Читать книгу The Marvellous Adventures and Rare Conceits of Master Tyll Owlglass - Robert Henderson Mackenzie Kenneth - Страница 25

How that Owlglass did have golden shoes struck unto his horse’s feet

Owlglass was one of those men that the fame of his holy doings came unto the ears of many great lords. The princes, also, loved him much, and did give unto him garments, horses, money, and provision. And he came unto the King of Denmark, who said unto him, that he should do for him a wondrous strange thing, having his horse shod with the best shoes that could be found. Then answered Owlglass to the king, and spake unto him and asked him: “If that he should believe him?” And the king answered and said: “Yea, and if he did according unto his word, it should come to pass as he had promised him.” Then Owlglass did ride his horse unto the goldsmith’s house, and there had golden shoes, with nails of silver, struck unto his horse’s feet, and gat him home again unto the king’s presence, and asked him if that he would pay for the shoeing of his horse? The king said: “Yea, that would be right truly;” and said unto his treasurer, and commanded him, that he should pay for the shoeing of the horse of Owlglass. The treasurer thought that it had been done by a blacksmith. And Owlglass led him unto the goldsmith’s house, and the goldsmith demanded of him one hundred golden marks therefor. The treasurer would not pay this; but went and told the king thereof. Then sent the king for Owlglass, and said unto him: “Owlglass, how dear hast thou made this horse shoeing to be? If that all my horses were shod as thou hast had thine, soon should I have to sell my country and my people!” Then Owlglass answered and spake unto him: “My gracious lord and king, thou didst say I should have my horse to be shod with the best shoes, and have I not done according unto thy words, for would ye have better shoeing than silver and gold.” Then said the king: “Thou art my dearest servant, thou dost that I tell thee to do.” And the king laughed at the merry jest, and did pay the hundred marks. Then Owlglass brake off the golden shoes from his horse’s feet, and had shoes of iron struck on, and he abode with the king unto the day of his death.