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Reynard the Fox: After the German Version of Goethe by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Full text[1]

WITH ILLUSTRATONSBY

J WOL F.

i\

AFTER THE GERMAN VERSION OF

J3OETHE

BY

THOMAS JAMES A.RNOLD

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY JOSEPH WOLF

3rifdben Ue&erfetyitifl tint) UmarBeittnifl fcfweSenb.

Gothe.

LONDON

NATTALI AND BOND, BEDFORD STREET COVENT GARDEN

1855

INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

TO

JOHN SMITH MANSFIELD, ESQ.

MY DEAR MANSFIELD,

,Y your leave I dedicate to you this verfion of " ^pftor^e of IRepnarti ttje jfoje,"

though even without it I fhould probably have taken French leave to do fo, partly as a means of publicly exprefling my regard and friendship for you, and partly owing to the fact that it was your approval of a fmall portion upon which I at firft experimented fc that provoked me" to cope with the whole work. And I mall avail myfelf of this opportunity to fay a few words about the Fable itfelf, and thus com- promife with my Publifher, who will infift upon the neceflity of fome fort of Introduction.

The hiftory of this Fable as connected with that of Englim literature is certainly very remarkable. It appears at one time to have been nearly as popular in this country as it undoubtedly has always been in Germany. A profe verfion of the ftory, tranflated from one in Dutch, 1 alfo in profe, was one of the earlieft productions of the Englim prefs, having been printed by Caxton in 148 1 ; 2 but even

1 Die Hiftorie van Reinaert de Vos, Publifhed at Gouda, in Holland, by Gberaert Leeu, A.D. 1479.

2 This verfion has been reprinted with " the modification of fome few words and fentences " as being not " confonant to our prefent no- tions of propriety " among the publications of the Percy Society, under the able fuperintendance of W. J. Thorns, Efq. Lond. 1 844.

iv INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

before that period there is abundant evidence that detached fragments of the ftory were well known in England, efpecially as a portion of the literature of the cloifter. 3 After Caxton's edition, there were feveral other verfions in profe, publifhed from time to time, in which the lan- guage was modernized to fuit the tafte of the age. Thefe publications continued into the 1 8th century, in the early part of which " The Hiftory of Reynard the Fox " with continuations was fold about the country as one of thofe <c chap-books " a collection of which is confidered fo valuable by Bibliophilifts. There were publifhed alfo two metrical verfions of the ftory, one by John Shurley, in 1681, and the other by a namelefs author in I7o6. 4

The work however, after paffing " through the hands of old women and children only," 5 feems to have fallen

3 Introdu&ion by Mr. Thorns to his reprint, p. Ixxiii. et feq. and the Collection of Latin Stories, edited by Thomas Wright, Eiq., alfo among the Percy Society publications.

4 Mr. Thorns gives a fhort extraft from each of thefe verfions (In- trodudion, pp. Ixxxij., Ixxxiv.), but fpeaks of them in anything but terms of commendation.

5 In the " Epiftle Prefatory," by " James Drake, Fellow of the Royal Society and College of Phyficians," to " The Perfect Picture of a Favourite: or, Secret Memoirs of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicefter, Prime Minifter and Favourite of Queen Elizabeth," &c. &c. " Written during his life and now publifh'd from an Old Manufcript," (3rd edit. Lond. 1708) the following pafiage occurs :

" There is an old Englijb Book, Written about the time, that thefe Memoirs feem to have been, which now pafles through the Hands of old Women and Children only, and is taken for a pleafant delightful Tale, but is by wifer Heads thought to be an Enigmatical Hiftory of the Earl of Leicefter and his Family, which he that compares with thefe Memoirs, will not take to be an idle Conjecture, there are fo many paffages fo eafily illuftrable, by comparing it with thefe Memoirs. The Book, I mean, is the Hiftory of Reynard the Fox, in which the Author, not daring to Write his Hiftory plainly, probably, for fear of his Power, has fhadowed his Exploits under the feigned Adventures and Intrigues of Brutes, in which not only the Violence and Rapacioufnefs, but efpe- cially the Craft and Diffimulation of the Earl of Leicefter is excellently fet forth."

I have confidered this pafTage worth preferving as probably the moft remarkable blunder on record concerning the origin and fcope of the Hiftory of Reynard. It is pointed out by Profeflbr Dreyer in his " Ab- bandlung von dem Nutzen des treflicben Gedicbts, Reinke de Vos, in

INTRODUCTORY LETTER. v

into comparative oblivion in this country. Dunlop, in his Hiftory of Fiftion makes no mention of it. Warton, in his Hiftory of Englijh Poetry alludes to it only by an. extract from Hearne, who merely fpeaks of it in com- paring it with another old book. 6 Hallam, indeed, in his Introduction to the Literature of Europe, does make fome mention of it, 7 but it is very fcanty, and the account he there gives of the origin of the fable and its author he himfelf faw reafon to correct. 8

Of late years, however, Reynard has held up his head once more in this country, and feems in a fair way to " en- joy his own again." In the Introduction to Mr. Thorns' reprint of Caxton's book 9 will be found almoft every- thing that can be faid upon the fubject. There are alfo affixed to the metrical verfions of Mr. Nay lor 10 and Mr. Holloway, 11 Introductions which contain a great amount of ufeful information relative to the hiftory of Reynard.

It muft be confefled, however, that all thefe and fome other modern Engliih writers who have treated on the fubject are greatly indebted to the indefatigable Jacob Grimm, who for many years feems to have made Reynard his favourite hobby. But before we turn to his labours it may be as well to mention that the Great Exhibition of 1851, among other curious refults, contributed not a little to the renewed popularity of the ftory in this country. Every one remembers how attractive were the fluffed

Erklaerung der teutfchen Recbts-dltertbuemer" &c. (Buetzow und Wifmar, \ 768) ; a marvellous repertory of odd and out of the way learning.

6 " The Merry Tales of the Mad Men of Gotham." Wart. Hift. Eng. Poet. in. p. 357.

7 Vol. i. p. 183.

8 Corrigenda, Vol. iv. It is not even mentioned in the Index. Taylor, in his Hiftoric Survey of German Poetry (Lond. 1830) has a very meagre notice of the work : Vol. i. p. in. There is a fomewhat fuller account of it in D'Ifraeli's Amenities of Literature, Vol. u. p. 44.

9 Supra, n. 2.

10 Longman, Lond. 1845.

11 Payne, Drefd. and Leipz. French, Lond. 1852. Admirably illuftrated by H. Leutemann 5 though his defigns mow that he has fometimes not quite fucceeded in forgetting thofe of the illuftrious Kaulbacb to the edition of Goethe's verfion, publifhed at Munich, 1 846.

vi INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

animals fent by Herrmann Ploucquet, of Wurtemberg ; and fome of the groups being copied from Kaulbach's Illuftrations to Goethe's poem of Reineke Fuchs they drew more general attention to the ftory, and feveral verfions of it, fuited to the capacity of the nurfery popu- lation, have fince appeared. 13 So that there may be a hope perhaps that the fable may pafs back again through the hands of children and old women into thofe belonging to " wifer heads." 14

It would take too much fpace to attempt any account of the various verfions of the fable that have appeared in other European languages, or even to enumerate the different writers who have treated the fubjecl: in German and French. And Mr. Thorns in his Introduction has gone fo fully into the fubjecl, that I could do little more than follow in his footfteps. 15 Something, however, muft abfolutely be faid about the origin of the fable.

Till Grimm took up the matter, all the world feemed to agree that the Low-German or Saxon poem Reynke

12 See laft note.

13 The Comical Creatures from Wurtemberg, Lond. Bogue, 1851. The comical hi ftory and tragical end of Reynard the Fox, in Stories, by Aunt Mary, Lond. Houlfton and Stoneman, n. d. The Story of Reynard the Fox, in Aunt Mavor's Pifture Books, Lond. Routledge, n. d. Befides the editions enumerated by Mr. Thorns, may be mentioned The Hiftory of Reynard the Fox, by David Vedder, illuftrated by Guftav Canton, of Munich and Duffeldorf: Orr,Lond. Menzies, Edinb. (1852?) ; and The Diverting Hiftorie of Renard the Fox, illuftrated by J. J. Grandville : Lond. Willoughby, n. d. This latter verfion however has been in parts altered to fuit the illuftrations, which are not adapted to the ftory in its ufual form, but feem rather intended for a collection of fables.

14 An article from the pen of Mr. Carlyle, in the For. Quart. Rev. No. xvi. is evidence that before this time fuch a refult was in progrefs.

15 In addition to the works referred to by Mr. Thorns, may, how- ever, be particularized Le Roman du Renard, by Oflave Delepierre, a Flemifh advocate (Par. 1837) and Les Romans du Renard, by Profeflbr M. A. Rothe, a Dane (Par. 1845), each of which contains an admira- ble precis of this "hiftory of hiiiories."

Among the various verfions that have been noticed, juftice has hardly been done to one in Englifh verfe, by D. W. Soltau, a German, Hamb. 1826. Both Mr. Thorns (Introd. Ixix.) and Mr. Naylor (Introd. 40) fpeaks of this in the fomewhat contemptuous phrafe of " a tranflation into Englifh doggrel." The latter gentleman does not indeed appear to have feen this verfion, and poffibly Mr. Thorns may have been mifled

INTRODUCTORY LETTER. vii

de Vos^ was the original ftory, though the learned were divided in opinion as to whether the author/hip refted with Hinreck van Alckmer^ 1 or Nicholaus Baumann who are fuppofed to have flourimed, the former about the clofe of the i fth century, the latter in the earlier part of the 1 6th ; but an earlier Flemim verfion has been difco- vered, 19 fuppofed to have been written about the middle of the i jth century, or earlier, the author of which is faid to have been named either Willem die Madock (or Matoc) or Willem van Utenhoven ; for this queftion is alfo adhuc Jub judice. All thefe verfions correfpond in great meafure with the ftory of our Reynard.

Grimm has collected, with immenfe induftry, a variety of other legends, all bearing more or lefs on the hiftory of Reynard, but none of them fetting forth the fable in the fame manner as at prefent. The earlier! of thefe, Reinhart, a poem in High-German, is attributed to Heinrich der GlicheJ<ere who, from internal evidence in

into the adoption of the term by the author himfelf, who in his preface (p. ix.) fpeaks of a former German verfion of his own (Braunfchweig, 18231830) as a " tranflation" (from the Low German) "in German Doggerel-Rhymes (the fame metre in which the original is compofed)." This Englifh verfion has however confiderable merit, and regarded as the work of a foreigner is a remarkable production. Soltau feems to have been fond of fuch literary difficulties. He had before then tranf- lated Hudibras (Riga, 1787, Konigflberg, 1797) into German Knittel- verfen (which he feems to have confidered equivalent to our doggrelj] a feat which nearly rivals that of our countryman, Mr. John Towneley, who had previoufly tranflated into French verfe the fame work, pro- nounced by Voltaire to be of all books " le plus intraduifible."

16 Printed at Liibeck, 1498, of which only one copy is known, preferved in the library at Wolfenbiittel. This was reprinted by Pro- feflbr Hackmann (Wolfenbiittel, 1711).

17 " c&ofemeffcr un tucfjtlerer be3 ebbefen bocjentticfen 2?orflen

Un tgemil, 0Crt0^en X>0n CottpngCm" So the pretended author defcribes himfelf in the preface to the Liibeck edition of 1498.

18 He appears to have been the Editor of the verfion publifhed at Roftork in 1517, the earlieft known to exift, till the difcovery by Hackmann of the Liibeck edition of 1498.

19 Reinaert de Vos. A fragment of this work was edited by Grimm in his vol. entitled Reinbart Fucbs (Berlin, 1834), p. 115, and the whole poem, by J. F. Willems (Gent, 18361850) from a MS. purchafed by the Belgian Government at Mr. Heber's fale.

20 The Feigner, or Counterfeiter, from an old German word gelt-

viii INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

the poem is confidered by Grimm to have been a native of Aljace (Elfajs) or Lorraine (Lothringen) y living in German Switzerland about the latter half of the 1 2th century. 21

It would carry me beyond my limits to enter upon any examination of the verfions of the ftory that exift in Norman French ; 22 and this is of the lefs confequence, as thefe Reynardine fables although extremely amufing do not form one continuous hiftory, and they differ considerably from that handed down in the poem of Reynke. It may be fufficient to repeat Mr. Hallam's obfervation, that fo popular did they become in France, as to natural ife in the language of that country the German name of the Fox, Reynard, which has entirely fuperfeded the old French word goupil. 23

Still further would it carry me, to review the various fables which have been collected by the induftry of Grimm and others, as illuftrative of Reynard's hiftory. They mow how deep a root the ftory in fome fhape or other had taken in the literature of the middle ages, if even it may not be traced further back. Reinart is men- tioned in zfirventes faid to have been written by Richard Coeur de Lion ; the fable is referred to by many Provencal writers; 24 and it was certainly popular before the nth century. 25 And as a proof how widely thofe roots have fpread, Grimm, in his lateft work on the fubject, has

cbefen, to diffemble. Perhaps this epithet, for Grimm has mown it is not a family name, may be fynonymous with Troubadour, Trovatore.

21 Reinhart Fuchs, Einleitung, ciij. and p. 25. Sendfchreiben an Karl Lachmann von Jacob Grimm : Ueber Reinhart Fuchs. Leipz. 1840.

12 M. Meon has publifhed a collection of thefe ftories under the title Le Roman du Renart, in 4 vols. (Par. 1824) ; and this has been fol- lowed by a Supplement with various readings and corrections by M. Cbabaille. (Par. 1835.)

23 From Vulpes.

24 Grimm R. F. Einleit. cc. et feq.

25 See the ftory told by Guibert, Abbot of Nogent, Gr. R. F. Einleit. cxcv. and the poem entitled Ecbajts cujufdam captivi per Tro- pologiam, publifhed in a collection of Latin poems by Grimm and Schmeller. (Getting. 1838.)

INTRODUCTORY LETTER. ix

publifhed a fable in modern Greek founded on an adven- ture between the Afs, the Wolf and the Fox. 26

I may be allowed however to adduce one or two fur- ther proofs of the extenfive ramification of the Reynardine fables.

M. Delepierre in the prolegomenes prefixed to his profe tranflation of the Flemifrt poem of Reinaert, 27 refers to a fable publifhed in " The Flowers of Perfian literature," 28 which is a counterpart of the adventure between Reynard and Ifegrim, related at p. 7 1 of the following verfion ; except that for the Prieft's larder in the European ftory, a vineyard is fubftituted in the Perfian fable ; it being notorious that Oriental Foxes (and it feems Wolves alfo) have a remarkable tafte for grapes. 29

In a ftill larger collection of Eaftern fables recently publifhed by Mr. Eaftwick, 30 there is one 31 which bears a fingular refemblance to the general outline of the ftory of " Reynard the Fox ; " but the Jackal is the hero of

26 Taftdpov, Xvxov xa) aAoutfouc ^ir^r^is aJ^a/a. Sendfchr. a. K. L.> p. 75' Grimm thinks this poem belongs to the I5th or i6th century. Mr. Naylor fpeaks of it as " a newly-difcovered verfion of the old Epos in Greek !" (Introd. 17. n.) which expreffion, efpecially in context with the reft of the note, feems calculated to miflead the reader into a notion that the verfion was in the language of ancient Greece.

27 Supra, n. 1 5.

28 " Containing extracts from the moft celebrated authors, in profe and verfe, with a tranflation into Englifh, &c. By S. Roufleau, Teacher of the Perfian language." Lond. 1 80 1, p. 198. In M. Delepierre's book, the date of the publication is given as 1 804, probably by a mif- print, as the work was not likely to have had a fecond edition.

29 This is fhown, as Mr. Naylor remarks, by the fo-called JECopic fable of " The Fox and the Grapes," and a paiTage in the Song of Solomon.

30 " The Anvar-i Suhaili, or The Lights of Canopus ; being the Perfian verfion of the Fables of Pilpay ;" &c. Hertford, 1854. The original compilation appears to have been in Sanfkrit and made by Vifhnu Sharman ; " whom we ridiculoufly call Pilpay," fays Sir W. Jones. The author, or the work, appears however to have been called Bidpai, which probably accounts for the mifnomer. See Pref. to the Anv. Suh.

31 Chap. ix. Story I. p. 476. I have not been able to find any counterpart of this in the Englifh Pilpay.

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the tale inftead of the Fox, and the humour of the ftory is nearly evaporated by making the faid hero a good and virtuous beaft, inftead of a bad and hypocritical one.

The ftory 3 which is remarkably tedious and profy and interlarded with a number of other fables, runs thus :

Once upon a time, in Hinduftan there was a Jackal, by name Farifah?* who had turned his face from the world and his back on its vain affairs. He lived indeed among his fellows, but he abftained from eating flefh and fpilling blood and hurting other animals. 33 His com- rades began a wrangle with him and endeavoured to mow him the folly of his ways ; pointing out to him that to pafs fuch a life of aufterity was neither confident with the rules of good fellowfhip nor conformable with the dictates of reafon ; for the good things of the world were fent here to be enjoyed. And being learned beafts they quoted the Koran largely in fupport of their doctrines. 34 Farifab, however, was as learned as they, and he quoted the Koran too, and was not to be led aftray by the temptations of the flelh ; and he ftrove to make converts of his com- panions, but in vain. He foon obtained fuch eminence for piety and virtue that the reclufes of that country were in the habit of imploring fpiritual fuccour from his foul ; and his fame at length reached the ear of the Lion-King, Kamjiu^ The monarch defired his attendance at Court, and Farifab was too good a fubjecl: to difobey the royal beheft ; moreover the King is reprefented as " terrible and dreadful, a monfter, frightful and awe-infpiring." His Majefty was charmed with the elo- quence and wifdom of the virtuous Jackal, and after a time propofed to raife him to a high rank and entruft to him all the affairs of government and finance. But Far if ah was as modefl as he was virtuous, and in an exceffively tedious addrefs he endeavoured to mow how unworthy he was of fuch honours; juft as newly-elected Speakers of the Houfe of Commons and Bifhops were wont to do in days long gone by. But in vain he fought to depreciate himfelf; he but the more convinced King Kamjiu of his great fitnefs for the part affigned to him, and the King having previoufly promifed him the royal protection againft all enemies whom his elevation might raife againft him, (for Farifab had as many fcruples upon this point as with regard to his own unfitnefs,) he at length yielded, took upon himfelf the adminiftration of public affairs, and was diftinguifhed by

32 Mr. Eaftwick explains this to mean " catching and breaking the bones of the prey : " a deal of meaning for fo fhort a word ; and rather " an extraordinary epithet " to apply to the afcetic Jackal.

33 Such is the character which, very early in our poem, Reynard is anxious to give himfelf.

34 As the Ordinary in Jonathan Wild might perhaps, if he had thought of it, have perverted fome paflages in St. Paul's Firft Epiftle to Timothy in favour of his own views in behalf of punch.

35 This name is printed fometimes Kamjiu, and fometimes Kamjui. I cannot pretend to fay which is correct. Mr. Eaftwick fays it means " feeking enjoyment."

