Of the Lossners, or liberated Prisoners.
HE iijrd chapter is about the Lossners.
These are knaves who say they have lain
in prison vi or vij years, and carry the
chains with them wherein they lay as captives
among the infidel (id est, in the SONNENBOSS,
i.e. brothel) for their christian faith; item, on the
sea in galleys or ships enchained in iron fetters;
item, in a strong tower for innocence’ sake; and
they have forged letters (LOE BSAFFOT), as from
the princes and lords of foreign lands, and from
the towns (KIELAM) there, to bear witness to their
truth, tho’ all the time they are deceit and lies
(GEVOPT und GEVERBT),—— for vagabonds may
be found everywhere on the road who can make
(VETZEN) any seal they like—— and they say they
have vowed to Our Lady at Einsiedlin (in the
DALLINGER’S BOSS, i.e. harlot’s house), or to some
Pg 12other Saint (in the SCHÖCHERBOSS, i.e. beer-house),
according to what country they are in, a pound of
wax, a silver crucifix, or a chasuble; and they say
they have been made free through that vow, and,
when they had vowed, the chains opened and
broke, and they departed safe and without harm.
Item, some carry iron fastenings, or coats of mail
(PANZER) with them, et sic de aliis. Nota: They
have perchance bought (KÜMMERT) the chains;
perchance they had them made (VETZEN); perchance
stolen (GEJENFT) them from the church
(DIFTEL) of St. Lenhart.
Conclusio: To such vagrants thou shalt give
nothing, for they do nought but deceive (VOPPEN)
and cheat (VERBEN) thee; not one in a thousand
speaks the truth.