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Translator’s Note
Translator’s Note
1 His biography has been written by Charles Potvin. Charles de Coster; Sa Biographie . Weissenbruch; Brussels. In the days when the Good Duke ruled over Brabant, there was to be found at Uccle, with its headquarters in the tavern of The Horn , a certain Brotherhood of the Cheerful Countenance , aptly enough so named, for every one of the Brothers had a wonderfully jolly face, finished off, as a sign of good living, with two chins at the least. That was the young ones; but the older ones had more
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I. Of the sorrowful voice which Pieter Gans heard in his garden, and of the flame running over the grass.
I. Of the sorrowful voice which Pieter Gans heard in his garden, and of the flame running over the grass.
For he grew so wizened, dried up, thin, and of such piteous appearance that dogs used to start barking at the sight of him, as they do at beggars with their bundles. It so happened that while he was moping after this fashion, passing his days in misery and without any joy of them, alone in a corner like a leper, there came to the inn a certain Master Jan Blaeskaek, brewer of good beer, a hearty fellow, and of a jovial turn of mind. This visitor, seeing Pieter Gans looking at him nervously and sh
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II. How Jan Blaeskaek gave good counsel to Pieter Gans, and wherein covetousness is sadly punished.
II. How Jan Blaeskaek gave good counsel to Pieter Gans, and wherein covetousness is sadly punished.
Then he began to sweat with terror and weep aloud, saying: “Now ’tis all over, dear God, all over with me. Oh, that I had followed the advice of the wise Blaeskaek, for he is a man of good counsel, of excellent counsel! Master Devil, who are so thirsty, do not kill me to-night; to-morrow you shall drink good ale, Master Devil. Ah, ’tis ale of fair repute throughout the land, this ale, fit for kings or for good devils like yourself!” Nevertheless the voice continued to wail: “Drink! Drink!” “Ther
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III. Of the songs, voices, mewlings, and sounds of kisses which Pieter Gans and Blaeskaek heard in the garden, and of the brave mien wherewith Master Merry-face sat on the cask of stone.
III. Of the songs, voices, mewlings, and sounds of kisses which Pieter Gans and Blaeskaek heard in the garden, and of the brave mien wherewith Master Merry-face sat on the cask of stone.
And he had, that morning, so martial a tone that you would have thought it a trumpet sounding. And hearing this trumpet all the devils suddenly put a stop to their drinking and singing. Pieter Gans and Blaeskaek were overjoyed at that, and ran out into the garden in haste. Pieter Gans, hurrying to look for his cask of ale, found it changed into stone, and on top of it, sitting horseback fashion, what seemed to be a young boy, quite naked, a fair, sweet little boy, gaily crowned with vine-leaves,
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IV. Wherein the two worthy men set out for Brussels, capital city of Brabant, and of the manners and condition of Josse Cartuyvels the Apothecary.
IV. Wherein the two worthy men set out for Brussels, capital city of Brabant, and of the manners and condition of Josse Cartuyvels the Apothecary.
“True,” said Gans, “true, friend Cartuyvels, the best in the duchy; and he drank up, if you please, a whole barrelful, without paying me so much as the smallest gold piece, nor silver, nor even copper. That is not the conduct of an honest devil.” “Ah!” said Cartuyvels, “there you are in error, and do not perceive what is for your good and what for evil. But if you will take the advice I am about to give you, you may find a way whereby you can make clear profit from this Bacchus, for he is, you m
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V. Of the long conversation and great perplexity of Pieter Gans and Blaeskaek in the matter of the deviling; and how they returned to Uccle with a resolution taken.
V. Of the long conversation and great perplexity of Pieter Gans and Blaeskaek in the matter of the deviling; and how they returned to Uccle with a resolution taken.
“But if he come back again to wail each night so piteously: ’Drink! Drink!’ And if he turn angry with me and cast spells on my beer and my wine, and make me as poor as Job! Nay, better follow the advice of the apothecary.” “Aye, and if the priests learn of the statue, and call us both before the tribunal, and have us burnt as heretics and idolaters, what then?” “Ah,” said Gans, “here are the good God on the one hand and the wicked devil on the other, fighting over our poor bodies, and we shall b
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VI. Wherein it is seen that the devil is not a good one; and of the evil trick which he played on the good wives of the drinkers.
VI. Wherein it is seen that the devil is not a good one; and of the evil trick which he played on the good wives of the drinkers.
On that account there was much sadness among the women, who said, all of them, that if such a state of things went on for long the race of the people of Uccle must needs become extinct, which would be a great pity. So it came about that the women decided between themselves to save the village from this fate, and to this end, while their menfolk were at drink with Pieter Gans, they met together at the house of a certain dame Syske, who was big, fat, loud-speaking, had hair upon her chin, and had
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VII. Of the Great Parliament of the Women of Uccle.
VII. Of the Great Parliament of the Women of Uccle.
On the morrow all these good women met together once again, and drank as before a great quantity of clear water; and afterwards went off, armed with sticks, to the place where they knew their men were to be found. Before the door of The Horn they stopped, and there a great council took place. The old ones wanted to go in with their sticks. “No,” said Wantje, with the young and pretty ones, “we would rather be beaten ourselves.” “Hark to these sillies!” cried the old ones, “these poor silly thing
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VIII. Of the great wit which every woman has, and of the modest conversation which the maid Wantje held with the worthies at the inn.
VIII. Of the great wit which every woman has, and of the modest conversation which the maid Wantje held with the worthies at the inn.
