THE STONEMASONS OF GERMANY.
155
to sing.
And probably a rich merchant in a scarlet velvet cloak will come riding
and say, "Good luck to ye why so joUy, youngster ?" Then say, "And why should I not
past
be jolly ? I have all my father's goods with me." lie will then think you have a few thousand
commence
!
ducats on you, and propose an exchange, his red fox fur against your tattered coat.
But
not at once, hesitate a little, and he wiU once more offer you the exchange.
But
exchange
do it not yet but if he offer it a third time exchange with hirn, but not too fast, nor give him
;
him
first give you his fox skin.
For if you give him yours first he
he has four legs and you only two, so you could not follow him. But
if he gives you his red fox skin throw him
your tattered coat, and make yourself scarce with
the fox fur, nor look about you too much, for when he shall have searched the torn coat
your coat
first,
but
let
might up and away,
for
and found no ducats, he might come back, take back
and cut your neck
his furs,
in
two
morality).
Having proceeded some
Will you be pleased or sorry at the sight ? My
son, you shall not be pleased thereat, neither shall you mourn as though you were fated to
hang on it, but you shall rejoice, inasmuch as you are then in the neighbourhood of a town.
(a lesson
in vjorldly prudence, at
distance further
you
the
expense of
strict
will see a gallows tree.
For if you go further you will see it, and hear the hammers clang and the smiths sing, and
your heart will rejoice that you are able to earn your bread. And it is customary that before
some cities sentinels are placed, and when you are come unto the town and the sentry
"
whence come you," do not give him the name of a place forty or fifty miles off,
bat the next town or the village where you passed the night.
And they will ask you
cries,
what
you
"
craft
you
are
of,
and you may answer that you are a smith. They will then say, that
and if you wish to enter the town say,
are to bring a sign from a master in the town,
pray you, keep my bundle for me, whilst I fetch a token from a master in the city."
will be obliged to leave your bundle in the gate give it to a sub-oflScer.
And
into the city, go into the first smith's shop that you see, and pass no master
you go
Sirs, I
And you
when
;
by, and say,
"
Good
day, and good luck
;
God honour
the
craft,
master and fellows
"
;
and they
"
you and say, Welcome, smith." And sometimes it is an old fellow who stands by
the bellows and a young master by the hearth.
Go you to him who stands by the bellows, and
"
By your leave, let me ask, is that the master who stands by the hearth," and he will put
say,
will thank
After that speak to the master, " Master, I would beg you to give me a token, that
I may pass my bundle through the gates."
And the father (i.e., master) will give you a token
or a horseshoe, or a ring. Take the token and go to the gates, and show it and say
a hammer,
you
right.
—
"
and they will say, " Give it here ;" but give it not, as they might plague you
But speak thus " I would willingly stand you something, but have
to give them a drink.
nothing myself" So take your bundle and go straight back to the master, and you may perhaps
"Will that do
?
—
—
meet a small white animal, with a fine bushy tail I call it a dog and you will
fine feather that would make for my hat, and you might take the token and throw
;
tliink,
it
what a
at the
dog
;
for in these large towns are many deep wells and cellars ; the token might fall into
"
"
Therefore
shall lend you a token if you bring it not back ?
one, and the master say,
"
God honour
to the house and say,
leave, that I may enter ; good day and good luck
By
go
but do not,
Who
;
the
craft,
would
let
master and fellows.
me
lay
my
Master, I
would speak
bundle down here, that I
may
to
you
in the
name
of the craft, if
go further with honour and
God
you do not wish to spend the night there. But if you desire to rest there the
"
IMaster, I would speak to you in the name of the craft, if you would liarbour
say,
if
;"
you
that
is,
niglit, tlien
me and my