* * * * *
Replies to Minor Queries.
_Eulenspiegel or Ulenspiegel_ (Vol. vii., pp. 357. 416. 507.).--MR. THOMS'S
suggestion, and his quotation in proof thereof from the Chronicler, are
farther verified by the following inscription and verses which I transcribe
from an engraved portrait of the famous jester:
"Ulenspiegel.
"Ligt Begraben zu Dom in Flandern in der grosen Kirch, auf dem
Grabister also Likend abgebildet. Starb A^o. 1301."
These lines are above the portrait, and beneath it are the verses next
following:
"Tchau _Ulenspiegeln_ hier. Das Bildniss macht dich lachen:
Was wurdst du thun siehst du jhn selber Possen machen?
Zwar _Thyle_ ist ein Bild und _Spiegel_ dieser Welt,
Viel Bruder er verliess; Wir treiben Narretheyen,
In dem uns dunckt, dass wir die grosten Weysen seyen,
Drum lache deiner selbst; diss Blat dich dir vorstellt."
The portrait, evidently that of a man of large intellect, is very
life-like, and full of animation. He seems to be some fifty years of age or
so; he has a cap, ornamented by large feather, on his head. He is seated in
a chair, has a book in his hand, and is attired in a kind of magisterial
robe bordered with fur. There is a good-humoured roguish twinkle in his
eyes; and I should be inclined to call him, judging from the portrait
before me, an epigrammatist rather than mere vulgar jester. The engraving
is beautifully executed: it has neither date nor place of publication, but
its age may perhaps be determined by the names of the painter (Paulus
Furst) and engraver (P. Troschel). The orthography is by no means of recent
date. I cannot translate the verses to my own satisfaction; and should feel
much obliged if you, MR. EDITOR, or MR. THOMS, would favour the readers of
"N. & Q." with an English version thereof.