Chapter IV: Introduction (2)

The xv^{th} chapter is about the DÜTZBETTERINS. These are the beggarwomen who lay themselves before the churches all over the country. They spread a sheet over themselves, and set wax and eggs by them, as tho’ they were in childbed, and say, their babe died xiiij days ago, altho’ some of them have not had one these x or xx years; and they are called DÜTZBETTERINS. To these nothing is to be given,—_causa_: There lay once, at Strasburg, a man underneath a sheet before the cathedral, and it was pretended he was a woman in childbed. But he was taken by the town serjeants, and put into a halsong, and in the pillory, and then he was forbidden the country. There are likewise some women who pretend they have been pregnant with a monster and have brought forth such, as did a woman who came to Pforzheim in the year one thousand five hundred and nine. This same woman said that a short time before she had given birth to a child and a live toad; and that this very toad she had carried to Our Lady at Einsiedeln, where it was still alive, and that it must have a pound of meat every day,—being kept at Einsiedeln as a miracle. Thus she begs alms as if she were on her way to Ach, to Our Lady. She had also a letter with a seal, which was proclaimed from the pulpit. The same woman, however, had a lusty young man whom she kept in food by such villany, sitting in an ale-house in the suburb waiting for her. All this was found out by the gate-keeper; and they would have been seized, but they had been warned and so took themselves off. _Nota_: All this was utter knavery.

+Of the Süntvegers, or (pretended) Murderers.+

The xvi^{th} chapter is about the SÜNTVEGERS. These are strong fellows who go about the country with long knives and say they have taken a man’s life away, but that it was in self-defence, and then they name a sum of money which they must have, and unless they bring the money at the right time, they will have their heads cut off. _Item_, some are accompanied by a fellow on their begging-rounds who goes in iron chains and fetters fastened with rings, and who says he was bail for the other for a sum of money to the people, and if he gets not the money in time, both of them must perish.

+Of the female Süntvegers.+

The xvij^{th} chapter is about the FEMALE-SÜNTVEGERS. These are the wives (KRÖNERIN), or, in reality, the wenches (GLIDEN) of the above fellows (_supra in precedenti capitulo_). They wander over the country, and say that formerly they led a loose life, but that now they repent and would turn from their wickedness, and beg alms for the sake of Sancta Maria Magdalena, and cheat the people therewith.

+Of the Bil-wearers,[13] or (pretended) pregnant Women.+

The xviij^{th} chapter is about the BIL-WEARERS. These are the women who tie old jerkins, or clothes, or a pillow over their person, underneath the gown, in order that people may think they are with child; and they have not had one for xx years or more. This is called GOING WITH BILS.[14]

+Of the Virgins (Jungfrauen), or pretended Lepers.+

The xix^{th} chapter is about the VIRGINS. These are beggars who carry rattles as though they were real lepers, and yet they are not. This is called GOING WITH THE VIRGIN.

+Of the Mümsen, or Spurious Beggars.+

The xx^{th} chapter treats of the MÜMSEN. These are beggars who go about under the pretence of begging; though it is not real, like that of the Capuchin Friars who are voluntarily poor. These same men have their women sitting in out-of-the-way corners also following the business. This is called GOING WITH THE MÜMSEN.

+Of the Over-Sönzen-Goers,[15] or pretended Noblemen and Knights.+

The xxi^{st} chapter is about OVER-SÖNZEN-GOERS. These are vagrants or beggars who say they are of noble birth, and that they have suffered by war, fire, or captivity, or have been driven away and lost all they had. These clothe themselves prettily and with neatness, as though they were noble, though it is not so; they have false letters (LOE BSAFFOT); and this they call GOING OVER SÖNZEN.

+Of the Kandierers, or pretended Mercers.+

The xxij^{nd} chapter is about the KANDIERERS. These are beggars tidily dressed; they make people believe they had once been merchants over the sea, and have with them a LOE BSAFFOT, from the bishop (as common people think), but the trick has been well related in _capitulo tertio_, together with an account of the LOSSNERS (liberated prisoners),—how they obtain their false letters and seals, saying they have been robbed; but it is all lies. This is called GOING OVER CLANT.

