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
+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.+
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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