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the monarch with the moft unbounded favour. This ftate of things foon became irkfome to the other pillars of the State, and they fecretly plotted the ruin of the good Farifab. To carry out their wicked project, they fuborned an individual to fteal a portion of flefh which had been fet apart for the Lion's breakfaft, and hide it in Farifab's cell. The next morning the Jackal was not prefent at the royal levee, which was attended by all the other nobles and minifters and notables of the king- dom ; for he was abfent on fome bufinefs of the utmoft importance. The King occupied the morning in difcourfing on the ability and under- ftanding and knowledge of his abfent favourite ; and when breakfaft- time arrived his Majefty happened to be more than ordinarily hungry. But the breakfaft was not forthcoming, and the more they fought for the royal portion the lefs they found it. The King became exceffively enraged, as might be expe&ed ; and Farifab's enemies took advantage of his abfence, and began to infinuate doubts into the royal breaft ; fome vouched various reports they had heard, or pretended to have heard againft his honefty, efpecially with reference to the miffing piece of flefli ; while others put forth " remarks intended to anfwer a different purpofe than the apparent one," 36 pretending to defend Farifab as an inoffenfive and truftworthy animal. Meanwhile, as the debate was a very protrafted one, the monarch's wrath and hunger had become un- governable, and he gave orders to fummon Farifab to his prefence. That haplefs one, unaware of what his enemies had done in his abfence, boldly haftened to obey the royal command. The Lion afked, " What haft thou done with the flefh I committed to thy charge yefterday ? " Farifab anfwered, " I conveyed it to the kitchen that they might bring it to the King at breakfaft-time." Now the cook was one of the con- fpirators. And he came forward and denied what Farifab had ftated, faying, " I know nothing about the thing ; thou gaveft no flelh to me ! " Then the King forthwith iflued a commiffion to enquire into the matter ; and the commiffioners fearched Farifab' s abode for the flefh ; and as they had hid it themfelves they foon brought it to light and took it to the Lion. Farifab at once perceived the plot that had been laid for him, but for the prefent, prudently held his peace. Of the number of the nobles prefent, was a Wolf, who to that moment had not uttered a word of reproach, and who reckoned himfelf among the juft, and made as though he would not ftir a ftep without certain proof, and vaunted his friendfhip for Farifab, and made a ftrenuous fhow of pro- tedling him. But he now ftepped forward and declared his opinion that as the treafon was found out, the traitor ought to be punifhed with all poffible defpatch. Then the Lion commanded the Jackal to be re- moved, and was plunged into deep thought and grief, and as it feems, forgot all about his breakfaft. Meanwhile a Lynx, who was one of the fpecial favourites of the King, adminiftered a tolerably ftrong reproof to his Sovereign for not having fooner perceived the manifeft treachery of

3G Mr. Eaftwick fays he is compelled to make ufe of thefe eleven words, in order to convey the meaning of one in the original (magblatab). What a language it muft be !

xii INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

the Jackal, and urged him how much better it was to care for the wel- fare of the State, than to mow indulgence to one traitor. So the fire of the King's wrath being re-kindled, he fent to Farifah to enquire if he had any excufe to offer for his offence ; but he being innocent had no excufe to offer. Whereupon the King, putting afide all covenants and promifes, gave a pofitive order to put Farifab to death. Now the Lion's mother was a wife and virtuous princefs, who feeing that the King was ading precipitately, thought to herfelf that me muft go with all fpeed and releafe her fon from the temptations of the devil. Then me flayed the execution and came to her Ion Kamjiu y and had an amazingly long converfation with him, and recommended him fully to inveftigate the affair. And the Lion liftened to the words of his mother, wearifome as they were ; and he commanded Farifah to be brought into his pre- fence, and defired him to return to the difcharge of his duties, and to think no more of what had taken place. But the Jackal was not fo eafily fatisfied, and he alfo requefted the King to inveftigate the affair ; declaring that he courted the ftricleft inquiry. The King could not fee in what manner inquiry could be made, or by what means the invefti- gation could be carried on. The Jackal fuggefted, it might be as well to examine his accufers feparately, who were all flefh-loving beafts ; whereas it was notorious that he had not himfelf tafted flefh for years. And he further fuggefted that threats might be ufed to induce them to confefs the truth, and if they mould fail, promifes of pardon, or even of reward, might be held out; fo that his own innocence and un- ftained honour would appear clear to all the Court. The King adopted this fage advice, and the confequence was that at laft fome of the confpirators acknowledged their faults, and the reft too, being compelled to confefs, difclofed truthfully the real ftate of the cafe. " Thus the fun of the in- tegrity of Farifab came forth from under the cloud of doubt, and the duft of uncertainty was removed from before the eye of conviction." 37

Whatever may be the fource of this fable, it would certainly appear that it contains the germ of the extant Hiftory of Reynard the Fox ; the fecond part of that Hiftory, as I have feen remarked fomewhere, being in fad but a fkil fully diverfified repetition of the firft ; each containing an account of Reynard's difgrace, and fubfe- quent pardon and favour. If this view be correct, it would tend to overthrow Grimm's theory, that the ftory of Relneke is of German or Flemifh origin. 38

37 Not to follow the tedioufnefs of the original, I have thought beft here to clofe the outline of the ftory : but there follows a long palaver and confabulation between the King, his mother and the Jackal, before the latter can be induced to refume the feals of office ; which however he ultimately does to the fatisfa&ion of all parties.

38 Rein. F. Einleit. Scblufs, p. cccxii. and elfewhere. Grimm,

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Of the fcope and intention of the fable, many opinions have been entertained. As it now ftands, it is clearly a fatire upon all things in general, and upon the clergy in particular. 39 But Grimm is of opinion, that in the earlier verfions there is no genuine fatire intended ; that is, fatire upon then exifting perfons or things. 40 He con riders, for inftance, that the ftory of the wolf's be- coming a monk, is not meant as a fatire upon the monks, but arifes from his being defcribed as grey, and hence old, and being called grey-coat, &c. 41 Grimm has alfo fuc- ceeded in fatisfactorily difpofing of the various theories which have from time to time been put forth as to the allegorical meaning of the poem. The earlieft of thefe, and which had become moft generally accepted, was that of the learned Eccard, who contended that Reinhart was a certain Duke Reginarius, who was a fubject and minifter of Zuentibold, a king of Lorraine about the clofe of the 9th century. According to the fame account, IJegrim was a Count Ifanricus, who lived fome years later, and oppofed the Emperor Arnulf, in Bavaria, Auftria and Moravia. 42 This is the theory at firft adopted by Mr. Hallam, though fubfequently doubted by him. 43 It is manifeftly untenable, for reafons which Grimm has fully gone into. It was adopted with modifications by Mone, who confidered that IJengrimus, the Wolf, reprefented King Zuentibold himfelf, and that the Lion, who, in the Latin poem is called Rufanus y was his fon, King Arnulf. The abfurd fancy of our countryman, Drake, who con- fiders the ftory as alluding to the Earl of Leicefter, Elizabeth's favourite, has already been mentioned. 44

It remains to fay a few words with regard to the

though he refers to fome other oriental fables (p. cclxxii. et feq.) does not allude to this one.

39 It was probably for this reafon a great favourite with Luther. Gr. R. F. Einleit. ccxii.

40 Ib. cap. 12.

41 Ib. Einleit. pp. xxxv. vi.

• Ib. ccli.

13 Supra, n. 8. 44 Supra, n. 5.

xvi INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

me to fay anything. I will only obferve, that whereas my immediate predeceflbrs, Mr. Nay lor and Mr. Hollow ay ^ founding their verfions upon the old German poem, have followed their original in adopting a mort or odlofyllabic metre, in mine which is entirely bafed upon Goethe's poem (for, in truth, I knew of no other when I firft fet about the paraphrafe), I have adopted our ufual heroic couplet as the moft familiar reprefentative of the hexa- meters of my original.

The admirable defigns by Mr. Wolf, which illuftrate this volume, require no commendation from me.

Believe me,

My dear Mansfield,

Yours ever faithfully,

T. J. ARNOLD.

London, June, 1855.

REYNARD THE FOX CHAPTER THE FIRST

r

THE ACCUSATION

K

REYNARD THE FOX.

CHAPTER THE FIRST.

HE pleafant feaft of Whitfuntide was

come ;

The woods and hills were clad in ver- nal bloom ;

The full-awakened birds, from every tree, Made the air ring with cheerful melody ; Sweet were the meadows after paffing fhowers ; Brilliant the heav'n with light, the earth with

flowers.

Noble, the King of Beafts,now holds his Court ; Thither his fummoned Vaffals all refort ; From North and South they troop, from Eaft

and Weft,

Of Birds and Quadrupeds the Firft and Beft. The Royal will had been proclaimed, that all Of ev'ry clafs mould come, both Great and

Small, To grace the pomp of that high feftival :

REYNARD THE FOX.

Not One ihould fail ; and yet there did fail One ; Reynard the Fox, the Rogue, was feen of none ; His many crimes from Court kept him away ; An evil confcience fhuns the light of day. To face that grave Affembly much he feared, For all accufed him ; no one had he fpared : Greybeard, the Badger, flood his friend alone, The Badger, who was Reynard's Brother's fon.

Begirt with many a Relative and Friend, Who aid in war, in peace might counfel lend, Sir Ifegrim r the Wolf, approached the throne, And with due rev'rence bowing humbly down, His fuit in plaintive accents he began, And thus his wrathful accufation ran :

" Moft gracious Lord and King I in pity hear ! Let my complaint find favour in Your ear. Happy the Subjects of Your glorious reign ; Here none who feek for juftice feek in vain. Vouchfafe then, to commif 'rate my diftrefs ; For Reynard's malice grant me fome redrefs. Me in all ways the Wretch hath wronged and

fhamed, My Spoufe difhonoured and my Children maimed ;

THE ACCUSATION.

Three lie at home, the youngeft born of fix, Befouled and blinded by his filthy tricks.

" 'Tis long ago my plaint in Court was filed, Showing by Reynard how I'd been beguiled : The cunning Fox knew well a plea to draw, And boldly he prefumed to wage his law : He dared not come at the appointed day ; So I had judgment and my cofts to pay. All prefent here can vouch this tale is true ; But none can tell fuch things as I can do. Had I the tongues of Angels, lungs of brafs, Whole days and weeks nay, months and years

would pafs

Ere I could mention all my injuries, Or tell one half his crimes andiricks and lies. If all the Sheep on earth were killed and flayed, And all their fkins were into parchment made, Not half fufficient were they to contain, The wrongs whereof I juftly could complain : The worft is the difhonour of my Wife ; That eats away my heart, and fours my life : Defire of vengeance haunts me, night and day, And vengeance I will have, come what come may.'

REYNARD THE FOX.

He ceafed, and ftood in filent mood apart, Gloom on his brow and anger in his heart. Up jumped a Poodle from a neighbouring bench, Hight Frizpate, who addrefled the King in French. And he complained, it was not long ago, In winter, when the ground was deep in fnow, That not a fingle Beaft could hunt his prey, He'd given much in charity away, And for himfelf had but one faufage left ; By the falfe Fox of this he was bereft : A foul and almoft facrilegious theft !

Scant had he fpoken, when with fiery eyes Tybalt, the Cat, fprang forth in angry wife, And kneeling cried " My auguft and gracious

King,

Reynard muft anfwer many a grievous thing : Moft dreaded of all living Beafts is he ; Ay, more than e'en Your facred Majefty. Grant me Your patience, though ; and hear me out : Frizpate hath little to complain about : The thing he fpeaks of happened years by-gone ; That faufage ne'er was his; it was my own, My all, my only remaining fuftenance ;

THE ACCUSATION.

I ftumbled on it by the mereft chance,

I happened once into a mill to creep ;

It was deep night ; the Miller faft afleep :

Being at that time ftinted in my diet,

I took the faufage ; why fhould I deny it ?

But Frizpate filched it from me ; fo that he

Should be the laft to fpeak of robbery."

The Panther then " Thefe jars are little ufe ; Reynard's mifdeeds admit of no excufe : He is a Robber and a Murderer ; That, in this Prefence, boldly I aver. No kind of crime but he doth exercife ; Nought facred is there in his impious eyes : His foul is fixed upon ungodly pelf; Although the Nobles, nay, the King himfelf Should fuffer lofs of health and wealth and all, And the whole State to hopelefs ruin fall, So he could get the leg of a fat Capon, he Would never care the value of a half-penny.

" Let me relate the trick he tried to play To Pufs, the gentle Hare, but yefterday ; Poor Pufs, who lives juft like an Anchoret, And never injured mortal Being yet.

REYNARD THE FOX.

Reynard, who latterly has given out That he has turned afcetic and devout, Promifed he'd teach him at the quickeft rate, How he, as Chaplain, might officiate ;

• The fervice you mall chant ; ' quoth he, * as we do ;

And we'll begin our leffon with the Credo /' So down they fat together and began ; For he had no mifgivings, the good Man. But not long time continued they to fing ; For, 'gainft the Peace of our dread Lord, the King, And fetting at defiance all his laws, He feized on Pufs with his pernicious claws. I heard their fong as I was paffing by, And wondered that it flopped fo fuddenly ; Td fcarce proceeded though a dozen fpan, ere I took the Felon Reynard with the mainour. Faft hold had he of Puffy by the throat, That he could fcarce articulate one note. Certes, at that time had I not come up, He'd gone that night in Paradife to fup. Yon ftands our timid Friend ; and in his flefh fc You ftill may fee his wounds all raw and frefh. " Will not our Sov'reign Lord thefe ills abate?

THE ACCUSATION.

Will you, brave Peers, and pillars of the State, Such daily breaches of the peace permit, Such violations of the Royal writ ? If there no flop be put to thefe foul crimes, Much do I fear me, that in future times Frequent reproach the King will have to hear From all to whom Juftice and Right are dear."

Again fpake Ifegrim ; " 'Tis even fo, 1

Reynard has ever been the common Foe ; }>

'Twere better he had perifhed long ago. J

For while that Wretch mall live, no reft will be For honeft, loyal, peaceful Folk, like me. Albeit, according to the prefent fafhion, The Felon ever meets with moft compaflion ; If fuch crimes pafs unpunifhed, not a year hence We all mall rue our moft unwife forbearance."

Undaunted by this hoft of angry Foes, The Badger, Reynard's Nephew, now uprofe ; Boldly prepared to plead his Uncle's caufe, All ftained with crime and falfehood as he was.

" Now fair and foft, Sir Ifegrim," faid he ; " Your words fmack lefs of truth than enmity. 'Tis known you hate my Uncle ; and, in footh,

c

io REYNARD THE FOX.

,1

A fair word had he ne'er from your foul mouth. Yet from your malice hath he nought to fear : In the King's favor flood he now but here, He'd give you ample reafon to repent Stirring in thefe ftale fubjedts of complaint. You take good care too not to fay one word Of ills that he for your fake hath incurred. Yet many of the Barons here well know What happened not fo very long ago ; When you and he a folemn cov'nant fware, That friendfhip Each fhould to the Other bear And, like true Comrades, Good and Evil (hare. J I muft relate, it is not long to tell, The ftrange adventure, which that time befell, When you and he, in the cold winter weather, Went through the country travelling together.

" It chanced a Carter, on the King's high road, Was driving homeward with a heavy load ; Your fubtle noftrils foon fniffed out 'twas fifh, You'd foon have had them if you'd had your wifh : But they were clofely packed; and what was

worfe, You'd not a fingle ftiver in your purfe.

THE ACCUSATION. n

What then did my kind-hearted Uncle do ? Ah ! what indeed hath he not done for you ? Down in the road he laid himfelf for dead : 'Twas a bold thought to come into his head ? And when the Carter faw him lying there, To kill him out-an-end did he prepare ; But, cunning Reynard ftill held in his breath, Stiffening his limbs and counterfeiting death ; 'Twas a confummate mafterpiece of art, That fhowed him cool of head as brave of heart; The Carter picked him up, and pitched him in

his cart.

A cap he thought to make out of his fkin, And a bag too to keep his dollars in. This did my Uncle do for Ifegrim : When would he venture fuch a rifk for him ? While onward went the Carter with his load, Reynard kept throwing fiih down in the road ; And Ifegrim, who was in hafte to fup, Faft as he threw them down, gobbled them up. Reynard grew weary of this fport at laft, And thought 'twas his turn now to break his fail;

REYNARD THE FOX.

So down he fprang ; but with difguft and wonden Found Ifegrim had pilfered all the plunder : [ He'd fluffed till he was nigh to burft in funder.J He told my Uncle he had left his fhare But nothing but the heads and bones were there.

" Another of his tricks I muft narrate ; And fo Heav'n help me, as I truth relate. A Countryman had lately killed a Swine ; Large were its hams and noble was its chine. Reynard had found out where the carcafe hung-, And told it Ifegrim with truthful tongue. And they agreed in common they would toil, Would fhare the danger and divide the fpoil : To Reynard's fhare the danger fell alone ; But of the fpoil, forfooth, he'd next to none. The larder-walls were ftrong and fleep and high ; My Uncle clomb them, though, right fkilfully ; True to his word, did he the Porker throw Out of the window to the Wolf below. Now, by bad fortune, there were in the grounds A couple of moft ill-conditioned Hounds; They chafed my Uncle with appalling din ; He got away, but not with a whole fkin :

THE ACCUSATION. 13

And ftraight unto the Wolf his way did make, To fhow what he had fuffered for his fake, And claim his lawful {hare ; then Ifegrim Said he'd referved the prime tit-bit for him ; And thrufting in his cheek his lying tongue, Produced the hook by which the Pig had hung. His feelings Reynard had no words t'exprefs, But what he felt all prefent here may guefs.

" Scores of fuch pranks I might remember well, Were you inclined to hear, and I to tell : But 'tis enough : were Reynard fummon'd here, Soon would he make his innocence appear.

" As for the other charge, 'tis moft abfurd ; You, my dread Liege, and you, my Lords, have

heard

What Ifegrim has faid about his Wife, Whom 'twas his duty to protect with life. In all its details that affair I know ; It happened now juft feven years ago, That Reynard's bofom firft received a wound From the foft eyes of Lady Gieremund. My Uncle is not to be blamed at all : They met together at a fancy ball :

i 4 REYNARD THE FOX.

If 'grim had gone upon a tour to Rome : Hulbands, if wife, would always ftay at home. My Uncle proffered her his faith and troth ; She fandlioned his attentions, nothing loth. Is it not, therefore, a moft crying fhame, That her own Lord fhould fully her fair fame ? What any Man of honor would conceal He feems to take a pleafure to reveal.

" What have we next ? This trumpery affair, The Panther has brought up about the Hare. Such utter trafh! what ! ihall a Matter fcruple To chaftife a perverfe or fluggifh Pupil ? If this be fo, how are our Youth to be Trained up in learning and morality ? The wifeft book that ever was compiled Says, if you fpare the rod you fpoil the child.

" Then we have Mounfeer Frizpate, who com- plains

He was deprived of his ill-gotten gains. A pretty fufs, forfooth, about a faufage ! 'Twere better he faid nothing of that paffage. For it turns out 'twas flolen ; and the Thief Has the aflurance now to alk relief.

THE ACCUSATION. 15

The Evil on his own head has recoiled :

'Tis only juft the Spoiler fhould be fpoiled.

Is Reynard blamed, that from a Robber he

Has wrung the fruits of his difhonefty ?

He did his duty, that deny who can,

Like a true Fox and loyal Gentleman.

Why, had he hanged him on the fpot, I ween,

He muft affuredly have pardoned been :

But he refpedls the King's Prerogative,

And therefore fpared the Thief and let him live.