+Of the Veranerins, or baptized Jewesses.+

The xxiij^{rd} chapter is about the VERANERINS. These are women who say they are baptized Jewesses and have turned Christians, and can tell people whether their fathers or mothers are in hell or not, and beg gowns and dresses and other things, and have also false letters and seals. They are called VERANERINS.

+Of Christianers, Calmierers, or (pretended) Pilgrims.+

The xxiiij^{th} chapter is about CHRISTIANERS or CALMIERERS. These are beggars who wear signs in their hats, especially Roman veronicas, shells, and other tokens, which they sell to each other, in order that it shall be thought they have been in distant cities and foreign parts. For this reason they wear these signs, although they have never come thence, and they deceive people thereby. They are called CALMIERERS.

+Of the Seffers, or Salvers.+

The xxv^{th} chapter is about the SEFFERS. These are beggars who besmear themselves all over with salve, and lie down before the churches; thus looking as though they had been ill a long time, and as if their mouth and face had broken out in sores; but if they go to a bath three days after these go away again.

+Of the Schweigers, or the Jaundiced.+

The xxvj^{th} chapter is about the SCHWEIGERS. These are beggars who take horses’ dung and mix it with water, and besmear their legs, hands, and arms with it; thereby appearing as if they had the yellow sickness, or other dreadful disease. Yet it is not true; they cheat people therewith, and they are called SCHWEIGERS.

+Of the Burkhart.+

The xxvij^{th} chapter is about the BURKHART. These are they who thrust their hands into gauntlets, and tie them with kerchiefs to their throats, and say they have Saint Anthony’s penance, or that of any other Saint. Yet it is not true, and they cheat people therewith. This is called GOING ON THE BURKHART.

+Of the Platschierers, or Blind Harpers.+

The xxviij^{th} chapter is about the PLATSCHIERERS. These are the blind men who sit before the churches on chairs, and play on the lute, and sing various songs of foreign lands whither they have never been, and when they have done singing they begin to VOP (to lie) and FERB in what manner they had lost their eye-sight. _Item_, the hangmen (PLATSCHIERERS) also before the DIFTEL door (church-door) will take their clothes off till they are stark-naked, and lash themselves with whips and sticks for the sake of their sins, and they do this VOPPERY to cheat mankind, as thou hast just heard in the previous chapter; and this is called PLATSCHIERING. Also those who stand on stools, and lash themselves with stones and other things, and talk about the saints, usually become hangmen and slayers.

¶ THE SECOND PART.

_This is the Second Part of this Book, which speaketh of several_
Notabilia _that relate to the afore-mentioned customs and methods of
getting a living, given in a few words._

_Item_, there are some of the afore-mentioned who neither ask before a house nor at the door, but step right into the house, or into the chamber, whether any body be within or no. It is from no good reason. These thou knowest thyself.

_Item_, there are also some that go up and down the aisles of churches, and carry a cup in their hands. They wear clothes suitable for this purpose, and pass about very infirm as tho’ they were strangely ill, and go from one to the other, and bow towards those people who are likely to give them something. They are called PFLÜGERS.

_Item_, there are also some who borrow children upon All Souls’ or other Feast Day, and sit down before the churches as tho’ they had many children, and they say “these children are motherless” or “fatherless,” but it is not true. This is done in order that people may give to them the more willingly for the sake of ADONE (God).

_Exemplum_: In a village in Switzerland, there is a statute whereby they give to every beggar vs. hellers on condition that he shall for a quarter of a year at least not beg in the same neighbourhood. Once a woman took these same vs. hellers on condition that she would not beg any more in the neighbourhood. After that she cut her hair off, and begged up and down the country, and came again to Swytz, into the village, and sat down at the church gate with a young child. When the child was uncovered it was found to be a dog. Then she had to run away from the country. This person was called _Weissenburgerin_; she had been in prison at Zurich combing wool.

