The Marvellous Adventures and Rare Conceits of Master Tyll Owlglass

In no long time thereafter were all the horses put forth into the fields, there to graze, and to exercise themselves after the manner of horses. Then gat Owlglass unto his lord, and stood before him, and said: “Of a truth, master, well know I that of thy horses there is not one that thou lovest so well as thou dost the milk-white steed Rosimond.” And thereto said his master: “Yea.” “Then of that steed,” answered Owlglass, “have I had special care. Yet I fear me, master, that by thy answer unto me, he will not be long to live.” Then said his master: “If that be so, and my beloved steed is not long to live, go thou, my trusty groom, and get ye me his skin, that I may have it.” For Rosimond’s skin was of a most rare beauty. Thereat answered Owlglass: “Yea;” and gat him to the field where Rosimond was grazing, and pursued him. But the horse was very fleet, and fled before Owlglass; and it was eventide ere Owlglass caught him. Then when he had thus caught him, he took a knife and killed Rosimond, and took his skin, and brought it unto his lord. And when that he brought it unto him, he said unto Owlglass: “How cometh this? Verily, the whole day hast thou been away, and surely in a less time than a whole day couldst thou have taken off the skin.” And Owlglass excused himself, saying: “Lo! my good lord, most truly sayest thou that in less than a whole day could I have taken off the skin; yet had I great labour in the matter, for Rosimond fled before me, and was fleet of foot. Now have I brought the skin, as thou didst enjoin me.” Then waxed the master of Owlglass very wroth, and cried aloud unto him: “Thou knave, was not my horse Rosimond dead then? Didst thou kill my horse?” To him quoth Owlglass: “Yea, truly killed I the horse; for so cruel am I not, that I should take the skin off a living horse. For in torture-chambers do they only such things, either unto man or unto beast.” Then wept the lord greatly for his beloved horse; and he would have killed Owlglass, but that Owlglass fled, saying: “I did but according to the words of my master; for I said unto him, that I feared me that the horse would not live any long while; and then commanded he that I should take his skin, the which I have done, and my kind heart hath injured me, in that I did not skin the horse ere I killed it.” Then departed Owlglass in great haste, and came not again into that lord’s house.

The Sixty and Second Adventure

How that Owlglass beguiled the drawer at the town-house cellar of Lübeck, and did for a can of wine give him a can of water

When that Owlglass came unto Lübeck, he took great heed to commit no knavery; for in that town are the folk very strict upon such as beguile or deceive. Therefore was our good master sadly perplexed and unhappy, for that in no wise could he gratify the feelings of his heart and content himself as he was wont to do. And at that time there lived in the town of Lübeck a drawer, named Lamprecht, who kept the cellar at the town house; and he was a man very proud, who believed that no person in Lübeck,—yea, no person in the whole world,—was so wise and so important and so discerning as he. Nor did he at any time think that he might not say it of himself; and when that he said it, he used to add, that one that would beguile him must of a morning rise very early. For this reason were the citizens very wroth with him, and held him as an enemy.

Now when that Owlglass heard of the arrogance of this man, he could no longer keep hidden the knave which he was; and he thought within himself, that he would soon shew that he was an even master in craft and cunning with him. Therefore took he two cans of the same size and form; the one he carried openly in his hand, and it was empty; but the other bare he secretly under his cloak, and it was filled with water. Then departed he unto the wine-cellar, and there had a measure of wine meted unto him, and then deftly took forth the can with water and set it down, and put the wine-can within his cloak. And Owlglass lifted up his voice, and said unto the drawer: “Worshipful master drawer, what costeth this wine?” And he answered, and said unto him: “Truly, it is tenpence the measure.” Then said Owlglass: “The wine is marvellous costly. I have no more than sixpence. Can I have it for that money?” Then waxed the drawer very wroth, and said: “Wilt thou dare to value the wine of my lords the town council? Here have we a fixed sum; and he that liketh not the price, may let the wine stay in the butt.” Therewith taketh he in his wrath the can with the water in it; and Owlglass said unto him: “See thou, an if ye will not have the sixpence, therefore I am content ye shall pour it back.” Then the drawer poured the water into the butt, for he thought that it was the wine; and he said unto him: “What a foolish knave art thou? Thou hast wine meted unto thee, but thou carest not to pay therefor.” Then took Owlglass the empty can, and departed, and said: “Verily do I see that thou art a fool; and there is no one so cunning and wise in this world, that may not by a fool be beguiled. Aye, and that too if he were a drawer!” Then he returned forth from the cellar, and he thought himself safe.

