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._