_Item_, there are some who put on good clothes and beg in the streets. They accost any person, be it woman or man, and say, they have lain ill a long time, and are mechanics who have expended all their goods and are ashamed to beg, and ask that thou mayest help them to proceed on their journey. These are called GOOSE-SHEARERS.[16]

_Item_, there are likewise some among those beforementioned who pretend they can dig or search for hidden treasures, and when they find some one who allows himself to be persuaded, they say they must have gold and silver, and must have many masses celebrated to this same end, _et cetera_, with many more words added. Thereby they deceive the nobility, the clergy, and also the laity, for it has not yet been heard that such villains have found these valuables. But they have cheated people enough. They are called SEFEL-(dirt-)DIGGERS.

_Item_, there are also some among the above who treat their children badly in order that they may become lame (and who would be sorry if they should grow straight-legged) for thereby they are more able to cheat people with their LOE VOTS (lying words).

_Item_, there are also others among the above who, when they come into the villages, have a little counterfeit finger and dirt[17] upon it, smearing it all over, and say they have found it, and ask if somebody will buy it. Thus a silly peasant’s wife (HANZIN) thinks it is silver, and knows it not, and gives them vi pennies or more for it, and therewith she is cheated. In like manner with _pater nosters_, or other signs which they carry underneath their cloaks. They are called WILTNERS.

_Item_, there are also some QUESTIONERERS (persons who ask alms) who make evil use of the holy goods which they receive, be it flax, linen-cloth, broken silver plate, or other things; they are easily detected by those who are knowing, but the common man will soon be cheated. I give to no QUESTIONER anything, excepting the four messengers, _id est_, those that are here written down, viz. _Sancti Antonii_, _Sancti Valentini_, _Sancti Bernardi_, _et Spiritus Sancti_. The same have been confirmed by the See of Rome.[18]

_Item_, beware of the pedlers who seek thee at home, for thou wilt buy nothing good of them, be it silver, haberdashery, spicery, or any other wares.

Beware, likewise, of the doctors who travel up and down the country, and offer theriack and roots, and make much ado about themselves, and especially some blind doctors. One called Hans of Strasburg, has been a Jew, and was christened at Strasburg at Whitsuntide; years ago his eyes were bored out at Worms, but he is now a physician, and tells fortunes, and travels from place to place, and cheats and defrauds every body. How? I need not say, I could tell well enough.

_Item_, beware of the JONERS (gamblers) who practice BESEFLERY with the BRIEF (cheating at cards), who _deal_ falsely and _cut_ one for the other, cheat with BÖGLEIN and SPIES, pick one BRIEF (card) from the ground, and another from a cupboard; they cheat also with the REGERS (dice); with _hearts_, the _chest_, in _taking off_ and in _laying on_, with METZES, STABS, GUMNES, PRISSING, with the _four knaves_; they use LOE MESS (bad coins), or LOE STETTINGERS (bad florins), and make use of many other rogueries, such as _drawing out_, the _rot_, _the stake_, &c., which I had better not explain, for your own good.

And these same knaves eat and drink always at such houses as are called the Stick, which means they never pay the landlord what they owe him, but when they leave there “sticks” mostly something to them which commonly departs with them.

_Item_, there is yet another sort among the land-strollers. These are the _tinkers_ who travel about the country. They have women (WEIBER) who go before them and sing and play; some go about full of mischief, and if thou givest them nothing, one of them mayhap will break a hole in thy kettle with a stick or a knife to give work to a multitude of others.

_Et sic de aliis._

¶ THE THIRD PART OF THIS

LITTLE BOOK IS THE

VOCABULARY.

_ADONE_, God. _Hebrew_, ADHONAIY, the Lord, _i.e._ God.

_ACHELN_, to eat. _Hebrew_, AKÁL.

_ALCHEN!_ to go.

_ALCH DICH!_ go! or, go quickly!

_ALCH DICH ÜBERN BREITHART!_ go far away! remove to a distance!

_ALCH DICH ÜBERN GLENZ!_ go far away! remove to a distance!

_BARLEN_, to speak. _French_, PARLER.

_BESCHÖCHER_, tipsy. _German_, BESOFFEN, drunken, inebriated.

_BETZAM_, an egg. _Hebrew_, BEYTZAH.

_BLECH_, a BLAFFART,—an obsolete coin containing 48 hellers.
_German_, BLECH, a thin piece of metal.

_BLECHLEIN_, a kreuzer,—a smaller coin than the preceding,
containing 8 hellers. _German_, BLECHLEIN, the diminutive of BLECH.

