痴儿西木传·第五卷

德语原文

Das fünfte Buch

Das erste Kapitel

Nachdem Herzbruder wieder allerdings erstärkt, vertrauete er mir, daß
er in den höchsten Nöten eine Wallfahrt nach Einsiedeln zu tun gelobt.
Weil er dann jetzt ohn das so nahe am Schweizerland wäre, so wollte
er solche verrichten und sollte er auch dahin betteln. Ich bot ihm
Geld und meine Gesellschaft an, ja, ich wollte gleich zween Klepper
kaufen. Nicht zwar der Ursache, daß mich die Andacht darzu getrieben,
sondern um die Eidgenoßschaft zu besehen, als das einzige Land, darin
der liebe Friede noch grünete. So freute mich auch nicht wenig, daß
ich Gelegenheit hatte, Herzbrudern auf solcher Reise zu dienen, maßen
ich ihn fast höher als mich selbst liebte. Er aber schlug beides:
meine Hilfe und meine Gesellschaft ab mit Vorwand, seine Wallfahrt
müsse zu Fuß und darzu auf Erbsen geschehen, meine Gesellschaft würde
ihn nicht allein an der Andacht verhindern, sondern mir selbst große
Ungelegenheit aufladen. Das redete er aber, mich von sich zu schieben,
weil er sich ein Gewissen machte auf einer so heiligen Reise von dem
Gelde zu zehren, das mit Morden und Rauben erobert worden. Er sagte
unverholen, daß ich bereits mehr an ihm getan, weder ich schuldig
gewesen, noch er zu erwidern getraue. Hierüber gerieten wir in ein
freundlich Gezänke, das war so lieblich, als ich dergleichen niemals
habe hören hadern. Bis ich endlich merkte, daß er beides: an Oliviers
Geld und meinem gottlosen Leben einen Ekel hatte. Derhalben behalf ich
mich mit Lügen und überredete ihn, daß mich mein Bekehrungsvorsatz
nach Einsiedeln triebe, sollte er mich nun von einem so guten Werk
abhalten und ich darüber sterben, so würde ers schwer verantworten
können. Hierdurch persuadierte ich ihn, daß er es zuließ, sonderlich
weil ich eine große Reue bezeugte, als ich ihn dann auch überredete,
daß ich sowohl als er auf Erbsen nach Einsiedeln gehen wollte.

Er willigte endlich drein, wiewohl mit Widerstreben, daß ich einen Paß
bekam nach meinem Regiment (und nicht nach Einsiedeln) zu gehen. Mit
demselben wanderten wir bei Beschließung des Tores samt einem getreuen
Wegweiser aus der Stadt, als wollten wir nach Rottweil, wandten uns
aber kurz durch Nebenwege und kamen noch dieselbige Nacht über die
schweizerische Grenze und folgenden Morgen in ein Dorf, allda wir uns
mit schwarzen langen Röcken, Pilgerstäben und Rosenkränzen montierten
und den Boten wieder zurückschickten.

Das Land kam mir so fremd vor gegen andern deutschen Ländern, als wann
ich in Brasilia oder in China gewesen wäre. Da sahe ich die Leute
im Frieden handeln und wandeln. Die Ställe stunden voll Viehe. Die
Baurenhöfe liefen voll Hühner, Gäns und Enten. Die Straßen wurden
sicher von den Reisenden gebrauchet. Die Wirtshäuser saßen voll Leute,
die sich lustig machten. Da war ganz keine Forcht vor dem Feind,
keine Sorge vor der Plünderung und keine Angst, sein Gut, Leib noch
Leben zu verlieren. Ein jeder lebte sicher unter seinem Weinstock und
Feigenbaum, und zwar, gegen andere deutsche Länder zu rechnen, in
lauter Wollust und Freude, also daß ich dieses Land vor ein irdisch
Paradies hielt, wiewohln es von Art rauh genug zu sein schiene.

Das machte, daß ich auf dem ganzen Weg nur hin und her gaffte, wann
hingegen Herzbruder an seinem Rosenkranz betete. Deswegen ich manchen
Filz bekam, dann er wollte, daß ich wie er bete, welches ich aber nicht
gewöhnen konnte.

Zu Zürich kam er mir recht hinter die Briefe und dahero sagte er mir
die Wahrheit auch am tröckensten heraus. Dann als wir zu Schaffhausen,
allwo mir die Füße von den Erbsen sehr wehe täten, die vorige Nacht
geherberget und ich mich den künftigen Tag wieder auf Erbsen zu gehen
förchtete, ließ ich sie kochen und tät sie wieder in die Schuhe.

»Bruder, du hast große Gnade vor Gott,« meinte Herzbruder zu Zürich,
»daß du unangesehen der Erbsen, dannoch so wohl fortkommen kannst.«

»Ja,« sagte ich, »liebster Herzbruder, ich habe sie gekocht, sonst
hätte ich soweit nicht darauf gehen können.«

»Ach, daß Gott erbarme, was hast du getan! Du hättest sie lieber gar
aus den Schuhen gelassen, wann du nur dein Gespötte damit treiben
willst. Gott wird dich und mich zugleich strafen. Ich besorge, es stehe
deine Seligkeit in höchster Gefahr. Ich liebe keinen Menschen mehr als
dich, leugne aber auch nit, daß ich mir ein Gewissen machen muß, solche
Liebe zu kontinuieren.«

Ich verstummte vor Schröcken, daß ich mich schier nicht wieder erholen
konnte. Zuletzt bekannte ich frei, daß ich die Erbsen nicht aus
Andacht, sondern allein ihm zu Gefallen in die Schuhe getan, damit er
mich mitgenommen hätte.

»Ach Bruder, ich sehe, daß du weit vom Weg der Seligkeit bist. Gott
verleihe dir Besserung, dann ohne die kann unsere Freundschaft nicht
bestehen.«

Von dieser Zeit folgte ich ihm traurig nach, als einer, den man zu
Galgen führet. Mein Gewissen fing an mich zu drucken, alle meine
Bubenstücke stelleten sich mir vor Augen, da beklagte ich erst
die verlorene Unschuld. Und was meinen Jammer vermehrete war, daß
Herzbruder nicht viel mehr mit mir redete und mich nur mit Seufzen
anschauete, als hätte er meine Verdammnis an mir bejammert.

Solchergestalt langten wir zu Einsiedeln an und kamen eben in die
Kirche, als ein Priester einen Besessenen exorcisieret. Das war mir neu
und seltsam, derowegen ließ ich Herzbrudern knien und beten, so lange
er wollte, und ging hin, diesem Spektakul aus Fürwitz zuzusehen.

Aber ich hatte mich kaum ein wenig genähert, da schrie mich der böse
Geist aus dem armen Menschen an: »Oho, du Kerl, schlägt dich der
Hagel auch her? Ich habe vermeint, dich zu meiner Heimkunft bei dem
Olivier in unserer höllischen Wohnung anzutreffen! Du ehebrecherischer,
mörderischer Jäger, darfst du dir wohl einbilden, uns zu entrinnen?
O ihr Pfaffen, nehmt ihn nur nicht an, er ist ein Gleißner und ärger
Lügner als ich, er foppt euch nur und spottet beides: Gott und
Religion!«

Der Exorcist befahl dem Geist zu schweigen, weil man ihm als einem
Erzlügner ohn das nicht glaube.

»Ja, ja, fraget des ausgesprungenen Mönches Reisegesellen, der wird
euch wohl erzählen, daß dieser Atheist die Erbsen gekocht, auf
welchen er hierher zu gehen versprochen!«

Ich wußte nit, ob ich auf dem Kopfe oder Füßen stund, da ich dieses
alles hörete und mich jedermann ansahe. Der Priester strafte den Geist,
konnte ihn aber denselben Tag nicht austreiben.

Indessen kam Herzbruder auch herzu, als ich eben vor Angst mehr einem
Toten als Lebendigen gleich sahe und zwischen Furcht und Hoffnung
nicht wußte, was ich tun sollte. Er tröstete mich und versicherte die
Patres, daß ich mein Tag kein Mönch gewesen, aber wohl ein Soldat,
der vielleicht mehr Böses als Gutes getan haben möchte. Ich aber war
in meinem Gemüt dermaßen verwirrt, als ob ich allbereits die höllische
Pein selbst empfände, als daß die Geistlichen genug an mir zu beruhigen
hatten. Sie vermahneten mich zur Beichte und Kommunion, aber der Geist
schrie abermals aus dem Besessenen:

»Ja, ja, er wird fein beichten! Er weiß nicht einmal, was beichten ist!
Seine Eltern sein mehr wiedertäuferisch als calvinisch gewesen!«

Der Exorcist befahl dem Geist abermals zu schweigen und sagte:

»So wird dichs desto mehr verdrießen, wenn dir das verloren Schäflein
wieder aus dem Rachen gezogen und der Herde Christi einverleibet wird.«

Darauf fing der Geist so grausam an zu brüllen, daß es schröcklich
zu hören war. Aus welchem greulichen Gesang ich meinen größten Trost
schöpfte, dann ich dachte, wann ich keine Gnade vor Gott mehr erlangen
könnte, so würde sich der Teufel nicht so übel anstellen.

Ich empfand eine solche Reue und Begierde zur Buße und mein Leben zu
bessern, daß ich alsobald einen Beichtvater begehrte, worüber sich
Herzbruder höchlich erfreuete, weil er wahrgenommen und wohl gewußt,
daß ich bisher noch keiner Religion beigetan gewesen. Demnach bekannte
ich mich offentlich zur katholischen Kirche, ging zur Beichte und
kommunizierte nach empfangener Absolution. Worauf mir dann so leicht
und wohl ums Herz ward, daß ichs nicht aussprechen kann. Der Geist in
dem Besessenen ließ mich fürderhin zufrieden.

Wir verblieben vierzehn ganzer Tage an diesem gnadenreichen Ort, wo
ich die Wunder, so allda geschehen, betrachtete, welches alles mich
zu ziemlicher Andacht und Gottseligkeit reizete, doch währte solches
auch nur so lang, als es mochte. Dann wie meine Bekehrung aus Angst und
Forcht entsprungen, also ward ich auch nach und nach wieder lau und
träg, weil ich allmählich des Schreckens vergaß.

Wir begaben uns nach Baden, alldorten vollends auszuwintern.

Das ander Kapitel

Ich dingete daselbst eine lustige Stube und Kammer vor uns, deren
sonst zur Sommerszeit die Badegäste zu gebrauchen pflegen, welches
gemeiniglich reiche Schweizer sein, die mehr hinziehen sich zu
erlustieren und zu prangen, als einiger Gebrechen halber zu baden.

Als Herzbruder sahe, daß ich so herrlich angriff, ermahnete er mich
zur Gesparsamkeit. Viel Geld sei bald vertan, es stäube hinaus wie
der Rauch und verspreche, nimmermehr wieder zu kommen. Auf solche
treuherzige Erinnerung konnte ich Herzbrudern nicht länger verbergen,
wie reich mein Säckel wäre. Es sei zudem billig, daß Herzbruder aus
Oliviers Säckel vergnügt würde, um die Schmach, die er hiebevor von ihm
vor Magdeburg empfangen, sintemal die Erwerbung dieses Goldes ohn das
alles Segens unwürdig wäre, so daß ich keinen Meierhof daraus zu kaufen
gedächte. Ich zog meine beiden Scapulier ab, trennte die Dukaten und
Pistoletten heraus und sagte zu Herzbruder, er möge nun mit dem Gelde
nach Belieben verfahren, maßen ich mich in aller Sicherheit zu sein
wüßte.

Er sagte: »Bruder, du tust nichts, so lange ich dich kenne, als deine
gegen mich habende Liebe bezeugen. Womit meinst du, daß ichs wieder
um dich werde beschulden können? Es ist nicht nur um das Geld zu tun,
sondern um deine Liebe und Treue, vornehmlich aber um dein zu mir
habendes hohes Vertrauen, so nicht zu schätzen ist. Bruder, mit einem
Wort, dein tugendhaft Gemüt machet mich zu deinem Sklaven, und was du
gegen mich tust, ist mehr zu verwundern als zu wiedergelten möglich.
Versichert, Bruder, dieses Beweistum deiner wahren Freundschaft
verbindet mich mehr gegen dich als ein reicher Herr, der mir viel
tausend verehrte. Allein bitte ich, mein Bruder, bleibe selber
Verwahrer und Austeiler über dein Geld. Mir ist genug, daß du mein
Freund bist.«

Ich antwortete: »Was wunderliche Reden sein das, hochgeehrter
Herzbruder? Er gibt mündlich zu vernehmen, daß Er mir verbunden sei
und will doch nicht davor sein, daß ich dieses Geld nicht unnütz
verschwende?«

Also redeten wir beiderseits gegeneinander läppisch genug, weil ja
einer des andern Liebe trunken war. Und ward Herzbruder zu gleich mein
Hofmeister, Säckelmeister, Diener und Herr. Und in solcher müßiger Zeit
erzählete er mir seines Lebens Lauf und ich ihm den meinen. Da er nun
hörete, daß ich ein junges Weib zu L. hatte, verwiese er mir, daß ich
mich nicht ehender zu derselbigen, als mit ihm in das Schweizerland
begeben, dann solches wäre anständiger und auch meine Schuldigkeit
gewesen. Demnach ich mich entschuldiget, daß ich ihn als meinen
allerliebsten Freund in seinem Elend zu verlassen nicht übers Herz
bringen können, beredete er mich, daß ich meinem Weibe schrieb und ihr
meine Gelegenheit zu wissen machte mit Versprechen, mich mit ehistem
wieder zu ihr zu begeben. Tät meines langen Ausbleibens widriger
Begegnüssen halber Entschuldigung.

Dieweil dann Herzbruder aus den gemeinen Zeitungen erfuhr, daß es
um den Grafen von Götz wohl stünde und er gar wiederum das Kommando
über eine Armee kriegen würde, berichtete er demselben seinen Zustand
nach Wien und schrieb auch nach der kur-bayrischen Armee wegen seiner
Bagage.

Herzbruder erhielt von hochgemeldten Grafen eine Wiederantwort und
treffliche Promessen von Wien, ich aber bekam von L. keinen einzigen
Buchstaben, unangesehen ich unterschiedliche Posttäge in duplo
hinschriebe. Das machte mich unwillig und verursachete, daß ich
denselbigen Frühling meinen Weg nicht nach Westfalen antrat, sondern
von Herzbrudern erhielt, daß er mich mit ihm nach Wien nahm, mich
seines verhofften Glückes genießen zu lassen. Also montierten wir uns
aus meinem Geld wie zwei Kavaliers beides: mit Kleidungen, Pferden,
Dienern und Gewehren. Gingen durch Konstanz auf Ulm, allda wir uns auf
die Donau satzten und von dort aus in acht Tagen zu Wien glücklich
anlangten. Auf demselben Weg beobachtete ich sonst nichts, als daß die
Weibsbilder, so an dem Strand wohnen, den Vorüberfahrenden, so ihnen
zuschreien, nicht mündlich sondern schlicht mit dem Beweistum selbst
antworten, davon ein Kerl manch feines Einsehen haben kann.

Es geht wohl seltsam in der veränderlichen Welt her! Wer alles wüßte,
der würde bald reich. Ich sage: Wer sich allweg in die Zeit schicken
könnte der würde auch bald groß und mächtig. Wer aber weiß, sich
groß und mächtig zu machen, dem folget der Reichtum auf dem Fuß. Das
Glück, so Macht und Reichtum zu haben pfleget, blickte mich trefflich
holdselig an.

Der Graf von der Wahl, unter dessen Kommando ich mich hiebevor in
Westfalen bekannt gemacht, war eben auch zu Wien. Herzbruder ward zu
einem Bankett geladen, da sich verschiedene kaiserliche Kriegsräte
neben dem Grafen von Götz und andern mehr befanden. Als man von
allerhand seltsamen Köpfen und berühmten Parteigängern redete, erzählte
der Graf von der Wahl auch etliche Stücklein des Jägers von Soest,
daß man sich teils über einen so jungen Kerl verwunderte, teils
bedauerte, daß der listige hessische Obrist de S. A. ihm einen
Weh-Bengel angehängt, damit er entweder den Degen beiseite legen oder
schwedische Waffen tragen sollte. Herzbruder, der eben dort stund, bate
um Verzeihung und Erlaubnis zu reden und sagte, daß er den Jäger von
Soest besser kenne als sonst einen Menschen, er sei nicht allein ein
guter Soldat, sondern auch ein ziemlicher Reuter, perfekter Fechter,
trefflicher Büchsenmeister und Feuerwerker, über dies alles einer, der
einem Ingenieur im Fortifikationswesen nichts nachgeben würde. Er hätte
nicht nur sein Weib, weil er mit ihr schimpflich hintergangen worden,
sondern auch alles was er gehabt zu L. hinterlassen und wiederum
kaiserliche Dienste gesucht, maßen er mit ihm selbsten nach Wien
gekommen des Willens, sich abermals wider der römischen kaiserlichen
Majestät Feinde gebrauchen zu lassen, doch soferne er solche Kondition
haben könnte, die ihm anständig seien.

Damals war diese ansehnliche Kompanei mit dem lieben Trunk schon
dergestalt begeistert, daß sie ihre Kuriosität, den Jäger zu sehen
befriedigt wissen wollte, maßen Herzbruder geschickt ward, mich in
einer Kutsche zu holen. Er instruierte mich unterwegs, derhalben
antwortete ich, als ich hinkam, auf alles sehr kurz und redete nichts,
es müßte dann einen klugen Nachdruck haben. Ich erschien dergestalt,
daß ich jedem angenehm war. Mithin kriegte ich auch einen Rausch und
glaube wohl, daß ich dann habe scheinen lassen, wie wenig ich bei Hof
gewesen. Endlich versprach mir ein Obrister zu Fuß eine Kompagnie unter
seinem Regiment.

Also ward ich derselbigen vor einen Hauptmann vorgestellt. Obzwar
meine Kompagnie samt mir ganz komplett war, hatte sie nicht mehr als
sieben Schillerhälse, zudem waren meine Unter-Offizierer mehrenteils
alte Krachwadel, darüber ich mich hinter Ohren kratzte. Dahero ward ich
mit ihnen bei der nächsten scharfen Occasion desto leichter gemarscht.
Dabei verlor der Graf von Götz das Leben, Herzbruder und ich bekamen
einen Schuß. Wir begaben uns auf Wien, um uns kurieren zu lassen, wo
sich bei Herzbruder ein anderer gefährlicher Zustand zeigte, dann
er ward lahm an allen vieren, wie ein Cholericus, den die Galle
verderbt, und war doch am wenigsten selbiger Komplexion noch dem
Zorn beigetan. Nichts desto weniger ward ihm eine Sauerbrunnkur, der
Gießbacher an dem Schwarzwald, vorgeschlagen.

Also veränderte sich das Glück unversehens. Herzbruder machte sein
Testament und satzte mich zum einzigen Erben, und ich schlug mein Glück
in den Wind und quittierte meine Kompagnie, damit ich ihn begleiten und
ihm in Sauerbrunn aufwarten könnte.

Das dritte Kapitel

Ein erfahrener Medicus, den ich von Straßburg eingeholet, befand, daß
dem Herzbruder mit Gift vergeben worden, das Gift sei aber nicht stark
genug gewesen, ihn gleich hinzurichten. Es müsse durch Gegenmittel
und Schweißbäder ausgetrieben werden, und würde sich solche Kur auf
ungefähr eine Woche oder acht belaufen. Mein Herzbruder resolvierte
sich, in Sauerbrunn die Kur zu vollenden, weil er nicht allein eine
gesunde Luft, sondern auch allerhand anmutige Gesellschaft unter den
Badegästen hatte.

Solche Zeit mochte ich nicht vergeblich hinbringen, weil ich Begierde
hatte, dermalen eins mein Weib auch wiederum zu sehen. Herzbruder
hatte meiner nicht vonnöten und lobte solches Fürnehmen. Gab mir auch
etliche kostbare Kleinodien, die ich ihr seinetwegen verehren und sie
um Verzeihung bitten sollte, daß er eine Ursache gewesen sei, daß ich
sie nicht ehender besuchet.

Also ritt ich auf Straßburg, allwo mein Geld auf Wechsel lag, machte
mich nicht allein mit Geld gefaßt, sondern erkundigte auch, wie ich
meine Reise anstellen möchte, um zwischen so vielen Guarnisonen der
beiderseits kriegenden Teile am sichersten fort zu kommen. Erhielt
derowegen einen Paß vor einen Straßburger Botenläufer und machte
etliche Schreiben an mein Weib, ihre Schwester und deren Eltern, als
ob ich einen Boten nach L. schicken wollte. Ich verkleidete mich aber
selbsten in ein weiß und rote Livrei und fuhr also botenweis bis nach
Köln, welche Stadt damals zwischen den kriegenden Parteien neutral war.

Ich ging zuforderst hin, meinen Jovem zu besuchen, den ich hiebevor
bei Soest gefangen hatte, um zu erkundigen, welche Bewandnus es mit
meinen hinterlegten Sachen hätte. Mein Jupiter war aber damals wieder
ganz hirnschellig und unwillig über das menschliche Geschlecht.

»O Mercuri,« sagte er zu mir, »was bringst du neues von Münster?
Vermeinen die Menschen wohl ohn meinem Willen Frieden zu machen?
Nimmermehr! Sie hatten ihn. Warum haben sie ihn nicht behalten? Gingen
nicht alle Laster im Schwang, als sie mich bewegten den Krieg zu
senden? Womit haben sie seithero verdient, daß ich ihnen den Frieden
wiedergeben sollte? Haben sie sich dann selbiger Zeit her bekehrt?
Seind sie nicht ärger worden und selbst mit in Krieg geloffen wie
zu einer Kirmeß? Oder haben sie sich vielleicht wegen der Teuerung
bekehret, die ich ihnen zugesandt, darin so viel tausend Seelen Hungers
gestorben? Oder hat sie vielleicht das grausame Sterben erschröcket
(das so viel Millionen hingerafft) daß sie sich gebessert? Nein, nein,
Mercuri, die übrig Verbliebenen, die den elenden Jammer mit ihren
Augen angesehen, haben sich nicht allein nicht gebessert, sondern seind
viel ärger worden als sie zuvor jemals gewesen. Haben sie sich nun
wegen so vieler scharfen Heimsuchungen nicht bekehret, sondern unter
dem schweren Kreuz und Trübsal gottlos zu leben nicht aufgehöret,
was werden sie dann erst tun, wann ich ihnen den wohl-lustbarlichen,
göldenen Frieden wieder zusendete? Aber ich will ihrem Mutwillen wohl
bei Zeiten steuern und sie im Elend hocken lassen.«

Weil ich nun wußte, wie man diesen Gott lausen mußte, wann man ihn
recht stimmen wollte, sagte ich: »Ach, großer Gott, es seufzet aber
alle Welt nach dem Frieden und verspricht eine große Besserung.«

»Ja,« antwortete Jupiter, »sie seufzen wohl, aber nicht meinet-
sondern um ihrentwillen. Nicht daß jeder unter seinem Weinstock und
Feigenbaum Gott loben, sondern daß sie deren edle Früchte mit guter
Ruhe und in aller Wollust genießen möchten. -- Ich fragte neulich
einen Schneider, ob ich den Frieden geben sollte. Er antwortete es
sei ihm gleich, er müsse sowohl zu Kriegs- als Friedenszeiten mit der
stählernen Stange fechten. Eine solche Antwort kriegte ich auch von
einem Rotgießer, der sagte, wann er im Frieden keine Glocken zu gießen
hätte, so wäre im Kriege genug an Stücken und Feuermörsern zu tun. Also
antwortete mir auch ein Schmied: er habe keine Pflüge und Baurenwägen
zu beschlagen, so kämen ihm im Krieg genug Reuterpferde und Heerwägen
unter die Hände, also daß er des Friedens wohl entbehren könne.
Siehe nun, lieber Mercuri, warum soll ich ihnen dann den Frieden
verleihen? Alle so ihn wünschen, begehren seiner um ihres Bauchs und
der Wollust willen, hingegen sind andere die den Krieg wollen, weil
er ihnen einträget. Und gleichwie die Mäuerer und Zimmerleute den
Frieden wünschen, damit sie in Auferbauung der eingeäscherten Häuser
Geld verdienen, also verlangen andere die Fortsetzung des Krieges, im
selbigen zu stehlen.«

Weil nun mein Jupiter mit solchen Sachen umging, konnte ich mir
leicht einbilden, daß er mir in seinem verwirrten Stand von dem
Meinigen wenig Nachricht würde geben können. Nahm also den Kopf
zwischen die Ohren und ging durch Abwege nach L.

Daselbst erfuhr ich, vor einen fremden Boten gehalten, daß mein
Schweher samt der Schwieger bereits vor einem halben Jahr diese Welt
gesegnet, und dann, daß meine Liebste, nachdem sie mit einem Sohn
niedergekommen, den ihre Schwester bei sich hätte, gleichfalls stracks
nach ihrem Kindbette, diese Zeitlichkeit verlassen.

Darauf lieferte ich meinem Schwager die Schreiben, die ich selbst
an meine Liebste und ihre Schwester gerichtet hatte, aus. Derselbe
wollte mich nun beherbergen, damit er erfahren könnte, wes Standes
Simplicius sei und wie er sich verhielte. Zu dem Ende diskutierte
meine Schwägerin lang mit mir von mir selbsten, und ich redete auch
von mir, was ich nur Löbliches wußte, dann die Pocken hatten mich
dergestalt verderbt und verändert, daß mich kein Mensch erkannte.

Als ich ihr nun nach der Länge erzählte, daß Herr Simplicius viel
schöner Pferde und Diener hätte und in einer schwarzen sammeten Mütze
aufzöge, die überall mit Gold verbrämt wäre, sagte sie:

»Ich habe mir jederzeit eingebildet, daß er keines so schlichten
Herkommens sei, als er sich davor ausgeben. Der hießige Kommandant
hat meine Eltern selig mit großen Verheißungen persuadiert, daß sie
ihm meine Schwester selig, die wohl eine fromme Jungfrau gewesen,
ganz vorteilhaftiger Weise aufgesattelt. Er hat einen Vorrat in Köln
gehabt und ihn hierher holen wollen, ist aber darüber ganz schelmischer
Weise nach Frankreich prakticiert worden. -- Meine Schwester hat ihn
kaum vier Wochen gehabt. Weil dann nunmehr mein Vater und Mutter tot,
ich und mein Mann aber keine Kinder miteinander erhoffen, haben wir
meiner Schwester Kind zum Erben angenommen und mit Hülfe des hießigen
Kommandanten seines Vaters Habe zu Köln erhoben, welche sich auf
dreitausend Gulden belaufen möchte. Wann also dieser junge Knab einmal
zu seinen Jahren kommt, wird er nicht Ursach haben sich unter die
Armen zu rechnen. Ich und mein Mann lieben das Kind auch so sehr, daß
wirs nicht mehr seinem Vater ließen, wannschon er selbst käme. Ich
weiß, wann mein Schwager wüßte, was er vor einen schönen Sohn hier
hätte, daß ihn nichts halten könnte hierher zu kommen.«

Indem lief mein Kind in seinen ersten Hosen um uns und ich erfreuete
mich vom Herzen. Ich suchte die Kleinodien herfür, so ich hätte meiner
Liebsten bringen sollen, und gab sie meinem Schwager vor das Kind, was
er mit Freuden empfing.

Mithin drang ich auf meine Abfertigung, und als ich dieselbe bekam,
begehrete ich im Namen des Simplicii den kleinen Simplicium zu
küssen, damit ich solches seinem Vater als Wahrzeichen erzählen könnte.
Als dies nun auf Vergünstigung meiner Schwägerin geschah, fing beiden,
mir und dem Kinde, die Nase an zu bluten, darüber mir das Herz hätte
brechen mögen, doch ich verbarg meine Affecten. Damit man nicht Zeit
haben möchte, der Ursache dieser Sympathie nachzudenken, machte ich
mich stracks aus dem Staube.

Das vierte Kapitel

Nach meiner Rückkunft in Sauerbrunn ward ich gewahr, daß es sich mit
Herzbrudern eher gebösert als gebessert hatte, wiewohl ihn die Doktores
und Apotheker strenger als eine fette Gans gerupft. Er kam mir auch
ganz kindisch vor und konnte nur kümmerlich gehen. Sein Trost war, daß
ich bei ihm sein sollte, wann er die Augen würde zutun.

Hingegen machte ich mich lustig und suchte meine Freude; doch solcher
Gestalt, daß an seiner Pflege nichts manglete. Und weil ich mich ein
Witwer zu sein wußte, reizten mich die guten Täge und meine Jugend
wiederum zur Buhlerei, dann ich den zu Einsiedeln eingenommenen
Schröcken allerdings wieder vergessen hatte. Ich machte mit den
Lustigsten Kundschaft, die dahin kamen, und fing an courtoise Reden
und Komplimenten zu lernen, deren ich meine Tage sonst niemals viel
geachtet hatte. Man hielt mich vor einen vom Adel, weil mich meine
Leute Herr Hauptmann nannten. Dannhero machten die reichen Stutzer mit
mir Brüderschaft und war alle Kurzweile, Spielen, Saufen, Fressen meine
allergrößte Arbeit und Sorge.

Unterdessen ward es mit Herzbrudern je länger je ärger, also daß er
endlich die Schuld der Natur bezahlen mußte. Ich ließ ihn ganz herrlich
begraben und seine Diener mit Trauerkleidern und einem Stück Geld ihres
Wegs laufen.

Sein Abschied tät mir schmerzlich weh, vornehmlich weil ihm mit Gift
vergeben worden. Obzwar ich solches nicht ändern konnte, so änderte
es doch mich, dann ich flohe alle Gesellschaft und suchte nur die
Einsamkeit, meinen betrübten Gedanken Audienz zu geben. Ich verbarg
mich etwan irgends in einem Busch und betrachtete nicht allein, was ich
vor einen Freund verloren, sondern ich machte auch allerhand Anschläge
von Anstellung meines künftigen Lebens. Bald wollte ich wieder in
Krieg und unversehens gedachte ich, es hättens die geringsten Bauren
in dieser Gegend besser, maßen noch alle Baurenhöfe gleich als zu
Friedenszeiten in trefflichem Bau und alle Ställe voll Vieh waren.

Als ich mich nun mit Anhörung des lieblichsten Vogelgesangs ergötzte
und mir einbildete, daß die Nachtigall durch ihre Lieblichkeit andere
Vögel banne, still zu schweigen und ihr zuzuhören, da näherte sich
jenseits dem Bache eine Schönheit an Gestalt, die mich mehr bewegte,
weil sie nur den Habit einer Bauerdirne antrug, als eine stattliche
Demoiselle sonst mir nicht hätte tun mögen. Sie hub einen Korb vom
Kopf, darin sie einen Ballen frische Butter trug, solchen im Sauerbrunn
zu verkaufen. Denselben erfrischte sie im Wasser. Unterdessen satzte
sie sich nieder ins Gras, warf ihr Kopftuch und den Baurenhut von
sich und wischte den Schweiß vom Angesicht, also daß ich sie genug
betrachten und meine vorwitzigen Augen an ihr weiden konnte. Da dünkte
mich, ich hätte die Tage meines Lebens kein schöner Mensch gesehen. Die
Proportion des Leibes schien vollkommen und ohn Tadel, Arme und Hände
schneeweiß, das Angesicht frisch und lieblich, die schwarzen Augen aber
voller Feuer und liebreizender Blicke.

Als sie nun ihre Butter wieder einpackte, schrie ich hinüber:

»Ach Jungfer, Ihr habt zwar mit Euren schönen Händen Euere Butter im
Wasser abgekühlt, hingegen aber mein Herz durch Euere klaren Augen ins
Feuer gesetzt.«

Sobald sie mich sahe und hörete, lief sie davon, als ob man sie gejagt
hätte. Sie hinterließ mich mit all denjenigen Torheiten beladen, damit
die verliebten Phantasten gepeinigt zu werden pflegen.

Meine Begierden, von dieser Sonne mehr beschienen zu werden, ließen
mich nicht in meiner Einsamkeit, sondern machten, daß ich den Gesang
der Nachtigallen nicht höher achtete als ein Geheul der Wölfe.
Derhalben tollete ich auch dem Sauerbrunn zu und schickte meinen Jungen
voran, die Butterverkäuferin anzupacken und mit ihr zu marken, bis ich
hernach käme. Er tät das Seinige und ich nach meiner Ankunft auch das
Meinige, aber ich fand ein steinern Herz und solche Kaltsinnigkeit,
dergleichen ich hinter einem Baurenmensch nimmermehr zu finden getrauet
hätte, welches mich aber viel verliebter machte.

Damals hätte ich entweder einen strengen Feind oder einen guten Freund
haben sollen. Einen Feind, damit ich meine Gedanken gegen denselben
hätte richten und der närrischen Liebe hätte vergessen müssen, oder
einen Freund, der mir ein anderes geraten und mich von meiner Torheit
hätte abmahnen mögen. Ach leider, ich hatte nichts als mein Geld, das
mich verblendete, meine blinden Begierden, die mich verführeten, weil
ich ihnen den Zaum schießen ließ, und meine grobe Unbesonnenheit, die
mich verderbete und in alles Unglück stürzete. Mit einem Wort, ich war
mit dem Narrenseil rechtschaffen verstrickt und derhalben ganz blind
und ohn Verstand. Und weil ich meine viehischen Begierden nicht anders
zu sättigen getrauete, entschloß ich mich, das Mensch zu heiraten. Was,
gedachte ich, du bist deines Herkommens doch nur ein Baurensohn und
wirst deiner Tage kein Schloß besitzen; du hast Geld genug, auch den
besten Baurenhof in dieser Gegend zu bezahlen. Du wirst dies ehrliche
Baurngretlein heiraten und dir einen geruhigen Herrenhandel inmitten
der Bauren schaffen. -- Ich erhielt, wiewohl nicht ohne Mühe, das
Jawort.

