills; yet on its course -it encourageth much and great good, and the evil that it doth is weighed -down in the balance by a hundredfold of happiness. Put ye but a penny -forth, my masters, in a faithful device, it will bud, and blossom, and -fructify, and ripen, to the harvest of a thousand pound; but an if ye -bestow it in evil design, it dieth in the hands where ye laid it, nor -enricheth any, save the unsated innkeeper or the lurking thief. And that -avarice is punished by its own miserly griping after gain, shall ye -presently perceive set forth in the true chronicle of Master Owlglass, -his doings and life. For hard by the boor sate his little son; and in -children, mark me, with all their innocence, there be the seeds of -greed; nay, the seeds of every vice and virtue under heaven. - -Now he beheld how that his father, with trembling hands, and by a -farthing candle, did count the moneys he had received, and the child -lusted to become possessed of a penny, and besought that he should -bestow it upon him. “Nay,” quoth the other roughly, “this must never be. -What can a child like thee desire to have money for? Hast not food, and -lodging, and raiment, bestowed on thee, and wouldst thou have money -beside. Go to!” And he refused the child the gift which he beseeched of -him. Yet the child would not be discouraged, but again besought his -father, who denied him, and waxed wroth, and spake unto him saying: “If -that thou dost seek to obtain of me aught of this, I will give it unto -the black man without the casement, and put it forth to interest after -that wise.” Yet he wist not that in the darkness of the night lay -Owlglass hidden. Yet did the child, with speech and gesture, entreat a -penny of his father. So, with violent hand, the father swept from the -table all the fair marks he had received, and in an earthen pot bestowed -them and held it forth through the casement, and said: “Here, black man, -do thou take the money.” For he would affright the child. And Owlglass -put forth his hand and took the pot of money; and like an evil doer fled -forth unto the fields therewith rejoicing with an aching heart at the -fortune which had thus come unto him. - - - - - The Eightieth Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass ran great peril of his neck for receiving the pot of - money, yet gat fifteen shillings in stead of a hanging._ - - -When that Owlglass had, with nimble legs, gat forth with the pot of -money into the fields, and looked about, lo! there was not any man which -followed after him, and thus guilt was its own constable, lashing the -trembling culprit, and driving him forth to seek a bed in the fields, -with stubble for a pillow. Marvel not that none did with hue and cry -pursue good Master Owlglass; for it came to pass that when the boor had -found his pot of money taken, he cried aloud with a great voice, and -spake unto such as from their drowsy pillows would with sleepy head give -heed unto his speech. But for as much as it was well-known to the -worthies which abode in that village, that good master peasant was a -miserly hunks, they cared not at all when that he cried aloud that a -thief had taken his treasure, and fled with it into the night. - -Thus did none follow Owlglass until the day dawned, and then search was -diligently made, for in truth men’s hearts, lacking charity in the night -season, do sometimes become strangely moved in the face of morning,—and -search being made, they encompassed Master Owlglass, and set upon him, -and took him and carried him before my good justice of that village, who -was a right worthy and true judge. Then the miserly boor stood forth, -and said: “Last night while that I sate in my chamber and counted my -moneys, this knave lay in wait under the casement thereof, and when that -to fright my child, I put forth my pot of money, he with rascally guile -took it from me, and fled away therewith. And that he had the money that -can he not deny, for when that we took him, he had it in his pouch.” -Then the judge said unto Owlglass: “What hast thou to answer unto this -man? Dost thou confess and make restitution unto him, for this be a -hanging matter, and thou art like to be food for the crows?” Thereat -Owlglass answered and said: “Nay, but I entreat ye that of this boor I -may have some answers touching this matter.” The judge said: “Speak on.” -Then said Owlglass: “Lo! didst thou not open the window and say aloud: -‘Here black man, do thou take the money?’” “Yea,” quoth the boor. “And -was not the night dark?” “In good sooth it was,” answered the boor. “And -in dark night are not all men black?” “I’ faith that is true,” said the -boor. “Then I being a black man, may it content your worship’s -reverence, was bidden to take this boor’s pot of money, the which I -graciously received, and for the which I bestow the thanks of a poor man -upon him.” “Of a truth, thou speakest wisely,” observed the judge, “and -for such deed can I not hang thee; and for as much as thou art a proper -man and of a quick wit, do I free thee, and bestow upon thee these -fifteen shillings; but be thou very heedful to depart forth from this -our village, and come not again by day or by night.” Then the boor -departed homeward and thought it had been better to have bestowed a -penny upon his little lad, than lose the goodly marks by such a rare -coney-catcher as was Owlglass. Yet for this cared Owlglass not a whit; -but set forth with full pouch and merry mood to the next country; and -praised the judge for the just and true judgment he had given. - - - - - The Eighty and First Adventure. - - _How with good luck Owlglass told many that he had lost his - money-girdle, and thereby came unto a warm fire._ - - -Now the winter season came, and with white mantle hid the earth, and it -was bitter cold. Yet it fortuned that Owlglass had urgent reason to -travel, for his occasions never happened to keep him in one place or -city for any time. And as the night drew near, Owlglass came unto a -village, and there entered into the inn and the chamber where the guests -and village gossips sate talking around the fire. Our noble master was -covered over with sleet and snow, and the frost had bitten him sore and -his garments held within them icy proofs of the wintry season; yet for -as much as the boors concealed the fire he could not warm himself. -Thereat he cried out lustily for good master host that he should bring -him some wine, the which was readily done. And Owlglass opened his mouth -and spake unto the host after this wise: “Good mine host, I beseech thee -do thou allot unto me a candle in a lanthorn, and one which should go -forth with me unto the road, for there lieth by the way, a money-girdle, -the which I have lost; and though I sought it diligently, yet by reason -of the darkness of the night, could I not discover it.” But the host -answered: “Nay, but this night seek not after it, for where it lieth -shall we find it to-morrow at sun-rise, and there will be no harm come -thereunto.” And he said this, for that he was wily, and would have -sought it himself, and taken it. And the boors which were talking about -the fire, pricked me up their ears, and one by one departed out of the -inn that they might seek the money-girdle, so that at last the chimney -nook was empty, and Master Owlglass might, with comfort, drink his wine -in the warmth, while the others delved and digged in the snow abroad. -When that they were all departed thence, Owlglass discovered the -pleasant jest unto the host, and they laughed hugely, and drank in the -ingle a most joyous cup thereupon. - - - - - The Eighty and Second Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass did at Bremen of the market-women buy milk, and cause - it to be poured altogether into one tun._ - - -A pleasant jest wrought Owlglass at Bremen. At one season when that he -came thither, he stood on the market, and he beheld that the boors’ -women brought great store of milk thereto; and therewith he ’gan to -think what a merry piece of knavery he might perform. Therefore he -tarried awhile until a day on which the market was very full, and much -milk was brought thither, and he fetched him a great tun, the which he -set upon the market-place, and cried aloud unto the boors’ women that -they should turn unto him, for he would buy their milk, and they should -pour it into the tun. And every good wife of the which he took milk he -bade write the measure and price therefor, upon a paper, and then sit -down, for he would pay the money when that the tun was filled. - -So the boors’ wives sat in a circle around Owlglass, and waited for -their money, and rejoiced greatly at such a noble milk merchant (for -they knew him not); and it came to pass, that after a while there was -not any other good wife who had milk to sell. Then Owlglass opened his -mouth and spake unto the women, and said unto them these words: “To-day -have I not any money in pouch. And such of ye as cannot abide and give -me credit for a matter of fourteen days, would do best to take forth her -milk again:” and having thus maliciously ended his speech, he hasted to -go away from the market-place. Thereafter contended the boors’ wives -with much anger, and each would fain take her milk out of the tun first, -and in their quarrelings the milk was spilled on the ground and on their -clothes, and in their eyes; and it did most certainly appear as if milk -from the clouds had been rained down. And all the townspeople beheld the -merry conceit, and they were greatly contented with the wit of Master -Owlglass. - - - - - The Eighty and Third Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass spake unto twelve blind men, and persuaded them that - he had unto them given twelve shillings; and how that they spent the - money and came evilly off thereafter._ - - -And, it came to pass, that as Owlglass journeyed hither and thither up -and down in the land, like an uneasy spirit as he was, he came again -unto Hanover, and there he wrought not a few strange things. Therefore -one day as he sate upon his horse beyond the city gate and rode a good -way, there came along the road twelve blind men, the which he -encountered. When that he beheld them he cried aloud unto them: “God -give ye grace, blind men, whence come ye?” Then the company of blind men -stood still and perceived that he sate upon a horse, and by that they -judged him to be an honest gentleman—for respect is always due to one -who is a cavalier; and who rides must needs be honest—so they took off -their hats and saluted him, and spake unto him, saying: “Lo! noble and -worshipful sir, good kind Christian gentleman, we have been within this -city of Hanover; there had a rich man given up the ghost, and at his -funeral feast were alms and baked meats bestowed upon us and other poor -men, as be we. Yet for as much as frost and snow be on the ground, we -were right sorely pinched with the cold.” Then answered Owlglass, and -said unto them: “Ye say truly that it is cold; I fear me that of frost -ye will utterly perish. Now look you, here be twelve shillings, enter ye -again into the city, and get ye unto such an inn, [and he told them what -inn they should seek], and spend ye these twelve shillings for God his -grace and my sake, until that the winter be gone by, and ye be able to -again set forth in comfort upon your voyage.” - -Then the blind men stood in great honour and worship of the noble -gentleman’s person, and bowed themselves before him, and gave him their -thanks for his guerdon. For each blind man believed that his neighbour -had received the money, to wit, in the manner that the first thought the -second had it, and the second the third, and the third the fourth; and -after this wise were they all hoodwinked, for not one stiver had -Owlglass bestowed upon them. Thereafter they turned back, and gat them -unto the hostel of the which Owlglass had told them; and when they had -entered in, they spake unto the host, and told him how that it had come -to pass that a good charitable gentleman had encountered them by the -way, and had bestowed upon them twelve shillings, that they might eat -and rejoice during the hard winter, until that spring should come again. - -Now the host was a man greedy of gain, and he thought no more upon that -saying, but how he might get the money; and he received them, and never -did he dream within his stupid sconce to ask which had the money in -pouch of them all. But he spake unto them, saying: “Dear and beloved -brethren, ye shall here receive satisfaction, and your afflictions shall -be comforted.” And he made haste to kill and hew down oxen and calves; -and he made ready meats boiled and roast, and set them before the blind -men, who fell to right gladly; and this feasting went forward every day, -until he thought that they had eaten the value of the twelve shillings. - -Then he spake unto them, and said: “Dear brethren, ye have eaten the -value of the twelve shillings, methinks, let us therefore reckon.” And -the blind men answered: “Yea;” and spake each unto his fellow, that he -should take forth the twelve shillings, that good master host should be -rewarded. But the one had it not, neither had the other; moreover they -found that not a penny had any man of their company. And the blind folk -sate still and scratched their pates, but found not the twelve shillings -anywhere behind their ears; and they perceived that they had been -beguiled. Then the host saw likewise that he had been cozened of his -charges, and he sate there, and pondered what he should do. For he -thought within himself: “Here be a company of blind rascals, and if that -thou permittest them to depart, then dost thou lose thy charges; and if -that thou keepest them will they eat yet more, and then thou wilt be at -double cost.” So with no more ado he claps me the blind company of dear -brethren into the pig-stye, and there may they make fine cheer with hay -and straw. - -At this time, Owlglass ’gan to think,—for with all his malice he had a -good heart:—“Nay, but thy blind men must very nigh have eaten up the -provision thou madest for them, and therefore go thou and seek news of -them.” And he saddled his horse and disguised himself, and rode unto -Hanover, and came unto the inn where the blind men lay. Thereupon, as he -came into the court, and would have bound his horse up in the stable, he -looked, and behold the blind men lay in the pig-stye. Thereat he gat him -into the house, and spake unto the host, and said unto him: “What is -this thing which thou hast done unto these blind men? Wherefore be they -amidst the dirt and mire of the pig-stye? Have ye no bowels of mercy -when ye see the vile fare they eat?” And the host answered him: “Nay, -but I wish that in the water they lay all perished, if only my charges -were paid.” Therewith telleth he unto Owlglass the whole story of the -matter. Owlglass said unto him: “How, sir host, could ye not have a -surety for this debt?” “Alas!” quoth the host, “right gladly would I -have a surety if that it could be—and if that a certain surety be found, -I would set free these poor men forthwith.” Thereat said Owlglass unto -him: “See now, I will go and in this city make quest, if that I can find -some charitable man that will do this thing for thee.” - -So Owlglass gat him forth, and came unto the priest of the parish, and -said unto him: “Most reverend and learned sir, hast thou a will to do a -Christian kindness? For lo! I must expound unto thee, that mine host of -the inn where I lie is possessed of an evil spirit within the past -night, and he beggeth hard that ye would exorcise him, and cast out the -evil demon.” The priest answered, and said: “Yea, that I will most -cheerfully; for is it not mine office? Yet must we tarry a day or two; -for with such things is haste greatly to be avoided.” Then quoth -Owlglass: “I will go fetch his wife, that ye may repeat this thing unto -her.” The priest replied: “Yea, bring her unto me, I warrant she shall -be content.” Then departed Owlglass, and gat him to the host, and said: -“I have found for thee a surety in good master parson of the parish. -Give me now thy wife to bear me company unto him; for he will give her -satisfaction.” Thereat was the host right glad, and bade his wife -immediately resort with Owlglass unto the priest; and when they came -thither, Owlglass said: “Behold, reverend sir, here is the woman, wife -unto the host of the which I spake anon. Assure her now as before thou -didst assure me.” And the priest said: “Yea, my good woman; be thou -content. For is it not mine office to do deeds of charity? That which -thy husband seeketh shall be in a short time performed within these few -days.” And the woman was content, and returned again unto her husband, -and said unto him, that the priest would perform the payment duly; and -then was the host glad, and let the blind men depart, and rewarded -Owlglass for his pains; and this last set forth on his journey, and -tarried no longer in Hanover. - -The third day after this, the woman went again to master parson, and -demanded of him, that he should pay the twelve shillings. And he asked -her, if her husband had said this thing unto her; and she said: “Yea.” -Thereat he observed, “that such was the way with evil spirits; they -would always have money.” But the woman said: “There be no evil spirits -here; pay ye the charges, and therewith are we ended.” The priest quoth -thereat: “I was admonished that your good man was possessed of an evil -spirit, the which he would fain have cast forth; now this will I do, but -of money know I nothing.” To him straightway answered the goodwife: -“Nay, but this is the fashion with liars and shufflers; when that money -is to be paid, they would with knavery escape. If that my husband be of -an evil spirit beset, ye shall surely be advised thereof,” and therewith -ran speedily unto her husband, and told him what the parson said. - -After this took the host halberts and pikes, and ran with a company unto -the parsonage. And when the parson beheld it, he cried aloud, and -assembled his neighbours, and said unto them: “Do you, I charge ye, help -me against this madman, who of an evil demon is sore possessed.” And the -host said unto him: “Priest, remember thy surety, and do now pay me.” -But the priest stood and blessed himself, and payed not at all. Then -would the host have with a goodly staff stricken the priest, but that -the boors came and parted the twain with great difficulty. But, so long -as the host lived, he was ever seeking payment from the priest; and the -priest affirmed that he had an evil spirit, and of that would he free -him, but of money owed he unto him not a doit. - -Thus fell out the end of the excellent adventure of Owlglass with the -blind men, the host, and the parson. - - - - - The Eighty and Fourth Adventure. - - _How that in a city of Saxony Owlglass sowed knaves._ - - -Knaves abound in many places; there be knaves of every degree: there be -black knaves, white knaves, copper-coloured knaves, red knaves, and -yellow knaves. There be knaves which ride in coaches and waggons; there -be knaves on horseback; there be knaves on foot. There be knaves of high -degree; there be knaves of low estate. There be knaves in Holy Church, -devout knaves, which cheat heaven in their prayers, and earth in their -tithes; there be knaves out of Holy Church, which, for wise reasons, do -simulate a contempt thereof; there be knaves which buy, and there be -knaves which sell; there be knaves which, with honest mien, declare -themselves no better than they be, for thou in thy vanity condemnest -them not, but thinkest them better than their speech declareth, and yet -be these very knaves, sorry knaves, and shallow knaves. There be knaves -which bear rule, and there be knaves over which rule is borne; there be -knaves which bow the knee to knavish kings, princes, and lords; and -there be knaves which set foot forth against all rulers, princes, and -governors. There be knaves which help ye with seeming good fellowship, -and there be knaves which, by opposing ye, do ye true service; there be -knaves which amuse ye; there be knaves which laugh in turn at that which -ye do: lo! indeed, not in this world can ye find any place which is -devoid of knaves, creeping like caterpillars through your gardens, and -destroying your fairest flowers, to fatten and batten, and crawl and die -like other things. - -Knaves sit smiling by your own hearthstone, deluding ye with love and -fair service—your children be knaves, your fathers were knaves;—for in -this world are secrets hidden—and, indeed, are we unto ourselves not -true, but knaves altogether, excusing, palliating, concealing, hugging, -with not a little fear and trembling, our favourite vices, or our evil -desires. O what a discourse of knavery would a history of our mad world -be, what quaking terrors of evil doings, what fierce self-destructions, -what insane flight from