_BÖLEN_, HELSEN,—probably the _German_, HALSEN, to embrace any one,
to jump at one’s neck (HALS); also to veer.

_BOPPEN_, to lie; be placed or situated.

_BOSS_, or BETT, a house. This term would seem to be from the
_Hebrew_, BETH, a house. Bo, or BOS, is a common prefix in the old
_Cornish_, and signifies a house, as BOSCAWEN, BOSPIDNICK.

_BOSS DICH!_ hold thy tongue!

_BOSSHART_, meat. The _Hebrew_, BÁSAR, signifies flesh.

_BOSSHART-VETZER_, a butcher. _Hebrew._

_BREGEN_, to beg. Both this and the following are probably
corruptions of the _German_, PREDIGEN, to pray, to preach; or they
may have come from the _Old German_, BRACHER, a pauper. Possibly,
however, they are nothing more than corruptions of BEGHARD, the
name given to a low order of friars before the Reformation. These
professed poverty, and lived on alms. Their orthodoxy and morality
were doubtful. In general they were denounced by the ecclesiastical
authorities. _See_ Mosheim, _de_ BEGHARDIS _et Beguinis_. The term
evidently comes from the _Saxon_, BEGGEN, mendicare; and HARD, or
HART, a servant.

_BREGER_, a beggar.

_BREITHART_, far, wide,—BREIT here being equivalent to broad, or
wide; and HART, to very, or exceedingly.

_BREITFUSS_, a goose, or duck,—literally, a “broad-foot.”

_BRESEM_, BRÜCH, to break. The _Old German_, BRUCH, signifies
_fractura_, _ruptura_; _femoralia_; _locus palustris_; _infractio
legis_. The _Modern German_, BRUCH, refers to a breach or rupture
in a person, especially a breakage caused by violence.

_BRIEF_, a playing card. _German_, BRIEF, a letter.

_BRIEFELVETZER_, a clerk. _Vide_ FETZEN.

_BRIEFEN_, to play at cards.

_BRISSEN_, to denounce.

_BRÜSS_, a leper.

_BSAFFOT_, a letter, a cipher. The _German_, ZIFFER, signifies a
cipher, and probably comes from the _Arabic_ or _Hebrew_,—SÉPHER in
the latter being equivalent to writing, a writing, or whatever is
written in a book.

_BSCHIDERICH_, a magistrate. Probably this term, together with
the following, were merely vulgar adaptations of the _German_,
BESCHEIDEN, to appoint, to be discreet. The _Old German_,
BESCHEID-RIK, might be translated as “powerful in decision,” and
BESCHEIDRUOM, “renowned for discretion or modesty.”

_BSCHUDERULM_, nobility.

_BÜTZELMAN_, ZAGEL. The _German_, ZAGEL, is a provincial word, and
signifies a tail. _See_ SCHEISS.

_DALLINGER_, a hangman. Probably a corruption of GALGENER,—from the
_German_, GALGEN, a gallows, or gibbet.

_DERLING_, a die (plural _dice_).

_DIERLING_, the eye. Possibly a diminutive of the _German_, THÜR, a
door, or entrance,—not inappropriately applied to the eye, as the
little door out of which all things are seen.

_DIERN_, to see.

_DIFTEL_, a church. Probably a corruption of the _German_,
STIFTEL,—a diminutive of STIFT, a cathedral. STIFTUNG is a
foundation, establishment; STIFTER, a founder.

_DIPPEN_, to give. _German_, GEBEN.

_DOLMAN_, the gallows. The _German_, DOLMAN, properly signifies a
pelisse,—the tight-fitting nature of which may have given rise to
the cant application to a gallows.

_DOTSCH_, _vulva_. Supposed by some to be from the _German_,
TASCHE, a pocket. The _Bavarian_ words DOTSCH, DOST, DOSTEN,
however, still signify _vulva_.

_DOUL_ (_i. e._ DÖEL,—DAUL), a penny. The fourth part of a
BLECHLEIN, or kreuzer.