Zur Hochzeit ließ ich trefflich rüsten, dann der Himmel hing mir voller
Geigen. Das Baurengut, darauf meine Braut geboren worden, lösete ich
nicht allein ganz an mich, sondern fing noch darzu einen schönen, neuen
Bau an, gleich als ob ich daselbst mehr hof- als haushalten hätte
wollen. Eh die Hochzeit vollzogen, hatte ich daselbst über dreißig
Stück Viehe stehen, weil man soviel auf dem Gut erhalten konnte. Ich
bestellte alles aufs Beste und sogar mit köstlichem Hausrat, wie es mir
nur meine Torheit eingab.

Aber die Pfeife fiel mir bald in Dreck. Dann als ich nunmehr vermeinete
mit gutem Wind in Engelland zu schiffen, kam ich wider alle Zuversicht
nach Holland. Viel zu spat ward ich erst gewahr, was Ursache mich meine
Braut hatte so ungern nehmen wollen. Und ich konnte mein spöttlich
Anliegen keinem Menschen klagen. So zahlete ich nach Maß und Billigkeit
meine Schulden, was Erkanntnus mich darum doch nichts desto geduldiger,
viel weniger frömmer machte. Ich fand mich betrogen und gedachte meine
Betrügerin wieder zu prellen, maßen ich anfing grasen zu gehen, wo
ich zukommen konnte. Überdas stack ich mehr bei guter Gesellschaft in
Sauerbrunn als zu Haus.

Meine Frau war ebenso liederlich. Sie hatte einen Ochsen, den ich ins
Haus hatte schlagen lassen, in etliche Körbe eingesalzen; als sie eine
Spänsau zurichten sollte, unterstund sie sich solche wie einen Vogel zu
rupfen; sie wollte die Krebse am Rost und die Forellen am Spieß braten.
Nichts desto weniger trank sie auch das liebe Weingen gern und teilete
andern guten Leuten auch mit. --

Einsmals spazierete ich mit etlichen Stutzern das Tal hinunter, eine
Gesellschaft im untern Bad zu besuchen. Da begegnete uns ein alter
Baur mit einer Geiß am Strick, die er verkaufen wollte. Und weil mich
dünkte, ich hätte ihn mehr gesehen, fragte ich ihn, wo er mit der Geiß
herkomme.

Er zog sein Hütlein und sagte: »Gnädiger Hearr, eich darffs ouch werli
neit sän.«

»Du wirst sie ja nicht gestohlen haben.«

»Nein, ich bring sie aus dem Städtgen im Tal, welches ich eben gegen
den Hearrn nit darf nennen, dieweil wir vor einer Geiß reden.«

Solches bewegte die Gesellschaft zum Lachen, und weil ich mich
entfärbte, gedachten sie, ich hätte Verdruß, maßen mir der Baur so
artig eingeschenkt. Aber ich hatte andere Gedanken, dann an der großen
Warze, die der Baur mitten auf der Stirn stehen hatte, ward ich
eigentlich versichert, daß es mein Knän aus dem Spessart war. -- Wollte
derhalben zuvor einen Wahrsager agieren, eh ich mich ihm offenbarte.

»Mein lieber alter Vater, seid Ihr nicht im Spessart zu Haus?«

»Ja, Hearr.«

»Haben Euch nicht vor ungefähr achtzehen Jahren die Reuter Euer Haus
und Hof geplündert und verbrannt?«

»Ja, Gott erbarms, es ist aber noch nit so lang.«

»Habet Ihr nicht zwei Kinder, nämlich eine erwachsene Tochter und einen
jungen Knaben gehabt?«

»Hearr, die Tochter war mein Kind, der Bub nit. Ich hab ihn aber an
Kindesstatt aufziehen wollen.«

Hieraus verstund ich wohl, daß ich dieses Knollfinken Sohn nicht sei,
welches mich eines Teils erfreuete, hingegen aber auch betrübete, weil
mir einfiel, ich müßte sonst ein Bankert oder ein Findling sein. Fragte
derowegen den Knän, wo er den Buben aufgetrieben.

»Ach, der Krieg hat mir ihn gegeben und der Krieg hat nur ihn wieder
genommen.«

Weil ich dann besorgte, es dörfte wohl ein Facit herauskommen, das
mir wegen meiner Geburt nachteilig sein möchte, fragte ich, ob er die
Geiß der Wirtin in die Küche verkauft hätte.

»Ach nein, Hearr, ich bring sie der Gräfin, die im Sauerbrunn badet.
Der Doktor Hans in allen Gassen hat etliche Kräuter geordnet, so die
Geiß essen muß. Was sie dann vor Milch gibt, die nimmt der Doktor und
machet der Gräfin noch so ein Arznei drüber, dann muß sie die Milch
trinken. Man seit, es mangle der Gräfin am Gehäng.«

Unter währender solcher Relation besann ich, auf was Weise ich noch mit
dem Baurn reden möchte, bot ihm derhalben einen Taler mehr um die Geiß
als die Gräfin. Solches ging er gleich ein, doch mit dem Beding, er
sollte der Gräfin zuvor angeben, daß ihm ein Taler mehr darauf geboten,
er wollte mir den Handel auf den Abend anzeigen.

Also ging mein Knän seines Wegs und auch ich drehete mich bald von der
Kompanie ab und ging hin, wo ich meinen Knän wiederfand; der hatte
seine Geiß noch. Ich führete ihn auf meinen neuen Hof, bezahlte die
Geiß und hängte ihm einen halben Rausch an. Sodann fragte ich ihn nach
seinem Knaben.

»Ach Herr, der Mansfelder Krieg hat mir ihn beschert, und die
Nördlinger Schlacht hat mir ihn wieder genommen.« Nach verlorener
Schlacht bei Höchst habe des Mansfelder flüchtig Volk sich weit und
breit zerstreuet. Viel seien in den Spessart gekommen, weil sie die
Büsche suchten, sich zu verbergen, aber indem sie dem Tod in der Ebene
entgingen, hätten sie einen in den Bergen gefunden, dann damalen
ginge selten ein Baur in die Büsche ohn sein Feuerrohr, da man zu
Haus bei Hauen und Pflügen nicht bleiben konnte. In demselben Tumult
habe er nicht weit von seinem Hof in dem wilden ungeheuren Wald eine
schöne, junge Edelfrau samt einem stattlichen Pferd getroffen, so er
anfänglich vor einen Kerl gehalten, weil sie so mannlich daherritte.
Indem sie beides: Händ und Augen zum Himmel aufgehoben und auf wälsch
mit einer erbärmlichen Stimme zu Gott gerufen, habe er sein Rohr sinken
lassen und den Hahn wieder zurückgezogen, dann er gesehen, daß sie ein
betrübtes Weibsbild wäre. Indem er näher getreten riefe sie ihn an:
»Ach, wann Ihr ein ehrlicher Christenmensch seid, so bitte ich Euch um
Gottes und seiner Barmherzigkeit, ja um des jüngsten Gerichtes willen,
Ihr wollet mich zu ehrlichen Weibern führen, die mich durch göttliche
Hilfe von meines Leibes Bürde entledigen helfen!« Diese Worte hätten
ihn samt der holdseligen Aussprache zu solcher Erbärmde gezwungen, daß
er ihr Pferd beim Zügel nahm und sie durch Hecken und Stauden an den
allerdicksten Ort des Gesträuchs führete, da er selbst Weib, Kind,
Gesind und Viehe hingeflüchtet gehabt. Daselbst seie sie ehender als in
einer halben Stund des jungen Knaben genesen.

Ich sprach ihm gütlich zu. Da er aber sein Glas ausgeleert hatte,
fragte ich wie es darnach weiter mit der Frau gegangen.

Er antwortete, sie habe ihn zum Gevatter gebeten und ihm auch ihres
Mannes und ihren Namen genennt, damit sie möchten ins Taufbuch
geschrieben werden. Indem habe sie ihr Felleisen aufgetan, darin sie
wohl köstliche Sachen hatte, und ihm, seinem Weib und Kind, der Magd
und sonst allen geschenkt. Aber indem sie so damit umging und von
ihrem Mann erzählete, sei sie unter den Händen der Weiber gestorben.
Pfarrer und Schultz hätten ihm darnach befohlen, das Kind aufzuziehen
und vor Mühe und Kosten der Fraue ganze Hinterlassenschaft zu behalten,
ausgenommen etliche Paternoster, Edelsteine und sonst Geschmeiß. Also
sei das Kind von der Bäurin mit Geißmilch auferzogen worden.

»Ihr habet mir,« sagte ich, »eine artliche Geschichte erzählt und doch
das Beste vergessen, dann Ihr habet nicht gesagt, weder wie die Frau
noch ihr Mann oder das Kind geheißen.«

Er antwortete: die Edelfrau habe Susanna Ramst, ihr Mann Kapitain
Sternfels von Fuchsheim geheißen, und weil er Melchior hieße, so habe
er den Buben bei der Taufe auch Melchior Sternfels von Fuchsheim nennen
und ins Taufbuch schreiben lassen.

Hieraus vernahm ich umständlich, daß ich meines Einsiedels und der
Schwester des Gubernators Ramsey leiblicher Sohn gewesen. Aber ach,
leider viel zu spat! Dann meine Eltern waren schon beide tot.

Ich deckte meinen Paten vollends mit Wein zu und ließ den andern
Tag auch sein Weib holen. Da ich mich ihnen nun offenbarte, wollten
sie's nicht glauben, bis ich ihnen einen schwarzen haarigen Fleck
aufgewiesen, den ich auf der Brust habe.

Das fünfte Kapitel

Ohnlängst hernach nahm ich meinen Pflegvater zu mir und tät mit ihm
einen Ritt hinunter in Spessart, glaubwürdigen Schein und Urkund
meines Herkommens und ehelicher Geburt zu Wege zu bringen, welches ich
unschwer erhielt. Ich kehrete auch bei dem Pfarrer ein, der sich zu
Hanau aufgehalten, und ließ über meine ganze Histori aus der Zeugen
Mund durch einen Notarium ein Instrument aufrichten, dann ich
dachte, wer weiß, wo du es noch einmal brauchst. Solche Reise kostete
mich über vierhundert Taler, dann auf dem Rückweg ward ich von einer
Partei erhascht, abgesetzt und geplündert, also daß ich und mein Knän
nackend und kaum mit dem Leben davonkam.

Indessen ging es daheim noch schlimmer zu. Dann nachdem mein Weib
vernommen, daß ihr Mann ein Junker sei, spielte sie nicht allein die
große Frau, sondern verliederlichte auch alles in der Haushaltung,
was ich, weil sie großen Leibes war, stillschweigend ertrug. Überdas
ward mir das meiste und beste Viehe von einer Seuche dahingerafft.
Dieses alles wäre noch zu verschmerzen gewesen. Aber, o mirum, kein
Unglück allein! In der Stunde, darin mein Weib genase, ward die Magd
auch Kindbetterin. Das Kind zwar, so sie brachte, sahe mir allerdings
ähnlich, das Kind meines Weibes hingegen sahe dem Knecht so gleich,
als wanns ihm aus dem Gesicht wäre geschnitten worden. Jedoch es gehet
nicht anders her, wann man in einem so gottlosen und verruchten Leben
seinen viehischen Begierden folget.

Nun was halfs, ich mußte taufen. Andernteils nahm es mein Weibgen nur
auf die leichte Achsel. Doch die Magd mußte aus dem Haus, dann mein
Weib argwöhnete, was ich ihretwegen vom Knecht gedachte. Indessen ich
ward von dieser Anfechtung heftig gepeinigt, daß ich meinem Knecht ein
Kind aufziehen, das Meinige aber von der Magd nicht mein Erbe sein
sollte, und daß ich dabei froh sein mußte, weil sonst niemand nichts
wußte.

Mit solchen Gedanken marterte ich mich täglich, mein Weib aber
delektierte sich stündlich mit Wein, dann sie hatte sich das Kumpen
sint unserer Hochzeit dergestalt angewöhnt, das es ihr selten vom Maul
kam und sie selbsten gleichsam keine Nacht ohne einen ziemlichen Rausch
schlafen ging. Davon soff sie ihrem Kind zeitlich das Leben ab und
entzündete sich das Gehäng dergestalt, daß es ihr bald hernach entfiel
und mich wieder zum Witwer machte. Das ging mir so zu Herzen, daß ich
mich fast krank darüber gelachet hätte.

Ich befand mich solchergestalt wieder in meiner ersten Freiheit. Mein
Beutel war ziemlich geleeret, ich hingegen mit großer Haushaltung
vielem Viehe und Gesind beladen. Also nahm ich meinen Paten Melchior
vor einen Vater und dessen Frau vor eine Mutter, den Magdsohn aber vor
meinen Erben an und übergab den beiden Alten Haus und Hof samt meinem
ganzen Vermögen, bis auf gar wenig gelbe Batzen und Kleinodien. Ich
hatte einen Ekel ob aller Weiber Beiwohnung und Gemeinschaft, ich nahm
mir vor, mich nicht mehr zu verheiraten.

Diese beiden Alten gossen meine Haushaltung gleich in einen andern
Model. Sie schafften vom Gesind und Viehe ab, was nichts nütze und
bekamen hingegen auf den Hof, was etwas eintrug. Sie vertrösteten
mich alles Guten und versprachen, wann ich sie nur hausen ließe,
so wollten sie mir allweg ein gut Pferd auf der Streu halten und so
viel verschaffen, daß ich je zu Zeiten mit einem ehrlichen Biedermann
eine Maß Wein trinken könnte. Ich spürete es auch gleich. Mein Pate
bestellte mit dem Gesind den Feldbau, schacherte mit Viehe und mit dem
Holz- und Harzhandel ärger als ein Jud und meine Götfrau legte sich auf
die Viehzucht und wußte Milchpfennige besser zu gewinnen und zusammen
zu halten, als zehen solcher Weiber, wie ich eins gehabt hatte. Auf
solche Weise ward mein Baurenhof in kurzer Zeit vor den besten in der
ganzen Gegend geschätzet. --

Einsmals spazierte ich in Sauerbrunn, jedoch nicht um mich mit Stutzern
bekannt zu machen, dann ich fing an meiner Alten Kargheit nachzuahmen,
gleichwohl geriet ich zu einer Gesellschaft mittelmäßigen Standes, weil
sie von einer seltenen Sache, nämlich vom Mummelsee diskutierten. Der
war in der Nachbarschaft auf einem von den höchsten Bergen gelegen,
unergründlich, und wunderbarliche Fabeln verlauteten von ihm.

Einer sagte, wann man ungrad, es seien gleich Erbsen, Steinlein oder
etwas andres in ein Nastüchlein binde und hinein hänge, so veränderte
es sich in grad, also auch grad in ungrad. Die meisten aber gaben vor
und befestigten es auch mit Exempel, wann man ein oder mehrere Steine
hineinwürfe, so erhebe sich gleich, Gott gebe wie schön auch der Himmel
zuvor gewesen, ein grausam Ungewitter mir schröcklichem Regen, Schloßen
und Sturmwinde. Einer erzählte, daß auf ein Zeit, da etliche Hirten ihr
Viehe bei dem See gehütet, ein brauner Stier herausgestiegen, welcher
sich zu dem andern Rindviehe gesellet, dem aber gleich ein kleines
Männlein nachgefolget, ihn wieder zurück zu treiben. Auch seie einsmals
ein Baur mit seinem Ochsen und etlichen Holzplöchern über den gefrornen
See gefahren, ohn einzigen Schaden, als ihm aber sein Hund nachkommen,
sei das Eis mit ihm gebrochen und der arme Hund allein hinunter
gefallen und nicht mehr gesehen worden. Noch einer behauptete bei
großer Wahrheit, es sei ein Schütze auf der Spur des Wildes bei dem See
vorübergegangen, der hätte auf dem Wasser ein Männlein sitzen sehen,
das einen ganzen Schoß voll gemünzter Goldsorten gehabt und gleichsam
damit gespielet hätte. Und als er nach demselben Feuer geben wollen,
hätte sich das Männlein geduckt und gerufen: »Wann du mich gebeten
deiner Armut zu Hilf zu kommen, so wollte ich dich reich genug gemacht
haben.«

Solche und andere Historien verlachte ich. Aber es fanden sich
Baursleute, und zwar alte, glaubwürdige Männer, die erzählten, wie
dann ein regierender Herzog von Württemberg ein Floß machen ließ, die
Tiefe zu ergründen. Nachdem die Messenden aber bereits neun Zwirnnetz
mit einem Senkel hinunter gelassen und gleichwohl noch keinen Boden
gefunden, hätte das Floß wider die Natur des Holzes angefangen zu
sinken, also daß sie von ihrem Vornehmen abstehen und sich hätten
ans Land salvieren müssen, maßen man noch heutzutag die Stücke des
Flosses am Ufer und zum Gedächtnus dieser Geschicht das fürstlich
württembergsche Wappen in Stein gehauen vor Augen sehe.

Die Begierde, den Mummelsee zu beschauen, vermehrte sich bei mir, als
ich von dem Knän verstund, daß er auch dort gewesen und den Weg wisse.
Da er aber hörete, daß ich überein auch darzu wollte, sagte er: »Der
Herr Sohn wird nichts andres sehen, als das Ebenbild eines Weihers,
der mitten in einem großen Walde liegt, und wann er seine jetzige Lust
mit beschwerlicher Unlust gebüßet, so wird er nichts andres als Reue,
müde Füße und den Hergang vor den Hingang davon haben.«

Da er aber meinen Ernst sahe, meinete er, dieweil die und auf dem Hof
weder zu hauen noch zu ernten, wolle er selbst mit mir gehen; dann
er hatte mich so lieb und prangte mit mir, weil die Leute im Land
glaubten, daß ich sein leiblicher Sohn sei.

Also wanderten wir miteinander über Berg und Tal und kamen zum
Mummelsee, eh wir sechs Stunden gegangen waren, dann mein Pate war noch
so käfermäßig und sowohl zu Fuß als ein Junger. Nachdem wir uns an
Speis und Trank erquickt, beschauete ich den See und fand die etlichen
gezimmerten Hölzer des Württembergischen Flosses darin liegen. Die Luft
war ganz windstill und wohl temperiert, so wollte ich auch probieren,
was Wahrheit an der Sagenmär wäre, sintemal ich allbereit die Sage, daß
der See keine Forellen leide, am mineralischen Geschmack des Wassers
als natürlich zu sein befunden.

Ich ging gegen der linken Hand an dem See hin, da das Wasser wegen der
abscheulichen Tiefe des Sees gleichsam kohlschwarz zu sein scheinet und
deswegen so förchterlich aussiehet. Daselbst fing ich an große Steine
hinein zu werfen, als ich sie nur immer erheben und ertragen konnte.
Mein Knän warnete mich und bat, ich aber continuierete meine Arbeit
emsig fort, bis ich über dreißig Steine in den See brachte.

Da fing die Luft an, den Himmel mit schwarzen Wolken zu bedecken, in
welchen ein grausamer Donner gehöret ward, also daß mein Knän, der
jenseits des Sees bei dem Auslauf stund, über meine Arbeit lamentierte
und mir zuschrie, ich sollte mich doch salvieren, damit uns Regen und
das schröckliche Wetter nicht ergreife. Ich aber antwortete: »Vater,
ich will bleiben und des Endes erwarten, sollte es auch Hellebarten
regnen.«

Er schmälete noch weiterhin zu mir herüber, ich verwandte aber die
Augen nicht von der Tiefe und sahe weit untern gegen den Abgrund
etliche Kreaturen im Wasser herumfladern, die mich der Gestalt nach
an Frösche ermahneten und gleichsam wie Schwärmerlein aus einer
aufsteigenden Rakete in der Luft herumvagierten. Je näher sie kamen,
desto größer und an Gestalt den Menschen ähnlicher schienen sie meinen
Augen, weswegen mich dann erstlich eine große Verwunderung und endlich
ein Grausen und Entsetzen ankam.

»Ach,« rief ich vor Schröcken so laut, daß es mein Knän wohl hören
konnte, »wie seind die Wunderwerke des Schöpfers auch sogar im Bauch
der Erden und in der Tiefe des Wassers so groß!«

Da war schon eins von den Sylphen oben auf dem Wasser und antwortete:
»Das bekennst du, ehe du etwas davon gesehen hast, was würdest du wohl
sagen, wann du erst selbsten im Centro der Erden wärest und unsere
Wohnung, die dein Fürwitz beunruhiget, beschautest!«

Unterdessen kamen noch mehr dergleichen Wassermännlein, gleichsam wie
Tauchentlein hervor. Sie brachten die Steine wieder herauf, worüber ich
ganz erstaunete. Der Erste und Vornehmste unter ihnen, dessen Kleidung
wie lauter Gold und Silber glänzete, warf mir einen leuchtenden Stein
zu, so groß wie ein Taubenei und so grün und durchsichtig, wie ein
Smaragd.

»Nimm das Kleinod, damit du etwas von uns und diesem See zu sagen
wissest.«

Ich hatte ihn aber kaum aufgehoben und zu mir gesteckt, da ward mir
nicht anderst, als ob mich die Luft hätte ersticken und ersäufen
wollen, derhalben ich mich dann nicht länger aufrecht behalten konnte,
sondern herumtaumelte wie eine Garnwinde und endlich gar in den See
hinunter fiel. Sobald ich aber ins Wasser kam, erholete ich mich wieder
und atmete aus Kraft des Steins das Wasser anstatt der Luft. Ich konnte
auch gleich sowohl als die Wassermännlein in dem See herumwebern, maßen
ich mich mit ihnen in den Abgrund hinunter tät, als wann sich eine
Schar Vögel mit Umschweifen gegen die Erde nieder lässet.

Da mein Knän dies Wunder, samt meiner gählingen Verzückung gesehen,
trollete er sich von dem See hinweg und heim zu, als ob ihm der Kopf
brennte. Daselbst erzählete er den Verlauf. Etliche glaubten ihm, die
meisten aber hielten es vor eine Fabel.

Das sechste Kapitel

Der Fürst über den Mummelsee, so mich begleitete, sagte mir, daß wir
durch die halbe Erde just neunhundert deutscher Meilen hätten, und wer
zum Centro der Erde wolle, der müßte durch einen dergleichen Seen
seinen Weg nehmen, deren hin und wieder so viel, als Tag im Jahr seien,
in der Welt wären und alle bei ihres Königs Wohnung zusammen stießen.
In solchem sanften Abfahren konnte ich mit dem Mummelseeprinzen
allerhand diskurieren, dann ich bemerkte seine Freundlichkeit. So
fragte ich, zu was Ende sie mich einen so weiten, gefährlichen Weg mit
sich nähmen. Er antwortete mir gar bescheiden, der Weg sei nicht weit
und in einer Stunde spaziert, er sei nicht gefährlich, dieweil ich
in seiner Gesellschaft mit dem überreichten Stein hinabführe, daß er
mir aber ungewöhnlich vorkomme, sei nicht zu verwundern. Darauf bat
ich ihn ferner, mir zu berichten, weshalb der gütige Schöpfer so viel
wunderbarliche Seen erschaffen.

»Du fragst billig um dasjenige, was du nicht verstehst, diese Seen
sind um dreierlei Ursachen willen geschaffen. Erstlich werden durch
sie alle Meere gleichsam wie mit Nägeln an die Erde geheftet, zweitens
werden von uns durch diese Seen die Wasser aus den Tiefen des Ozeans
in alle Quellen der Erde getrieben, wovon Flüsse und Ströme entstehen,
der Erdboden befeuchtiget, die Gewächse erquicket und beides: Mensch
und Vieh getränket werden, drittens, daß wir als vernünftige Kreaturen
Gottes darin leben und Gott loben. Wann wir aber aus einer andern
Ursache unsere Geschäfte unterlassen müssen, so wird die Welt durchs
Feuer untergehen, dann zu dieser Zeit, so alle Wasser verschwinden,
wird die Erde von sich selbst durch die Sonnenhitze entzündet.«

Da ich ihn also gleichsam die heilige Schrift anziehen hörete, fragte
ich, ob sie sterbliche Kreaturen wären, oder ob sie Geister seien.
Darauf antwortete er, sie seien keine Geister sondern sterbliche
Leutlein und gab mir folgends eine Genealogia oder Stammtafel aller
Kreatur, indem er mir fürderst von der Erschaffung der Engel erzählete
und den Sturz derer, so aus Hoffart gefallen, folgends wie Gott die
Welt mit allen Kreaturen aus seinem göttlichen Willen hervorgehen
ließe und also auch den irdischen Menschen zu solchem End geschaffen,
daß er Gott loben und sich vermehren sollte, bis sein Geschlecht so
groß sei, die Zahl der gefallenen Engel zu ersetzen. Dann die heilige,
entleibte Seele eines zwar irdischen, doch himmlisch gesinnten Menschen
hat alle guten Eigenschaften des Engels an sich, der entseelte
Leib eines irdischen Menschen aber ist gleich dem andern Aas eines
unvernünftigen Tieres. Kam demnach zum Beschluß auf das Geschlecht der
Sylphen und sagte: »Uns selbsten setzten wir vor das Mittel zwischen
euch und allen lebendigen Kreaturen der Welt. Sintemal obgleich wir
wie ihr vernünftige Seelen haben, so sterben jedoch dieselbige mit
unseren Leibern hinweg, gleichsam als wie die lebhaften Geister der
unvernünftigen Tiere in ihrem Tod verschwinden. Zwar ist uns kundbar,
daß ihr durch den ewigen Sohn Gottes aufs höchste geadelt seid und euch
die ewige Seligkeit wiederum erworben ist, aber ich rede und verstehe
nichts von der Seligkeit, weil wir deren zu genießen nicht fähig
sein. Uns hat der allgütige Schöpfer genugsam in dieser Zeitlichkeit
beseeligt, als mit einer guten, gesunden Vernunft, mit Erkanntnus
seines heiligen Willens, mit gesunden Leibern, langem Leben und einer
edlen Freiheit, mit genugsam Wissenschaft und Kunst und, was das
allermeiste ist, wir sind keiner Sünde, dannenhero auch keiner Strafe,
ja nicht einmal der geringsten Krankheit unterworfen.«

Ich antwortete, da sie keiner Missetat und auch keiner Strafe
unterworfen, wozu sie dann eines Königs bedörftig, item wie sie
sich der Freiheit rühmen könnten, wann sie einem König untertan.
Darauf sagte er, sie hätten ihren König nicht, daß er Justiz übe, noch
daß sie ihm dienen sollten, sondern er dirigiere wie der Weisel im
Immenstock ihre Geschäfte. Sie würden ohne Wollust gezeugt und ohne
Schmerzen geboren und also stürben sie auch nicht mit Schmerzen sondern
gleichsam, wie ein Licht verlösche, wann es seine Zeit geleuchtet habe,
also verschwinden auch ihre Leiber samt den Seelen. Gegen ihre Freiheit
aber sei die Freiheit des allergrößten Monarchen unter uns irdischen
Menschen gar nichts, dann sie könnten weder getötet noch zu etwas
Unbeliebigem genötigt werden. Kein Gefängnus könne sie halten, weil sie
Feuer, Wasser, Luft und Erde ohne einzige Mühe und Müdigkeit durchgehen
könnten.

Darauf sagte ich: »So ist euer Geschlecht von dem Schöpfer weit höher
geadelt und beseeligt als das unsrige.«

»Ach nein,« antwortete der Fürst, »Ihr sündigt, wann Ihr dies glaubt,
dann Ihr vergesset der ewigen Seligkeit.«

Ich sagte: »Was haben darum die Verdammten davon?«

Da fragte er: »Was kann die Güte Gottes davor, wann euer einer sein
Selbst vergisset und sich der Welt schändlichen Wollüsten ergibet,
seinen viehischen Begierden die Zügel schießen lässet und sich dem
unvernünftigen Vieh, ja den höllischen Geistern gleich machet?«

Ich sagte zu dem Fürstlein, weil ich auf dem Erdboden ohn das mehr
Gelegenheit hätte von dieser Materia zu hören, als ich mir zu nutz
machte, so wollte ich ihn gebeten haben, mir die Ursache zu erzählen,
warum ein so groß Ungewitter entstehe, wann man Steine in solche Seen
werfe.

»Weil alle Steine, so hineingeworfen werden, notwendig und natürlicher
Weise in unsere Wohnung fallen und liegen bleiben müßten, so schaffen
wir sie mit einer Ungestüme wieder hinaus, damit der Mutwille der
Menschen abgeschreckt und in Zaum gehalten werden möge. An dieser
einzigen Verrichtung kannst du die Notwendigkeit unseres Geschlechtes
abnehmen, sintemal wann die Steine von uns nicht wieder ausgetragen
würden, so müßten endlich die Gebäude, damit das Meer an die Erde
geheftet und befestiget ist, zerstört und die Gänge, durch die die
Quellen aus dem Abgrund des Meeres auf die Erde geleitet werden,
verstopft bleiben, das dann eine schädliche Konfusion und der ganzen
Welt Untergang mit sich bringen könnte.«

Ich bedankte mich dieser Kommunikation und fragte, ob es auch möglich
sein könnte, daß er mich wieder durch einen andern als den Mummelsee
nach einem andern Ort der Erde auf die Welt bringen könnte.

»Freilich, warum das nicht? Wann es nur Gottes Wille ist. Dann auf
solche Weise haben unsere Voreltern vor alten Zeiten etliche Kanaaneer,
die dem Schwert Josuas entronnen und sich aus Desperation in einen
solchen See gesprenget, in Amerikam geführet, maßen deren Nachkömmlinge
noch auf den heutigen Tag den See zu weisen wissen, aus welchem ihre
Ureltern anfänglich entsprungen.«

Als ich nun sahe, daß er über meine Verwunderung erstaunete, gleichsam
als ob seine Erzählung nicht Verwunderns würdig wäre, fragte ich ihn,
ob er dann nicht auch Seltsames und Wunderliches von uns Menschen
gesehen.

Hierauf sagte er: »Wir wundern uns an euch nichts mehrers, als daß ich
euch, da ihr doch zum ewigen, seligen Leben erschaffen, durch zeitliche
und irdische Wollüste, die doch so wenig ohn Unlust und Schmerzen als
Rosen ohne Dörner sind, dergestalt betören lasset. Ach, möcht unser
Geschlecht an euerer Stelle sein, wir möchten euerer nichtigen und
flüchtigen Zeitlichkeit Probe besser halten als ihr. Dann das Leben, so
ihr habet, ist nicht euer Leben, sondern euer Leben oder Tod wird euch
erst gegeben, wann ihr die Zeitlichkeit verlasset. Dannenhero halten
wir die Welt vor einen Probierstein Gottes, auf welchem der Allmächtige
das Gold des Menschen probieret.«

Das war das Ende unseres Gesprächs, weil wir uns dem Sitz des Königs
näherten, vor welchen ich ohn Zeremonien oder Verlust einiger Zeit
hingebracht ward. Da hatte ich nun wohl Ursache mich über seine
Majestät zu verwundern, da ich doch weder eine wohlbestellte Hofhaltung
noch einziges Gepränge, ja aufs Wenigste keinen Kanzler oder geheime
Räte, noch einzigen Dolmetschen oder Trabanten und Leibguarde, sogar
keinen Schalksnarren, noch Koch, Keller, Page oder einzigen Favoriten
oder Tellerlecker sahe, sondern rings um ihn her schwebten die Fürsten
über alle Seen, die sich in der ganzen Welt befinden, jedweder in
derjenigen Landestracht aufziehend, in welches sich sein See vom
Centro der Erde aus erstreckte. Dannenhero sahe ich zugleich die
Ebenbilder der Chineser und Afrikaner, Troglodyten und Novazembler,
Tataren und Mexikaner, Samojeden und Moluccenser, ja auch von denen
so unter den Polis arctico und antarctico wohnen, das wohl ein
seltsames Spektakul war; derjenige, so ober den Pilatussee die
Obersicht trug, zog mit einem breiten, ehrbaren Bart und ein paar
Ploderhosen auf, wie ein reputierlicher Schweizer, und derjenige, so
ober den See Camarina die Aufsicht hatte, sahe beides: mit Kleidern und
Geberden einem Sizilianer so ähnlich, daß einer tausend Eide geschworen
hätte, er wäre niemalen aus Sicilia weggekommen.

Ich bedorfte nicht viel Komplimenten zu machen, dann der König fing
selbst an, gut deutsch mit mir zu reden.