self-condemning would be unfolded! Let us -rejoice, my masters, that a little spice of honesty leaveneth the whole -lump and maketh life endurable, our meat not poison, our porridge not -altogether rat’s-bane. And truly this chronicle affirmeth, averreth, and -with loud voice saith, that an if such words as these had been set down -in courteous phrase, and not hurled from the priest’s pulpit or babbled -from the fool’s booth, ye had not received, but had denied utterly the -gracious assent which I do perceive sitteth upon your heart; thus, -therefore, like all other things, is this chronicle but a knavish -matter. - -Of a truth, it may be most certainly believed, that to such a world it -was necessary and fit, that a pitying eye and brain should see, and -purpose despatch, from highest heaven to insulted earth a Prince of -peace and justice. But in this chronicle, as in this world, is all -honesty discarded; for the world is so turned topside t’ other way, that -it may not be that we should distinguish gentle from simple, wise from -foolish, honest man from knave. “Yet be of good cheer,” saith One who is -higher than any of us; “I have overcome the world.” - -Yet in one little town of Saxony espied Owlglass, when that he was -therein, that not within its walls there could be a knave; yet might -this be, for that he was strange unto the devices and nature of the folk -which dwelt therein; and he fell into a deep contemplation and musing -upon such a marvellous matter. And he took his way beside of the river -Weser, the more at ease to reflect thereover. For while that he abode in -that city, beheld he all that was done by the folk therein; and so -strangely honest appeared their dealings, that he was tired and sick at -heart with folk among whom he could not have any profit. And as he took -his way along the bank of the Weser, he looked, and, behold! of pebbles -shiny and clear, rolled in mass by the stream, was there a goodly heap; -and he bethought how that of old some wondrous one did, by casting -stones over his shoulders, produce men and women, the which in knavery -excelled greatly. “Nay,” quoth he thereat; “why should not in this place -a like marvel happen?” and with no more ado, he catcheth me up a sackful -of these so shining stones, and entereth with great joy and content into -the city. - -Then in that street which is hard by over against the town-house, he -beginneth to sow his crop of marvellous nature; but the people came -running unto him and inquired of him, and fain would know what it might -be that he was doing. “Why,” quoth noble Master Owlglass, “in this town -here be ye so woundily honest, that for fear ye should be altogether -without praise for your virtue, I sow ye a crop of knaves.” With that, -my masters, ye should have heard the outcry and hallabaloo which the -burghers did make. “Nay, nay!” they cried, “this city be, indeed, so -crammed with an abundance of knaves that an if ye sow not honest folk, -we shall surely perish.” But Owlglass said: “That may not be, for in -this town have grown virtues so long that ye must change the crop, or -let the ground be for awhile fallow.” Then they laid hands upon him and -took him, and bade him answer his deeds before the town council. And the -town council admonished him, and would have none of his crop, and bade -him therewith carry his seed-sack out of their bounds. So Owlglass gat -him forth, and entered into another city; but the fame of what he bare -had been noised abroad, and so entirely did they detest knavery, and -loathe cheats, that neither to eat nor to drink nor to tarry for rest -would they permit Owlglass. Aweary of such ware, at last he entered into -a ship, and would have departed by water, but the seed brake the bottom -through, and he was nigh drowned; so into the River Weser returned the -stones he had taken; and unto this day, whenever that any man is seized -of great virtue, they give unto him water of the Weser to drink, the -which strangely promoteth chousing, coney-catching, and gulling. - -Thus endeth a great feat of our modern Deucalion. - - - - - The Eighty and Fifth Adventure. - - _How that in the good city of Hamburg Owlglass hired him unto a barber - and went through the casement unto his service._ - - -On a time came Owlglass unto Hamburg and there stood upon the -Hop-market, and gazed hither and thither as he was wont to do. And unto -him came up a barber, and spake unto him and said: “Lo! what seekest -thou, and whence comest thou?” Then Owlglass said: “Of a truth, I come -now straightway from the last place in the which I abode.” Upon this -saith the barber: “What art thou for a workman?” And Owlglass said: “I -am a barber, an it please ye.” Thereat the master hired him, and spake -unto him saying: “Mark me, dost thou see yon house over against us with -the casement down unto the ground.” “Yea,” quoth the man. “Then do thou -straightway enter in there, and soon will I follow,” said the master. -“Most truly,” said our worthy Owlglass. Then he gat him unto the house, -and brake the casement all in pieces, and entered in thereby, and -saluted the barber’s wife, who sate spinning within, and spake courteous -words and said: “God bless this handiwork.” But the barber’s wife was -afeared, and cried: “What labour and handiwork be this that thou dost, -breaking me the casement after this wise? The foul fiend seize thee, -loon!” “Nay,” quoth Owlglass, “impute not the marring of the casement -unto me, except as diligent service, for your good man bade me enter in -thereby, and I ever perform that which is enjoined me.” Then the woman -said: “Truly, a faithful servant is he who marreth his master’s -substance!” But Owlglass said: “Should not a servant perform his -master’s bidding?” With that, during such conference betwixt the twain, -cometh the master, and looked upon the broken casement. And he said unto -Owlglass: “What is this? Couldst thou not enter by my house door, and -leave me the casement whole? What be the cause that thou shouldst thus -enter by a window.” “Nay,” answered Owlglass, “beloved master, ye bade -me look upon the tall window and there enter in; and I did but according -to thy words.” Thereat was the master content, for he considered within -himself: “I can but from the money of his hiring take what will pay the -charges of making my casement whole.” - -Thereafter they went forward in comfort for some days. Then did the -barber enjoin Owlglass that he should take a razor, and he instructed -him, and said: “Now do thus evenly with the edge grind me the back, so -that no notches be.” And Owlglass answered: “Yea, most willingly.” And -after a season had gone past, the barber cometh privily behind Owlglass -to see after what manner he was performing his labour, and Owlglass had -ground the back as sharp as the edge, and marred the work altogether. So -the master spake unto him saying: “What vile thing is this that thou -dost?” And the other to him answered: “I do not any vile thing? But only -according to thy words; didst not bid me to grind the back evenly with -the edge? And so do I.” Then did the master wax very wroth, and said -unto him: “Lo! get thee forth hence, and return in manner that thou -didst come.” Owlglass answered him: “Yea,” and taking his bundle, -springeth me forth through the casement again, and breaketh it, and so -departeth. And though the barber was lithe and active, as be the fashion -with barbers, yet could he never seize Owlglass, who, indeed, was a -match for a good fleet runner. - - - - - The Eighty and Sixth Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass did cause the host of the inn at Eisleben to be beset -with great terror, by showing unto him a wolf, of the which he professed - no fear._ - - -In Eisleben there dwelt an innkeeper who was mocker of others, and who -thought that of all great hosts he was the exemplar and flower. Unto him -came Owlglass in the winter time; and he abode in the inn with him while -that the snow was on the ground. And while that the night was dark, -there came three merchants from Saxony unto the inn, who would fain come -unto Nürnberg. The host, who was swift of speech, spake unto them, and, -with ready words, said: “Whence come ye folk so late, and why have ye -tarried so long by the way?” And the merchants answered him, and said: -“Behold, master host! be not wroth with us by reason of our lateness; a -wolf did lie in wait for us by the way and attacked us, and with him had -we to contend and beat him off; from that cause is it that we be so late -with thee.” And when that the host heard their words, he mocked them, -and said unto them: “Great shame is it that ye do let yourselves be -stayed by a wolf—for if that I met two wolves in the field, I would -alone contend with them and slay them; little account would I make of -such a pair! And there were of ye folk three people, and by a single -wolf were ye affrighted.” And thus continued the host to mock them the -whole even through until that they gat them to bed. - -All this while sate Owlglass by the fire, and heard what was said. And -when that the night was far spent, in the which this host so despised -the merchants, they gat them to bed and Owlglass lay with them in one -chamber; and then conferred the merchants one with the other, as to how -it might be brought about that the host should be rightly recompenced -for his mockery and scorn, so that they might make him to hold his -peace, for that afterwards they might take their ease in the inn. Then -did Owlglass open his mouth, and spake unto them, saying: “Lo! an it -please ye, beloved friends, truly do I mark that our host is nought but -a vain speaker. Now, if that ye are content to hear me what I would say -unto ye, I will so do that never more shall he speak unto ye of the -wolf.” Thereat rejoiced the merchants with great content, and did -promise him money, the which should be given unto him; and his -reckoning, likewise would they pay. Then he bade them depart freely unto -their business; but as they returned, he would have them lie at that -same inn, and he would then also be there present, and he would cause -the host to hold his peace, thereafter in the matter of the wolf. To -that agreed they, and gat them ready for their voyage on the next day, -and paid their charges and those of Owlglass likewise, and they all rode -away therefrom, and the host called after them with mockery: “Be ye -sure, ye merchants, that no wolf doth beset ye by the way.” But they -answered, and said unto him: “Great thanks do we give unto thee; and if -the wolves devour us, then come we not hither again.” - -Then did Owlglass ride unto the hunt, and chased the wolves, and by God -his grace killed he one, and this one did he put in the ice until that -it froze hard. And when that it was about the season that the merchants -should again come unto Eisleben unto the inn, Owlglass took the dead -wolf within a sack, and gat him unto the inn according unto his promise, -and there found he the three merchants. At supper time did the host yet -mock the three merchants about the wolf; but they said that of a truth -it had so happened unto them as they had said unto him. But the host -continued to speak words of vain import, and declared unto them, that if -he did meet two wolves in the field, he would shake the one by the head -until that he died, and then would cut the other in pieces. - -Thus went all conversation forward, until that they departed unto bed. -Yet kept Owlglass silence, and spake no word until they had entered into -their chamber and shut the door. Then he opened his mouth, and said unto -them: “Lo! gentlemen and good friends, do ye still keep watch for a -space, and put ye not out the light.” And when the host had gat him to -bed with all his folk, Owlglass crept privily from the chamber, and bare -with him the dead wolf, the which was frozen hard, and carried it into -the kitchen, and with sticks supported it that it stood upright; then -did he open its mouth wide, and therein set two children’s shoes, and -thereafter gat he him unto the chamber where he abode with the -merchants. In no long time thereafter cried he aloud for the host. Then -did the host hear him, for yet was he not asleep; and he called unto him -and demanded what he would have. Then they cried aloud unto him: “Alas! -worthy master host, send unto us the maid or the man, for of thirst -shall we else die!” - -When that the merchants cried aloud after this manner, the host waxed -very wroth, and said: “Even thus is it ever with the folk from Saxony, -for by day and by night are they always bibbing.” Then he called the -maid, and bade her that she should arise and give them drink in their -chamber. So the maid arose and went unto the fire, and would have taken -a light; then beheld she the wolf, and looked straight into his jaws, -and she was affrighted, and let the light which she had taken fall, and -fled away into the court; for she believed nought else but that the wolf -had devoured the children. But with a loud voice did Owlglass and the -merchants yet cry for drink. Then thought the host that the maid had -gone to sleep, and called the man, and he arose and would have taken a -light; then beheld he the wolf, and he believed at once that the wolf -had devoured the maid, and he fled and gat him unto the cellar. Thereat -said Owlglass unto the merchants: “Be ye but patient! soon will ye have -rare sport withal.” And he called the third time to know where the maid -and man might be, for that they perished of thirst; therefore besought -they the host that he should take a light and bring them to drink with -his own hand, for that they could not come forth from their chamber. - -The host was thereat very wroth, and believed in his heart that the man -had slept as he went, and he said: “Of a truth these Saxons, with their -continual drinking, cause me to have much labour!” Yet he arose and -lighted a candle in the kitchen, and with that beheld he the wolf as he -stood by the hearth, bearing the shoes between his jaws. Then fled he -unto the merchants in the chamber, and cried aloud with fear: “Come -hither to help me, beloved friends! By the hearth here standeth a -terrible raging beast, the which hath eaten me the children, and maid, -and man.” Then went the merchants and Owlglass with him; and the man -came forth from the cellar, and the maid returned from the court, and -his wife brought the children out of the chamber, and lo! they were all -alive. Thereupon went Owlglass unto the wolf, and with his foot cast it -down, and it lay quite still. - -Then spake Owlglass unto the host, and said: “Behold! this wolf is a -dead beast, and dost thou thereat cry out so lustily? What a craven man -are ye? Think ye that a dead wolf will bite ye, and cause your people to -flee into corners? Yet last night were ye so brave, that one wolf, the -which was alive, would not have contented ye to strive withal? and with -two such beasts would ye have fought in the field. But with thee is it -in words, what with most others lieth only in the mind.” And the host -heard these words of Owlglass, and perceived that he had been beguiled, -and crept into his chamber, and was ashamed that he should by a dead -wolf have been so cozened. But the merchants laughed hugely at the -excellent wit and merry conceit of our prince of good fellows, honest -Master Owlglass, and right willingly paid for his provisions with their -own, and rode with him upon their way. Since that time, however, hath -not the landlord extolled his own bravery in like manner. - - - - - The Eighty and Seventh Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass paid his host with the ring of his money._ - - -One day Owlglass entered at Cologne into an inn, and it came to pass, -that the provision was put unto the fire to cook when that it was very -late, and the time for dinner came soon thereupon. And Owlglass loved -good cheer, and therefore was he wroth thereat, for he loved fasting no -more than a pious friar. This perceived the host, and spake unto him, -saying: “He that cannot bide until that dinner be ready, may eat that he -hath.” Then gat Owlglass a small loaf, and that did he eat; and -thereafter sate down by the hearth at the fire, and he smelled the -savour of the meat upon the spit, and it satisfied him. And when -dinner-time came, the table was set and the meat brought up, and the -host sate with the guests at the table, but Owlglass abode in the -kitchen by the fire. Then said the host unto him: “Wilt thou not sit at -meat with us?” “Nay,” quoth Owlglass, “I care not to eat; with the -savour of the roast am I filled.” - -Then the host held his peace, and continued to eat with the guests, and -after dinner they paid him and departed this way and that way; yet abode -Owlglass by the fire. To him entered the host with his pay-table, and -would have of him two Cologne pence for his dinner. And Owlglass said -unto him: “Sir host, are ye that kind of man which demandeth pay of one -who hath not eaten?” Then was the host angry, and said “he should pay, -for an if he had not eaten of the meat, had not he confessed himself -filled with the savour thereof?” Then took Owlglass forth a Cologne -penny and threw it on the table, and said unto the host: “Hearest thou -the sound of that penny?” “Yea,” quoth the host. And Owlglass quickly -took up his penny again, and put it into his pouch, and said: “As much -reward the sound of my penny is unto thee, even so much have I profited -of the savour of thy meat.” And when the landlord would have received -the penny of him, Owlglass denied it unto him, and mocked him with much -scorn, and departed thence over the Rhine water, and gat him back again -into Saxony. - - - - - The Eighty and Eighth Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass at Lübeck did escape from a house when that the watch - would have taken him for his debts._ - - -Master Owlglass, like unto most other great and glorious personages, -esteemed money but lightly; and he could not bear to look upon the same -piece of coin oftener than twice—once when that he received it and put -it in his pouch, and again when that he took it forth to spend it in -joyous company. Therefore marvel ye not when that I say unto ye, that -Master Owlglass did oftentimes make debts, the which he could not pay. -And it fortuned, that on a time when that he was abiding in that good -town of Lübeck, that he had not a penny, and the officers of the watch -did go about to catch him, and cast him into gaol until that he paid -every person to whom he owed aught. But he kept within his house, and -went not forth but at eventide, when that darkness had with its black -mantle covered the town. Yet on one evening he perceived that they had -surrounded the house where he lay, and would have entered and have taken -him. And he beheld, that for him was only one thing possible to be -done—that he should in a church find sanctuary. Now, in that same house -lay an old woman who was sick unto death, and sorely afflicted. Unto her -went Owlglass, and took her hand, and did, with a most grave -countenance, say unto her: “Behold, is it not time that thou shouldst -think of thy soul, and make thee ready to depart; for near unto death -dost thou lie.” And therewith sent he unto the priest of the parish, -that he should come, that she might confess unto him, and receive -extreme unction from his holy hands. Then when the host entered in at -the door, did the watch arrive from the guardhouse, and beheld it, and -they prostrated themselves before it; and then Owlglass, while that they -saw him not, departed out of that house, and thereafter gat him unto the -church, where he lay until even, and then departed he out of the town. - - - - - The Eighty and Ninth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass at Stassfurt of a dog took the skin, the which he - gave unto his hostess for her charges._ - - -On a time it came to pass, that Owlglass entered into an inn, and there -found the hostess quite alone. And this hostess had a little dog, of the -which she was greatly enamoured; and ever mote it be, that, when she had -nought to do, this dog must lie in her lap. And Owlglass stood by the -fire, and drank from the beer-can. Now it was the custom with that -hostess, that when she drank beer, she did always, in a small dish, give -thereof unto the dog. So when that Owlglass drank, the dog arose, and -came unto him, and would, by leaps and look, have entreated him for some -beer. That saw the hostess, and she said unto Owlglass: “Behold, beloved -guest, do thou give him to drink in the dish of thy beer for so would he -signify unto thee.” And Owlglass said unto her: “That will I do -cheerfully.” Then departed the hostess to perform whatever business she -had about the house; and Owlglass gave him to drink in the dish, and -therein put likewise a little piece of meat; and when that the dog had -eaten thereof, goeth he to the fire and lieth sleeping thereby. Then -said Owlglass unto the hostess: “Let us now reckon our charges.” And he -asked her: “Good, my hostess, if that a guest eat of thy meat and drink -of thy beer, yet hath not any coin, would ye also unto such an one give -credit?” Then thought the woman not of the dog, but had great suspicion -of his own worthy person (the which, as ye know, my masters, was most -unjust!); therefore she answered quickly unto him: “Master traveller, -here must I have money, or a pledge in place thereof.” And Owlglass said -unto her: “Truly am I right content therewith for mine own part; let the -other look to it for his.” - -Then departed the hostess again, and Owlglass took the dog beneath his -cloak, and went into the stable, and there took he his skin off, and -entered again into the house, carrying it privily beneath his coat. Then -called he the hostess again, and took out his money, and said: “Lo! let -us now reckon.” And the hostess reckoned up the charges. Then did -Owlglass lay down half the reckoning upon the table, and said: “There -have ye my part.” And the hostess asked of him: “Who then shall pay the -rest? Have ye not eaten and drank alone in my house?” But he said unto -her: “Nay, but I had another with me, who ate of thy meat and drank of -thy beer. Yet hath he no money, but a pledge can he give thee, the which -is his coat; and therewith will he pay the other half.” And the hostess -said: “What guest mean ye?” Then Owlglass drew forth the dog’s skin, and -spake unto her saying: “Behold, mine hostess, here have ye the best coat -that he hath.” Then was the hostess moved, and saw that it was the skin -of her dog; and she waxed wroth, and said unto Owlglass: “May the evil -thing be upon ye ever! Wherefore didst thou take the skin from off my -dog?” And Owlglass answered her, and said: “Woman, this is thine own -fault, for thou didst demand either money or a pledge. And thou thyself -didst desire that thy dog should drink, and I said unto ye the guest had -no money; and thus, as he had nought else to give ye, take ye now his -skin for the beer the which he drank.” Then waxed the hostess yet more -wroth, and commanded and enjoined him to go out of her house. “Nay,” -quoth Owlglass, “out of thy house will I not go, but ride.” And -therewith did he saddle his horse, and rode forth, and said unto her: -“Hostess, do thou keep the pledge until that thou dost receive the -money; and once again will I visit thee, to see if that thou hast had it -redeemed. Farewell.” - - - - - The Ninetieth Adventure. - - _How that our noble master gave assurance unto the same hostess, that - Owlglass lay upon the wheel._ - - -Hear ye now that which Owlglass did on another day at Stassfurt. It -fortuned, that thither he came again to lie in the same inn; and he took -other clothes, and so disguised himself, and came thither, and entered -in unto the court there, and lo! he perceived in that place a great -wheel. Now did a knavery enter into his sconce therewith, and he lay -down upon it, and gave the hostess a good day. And he inquired of her, -if that she had heard aught said of the famous Master Owlglass? And she -straightway answered him, and said: “Why should I desire to hear tidings -of the knave? Truly, his name hath an ill savour in my nostrils!” And he -said unto her: “Woman, what hath he done unto ye that ye should speak so -bitterly concerning him?” And she answered, and said: “Truly should I -speak bitterly of him. Came he not hither, and stripped me the skin of -my dog from off his back, and gave me the skin for the beer, the which -he drank; for, of a truth, should he have had shame to consort with a -dog as a guest, and thereafter take off his skin in such wise?” And -Owlglass spake unto her, saying: “Hostess, that was not well done.” And -the hostess said: “Aye, and unto a knave’s death will he also come.” -Then said Owlglass to her: “It goes not well with him even now, for he -lieth upon the wheel.” And thereat said she: “As the labour so the hire. -God be praised for all good things.” And Owlglass stood up, and said -unto her: “I am Owlglass; have ye forgotten me? Farewell, I depart -hence.” - - - - - The Ninety and First Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass caused a Hollander from a plate to take an apple, the - which evilly ended for the eater._ - - -Honest and true was the payment the which Owlglass gave unto a Hollander -at the village of Andorf, in an inn at that place, where that they -abode, and whither many merchants of Holland did resort. Now Owlglass -was somewhat sick, and did not care to eat meat, and in place thereof -did seethe him soft eggs. Now when that the guests sate at table, came -Owlglass and brought the eggs with him, and the Hollander looked upon -him as a boor, and said: “How is this, boor; dost not like the fare the -which our host giveth unto us, and must eggs be seethed for thee?” -Therewith taketh he the twain eggs, and breaketh them, and the one after -the other doth he swallow; thereafter layeth he the shells before -Owlglass, and saith unto him: “Lo! do thou lick the vessel, forth have I -taken the yolk.” And at this merry jest of the Hollander laughed the -guests, and Owlglass with them. - -[Illustration] - -But the same evening went Owlglass forth, and bought him a handsome -apple, of the which did he scoop out the inside, and filled the same -with flies and gnats. Then set he the apple to the fire to roast, and -thereafter peeled it, and with sweet honey did cover the outside. And at -night, when that all the guests once again sat at table to supper, came -Owlglass with the apple on the plate, and turned his back upon the table -as if he would have fetched some other thing. And when the Hollander saw -it, he put forth his hand, and plucked the plate unto him, and took the -apple, and swallowed it. Thereupon was he grievously sick, and did vomit -forth the apple and all that in his stomach was beside, so that the host -and all the guests thought that Owlglass had put poison therein. Then -said Owlglass: “Nay, therein is no poison; it is but an apple to cleanse -the stomach; an he had but said unto me that he would have eaten the -apple, would I have warned him; for in the eggs which I seethed were -there not any flies or gnats, but within the apple lay there a goodly -company.” Thereafter was the Hollander well enough again, and he opened -his mouth, and spake unto Owlglass, saying: “Of a truth do thou eat -roast or boiled, whatever thou wilt; even if thou hadst quails like unto -those the which ate the children of Israel in the wilderness, would I -not eat with thee.” - - - - - The Ninety and Second Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass caused a woman to break in pieces the whole of her - wares in the market-place at Bremen._ - - -Now that so happily had Owlglass, unto his great comfort and content, -brought to pass this knavery, departed he again, and journeyed unto the -Bishop at Bremen, who loved Owlglass much; and by reason of his great -wit and continual jests, did hold him in great honour. And he caused the -bishop oftentimes to laugh right merrily, so that he gave unto Owlglass -a house, in the which he had free provisions granted unto him by the -bishop. When that he arrived there, Owlglass did as if he were tired, -and desired to give up his knaveries, and was fain to enter unto the -church there to pray. At that mocked the bishop—as bishops have done -before that time and since—at the resolve of Owlglass—yet would he not -be persuaded, but gat him unto the church, and prayed until that time -that he could not any longer bear the quips and quiddities, the which -were put upon him by the bishop. And privily had Owlglass with a market -woman agreed, and she was the wife of a potter, and in the market-place -sat she with pots and pans to sell: then did Owlglass pay unto the woman -the price of all her ware, and enjoined her what she should do when that -he gave unto her a sign. - -Thereafter departed Owlglass, and came unto the bishop, as if he had -come from the church, and the bishop reviled and mocked Master Owlglass, -in that he was so pious and not any longer the same man. At last -Owlglass said unto the bishop: “Gracious prince and reverend father! do -ye now grant me to come unto the market-place, and there sitteth a -potter’s wife, and a wager will I set with you, that without my speaking -unto her, or making a sign unto her with mine eye I will cause, by -magical words, the which I will mutter, that she shall arise up and take -a stick and herself break in pieces all her ware.” Then said the bishop -unto Owlglass: “Such a thing would I fain behold.” Therefore with him -made the bishop a wager of thirty pieces of gold that the woman did it -not. And Owlglass did accept the wager, and with the bishop gat him unto -the market-place. Then did Owlglass shew unto the bishop the woman where -she sate, and they departed, and sate upon the house of the town council -hard by. Then ’gan Owlglass to make incantation and conjuration, at the -which stirred the potter’s wife not a whit, and in good sooth the bishop -rejoiced that he had most truly won his wager. At last gave Owlglass the -sign unto the woman, the which they had agreed, thereupon arose she up -and taking a stick, doth soundly belabour the ware, and breaketh it all -in pieces very small. And with much content laughed the bishop; yet was -vexed in the matter of the thirty pieces of gold, the which he had -manifestly lost unto Master Owlglass. And when that they came again unto -the bishop’s court, did he confer privily with Owlglass, and said unto -him: “If that he would discover unto him after what manner he had so -brought it to pass that the woman should, after that wise, have broken -her wares in pieces, then would he pay unto him the thirty pieces of -gold.” Then answered Owlglass unto the bishop, and said unto him: “Yea, -gracious lord, that will I most cheerfully do.” And therewith said unto -him: “Most simple was this matter in every particular, for I paid unto -the woman the price of her wares before that she brake them, and I made -agreement with her beside.” - -Then laughed the bishop right merrily, and paid unto him the thirty -pieces of gold, requiring of him that he should not disclose unto any -one that which had come to pass. And if he kept his counsel, the bishop -promised him that he would help him to a good fat ox thereto. “Yea,” -quoth Master Owlglass, and thereafter departed thence. Now when that the -bishop sate at meat with his knights and gentlefolk, he opened his mouth -and said unto them: “That he had learned an art whereby he might cause -the potter’s wife to break in sunder all her ware.” Then the knights and -gentlefolk craved much to know how this was done, and desired much to -see the same performed; and this sheweth that in all times are men -rather desirous to know how a mystery may be unfolded than patiently to -follow it and wait until it doth itself give unto them the explication -they would have. Then said the bishop: “Lo! an if ye will each of ye -give unto me a good fat ox for my kitchen, will I teach ye all this -art.” - -And it came to pass that it was the autumn season when the oxen were at -the best. Then thought each noble knight and gentleman: “This will not -be a great charge unto me, truly then will I do it for in this art to -become learned.” Thus did the bishop have of them sixteen fat oxen, and -such was their price, that thereby was the bishop recompenced some -three-fold for the thirty pieces of gold which he had paid unto -Owlglass. And at this time came Owlglass riding thither upon his horse, -and he said unto the bishop: “Of this booty is the half mine.” And the -bishop answered, and said unto him: “If that thou dost hold thy promise -unto me, will I faithfully perform unto thee our contract; do thou leave -me that which I have won.” Then gave the bishop unto Owlglass a good fat -ox, the which, with great reverence, did Owlglass receive from him. -Thereupon did the bishop, discover unto his knights and gentlefolk in -what manner they could perform the same marvellous thing, according to -that wise by which he had learned it himself; for that Owlglass had paid -unto the woman the price of her wares ere she brake them. - -Then sate the noble knights and gentlemen silently upon their stools, -and perceived that with cunning they had been beguiled; nor could they -in any wise murmur thereat. So one scratched his head, and his neighbour -sought for comfort in his neck, and they were sorely troubled for the -loss of their oxen. But it could not be otherwise answered, and -therefore comforted they themselves in that unto their gracious lord the -profit had fallen; yet grieved they for their foolishness. But Owlglass -rejoiced thereat, and departed with his booty. Thus may ye see, my -masters, that when a wise man like unto Owlglass, with a bishop sitteth -under one cap, ye may expect not a little knavery to come thereof! -Therefore take heed and let not knaves approach near unto holy bishops -of the Church, lest they be defiled, and much mischief come unto the -commonwealth thereafter. - - - - - The Ninety and Third Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass sold a horse, the which would not go over trees._ - - -[Illustration] - -On a time had Owlglass a horse, the which he would fain sell, and one -came unto him, and looked upon it, and desired to buy it. And this buyer -spake unto Owlglass saying: “Hath this horse any fault with him, the -which thou oughtest to reveal unto me; and if that he hath shall it be -no break to the bargain, I will yet buy him of thee, and in good money -pay thee the price therefor.” And Owlglass answered and said unto him: -“Verily I say unto you, that I find no scathe in him, but this one, the -which I confess openly, over the trees will he not go.” And the merchant -said: “I crave not that he should go over the trees, and therefore will -I pay thee the price, if thou wilt let me have him for an easy penny.” -Then answered Owlglass and said: “Of a truth for a penny canst thou not -have him; but for five pieces of gold mayest thou receive him from me,” -and they twain agreed the purchase. And when that he would have ridden -the horse forth from the town, came he unto the town bridge, over the -which would the horse not go, for it was a wooden bridge, and built of -trees. And he returned again unto Owlglass, and would have his money -back; but Owlglass said unto him: “That most clearly had he told him the -fault the which was in the horse.” And the merchant gat him unto the -judge, who said: “Most certainly should Owlglass give back unto him the -money.” Then summoned they Owlglass, but he came not; neither at any -time would he make restitution for that he had said the horse would not -go over trees. - - - - - The Ninety and Fourth Adventure. - -_How that of a horse-dealer Owlglass bought a horse, and only paid half - of the money therefor._ - - -When that Owlglass came unto the town of Hildesheim he encountered there -a horse-dealer, who, for twenty-five pieces of silver, did offer him a -good horse. And they marketed together for twenty-four pieces; and -Owlglass said unto him: “Lo! the half of it will I pay thee straightway, -and the rest shall I remain indebted unto thee. Thus will I now give -unto thee twelve pieces of silver.” And the horse-dealer (for he knew -him not) said unto him: “Agreed; take thou the horse.” And Owlglass took -him. - -And some three months fled by; then came the horse-dealer unto him, and -demanded the twelve pieces of silver. Then said Owlglass unto him: -“Behold, did we not agree that I should remain indebted unto thee for -these twelve pieces of silver?” Thereat the other answered him, and they -strove together, and came unto the house where the judge sate, and -entered in, and would therewith have it appointed how the matter should -stand. And then did Owlglass say he would remain faithful unto his -bargain, according as he had bought the horse; and said unto the judge: -“For twenty and four pieces of silver bought I the horse, and I paid him -twelve thereof in good money; the other twelve agreed we that I should -remain indebted unto him. If now that I do give him the money shall I -falsify my word; and that have I never yet done, but always performed -the thing which was commanded unto or required of me. And so let it be.” -Then was the suit before the judge withdrawn; and so stands the -business, as if it were in the Chancery Court, unto this day. - - - - - The Ninety and Fifth Adventure. - - _How that in the land of Brunswick Owlglass turned shepherd._ - - -[Illustration] - -Owlglass was a man that, with all his endeavours, could never grow rich, -the which is a marvel, considering how it is that so many knaves prosper -right well; and here was one that in honesty could never be approached, -and yet was poor. Now he took counsel within himself, and said: “I have -heard it said, that peradventure if one turneth shepherd, by the cunning -of the patriarch Jacob one may grow rich.” And he also had heard it -said, that in the Duke of Brunswick’s service all men grew rich in no -long season. So he gat him unto the duke; and when that he had come unto -him he spake unto him, saying: “Most gracious duke, do thou, with thy -marvellous goodness, appoint me that I shall be a shepherd in thy -service for some years; for I would fain have money, that in mine old -age I may live; and for my service I desire no other recompence.” And -the duke did grant the post unto him for ten years. Then was Owlglass an -excellent shepherd; and when that he heard that in any part of the -duke’s country there was good grazing land, then wrote he straightway -letters unto that land, and told the people thereof that he would bring -thither his master’s cattle to graze. And in great terror did the farmer -boors assemble, and did, for fear that the cattle should eat up all -their substance, make collection, and send unto him five and twenty -pieces of gold to go elsewhere. Then thought Owlglass: “A most fair -thing is this;” and wrote unto another city, and thence also came money -unto him; and this went forward so long, until the duke himself asked -Owlglass how that his post prospered. “Truly,” quoth he, “I have a fair -inheritance thereby, and a coat of delicate workmanship; for there is no -office so little, that by it one may not have profit.” “Nay,” answered -the duke; “I must unto this see myself.” Hence comes it that dukes, -princes, kings, emperors, and all their lackeys, do continually take -into their own hands the work and labour of lesser men; for the duke -said unto Owlglass, he himself would do this thing; and Owlglass -answered him, saying: “No office is so little, that the hangman may not -from it draw an inheritance. For the great be in marvellous peril -alway.” - - - - - The Ninety and Sixth Adventure. - - _How that without money Owlglass bought a pair of shoes._ - - -Now it fortuned, that on a time Owlglass was at Erfurt, and there went -through the Shoemaker’s street; and a woman called loudly unto him, that -he should come unto her and buy a good pair of shoes. Then came he -straightway unto her, and took a shoe, and put it on his foot; then took -he up its fellow, and put it upon the other foot, and said unto her: -“Lo! they do suit me marvellous well,” and therewith ran off. Then made -the woman a great outcry, and said: “Stop me yonder thief, ye good -folk!” And they would have held him. “Nay,” said he, “good people, now -do we run for a wager; therefore let me go, and then shall I win a pair -of shoes.” Thus came he off with the pair of shoes; but so ill made were -they, that he gave them unto the servant at the inn where that he lay. - - - - - The Ninety and Seventh Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass sold unto the furriers at Leipzig a live cat, the - which was sewed into the skin of a hare; and how rare sport came - thereof._ - - -In no long space of time was Owlglass ever ready with a knavish device. -This proved he to be a great truth when that he was at Leipzig, among -the furriers on Easter Even when altogether they held their feast. And -it came to pass that most willingly would they have had some kind of -game to make them a hunt therewith. Of this heard Owlglass, and in his -knavery he bethought him: “The furrier at Berlin gave thee nought for -thy labour, therefore shall these men pay thee thy pains.” With that -departed he into his inn, where he lay, and there found he that the host -had a fine fat cat. This took Owlglass, and under his frock he carried -it off; and then gat he him to the cook and besought him that he should -give unto him the skin of a hare. For therewith would he play off a -knavery of great and merry conceit. The cook gave unto him the skin -which he demanded of him; and then he took needle and thread and sewed -up the cat therewith in the skin. After did our master put on