" But little juftice can my Uncle get ; At leaft, but little hath he got as yet ; Since the King's Peace was publicly made known, No one hath led the life that he hath done, With books he pafles half his time away, And takes but one abftemious meal a day. Water his only drink, and roots his food : i

Poultry and butcher's meat he hath efchew'd, ! And cannot bear the very thought of blood ; J With whips doth mortify his flem, and wear Next to his very fkin a fhirt of hair. I heard it mentioned only yefterday, By one who happened to have patted that way ;

1 6 REYNARD THE FOX.

His caftle, Malepartus, he hath fhut,

And in the defert built a Hermit's hut.

So lean and pale and haggard he hath grown

By his beft Friends he fcarcely would be known.

But 'tis the burden of a good old fong,

That abfent Folks are ever in the wrong.

I only wifh to Heav'n that he were here ;

From all thefe fcandals he would foon be clear."

Scarce had he ceafed, when from a neighb'ring

hill

A cry refounded, like a clarion mrill. The voice it was of honeft Chanticleer, i

Who with his Wives and Concubines drew near ; !> A dead Hen borne behind him on a bier. J

It was the headlefs corpfe of young Greyleg, As good a Fowl as ever laid an egg ; His fav'rite Daughter of a numerous brood ; And impious Reynard now had fhed her blood.

Foremoft the fad and mourning Sire doth

ftride,

His dappled wings low trailing by his fide ; While after him two youthful Cock'rells march, Each bearing in his grafp a burning torch j

THE ACCUSATION. 17

Cantart of one, Cryart the other's name ; 'Twixt France and Holland none more known

to fame ;

They were the Brothers of the murdered Dame.. Four tender Pullets bore their Mother's bier, Clucking fo loud 'twas pitiful to hear ; Dire was the clatter, awful were the cries, And the mrill clamor pierced the ftartled Ikies.

Soon as the Heralds filence had reftor'd, Unto the throne ftepped up the martial Bird ; O'erwhelm'd with woe he thrice eflayed to fpeak, And thrice the words died choking in his beak. Afhamed fo chicken-hearted to appear, He gave one vig'rous crow his voice to clear, And thus began : " My Liege and Sov'reign,

hail!

With pity liften to my grievous tale ; Before You ftands the wretchedeft of Cocks, A haplefs Viclim of that cruel Fox.

" Whenas flern Winter fled on ftormy wing, And the glad Earth welcomed the cheery Spring, How pleafed was my paternal heart and proud, As I furveyed my young and hopeful Brood :

1 8 REYNARD THE FOX.

Ten gallant Sons and fourteen Daughters fair Partlett had hatched me, with parental care ; Partlett, the beft and moft fubmiffive Wife That ever folaced a poor Hufband's life. How joyed was I with her and them to rove. And watch my Offspring full of life and love. That time no terrors for their lot I felt, For in complete fecurity we dwelt : Our home was in a convent's fpacious yard, Whofe lofty walls its inmates fafely guard ; And fix flout Dogs belonging to the farm, Who loved us well, protected us from harm.

" Reynard, it feems, that lawlefs Reprobate, i Like Satan, envying our happy ftate, j>

Around our Eden often lay in wait. J

Stealthily round the walls by night he'd creep, And through the crannies of the gates would peep The trufty Guardians of myfelf and Wife Oft made the Ruffian fcamper for dear life ; Once they did catch him,and well tanned hishide,! He got away, though forely fcarified ; And for a good while after let us bide.

" But ah, Sire ! now begins my tale of woe :

THE ACCUSATION. 19

Again he came, and that not long ago ;

Within our convent walls he flily flunk

Clad in the veftments of a holy Monk,

Wore a long frock, and fandals 'ftead of fhoes,

And looked for all the world like a Reclufe.

He brought a Writ ; 'twas fealed with the Great

Seal;

'Twas genuine ; I know the imprefs well : This Writ proclaimed, in unambiguous words, Peace fliould be kept between all Beafts and Birds. As for himfelf, he'd vowed his ways to mend, And think of nothing but his latter end ; He'd quite reform'd, he faid, his mode of life, Had e'en forfworn the embraces of his Wife ; Water his only drink and roots his food ; All flefh of every kind he had efchewed, And could not bear the very thought of blood. , But that my Wife and Daughters prefent were/ He faid he would have mown the fhirt of hair, Which he for penance next his fkin muft wear :- And, on the word and honour of a Fowl, I myfelf faw the tonfure 'neath his cowl. Tow'rds him I own I felt my heart relent,

20 REYNARD THE FOX.

He feem'd fo really, truly penitent ;

He fpoke of his paft fins with fuch compundtion,

And of the Heav'nly grace with fo much unclion.

• Farewell !' at length he cried, ' I needs muft go ;

• I ftill have many pious deeds to do ;

' I have the Nones and Vefpers yet to fay, -\

' And by a dying Vulture's bed to pray ; }-

' He too was a fad Sinner in his day. J

• Blefs you, my Children, may you ever thrive

• In the calm peace which this World cannot give/

And faying thus, the odious Hypocrite Croffing himfelf departed from our fight.

He left us, all his foul on mifchief bent ; While ours were filled with happieft content.

" We ventured forth ; and habit, more than fear, Kept us at firft to the old convent near. Reynard we daily faw near our abode ; It feem'd fome buf'nefs led him oft that road ; His looks were ever bent upon the ground, As though his mind were loft in thought profound ; Or, if he chanced our Family to fee, It was * Good'en' and < Benedicite ;' And he would tell his beads and feem to pray,

--.

KKYNA~RD THE 7- OX.

And "lie 'would teU Is and. seem to pray,

And smite Iris ~t>L->-- 'opass an Ws "way.

THE ACCUSATION. 21

And fmite his breaft, and fo pafs on his way.

" Now, bolder grown, we further went abroad, In fearch of pleafure and our daily food. Ah ! fatal error ! from behind a bum Reynard among us made a fudden rum. Scattering and fquand'ring to the left and right, Tow'rds our old home we took our fcreaming flight, In vain, alas ! our Foe was there before ; In threat'ning guife he barred us from the door : With furer aim this time he bore away Of all my Sons the faireft as his prey : And I was there, and impotent to fave ! My Son ! my Son ! my Beautiful, my Brave !

" And now he once had tailed of our blood, It feemed as he difdained all other food : At all times came he on us night and day Nor Dogs, nor Men, nor gates, kept him away. Of all mine Offspring I'm well nigh bereft; Five, out of twenty, all that now are left : With grief and terror I am all but wild ; Soon will he leave me neither Chick nor Child. Oh, give me juftice ! 'twas but yefterday He tore my Daughter from my fide away ;

22 REYNARD THE FOX.

Villain ! without or pity or remorfe :

The Dogs were but in time to fave her corfe.

See, there me lies ! my Child whom Reynard flew !

Help me, or he will have the Others too !

Oh ! Cock-a-doodle, cock-a-doodle doo ! " j

Fierce was the fire that in the King's eye burned, As to the Badger wrathfully he turned, And thus began ; " Come hither, Sir, and fee This fample of your Uncle's piety ! Now by my Royal mane I make a vow, This Mifcreant fhall not pafs unpunifh'd fo, If Heav'n preferve my life another year. But words avail not. Honeft Chanticleer, I claim the right your inj'ries to redrefs, To mare, if not to leffen, your diftrefs. Entombed fhall your fair Daughter be, with all The pomp befits a royal funeral : A Vigil fhall be fung, a Mafs be faid, The more to honor the illuflrious Dead : We with our Council will the while take thought How may the Murd'rer be to juftice brought."

In fable was the Chapel Royal hung ; The Mafs was duly faid, the Vigil fung :

THE ACCUSATION. 23

The People, joining with the Qujrifters, Sang Domino placebo, verfe by verfe. I could relate who gave each verficle, Who the refponfes ; but 'twere long to tell ; And fo I pafs it by : 'tis juft as well.

Deep in a grave they laid the honor'd Dead, And placed a marble tablet at her head ; 'Twas thick, and fquare, and polifhed bright as

glafs, With this infcription graven on its face :

GREYLEG THE SPECKLED ONE LIES BURIED HERE THE DEAR-LOVED DAUGHTER OF BRAVE CHANTICLEER THROUGHOUT THE EARTH 'TWERE VAIN TO SEEK HER MATCH

NO HEN COULD OFT*NER LAY OR FEATLIER SCRATCH IN REYNARD'S CLUTCH SHE DREW HER LATEST BREATH AND PASSED UNTIMELY TO THE REALMS OF DEATH LET ALL GOOD MEN HER MURDERER EXECRATE AND SHED A TEAR OF PITY FOR HER FATE

Meanwhile the King in folemn Council fate, Difcuffing with the Wifeft in his date, How they the Culprit might to Juflice draw And vindicate the Majefty of Law. At length it was refolved, by one and all,

24 REYNARD THE FOX.

To fend a fummons to the Criminal

Commanding him, all buf 'nefs laid afide,

He fhould to Court repair, and there his doom abide.

The fummons writ and fealed, Bruin, the Bear, Selected they to be the Meflenger ; And him the King addreffed ; " Sir Bruin, fee That you perform your miflion faithfully. We know you ftout of limb and brave of heart ; i Yet would We counfel caution on your part ; J> Courage is oft but a poor match for art. J

Reynard, remember, fpeaks but to deceive ; i Neither his lies nor flattery believe, >

Or you may foon have too good caufe to grieve." J

" Fear not, my Liege," the trufty Bear replied, Confident in his ftrength and fhaggy hide ; " Reynard, however trickfy he may be, Will not, I wager, try his tricks on me. Me or my miflion an he treat with fcorn, I'll make him rue the hour that he was born."

REYNARD THE FOX

CHAPTER THE SECOND

THE FIRST SUMMONS

CHAPTER THE SECOND.

OW with his ragged ftaff the Bear fet

forth, And with his beft greafe larded the lean

earth.

Through forefts vaft he went and deferts drear ; But his bold heart knew neither doubt nor fear. At length the mountain region he approached, Wherein Sir Reynard generally poached : But Bruin would not tarry or delay ; Tow'rds Malepartus held he on his way, The fav'rite faftnefs of the Robber Chief; And there he hoped to catch the wily Thief: Thither for fafety ufually he fled, When threatening danger overhung his head.

At length Sir Bruin flood before the gate, ^ And, finding it was fhut, he fcratched his pate, Not knowing whether beft to go or wait. J

28 REYNARD THE FOX.

Then he began to cry, with mighty din ; " What, coufm Reynard, ho ! are you within ? Bruin the Bear it is who calls. I bring A miffive from our Sovereign Lord, the King : He orders you, all buf'nefs laid afide, Repair to Court and there your doom abide ; That equal right and juftice may be done, And fatisfa&ion giv'n to every one. I am to fetch you : if you hefitate, The gallows or the wheel will be your fate. Better to come at once, fair Coufin, fith The King, you know, will not be trifled with." Reynard, from the beginning to the end, i Had heard this fummons ; and did now perpend j> In what way he might punifh his fat Friend. J Into a private corner he had fled, Where he could hear fecurely all was faid. His keep was built with many a fecret door, With traps above and pits beneath the floor ; With labyrinthine paffages and channels, With fecret chambers and with fliding panels. There he would often hide, the cunning Hound, When he was wanted, and would not be found.

THE FIRST SUMMONS. 29

Amid this intricate obfcurity, Where none could fafely find his path but he, Full many a fimple Beaft had loft his way, And to the wily Robber fall'n a prey.

Reynard fufpefted there might be fome cheat ; For the Deceitful always fear deceit. Was Bruin quite alone ? He felt afraid, There might be others hid in ambufcade. But foon as he was fully fatisfied His fears were vain, forth from the door he hied ; And, " Welcome, deareft Uncle, here ;" quoth he, With ftudied look of deep humility, And the moft jefuitical of whifpers, " I heard you call ; but I was reading Vefpers. I am quite grieved you fliould have had to wait, In this cold wind too, {landing at my gate. How glad I am you're come ; for I feel fure With your kind aid, my caufe will be fecure ; However that may be, at leaft, I know More welcome nobody could be than you. But truly 'twas a pity, I muft fay T'have fent you fuch a long and tedious way. Good Heav'ns ! how hot you are ! you're tired to death !

30 REYNARD THE FOX.

How wet your hair is, and how fcant your breath ! Although no flightour good King could have meant, Some other Meflenger he might have fent Than Bruin, the chief glory of his Court, His kingdom's main adornment and fupport. Though I fhould be the laft to blame his choice, Who have, in footh, no caufe but to rejoice. How I am flandered well aware am I, But on your love of Juftice I rely, That you will fpeak of things juft as you find

them;

As to my Enemies I need not mind them : Their malice vainly {hall my caufe aflail ; For Truth, we know, is great, and muft prevail.

" To Court to-morrow we will take our way : I fhould myfelf prefer to ftart to-day, Not having caufe why fhould I have ? to hide ; But I am rather bad in my iniide. By what I've eaten I am quite upfet, And nowife fitted for a journey yet."

" What was it?" afked Sir Bruin, quite pre-

par'd, For Reynard had not thrown him off his guard.

THE FIRST SUMMONS. 31

" Ah!" quoth the Fox, " what boots it to ex- plain ?

E'en your kind pity could not eafe my pain. Since flefh I have abjured, for my foul's weal, I'm often fadly put to't for a meal. I bear my wretched life as beft I can ; A Hermit fares not like an Alderman. But yefterday, as other viands failed, I ate fome honey, fee how I am fwelled ! Of that there's always to be had enough : Would I had never touch'd the curfed fluff. I ate it out of fheer neceffity ; Phyfic is not fo naufeous near to me."

" Honey!" exclaimed the Bear; " did you fay

honey ?

Would I could any get for love or money ! How can you fpeak fo ill of what's fo good ? Honey has ever been my fav'rite food ; It is fo wholefome, and fo fweet and lufcious ; I can't conceive how you can call it naufeous. Do get me fome on't ; and you may depend You'll make me evermore your fteadfaft friend."

" You're furely joking, Uncle !" Reynard cried ;

32 REYNARD THE FOX.

" No, on my facred word !" the Bear replied ; " I'd not, though jokes as blackberries were rife, Joke upon fuch a fubjedl for my life."

" Well ! you furprife me;" faid the knavifh

Beaft;

" There's no accounting certainly for tafte ; And one Man's meat is oft Another's poifon. I'll wager that you never fet your eyes on Such {tore of honey as you foon (hall fpy At Gaffer Joiner's, who lives here hard by."

In fancy o'er the treat did Bruin gloat ; While his mouth fairly watered at the thought.

" Oh, take me, take me there, dear Coz,"

quoth he,

" And I will ne'er forget your courtefy. Oh, let me have a tafte, if not my fill : Do, Coufin." Reynard grinned, and faid, " I will. Honey you fhall not long time be without : 'Tis true juft now I'm rather fore of foot; But what of that ? the love I bear to you Shall make the road feem fhort and eafy too. Not one of all my kith or kin is there Whom I fo honor as th' illuftrious Bear.

THE FIRST SUMMONS. 33

Come then ! and in return I know you'll fay A good word for me on the Council-day. You mall have honey to your heart's content, And wax too, if your fancy's that way bent." Whacks of a different fort the fly Rogue meant, j

Off ftarts the wily Fox, in merry trim, And Bruin blindly follows after him.

• If you have luck/ thought Reynard, with a titter,

' I guefs you'll find our honey rather bitter.'

When they at length reached Goodman Joiner's

yard,

The joy that Bruin felt he might have fpar'd. But Hope, it feems, by fome eternal rule, Beguiles the Wifeft as the mereft Fool.

'Twas ev'ning now, and Reynard knew, he faid, The Goodman would be fafe and found in bed. A good and fkilful Carpenter was he : Within his yard there lay an old oak tree, Whofe gnarled and knotted trunk he had to fplit ; A flout wedge had he driven into it : The cleft gaped open a good three foot wide ; Towards this fpot the crafty Reynard hied ; " Uncle," quoth he, " yourfteps this way direcl: ;

F

34 REYNARD THE FOX.

You'll find more honey here than you fufpecft. In at this fiffure boldly thruft your pate ; But I befeech you to be moderate : Remember, fweeteft things the fooneft cloy, And Temperance enhances every joy."

" What!" faid the Bear, a {hocked look as he

put on

Of felf reftraint ; " d'ye take me for a Glutton ? With thanks I ufe the gifts of Providence, But to abufe them count a grave offence."

And fo Sir Bruin let himfelf be fooled : As Strength will be whene'er by Craft 'tis ruled. Into the cleft he thruft his greedy maw Up to the ears, and either foremoft paw. Reynard drew near ; and tugging might and main Pull'd forth the wedge; and the trunk clofed again. By head and foot was Bruin firmly caught : Nor threats nor flatt'ry could avail him aught. He howled, he raved, he ftruggled and he tore, Till the whole place re-echoed with his roar ; And Goodman Joiner, wakened by the rout, Jumped up much wond'ring what 'twas all about ; And feized his axe, that he might be prepar'd,

R hi YN.AIM) THE FOX .

i-ci drew near; and lugging -might and ,

Fulled ibrtb the -wedge; and the trunk dosed. agan By lh.t?ad_ euid foot -was Bruin, firmly cai

,

Pickering, Jcub.l,18bi

THE FIRST SUMMONS. 35

And danger, if it came, might find him on his guard.

Still howled the Bear and ftruggled to get free From the accurfed grip of that cleft tree. He ftrove and drained ; but ftrained and ftrove in i

vain,

His mightiefl efforts but increafed his pain : He thought he never fhould get loofe again. And Reynard thought the fame, for his own part ; And wifhed it too, devoutly from his heart. And as the Joiner coming he efpied, Armed with his axe, the jefling Ruffian cried ;

" Uncle, what cheer? Is th' honey to your tafte? Don't eat too quick, there's no fuch need of hafte. The Joiner's coming ; and I make no queftion, He brings you your defert, to help digeftion."

Then deeming 'twas not longer fafe to flay, To Malepartus back he took his way.

The Joiner, when he came and faw the Bear ; Off to the ale-houfe did with fpeed repair, Where oft the Villagers would fit and fwill ; And a good many fat caroufing flill.

" Neighbours," quoth he, " be quick ! In my court-yard

36 REYNARD THE FOX.

A Bear is trapped ; come, and come well prepar'd :

ft

I vow, 'tis true." Up ftarted every Man, And pell-mell, belter- fkelter off they ran ; Seizing whatever handieft they could take, A pitch-fork One, Another grafps a rake, A Third a flail ; and arm'd was ev'ry one With fome chance weapon, ftick or (lake or ftone, The Prieft and Sacriftan both joined the throng, A mattock this, the other bore a prong. The Parfon's Maid came too ; (Judith her name, And fair was (he of face and fair of fame ; His Rev'rence could not live without her aid ; She cooked his vidluals, and me warmed his bed.) She brought the diftafF me had ufed all day, With which fhe hoped the lucklefs Bear to pay. Bruin with terror heard th' approaching roar, And with frefh defperation tugged and tore : . His head he thus got free from out the cleft : But hide and hair, alack ! behind he left ; While from the hideous wound the crimfon blood Adown his breaft in copious currents flovy'd. Was never feen fo pitiable a Beaft f It holp him nought his head to have releaf 'd :

THE FIRST SUMMONS. 37

His feet ftill being fattened in the tree, Thefe with one more huge effort he fet free. But than his head no better fared his paws ; For he rent off alike the fkin and claws. This was in footh a different fort of treat From what he had expected there to meet ; He wifhed to Heav'n he ne'er had ventured there : It was a moft unfortunate affair !