»Aus was Ursache hast du dich unterfangen, uns gleichsam ganz
mutwilliger Weise so einen Haufen Steine zuzuschicken?«

»Weil bei uns einem jeden erlaubt ist an einer verschlossenen Tür
anzuklopfen.«

»Wie wann du aber den Lohn deiner fürwitzigen Importunität
empfingest?«

»Ich kann mit keiner größeren Strafe beleget werden, als daß ich
sterbe. Sintemal ich aber seithero so viel Wunder erfahren und gesehen,
wie unter Millionen Menschen keiner das Glück nicht hat, würde mir mein
Tod vor gar keine Strafe zu rechnen sein.«

»Ach, elende Blindheit! Ihr Menschen könnet nur einmal sterben und ihr
Christen sollet den Tod nicht eher getrost zu überstehen wissen, ihr
wäret dann gegen Gott durch eine unzweifelhafte Hoffnung versichert.
Aber ich habe vor, diesmal weit anderes mit dir zu reden. Es ist mit
bekannt worden, daß ihr Christen euch des jüngsten Tages ehistens
versehet, weilen alles, was auf der Erden lebet, den Lastern so
schröcklich ergeben seie, also daß der allmächtige Gott nicht lange
verziehen werde. Darob entsetzten wir uns nicht wenig, wegen der
Nähe solcher erschröcklichen Zeit. Haben dich derowegen zu uns holen
lassen, um zu vernehmen, was etwan nach etlichen Wahrzeichen, die euer
Heiland für seine Ankunft hiebevor selbsten hinterlassen, vor Sorge
oder Hoffnung sein möchte. Ersuchen dich derowegen ganz holdselig, du
wollest uns bekennen, ob derjenige Glaube noch auf Erden sei, welchen
der Richter bei seiner Ankunft schwerlich mehr finden wird.«

Ich sagte, das zu beantworten seie mir viel zu hoch. Die Ankunft des
Herrn sei Gott allein bekannt.

»Nun wohlan, so sage mir, wie sich die Stände der Welt in ihrem Beruf
halten, damit ich daraus der Welt Untergang absehe. Hingegen will ich
dich, wann du mir die Wahrheit bekennst, mit einer solchen Verehrung
abfertigen, deren du dich dem Lebtag wirst zu erfreuen haben.«

Als ich nun hierauf schwieg und mich bedachte, fuhr der König fort:
»Dran! Dran! Fang am höchsten an und beschließ am niedersten. Es muß
doch sein, wann du anders wieder auf den Erdboden willst.«

Ich antwortete: »Wann ich am höchsten anfahen soll, so mach ichs billig
bei den Geistlichen, diese seind gemeiniglich alle, sie seien auch
gleich, was vor Religion sie immer wollen, rechtschaffene Verächter
der Ruhe, Vermeider der Wollüste, in ihrem Beruf begierig zur Arbeit,
geduldig gegen Verachtung, demütig bei ihren Verdiensten, hochmütig
gegen die Laster. Und gleichwie sie sich allein befleißen, Gott zu
dienen und andere Menschen mehr durch ihre Exempel als durch Worte
zum Reiche Gottes zu bringen, also haben die weltlichen hohen Häupter
allein ihr Absehen auf die liebe Justitia, welche sie dann ohn
Ansehen der Person einem jedweden, Armen oder Reichen, durch die Bank
hinaus schnurgerad erteilen und widerfahren lassen. Die Kaufleute
handeln nie aus Geiz oder um Gewinns willen, sondern damit sie ihren
Nebenmenschen mit ihrer Ware, die sie zu solchem Ende aus fernen Landen
herbringen, bedient sein können. Die Wirte treiben nicht deswegen
ihre Wirtschaften, reich zu werden, sondern damit sich der Hungrige,
Durstende und Reisende bei ihnen erquicken, und sie die Bewirtung
als ein Werk der Barmherzigkeit an den müden und kraftlosen Menschen
üben können. Also suchet der Medicus nicht seinen Nutz, sondern die
Gesundheit seines Patienten, wohin dann auch die Apotheker zielen.
Die Handwerker wissen von keinen Vorteln, Lügen und Betrug, sondern
befleißen sich, ihre Kunden mit dauerhafter und rechtschaffener Arbeit
am besten zu versehen. Den Schneidern tut nichts Gestohlenes im Auge
wehe, und die Weber bleiben aus Redlichkeit arm, daß sich auch keine
Mäus bei ihnen ernähren können, denen sie ein Knäul Garn nachwerfen
müßten. Man weiß von keinem Wucher, sondern der Wohlhäbige hilft dem
Dürftigen aus christlicher Liebe ganz ungebeten. Und wann ein Armer
nicht zu bezahlen hat, ohn merklichen Schaden und Abgang seiner
Nahrung, so schenkt ihm der Reiche die Schuld aus freien Stücken. Man
spüret keine Hoffart, dann jeder weiß und bedenkt, daß er sterblich
ist. Man merket keinen Neid, dann es weiß und erkennet je einer den
andern vor ein Ebenbild Gottes, das von seinem Schöpfer geliebt wird.
Keiner erzörnt sich über den andern, weil sie wissen, daß Christus
vor alle gelitten und gestorben. Man höret von keiner Unkeuschheit
oder unordentlichen fleischlichen Begierden, sondern was so vorgehet,
das geschieht aus Begierde und Liebe zur Kinderzucht. Da findet man
keine Trunkenbolde oder Vollsäufer, sondern wann einer den andern mit
einem Trunk ehrt, so lassen sich beide nur mit einem christlichen
Räuschlein begnügen. Da ist keine Trägheit im Gottesdienst, dann
ein jeder erzeiget einen emsigen Fleiß und Eifer, wie er vor allem
andern Gott rechtschaffen dienen möge; und eben deswegen sind jetzund
so schwere Kriege auf Erden, weil je ein Teil vermeinet, der andere
diene Gott nicht recht. Es gibt keine Geizigen mehr, sondern Sparsame,
keine Verschwender, sondern Freigebige, keine Kriegsgurgeln, die Leute
berauben und verderben, sondern Soldaten die das Vaterland beschirmen,
keine mutwilligen, faulen Bettler, sondern Verächter der Reichtümer und
Liebhaber der freiwilligen Armut, keine Korn- und Weinjuden, sondern
vorsichtige Leute, die den überflüssigen Vorrat auf den besorglichen
künftigen Notfall vor das Volk aufheben und zusammenhalten.«

Das siebente Kapitel

Ich pausierte ein wenig und bedachte mich, aber der König sagte, er
hätte bereits so viel gehöret, daß er nicht mehr zu wissen begehrete,
wann ich wollte, so sollten sie mich gleich wieder an den Ort bringen,
von wo sie mich genommen. Wollte ich aber eins oder das andere
beschauen, so sollte ich in seinem Reiche sicher begleitet sein und
alsdann werde ich mit einer Verehrung abgefertigt werden, daß ich
zufrieden sein könnte. Da ich mich aber zu nichts entschließen konnte,
wandte er sich zu etlichen, die eben in den Abgrund des Mare del Zur
sich begaben. »Nehmt ihn mit und bringet ihn bald wieder, damit er noch
heut auf den Erdboden gestellet werde!« Zu mir sagte er, ich möchte
mich auf einen Wunsch besinnen.

Durch ein Loch, das etliche hundert Meilen lang war, kamen wir auf den
Grund des friedsamen Meeres del Zur, darauf standen Korallenzinken
so groß wie Eichbäume, von denen sie zur Speise mit sich nahmen, was
noch nicht erhärtet und gefärbet war, dann sie pflegten sie zu essen,
wie wir die jungen Hirschgeweihe. Da sahe ich Schneckenhäuser so groß
als ein Rondell und breit als ein Scheuertor. Item Perlen so dick
als Fäuste, welche sie anstatt der Eier aßen. Der Boden lag überall
mit Smaragden, Türkis, Rubinen, Diamanten und andern Edelsteinen
überstreut, gemeiniglich so groß wie Bachkiesel. Da sahe man hier und
dort gewaltige Schröffen viel Meilwegs in die Höhe ragen, die vor das
Wasser hinausgingen und lustige Insuln trugen. Sie waren rund herum mit
allerhand wunderbarlichen Meergewächsen gezieret und von mancherlei
seltsamen Kreaturen bewohnet. Die Fische aber, groß und klein, von
unzählbarer Art vagierten über uns im Wasser herum und gemahneten mich
allerdings an so vielerlei Vögel, die sich in Frühlingszeit und im
Herbst bei uns in der Luft erlustieren.

Als der, in dessen Obhut ich befohlen war, sahe, wie mir alles so
wunderbarlich vorkam und ich darüber erstaunete, daß sie als Peruaner,
Brasilianer, Mexikaner und Insulaner de los latrones dannoch so gut
deutsch redeten, da sagte er, daß sie nicht mehr als eine Sprache
könnten, die aber alle Völker auf den ganzen Umkreis der Erden in ihrer
Sprache verstünden und sie hingegen wiederum, welches daher komme,
daß ihr Geschlecht mit der Torheit des babylonischen Turmes nichts zu
schaffen hätte.

Weil sich nun meine Begleitung genugsam verproviantiert hatte, kehrten
wir in das Centrum der Erde zurück. Auf dem Wege sagte ich, die
Wunder, die ich bisher gesehen, hätten mich so gar aus mir selbst
gebracht, daß ich mich auf nichts bedenken könnte, sie wollten mir
raten, was ich von dem König begehren sollte. Meine Meinung wäre, von
ihm einen Gesundbrunnen auf meinen Hof zu erbitten, wie derjenige wäre,
der neulich von sich selbst in Deutschland entsprungen sei. Mein Führer
antwortete mir, solches würde in seines Königs Macht nicht stehen.
Darauf fragte ich nach Ursach dessen und er antwortete: »Es befinden
sich hin und wieder in der Erde leere Stätten, die sich nach und nach
mit allerhand Metallen ausfüllen, schläget sich zu Zeiten durch die
Spälte aus dem Centro, davon alle Quellen getrieben werden, Wasser
darzu, welches dann um und zwischen den Metallen viel hundert Jahr
sich enthält und der Metallen edle Art und heilsame Eigenschaften an
sich nimmt, und suchet es endlich durch seinen starken Trieb einen
Auslauf, so wird das Heilwasser nach so und soviel hundert Jahren zum
allerersten ausgestoßen und tät alsdann in denen menschlichen Körpern
die wunderbarliche Wirkung, die man an solchen neuen Heilbrunnen
siehet. So es aber in schnellem Lauf durch die Metalle passieret,
vermöchte es keine Tugenden oder Kräfte von den Metallen an sich
nehmen.« Wann ich die Gesundheit, sagte er, so sehr affectiere, so
sollte ich den König ersuchen, daß er mich dem König der Salamander,
mit welchem er in Korrespondenz stünde, in eine Kur empfehle. Derselbe
könne die menschlichen Körper durch einen Edelstein begaben, daß sie
in keinem Feuer verbrennen mögen. Wenn man solche Menschen wie eine
schleimige, alte, stinkende Tabakspfeife mitten in das Feuer setze, da
verzehrten sich dann alle bösen Humores und schädlichen Feuchtigkeiten,
und komme ein Patient wieder so jung, frisch, gesund und neugeschaffen
hervor, als wann er Elixir Theophrasti eingenommen hätte.

Ich wußte nicht, ob mich der Kerl foppte oder ob es ihm ernst war, doch
bedankte ich mich der vertraulichen Communication und sagte, ich
besorge diese Kur sei mir als einem Cholerico zu hitzig. Mir würde
nichts Lieberes sein, als wann ich meinen Mitmenschen eine heilsame,
rare Quelle mit mir auf den Erdboden bringen könnte, welches ihnen zu
Nutz, dem Könige im Centro der Erden zur Ehre, mir aber zu einem
unsterblichen Namen und ewigem Gedächtnus gereichen würde. Darauf mußte
ich hören, daß der König im Centro der Erden der Ehre oder Schande,
so ihm unter den Menschen zugelegt werde, gleichviel achte.

Mithin kamen wir wiederum vor das Angesicht des Königs, da bemerkte
ich, wie die Sonne einen See nach dem andern beschiene und ihre
Strahlen bis in diese schröckliche Tiefe herunter warf, also daß den
Sylphis niemalen kein Licht mangelte. Man brauchte zum Imbiß weder Wein
noch stark Getränke, aber anstatt dessen tranken sie Perlen, als welche
noch nicht erhärtet waren, aus; die gaben ihnen treffliche Stärke.

Indessen hatte sich die Zeit genähert, daß ich wieder heim sollte,
derhalben befahl der König, ich sollte meinen Wunsch tun. Da antwortete
ich, es könnte mir keine größere Gnade widerfahren, als wann er mir
einen rechtschaffenen medicinalischen Sauerbrunn auf meinen Hof würde
zukommen lassen.

»Ist es nur das? Ich hätte vermeint, du würdest etliche große Smaragde
mit dir nehmen. Jetzt sehe ich, daß kein Geiz bei euch Christen ist.«

Mithin reichte er mir einen Stein von seltsam wechselnden Farben und
sagte: »Diesen stecke zu dir. Wo du ihn auf den Erdboden legen wirst,
daselbst wird er anfahen, das Centrum wieder zu suchen und die
bequemsten Mineralia durchgehen, bis er wieder zu uns kommt und dir
unsretwegen eine herrliche Sauerbrunnquelle zuschicket, die dir so wohl
bekommen und zuschlagen soll, als du mit Eröffnung der Wahrheit um uns
verdienet hast.«

Darauf nahm mich der Fürst vom Mummelsee wieder in sein Geleit. Diese
Heimfahrt dünkte mich viel weiter als die Hinfahrt, also daß ich
auf dritthalbtausend wohlgemessener deutscher Meilen rechnete. Auch
redete ich mit meinen Begleitern nichts. Im übrigen war ich in meiner
Phantasie mit meinem Sauerbrunn so reich, daß alle meine Gedanken und
Witz genug zu tun hatten zu beratschlagen, wo ich ihn hinsetzen und
wie ich mir ihn zu Nutz machen wollte. Da hatte ich allbereits meine
Anschläge wegen der ansehnlichen Gebäude, die ich dazusetzen mußte,
damit die Badegäste auch rechtschaffen accomodiert seien und ich ein
großes Losamentgeld aufheben möchte. Ich ersann schon, durch was vor
Schmiralia ich die Medicos dahinbringen wollte, daß sie meinen neuen
Wundersauerbrunn allen andern, ja gar den Schwalbacher vorziehen und
mir einen Haufen neuer Badegäste zuschaffen sollten. Ich machte schon
ganze Berge eben, damit sich die Ab- und Zufahrenden über keinen
mühsamen Weg beschwereten. Ich dingete schon verschmitzte Hausknechte,
geizige Köchinnen, vorsichtige Bettmägde, wachsame Stallknechte,
saubere Bad- und Brunnenverwalter und sann auch allbereits einen
Platz aus, auf welchem ich mitten im wilden Gebürge, bei meinem Hof
einen schönen, ebenen Lustgarten pflanzen und allerlei rare Gewächse
darin ziehen wollte, damit die fremden Herren Badegäste mit ihren
Frauen darin spazieren, sich die Kranken erfrischen, die Gesunden mit
allerhand kurzweiligen Spielen ergötzen und errammlen können. Da mußten
mir die Medici, doch um die Gebühr, einen herrliche Tractat von
meinem Brunn und dessen köstliche Qualität zu Papier bringen, welchen
ich alsdann neben einem schönen Kupferstich, darin mein Baurenhof im
Grundriß entworfen, wohl drucken lassen konnte, aus welchem ein jeder
abwesende Kranke sich gleichsam halb gesund lesen und hoffen möchte.
Ich ließ bereits meinen Sohn von L. holen, doch dorfte er mir kein
Bader werden, dann ich hatte mir vorgenommen, meinen Gästen obzwar
nicht den Rücken, so doch aber ihren Beutel tapfer zu schröpfen.

Mit solchen reichen Gedanken und überseligem Phantasiehandel erreichte
ich wiederum die Luft, maßen mich mein Prinz allerdings mit trockenen
Kleidern aus seinem Mummelsee ans Land satzte. Doch mußte ich das
Kleinod, so er mir anfänglich gegeben, stacks von mir tun, dann ich
hätte sonst in der Luft ersaufen oder Atem zu holen den Kopf wieder in
das Wasser stecken müssen. Da er den Stein wieder zu sich genommen,
beschirmten wir einander als Leute, die einander nimmer wieder zu sehen
würden bekommen. Er duckte sich und fuhr wieder mit den seinigen in den
Abgrund. Ich aber ging mit meinem Quellenstein voll Freuden davon.

Aber ach, meine Freude währete nicht lang! Indem ich noch immerfort
Kalender machte, wie ich den köstlichen Wunderbrunn auf meinen Hof
setzen und mir darbei einen geruhigen Herrenhandel schaffen möchte,
stund ich, eh ich meiner Verirrung gewahr ward, mitten in einer Wildnus
wie Matz von Dresden beides: ohne Speis und Gewehr, dessen ich gegen
die bevorstehende Nacht wohl bedörftig gewesen wäre. Geduld, Geduld,
dein Stein wird dich aller überstandenen Not wiederum ergetzen! Gut
Ding will Weile haben! Vortreffliche Sachen werden ohne große Mühe
und Arbeit nicht erworben, sonst würde jeder Narr ohn Schnaufens und
Bartwischens einen solchen edlen Sauerbrunn zuwege bringen.

Ich trat tapferer auf die Sohlen. Der Vollmond leuchtete mir zwar fein,
aber die hohen Tannen ließen mir sein Licht nicht so wohl gedeihen,
doch kam ich soweit fort, bis ich um Mitternacht von weitem ein Feuer
gewahr ward. Etliche Waldbauren saßen darbei, die mit Harz zu tun
hatten.

Wiewohl nun solchen Gesellen nicht allezeit zu trauen, so zwang mich
doch die Not zu ihnen. Ich hinterschlich sie unversehens und sagte:
»Guten Abend, ihr Herrn!«

Da stunden und saßen sie alle sechse vor Schröcken zitternd. Dann weil
ich einer von den Längsten bin, noch schwarze Trauerkleider anhatte,
zumalen einen schröcklichen Prügel in den Händen trug, auf welchem ich
mich wie ein wilder Mann steurete, kam ihnen meine Gestalt entsetzlich
vor. Endlich erholete sich einer.

»Wer ischt dann der Hair?«

Da hörete ich, daß er schwäbischer Nation sein müßte, die man zwar
(aber vergeblich) vor einfältig schätzet, sagte derowegen, ich sei ein
fahrender Schüler, der jetzo erst aus dem Venusberg komme.

»Oho,« antwortete einer, »jetzt glaube ich, Gottlob, daß ich den
Frieden wieder erleben werde, weil die fahrenden Schüler wieder
anfangen zu reisen.«

Das achte Kapitel

Also kamen wir ins Gespräch und ich genoß so vieler Höflichkeit von
ihnen, daß sie mich hießen zu Feuer niedersitzen und mir ein Stück
schwarz Brot und magern Kühkäs anboten, welches ich gern annahm.
Endlich wurden sie so verträulich, daß sie mir zumuteten, ich sollte
ihnen als fahrender Schüler gute Wahrheit sagen. Da fing ich an einem
nach dem andern auf seine Hand hin aufzuschneiden, was ich meinete,
daß es ihnen wohl gelegen sei. Sie begehreten weiterhin allerhand
fürwitzige Künste von mir zu lernen, ich aber vertröstete sie auf den
künftigen Tag, und begehrete, daß sie mich ein wenig ruhen wollten
lassen. Legte mich also beiseits, mehr zu horchen als zu schlafen. Je
mehr ich nun schnarchte, je wachsamer sie sich erzeigeten. Sie stießen
die Köpfe zusammen und fingen an zu beraten, wer ich sein möchte. Vor
keinen Soldaten wollten sie mich halten, weil ich ein schwarz Kleid
antrug, und vor keinen Bürgerskerl konnten sie mich schätzen, weil ich
zu einer solchen ungewöhnlichen Zeit so fern von den Leuten in das
Mückenloch (so heißet der Wald) angestochen käme. Zuletzt beschlossen
sie, ich müßte dannoch ein lateinischer Handwerksgeselle sein, der
verirrt wäre, oder ein fahrender Schüler, weil ich so trefflich
wahrsagen konnte.

»Ja,« fing einer an, »er hat darum doch nicht alles gewußt. Etwan ist
er ein loser Krieger und hat sich so verkleidet, unser Viehe und die
Schliche im Wald auszukunden. Ach, daß wir es wüßten, wir wollten ihn
schlafen legen, daß er das Aufstehen vergessen sollte!«

Indessen lag ich dort und spitzte die Ohren. Ich gedachte: werden mich
diese Knollfinken angreifen, so muß mir zuvor einer oder drei ins Gras
beißen.

Demnach nun diese ratschlagten und ich mich mit Sorgen ängstigte,
ward mir gähling, als ob ein Bettnässer bei mir läge, dann ich lag
unversehens ganz naß. O mirum! Da war Troja verloren! Alle meine
trefflichen Anschläge waren dahin, dann ich merkte am Geruch, daß es
mein Sauerbrunn war. Da geriet ich vor Zorn und Unwillen in eine solche
Raserei, daß ich mich beinahe mit den sechs Bauren eingelassen und
herumgeschlagen hätte.

»Ihr gottlosen Flegel! An diesem Sauerbrunn, der auf meiner Lagerstätte
hervorquillet, könnet ihr merken, wer ich sei! Es wäre kein Wunder, ich
strafe Euch alle, daß euch der Teufel holen möchte, weil ihr so böse
Gedanken traget.«

Machte darauf so bedrohliche und erschröckliche Mienen, daß sie sich
alle vor mir entsatzten. Doch kam ich wieder zu mir selber und dachte,
besser den Sauerbrunn als das Leben verloren, gab ihnen derhalben gute
Worte und sagte: »Stehet auf und versuchet den herrlichen Sauerbrunn,
den ihr und alle Harz- und Holzmacher hinfort in dieser Wildnus
meinetwegen zu genießen haben werdet.«

Sie sahen einander an wie lebendige Stockfische, bis sie merkten, daß
ich fein nüchtern aus meinem Hut den ersten Trunk tät. Da stunden sie
nacheinander vom Feuer auf, besahen das Wunder, versuchten das Wasser
und begannen zu lästern: Sie wollten, daß ich mit meinem Sauerbrunn an
einen andern Ort geraten wäre, dann sollte ihre Herrschaft dessen inne
werden, so müßte das ganze Amt Dornstädt fröhnen und Wege darzu machen.

»Dahingegen«, sagte ich, »habet ihr dessen alle zu genießen. Eure
Hühner, Eier, Butter, Viehe und alles könnet ihr besser ans Geld
bringen.«

»Nein, nein,« riefen sie, »nein! Die Herrschaft setzt einen Wirt hin,
der wird allein reich und wir müssen seine Narren sein, ihm Wege und
Stege erhalten und werden keinen Dank darzu haben!«

Zuletzt entzweiten sie sich, zween wollten den Sauerbrunn behalten,
vier muteten mir zu, ich sollte ihn wieder abschaffen. Weil aber
nunmehr Tag vorhanden war und ich nichts mehr da zu tun hatte, sagte
ich, wann sie nicht wollten, daß alle Kühe im ganzen bayersbrunner Tal
rote Milch geben sollten, solang der Brunn liefe, so sollten sie mir
alsobald den Weg in Seebach weisen. Sie gaben mir zwei mit, maßen sich
einer allein bei mir forchtete.

Also schied ich von dannen und obzwar dieselbe ganze Gegend unfruchtbar
war und nichts als Tannzapfen trug, so hätte ich sie doch noch elender
verfluchen mögen, weil ich alle meine Hoffnung daselbst verloren. --
Nach vieler Mühe und Arbeit kam ich gegen Abend wieder heim auf meinen
Baurenhof und sahe, daß mein Knän mir wahrgesagt hatte: nichts als müde
Beine und den Hergang vor den Hingang würde ich von dieser Wallfahrt
haben.

Nach meiner Heimkunft hielt ich mich gar eingezogen, meine größte
Freude und Ergötzung war, hinter den Büchern zu sitzen, deren ich mir
dann viel beischaffte, so von allerhand Sachen handelten, sonderlich
die eines großen Nachsinnens bedörfen. Aber Grammaticam und
Arithmeticam, Mathematicam und Geometriam auch Astronomiam
warf ich bald von mir, teils sie mir gar bald erleidet und ich ihrer
überdrüssig ward, teils sie mich zwar trefflich erlustigten aber mir
endlich auch falsch und ungewiß vorkamen, also, daß ich mich auch nicht
länger mit ihnen schleppen mochte. Bei der Lullischen Kunst befand ich
viel Geschrei und wenig Wolle. Ich machte mich hinter die Kabbala der
Hebräer und Hieroglyphicas der Egypter, fand aber als Allerletztes
von allen meinen Künsten und Wissenschaften, daß keine bessere sei als
Theologia.

Nach derselben Richtschnure erfand ich vor die Menschen eine Art
zu leben, die mehr englisch als menschlich sein könnte. Es sollte
sich meines Davorhaltens eine Gesellschaft zusammen tun beides:
von verehelichten als ledigen so Manns- als Weibspersonen, die
auf Manier der Wiedertäufer allein sich beflissen, unter einem
verständigen Vorsteher durch ihrer Hände Arbeit ihren Unterhalt zu
gewinnen und sich die übrige Zeit mit dem Lob und Dienst Gottes und
um ihrer Seelen Seligkeit zu bemühen. Ich hatte hiebevor in Ungarn
auf den wiedertäuferischen Höfen ein solches Leben gesehen und vor
das seligste in der ganzen Welt geschätzet, dann sie kamen mir in
ihrem Tun und Leben allerdings für wie die jüdischen Essäer. Sie
hatten erstlich große Schätze und überflüssige Nahrung, die sie aber
keineswegs verschwendeten. Kein Fluch, Murmelung, noch Ungeduld ward
bei ihnen gespüret, ja, man hörete kein unnützes Wort. Da sahe ich
Handwerker in ihren Werkstätten arbeiten, als wann sie es verdingt
hätten. Ihr Schulmeister unterrichtete die Jugend, als wann sie alle
seine leiblichen Kinder gewesen wären. Nirgends sahe ich Manns- und
Weibsbilder untereinander vermischt, sondern an jedem bestimmten Ort
auch jedes Geschlecht absonderlich seine obliegend Arbeit verrichten.
Ich fand Zimmer, in welchen nur Kindbetterinnen waren, die ohne
Obsorge ihrer Männer durch ihre Mitschwestern mit aller notwendigen
Pflege samt ihren Kindern reichlich versehen wurden. Andere sonderbare
Säle standen voll Wiegen mit Säuglingen, die von andern Weibern, das
waren Witwen, beobachtet wurden, daß sich deren Mütter ferners nicht
um sie bekümmern durften, als wann sie täglich zu dreien gewissen
Zeiten kamen, ihnen ihre mildreichen Brüste zu bieten. Anderswo sahe
ich das weibliche Geschlecht sonst nichts tun als spinnen, also daß man
über die hundert Kunkeln oder Spinnrocken in einem Zimmer beieinander
antraf. Da war eine die Wäscherin, die andere die Bettmacherin, die
dritte Viehmagd, die vierte Schüsselwäscherin, die fünfte Kellerin, die
sechste hatte das weiße Zeug zu verwalten und also auch die übrigen
alle wußten eine jede, was sie tun sollten. Und gleichwie die Ämter
unter dem weiblichen Geschlecht ordentlich ausgeteilet waren, also
wußte auch unter den Männern und Jünglingen ein jeder sein Geschäft.
Die Kranken hatten Wärter und Wärterin und stund ihnen ein allgemeiner
Medicus und Apotheker bei, wiewohl sie wegen löblicher Diät und
guter Ordnung selten erkrankten. Sie hatten ihre gewissen Stunden
zum Essen und Schlafen, aber keine einzige Minute zum Spielen noch
Spazieren, außerhalb die Jugend, welche mit ihrem Präceptor jedesmal
nach dem Essen der Gesundheit halber eine Stunde spazierte. Da war kein
Zorn, kein Eifer, keine Rachgier, kein Neid, keine Feindschaft, keine
Sorge um Zeitliches, keine Hoffart, keine Reue. Kein Mann sahe sein
Weib, als wann er auf die bestimmte Zeit sich mit derselben in seiner
Schlafkammer befand, in welcher er sein zugerichtetes Bette und sonst
nichts darbei als einen Wasserkrug und weißen Handzwilch fand, damit
sie mit gewaschenen Händen schlafen gehen und des Morgens an die Arbeit
aufstehen möchten. Und alle hießen einander Schwester und Bruder, und
war doch solche ehrbare Verträulichkeit keine Ursache unkeusch zu sein.
Ein solches seliges Leben, wie diese Wiedertäuferischen Ketzer führten,
hätte ich gern auch aufgebracht. Und hätte als ein anderer Dominicus
oder Franciscus einer solchen vereinigten Christengesellschaft
meinen Hof und ganzes Vermögen zum besten gegeben, unter denselben ein
Mitglied zu sein. Aber mein Knän profezeite mir stracks, daß ich wohl
nimmermehr solche Bursche zusammenbringen würde.

Das neunte Kapitel

Denselbigen Herbst näherten sich französische, schwedische und
hessische Völker, sich bei uns zu erfrischen, deswegen dann jedermann
sich selbst samt seinem Viehe und besten Sachen in die hohen Wälder
flüchtete. Ich machte es wie meine Nachbarn und ließ das Haus ziemlich
leer stehen, in welches ein reformierter schwedischer Obrister logieret
ward. Derselbige fand in meinem Kabinett noch etliche Bücher, dann
ich in der Eil nicht alles hinwegbringen konnte, und unter andern
einzige mathematische und geometrische Abrisse, auch etwas vom
Fortifikationswesen. Er schloß deshalben, daß sein Quartier keinem
gemeinen Bauren zuständig sein müßte, fing derowegen an, sich um meine
Person zu erkundigen und ihr nach zu trachten, maßen er selbsten durch
courtoise Zuentbietungen und untermischte Drohworte mich dahin brachte,
daß ich mich zu ihm auf meinem Hof begab. Mit großer Freundlichkeit
brachte er zu Wege, daß ich ihm mein Geschlecht und Herkommen und alle
meine Beschaffenheit vertraute. Er verwunderte sich, daß ich mitten im
Kriege meine Gaben, die mir Gott verliehen, hinter dem Ofen und beim
Pflug verschimmeln lasse. Wenn ich schwedische Dienste annehmen würde,
so wüßte er, daß mich meine Qualitäten und Kriegswissenschaften bald
hoch bringen würden. Ich ließ mich hiezu kaltsinnig an. Aber er drang
weiter in mich, maßen ihm von Torstensohn ein Regiment versprochen
sei, wann er ein solches erhalten würde, woran er dann gar nicht
zweifle, so wolle er mich alsbald zu seinem Obrist-Leutnant machen. Mit
dergleichen Worten machte er mir das Maul ganz wässerig und weilen
noch schlechte Hoffnung auf den Frieden war und ich deswegen sowohl
fernerer Einquartierung als gänzlichen Ruins unterworfen, resolvierete
ich mich wieder um mitzumachen, sofern er mir seine Parola halten und
die Obrist-Leutnantstelle geben wollte.

Also ward die Glocke gegossen, ich ließ meinen Knän holen, derselbe
war noch mit meinem Viehe zu Bayrischbrunn, verschrieb ihm meinen Hof
vor Eigentum, doch daß ihn nach seinem Tod der Magdsohn erben sollte,
weil kein ehelicher Erbe vorhanden. Folgends holete ich mein Pferd und
was ich noch an Geld und Kleinodien hatte. Da ward die Einquartierung
plötzlich aufgehoben und wir mußten, ehe wir uns dessen versahen zur
Hauptarmee marschieren.

Die torstensohnischen Promessen, mit denen sich der Obrist auf meinem
Hof breit gemachet, waren bei weitem nicht so groß, als er vorgeben, er
ward vielmehr nur über die Achsel angesehen. Und demnach er argwöhnete,
daß ich mich bei ihm in die Länge nicht gedulden würde, dichtete er
Briefe, als wenn er in Livland, allwo er zu Haus war, ein frisch
Regiment zu werben hätte, und überredete mich, daß ich gleich ihm zu
Wismar aufsaß und mit nach Livland fuhr. Allein er hatte kein Regiment
zu werben und war auch sonsten ein blutarmer Edelmann.

Obzwar nun ich mich hatte zweimal betrügen und so weit hinweg
führen lassen, so ging ich doch auch das dritte Mal an, dann er
wiese mir Schreiben vor, die er aus Moskau bekommen, in welchen ihm
hohe Kriegschargen angetragen wurden. Und weil er gleich mit Weib
und Kindern aufbrach, dachte ich, er wird ja um der Gänse willen
nicht hinziehen. -- An der reußischen Grenze begegneten uns aber
unterschiedliche abgedankte deutsche Soldaten, vornehmlich Offizierer,
also daß mir anfing zu graueln.

»Was Teufels machen wir! Wo Krieg ist ziehen wir hinweg, und wo es
Friede und die Soldaten abgedankt werden, da kommen wir hin?«

Er gab mir immer gute Worte, ich sollte ihn nur sorgen lassen, er wüßte
besser, was zu tun sei.

Nachdem wir nun sicher in der Stadt Moskau angekommen, konferierte mein
Obrist täglich mit den Magnaten und vielmehr noch mit dem Metropoliten.
Endlich gab er mir bekannt, daß es nichts mehr mit dem Krieg wäre, und
daß ihn sein Gewissen treibe, die griechische Religion anzunehmen. Sein
treuherziger Rat wäre, weil er mir ohndas nunmehr nicht helfen könnte,
wie er versprochen, ich sollte ihm nachfolgen. Des Zaren Majestät hätte
bereits gute Nachricht von meiner Person und vortrefflichen Qualitäten,
die würden gnädigst belieben, sofern ich mich fügen wollte, mich als
einen Kavalier mit einem stattlichen Gut und vielen Untertanen zu
begnadigen.

