The Marvellous Adventures and Rare Conceits of Master Tyll Owlglass

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.

O most worthy teacher of wisdom unto the ignorant and sinful, why camest thou not in the days in which I do here chronicle thy marvellous deeds?

The Fortieth Adventure

How Owlglass did have much money for an old hat

Money remaineth not always with any of us, my masters; and so truly did Owlglass find, when that he was in the town of Cologne. And he was so poor, that of all his money he possessed only four shillings; and on his head he wore an old hat, with three corners, and thereat did all people laugh. Then Owlglass thought that he would therewith have rare sport and profit. And as he was going along the street of the town, he beheld two officers of the soldiers; and he knew that they had pouches well lined with gold pieces. And they laughed at his hat. Then spake Owlglass unto them: “Behold, ye do laugh at my hat. Verily will I shew unto ye that in no wise is it to be accounted nought, but hath great virtue; and to content you therein, I bid ye both dine with me on this day.” And the soldiers consented, and so gat them with Owlglass. When that they came unto the gate of the best inn, Owlglass said: “What say ye? where shall we dine?” Then they answered and said: “Let us enter herein and dine, if that ye have a good pouch of money?” And Owlglass said: “Be of good cheer, that maketh no matter, let us enter therein.” Then entered they; and Owlglass secretly conferred with the hostess, and gave her the four shillings, therewith to satisfy her for the dinner.

And when that the dinner was served, the officers waxed merry, for it was a very excellent dinner, and they were content. Thereafter did Owlglass say unto the hostess: “What money dost thou want to satisfy thee for thy dinner?” And she answered and said: “Four shillings.” “Four shillings, sayest thou?” answered Owlglass, and therewith he took his little hat and he turned it four times about upon his finger, and asked her if that she were content. And she said: “Yea; and fair thanks unto ye likewise.” And therewith departed she. But the officers, when that they beheld it, said: “But how marvellous is this thing!” And they were most astonished. “Alas! my masters,” said Owlglass unto them: “do not ye now see how great is the value of the hat? With the money that more than twenty times hath been offered me therefor, should I be rich.”

Then said one of his guests: “If that I offered unto thee a good sum, would not ye sell it? For poor soldiers as be we, so great a marvel would be accounted very useful unto us, for then should we never die of hunger.” And Owlglass was persuaded, and he gave them the hat for four hundred marks. And the next day, he who bought it desired to make trial of it; and he went unto the inn and had a great banquet made ready, and he assembled his friends together to eat thereof. Then when the time came for paying the host, he sought to pay the charges by turning the hat about; but the host understood it not. And so the soldier had to pay many marks therefor; and when he looked after Owlglass he found him not.

The Forty and First Adventure

How that Owlglass journeyed unto Rome to see the Pope, and how his Holiness considered that Owlglass was an heretic

It hath been every where seen, that Owlglass was a most knavish wight. And when it had come to pass that he had worked these such deceiving actions, he thought of the old proverb which saith:

“If that thou a knave wouldst see,At Rome eftsoon thou’lt fitted be.”

And Owlglass was aweary of his own devices, and thereat wished that he might find another like unto him. So departed he, and he journeyed forward, and at last came unto Rome. There entered he into an inn, which a widow kept, and she saw that he was a goodly man to look upon, and she spake unto him, and asked him of what country was he. And Owlglass told her that he was of the land of Saxony, and that he had come unto Rome because that he craved to confer with the Pope touching a certain business. Then answered the widow and said unto him: “The Pope canst thou see, but as to speaking with him that mayest thou not do. I have been bred and born in this place, and of gentle birth also, yet have I never spoken with the Pope. How then, think ye, that ye will do this thing? Truly would I give a hundred ducats an if that I could have speech of him.” And Owlglass answered and said: “My good hostess an if I gat ye speech of him would ye give me the hundred ducats?” The woman said: “Marry that would I,” and straightway promised them unto him. But she thought that it could never be that Owlglass would do this thing; for she knew that it was a heavy and long labour to bring it about. But Owlglass said unto her that if he did cause it to come to pass, then would he demand the hundred ducats; and therewith were they both content.

