beggar in the lower market, of Kuttenberg
“I lost my back to the silver works, so now I sit by the market. I bear it.”
Things One-eyed Heinz had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the second day of May, at Vespers
The damp is leaving the stones at last. My back still screams when I haul myself up, but the dogs kept the rats off my boots another night. A merchant dropped two pennies in my hand today. That means bread for my father Joseph.
the Wednesday after Easter, at None
Musty Hermann jumps at shadows again, whining that the King's men will take him. I told him soldiers don't want a starving beggar when they can grab strong farmers. The German masters took my strong back years ago. Let the soldiers have the farmers.
You say that until they put a spear in your hand, Heinz. Ulrich had my name written down.
Nota scribaeThe man spoke through gritted teeth and paused often to rub his hip.
the eve of Palm Sunday, at Prime
Cross-eyed Nicholas and Gummy Lorenz are bickering over gossip again. A man forgets what real suffering is when his spine isn't rotting. I carved a piece of pine today just to keep my mangled fingers moving. I wish I had my flute.
It isn't gossip, Heinz. It is a matter of pride, which you would know if you weren't sitting in dirt.
the Monday after St Matthias, at Terce
Lousy Ralph still has the flute I carved. I asked for it back and he flatly refused. He says it was payment for half a loaf and a shared blanket during the frost. A bitter lie. He knows I cannot wrestle him for it.
You would have frozen stiff without that blanket, Heinz. The flute is mine by right of keeping you breathing.
You took advantage of a crippled man. Curse the silver works that I cannot break your jaw.
Nota scribaeDictated from the alley. He spat when he named the other beggar.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Sext
The frost is killing me. It seeps deep into the bones where the mine timber crushed me. Lousy Ralph gave me half a loaf, and I let him borrow my wooden flute for his busking on Saint Blaise's day. I will need it back soon.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
God reward you, son. My old eyes see nothing but shadows, but the bread was fresh enough.