Ich ward hierüber ganz bestürzt, deswegen ich dann, eh ich mich auf
eine Antwort resolvieren konnte, lange stillschwieg. Endlich brachte
ich vor, ich wäre gekommen ihrer zarischen Majestät als ein Soldat zu
dienen, seien nun dieselbe meiner Kriegsdienste nicht bedörftig, so
könnte ich nichts ändern, daß aber dieselbe mir eine so hohe zarische
Gnade allergnädigst widerfahren zu lassen geruhten, wäre mir mehr
Pflicht zu rühmen, als solche alleruntertänigst zu acceptieren, weil
ich mich meine Religion zu ändern noch zurzeit nicht entschließen
könnte, wünschete vielmehr, daß ich wiederum im Schwarzwald auf meinem
Baurenhof säße.

Hierauf antwortete er: »Der Herr tue nach seinem Belieben, allein
ich hätte vermeinet, wann Ihn Gott und das Glück grüßeten, so sollte
Er beiden billig danken. Wann Er sich ja nicht helfen lassen und Er
gleichsam wie ein Prinz leben will, so verhoffe ich gleichwohl, Er
werde davor halten, ich habe an Ihm das Meinige nach äußersten Vermögen
zu tun keinen Fleiß gesparet.«

Daraufhin machte er einen tiefen Bückling, ging seines Wegs und ließ
mich dort sitzen, ohn daß er zulassen wollte, ihm nur bis zur Tür das
Geleite zu geben.

Als ich nun ganz perplex dasaß und meinen damaligen Zustand
betrachtete, hörete ich zween reußische Wägen vor unserm Losament.
Sahe darauf zum Fenster hinaus und wie mein guter Herr Obrister mit
seinen Söhnen in dem einen und die Frau Obristin mit ihren Töchtern in
den andern einstieg. Es waren großfürstliche Fuhren und Livrei zumalen
etliche Geistliche dabei, so diesem Ehevolk gleichsam aufwarteten und
allen guten, geneigten Willen erzeugeten.

Das zehent Kapitel

Von dieser Zeit an ward ich zwar nicht offentlich, sondern heimlich
durch etliche Strelitzen verwachet und mein Obrister oder die Seinigen
kamen mir nicht ein Mal mehr zu Gesicht. Damals satzte es seltsame
Grillen und viele graue Haare auf meinem Kopf. Ich machte Kundschaft
mit den Deutschen, die sich von Kauf- und Handwerksleuten in Moskau
ordinari aufhalten, und klagte ihnen mein Anliegen. Sie gaben
mir Trost und Anleitung, wie ich wieder mit guter Gelegenheit nach
Deutschland kommen könne. Sobald sie aber Wind bekamen, daß der Zar
mich im Land zu behalten entschlossen sei und mich dazu drängen wollte,
wurden sie alle zu Stummen an mir, ja sie entäußerten sich meiner und
es ward mir schwer, auch nur vor meinen Leib Herberge zu bekommen;
Pferd und Sattelzeug war bereits verzehret. Als ich dann alle Dukaten
aus meinen Kleidern getrennt, fing ich an, meine Ringe und Kleinodien
zu versilbern. Indessen lief ein Vierteljahr herum, nach welchem
oftgemeldter Obrister samt seinem Hausgesind umgetauft und mit einem
ansehnlichen Gut und vielen Untertanen versehen ward.

Damals ging ein Mandat aus, daß man wie unter den Einheimischen so
auch unter den Fremden keine Müßiggänger bei hoher unausbleiblicher
Strafe leiden sollte, als die den Arbeitenden nur das Brot vor dem
Maul wegfressen. Was von Fremdem nicht arbeiten wollte, das sollte in
einem Monat das Land verlassen. Also schlugen sich unserer bei fünfzig
zusammen, der Meinung den Weg nach Deutschland miteinander zu machen.
Wir wurden aber nicht zwei Stunden weit von der Stadt von reußischen
Reutern eingeholet mit Vorwand, daß ihre zarische Majestät ein groß
Mißfallen hätte, daß wir uns frevelhafter Weise unterstanden, in so
starker Anzahl zusammen zu rotten und ohn Paß dero Land durchzögen. Auf
unserm Rückwege erfuhr ich, wie mein Handel beschaffen war, dann der
Führer sagte mir ausdrücklich, daß die zarische Majestät mich nicht aus
dem Land lassen würden, sein treuherziger Rat wäre, ich sollte mich in
dero allergnädigsten Willen fügen, zu ihrer Religion übertreten, sonst
ich wider Willen als ein Knecht dienen müßte. Einen so wohlerfahrenen
Mann wolle ihre zarische Majestät nicht aus dem Lande lassen.

Ich verringerte mich bescheidentlich ob meiner Tugend und
Wissenschaften mit Versicherung, daß ich an meinem äußersten Vermögen
nichts verwinden lassen würde, sofern ich in einzigerlei Wege ihrer
zarischen Majestät ohn Beschwerung meines Gewissens und ohne meine
Religion zu ändern, dienen könnte.

Ich ward von den andern abgesondert und zu einem Kaufherrn logiert,
allwo ich nunmehr offentlich verwachet, hingegen aber täglich mit
herrlichen Speisen und köstlichem Getränk vom Hof aus versehen wurde.
Hatte auch täglich Leute, die mir zusprachen und mich hin und wieder
zu Gast luden, sonderlich einer. Dieser diskurierte mehrenteils mit
mir von allerhand mechanischen Künsten, item Kriegs- und anderen
Maschinen, vom Fortifikationswesen und der Artollerei mit freundlichen
Gesprächen, dann ich konnte schon ziemlich reußisch reden. Als er
unterschiedliche Mal auf den Busch geklopft und keine Hoffnung fassen
konnte, daß ich mich im geringsten ändern würde, so bat er mich, ich
sollte doch dem großen Zar zu Ehren ihrer Nation etwas von meinen
Wissenschaften mitteilen, ihr Zar würde meine Willfährigkeit mit hohen
kaiserlichen Gnaden erkennen. Darauf antwortete ich, meine Affection
wäre jederzeit dahin gestanden.

Als er nun solche Offerten verstund, sagte er, daß ihre zarische
Majestät allergnädigst bedacht wären, in dero Landen selber Salpeter
zu graben und Pulver zurichten zu lassen, weil aber niemand unter
ihnen wäre, der damit umgehen könnte, würde ich der zarischen Majestät
einen angenehmen Dienst erweisen, wann ich mich des Werks unterfinge,
sie würden mir hierzu Leute und Mittel genug an die Hand schaffen.
Er vor seine Person wolle mich aufs aufrichtigste gebeten haben, ich
sollte solches allergnädigstes Ansinnen nicht abschlagen, dieweilen
sie bereits genugsam Nachricht hätten, daß ich mich auf diese Sachen
trefflich wohl verstünde. Darauf sagte ich mit courtoisen Worten zu,
soferne ihre zarische Majestät gnädigst geruhten, mich in meiner
Religion passieren zu lassen. So ward dieser Reuße trefflich lustig,
also daß er mir mit dem Trunk mehr zusprach als ein Deutscher.

Am andern Tag kamen vom Zar zween Knesen und ein Dolmetsch, die
ein endlichs mit mir beschlossen und von wegen des Zaren mir ein
köstlich reußisch Kleid verehreten. Also fing ich gleich etliche
Tage hernach an, Salpetererde zu suchen und meinen Leuten zu lernen,
wie sie dieselbe von der Erde separieren und läutern sollten. Mithin
verfertigte ich die Abrisse zu einer Pulvermühle und lehrete andere
die Kohlen brennen, daß wir also in ganz kurzer Zeit sowohl des
besten Pirsch- als des groben Stückpulvers eine ziemliche Quantität
verfertigten, dann ich hatte Leute genug und darneben auch meine
sonderbaren Diener, die mir aufwarteten, oder besser zu sagen, die
mich hüten und verwahren sollten.

Ich war einsmals geschäftig auf den Pulvermühlen, die ich hatte
außerhalb Moskaus an den Fluß bauen lassen, da ward unversehens Alarm,
weilen sich die Tataren bereits vier Meilen weit auf hunderttausend
Pferde stark befanden, das Land plünderten und also immerhin
fortavancierten. Wir mußten uns an Hof begeben, allwo wir aus des
Zars Rüstkammer und Marstall montiert wurden. Ich zwar ward anstatt
des Kürasses mit einem gesteppten seidenen Panzer angetan, welcher
jeden Pfeil aufhielt, aber vor keiner Kugel schußfrei sein konnte;
Stiefeln, Sporen, und eine fürstliche Hauptzier mit einem Reiherbusch,
samt einem Säbel, der Haar schur, mit lauter Gold beschlagen und
Edelsteinen versetzt, wurden mir dargegeben. Von des Zaren Pferden ward
mir ein solches unterzogen, dergleichen ich zuvor mein Lebtag keines
gesehen, geschweige geritten. Ich und das Pferdzeug glänzten von Gold,
Silber, Edelsteinen und Perlen. Ich hatte eine stählerne Streitkolbe
angehangen. Mir folgte eine weiße Fahne mit einem doppelten Adler,
welcher von allen Orten und Winkeln gleichsam Volk zuschneiete, also
daß wir eh zwei Stunden verzogen bei vierzig und nach vier Stunden bei
sechzigtausend Pferde stark waren.

Es ist meiner Histori an diesem Treffen nicht viel gelegen, ich will
allein dies sagen, daß wir die Tataren, so mit müden Pferden und vielen
Beuten beladen anzogen, urplötzlich in einem ziemlich tiefen Gelände
antrafen, als sie sich dessen am allerwenigsten versahen. Im ersten
Angriff sagte ich zu meinen Nachfolgern in reußischer Sprache: »Nun
wohlan, es tue jeder wie ich!«

Solches schrieen sie einander zu. Dem ersten, welcher ein Mirsa war,
schlug ich den Kopf entzwei. Die Reußen folgten meinem heroischen
Exempel, so daß die Tataren sich in allgemeine Flucht wandten. Ich tät
wie ein Rasender oder wie einer, der aus Desperation den Tod sucht und
nicht finden kann. Was mir vorkam, schlug ich nieder, es wäre gleich
Tatar oder Reuße gewesen. Und die, so vom Zar auf mich bestellet waren,
drangen mir so fleißig nach, daß ich allezeit einen sichern Rücken
behielt. Die Luft flog voller Pfeile, als wann Immen geschwärmt hätten,
wovon mir dann einer in Arm zu teil wird. Eh ich den Pfeil auffing,
lachte mein Herz in meinem Leib an solcher Blutvergießung, da ich aber
meine eigen Blut fließen sahe, verkehrete sich das Lachen in unsinnige
Wut. Demnach sich aber diese grimmigen Feinde in eine hauptsächliche
Flucht wandten, ward mir von etlichen Knesen im Namen des Zaren
befohlen, ihrem Kaiser die Botschaft zu bringen, ich hatte hundert
Pferde zur Nachfolge. Da ritt ich durch die Stadt der zarischen Wohnung
zu und ward von allen Menschen mit Frohlocken und Glückwünschung
empfangen. Sobald ich aber von dem Treffen Bericht erstattet, mußte ich
meine festlichen Kleider wieder ablegen, welche wiederum in des Zaren
Kleiderbehaltnus aufgehoben wurden, wiewohl sie samt dem Pferdgezeug
über und über mit Blut besprengt und besudelt waren und also fast gar
zunicht gemachet waren. Sie sollten mir zum wenigsten samt dem Pferd
als Ehrengabe überlassen worden sein.

Solang meine Wunde zu heilen hatte, ward ich allerdings fürstlich
traktieret. Ich ging in einem Schlafpelz von göldenem Stück mit Zobel
gefüttert, wiewohl der Schade weder tötlich noch gefährlich war, und
ich habe die Tage meines Lebens niemals keiner solchen fetten Küchen
genossen als eben damals. Solches aber war alle meine Beute, die ich
von meiner Arbeit hatte, ohn das Lob, so mir der Zar verliehe.

Als ich gänzlich heil war, ward ich mit einem Schiff die Wolga hinunter
nach Astrachan geschickt, daselbsten wie in Moskau eine Pulvermacherei
anzuordnen, weil dem Zar unmöglich war, diese Grenzfestungen allezeit
von Moskau aus mit frischem und gerechtem Pulver zu versehen. Ich ließ
mich gern gebrauchen, weil ich Promessen hatte, der Zar würde mich nach
Verrichtung solchen Geschäftes wiederum in Holland fertigen und mir,
meinen Verdiensten gemäß, ein namhaftes Stück Geld mitgeben.

Als ich aber im besten Tun war und mich außerhalb der Festung über
Nacht in einer Pulvermühle befand, ward ich von einer Schar Tataren
diebischenweise gestohlen und aufgehoben, weit ins Land hinein
verschleppt und endlich um etliche chinesisch Kaufmannswaren den
niuchischen Tataren vertauscht, welche mich nachher dem König von
Korea als ein sonderbares Präsent verehreten. Daselbst ward ich wert
gehalten, und weil ich dem König lehrete, wie er mit dem Rohr, auf
der Achsel liegend und mit dem Rücken gegen die Scheibe gekehrt,
dannoch ins Schwarze treffen könnte, schenkte er mir die Freiheit und
fertigte mich durch Japonia nach Makao zu den Portugesen. Etlich
Kaufleute nahmen mich mit ihren Waren nach Alexandria in Egypten, und
von dort kam ich nach Konstantinopel. Weil aber der türkische Kaiser
eben damalen etliche Galeeren wider die Venediger ausrüstete, mußten
viel türkische Kaufleute ihre christlichen Sklaven um bare Bezahlung
hergeben, worunter ich mich dann als ein junger, starker Kerl auch
befand. Also mußte ich lernen rudern. Aber solche schwere Dienstbarkeit
währete nicht über zween Monat, dann unsere Galeere ward in Levante
von denen Venetianern ritterlich übermannet und ich aus der türkischen
Gewalt erlediget.

Ich bekam leichtlich einen Paß, weil ich nach Rom und Loretto
pilgerweis wollte, um Gott vor meine Erledigung zu danken.

Von dannen kam ich über den Gotthart durchs Schweizerland wieder auf
den Schwarzwald zu meinem Knän, welcher meinen Hof treu bewahret. Ich
brachte nichts besonders heim als einen Bart, der mir in der Fremde
gewachsen war.

Indessen war der deutsche Friede geschlossen worden, also daß ich bei
meinem Knän in sicherer Ruh leben konnte. Ich ließ ihn sorgen und
hausen und satzte mich hinter die Bücher, welches dann beides: meine
Arbeit und Ergetzung war.

Das elfte Kapitel

Ich lase einsmals, was das Orakel den römischen Abgesandten, als sie es
fragten, was sie tun müßten, damit ihre Untertanen friedlich regiert
würden, zur Antwort gabe: »Nosce te ipsum«, das ist: Es soll sich
jeder selbst erkennen. Solches machte, daß ich mich hintersann und
Rechnung über mein geführtes Leben begehrete. Da sagte ich alsdann zu
mir selbst:

Dein Leben ist kein Leben gewesen sondern ein Tod, deine Tage ein
schwerer Schatten, deine Jahre ein schwerer Traum, deine Wollüste
schwere Sünden, deine Jugend eine Phantasei, deine Wohlfahrt ein
Alchimistenschatz, der zum Schornstein hinausfähret und dich verläßt,
eh du dich dessen versiehst. Du hast im Krieg viel Glück und Unglück
eingenommen, bist bald hoch, bald nieder, bald groß, bald klein, bald
reich, bald arm, bald fröhlich, bald betrübt, beliebt und verhaßt,
geehrt und veracht gewesen -- aber nun du, meine arme Seele, was hast
du von dieser ganzen Reise zuwege gebracht?

Arm bin ich an Gut, mein Herz ist beschwert mit Sorgen, zu allem
Guten bin ich faul, träg und verderbt. Mein Gewissen ist ängstlich
und beladen, ich bin mit Sünden überhäuft und abscheulich besudelt.
Der Leib ist müde, der Verstand verwirrt, die Unschuld ist hin, meine
beste Jugend verschlissen, die edle Zeit verloren. Nichts ist, das mich
erfreuet, ich bin mir selber feind.

Mit solchen Gedanken quälte ich mich täglich und eben damals kamen mir
etliche Schriften des Antonio de Guevara unter die Hände, davon ich
etwas zum Beschluß hierher setze, weil sie kräftig waren, mir die Welt
vollends zu verleiten.

Diese lauten also:

Adieu Welt, dann auf dich ist nicht zu trauen. In deinem Haus ist
das Vergangene schon verschwunden, das Gegenwärtige verschwindet uns
unter den Händen, das Zukünftige hat nie angefangen, also daß du ein
Toter bist unter den Toten und in hundert Jahren läßt du uns nicht eine
Stunde leben.

Adieu Welt, dann du nimmst uns gefangen und läßt uns nicht wieder
ledig, du bindest uns und lösest uns nicht wieder auf, du tötest ohne
Urteil, begräbst ohne Sterben. Bei dir ist keine Freude ohne Kummer,
kein Fried ohn Uneinigkeit, keine Ruhe ohne Forcht, keine Fülle ohne
Mängel, keine Ehre ohne Makel, kein Gut ohne bös Gewissen, keine
Freundschaft ohne Falschheit.

Adieu Welt, dann in deinem Palast dienet man ohn Entgelt, man
liebkoset, um zu töten, man erhöhet, um zu stürzen, man hilft, um zu
fällen, man ehrt, um zu schänden, man straft ohn Verzeihen.

Behüt dich Gott, Welt, dann in deinem Haus werden die großen Herren
und Favoriten gestürzet, die Unwürdigen herfürgezogen, Verräter mit
Gnaden angesehen, Getreue in Winkel gestellet, Unschuldige verurteilet,
den Weisen und Qualifizierten gibt man Urlaub, den Ungeschickten große
Besoldung, den Hinterlistigen wird geglaubet, und Aufrichtige und
Redliche haben keinen Kredit. Ein jeder tut, was er will, und keiner,
was er soll.

Adieu Welt, dann in dir wird niemand mit seinem rechten Namen
genennet, den Vermessenen nennt man kühn, den Verzagten fürsichtig,
den Ungestümen emsig, den Nachlässigen friedsam, ein Verschwender wird
herrlich genannt, ein Karger eingezogen. Einen hinterlistigen Schwätzer
und Plauderer nennet man beredt, den Stillen einen Narren oder
Phantasten, einen Ehebrecher und Jungfrauenschänder nennt man einen
Buhler, einen Unflat nennt man Hofmann, einen Rachgierigen eifrig,
einen Sanftmütigen einen Phantasten.

Adieu Welt, dann du verführest jedermann: den Ehrgeizigen verheißest
du Ehre, dem Unruhigen Veränderung, dem Hochtragenden Fürstengnade, dem
Nachlässigen Ämter, Fressern und Unkeuschen Freude und Wollust, Feinden
Rache, Dieben Heimlichkeit.

Adieu Welt, dann in deinem Palast findet weder Wahrheit noch Treue
Herberge! Wer mit dir redet, wird verschamt, wer dir trauet, betrogen,
wer dir folget, verführt. Du betreugst, stürzest, schändest, besudelst,
drohest, vergissest jedermann; dannenhero weinet, seufzet, jammert,
klaget und verderbt jedermann und jedermann nimmt ein Ende. Bei dir
siehet und lernet man nichts, als einander hassen bis zum Würgen, reden
bis zum Lügen, lieben bis zum Verzweifeln, handeln bis zum Stehlen,
bitten bis zum Betrügen, sündigen bis zum Sterben.

Behüt dich Gott, Welt, dann dieweil man dir nachgehet verzehret man
die Zeit in Vergessenheit, die Jugend mit Rennen, Laufen, Spielen,
die Mannheit mit Pflanzen und Bauen, Sorgen und Klagen, Kaufen und
Verkaufen, Zanken, Hadern, Kriegen, Lügen und Betrügen, das Alter in
Jammer und Elend, in summa nichts als Mühe und Arbeit bis in den Tod.

Adieu Welt, dann niemand ist mit dir content oder zufrieden. Ist er
arm, so will er haben, ist er reich, so will er gelten, ist er veracht,
so will er hoch steigen, ist er beleidigt, so will er sich rächen, ist
er in Gnaden, so will er viel gebieten, ist er lasterhaftig, so will er
nur bei gutem Mut sein.

Adieu Welt, dann bei dir ist nichts beständig. Die hohen Türme werden
vom Blitz erschlagen, die Mühlen vom Wasser hinweggeführet, das Holz
wird von Würmern, das Korn von Mäusen, die Frucht von Raupen, die
Kleider von Schaben gefressen. Das Viehe verdirbt vor Alter, der Mensch
vor Krankheit.

O Welt, behüt dich Gott, dann in deinem Haus führet man weder ein
heilig Leben noch einen gleichmäßigen Tod, der eine stirbt in der
Wiege, der ander in der Jugend auf dem Bette, der dritt am Strick, der
viert am Schwert, der fünft am Rad, der sechst auf dem Scheiterhaufen,
der siebend im Weinglas, der acht in Freßhafen, der neunt verworgt am
Gift, der zehnt durch Zauberei, der elft stirbt in der Schlacht, der
zwölft ertränkt seine arme Seel im Tintenfaß.

Behüt dich Gott, Welt, dann mich verdreußt deine Conversation!
Das Leben, das du uns gibst, ist eine elende Pilgerfahrt, ein
unbeständiges, ungewisses, hartes, rauhes, hinflüchtiges und unreines
Leben voll Armseligkeit und Irrtum. Du lässest dich der Bitterkeit
des Todes, mit deren du umgeben und durchsalzen bist, nicht genügen,
sondern betreugst noch darzu die meisten mit deinem Schmeicheln. Du
gibst aus dem goldenen Kelch Lüge und Falschheit zu trinken und machest
blind, taub, toll, voll und sinnlos. Du machst aus uns einen finsteren
Abgrund, ein elendes Erdreich, ein Kind des Zorns, ein stinkend Aas,
ein unreines Geschirr in der Mistgrube voller Gestank und Greuel.
Darum, o Welt, behüt dich Gott!

Adieu, o Welt, o schnöde, arge Welt! Anstatt deiner Freuden und
Wollüste werden die bösen Geister an die unbußfertigen, verdammten
Seelen Hand anlegen und sie in einem Augenblick in den Abgrund der
Hölle reißen. Alsdann ist alle Hoffnung der Gnade und Milderung aus!
Und je mehr einer sich bei dir, o arge, schnöde Welt, hat herrlich
gemachet, je mehr schenket man ihm Qual und Leiden ein, dann so
erforderts die göttliche Gerechtigkeit! Alsdann wird die arme Seele
ächzen: Verflucht seist du, Welt, weil ich durch dein Anstiften Gottes
und meiner selbst vergessen! Verflucht sei die Stunde, in deren Schoß
mich Gott erschuf! Verflucht der Tag, darin ich geboren bin! O ihr
Berge, Hügel und Felsen, fallet auf mich und verberget mich vor dem
grimmigen Zorn des Lamms, vor dem Angesicht dessen, der auf dem Stuhl
sitzet! Ach Wehe und aber Wehe in Ewigkeit!

O Welt, du unreine Welt, derhalben beschwöre ich dich, ich bitte, ich
versuche, ich ermahne dich und protestiere wider dich, du wollest
keinen Teil mehr an mir haben!

Ich habe das Ende gesetzt der Sorge. Lebet wohl, Hoffnung und Glück!

   *       *       *       *       *

Diese Worte erwog ich mit Fleiß und stetigem Nachdenken. Endlich
verließ ich die Welt und wurde wieder Einsiedel. Ich hätte gern bei
meinem Sauerbrunn im Muckenloch gewohnet, aber die Bauren in der
Nachbarschaft wollten es nicht leiden. Sie besorgten, ich würde den
Brunn verraten.

Ich begab mich deshalb in eine andere Wildnus und fing mein spessarter
Leben wieder an.

Gott verleihe uns allen seine Gnade, das wir allesamt das von ihm
erlangen, woran uns am meisten gelegen: nämlich ein seliges

                        _Ende_!

Dieses Buch wurde als zweiter Band der Jahresreihe 1919/1920 für
den Volksverband der Bücherfreunde hergestellt. Herausgegeben
von E. G. Kolbenheyer. Gedruckt wurde der Band von der Druckerei
Poeschel & Trepte, Leipzig, in der altschwabacher Drucktype. Der
Entwurf zum Einband, der vom Kunstmaler Willy Belling stammt,
wurde in der Spamer'schen Buchdruckerei, Leipzig, in Offsetdruck
hergestellt.

Ausschließlich für die Mitglieder des Volksverbands der
Bücherfreunde.

+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Anmerkungen zur Transkription |
| |
| Inkonsistenzen wurden beibehalten, wenn beide Schreibweisen |
| gebräuchlich waren, wie: |
| |
| abgefäumt -- abgefeumt |
| accomodiert -- accommodiert |
| accordieren -- akkordieren |
| Affection -- Affektion |
| Bauersmann -- Baursmann |
| Belägerung -- Belagerung |
| blies -- bließ |
| Böck -- Böcke |
| bößen -- bösen |
| Cavalcada -- Cavalcade |
| dabei -- darbei |
| dagegen -- dargegen |
| darauf -- drauf |
| discurierte -- diskurierte -- diskutierte |
| Doctor -- Doktor |
| dorfte -- dörfte |
| Ehestand -- Ehstand |
| eigene -- eigne |
| Erlaubnis -- Erlaubnus |
| Eskadron -- Esquadronen |
| Faßnacht -- Fastnacht |
| Feldwaibel -- Feldweibel |
| Fußstapfen -- Fußtapfen |
| Gansstall -- Gänsstall |
| Gebärden -- Geberden |
| Gedächtnis -- Gedächtnus |
| Gefängnis -- Gefängnus |
| gräulich -- greulich |
| Hellebarden -- Hellebarten |
| hie- -- hier- |
| hiesigen -- hießigen |
| irgendswo -- irgendwo |
| ist's -- ists |
| Kapitain -- Kapitän |
| Lucifer -- Luzifer |
| Mauer -- Maur |
| Obrist-Leutenant -- Obrist-Leutnant |
| öffentliche -- offentliche |
| Paradeis -- Paradies |
| perfecter -- perfekter |
| Phantasei -- Phantasie |
| Präceptor -- Praeceptor |
| prakticiert -- praktiziert |
| Rauberei -- Räuberei |
| Ruben -- Rüben |
| Sattel-Zeug -- Sattelzeug |
| schrieen -- schrien |
| Schultz -- Schulz |
| Schwäher -- Schweher -- Schwehr |
| seind -- sind |
| stack -- stak |
| Stiegelhüpfer -- Stieglhupfer |
| Taback -- Tabak -- Tobak |
| ungeheuere -- ungeheure |
| unmöglich -- unmüglich |
| unseren -- unsern |
| unverholen -- unverhohlen |
| verträulich -- vertraulich -- vertreulich |
| Vorteil -- Vortel |
| Wammesklopfer -- Wamsklopfer |
| zehen -- zehn |
| zuforderst -- zuvorderst |
| zwanzig -- zwenzig |
| |
| Interpunktion wurde ohne Erwähnung korrigiert. |
| Im Text wurden folgende Änderungen vorgenommen: |
| |
| S. 4 »Erdboten« in »Erdboden« geändert. |
| S. 11 »Geis« in »Geiß« geändert. |
| S. 14 »vohin« in »wohin« geändert. |
| S. 18 »bedunkte« in »bedünkte« geändert. |
| S. 24 »Parrherrn« in »Pfarrherrn« geändert. |
| S. 29 »Officierer« in »Offizierer« geändert. |
| S. 31 »müßen« in »müssen« geändert. |
| S. 39 »Corps de Guarde« in »Corps de Garde« geändert. |
| S. 45 »abgegeangen« in »abgegangen« geändert. |
| S. 46 »Mannsfelder« in »Mansfelder« geändert. |
| S. 47 »wollinen« in »wollenen« geändert. |
| S. 59 »Einsiedl« in »Einsiedel« geändert. |
| S. 59 »solichs« in »solches« geändert. |
| S. 63 »sattgessen« in »sattgegessen« geändert. |
| S. 67 »Bulerei« in »Buhlerei« geändert. |
| S. 76 »mollte« in »wollte« geändert. |
| S. 77 »Unsachen« in »Ursachen« geändert. |
| S. 79 »erschüge« in »erschlüge« geändert. |
| S. 97 »Immagination« in »Imagination« geändert. |
| S. 98 »Nabochodonosor« in »Nabuchodonosor« geändert. |
| S. 103 »Orfeigen« in »Ohrfeigen« geändert. |
| S. 108 »forchterlich« in »förchterlich« geändert. |
| S. 111 »hamburger und zerbster Bier« in |
| »Hamburger und Zerbster Bier« geändert. |
| S. 114 »aus Befehl« in »auf Befehl« geändert. |
| S. 123 »war beliebt« in »was beliebt« geändert. |
| S. 131 »Kurasche« in »Courage« geändert. |
| S. 137 »allerfeulste« in »allerfäulste« geändert. |
| S. 137 »salvaguadiert« in »salvaguardiert« geändert. |
| S. 140 »Goesfeld« in »Coesfeld« geändert. |
| S. 142 »Reckinghusen« in »Recklinghausen« geändert. |
| S. 146 »Geisbock« in »Geißbock« geändert. |
| S. 147 »Wohlerwürden« in »Wohlehrwürden« geändert. |
| S. 155 »was du wilt« in »was du willst« geändert. |
| S. 171 »Reckinghausen« in »Recklinghausen« geändert. |
| S. 173 »dahingenen« in »dahingegen« geändert. |
| S. 175 »wider« in »wieder« geändert. |
| S. 181 »gnug« in »genug« geändert. |
| S. 197 »Narre« in »Narren« geändert. |
| S. 204 »selbt« in »selbst« geändert. |
| S. 204 »gemanglet« in »gemangelt« geändert. |
| S. 211 »Krobaten« in »Kroaten« geändert. |
| S. 215 »Schaz« in »Schatz« geändert. |
| S. 218 »Copei« in »Copie« geändert. |
| S. 218 »Halb« in »halb« geändert. |
| S. 228 »instruieret« in »instruierte« geändert. |
| S. 237 »Latern« in »Laterne« geändert. |
| S. 243 »verstrochene« in »versprochene« geändert. |
| S. 247 »machtst« in »machst« geändert. |
| S. 253 »krigte« in »kriegte« geändert. |
| S. 254 »Welicher« in »Welcher« geändert. |
| S. 258 »muße« in »mußte« geändert. |
| S. 285 »gesannte« in »gespannte« geändert. |
| S. 286 »wachet« in »machet« geändert. |
| S. 292 »Tot« in »Tod« geändert. |
| S. 298 »Spectakul« in »Spektakul« geändert. |
| S. 299 »wiederteuferisch« in »wiedertäuferisch« geändert. |
| S. 302 »Begegnussen« in »Begegnüssen« geändert. |
| S. 305 »verdrebt« in »verderbt« geändert. |
| S. 313 »stürtzete« in »stürzete« geändert. |
| S. 316 »bezahte« in »bezahlte« geändert. |
| S. 328 »Weißel« in »Weisel« geändert. |
| S. 331 »Samogeten« in »Samojeden« geändert. |
| S. 336 »kommen« in »komme« geändert. |
| S. 341 »jetz« in »jetzt« geändert. |
| S. 345 »uns« in »und« geändert. |
| S. 351 »ihn« in »ihm« geändert. |
| S. 352 »Stelitzen« in »Strelitzen« geändert. |
| S. 354 »Wisseuschaften« in »Wissenschaften« geändert. |
| |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+

英译本

BOOK V

Chap. i.: HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS TURNED PALMER AND WENT ON A PILGRIMAGE
WITH HERZBRUDER

Now Herzbruder being wholly restored and healed of his wounds, he told
me in secret he had in his greatest need made a vow to go on a
pilgrimage to Einsiedeln. And since in any case he was now so near to
Switzerland, he would perform the same though he must beg his way
thither. This was pleasant hearing for me: so I offered him my money
and my company, yea, and would buy a couple of nags to do the journey
upon, not indeed for the reason that religion urged me thereto, but
rather to see the Confederates' country as the one land wherein sacred
peace yet flourished. So I rejoiced much to have the opportunity to
serve Herzbruder on such a journey, seeing that I loved him almost more
than myself. Yet he refused both my help and my company with the excuse
that his pilgrimage must be performed on foot and with peas in his
shoes: and should I be in his company not only should I hinder him in
his pious thoughts, but should also bring on myself great discomfort by
reason of his slow going. All which he said to be rid of me, because he
did scruple on so holy a journey to spend money that had been gained by
robbery and murder: besides, he would not put me to too great expense,
and said openly that I had already done more for him than I owed him or
he could hope to repay: upon which we fell into a friendly dispute,
which same was so pleasant a quarrel that I have never heard the like,
for we talked of nothing but this, that each one said he had not yet
done for his fellow so much as one friend should for another, nay, was
yet far from making up for the benefits he had received. Yet all this
would not move him to take me for a companion, till I perceived that he
had a disgust both at Oliver's money and mine own godless life:
therefore I made shift with a lie and persuaded him that my intent to
reform my life did move me to go to Einsiedeln: and should he hinder me
from so good a work, and I thereupon should die, he should hardly
answer for it: by which I persuaded him to suffer me to visit that holy
place with him, especially since I (though 'twas all lies) made an
appearance of great penitence for my wicked life, and moreover did
persuade him I had laid on myself a penance to go to Einsiedeln on peas
even as he. But this quarrel was scarce over ere we fell into another,
for Herzbruder was too full of scruples: and hardly would he suffer me
to use the commandant's pass, because 'twas made out for me to go to my
regiment.