And Owlglass tarried until it fortuned that the Sunday came round, on which the Pope read the mass in the chapel called Jerusalem, in the church of the holy Saint John Lateran, the which he did once in every four weeks. Then gat him Owlglass to the chapel, and thrust himself in as near as might be unto the Pope’s person, and stood there; and when that the host was lifted up, or a blessing given from the altar, then did Owlglass turn his back thereunto, the which was a thing not fit to be done. And thereafter was the Pope told of this, that a very proper handsome man had stood at the mass and so acted. Then said his Holiness that such a thing was an abomination, and that he feared the man who had done so was in unbelief and an heretic. If that this were not punished, it would be a great scandal. Then sent the Pope for Owlglass, and the messengers came unto him and carried him before the Pope. Then said the Pope unto Owlglass: “What manner of man art thou?” And Owlglass answered and said: “I am a good Christian.” Then said the Pope: “What belief hast thou?” To which Owlglass made reply: “That he was of the same belief as his hostess,” and named her by name, and she was a woman well-known. And the Pope commanded that she should be brought to him; and he asked her, saying: “What belief hast thou, woman?” And she made answer unto the Pope and said: “I am a thorough Christian, and a believer in that which the Holy Church ordaineth is to be believed, and no other belief have I.” In the which the good woman did marvellously resemble divers other excellent Christians, which take from the mouth of ignorance the confirming grace of wisdom.

Then stood Owlglass by, and with much humility, did seem to be very pious, and said: “Most gracious Father! this true faith hold I also, and that most firmly, and am a good Christian man.” Then said the Pope unto him: “Wherefore dost thou turn thy back to the altar?” And Owlglass answered and said: “That did I, forasmuch as I am a grievous sinner, and one not worthy to behold the altar, as I have not received absolution for my crimes.” Thereat was the Pope content, and giving him absolution, he let Owlglass go; and he returned unto his inn, and demanded the hundred ducats, the which the widow gave unto him. Yet found not Owlglass the knave he sought, and himself was not a whit more honest than before; so that his Roman journey did him no great good.

HOW OWLGLASS MAKETH THE COCK THE SECURITY FOR THE HENS.

The Forty and Second Adventure

How that Owlglass without money bought poultry at Quedlingburg, and for security gave unto the farmer’s wife the cock

In all things of old time were the people not so knavish as is now the case, especially they that are of the boors. On a time came Owlglass unto Quedlingburg, while that it was the weekly market day therein. And Owlglass had little provision; for when that it happened that he had money, in like manner that he wan it, it departed from him again. So he took counsel within himself, how that he might have good provision. And there sate upon the market a woman, and before her had she a large basket of live poultry, all hens; and among them was a cock. And Owlglass spake unto her saying: “How much wilt thou have for thy poultry?” And the woman made answer unto him, and said: “Truly mayest thou have them for a couple of St. Stephen’s pennies.” Then said Owlglass: “Wilt thou not give them cheaper?” But the woman said unto him: “Nay”; and then took Owlglass the basket, and departed therewith unto the town gate. Thereat ran the woman after him, and said unto him: “Merchant, how shall I understand thee? Wilt thou not pay me for the poultry?” Then said Owlglass: “Yea, most cheerily. I am the secretary of my lord’s lady.” “That ask I not,” said the woman; “it brooks not me what noble people thou mayest serve. If that thou wilt have the poultry, then do thou pay me therefor, and with my lord or my lady have I nought to do. My father taught me that with noble folk should I nor buy nor sell, nor lend nor borrow. Therefore pay thou me that which I demand from thee. Dost hear me?” And Owlglass said unto the woman: “Woman, thou art of little faith; if that all folk were like unto thee, the rich needy would not long have their needs answered. But so that ye may, indeed, have surety, give I ye the cock, the which will I fetch when that I bring ye the money and the basket.” Then took the good woman the cock, and bethought her that of a truth was she rarely secured to receive her money. But in all vain hopes can there be no happiness; for Owlglass returned not again, nor had she satisfaction in any wise. And unto such as make themselves so greatly sure, is it given to be disappointed, wherefore when that Owlglass approacheth unto ye, do ye straightway deliver up unto him that which he demandeth, lest with wily ways he doth beguile ye of much more. And Owlglass thereafter departed thence, and the good wife still kept her security.

