The Marvellous Adventures and Rare Conceits of Master Tyll Owlglass

When that the merchants cried aloud after this manner, the host waxed very wroth, and said: “Even thus is it ever with the folk from Saxony, for by day and by night are they always bibbing.” Then he called the maid, and bade her that she should arise and give them drink in their chamber. So the maid arose and went unto the fire, and would have taken a light; then beheld she the wolf, and looked straight into his jaws, and she was affrighted, and let the light which she had taken fall, and fled away into the court; for she believed nought else but that the wolf had devoured the children. But with a loud voice did Owlglass and the merchants yet cry for drink. Then thought the host that the maid had gone to sleep, and called the man, and he arose and would have taken a light; then beheld he the wolf, and he believed at once that the wolf had devoured the maid, and he fled and gat him unto the cellar. Thereat said Owlglass unto the merchants: “Be ye but patient! soon will ye have rare sport withal.” And he called the third time to know where the maid and man might be, for that they perished of thirst; therefore besought they the host that he should take a light and bring them to drink with his own hand, for that they could not come forth from their chamber.

The host was thereat very wroth, and believed in his heart that the man had slept as he went, and he said: “Of a truth these Saxons, with their continual drinking, cause me to have much labour!” Yet he arose and lighted a candle in the kitchen, and with that beheld he the wolf as he stood by the hearth, bearing the shoes between his jaws. Then fled he unto the merchants in the chamber, and cried aloud with fear: “Come hither to help me, beloved friends! By the hearth here standeth a terrible raging beast, the which hath eaten me the children, and maid, and man.” Then went the merchants and Owlglass with him; and the man came forth from the cellar, and the maid returned from the court, and his wife brought the children out of the chamber, and lo! they were all alive. Thereupon went Owlglass unto the wolf, and with his foot cast it down, and it lay quite still.

Then spake Owlglass unto the host, and said: “Behold! this wolf is a dead beast, and dost thou thereat cry out so lustily? What a craven man are ye? Think ye that a dead wolf will bite ye, and cause your people to flee into corners? Yet last night were ye so brave, that one wolf, the which was alive, would not have contented ye to strive withal? and with two such beasts would ye have fought in the field. But with thee is it in words, what with most others lieth only in the mind.” And the host heard these words of Owlglass, and perceived that he had been beguiled, and crept into his chamber, and was ashamed that he should by a dead wolf have been so cozened. But the merchants laughed hugely at the excellent wit and merry conceit of our prince of good fellows, honest Master Owlglass, and right willingly paid for his provisions with their own, and rode with him upon their way. Since that time, however, hath not the landlord extolled his own bravery in like manner.

The Eighty and Seventh Adventure

How that Owlglass paid his host with the ring of his money

One day Owlglass entered at Cologne into an inn, and it came to pass, that the provision was put unto the fire to cook when that it was very late, and the time for dinner came soon thereupon. And Owlglass loved good cheer, and therefore was he wroth thereat, for he loved fasting no more than a pious friar. This perceived the host, and spake unto him, saying: “He that cannot bide until that dinner be ready, may eat that he hath.” Then gat Owlglass a small loaf, and that did he eat; and thereafter sate down by the hearth at the fire, and he smelled the savour of the meat upon the spit, and it satisfied him. And when dinner-time came, the table was set and the meat brought up, and the host sate with the guests at the table, but Owlglass abode in the kitchen by the fire. Then said the host unto him: “Wilt thou not sit at meat with us?” “Nay,” quoth Owlglass, “I care not to eat; with the savour of the roast am I filled.”

Then the host held his peace, and continued to eat with the guests, and after dinner they paid him and departed this way and that way; yet abode Owlglass by the fire. To him entered the host with his pay-table, and would have of him two Cologne pence for his dinner. And Owlglass said unto him: “Sir host, are ye that kind of man which demandeth pay of one who hath not eaten?” Then was the host angry, and said “he should pay, for an if he had not eaten of the meat, had not he confessed himself filled with the savour thereof?” Then took Owlglass forth a Cologne penny and threw it on the table, and said unto the host: “Hearest thou the sound of that penny?” “Yea,” quoth the host. And Owlglass quickly took up his penny again, and put it into his pouch, and said: “As much reward the sound of my penny is unto thee, even so much have I profited of the savour of thy meat.” And when the landlord would have received the penny of him, Owlglass denied it unto him, and mocked him with much scorn, and departed thence over the Rhine water, and gat him back again into Saxony.