"How now!" said he, "is it not our intent to better our lives and to go
to Einsiedeln? And now see, in heaven's name wilt thou make a beginning
with deceit and blind men's eyes with falsehood? 'He that denieth Me
before the world him will I deny before My heavenly Father,' saith
Christ. What faint-hearted cowards be we! If all Christ's martyrs and
confessors had done the same there would be few saints in heaven. Let
us go in God's name and under His protection whither our holy intent
and desires lead us, and let God contrive for us the rest: for so will
He bring us in safety where our souls shall find peace." But when I set
before him how man should not tempt God, but suit himself to the times,
and use such means as could not be done without, and specially because
to go on pilgrimage was an unwonted thing for the Soldatesca, so that
if we revealed our purpose we should be accounted rather deserters than
pilgrims, which might bring us great trouble and danger: and chiefly
how the holy apostle St. Paul, to whom we could not compare ourselves,
had wonderfully suited himself to the times and needs of this world, at
the last he consented that I should get a pass to go to my regiment.
With this we passed out of the town at the shutting of the gates, with
a trusty guide, as we would go to Rotweil; but turned off short by a
by-way and came the same night over the Switzers' boundary and next
morning to a village, where we equipped ourselves with long black
cloaks, pilgrims' staves, and rosaries, and sent our guide home with a
good wage.

And here in comparison with other German lands the country seemed to me
as strange as if I had been in Brazil or China. I saw how the people
did trade and traffic in peace, how the stalls were full of cattle and
the farmyards crowded with fowls, geese, and ducks, the roads were used
in safety by travellers, and the inns were full of people making merry.
There was no fear of an enemy, no dread of plundering, and no terror of
losing goods and life and limb; each man lived under his own vine and
fig-tree, and that moreover (in comparison with other German lands) in
joy and delight, so that I held this land for an earthly Paradise,
though by nature it seemed rough as might be. So it came about that all
along the road I did but gape at this and that, whereas Herzbruder was
praying on his rosary, for which I earned many a reproof from him; for
he would have it I should pray without ceasing, to which I could not
accustom myself.

But at Zurich he found me out and told me the truth as tartly as might
be. For having rested the night at Schaffhausen, where the peas did
mightily gall my feet, and I fearing to walk upon them next day, I had
them boiled and put into my shoes again, and so came happily to Zurich,
while he found himself in sorry plight, and said to me, "Brother, thou
hast great favour of God, that notwithstanding the peas in thy shoes
thou canst walk so well." "Yea," said I, "dear Herzbruder: but I did
boil them, or I had not been able so far to walk upon them."

"God-a-mercy!" says he, "what hast done? Thou hadst better have put
them out of thy shoes if thou didst but act a mockery with them. I fear
me lest God punish thee and me alike. Take it not evil of me, brother,
if I of brotherly love do tell thee in plain German what I have at
heart, namely this, that I fear, unless thou dealest otherwise with
God, thine eternal salvation standeth in jeopardy: I do assure thee, I
love no man more than thee, yet I deny not that if thou betterest not
thyself I must scruple to bear such love to thee further." At which I
was struck so dumb with fear that I could not at all recover myself,
but freely confessed to him I had put the peas in my shoes not for
piety but to please him, that he might take me with him on his journey.
"Ah, brother," quoth he, "I see thou art far from the way of salvation,
peas or no peas: God give thee a better mind; for without such cannot
our friendship endure."

From that time forward I followed him sorrowfully as one going to the
gallows; for my conscience began to smite me; and as I reflected on all
manner of things, all the tricks I had played in my life did pass
before mine eyes: and first I lamented that my lost innocence, that I
had brought out from the forest and in the world had in so many ways
forfeited; and what increased my trouble was this, that Herzbruder
spake now but little with me, and looked not upon me save with sighs,
so that it seemed to me as he were certain of my damnation and lamented
it.

Chap. ii.: HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS, BEING TERRIFIED OF THE DEVIL, WAS
CONVERTED

In such fashion we came even to Einsiedeln, and so into the church even
as the priest was casting out an evil spirit: which was to me a new and
strange sight, wherefore I left Herzbruder to kneel and pray as much as
he listed and went off from curiosity to see such a spectacle. But
hardly had I drawn nigh when the evil spirit cried out of the poor man,
"Oho! rascal, doth ill-luck send thee hither? I did think to find thee
with Oliver in our hellish abode when I should return, and now I see
thou art to be found here. Thou adulterous, murderous whoremonger,
canst thou think to escape us? O ye priests, have naught to do with
him: he is a worse hypocrite and liar than I: he doth but mock and make
a jest of God and religion." Thereupon the exorcist commanded the
spirit to be silent, for none would believe him as being an arch-liar.

"Yes, yes," he answered, "ask this runagate monk's companion and he can
well tell you that this atheist is not afraid to boil the peas upon
which he vowed to travel hither." Upon which I knew not whether I stood
on my head or my heels, hearing all this and all men staring upon me:
but the priest rebuked the spirit and bade him be silent: yet would not
that day cast him out. In the meanwhile came Herzbruder, even as I
looked for very terror more like a dead than a live man, and between
hope and fear knew not what to be at. So he comforted me as best he
could, assuring the bystanders, and especially the good fathers, that
in my life I had never been a monk, but certainly a soldier that
perhaps might have done more evil than good: and added, the devil was a
liar and had made the story of the peas much worse than it really was.
Yet was I so confounded in spirit that 'twas with me even as if I
already felt the pains of hell, so that the priests had much ado to
comfort me: yea, they bade me go to confession and communion, but the
spirit cried again out of the man possessed, "Yes, yes: he will make a
fine confession, that knoweth not even what confession is: and indeed
what would ye have of him? for he is of a heretic mind and belongeth to
us: yea, his parents were more of Anabaptists than Calvinists...." But
at that the exorcist again commanded the spirit to hold his peace and
said to him, "So will it grieve thee the more if this poor lost sheep
be snatched out of thy jaws and gathered into the fold of Christ": at
which the spirit began to roar so fearfully that 'twas terrible to
hear: yet in that grisly song I found my greatest comfort; for I
thought if I could not again enjoy God's favour the devil would not
take it so ill.

Now although I was then in no wise prepared for confession, and though
in my lifetime it had never come into my thoughts, but I had always for
mere shame feared it as the devil fears holy water, yet at that moment
I felt in me such repentance for my sins and such a desire to do
penance and to lead a better life that forthwith I asked for a
confessor; at which sudden conversion and amendment of life Herzbruder
rejoiced greatly; for he had perceived and well knew that so far I had
belonged to no religion. Thereafter I openly professed myself of the
Catholic Church, went to confession and to mass after absolution
received, with all which I felt so light and easy at my heart that 'tis
not to be expressed: and what is most marvellous is this, that the
devil in the possessed man henceforward left me in peace, whereas
before my confession and absolution he cast up against me certain
knaveries I had committed, with such particularities as he had been
ordained for naught else but to point out my sins: yet the hearers
believed him not, as being a liar, especially since my honourable
pilgrim's dress shewed me in another light.

In this gracious place we abode fourteen days, and there I thanked God
for my conversion, and marked the miracles that were there done: all
which did incite me to some shew of piety and godliness. Yet did the
same last but as long as it might: for even as my conversion took its
beginning, not from love of God but from dread and fear of damnation,
so did I by degrees become lukewarm and slothful, because I little by
little forgot the terror that the Evil One had struck into me. So when
we had sufficiently viewed the relics of the saints, the vestments, and
other remarkable things of the abbey, we betook ourselves to Baden,
there to spend the winter.

Chap. iii.: HOW THE TWO FRIENDS SPENT THE WINTER

There did I hire a cheerful parlour and a chamber for us, such as the
visitors to the baths do commonly use to have, especially in summer:
which be mostly rich Switzers that do resort here more to pass the time
and make a show than to take baths for any disease. So also I bargained
for our food, and Herzbruder, seeing how princely I began, counselled
me frugality, and reminded me of the long hard winter that we had yet
to pass, for he dreamt not that my money would hold out so long; and I
should need all I had, he said, for the spring when we should depart:
for much money was soon spent if one ever took from it and never added
to it: 'twas blown away like smoke and was certain never to return,
etc. At such loyal counsel I could no longer conceal from Herzbruder
how rich my treasury was, and how I was minded to spend it for the good
of both of us, since its extraction and growth were so unholy that I
could not think to buy lands with it; and even if I were not minded to
spend it so as to maintain so my best friend on earth, yet it were but
right that he, Herzbruder, should enjoy Oliver's money in revenge for
the insult he had before received from him before Magdeburg. And when I
knew myself to be in all safety, I drew off my two shoulder-bags,
divided the ducats and pistoles, and said to Herzbruder he might
dispose of this money at will, and spend and disburse it as he would,
so that it might best profit us both.

When he saw, besides the greatness of my faith in him, how much the
money was, with which I, without him, could have been a pretty rich
man, "Brother," says he, "since I have known thee thou hast done naught
but shew thy constant love and truth to meward. But tell me, how
thinkest thou that I can ever repay thee? I speak not of the money, for
this perchance might in time be repaid, but of thy love and faith, and
especially of the exceeding trust thou hast in me, which is not to be
estimated. In a word, brother, thy noble soul doth make me thy slave,
and the favour thou shewest me is more easy to admire than to repay. O
honest Simplicissimus, into whose mind it never entereth (even in these
godless days in which the world is full of knavery) to think how poor,
needy Herzbruder might with this fair stock of money make off and in
his place leave thee in want! Of a surety, brother, this proof of true
friendship bindeth me more to thee than if a rich lord should give me
thousands. Only I beg thee, my brother, remain master guardian and
steward of thine own money. For me 'tis enough that thou art my
friend."

To this I answered, "What strange discourses be these, my honoured
Herzbruder? Ye give me to understand ye are much bounden to me, and yet
will ye not see to it that I spend not my money vainly and to your
damage and mine!" And so we disputed with one another childishly
enough, because each was drunken with love of the other: thus was
Herzbruder made at once my steward, my treasurer, my servant, and my
master: and in our time of leisure he told me of his life and by what
means he was known and promoted by Count Götz, whereupon I told him how
I had fared since his father (of pious memory) died: for until then we
had never had so much time. But when he heard I had a young wife in
Lippstadt, he did reprove me that I had not repaired to her rather than
with him to Switzerland, for that had been more fitting, and was my
duty moreover: and when I would excuse myself, that I could not find it
in my heart to leave him, my best friend, in misery, he persuaded me to
write to my wife and tell her of my condition, with the promise to
visit her as soon as might be: to that I did add excuses for my long
absence, namely, all manner of contrarious happenings, though greatly I
had desired to be with her long ere now.

Meanwhile Herzbruder, learning from the public prints that it stood
well with General Count Götz, and that in particular he would succeed
in his vindication before his Imperial Majesty, would be set free, and
even again receive command of an army, sent an account of how he stood
to that general at Vienna, and wrote also to the Bavarian army on the
score of his baggage that he had there: yea, and began to hope his
fortunes would again flourish. Upon which we concluded to part in the
spring, he going to the said count, and I to my wife at Lippstadt: yet
not to pass the winter in idleness we did learn from an engineer to
make more fortifications on paper than the kings of France and Spain
together could build: so too I made acquaintance with certain
alchymists that, because they saw I had money at my back, would teach
me to make gold, an I would but bear the expense of it: yea, and I do
believe they had persuaded me thereto had not Herzbruder given them
their congé, saying that he that possessed such an art would not need
to go about like a beggar, nor to ask others for money.

But though Herzbruder did receive from Vienna a gracious answer from
the said count and fine promises, I heard no single word from
Lippstadt, though on several post-days I did write in duplicate. Which
put me in ill humour and was the cause that that spring I went not to
Westphalia, but obtained from Herzbruder that he should take me with
him to Vienna and let me share in his hoped-for good fortune. So with
my money we equipped ourselves like two cavaliers, both in clothing,
horses, servants, and arms, and travelled by Constance to Ulm, where we
embarked upon the Danube, and from thence in eight days came safely to
Vienna.

Chap. iv.: IN WHAT MANNER SIMPLICISSIMUS AND HERZBRUDER WENT TO THE
WARS AGAIN AND RETURNED THENCE

Things be strangely ordered in this changeful world; 'Tis said he that
should know all things would soon be rich: but I say he that always
could seize his opportunity would soon be great and powerful. For many
a skinflint or cheese-parer (both which honourable titles are given to
misers) gets rich enough by knowing and using some knack of gain: yet
is he not therefore great, but is and remaineth always of less
estimation than when he was poor: but he that can make himself great
and powerful, him riches follow after close. So did luck, that is wont
to give power and riches, look on me favourably for once, and gave me
when I had been some eight days in Vienna opportunity in hand to mount
upon the rungs of fame without hindrance: yet I did it not. And why? I
hold 'twas because my fate had willed for me another road, namely, that
along which my foolishness did lead me.

For the Count von der Wahl, under whose command I had before made
myself famous in Westphalia, was even then in Vienna when I came
thither with Herzbruder: which last was at a banquet when divers
Imperialist councillors of war were present with the Count of Götz and
others, where the talk was of all manner of strange fellows, soldiers
of different qualities, and famous partisans: and there was mention
made of the huntsman of Soest, and such famous exploits of him told
that some wondered at the youth of the fellow and lamented that the
crafty Hessian colonel Saint André had hung a weight round his neck so
that he must either lay aside the sword or serve under Swedish colours:
for the said Count von der Wahl had found out all the trick which the
same colonel had played me at Lippstadt. Herzbruder, that was there
present and would fain have forwarded my interest, asked for indulgence
and leave to speak, and said he knew that huntsman of Soest better than
any man in the world, which was not only a good soldier that feared not
the smell of powder, but also a good rider, a perfected fencer, an
excellent professor of musquetry and artillery, and besides all this
one that would yield place to no engineer in the world: that he had
left not only his wife (that had been so shamefully imposed upon him),
but all that he had at Lippstadt, and again sought the emperor's
service, and so had in the last campaign served under the Count of
Götz, and being then taken by the troops of Weimar and desiring to
return to the Imperialists, had with his comrade slain a corporal and
six musqueteers that had pursued them and would bring them back, and
had earned rich booty thereby, and so had come with him to Vienna with
intent to offer his service once more against his Imperial Majesty's
enemies, provided only he could have such terms as suited him: for as a
common soldier he would serve no more.

By this time the worshipful company were so flustered with good liquor
that they must satisfy their curiosity to see the huntsman: to which
end Herzbruder was sent to fetch me in a coach: who on the way
instructed me how I should carry myself among these persons of quality,
since my fortune in time to come depended on this. So when I came to
them, at first I answered all questions very short and sententiously,
so that they began to admire me as one who said nothing that had not a
prudent meaning: in a word, I so presented myself that I pleased all,
besides this, that I had from Count von Wahl the reputation of a good
soldier. But with all this I got drunk, and well can I believe that in
that condition I proved to all how little I had been at court. And this
was the end of it all: that a colonel of foot promised me a company in
his regiment, which I refused not: for I thought, "To be a captain is
indeed no trifle." Yet Herzbruder next day rebuked me for my folly, and
said, had I but held out longer I had risen to high rank.

So was I presented to a company as their captain, which company,
although with me 'twas in respect of officers fully staffed, yet
counted no more than seven privates that could stand sentry. Besides,
my under-officers were such old cripples that I must needs scratch my
head when I looked upon them. And so it came about that in the next
engagement, which happened not long after, I was with them miserably
beaten: in which affair Count von Götz lost his life and Herzbruder his
testicles, which were shot away: and I had my share in the leg though
'twas but a trifling wound. Whereupon we betook ourselves to Vienna,
there to be cured, and also because we had there left all our property.
But besides these wounds, which were soon healed, there appeared in
Herzbruder other evil symptoms which the doctors could not at first
recognise, for he was paralysed in all his extremities like a choleric
person whom his gall doth plague, to which complexion he was no more
given than to anger. Nevertheless he was counselled to take the waters,
and to that end the Griesbach in the Black Forest was commended to him.
And so doth fortune suddenly change. For Herzbruder just before had
been minded to marry a young lady of quality, and to that end to get
him made a Freiherr and me a nobleman: but now must he make other
plans; for having lost that by which he had meant to propagate his
family, and being, moreover, threatened with a tedious sickness ensuing
upon that loss, in which he would have need of good friends, he made
his will, and appointed me heir of all his property, the more so
because he saw how for his sake I cast my fortune to the winds and gave
up my command, that I might bear him company to the Spa and there wait
on him till he should recover his health.

Chap. v.: HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS RODE COURIER AND IN THE LIKENESS OF
MERCURY LEARNED FROM JOVE WHAT HIS DESIGN WAS AS REGARDS WAR AND PEACE

So as soon as Herzbruder could ride we despatched our money (for now we
had but one purse in common) by way of banker's draft to Basel,
equipped ourselves with horses and servants, and made our way up the
Danube to Ulm and thence to the Spa before mentioned, for now 'twas May
and pleasant travelling. There did we hire a lodging: but I rid to
Strassburg, not only to receive in part our money which we had conveyed
thither by way of Basel, but also to inquire for the medicos of
experience that should prescribe for Herzbruder recipes and the manner
of his taking the baths. These came to me, and were of opinion that
Herzbruder had indeed been poisoned, yet was the poison not strong
enough to kill him offhand, and therefore it had made its way into his
limbs, from whence it must be evacuated by drugs, antidotes and
sweating-baths, which cure would last some eight weeks or so. At that
Herzbruder remembered at once when and by whom that poison had been
given him; namely, by them that would have had his place in the army:
and when he further learned from the physicians that his cure needed no
spa, then was he assured the field-surgeon had by his enemies been
bribed to send him so far away: yet did he resolve to complete his cure
there at the spa, for 'twas not only a healthy air but also there was
cheerful company among the bathing-guests.

This time would I not waste: for I had a desire to see my wife once
more: and since Herzbruder needed me not greatly, I did open to him my
project, which he did praise, and advised me I should visit her, giving
me also certain trinkets of price which I should on his behalf present
to her, and therewith beg her pardon for that he had been the cause why
I had not before sought her out. With that I rode to Strassburg, and
not only provided myself with moneys but inquired also how I might
prosecute my journey in the safest way: whereupon I found 'twas not to
be accomplished by a horseman riding alone; for the roads were made
unsafe by the parties sent out from so many garrisons of the two
contending armies. So I got me a pass for a post-rider of Strassburg,
and drew up certain letters to my wife, her sisters, and her parents,
as I would send him with them to Lippstadt: yet feigned to be of a
different mind, took back the pass from the messenger, sent back my
horse and servant, and disguised myself in a red and white livery: in
that I journeyed by ship to Cologne, which was at that time neutral
between the two parties.

And first I must go to visit my Jupiter, that had aforetime appointed
me his Ganymede, to ask how it fared with the property I had left
there: but him I found quite brain-sick again and full of anger against
the human race. "O Mercury," says he, as soon as he saw me, "what news
from Münster? Do men conceive they can make peace without my good will?
Nay, never! they did have peace. Why kept they it not? Was not vice
everywhere triumphant when they provoked me to send them war? And how
have they deserved that I should give them peace again? Have they since
been converted? Are they not become worse, and do they not run into war
as to a festival? Or have they perchance repented them by reason of the
famine that I sent among them, whereof so many thousands died of
hunger? Or hath the grievous pestilence terrified them to better their
ways, whereby so many millions were cut off? Nay, nay, Mercurius, they
that remain, that did see these dreadful sufferings with their own
eyes, have not only not repented, but be grown worse than ever they
were. And if they have not been turned by so many sore plagues, nor
have ceased to live in godless wise in the midst of such trial and
tribulation, what will they do if I should grant them again the
delights of golden peace? Then must I fear lest, as once did the
giants, so they now should try to storm my heaven. But such overweening
I will check in good time and leave them to perish in their war." But I
knowing how one must go about with this god if one would make him hear
reason, "Oh, great god," says I, "all the world doth sigh for peace and
promise great amendment: why wilt thou then continue to refuse them
such?" "Yea," answered Jupiter, "doubtless they sigh: yet not for my
sake but their own: not that each may praise God under his own vine and
fig-tree, but that they may enjoy the fruit thereof in peace and
delight. Of late I asked of a scurvy tailor, should I give him peace?
He gave me answer, 'twas the same to him, that must ply his needle as
well in peace as in war: and the like answer I got from a brazier,
which said if he could get no bells to found in peace time, yet in time
of war he had enough to do with cannon and mortars. So likewise, a
smith replied to me and said, 'Though I have no ploughs and hay-carts
to mend in war-time, yet have I so many war-horses and army waggons to
deal with that I can well afford to do without peace.' Lookye then,
dear Mercurius, why should I grant them peace? True there be some that
do desire it, yet only as I say, for their belly's sake and their
pleasure: contrariwise there be others that will still have war, not
because 'tis my will, but because 'tis for their profit. And just as
the masons and carpenters desire peace, to earn money by the building
again of ruined houses, so others that be not sure of earning a living
by their handicraft in time of peace do hope for the continuing of war,
wherein they can steal."

Now when I found my Jupiter so to go about with these matters, I could
well conceive that he, with so confused a mind, could give me little
account of mine own, and so I made not my business known to him, but
took the bull by the horns, and away by by-paths well known to me, to
Lippstadt, where I inquired for my father-in-law as I were a messenger
from foreign parts, and learned at once that he, with his wife, had
quitted this world six months before, and secondly, that my dear wife,
having been delivered of a man-child, that was now with her sister, had
in like manner straightway, after her lying-in, quitted this mortal
scene. Upon that I delivered to my brother-in-law the writings which I
had before addressed to my father-in-law, to my wife, and to him, my
wife's brother. Who would have entertained me himself, to learn from
me, as from a messenger, how it fared with Simplicissimus and of what
rank he was now. In the end mine own sister-in-law did at length
converse with me, I telling of myself all the good I knew; for my
pock-pitted face had so marred and changed me that no man could know me
more, save Herr von Schönstein: and he, as my true friend, did hold his
tongue. But I telling her at length how Herr Simplicissimus had many
fine horses and servants and rode abroad in a black-velvet coat all
trimmed with gold, "Yea," said she, "I did ever believe he was of no
such low descent as he gave himself out to be: the commandant of this
place did ever persuade my late parents, with great assurances, that
they had made a good match with him for my sister, which had ever been
a virtuous maiden: yet of all that I myself could never look for a good
ending. Nevertheless did he content himself and resolve to take upon
him either Swedish or Hessian service in the garrison here: and to that
end would he fetch hither his goods that he had left at Cologne: which
turned out ill, and he himself was by clean roguery spirited away into
France, leaving my sister, that had had him to husband but for four
weeks, yea, and a half-dozen of citizens' daughters likewise, with
child by him; all which one after another, and my sister last of all,
were brought to bed of boys. So since my father and mother were dead,
and I and my husband without hope of children, we did adopt my sister's
child to be the heir of all our property, and with the help of the
commandant here did get possession of his father's money at Cologne;
which same might be reckoned at three thousand gulden; and so the young
lad when he shall come of age shall have no cause to count himself
among the paupers. Yea, I and my husband do love the child so much that
we would not yield him up to his own father though he came in person to
fetch him away: moreover, he is the comeliest of all his half-brothers,
and so like to his father as he had been cut out on his very pattern:
and I know if my brother-in-law did but hear what a fair son he hath he
would not delay to come hither were it but to see the little
sweetheart."

The like talk my sister-in-law held, by which I might well perceive her
love to my child, which now ran about in his first breeches, and
rejoiced mine heart: and with that I brought out the trinkets that
Herzbruder had given me to present on his behalf to my wife: which,
said I, Master Simplicissimus had given me to deliver to his wife for a
salutation: who being dead, I accounted it fair to leave the same for
his child: all which my brother-in-law and his wife received with joy,
and were convinced thereby that I had no want of means, but must indeed
be a fellow of a different sort from that which they had fancied me to
be. So now I pressed for leave to be gone, and having obtained such, I
begged in the name of Simplicissimus to kiss Simplicissimus the
younger, that I might tell the same to his father for a token. And this
being done with the goodwill of my sister-in-law, my nose and the
child's began at once and together to bleed, till I thought my heart
would break: yet did I hide my feelings, and that none might have time
to mark the cause of this sympathy, I took myself off at once, and
after fourteen days of much trouble and danger came again to the spa in
beggar's garb: for on the way I had been plundered and stripped.

Chap. vi.: A STORY OF A TRICK THAT SIMPLICISSIMUS PLAYED AT THE SPA

So being returned, I found Herzbruder rather worse than better, though
the doctors and apothecaries had plucked him cleaner than any pigeon:
nay, more: he seemed to me now to be childish, nor could he walk
straight. I did hearten him up as best I could, but his was an ill
plight; himself perceiving well by his loss of strength that he could
not last long; and his chief comfort was this, that I should be by his
side when he should close his eyes. Contrariwise I was merry, and
sought my pleasure where I thought to find it: though in such wise that
Herzbruder lacked none of my care. Yet because I knew myself now for a
widower, the fine weather and my young blood enticed me to wantonness,
whereunto I did fully give myself over; for the fear that had possessed
me at Einsiedeln I had now quite forgot. Now there was at the spa a
fair lady[36] that gave herself out to be a person of quality, yet was
to my thinking more "mobilis" than "nobilis": to this man-trap did I
pay my constant court as to one that seemed a bona roba, and in brief
space of time did obtain not only free entry to her but also all such
favours as I could desire. Yet had I from the first a disgust at her
lightness, and so did devise how I might in all courtesy be rid of her:
for methought she had her eye more on my purse than on me for a
bridegroom: yea, and did persecute me with hot and wanton glances and
the like tokens of her burning love wheresoever I might be, till I must
be shamed both for her sake and mine own.

At that time there was at the baths a rich Switzer of quality: from
whom was stolen not only his money, but his wife's jewellery, which was
of gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones. And since 'tis as
grievous to lose such things as 'tis hard to get them, therefore the
said Switzer would move heaven and earth to come by them again, and did
even send for the famous devil-driver of the Goatskin,[37] which
did so plague the thief by his charms that he must needs restore the
stolen goods to their proper place: for which the wizard earned ten
rix-dollars.

With this enchanter I had fain conversed: but, as I then conceived, it
could not be, without lessening of my dignity (for at that time I
thought no small beer of myself). So I did engage my servant to be
drunk with him that same night (having learned he was a toper of the
first quality) to see if by such means I could have his acquaintance:
for so many strange things were told to me of him that I could not
believe till I had heard them from himself. To that end did I disguise
myself as a strolling quack, and sat down by him at table to see if he
could guess or the devil could tell him who I was: yet could I mark no
such knowledge in him, but he would drink and drink, taking me for that
which my raiment proclaimed me, yea, and drank some few glasses to my
health, yet shewed more respect to my knave than to me. For to him he
told in all confidence that if he that had robbed the Switzer had
thrown but the smallest part thereof into running water and so shared
the booty with the devil, it had been impossible either to name the
thief or to get back the goods.

To all these silly conceits I listened, and wondered how the father of
deceits and lies can by so small a thing bring men into his clutches. I
could easily conceive that this was a clause in our enchanter's
indenture with the devil, and perceive how such a trick could not help
the thief if only another exorcist were fetched in to detect the theft,
in whose compact this condition was not to be found: and so charged my
knave, that could steal better than any gipsy, to make the man drunk
and then steal his ten rix-dollars, and presently thereafter to cast a
couple of batzen into the river Rench. This he did with all diligence,
and when the witch-doctor next morning missed his money, he betook
himself to a thicket by the bank of the Rench, doubtless to confer with
his familiar spirit: by whom he was so ill-handled that he came off
with a face all bruised and scratched; whereat I felt such pity for the
poor old rogue that I gave him back his money and sent him a message
that, since he now could see what a traitorous, evil spirit the devil
was, he might renounce his service and company, and turn to God again:
which warning brought me but little profit, for presently my two fair
horses sickened and died by witchcraft; and what else could I expect?
for I lived like Epicurus in his stye and never did commend my goods to
God's care: why, therefore, should the wizard not be able to revenge
himself on me?

Chap. vii.: HOW HERZBRUDER DIED AND HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS AGAIN FELL TO
WANTON COURSES

With the spa I was the more pleased the longer I stayed, for not only
did the guests increase daily, but the place and the manner of life
also delighted me hugely. I joined acquaintance with the merriest that
resorted thither and did begin to learn courtesy and compliment,
wherewith I had till then troubled myself but little: and so was
counted as of the nobility, my people calling me ever "noble captain";
for no mere soldier of fortune did ever gain so high a post at that age
at which I still was. So with these rich fops I made, and they with me,
not acquaintance only but sworn friendship; and pastime, play, eating,
and drinking were all my work and care, which robbed me of many a fair
ducat without my much perceiving or marking of it: for my purse was yet
fairly heavy with Oliver's legacy.

Meanwhile things went from bad to worse with Herzbruder, till at last
he must pay the debt of nature, all doctors and physicians now
deserting him on whom they had fattened so long. So he confirmed once
more his last will and testament and made me heir of all he had to
receive from his late father's property. And in return I gave him a
noble funeral and sent his servants on their way with mourning and
money withal.

Yet his disease heartily vexed me, and especially because he had been
poisoned: and though I could not change that, yet it changed me: for
now I eschewed all company and sought only for solitude to give a
hearing to my sad thoughts: to which end I would hide myself in some
thicket and there would muse, not only upon what a friend I had lost,
but also how I should never in my life find such another one. At times
I would lay all manner of plans for my future life and yet could
resolve on none: now I thought I would to the wars again: and then
bethought me how even the poorest peasant in this land was better off
than any colonel: for into those mountains came never a foraging party.
Yea, I could well fancy what an army would find to do there in ravaging
of the country, seeing that all the farmhouses were well kept, as if in
peace-time, and all the stalls full of cattle, while in many a village
of Germany in the plains neither dog nor cat could be found. So as I
delighted myself with hearing of the sweet song of birds, and did
fancifully conceive how the nightingale should by her dulcet song
silence all other birds and force them to listen either from shame or
to steal somewhat of her pleasant strains, there came to the opposite
bank of the stream a beauty, that did move me more, because she wore
but the habit of a peasant girl, than could any fine demoiselle have
done; which took a basket from her head wherein she had a pack of fresh
butter, to sell at the spa: this did she cool in the water that it
might not melt by reason of the great heat, and meanwhile, sitting down
upon the grass, did throw aside her kerchief and her peasant hat and
wipe the sweat from her face, so that I could exactly observe her and
feed my curious eyes upon her: and truly methought I had never seen a
fairer form in my life: for the mould of her figure seemed perfect and
without blemish, her arms and hands white as snow, her face fresh and
sweet, but her black eyes full of fire and amorous looks. So as she was
packing of her butter up again I cried across to her, "Ah, maiden, 'tis
true ye have cooled your butter in the water with your fair hands, yet
with your bright eyes have ye set my heart afire." But she no sooner
saw and heard me but away she ran as if she were pursued, without
answering me a word, and so left me possessed with all the follies
wherewith fantastic lovers are wont to be tormented.

But my desire to be further illumined by this sun left me not in peace
in the solitude I had chosen, but caused me to care no more for the
song of the nightingale than for the howl of a wolf: therefore I made
my way to the spa, and did send my page in front to accost the pretty
butter-seller and to bargain with her till I should come: so he did his
best, and I, when I came, did mine also: but found a heart of stone,
and such coldness as I had never thought to find in any peasant-girl,
which made me yet more in love, especially since I, that had been much
a scholar in such schools, might well judge by such a carriage she
would not easily be befooled.

And now should I have had either a great enemy or a great friend:
either an enemy to think of and devise evil against, and so to forget
my fool's love, or a friend that should give me other counsel and warn
me from the folly I proposed. But alas! I had naught but my money,
which did but dazzle me, and my blind desires which led me astray, I
giving them the rein, and mine own impudence, that ruined me and
brought me to disaster. Fool that I was, I should have judged by our
clothes, as by an evil omen, that her love would work me woe. For I
having lost Herzbruder and the girl her parents, we were both dressed
in mourning clothes when we first met: and so what joy could our love
portend? In a word, I was properly caught in a fool's snare, and
therefore as blind and without reason as the boy Cupid himself: and
because I had no hope otherwise to satisfy my bestial desires, I did
determine to marry her.

"For how!" thought I, "thou beest by descent but a peasant's brat and
wilt never in thy life keep thy castle: and this fair champaign is a
noble land, that throughout this grisly war hath, in comparison with
other parts, maintained itself in peace and prosperity: besides, thou
hast gold enough to buy thee even the best farm in this countryside:
and now shalt thou marry with this honest peasant-girl and get thee a
lord's reputation among the country-folk. And where couldst find a
cheerfuller dwelling-place than near the spa, where thou canst, by
reason of the coming and going of the guests, see a new world every six
weeks, and so conceive how the great world doth change from one age to
another?"