a boor’s -frock, and gat him to the town-house, and stood over against it. But his -hare held he concealed under his coat until that a furrier came by. Then -said Owlglass to the furrier: “Would his honour buy a good hare?” and -then shewed it unto him, where that he held it under his frock. And the -furrier and Owlglass conferred together; and they agreed that he should -give unto him four silver bits for the hare, and six pennies for the old -sack, in the which Owlglass had put the hare. Then the furrier carried -the hare into the house of their alderman, and they rejoiced with great -merriment, and were content in that they had got such a good live hare, -for the furrier was right proud of getting such an one. Then did all the -furriers feel and punch the hare to see how fat he was; and not that -year, did they all agree had they seen such an one—the which was very -true! And at the time they would hold their games, they fetched dogs and -let the hare run in the garden, for they would have a hunt. - -[Illustration: HOW OWLGLASS SOLD PUSS.] - -Now when that the hare could run no more, it leaped up into a tree, and -cried out _Miaow_, for most willingly would it again have been at home. -And when that the furriers beheld this, they cried aloud: “Brethren, -brethren, come let us pursue the wicked knave, which hath beguiled us, -and strike him dead!” And so would it have been if Owlglass had not put -on other clothes, so that they knew him not. But now, my worshipful -masters, hence came the proverb: “The cat hath leaped up into the tree.” -Yet were the furriers beguiled, and so remained. - - - - - The Ninety and Eighth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass hired himself unto a boor._ - - -It came to pass on a time that Owlglass served a boor; and the boor did -desire that they twain should, with a horse and cart, get them unto the -forest to cut wood. And Owlglass sate upon the horse’s back, while his -master sate behind him upon the shafts of the cart. Then ran a hare -across the road whither they journeyed; and the master, when that he -beheld it, said: “Lo! my man, turn we back again upon this day; for it -is a most evil fortune when that a hare doth run across the way. To-day -will we do some other thing.” So they gat themselves home again. - -On the next day departed they as before unto the forest; and Owlglass -spake unto his master, and said unto him: “A wolf hath run across the -road, master; what shall we do?” “Ha! sayest thou so?” quoth the boor. -“Drive forth, drive forth; great good fortune is it when that a wolf -doth cross thy road.” So Owlglass drave the horse into the forest; and -when that they gat thither, they took the horse out of the traces, and -left the cart standing, while they gat them to their labour. And when -that they had done, the boor despatched Owlglass, and bade him fetch the -horse and cart, that they might load and get them home once more. - -Now when that the excellent Owlglass came before the forest, he beheld -the horse lying dead, and the wolf was inside thereof devouring him with -great appetite. And at this sight was Owlglass secretly glad, and ran -back and said unto the boor: “Come hither, boor come hither! the good -fortune is within the horse!” Thereat said the boor unto him: “What dost -thou mean?” Yet Owlglass hastened him, and said: “Do thou lose no time; -but get thee forward, or thou wilt have lost the good fortune.” When -that they came thither, lo! the wolf lay within the carcase of the -horse, and eagerly tore and devoured him. Then said Owlglass: “Boor! an -if ye had gone into the forest yesterday, when that the hare crossed our -path, would your horse have been whole! But I crave not to abide with -one that on signs and omens setteth his trust. Farewell!” And so -departed. - - - - - The Ninety and Ninth Adventure. - - _How that Owlglass gat him to the High School of Paris._ - - -Once Owlglass gat him as far as Paris, that learned city, at a season -when the examination for licentiate was going forward. And he went in -and stood over against the one who on the stool sate and looked upon -him. Then the learned doctor said unto him: “What wouldst thou have! -Dost thou desire to say aught unto me?” Then Owlglass took counsel -within himself, and said: “Yea, most learned, I have a most difficult -question I would desire resolved. Thus: Is it better for a man to do -that which he knoweth, or to learn that which he knoweth not? Make the -doctors the books, or the books the doctors?” And at this question -marvelled everyone, and disputed thereupon; and the greater number -thought that it was better that a man should do that which he knoweth, -than that he should first learn that which he knoweth not. Then said -Owlglass: “Then what fools must all of ye here be, in that ye ever crave -to learn that which ye know not, and what ye know, that do none of ye.” -Then departed he with great scorn of pedants and scholars. - - - - - The Hundredth Adventure. - - _How Owlglass would fain have been an innkeeper at Rouen, but was - beguiled by a one-eyed man, and again, in turn, cozened him._ - - -In the town of Rouen, it fortuned that there was a certain tax to be -taken from those who desired to keep an inn, which was named the -Sign-tax, for to set up a sign you must give a crown, and of this tax a -one-eyed man was the receiver. Owlglass thought to keep an inn, but -could never have permission from this man to put up a sign unless he -would give him a piece of gold, for that they had had a quarrel at some -time before. But at last he was obliged to give a piece of gold, and he -set his mind to make the receiver sorry for having taken it. So soon, -therefore, as he might set up a sign, Owlglass had a one-eyed man -painted, to whom another man was giving a piece of gold, and underneath -he had written, “_Au Borgne qui prend_.”[11] Those who beheld that sign, -and who knew the story, laughed much thereat; and when it came unto the -ears of the tax-receiver, he was very angry, and went and laid his -complaint before the judge. Owlglass was cited to come to answer the -complaint, the which he did at once, and confessed that he had set up -the sign in shame of the man who had so cheated him; upon which the -judge commanded the other to be sworn, who then said it was true he had -taken so much money, and offered to return it. This he was ordered to -do; and Owlglass was commanded to alter his sign, but all that he did -was to paint out the p in the writing, which thus read: “_Au Borgne qui -rend_;”[12] for in sooth it was not easy to discover in the painting -whether the man was giving or taking the gold-piece. Thus Owlglass -satisfied justice, and the judge would not hear the second complaint. - ------ - -Footnote 11: - - To the one-eyed man who takes. - -Footnote 12: - - To the one-eyed man who returns. - - - - - The Hundred and First Adventure. - - _How in Berlin Owlglass was an officer, and collected taxes of the - boors._ - - -When, unto his shame, Owlglass forgat his noble and virtuous estate, and -became a tax-officer, he was on a time sent forth unto a village, to -demand money of a boor, who either loved not to pay money, or was poor -and could not. And as Owlglass with his little lance went forth, the -following matter came to pass. For as an evil and wicked office bringeth -shame unto the mind, so also leadeth it every man into bad company; -therefore marvel ye not when that I say unto ye that the Devil, that -prince of evil and darkness, encountered Owlglass as he ran. And his -high estate had the devil put off, and appeared in the likeness of a -boor, yet did Master Owlglass perceive right well who it was. Then ’gan -they to confer together, and walked together on the way. The boor said -unto him: “Thou goest about to receive money, let us now make -fellowship; for I go to find a concealed treasure, and of that will I -give thee half, and do thou the same with me.” - -Now Owlglass had heard it said of old time, that the devil knoweth full -well of many a hidden treasure, so he agreed with him, and they departed -together. And it came to pass, that as they went through a village, they -heard a child crying and screaming. Then came its mother by, and said -unto it: “Hold thy peace, wilt thou? May the foul fiend take thee!” -Thereat said Owlglass unto the devil: “Lo! hearest thou, there hast thou -a child given unto thee?” The devil said: “My good friend, the mother -meaneth not that she saith; I dare not take it, for it is but spoken in -choler.” Then went they forward unto the field, and came unto a herd of -swine; and lo! a great fat sow had departed from the herd, and the -swineherd pursued it, and cried aloud, as he ran: “May the devil take -thee!” That heard Owlglass, and for as much as he loved bacon, would -fain have received his share, and said unto the devil: “Lo! dost thou -not hear? Now hast thou a fat sow given unto thee. Put forth thine hand -and take it, for it is thine. With thee will I have no further -fellowship.” Then said the devil: “Worthy Master Owlglass, what could I -do with a sow? Nor hath he any grave intent to give it unto me; and if -that I took it, the poor swineherd would have to pay for it. Nay, I will -await something better than this.” For the devil was tenderhearted; but -Owlglass thought upon the treasure. - -Thereafter came they unto the court-yard of the boor of whom Owlglass -was to receive the money; and he stood in the barn and thrashed the -corn. When that he looked up and beheld Owlglass, he opened his mouth, -and spake unto him, saying: “Art thou there again? The devil take thee, -for I would fain never see thee again.” Thereat said the devil unto -Owlglass: “Now dost thou see? He meaneth this thing most devoutly; do -thou, therefore, come with me, for of a truth have I found my treasure, -the which was hidden.” But Owlglass answered, and said unto the devil: -“Nay, but now will we reckon with each other; for I said unto thee that -I would no longer have fellowship with thee, and now do I fulfil my -saying; therefore do thou nothing contrary to law.” Therewith cited he -the devil before the judge, and bade him hold his hand not to touch him, -for was he not a government officer? I know not, my good masters, -whether the devil,—who is contrary unto all law, and existeth contrary -thereunto,—had no great love for judges, or whether they were so steeped -in evil-doing that even the foul fiend held them in contempt; yet most -true it is, that he came not unto Owlglass his citation. Thereafter grew -Owlglass greater in virtue, and left off his evil ways, and laid down -his office. - - - - - The Hundred and Second Adventure. - -_How that in his latter days Owlglass became a pious monk, and what came - thereof._ - - -Unto all men is there appointed a time when that their manifold and -heavy sins sit upon their remorse-laden souls, and they groan for mercy, -and writhe under the pangs of repentance. And though Owlglass had, -throughout his life, been a virtuous man (as I have clearly manifested -unto ye, my masters!) yet after he had journeyed hither and thither in -all lands, there came unto him a gallows-repentance; and he bethought -him how that he unto a convent might depart, taking the vows of poverty, -and there end his days, and cast forth all that old leaven of his -evil-doings, and be a pious and a good man henceforth, so that his soul -should not be lost. Therefore he gat him unto the Abbot of the convent -at Marienthal, and entreated of him that he would receive him as a -brother, and unto the convent would he in his testament give all that he -had. Now, the which was not a most marvellous thing, the abbot with such -fools was greatly contented, and therefore spake he unto Owlglass, and -said: “For that thou hast yet some gear of valuable treasure, art thou -welcome unto me. But, seest thou, some office must thou have, for among -our fraternity is no one without somewhat to do; every one among us hath -an employment, and therefore must thou too labour.” And Owlglass -answered, and said: “Yea, reverend father, that would I cheerfully do.” -Thereat said the abbot: “Then, with God’s grace, as thou lovest not much -labour, do I receive thee, and be thou our gatekeeper. So wilt thou stay -within thy chamber, and wilt have neither sorrow nor great work, only to -fetch thy provision and beer from the cellar, and to lock and unlock the -gate.” And the pious Owlglass said: “Reverend father abbot! God give you -guerdon therefore, that ye do so kindly consider the infirmities of a -poor old man, borne down with the weight of his sins and broken with -sickness, of a truth will I perform everything that ye do enjoin me.” -Then said the abbot: “Behold, do ye now receive of me the keys, but let -not every one enter herein, or will the convent soon grow poor, for the -robbers will waste our substance, and eat up all our provision; -therefore do thou let but few in, scarcely more than the third or -fourth.” And Owlglass answered, and said: “Yea, reverend sir, I will do -your bidding as ye command me.” Then did he never let more than the -fourth person enter into the convent, it recked not whether they -belonged unto the convent or no. - -And a complaint came unto the abbot of this action of Owlglass, and he -called him and spake unto him after this wise: “What a vile and doubly -condemned knave art thou, that thou wilt not let such enter in that unto -the convent do belong.” “Reverend Lord Abbot,” answered Owlglass, “lo! -unto the fourth have I let them enter, according as thou didst signify -unto me. Thy words have I fulfilled with great diligence.” “Like unto a -knave hast thou fulfilled those words of mine,” said the abbot, and -would fain have again been free of him. Then the abbot appointed another -door-keeper, for he marked well that Owlglass would not hold from his -ancient beguilings. And he gave unto him another office, and bade him -count the monks in order as they gat them down unto matins, and he spake -unto him, saying: “And behold, if thou dost overlook one of them then -must thou get thee hence.” Then said Owlglass to the abbot: “Verily is -this a heavy business; yet an if none other hath command to do it, must -I fulfil it as well as may be.” - -Thereafter brake he privily by night some boards from the staircase, by -the which the monks came down unto the chapel. Now the Prior of that -convent was an old man and a pious, and ever was he the first the which -entered into the chapel to be at matins. And he came unto the stairs and -sought the steps the which by Owlglass had been broken away, and found -them not, but fell through and brake his leg. Then cried he out with a -loud voice, so that all the other monks ran with great haste unto that -place to see what had come to pass, and fell one after the other over -the prior. Then did Owlglass get him unto the abbot, and said unto him: -“Most reverend sir! I have fulfilled mine office as thou wouldst have -from me.” Therewith gave Owlglass unto the abbot the piece of wood, the -tally on the which he had nicked down the number of the monks as he -stood thereby. And the abbot said unto him: “Like unto a most vile knave -hast thou fulfilled my command; get thee now straightway forth from this -place.” So Owlglass departed, and put from him his monk’s frock, and -came unto Möllen, where he thereafter lay sick and died. - - - - - The Hundred and Third Adventure. - - _How that when at Möllen Owlglass lay sick, his mother came unto him._ - - -In sickness and in health hath a man but one ever kind friend, who in -him can see no fault, whose good counsel abideth within his heart, and -bitter sore is it when he followeth not the words spake unto him with -such noble and truthful intent; yet such was the action of Owlglass. For -when that in his youth his mother would have restrained him from his -knavery, would he not be persuaded. Now at Möllen lay he grievously -sick, and not one of his noble friends, unto the which he had caused -such great laughter, cared to come nigh unto him; yet came his mother, -who with fear and trembling had, in her solitude and desolate home, -marked the courses of our noble master; and she besought him, saying: -“Soon wilt thou depart unto the land of darkness and shadow, the which -men traverse with shuddering, quaking with fear for the evil they have -done, for of a truth is no man good, no man worthy of grace! Therefore -do thou, I pray of thee, bequeath unto me of thy substance, that in my -old age and decrepitude I may have some comfort; for I perish of sadness -and sorrow, the which killeth more than an empty stomach, and destroyeth -more than the bitterness of winter frost.” - -And, as he lay sick before her, did his evil youth rise up against him, -and proclaim him a cunning and deceitful knave. Then took he his -mother’s hand between his twain, and opened his mouth and said unto her: -“Lo! evil gotten riches reward not any man, neither canst thou on them -place thy comfort. Now in this world is it a rule, the which none doth, -that of him which hath anything should you take of his substance, and to -him that hath not allot ye a part. Yet is my good fortune so great that -my treasure is hidden where no man can find it. If that thou canst -discover aught that is mine take it and use it freely. But an if thou -findest it not, be not grieved, for my treasure is subtle and lieth most -privily concealed.” Then understood his mother the words which he spake -unto her, and cared not any more to receive from him aught that by guile -and cunning he had received of others. Yet may we perceive, in another -place, what that treasure was, and how eagerly men strove thereafter. - - - - - The Hundred and Fourth Adventure. - -_How that when Owlglass was sick unto death, he made confession of three - things, the which it sorely troubled him he had not done._ - - -Sorrow and trouble had Owlglass for his manifold wickedness; but the -mood in which he spake unto his mother, remained not upon him any while. -For as the tree falleth so doth it lie, and in so much joyous company -hath Master Owlglass spent his life, that now at the end of it can he -not send forth the remembrance of it, and a smack of his ancient knavery -cometh back unto him. When those which were around him perceived that he -was near unto his end, they besought and moved him to confess his -transgressions unto the priest. And that would he not do until an old -nun of marvellous wisdom came and entreated him. Then he opened his -mouth and spake unto her, saying: “Nay, but I die not sweetly, for death -is bitter indeed, and unto me cometh with a face of woe; and why should -I confess unto any man in secret? For what I have done,—knowing that in -my manhood I have perfected many and divers things,—is perceived by me -to be noised abroad over many lands and countries, and unto not a few is -it well known, and of me converse they continually; and unto the end of -time shall the inheritance of my life come unto others that arise after -me. Of a truth do I not think so scurvily of the world. But an if I have -done therein any good, it shall not be remembered; and if man receive it -not, then will the Almighty Lord record it within the glorious book he -hath of his creatures. And yet of my evil doings will there be constant -report, so that without confession shall they be multiplied. Three -sorrows have I, the which I have not done and performed, and the which -could have been accomplished by me.” - -[Illustration: HOW OWLGLASS REBUKED THE PRIEST’S COVETOUSNESS.] - -And the holy nun answered him, and said: “Dear heart! be ye content; for -an if it might be an evil thing that ye would do, have ye in the thought -concerning it wrought more than half thereof. But what be these things, -evil or good?” And Owlglass answered, and said: “The first of these -things is, that when I beheld a man walking in the street, and his coat -hung below his mantle, I followed after him, and I thought that the coat -would have fallen from off him; then would I fain have rolled it up, and -did I not do it. For when that I approached unto him, I was grievously -vexed that I could not cut off his coat as far as it hung down beneath -the mantle. And this thing, the which I did not, troubled me most -sorely. Unto this add I the second thing, the which is, that when I -behold a man who sitteth, and with a knife thrust between his jaws, doth -pick his teeth, then would I gladly jerk the knife into his wizen, for -that thereby he might not again mar his teeth. And the last thing that I -have not done is, that when a pack of old women sate conferring -together, and gossiping away the character, conduct, and interests of -those which be fools enow to look upon them with awe and reverence, I -could not sew their mouths up, hath troubled me sorely.” Then said the -old nun unto him: “Meanest thou that, and wouldst thou do it unto me?” -“Yea,” quoth the dying knave. “Then would I give unto thee thy viaticum, -and