Bleeding upon the ground he could but fprawl, For he could neither ftand, nor walk, nor crawl. The Joiner now came up with all his Crew : To the attack with eager fouls they flew ; With thwacks and thumps belabouring the poor

Wight ;

They hoped to flay him on the fpot outright. The Prieft kept poking at him with his prong, From afar off the handle being long. Bruin in anguifh rolled and writhed about ; Each howl of his called forth an anfwering fhout. On every fide his furious Foemen fwarmed, With fpits and fpades, with hoes and hatchets

armed ; Weapons all wielded too by nerves of pith :

38 REYNARD THE FOX.

His large fledge-hammer bore the finewy Smith. They ftruck, they yelled, they pelted and they

hallooed ; While in a pool of filth poor Bruin wallowed.

To name thefe Heroes were too long by half: There was the long-nofed Jem, the bandy Ralph ; Thefe were the worft ; but crooked-fingered Jack, With his flail fetched him many a grievous

thwack :

His Step-brother, hight Cuckelfon the Fat, Stood, but aloof, with an enormous bat : Dame Judith was not idle with her diftaflf: While Gaffer Grumble ftirr'd him up with his

ftaff;

And Men and Women many more were there, All vowing vengeance 'gainft th' unhappy Bear.

The foremoft in the noife was Cuckelfon : He boafted that he was Dame Gertrude's Son ; And all the World believed that this was true ; But who his Father, no one ever knew. Fame indeed faid but Fame is fuch a Liar, That Brother Jofeph, the Francifcan Friar, Might, if he chofe, claim the paternity ;

THE FIRST SUMMONS. 39

Or {hare the fame with Others, it might be. Now ftones and brick-bats from all fides were^

fhower'd ;

And Bruin, tho' he fcorned to die a Coward, Was by oppofing numbers all but overpower'd. The Joiner's Brother then, whofe name was Scrub, Whirling around his head a maffive club, Rufhed in the midft, with execrations horrid, And dealt the Bear a blow plump on the forehead. That blow was ftruck with fuch tremendous might, Bruin loft both his hearing and his fight. One defp'rate plunge he made though, and as luck Would have it, 'mong the Women ran a-muck. Ye Saints ! how they did fcream and fhriek and

fquall !

Over each other how they tumbled all ! And fome fell in the ftream that ran hard by, And it was deep juft there, unluckily. The Paftor cried aloud " Look, neighbours, look! See, yonder in the water Jude, my Cook ; With all her wool fhe's left her diftaff here, Help ! fave her ! you fhall have a cafk of beer ; As well as abfolution for paft crimes,

40 REYNARD THE FOX.

And full indulgence for all future times."

Fired with the promifed boon, they left the Bear,

Who lay half dead, all ftunned and ftupid there;

Plunged to the Women's refcue ; fifhed out five ;

All that had fallen in, and all alive.

The miferable Bear, while thus his Foes

Were bufied, finding refpite from their blows ;

Managed to fcramble to the river's brim ;

And in he rolled ; but not with hopes to fwim;

For life a very burden was to him :

Thofe mameful blows no more he could abide ;

They pierced his foul more than they pained his hide.

He wiihed to end his days in that deep water,

Nor feared t' incur the perils of felf-ilaughter.

But no ! againft his will he floated down ;

It feemed in truth he was not born to drown. Now when the Bear's efcape the Men defcried,

" Oh fhame! infufFerable fhame !" they cried;

Then in a rage began to rate the Women ;

" See where the Bear away from us is fwimming ;

Had you but ftaid at home, your proper place,

We fhould not have encountered this difgrace.'

THE FIRST SUMMONS. 41

Then to the cleft tree turning, they found there The bleeding ftrips of Bruin's hide and hair ; At this into loud laughter they broke out, And after him thus fent a jeering fhout ; u You'll fure come back again, old Devil-fpawn, As you have left your wig and gloves in pawn."

Thus infult added they to injury, And Bruin heard them and fore hurt was he ; He curfed them all, and his own wretched fate ; He curfed the Honey that had been his bait; He curfed the Fox who led him in the Snare ; He even curfed the King who fent him there.

Such were his pray'rs as quick he fwept along, For the ftream bore him onward, fwift and ftrong ; So, without effort, in a little while, He floated down the river near a mile. Then with a heavy heart he crawled on fhore, For he was wet and weary, fick and fore. The Sun throughout his courfe would never fee A Beaft in fuch a (hocking plight as he. Hard and with pain he fetched his lab'ring breath, And every moment looked and wifhed for death. His head fwam round with a flrange fort of diz- zinefs, G

42 REYNARD THE FOX.

As he thought o'er the whole perplexing bufinefs.

" Oh, Reynard !" he gafped out, " Thou Trai- tor vile ! Oh, Scoundrel, Thief!" and more in the fame

ftyle.

He thought upon the tree ; the jibes and knocks He had endured ; and once more curfed the Fox.

Reynard well pleafed t' have cozened Uncle

Bruin,

And lured him, as he thought, to his fure ruin, Had ftarted off upon a Chicken-chafe ; He knew, clofe by, a tried and fav'rite place. A fine fat Pullet foon became his prey, Which in his felon clutch he bore away : This he devoured, bones and all, right fpeedily ; And, if the truth be fpoken, fomewhat greedily. Prepared for any chance that might betide, He flowly fauntered by the river fide ; Stopping from time to time to take a draught ; And thought aloud, while in his fleeve he laugh'd :

" How pleafed I am t' have trick'd that ftupid

Bear! Honey he longed for, and has had his fhare ;

THE FIRST SUMMONS. 43

I'm not to blame ; I warned him of the wax : By this he knows how taftes a Joiner's axe. I'm glad to have mown him this good turn, as he Has ever been fo good and kind to me. Poor Uncle ! well ; by chance mould he be dead, I'll for his foul have fcores of mafTes faid. It is the leaft methinks that I can do." While mufing thus he chanced to look below ; And faw Sir Bruin on the other fhore Writhing and welt'ring in a pool of gore. Reynard could fcarce, fo great was his furprife, Believe the evidence of his own eyes.

" Bruin alive ! and in this place !" quoth he, " Why, Joiner, what a Booby you muft be ! A Bear's hams make the moft delicious food ! You could not furely know they were fo good. A dim, by which a Duke would fet vaft ftore, To be fo flighted by a ftupid Boor ! My Friend has left though, I am glad to fee, A pledge for your kind hofpitality."

Thus fpake the Fox, as he beheld the Bear, Lying all weary-worn and bleeding there. Then he called out " Why, Uncle, is that you

44 REYNARD THE FOX.

What upon earth can you have here to do ?

You've fomething at the Joiner's left, I fear,

Shall I run back and let him know you're here ?

Prithee, is ftolen Honey very fweet ?

Or didyou honeftly pay for your treat ?

How red your face is ! you have ate too quick ;

I truft you have not gorged till you are fick.

Really you fhould have been more moderate ;

I could have got you lots at the fame rate.

Nay, I declare I truft there is no harm in't

You feem t' have on fome fort of Prieftly garment;

With fcarlet gloves, and collar too, and hat ;

Rather a dangerous prank to play is that.

Yet, now I look more clofe, your ears are gone,fure ;

Have you of late fubmitted to the tonfure,

And did the ftupid Barber cut them off?"

Thus did the cruel-hearted Reynard feoff;

While Bruin, all unable to reply,

Could only moan with grief and agony.

No longer could he thefe (harp jibes fuftain,

So crept into the water back again :

He floated downward with the ftream once more,

And again landed on the fhelving fhore.

THE FIRST SUMMONS. 45

There in a miferable ftate he lay, And piteoufly unto himfelf did fay ;

" That Someone would but flay me here out- right !

Ne'er fhall I reach the Court in this fad plight ; But on this fpot in mame and grief (hall die, A mortal proof of Reynard's treachery. Oh ! I will have a dire revenge, I fwear, If it pleafe Providence my life to fpare."

With firm refolve his pain to overcome, At length he ftarted on his journey home ; And after four long toilfome days were pail, Crippled and maimed, he reached the Court at laft.

When the King faw the Bear fo forely maimed, " Great Heaven ! Is this Sir Bruin?" he exclaimed ; " My trufty Meflenger in fuch a ftate !"

" Ah, Sire !" faid Bruin, " and is this the fate That fhould a King's Ambaffador befall ? But fpare my breath the Fox has done it all."

Then fpake the King in wrath ; " Now by the

Mafs,

This outrage vile fhall not unpunished pals. What ! fhall the nobleft Baron of our court

46 REYNARD THE FOX.

Afford this Traitor means of favage fport ? No ; by my fceptre and my crown I fwear, If crown or fceptre I am fit to bear, Or of ftern Juftice longer wield the fword, Right fhall be done ! Pledged is my royal word."

Summoned in hafte the Council promptly fate, On this frem outrage to deliberate. Subjed: to the King's will, they all agree That Reynard once again muft fummoned be ; At Court he fliould appear ; and, if he might, Anfwer th' impeachment and defend his right : Tybalt, the Cat, fhould now the fummons carry, As he was well known to be wife and wary.

So counfelled One and All: the King concurred; And thus to Tybalt fpoke his Sovereign Lord ;

" Now mark your miffion and the fequence

well ;

If a third fummons Reynard mould compel, He and his whole Race, I have fworn an oath, Shall feel the deadly power of my wrath. So let him come in time, if he be wife ; Nor this laft warning reckleffly defpife."

Tybalt replied ; " My Liege, I fear that I

THE FIRST SUMMONS. 47

Shall fcarcely profper in this embafly ;

Not that indeed I ought to fay, * I fear ; '

To do Your will all danger would I dare :

I merely hint, that for this tafk, of All

I am leaft fit, being fo very fmall.

If the flout, ftalwart Bear was fo abufed

What can poor I do ? Hold me, pray, excufed."

" Nay," faid the King, " Wifdom and Wit, 'tis

known,

Are not the attributes of Strength alone. How often do we fee a little Man Succeed more neatly than a great one can. Though not a Giant, you are learned and wife, And Wifdom compenfates for want of Size."

The Cat was flattered and he bowed his head ; " Your will be done, my Sovereign Liege," he

faid;

" If on my right I only fee a fign, A profp'rous journey will, I know, be mine."

REYNARD THE FOX

CHAPTER THE THIRD

r

THE SECOND SUMMONS

CHAPTER THE THIRD.

JOT far did Tybalt on his journey get, Before a Magpie on the wing he met : " Hail, noble Bird;" quoth he, " vouch-

fafe to 'light, As a propitious omen, on my right."

The Magpie fcreeched; his onward way he cleft; Then ftooped his wingand perched on Tybalt's left.

The Cat much ferious ill from this forebode, But on it put the beft face that he could. To Malepartus he proceeded ftraight, And found Sir Reynard fitting at his gate.

" Good Even, gentle Coufin," Tybalt faid, " May bounteous Heav'n fhow'r bleffings on your

head.

I bring fad news ; the King has fent to fay, If you come not to Court without delay, Not only your own life will forfeit be,

REYNARD THE FOX.

His wrath will fall on your whole Family. " " Welcome, dear Nephew," quoth the Fox ; " not lefs

I wifh you ev'ry kind of happinefs."

Though thus he fpoke, it went againft his will;

For in his heart he wifhed him ev'ry ill ;

And thought 'twould be the very beft of fport

To fend him alfo back difgraced to Court. " Nephew/' faid he ; for he ftill called him Nephew ;

" Step in and fee what fupper we can give you ;

You muft be tired ; and all phyficians tell ye,

You can't fleep foundly on an empty belly.

I am your Hoft for once ; you ftay to night ;

And we'll to Court ftart with tomorrow's light.

For you of all my Kindred love I beft,

To you confide myfelf the readieft.

That brutal Bear was here the other day,

Bouncing and fwaggering in fuch a way,

That not for all the world contains would I

Myfelf have trufted in his company.

But having you my Comrade, travelling

Will be a very diff'rent fort of thing.

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 53

So you will {hare our potluck, then to bed, And off we ftart by funrife : that's agreed."

" Nay," replied Tybalt, " why not go tonight ? The roads are dry ; the moon is (hining bright."

May be, the omen on his mem'ry ftruck ; May be, he had no fancy for potluck.

" I am not fond of traveling after nightfall ; " Replies the Fox ; " fome People are fo fpiteful ; Who, though by day they civilly would greet you, Would cut your throat, if they by night mould meet you."

" Well but," fays Tybalt, in a carelefs way, " What have you got for fupper if I flay?"

Says Reynard, " Well, I candidly avow, Our larder is but poorly flocked juft now ; But we've fome honey-comb, if you like that/'

" Like fuch infernal rubbifh !" quoth the Cat, And fpat, and fware a loud and lufty oath, As he was wont to do when he was wroth ; " If you indeed had got a Moufe or fo, I fhould much relifh them; but honey pooh!"

" What!" anfwers Reynard, " are you fond of Mice?

54 REYNARD THE FOX.

I think I can procure fome in a trice, If you're in earneft ; for the Prieft, my Neighbor, Vows that to keep them down is quite a labor ; In his tithe barn fo num'roufly they fwarm ; They do him, he declares, no end of harm."

Though tleflly faid the Cat, " Do me the favor To take me where thefe Mice are ; for in flavor All other game they beat out of the field ; Befide the fport which they in hunting yield."

" Well," fays the Fox, " now that I know

your tafte,

I'll promife you mall have a fumptuous feaft. We'll ftart at once and not a moment wafte."

Tybalt had faith and followed ; quickly they Reached the PriefVs tithe barn, built with walls of

clay.

Only the day before, Reynard a hole Had through it fcratched, and a fat Pullet ftole. Martin, the Prieft's young Son or Nephew rather, For he was ne'er allowed to call him Father, Had found the theft out, and, if poffible, Determined to find out the Thief as well ; So, craftily, a running noofe he tied,

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 55

And fixed it firmly by the hole infide ; Thus hoped he to avenge the flolen Pullet, Should the Thief chance return, upon his gullet.

Reynard, fufpe&ing fomething of the fort, Said, " Nephew dear, I wifli you lots of fport ; In at this op'ning you can fafely glide ; And while you're moufing, I'll keep watch outfide. You'll catch them by the dozen, now 'tis dark : How merrily they chirrup ; only hark ! I mall be waiting here till you come back ; So come as foon as you have had your whack. Tonight, whatever happens, we'll not part, As we fo early in the morning ftart."

Tybalt replies, as any prudent Beaft would, " I've no great faith, I own it, in the Priefthood : Is't quite fafe, think ye?" Reynard anfwers," Well; Perhaps not : 'tis impoffible to tell ; We'd beft return at once, as you're fo nervous ; My Wife, I'll anfwer for it, will not ftarve us ; She'll tofs us up for fupper fomething nice, If not quite fo much to your tafte as Mice."

Stung to the quick by Reynard's taunting tongue, Into the op'ning Tybalt boldly fprung,

56 REYNARD THE FOX.

And plunged dire&ly in the ready fnare : i

Such entertainment and fuch dainty fare }>

Did the fly Fox for all his Guefts prepare. J

When the Cat felt the firing about his neck, He gave a fideward fpring and got a check; This made him throw a wond'rous fomerfaut, And, the noofe tight'ning, he was fairly caught. To Reynard then he loudly called for aid, Who lift'ning at the hole in mock'ry faid ;

" Nephew,howarethe Mice? I hope they're fat; They are well fed enough, I'm fure of that : If the Prieft knew his vermin were your venifon, I'm fure he'd bring fome muftard, with his benifon; Or fend his Son with it, that befl of Boys. But Nephew, prithee, why make fuch a noife ? Is it at Court the fafhion fo to fing At meals ? It feems an inconvenient thing. Oh ! but I wifh the gentle Ifegrim Were in your place ; how I would badger him ! I flake my tail on't I would make him pay For all the ill he's wrought me many a day."

Then off he ftarts t' indulge fome other vice ; No matter what ; he was not over nice :

REYNARD THE VOX.

This Triad c Mm. throw a wondrous sonLersairt,

!:e noose tigliljvmg, lie was' fairly caiight.

, WdiLun. Pitjcerieu/, JanJ,J.853.

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 57

There never lived a Soul, at any time,

More foully tainted with all kinds of crime ;

Murder and theft, adultery and perjury ;

'Twas paft the fkill of fpiritual furgery :

He'd broke the Ten Commandments o'er and o'er,

And would as readily have broke a fcore.

He fancied now fome frefh fport might be found In a fhort vifit to Dame Gieremund ; This he propofed with a two-fold intent ; To learn the grounds of Ifegrim's complaint ; And likewife to renew an ancient fin, Which he efpecially delighted in. If 'grim, he knew, was abfent at the Court ; And it was common fubjedt of report, The She- Wolf 's paffion for the fhamelefs Fox Had made her Hufband's hatred orthodox.

When Reynard to the Wolfs retreat had come, He found Dame Gieremund was not at home : " God blefs you, my Stepchildren dear :" quoth he; And to the young ones nods good-humour'dly : The object of his call he never mentions ; But haftes away after his own inventions.

Dame Gieremund returns at break of day ; i

58 REYNARD THE FOX.

" Has no one called here, while I've been away ?" Afks fhe ; her Children anfwer, " Yes, Mamma ; We've had a vifit from our Godpapa, Reynard ; he called us his Stepchildren though ; What did he mean by that?" " I'll let him know;" Quoth fhe, and angrily fhe hurried off, Determined to avenge this cutting feoff. She knew where it was likely fhe fhould meet him; And when fhe found him thus began to greet him:

" Wretch, Monfter, Brute!" her rage was quite

bewild'ring ;

" How dare you ufe fuch language to my Children? You, of all Men, t* attack my chara<ter ! But you fhall dearly pay for it, I fwear."

With that fhe flew at him, and oh difgrace I She pulled him by the beard and fcratched his face. Then firft he felt the power of her teeth, As, grappled by the throat; he gafped for breath; He 'fcaped her clutches though, and fled amain ; She, after him ; and mark, what happened then.

It chanced a ruined abbey flood in fight, And thitherward in hafte both bent their flight : A fiflure was there in the crumbling wall,

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 59

Narrow it was and low and all ways fmall ; Through this the fubtle Fox contrived to pafs, Though hardly, thin and lanky as he was ; My Lady, who was any thing but flim, Rammed in her head and tried to follow him ; But faft fhe ftuck it feemed Fate helped the

Blackguard,

And fhe could neither forward get nor backward. Soon as the Fox faw how fhe was confin'd, Quick he whipped round and fell on her behind ; And not without full many a bitter feoff, For all fhe'd done he amply paid her off.

Wearied with vengeance, if not fatiated,

The mifchief-loving Rogue at length retreated.

And when Dame Gieremund at length got free, No where in all the neighborhood was he. Homeward, with tott'ring fteps, fhe then return'd; While with revenge and fhame her panting bofom

burn'd.

Return we now to Tybalt ; when he found How in that flipknot durance he was found, That ftrength and ftruggling nothing might avail, After the mode of Cats, he 'gan to wail.

62 REYNARD THE FOX.

Out at the hole he crept, where he fprang in, And fled the fpot, where he'd fo outraged been.