The Eighty and Eighth Adventure

How that Owlglass at Lübeck did escape from a house when that the watch would have taken him for his debts

Master Owlglass, like unto most other great and glorious personages, esteemed money but lightly; and he could not bear to look upon the same piece of coin oftener than twice—once when that he received it and put it in his pouch, and again when that he took it forth to spend it in joyous company. Therefore marvel ye not when that I say unto ye, that Master Owlglass did oftentimes make debts, the which he could not pay. And it fortuned, that on a time when that he was abiding in that good town of Lübeck, that he had not a penny, and the officers of the watch did go about to catch him, and cast him into gaol until that he paid every person to whom he owed aught. But he kept within his house, and went not forth but at eventide, when that darkness had with its black mantle covered the town. Yet on one evening he perceived that they had surrounded the house where he lay, and would have entered and have taken him. And he beheld, that for him was only one thing possible to be done—that he should in a church find sanctuary. Now, in that same house lay an old woman who was sick unto death, and sorely afflicted. Unto her went Owlglass, and took her hand, and did, with a most grave countenance, say unto her: “Behold, is it not time that thou shouldst think of thy soul, and make thee ready to depart; for near unto death dost thou lie.” And therewith sent he unto the priest of the parish, that he should come, that she might confess unto him, and receive extreme unction from his holy hands. Then when the host entered in at the door, did the watch arrive from the guardhouse, and beheld it, and they prostrated themselves before it; and then Owlglass, while that they saw him not, departed out of that house, and thereafter gat him unto the church, where he lay until even, and then departed he out of the town.

The Eighty and Ninth Adventure

How that Owlglass at Stassfurt of a dog took the skin, the which he gave unto his hostess for her charges

On a time it came to pass, that Owlglass entered into an inn, and there found the hostess quite alone. And this hostess had a little dog, of the which she was greatly enamoured; and ever mote it be, that, when she had nought to do, this dog must lie in her lap. And Owlglass stood by the fire, and drank from the beer-can. Now it was the custom with that hostess, that when she drank beer, she did always, in a small dish, give thereof unto the dog. So when that Owlglass drank, the dog arose, and came unto him, and would, by leaps and look, have entreated him for some beer. That saw the hostess, and she said unto Owlglass: “Behold, beloved guest, do thou give him to drink in the dish of thy beer for so would he signify unto thee.” And Owlglass said unto her: “That will I do cheerfully.” Then departed the hostess to perform whatever business she had about the house; and Owlglass gave him to drink in the dish, and therein put likewise a little piece of meat; and when that the dog had eaten thereof, goeth he to the fire and lieth sleeping thereby. Then said Owlglass unto the hostess: “Let us now reckon our charges.” And he asked her: “Good, my hostess, if that a guest eat of thy meat and drink of thy beer, yet hath not any coin, would ye also unto such an one give credit?” Then thought the woman not of the dog, but had great suspicion of his own worthy person (the which, as ye know, my masters, was most unjust!); therefore she answered quickly unto him: “Master traveller, here must I have money, or a pledge in place thereof.” And Owlglass said unto her: “Truly am I right content therewith for mine own part; let the other look to it for his.”

