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of Rouen。
In the environs of this fair town； where at the time dwelt Duke
Richard； an old man used to beg； whose name was Tryballot； but to whom
was given the nickname of Le Vieux par…Chemins； or the Old Man of the
Roads； not because he was yellow and dry as vellum； but because he was
always in the high…ways and by…waysup hill and down daleslept with
the sky for his counterpane； and went about in rags and tatters。
Notwithstanding this； he was very popular in the duchy； where everyone
had grown used to him； so much so that if the month went by without
anyone seeing his cup held towards them； people would say； 〃Where is
the old man？〃 and the usual answer was； 〃On the roads。〃
This said man had had for a father a Tryballot； who was in his
lifetime a skilled artisan； so economical and careful； that he left
considerable wealth to his son。
But the young lad soon frittered it away； for he was the very opposite
of the old fellow； who； returning from the fields to his house； picked
up； now here； now there； many a little stick of wood left right and
left； saying； conscientiously； that one should never come home empty
handed。 Thus he warmed himself in the winter at the expense of the
careless； and he did well。 Everyone recognised what a good example
this was for the country； since a year before his death no one left a
morsel of wood on the road； he had compelled the most dissipated to be
thrifty and orderly。 But his son made ducks and drakes of everything；
and did not follow his wise example。 The father had predicted the
thing。 From the boy's earliest youth； when the good Tryballot set him
to watch the birds who came to eat the peas； beans； and the grain； and
to drive the thieves away； above all； the jays； who spoiled
everything； he would study their habits； and took delight in watching
with what grace they came and went； flew off loaded； and returned；
watching with a quick eye the snares and nets； and he would laugh
heartily at their cleverness in avoiding them。 Tryballot senior went
into a passion when he found his grain considerably less in a measure。
But although he pulled his son's ears whenever he caught him idling
and trifling under a nut tree； the little rascal did not alter his
conduct； but continued to study the habits of the blackbirds；
sparrows； and other intelligent marauders。 One day his father told him
that he would be wise to model himself after them； for that if he
continued this kind of life； he would be compelled in his old age like
them； to pilfer； and like them； would be pursued by justice。 This came
true； for； as has before been stated； he dissipated in a few days the
crowns which his careful father had acquired in a life…time。 He dealt
with men as he did with the sparrows； letting everyone put a hand in
his pocket； and contemplating the grace and polite demeanour of those
who assisted to empty it。 The end of his wealth was thus soon reached。
When the devil had the empty money bag to himself； Tryballot did not
appear at all cut up； saying； that he 〃did not wish to damn himself
for this world's goods； and that he had studied philosophy in the
school of the birds。〃
After having thoroughly enjoyed himself； of all his goods； there only
remained to him a goblet bought at Landict； and three dice； quite
sufficient furniture for drinking and gambling； so that he went about
without being encumbered； as are the great； with chariots； carpets；
dripping pans； and an infinite number of varlets。 Tryballot wished to
see his good friends； but they no longer knew him； which fact gave him
leave no longer to recognise anyone。 Seeing this； he determined to
choose a profession in which there was nothing to do and plenty to
gain。 Thinking this over； he remembered the indulgences of the
blackbirds and the sparrows。 Then the good Tryballot selected for his
profession that of begging money at people's houses； and pilfering。
From the first day； charitable people gave him something； and
Tryballot was content； finding the business good； without advance
money or bad debts； on the contrary； full of accommodation。 He went
about it so heartily； that he was liked everywhere； and received a
thousand consolations refused to rich people。 The good man watched the
peasants planting； sowing； reaping； and making harvest； and said to
himself； that they worked a little for him as well。 He who had a pig
in his larder owed him a bit for it； without suspecting it。 The man
who baked a loaf in his oven often baked it for Tryballot without
knowing it。 He took nothing by force； on the contrary； people said to
him kindly； while making him a present； 〃Here Vieux par…Chemins； cheer
up； old fellow。 How are you？ Come； take this； the cat began it； you
can finish it。〃
Vieux par…Chemins was at all the weddings； baptisms； and funerals；
because he went everywhere where there was； openly or secretly；
merriment and feasting。 He religiously kept the statutes and canons of
his ordernamely； to do nothing； because if he had been able to do
the smallest amount of work no one would ever give anything again。
After having refreshed himself； this wise man would lay full length in
a ditch； or against a church wall； and think over public affairs； and
then he would philosophise； like his pretty tutors； the blackbirds；
jays； and sparrows； and thought a great deal while mumping； for；
because his apparel was poor； was that a reason his understanding
should not be rich？ His philosophy amused his clients； to whom he
would repeat； by way of thanks； the finest aphorisms of his science。
According to him； suppers produced gout in the rich： he boasted that
he had nimble feet； because his shoemaker gave him boots that do not
pinch his corns。 There were aching heads beneath diadems； but his
never ached； because it was touched neither by luxury nor any other
chaplet。 And again； that jewelled rings hinder the circulation of the
blood。 Although he covered himself with sores； after the manner of
cadgers； you may be sure he was as sound as a child at the baptismal
font。
The good man disported himself with other rogues； playing with his
three dice； which he kept to remind him to spend his coppers； in order
that he might always be poor。 In spite of his vow； he was； like all
the order of mendicants； so wealthy that one day at the Paschal feast；
another beggar wishing to rent his profit from him； Vieux par…Chemins
refused ten crowns for it； in fact； the same evening he spent fourteen
crowns in drinking the health of the alms…givers； because it is the
statutes of beggary that one should show one's gratitude to donors。
Although he carefully got rid of that of which had been a source of
anxiety to others； who； having too much wealth went in search of
poverty； he was happier with nothing in the world than when he had his
father's money。 And seeing what are the conditions of nobility； he was
always on the high road to it； because he did nothing except according
to his fancy； and lived