In sickness and in health hath a man but one ever kind friend, who in him can see no fault, whose good counsel abideth within his heart, and bitter sore is it when he followeth not the words spake unto him with such noble and truthful intent; yet such was the action of Owlglass. For when that in his youth his mother would have restrained him from his knavery, would he not be persuaded. Now at Möllen lay he grievously sick, and not one of his noble friends, unto the which he had caused such great laughter, cared to come nigh unto him; yet came his mother, who with fear and trembling had, in her solitude and desolate home, marked the courses of our noble master; and she besought him, saying: “Soon wilt thou depart unto the land of darkness and shadow, the which men traverse with shuddering, quaking with fear for the evil they have done, for of a truth is no man good, no man worthy of grace! Therefore do thou, I pray of thee, bequeath unto me of thy substance, that in my old age and decrepitude I may have some comfort; for I perish of sadness and sorrow, the which killeth more than an empty stomach, and destroyeth more than the bitterness of winter frost.”

And, as he lay sick before her, did his evil youth rise up against him, and proclaim him a cunning and deceitful knave. Then took he his mother’s hand between his twain, and opened his mouth and said unto her: “Lo! evil gotten riches reward not any man, neither canst thou on them place thy comfort. Now in this world is it a rule, the which none doth, that of him which hath anything should you take of his substance, and to him that hath not allot ye a part. Yet is my good fortune so great that my treasure is hidden where no man can find it. If that thou canst discover aught that is mine take it and use it freely. But an if thou findest it not, be not grieved, for my treasure is subtle and lieth most privily concealed.” Then understood his mother the words which he spake unto her, and cared not any more to receive from him aught that by guile and cunning he had received of others. Yet may we perceive, in another place, what that treasure was, and how eagerly men strove thereafter.