Then departed the hostess again, and Owlglass took the dog beneath his cloak, and went into the stable, and there took he his skin off, and entered again into the house, carrying it privily beneath his coat. Then called he the hostess again, and took out his money, and said: “Lo! let us now reckon.” And the hostess reckoned up the charges. Then did Owlglass lay down half the reckoning upon the table, and said: “There have ye my part.” And the hostess asked of him: “Who then shall pay the rest? Have ye not eaten and drank alone in my house?” But he said unto her: “Nay, but I had another with me, who ate of thy meat and drank of thy beer. Yet hath he no money, but a pledge can he give thee, the which is his coat; and therewith will he pay the other half.” And the hostess said: “What guest mean ye?” Then Owlglass drew forth the dog’s skin, and spake unto her saying: “Behold, mine hostess, here have ye the best coat that he hath.” Then was the hostess moved, and saw that it was the skin of her dog; and she waxed wroth, and said unto Owlglass: “May the evil thing be upon ye ever! Wherefore didst thou take the skin from off my dog?” And Owlglass answered her, and said: “Woman, this is thine own fault, for thou didst demand either money or a pledge. And thou thyself didst desire that thy dog should drink, and I said unto ye the guest had no money; and thus, as he had nought else to give ye, take ye now his skin for the beer the which he drank.” Then waxed the hostess yet more wroth, and commanded and enjoined him to go out of her house. “Nay,” quoth Owlglass, “out of thy house will I not go, but ride.” And therewith did he saddle his horse, and rode forth, and said unto her: “Hostess, do thou keep the pledge until that thou dost receive the money; and once again will I visit thee, to see if that thou hast had it redeemed. Farewell.”

The Ninetieth Adventure

How that our noble master gave assurance unto the same hostess, that Owlglass lay upon the wheel

Hear ye now that which Owlglass did on another day at Stassfurt. It fortuned, that thither he came again to lie in the same inn; and he took other clothes, and so disguised himself, and came thither, and entered in unto the court there, and lo! he perceived in that place a great wheel. Now did a knavery enter into his sconce therewith, and he lay down upon it, and gave the hostess a good day. And he inquired of her, if that she had heard aught said of the famous Master Owlglass? And she straightway answered him, and said: “Why should I desire to hear tidings of the knave? Truly, his name hath an ill savour in my nostrils!” And he said unto her: “Woman, what hath he done unto ye that ye should speak so bitterly concerning him?” And she answered, and said: “Truly should I speak bitterly of him. Came he not hither, and stripped me the skin of my dog from off his back, and gave me the skin for the beer, the which he drank; for, of a truth, should he have had shame to consort with a dog as a guest, and thereafter take off his skin in such wise?” And Owlglass spake unto her, saying: “Hostess, that was not well done.” And the hostess said: “Aye, and unto a knave’s death will he also come.” Then said Owlglass to her: “It goes not well with him even now, for he lieth upon the wheel.” And thereat said she: “As the labour so the hire. God be praised for all good things.” And Owlglass stood up, and said unto her: “I am Owlglass; have ye forgotten me? Farewell, I depart hence.”

The Ninety and First Adventure

How that Owlglass caused a Hollander from a plate to take an apple, the which evilly ended for the eater

Honest and true was the payment the which Owlglass gave unto a Hollander at the village of Andorf, in an inn at that place, where that they abode, and whither many merchants of Holland did resort. Now Owlglass was somewhat sick, and did not care to eat meat, and in place thereof did seethe him soft eggs. Now when that the guests sate at table, came Owlglass and brought the eggs with him, and the Hollander looked upon him as a boor, and said: “How is this, boor; dost not like the fare the which our host giveth unto us, and must eggs be seethed for thee?” Therewith taketh he the twain eggs, and breaketh them, and the one after the other doth he swallow; thereafter layeth he the shells before Owlglass, and saith unto him: “Lo! do thou lick the vessel, forth have I taken the yolk.” And at this merry jest of the Hollander laughed the guests, and Owlglass with them.

But the same evening went Owlglass forth, and bought him a handsome apple, of the which did he scoop out the inside, and filled the same with flies and gnats. Then set he the apple to the fire to roast, and thereafter peeled it, and with sweet honey did cover the outside. And at night, when that all the guests once again sat at table to supper, came Owlglass with the apple on the plate, and turned his back upon the table as if he would have fetched some other thing. And when the Hollander saw it, he put forth his hand, and plucked the plate unto him, and took the apple, and swallowed it. Thereupon was he grievously sick, and did vomit forth the apple and all that in his stomach was beside, so that the host and all the guests thought that Owlglass had put poison therein. Then said Owlglass: “Nay, therein is no poison; it is but an apple to cleanse the stomach; an he had but said unto me that he would have eaten the apple, would I have warned him; for in the eggs which I seethed were there not any flies or gnats, but within the apple lay there a goodly company.” Thereafter was the Hollander well enough again, and he opened his mouth, and spake unto Owlglass, saying: “Of a truth do thou eat roast or boiled, whatever thou wilt; even if thou hadst quails like unto those the which ate the children of Israel in the wilderness, would I not eat with thee.”