The Sixty and Third Adventure

How that Owlglass ’scaped hanging by his cunning, and would have hanged himself for a crown, yet did not

When that Owlglass came forth into day from the cellar, the drawer, Lamprecht, did bethink him of the words which Owlglass spake, and he ran hastily for a police officer, and they pursued Owlglass, and in no long time took him in the street as he went forward. The officer seized him, and they examined our noble Master Owlglass, and found upon him the two cans, and of them one contained the wine of the which he had beguiled the drawer, and the other was empty. And, O and alas! that the pen of this chronicler should write so sad a thing of the virtuous Master Owlglass!—they held him for a thief, and took him first and carried him and cast him into the city prison, and there lay he. And then assembled the council of the town, and they conferred together touching the offence of Master Owlglass, and it was agreed amongst them that he had committed a grave crime, for the doing and enactment of which it was fitting that he should be hanged up until that he was dead. Yet did some aver that it was nought else but a subtle device and knavery, and that the drawer should have, with more care, avoided the over-reaching with the which he had been visited; so that, indeed, the fault, in so much as it touched Master Owlglass, was but an impudent action. But the many who, with great hatred, hated Master Owlglass, carried it that it was flat robbery, so with their voices outweighed the rest, and he was decreed to die.

And when the day came on the which he should be hanged up, there was a great assembly of people in the city, for my good masters (as in this town of ours in the which this book is imprinted and published), there are ever lying in wait evil and cruel persons who, if it so chance, that they themselves be not in fear of the gallows’ tree, will always hastily run and see another die the death they would not command should be done to their dogs. They came upon horses and on foot, and so great an uproar was there, that at last the council was greatly vexed that they had resolved to put him to death; for in good truth this deed was not sufficient to be worthy of the gallows. And some desired to look upon him to see how so marvellous a man would take his end. Others considered that he was a magician, and with the aid of evil demons would rescue and save himself, and of a truth did all hope that after some wise he would come off alive. But all this time, as he was led forth, remained Owlglass silent and still, and held his peace; and the multitude marvelled, for they thought he would have despaired greatly. And when that he was come unto the gallows’ tree, he opened his mouth and spake, and besought the town council that as he was a dying man, and one that would never again speak, that they would grant unto him one grace, and he would not ask them for his life, nor for money, nor for anything the which should cost them a penny; nay, but that by it he might, in good sooth, save them a sum, and the charges of the town being heavy, it would relieve them.

And then stood the council altogether, and marvelled what this might be; and they conferred together, and agreed that, indeed, they would grant him that he desired, if that it proved not against the things he had himself said unto them. Then spake Owlglass unto the town council, and said: “Indeed, it shall be manifest unto ye that it runneth not counter unto my words. It is but a little matter the which can easily be told unto ye, and give me now your hands, that it may be granted.” Thereat did they according to his words. Then said good Master Owlglass, the prisoner: “Noble and worshipful councillors of Lübeck! I have said unto ye, that for as much as ye have condemned me to death, I should truly suffer death as ye have decreed. But a grievous and heavy debt lieth upon the city, the which every man should strive to lighten according unto his means; and to do this will I also aid as best I may. This day have ye brought me out to be hanged up; but see ye the halter wherewith ye would hang me is a new one, and ye must be at charges therefor unto two crowns. Now, if I say unto ye that I will, an if ye give me a crown, go and fetch an old rope, and therewith hang myself, will ye make no little profit; for my good friend the hangman, will not be at the pains to hang me, and ye will save his fee, and all these men with the which ye guard me, may freely depart unto their homes. Therefore I pray ye that ye will give unto me the money, and at mine ease, when that I have nought else to do, will I hang myself, in good faith, with an old rope.” Then said the chief magistrate: “Of a truth the knave is right, and we would do well to let him do this as he saith.” And they granted his wish, and he departed thence; but in all his life was he never at his ease sufficient to fulfil his saying. But oft he meditated thereupon, intending to do it; yet the best intents are oft not to be discharged.