He haftened on his road, in fhame and forrow, Towards the Court, and reached it on the morrow. And bitterly did he himfelf upbraid : " Me ! to be fo completely gulled !" he faid ; " How mall I ever fhow my face for fhame, All batter'd as I am, half blind, and lame ? The very Sparrows in the hedge will cry out, ' There you go, Mafter Tybalt, with your eye out! '"

Who mall defcribe the wrath King Noble felt, When at his feet the injured Tybalt knelt? He fwore the Traitor vile fhould die the death : His Council in all hafte he fummoneth : The Lords Spiritual and Temporal AfTembled in obedience to his call : And the King faid He wifhed it to be known He would maintain the honor of His Crown ; That is, fo it were done confiftently With the true principles of liberty : But fomething muft at once be done to ftem Rebellion ; and He left it all to them. Judgment, 'twas moved, againft the Fox fhould pafs, he

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 63

Being doomed at once to death for contumacy.

The Badger, feeing what a ftorm was brewing, How all confpired to work his Kinfman's ruin, Thus fpake ; " My Liege, it boots not to deny Thefe charges prefs on Reynard grievoufly ; But Juftice follows one eternal plan : Remember, Sire, the Fox is a free Man ; The Law in fuch a cafe is moft precife Requiring that he mould be fummoned thrice : If then he fail, there is nought more to fay ; But Law and Juftice both muft have their way."

" Ha!" faid the Monarch fternly, " fay you fo? Where mall be found the MefTenger to go ? Who hath an eye too many ? who will ftake His life and limbs for this bad Traitor's fake ? 'Gainft Reynard's cunning who will wage his wit? I doubt if any one will venture it."

The Badger anfwered, " / will venture, Sire ; And undertake the tafk, if You defire ; Happen what may. Whether 'tis better, I A fummons bear ftraight from Your Majefty ; Or of my own accord appear to go : Whichever You think beft, that will I do."

64 REYNARD THE FOX.

" Go then ! fo let it be ; " the Monarch faid ; " You know what crimes to Reynard's charge are

laid;

You know too all his malice ; fo beware, Your Predeceffors' fate left you may fhare."

Greybeard replied, " I truft I may prevail ; But fhall have done my duty, if I fail."

Away to Malepartus doth he hie ; Finds Reynard with his Wife and Family ; And greets him ; " Save you, Uncle : I can't tell How charmed I am to fee you look fo well. E'en let your Enemies fay what they can, You're a moft extraordinary Man : Prudent and wife jand wary as you are, Yet the King's wrath fo fcornfully to dare. You'd beft be warned in time : on every fide Are ill reports againft you multiplied. Take my advice ; with me to Court away, 'Twill help you nothing longer to delay. You're charged with almoft every fort of crime ; You're fummoned now to-day for the third time, And furely fentenced if you fail t' appear : The King will ftraightway lead his Barons here ;

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 65

And what can you expedl will then befall ?

You will be ta'en and hanged : nor is that all :

Your fortrefs razed, your Children and your Wife

Cruelly butchered, or enflaved for life.

From the King's wrath you cannot hope to flee ;

Better then, furely, to return with me.

You need not dread to fland before your Judges ;

You're never at a lofs for cunning dodges :

With your confummate fkill and artifice,

You've got thro' many a fcrape, and will thro'

this."

Thus Greybeard fpake, and Reynard thus re- plied ;

" Your counfel, Nephew, fhall my condud: guide: I were to blame, ihould I your warning flight ; I will to Court ; and Heav'n defend the right ; The King befides, I truft, fome grace may (how ; The ufe I've been to him he well doth know ; That for no other caufe than this I'm hated, And, fave your prefence, like a Badger baited. The Court would go to pieces but for me ; I don't pretend that from all blame I'm free ; But were I ten times deeper in difgrace,

K

66 REYNARD THE FOX.

Could I but fee my Sov'reign face to face, And come to fpeech with him, I would engage To foothe the tranfports of his Royal rage. Many 'tis true may at his council lit ; But many heads have oft but fcanty wit : When they get fixed in one of their dead locks, To whom fend they for aid, but to the Fox ? No matter how involved the cafe may be, They find it fmooth and eafy, thanks to me. For this I meet with envy ; even thofe I moft befriend turn out my bitt'reft foes ; But moralifts agree 'tis not more hateful, Than it is natural, to be ungrateful. 'Tis this I have to fear ; for well I know My death they have intended long ago. Ten of the mightieft Barons in the land My utter downfal feek a pow'rful band : Can I alone fuch odds as thefe withftand ? 'Twas only this kept me from Court, I vow ; But I agree 'twere beft to go there now. By far more honorable that will be, Than bring my deareft Wife and Family, By tarrying here, into difgrace and trouble ;

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 67

For that would only make the mifchief double. And of the King I fland in wholefome awe, His arm is mighty and his will is law. Mine Enemies perchance by courtefy I may fubdue ; at leafl I can but try."

Then to his Wife, who flood with weeping eyne, He turned and faid " My gentle Ermelyne, Be mindful of our Children ; yet I know You need no hint from me to make you fo. Our youngefl, Greykin, will mofl care require ; He'll be the living image of his Sire, If thefe convulfions do not flop his breathing, And by Heaven's bleffing, he furvive his teething. And here's this cunning little rafcal, Ruflell, He thro' the world will manage well to buflle ; His pluck may get him into many a fcrape, His craft will ever teach him how to 'fcape ; I love him well, and have no fear for him ; He'll be a match, I ween, for Ifegrim And all his Brood. And now, farewell,dear Chuck; When I return, as, have I any luck, I foon fhall do, I'll prove me fenfible Of all your kindnefs : fo once more, farewell."

68 REYNARD THE FOX.

Then from his home with Greybeard he departed ; And fad he felt in fpirit and down-hearted ; And fad too, grieving for her mate and fick fon, Was the leal foul of Ermelyne, the Vixen.

Reynard nor Greybeard neither filence brake For near an hour ; then thus the former fpake ;

" Ah, Nephew, heavy is my foul to-night ; For, truth to fpeak, I'm in a mortal fright ; My frame with ftrange forebodings fhuddereth ; I feel aflured I go to certain death ; My confcience finks 'neath mine enormities ; You little think how ill I am at eafe. Will you, dear Nephew, my confeffion hear ? There is, alas ! no reverend Paftor near : Could I but of this load my bofom free I then fhould face the King more cheerfully."

" Confeffion certes benefits the foul," Quoth Greybeard, " butyou muft confe'fs the whole; All treafons, felonies and mifdemeanors, However great and great, no doubt, have been yours."

" Yea," anfwered Reynard, " I will nought conceal ;

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 69

Lift then, oh, lift, while I my crimes reveal. Confiteor tibi y Pater" " Nay ! no Latin !" Quoth Greybeard; "'tis a tongue I'm nowife pat in. It would not much avail you to be fhriven, If I knew not the fins I had forgiven."

" So be it then ;" the Fox rejoined ; " I ween A very wicked finner I have been ; And I muft do what penance you enjoin To fave this miferable foul of mine. The Otter, and the Dog, and many more, With many a trick have I tormented fore : Indeed of living beafts there fcarce is one To whom I've not fome turn of mifchief done. Mine Uncle Bruin I beguiled of late ; With honey he prepared his maw to fate ; I fent him back with bloody paws and pate : And Coufm Tibby, he came here to moufe ; I cozen'd him into a running noofe, And there, I'm told, an eye he chanced to lofe. J But I muft fay the fault was fomewhat theirs ; They (hould have minded more the King's affairs, With juftice too complains Sir Chanticleer ; I ate his chicks and very good they were.

7 o REYNARD THE FOX.

Nay, with unfeigned repentance I muft own I have not fpared the King upon the throne ; And, Heaven forgive me for it ! even the Queen Has not been fafe from my malicious fpleen. But moft I've outraged Ifegrim, the Wolf; 'Twixt him and me yawns an abyfmal gulf. Him I've difgraced in every way I could ; And if I might have done fo more, I would. I've even called him Uncle, as a jibe ; For I'm no kin to any of his tribe.

" He came to me about fix years ago ; I lived then in the cloifter, down below ; He fought my help a Monk to get him made ; His fancy was to toll the bells, he faid ; He loved the found fo much : fo with a loop, I fattened his fore-feet into the rope : He was delighted, and began to toll 'Twas the great bell with all his heart and foul ; But not much credit did his efforts win ; For he kicked up fuch an infernal din, Out rufhed the People when the noife they heard, Thinking fome dread miihap muft have occurr'd. They came and found my friend the Wolf; and ere

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 71

His purpofe to turn Monk he could declare, They fell to work, and fo belabored him, 'Twas all but up with Mafter Ifegrim.

" The Fool was ftill unfatisfied ; ftill craved To be a Monk and have his noddle fhaved ; With a hot iron then I finged his poll, Till the fwart fkin all fhrivell'd on his fkull. Ah ! many are the blows and thumps and kicks, That he has been regaled with through my tricks. I taught him the beft manner to catch Fifh ; And he caught juft as many as I'd wifh.

" Once, when in partnership we chanced t' en- We groped our way into a parfonage ; [gage, Well ftored the larder was of the good Prieft, For he was rich and amply benefic'd. Bacon there was and hams more than enough, And lots of pork lay faking in a trough. If 'grim contrived to fcratch the ftone wall through, And crept in at the hole with much ado, Urged on by me and his own appetite ; For with long failing he was rav'nous quite. I did not follow, as I had fome doubt How, if I once got in, I might get out.

7 2 REYNARD THE FOX.

Ifegrim gorged till chuck-full to the eyes,

And fwell'd to nearly twice his former fize ;

So that, although he ftrove with might and main,

He could not for his life get out again.

' Thou lett'ft me in/ he cried, ' oh, faithlefs hole !

Empty, and will not let me out when full.'

Away I haftened ; raifed a loud alarm, [fwarm.

On the Wolf's track in hopes the Boors might

Into the Parfon's dwelling then I run ;

And find him to his dinner fitting down,

A fine fat capon juft brought on the tray,

This I fnapped up, and with it flole away.

Up rofe the Prieft in hafte and overthrew

The table, with the food and liquors too ;

On every fide the glafs and crock'ry flew.

' Kill him ! ' called out th' enraged Ecclefiaftic ;

• Oh! that the bones in his damn'd gullet may ftick!'

Then, his feet catching in the cloth, he ftumbled,

And all among the mefs and fragments tumbled.

But loudly he continued ftill to bawl :

The hubbub brought the Houfehold, one and all.

Away I fped, as faft as I could go ;

They after me, with whoop and tally-ho :

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 73

The Parfon fhouting loud as he was able, ' The Thief! he's ftole my dinner from my table!' I ne'er, until I reached the pantry, flopped ; But there, ah, well-a-day ! the fowl I dropped ; I could no longer toil beneath its weight, But lightened of my load efcaped by flight. The Parfon, ftooping to pick up the fowl, Spied Mafter If grim ftuck faft in the hole : f Halloo !' he cried, * halloo! come here, my

friends ! See what a fcapegoat righteous Heaven fends !

• Here's a Wolf caught ; if he fhould get away

• We were difgraced for ever and a day/

The Wolf no doubt wifh'd he'd ne'er feen the

larder ; [harder ;

Meanwhile their blows rained on him, hard and And many a grievous thump and kick and thwack He got upon his fhoulders, fides and back ; And all the while, as if the Devil ftirr'd them, They yelled and fcreamed and fwore I flood and

heard them.

At length it feemed all up with Ifegrim ; He fwooned ; and then they left off beating him.

74 REYNARD THE FOX.

Fd lay a bet he never had before

His hide fo curried, and will never more.

'Twould make an altar-piece, to paint the way

They made him for the Parfon's victuals pay.

At length out in the ftreet for dead they threw him;

And over {hards and pebbles rough they drew him:

Then flung him, as no figns of life he fhow'd,

Into a ftagnant ditch belide the road,

And left him buried there in flime and mud.

How he recovered J s more than I can tell ;

It almoft feems a fort of miracle.

" Yet after this, about a year, he fwore To be my Friend and firm Ally once more : I cannot fay his word I quite believed ; I felt that one of us would be deceived. I foon found out his objedt was to get A meal of Fowls on which his heart was fet. I told him of a rafter, where there ufd A Cock with feven fine fat Hens to rooft. It was paft twelve o'clock one cloudy night, When moon and ftars gave not one ray of light, I took him to a houfe I'd known before, Where was a window on the fecond floor ;

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 75

The lattice fhutter by good luck flood ope ;

To this along the wall we flily crope ;

And, being never barren in expedients,

I prayed mine Uncle he would take precedence :

• Go boldly in,' I whifpered ; ' do not fear ;

• You never faw fuch Fowls, as you'll find here ;

' I'll warrant, you ne'er finer met or plumper ;

' I'd lay my life you'll carry off a thumper.' Cautioufly in he flole, while I flayed out ; And here and there he 'gan to grope about : But before long in tones fubdued he faid,

• Reynard, by all that's Holy, I'm betrayed ;

' You've led me, I fufpedt, a wildgoofe chafe ;

' Of Fowls I find not the remotefl trace.'

' The foremofl I've long had,' faid I ; you'll find

• The others jufl a little way behind :

• You'd better make your way acrofs the rafter ;

' Don't be afraid ; I'll follow clofely after.' This rafter now was anything but broad,

And no ways fuited to fuflain a load ; And Ifegrim was fain to ufe his talons In order any how to keep his balance. Out at the window I contrived to back,

76 REYNARD THE FOX.

And then flammed to the mutter in a crack ;

It jarred the rafter, and the Wolf fell plump, ere

He could reftore himfelf, a monftrous thumper.

Thus was again my prophecy fulfilled ;

In fuch prophetic warnings am I fkill'd.

The Houfecarles, who around the chimney dozed,

Were, by his heavy fall, from flumber roufed ;

' What's that fall'n from the window?' cried

they all,

And lit the lamp and fearched about the hall ; And in a corner found they Ifegrim ; Good Saints in Heav'ri ! how they did punifh him ! Yet fomehow he contrived to get away With a whole fkin, but how I cannot fay.

" I muft confefs too, even though it wound A lady's honor, with Dame Gieremund I've oftentimes committed mortal fin : It is fo hard to flop when you begin. This fault with deep contrition I deplore, And truft I never may be tempted more.

" Such are my fins, O Father ! if not all, At leaft I have confeffed the principal. I pray for abfolution, and fubmit

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 77

To whatfoever penance you think fit."

Then Greybeard fhook his head, looked wife and big ;

And from a neighboring bufh plucked ofFa twig.

" My Son," quoth he, " this rod receive ; with it

Three times your back in penance muft you fmite;

Next, having laid it gently on the ground,

Three times acrofs it muft you gravely bound ;

Laftly, in humble and obedient mood,

Three times with rev'rence muft you kifs the rod.

This done, I pardon and abfolve you quite,

And every other punifhment remit."

This penance cheerfully by Reynard done,

Greybeard refumed ; " Let your good works, my

Prove the fincerity of your repentance. [Son,

Read pfalms,and learn by heart each pious fentence;

Go oft to Church ; mind what the Paftor fays ;

And duly faft on the appointed days ;

Show thofe, who feek, the right path ; from your ftore

Give willingly and largely to the poor ;

And from your heart and foul renounce the Devil

And all his works, and ev'ry thought of evil.

78 REYNARD THE FOX.

So fliall you come to Grace at laft." " To do All this," faid Reynard, " folemnly I vow."

The fhrift now ended, tow'rds the Court they

bent

Their fteps, the Confeffor and Penitent In feeming meditation wrapt : their way Through pleafant woods and fertile paflures lay. On their right hand an ancient cloifter flood, Where holy Women of religious mood, Faffed a pure life in focial folitude. Stored was their yard with Cocks and Hens and

Chickens,

Who often roamed abroad in fearch of pickings. Reynard, when not with weightier matters bufied, Would pay them frequently a friendly vifit. And now to Greybeard did he turn and fay, " By yonder wall you'll find our ihorteft way."

He did not mean exadtly what he faid ; His Confeffor towards the wall he led ; While greedily his eyes rolled in his roguifh head.. One Cock'rell notes he in particular, Who plump and proud was ftrutting in the rear : On him pounced Reynard fudden from behind,

THE SECOND SUMMONS. 79

And made his feathers fcatter in the wind.

While the Fox licked his difappointed chaps, Greybeard, incenfed at fuch a fad relapfe, Exclaimed, " Alas ! alas ! what have you done ? Is this your penitence, unworthy Son ? Frefh from confeffion, for a paltry Fowl Will you fo peril your unhappy foul ? "

Said Reynard, " You rebuke me as you ought ; For I have finned in truth, tho' but in thought. Pray for me, deareft Nephew, pray to Heaven, With other fins that this may be forgiven. Never, oh ! never more will I offend."

The cloifter pafled, the highway they regain'd : Their pathway lay acrofs a narrow nook : The Fox behind caft many a longing look Towards thofe tempting Fowls ; it was in vain He ftrove his carnal yearnings to reft rain. If any one had then ftruck off his head, Back to the Fowls it muft perforce have fled.

Greybeard faid fternly, " Whither doth your eye Still wander? This is hateful gluttony."

Quoth Reynard, " You quite mifconceive th' affair ;

8o REYNARD THE FOX.

You fliould not interrupt me when in pray'r. Let me conclude my orifons for thofe Whofe fouls I've fent to premature repofe ; Their bodies to my maw a prey were given : For thus accomplished was the will of Heaven."

Greybeard was filent : Reynard did not turn His head, while yet the Fowls he could difcern.

They've left the cloifter now behind them quite; They near the Court ; the Palace is in fight : Reynard's bold heart beats faintly in his breaft ; So grave the charges that againft him preft.

REYNARD THE FOX

CHAPTER THE FOURTH

r

THE TRIAL

M

84 REYNARD THE FOX.

" For ever gracious have You proved to me ; Therefore I fland before You, void of fear, Sure that my tale with patience you will hear; A more devoted Servant to the Crown, Than I have been, my Liege hath never known ; 'Tis this brings me fuch hofts of Enemies, Who ftrive to work me mifchief in Your eyes ; And bitter reafon mould I have to grieve, Could You one half their calumnies believe. But high and juft and righteous all Your views are; You hear th' Accufed, as well as the Accufer : Howe'er behind my back they flander me, You know how great is my integrity."

" Silence that lying tongue!" the Monarch cries, " Nor think to veil your crimes with fophiftries. In one career of vice your life is {pent ; It calls aloud to Heav'n for punifhment. How have you kept the peace that I ordained Throughout My kingdom's breadth {hould be main- tained ?

Yon mourns the Cock, difconfolate with grief; His Children flain by you, falfe-hearted Thief! You boaft of your devotion to the Crown ;

THE TRIAL. 85

Is't by your treatment of My Servants fhown ?

Bruin, by your devices, hath been lamed ;

My faithful Tybalt fo feverely maimed,

The Leech doubts if he may his health reflore

But I will wafte My words on you no more ;

Lo ! your Accufers prefs on every fide ;

All further fubterfuge feems now denied."

" Ah ! Sire," rejoined the Fox, " am I to blame My Uncle Bruin has returned fo lame ? Or is it my fault he has tafles fo funny, He muft needs pilfer honeft People's honey ? What if the Peafants caught him in the fact, And, 'fpite his fize and ftrength, he got well whack'd ? I could not help it, nor could fuccour him ; In footh 'twas lucky he knew how to fwim. Then as for Tybalt, when he came to me, I fhewed him ev'ry hofpitality ; Gave him the beft I had ; but not content, His mind was wholly upon thieving bent : He fcorned my larder, and would poke his nofe in The Parfon's granary to go a moufing, In fpite of all my caution and advice It feems he has a ftrange penchant for Mice.