The Forty and Third Adventure

How that Owlglass, with a knavish confession, did beguile the priest at Riesenburg of his horse

Never was Owlglass unready to commit a vile piece of knavery, when that there was opportunity thereunto. Now there abode at Riesenburg the priest thereof, and he had a maid serving-woman, who was of a comely countenance, and thereto also a horse of much beauty, of the which he was greatly fond. And at that time was the Duke of Brunswick at Riesenburg, and had, by the agency of many persons, besought the priest that he should let him have the horse, and for him would he pay many more times than the value. But the priest at all times denied the prince the favour, nor would in any wise grant him his desire, for he loved his horse, and with violence might the horse not be taken.

And it came to pass, that this thing was told unto Owlglass, and he understood it well; and he went unto the duke, and said unto him: “Gracious lord, what wilt thou give unto me if that I bring unto thee the priest his horse?” “If that thou canst do it,” answered the duke, “will I give unto thee the coat which now I wear.” And the coat was of red satin, set and broidered with pearls. And Owlglass accepted this, and gat him away, and departed from Wolfenbüttel unto the village of Riesenburg, and there entered into the priest’s house; for they were well known the twain each to each, for of old times had Owlglass abode with him and been welcome. And after that he had been there some three days, he did bear himself in such wise, that he seemed to be sick unto the death; and he laid himself down, and prepared for his end. And the priest and his serving-maid were greatly vexed thereat, and grieved over him. Thereafter grew Owlglass so ill, that the priest said unto him, that, in truth, for his soul’s comfort, it was meet and fit that he should make confession. And Owlglass grew mightily inclined thereunto, but he begged the priest that he should make inquiry of him most acutely. Then said the priest unto him, that he should discover his soul unto him, and confess, for that in his lifetime had he wrought much evil. And Owlglass made answer, that in his lifetime had he only done one thing evil the which he regretted, and that would he not confess unto him; but if they brought unto him another priest, then would he confess, for he was afraid that the priest might be wroth with him.

Now when that the priest heard this thing, he thought that truly was there somewhat hidden under the words of Owlglass, the which he craved much to know; for priests are greatly more inquisitive than other men. Therefore he opened his mouth, and said unto Owlglass: “Dear Owlglass, the distance is great, and it would take me a long time to find another priest; and if that ye did give up the ghost while that I sought thee such an one, both thou and I would have a heavy sin to answer. Therefore be not afraid, and confess unto me thy sin; and so heavy also it be, will I absolve thee. An if I should grow angry thereover, what doth that matter unto thee, for thy confession may I not tell unto another?” Then answered Owlglass, and said unto him: “Verily, then will I confess unto thee, for the sin is not so heavy that I may not tell it; but only I feared thee, for it concerneth thyself.” Thereat waxed the priest the more anxious to hear what Owlglass said, and he opened his ears to hear him, and said unto him, that if he had stolen aught from him, or wrought him any evil, let him only confess, and he would give him content, nor visit it upon him in any wise. Then said Owlglass unto him: “Alas! reverend sir, well know I that ye will be an angered with me. Yet I feel that soon shall I depart out of this world, and, therefore, must I relieve my soul of this confession. And of that which I did, most reverend sir, must ye shrive me. For I have in thy church kissed thy servant woman, the which I know to be an offence of much gravity against the Church, and against all dignity likewise.” Thereat asked the priest of Owlglass, how often that it might have happened. And Owlglass answered, and said: “But five times.” Then did the priest give unto Owlglass absolution; and he took a stick and departed unto the serving woman, and told her that which Owlglass said. But she answered that it was not so. But the priest said unto her, that Owlglass had confessed it unto him. Thereat said she: “Nay,” and he: “Yea”; and with no more ado, took her and gave unto her a sound beating, until that she was black and blue all over. The while lay Owlglass in bed, and laughed, and thought: “Bravely doth thy purpose go forward, and ere long will thy harvest season approach.”

