Chapter I: Front Matter

Wherein is clearly shown that he who tends the sheep is much more honorable than he who slaughters them, 19

CHAPTER IV.

Wherein are described all manner of robbers and dangers, wherefrom the righteous are wondrously delivered, 26

CHAPTER V.

Which will be a short chapter but not a very merry one, 52

CHAPTER VI.

Contains the proper explanation of things which have hitherto remained obscure, 56

CHAPTER VII.

Wherein are described the house and the mistress of the house, 60

CHAPTER VIII.

In which are described the joys of long-parted but finally reunited kinsmen, and everyone learns to know exactly how he stands, 66

CHAPTER IX.

In the course of which the stern father, in the hardness of his heart, chastizes his lost son, but finally grants forgiveness to the repentant prodigal, 72

CHAPTER X.

In which is shown how vain it is for womankind to murmur against the course and order of this world, 81

CHAPTER XI.

Wherein is shown what terrible perils befall women who are not resigned to their fate, and do not obey their lords and masters, 89

CHAPTER XII.

Consists of a very few words which are, however, of all the more consequence, 102

CHAPTER XIII.

Wherein the knavish practices of the evil witch are only insinuated, but not yet fully divulged, 103

CHAPTER XIV.

Which goes to prove that the society of great folks is not always a thing to be desired, 107

CHAPTER XV.

Valentine really becomes one of those who work in blood, 122

CHAPTER XVI.

Wherein is shown of what great use it is when a mother is hardhearted toward her only son. Also concerning divers skirmishes with the Turks, things not to be read of without a shudder, 129

CHAPTER XVII.

In which it is shown by an edifying example that he who pursues the path of evil must needs fall into the ditch, 140

CHAPTER XVIII.

Wherein is related what very different fates befell the two honest comrades, 145

CHAPTER XIX.

The story now to be related very much resembles the story of Joseph and Potiphar, but not quite, inasmuch as it is not Joseph, but Potiphar, who is finally cast into prison, 152

CHAPTER XX.

In which is a very circumstantial, if not very pleasant, description of all the conditions to be observed in the exchange and purchase of slaves, 165

CHAPTER XXI.

Is full of good tidings, inasmuch as it treats of the discomfiture of evil-doers, 168

CHAPTER XXII.

Wherein is related what end was reserved for the evil-doers by way of deterrent example, which example, however, only distressed the soft-hearted without terrifying the stiff-necked, 172

CHAPTER XXIII.

In which it is shown not only that Satan is the author of all evil, but also that the grisly witches, his handmaidens, are always ready with their malicious practices to plunge poor mortals into utter destruction, 181

CHAPTER XXIV.

A true relation of the thoughtlessness of youth, and the artifices whereby women enthrall their lovers, 194

CHAPTER XXV.

Man cannot fathom the wiles which witches imagine when they unite in wedlock lovers whom they have clandestinely brought together, 200

CHAPTER XXVI.

The mummery receives its due punishment; nevertheless, Mercy and Compassion come to the mummer's aid, and deliver her out of all her troubles, 209

CHAPTER XXVII.

Wherein is shown how great a force the will of a woman is, and how quickly it can alter the order of things which man devises, 216

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Wherein occur such astounding transformations that people are scarcely able to recognize their very selves. Michal, however, is calumniated in a matter wherein she is absolutely innocent, 222

CHAPTER XXIX.

Concerning a terribly great contest, from which it will be seen that where his spouse's honor was concerned, Valentine put no bounds to his fury, 229

CHAPTER XXX.

Which teaches that outward beauty, be it never so precious a property, is often most dangerous to its possessor, 236

CHAPTER XXXI.

'Tis a true proverb which says that the devil sends an old woman when he cannot come himself; but of course it only applies to wicked old women, for there are very many gentlewomen well advanced in years who lead a God-fearing life and do good to their fellow-creatures, 246

CHAPTER XXXII.

Whereby we learn that it is not good to come to close quarters with Satan, for if we catch him by the horns he butts us, if we clutch him by the throat he bites us, and if we hold him by the neck he kicks us, 259

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Which shows what a good thing it is when "publica privatis præcedunt," or, in other words, when public duties take precedence of private affairs, 276

CHAPTER XXXIV.

The fulfillment of the proverb, as you make your bed so must you lie in it, comes to pass, 289

CHAPTER XXXV.

Things in this world do not always exactly turn out as men devise beforehand, 305

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Wherein carnival revels are described, 311

CHAPTER XXXVII.

The Lenten penance succeeds the carnival revels, 318

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

In which it is shown how ghosts haunt churchyards, 320

CHAPTER XXXIX.

In which everyone at last gets his deserts, 325

CHAPTER XL.

All things pass away, but science remains eternal, 334

PRETTY MICHAL.