86 REYNARD THE FOX.

Shall I be punifhed becaufe they were Fools ? Does that comport with Juftice' facred rules ? But You will do Your royal will I know ; And I muft e'en fubmit for weal or woe : Whether I am imprifoned, tortured, martyred, Burnt or beheaded, or hung, drawn and quartered; So it muft be, if fo it be You lift ; Your pow'r is great, how can the Weak refift ? Tho' to the State fmall good my death will bring ; I fhall at leaft die loyal to my King."

Up fpake the Ram then, " Friends, the time is

come ;

Urge now your plaints, or evermore be dumb !" Then, all confederate for Reynard's ruin, Stept Tybalt forth, and Ifegrim, and Bruin ; And other Beafts came fwarming by the fcore, The thin-fkinn'd Roebuck and the thick-fkinn'd

Boar,

Neddy the Donkey too, and many more. Frizzy the Poodle alfo, and the Goat, The Squirrel, and the Weazel, and the Stoat; Nor did the Ox or Horfe fail to appear ; i

And Beafts of favage nature too were there ; V The flitting Rabbit, and the nimble Hare. J

? Fox, sc.

REYNARD THE FOX.

Up spake the Sam. then, Friends, th_e time is come; "Drg'e TLOTT yo"ur plaints, or evermore "be inmb! '

WffluoTv FLctcervy, Janl.1853.

THE TRIAL. 87

The Swan, the Stork, the Heron and the Crane ; All thither flew, all eager to complain. Sibby the Goofe, with anger hiffing, came, And the Duck Quackley, who was fadly lame ; And Chanticleer, that moft unhappy Cock, Whofe forrows might have touched a heart of rock, With the few Children that to him were left, Accufed the Fox of murder and of theft. In countlefs flocks came fwarming in the Birds, The Beafts in vaft innumerable herds ; All vehement alike on vengeance bent, All clam'rous prefs'd for Reynard's punifliment. Charge upon charge there followed, thick and faft, And each frem plaint more weighty than the laft. Since Noble fat upon his Father's throne, Was never yet fuch a Grand Oyer known ; Indeed fo num'rous the complainants were, It feemed an Oyer with no Terminer.

Meanwhile the Fox conducted his defence With moft confummate fkill and impudence ; One time a Witnefs he would browbeat fo, That what he faid the poor manfcarcefhould know; Or elfe repeat his anfwers in a tone, Which gave a fenfe quite difPrent from his own ;

REYNARD THE FOX.

Or interrupt with fome facetious jeft,

Or tell a ftory with fuch hum'rous zeft,

That, ferious things forgotten in the fport,

They laugh'd the Profecutor out of Court.

And when he fpoke, Truth feemed to tip his tongue,

Indignant as each charge afide he flung ;

They heard with wonder and diverfion blent,

Almoft difpofed to think him innocent ;

Nay, fome there were who more than half believed

He was himfelf the Party moft aggrieved.

At length came WitnerTes who flood fo high For unimpeachable veracity, That all his crimes and outrages, as clear As is the fun at noon, were made appear. The Council all agreeing, with one breath, Pronounced him guilty and condemned to death ; Bound, to the gallows he mould thence be led, And hanged there by the neck till he was dead.

And Reynard now gave up the game for loft ; His fkill had ferved him for difplay at moft ; And as the King himfelf his doom pronounced, All hope of mercy he as vain renounced ; For feized and pinioned, hopelefs was his cafe,

THE TRIAL. 89

With ignominious death before his face.

As there he flood, difgraced, difconfolate, His Foes beflirred themfelves to fpeed his fate. His Friends the while in filent awe flood round ; Great was their trouble, and their pain profound ; Martin the Ape, Greybeard, and many more, Who to the haplefs Culprit kindred bore : The King's will they refpefted as they ought ; But forrow'd all more than one might have

thought :

For Reynard was a Peer of high degree, And now flood flripped of every dignity ; Adjudged to die a death of infamy. A fight indeed to make his Kinfmen grieve ! Then of the King they one and all took leave, And left the Court, as many as were there ; Reynard's difgrace they had no mind to fhare. The King was fore chagrined though in his

heart,

To fee fo many Peers and Knights depart : It proved the Fox had fome Adherents flill Too much difpofed to take his fentence ill. Then turning to his Chancellor, he faid,

N

9 o REYNARD THE FOX.

" Though Reynard's crimes his doom have merited, 'Tis caufe for anxious thought and deepeft care, How we his num'rous friends from Court may fpare."

But Bruin, Ifegrim and Tybalt, all Were bufied round the lucklefs Criminal. Anxious to execute the King's decree, They hurried forth their hated Enemy, And onward haftened to the fatal tree. j

Thus to the Wolf then fpake the fpiteful Cat ; " Sir Ifegrim, you've now got tit-for-tat : You need not be reminded, I'll be fworn, Of all the wrongs from Reynard you have borne. You'll not forget, unlefs your heart's grown callous, He had your Brother hanged on that fame gallows, And taunted him with many a biting feoff; In his own coin you now can pay him off. Remember too the foul trick you were played, Sir Bruin, when by Reynard's craft betrayed To that bafe Joiner and his rabble Crew ; The infults you received, the beating too ; Befides the deep and fcandalous difgrace To be the talking-ftock of every place.

THE TRIAL. 91

Keep clofe together then and have a care ;

Left he flip off before one is aware :

For if, by any artifice or chance,

He now contrive to 'fcape our vigilance

We fhall remain eternally difgrac'd,

Nor ever fhall the fweets of vengeance tafte."

Qupth Ifegrim, " What boots it chattering fo ? Fetch me a halter without more ado. A halter, ho ! and fee that it be ftrong : We would not have his fufF'ring laft too long."

Thus againft Reynard did they vent their wrath, As tow'rds the gibbet they held on their path. He'd heard all they had faid, and not yet fpoke ; But now, with fidelong leer, he filence broke ;

" If you a halter want, Tybalt's the man To fit you one upon the neweft plan ; He knows how beft to make a running noofe, From which one cannot poflibly get loofe ; He learnt it at the Parfon's granary, Where to catch Mice he went, and loft an eye. But, Ifegrim ! and Bruin ! why pretend 1

Such zeal to haften your poor Uncle's end ? !> In footh it does not to your credit tend." J

92 REYNARD THE FOX.

Now rofe the King, with all his Lords, to fee Juftice was done with due folemnity; And, by her courtly Dames accompanied, The Queen herfelf walked by the Monarch's fide : And never was there feen a Crowd fo great As followed them to witnefs Reynard's fate.

Meanwhile Sir Ifegrim his Friends befought To march clofe packed, and keep a {harp look out; For much he feared, left by fome fhifty wile The Fox might yet their watchfulnefs beguile : And fpecially did he conjure his Wife ; " See that the Wretch efcape not, on thy life ; If he mould this time flip from out our pow'r, We ne'er fhould know another peaceful hour. Think of your wrongs ;" thus Bruin he addrefs'd; " And fee you pay them with full intereft. Tybalt can clamber ; he the rope fhall fix ; You hold Sir Reynard tight, and mind his tricks: I'll raife the ladder, and you may depend on't In a few minutes we fhall make an end on't."

Quoth Bruin," Quick! and get the ladder plac'd: I'll warrant me I'll hold the Ruffian faft."

" Why fhould you take," again thus Reynard faith,

THE TRIAL. 93

" Such pains to expedite your Uncle's death ?

You know, the more the hafte the worfe the fpeed.

Ah ! fad and cruel is my lot indeed !

To meet with hate from fuch old Friends as you!

I know 'twere vain, or I for grace would fue.

Stern Ifegrim hath e'en compelled his Wife

Join this unkindly plot againft my life :

Her memories of the part might furely wake

Some feelings of compaflion for my fake :

But when you can foretell tomorrow's wind,

Then truft the conftancy of Womankind.

But if fo be it muft ; fo let it be.

The fooner done, the fooner I am free.

My fate will but with my poor Father's match ;

Albeit, good Soul, he died with more defpatch.

Neither did fuch a goodly Company

Attend his death, as now has honor'd me.

You feem to fancy, if you fpared me now

You'd all be fhamed ; and haply, 'twould be fo."

" Hear him!" cried Bruin; " hear the Ruffian

boaft; Quick ! prithee, quick ! let no more time be loft."

Then Reynard ferioufly to think began

94 REYNARD THE FOX.

• Could I but now devife fome cunning plan;

That, in this hour of my extremeft need,

I might be pardoned and from bondage freed ;

Efcape with credit from death's bitter throes,

And heap difgrace on thefe detefted Foes.

What can be done ? 'tis worth fome pains to take,

Since nothing lefs than life is here at flake.

Slight feem the chances for me ; ftrong, againft ;

The King, no doubt, is bitterly incenf 'd ;

My Enemies all here ; my Friends away ;

All my mifdeeds brought to the light of day ;

And, truth to fpeak, but little good I've done ;

Yet ever hoped this evil hour to fhun.

If they'd but grant me liberty of fpeech,

Some of their cruel hearts I yet might reach ;

And fo get free of this accurfed rope ;

At leaft I'll try it: while there's life there's hope.'

Then turning on the ladder where he flood, He thus addreffed th' affembled Multitude : " My doom is fixed; chance of efcape is none; Grant then a dying man one trifling boon : Before you all, as many as are here, Ere yet I clofe my criminal career,

THE TRIAL. 95

Fain would I freely all my fins confefs, Lamenting that their number is not lefs ; Elfe for fome crime in fecret done by me, The Innocent perchance might punifhed be : And thus my linful foul fome hope may have Of mercy on the other fide the grave."

Many were moved at this and 'gan to fay ; " Small is trie favor, brief is the delay." And as it feemed a reafonable thing, They begged it and obtained it of the King. A load was now removed from Reynard's heart, And he at once prepared to play his part : While through the Crowd expectant murmurs ran, With well feigned penitence he thus began :

" Oh, aid me now, Spin 't us Domini ! For I am fentenced and muft fhortly die. Vaft as this meeting, fcarce can I fee one, To whom I've not fome grievous inj'ry done. Whilft I was ftill a tiny little Brat, Scarce weaned, and not much higher than my hat, I loved to watch the Lambs and Kids at play When from their watchful Herds they chanced to fir ay :

96 REYNARD THE FOX.

It made my bofom throb to hear them bleat, My bowels yearn too for fubftantial meat. Ere long, in jeft, I bit to death a Lamb, Who'd ftroird away fome diftance from its Dam ; While yet 'twas warm and frefh, I licked the blood, And found that it was exquiiitely good. Four of the youngeft Kids I next did flaughter : The thought Heav'n help me ! makes my

mouth yet water.

Grown bolder, I indulged each wild caprice ; My tooth fparedneitherFowlsnorDucksnorGeefe; I caught and ate them wherefoever found, And fome, half-eaten, buried in the ground.

" One winter, on the Rhine, it chanced I met If 'grim, a meeting I may well regret. He claimed direct relationship with me, Showed we were Coufins, and in what degree. Guilelefs myfelf, I readily believed ; Perhaps too ready to be fo deceived. Ourfelves we bound then in a folemn league; Force fhould be ufed by him ; by me, intrigue ; Eternal friendship each to each we fwore, Ah ! little did I ween what fruit his friendship bore,

THE TRIAL. 97

" The provinces we traverfed, one and all ; He the large booty dealing ; I, the fmall. Our bargain was, we fhould divide all fair ; But what he chofe to leave was all my {hare ; Nor was this all th' injuftice I muft bear. If e'er he chanced a Goat or Sheep to fteal, And I came up, and found him at his meal ; Or caught him gorging a frefh-flaughtered Calf, Of which he'd not devoured more than half; He'd grin his teeth at me, and fwear and curfe ; I was e'en glad that matters were no worfe. And thus it was he always treated me, However large the booty chanced to be. In hunting, if we ever caught, by luck, Some head of noble game, as Hind, or Buck, Or Ox, or Cow, whofe carcafe vaft was more Than e'en his gluttony could all devour ; His Wife and Children ftraight made their appear- ance,

And in a trice there was a total clearance ; Not e'en a fpare rib fell unto my {hare, i

Butwhatwasgnawedandpoli{hed,cleanandbare: |> And thus was I for ever forced to fare. J

REYNARD THE FOX.

But Heav'n be thanked I never fuffered hunger ; I'd means to live on, twenty years or longer ; A treafure vaft of filver and of gold, Securely hidden in a fecret hold. More than a fingle waggon, I might fay Even at feven loadings, could convey."

Noble, the King, heard all that Reynard faid, And bending forward now his Royal head ; " Say then, where did you get it from ?" he cried, " I mean the treafure." And the Fox replied, " It boots me nought to keep my fecret now ; I cannot take my wealth to where I go. All, as Your Grace commands me, will I tell ; From fear or favor nought will I conceal. Stol'n was the treafure ; I'll not tell a lie : Th' occafion though the theft mall juftify.

" There was a plot, a moft atrocious thing ! Even to murder You, my Lord and King ; And then to feize upon the vacant Throne : Beyond all doubt the deed would have been done, If but fecure that treafure had been left ; Your life, my Liege, depended on that theft. It helped indeed to lay my Father low,

THE TRIAL. 99

Perchance involved his foul in endlefs woe : But private interefts, however dear, With public duties rnuft not interfere."

The Queen had heard this lengthy rigmarole With moft extreme bewilderment of foul, Alternating between alarm and pleafure ; Her Hufband's murder, heaps of glitt'ring treafure, And widow's weeds, and bridal garments white, In wild confufion danced before her fight.

" Reynard," fhe cried, " your hour is almoft

come ;

Before you lies the road to your long home ; Nought but true penitence can fave your foul ; Tell nothing but the truth, and tell the whole."

Then fpake the King, " Be filent, ev'ry one ! Let Reynard from the gallows-tree come down ; And let him, but ftill bound, approach mine

ear, 'Tis fit that this ftrange hift'ry I fhould hear."

With cheerful hopes buoyed up the Fox de-

fcends,

While grieved his Foes were, and rejoiced his Friends ;

ioo REYNARD THE FOX.

Approached, as he was bid, the King and Queen ; Who longed to know what might this my ft' ry mean. His web of lies he ftraight prepared to fpin ; ' If the King's grace,' he thought, * I could but

win,

And, by fome cunning trick of policy, Could ruin thofe who feek to ruin me, From peril then mould I be wholly freed. Ah ! that would be a mafter ftroke indeed ! 'Tis a bold caft : if I would profper in't, 'Twill need the ufe of falfehood without ftint/ The Queen impatient queftioned him again : " The whole proceeding, Reynard, now explain ; Speak truth, and eafe your confcience and your

foul."

" Truly," faid Reynard, " will I tell the whole. Am I not doomed, too juftly doomed, to die ? No chance there is to 'fcape my deftiny. My foul to burden more at fuch a time Were but to add a folly to my crime. Better to fpeak the truth at any rate, Though Friends and Kinfmen I may implicate. There is no help for it, I know right well ;

THE TRIAL. 101

Before mine eyes I have the pains of Hell." And the King's heart with gloom was overfpread;

" And fpeak'ft thou nought but fober truth?" he faid.

Reynard replied with fanftimonious mien,

" A miferable Sinner have I been ;

And oft have lied to ferve mine intereft ;

But furely now the truth mall aid me beft :

Falfely to make a dying declaration

Would be to court eternal condemnation.

Yourfelf, my Liege, have doomed that I muft die;

With my laft words I dare not breathe a lie." While thus did Reynard, vile DifTembler, fpeak,

Remorfe and terror feemed to blanch his cheek.

And the Queen faid, " His anguifli moves my ruth :

Encourage him, dear Lord, to fpeak the truth ;

And hear his flory calmly to the end :

Our fafety may upon his tale depend.

Give your commands that no one filence break,

And let him publicly his ftatement make." At the King's bidding not a found was heard ;

And Reynard fpake, " Pleafe you, my gracious Lord,

102 REYNARD THE FOX.

Receive with favor what I have to fay ; Though note nor minute have I here to day, The whole confpiracy will I lay bare, And no one, be he Friend or Foe, will fpare. J

REYNARD THE FOX

CHAPTER THE FIFTH

f

THE PARDON

CHAPTER THE FIFTH.

OW hear what lying tales the Fox dared

ftate,

To fcreen himfelf and others inculpate ; To what bafe falfehoods utterance he gave, Slandered his very Father in the grave, Traduced the Badger too, his ftauncheft Friend ; He thought all means were fan&ioned by the end; So he could but get credit for his lies, And have revenge upon his Enemies.

Thus he began : " It chanced that once my Sire, Whofe wit and wifdom flill the World admire, Difcovered, hid in an obfcure retreat, The treafures of King Emmerick the Great ; It feemed a Godfend, but it brought fuch evil, 'Twas much more likely fent him from the Devil. With his new fortune he waxed haught and proud; For his old Comrades deemed himfelf too good ;

p

106 REYNARD THE FOX.

Fancied that by affiftance of his pelf

To higher circles he might raife himfelf ;

Conceived ideas the moft abfurd and vain,

And hatched the ftrangeft maggots in his brain.

He fent off Tybalt to Ardennes' wild regions

For Bruin, tend'ring him his fworn allegiance ;

Inviting him to Flanders to repair,

And promifing to make him King when there.

Bruin with vaft delight his letter read,

Without delay to Flanders off he fped ;

Him did my Sire exultingly receive ;

And planned how their defigns they might achieve.

They got to join them in the enterprife,

If 'grim the favage, and Greybeard the wife.

Thefe four in the confpiracy combin'd ;

Four perfons truly, though but one in mind ;

While Tybalt joined their counfels for a fifth :

They journeyed onwards till they came to Ifth ;

A little village is there of that name,

Obfcure it is and all unknown to Fame ;

'Twixt this and Ghent, in a fequeftered ipot,

They met together to arrange their plot.

Over the meeting, which murk night did hide,

THE PARDON. 107

The Devil and my Father did prelide ; One o'er their minds with falfe hopes kept his hold, One, with the influence of his dirty gold. Regardlefs of all loyalty and faith, They compafled and imagined the King's death ; The five then fwore on IPgrim's curfed head, Bruin the Bear mould reign in Noble's ftead ; And at Aix-la-Chapelle, upon the throne, Should bind his temples with the golden crown. If any one their trait'rous fcheme withftood, Bound to the King by fealty or blood, Him fliould my Sire with words or bribes perfuade, Or, failing thefe, call force in to his aid. I learnt the buf'nefs in the ftrangeft way ; The Badger had been drinking hard one day, Th' uxorious blockhead, though it rifked his life, Told the whole fecret to his wheedling Wife ; He bound her though to folemn fecrecy, And the Fool fancied that he fafe would be. But what are woman's vows ? His Wife and mine Goflips had been together from lang fyne ; 1 And when they met, the former, as with child Of her grand fecret, nodded, fmirked and fmiPd ;

i

io8

REYNARD THE FOX.

And having made my Wife firft fwear an oath,

By the three Kings, and by her faith and troth,

Never to breathe one word to mortal foul,

Relieved her lab'ring bofom of the whole.

My Wife was horror-ftruck, and ftraightway me

Felt it her duty to tell all to me ;

Of courfe ; for Moralifts have all one mind,

That inofficious vows can never bind.

I faw at once what man of fenfe would not?