And he lay still all that night, and when that it was morning he arose, and said: “Now am I whole, and well will it be if I depart unto another country. What have I to pay thee?” And the priest was right glad to be ridden of his guest, and he took his money, when that they reckoned. And the woman-servant was glad also. Then said Owlglass unto the priest: “Wherefore hast thou revealed to another my confession? Truly will I now go unto Halberstadt before my lord the Bishop, and lay a complaint against thee, for that thou hast been unfaithful in thy office.” Then did the priest tremble, and think how he might content Owlglass that he should not complain; and he entreated him and asked what he should give him to be silent thereupon, and would he have twenty pieces to say no word more? But Owlglass said: “An if ye gave unto me one hundred pieces, would I not do this, and verily will I straightway depart thither.” And the priest humbly, and with tears, besought him to refrain, and that he would give him whatever he would have. Thereat said Owlglass: “Give then unto me thy horse, and I will say no more; but the horse will I have.” But the priest loved his beast, and desired not to give it away, and he would rather have given unto Owlglass every penny that he had; but Owlglass demanded that he should have the horse, and would hear no word. So the priest gave unto Owlglass the horse, and he departed therewith, and he came unto Wolfenbüttel, and there upon the bridge stood the duke, and beheld the coming of Owlglass. Then took the duke the coat from off his back and gave it unto him, and received the horse. And the duke rejoiced greatly over Owlglass his cunning in beguiling the priest, and made pleasant sport with the tale; and he gave unto our noble Master Owlglass another horse; and the priest was wroth at losing his horse, and he often did comfort himself by beating the maid sorely, until that she departed from him. So lost the priest both horse and maid.

The Forty and Fourth Adventure

How that Owlglass did hire him to a smith, and what he did while with him

And it fortuned that on a time came Owlglass unto Rostock, in the land of Mechlenburg, and hired him unto a smith there. The smith had a favourite saying, when that he would have the bellows blown: “Ha! ho! follow ye with the bellows!” Then stood Owlglass and blew, and the smith spake unto him, saying: “Ha! ho! follow ye with the bellows!” And he gat him into the court thereafter. Then came Owlglass behind him with the bellows on his back, and laid it down beside him, and said: “Master, behold I have done thy bidding! Where would you have me to put it?” Then the master looked upon him and beheld what he had done, and said: “My good man! so did I not mean it. Go thou in again and put it back where it stood.” And Owlglass did as his master bade him, and placed it again where it had been before. But the master thought within himself how he might pay him handsomely for this knavery; and he resolved that for five days he would rise every night at midnight to begin labour in the forge. And he wakened all his men, and they began to labour. Then said Owlglass his comrade unto him: “What is this thing that now we labour at midnight? Wherefore is it; of old did our master not this thing?” And Owlglass said: “Wilt thou that I shall ask of him wherefore it is?” And his fellow said: “Yea;” and then Owlglass asked him. And the smith made answer unto him, and said: “It is my rule that at first my men shall not, for eight days, lie on my bed more than half the night.” And Owlglass held his peace, and his companion dared not to speak.

And it came to pass the next night that Owlglass and his fellow were again awakened by the master; and the other man went down and fell to work. Then took up Owlglass the bed, and, with cords, bound it upon his back, and when that the iron was hot, he cometh down unto the forge, and taketh a hammer, and beginneth to smite the iron, so that the sparks flew into the bed and burned holes therein. Thereat said the smith: “What is’t thou dost? Why didst not thou leave the bed lying in that place where that it should lie?” Then answered Owlglass and spake unto the smith, saying: “Master, be not angry; my rule is it that half the night will I lie upon the bed, and the other half shall it lie upon me.” Then the master waxed wroth, and said unto Owlglass: “Go thou lay the bed where thou tookest it from;” and furthermore said he: “Marry, thou knave, get thee up out of my house, and may I never see thee more, for evil is the day in which I beheld thee.” And Owlglass said “Yea,” unto the master’s commands, and he went and laid back the bed upon its place. Then gat he a ladder, and climbed up into the garret, and he broke through the roof, and mounted up and drew the ladder after him, and so gat him up out of the house as his master told him, and thereafter descended he unto the street, and left the ladder, and so departed. And the smith heard the noise that he made, and ran up stairs, and lo! there was a great hole in the roof.