_DRITLING_, a shoe. From the _Old German_, TRITLING, a footstool, a
bench,—a diminutive of TRITT, _gradus_, _passus incessus_, _cursus
pedestris_. TRETTEN is _omnes pedum motus_, from the _Celtic_,
TRUD; _Ancient British_, TROED,—so that it seems very probable that
TRITLING, or DRITLING, may have meant a little treader, or shoe.

_DÜ EIN HAR_, FLEUCH.

_EMS_, good. The _German_, EMSIG, is assiduous; DIE EMSIGE BIENE,
the busy bee. It seems to come from the _Old German_, EMMAZZIG, for
UNMUAZIG, _occupatus et minime otiosus_. After the same fashion is
derived the _French_, A-MUSER.

_ERFERKEN_ (ERSECKEN?), RETSCHEN.

_ERLAT_, the master. The _Welch_, HERLOD, is a stripling, lad;
HERLODES, a damsel, girl. It is supposed that the word “harlot,”
which originally signified a bold stripling, is from this. Chaucer
says:—

A sturdie _harlot_—that was her hostes man,
He was a gentil _harlot_, and a kind.

If ERLAT is from the _German_, it would be from HERRLAUT, a
distinguished lord, a master.

_ERLATIN_, the mistress.

_FELING_, a grocery, or general store; a grocer’s wife.

_FETZEN_, or VETZEN, to work, to make. _Latin_, FACERE. The
_German_, FETZEN, signifies a piece, or slice.

_FLADER_, a bath-room, a barber’s shop.

_FLADER-FETZER_, a barber.

_FLADER-FETZERIN_, a barber’s wife.

_FLICK_, KNAB. _Hilpert_ refers to FLÜGGE, unfledged.

_FLOSS_, soup. From the _German_, _FLOSS_, a stream; FLOSSEN, to
flow.

_FLOSSART_, water.

_FLÖSSELT_, drowned. Previous to the time of Luther, beggars were
drowned when caught stealing. _Vide_ Gengenbach.

_FLÖSSLEN_, to make water.

_FLÖSSLING_, a fish. _German_, FLOSSE, a fin.

_FLUCKART_, poultry, birds. From the _German_, FLIEGEN, to fly;
literally, “fly-hard,” or “fast-flyer.”

_FUNKART_, fire. _German_, FUNKE, a spark.

_FUNKARTHOLE_, an earthenware stove.

_FÜNKELN_, to boil, cook, roast.

_GACKENSCHERR_, a chicken. _German_, GACKERN, to cackle; SCHARREN,
to scratch.

_GALCH_, a parson, priest. The _Old German_, GALL, is _castratus_;
the same with GELDE,—whence GOL, GEL, sterile. The _German_,
KELCH, is a chalice, the communion cup. GALCH may be, however,
simply an extension of GALLE.

_GALCHENBOSS_, a parsonage.

_GALLE_, a parson. _Hebrew_, KÁHAL, a priest.

_GALLEN_, a town.

_GANHART_, the devil.

_GATZAM_, a child. _Hebrew_, GATAM, said to be derived from an
_Arabic_ word, signifying any one puny or thin. Or from the
_German_, KÄTZCHEN, a little cat, a kitten.

_GEBICKEN_, to catch.

_GENFEN_, or JENFEN, to steal.

_GFAR_, a village. _Hebrew_, CHÁFÁR, a village, hamlet.

_GIEL_, the mouth.

_GITZLIN_, a morsel of bread.

_GLATHART_, a table. _German_, GLATT, smooth.

_GLENZ_, a field.

_GLESTERICH_, glass. _German_, GLITZERN, to glitter.

_GLID_ (_i.e._ GLEID), a harlot.

_GLIDENBOSS_, a brothel.

_GLIDENFETZERIN_, a frequenter of brothels.

_GLISS_, milk.

_GOFFEN_, SCHLAHEN.

_GRIFFLING_, a finger. _German_, GREIFEN, to grasp.

_GRIN_ (_i.e._ GRYM[19]), food.

_GRUNHART_, a field, _i.e._ very green, or green-like.

_GUGELFRANZ_, a monk.

_GUGELFRENZIN_, a nun.

_GURGELN_, LANTSKNECHTBETLIN, _i.e._ GURGELN LANTSKNECHT, would
seem to refer to a begging foot-soldier.