The Ninety and Second Adventure

How that Owlglass caused a woman to break in pieces the whole of her wares in the market-place at Bremen

Now that so happily had Owlglass, unto his great comfort and content, brought to pass this knavery, departed he again, and journeyed unto the Bishop at Bremen, who loved Owlglass much; and by reason of his great wit and continual jests, did hold him in great honour. And he caused the bishop oftentimes to laugh right merrily, so that he gave unto Owlglass a house, in the which he had free provisions granted unto him by the bishop. When that he arrived there, Owlglass did as if he were tired, and desired to give up his knaveries, and was fain to enter unto the church there to pray. At that mocked the bishop—as bishops have done before that time and since—at the resolve of Owlglass—yet would he not be persuaded, but gat him unto the church, and prayed until that time that he could not any longer bear the quips and quiddities, the which were put upon him by the bishop. And privily had Owlglass with a market woman agreed, and she was the wife of a potter, and in the market-place sat she with pots and pans to sell: then did Owlglass pay unto the woman the price of all her ware, and enjoined her what she should do when that he gave unto her a sign.

Thereafter departed Owlglass, and came unto the bishop, as if he had come from the church, and the bishop reviled and mocked Master Owlglass, in that he was so pious and not any longer the same man. At last Owlglass said unto the bishop: “Gracious prince and reverend father! do ye now grant me to come unto the market-place, and there sitteth a potter’s wife, and a wager will I set with you, that without my speaking unto her, or making a sign unto her with mine eye I will cause, by magical words, the which I will mutter, that she shall arise up and take a stick and herself break in pieces all her ware.” Then said the bishop unto Owlglass: “Such a thing would I fain behold.” Therefore with him made the bishop a wager of thirty pieces of gold that the woman did it not. And Owlglass did accept the wager, and with the bishop gat him unto the market-place. Then did Owlglass shew unto the bishop the woman where she sate, and they departed, and sate upon the house of the town council hard by. Then ’gan Owlglass to make incantation and conjuration, at the which stirred the potter’s wife not a whit, and in good sooth the bishop rejoiced that he had most truly won his wager. At last gave Owlglass the sign unto the woman, the which they had agreed, thereupon arose she up and taking a stick, doth soundly belabour the ware, and breaketh it all in pieces very small. And with much content laughed the bishop; yet was vexed in the matter of the thirty pieces of gold, the which he had manifestly lost unto Master Owlglass. And when that they came again unto the bishop’s court, did he confer privily with Owlglass, and said unto him: “If that he would discover unto him after what manner he had so brought it to pass that the woman should, after that wise, have broken her wares in pieces, then would he pay unto him the thirty pieces of gold.” Then answered Owlglass unto the bishop, and said unto him: “Yea, gracious lord, that will I most cheerfully do.” And therewith said unto him: “Most simple was this matter in every particular, for I paid unto the woman the price of her wares before that she brake them, and I made agreement with her beside.”

Then laughed the bishop right merrily, and paid unto him the thirty pieces of gold, requiring of him that he should not disclose unto any one that which had come to pass. And if he kept his counsel, the bishop promised him that he would help him to a good fat ox thereto. “Yea,” quoth Master Owlglass, and thereafter departed thence. Now when that the bishop sate at meat with his knights and gentlefolk, he opened his mouth and said unto them: “That he had learned an art whereby he might cause the potter’s wife to break in sunder all her ware.” Then the knights and gentlefolk craved much to know how this was done, and desired much to see the same performed; and this sheweth that in all times are men rather desirous to know how a mystery may be unfolded than patiently to follow it and wait until it doth itself give unto them the explication they would have. Then said the bishop: “Lo! an if ye will each of ye give unto me a good fat ox for my kitchen, will I teach ye all this art.”