assoilzie thee,—and that thou shouldst get thee unto the foul fiend, -the which owneth thee, and all like unto thee!” “Nay,” answered -Owlglass, “an if thou dost this, thou dost condemn the whole human race, -for be we not every one of us fools or knaves?” But she tarried no -longer with him, the which he deemed not civil, for with others, until -that he was bidden to depart, remained he always. - - - - - The Hundred and Fifth Adventure. - - _Saith, How that to a greedy priest Owlglass confessed his sins, and - paid him handsomely for his pains._ - - -And it came to pass, that when the nun had departed from him, he still -thought that with this world he would leave not a moment without profit; -therefore when that they brought a priest unto him, lost he not any time -in rehearsing unto him his sins, and likewise giving unto him such a -lesson as in this true and veracious chronicle will now be set forth. -For the greed of priests be very great, and ever delight they in -clutching from the poor such money as would otherwise fill their -ill-lined bodies with good meat and drink, and cover their pinched limbs -with a fair doublet. So when that this priest came unto Owlglass, -perceived he that an adventurous man had our master been, and in his -time had made not a little provision for his purse, and could, -therefore, pay unto his confessor a goodly sum. And unto him did he -therefore speak, beseeching him to think of the peace of his soul, and -that he should pay money for masses, the which should be said and sung -for him. Thereunto answered Owlglass, that it was well said of him, and -he bade him to come again that afternoon, and he would make provision -therefor. - -Then departed the priest, and came not again until even; and our good -master made preparation, and gat a large vessel and filled it with -pitch; and on the top of the pitch laid he some crown-pieces, and -ducats, and other money, so as to hide the pitch from the eyes of the -priest. Then confessed Owlglass his sins, and the priest gave him -absolution, and then would have received the money of him. And Owlglass -said unto him: “Lo! in yonder vessel lieth store of treasure, put in -thine hand and pluck forth a handful; but do thou see that thou dip not -too deep.” Yet was the priest greedy, and hearkened not unto the words -of Owlglass, but dipped his hand deep into the vessel, and behold! when -he brought it forth again was it with pitch all defiled. Thereat was -Master Owlglass greatly benefited, so that strength returned unto him, -and he rose up from his bed and said unto him: “Dost thou not see! I -required of thee that thou shouldst not dip too deep into the vessel; -but thou wouldst not hearken unto my words, for on the top lay the -treasure, the which was thine.” And he laughed and made sport of the -priest’s greed. Then was the priest wroth, and departed, and would with -such a knave have no more to do. - - - - - The Hundred and Sixth Adventure. - -_How that Owlglass in three parts did divide all that belonged unto him; - and the one part gave he freely unto his friends, and another thereof -humbly to the town council of Möllen, and the third part unto the priest - there._ - - -Now when that Owlglass lay sick, every day grew he weaker, and knew that -his death was approaching; therefore he made his will, and in three -parts did he divide his wealth,—the one part gave he unto his friends, -and the other unto the town council of Möllen, to pay the debts which -lay upon the town, and the third part unto the priest of that place. But -he made one stipulation, and caused them to promise that they would bury -him in the holy earth of the churchyard, and after a Christian wise sing -and say a mass and vigil for his sinful soul; and then, after four -weeks, should they open the chest in the which lay his treasure, and the -which chest was with three most excellent locks shut, and unto each gave -Owlglass one key, and they accepted the trust of him, and then bidding -them all farewell and enjoyment of the wealth he left unto them, he -gently gave up the ghost, and so from this world departed one of the -best and noblest men the which Germany had ever seen; nor since that -time hath there been any like unto him in rarity of wit or subtlety of -heart. And though there be no lack of fools and knaves who chouse and -cozen, yet do none of them perform such chousing and cozening to the -glory and advantage of true wisdom, in manner and form as did Owlglass. - -And after the four weeks were gone by, and all things had been duly -accomplished according to the promise made unto him, came the council -and the priest and the friends of Owlglass to open the treasure, and -enter upon the enjoyment thereof. And, behold! when they opened the -chest, found they nought but stones. Then grew they angry, and strove -together; and each believed that the other had from the chest taken the -treasure. But it was not so; for of a truth understood they not until -afterward, that all treasure is indeed of no greater account than -stones. For a lusty frame and a cheerful heart be the best of riches. - - - - - The Hundred and Seventh Adventure. - - _How that at Möllen Owlglass died, and the swine did cast down the - coffin when that the good priests sang the vigil._ - - -Now after that time that Owlglass had given up the ghost, the people -entered in unto the hospital where he lay, and took him, and put him in -a coffin, and set it upon tressels. Then came the good priests to sing a -vigil round his coffin, and they lifted up their voices and sang. But as -they sang came the swine of the master of that hospital, and entered in -unto the room where lay Owlglass, and they ran underneath the coffin, -and cast it down. Then came the nuns and monks, and much folk likewise, -and would have driven forth the swine, but that could they not do; and -the swine leaped and ran, and upset the nuns and monks, so that it was a -most lamentable sight to look upon. Afterwards gat the swine forth into -the street, and the nuns entered in, and laid Owlglass within his coffin -again; and they bare him forth unto the graveyard to bury him. - - - - - The Hundred and Eighth Adventure. - - _How that our for ever prized Master Owlglass was buried._ - - -And at the burying of Owlglass was there a most wondrous strange thing. -For when that they all stood in the graveyard round the coffin in the -which he lay, they took ropes to let it down into the grave, and, of -these twain ropes, brake the one which was under his feet, and the -coffin fell down, and stood on end. Thus stood Owlglass in his grave. -And the folks around marvelled greatly thereat, and said: “Nay, let him -stand an if he will; for in his life wrought he many great marvels, and -he will be strange in death likewise.” Then they filled the grave with -earth, and above his head set a stone, and on it did they cunningly hew -the likeness of an owl, who within his claws bare a glass, and upon the -stone set the words which stand written in the chapter which here -followeth. - - - - - The Hundred and Ninth Adventure. - - _Telleth what stood upon his gravestone._[13] - - EPITAPHIUM. - - This stone dare none to overthrow, - For Owlglass upright stands below. - -[Illustration: ANNO MCCCL.] - ------ - -Footnote 13: - - This device is faithfully copied from that in the edition of 1519. - - - - - The Hundred and Tenth Adventure. - - _How in after time our most excellent Owlglass was esteemed so worthy - that he was made a holy Saint; and on the day of All Fools in April do - the folk alway keep his memory, as also when they do a foolish thing, - the which maketh him continually esteemed of great and small._ - - -That which is accomplished of a great man must at some season bring him -honour and glory; therefore be not astonished at the matter which came -to pass when that Cardinal Raymundus lay at Möllen great number of years -after. For in those parts did many bear in mind the virtues of the -illustrious Owlglass; and the cardinal himself went and looked upon the -gravestone of Owlglass, and had report made unto him of his doings and -sayings. And, for as much as the people of Möllen gave great glory unto -his memory, the good cardinal wrote unto the Holy Father at Rome; and -unto the great content and delight of the townsfolk of Möllen, Master -Owlglass was made a Saint, and beareth rule over all manner of -chousings, beguilings, cozenings, cheatings, and knaveries having -fellowship with Saint Nicholas; and when that a man goeth about to do a -foolish thing, remembereth he that holy man, Saint Owlglass, and doth -call upon his name—and of a verity is Saint Owlglass, of all the saints -that be in the calendar, that one which hath the government of the -greatest number of devout folks here on earth. For fools be there many; -and upon the first day of that fair month of April, the weather of which -is as various as were the adventures of the holy saint—upon the first of -April, I say, do all men honour him, and indeed every day; for in that -hour in the which they accomplish any idle vain work, do they increase -his glory. So that Saint Owlglass doth receive the continual esteem of -both great and small. - - - - - The Hundred and Eleventh, and Last, Adventure. - - _Reciteth a few grave reflections of this present chronicler._ - - -That thing which a man maketh his own, and causeth aye to be his beloved -work, be it evil or good, will beset him for ever, nor, save in the -prickings and movings of his trembling conscience, and timorous spirit, -will he acknowledge his own desperate courses, the which seemed fair to -enjoy, but turn unto the apples of Sodom and Gomorrah i’ the mouth; and -like unto the red-hot ploughshare, over the which the hardened criminal -walketh, doth the sin all done in life sear the aspen soul, which -quivereth in terror at evil doing. And verily when that I look me back -over the book, my good master, which now I present unto thee, do I -perceive right well that deep meaning and truthful lesson which can be -gathered by the careful reading of such a life as that one of good -Master Owlglass. It hath been said unto us, that we should not do evil -that good may arise therefrom; yet from such actions and enactments as -those of our master came forth good, for we are taught therein to know -the wisdom of the saying of Solon unto that ancient King Crœsus, that -until the end be perceived ye should esteem no man happy. And what -profit had Master Owlglass of his knaveries? A life of continual change -and hurrying to and fro upon the face of the earth—of carking care, and, -oftentimes, pinching hunger and parching thirst. For whatsoever he -wrought was a thing spoiled thereafter, and his knavery and wickedness -at not any season brought him content. Lo! do we not live in other -times; but yet those very same things which lay so heavy upon Owlglass, -sit yet openly among us, in defiance of the judgment which the voice of -the righteous man pronounceth against them. O that folly, knavery, and -injustice, could be rooted up from the fair soil of this world, and cast -forth unto the burning! This book was brought forth with not a little -travail, for while it should cause the merry laugh upon the cheek of old -and young, peradventure it may enter into the hearts of some, and they -may read that lesson which we do all merit. If that Master Owlglass had -not been a knave and a beguiler, might he not, with his rare wit and -ingenious brain, have waxed strong in good and noble things? Therefore -strive we to understand the intent of his life, and use those talents -with the which God hath endowed us, to the greater glory and honour of -the Giver; for truly hath it been here clearly set forth how the fool’s -cap doth extinguish all light of use, beauty, or excellency. - -[Illustration: FINIS] - - - - - APPENDIX A. - - _Bibliographical Notes for the Literary History of Eulenspiegel._ - - -In the foregoing volume, as has been announced in the preface, the -edition followed in chief has been the oldest Low German quarto, printed -at Strasburg in the year 1519. This is the one with which the Franciscan -Friar, Doctor Thomas Murner, has been identified; and, as all reasonable -surmise and possible evidence indicate him to be the author of the -original Eulenspiegel, we have no reason to believe that any older -edition will ever be discovered, although there is a rumour of a Low -German edition of 1483. The title page is as follows:—“Ein kurtzweilig -lesen von Dil Ulen | -spiegel geboren, vsz. dē land zū Brunszwick. Wie -er | seī lebē volbracht hat. & evt (?) seiner geschichten.” Underneath -Owlglass on horseback with owl and glass. It consists of one hundred and -thirty paged leaves in small quarto, and contains twenty-five sheets, -marked A–Z, and _a_–_b_ iiii; but the number of pages in a sheet varies -from four to six and eight. The number of stories contained in the -edition is ninety-six, and, with the exception of nine stories, each is -provided with a rudely-executed woodcut, in all of which Eulenspiegel is -represented in the ordinary dress of the period, his head uncovered, and -without the fool’s dress which it has been the custom since to bestow -upon him. Panzer was only acquainted with one copy of this edition -mentioned in Wenker’s Catalogue, Strasburg, 1783, p. 215, No. 3175. This -is preserved in the Ducal Library of Gotha, and no other is known to -exist. It is now readily accessible to the student, being reprinted by -Dr. Lappenberg (Dr. Thomas Murner’s Ulenspiegel. Leipzig, T. O. Weigel, -1854). - -2. In 1520–30, we meet with another edition, the title of which we here -transcribe: “Ayn Kurtz Wylich | lesen van Tyel Ulenspiegel: geboren | -vyss dem land Brunzwyck. Wat he seltzamer boitzen be | dreuen hait syn -dage, lüstich tzo lesen.” Printed by Servais Kruffter, in quarto, in old -Gothic letters; thirteen sheets, A-N, with 104 unnumbered pages. This -edition is known from two imperfect copies, which, however, restore, -when collated, the whole. The first twelve sheets are in the Imperial -Library of Vienna, and the Royal Library of Berlin has the last eleven. -This edition differs from all others by possessing no preface. There are -seventy-eight stories; and the one which appears second in this edition -(which has been taken from the English Black Letter) first makes its -appearance as an Eulenspiegel, as do Adventures 93 and 95. - -3. A Dutch edition is first found about this time (1520–30), printed at -Antwerp by Michiel Van Hoochstraten. The following is the title page: - - (Picture of the “Vlenspieghel. (Picture of the - Owl.) Van Vlēspieghels leuen. Mirror.) - - En̄ schimpelicke werckē, en̄ wōderlijcke auontueren die | hi hadde - want he en liet hem gheen boeuerie verdrieten.” - -The sheets run to K ij., and forty leaves in small quarto. The only -known copy is at Copenhagen, in the Royal Library, and wants two leaves. -Forty-six, perhaps forty-eight, stories (counting two for the missing -leaves) are contained in this edition, but they are not numbered. - -4. 1528–1530. The two editions now to be described are perhaps more -interesting to English readers than any others, and deserve careful -examination. Of the English “Howleglas” two copies only remain, of -different editions and presumed years. At the time when Dr. Lappenberg, -in 1854, completed his bibliographical list, one of these copies only -had reached the British Museum. They are both imperfect; but, -fortunately, what is wanting in one copy is completed in the other. The -title is as follows: - -“Here beginneth a merrye Jest of a man that was called Howleglas, and of -many marueylous thinges and Jestes that he dyd in his lyfe, in Eastlande -and in many other places.” - -Occupying nearly the whole of the remainder of the quarto page is a rude -woodcut of a king upon his throne with two people standing before, -alluding evidently to the story of the King of Poland’s Jester and -Eulenspiegel.[14] The colophon of the earliest edition, which has no -date, but to which 1528 is assigned by the British Museum Catalogue (Dr. -Lappenberg dates it at 1540–1556), is as follows: “Imprynted at London -in Tame Street at the Vintre on the thre Craned wharfe by Wyllyam -Copland (⸪).” - -The book begins immediately at the back of the title with the following -preface: - -“For the great desyryng and praying of my good frandes. And I y^e first -writer of this boke might not denye thē. Thus haue I compled & gathered -much knauyshnes & falsnes of one Howleglas made and done within his -lyfe, whiche Howleglas dyed y^e yeare of our lorde God .M.CCCC. & -.L.[15] Nowe I desyre to be pardoned both before ghostly & worldly, -afore highe & lowe afore noble and unnoble. And right lowly I requyre -all those y^t shall reade or heare this presēte Jeste (my ignoraūce to -excuse). This fable is not but only to renewe y^e mindes of men or -women, of all degrees frō y^e use of sadnesse to passe the tyme, with -laughter or myrthe. And for because y^e simple knowyng persons shuld -beware if folkes can see. Me thinke it is better to passe the tyme with -such a mery Jeste and laughe there at and doo no synne: than for to wepe -and do synne.” - -The number of adventures in the English Howleglas is forty-six; but they -are not numbered, one being a copy of verses (given in Appendix D), and -forming an additional chapter, making forty-seven. Of this copy, -Signature D is missing; otherwise, excepting the corner of a leaf, it is -perfect. Signatures are from A–M, worked in sheets of eight pages, equal -to fifty-two pages, of which the last is a blank. It belonged at one -time to Garrick, and, with other portions of his library, was -transferred to the Museum, where it will be found with the Press-mark C. -21. _c_. - -Of this book a second copy exists, as above mentioned, also in the -British Museum. It is a later edition (1530), but differing in nothing -from the one already described. It is, however, very imperfect, wanting -Signature B and the page marked K iiii, as well as all subsequent pages, -comprising L and M. This has been completed from the other copy. On the -fly-leaf is the following note, which I copy: - -“Such is the rarity of this volume, that only _one_ other copy is known, -viz., that in the British Museum, which is of another edition, and is -also slightly imperfect (_Note by the writer of the fly-leaf comment_: -On a more accurate inspection of the above volume, I have discovered -that it wants an entire sheet, viz. _c_[_d_]), wanting the corner of a -leaf. _This_ copy was purchased at the Roxburgh sale by the late Mr. -Heber, whose note will be seen on the fly-leaf immediately preceding the -title.” - -Mr. Heber’s note is: “1812. Roxburgh sale £14 5 0. Mem. to examine the -Museum copy.” - -In 1842, it was marked in Lilly’s Catalogue; and the date placed upon it -by the Museum authorities is sixth of October, 1857, with the press-mark -12316 _c_. - -The only record of any other copy of this English Howleglas, also -referred to in the preface, is in a paper of Mr. Halliwell’s in the -Papers of the Shakspere Society (vol. iv. p. 18, 26–28), where that -gentleman describes the library of a certain Captain Cox, quoting from -an account of Queen Elizabeth’s entertainments at Kenilworth, made by -Laneham, clerk and keeper of the Council Chamber door. - -That same Captain Cox is represented by Ben Jonson in the “Masque of -Owls, at Kenelworth, presented by the Ghost of Captain Cox, mounted on -his Hobbyhorse 1626,” and is made to say: - - “This Captain Cox, by St. Mary, - Was at Bullen with King Ha—ry; - And (if some do not vary) - Had a goodly library, - By which he was discerned - To be one of the learned, - To entertain the queen here, - When last she was seen here.” - -It has been stated, that Owlglass also existed as a Miracle Play; but -this statement does not seem to refer to more than the Easter Play, to -which reference has been made in the Preface. - -5. 