Such and a thousand like plans I made, till at length I sought my
sweetheart in marriage and (yet not without pains) did obtain her
consent.

Chap. viii.: HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS FOUND HIS SECOND MARRIAGE TURN OUT,
AND HOW HE MET WITH HIS DAD AND LEARNED WHO HIS PARENTS HAD BEEN

So I made fine preparation for the wedding: for all seemed rose-colour
to me. Not only did I buy up the whole farm whereon my bride had been
born, but began also a fine new building besides, as if I would rather
keep court than keep house: and before the wedding was over I had
already more than thirty head of cattle on the farm; for so many could
it maintain all the year round: in a word, I had the best of everything
and such fine household plenishing as only folly like mine could
devise. But soon I must whistle to a different tune, for I found my
bride too knowing; and now, all too late, was I ware of the cause why
she had been so loath to take me: and what vexed me most was that I
could tell to no man my silly plight. I knew well enough that 'twas
reasonable I must pay the piper; yet the knowledge made me not more
patient, still less better in life; nay, rather I thought to betray the
traitress, and so began to go a-grazing where I could find pasture:
which kept me rather in good company at the spa than at home, and for a
year at least I left my housekeeping to take care of itself. And for
her part my wife was as slovenly as I: an ox that I had had slaughtered
for household use she salted in baskets like pork, and when she was to
prepare a sucking-pig for me she tried to pluck it like a fowl: yea,
she would cook crayfish with a roasting-jack and trout on a spit: from
which examples a man may judge what manner of housewife I found her:
and withal she would drink freely of the good wine and share it with
her good friends: and that was a sign of my coming disasters.

Now it fell out that as I was walking down the valley with some fops of
the spa to visit a company at the lower baths, there met us an old
peasant with a goat on a string, that he wished to sell, and because
methought I had seen him before, I asked whence he came with his goat.
At which he doffed his cap and "Your worship," says he, "that I may not
tell you." "How," said I, "surely thou hast not stolen the beast?"
"Nay," answered the peasant, "but I bring him from a village there in
the valley, the which I may not mention to your worship in the presence
of a goat"[38] which caused my company to laugh, and because I changed
colour they deemed I was vexed or ashamed that the peasant did answer
me so neatly. Yet my thoughts were otherwise, for by the great wart
that this peasant had, like an unicorn, in the middle of his forehead,
I was assured 'twas my dad from the Spessart, and so would first play
the conjurer before I would make myself known and delight him with so
fine a son as my clothes shewed me to be. So I said to him, "Good
father, is not your home in the Spessart?" "Yes, your worship," says
he. "Then," said I, "did ye not some eighteen year agone have
your house and farm plundered and burnt by the troopers?" "Yea,
God-a-mercy," quoth the peasant, "yet 'tis not so long ago": but I
asked him further, "Did ye not, then, have two children, a grown
daughter and a young lad that kept your sheep?" "Nay, your worship,"
says my dad, "the daughter was my child but not the boy: yet would I
bring him up as mine own." And by that I understood I was no son of
this rough yokel: and that in part rejoiced me yet again troubled me,
for I thought now I must be some bastard or foundling, and therefore
asked my dad how he had come by the said boy or what reason he had had
to rear him as his own. "Ah," says he, "I had strange luck with him: by
war I got him and by war I lost him."

But now being afeared lest some fact should come to light that would
disgrace my birth, I turned the discourse upon the goat again and asked
if he had sold it to the hostess for cooking, which would seem strange
to me as knowing that her guests used not to eat old goat's flesh. But
"Nay, your worship," quoth the peasant, "the hostess hath goats enow
and will pay naught for such: I do bring her for the countess that is
at the spa to bathe. For Doctor Busybody hath ordered certain herbs for
this goat to eat: and the milk that she gives therefrom the doctor
taketh to make a medicine for the countess, that is to drink the milk
and so be cured: for they say the countess hath no stomach, and if the
goat help her 'twill do more than the doctor and all his sawbones
together." While he thus talked I considered how I might have further
speech with him, and so offered him for the goat a dollar more than the
doctor or the countess would give: to which he readily agreed (for
small gain will easily turn folk), yet on condition he should first
tell the countess that I had bid a thaler more: and if she would give
as much she should have the preference: if not, he would bring me the
goat and would in the evening let me know how the business stood. With
that my dad went his way and I, with my company, ours: yet could I and
would I not stay longer with them, but turned me back and went where I
found my dad again: who still had his goat, for others would not give
him so much as I: which, for so rich people, did amaze me, yet made me
not more niggardly: for I took him to my new-bought farm and paid him
for his goat, and when I had him half-foxed I asked of him whence came
the lad to him of whom we spoke to-day. "Ah, your worship," says he,
"the Mansfeld war brought him to me and the Nördlingen battle took him
away again." "And that," quoth I, "must be a merry story," and so I
begged him, since we had naught else to talk of, to tell it me to pass
the time.

With that he began, and says he, "When Mansfeld[39] lost the battle at
Höchst, his people were scattered abroad as not knowing whither to
flee: of whom many came into the Spessart, seeking woods wherein to
hide them: but though they had escaped death on the plains they found
it in the hills: for since both parties thought it their right to
plunder and murder one another on our lands, we peasants would have a
finger in their pie too. So 'twas but seldom that a farmer would go
into his woods without a musquet, for we could not bide at home with
our hoes and ploughs. And in this wild business did I light upon a fair
young lady mounted on a goodly horse, in a savage and lonesome wood,
yet not far from my farm: and just before, I had heard shots fired: and
at first I took her for a man, for she rode like such: yet when I saw
her raise hands and eyes to heaven and in a pitiful voice, though in a
strange tongue, cry aloud to God, I lowered my gun, with which I would
have fired upon her, and uncocked it; for her cries and actions did
well assure me 'twas a woman, and one in trouble withal. So we drew
near to each other, and when she saw me, 'Ah,' says she, 'if ye be a
Christian and an honest man, I pray you for God and His mercy, yea, and
for that Last Judgment before which we must all give account of our
deeds and misdeeds, to bring me to some married woman that with God's
help may deliver me of my burden!' Which words, as being of such
import, together with the gentle speech and the troubled, yet fair and
kind face of the poor lady, did compel me to such pity that I took her
horse by the bridle and led her over bush and brier to the thickest
part of the wood whither I had brought my wife, my child, my people,
and my cattle for refuge: and there within half an hour was she
delivered of that young boy of whom we did discourse to-day."

With that my dad finished his story and his glass: for I was no niggard
of my wine for him: and when he had emptied it I asked him how it fared
thereafter with the lady: to which he answered thus: "When she was
delivered she begged me to be godfather, and to bring the child to
baptism as soon as might be, and told me her own and her husband's name
that they might be written in the book of Christenings: and then did
she open her wallet wherein she had full costly trinkets, and of these
gave so many to me, to my wife and child, my maid-servant and to
another woman that was by, that we might well be content with her: but
even while she did this, and told us of her husband, she died under our
hands, having first commended the child to us. But since the tumult in
the land was then so great that none could abide in his own house, we
had much trouble to come by a clergyman that should baptize the child
and attend the funeral. Yet both being done, 'twas commanded me by our
burgomaster and our priest that I should rear the child till 'twas
grown, and for my trouble and cost should keep all the lady's property
save a few rosaries and precious stones and jewellery, which I should
keep for the child. So my wife did nourish the babe with goat's milk,
and we loved the lad, and did think when he should be grown up to give
him our daughter to wife: but after the battle at Nördlingen did I lose
both boy and girl and all that I possessed."

"Now," says I to my dad, "ye have told me a pretty tale enough and yet
forgot the best part: for ye have not told me the name of the lady or
her husband or the child." "Your honour," he answered, "I thought not
ye desired to know it: but the lady's name was Susanna Ramsay: her
husband was Captain Sternfels, of Fuchsheim, and because my name was
Melchior did I have the child baptized Melchior Sternfels, of
Fuchsheim, and so inscribed in the book."

Now from that I knew clearly that I was the true-born son of my hermit
and of Governor Ramsay's sister; but alas! far too late, for my parents
were both dead, and of my uncle Ramsay could I learn nothing save that
the Hanauers had rid themselves of him and his Swedish garrison,
whereat he had gone crazy for rage and vexation. But I treated my
godfather well with wine, and next day had his wife fetcht likewise:
yet when I declared myself to them, would they not believe it, till I
did shew them a black and hairy mole I had upon my breast.

Chap. ix.: IN WHAT MANNER THE PAINS OF CHILD-BIRTH CAME UPON HIM, AND
HOW HE BECAME A WIDOWER

Not long after this I did take my godfather with me, and ride into the
Spessart to get certain news and certificate of my descent and noble
birth; which I gat without difficulty from the book of baptisms and my
godfather's witness: and presently thereafter visited the priest that
had dwelt at Hanau and had taken care of me: which gave me a writing to
declare where my late father had died, and that I had abode with him to
his death and thereafter for a long time with Master Ramsay, the
commandant at Hanau, under the name of Simplicissimus: yea, I had an
instrument containing my whole history drawn up by a notary out of the
mouth of witnesses; for I thought, "Who knoweth when thou wilt have
need of it?" And this journey did cost me 400 thalers, for on my return
I was captured by a party, dismounted, and plundered so that I and my
dad or godfather came off naked and hardly with our lives.

Meanwhile things went ill at home: for as soon as my wife knew her
husband was a nobleman she not only did play the great lady, but did
neglect all housekeeping; which I bore in silence because she was big
with child: moreover, misfortune came on my cattle and robbed me of my
chiefest and best: all which 'twould have been possible to endure, but
O Gemini! misfortunes came not singly: for even then while my wife was
delivered, the maid was brought to bed likewise: and the child she bore
was indeed like to me, but that which my wife had was so like to the
farm-servant as it had been cut on the pattern of his face. Nay, more!
for the lady of whom I writ above did in the same night cause one to be
laid at my door with notice in writing that I was the father: and so
did I get a family of three at once, and could not but expect that
others would creep out of every corner, which caused me not a few grey
hairs. But so will it fare with whoever doth follow his own bestial
lusts in such a godless and wicked way of life as I had led.

And now what to do! I must have the baptism and be soundly punished by
the magistrate: and the government being then Swedish, and I an old
soldier of the emperor, the score was the heavier to pay: all which was
but the preface to my complete ruination the second time. And although
all these manifold disasters did greatly trouble me, yet my wife
contrariwise took all lightly; yea, did mock at me day and night about
the fine treasure that had been laid at my door and for which I had
paid so dearly: yet had she but known how 'twas with me and the maid
she would have plagued me yet worse: but that good creature was so
complacent as to let herself be persuaded with as much money as I
should other ways have been fined for her sake, to swear her child to a
fop that had at times visited me the year before and had been at the
wedding, but whom otherwise she knew not. Yet must she go a-packing,
for my wife did suspect what I thought of her and the farm-servant, yet
dared not hint thereat: for else had I proved to her that I could not
at once be with her and with the maid. Yet all the while I was
tormented with the thought that I must rear a child for my servant, and
mine own sons should not be my heirs, and yet must I hold my peace and
be glad that none else knew of it: and with such thoughts did I daily
torment myself, while my wife revelled every hour in wine; for since
our marriage she had so used herself to the bottle that 'twas seldom
away from her mouth, and she herself scarce went to bed any night but
half-drunk: by which means she robbed her child of its nourishment and
so inflamed her inward parts that soon after they fell out, and so made
me a widower the second time, which went so my heart that I wellnigh
laughed myself into a sickness.

Chap. x.: RELATION OF CERTAIN PEASANTS CONCERNING THE WONDERFUL
MUMMELSEE

So now did I find myself restored to mine ancient freedom, but
with a purse pretty well emptied of gold, and yet a great household
overburdened with cattle and servants. Therefore I took my
foster-father Melchior to be as my father, and my foster-mother, his
wife, to be my mother, and young bastard Simplicissimus that had been
laid at my door I made my heir, and handed over to these two old people
house and farm, together with all my property save a few yellow-boys
and jewels that I had saved and kept hidden to meet extreme need: for
now had I conceived such a loathing for the company and society of all
women that I had determined, having fared so ill with them, never to
marry again. So this old couple, which in matters rustic could hardly
meet their likes for skill, presently arranged my housekeeping in
different fashion. For they got rid of such cattle and servants as were
of no use, and in their place had for the farm such as would bring
profit. So my old dad and my mammy bade me be of good cheer, and
promised if I would let them manage all to keep me ever a good horse in
the stable and myself so well furnished that I could now and then drink
my measure of wine with any honest companion. And presently I was ware
of what manner of people now managed my estate: for my foster-father
with the labourers tilled the ground, and bargained for cattle and
wood and resin sharper than any Jew, while his wife gave herself to
cattle-breeding and contrived to save the milk-penny and keep it better
than ten such wives as I had had. In such wise my farmyard was in short
space furnished with all needful implements and cattle small and great,
so that soon 'twas esteemed one of the best in that country-side: and I
meanwhile took my walks abroad and gave myself up to contemplations,
for when I saw how my foster-mother earned more by her bees alone, in
wax and honey, than my wife had gained from cattle, swine, and all the
rest together, I could well conceive that in other matters she would
not be caught napping.

Now it happened on a time that I took my walk in the spa, more for the
sake of a draught of fresh water than, according to my former usage, to
make acquaintance with the fops: for I had begun to imitate the
thriftiness of my parents, who counselled me I should not much consort
with folk that so wantonly wasted their own and their father's goods.
Yet I joined myself to a company of men of moderate rank who even then
were in discourse concerning a strange matter, namely, of the
Mummelsee, which said they was bottomless, and which was situate on one
of the highest mountains near by: and they had sent for several old
peasants and would have them to tell all that one and the other had
heard of this wondrous lake, to whose stories I hearkened with great
delight, though I held them all to be as vain fables as be some of
Plinius's tales.

For one said if any man should tie up an odd number of things such as
peas or pebbles, or what not, in a kerchief, and let it down into the
water, presently the number would be even. And if one should drop in an
even number, at once it became odd. Others, and indeed the most part,
declared, and confirmed what they said by examples, that if a man
should throw in one or more stones, however fair the skies might be
till then, at once there would arise a terrible storm with fearful
rain, hail and hurricane. From that they came to all manner of strange
histories that had happened there, and what wondrous appearances of
earth- and water-spirits had there been seen and how they had talked
with mankind. One told how on a time, as certain herdsmen were keeping
cattle by the lake, there arose a brown ox out of the water that mixed
with the other cattle, but there followed him a little mannikin to
drive him back into the lake; who would not obey till the little man
had sworn that if he did not come back he should suffer all the ills of
human kind. At which words ox and man again sank into the lake. Another
said it happened at a time when the lake was frozen over that a
peasant, with his oxen and sundry trunks of trees, such as we hew
planks out of, passed over the lake without harm; but when his dog
would follow him the ice broke, and so the poor beast fell in and was
never seen again. And yet another swore 'twas solemn truth that a
huntsman following in the track of game was passing by the lake, and
there saw a water-spirit sitting with a whole lapful of coined money
and playing therewith; at whom when he would have shot, the spirit sank
into the water, and cried, "Hadst thou but prayed me to help thee in
thy trade, I would have made thee and thine rich for life."

Such and the like tales, which seemed to me all as fables with which we
do amuse our children, did I hearken to, and never deemed it possible
that there could be such a bottomless lake upon a high mountain. But
there were other peasants, and those old and credible men, that
affirmed that within their own and their father's memory high and
princely persons had journeyed to behold the said lake, and that a
reigning Duke of Würtemberg had caused a raft to be made, and had put
out into the lake thereupon to sound its depth: but that after the
measures had already let down nine thread-cables (which is a measure of
length better understanded of the peasants' wives of the Black Forest
than of me or any other geometer) with a sinking-lead, and yet had
found no bottom, the raft, contrary to the nature of wood, began to
sink, so that they that were upon it must perforce give up their
purpose and make all haste to land, and so to this day can be seen the
fragments of the raft on the shore of the lake, with the arms of
Würtemberg and other matters carved upon the wood for a memorial of
this history. Others called many witnesses to prove that a certain
archduke of Austria had desired to drain the lake, but was by many
dissuaded and at the petition of the people of the land the plan given
up, for fear lest the whole country might be drowned and destroyed.
Furthermore, the said noble princes had caused barrels full of trout to
be put into the lake; all which in less than an hour died before their
eyes and floated away through the outlet of the lake, notwithstanding
that the stream that flows under the mountain on which the lake lies
and through the valley that takes its name therefrom produces by nature
such fish, and that the outlet of the lake is into the said stream.

Chap. xi.: OF THE MARVELLOUS THANKSGIVING OF A PATIENT, AND OF THE
HOLY THOUGHTS THEREBY AWAKENED IN SIMPLICISSIMUS

These last did so affirm what they said that I now began almost
entirely to believe them, and they did so move my curiosity that I
determined to visit this wondrous lake. But of those that with me had
listened to the whole story one judged one way and another another,
from which sufficiently appeared their different and contradictory ways
of thinking. For my part I said the German name Mummelsee[40]
sufficiently declared that there was about the thing, as about a
masquerade, some disguise, so that none might fathom either its nature
or its depth, which had never yet been discovered, though such high
personages had attempted it. And with that I betook me to the same
place where a year before I had seen my departed wife for the first
time and drank in the sweet poison of love. And there I laid myself
down on the green grass in the shade, yet took no heed as I had done
before to what the nightingales did sing, but rather pondered on the
changes I had suffered since then. I represented to myself how in that
very place I had begun to be in place of a free man a slave of love,
and how since then I had become from an officer a peasant, from a rich
peasant a poor nobleman, from a Simplicissimus a Melchior, from a
widower a husband, from a husband a cuckold, and from a cuckold a
widower again; moreover, from a peasant's brat I had proved to be the
son of a good soldier, and yet again the son of my old dad. Then again
I reflected how fate had robbed me of my Herzbruder, and in his place
had provided me with two old married folk. I thought of the godly life
and decease of my father; the piteous death of my mother; and, further,
of the manifold changes which I had undergone in my lifetime, till I
could no longer refrain myself from tears. And even while I reflected
how much good money I in my lifetime had possessed and squandered away,
and began to lament therefore, there came two good soakers or
winebibbers on whom the gout had fastened in their limbs, whereby they
were crippled and needed both the baths and to drink the waters: these
set themselves down by me, for 'twas a fair place to rest, and each
bewailed to the other his sad case as thinking that they were alone. So
said the one, "My doctor hath sent me here either as one of whose
healing he despaired or else as one that with others might help him to
repay my host here for the keg of butter he sent him: I would I had
either never seen him in my life or else that he had at the first sent
me to the spa, for so should I either have more money than now or else
be sounder, for the waters suit my case right well." And "Ah" says the
other, "I thank my God that He hath given me no more money to spare
than what I have, for had my doctor known that I had more behind he had
never counselled me to come to the spa; but I must have shared all
between him and his apothecaries, that for this cause do oil his palms
year by year--yea, even though I should have died and perished in the
meanwhile. These greedy fellows send not men like us to so healthful a
place till they be well assured they can help us no more, or else find
us pigeons they can pluck no longer: and if the truth must be
confessed, he that once deals with them, and of whom they know that he
has money, must pay them only to this end, that they keep him sick."
And much more evil had these two to say of their doctors, but I care
not to tell it all: otherwise might the gentlemen of that profession
take it amiss and some time or other give me a dose that should purge
my soul out of my body. Nay, I do but mention it for this cause,
because this second patient, in giving thanks to God that He had given
him no more wealth, so comforted me that I banished clean out of my
mind all vexations and heavy thoughts that had assailed me on the score
of money: and I did resolve to strive no more for honour nor gold nor
for aught else that the world loveth. Yea, I determined to be a
philosopher and to devote myself to a godly life, and in especial to
lament mine own impenitence and to endeavour myself, like my dear
departed father, to ascend to the highest degree of piety.

Chap. xii.: HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS JOURNEYED WITH THE SYLPHS TO THE
CENTRE OF THE EARTH

Now this desire to visit the Mummelsee increased with me when I learned
from my foster-father that he had been there and knew the way thither;
but when he heard that I likewise would go, "And what will ye gain,"
says he, "by going thither? My son with his old dad will see naught
else but the picture of a pond lying in the midst of a great wood, and
when he hath paid for his present taste with sore distaste, he will
have naught but repentance and weary feet (for a man can hardly come to
the place by riding) and the way back instead of the way thither. Nor
should ever any man have had me to go thither had I not been forced to
flee there when Doctor Daniel (by which he meant Duc d'Anguin[41])
marched with his troops down through the country to Philippsburg." Yet
my curiosity would not be turned aside by his dissuasion, but I got me
a fellow that should guide me thither; so my father, seeing my fixed
intent, said, since the oat-crop was gathered in, and there was neither
hoeing nor reaping to be done on the farm, he would even go with me and
shew the way. For he loved me so that he would fain not let me out of
his sight, and since all the people of the country believed I was his
true-born son, he was proud of me; and so behaved to me and to all
others as a poor man might well do in respect of a son whom good
fortune, without his own help and assistance, had turned into a fine
gentleman.

So together we set off over hill and dale and came to the Mummelsee;
and that before we had gone six hours, for my dad was as lively as a
cricket and as good a traveller as any young man. And there we consumed
what meat and drink we had brought with us, for the long journey and
the high mountain on which the lake lieth had made us both hungry and
thirsty. So having refreshed ourselves I did inspect the lake, and
found lying in it certain hewn timbers which my dad and I took to be
the remains of the Würtemberg raft: and I by geometry took or estimated
the length and breadth of the water (for 'twas far too wearisome to go
round the lake and measure it by paces or feet), and entered the
dimensions, by means of the scale of reduction, in my tablets. And
having done this, the sky being completely clear and the air windless
and calm, I must needs try what truth was in the legend that a storm
would arise if any should throw a stone into the lake; having already
found those stories I had heard, how the lake would suffer no trout to
live in it, to be true, by reason of the mineral taste of the waters.
So to make trial of this, I walked along the lake to the left, where
the water, which elsewhere is as clear as a crystal, doth begin, by
reason of the monstrous depth, to shew as black as coal, and therefore
is so dreadful of appearance that the mere look of it doth terrify.
And there I began to cast in stones as great as I could carry; my
foster-father or dad not only refusing to help me, but warning and
begging me to give over, as much as in him lay: but I went busily on
with my work, and such stones as by reason of their size and weight I
could not carry, I rolled down till I had cast more than thirty such
into the lake. Then began the sky to be covered with black clouds, in
which terrible thundering was heard, so that my dad, which stood on the
other side of the lake by the outlet, lamenting over my work, cried out
to me that I should escape, lest we be caught by the rain and the
dreadful storm, or even a worse mishap chance to us. But in despite of
all I answered him, "Father, I will stay and await the end even though
it rained pitchforks." "Yea, yea," answered he, "ye act like all madcap
boys, that care not if the world perish."

But I, while I listened to his scolding, turned not mine eyes away from
the depths of the lake, expecting to see certain bladders or bubbles
rising up from the bottom, as is wont to happen when stones are thrown
into deep water whether still or running. Yet saw I naught of the kind,
but was ware of certain creatures floating far down in the depths,
which in form reminded me of frogs, and flitted about like sparks from
a mounting rocket which in the air doth work its full effect: and as
they came nearer and nearer to me they seemed to grow larger and more
like to the human form: at which at first great wonder took hold of me,
and at last, when I saw them hard by me, a great fear and trembling.
"Ah," said I then to myself in my terror and wonder, and yet so loud
that my dad, that stood beyond the lake, could hear me, though the
noise of the thunder was dreadful, "how great are the wondrous works of
the Creator! yea, even in the womb of the earth and the depths of the
waters!" And scarce had I said these words when one of these sylphs
appeared upon the waters and answered me, "Aha, and thou dost
acknowledge that before thou hast seen aught thereof: what wouldst say
if thou wert for once in the Centrum Terrae and beheldest our dwelling
which thy curiosity hath disturbed?"

Meanwhile there rose up here and there more of such water-spirits, like
diving birds, all looking upon me and bringing up again the stones I
had cast in, which amazed me much. And the first and chiefest among
them, whose raiment shone like pure gold and silver, cast to me a
shining stone of the bigness of a pigeon's egg and green and
transparent as an emerald, with these words: "Take thou this trinket,
that thou mayst have somewhat to report of us and of our lake." But
scarce had I picked it up and pocketed it when it seemed to me the air
would choke or drown me, so that I could not stand upright but rolled
about like a ball of yarn, and at last fell into the lake. Yet no
sooner was I in the water than I recovered, and through the virtue of
the stone I had upon me could breathe in water instead of air: yea,
I could with small effort float in the lake as well as could the
water-spirits, yea, and with them descended into the depths; which
reminded me of nothing so much as of a flock of birds that so descend
in circles from the upper air to light upon the ground.

But my dad having beheld this marvel in part (namely, so much of it as
was done above the water), made off from the lake and home again as if
his head were on fire. And there he told the whole history; but
especially how the water-spirits had brought back those stones that I
had cast into the lake, in the midst of the thunderstorm, and had laid
them where they came from, but in exchange had taken me down with them.
So some believed him but most accounted it a fable. Others conceived
that I had, like another Empedocles of Agrigentum (which cast himself
into Mount Aetna that all might think, since he was nowhere to be
found, that he was taken up to heaven), drowned myself in the lake, and
charged my father to spread such tales about me to gain for me an
immortal name: for, said they, it had long been marked by my
melancholic humour that I was half-desperate.

Others would fain have believed, had they not known my strength of
body, that my adopted father had himself murdered me to be rid of me
(being a miserly old man) and so be master alone on my farm: so that at
this time naught else but the Mummelsee and me and my departure and my
foster-father could be talked of or discoursed on either at the spa or
in the countryside.

Chaps. xiii.-xvi. contain merely a farrago of nonsense conveyed in
conversations with the prince of the Mummelsee, who explains to
Simplicissimus the construction of the "earth's crust" and the nature
of sylphs, and in turn is treated by him to an account of earthly
affairs, on which he makes the usual commonplace satirical remarks (see
the Introduction).

Chap. xvii.: HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS RETURNED FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE
EARTH, AND OF HIS STRANGE FANCIES, HIS AIRCASTLES, HIS CALCULATIONS;
AND HOW HE RECKONED WITHOUT HIS HOST

Meanwhile the time drew near that I should return home; therefore the
king bade me declare my wishes, whereby I understood he was minded to
do me a favour. So I said, no greater kindness could be shewn me than
to cause a real medicinal spring to rise on my farm. "And is that all?"
answered the king, "I had thought thou wouldst have taken with thee
some of these great emeralds from the American Sea and have asked to
bear them with thee back to earth. Now do I see that there is no greed
among you Christians." Therewith he handed to me a stone of strange and
glittering colours, and said, "Put this in thy pouch, and wheresoever
thou layest in on the ground, there will it begin to seek the Centre of
the Earth again, and to pass through the most fitting mineralia, till
it come back to us, and for our part we will send thee a noble mineral
spring, that shall work thee such good and profit as thou hast deserved
of us by thy declaration of the truth." So thereupon the prince of the
Mummelsee took me again under his charge, and passed with me through
the road and the lake by which we had come. And this way back seemed to
me far longer than the way thither, so that I reckoned it at three
thousand five hundred German-Swiss miles well measured; but doubtless
the cause that the time seemed so long to me was that I had no speech
of my escort, save that I learned from them they were from three to
five hundred years old and lived all this time without the least
disease.

For the rest, I was in fancy so rich with my spring that all my wits
and all my thoughts were busied with this, to wit, where I should plant
it and how turn it to profit. And first I had my plans for the fine
buildings that I must set up that the bathing-guests might be properly
accommodated, and I for my part might gain great hire for lodgings.
Then I devised already by what bribes I could persuade the doctors to
prefer my new miraculous spa to all the others, yea, even to that of
Schwalbach, and so procure for me a crowd of rich patients: in my
fantasy I even levelled whole mountains lest they that came and went
should find the way wearisome to travel: already I hired sharp-witted
drawers, sparing cooks, careful chambermaids, watchful grooms, spruce
intendants of the baths and springs, and already I thought of a place
where in the midst of the wild mountains by my farm I might plant a
fine level pleasure-garden, and there rear all manner of rare plants,
that the bathing-guests and their wives that came from foreign parts
might walk therein, where the sick might be cheered and the sound might
be amused and exercised with all manner of sports and pastimes. Then
must the doctors, for a reward, write me a noble treatise on my spring
and set down on paper its healing qualities; and this I would have
printed with a fine plate wherein my farm should be depicted and a
ground plan thereof given; by reading which any absent patient might at
once believe and hope himself in health again. Then would I have all my
children fetched from Lippstadt, to have them taught all that was
needful to know of my new watering-place; for 'twas my intent to
scarify my guests' purses well though not their backs. With such rich
fancies and overweening castles in the air I came again into the upper
world, for this oft-mentioned prince brought me again to land from his
Mummelsee with dry clothes; and there I must forthwith cast from me the
talisman that he had at first given me when he fetched me away; else
had I either been choked in the air or must have plunged my head under
the water again, such was the effect of the said stone. Which being
done, and he having taken it to him again, we commended each other to
the protection of the most High, as men that should never meet again;
so he with his people dived under and sank into his depths; but I with
my stone which the king had given me went thence as full of joy as if I
had fetched the golden fleece home from Colchis.

But alas! my joy, of which I vainly hoped for the everlasting
continuance, endured not long, for hardly was I gone from that lake of
wonders when I began to go astray in that monstrous wood, for I had
not marked from what direction my dad had brought me to the lake. Yet I
went some way on before I was aware of my mistake, ever making
calculations how I could plant that noble spring on my farm, and build
round it, and earn for myself a peaceful revenue as proprietor thereof.
In this way I unawares strayed further and further from the place
whither I desired to come and, worst of all, I found it not out till
the sun was sinking and I was helpless. For there I stood in the midst
of a wilderness like Simple Simon, without food or arms, of which I
might well have need during the night that was coming on. Yet I found
comfort in my stone that I had brought with me from the very bowels of
the earth. "Patience, patience!" said I to myself: "this will again
repay thee for all sufferings undergone. All good things take time, and
fine rewards be not won without great toil and labour: else would every
fool need but to wipe his beard to get possession at will of even such
a noble spring as thou hast in thy poke."

And having spoken thus I got with my new resolve new strength, so that
I went forward with a bolder gait than heretofore, although night now
overtook me. The full moon indeed shone on me brightly, but the tall
fir-trees kept the light from me more than the deep sea had done that
very day; yet I made my way on, till about midnight I was ware of a
fire afar off, to which I straightway walked, and saw from a distance
that there were certain woodmen about it, resin-gatherers; and though
such folk be not at all times to be trusted yet my necessity compelled
me and my own courage urged me on to speak to them. So I came quietly
behind them and said, "Good night or good day or good morrow or good
even, gentlemen: for tell me what hour it is that I may know how to
greet ye." With that the whole six stood or sat there all a-tremble
with fear and knew not what to answer me. For I, being of great stature
and just at that time, by reason of mourning for my late wife, being in
black raiment; and in especial having a terrible cudgel in mine hand,
on which I leaned like a wild man of the woods, my figure seemed to
them dreadful. "How," says I, "will none answer me?" Yet they stayed
yet a good while in amazement, till at last one came to himself well
enough to ask, "Who be the gentleman?" By that I heard they must be of
the Swabian nation; which men esteem as simple-minded yet with little
cause: so I said I was a travelling scholar, but newly come from the
Venusberg, where I had learned a heap of wondrous arts. "Oho," quoth
the eldest woodman, "Praise God; for now do I believe that I shall live
to see peace again, because the wandering scholars are on their travels
anew!"

Chap. xviii.: HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS WASTED HIS SPRING IN THE WRONG PLACE

In this wise we came to converse with one another, and I found so much
courtesy among them that they invited me to sit down and offered me a
piece of black bread and thin cow's milk cheese, both of which I did
thankfully accept. At last they became so familiar with me that they
hinted I should, as a travelling scholar, tell their fortunes: and I,
knowing somewhat of physiognomies and palmistry, began to tell to one
after the other such stuff as I deemed would content them, that I might
not lose credit with them; for in spite of all I was not at my ease
among these wild woodmen. Then would they learn curious arts from me:
but I fobbed them off with promises for the next day, and desired they
would suffer me to rest a little. And having so played the gipsy for
them. I laid myself down a little apart, more to listen and to perceive
how they were minded than as having any great desire to sleep (though
my appetite thereto was not lacking); and the more I snored the more
wakeful they appeared. So they put their heads together and began to
dispute one against another who I might be: they held that I could be
no soldier because I wore black clothing, nor no townsman-blade, that
could so suddenly appear far from all men's dwellings in the Muckenloch
(for so was the wood called) at so unwonted a time. At the last they
resolved I must be a journeyman Latinist[42] that had lost his way, or,
as I myself had declared, a travelling scholar, because I could so
excellently tell fortunes. "Yea," says another, "yet he knew not all
for that reason: 'tis some wandering soldier, maybe, that hath so
disguised himself to spy out our cattle and the secret ways of the
wood. Aha! if we knew that we would so put him to sleep that he should
forget ever to wake again." But another quickly took him up, that held
the contrary and would have me to be somewhat else. Meanwhile I lay
there and pricked up my ears and thought, "If these clodhoppers set
upon me, two or three of them will need to bite the dust before they
make an end of me." But while they took counsel and I tormented myself
with fears, of a sudden I found myself lying in a pool of water. O
horrors! now was Troy lost and all my splendid plans gone to naught,
for by the smell I perceived 'twas mine own mineral spring. With that,
for very rage and despite, I fell into such a frenzy that I wellnigh
had fallen on those six peasants and fought them all. "Ye godless
rogues," says I to them, and therewith sprang up with my terrible
cudgel, "by this spring that welleth forth where I have lain ye well
may see who I am; it were small wonder if I should so trounce ye all
that the devil should fetch ye, because ye have dared to cherish such
evil thoughts in your hearts," and thereto I added looks so threatening
and terrible that all were afraid of me. Yet presently I came to myself
and perceived what folly I committed. "Nay," thought I, "'tis better to
lose the spring than one's life, and that thou canst easily forfeit if
thou attack these clowns." So I gave them fair words again, and before
they could recollect themselves: "Arise," said I, "and taste of this
noble spring which ye and all other woodmen and resin-gatherers will
henceforth be able to enjoy in this wilderness through my help."