_HANFSTAUD_, a shirt,—literally “hemp-shrub.”

_HANS WALTER_, a louse. HANZ literally means Jack or John. The old
word HANSA refers to a multitude; _Old German_, HANSE, a society;
HANS, a companion.

_HANS VON GELLER_, coarse bread.

_HAR_, FLEUCH.

_HANZ_, a peasant. _See_ HANS WALTER.

_HANZIN_, a peasant’s wife.

_HEGIS_, a hospital. The _Old German_, HAG, is a house (from HAGEN
to hedge in, inclose), _quasi locus septus habitandi causa_. The
_Old German_, HEGEN, is to nourish, feed, to receive into one’s
house and company. The _Su. Goth._ HÆGA, is to serve.

_HELLERICHTIGER_, a florin.

_HERTERICH_, a knife or dagger.

_HIMMELSTEIG_, the Lord’s Prayer,—literally, “Heaven’s steps.”

_HOCKEN_, to sit, to lie.

_HOLDERKAUZ_, a hen.

_HORK_, a peasant.

_HORNBOCK_, a cow.

_ILTIS_, a constable, town sergeant. The _Modern German_, ILTISS,
or ILTIS, signifies a pole-cat, fitchet; and ILTISFALLE is a trap
for catching pole-cats,—or, as Dr. Johnson calls them, “stinking
beasts.” The _Icelandic_, ILLTUR, is _malus_; and the _Cymrie_,
YLLTYR, is _talpa_, a mole.

_JOHAM_, wine. From the _Hebrew_, YAH’-YIN, wine. Gengenbach
renders this JOHIN.

_JONEN_, to play,—at cards, or other game of chance. _French_,
JOUER?

_JONER_, a player, a gambler.

_JUFFART_, DER DA ROT IST ODER FREIHEIT.

_JUVERBASSEN_, to swear.

_KABAS_, a head. _Latin_, caput.

_KAFFRIM_ (JACOBSBRÜDER), a pilgrim to the grave of St. James.

_KAMMESIERER_, a learned beggar.

_CAVAL_, a horse. _Latin_, CABALLUS.

_CAVELLER_, a slayer, a butcher. _Modern German_, KAFILLER.

_KERIS_, wine. _Modern German_, XERESWEIN, sherry;

or, from KIRSCHE, a cherry,—KIRSCHEN-WASSER, cherry-water.

_CHRISTIAN_ (JACOBSBRÜDER), a pilgrim to the grave of St.
James.

_KIELAM_, a town.

_KIMMERN_, to buy. _German_, KRAMEN, to trade.

_CLAFFOT_, a dress, a cloak. In Gengenbach’s metrical version of
the _Liber Vagatorum_, this is rendered KLABOT, Clothes.

_CLAFFOT-FETZER_, a tailor.

_KLEBIS_, a horse,—literally, “a clover-biter.”

_KLEMS_, punishment, imprisonment. The _German_, KLEMMEN, signifies
to pinch.

_KLEMSEN_, to arrest, imprison.

_KLENKSTEIN_, a traitor.

_KLINGEN_, LEIER;—perhaps one who plays upon a lyre, from the
_German_, KLINGEN, to sound, KLINGELN, to tinkle.

_KLINGENFETZERIN_, LEIERIN,—probably a female player upon
the lyre.

_KRACKLING_, a nut. From the _German_, KRACHEN, to crack.

_KRAX_, a cloister.

_KRÖNER_, a husband. From the _German_, KRONEN, to crown, to
appoint as head or principal.

_KRÖNERIN_, a wife.

_LEFRANZ_, a priest.

_LEFRENZIN_, a priest’s harlot.

_LEHEM_, bread. _Hebrew_. A contemporary of Luther, Gengenbach,
spells the word LEM.

_LINDRUNSCHEL_, corn-gatherers.

_LISS-MARKT_, the head,—literally, “the louse market.”

_LÖE_, bad, false. From _Belgian_, LOH, _Danish_, LAAG, low;
_Saxon_, LOH, a pit, or gulf.

_LÖE ÖTLIN_, the devil,—literally, “the wicked gentleman.”