Continuing their discussion, they quarrelled, argued, chattered, jabbered in this and like fashion until curfew-time, when they separated without having made up their minds to anything, by reason of not having had time enough to talk it over. And there were spoken in this assembly of women more than 877,849,002 words, each one as full of good sense as a cellarful of old wine. Pieter Gans, who, as they said, had rabbit’s ears, hearing in the street a certain hum of chattering voices, cried out: “
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IX. Wherein it is seen that the learned Thomas a Klapperibus knew what makes a drinker fidget on his stool.
IX. Wherein it is seen that the learned Thomas a Klapperibus knew what makes a drinker fidget on his stool.
But this thing never happened but once; for on the morrow when the drinkers were carousing at The Horn the good women who came thither to entice them away a second time were driven off in a shameful manner. And as for the men, they continued to drink and to shout hilarious carols. Several times the night-watchman of the town came in to warn them against making so much noise after the sun was set. Ha, they listened to him with all respect, and seemed quite abashed and repentant at their fault; ea
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X. Of the brigand called Irontooth.
X. Of the brigand called Irontooth.
It came about that one night when only a few stars were showing, and the moon shining a little, there came to Uccle a certain Master André Bredael, running as hard as he could and quite out of breath. He brought this news: that being by chance behind a bush on the road to Paris, he had seen a troop of men go past, whom he thought to be the Irontooth’s, for he had seen among them a spiked casque like that which the great brigand was wont to wear. While these men were halted by the roadside, and m
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XI. In which it is seen how bravely the good wives of Uccle did the duty of men.
XI. In which it is seen how bravely the good wives of Uccle did the duty of men.
“Alas, master,” said the young women, “’tis as you see; they are as good as dead the night through, and so has it been a while past. If the angel of God himself were to come he would scarce be able to rouse them. Ah, must it be that after having left us lonely so long these wicked husbands will now leave us to die!” “Do not weep,” said André Bredael, “this is no time for that. Do you love these husbands of yours?” “Yes,” said they. “And your sons?” “And your little daughters, so sweet and winsom
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XII. Wherein Pieter Gans is nearer the stake than the wine-barrel.
XII. Wherein Pieter Gans is nearer the stake than the wine-barrel.
“Alas, alas!” said Pieter Gans, his head wagging and his teeth chattering (for he was afraid, poor fellow), “alas, alas! I know nothing, my good friends.” “Nay,” said the man, “but thou dost know something of it, for I see thy head shaking and thy teeth chattering.” But at this point the Dean confronted Gans: “Wicked Christian,” said he, “I can see well enough thou hast had commerce with the devil, to the great despite of all these good men. Confess thy sin with all humility, and we will accord
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XIII. Of the great wonder and astonishment of My Lord the Duke when he heard of the valour of the women of Uccle.
XIII. Of the great wonder and astonishment of My Lord the Duke when he heard of the valour of the women of Uccle.
On entering Uccle the good Duke saw coming towards him a large body of people, and in their midst a man crying out in a most piteous voice: “Master! Master Priest! let me not be boiled!” To which the answer was: “We shall see.” “Whence comes all this noise?” said the Duke. But as soon as Pieter Gans saw who it was he ran towards him and threw his arms round his horse’s legs. “My Lord,” he cried, “My Lord Duke, let me not be boiled!” “And why,” said the Duke, “should they boil one of my good men
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XIV. In what manner was instituted the Order of the Women-Archers of Uccle and of the fine reward which My Lord gave to the brave maid Wantje.
XIV. In what manner was instituted the Order of the Women-Archers of Uccle and of the fine reward which My Lord gave to the brave maid Wantje.
On hearing this Pieter Gans burst out laughing like a madman, and began to dance and sing, crying out the while: “Praise to My Lord! I am not to be boiled. Brabant to the Good Duke!” And all the townsfolk called out after him: “Praise to My Lord!” Then the Duke bade them be silent, and smiling: “Well, dames,” said he, “who have this night done man’s work so valiantly, come hither that I may give you a man’s reward. First of all, to the bravest one among you I give this great chain of gold. Which
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I. Of the three noble ladies and their great beauty.
I. Of the three noble ladies and their great beauty.
Not a few young men tried to win them in marriage, but failing in this endeavour, turned moody and pined visibly away. Among them was a certain prince of Araby, who had himself baptized with great ceremony. And this for the sake of the youngest sister solely. But, failing to attain his end, either by pleading or by force, set himself one morning before her door, and there let himself fall on his sword. The maid, hearing this fair lord cry out, came down in haste and had him carried in and laid o
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II. How a prince of Araby was taken with love for the youngest sister, and what came of it.
II. How a prince of Araby was taken with love for the youngest sister, and what came of it.
There were oftentimes a great crowd of suitors before the dwelling of the three ladies, some of them sighing laments, others prancing up and down on fine horses, others without uttering a word, but only looking up at the windows all the day long. And oftentimes these men would fight together and kill one another, from jealousy. At this the ladies were saddened exceedingly. “Ah,” said the two elder to their sister, “pray for us, white Blanche, white of soul and white of body, pray for us, little
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III. Wherein it is seen how Satan persecutes those ladies who seek to escape from the world.
III. Wherein it is seen how Satan persecutes those ladies who seek to escape from the world.
And having spoken thus, the poor child wept, and her sisters with her, saying: “Pity, Jesus, pity.” Suddenly they heard a low voice saying: “Take heart.” “Hark,” they said, “the husband deigns to speak to his brides.” And presently the room was filled with a perfume more delicate than that of a censer burning finest frankincense. Then the voice spake further: “To-morrow,” it said, “when dawn breaks, go out from the town. Mount your palfreys, and, riding without halt, follow the road without heed
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IV. Of the voice of the divine bridegroom, and of the horseman in silvern armour.