1532. This year we find the first French edition, stated to be -translated from Flemish into French (probably from the Antwerp edition) -printed at Paris, the title being as follows:— - -Between four flowerets there is first an owl then the word: -“Ulenspiegel,” and after it a round glass. Next: “De sa vie de ses -oeuures | Et merueilleuses aduentures par luy faictes | et des gran- | -des fortunes quil a eux, lequel par milles fallaces ne se lais | sa -tromper. Nouuellement translate et corrige de Flamant | en Francoys.” -The colophon is thus: “Imprime nouuellement a Paris en l’an -Mil*ccccc*xxxii*.” Sheets run to K iiij _b_ in quarto, without -pagination, and the type all Gothic. The only known copy exists in the -Royal Library at Stuttgart. - -6. In the same year, 1532, an edition appeared at Erfurt, printed by -Melcher Sachsen. The following is the title: “Von Vlenspiegel eins bau | -ren sun (son) des lands Braunschweick, wie | er sein leben volbracht -hat, gar mit | seltzamen sachen.” Ten sheets in quarto, leaves in number -84, without pagination; the last being blank. There are 102 stories, -with 86 woodcuts, some little merit belonging to the first few—the later -ones having been considerably worn. Only four copies, nearly all -defective, are known of this edition; one was bought for the private -library of the King of Prussia, at the sale of the collection of the -Viennese antiquary Matth. Kuppitsch, and presented by his Majesty to the -Royal University Library of Berlin. There is another in the Royal -Library of München. - -7. Another edition, in every respect similar to the Erfurt edition of -1532, was printed between 1533–7; but from the last pages being lost, it -is impossible to say by whom, where, or in what year. The copy is at the -Royal Library of Berlin. The missing leaves are perfected in manuscript; -and it ends with a strange note, to the effect that it was printed at -Augsburg by Simon Gymell, and “translated from the old Saxon tongue into -good German,” in the year 1498. No such person is known to have existed -at Augsburg at that time, and the words between inverted commas, first -appear in 1539, in the Cologne edition. - -8. In 1538, an edition was again issued, in every way similar to that of -1532, by Melchior Sachsen at Erfurt. Copies at Berlin, in the -collections of Herr von Meusebach, and Professor J. A. Nasser. - -9. Shortly after the 1532 edition of Erfurt, another quarto edition in -forty pages was issued in French, by Alain Lotrian, at Paris. There are -forty-six stories and twenty-six woodcuts. The copy examined by Dr. -Lappenberg belonged to the Ducal Library at Wolfenbüttel, and contains -an autograph of Duke Julius of Brunswick and Lüneburg, dated, July 17, -1567. The title is as follows, after four flowers, with the owl in the -centre, and the looking-glass, and between them the word Vlenspiegel: -“De sa vie & de ces oeuues[16] | Et merueilleuses aduentures par luy -faictes et des gran- | des fortunes quil a euz, lequel par milles -fallaces ne se lais | sa tromper. Nouuellement translate et corrige de -Flamant | en Francoys.” Colophon: “Cy finist les faictz et merueilleuses -aduētures | de Thiel Vlespiegle lequel a este translate de | langage -Flameng en Francoys, et nouuelle- | ment imprime a Paris par Alain -Lotrian demou- | rant en la rue neufue nostre dame a l’enseigne de l’es -| cu de France.” - -10. 1539. Ulenspiegel | De sa vie de ses oeuures, | et merueilleuses -auentures par luy faictes: et des grandes fortunes quil a eu: leq̄l par -nulles fallaces ne se laissa trom- | per: nouuellemēt translate & -corrige de flamēnt en francoys. - -Colophon: Imprime nouuellement a Anuers en l’an M.CCCCC*XXXIX. - -The only copy known is in the Library at Wolfenbüttel. This edition -almost coincides with that of Alain Lotrian, with some very trifling -variations. - -11. 1539. A German edition was this year published with the following -title: “EYn wunderbairlich | vnd seltzame History, vonn Dyll Ulnspi | -gel, bürtig auss dem land Brunschweig, wie er sein leben | verbracht -hat, newlich aufs Sachsischer sprach vff | Teutsch verdolmetscht, seer -kurtz- | weilig zu lesenn, myt schö | nen figuren.” - -Colophon: “Gedruckt zu Cöln für Sanct Lupus, bey Ian von Ach. Im Iar -Dusent Funffhundert Neunund dreissig.” - -One copy of it is to be found in the private Library of the king of -Würtemburg at Stuttgart. The text is divided into one hundred stories, -each with its own heading. The signatures of the sheets run from A to S, -each containing four leaves. The name of the printer was found by Dr. -Lappenberg as Ian van Aich. One other copy is known to be in the Royal -Library at München. - -12. 1539. “Wunderbarliche, vnnd seltzame Historyen Tyll Vlnspiegels, -ausz dem land zu Braunschweig bürtig, new auss Sachsischer sprach auff -gut hochdeutsch verdolmetscht. Straszburg, Jac. Frölich. Mit -Holzschnitten. 1539.” This is in quarto, and is mentioned in a catalogue -of a collection of books which were to be publicly sold on 25th January, -1847, at Frankfort-on-the-Main. Lappenberg, who gives us this -information, appears unable to give any more. - -13. 1540. “Eyn wunderbarliche | vnd seltzame History, von Dyll Vln | -spiegel, burtig ausz dem land Brunschweig, wie | er sein Leben verbracht -hatt, newlich ausz | Sächsischer sprach auff gut Teutsch | -verdolmetschet, seer kurtzweilig zu lesen, mit schönen | figuren.” -Colophon: “Gedruckt zu Augspurg, durch Alexander Weissenhorn | Im Iar -Tausend Fünffhundert | und fiertzig.” - -This edition, in quarto, runs as far as S iii, seventy-three pages, -without pagination. The book contains one hundred adventures (numbered) -and is a reprint, word for word, of the Cologne edition of 1539 (see No. -11, _ante_, p. 224). There are forty woodcuts in all. A copy exists in -the Ducal Library at Wolfenbüttel. - -14. 1541. Under this year an Augsburg edition, now at Lemberg, is -mentioned in San-Marte’s Gross-Polens National Sagen (pp. 203 and 207). - -15. 1543. “Wunderbarliche, Vnnd | seltzame historyen, Tyll Vienspiegels -| ausz dem land zu Brunschweig bürtig, newlich ausz Säch- | sischer -sprach auff gut Hochdeutsch verdolmetscht.” Colophon: “Getrukt zu -Straszburg, bey Jacob Frölich, | in M.D.XLIII Iar.” - -Woodcuts and pagination similar in almost every respect to the edition -of 1519. A copy is in the Royal Library at Göttingen from the Gebauer -collection. - -16. 1545. “Seltzame vnnd | Wunderbarliche History- | en Dyll -Vlenspiegels, eines Baw | ren son. Bürtig ausz dem landt zu Braun- | -schweig. Newlich ausz Sächsischer | sprach auff gut Hochdeutsch | -verdolmetscht, sehr kurtzwei- | lig, mit schönen Fi- | guren.” On the -title page is a woodcut of Eulenspiegel on horseback; in the left-hand, -his owl; in his right, the mirror; upon his head, a hat with three -feathers. Beneath: “M.D.XLV.” Colophon: “Gedruckt zu | Franckfurt am | -Mayn, durch Her- | man Gülfferichen, in | der Schnurgas- | senn zum | -Krug.” - -Signatures to D iiii., one hundred and nine numbered pages, and one -without pagination, in small octavo. There are one hundred and two -stories, and some of the woodcuts are new. - -17. 1551. “Seltzame unnd | wunderbarliche Historien | Tyll Vlenspiegels, -eines Bawren Son | Bürtig auss dem land zu Braunschweiyg | Newlich ausz -Sachszischer Sprach auff gut Hochdeutsch verteutscht, sehr | kurtzweilig -zu lesen mit schö | nen Figuren.” Colophon: “Zu Strassburg | In Jahr | -M.D.L.I.” This is preserved in the Grand Ducal library of Darmstadt; it -is in octavo, sheets A–O without pagination; the stories are 102 in -number, each with a woodcut. - -18. 1554. “Eyn wunderbarlich.... History von Dyll Ulenspegel, Cöln. 4to. -1554.” Preserved at the Royal State Library at München. - -19. 1558. “Triumphus | humanae | stultitiae, vel Tylus Saxo nunc primum -Latinitate dona | tus ab Joanne Nemio. Vltraiecti. | Harmannus Borculous -excudebat. | Anno 1558.” - -Five sheets and a half in 8vo. This translation was made by the rector -of the school at Herzogenbusch, and is in iambics. The copy examined by -Dr. Lappenberg is preserved in the Town Library at Lübeck, and another -exists at Göttingen. - -20. 1559. “Les avantures joyeuses et faitz merveilleux de Tiel -Vlespiegle, ensemble les grandes fortunes à luy avenues en diverses -régions, lequel par falace ne se laissait aucunement tromper: Le tout -traduit d’allemand en françoys. Livre fort récréatif pour réveiller les -bons espritz. Lyon, par Jean Savgrain, 1559.” - -One hundred and nine pages, in 16mo. Brunet mentions several copies of -this edition. - -21. 1557–1563. “Wunderbarlich | vnnd seltzame Historien | Tyl -Eulenspiegels, eines Bawren | Son, bürtig ausz dem Land zu Braunschweig. -Newlich ausz Sächsischer sprach, auff gut | hoch deutsch verdeutscht, -sehr | kurtzweilig, mit schö | nen figuren. Gedruckt zu Franckfurdt | am -Mayn | durch Wey- | gand Han.” - -Signatures to Q, 127 pages, and one page without number, in small -octavo. This is the earliest edition where Vlenspiegle becomes -Eulenspiegel. Copies preserved at the Royal Library at Berlin, and the -University library at Jena. - -22. 1563. Another edition of the version of Nemius appeared in this -year, and is preserved at Halle. - -23. 1567. “Noctvae Specvlum. | Omnes res me- | morabiles, varias qve | -et admirabiles, Tyli Saxonici | machinationes complectens, planè novo -more nunc primum ex idiomate Germanico latinitate donatum adiectis -insuper elegantissimis iconibus veras omnium historiarū species ad venum -adumbrantibus, ante hac nunquam visis aut editis. Avthore Ægidio -Periandro, Bruxellensi, Brabantino. Cum Gratia et privilegio ad -decennium, Francofvrti ad Mœnum, M.D.LXVII.” At the end: “Impressum -Francofurti ad Mœnum, apud Georgium Corvinum, sumptibus Sigismundi -Feyrabendt & Simonis Huteri.” - -Signatures A-Z, 210 pages, with 103 woodcuts. Copies at Dresden, -Göttingen, München, Hamburg, and two copies in the British Museum -(Press-marks 243. a. 11 of the King’s Library, and 1080. d. 33). The -book is in elegiac verse, and was composed by Giles Omma, who was known -as Aegidius Periander. - -24. About 1571, a Danish translation of Eulenspiegel is mentioned. See -Nyerup Morskabs laesning, p. 269. - -25. 1566–1571. We next have to record the title of a very remarkable -versified edition, by John Fischart, as follows: “Eulenspiegel Rei | -mensweisz. | Ein newe Be- | schreibung vnnd Le- | gendt desz -kurtzweiligen Le- | bens | vnd seltzamen Thaten | Thyll Eulenspiegels -mit | schönen neuwen Figuren be- | zieret vn nu zum ersten male in -artige Rei-| men durch J[ohann] F[ischart] G[ennant] M[entzer] gebracht, -| nützlich vnd lustig zu | lesen. Cum Gratia & Privilegio. Getruckt zu -Franckfurt.” Colophon:—“Getruckt zu Frankfurt am Mayn, | durch Johannen -Schmidt, in Verlegung | Hieronymi Feyrabends, vnd | Bernard Jobin.” - -This edition is in octavo, with 16 unpaged leaves and 307 numbered -pages, and 98 woodcuts. The year 1571 is assigned to it by Ebert. In -this versified edition, Fischart applied much of the satire of the book -to the events and customs of his time, and he appears to have been well -acquainted with the editions which had preceded him, and his knowledge -of Rabelais, of whom he was the German translator, was also very great, -but he did not know Eulenspiegel to be the work of Murner. Many copies -of this edition exist; amongst others, the British Museum contains one, -the press-mark of which is 11517. a. - -26. 1571. “Evlenspiegels Wunderbarliche, abendtheurische vnd gar -seltzame Historien, Geschichte, bossen vnd Fatzwerck, jetzt auffs neuwe -mit schönen artlichen Figuren zugericht, so vormals im Deutschen nie -gesehen. Getruckt zu Frankfurt am Mayn. M.D.LXXI.” At the end: “Getruckt -zu Frankfurt am Mayn durch | Johannem Schmidt, in Verlegung Hieronymi -Feyerabends Anno M.D.LXXI.” - -Twenty-one and a half sheets in octavo, without pagination. - -27. 1567–1574. “De sa vie [et] des ses oeuures, | Et merueilleuses -aduentures par luy faictes. Et de grandes fortu- | nes quil a eues, -lequel par milles fallaces ne se laissa tromper. Nou | uellement corrige -& translate de Flament en Francoys. viii. c. A Paris pour la vesue Jean -Borfons, demourant en la rue | neuue Nostre Dame, a lenseigne sainct -Nicolas.” - -Thirty-two unnumbered pages, in quarto. This edition is almost identical -with that of Alain Lotrian. A copy exists in the Ducal library at -Wolfenbüttel. - -28. 1571. “Les aventures joyeuses et faits merveilleux de Tiel -Vlespiegle, trad. du Flamand. Orleans.” An edition in duodecimo. - -29. 1571. “Eulenspiegels Historien, mit newen Figuren zugericht. -Frankfurt.” - -A duodecimo edition mentioned by Celsii, Elenchus librorum ab āo -1500–1602 editorum, II. 221. - -30. 1571. “L’histoire joyeuse et recreative de Tiel Vlespiegle; -nouvellement reueu et traduit du flameng en françois. Orleans, par Eloy -Gibier.” - -No date is assigned to this book; but it has been seen by Brunet bound -up with “Le Voyage de Panurge,” issued in 1571. One hundred and seventy -pages, in 16mo. - -31. 1575. “Ulen Spiegel. | Van Ulespieghels leuen Ende schimpe- | lijcke -wercken ende wonderlijcke auonturen.... Thantwerpen. Ghedruckt by my Jan -van Ghelen in den witten Hasewint, 1575. Met Gratie ende Privilegie. Mit -Figg.” - -A quarto in the library of Dr. Jacob Grimm; this appears to be the -edition prohibited by Philip II. and the Duke of Alba, in 1579. - -32 and 33. 1578–9. “Histoire joyeuse et recreative de Tiel Vlespiegle, -ou est traité de ses faits et merveilleuses avantures et de grandes -fortunes, quil a avés. Traduit de Flamand en françois. Anvers. 1579.” - -An octavo spoken of by Von Murr, Journal xiv. 353. - -34. 1580. “Ulen Spiegel—Van Ulenspieghels leuen En | schijmpelijcke -wercken ende wonderlijcke auonturen | die hi hadde, want hie en liet hem -gheē Boeuerije verdrieten | seer playsant en ghenuechlijck om lesen. | -Ghedruckt Thantwerpen, | Opede Camerpoortbrugghe in den Schilt van -Basele by my | Jan van Ghelen de Jonghe, ghesworen Drucker der Con. Ma. -Met Gratie en Privilegie.” - -Title-page in black and red, and the name of the book in old Teutonic -letters. Thirty-two pages, in quarto. Signatures A-H ij. Copy at -Göttingen. - -35. 1586. “Wunderbarliche & seltsame Historien Tyl -Eulenspiegels—[without place]—1586.” - -An octavo in the Royal Library at München. - -36. An edition, bearing the date of the year 1588, is mentioned in the -Catalogue of the Kiel Library, but is not to be found there now. - -37. 1592. An edition of this year, uniform with a Flemish edition of Dr. -John Faust, is mentioned by Tross, in Naumann’s Serapeum, vol. xi. p. -159. - -38, 39. 1612–1613. “Historie van Thyl | UUlenspieghel | van syn schalke -boeverijen die | hy bedreuen heest | seer ghenoechlije [om te lesen] met -schoone figuren. Tot Rotterdam | By Jacob van der Hoeven Op de | Delffe -vart. 1613.” - -Small octavo sheets A-F, forty-eight pages. Preserved in the Royal -Library at Berlin. Another Dutch edition, the title of which need not be -recapitulated, was also published about this time. - -40. 1618. “Wunderbarliche und seltzame Historia | Tyllen Eulen- | -spiegels, eines Bawren Son, | aus dem Land zu Braunschweig bür- | tig. -Newlich aus Sächsischer Sprache auff | gut Hochteutsch verdolmetschet -sehr | kurtzweilig zu lesen. Jetzundt wider frisch gesotten vnd new -gebacken. Gedruckt im Jahr M.D.C.XVIII.” - -Thirteen sheets in small octavo, without pagination. The stories, 102 in -number, with woodcuts. Preserved in a book, together with a song-book -printed by Jacob Singe, and with which the Eulenspiegel is uniform, at -the Town Library at Bremen. - -41. 1636. This edition is not in the list of Dr. Lappenberg. The copy I -have examined is in the British Museum (press mark 12315 _c_), and the -title is as follows: “L’histoire de | Tiel Vlespiegle | contenant ses -faits | merueilleux, & les grandes fortunes | quil a euës durant sa vie. -| Nouuellement traduit de Flammand en François.” (Beneath this a woodcut -representing in a rude way Eulenspiegel with the glass in the right hand -and the owl in the left, on horseback), a Paris, chez Iean Promé, en sa -boutique au coin de la ruë Dauphine. 1636. 16mo. The stories are -forty-six in number and the epitaph is thus given:— - - “Vlespiegle est icy gisant, - Son corp est icy mis en terre, - Pour-ce on aduise le passant, - Q’aucen ne change cette pierre.” - -The pagination is only on one side, and extends to thirty-five, -signatures A-E iij, and the rude woodcut at the commencement is repeated -at the end. The chapters are not numbered, and the following prologue is -printed at the back of the title: “Ayant esgard aux prieres d’aucuns -miens familiers, ausquels ie n’ay osé bounement refuser, amy Lecteur, -i’ay acteur du present Liure, amasse & compilé les plaisantes tromperies -mocqueries & finesses, dont usa en sa vie Tiel Vlespiegle, lequel depuis -mourut l’an mil trois cent cinquante. En quoy toutes fois ie demande -d’estre excusé à l’endroit de toutes personnes, tant Spirituels, que -Temporels, Nobles que Roturiers; attendu le dessein que i’ay tousiours -eu de n’offencer aucun, l’ayant composé, non point au mespris de la -gloire de Dieu, ou pour inuenter menteries & enseigner malice; mais -seulement pour recreer & resueiller les esprit eunuyez, afin aussi que -les simples se puissent garder de telles tromperies au temps aduenir.” -The copy in the Museum is well bound in a dark coloured calf. - -42. 1637. “Wonderbaerliche ende seltsame historie van Thijl Ulenspiegel, -van zijne schalke, listighe bootsen ende boeverijen, gedruckt by broer -Jansz.” Broer Jansz is known as the printer of the earliest Amsterdam -newspaper, in 1628. - -43. 1640 (?). “Het aerdig leven | van | Thijl Ulenspiegel | Waer in -verhallt worden niet alleenelyk veel aerdige en kluchtige Poetsen en -Boeveryen, maer ook besonderlyk syn wondere aventueren, die hem -geduerende syn Leuen gebeurt zyn, zoo hier, als in andere Landen. -T’Antwerpen. By J. H. Heyliger, op de groote Merkt in de Pauw.” - -Sheets A-D 2. Sixty-one sides without pagination, in octavo, with rough -woodcuts. This edition varies considerably from all others, although -founded upon the edition of Broer Jansz. New adventures and scenes are -introduced, and the tone of the book much altered. - -44. 1655. “La vie de Tiel Vlespiegle de ses faicts merveilleux et -finesses par luy faictes, & des grandes fortunes qu’il a euës, lequel -par nulles fallaces ne se laissa tromper. Nouuellement corrigée & -translatée de Flamand en François. A Troyes. Chez Nicholas Oudot, -demeurant en la ruë Nostre Dame au Chappon d’Or Couronné.” Signatures -A-E, in small 8vo. In the public Library of Ponikau at Halle. - -45. 1657–63. In a volume, entitled “Recueil des plus illustres -proverbes, mis en lumière par Jacq. Lagniet”—the Life of Eulenspiegel is -given as the fourth book. Brunet, Manuel, Tom. III. s. v. Lagniet. - -46. 1663. A French translation in “Les œuvres de Bruscambille. Rouen.” -Copy preserved in the Royal Library of Göttingen. - -47. 1675. Tyll Eulenspiegel is referred to by Koch, as published this -year without place. - -48. 1677. “La vie de Til Eulenspiegel, a Troyes.” An octavo, preserved -at Göttingen. - -49. 1683. This edition was not known to Dr. Lappenberg when his work -appeared. The title page is as follows: “La vie | de | Tiel Ulespiegle | -De ses farces & merveilleuses finesses, par luy | faites, & des grandes -fortunes qu’il | a euës, lequel par milles fallaces | ne se laissa -tromper. | Nouvellement corrigée & translatée de Flamen en François, -avec des belles figures. | (Here a figure of an owl in a looking-glass). -A Paris | Chez Pierre Clinchet, à l’enseigne du Dauphin | M.DC.LXXXIII.” -In the British Museum (Press mark, 12315 _a_), small octavo, bound in -paper. The woodcuts in this edition are of the rudest kind and the -prologue the same as that in the edition of 1636. The stories are -forty-six in number, and the epitaph; the number of pages are -eighty-eight. Signatures A-F iij. It seems to be a close reprint of the -edition above mentioned, No. 44. - -50. 1690. “Historia Tillen Eulenspiegels.” An octavo, named in Heise’s -Bücher-Catalog. Hamburg, 1827. Vol. I. - -51. 1696. “Underlig oc selsom Historie om Tiile Ugelspegel, een Bondes -Soen, barnfoed udi Lande Brunszwig, saare Kortvillig at laese, af -Tydsken paa danske udsat. Sidste Gang prentet i dette Aar.” At the end -is the date of the year, 1696. Thirteen sheets in octavo. - -52. 1699. “La vie | de Tiel Ulespiegle | De ses faits merveilleux, des -grandes fortunes qu’il a | eues, lequel par aucunes fallace [sic] ne se -laissa surprendre ni tromper. A Troyes | Chez Jacques Oudot, demeurant -en la rue | du Temple, 1699. Avec permission.” A small octavo, -signatures A-C (query F), forty-eight pages, without numbers. The copy -described by Lappenberg is preserved in the Imperial Library of Paris. - - - _17th Century, without particular date._ - -53, 54. Without date, but belonging to the seventeenth century are two -octavo editions mentioned in a catalogue published at Halle in 1846, p. -379. - -55. An undated Dutch edition of this period in octavo has the following -title: “Wonderlijke Levensgeschiedniss van Thyl Uilenspiegel, behelzende -zijn schalkachtig en avonteurlijk leven, op nieuw verbeterd en -vermeerderd, met zeldzaamheden welke noch nimmer bekent zijn geweest. -Tweede Druck. Rotterdam.” This is a second edition. - -56. An edition without date appeared at Amsterdam about this time in -octavo. “Wonderbarelyke en zeldzame Historien van Thyl Uilenspiegel, van -zyn schalke, listige potsen en Boeveryen, di hy, zoo in zyn dood, als -ook in zyn leven bedreven heest. Zeer tydkordig en geneuglyk om te lezen -voor oude en jonge lieden.” - -57. A Rotterdam edition, with following title page, is in the Bodleian -(Douce, v. 58): “Wonderbaarlyke en Zeldzaame | Historie | van | Thyl | -Ulenspiegel, | en van Zyn Schalke, Listig Bootzen en | Boerveryen, | die -hy en zyn leven | bedreef. | Zeer tydkörtig en genoeglyk om te leezen | -Verciert met Figuuren en zyn Lyk-Ceel. | Te Rotterdam. | By Johannes -Scheffers, Boek- | Drukker in de Prinsestraat.” Duodecimo, eighty-eight -numbered pages, and eight without pagination. Rough woodcuts, and -typography in black letter, except the headings of chapters, and the -last eight pages. This edition is not mentioned by Dr. Lappenberg. - -58. Without date: “La vie de Tiel Vlespiegle de ses faicts et merveilles -& des grandes fortunes qu’il a eues, lequel par milles fallacies ne se -laissa surprendre n’y tromper. A Troyes et se vend a Paris chez Antoine -de Rafflé, Imprimeur Marchand libraire, Rue de petit Pont, à l’Image S. -Antoine.” Signatures A-D, small octavo. Preserved in the Royal Library -of Dresden, and in the public Library of Ponikau at Halle. - -59. A Rouen edition, without date, not mentioned by Lappenberg: “Tiel -Vlespiegle de sa vie ..... ne se laissa tromper. A Rouen chez Loys -Costé, rue Escuyere aux trois croix Couronnées.” Printed in double -columns in quarto, without pagination, and bound in a volume, preserved -in the British Museum (press mark, 12513/5, _g_), together with a number -of publications by Loys Costé and others, comprising Melusine, Geoffrey -a la grand Dent, Richard sans paour, Florimont, and Oliuier de Castille. - -60, 61, 62. At this time several Polish translations seem to have -appeared. See San Marte Gross-Polens Nationalsagen. Bromberg, 1842. p. -203. - - * * * * * - -63. 