_LÜSSLING_, the ear. _Old German_, LOSEN, or LUSEN, to listen.
Beggars formerly had their ears cut off when detected stealing.

_MACKUM_, the town.

_MEGEN_ (or MENGEN), to drown.

_MENG_, KESSLER.

_MENKLEN_, to eat.

_MESS_, money, coin. The _German_, MESSING, signifies brass.

_MOLSAMER_, a traitor.

_NARUNG-TÜN_, to seek, or look out for food. _German_, NAHRUNG,
livelihood; THUN, to do, make.

_PFLÜGER_, an alms-gatherer in churches.

_PLATSCHEN_, to go about preaching.

_PLATSCHIERER_, a preacher,—from tubs, &c.

_PLICKSCHLAHER_, a naked person.

_POLENDER_, a castle, a fort. Perhaps connected with the _German_,
BOLL, BOLLIG, hard, stiff; BOLLWARK, a bastion, bulwark.

_QUIEN_, a dog. _Latin_, CANIS.

_QUIENGOFFER_, a dog-killer?

_RANZ_, a sack, pouch. _German_, RANZEN.

_RAULING_, a baby.

_RAUSCHART_, a straw matress. _German_, RAUSCHEN, to rustle.

_REEL_, St. Vitus’ Dance.

_REGEL_ (or REGER), a die (plural _dice_). From the _German_,
REGEN, to move?

_REGENWURM_, a sausage,—literally, “a rainworm.”

_RIBLING_, dice.

_RICHTIG_, just.

_RIELING_, a pig.

_RIPPART_, SECKEL.

_ROL_, a mill. _German_, ROLLEN, to roll.

_ROLVETZER_, a miller.

_ROTBOSS_, a beggar’s house of call, beggar’s home.

_RÜBOLT_, freedom.

_RÜREN_, to play. _German_, RUHREN, to touch, rattle.

_RUMPFLING_ (or RUMPFFING), mustard. From the _German_, RÜMPFEN, to
wriggle?

_RUNZEN_, to cheat in dealing cards, gambling, &c.

_SCHEISS_ (SCHIESS), ZAGEL,—a tail. _German_, SCHEISSE, excrement,
dung; SCHEISSEN, to dung (imperative, SCHEISS); SCHIESSEN, to
shoot, dart (imperative, SCHIESS). _Old German_, SCHIESSEN, _labi_,
_præscipitari_, _celeriter moveri_. _See_ BÜTZELMAN.

_SCHLING_, flax, linen. _German_, SCHLINGEN, to entwine.

_SCHLUN_, SCHAFFEN,—to cause, get, make, procure, or produce
anything.

_SCHMALKACHEL_, a slanderer. _German_, KACHEL, a pot,—literally, “a
slandering-pot.”

_SCHMALN_, to slander. _Modern German_, SCHMÄLEN.

_SCHMUNK_, melted butter.

_SCHNIEREN_, to hang. _German_, SCHNUR, a string.

_SCHÖCHERN_, to drink. _Modern German_, SCHENKEN, to fill, retail
liquor; SCHENKE, a drinking-house, ale-house; SCHENKWIRTH, a
beer-draper.

_SCHÖCHERVETZER_, an innkeeper.

_SCHOSA_, _vulva_. This is supposed to be from the _Silesian_,
DIE SCHOOS, the lap; _Bavarian_, GSCHOSL.

_SCHREF_, a harlot.

_SCHREFENBOSS_, a house of ill fame.

_SCHREILING_, a child,—diminutive formed from SCHREIEN, to
cry.

_SCHRENZ_, a room.

_SCHÜRNBRANT_, beer.

_SCHWENZEN_, to go.

_SCHWERZ_, night. _German_, SCHWARZ, black.

_SEFEL_, dirt. _Hebrew_, SHÁFÁR, humble, mean?

_SEFELBOSS_, a house of office, dirt-house.

_SEFELN_, to evacuate.

_SENFTRICH_, a bed. _German_, SANFT, soft.

_SONNENBOSS_, a brothel.

_SONZ_, a nobleman, gentleman.

_SONZIN_, a lady.

_SPELTING_, a heller,—the smallest coin.

_SPITZLING_, oats. _Modern German_, SPITZLING, oat-grass; SPITZE,
the point of anything; SPITZ, pointed, peaked. The term appears to
be a diminutive.