IV. Of the voice of the divine bridegroom, and of the horseman in silvern armour.
“Ah,” said the lovers to one another, “saw you that silvern armour and that flaming crest? ’Twas an angel of God assuredly, come from Paradise for the sake of these three ladies.” The more insistent among them muttered: “He did not forbid us to stand on foot before the door, and in that wise we may yet remain with impunity.” On the morrow, therefore, before daylight, the suitors returned once again in great numbers, but first left their horses behind them in their stables. Soon after daybreak th
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V. How, by the command of God, the three ladies rode to adventure.
V. How, by the command of God, the three ladies rode to adventure.
At Haeckendover, in the duchy of Brabant, the palfreys stood still once again, and neighed. And would not go one step forward, nor back. For this was where God had chosen to have his church. But the ladies, supposing that they had stopped there because they were tired, went on as far as Hoy-Bout on foot, and there determined to start building. Therefore they sent for the most skilful workers in stone, and master-builders also, in so great number that at the end of one day the foundations were tw
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VI. Of the diamond hammers, and foundations torn up from the ground.
VI. Of the diamond hammers, and foundations torn up from the ground.
For the Lord Jesus was minded to be worshipped more particularly at Haeckendover. And sent, therefore, his angels by night, with hammers of diamond from the workshops of Paradise. And bade them tear down the work of the three ladies. Therefore the sisters, greatly perplexed and wondering, went down on their knees, praying God that he would tell them where he wished to have his church. And suddenly they saw a young man, of a beauty more than earthly, clad in a robe of the colour of the setting su
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VII. Of the youngest sister and the beautiful angel.
VII. Of the youngest sister and the beautiful angel.
At that time it was thirteen days past the feast of the Kings; snow had fallen heavily and set hard in frost after, by reason of a north wind which was blowing. And the three ladies saw before them, among the snow, as it were a green island. And this island was girt about with a cord of purple silk. And upon the island the air was fresh as in spring, and roses were blowing, with violets and jessamine, whose smell is like balm. But outside was naught but storm, north wind, and terrible cold. Towa
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VIII. How the three ladies saw a green island, with sweet flowers and birds thereon.
VIII. How the three ladies saw a green island, with sweet flowers and birds thereon.
Great was the joy of the ladies at that sight, and the youngest said to the angel: “We see certainly that God loves us somewhat; what must we do now, My Lord Angel?” “Thou must build the church here, little one,” answered the messenger, “and choose for this work twelve of the most skilled workmen, neither more nor less; God himself will be the thirteenth.” And having said so much he returned to high heaven. Then all three went off in haste to choose from among the others the twelve good workmen
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IX. Of the church of Our Lord at Haeckendover, and of the strange mason who worked there.
IX. Of the church of Our Lord at Haeckendover, and of the strange mason who worked there.
By and by two venerable bishops passed through Haeckendover, and seeing the new church were minded to give it their blessing. They knew nothing of the words of Jesus to the three ladies, or they would not have thought of such temerity. But they were punished terribly none the less. For as one of them was about to bless the water for this purpose he became suddenly blind. And the other, who was holding the holy water brush, when he lifted his arms for the blessing, found them suddenly withered an
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X. Of the two bishops, and the withered hands.
X. Of the two bishops, and the withered hands.
Sir Halewyn lifted up his voice in a song. And whatever maid heard that song must needs go to him straight away. And now to all good Flemings will I tell the tale of this Halewyn and his song, and of the brave maid Magtelt. There were two proud castles in the province of Flanders. In one dwelt Sir Roel de Heurne, with the lady Gonde, his good wife; Toon the Silent, his son; Magtelt, his fair daughter, and a host of pages, grooms, varlets, men-at-arms, and all the other members of the household,
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I. Of the two castles.
I. Of the two castles.
This family were issue by direct line of Dirk, the first of the Halewyns, to whom was given the name of the Crow, because he was as greedy of booty as a crow is of carrion. And also because he was clad all in black, and his men with him. This Dirk, who lived in the time of the great wars, was like a thunderbolt in battle, where, with his only weapon, a heavy club, furnished with a beak at one side, he broke javelins, splintered lances, and tore away mail as if it had been cloth; and no one could
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II. Of Dirk, called the Crow.
II. Of Dirk, called the Crow.
And he had a fine escutcheon made for himself, wherein was a crow sable on a field or , with this device: The pieces are for the Crow. But to this strong Crow were born children of a quite other kind. For they were all, strangely enough, men of the quill and writing-desk, caring nothing for the fine arts of war, and despising all arms. These great clerks lost a good half of their heritage. For each year some stronger neighbour would rob them of a piece of it. And they begot puny and miserable ch
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III. Of Sir Halewyn and how he carried himself in his youth.
III. Of Sir Halewyn and how he carried himself in his youth.
Then, since he was the oldest of the family, he was sent off to the court of the Count, there to find himself a wife. But every one laughed at him, on account of his marvellous ugliness, more particularly the ladies and gentlewomen, who made fun of him among themselves, saying: “Look at this fine knight! What is he doing here? He has come to marry us, I suppose.—Who would have him, for four castles, as many manors, ten thousand peasants and half the gold in the province? None.—And that is a pity
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IV. How Sir Halewyn wished to take himself a wife, and what the ladies and gentlewomen said to it.
IV. How Sir Halewyn wished to take himself a wife, and what the ladies and gentlewomen said to it.
At the third tournament wherein he was beaten there were on the field his father, mother, brother, and sister. And his father said: “Well, look at my fine son, Siewert the soft, Siewert the overthrown, Siewert the faint-heart, coming back from jousting with his tail between his legs, like a dog thrashed with a great stick.” And his mother said: “I suppose for certain that My Lord the Count has put a gold chain round thy neck, and acclaimed thee publicly, for having so valiantly in this jousting
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V. How it came about that Sir Halewyn, after a certain tournament, called upon the devil for aid.
