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.