Now this my discourse they understood not, but looked one upon another
like live stockfish till they saw me very soberly take the first
draught out of my hat. Then one by one they arose from beside their
fire, and looked upon this miracle and tasted the water; but instead of
being grateful to me as they should have been, they began to curse and
said they would I had chanced on some other spot with my spring: for if
their lord came to know of it, then must the whole district of
Dornstett do forced-work to make a road thither, which would bring
great hardship upon them. "But," says I, "on the contrary, ye will all
have your profit therefrom: for ye can turn your fowls, your eggs, your
butter, and your cattle and the rest more easily into money." "Nay,
nay," said they, "the lord will put in an innkeeper that will take all
the profit alone: and we must be his poor fools to keep road and path
in trim for him, and earn no thanks thereby."

But at last they disagreed: for two were for keeping the spring and
four demanded of me that I should take it away; which, had it been in
my power, I had willingly done whether it pleased them or teased them.
So as day began to break, and I had no more to do there, but must
rather take heed lest we came together by the ears, I said that unless
they were minded that all the cows in that valley should give red milk
as long as the spring flowed they must presently shew me the way to
Seebach; with which they were content, and to that end sent two of them
with me; for one had feared to go with me alone.

So I departed thence, and though the whole land there was barren and
bore nothing but pine-cones, yet would I with a curse have made it yet
poorer, for there I had lost all my hopes; yet went I silently enough
with my guides till I came to the top of the hill, where I could a
little trace my way by the lie of the country. And there I said to
them, "Now, my masters, ye can turn your new spring to fine profit if
ye go forthwith and tell your lords of its coming up; for that will
bring ye a rich reward, seeing that the prince will surely build about
it for the glory and gain of the country, and for the promotion of his
own interest will have it made known to all the world." "Yea," said
they, "fools should we be in truth so to bind rods for our own backs;
we had rather the devil would take thee and thy spring too: thou hast
heard enough to know why we desire it not." "Ah, miscreants!" quoth I,
"should I not call ye disloyal rogues that depart so far from the ways
of your pious forefathers, which were so true to their prince that he
could boast that he might venture to lay his head upon the knees of any
of his subjects and there sleep in safety. But ye blackcaps, to 'scape
a trifling task for which ye would in time be recompensed and of which
all your posterity would reap a rich reward, ye be so dishonest as to
refuse to make known this healing spring, which were both to the profit
of your worshipful prince and also to the welfare and health of many a
sick man. What would it cost ye though each should do a few days'
forced work to that end?" "How," said they, "we would rather kill thee
that thy spring might remain unknown." "Ye night-birds," says I, "there
must be more of ye for that," and therewith heaved up my cudgel and
chased them to all the devils, and thereafter went my way down hill
westwards and southwards, and so came after much toil and tumble about
sunset to my farm, and found it true indeed what my dad had prophesied
to me, namely, that I should get naught from this pilgrimage save weary
legs and the way back for the way thither.

Chap. xix. is an uninteresting excursus on certain communities of
Anabaptists in Hungary.

Chap. xx.: TREATS OF A TRIFLING PROMENADE FROM THE BLACK FOREST TO
MOSCOW IN RUSSIA

The same autumn there drew near to us French, Swedish, and Hessian
troops to refresh themselves among us and to keep the Free City in the
neighbourhood (which was built by an English king,[43] and called after
his name) blockaded, for which cause every man gathered together his
cattle and the best of his goods and fled into the woods among the
mountains. I too did as my neighbours did and left my house pretty well
empty, wherein a Swedish colonel on half-pay was lodged. The same found
still remaining in my cabinet certain books, for in my haste I could
not bring all away; and among others certain mathematical and
geometrical essays, and also some on fortification, wherewith our
engineers be principally busied, and therefore at once concluded that
his quarters could belong to no common peasant, and so began to inquire
of my character and to court my acquaintance, till by courteous offers
and threats intermingled he wrought me to it that I should visit him at
mine own farm, where he treated me very civilly and restrained his
people, that they should do my goods no unnecessary damage or hurt. And
by such friendly treatment he brought it about that I told him of all
my business, and in especial of my family and descent. Thereat he
wondered that I in the midst of war could so dwell among peasants, and
look on while another tied his horse to my manger, whereas I with more
honour could tie mine own horse to another's: I should, said he, gird
on the sword again and not allow my gift which God had bestowed on me
to perish by the fireside, and behind the plough; for he knew, if I
would enter the Swedish service, my capacity and my knowledge of war
would soon raise me to high rank. This I treated but coldly, and told
him advancement was ever far off if a man had no friends to take him by
the hand; whereto he replied that my good qualities would soon procure
me both friends and advancement; nay, more: he doubted not that I
should find kinsmen at the Swedish headquarters, and those of some
account, for there there were many Scottish noblemen and men of rank.
Further, said he, a regiment had been promised to him himself by
Torstensohn; which promise if it were kept (of which he doubted not)
then would he at once make me his lieutenant-colonel. With such and the
like words he made my mouth to water, and inasmuch as there were now
but scanty hopes of peace, and for me to suffer further billeting of
troops did but mean utter ruin, therefore I resolved to serve again,
and promised the colonel to go with him if only he would keep his word
and give me the post of lieutenant-colonel in the regiment he was to
have.

And so the die was cast; and I sent for my dad or foster-father, which
was still with my cattle at Bairischbrunn;[44] and to him and his wife
I devised my farm as their own property; yet on condition that after
his death my bastard Simplicissimus that had been laid at my door
should inherit it with all appurtenances, since there were no heirs
born in wedlock. Thereafter I fetched my horse and all the gold and
trinkets I still had, and having settled all my affairs and taken order
for the education of my said by-blow of a son, on a sudden the blockade
I spoke of was raised, so that before we looked for it we must decamp
and join the main army.

Under the colonel I served as a steward, and maintained him with his
servants and horses and all his household by theft and robbery, which
is called in soldiers' language foraging. But as to the promises of
Torstensohn, of which he had talked so big at my farm, they were not so
great by a good deal as he had given out, but as it seemed to me he was
rather looked at askance. "Aha," says he to me, "some malicious dog
hath slandered me at headquarters. Yet I shall not need to wait long":
but when he suspected that I should not endure to tarry longer with him
he forged letters as if he had to raise a fresh regiment in Livonia
where his home was, and persuaded me to embark with him at Wismar and
to sail thither. And there too we found naught, for not only had he no
regiment to raise, but was besides a nobleman as poor as a church
mouse: and what he had came from his wife. Yet though I had now been
twice deceived and had suffered myself to be enticed so far afield, yet
I took the bait the third time; for he shewed me writings he had
received from Moscow, in which, as he professed, high commands in the
army were offered him, for so he interpreted the said letters to me and
boasted loudly of good and punctual pay: and seeing that he started off
with wife and child, I thought, surely he is on no wild-goose chase.

And so with high hopes I took the road with him, for otherwise I saw no
means or opportunity to get back to Germany. But as soon as we came
over the Russian frontier, and sundry discharged German soldiers met
us, I began to be alarmed and said to my colonel, "What the devil do we
here? We leave the country where war is, and where there is peace and
soldiers be of no account and disbanded, thither we come." Yet still he
gave me fair words and said I should leave it to him; he knew better
what he was about than these fellows that were of no account.

But when we came in safety to the city of Moscow, I saw at once the
game was up. 'Tis true my colonel conferred daily with great men, but
far more with bishops than boyars, which seemed to me not so much grand
as far too monkish, and aroused in me all manner of fancies and
reflections, though I could not conceive what he aimed at: but in the
end he revealed to me that war was over and that his conscience urged
him on to embrace the Greek religion; and that his sincere advice to me
was, inasmuch as otherwise he could help me no more as he had promised,
to follow his example: for his Majesty the Czar had already good
accounts of my person and my great capabilities: and would be
graciously pleased, if I would agree to the conditions, to endow me as
a knight with a fine estate and many serfs; which most gracious offer
was not to be rejected, since for any man it was better to have in so
great a monarch rather a gracious lord than an offended prince. At this
I was much confounded, and knew not what to answer, for had I had the
colonel in another place I would have answered him rather by deeds than
words: but now I must play my cards otherwise, and consider the place
where I was, and where I was like to a prisoner; and therefore was
silent a long time before I could resolve upon an answer. At length I
said to him I had indeed come with the purpose to serve the Czar's
Majesty as a soldier, to which he, the colonel, had persuaded me; and
if my services in war were not needed I could not help it; far less
could I lay it to the charge of the Czar that I had for his sake
undertaken so long a journey in vain, for he had not written to me to
come. But that his Majesty condescended so graciously to dispense his
royal favour to me would be a thing for me rather to boast of before
all the world than most humbly to accept it and to earn it, since I
could not just now determine to alter my religion, and only wished I
were dwelling again in my farm in the Black Forest and so causing no
man concern or inconveniency. To which he replied, "Your honour may do
as he pleases: only I had conceived that if God and good luck favoured
him, he would do well to be thankful to both; but if he will accept no
help and refuses to live like a prince, at least I hope he will believe
that I have spared no pains to help him to the best of my ability."
Thereupon he made me a deep reverence, went his way, and left me in the
lurch, not allowing me even to give him my company to the door.

So as I sat there all perplexed and reviewed my present condition I
heard two Russian carriages before our lodging, and looking out of the
window saw my good master colonel with his sons enter the one and his
wife with her daughters the other. Which were the Czar's carriages and
his livery, and divers priests there also which waited upon this
honourable family and shewed them all kindness and good will.

Chap. xxi.: HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS FURTHER FARED IN MOSCOW

From this time I was watched, not openly indeed, but secretly, by
certain soldiers of the Strelitz guard, and that without my knowledge;
and my colonel and his family never once came in my sight, so that I
knew not what was become of him: and all this, as may easily be
thought, brought in my head strange conceits and many grey hairs also.
There I made the acquaintance of the Germans that dwell in Moscow, some
as traders, some as mechanics, and to them lamented my plight and how I
had been deceived by guile; who gave me comfort and direction how I,
with a fair opportunity, might return to Germany. But so soon as they
got wind of it that the Czar had determined to keep me in the land and
would force me to it, they all became dumb towards me, yea, avoided my
company, and 'twas hard for me even to find a shelter for my head. For
I had already devoured my horse, saddle and trappings and all, and was
now doling out one to-day and to-morrow another of the ducats which I
had wisely sewn into my clothes. At last I began to turn into money my
rings and trinkets, in the hope to keep myself so until I could find a
fair occasion to get back to Germany. Meanwhile a quarter of a year was
gone, after which the said colonel, with all his household, was
baptized again and provided with a fine nobleman's estate and many
serfs.

At that time there went out a decree that both among natives and
foreigners no idlers should be allowed (and that with heavy penalties)
as those that took the bread out of the mouth of the workers, and all
strangers that would not work must quit the country in a month and the
town in four-and-twenty hours. With that some fifty of us joined
together with intent to make our way, with God's help, through Podolia
to Germany; yet were we not two hours gone from the town when we were
caught up by certain Russian troopers, on the pretence that his Majesty
was greatly displeased that we had impudently dared to band together in
such great numbers, and to traverse his land at pleasure without
passports, saying further that his Majesty would not be going beyond
his rights in sending us all to Siberia for our insolent conduct. On
the way back I learned how my business stood: for the commander of the
troop told me plainly, the Czar would not let me forth of the country:
and his sincere advice was that I should obey his Majesty's most
gracious will and join their religion, and (as the colonel had done)
not despise a fine estate; assuring me also that if I refused this and
would not live among them as a lord I must needs stay as a servant
against my will: nor must his Majesty be blamed that he would not allow
to depart from his country a man so skilful as the before-mentioned
colonel had reported me to be. Then did I disparage mine own worth, and
said the honourable colonel must surely have ascribed to me more arts,
virtues, and knowledge than I possessed: 'twas true indeed I had come
into the land to serve his Majesty the Czar and the worshipful Russian
people, even at the risk of my life, against their enemies: but to
change my religion, to that I could not resolve me: yet so far as I
could in any wise serve his Majesty without burdening my conscience, I
would not fail to do my utmost endeavour.

Then was I set apart from the rest and lodged with a merchant, where I
was openly watched, yet daily provisioned from the court with rich food
and costly liquors, and also daily had visitors that talked with me and
now and again would invite me as a guest. In especial there was one to
whose charge I had without doubt been chiefly commended, a crafty man,
that entertained me daily with friendly talk; for now could I speak
Russian pretty well. So he discoursed with me oftentimes of all manner
of mechanic arts, as well as of engines of war and others, and of
fortification and artillery practice. At last, after much beating about
the bush to find out whether I would give in to his master's wishes,
when he found there was no hope of my changing even in the least point,
he begged that I would for the honour of the great Czar impart and
communicate to their nation somewhat of my science: for his Majesty
would requite my complaisance with high and royal favours. To which I
answered, my desires had ever been to that end, most dutifully to serve
the Czar, seeing that for this purpose I had come into his country,
albeit I perceived that I was kept like a prisoner. But he replied,
"Nay, nay, sir, ye be no prisoner, but his Majesty doth hold ye so dear
that he cannot resolve to part with your person." So says I, "Wherefore
then am I guarded?" "Because," he answered, "his Majesty feareth lest
any harm should happen to ye."

So now understanding my proposals, he said the Czar was graciously
pleased to consider of digging for saltpetre in his own country and
making of powder there; but because there was no one in the land that
could deal with the matter, I should do him an acceptable service if I
would undertake the work: to that end I should be provided with men and
means enough ready to hand, and he in his own person would most
sincerely beg of me not to reject such a gracious proposal, seeing that
they were already well assured that I had a full knowledge of such
matters. To which I answered, "Sir, I say as I said before: if I can
serve his Majesty in anything, provided only he will be graciously
content to leave me undisturbed in my religion, I will not fail to do
my best." Whereat the Russian, which was one of their chief magnates,
was heartily glad and pledged me in drink deeper than ever a German.

Next day there came from the Czar two great nobles with an interpreter
to make a final agreement with me, and presented me on behalf of the
Czar with a costly Russian robe: and a few days after I began to seek
for saltpetre and to instruct the Russians that had been assigned to me
how to separate it from the earth and refine it; and at the same time I
drew up a plan of a powder-mill, and taught others to burn charcoal, so
that in brief space we had ready a goodly amount both of musquet and
ordnance powder; for I had people enough, besides mine own servants
that were to wait on me, or, to speak more truly, to keep watch and
ward over me.

I being thus well started, there comes to me the before-mentioned
colonel in Russian clothes and nobly escorted by many servants; without
doubt by such a show of glory to persuade me to go over to that
religion. But I knew well that the clothes came from the Czar his
wardrobe, and were but lent him to make my mouth water: for 'tis the
commonest of customs at the Russian court: and that the reader may
understand how 'tis managed, I will give him an instance of mine own
self. For once was I busied with taking order at the powder-mills
(which I caused to be built on the river outside Moscow) as to what
task one and the other of the people assigned to me should perform that
day and the next, when of a sudden there was an alarm that the Tartars,
100,000 horse strong, were but four miles away plundering the country
and advancing continually: so must I and my people needs betake
ourselves to the palace, to be equipped out of the Czar's armoury and
stables. And I for my part, in place of a cuirass, was clad in a
quilted silk breastplate that would stop any arrow, but could not keep
out any bullet: moreover boots and spurs and a princely head-dress with
a heron plume, and a sabre that would split a hair, mounted with pure
gold and studded with precious stones, were given to me, and of the
Czar's horses such an one was put between my legs as I had never seen
the like of in my life, far less ridden; so I and my horses blazed with
gold, silver, pearls and precious stones. I had a steel mace hanging by
me that shone like a mirror, and was so well made and heavy that I had
easily beaten to death any that I dealt a blow with it, so that the
Czar himself could not ride into battle better equipped: and there
followed me a white standard with a double eagle to which the people
flocked from all sides and corners, so that before two hours were over
we were forty thousand strong and after four hours nigh sixty thousand,
with whom we marched against the Tartars; and every quarter of an hour
I had my orders from the Czar; which yet were but this, that I should
this day approve myself a soldier, having given myself out for one,
that his Majesty might as such esteem and recognise me. So every moment
our troop was increased with great and small soldiers and officers; yet
in all this haste could I discover none that should command the whole
body, or array the battle. It needs not that I should tell all, for my
story is not much concerned with this encounter. I will but say this
only, that we came suddenly upon the Tartars in a valley or deep dip in
the land, encumbered with tired horses and much booty, and least of all
expecting us; whom we attacked on all sides with such fury that at the
very onset we scattered them. There at the first attack I called to my
followers in the Russian speech, "Come now, let each do as I do!" and
that they all shouted to one another, while I with a loose rein charged
at the enemy, and of the first I met, which was a Mirza or prince's
son, I cleft the head in twain, so that his brains were left hanging on
my steel mace. This heroical example did the Russians follow, so that
the Tartars might not withstand their attack, but turned to a general
flight, while I dealt like a madman, or rather like one that from
desperation seeketh death and cannot find it, for I smote down all that
came before me, Tartar and Russian alike; and they that were commanded
by the Czar to watch me followed me so hard that I had ever my back
guarded. There was the air so full of arrows as it had been swarms of
bees, of which my share was one in the arm; for I had turned back my
sleeve that so with less hindrance I might use my sword and came to
cleave and batter; and until I received the wound my heart did laugh
within me at such bloodshed; but when I saw mine own blood flow, that
laughter was turned into a mad fury.

So when these savage foes had been put to flight, it was commanded me
by divers nobles in the name of the Czar that I should carry to their
emperor the news how the Tartars had been defeated: and at their
bidding I rode back with some hundred horsemen at my heels, with whom I
rode through the town to the Czar's palace, and was by all men received
with triumph and gratulation; but so soon as I had made my report of
the battle (albeit the Czar had already news of all that happened) I
must again doff my princely apparel, which was again stored away in the
Czar his wardrobe, though both it and the horse trappings were
bespattered and befouled all over with blood and so almost entirely
ruinated; whereas I had thought, since I had borne myself so knightly
in the encounter, the clothes should at least have been left me,
together with the horse, for a reward. But from this I could well judge
how 'twas managed with the Russian robe of state of which my colonel
made use; for 'tis all but lent finery which, like all else in Russia,
pertaineth to the Czar alone.

Chap. xxii.: BY WHAT A SHORT AND MERRY ROAD HE CAME HOME TO HIS DAD

Now as long as my wound was a-healing 'tis true I was treated like a
prince; for I walked abroad at all times clad in a furred gown of cloth
of gold lined with sables, though the wound was neither mortal nor
dangerous, and in all the days of my life I have never tasted such rich
foods as then; but this was all the reward I had for my labours, save
the praise which the Czar favoured me with, and this too was spoiled
for me by the envy of certain nobles. So now, being completely sound
again, was I sent down the Volga in a ship to Astrachan, to set up a
powder-mill there as in Moscow, for 'twas not possible for the Czar to
furnish these frontier fortresses from Moscow with fresh and good
powder, which must needs be carried by water and that with great risk.
And this service I willingly undertook, for I had promises that the
Czar, after the accomplishment of such business, would send me back to
Holland, and that with a good reward in money proportionable to my
services. But alas! when we think we stand safest and most certain in
the hopes and conceits we have formed, there comes a wind unawares, and
in a wink blows away all the flimsy stuff whereon we had founded our
hopes so long.

Yet the Governor of Astrachan treated me like the Czar himself, and in
brief space I had all on a good footing; his old ammunition which was
quite spoiled and ruined and could do no harm to any, I refounded (as a
tinker makes new tin spoons out of old ones), which was then a thing
unheard of among the Russians; by reason of which and other arts of
mine some held me to be a sorcerer, others a new saint or prophet, and
others, again, for a second Empedocles or Gorgias Leontinus. But being
hard at work and busied at night in a powder-mill outside the
fortifications, I was in thievish wise captured and carried off by a
horde of Tartars, which took me with others so far into their country
that I not only could see the herb Borametz or sheep-plant growing but
did even eat thereof: which is a most strange vegetable; for it is like
a sheep to look upon, its wool can be spun and woven like natural
sheep's wool, and its flesh is so like to mutton that even the wolves
do love to eat thereof. But they that had captivated me did barter me
away for certain wares of China to the Tartars of Nuichi, which again
presented me as a rare gift to the King of Corea, with whom they had
but then made a truce. And there was I highly valued, for there could
none be found like me in the handling of sword and rapier; and there I
taught the king how, with his piece over his shoulder and his back
turned to the target, he could yet hit the bull's-eye; in reward for
which at my humble petition he gave me my liberty again, and let me go
by way of Japonia to the Portuguese of Macao, which made but small
count of me. So I went about among them like a sheep that has strayed
from the flock, till at last in marvellous fashion. I was captured by
Turkish corsairs, and by them, after they had dragged me about with
them for a full year among strange foreign nations that do inhabit the
isles of the East Indies, sold to certain merchants of Alexandria in
Egypt. These carried me with their wares to Constantinople, and because
the Turkish emperor was just then fitting out galleys against the
Venetians and needed rowers, therefore must many Turkish merchants part
with their Christian slaves (yet for ready payment), among whom I was
one, as being a strong young fellow. And now must I learn to row; which
heavy task nevertheless endured not more than two months: for our
galley was in the Levant right valiantly overcome by the Venetians, and
I with all my companions freed from the power of the Turks: and the
said galley being brought to Venice with rich booty and divers Turkish
prisoners of high degree, I was set at liberty, as wishing to go to
Rome and on pilgrimage to Loretto, to view those places and to thank
God for my deliverance. To which end I easily obtained a passport, and
moreover from several honourable persons, especially Germans,
reasonable help in money, so that now I could provide me with a
pilgrim's staff and enter on my journey.

So I betook me by the nearest way to Rome, where I fared right well,
for both from great and small I got me much alms; and tarrying there
nigh six weeks, I took my way with other pilgrims, of whom some
Germans, and especially certain Switzers, to Loretto: from whence I
came over the Saint Gotthard Pass back through Switzerland to my dad,
which had kept my farm for me; and nothing remarkable did I bring home
save a beard which I had grown in foreign parts.

Now had I been absent three years and some months, during which time I
had fared over the most distant seas and seen all manner of peoples,
but had commonly received from them more evil than good; of which a
whole book might be writ. And in the meanwhile the Westphalian treaty
had been concluded, so that I could now live with my dad in peace and
quiet: and him I left to manage and to keep house, but for myself I sat
down to my books, which were now both my work and my delight.

Chap. xxiii.: IS VERY SHORT AND CONCERNETH SIMPLICISSIMUS ALONE

Once did I read how the oracle of Apollo gave as answer to the Roman
deputies, when they asked what they must do to rule their subjects in
peace, this only, "Nosce teipsum," which signifieth, "Let each man know
himself." This caused me to reflect upon the past and demand of myself
an account of the life I had led, for I had naught else to do. So said
I to myself: "Thy life hath been no life but a death, thy days a
toilsome shadow, thy years a troublous dream, thy pleasures grievous
sins, thy youth a fantasy, and thy happiness an alchemist's treasure
that is gone by the chimney and vanished ere thou canst perceive it.
Through many dangers thou hast followed the wars, and in the same
encountered much good and ill luck: hast been now high, now low: now
great, now small: now rich, now poor: now merry, now sorry: now loved,
now hated: now honoured, now despised: but now, poor soul, what hast
thou gained from thy long pilgrimage? This hast thou gained: I am poor
in goods, my heart is burdened with cares, for all good purposes I am
idle, lazy, and spoilt; and, worst of all, my conscience is heavy and
vexed: but thou, my soul, art overwhelmed with sin and grievously
defiled; the body is weary, the understanding bemused; thine innocence
is gone, the best years of youth are past, the precious time lost:
naught is there that gives me pleasure, and withal I am an enemy to
myself. But when I came, after my sainted father's death, into the
great world, then was I simple-minded and pure, upright and honest,
truthful, humble, modest, temperate, chaste, shame-faced, pious and
religious, but soon became malicious, false, treacherous, proud,
restless, and above all altogether godless, all which vices I did learn
without a teacher. Mine honour have I guarded not for its own sake, but
for mine own exaltation. I took note of time not to employ it well for
mine own soul's welfare, but for the profit of my body. My life have I
often put in jeopardy, and yet I have never busied myself to better it
that I might die blest and comforted; for I looked only to the present
and to my temporal profit, and never once thought on the future, much
less remembered that I must some time give an account before the face
of God Almighty."

With such thoughts I tormented myself daily; and just then there came
into my hands certain writings of the Franciscan friar Quevara, of
which I must here set down some; for they were of such power as fully
to disgust me with the world.

Chap. xxiv.: WHY AND IN WHAT FASHION SIMPLICISSIMUS LEFT THE WORLD
AGAIN

The first part of the chapter is a fair translation, extending to many
pages, of Quevara's somewhat trite reflections on the vanity of a
worldly life. It is taken from Albertini's translation of a book called
"Of the burden and annoyance of a courtier's life." 8vo. Amberg, 1599.
The only part of the chapter which concerns the story is as follows.

All these words I pondered carefully and with continual thought, and
they so pierced my heart that I left the world again and became a
hermit. Fain would I have dwelt by my spring in the Muckenloch, but the
peasants that dwelt near would not suffer it, though it had been for me
a wilderness to my taste; for they feared I should reveal the spring
and so move their lord to force them to make highways and byways
thither, especially now that peace was secured. So I betook myself to
another wilderness and began again my old life in the Spessart; but
whether I shall, like my father of blessed memory, persevere therein to
the end, I know not. God grant us all His grace that we may all alike
obtain from Him what doth concern us most, namely, a happy

                              END


                           APPENDICES

APPENDIX A

The success of "Simplicissimus" induced Grimmelshausen to publish a
"Continuatio" or sequel, which certainly does not seem to have been
contemplated when he wrote the last chapter of the original work. It,
as well as three lesser "continuations" which were published later, is
entirely unworthy of the author, though all four seem to be genuine
products of his pen. It is a string of allegories, ghost stories,
fables, and monotonous chronicles of adventure, not redeemed from
dulness by occasional gross filth. For one reason only it deserves our
attention; viz., the curious anticipation of the story of Robinson
Crusoe which is contained in chapters xix. to xxii. A subjoined
"relation" of Jean Cornelissen of Harlem gives an account of his
finding Simplicissimus and leaving him on his island well provided with
necessaries: but this narrative is so overloaded with childish stories
of the castaway's miraculous powers and performances that an abstract
of it only is here given at the end.

From the middle of chapter xix. to the end of chapter xxiii. is fully
translated.

CONTINUATION

Chap. xix.: HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS AND A CARPENTER ESCAPED FROM A
SHIPWRECK WITH THEIR LIVES AND WERE THEREAFTER PROVIDED WITH A LAND OF
THEIR OWN

So taking ship and coming from the Sinus Arabicus or Red Sea into the
ocean, and having a fair wind, we held our course to pass by the Cape
of Good Hope, and sailed for some weeks so happily that way that we
could have desired no other weather: but when we deemed that we were
now over against the isle of Madagascar there suddenly arose such a
hurricane that we had scarce time to take in sail. And the storm
increasing, we must needs cut down the mast and leave the ship to the
mercy of the waves, which carried us up, as it were, to the clouds, and
in a trice plunged us down again to the depths; all which lasted a full
half-hour and taught us all to pray most piously. At length were we
cast upon a sunken reef with such force that the ship with a terrible
crack broke all in pieces, at which there arose a lamentable and
piteous outcry. Then was the sea in a moment strown with chests, bales,
and fragments of the ship, and then one could hear and see the unlucky
folk, here and there, some on and some under the waves, clinging to
anything that in such need came first within their grasp, and with
dismal cries lamenting their ruin and commending of their souls to God.
But I, with the ship's carpenter, lay upon a great timber of the vessel
which had certain cross-pieces yet fast to it, to which we clung and
spake to one another. And little by little the dreadful wind abated;
the raging waves of the angry sea grew calmer and less; yet on the
other hand there followed pitch-dark night with terrible rain, till it
seemed as if we should be drowned from above in the midst of the sea.
And this endured till midnight, by which time we had been in sore
straits; but then was the sky clear again, so that we could see the
stars, by which we perceived that the wind drove us more and more from
the coast of Africa towards the open sea and the unknown land of
Australia, which troubled us both greatly. Now towards daybreak it grew
dark again, so that we could not see each other though we lay close at
hand: and in this darkness and piteous plight we drove ever onward,
till of a sudden we were aware that we were aground and stuck fast. So
the carpenter, which had an axe hanging to his girdle, tried with it
the depth of the water and found it on the one side of us not a foot
deep, which heartily rejoiced us and gave us sure hope that God had in
some way helped us to land, as we perceived by a sweet odour that we
smelt as soon as we came to ourselves a little. Yet because 'twas dark
and we both wearied out, and in especial looked presently for daylight,
we had not courage enough to commit ourselves to the sea and make for
land, notwithstanding we already thought to hear at a distance the song
of divers birds, which indeed was so. But as soon as the blessed
daylight shewed itself in the east, we saw through the dusk a small
island overgrown with bushes lying close before us; whereupon we betook
ourselves to the water on that side, which grew shallower and shallower
till at length, with great joy, we came to dry land. So there we fell
on our knees and kissed the ground, and thanked God above for His
fatherly care in bringing of us to land; and in such fashion did I come
to my island. As yet could we not know whether we were in an inhabited
or an uninhabited land and whether on the mainland or an island: but
this we marked at once, that it must be a right fertile soil; for all
was overgrown thick with shrubs and trees like a hemp-field, so that we
could hardly come through it. But when it was now broad day, and we had
made our way through the shrubs some quarter of an hour's march from
the shore, we could not only find no trace of human dwelling, but
moreover lighted here and there upon many strange birds that had no
fear of us, but suffered us to take them with our hands, from all which
we might judge we were on an uninhabited island, yet most fruitful.
There did we find citrons, pomegranates, and cocoanuts, with which
fruits we refreshed ourselves right well; and when the sun rose we came
to a plain covered with palm-trees, from which palm wine is made; the
which was but too pleasing to my comrade, who loved the same more than
was good for him. So there we set ourselves down in the sun to dry our
clothes, which we stripped off and to that end hung them on the trees,
but for our own parts walked about in our shirts: and my carpenter
cutting a palm-tree with his axe, found it was full of wine: yet had we
no vessel to catch it in, and for our hats, we had lost them both in
the shipwreck.

So the kindly sun having dried our clothes again, we put them on and
climbed up the high, rocky mountain that lieth on the right hand
towards the north between this plain and the sea, and looking about us
found that we were on no mainland but on this island, which in circuit
exceeded not an hour and a half's journey. And because we could see
neither near nor far off any land but only sea and sky, we were both
troubled, and lost all hope ever to see mankind again; yet contrariwise
it did comfort us that the goodness of God had brought us to this land
both safe and most fruitful, and not to a place that belike would prove
barren or inhabited of man-eaters. So we began to consider of our way
to act; and because we must live even as prisoners on this island with
one another we did swear perpetual fidelity each to each.

Now on the said mountain there not only sat and flew many birds of
divers kinds, but it was so full of nests with eggs that we could not
sufficiently marvel thereat. Of these eggs we did eat some and took
still more with us down the hill, on which we found the spring of sweet
water which flows into the sea towards the east with such force that it
might well turn a small mill-wheel; at which we rejoiced anew and
resolved to set up our abode beside the said spring. Yet for our new
housekeeping we had no other furniture but an axe, a spoon, three
knives, a prong or fork, and a pair of scissors: and nothing more. 'Tis
true my comrade had some thirty ducats about him, but these we had
gladly bartered for a tinder-box had we known where to buy one: for
they were of no use to us at all; yea, less than my powder-horn, which
was still full of priming; this did I dry, for it was all like a
soft cake, in the sun, scattered some upon a stone, covered it with
easy-burning stuff such as the moss and cotton which the cocoanut-trees
furnished in plenty, and then drawing a knife sharply through the
powder, kindled it, which rejoiced us as much as our rescue from the
sea: and had we but had salt and bread and vessels to hold our drink
we had esteemed ourselves the luckiest fellows in the world, though
four-and-twenty hours before we might have been counted among the most
miserable; so good and faithful and merciful is God, to whom be glory
for ever and ever, Amen.