The wickednefs and folly of the plot :

All living Beafts had gone unto the Dogs,

And fared, as formerly thofe ftupid Frogs ;

Who with their ceafelefs croakings worried Heaven,

To change the King who firft to them was given

His tranquil reign inglorious they deemed ;

They long'd for greater freedom, as it feemed ;

Then o'er them to prefide Heav'n fent the Stork

Like a Legitimate he fet to work ;

All who oppofed he banifhed from the State,

Decreed their lands and chattels confifcate ;

And while he thus enrich'd himfelf, he fwore

'Twas all to benefit the Church and Poor ;

While love for law and order he profefTed,

THE PARDON. 109

Freedom in fpeech and adlion were reprefled ; And none were heard, or fuffered, to repine ; Thus did he prove he ruled by Right Divine. The poor Fools curfed their felf-invited fate, And wiihed the old King back ; but 'twas too late/'

Thus fpake the Fox ; and lied at ev'ry word, That all who heard him wondered as they heard. " The State," he thus proceeded, " had been loft; But 'twas Your fafety, Sire, concerned me moft : The rifks I ran to fave You were immenfe, And merited fome better recompenfe. Bruin's fell mind I knew ; his temper curft, His love of cruelty forebode the worft ; Our lives, if he had chanced to |*et the fway, Had not been worth the purchafe of a day. Our prefent King enjoys a different fame ; Noble alike by nature and by name. A fad and ftupid change indeed it were A royal Lion for a clownifh Bear ! Thus with myfelf I oft communed in thought ; And means to ward this evil daily fought.

" One thing was certain; if my Sire retain'd This vaft amount of wealth at his command,

-

no REYNARD THE FOX.

Hofts of Allies together he might bring, Would win his game, while we fhouldlofe our King. And now my chiefeft ftudy was to trace This fecret treafure to its hiding place ; Then bear it fafe away, if fo I might ; Of this I dreamed by day and fchemed by night. Wherever now the crafty Old-one went, Through field or foreft where his fteps he bent, Whether in cold, or heat, or wet, or dry, Clofe on his track inceflantly was I.

" But Chance at length, or rather, Heaven's high

will,

Procured me what I could not gain by fkill. Concealed behind a buih, one fummer's day, Chewing the cud of bitter thought, I lay ; Grinding all forts of plans within my pate, This treafure to fecure, and fave the State : When from a fiffure in the rocks hard by, I faw my Father creep out ftealthily ; With expectation breathlefs I lay hid : While, cautious, he looked round on ev'ry fide ; Thought himfelf fafe, perceiving no one near, And then began his games, as you fhall hear.

THE PARDON. in

The hole with fand he filled, and all around He levelled fkilfully th' adjacent ground ; Nor was this all; before he left the place, All marks of footfteps he contrived t' efface : Bent to the earth, he fwifhed his tail about, And fmoothed it o'er with his elaftic fnout. Ah ! truly was my Sire a wond'rous Man ! The wide World now may match him, if it can ! How many quips and cranks and wanton wiles I learnt from him, moft cunning of old Files !

" But to proceed. He quickly left the fpot ;

• Here then the treafure is concealed/ I thought.

I haftened to the rocks with eager foul, Soon fcratchedaway the fand and cleared the hole, And down into the cleft with caution ftole. Good Heav'ns ! what precious things there met

my fight !

What mafles of red gold and filver white ! The oldeft prefent here, I'm bold to fay, Ne'er faw fuch ftores as I beheld that day. My Wife I brought the glorious fight to fee ; To move the treafure hourly laboured we ; And footh, it was a work of toil and pain ;

ii2 REYNARD THE FOX.

We'd nought to help us, neither cart nor wain. My good Wife held out bravely to the laft, Till we in fafety had the treafure plac'd.

" Meanwhile my Sire confulted day by day, With thofe who fought our Sovereign to betray. For dread and horror now your fouls prepare, Their machinations bafe whilft I lay bare. By Ifegrim and Bruin briefs were fent, To raife Recruits and ftir up difcontent ; All were allured in Bruin's hoft to ferve ; Whom lucre might from duty tempt to fwerve. And that the call they fooner might obey, They were aflured a month's advance of pay. Thefe briefs my Father round the country bore ; He deemed in fafety he had left his ftore ; Though if with all his friends he'd fearchedfor ever, He ne'er had found a folitary ftiver. No pains he fpared to further the defign ; Sought ev'ry fpot between the Elbe and Rhine, And many Converts to the caufe he made; Who largely promifes may foon perfuade.

"At length the fummertide once more was come; With it returned my weary Father home ;

THE PARDON. 113

Of troubles and mifliaps he'd much to tell, Of many hair-breadth fcapes by field and fell; How for his life he had been forced to flee, Among the towered heights of Saxony ; Where wicked Hunters chafed him out of fpite, Withhorfe and hound, from morn till ftarry night; That fcarce he faved his fkin by rapid flight. With joy then to his Comrades he difplay'd The long lift of Adherents he had made. Bruin was charmed, and, with the other four, Studied th' important writing o'er and o'er. Twelve hundred Souls of IPgrim's favage Clan, Had pledged themfelves to join him to a man, With fharp and hungry teeth and open jaws, They promifed to fupport King Bruin's caufe. The Cats and Bears enrolled without a bribe ; And all the Glutton, all the Badger tribe ; But, lefs devoted, or more cautious, they Had bargained for the month's advance of pay. All thefe and many more had fworn t' attend, At the firft fummons which the Bear fhould fend. By me this plot was foiled : but thanks be given Not unto me for this ; but unto Heaven !

ii4 REYNARD THE FOX.

" My Sire now haftened to the cave once more; Eager to tell his cherifhed treafure o'er : But, though the firmeft faith poflefled his mind, The more he fought the more he did not find. Vain were his labors, his regrets as vain, Doomed never to behold his wealth again. Three days difconfolate he roamed the wood, Shunning his mates, and never tafting food ; The fourth fad day for me ! although his Heir He hanged himfelf from grief and fheer defpair.

" Thus have I done, thusfuffe red, good my Lord, To countervail a plot my foul abhorr'd. Though for my pains this ftrange return I get, The fteps I took I never can regret. Ifgrim and Bruin fit at Your right hand, Doomed as a Traitor the poor Fox muft ftand ; But yet this thought fhall confolation bring ; I loft my Father, but I faved my King. The ill I've done be buried in my grave, My name this one good deed from infamy {hall fave."

He ceafed: a murmur ran through all the crowd; But what all thought, none dared to fpeak aloud.

THE PARDON. 115

The King and Queen both felt a ftrong defire This wondrous flore of treafure to acquire ; They call'd the Fox afide and bade him fay In what place he had flowed it all away.

Though Reynard found it hard his joy to hide, Still in defponding accents he replied; " Why fhould I tell this fecret to my Lord, Who dooms my death and ever doubts my word ? In Traitors he prefers his truft to place, Whofe triumph is achieved in my difgrace."

" Nay," faid the Queen, impatient;" nay, not fo! His vengeance juft my Lord may yet forego, The part he may forgive, may e'en forget ; And you may live a life of credit yet ; Could he but have fome certain pledge, that you Would for the future loyal prove and true."

" Ah gracious Queen!" the wily Fox replies, " Let me find favor in King Noble's eyes ; Through your mild influence let me pardoned be, And hence depart in life and member free ; Amply will I atone for all my crimes ; Nor King nor Kaifer lives of modern times Can truly boaft one half the wealth to own,

n6 REYNARD THE FOX.

Which I will lay before my Sov'reign's throne."

" Believe him not!" the angry Monarch cries; " Whofe lips ne'er open but to utter lies. If he would teach you how to cheat or thieve, His words you then might readily believe." And the Queen faid " Let not my Lord be -

wroth :

Though Reynard's life ill augurs for his truth ; Yet furely this time hath he fpoken footh.. His Father and his Uncle hath he not Shown to have fhared in that accurfed plot ? He might have fure devifed fome ftratagem, While blaming others, to exon'rate them. And if he do fpeak truth, how great a prize We lofe, if now with him his fecret dies." Awhile the Monarch paufed, immerfed in

thought,

In his foul's depths as though he counfel fought. Then anfwered " If you think 'twere better fo, Nor deem that ill from fuch a courfe may flow, I may purfue the bent of my own mind, -. To mercy more than vengeance ftill inclin'd. The Culprit I will pardon, and reftore,

REYNARD THE EOX.

^Believe lira not!" the angry "Morkarcl. cries; "WKose lips ne'er open Trot to utter Hes '!

_ oTulcTt WtJliam. Fictsxrinf/ . 7, a

THE PARDON. 117

As a new man, to all he held before. This time I truft him let him though take heed This time I truft him, for the laft indeed ; For by my Father's crown I make a vow, If with falfe tidings he deceive me now, On all who claim his kin, where'er they be, My wrath fhall fall, e'en to the tenth degree, In torture fhall they perifh utterly."

Seeing the King fo ealily was fway'd, Reynard took heart and fpake out undifmay'd : " To lie now were moft criminal, no doubt ; When I fhould be fo fpeedily found out."

Thus the fly Knave the Royal pardon won, Both for his Father's treafons and his own. Freed from the gallows and his Enemies, Great was his joy nor lefs was their furprife.

" Nobleft of Kings!" he cried, " and beft of

Lords !

My gratitude is all too vaft for words. But the warm thanks of this poor heart are given To You, and your augufl Spoufe, next to Heaven. My life You fpare ; my wealth is but Your due ; For life, and wealth belong alike to You.

u8 REYNARD THE FOX.

The favors heaped on my unworthy felf

Far, far outweigh all thoughts of paltry pelf.

To You as a free gift I now make o'er

The whole of good King Emmerick's mighty {tore.

Then liften, Sire, while I its hiding place

By certain figns enable You to trace.

" Now mark me ! Far in Flanders, to the eaft, There lies a wild inhofpitable wafte ; There grows a fingle copfe named Hufterlow, Near it the waters of a fountain flow, Call'd Krekelburn ; thefe names remember well ; Why they're fo call'd is more than I can tell. It is a favage and romantic fcene, Where foot of Beafl hath ne'er or rarely been ; There dwell alone the Owl, the Bat, the Jay; And there it was I ftow'd my wealth away. Remember, Sire, clofe each to each they lie, The copfe, and the fpring Krekelburn hard by. Yourfelf and Royal Spoufe had befl go there, It were not fafe to fend a Meffenger ; 'Twere far too great a rifk to truft a Stranger; And with the trueft Friend not much lefs danger. Now further mark my words : at Krekelburn

THE PARDON. 119

Sharp to the left you take a fudden turn ;

A ftone's throw off two birches fliall you fee,

Their penfile branches drooping gracefully.

Dire&ly up to thefe then muft you go ;

There delve forthwith ; the treafure lies below.

At firft but mofs you'll find about the roots,

But foon your toil will meet with richer fruits ;

Heaps of red gold you'll find ; in ingots part,

Part fabricated by the Goldfmith's art ;

Among it will be feen King Emmerick's crown,

Which filly Bruin hoped to call his own ;

And many a coftly chain and jewel rare,

Far more than I can reckon up, are there.

Then, gracious Sire ! when all this wealth You fee,

Will You not think with kindnefs on poor Me ?

• That honeft Fox!' methinks I hear You fay,

' With fo much fkill to ftore his wealth away !

• My blefiing be upon him day and night !' '

Thus Reynard fpake, the wily Hypocrite.

And the King anfwered: " You muft with

me go,

Or ne'er fhall I find out this Hufterlow ? Of Lubeck and Cologne I've oft heard tell,

120 REYNARD THE FOX.

Of Paris alfo and Aix-la-Chapelle ; But never yet of Hufterlow before, Or Krekelburn, until this very hour. How may I know that this is not again A pure invention of your fubtle brain ?"

Sadly perplexed and daunted fore to find Sufpicion haunting ftill the Royal mind ; " Ah, Sire!" exclaimed the Fox, " 'tis all the fame To hang a Dog as give him a bad name ! A trip through Flanders fure is no fuch burden ! 'Tis not a pilgrimage beyond the Jordan ! It is enough to drive one to defpair, To find one's word fo doubted every where ! Haply there may be fome one here in Court Who may avouch the truth of my report."

He looked around and call'd the Hare, who

came A timid terror trembling through his frame,

" Come hither, Mailer Pufs !" the Fox began; " Hold up your head, and look, Sir, like a man ! The King defires to learn if aught you know Of either Krekelburn or Hufterlow : Speak truly now, on your allegiance oath."

THE PARDON. 121

And the Hare anfwered " Sire ! I know them

both.

Far off in Flanders in the wafte they lie, Hufterlow firft, and Krekelburn clofe by : Hufterlow is the name they give a copfe, Where crookback Simon had his working fhops ; He coined falfe money ; that was years ago. It is a dreary fpot, as well I know ; From cold and hunger there I've fuffered much, When flying from the cruel Beagles' clutch."

Quoth Reynard then; "Enough! you mayretire. I truft I now have fatisfied you, Sire !" And the King faid to Reynard ; " Be content : My doubts were not to wound your feelings meant." (He thought indeed by what the Hare had ftated The Fox's tale was quite corroborated. And thus it is that many a man of fenfe Will deal with the effect of evidence.) " But you muft with us go ; for much I doubt That elfe I ne'er fhall find the treafure out."

" DreadSire!" rejoined the Fox; "to go with You Would be a fource of pride and pleafure too ! But, footh to fpeak, my company would be

122 REYNARD THE FOX.

A caufe of forrow to Your Majefty. I hoped to 'fcape expofure of this evil ; But I muft fpeak the truth and flbame the Devil. " How Ifegrim turned Monk, Sire, you have

heard ;

'Twas more to ferve his belly, than the Lord. Soon were his Brethren weary of his tricks ; Almofl ftarved out ; he ate enough for fix ; And caring nothing for his wretched foul, For flefh on faft-days would he rave and howl. At laft, one afternoon, about Mid-Lent, He fent for me, and ftraight to him I went : And I muft needs confefs that I was ftagger'd To fee him look fo fadly gaunt and haggard. He thus entreated me, with tearful eyes, By all our loves, by all our kindred ties ; ' Get me fome food, or I fhall die of famine !

• Sweet Coz, you fee the wretched plight I am in/

My heart was foftened ; for he is my kin ; And in my weaknefs I committed fin : To the next town I hied and ftole fome meat ; Placed it before the Wolf, and he did eat. But for my goodnefs ill was I repaid,

THE PARDON. 123

By this vile Judas treach'roufly betray'd.

And I, for this offence, more heinous than

All my paft crimes, lie 'neath the Church's ban.

But now I have efcaped my threatened doom,

I thought, with Your kind leave, to wend to Rome;

By penitence and alms I there might hope

To purchafe abfolution of the Pope ;

Thence, having kifled his Holinefs's toe,

I purpofed to Jerufalem to go ;

With cockle hat and ftaff and fandal moon ;

Why fhould a Fox not take a Palmer's tone ?

Returned, from all fins purged, I might with pride

Then take my place, Sire, at Your honored fide.

But if perchance I ventured this today

Would not the pious Scandal-mongers fay ;

• Lo ! how the King feeks Reynard's company,

• Whom he fo lately had condemned to die ;

' And he (till excommunicated too !'

But judge You, Sire, what may be beft to do." " Heav'ns!" cried the King," how fhould I know

all this ?

It were a fin to keep you here, I wis ; The Hare, or fome one elfe, can fhow the way :

124 REYNARD THE FOX.

You have Our leave to go without delay. For worlds I'd not your pilgrimage prevent ; Since I believe you truly penitent. May Heaven, which alone your heart can read, Profper your purpofe and your journey fpeed!"

REYNARD THE FOX

CHAPTER THE SIXTH

THE RELAPSE

CHAPTER THE SIXTH.

iHUS Reynard gained once more his Sov-

' reign's grace :

Who flowly mounting up to his high place,

Prepared t' addrefs the meeting from his throne ; Bade them be iilent all, and all fit down, After their rank, ranged on the verdant fward ; On either hand drew up the Royal Guard; At the Queen's fide th' undaunted Reynard flood ; And thus the Monarch fpake in thoughtful mood :

" Be (till and Men, all ye Beafts and Birds, Both fmall and great, hear and attend Our words ! Here, in Our mercy, fee where Reynard flands, Late doomed to fuffer by the Hangman's hands. But now for certain reafons, grave and high, Touching Ourfelf, Our crown and dignity, And, at the interceflion of Our Queen,

128 REYNARD THE FOX.

Reftored to grace and favor hath he been ;

And free We here pronounce him, from this date,

In life and limb, in perfon and eftate.

In Our protection him and his We take,

Defiring they be honored, for Our fake :

And furthermore, it is Our Royal will,

Henceforth of him none dare to utter ill ;

Convinced, as We his former faults forgive,

In future he a better life will live.

Tomorrow will he leave his hearth and home

And ftart upon a pilgrimage for Rome ;

Thence will he make, as he doth now aver,

A journey to the Holy Sepulchre ;

And then return, his fins confefTed and fhriven,

Completely reconciled to Us and Heaven."

He ceafed. The Cat, in anger and defpair, Sought out his dear Allies, the Wolf and Bear : " Our labor's loft ;" he cried, " ah ! well-a-day -] The very Devil is there here to pay ! From this curft place would I were fafe away ! J If Reynard once get power, be fure that he . His fierce revenge will wreak on all us three. Of my right eye already am I reft ;

THE RELAPSE. 129

Alas ! the other will not long be left."

" Woe's me! what fhall we do?" exclaimed the

Bear.

"Let us," faid IPgrim, " to the Throne repair ! Sure 'tis the ftrangefl thing that e'er was feen !" Forthwith they knelt before the King and Queen : For juftice loud they fpoke, or rather ftammered ; For juftice, inarticulately clamored.

But angrily the King brokeforth : " My Lords ! Either you did not hear, or mark my words. It is my pleafure Reynard to forgive ; It is a branch of my prerogative ; For is it not to every Schoolboy known, Mercy's the brighteft jewel of the Crown?"

His mighty wrath had now to fury rifen ; He bade them both be feized and caft in prifon ; Deeming they ftill might plot, if left at large, The treafons, laid by Reynard to their charge.

The Fox was now well paid for all his pains ; Himfelf in favor, and his Foes in chains : Nay more he from the King contrived to win The grant of a fquare-foot of Bruin's fkin ; He vowed and never could enough extol it,

s

130 REYNARD THE FOX.

It was the very thing to make a wallet.

Thus was he for his pilgrim-journey fuited ; But liking not to make it quite bare-footed, He fued the Queen; " May't pleafe your Majefty, Your own devoted Pilgrim now am I ; The road I have to go is rough and long, And I in health am any thing but ftrong ; It greatly would proteft my tender toes, Saving your prefence, if I had fome fhoes. Now Ifegrim the Wolf hath got two pair ; Stout-built and ftrong; and one he well may fpare; It cannot incommode him much to lofe them, Since he has no occalion now to ufe them. Speak for me, gracious Madam, to the King, He will not fure deny fo fmall a thing. Dame Gieremund, too, cannot be averfe To let me have the loan of two of hers ; As (he'll not fee her Lord fome time to come, Like a good Houfewife, fhe will ftay at home."

The Queen replied, fhe thought it was but fair That each of them fhould let him have a pair : And Reynard thanked her with his beft of bows, Saying ; " I promife, if I get the fhoes,

THE RELAPSE. 131

Your Majefty fhall have my daily pray'rs,

That Heaven preferve you free from fretting cares;

Befides, what holy relics back I bring,

You fhall be fure to (hare them with the King."