_SPRANKART_, salt. _German_, SPRENKELN, to scatter.

_STABULER_, a bread-gatherer.

_STEFUNG_, ZIL. _Old German_, ZIL, is _finis_, _limes_, _terminus
temporis et loci_; also _meta jaculantis_, _scopus agentis_,
_terminus oculi et mentis_.

_STETTINGER_, a florin,—perhaps one minted at Stettin.

_STOLFEN_, to stand.

_STREIFLING_, trousers. _German_, STREIFEN, to strip.

_STROBORER_, a goose,—literally, “a straw-borer.”

_STROM_, a brothel. Possibly an allusion to STRUMMEL, the _Old
English Cant_ for straw, with which houses of this description may
have been littered. The cant expression, STRUMMEL, was probably
introduced into this country by the gipsies and other vagabonds
from the Continent, in the reign of Henry VIII.

_STROMBART_, a forest.

_STUPART_, flour. _Old German_, STOPPEL, _cauda frumenti_,
from the _Latin_, STIPULA.

_TERICH_, the land, or country. _Latin_, TERRA.

_VERKIMMERN_, to sell. _See_ KIMMERN.

_VERLUNSCHEN_, VERSTEEN.

_VERMONEN_, to cheat.

_VERSENKEN_, to pawn,—literally, “to sink.”

_VOPPART_, a fool. _Modern German_, FOPPEN, to mock.

_VOPPEN_, to lie, tell falsehoods.

_WENDERICH_, cheese.

_WETTERHAN_, a hat,—literally, “a weathercock.”

_WINTFANG_, a cloak,—literally, “a wind-catcher.”

_WISSULM_, silly people.

_WUNNENBERG_, a pretty young woman. _German_, WONNE,
pleasure.

_ZICKUS_, a blind man. _Latin_, CÆCUS.

_ZWENGERING_, a jacket. _German_, ZWÄNGEN, to force.

_ZWICKER_, a hangman. _German_, ZWICKEN, to pinch.

_ZWIRLING_, an eye.

NOTHING WITHOUT REASON.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] _Taschenbuch für Geschichte und Alterthum in Sud-Deutschland, von Heinrich Schreiber_, Fribourg, 1839, p. 333. The Basle MSS. are here reprinted without any alteration.

[2] These Trials are also recorded in an old MS. of _Hieron. Wilh. Ebner_, printed in _Joh. Heumanni Exercitationes iuris universi_, vol. I. (Altdorfi, 1749, 4^o.) No. XIII. Observatio de lingua occulta, pp. 174-180. Both Knebel and Ebner’s accounts differ merely in style and dialect; in all essential points they closely harmonize.

[3] Brant wrote this work, and superintended its progress through the press whilst residing in this city.

[4] This printer carried on business at Augsburg, partly alone, partly in connection with others, from 1505 to 1516. His editions of the _Liber Vagatorum_ would seem therefore to have been printed between the years 1512-16.

[5] Published at Wittemberg.

[6] The title-page of this edition is adorned with a facsimile of the woodcut which occurs in Öglin’s edition,—the same, indeed, which is given in this translation.

[7] _D’Aubigné, Hist. Ref._ vol. iv. p. 10 (1853).

[8] Consisting of nine leaves only. An edition appeared in 1603, and a reprint of the first edition was published in Westminster in 1813 (8^{vo}).

[9] See page 21.

[10] Page 47.

[11] Literally “prisoners _let-loose_.”

[12] Debissern.

[13] In the original BILTREGERIN (_Bildtragerin_), _i.e._ Billet-wearers.

[14] BEULEN, bumps, or protuberances?

[15] ÜBERN SÖNZEN GANGER.

[16] GENSSCHERER, _i. e._ gansscherer.

[17] In the original KOT, i. e. _kat_.

[18] On this passage _Luther_ remarks:—“But now it is all over with these too!”

[19] “Güt _und_ greym,” güt.

CHISWICK PRESS:—PRINTED BY WHITTINGHAM AND WILKINS,
TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE.

End of Project Gutenberg's The Book of Vagabonds and Beggars, by Anonymous