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.”