Evidently, the theft of books is an old danger. This warning was written by a medieval German scribe:
This book belongs to none but me
For there's my name inside to see
To steal this book, if you should try,
Its by the throat that you'll hang high.
And ravens then will gather 'bout
To find your eyes and pull them out
And when you're screaming "Oh, oh, oh!"
Remember you deserved this woe.
I love this little poem. I am amazed at the ferocity of the scribe's response to his book possibly being stolen. But when I consider that it often took years to transcribe one book, it makes a bit more sense.
Beware all book thieves!
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