1701. “Tiel Wliespiegle, de sa vie, de ses faits et merveilleuses -finesses par lui faites, et des grandes fortunes qu’il a eues, lequel -par les fallaces, ne se laissa tromper, traduit du flamand. Rouen. -Besogne, 1701.” An octavo, on which see Brunet. - -64. 1702. “Histoire de la vie de Tiel Wlepiegle, Contenant ses faits et -finesses .... ne s’étant jamais laissé tromper par aucune personne. -Amsterdam, chez Nicolas Chevalier.” A duodecimo, in the Royal Library at -München, and in the possession of Herr Regierungsrath Blumenbach, of -Hanover; as also in the British Museum, press mark, 12315 _a_. - -65. 1702. “Histoire de la vie de Tiel Wlespiegle. Contenant ses faits et -finesses, ses aventures, et les grandes fortunes qu’il a euës, ne -s’etant jamais laissé tromper par aucune personne. Nouvelle Traduction -de l’Alemand en François: où l’on a ajouté à cette edition, plusieurs -pieces qui n’ont point encore paru en François jusques à present. A -Middelbourg chez Ric. Parmenter. MDCCII.” A duodecimo, at the Royal -Library at Dresden. - -66. 1703. The same title at Amsterdam, printed by Pierre Marteau, -MDCCIII. 247 pages, and eight leaves, in duodecimo. In this edition, -several adventures are added, which appear in the German Rogue (_vide -infra_, No. 71). Copies in the British Museum (press mark 1079 _b_, 18); -at the Royal Library at Dresden, and the Town Library at Hamburg. - -67. “La | Vie de Tiel | Ulespiegle | (see edition of 1699, _supra_). -Troyes, chez la veuve Jacques Oudot. 1705. Avec permission.” In small -octavo, with two rude cuts. Signatures extend from A-D ij, over -fifty-four pages. Flemish names, as in some other editions, take the -place of German. This edition is in the library of Dr. Lappenberg. - -68. 1713. “Wunderliche und seltsame Historien Tillen Eulenspiegels, -eines Bauren Sohn, aus dem Lande zu Braunschweig bürtig; neulich aus -Sächsischer Sprache auf gut Hochteutsch verdollmetscht, &c., &c. Anitzo -wieder aufs neue aufgelegt. Gedruckt in diesem Jahre (13) Mit -Holzschnitten.” Small octavo. Referred to in the Catalogue of the -“Bibliothek der Maatschappij van Nederlandsche Letterkunde, te Leiden,” -vol. ii. p. 336. - -69. 1714. “La Vie de Tiel Ulespiegle de ses faits ... tromper. A Troyes, -1714.” Duodecimo. - -70. 1714. “Wunderliche & Seltzame Historien von Tyll Eulenspiegel.... -Kurtzweilig zu lesen. Hamburg gedruckt auffm Schaarsteinweg.” Octavo, -sixty-three woodcuts, numbered to 100 chapters, except that, by the -omission of chap. 79, there are really only ninety-nine. This is the -commonly received text constantly reprinted. - -71. 1720. “The | German Rogue, | or the | Life and Merry | Adventures, | -Cheats, Stratagems | & | Contrivances | of Tiel Eulespiegel. Let none -Eulespiegle’s Artifices blame, | For Rogues of ev’ry Country are the -same. | Made English From the High Dutch. London: Printed in the Year -MDCCXX.” This edition is the only other version ever made of the work -presented in this volume. It differs widely, however, from the popular -German Owlglass; many stories are introduced which the original editions -did not contain, and the taste for tales of the Decameron class has been -consulted in the compilation of it. Dr. Lappenberg, in his -bibliographical section, assigns to it the date of 1709; but the only -two copies I have seen, one of which is in my possession, give the date -1720 as above. It is an octavo and of extreme rarity, the British Museum -contains no copy of it; the only other copy is in the Douce Collection -at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. That which I have was formerly the -property of Mr. Bernard Quaritch, who priced it at £2 12_s._ 6_d._ A -note on the fly-leaf states the rarity of the book, and that the -annotator never met with another; and Mr. Thoms says, that he only saw -the one in Douce’s Collection. The number of pages is 111, and of -chapters forty-four. Signatures B-P 4, with title and preface. The -rarity of the book is not much to be regretted; for its contents are not -in any way of a nature fitted for quotation or great remark. - -72. 1736. “Lustige Historien oder Merckwürdiges Leben, Thaten und Reisen -des Weltbekandten Tyll Eulenspiegels. Mit vielen Historischen, -Politischen, und Moralischen Anmerckungen, Auch allerhand Tugend-, -Staats und Sitten-Lehren, Nach aller Ständen durch und durch, bei jeder -Historie, erläutert und beschrieben (Dresden bei Hilscher).” An octavo, -preserved at the Royal Libraries of Dresden and Göttingen. - -73. 1774. “Wonderbaerlyke en zeldzame Historie van Thyl Ulenspiegel, van -zyn Schalke..... Zeer teydkortig en geneuglijk on te lezen. Vor Oude en -Jonge Lieden. Te Amsterdam, by Joannes Kannewet.” A small octavo, of -eighty-eight numbered pages, and four pages without numbers, preserved -at München. - -74. A popular romance on Owlglass appeared in two volumes in 1779 and -1784. - -75. A Danish translation was published in 1787 at Copenhagen; twelve -sheets in octavo without pagination. - -76. 1794. “Leben und Sonderbare Thaten Till Eulenspiegels.” An octavo of -136 pages. - -77. 1795. The same, republished at Prague and Vienna. - - - _18th Century, without particular date._ - -78. In the Bodleian at Oxford (Douce Collection, p. 280, press-mark TT -iii) is a French Eulenspiegel, entitled, “Histoire | Plaisante | de | -Tiel Ulespiegel | Contenant les faits & subtilités dont | il s’est -servi. | Revue et Corrigée de Nouveau. | A Limoges, | Chez F. -Chapoulard, Imprimeur-Libraire, | place de Banc.” It is an octavo of -twenty-nine pages, and the number of adventures far from complete. It is -printed on very bad paper, and evidently with a view to cheapness. - -79. “Wonderbaarlyke | en zeldame | Historie | van | Thyl Ulenspiegel, -&c. Te Leyden. By P. van Leeuwen. In the de Pieters Choorsteg.” Chiefly -curious from a cut on the title, representing Eulenspiegel holding a -mirror up for an owl to look in, with the inscription above it, “Broeder -myn.” Ninety pages duodecimo, with the ordinary adventures and rude -cuts. Preserved in the Bodleian. - -80, 81. Several stories of Eulenspiegel were translated into Jew-German, -and printed at Frankfort-on-the-Main, in octavo, according to Wolf, -“Bibliotheca Hebraica,” vol. iii., p. 86, 1727. Another Hebrew-German -edition appears referred to in the same work, vol. ii., p. 1255, 1721. - -82. Flögel mentions, in 1789, an old Polish version (p. 473): “Sowizrzal -Krotochwilny Smiezny Poczatek, zywot y dokonanie iego.” Without year or -place, in octavo. - -83. “La Vie | joyeuse et récréative de Thiel Ulespiègle ... qu’il a -eues. A Douai. Chez Deregnaucourt. Imprimeur-Libraire, rue Jacques, no. -45.” Three sheets of forty-eight pages in duodecimo, in the Imperial -Library at Paris. - -84, 85. Of the eighteenth century. “Historien von dem wunderlichen & -seltsamen Till Eulenspiegel. Hamburg.” Twelve sheets in octavo. Another -edition published by Solbrig of Leipzig. - -86, 87. 1804 and 1806. Two Dutch editions, published at Amsterdam and -Deventer. - -88. 1807. A German Leipzig edition. - -89. 1819. Dutch book of the Eulenspiegel character, but not containing -the same Adventures. “Het | Leven | van den | Jongen | Ulenspiegel, &c. -Te Amsterdam. By B. Koene, Boekdrukker in de Boomstraat.” 12mo. in -ninety-six pages, in the Bodleian (v. 58, Douce Collection). - -90, 91. A quarto edition, consisting of fifty-five plates, published by -Ramberg at Hanover. In the Museum (press-mark, 554 _b_ 40). At Rotterdam -in the same year an edition in Dutch appeared, which contained several -adventures differing from the common version. - -92. 1830. Baron von Halberg in this year published a versified edition -in octavo at Crefeld. In the Museum, with the press-mark 11526 _d_. - -93–96. “Der ganz neue wiedererstandene Till Eulenspiegel,” in 100 -chapters, with 102 woodcuts. “München, 1833, 1836–7, 1844.” This edition -has been used in the preparation of this volume. - -97, 98. “Avantures de Tiel Ulespiegle et ses bon mots, finesses et -amusantes inventions. Par Joseph Octave Delepierre. Bruges. 1835.” -Ninety pages in octavo. Only fifty copies of this edition printed.—1840. -“Les Aventures de Tiel Ulespiegle. Par Delepierre.” An octavo of 222 -pages. This edition of M. Delepierre affirms with amusing mock gravity -the entirely Flemish origin of Owlglass, and the names are ingeniously -altered to suit Flemish localities. Use has been made of the edition in -this version. - -99, 100, 101. In the years 1838 and 1839, several editions appeared, one -of them that of Cornelius, which, together with the 1519 edition and the -preceding, has been consulted in this edition. - -102. 1841. An edition belonging to Dr. Simrock’s Collection of German -Folkbooks, at Berlin. - -103. “Tyll Eulenspiegel’s wunderbare und seltsame Historien. Von Carl -Frölich. Reutlingen, 1849.” - -104. 1854. Dr. Thomas Murner’s Ulenspiegel. By Dr. J. M. Lappenberg. -Leipzig, Weigel. This is the best and completest edition yet published -of Owlglass, and one which has formed the groundwork of the translation -now published. - -Several editions have appeared since, but none of them possessing value -sufficient to render notice necessary; the only one which need be -mentioned being— - -105. “Histoire Joyeuse et Récréative de Tiel L’Espiègle. Nouvelle -Edition. Avec une étude littéraire sur Tiel L’Espiègle par Pr. van -Duyse. Gand, 1858.” - -We have thus, without referring to the numerous badly printed versions -of the illustrious Eulenspiegel, given here a complete review of all the -editions of this remarkable book, which, from its length, will serve to -show how popular it has been from its very first appearance. - -In connection with Eulenspiegel literature, it may be interesting in -this place to give a description of a curious work, of which three -copies are preserved in the Bodleian Library at Oxford (Douce -Collection, Catalogue, page 290 A. Press-marks, R 328, 90), and which, -by the kind permission of Dr. Bandinel, and of my friend, the Rev. A. -Hackman, M.A., Precentor of Christ Church, I have been permitted to -examine. It is entitled— - -“The | French | Rogue. | Being a pleasant | History | of | His Life and -Fortunes | adorned with variety of other | Adventures | of no less -Rarity | With | Epigrams | suitable to each Stratagem | London: | -Printed by T. N. for Samuel Lowndes, | and are to be sold at his Shop, -over against | Exeter House in the Strand, 1672.” - -The two copies which I saw are well preserved, especially the one marked -“R 90,” which is bound up with the letters of Monsieur De Bergerac. The -book is a small 12mo, with 197 pages and two pages of advertisements. -The Signature A is formed of title page and six sides (without -pagination) of preface and lines to the author. It is one of those dull -books so common about that time, and contains the adventures and travels -of a personage who, like Owlglass, but without his wit, cheats and robs -those whom he encounters. He journeys over France, and becomes a member -of a society of thieves, and swears to abide by certain rules of their -order, tedious to be recapitulated here. The book is curious as an -example of the taste of the time. The chapters are twenty-nine in -number, and, as the title page says, epigrams appropriate to the -adventures are inserted. Other works, ancient and modern, akin to -Eulenspiegel literature, will be found in a subsequent Appendix. - ------ - -Footnote 14: - - Adventure the 24th, pp. 38–39. - -Footnote 15: - - This should be M.CCC. & L. - -Footnote 16: - - Error _oeuues_ for _oeuures_. - - - - - APPENDIX B. - - _The historical Eulenspiegel and his gravestone._ - - -It is scarcely necessary to enter upon the question of the historical -Eulenspiegel. That there was such a person seems unquestionable. The -names of his parents were Saxon names, not unfrequent, and the name of -Ulenspiegel appears as early as 1337, being the name of a widow living -at Brunswick, and again in 1473, in conjunction with another name. The -widow Ulenspeygel has even been supposed to be the mother of our hero. -But what little is known of him, is more easily to be read in the book -itself than gathered from other records. - -Among the objects of interest which remain to the present time, a -testimony of the real existence of Eulenspiegel, is the gravestone at -Möllen, the place assigned to him as his last resting-place, both by -historical tradition and in the folk-book. Caspar Abel, who in 1729–32 -published a collection of old German chronicles, gives one which he -describes as having been the property of the family of Hetling, at -Halberstadt, and which seems to have been written about 1486. In this -chronicle, mention is made under the year 1350 of the ravages of the -Black Death at Braunschweig, and it continues: “Thereof died Ulenspeygel -at Möllen, among the Gheyseler brethren” (“_Dosulffest sterff -Ulenspeygel to Möllen unde de Gheyseler Broder kemen an_”). Yet it is -necessary to remark, that this statement, later than the first presumed -edition of 1486—of which little is known—is not supported by any other -Saxon chronicle of the fifteenth century. The next reference to the -grave at Möllen, is in Reimar Rock’s _Lübscher Chronik_, in the -following jest concerning the Cardinal Raymond; being the original hint, -indeed, which I have amplified in the present book, in adventure the -hundredth and tenth: “The Cardinal abode in the first night at Möllen. -And when he comprehended the German speech, and heard of the holy-living -saint Ulenspegel, an if there had been money in store—after which do all -Italians and Spaniards thirst—Ulenspegel could have been entered on the -Pope his calendar.” This jest, as Dr. Lappenberg well notices, is at any -rate a proof, that at this time the grave was often sought out by -visitors. Michael Heberer, in his voyage to Sweden and Denmark, in 1592, -describes the gravestone, but not in the way depicted in our cut. He -makes no mention of the figure, but only of the owl and glass; and the -same description occurs in Merian (_Topographie von Nieder Sachsen_) as -being there in 1614. But in 1631, in the manuscript Chronicles of -Dethlev Dreyer, a description of the stone, nearly as it now stands, is -given; but a basket of owls is mentioned, so it could scarcely be the -same. Dreyer and Zeiller (_Reiszbuch durch Hoch und Nieder Teutschland_, -1674), both speak of the gravestone having been renewed and fenced off -from the attacks of boys, and other wilful destroyers of antiquities. -But the most interesting account is given by Zacharias Conrad von -Uffenbach, who visited Möllen in the year 1710, and I shall, therefore, -offer a translation of it:— - -“We first,” says the writer, “examined at the church, which stands upon -a slight hill, just by where one goeth up by steps into the churchyard, -near the door, the little hut in which the gravestone of Eulenspiegel is -set up and leans against the wall of the church. Formerly it had lain in -the churchyard not far from the church, under the elm tree, which still -stands in its place, but as by bad boys it was often damaged and went -hard to be destroyed by rain and weather, a most worthy and benevolent -magistrate of this town, a long time ago, had it placed against the wall -of the church, and a small house erected round about it, and closed in, -with only an open window, or hole, in front. The stone is more than four -ells high, and only about one broad. There is not alone an owl and glass -sculptured on the two sides, as Merian or Zeiller says in _Topog. Sax. -infer._ p. 184, but the noble [_vornehmes_] likeness of Eulenspiegel is -upon it in the size of life, although not quite equal to his stature and -tallness, and the above-named things are in his hands. That he wears -bells, may not arise from the fact that he plays the part of a wise fool -or a jesting knave [_Schalksknecht_], but that in those times the bells -were greatly in the fashion, and even worn by great lords (as see in -_Observat. Hallens. ad rem liter. spectant. Germanicas_ concerning -Schellen-Moritz). The inscription on the lower part of the stone, is -somewhat damaged by rain and carelessness; so that it is somewhat -difficult to be read by those who know it not. In the wood of the hut -very many Owlglasses [_Eulenspiegels_, used in the sense of rogues] have -cut their names.” - -The expression, that the figure was the size of life, but not quite -equal to the stature and tallness of Eulenspiegel, cannot be otherwise -understood than that the figure was not entirely cut in the stone, but -perhaps only to the knee. It would seem, however, that the figure was -repeatedly replaced, for the one now existing differs from the account -given by Uffenbach. It stands upright at the wall of the tower, with a -wooden shed round it, the lower part of which hides the inscription. -Other relics of this apostle of knavery are mentioned by Uffenbach, such -as an old shirt of mail, preserved in the council chamber at Möllen. His -sword, beaker, and money-pouch, all of a later period, are also shown. -With the beaker, a very narrow and deep one, a sorry joke is connected, -that he had it so made because his mother bade him never to dip his nose -too deep in a glass. - -In respect of the gravestone, it is yet to be mentioned, that in a -little descriptive work which appeared some years ago, the figure is -attributed to a certain knight, Tilodictus Ulenspegel, who, in -Westphalian annals of the fourteenth century, is not unknown. Yet for -the sake of romance, and also from historical probability, it is best to -adhere to the story which remains to us. The inscription on the stone is -as follows:— - - “Anno 1350 is dŭss - -en vp gehauē ty- - le vlenspegel ligt - her vnder begrauen - marcket wol vnd - dencket dran. wat - ick gwest sivp .. e - ... de her vor ... - ... an moten mi - glick wer.....” - -“Anno 1350 is this sculptured, Tyle Ulenspegel lies here under buried. -Mark well and think thereover what I have been....” (rest too -fragmentary). But to be restored thus: - - “Gedenk daran - Wat ick gwest sivp ... e - ... de her vor (uber) - (Gh) an moten mi - glich wer (den).” - -“Think thereover, what I have been ... who passeth by may to me become -alike.” - -At Damme, in Belgium, there is another gravestone with which tradition -connects our hero, but unsatisfactorily. A writer in Meyer’s -“Conversations Lexicon,” vol. ix. p. 331, thinks this gravestone is that -of Eulenspiegel’s father, who might have died at the date of it, 1301. - - - - - APPENDIX C. - - _Of Dr. Thomas Murner, the author of Eulenspiegel._ - - -As the author of Eulenspiegel, and also as a not unknown man in his own -country, as well as in England, it may be not unwelcome to print here a -few brief notes concerning Thomas Murner. He was born at Ehenheim, south -of Strasburg, the 24th December, 1475, his father being a cobbler at -that place. He was educated in a school of the Franciscans at Strasburg, -and seems afterwards to have visited, in the capacity of travelling -student, the Universities of Paris, Freiburg, Rostock, Prague, Vienna, -and Cracow, and in his nineteenth year (1494) appears already to have -taken orders. In 1499 he published his first work, his _Invectiva contra -Astrologos_, and another piece, the _Tractatus perutilis de phitonico -contractu_, and thenceforward lived a life of extreme literary activity. -Having similar tastes to Sebastian Brandt, author of the “Ship of -Fools,” we find Murner printing similar works—works of a satirical kind, -such as the _Narrenbeschwerung_ (“Conjuration of Fools”), the -_Schelmenzunft_ (“Knave Corporation”), and the _Gäuchmatt_, in which the -various classes of society are bitterly treated, but in a way not -interesting to modern persons. The most memorable thing which can -connect Murner with England, is the part he took in the dispute between -Henry the Eighth and Luther; and a book which he published under the -title of “Is the King of England a liar or is Luther?” (_Ob der Kunig -usz Engelland ein lügner sey oder der Luther?