Once again did Owlglass take service with a noble lord, and became unto him body servant. And it fortuned, that this master of his loved good cheer,—the which is a thing not rare among all manner of men,—and especially loved he a cup of generous wine, or a deep draught of good beer.

It came to pass, that on a time Owlglass and his master journeyed together, and lay at an inn. And the day was hot, and they twain were faint, for they had ridden hard. Then spake the lord unto his serving-man Owlglass, and said: “Go thou and find mine host the landlord of this inn, and fetch him unto me.” That did Owlglass on that instant; for well knew he, that when the master drank the man was seldom dry. And his lord spake unto the host, and said unto him: “Lo! we have come far, and the sun hath burned us so that we be dry, and would have some drink.” And the host answered him: “Verily, in all the wide world, and the Duchy of Mecklenburg to boot, is there no such liquor as in my cellar. Therefore have ye come unto the best place to slake your thirst.” Then commanded the master, that Owlglass should depart with the host; and he said unto him: “I know not the which is best, therefore do thou bring me good store of both wine and beer, and bring ye them together.” And Owlglass said: “Yea;” and departed with the host. Then the host meted unto him both of wine and of beer; and Owlglass said unto himself: “If that I faint then loseth my master his good servant; therefore, that I may truly serve him, will I first drink, for peradventure I shall not have strength to bring the liquor unto my lord.” Therefore drank he merrily the half of the wine and the half of the beer, and remembered his lord’s words, that they should be together; therefore mingled he the wine and the beer in one measure, and gave unto his lord to drink. And when that the lord found how delectable was the mixture, he waxed very wroth, and said unto Owlglass: “What is this that thou hast done, and what vile liquor is this?” “Truly, my lord,” quoth honest Owlglass, “it is wine and beer mingled together, as ye enjoined me to bring unto ye.” But his master perceived it was a knavery, and bade Owlglass to depart from his sight; for, of a truth, was his beguiling most evilly done. But sorrowfully departed Owlglass, for he thought that he wrought no harm in doing the thing which was commanded unto him. Indeed, my masters, often times falleth the evil temper of the one upon the other; and for the too exact enactment of the commands of the master is the man chidden.