The Sixty and Fourth Adventure

How that Owlglass, at Helmstadt, caused a great pocket to be made

A knavery did once Owlglass perform with a pocket. For in the town of Helmstadt there lived a pocket-maker, and unto him came Owlglass, and spake unto him, saying: “Wilt thou make for me a great pocket?” Then answered the pocket-maker: “Yea, that will I. How great will thou have it to be?” And Owlglass said unto him: “So that it be great enough I shall be content therewith.” And at that time was it the set fashion to wear great pockets of hair, broad and deep. Then did the pocket-maker make for Owlglass such a great pocket as he would have him to do. And when Owlglass came and looked upon it, he said: “Lo! this pocket is not great enough. This is but a pocket-kin. Make for me one the which shall be large enough. Of a truth will I pay thee well all thy labour.” Then took the pocket-maker the skin of an ox, and made the pocket so great that one might have put a calf of one year old within it, and it would tax one man’s strength to lift it. Thereafter came Owlglass again unto the house of the pocket-maker, and looked upon it, but it liked him not, and again said he: “This pocket is not great enough. If that thou wilt make me a pocket great enough, will I now give thee two crowns on the business.” And the pocket-maker answered him: “Yea;” and took the two crowns, and made another pocket; and thereunto took he three ox-hides, and it was so heavy that two men would have had to bear it upon a frame, and within might ye have put great store of corn. But when Owlglass looked again upon the work of the master, he spake unto him, saying: “Lo! my good master, this pocket is great enough, but the pocket I would crave is not this one; therefore will I not have it. But an if ye would fashion for me such a pocket that when I take from it one penny I shall ever leave therein twain, I would most willingly pay thee for thy labour.” And therewith departed Owlglass, and left the man with his three pockets and the two crowns. Yet in leather had the work cost hard upon ten crowns.

The Sixty and Fifth Adventure

How that Owlglass, at Erfurt, beguiled a butcher

When that Owlglass came unto the town of Erfurt, he forgat not to work some piece of knavery. And soon was he well-known of the students and townsfolk. One day he was going through the market-place, over against a butcher’s shop, and the butcher cried aloud unto him that he should buy somewhat of him that he might carry it home. Then answered Owlglass unto the butcher, and said unto him: “What wilt thou that I shall take with me?” And the butcher said: “What shalt thou take, sayest thou? Why, truly, a good piece of beef!” Then said Owlglass: “Yea,” and took such a piece and departed. Then ran the butcher, and pursued him, and said unto him: “Nay; but do thou now pay me for this meat!” Thereat spake Owlglass unto him, saying: “Of money didst thou say nothing at all unto me. Thou didst say unto me with great kindness and courtesy, that I should take something, and when I asked thee what it should be, thou didst single out the beef; and that took I. And I can, by thy neighbours, prove that it was after that wise that thou gavest unto me the beef.” Then came the other butchers, neighbours of the one who had controversy with Owlglass, and they confirmed our noble master from hatred of their neighbour, and said: “Yea, that it was as the butcher had said unto the young man.” For when that folk came to buy in the shambles, this butcher would always cry aloud unto the customers that they should buy always of him. Therefore did the neighbours help good Master Owlglass unto his piece of beef. And while that the butcher was arguing and contending with anger and strife on this matter, Owlglass put the beef within his cloak and departed; thus left he them to contend together as long as it delighted them.

The Sixty and Sixth Adventure

Telleth how that good Master Owlglass again beguiled the butcher at Erfurt, by pleasing him with a most grateful jingle

In less than a week after, came Owlglass again unto the shambles. And the same butcher spake once more to Owlglass, and mocked him, and said: “Come hither again, and for thyself get a piece of beef.” And unto such comforting words answered Owlglass: “Yea;” and would have taken a good piece of meat; but the butcher in haste took hold of his meat, and kept it. Then said Owlglass unto him: “Bide a while, and let the meat lie; I will pay thee for it.” And the butcher laid the meat again upon the bench. Then said Owlglass unto him: “Hear me what I say. If that I speak such a word unto thee as shall content thee, will that be payment for this meat, and I will not touch it in any wise?” And the butcher said: “Lo! thou mightest say words unto me that would content me most greatly, or words that would not agree; yet if thou sayest such words as shall be pleasant, then canst thou take the meat.” Then spoke Owlglass after this wise:

“Be merry this day, and drink good wine;Thy meat will be paid for,—the money thine.”