V. How it came about that Sir Halewyn, after a certain tournament, called upon the devil for aid.
And saying this, he pulled out his sword to do so, but the younger, parrying his thrust, cried out: “Bravo, uncrowlike Crow! Bravo, capon! Raise up our house, I beg of thee, Siewert the victorious!” “Ha,” said the Sire, “and why does this chatterer not go and joust as well as I? But he would not dare, being that kind of coward who looks on at others, folding his arms and making fun of those who strive.” Then he dismounted from his horse, went off and hid himself in his chamber, cried out to the
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VI. Of the rovings and wanderings of Sir Halewyn.
VI. Of the rovings and wanderings of Sir Halewyn.
And his heart was swollen with hatred and anger. And he cursed God. One day in the season of plum-picking, having roved over the whole countryside, and even as far as Lille, on the way back to his castle he passed through a wood. Ambling along he saw among the undergrowth, alongside an oak, a stone which was of great length and broad in proportion. And he said: “That will make me a good seat, comfortable enough to rest on for a little while.” And sitting down on the stone he once again prayed to
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VII. Of the Prince of the Stones and of the song.
VII. Of the Prince of the Stones and of the song.
And saying this, he pommelled him beyond endurance. “He wants,” he screamed, mocking him, “Siewert Halewyn wants strength and beauty, beauty and strength; seek then, Miserable.” And he pulled out his hair in handfuls, and tore his dress with his nails until he was all in rags, and kept saying, with great bursts of laughter: “Strength and beauty, beauty and strength; seek, seek, Miserable!” And he hung from his ears with his two hands, and kicked his stone feet in his face, notwithstanding that t
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VIII. What Halewyn did to the little girl cutting faggots.
VIII. What Halewyn did to the little girl cutting faggots.
He went into his room, opened the side of the girl beneath a breast just budding, cut out the heart with the sickle, and drank the blood. But he got no more strength from it than he had before. And weeping bitter tears, he cried: “The sickle has played me false.” And he threw down into the moat both the heart and the body. And the lady Halewyn seeing this poor heart and body dropping into the water, ordered that they should be taken out and brought to her. Seeing the body rent open under the bre
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IX. Of the heart of a maid and of the great strength which came to Sir Halewyn.
IX. Of the heart of a maid and of the great strength which came to Sir Halewyn.
“Ah, is the Miserable about to get us a bastard?” And to the girl: “Well, mistress, thy heart must be fast set on my ugly brother that thou must needs follow him in this wise, without a word spoken.” But Halewyn, in a rage, hit out at his brother’s face with his sword. Then, passing him by, went up into his own room. And there, having shut fast the door, from fear of his brother, he stripped the girl quite naked, as he had seen the virgin in his vision. And the girl said that she was cold. Quick
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X. How the Miserable robbed a Lombard goldsmith, and of the pleasant speech of the ladies and gentlewomen.
X. How the Miserable robbed a Lombard goldsmith, and of the pleasant speech of the ladies and gentlewomen.
“Ah,” said the goldsmith, “then I pray, My Lord, that you will repay me my six-and-twenty florins.” But Halewyn, laughing: “Take me,” he said, “to the room where thou keepest thy gold.” “My Lord,” said the goldsmith, “that I will not, for all that I hold you in high esteem.” “Dog,” said he, “if thou dost not obey me I will strike thee dead instantly.” “Ha!” said the goldsmith, “do not come blustering here, My Lord, for I am neither serf nor peasant, but a free burgess of this town. And if you ar
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XI. Of the arrogant arms of Sir Halewyn.
XI. Of the arrogant arms of Sir Halewyn.
It so happened that at about this time My Lord of Flanders let call a tournament. And sent out to all his lords and barons to come to Ghent for that purpose. Halewyn went thither and set up his shield among the others. But the barons and lords, seeing the arrogant device and the great size of the shield, were greatly put to offence thereat. And all of them jousted with him, but each was overthrown in turn. Among them was present an English knight of much prowess, who rode out to the middle of th
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XII. How Sir Halewyn jousted with a knight of England.
XII. How Sir Halewyn jousted with a knight of England.
“And cause thee to grease my horses’ hooves, and empty the dung from the stable; and find out whether thou art invincible at such work also.” “And if thou art not invincible, the invincible stick shall thrash thee invincibly.” “But if thou overcome me, this shall be thy guerdon: “Five-and-twenty bezants which are in the house of thy Lord, the noble Count of Flanders; all the accoutrement of my horse, which is of fine mail; his fair saddle of pear-wood, covered with leather, and saddle-bows richl
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XIII. Of the heart dried up and of the dame Halewyn.
XIII. Of the heart dried up and of the dame Halewyn.
“My lord,” said he, “you have had pudding enough, I think, ’tis my turn to eat.” And he took the pudding from off his platter. “My lord son,” said his mother, “now you shall give to me, who am old, some of this old wine you have kept for yourself.” And she took the cup out of his hand. “My lord brother,” said the younger son, “methinks you have too much of this roast of lamb with sweet chestnuts; I will take it, if you please.” And he put the roast of lamb before his own place. “My lord son,” sa
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XIV. Of the great weakness of Sir Halewyn and of the days and nights which he spent in the forest.
