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.”