“Truly this is a brave saying,” said the butcher; “but I would rather have the doing. This likes me not. Say on.” Thereat spake Owlglass once more:

“The good wife scolds nor prates to-day;Be happy therefore whilst thou may.”

“Nay, nay,” said the butcher; “how can that be when that I have no wife. Thy saying likes me not. Say on.” Then laughed Owlglass, and said:

“The butcher best likes to be paid,So money-bag be now my aid.”

Then cried the butcher: “Such words are brave and true words. Behold, thou speakest sensibly, and the saying like I well.” Thereat said Owlglass: “Behold, then, the meat is mine. Good friends that stand around, is it not true that I have now fulfilled my part?” And with much clamour said they: “Yea;” and Owlglass took the meat, and departed. But the butcher stood still, and knew not what to say unto them; for the neighbours mocked him, and turned him to scorn. And if thereat he was vexed, truly was it no great wonder.

The Sixty and Seventh Adventure

Touching the faults of the which our noble Master Owlglas had a few; for he was human, and in all human things is imperfection

My worthy masters, truly must ye have seen how virtuous, how wise, how kind, how excellent a man was our noble Master Owlglass; so that as a mirror of honesty and simplicity ye mote admire him. But, alas! this present chronicler hath, with grief and sorrow, to confess, that even in this great man was there error; and it behoveth a true historian justly to set forth the imperfections of men as much as their marvellous excellencies. And thus, with scrupulous care, say I now, that Master Owlglass had, with his many noble qualities, the error of a short memory. Most strange is this defect in so great a person: yet is it true, that if he received money to pay to another, he forgat it; if he owed money to another, he forgat it; and in eating and drinking most of all was his memory treacherous and failing.

He sate at meat once in a noble house, where the folk were making excellent cheer, and where, for more than six hours, sate they eating and drinking; and Owlglass was with them, for he marked not the time. Yet, at last, it was meet they should rise up from the table, and depart each to his home. Then departed Owlglass also; and as he went, he passed by a house where they sate at supper, and the master of that house entreated him, that he should enter in unto them and eat. And so did he; for he had forgotten altogether, that for six hours he had dined. Then most excellently played he the guest at the table; and one that knew he had come from the feast spake unto him, saying: “Lo! my beloved Master Owlglass, how cometh it that ye eat so well now, having lately at the banquet so lustily eaten?” And Owlglass answered: “Did I so? That have I forgotten; for I have the misfortune to carry with me a belly that lacketh memory in every wise.”

The Sixty and Eighth Adventure

How that Owlglass at Dresden became a carpenter, and for his pains earned little thanks

Soon departed Owlglass, and came unto Dresden, near unto the Bohemian forest, upon the Elbe water, and there proclaimed that he was a carpenter. And it fortuned, that a master carpenter in the town heard of him, and hired him to be his journeyman; for his man had departed from him, and he lacked some one to be man unto him. And as in this world of ours, my masters, there be pleasure and gadding about and weddings as well as woe and buryings, so fortuned it, that at that time there was in the town such a wedding, and thereunto was the master carpenter bidden. And he spake unto Owlglass, saying: “Good fellow of mine, unto this wedding must I go, and to-day shall I not return home again. Do thou, therefore, labour diligently, and bind me these four table boards most cunningly together with glue.” And Owlglass answered, and said unto him: “Yea; but which of these belong together?” Then laid the master the table boards together as he would have them joined, and gat him forth with his wife unto the wedding.

Then did our Owlglass, that pious man, diligently go to work, and, after his manner of doing all things wrong, took the four table boards, and bored holes in them, and laid them one upon the other. Then set he the glue-pot on the fire, and heated it, and with the brush glued all the boards together, and carried them up stairs unto the top of the house, and put them forth out of the window to dry, and then kept he holiday all the eventide. And at night cometh the master home, and well had he drunken at the festival. Then spake he unto Owlglass, and said unto him: “How hast thou laboured during the day?” And Owlglass answered, and said: “Lo! my good master, verily have I done that which thou didst bid me to do, and joined the boards together with glue, and then made I an early holiday at eventide.” And therewith was his master right well pleased and content; and he said unto his wife: “In good sooth is this a most excellent serving-man, and he doth with great diligence fulfil that which I have commanded him. Therefore must we hold him in great honour and esteem.” These words spoken, he gat him to bed.