XIV. Of the great weakness of Sir Halewyn and of the days and nights which he spent in the forest.
And so passed the second day. That night the rain fell anew, and he could not move, so stiff was he from the cold, and he sang, but no maid came. At dawn the rain continued, and while he was lying there among the leaves a wolf came and sniffed at him, thinking him dead, but on seeing it draw near he cried out in a terrible fashion, and the wolf took fright and went off. Then he grew hungry, but could find himself nothing to eat. At vespers he sang anew, but no maid came. And so passed the third
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XV. How the Miserable, having hanged fifteen virgins in the Gallows-field, held wicked revels and cruel orgies.
XV. How the Miserable, having hanged fifteen virgins in the Gallows-field, held wicked revels and cruel orgies.
Oftentimes until midnight, or even until cock-crow, there would be beating of drums, trilling of pipes, squeaking of viols, skirling of bagpipes, and winding of horns, for their entertainment. Meanwhile in the cottages of the peasant folk were tears, hunger, and great misery. And when the fifteenth maid had been taken in the domain of Halewyn, The mothers prayed to God that he would make them barren, or else that they might bear men-children only. And the fathers complained and said to one anoth
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XVI. How the burgesses of the good town of Ghent gave protection to the virgins of the domain of Halewyn.
XVI. How the burgesses of the good town of Ghent gave protection to the virgins of the domain of Halewyn.
Not long afterwards a hard winter set in, with bitter cold and furious storm. And the heart of the fifteenth virgin no longer beat strong against Sir Halewyn’s breast. And he sang, but none came. Wherefore he was disappointed and angry. But calling to mind that there were, in the castle of Sir Roel de Heurne, two girls supposed by common report to be virgins, And that this castle was no more than the fifth part of a league from the borders of his land, And that therefore the two maids would be a
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XVII. Of what Sir Halewyn did on the borders of his domain.
XVII. Of what Sir Halewyn did on the borders of his domain.
While the Miserable was roaming the woods, Sir Roel de Heurne and the lady Gonde, his wife, richly clad, and wrapt round with deer-skins, which give particular warmth to the body, were sitting snugly on their coffers before their good fire of oaken logs, chatting together as old folk will. But it was the Lady Gonde who spoke most, being the woman. And she said: “My good man, do you hear the storm raging furiously in the forest?” “Yes,” answered Sir Roel. And his lady said further: “God has been
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XVIII. Of the damosels Magtelt and Anne-Mie, and of Schimmel the dapple-gray.
XVIII. Of the damosels Magtelt and Anne-Mie, and of Schimmel the dapple-gray.
“True,” answered the Sire. “For,” said she, “nowhere could you find a young man more valiant, courteous, gentle, and fitter to uphold our name than Toon, our son.” “Yes,” said the Sire, “he has saved my life in battle.” “But,” said his lady, “he has this fault, that he is so scant of words that we scarce know the tone of his voice. He is well called the Silent.” “There is better worth to a man,” said the Sire, “in a good sword than in a long tongue.” “Here I see you, my lord,” said the lady, “pe
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XIX. How Magtelt sang to Sir Roel the lied of the Lion, and the song of the Four Witches.
XIX. How Magtelt sang to Sir Roel the lied of the Lion, and the song of the Four Witches.
“Silence, wife,” said Sir Roel, “you make youth faint-heart. In my young days I went through cold, snow, hail, thunder, and tempest without a thought. And so do I still, when there is need to, and I will have Magtelt do the same. Thanks be to God! ’tis not from a fire of logs that a daughter of ours must get warmth, but from the natural fire which burns in the bodies of the children of old Roel.” But Magtelt, seeing him about to grow angry, went and knelt at his feet. “Lord father,” said she, “w
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XX. Of the sixteenth virgin hanged.
XX. Of the sixteenth virgin hanged.
But she went her way without heeding. When she drew near to the Miserable she fell on her knees before him. And he did to her as he had done to the others. And Anne-Mie was the sixteenth virgin hanged in the Gallows-field. On the morrow Magtelt, being, as was customary, the first awake, said her prayers to My Lord Jesus and to Madam Saint Magtelt, her blessed patron. Having besought them earnestly for Sir Roel, the lady Gonde, the Silent, and all the household, most particularly for Anne-Mie, sh
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XXI. How Magtelt sought Anne-Mie.
XXI. How Magtelt sought Anne-Mie.
“Well,” said Sir Roel, “go and seek Anne-Mie; as for us, mother, let us eat; our old stomachs cannot wait for food as well as these young ones.” “Ah,” said the lady Gonde, “I have no mind to eat; go, Magtelt, and find me Anne-Mie.” But Sir Roel helped himself to a great platterful of beans and good beef, and, falling to it, said that nothing was so easily put out, troubled, made anxious, as a woman, and this for nothing at all. Nevertheless he was himself a little uneasy, and from time to time l
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XXII. How Magtelt wept bitterly, and of the fine dress which she had.
XXII. How Magtelt wept bitterly, and of the fine dress which she had.
Sir Roel, seeing her so low-hearted, sent to Bruges for some blue cloth-of-scarlet, for her to make herself a dress, and fine Cyprian gold for the border, and fine gold buttons of rich workmanship. Magtelt worked away at making this dress, but took no pleasure at all at the thought of all this fine apparel. And so passed away the week, and each day Magtelt worked at her dress, saying nothing and singing never, but weeping oftentimes. On the fifth day, when the dress was finished, well trimmed wi
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XXIII. Of Toon the Silent.
XXIII. Of Toon the Silent.
“Why,” said Sir Roel, “was my son so presumptuous as to attack the Invincible?” The Silent answered: “Anne-Mie hanged in the Gallows-field of Siewert Halewyn.” “Woe!” cried Sir Roel, “our poor maid hanged! shame and sorrow upon us!” “Lord God,” said Gonde, “you smite us hard indeed.” And she wept. But Magtelt could neither weep nor speak from the bitterness of the grief which laid hold upon her. And she looked at her brother fixedly, and his sunken face blenched, and from the wounds against his
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XXIV. How the damosel Magtelt made a good resolution.
