Tartalom

CHAPTER I.
Wherein is shown how sagely the Rev. Master Fröhlich brought up his motherless daughter, pretty Michal

CHAPTER II.
Wherein is shown how the evil dragon brought to naught all the sage devices of our reverend friend

CHAPTER III.
Wherein is clearly shown that he who tends the sheep is much more honorable than he who slaughters them

CHAPTER IV.
Wherein are described all manner of robbers and dangers, wherefrom the righteous are wondrously delivered

CHAPTER V.
Which will be a short chapter but not a very merry one

CHAPTER VI.
Contains the proper explanation of things which have hitherto remained obscure

CHAPTER VII.
Wherein are described the house and the mistress of the house

CHAPTER VIII.
In which are described the joys of long-parted but finally reunited kinsmen, and everyone learns to know exactly how he stands

CHAPTER IX.
In the course of which the stern father, in the hardness of his heart, chastizes his lost son, but finally grants forgiveness to the repentant prodigal

CHAPTER X.
In which is shown how vain it is for womankind to murmur against the course and order of this world

CHAPTER XI.
Wherein is shown what terrible perils befall women who are not resigned to their fate, and do not obey their lords and masters

CHAPTER XII.
Consists of a very few words which are, however, of all the more consequence

CHAPTER XIII.
Wherein the knavish practices of the evil witch are only insinuated, but not yet fully divulged

CHAPTER XIV.
Which goes to prove that the society of great folks is not always a thing to be desired

CHAPTER XV.
Valentine really becomes one of those who work in blood

CHAPTER XVI.
Wherein is shown of what great use it is when a mother is hardhearted toward her only son. Also concerning divers skirmishes with the Turks, things not to be read of without a shudder

CHAPTER XVII.
In which it is shown by an edifying example that he who pursues the path of evil must needs fall into the ditch

CHAPTER XVIII.
Wherein is related what very different fates befell the two honest comrades

CHAPTER XIX.
The story now to be related very much resembles the story of Joseph and Potiphar, but not quite, inasmuch as it is not Joseph, but Potiphar, who is finally cast into prison

CHAPTER XX.
In which is a very circumstantial, if not very pleasant, description of all the conditions to be observed in the exchange and purchase of slaves

CHAPTER XXI.
Is full of good tidings, inasmuch as it treats of the discomfiture of evil-doers

CHAPTER XXII.
Wherein is related what end was reserved for the evil-doers by way of deterrent example, which example, however, only distressed the soft-hearted without terrifying the stiff-necked

CHAPTER XXIII.
In which it is shown not only that Satan is the author of all evil, but also that the grisly witches, his handmaidens, are always ready with their malicious practices to plunge poor mortals into utter destruction

CHAPTER XXIV.
A true relation of the thoughtlessness of youth, and the artifices whereby women enthrall their lovers

CHAPTER XXV.
Man cannot fathom the wiles which witches imagine when they unite in wedlock lovers whom they have clandestinely brought together

CHAPTER XXVI.
The mummery receives its due punishment; nevertheless, Mercy and Compassion come to the mummer's aid, and deliver her out of all her troubles

CHAPTER XXVII.
Wherein is shown how great a force the will of a woman is, and how quickly it can alter the order of things which man devises

CHAPTER XXVIII.
Wherein occur such astounding transformations that people are scarcely able to recognize their very selves. Michal, however, is calumniated in a matter wherein she is absolutely innocent

CHAPTER XXIX.
Concerning a terribly great contest, from which it will be seen that where his spouse's honor was concerned, Valentine put no bounds to his fury

CHAPTER XXX.
Which teaches that outward beauty, be it never so precious a property, is often most dangerous to its possessor

CHAPTER XXXI.
'Tis a true proverb which says that the devil sends an old woman when he cannot come himself; but of course it only applies to wicked old women, for there are very many gentlewomen well advanced in years who lead a God-fearing life and do good to their fellow-creatures

CHAPTER XXXII.
Whereby we learn that it is not good to come to close quarters with Satan, for if we catch him by the horns he butts us, if we clutch him by the throat he bites us, and if we hold him by the neck he kicks us

CHAPTER XXXIII.
Which shows what a good thing it is when "publica privatis præcedunt," or, in other words, when public duties take precedence of private affairs

CHAPTER XXXIV.
The fulfillment of the proverb, as you make your bed so must you lie in it, comes to pass

CHAPTER XXXV.
Things in this world do not always exactly turn out as men devise beforehand

CHAPTER XXXVI.
Wherein carnival revels are described

CHAPTER XXXVII.
The Lenten penance succeeds the carnival revels

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
In which it is shown how ghosts haunt churchyards

CHAPTER XXXIX.
In which everyone at last gets his deserts

CHAPTER XL.
All things pass away, but science remains eternal