And when that it was day he arose, and so did also Owlglass; and the master bade Owlglass that he should bring unto him the table that he had made. Then went Owlglass unto the loft, and brought down the boards all glued together and marred. And when that the master saw how the work was spoiled, he said unto Owlglass: “Where didst thou learn the art of carpenter’s work?” And Owlglass answered, and said: “Wherefore ask ye me this thing?” Then said the master: “Forasmuch as thou hast marred me much costly wood in thy labour.” When that Owlglass heard this he was greatly moved, and said: “Nay; but, master, I did only that which ye commanded, and if that I marred the wood, it is thy fault, not mine.” Then was the master right wroth, and said unto him: “Thou knave, get ye forth from my house, and be gone from my workshop; for of thy work have I no profit.” Thus departed Owlglass, and very little thanks earned he for his labour.

The Sixty and Ninth Adventure

How that Owlglass did hire himself unto the master of a saw mill

As Owlglass journeyed on from place to place, it fortuned that he passed hard by a saw-mill, at a time when the men were diverting themselves, and eating their suppers, the which a maiden servant had brought unto them. Owlglass then conferred with the men, and told them of his many marvellous adventures, the which he was not unmindful of extolling. Thereat came the master, and listened with an attentive ear. Now, it happened, that the manners of Owlglass pleased the master of the saw-mills much, and he took great delight in his merry jests. Then Owlglass told him he was a carpenter, and had also worked in saw-pits, which caused the master to move him to tarry, for he might have as much work there as it pleased him to do. Thereat did Owlglass consent unto him; and in order that the bargain might at once be shewn of effect, he sate himself down, and did eat of the supper; nor did he seem after that in any wise strange at that house, but did eat with so much appetite, that in truth it appeared unto all as if he had eaten of that fare all his life.

Thereafter did they depart unto their work again, and Owlglass had to carry heavy oaken stems up unto the saw-mill, the which did not agree with him in the wise that meat and drink always did. Soon, therefore, was he aweary of this labour, and he cast about in his mind how cunningly he might become quit thereof. So when it came to pass that his work-fellows set a huge block of oak over the pit, and began to saw it, drawing the saw each way, Owlglass spake unto them, saying: “What is that I see ye do? Wherefore pull ye the saw so as if each would have it alone. In my country, every man hath his own labour; but ye labour not to do any good purpose in pulling away the saw each from the other. But I will shew unto you a simple way by which ye can profitably labour.” Therewith took he the axe in his hand and brake the saw in two pieces, and said unto them: “Now can ye each labour in comfort without getting into anger.” Then ran the workmen unto the master to tell him how Owlglass brake the saws; and when the master came to demand money for his saws, had Owlglass departed thence.

The Seventieth Adventure

How that Owlglass became a maker of spectacles, and perceived that trade was very bad

Angry and contentious were the monarchs and electors, and there was no Roman Cæsar or king all this while. And it came to pass, that the Count of Supplenburg was chosen to be Roman king; yet were there others who with might desired to enter into the empire. Therefore was it, that the newly chosen Roman king had to sit down before Frankfort with a large army for the space of six months, and there lie in wait for some one to beat him off. And as with him abode there much folk, both foot and horse, Owlglass bethought him within himself: “Lo! now among the king’s people shall thy affairs be most profitably advanced; and now will I get me up, and among the many strange lords which be there, will I make happy fortune; for of money will these gentles bestow not a little upon me.” Then did he according to his words, and gat him up, and departed on his way. And all the great folk of all countries came together there. And in the Wetterau by Friedberg it came to pass, that the Bishop of Trier, with his folk, encountered our noble Master Owlglass by the way, as he journeyed on toward Frankfort. Now Owlglass was curiously apparelled; and the bishop—who, like unto most meddling priests, delighted much in prying into all matters—asked of Owlglass what manner of man he was, and in what way he earned his living.