XXIV. How the damosel Magtelt made a good resolution.
For in her breast was a dumb pain, harsh anguish, and a bitter thirst for vengeance. And she asked very humbly of Our Lady if it were a good thing to let the Miserable any longer go killing the maidens of the land of Flanders. And at cock-crow she rose from her bed, and her eyes were bright, and proud was her countenance, and her head held high, and she said: “I will go to Halewyn.” And throwing herself on her knees she prayed to the very strong God to give her courage and strength for the reven
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XXV. Of the sword of the Lion.
XXV. Of the sword of the Lion.
But her lady mother: “Oh no, child, no, not thou; who goes there will not come again!” And so saying, she opened her arms and let fall the golden ball wherewith she warmed her hands, so that the embers spread this way and that on the floor. Then she fell to moaning, weeping, trembling, and chattering with her teeth, and embraced the girl tightly as if she would never let her go. But she never supposed that she could fail in her obedience. And Magtelt went thence to Toon, who, despite his wounds,
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XXVI. Of the noble apparel of the maid Magtelt.
XXVI. Of the noble apparel of the maid Magtelt.
What held she in her little hand? The blessed sword brought from the crusade. So apparelled she went out to the stable, and harnessed Schimmel, the great war-horse, with his saddle of State, a fine leathern seat, painted in divers colours, and richly worked with gold. And they set out together, through the snow falling thickly. While Magtelt was on her way to Halewyn, and when the first hour of her journey had already gone by, the lady Gonde questioned Sir Roel: “Sir,” she said, “do you know whe
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XXVII. How Sir Roel and the lady Gonde questioned Toon the Silent, and of what he answered.
XXVII. How Sir Roel and the lady Gonde questioned Toon the Silent, and of what he answered.
“Toon,” said she, “where is she? Toon, do you not know?” “The Miserable,” he answered, “fears the beautiful maid; whom God leads he leads well.” “Roel,” cried out the lady Gonde, “he knows where our Magtelt has gone!” “Son, answer,” said Sir Roel. The Silent answered: “The sword of the crusade fell from the wall at the maid’s feet. Whom God guides succeeds in everything.” “Toon,” cried the lady Gonde, “where is Magtelt?” “The virgin,” he said, “rides without fear, she goes faster than the armed
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XXVIII. The riding of the maid Magtelt.
XXVIII. The riding of the maid Magtelt.
What is it so swells her breast? The cruel thought of Anne-Mie, and her brother’s shame and the great crimes of Sir Halewyn. And ceaselessly she looks to see if he be not coming, and if she can hear nothing of the sound of his horse. But she sees nothing, except the air whitened with snow, and white also the long road, and white also the leafless trees. And she hears nothing, except, in the heavy silence, the still sound of snowflakes falling quietly like feathers. And she sings. Then, speaking
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XXIX. Of the crow and the sparrow, of the hound, the horse and the seven echoes.
XXIX. Of the crow and the sparrow, of the hound, the horse and the seven echoes.
“My heart,” said Magtelt, “bade me come, I wished greatly to see thee, and am content now that I can look at thee face to face.” “So,” said he, “have done and shall do all virgins, even more beautiful than thou art.” While they were talking together the wounded hound made a rush at the horse and hung on to Halewyn’s opperst-kleed as if he would drag him down to the ground. Having done this, he went off and sat down in the snow beside the road, and there lifting up his muzzle howled most lamentab
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XXX. How Magtelt came to the Gallows-field.
XXX. How Magtelt came to the Gallows-field.
And she, having dismounted from her horse, said: “My lord, before thou strikest, doff thine opperst-kleed of the colour of corn, for the blood of virgins gushes fiercely, and if mine should stain thee I should be grieved.” But before the opperst-kleed was off his shoulders, his head fell to the ground at his feet. And Magtelt, looking at the body, said: “He strode confidently, thinking himself invincible; but when the beast goes with assurance the hunter follows more easily.” And she crossed her
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XXXI. Of the sixteen deaths and of the Prince of the Stones.
XXXI. Of the sixteen deaths and of the Prince of the Stones.
“Ah,” said the head, “have pity, Lord.” “Sing,” said the Prince of the Stones, “sing, ’tis the hour of God.” “My lord Prince,” said the head, “be not so hard in my evil hour.” “Sing, Miserable,” said the Prince of the Stones, “sing, ’tis the hour of the reckoning.” “Ah,” said the head, weeping, “I will sing, since you are my master.” The Song of the Head And the head sang the faery song. And suddenly there spread abroad in the air a smell of cinnamon, frankincense, and sweet marjoram. And the si
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XXXII. How father, mother, and sister sought everywhere their son and brother, and could not find him.
XXXII. How father, mother, and sister sought everywhere their son and brother, and could not find him.
When she had gone farther she saw, through the thick snow falling, a young and rosy-cheeked damosel coming towards her on a white palfrey. And the damosel said: “Beautiful maid, riding so fast, hast seen my brother Halewyn?” But Magtelt: “Go farther, to the Gallows-field, where thou shalt see thy brother in like guise to the sixteen maidens.” And the damosel rode on. Farther still on her way, Magtelt saw, through the thick snow falling, a young man of haughty and stiff-necked countenance coming
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XXXIII. Of the feast in the castle of Heurne, and of the head upon the table.
