Although His Majesty the Emperor liked the Schildburgers, state affairs could not tolerate any more delay, and he notified the mayor of the day of his departure. As a sign of mercy for the good reception, he allowed the Schildburgers to petition him.
The townspeople were very happy about this, and they presented the emperor with a whole scroll. It detailed the disasters that befell them when they served as advisers to princes in foreign countries. They had to live away from home for a long time, the wives, left alone, lived in poverty, and the economy fell into complete disrepair. They had to return to Shilda to help the trouble. It was then that they decided to save themselves from their great mind by stupidity. This method began to bear good fruit, and they decided to continue to observe themselves in this way.
And they would have lived comfortably under the buffoon's cap, if not for the evil machinations of their neighbors. They mock the poor Schildburgers and their stupidity so viciously and use such ridicule and murderous insults that the townspeople have to fear for their lives. That is why the Schildburgers ask the sovereign to seal their buffoonery with the imperial signature and seal, in order to protect them from evil attacks. They did not impose their wisdom on anyone and they also do not bother anyone with their buffoonery.
The emperor willingly complied with their request. On the same day he ordered his best scribe to write the following safe-conduct:
“We, by the grace of God, the emperor of a great and powerful empire, constantly striving to increase our possessions, hereby announce to each and every one that, in accordance with the request of the residents of the city of Shilda, we are now taking them under our protection and ordering: no one should cause any hindrance to them in their buffoonery and stupidity, either by word, deed, or thought.
nim. And if there are disobedient people, they will face great punishment and our eternal imperial disfavor. I order such disobedients to wear a jester's cap with one, two or three bells, depending on the severity of the crime. It is permissible to remove this cap only after reconciliation with the offended Schildburger and payment of two guilders to our imperial treasury.
This is our firm will and our imperial decision, which we confirm with our signature and certify with our seal.
Date: summer... day."
In addition to the safe conduct, the emperor added considerable “gratitude” and obliged his hospitable hosts to spend it as quickly and cheerfully as possible.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru