“Good wife, good wife, eye that’s bright,
Sparkling with such knavish light,
Loves a trysting place at night.”
Then said the good wife: “Marry but thou sayest truth,” and therewith gave him a shoe. Then would the maid fain have a true word also spoken unto her; and if that Owlglass did it, she would give him a shoe. And he said:
“When that thou dost dine on veal,
Eat with care, or thou shalt feel
Tooth-ache pangs thee over-steal.”
And the maid said thereat: “O and alas! how true is that saying,” and gave him a shoe. Then departed Owlglass from that place with his horse well shod. But if any of us, my masters, went unto a blacksmith, I fear me greatly we should have no satisfaction, or horseshoes, for telling truths unto him. This sheweth that of old time were the people wiser than now.
The Forty and Seventh Adventure.
How that Owlglass, at Frankfort-on-the-Main, did with guile delude two Jews of rings.
On a time came Owlglass unto the city of Frankfort-on-the-Main, and it was yearly market day when that he entered therein. And in that town dwelt many Jews, and those that dwelt not there, dwelt in other places; and some have come out thence, and go not thither again. Then did Owlglass send for two rich Jews, and he spake unto them, saying: “That he would have two pair of ear-rings of them, beset with precious stones; but they must all be of one pattern and size, nor one in the least larger or smaller than the other.” And it was for a noble lady that he said he would have them. Then the Jews brought a great number of costly rings, and Owlglass dealt with each alone, and of each did he have a pair. But unto the first he gave back a ring, and said: “That he should take it unto the goldsmith and have it made a little larger.” And this the Jew agreed should be done, and departed with the ring, and promised that he would return ere long; but he left the other ring with Owlglass. And Owlglass did likewise with the second Jew, and kept one of the twain rings. And the Jews departed each alone. Then had Owlglass wan him a pair of ear-rings, and therewith did he go forth from Frankfort, and came not again. But the Jews were beguiled; yet cared not Owlglass a jot therefor.