XXXIII. Of the feast in the castle of Heurne, and of the head upon the table.
And the lady Gonde, weeping freely, let her do, without speaking. “Ah,” said Sir Roel, “I never saw my wife before in such festival mood.” Then suddenly he cried out: “Festival,” quoth he, “this should be a day of festival, the great feast of the house of Heurne!” And he threw open the door to call his pages, grooms, men-at-arms, and all the household. But they all held back, not daring to enter. “Ho!” cried he, in his great joyous voice, “where are cooks and kitchen-maids? Where are cauldrons,
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I. Of Smetse, his belly, and his forge.
I. Of Smetse, his belly, and his forge.
By and by there came to the Quai aux Oignons a certain Adriaen Slimbroek, who set up, with the licence of the guild, another smithy. This Slimbroek was an ugly, wizened, lean and puny personage, white-faced, underhung in the jaw like a fox, and nicknamed the Red on account of the colour of his hair. Skilled in intrigue, expert in sharp-practice, master of arts in cant and hypocrisy, and making himself out to be the finest of smiths, he had interested in his business all the rich and gentle folk
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II. How Slimbroek the Red put out the fire in Smetse’s forge.
II. How Slimbroek the Red put out the fire in Smetse’s forge.
Brought to this pass Smetse, nevertheless, would not let himself take to despair; but he was always sad and heavy of heart when, sitting in his cold smithy and looking at all his good tools lying idle on the ground, he heard the fair sound of hammers and anvils coming from Slimbroek’s shop. But what angered him most was that whenever he passed before Slimbroek’s dwelling the traitor carrot-head would appear suddenly on the threshold, and, saluting him graciously and giving him fair compliments,
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III. Wherein Slimbroek is seen in the river prettily tricked out.
III. Wherein Slimbroek is seen in the river prettily tricked out.
“Rich enough,” answered the smith, “to stand thee the best draught thou ever had.” “Hark to him,” said Slimbroek to the crowd of watermen and townsfolk, “hark to him. Smetse will stand us drink! The world is coming to an end. ’Tis the year of golden rags. Smetse will stand us drink! Ah! I shall taste with great pleasure the bruinbier that Smetse will stand us. I am thirsty as an African desert, thirsty as Sunday, thirsty as a devil half-boiled in the cauldrons of Lucifer.” “Drink then, Slimbroek
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IV. Of the two branches.
IV. Of the two branches.
And although there was no wind the trunks and branches of the tree moved and swung about like serpents uncoiling, while all around there crackled above ten hundred thousand sparks. And Smetse grew more afraid, and a hot breath passed across his face, and the voice, speaking again, but nearer, or so it seemed, repeated: “Where goest thou, Smetse?” But he could not speak for fear, and because his throttle was dry and his teeth chattering. “Why,” said the voice, “dost not dare answer him who wishes
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V. Of the flaming ball, of the forge relit, and of the terrible great buffet which the man with the lantern gave to Smetse’s wife.
V. Of the flaming ball, of the forge relit, and of the terrible great buffet which the man with the lantern gave to Smetse’s wife.
“And why not, wife?” said he. “Alas,” she said, clinging to him and gazing into the forge, “wert thou alone there, my man?” “Yes,” said he. “Ah,” she said, “Smetse, while you were away there were strange happenings!” “What happenings, wife?” “As I was lying in bed,” she said, “suddenly the house trembled, and a flaming ball passed across our room, went out through the door, without hurting anything, down the stairs, and into the forge, where, bursting, as I suppose, it made a noise like a hundre
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VI. Wherein the wife of Smetse shows the great length of her tongue.
VI. Wherein the wife of Smetse shows the great length of her tongue.
“’Tis good of you,” said Smetse, “ye shall have the promised royal . But come with me, I will apportion to each of you the usual task.” This he did, and once again the good music of sledges beating, anvils ringing, bellows blowing, and workmen singing was heard in the forge of the good smith. Meanwhile Smetse went to his wife and said to her with great heat: “Dost think it a fine thing to gainsay me before these good men! Chattering magpie, wilt never learn to hold thy tongue? Hast not already t
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VII. Of Smetse the Rich.
VII. Of Smetse the Rich.
Worn and troubled with these thoughts, Smetse stopped singing and lost his fat, shrivelled visibly, became melancholy and moody, and in his smithy said never a word, except to give a necessary order. And he was no longer called Smetse the Merry , but Smetse the Rich . And he counted the days. On the two hundred and forty-fifth day of the seventh year, when the plum-trees were in bloom, Smetse, dumb as a stone, was taking a little noonday rest. He sat on a wooden bench opposite his door, and with
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VIII. How there came a ragged, wayfarer to Smetse’s door, and with him, on an ass, a sweet wife and a little child.
VIII. How there came a ragged, wayfarer to Smetse’s door, and with him, on an ass, a sweet wife and a little child.
“Yes,” said he. And while he was fastening up the beast, paring his hoof and fitting the shoe, he said to the man: “Whence come you, with this woman and this ass?” “We come,” said the man, “from a distant country, and have still far to go.” “And this child whom I see naked,” said Smetse, “does he not oftentimes suffer from the cold?” “Nay,” said the man, “for he is all warmth and all life.” “Well, well,” said Smetse, “you do not cry down your own children, master. But what is your meat and drink
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IX. What Smetse did in order to keep his secret.
IX. What Smetse did in order to keep his secret.
“Then why,” said she, “knowing this, hast thou not more faith in me? Ah, my man, it hurts me; tell me the secret, I shall know how to keep it, I promise thee.” “Wife,” said he, “knowing nothing thou wilt be able to hold thy tongue the more easily.” “Smetse,” said she, “wilt thou verily tell me nothing?” “I cannot,” said he. “Alas,” said she. By and by the workmen came back, and Smetse gave each of them a good royal to get themselves drink. Whereat they were all so merry, and felt themselves so r
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X. Of the Bloody Councillor.