Then we caught some birds forthwith, of which whole flocks flew about
us, plucked, washed, and stuck them on a wooden spit, and so I began to
turn the roast, while my comrade fetched me wood and prepared a shelter
that, if it should come on to rain again, might protect us from the
same, for these Indian rains in the parts towards Africa are wont to be
very unhealthy; but our lack of salt we supplied with lemon-juice to
give a flavour to our food.

Chap. xx.: HOW THEY HIRED A FAIR COOKMAID AND BY GOD'S HELP WERE RID
OF HER AGAIN

This was the first meal of which we partook upon our island; and having
ended it, we had naught else to do but gather dry wood to keep up our
fire. We would fain have explored the whole island at once, but by
reason of the fatigue we had passed through, sleep so overpowered us
that we must needs lie down to rest and sleep till broad daylight. And
finding it so, we walked down the brook or glade as far as its mouth
where it flows into the sea, and saw with amazement how a great
multitude of fish of the size of middling salmon or large carp swam up
the little river into the fresh water, so that it seemed as a great
herd of swine were driven violently in; and finding also certain
bananas and sweet potatoes, which be excellent fruits, we said to each
other we had surely found the Land of Cocaigne or Monkeys' Paradise,
(though no four-footed beast there) if we had but company to help us to
enjoy both the fruitfulness of this noble island and also the plenty of
birds and fishes on it: yet could we find no single sign that ever men
had been there.

But as we began to take counsel how we should further order our
housekeeping and whence we might have vessels wherein both to cook and
to catch the juice from the palms and let it ferment in its own
fashion, that we might have the full enjoyment of it, and as we walked
on the shore in talk of this, we saw far out at sea something that
tossed about, which we at a distance could not make out, though it
seemed bigger than it really was. For when it came near and was driven
ashore on the coast of the island it proved to be a woman, half-dead,
lying on a chest, and with both hands fast clasped to the handles of
it. Her for Christian charity we drew to dry land; and dreaming her to
be a Christian woman of Abyssinia both by her clothing and certain
marks she had on her face, we were the more busy to bring her to, to
which end (yet with all honesty, as becomes them that deal with modest
women in such a case) we set her on her head till a good deal of water
had run out of her, and albeit we had no cordial to revive her more
than our citron-juice, yet we ceased not to press under her nose that
spirituous liquor which is found at the very end of the lemon-peel and
to shake and move her about, till at last she began to stir of herself
and to speak in Portuguese: which as soon as my comrade heard, and as a
lively colour began to shew itself in her face, he said to me, "This
Abyssinian was once on our ship as maid to a Portuguese lady of
quality; for I knew them both well: they dwelt at Macao and were
purposed to sail with us to the Isle of Annabon." And she, so soon as
she heard him speak, shewed herself right glad, and called him by name,
and told us not only of her whole journey, but how she was rejoiced
both that he and she were still alive, as also that they had as old
acquaintances met on dry land and out of all danger. At that my
carpenter asked what manner of wares might be in the chest. To which
she answered they were certain parcels of Chinese apparel with firearms
and weapons, besides divers vessels of porcelain both small and great,
that should have been sent by her master to a great prince in Portugal.
At which news we rejoiced greatly, seeing that these were the things
which we most needed. Then did she beg of us that we would shew her
kindness and keep her with us: for she would gladly serve us in
cooking, washing, and other duties of a maid and obey us as a slave, if
we would but keep her under our protection and suffer her to partake
with us of the sustenance which fortune and nature provided in that
place.

So with great toil and trouble we dragged the chest to that place which
we had chosen for our dwelling; where we did open it, and found therein
things so fitted to our needs that we could have desired nothing better
for our then condition and for the use of our household. These goods we
unpacked and dried them in the sun, in which business our new maid
shewed herself diligent and serviceable; and thereafter we began to
slay, boil, and roast birds, and while my carpenter went to fetch
palm-wine I climbed up the mountain to gather eggs for us, meaning to
boil them hard and to use them in place of good bread. And as I went I
considered with hearty gratitude the great gifts and goodness of God,
that had with such fatherly kindness caused His Providence to watch
over us and gave us the promise of further help. There did I fall upon
my face, and stretching out my arms and lifting up my heart to God I
prayed thus: "O heavenly Father of all mercies, now do I find indeed
that Thou art more ready to give than we to ask; yea, dearest Lord,
Thou hast with the fulness of Thy divine riches supplied us more
quickly and more plentifully than we poor creatures ever thought to ask
of Thee at all. O faithful Father, may it please Thy infinite
compassion to grant to us that we may never use these Thy gifts and
favours otherwise than as is agreeable to thy Holy will and pleasure,
and as may tend to the honour of Thy great and unspeakable Name, that
we, with all the Elect, may ever praise, honour, and glorify Thee here
on earth and hereafter in heaven for ever and for evermore." And with
these and the like words, which flowed from the very depth of my soul,
with hearty and true faith, I went on till I had gathered all the eggs
we needed, and with them came back to our hut even as our supper stood
excellently well served upon the chest we had that day fished out of
the sea with our cook-maid, and which my comrade had made use of for a
table.

Now while I was absent seeking for eggs, my comrade, which was a lad of
some twenty odd years, I being now over forty, had struck a bargain
with our maid that should be both for his ruin and mine; for finding
themselves alone in my absence, and talking together of old times and
also of the fruitfulness and great delight of this blessed, yea more
than fortunate isle, they had grown so familiar that they had begun to
speak of a match between them, of which the pretended Abyssinian would
not hear, unless 'twere agreed that my comrade the carpenter should
make himself master of the island and rid them of me; for, said she, it
were impossible for them to dwell in peace in wedlock so long as an
unmarried man lived by them.

"For bethink thyself," says she, "how would not suspicion and jealousy
plague thee, if thou wert my husband, and yet the old fellow talking
with me day by day, even if he should never think to make a cuckold of
thee! Nay, but I know a better plan: if I be to be married on this
island, that well can feed a thousand or more persons to increase the
human race, then let the old fellow marry me; for were it so 'twere but
a year to count on, or perhaps twelve or at most fourteen, in which
time he and I might breed a daughter and marry her to thee, who would
not then be of the age that the old man is now; and in the meantime ye
might cherish the certain hope that the one should be the other's
father-in-law and the other his son-in-law, and so do away all evil
suspicions and deliver me from all dangers which otherwise I might
encounter with. Doubtless 'tis true that a young woman like me would
sooner wed with a young man than an old: yet must we suit ourselves to
the circumstance as our present plight doth require, to provide that I
and she that may be born of me shall be in safety."

By this discourse, which lasted much longer and was more fully set
forth than I have here described, and also by the beauty of the
pretended Abyssinian (which in the light of the fire did shine more
perfect than ever in my comrade's eyes) and by her lively actions, my
good carpenter was so captivated and befooled that he was not ashamed
to say he would sooner throw the old man (meaning me) into the sea and
send the whole island to the devil than deliver over to him so fair a
lady: and thereupon was the bargain I spoke of concluded between them,
namely, that he should slay me with his axe from behind or in my sleep;
for he was afeared of my great strength of body, as well as of my
staff, which he had himself fashioned for me as strong as a weaver's
beam.[45]

So this compact being made, she shewed my comrade close to our dwelling
a kind of fine potter's earth, of which she promised to make fine
earthen vessels after the manner of the Indian women on the Guinea
coast, and laid all manner of plans how she would maintain herself
and her family on this island, rear them and provide for them a
peaceful and sufficient livelihood, yea even to the hundredth
generation: and could not boast enough of what profit she could make of
the cocoanut-trees and the cotton which the same do bear or produce,
out of which she would provide herself and all her children's children
with clothing.

But I, poor wretch, came knowing no word of this foul business, and sat
down to enjoy what was yet before me, saying moreover, according to the
worshipful Christian usage, the Benedicite; yet no sooner had I made
the sign of the Cross over the meats and over my companions at table
and asked God's blessing, when our cookmaid vanished away with the
chest and all that had been in it, and left behind her such an horrible
stench that my comrade fainted clean away because of it.

Chap. xxi.: HOW THEY THEREAFTER KEPT HOUSE TOGETHER AND HOW THEY SET
TO WORK

Now as soon as he was recovered and come to his senses, he knelt down
before me and folded his hands, and for a full quarter of an hour
continually said nothing but "Oh, my father! O my brother! O my father!
O my brother!" and then began with the repeating of these words to weep
so bitterly that for very sobbing he could utter no word that could be
understood, until I conceived that by reason of the fear and the stench
he had lost his reason. But when he would not cease this behaviour and
continually besought my forgiveness, I answered him, "Dear friend, what
have I to forgive thee that hast never harmed me in thy life? Do but
tell me how I can help thee." "Nay," says he, "I seek for pardon; for I
have sinned against God and thee and myself": and therewith began again
his former lamentations, and went on so long that at last I said I knew
no evil of him, and if he had done any such that weighed upon his
conscience, I would not only from my heart forgive and condone anything
that concerned myself, but also, so far as he might have sinned against
God, would with him beseech the divine mercy for pardon. At which words
he embraced my knees and kissed them, and looked upon me so sorrowfully
that I was as one dumb, and could not conceive or guess what ailed the
lad; but when I had taken him to my arms and embraced him, begging him
to tell me what troubled him and how I could help him, he confessed to
me in every particular his discourse with the pretended Abyssinian, and
the resolve he had formed in respect of me in despite of God and of
Nature and of Christian love and of the laws of true friendship which
we had solemnly sworn one to another: and this he did with such words
and behaviour that from it his sincere repentance and contrite heart
might easily be guessed and presumed.

So I comforted him as well as I could, and said: God had peradventure
sent us this as a warning, that we might in time to come be better
aware of the devil's snares and temptations and live in the constant
fear of God: that he had of a surety cause enough to pray God heartily
for forgiveness for his evil intent, yet even greater cause to thank
Him for His goodness and mercy, seeing that He had in such fatherly
wise plucked him forth from wicked Satan's traps and snares and so
saved him from destruction now and eternally: and that we must perforce
here walk more circumspectly than if we dwelt in the midst of the world
among other men; for should one or the other or both fall into
temptation, there would be none at hand to help us but God Himself,
whom we must therefore the more diligently keep before our eyes and
without ceasing pray for His help and assistance.

By talk of such things he was, 'tis true, somewhat cheered, yet would
not be altogether content, but humbly besought me to lay upon him a
penance for his sin. So to raise up his prostrate spirit as far as
might be, I said that he being a carpenter, and having yet his axe by
him, should in the same place where we, as well as our hellish
cookmaid, had come to land, set up a cross on the shore; whereby he
would not only perform a penance well pleasing to God, but also bring
it to pass that in time to come the evil spirit, who doth ever fear the
sign of Holy Cross, would not again so easily attack our island. He
answered, "Not only a cross on the shore but two also on the mountain
will I make ready and set up, if only, my father, I may again possess
thy grace and favour and be assured of God's forgiveness." In which
fervour he went away straightway and ceased not to toil till he had
made ready three crosses, whereof we set up one on the sea-shore and
the other two apart on the highest top of the hill, with the
inscription that followeth:

"To the honour of God Almighty and in despite of the enemy of mankind,
Simon Meron, of Lisbon in Portugal, with counsel and help of his
faithful friend Simplicius Simplicissimus, a High German, did fashion
and here set up this token of our Saviour's sufferings, for Jesus
Christ His sake."

Thenceforward we began to live somewhat more religiously than before;
and in order to our reverencing and keeping of the Sabbath, I every
day, in place of an almanack, cut a notch in a post and on Sundays a
cross; and then would we sit together and talk of holy and godly
things; and this fashion must I use because I had not yet invented
anything to serve me in the stead of ink and paper, by means of which I
might set down somewhat in writing to keep count of our life.

And now to end this chapter I must make mention of a strange adventure
that did greatly terrify and distress us on the evening after our cook
her vanishing; for the first night we perceived it not, because sleep
overpowered us at once by reason of fatigue and great weariness. And
this was it. We having still before our eyes the thousand snares by
which the accursed devil would have wrought our ruin in the form of the
Abyssinian, could not sleep, but passed the time in watching, and
indeed for the most part in prayer; and so soon as it became a little
dark we saw floating around us in the air an innumerable quantity of
lights, which gave forth such a bright glow that we could discern the
fruit on the trees from the leaves: this we deemed to be another
invention of the enemy to torment us, and therefore kept still and
quiet, but in the end found 'twas but a kind of firefly or glow-worm,
as we call them in Germany, which are generated by a particular kind of
rotten wood that is found in this island, and shine so bright that one
can well use them in place of a lighted candle; for I have written this
book for the most part thus: and if they were as common in Europe,
Asia, and Africa as they be here, the candle-sellers would do a poor
trade.

Chap. xxii.: FURTHER SEQUEL OF THE ABOVE STORY, AND HOW SIMON MERON
LEFT THE ISLAND AND THIS LIFE, AND HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS REMAINED THE SOLE
LORD OF THE ISLAND

And now seeing we must perforce remain where we were, we began to order
our housekeeping accordingly. So my comrade made out of a black wood
that is almost like to iron mattocks and shovels for us both, with the
help of which we first dug holes for the three crosses before
mentioned, and secondly drew the sea-water into trenches, where, as I
had seen at Alexandria in Egypt, it turned into salt; and thirdly we
began to make us a cheerful garden; for we deemed that idleness would
be for us the beginning of destruction; fourthly, we dug another
channel for the brook, into which we could at pleasure turn it off, and
so leave the old river-bed dry, and take out as many fish and crayfish
as we would with hands and feet dry: fifthly, we found near the said
brook a most beautiful potter's clay; and though we had neither lathe
nor wheel and, most of all, no borer or other instruments so as to make
anything of the kind and so mould for ourselves vessels, and though we
had never learned the craft, yet we devised a plan by which we got what
we wanted; for having kneaded and prepared the clay as it should be, we
made rolls of it of the thickness and length of English tobacco-pipes,
and these we stuck one upon another like a snail's shell and formed out
of such whatever vessels we would, both great and small, pots and
dishes, for cooking and drinking: and when our first baking of these
prospered, we had no longer reason to complain of lack of anything;
'tis true we had no bread; but yet plenty of dried fish which we used
in its stead. And in time our scheme for getting salt turned out well,
so that now we had nothing to complain of but lived like the folk in
the golden age of the world: and little by little we learned how with
eggs, dried fish, and lemon peel, which two last we ground to a soft
meal between two stones, and birds' fat, which we got from the birds
called boobies and noddies, to bake savoury cakes in place of bread:
likewise did my comrade devise how to draw off the palm-wine very
cleverly into great pots and let it stand for a few days till it
fermented; and then would he drink of it till he reeled, and this at
last he came to do every day, and God knoweth how I dissuaded him
therefrom. For he said if 'twas allowed to stand longer 'twould turn to
vinegar; in which there was some truth; yet I answered him, he should
not at one time draw so much but only enough for our needs; to which he
replied that 'twas a sin to despise the gifts of God, and that the
palm-trees must have a vein opened at proper times lest they should be
choked with their own blood: and so must I give a loose rein to his
appetites unless I would be told that I grudged him that of which we
had plenty.

And so, as I have said, we lived like the first men in the golden age,
when a bountiful heaven produced for them all good things from the
earth without labour on their part; but even as in this world there is
no life so sweet and happy that is not at times made bitter by the gall
of suffering, so happened it with us: for the richer we grew daily in
larder and cellar, the more threadbare did our clothes from day to day
become, till at last they rotted on our bodies. And 'twas well for us
indeed that we thus far had had no winter; no, not the slightest
cold; although by this time, when we began to go naked, we had by my
notch-calendar spent more than a year and a half on the island, but all
the year round 'twas such weather as is wont to be in Europe in May and
June, save that about August and a little before it used to rain mighty
hard and there were great thunderstorms: moreover from one solstice to
another the days did not vary in length more than an hour and a
quarter. But although we were alone upon the island, yet would we not
go naked like brute beasts, but clothed as became honest Christians of
Europe: and had we but had four-footed beasts it had been easy to help
ourselves by using their hides for clothing; for lack of which we
skinned the birds we took, such as boobies and penguins, and made
clothes of this; yet because for want of the needful tools and other
material for the purpose we could not dress them so as to last, they
became stiff and uneasy and fell away in pieces from our bodies before
we were ware of it. 'Tis true the cocoanut-trees bore cotton enough for
us, yet could we neither weave nor spin: but my comrade, that had been
some years in India, shewed me on the leaves at the very tip a thing
like a sharp thorn; which if it be broken off and drawn along the stem
of the leaf, as we do with the bean-pods called Faseoli to strip them
of their rind, there will remain hanging on the said pointed thorn a
string as long as the stem or the leaf is, so that one can use the same
for needle and thread too; and this provided me with opportunity to
make for us breeches of those leaves and sew them together with the
threads of their own growing.

But while we thus lived together, and had so improved our condition
that we had no longer any cause to trouble for overwork, waste, want,
or calamity, my comrade went on daily tippling at his palm-wine as he
had begun, and now had made a habit of it, till at last he so inflamed
his lungs and liver that, before I was rightly ware of it, he by his
untimely death left me and the island and palm-wine and all. Him did I
bury as well as I was able; and as I pondered upon the uncertainty of
human life and other the like matters, I wrote for him this epitaph
that followeth:

 "That I am buried here and not in ocean deep.

Nor in the flames of hell (from which may God us keep!)
The cause was this: three things did for my soul contend:
The first the raging sea: the next the infernal fiend.
These two did I escape by God His help and grace:
The third was wine of palms, which brought me to this place."

So I became lord of the whole island and began again a hermit's life,
for which I had now not only opportunity more than enough but also a
fixed desire and purpose thereto. 'Tis true I made all use of the good
things and gifts of this place, with hearty thanks to God, whose
goodness and might alone had so richly provided for me, but withal I
was careful not to misuse this superfluity. And often did I wish that I
had Christian men with me that elsewhere must suffer poverty and need,
to profit with me by the gifts that God had given: but because I knew
that for His Almighty power 'twas more than possible, if it were but
His divine will, to bring thither more folk in easier and more
miraculous fashion than I had been brought, it often gave me cause
humbly to thank Him for His divine Providence in that He had in such
fatherly wise cared for me more than many thousands of other men, and
set me in a place so full of content and peace.

Chap. xxiii.: IN WHICH THE HERMIT CONCLUDES HIS STORY AND THEREWITH
ENDS THESE HIS SIX BOOKS

Now had my comrade hardly been a week dead when I marked that my abode
was haunted. "Yea, yea," I thought, "Simplicissimus, thou art now
alone, and so 'twas to be expected that the evil one should endeavour
to torment thee. Didst not look that that malicious spirit would make
thy life hard for thee? Yet why take count of him, when thou hast God
to thy friend? Thou needest but somewhat wherein to exercise thyself;
else wilt thou come to thy ruin from mere idleness and superfluity; for
besides him thou hast no enemy but thine own self and the plenty and
pleasaunce of this island; therefore make thy resolve to strive against
him who in his own conceit is the strongest of all. For be he overcome
by God his help, then shouldst thou, if God will, by His grace remain
master of thyself."

And with these thoughts I went my way for a day or two, and they made
of me a better and a piouser man; for I did prepare myself for that
encounter which without doubt I must endure with the evil spirit; yet
herein did I for this time deceive myself; for as on a certain evening
I perceived a somewhat that could be heard, I went out of my hut, which
stood close beneath a spur of that mountain, beneath which was the
spring of that sweet water that floweth through the island into the
sea; and there saw I my comrade that scrabbled with his fingers in a
cleft of the rock. Then may ye easily understand that I was afeared;
yet quickly I plucked up heart and commended myself to God's protection
with the sign of Holy Cross, and thought, "this thing must be; 'twere
better to-day than to-morrow."

With that I went up to the spirit and used to him such words as be
customary in such a case. And then forthwith I understood that 'twas my
deceased comrade, which in his lifetime had there concealed his ducats,
as thinking that if, sooner or later, a ship should come to the island,
he would recover them and take them away with him; yea, and he gave me
to know that he had trusted more in this handful of money, whereby he
hoped again to come to his home, than on God; for which cause he must
now do penance by such unrest after his death, and moreover against his
will be a cause of uneasiness to myself. So at his desire I took forth
the money, yet held it as less than naught, as will the sooner be
believed because I had nothing on which to employ it. And this was now
the first affright that I had after I was left alone; yet afterwards
was plagued by spirits of other sorts than this one; whereof I will say
no more, but this only, that by God's help and grace I attained to
this, that I found no single enemy more, save only mine own thoughts,
which were oft troubled enough; for these go not scot-free before God,
as men do vainly talk, but in His good time a reckoning must be paid
for these also.

So that these might the less stain my soul with sins, I busied myself
not only in the avoiding of that which profited naught, but did impose
on myself a bodily task the which to perform with my customary prayer;
for as man is born for work like the bird for flying, so on the other
hand doth idleness inflict her sicknesses both on soul and body, and in
the end, when we be least ware of it, eternal ruin. For this cause I
planted me a garden, of which indeed I had less need than the waggon
hath of a fifth wheel, seeing that the whole island might well be
called one lovely pleasure-garden; so was my work of no other avail but
that I brought this and that into completer order, albeit to many the
natural disorder of the plants as they grew mingled together might
appear more pleasing, and again that, as aforesaid, I shunned idleness.
O how oft did I wish, when I had wearied out my body and must give it
rest, that I had godly books wherein to comfort, to delight, and to
edify myself! But such I could not come by. Yet as I had once read of a
holy man that he said the whole wide world was to him one great book;
wherein to recognise the wondrous works of God and to be cheered to
praise Him, so I thought to follow him therein, howbeit I was, so to
speak, no longer in the world. For that little island must be my whole
world, and in the same, every thing, yea, every tree, an incitement to
godliness and a reminder of such thoughts as a good Christian should
have. Thus, did I see a prickly plant, forthwith I thought on Christ
his crown of thorns; saw I an apple or a pomegranate, then I reflected
on the fall of our first parents and mourned therefore; when I did draw
palm-wine from a tree, I fancied to myself how mercifully my Redeemer
had shed His blood for me on the tree of the Holy Cross; when I looked
on sea or on mountain, then I remembered this or that miracle which our
Saviour had wrought in such places; and when I found one or more stones
that were convenient for casting, I had before mine eyes the picture of
the Jews that would have stoned Christ; and when I walked in my garden
I thought on the prayer of agony in Mount Olivet, or on the grave of
Christ, and how after His Resurrection He appeared to Mary Magdalene in
the garden. Such thoughts were my daily occupation; never did I eat but
that I thought on the Last Supper, and never cooked my food without the
fire reminding me of the eternal pains of hell.

At last I found that with Brazil-juice, of which there be several sorts
on this island, when mixed with lemon-juice, 'twas easy to write on a
kind of large palm-leaves; which rejoiced me greatly; for now could I
devise and write out prayers in order; yea, in the end, considering
with hearty repentance my whole life and my knavish tricks that I had
committed from my youth up, and how the merciful God, despite all such
gross sins, had not only thus far preserved me from everlasting
damnation, but had given me time and opportunity to better myself and
to be converted, to beg His forgiveness and to thank Him for His
mercies, I did write down all that had befallen me in this book made of
the afore-mentioned palm-leaves, and laid them together with my
comrade's ducats in this place, to the end that if at any time folk
should come hither, they might find such, and therefrom learn who it
was that before inhabited this island. And whoso shall find this and
read it, be it to-day or to-morrow, either before or after my death,
him I beg that if he meet therein with words which be not becoming, for
one that would do better, to speak, much less to write, he will not be
angered thereat, but will consider that the telling of light actions
and stories demands words fitting thereto; and even as the houseleek
cannot easily be soaked by any rain, that so a true and devout spirit
cannot forthwith be infected, poisoned, and corrupted by any discourse,
though it seem as wanton as you will. The honourably minded Christian
reader will rather wonder, and praise the divine mercy, when he shall
find that so knavish a companion as I have been yet hath had such grace
of God as to resign the world and to live in such a condition that
therein he hopeth to come to eternal glory and to attain to everlasting
blessedness by the sufferings of his Redeemer, through a pious

                              END

APPENDIX B

Attached to chap. xxiii. is the "Relation of Jean Cornelissen of
Harlem, a Dutch sea-captain, to his good friend German Schleifheim von
Sulsfort concerning Simplicissimus."

Its contents are as follows:

On a voyage from the Moluccas to the Cape of Good Hope Cornelissen is
separated by stress of weather from the fleet with which he had sailed.
Having many of his crew sick, and no fresh water, he is delighted to
discover Simplicissimus' isle. His men go ashore and find the hermit's
dwelling, which, as the captain only afterwards learn they plunder, and
generally behave brutally. Cornelissen finds the crosses and many pious
inscriptions on trees, which prove to him that the unknown is a good
Christian though probably a Papist. The crew track Simplicissimus to a
vast cavern, on entering which their lights are miraculously
extinguished. There is an earthquake, and the seamen who had taken part
in the plundering of the hermit's dwelling are smitten with madness.
Cornelissen, with the chaplain and officers, determines to find
Simplicissimus at any cost. They penetrate the cave, but their lights
also go out, and Simplicissimus addresses them from the darkness and
remonstrates with them for their interference. The chaplain apologises,
and asks how the madmen may be cured: he is told that they are to
swallow the kernels of certain plums they had eaten. They offer to take
him back to Europe, but he refuses. After making a bargain with them to
secure his being left in peace, Simplicissimus shews himself surrounded
with his glow-worms. He leads them out of the cave and shews them his
ruined hut, and tells how his ducats and his book had been stolen. The
madmen are brought to their senses again. Simplicissimus recovers his
book, which he entrusts to Cornelissen, but again refuses to return to
sinful Europe. They rebuild his hut for him, provide him with plenty of
tools, a burning-glass, cotton clothing, and a pair of rabbits for
breeding purposes: and so, their sick being all recovered, sail away
and leave him there.

[A reference to the "Introduction" will show that this island adventure
could have had no place in the Simplician cycle of romances; unless we
suppose, which is highly improbable, that the author meant it to be
subsequent to the inn episode, in which Simplicissimus' family and
friends all meet. Most likely we have here the latest addition, in
point of composition, to the legend.]

[The following is given as a specimen of the nonsense of which the
various continuations are made up.]

APPENDIX C

"Continuatio," chap. xiii.: HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS IN RETURN FOR A
NIGHT'S LODGING, TAUGHT HIS HOST A CURIOUS ART

Now the evening before this I had lost a certain catalogue of those
special arts which I had aforetime practised and written down that I
might not forget them so easily: yet I depended not on this to remember
how to perform them and with what helps. For example I do here set down
the beginning of this list:

So to prepare matches or fuses that they shall give out no smell,
seeing that by such smell musqueteers be often betrayed and their plans
defeated.

To prepare match so that it will burn though it be wet.

To prepare powder so that it will not burn though red-hot steel be
thrust therein: very useful for fortresses that must harbour much of so
dangerous a guest.

To shoot men or birds with powder alone so that they shall lie as dead
for a while and yet rise up again without harm.

To give a man double strength without the use of carbine-thistle or
other such forbidden means.

If a sally from a fortress be checked, so to spike the enemy's guns in
a moment that they must burst.

To spoil a man's gun so that it will scare all game to cover till it be
again cleansed with a certain other substance.

To hit the bull's-eye in a target more quickly by laying the gun on the
shoulder and firing backward, than if a man should take aim and fire in
the accustomed way.

A special art to provide that no bullet may hit thee.

To prepare an instrument by means of which, specially on a still night,
a man can in wondrous wise hear all that sounds or is spoken at an
incredible distance (otherwise clean impossible and supernatural); very
profitable for sentries and specially in sieges, etc. (bk. iii., chap.
1.).

In like manner were many arts described in the said catalogue which
mine host had found and read: so he came to me himself into my
chamber, shewed me the list, and asked whether 'twas possible that
these things could be done by natural means; for that could he scarce
believe; yet must confess that in his youth, when he served as a page
in Italy with Field-marshal von Schauenburg, it was given out by some
that the princes of Savoy were proof against bullets: which the said
Field-marshal desired to make proof of in the person of Prince Thomas,
whom he then kept besieged in a fortress; for when on a time both sides
had agreed on a truce for an hour to bury the dead and to confer
together, he had commanded a corporal of his regiment, that was held to
be the best marksman in the whole army, to take aim at the said prince
while he should be standing on the parapet of the wall for a parley,
and so soon as the hour agreed upon should end, to fire at him with his
piece, with which he could put a lighted candle out at fifty paces:
that this corporal had taken careful note of the time and kept the said
prince under observation the whole time of the truce, and at the very
moment when it ended with the first stroke of the hour, fired at him:
yet had his piece, contrary to all belief, missed fire, and before the
corporal could make ready again the prince was gone behind the parapet;
whereupon the corporal pointed out to the Field-marshal, who had
likewise come to him on the trenches, a Switzer of the prince's guard,
at whom he aimed and hit him in such fashion that he rolled over and
over; wherefrom it plainly appeared that there was something in the
story that no prince of the house of Savoy could be hit or harmed. Yet
whether this was brought about by such arts, or whether perchance the
said princely house enjoyed a special grace from God, being, as 'twas
said, sprung from the race of the royal prophet David, he knew not.

I answered, "I know not either, but this I do know of a surety, that
the arts here specified be natural and no witchcraft." Which if he
would not believe, let him but say which he held to be the most
wonderful and impossible and I would at once to satisfy him (provided
only that 'twas one that asked not long time but only such means as I
had then at hand), make trial of it, for I must presently be a-foot and
pursue my journey. At that he said this seemed to him the most
impossible, that gunpowder should not burn if fire were put to it,
unless one should first pour the powder into water; which if I could by
natural means effect he would believe concerning all the other arts,
though there were over sixty of them, what he might not see and before
such trial could not believe. I answered, let him bring me quickly a
charge of powder and also a certain substance which I had need of, and
fire also, and presently he should see that the trick would hold. This
being done, I caused him to follow my process and then set light to the
powder: yet could he do no more than burn here and there a grain though
he worked at it for a quarter of an hour, and accomplished no more than
that he cooled a red-hot iron and quenched matches and lighted coals in
the very powder itself. "Aha!" says he, "the powder is bad." But I
answered him in act, and without much ado, before he could count a
score, so worked it that the powder blew up when he had scarce touched
it with the fire.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: Lit., "Bohemian Villages," i.e., with unpronounceable
names.]

[Footnote 2: William, Duke of Aquitaine, and afterwards a Saint noted
for the acerbity of his penances.]

[Footnote 3: A proverb: on Saint Gertrude's day spinning ceases and
garden-work begins.]

[Footnote 4: Viz. "ihnen den Hintern zu lecken."]

[Footnote 5: The commandments are here numbered according to the Roman
arrangement, but the meaning is obscure.]

[Footnote 6: The hermit.]

[Footnote 7: i.e. full of innocence.]

[Footnote 8: Given as an example of a Roman of luxurious tastes.]

[Footnote 9: Refers to an episode omitted in this translation.]

[Footnote 10: Allusion to a cruel practice in use in falconry.]

[Footnote 11: Proverbial: an allusion to a popular story.]

[Footnote 12: Lit. there are folk dwelling beyond the mountains too.]

[Footnote 13: I.e., he was bewitched.]

[Footnote 14: Hessian General.]

[Footnote 15: It is difficult to translate the German expression.
Probably this word, meaning a maritime trader in illicit wares,
represents it best.]

[Footnote 16: Obscure lines: many of the expressions in this chapter
are now inexplicable.]

[Footnote 17: He wrote the words down as he was told as if they meant
the judge's mother.]

[Footnote 18: The cuirass would be well lined to prevent chafing.]

[Footnote 19: Some 120 years before.]

[Footnote 20: Besieged by the Spaniards from 1601 to 1604.]

[Footnote 21: A kind of Eldorado.]

[Footnote 22: The famous cavalry commander of the Imperialists.]

[Footnote 23: The musqueteer supported his piece on a prop or stake.]

[Footnote 24: See chap. iii.]

[Footnote 25: viz. Lippstadt.]

[Footnote 26: The initials only of the name are given in the original.]

[Footnote 27: The pastor was 'Reformed' (i.e. Calvinist).]

[Footnote 28: I.e., at the Antipodes: "at the other end of the world."]

[Footnote 29: Referring to a body of Breton troops sent by Richelieu to
help Guébriant. They turned out worthless.]

[Footnote 30: "Bearskinner" was the troopers' name for a malingerer. It
was taken from a very old legend.]

[Footnote 31: The allusion is to the escape of the robber-knight,
Eppelin von Gailingen, from the Castle of Nuremberg.]

[Footnote 32: In 1063 the retainers of the Bishop of Hildesheim and the
Abbot of Fulda fought in church at Goslar, and much bloodshed ensued.]

[Footnote 33: Act as a usurer or cheat.]

[Footnote 34: He may possibly mean the three old fortifications of
which ruins still remain: Schwaben-, Schweden-, and Alexander-schanze;
all of which are close to his favourite spa at Griesbach.]

[Footnote 35: See chap. xi. above.]

[Footnote 36: This was "Courage," the heroine of some of
Grimmelshausen's later romances.]

[Footnote 37: Unknown.]

[Footnote 38: The jest is now unintelligible.]

[Footnote 39: It was really Christian of Brunswick, marching to join
Mansfeld.]

[Footnote 40: "Goblin" or rather "bogey" lake.]

[Footnote 41: D'Enghien.]

[Footnote 42: A hedge schoolmaster.]

[Footnote 43: Offa. Offenburg.]

[Footnote 44: Baiersbronn.]

[Footnote 45: Literally "a Bohemian ear-picker."]

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