When that Owlglass came unto Lübeck, he took great heed to commit no knavery; for in that town are the folk very strict upon such as beguile or deceive. Therefore was our good master sadly perplexed and unhappy, for that in no wise could he gratify the feelings of his heart and content himself as he was wont to do. And at that time there lived in the town of Lübeck a drawer, named Lamprecht, who kept the cellar at the town house; and he was a man very proud, who believed that no person in Lübeck,—yea, no person in the whole world,—was so wise and so important and so discerning as he. Nor did he at any time think that he might not say it of himself; and when that he said it, he used to add, that one that would beguile him must of a morning rise very early. For this reason were the citizens very wroth with him, and held him as an enemy.

Now when that Owlglass heard of the arrogance of this man, he could no longer keep hidden the knave which he was; and he thought within himself, that he would soon shew that he was an even master in craft and cunning with him. Therefore took he two cans of the same size and form; the one he carried openly in his hand, and it was empty; but the other bare he secretly under his cloak, and it was filled with water. Then departed he unto the wine-cellar, and there had a measure of wine meted unto him, and then deftly took forth the can with water and set it down, and put the wine-can within his cloak. And Owlglass lifted up his voice, and said unto the drawer: “Worshipful master drawer, what costeth this wine?” And he answered, and said unto him: “Truly, it is tenpence the measure.” Then said Owlglass: “The wine is marvellous costly. I have no more than sixpence. Can I have it for that money?” Then waxed the drawer very wroth, and said: “Wilt thou dare to value the wine of my lords the town council? Here have we a fixed sum; and he that liketh not the price, may let the wine stay in the butt.” Therewith taketh he in his wrath the can with the water in it; and Owlglass said unto him: “See thou, an if ye will not have the sixpence, therefore I am content ye shall pour it back.” Then the drawer poured the water into the butt, for he thought that it was the wine; and he said unto him: “What a foolish knave art thou? Thou hast wine meted unto thee, but thou carest not to pay therefor.” Then took Owlglass the empty can, and departed, and said: “Verily do I see that thou art a fool; and there is no one so cunning and wise in this world, that may not by a fool be beguiled. Aye, and that too if he were a drawer!” Then he returned forth from the cellar, and he thought himself safe.