The Book of Vagabonds and Beggars, with a Vocabulary of Their Language — John Shaqi
The Book of Vagabonds and Beggars, with a Vocabulary of Their Language
History
The Book of Vagabonds and Beggars, with a Vocabulary of Their Language
Begging -- Germany; German language -- Slang; Wayfaring life -- Germany
The iij^{rd} chapter is about the LOSSNERS. These are knaves who say
they have lain in prison vi or vij years, and carry the chains with
them wherein they lay as captives among the infidel (_id est_, in the
SONNENBOSS, _i.e._ brothel) for their christian faith; _item_, on the
sea in galleys or ships enchained in iron fetters; _item_, in a strong
tower for innocence’ sake; and they have forged letters (LOE BSAFFOT),
as from the princes and lords of foreign lands, and from the towns
(KIELAM) there, to bear witness to their truth, tho’ all the time
they are deceit and lies (GEVOPT und GEVERBT),—— for vagabonds may
be found everywhere on the road who can make (VETZEN) any seal they
like—— and they say they have vowed to Our Lady at Einsiedlin (in the
DALLINGER’S BOSS, _i.e._ harlot’s house), or to some other Saint (in
the SCHÖCHERBOSS, _i.e._ beer-house), according to what country they
are in, a pound of wax, a silver crucifix, or a chasuble; and they say
they have been made free through that vow, and, when they had vowed,
the chains opened and broke, and they departed safe and without harm.
_Item_, some carry iron fastenings, or coats of mail (PANZER) with
them, _et sic de aliis_. _Nota:_ They have perchance bought (KÜMMERT)
the chains; perchance they had them made (VETZEN); perchance stolen
(GEJENFT) them from the church (DIFTEL) of St. Lenhart.
_Conclusio_: To such vagrants thou shalt give nothing, for they do
nought but deceive (VOPPEN) and cheat (VERBEN) thee; not one in a
thousand speaks the truth.
+Of the Klenkners, or Cripples.+
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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