When, unto his shame, Owlglass forgat his noble and virtuous estate, and became a tax-officer, he was on a time sent forth unto a village, to demand money of a boor, who either loved not to pay money, or was poor and could not. And as Owlglass with his little lance went forth, the following matter came to pass. For as an evil and wicked office bringeth shame unto the mind, so also leadeth it every man into bad company; therefore marvel ye not when that I say unto ye that the Devil, that prince of evil and darkness, encountered Owlglass as he ran. And his high estate had the devil put off, and appeared in the likeness of a boor, yet did Master Owlglass perceive right well who it was. Then ’gan they to confer together, and walked together on the way. The boor said unto him: “Thou goest about to receive money, let us now make fellowship; for I go to find a concealed treasure, and of that will I give thee half, and do thou the same with me.”

Now Owlglass had heard it said of old time, that the devil knoweth full well of many a hidden treasure, so he agreed with him, and they departed together. And it came to pass, that as they went through a village, they heard a child crying and screaming. Then came its mother by, and said unto it: “Hold thy peace, wilt thou? May the foul fiend take thee!” Thereat said Owlglass unto the devil: “Lo! hearest thou, there hast thou a child given unto thee?” The devil said: “My good friend, the mother meaneth not that she saith; I dare not take it, for it is but spoken in choler.” Then went they forward unto the field, and came unto a herd of swine; and lo! a great fat sow had departed from the herd, and the swineherd pursued it, and cried aloud, as he ran: “May the devil take thee!” That heard Owlglass, and for as much as he loved bacon, would fain have received his share, and said unto the devil: “Lo! dost thou not hear? Now hast thou a fat sow given unto thee. Put forth thine hand and take it, for it is thine. With thee will I have no further fellowship.” Then said the devil: “Worthy Master Owlglass, what could I do with a sow? Nor hath he any grave intent to give it unto me; and if that I took it, the poor swineherd would have to pay for it. Nay, I will await something better than this.” For the devil was tenderhearted; but Owlglass thought upon the treasure.

Thereafter came they unto the court-yard of the boor of whom Owlglass was to receive the money; and he stood in the barn and thrashed the corn. When that he looked up and beheld Owlglass, he opened his mouth, and spake unto him, saying: “Art thou there again? The devil take thee, for I would fain never see thee again.” Thereat said the devil unto Owlglass: “Now dost thou see? He meaneth this thing most devoutly; do thou, therefore, come with me, for of a truth have I found my treasure, the which was hidden.” But Owlglass answered, and said unto the devil: “Nay, but now will we reckon with each other; for I said unto thee that I would no longer have fellowship with thee, and now do I fulfil my saying; therefore do thou nothing contrary to law.” Therewith cited he the devil before the judge, and bade him hold his hand not to touch him, for was he not a government officer? I know not, my good masters, whether the devil,—who is contrary unto all law, and existeth contrary thereunto,—had no great love for judges, or whether they were so steeped in evil-doing that even the foul fiend held them in contempt; yet most true it is, that he came not unto Owlglass his citation. Thereafter grew Owlglass greater in virtue, and left off his evil ways, and laid down his office.