_), obtained favour for him -from Henry. - -The following letter from Sir Thomas More to Cardinal Wolsey, dated the -26th August, 1523, will tell the story of Murner’s visit to this country -better than any other mode of narrating it. Cardinal Wolsey was then -staying at Easthampstead. The spelling, which is quite intelligible -enough, has been left in its original state, to give the reader an idea -of the unsettled condition of English at that time. - -“It may ferther lyke Your Good Grace to be advertised that one Thomas -Murner, a Frere of Saynt Francisce, which wrote a booke against Luther -in defence of the Kinges boke, was out of Almaigne sent into England, by -the meane of a simple[17] person, an Almaign namyng hymselfe servaunt un -to the Kinges Grace, and afferming un to Murner, that the King had gevyn -hym in charge to desyre Murner to cum over to hym in to England, and by -occasion ther of he is cummen over and has now bene here a good while. -Wher fore the Kinges Grace, pitiyng that he was so deceived, and having -tendre respecte to the goode zele that he bereth toward the feith, and -his good hart and mynd toward His Highnes, requyreth Your Grace that it -may lyke you to cause hym have in reward one hundred pownde, and that he -may retourn home, wher his presence is very necessary; for he is one of -the chiefe stays agaynst the faction of Luther in that parties, agaynst -whom he hath wrytten many bokis in the Almayng tong; and now, sith the -cumming hither, he hath translated into Latyn, the boke that he byfore -made in Almaign, in defence of the Kinges boke. He is Doctour of -Divinite and of bothe Lawes, and a man for wryting and preching of great -estimation in his cuntre. - -“Hit may like Your Grace ferther to wite, that the same simple person, -which caused Murner to cum in to England, is now cummen to the Court, -and hath brought with him a Barons son of Almaygn, to whom he hath also -persuaded, that the Kinges Grace wold be glad to have hym in his -service. He hath also brought lettres from Duke Ferdinand un to the -Kinge’s Grace, which lettres J send un to Your Grace, wherin he desireth -the Kinge’s Highnes to take in to his service, and to reteyne, with some -convenient yerely pention Ducem Mechelburgensem; of which request the -Kinges Grace greatly merveileth, and veryly thinketh that this simple -felow, which brought the lettres, lykewise as he caused Murner to cum -hither, and persuaded the Barons sone that the King would be glad to -have his service, so hath by some simple ways brought the Duke of -Mechelborough in the mynd, that the Kings Grace wold, at the -contemplation of Duke Ferdinandis lettres, be content to reteign the -Duke of Mechelborough with a yerly pention. The felow hath brought also -fro the Duke of Mechelborough lettres of credence written in the Duche -tong. He bare hym selfe in Almaign for the Kinge’s servaunt, and bosted -that he had a yerely pention of fiftie markes, and that the King had -sent him thither to take upp servauntes for hym; and now he saith, he is -servaunt un to the Empereurs Majeste, and is going into Spaigne, with -lettres to hym; and in dede he hath diverse lettres to his Magestie, and -so it was easie for hym to gete, if he entend to deceive and mocke; as -the Kinges Grace thinketh that he doth. For His Grace never saw hym -byfore, but he understandeth now, that before this tyme he was in -England, when th Empereur was here,[18] and slew a man and escaped his -way. Wherfor His Grace requyreth Yours to give hym your prudent advice, -as well in a convenient answere to be made both to Duke Ferdinand and -the Duke of Mechelborough, as also in what wyse hit shal be convenient -to ordre this simple felowe, that so hath deceived menne in the Kinges -name.” - -However agreeable to the vanity, and useful to the cause, of the King, -the book is a somewhat dreary book to read now; and save that it -consists of a long dialogue between the King, Luther, and Murner, there -need be little more said of it. Those who wish to read it will find it -in its original German in that valuable collection of Middle Age -literature made by Scheible, and entitled _Das Kloster_ (the Convent) -Volume IV. pp. 893–982. The dispute continued to give a tone to his life -henceforth, and all his later years were spent in empty and angry -controversy. Indeed, we lose sight of him altogether in the year 1530; -and it has been suspected that he was murdered at Lucerne, though we -hear the last of him at Strasburg. His death was certainly before 1537. - ------ - -Footnote 17: - - “Simple” is here used in the sense of “cunning,” “bad.” - -Footnote 18: - - Charles V. was in England from the 26th of May, when he landed at - Dover, till the 1st of July, 1522. - - - - - APPENDIX D. - - _The verses inserted by William Copland in the English black-letter - Howleglas of 1528._ - - - _How Howleglas came to a scoler to make verses with hym to that vse - of reason. And howe that Howleglas began, as after shal folowe_:— - - HOWLEGLAS. - - Mars with septer[19] a king coronate, - Furius[20] in affliction, and taketh no regarde. - By terrible fightyng he is our prymate - And god of battell, and person ryght forward, - Of warries[21] the tutor, the locke and the warde. - His power, his might, who can them resyst? - Not all this worlde, if that him selfe lyst. - - THE SCHOLER. - - Not all this worlde, who told the[22] so? - Where is that written, ryght fayne wold I see? - Ye came lyke a foole and so shall ye go. - By one person only deceived ye may be - And by astronomy, I tell vnto the. - If that will not helpe, some shyft shal I fynde - By craft or cunnyng, Mars for to blynde. - - HOWLEGLAS. - - Venus a god of loue most decorate, - The floure of women and lady most pvre, - Louers to concorde she doth aye aggregate - With parfyte loue, as marble to dure, - The knot of loue, she knittes on them sure - With frendly amite[23] and neuer to discorde - By dedes, thought, cogitation, nor worde. - - THE SCHOLER. - - Not to discorde? yed[24] did I never see, - Knowe not here tell of louers suche twayne, - But some fault there was, learne this of me. - Other in thought, or yet in wordes playne - Your reasons be nought, your tongue goeth in vayne. - By naturall person such loue is not found - In Fraunce, Flaunders, nor yet in Englysh ground. - - HOWLEGLAS. - - The God of wyne, that Bachus hath to name, - The sender of fruytes, that maketh wynes all, - May slake or make or put them in frame, - All at his pleasure and use dynyall.[25] - He may the[26] exalt in lyke wyse to fall, - Their lorde and meister,[27] and chief gouernour - He may then destroye and make in an houre. - - THE SCHOLER. - - All to destroye it is not by his myght, - Nor yet for to make, of that be thou sure. - “Omnia per ipsum,” Saint Johan sayes full ryght. - Than we call Christ our god and our treasure. - Presume not so hye,[28] you fayle of your measure, - Rede, heare and see, and here well a waye, - Unknowen, vnsayde and for grace thou pray. - ------ - -Footnote 19: - - _Septer_, sceptre. - -Footnote 20: - - _furius_, furious. - -Footnote 21: - - _warries_, wars. - -Footnote 22: - - _the_, thee. - -Footnote 23: - - _amite_, French _amitié_. - -Footnote 24: - - _yed_, yet. - -Footnote 25: - - _dynyall_, denial. - -Footnote 26: - - _the_, thee. - -Footnote 27: - - _meister_, master. - -Footnote 28: - - _hye_, high. - - - - - APPENDIX E. - - _The Bakâla legend of the Valacqs analogous to Owlglass._ - - -The most interesting fiction with which I have met, approaching in -intention and construction to the German Eulenspiegel, is a legend -current among the Wallachians, entitled “Bakâla.” The hero goes through -a few adventures savouring much of the wily malice of Owlglass; but -there are only thirteen of these adventures in all. The first introduces -us to Bakâla, at the death of his father, who leaves a single cow behind -him. The question arises between Bakâla and his two elder brothers, as -to which is to become possessor of the cow. They agree at last to build -three sheds, and, placing the cow in the middle, give her the -opportunity of deciding the ownership. Bakâla builds his shed of a -grassy material, which the cow perceives, and instead of entering the -sheds of stone built by Bakâla’s brethren, enters his, and thus becomes -his property. He then sells his cow to a tree, which agitated by the -wind, appears to bargain with him. His brethren mock at him for a fool -in selling the cow to a tree; and next day, when payment is to be made, -the cow has broken loose and departed, and when Bakâla asks for the -money, there being no wind, the tree is silent. Then Bakâla cuts down -the tree and finds a pot of money in the roots; thereof he takes the -agreed price, and goes home, and his brethren are astonished at his -receiving money from a tree. The two brothers plague him until he tells -them the whole story as to the treasure, which they go and take. Bakâla -is then sent to borrow a fruit measure from a neighbour, who asks him -what he wants it for, and Bakâla tells him that it is to measure his -money. So the neighbour follows him, and peeps through the window. This -is seen by the inmates of the house, and Bakâla is told to go and kill -him, which he does; the brothers only meaning that Bakâla should give -him a beating. When they find, however, that Bakâla has killed him, they -are obliged to depart from that place. - -An adventure by which Bakâla becomes possessed of a sack of incense, -obtains him a gift from the Almighty (who, as in the ancient -miracle-plays, is brought into the story) of a marvellous bagpipe, which -causes every one to dance. When a shepherd the sheep dance; and his -master, who is watching him, is obliged to dance also; and afterwards -his master’s wife dances herself to death. Other mischief Bakâla also -contrives to do. After cutting the tails of his master’s dogs off, and -killing the youngest child by washing it and hanging it up to dry, the -master resolves to depart; for he is bound by a treaty to Bakâla. But -Bakâla gets into the sack, which the master prepares to carry books in, -and is discovered at last. Then the master and his son conspire to drown -Bakâla; but he overhears them, and the son gets drowned instead. Bakâla -appears here to be analogous to the Old Man of the Sea, of whom Sindbad -cannot rid himself. At last the contract between them, to the effect -that either on breaking it should forfeit a long strip of skin in the -back, has to be completed by Bakâla on the body of his master, who has -broken it by the attempt to drown his servant. And as the master’s back -is sore, he takes the book-wallet and departs. This story, as our -authority, Schott, says (_Walachische Mährchen_, p. 362), reminds us of -the agreement between Apollo and Marsyas. Then he sets a bride free from -a disagreeable bridegroom by a stratagem, and after acting the bride’s -part himself, escapes. - -The last story in the series is worthy of translation entire, therefore -here it is:— - - “_How Bakâla findeth a fellow, and thereafter is not any other - news heard of him._—After that Bakâla had in such wise departed - from the bridegroom, he gat, whence I know not, a sack filled with - sawdust. No longtime had he journeyed, when he encountered by the - way another man, who likewise bare a sack. Then did they greet - each other, and after awhile proposed that they should change - sacks. And so did they; then they hasted to open the sacks, and in - that which Bakâla had received lay nought but flint stones, and - what the other received that do we know. For a time they looked - upon their prizes with great wonder; but thereupon laughed hugely. - ‘Truly,’ quoth Bakâla, ‘we have beguiled each other!’ ‘That is - truth indeed!’ cried the other. And great content had these twain - one of the other, and embraced thereupon, and made agreement that - thereafter would they journey everywhere in company. From that - time hath no more been heard of Bakâla.” - -Schott, in his work, finds analogy between the various adventures of -Bakâla, and the course of the sun through the months of the year; but it -is foreign to our present purpose to enter upon such a speculation. Yet, -as a curious exemplification of the love of trickery to be found among -all races, this Wallachian Owlglass is worthy of mention. - - - - - APPENDIX F. - - _Works akin to the Eulenspiegel literature._ - - -Although the Eulenspiegel folk-book has become the best known of the -special class of books in which the middle age took such pleasure, there -are many other compositions of a kindred nature worthy of mention, and -of these I shall here describe the most important. The first on which -any remark is necessary is the celebrated legend of Salomon and -Marcolphus, which, in Latin, German, Anglo-Saxon, and French, has -survived to the present time. Marcolphus is a jester in a more sober -sense than is Owlglass; the jests of the former, though some of them are -analogous to those of the latter, rarely touch upon the humourous. They -are capable of application to far more serious things, to matters of -speculative philosophy and science. Luther, for instance, applied a -story of Marcolphus in reproof of persons who shut their eyes to the -good, but afterwards were compelled, whether they would or no, to behold -the evil.[29] But the Marcolphus legend is an exemplification rather of -the combats of wit and wisdom common to the earlier part of the middle -age, than a vivid reflex, as is the Owlglass, of the manners and customs -of the time to which it belongs. One story borrowed from the Marcolphus, -or from Morlini, at an early period, appears in Owlglass, being the -second adventure in this edition, p. 3. - -The _Narrenschiff_ (“Ship of Fools”) of Sebastian Brandt was published -in 1494. It is also called the _Welt Spiegel_, or “World Mirror,” and it -enjoyed a great and deserved reputation in its time, but was far too -pedantic and tiresome to survive to the present age, or be profitable -now. A few remarks upon it, extracted from Hallam, will be found in the -Preface. - -Murner himself published a satirical work in 1517, entitled the -_Schelmenzunft_ (“Corporation of Knaves”), but from a want of entirety -it has fallen into little repute. So also the _Gäuchmatt_ has been -forgotten, while Owlglass, published in the same year (1519), will live -a companion to many. - -Similar books had preceded Master Owlglass, but not with the same -success, although from them the frequent editors of the latter -abstracted stories to add to the deeds of the wandering knave; from the -legend of the “Priest Amis,” for instance, Murner took the story of the -invisible picture, the reading ass, the wise university examination at -Prague, and the history of the pardoner with the holy head of Saint -Brandonus. Another work, the “Priest of Kalenberg,” preceded Owlglass, -having appeared before the year 1494 at Vienna, being written by Villip -Frankfurter; the only copy known is preserved in the Hamburg Town -Library. The “Priest of Kalenberg” is mentioned by Sebastian Brandt in -the “Ship of Fools;” and Murner, in his _Narrenbeschwerung_, tells a -story concerning him. The book is alluded to by Fischart in the preface -to his Eulenspiegel, as having been a great success. The latest edition -of the “Priest of Kalenberg” appeared under the title of _Der geistliche -Eulenspiegel, oder der Pfarrer vom Kalenberg, nebst Schwänken einiger -anderen lustigen Gesellen_ (“The Clerical Eulenspiegel, or the Parson of -Kalenberg, with the quips of some other merry fellows”). Leipzig, 1818. - -Another book which supplied the editors of Eulenspiegel with materials -for its extension was the Jests of Gonella, Court Fool to the Margrave -Nicolaus of Este (†1441), and to his son Borso, the Duke of Ferrara -(†1471); indeed, it is far from unlikely that Murner himself was -acquainted with it, as it was published in 1506 at Bologna. So rare is -this work, that in an appendix Dr. Lappenberg has reprinted it. - -The “Jests of Poggio Bracciolini” (1381–1459), a man to whom we owe the -recovery of Quintilian, eight orations of Cicero, twelve comedies of -Plautus, and other classics, also furnished Murner with matter for the -Eulenspiegel. In fact, Murner and his successors must have very -diligently sought out all the literature of the class likely to serve -their purpose in adding to the adventures of their own hero. Thus -several stories are adapted from the “Cento Novelle Antiche” (printed at -Bologna, 1525), from Morlini (Naples, 1520), from Bebel, and from -François Villon. - -There are a few books later than Eulenspiegel having a family -resemblance to it; of these the _Schimpf und Ernst_ (“Abuse and -Seriousness”) of John Pauli Pfedersheimer, published in 1522, is the -most noted. The following is the title of the first edition: “Schimpf -vn̄ | Ernst | heiset | das Buch mit namē | durchlaufft e d’ welthandlung -mit | ernstlichen vnd kurtzweiligen exem- | plen, parabolen vnd -hystorien | nützlich vnd gut zu besse- | rung der menschen.” This title -is in an oblong tablet surrounded with woodcuts. Below is Herodias -bringing the head of John the Baptist to her father; to the right is -Adam and Eve; to the left, Bishop Martin; and at the top is St. George -with the dragon. Sheets run from A-X iiii, 124 pages in folio, double -columns. Colophon: “Getruckt zu Strassburg von Johannes | Grieninger, -vnd volendet vff vnser lieben frawentag der geburt, | in dem iar nach -der geburt Christi vnsers herren. Tausend | fünf hundert vnd zwei vnd -zwantzig.” Then follows sheet Y, with six pages of contents. Copies in -the Royal Libraries at Dresden, Berlin, and München. Forty-nine editions -are specified by Lappenberg in “Ulenspiegel” (pp. 368–378), besides -several translations. Pauli, in turn, has borrowed from Eulenspiegel, -and that he understood the spirit of the book is plain from a reference -he makes to it. - -Another work akin to the Owlglass is the popular folk-book of Friar -Rush, which is sufficiently well known to need no further description -here. Mr. Thoms has reprinted it in his “Collection of Early Prose -Romances.” Claus Narr von Ranstedt is another successor to Eulenspiegel. -This worthy was court-fool to the Elector of Saxony from 1486 to 1532; -thus a contemporary to Murner, who, indeed, mentions him in the -treatise, “Whether the King of England be a liar or Dr. Luther?” The -earliest edition appears to be of 1572, and its author was Master -Wolfgang Büttner, Priest of Volfferstet. In the preface, Büttner sneers -at Eulenspiegel, and asks why the pure words and good sayings of this -good man should not be preferred and esteemed rather than the shameless -stories of Owlglass. - -Noteworthy also is a book containing the adventures of Hans Clauert of -Trebbin, who in a humble manner, yet not without humour, follows in the -footsteps of Owlglass. The only edition of it which I have seen is an -undated folk-book, published in the series of Otto Wigand at Leipzig. -This hero goes to Hungary and other places; but his adventures contain -none of the satiric intention evident in the Owlglass. With these -elucidatory remarks touching Owlglass, and the literature of which his -adventures form the completest example, I bid the reader - - A HEARTY FAREWELL. - ------ - -Footnote 29: - - The curious reader will find this duly set forth in Mr. Kemble’s - critical history of the Salomon and Marcolphus tale (Salomon and - Saturnus, p. 70). And in the preface to Dr. Luther’s “Table Talk,” - where this application is made, Stangwald complains of the great - number of people who prefer Marcolphus, Eulenspiegel, and such books, - to these _Colloquia Lutheri_. - -[Illustration] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES - - - 1. Changed “Then said then” to “Then said the” on p. 138. - 2. All book titles and colophons are rendered as printed. - 3. Silently corrected typographical errors. - 4. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed. - 5. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. - 6. Superscripts are denoted by a carat before a single superscript - character or a series of superscripted characters enclosed in - curly braces, e.g. M^r. or M^{ister}. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Marvellous Adventures and Rare -Conceits of Master Tyll Owlglass, by Kenneth R. H. 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