beggar at the cross, of Kuttenberg
“I am a man of good family fallen on hard times. I keep my dignity and demand the same of my blood.”
Things Gummy Lorenz had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Ascension, at Terce
My back aches worse today, but I still will not slouch. I am looking for a strong lad with nothing to lose to crack Cross-eyed Nicholas across the jaw. My pride demands satisfaction for what he said on the church steps, but my joints are too stiff to give it to him.
Nota scribaeThe old man insisted I write this exactly, though it is a clear incitement to violence.
the Wednesday after Easter, at Sext
That wretched washerwoman Magdalena has fled to Prague to escape her debts. I told my boy Hermann she was a creature of terrible character. This is absolute proof. If I had let him court her, our house would have been permanently ruined. A beggar can still have a good name.
She was only frightened, father. The debt was not her fault.
Listen to your father, boy. We are better off without her.
the Monday of Holy Week, at Prime
I was utterly humiliated yesterday. Cross-eyed Nicholas saw my fool son keeping company with Magdalena and shouted the tale across the church steps for the whole parish. The merchants and the priests all heard. He did it purely out of malice to destroy our standing. I cannot even look at the man.
It was a fine joke, Lorenz! Even the fat priest smiled.
Nota scribaeHe was shaking with rage and made me read the words back to him twice.
the second Friday of Lent, at None
I have put a stop to it. I forbade Hermann from seeing the washerwoman. He is a fool who chases women instead of finding honest work. I make sure my brother and my son remember who we are every single day. We do not behave like the vermin in the alleys.
You are too harsh, Lorenz. At least he is not running from the catchpoll Ulrich like I am.
the feast of Saint Blaise, at Vespers
Ten solid years I have held my spot by the stone cross. I will not give an inch to these younger beggars. Lousy Ralph and One-eyed Heinz are squabbling like children over a wooden flute traded for bread. Poverty is no excuse for a lack of decency. They have no respect.
It was a good flute, and Heinz stole it from my sack while I was praying to Saint Barbara.
You gave it to me for half a loaf, you liar!
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You are a dusty old fool, Lorenz. The whole parish heard the truth and laughed at your precious family.
You are a malicious rat, Nicholas. You will pay for this insult.