X. Of the Bloody Councillor.
“Beggar-men!” exclaimed the devil, “that I am not and never was. Death to the beggar-men! To the gallows with the beggar-men!” “My lord,” said Smetse, “I beg you not to be angry with my good wife, who knows you not at all. Wife, consider and look at our guest with great attention, but greater respect, and afterwards thou mayest tell thy gossips that thou hast seen my Lord Jacob Hessels, the greatest reaper of heretics that ever was. “Ah, wife, he mowed them down grandly, and had so many of them
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XI. Wherein the workmen hold fair speech with Smetse.
XI. Wherein the workmen hold fair speech with Smetse.
In the kitchen Smetse found his wife on her knees beating her breast, weeping, sighing, sobbing, and saying: “Jesus Lord God, he has made a pact with the devil; but ’tis not with my consent, I swear. And you also, Madam the Virgin, you know it, and you also, all my masters the saints. Ah, I am indeed wretched, not on my own account, but for my poor man, who for the sake of some miserable gold sold his soul to the devil! Alas, yes, sell it he did! Ah, my saintly masters, who are yourselves so hap
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XII. How that Smetse would not give his secret into his wife’s tongue’s keeping.
XII. How that Smetse would not give his secret into his wife’s tongue’s keeping.
“Ah,” said she, “then I will not ask, though ’tis not pleasant for me to live here in ignorance of everything, like a stranger. Nevertheless I would rather have thee silent and saved than talking and damned.” “Wife,” he said, “thou art wise when thou speakest so.” “I will pray,” she said, “every day for thy deliverance, and have a good mass said for thee at St. Bavon.” “But,” said he, “is it with devil’s money thou wilt pay for this mass?” “Have no care for that,” said she, “when this money ente
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XIII. Of the Bloody Duke.
XIII. Of the Bloody Duke.
This the devil did, and then looked round him with great haughtiness and disdain. But of a sudden the smith fell at his feet, and said with mocking laughter: “Sir duke, you see before you the most humble of your servants, a poor man living like a Christian, serving God, honouring princes, and anxious, if such is your lordly pleasure, to continue in this way of life seven years more.” “Thou shalt not have one minute,” said the devil, “come, Fleming, come with me.” And he tried to rise from the ch
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XIV. Of the great fears and pains of Smetse’s wife.
XIV. Of the great fears and pains of Smetse’s wife.
When the last night of the seventh year was come Smetse was in his smithy, looking at the enchanted sack, and asking himself with much anxiety how he could make the devil get into it. While he was wondering, the smithy suddenly became filled with an evil stench of the most putrid, offensive and filthy kind. Innumerable lice swarmed over the threshold, ceiling, anvils, sledges, bars and bellows, Smetse and his men, who were all as if blinded, for these lice were as thick in the smithy as smoke, c
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XV. Of the Bloody King.
XV. Of the Bloody King.
“What ails thee?” said the devil. “Sire,” said Smetse, “nothing ails me but the great sorrow which I have at seeing how harsh God has been towards you, leaving you to bear in hell the malady whereof you died. Ah, ’tis a most pitiful sight to see so great a king as you consumed by these lice and eaten up with these abscesses.” “I care nothing for thy pity,” answered the king. “Sire,” said Smetse further, “deign to think no evil of my words. I have never been taught fine ways of speech; but notwit
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XVI. Wherein Smetse beholds on the River Lys a most marvellous sight.
XVI. Wherein Smetse beholds on the River Lys a most marvellous sight.
“Ah,” said the good wife, “here is my Lord Lucifer and all his devils!” And when the voices had ceased the man made a sign with his hand, and of a sudden the waters of the Lys rose as if God had lifted up the river-bed. And the river became like a rough sea; but the waves did not roll on the quay, but each lifted separately, bearing on its crest a foam of fire. Then each of these flames rose into the air, drawing up the water like a pillar, and there seemed to poor Smetse and his wife and the me
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XVII. Of Hell, of Purgatory, of the long ladder, and finally of Paradise.
XVII. Of Hell, of Purgatory, of the long ladder, and finally of Paradise.
When he had travelled some way he came before Purgatory. On the other side was a ladder, with this inscription at its foot: “This is the road to the good Paradise.” And Smetse, filled with joy, began to climb the ladder, which was made of golden thread, with here and there a sharp point sticking out, in virtue of that saying of God which tells us: “Broad is the way which leadeth to Hell, strait and rough the way to Heaven.” And, indeed, Smetse soon had his feet sore. Nevertheless, he made his wa
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XVIII. Wherein it is seen why Smetse was whipped.
XVIII. Wherein it is seen why Smetse was whipped.
Hearing this soft and joyous voice she answered in a low tone and with great timidity: “No, dead master.” “Well then,” said he, “why art thou so afraid? Dost not know thy man’s fat face, his round paunch, and the voice which in former days sang so readily hereabout?” “Yes,” she said, “I know thee well enough.” And why,” said he, “if thou knowest me, wilt not come to me and touch me?” “Ah,” said she, “I dare not, master, for ’tis said that whatever member touches a dead man is itself dead.” “Come
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XIX. Of the fair judgment of My Lord Jesus.
XIX. Of the fair judgment of My Lord Jesus.
“Yes,” said he. “Art thou hungry?” she said. “Well then,” she said, “spread thy leathern apron; I will throw thee the pudding which has just been given me.” “But thou,” said he, “wilt thou eat nothing?” “No,” said she, “for I have heard it said that there is supper by and by.” Smetse ate the rice pudding, and was suddenly filled with comfort, for the pudding was more succulent and delicious than the finest meats of the earth. Meanwhile his wife went off to walk about in the good Paradise, and af
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