And it came to pass that it was the autumn season when the oxen were at the best. Then thought each noble knight and gentleman: “This will not be a great charge unto me, truly then will I do it for in this art to become learned.” Thus did the bishop have of them sixteen fat oxen, and such was their price, that thereby was the bishop recompenced some three-fold for the thirty pieces of gold which he had paid unto Owlglass. And at this time came Owlglass riding thither upon his horse, and he said unto the bishop: “Of this booty is the half mine.” And the bishop answered, and said unto him: “If that thou dost hold thy promise unto me, will I faithfully perform unto thee our contract; do thou leave me that which I have won.” Then gave the bishop unto Owlglass a good fat ox, the which, with great reverence, did Owlglass receive from him. Thereupon did the bishop, discover unto his knights and gentlefolk in what manner they could perform the same marvellous thing, according to that wise by which he had learned it himself; for that Owlglass had paid unto the woman the price of her wares ere she brake them.

Then sate the noble knights and gentlemen silently upon their stools, and perceived that with cunning they had been beguiled; nor could they in any wise murmur thereat. So one scratched his head, and his neighbour sought for comfort in his neck, and they were sorely troubled for the loss of their oxen. But it could not be otherwise answered, and therefore comforted they themselves in that unto their gracious lord the profit had fallen; yet grieved they for their foolishness. But Owlglass rejoiced thereat, and departed with his booty. Thus may ye see, my masters, that when a wise man like unto Owlglass, with a bishop sitteth under one cap, ye may expect not a little knavery to come thereof! Therefore take heed and let not knaves approach near unto holy bishops of the Church, lest they be defiled, and much mischief come unto the commonwealth thereafter.

The Ninety and Third Adventure

How that Owlglass sold a horse, the which would not go over trees

On a time had Owlglass a horse, the which he would fain sell, and one came unto him, and looked upon it, and desired to buy it. And this buyer spake unto Owlglass saying: “Hath this horse any fault with him, the which thou oughtest to reveal unto me; and if that he hath shall it be no break to the bargain, I will yet buy him of thee, and in good money pay thee the price therefor.” And Owlglass answered and said unto him: “Verily I say unto you, that I find no scathe in him, but this one, the which I confess openly, over the trees will he not go.” And the merchant said: “I crave not that he should go over the trees, and therefore will I pay thee the price, if thou wilt let me have him for an easy penny.” Then answered Owlglass and said: “Of a truth for a penny canst thou not have him; but for five pieces of gold mayest thou receive him from me,” and they twain agreed the purchase. And when that he would have ridden the horse forth from the town, came he unto the town bridge, over the which would the horse not go, for it was a wooden bridge, and built of trees. And he returned again unto Owlglass, and would have his money back; but Owlglass said unto him: “That most clearly had he told him the fault the which was in the horse.” And the merchant gat him unto the judge, who said: “Most certainly should Owlglass give back unto him the money.” Then summoned they Owlglass, but he came not; neither at any time would he make restitution for that he had said the horse would not go over trees.

The Ninety and Fourth Adventure

How that of a horse-dealer Owlglass bought a horse, and only paid half of the money therefor

When that Owlglass came unto the town of Hildesheim he encountered there a horse-dealer, who, for twenty-five pieces of silver, did offer him a good horse. And they marketed together for twenty-four pieces; and Owlglass said unto him: “Lo! the half of it will I pay thee straightway, and the rest shall I remain indebted unto thee. Thus will I now give unto thee twelve pieces of silver.” And the horse-dealer (for he knew him not) said unto him: “Agreed; take thou the horse.” And Owlglass took him.

And some three months fled by; then came the horse-dealer unto him, and demanded the twelve pieces of silver. Then said Owlglass unto him: “Behold, did we not agree that I should remain indebted unto thee for these twelve pieces of silver?” Thereat the other answered him, and they strove together, and came unto the house where the judge sate, and entered in, and would therewith have it appointed how the matter should stand. And then did Owlglass say he would remain faithful unto his bargain, according as he had bought the horse; and said unto the judge: “For twenty and four pieces of silver bought I the horse, and I paid him twelve thereof in good money; the other twelve agreed we that I should remain indebted unto him. If now that I do give him the money shall I falsify my word; and that have I never yet done, but always performed the thing which was commanded unto or required of me. And so let it be.” Then was the suit before the judge withdrawn; and so stands the business, as if it were in the Chancery Court, unto this day.