He had his wifh : from Ifegrim's fore paws Two fhoes they ftripped h im off, both fkin and claws ; And Gieremund, his next to widowed Dame, As to her hinder feet, they ferved the fame.

Now while the Wolf and Bear together lie In priibn and in pain, and wifh to die ; With fhoes and wallet fitted out, the Fox Draws near to Gieremund, whom thus he mocks;

" Look, befl and deareft one, thefe fhoes, you fee Fit jufl as though they had been made for me ! Though you have wiflied me ill in days bygone, Such well timed kindnefs can for all atone. Who would have thought, a few fhort hours ago, To fee me honored and accoutred fo ? But Fortune's wheel is ever on the move ; And what is now depreffed foon mounts above. Ad: on this maxim, and you baffle Fate ; Hope, when in trouble ; fear, when fortunate. Whene'er to Rome I get, or crofs the fea,

132 REYNARD THE FOX.

My heart untravelled with my Friends will be ; And you the largeft portion (hall obtain Of thofe Indulgences I hope to gain."

Poor Gierernund meanwhile in torture lay, And fcarce could mufter ftrength enough to fay ; " This hour is thine, and we muft needs fubmit ; But there may come a day of reckoning yet."

Thus Ifegrim and Bruin both remained Wounded, difgraced, imprifoned and enchained ; And Reynard's triumph feemed complete to be; Although he grieved that Tybalt flill was free.

When morning came, the Hypocrite arofe, And firfl he greafed, and then he donned his fhoes; Next to the Royal levee haftening, To make his conge, thus addreffed the King ;

" Your Servant, Sire, your notice would engage Ere he fets out on his long pilgrimage. Sad is my lot : the Church's ban hangs o'er me, A dreary, dang'rous journey lies before me : 'Twould give me hope, and confidence of heart To have your Chaplain's bleffing ere I ftart ; Succefs would then my onward fteps attend, And bring my travels to a happy end."

THE RELAPSE. 133

Now Noble's private Chaplain was the Ram ; A gentle Brute, and Bellyn was his name ; The King, who of his fervices was chary, Employed him alfo as his Secretary. Him now he bade come forth and thus addrefs'd; " Speak over Reynard, 'tis his own requeft, Some holy words, his deep remorfe t j affuage, And cheer him on his lonely pilgrimage ; He goes, you know, to Rome ; then o'er the fea ; And by your bleffing fanclified would be ; Then, having hung his wallet by his fide, Give him a Palmer's ftaff his fleps to guide."

And Bellyn anfwered thus; " My gracious Lord, What Reynard has avowed you furely heard ; He owns he ftill is excommunicate ; And truly I lament his wretched ftate ; But mould I do the thing you now require, I might incur my worthy Bifhop's ire ; The matter eafily might reach his ear ; And he could puniih me, and would, I fear. To Reynard, certes, I wim nothing ill ; And gladly would perform my Sov'reign's will ; For this, all things in reafon would I venture,

i 3 4 REYNARD THE FOX.

Could I be fure to 'fcape my Bifhop's cenfure : But the good Prelate is an awful Man, And fuch a ftridl Difciplinarian ; Befides, there are th j Archdeacon and the Dean"- The King no longer could contain his fpleen, " What," he exclaimed, " boots all this idle prate? I afked for deeds, not words, Sir Woolypate." And then he fwore, and loudly, at the Ram, Saying, " Are you aware, Sir, who I am? Nor Prieft nor Pope mall in my realm have fway; I look My Subjects {hall their King obey. And whether you wifh Reynard well or ill Can have no influence on My Royal will. It is My pleafure he fhould go to Rome ; May be 'tis yours he fhould remain at home."

Aftounded by the Monarch's ftern reproof, The poor Ram trembled to his very hoof; And ftraight he took his book and 'gan to read A bleffing over Reynard's iinful head ; But little did that Wretch attend to it, Or little care about the benefit.

The bleffing o'er, they bring his fcrip and ftaff ; How in his fleeve doth the falfe Pilgrim laugh ;

THE RELAPSE. 135

While down his cheeks diflembling tear-drops

courfe,

As though his heart were melting with remorfe. And in good footh he did feel fome regret, That Tybalt was not in his power yet : He wifhed to cage him with the other Three, Whom he had brought to fuch extremity. He begged them all, and chiefly Ifegrim, That they would pardon and would pray for him ; Then, with fome fear ftill lingering at his heart, Left he might be detained, prepared to ftart.

And Noble, King of Beafts, much edified To fee fuch fymptoms of repentance, cried ; " Say, my good Reynard, prithee, why fuch hafte? Some few hours with your Friends you fure may wafte."

" Nay, my kind Lord," faid that falfe-hearted

Loon,

" A good work ne'er can be commenced too foon. Difmifs me, Sire ; th' important hour is come, Big with the fate that Reynard leads to Rome."

The Monarch, taken in by Reynard's art, Gave him his gracious licenfe to depart ;

36 REYNARD THE FOX.

And bade th' affembled Barons of his Court The Pilgrim a fhort diftance to efcort. The Wolf and Bear Ycaped this humiliation ; And from their fetters forged fome confolation.

To the King's favor quite reftored again, Reynard fets forth with all that lordly train, Upon his pious journey to be fhriven, Much the fame road that Lawyers go to Heaven; Pleafed to have brought the King to fuch a pafs, Led by the nofe as eafy as an Afs. Honored was he and waited on by thofe Who even now had been his bitter Foes. Nor could he yet let his old tricks alone ; But turning back he knelt before the Throne, Kifled the King's hand, and cried ; " Ah, deareft

Lord!

Vouchfafe to let me fpeak one parting word : Remember what great int'refts are at flake, And of thofe Traitors an example make : Some afts of mercy Reafon will condemn ; Your People fuffer, if You pardon them."

And then with downcaft look away he went, And all the bearing of a Penitent.

THE RELAPSE. 137

The King broke up his Court without delay ; Then to his royal palace took his way : And thofe who, to their fhame,and Reynard's pride, His progrefs had fome way accompanied, Now took their leave and haftened to depart. Meanwhile the Rogue fo well had plied his art, Infifting on the bleffings of repentance, He'd foftened not a few of his Attendants ; And fpecially the tender-hearted Hare From fympathetic tears could not forbear.

Him now the cunning Fox accofted thus ; " And mufl we part indeed, dear Coufm Pufs ? If you and Bellyn could perfuaded be A little further yet to go with me, 'Twould be an acT: of kindnefs on your part, And comfort much my poor afflidted heart. How greatly to my credit 'twill redound If I in fuch fociety am found ; Pleafant Companions are ye both, I ken, And, what's far better, honeft, gentle men ; Ne'er doing wrong, you others' wrongs forgive, And, as I lately did, you always live, Of grafs and herbs and leaves you make your food,

138 REYNARD THE FOX.

And never foil your guiltlefs teeth with blood ; Hence are your confciences ferene and quiet ; Such Good refults from vegetable diet."

And thus into the fnare he laid they fell : A little flattery fometimes does well. To Malepartus, journeying on, they came ; When thus the wily Fox addrefled the filly Ram ;

" Dear Bellyn, will you tarry here a little ? You muft, by this time, furely want fome victual ; And hereabouts you'll find enough to eat ; The herbage is particularly fweet, In fact we rather of our paftures vaunt ; I'll juft take Puffy in to fee his Aunt ; Poor Soul ! me fits alone difconfolate, And mourning over my unhappy fate ; And when me hears that I to Rome muft go, 'Twill caufe her quite an ecftacy of woe. Pufly, I know, for his dear Uncle's fake, Will to his Aunt the fad news gently break."

And thus, to carry out his own vile ends, The Fox contrived to feparate the Friends. Pufs entered with him ; when omen of ill ! His footfteps ftumbled on the very fill ;

THE RELAPSE. 139

But Reynard fmiled, and they pafled onward, where His vixen Wife and cubby Children were. How Ermelyne rejoiced to fee her Lord In fafety to her longing arms reftored ! She'd fuffered much anxiety and pain, i

Left by his wrathful Foes he fhould be flain, Or a clofe prif ner for his life remain. And feeing him decked out with fcrip and ftaff, She fcarce knew whether firft to cry or laugh, So great her joy and wonder : thus (he fpoke ; " Reynie, my Love ; my heart had almoft broke ; How glad I am you're come ! Where have you been ? And what does all this mafquerading mean ?"

And thus the Fox replied " Ah, deareft Wife ! But narrowly have I efcaped with life : My Foes were powerful, and I was weak ; I had the halter round my very neck ; But our good King, with that peculiar fenfe That marks all Sov'reigns, faw my innocence ; And, as a teftimonial to my worth, In pious Palmer's weeds has fent me forth ; My character without the flighteft ftain ; The Wolf and Bear as Hoftages remain ;

140 REYNARD THE FOX.

And matter Pufs, you fee, has by the King Been giv'n to me as a peace-offering : For the King faid ( Reynard, you fee that Hare, ' Yon trembling Coward, who ftands crouching

there ;

< That is the Wretch by whom you'vebeen betray 'd.' And for his treafon he mall now be paid."

Pufs heard thefe threat'ning words with mortal

fear;

They feemed to ring a death-knell in his ear ; Confufed and feared he ftrove in hafte to fly, But Reynard darted on him vicioufly, And clutched him by the throat; Pufs mrieked-)

amain

" Help, Bellyn, help!" he cried, and cried again, I " Help ! or by this falfe Pilgrim I am flain." j But long he did not cry : for Reynard's teeth Soon cut his windpipe, and let out his breath. Thus did this curfed and incarnate Fiend Betray and murder his too-trufting Friend.

" Come now," he faid, " to fupper let us hafte; Our Friend is fat and delicate to tafte ; The Simpleton was ne'er of ufe before ;

THE RELAPSE. 141

To make him fo long time ago I fwore.

He wifhed to wound, but was afraid to ftrike ;

So perim every one who does the like !"

Then the whole Family fat down to fup ; The Hare was fkinned and fhared and eaten up : The Vixen greatly the repaft enjoyed, And oft exclaimed, as with the bones me toyed ; " Heaven blefs the King and Queen ! how good

they are, To cater for us fuch delicious fare."

" For this time/' faid the Fox, " it may fuffice; I hope ere long a nobler facrifice ; That I may let the whole world plainly fee, None injures Reynard with impunity."

Quoth Ermelyne " Dear Lord, I prithee tell, How you have got away fo fafe and well."

" 'Twould take," faid he, " full many a weary

hour,

To fhow how I efcaped the Law's grim pow'r ; T' explain the tricks, I played my Enemies, Andhowl dammed withduft KingNoble'seyes. In footh the bonds that now our hearts unite, Though we are fworn as Lieges, are but flight ;

H2 REYNARD THE FOX.

And when the truth (hall break upon his mind, Within no bounds his rage will be confin'd. Me if again within his power he hold No wealth can fave of filver or of gold ; No chance of mercy left, my fate will be To hang like fruit, upon the gallows tree.

" Let us, dear Love, at once to Swabia fly ; Unknown by all, perdue we there may lie ; A fafe afylum we are fure to find, And heaps of provender of every kind ; Fowls, geefe, hares, rabbits; butter, cheefe and

cream ;

Birds in the air and fifhes in the ftream. There far from faithlefs Friends and furious Foes Our life will ebb in leifure and repofe ; In charity with all we'll pafs our days, And bring our Children up in Virtue's ways.

" For, deareft Chuck, to fpeak without difguife, I've told a moft infernal pack of lies : A tale I forged about King Emmerick's ftore ; And that 'twas hid at Krekelburn I fwpre. If they go thither, as they will no doubt, They foon muft find the whole deception out ;

THE RELAPSE. 143

And when 'tis all difcovered, you may form Some faint idea of how the King will ftorm, How he will fwear ; what vengeance he will vow; And fure I feel that what he fwears, he'll do. You may fuppofe what fibs I told, dear Wife ; Ne'er was I fo put to it in my life : Again to lie were not the flighted ufe, And therefore would admit of no excufe.

" But happen now what may, one thing is plain ; Nothing fhall tempt me back to Court again :

Not for the wide world's wealth, from north to fouth,

I'd thruft my head into the Lion's mouth." Him anfwered thus the forrowing Ermelyne ;

" And why fhould we be Outcafts, Hufband mine ?

Why (hould we leave our comfortable home,

Abroad, like Rogues and Vagabonds, to roam ?

Here known by all, by all refpecled too,

Your Friends are faithful and your VafTals true ;

And certainties againft uncertainties

To change, is neither provident nor wife.

Againft our will we cannot hence be torn ;

Our ftrong-hold here might laugh a fiege to fcorn.

H4 REYNARD THE FOX.

Let the King hither come with all his Hoft : He'll have his journey for his pains at moft. Of our efcape I entertain no doubt; So many ways we have of getting out. The King is ftrong and we are weak ; but yet We to his pow'r can well oppofe our wit. For this I have no fears : but for your vow To undertake a pilgrimage juft now, That chills my heart with icy fears I own : What can I do, left friendlefs and alone?"

To her thus Reynard ; " Sweet, you have pre- vailed ;

'Twas but a moment that my courage failed : His threats are idle, and my fears are vain ; Shadows avaunt ! Reynard's himfelf again ! As for my vow better to be forfworn, Than live the wretched finger-mark of fcorn : Vows, when compulfory, bind not the leaft ; I've heard that doctrine taught by many a Prieft : For my part, it may to the devil go ; I fpeak not of the doftrine, but my vow.

" So be it as you wifh. I ftay at home ; For what on earth have I to do at Rome ?

THE RELAPSE. 145

And for my promifed journey to Jerufalem, I only named the project to bamboozle 'em Nor if, inftead of the one oath I fwore, I'd fworn a dozen, would I go the more. With you and my dear Children will I ftay, And get out of my fcrape as beft I may. And though the King ftiould have me in his clutch, Perchance it may not help him over-much ; I may fucceed, as I have done ere now, To fit a Fool's cap on his Royal brow : At leaft I'll try : the vow I freely make, I dare be fworn, I think, I mall not break."

Bellyn meanwhile had all impatient grown ; Had ate his fill, and wanted to be gone ; " Pufs ! are you ready ? It is getting late." Thus he calls out at Malepartus' gate ; And foftly at the firft, then louder knocks : When to the door proceeds the wily Fox, And fays " You muft excufe our coufin Pufs ; You can return ; he'll pafs the night with us."

" Methought," replied the Ram, " I heard him

cry,

' Help ! Bellyn, help ! oh, help me or I die !'

u

146 REYNARD THE FOX.

I truft no ill could here my Coz befall/'

" I thought," faid Reynard, " you'd have heard

him call ;

For in good footh he made a mighty din ; I'll tell you how it happened juft ftep in."

But Bellyn's heart was not quite free from fear ; So he faid, " Thank ye ; I am better here."

Then wily Reynard anfwered ; " Very well ! You fhall hear how the accident befell. I had juft told my wife about my vow My promifed pilgrimage to Rome, you know When {he, alas ! good foul, was fo caft down, That with the fhock {he fell into a fwoon. Our fimple Friend, alarmed, began to cry, ' Help! Bellyn,help! help, or my Aunt will die.' "

" Certes," faid Bellyn, " he did loudly call." " He did/' quoth Reynard. " Now I've told you all. As for my inj'ring him;" the Falfe One faid; " I could not hurt a hair of that dear head. I would be torn to pieces, limb by limb, Sooner than even think of harming him.

And now," quoth he, " to buf 'nefs. Yefterday, The King defired me, as I came away,

THE RELAPSE. 147

That I, by letter, fhould communicate My thoughts on certain grave affairs of State. This letter, with fome other papers too, I beg you'll carry back to Court with you. I've giv'n the King fome excellent advice, Which, though I fay it, is beyond all price. While Pufs was refting from his weary jaunt, And talking old times over with his Aunt, I juft contrived a fpare half hour to fnatch, And have drawn up a mafterly defpatch."

" I would with pleafure all your letters take ;" Said Bellyn, " but I fear the feals might break ; And I a ferious cenfure fhould expect, Having no pouch the papers to protect."

" That's true, dear Nephew ; " anfwered Rey- nard, pat,

" But we can very foon get over that : The wallet that they made of Bruin's fkin, Will be the very thing to put them in ; 'Tis ftrong and thick, and will the wet repel ; I've one within will fuit me juft as well ; And doubt not that your labor will be vain ; Some favor from the King, you'll fure obtain."

148 REYNARD THE FOX.

The filly Ram believed all Reynard faid ; Then back into his houfe the Sly One fped, And in his wallet crammed the poor Hare's head; Next having thought how he might beft prevent The Ram from finding out what 'twas he fent ; Unto the door returning, thus he fpake ; " Here, Nephew, hang this wallet round your neck, In its contents I truft you will not pry ; 'Twould prove a fatal curiofity. The knots in a peculiar way are done, Which only to the King and me are known ; A mode that I invariably ufe, Whenever I tranfmit important news ; If the King fees the faftenings all right, The MefTenger finds favor in his fight.

" Nay if a greater merit you defire ; And to preferment in the church afpire ; You have my fulleft leave to tell the King, The letters were of your imagining ; That though the handy-work by me was done, The whole idea was yours, and yours alone ; So fliall your mental powers be highly rated, And you, no doubt, be duly elevated.

REYNARD THE EOX.

The sJhly , vcd aJl Jleyiiard said ;

Then ~bttc.k into his house the Sly one sped,

And in Ms wallet crammed the poor Hare's head.

-p. 148.

Pidcer'una, Ta.n.2 1853.

THE RELAPSE. 149

You'll rife to any ftation, that you wifli, up ;

Be made a prebend or who knows ? a bifhop."

Who then fo happy as that filly Ram ? He frilked and gamboled like a very lamb ; And joyfully he cried ; " Now do I fee The love, dear Uncle, that you bear to me. What credit will not this adventure bring ! How fhall I be refpefted by the King ! That I fuch clever letters fliould indite I, who was ne'er confidered over bright ! And all this pleafure and this honor too, I've none to thank for, Uncle dear, but you. No longer will I tarry. Let me fee : You're fure that Pufs will not go back with me ? "

" Nay," anfwered Reynard, " that's impofiible: For, truth to fpeak, he's juft now far from well ; A cold he's got has fettled in his head ; He's had his gruel and is gone to bed : His Aunt it is, this treatment doth advife ; She's greatly fkilled in all fuch remedies. He'll follow fpeedily ; nay, I would fwear He'll be at court as foon as you are there."

" Farewell, then!" faid the Ram, " no time I'll wafte ;

152

REYNARD THE FOX.

How could I truft the perjured Traitor's word ? Oh ! day of fhame ! where fhall I hide my head ? Difgraced ! difhonored! would that I were dead !

He feemed quite frantic; and the Courtly Crew Felt it their duty to feem frantic too.

But Leopardus, near the throne who flood, A Prince he was, and of the Royal blood Thus fpake ; " My gracious Liege, I cannot fee Why You and our good Queen thus grieved fhould Banifh fuch gloomy feelings, and take heart ; [be. Defpair was never yet a Monarch's part. As You, Sire, who fo prudent ? who fo ftrong ? Remember too, a King can do no wrong."

" Alas!" cried Noble, " it is even fo; And this it is adds fharpnefs to my woe. 'Tis not alone that I have been deceiv'd ; For that, I might have well in private griev'd ; But that the Wretch, to gain his wicked ends, Has caufed me do injuftice to my Friends ; Bruin and If 'grim, who in prifon lie, The Vidlims of his curfed villany. Is r t not enough my foul to overwhelm, That the two nobleft Barons of my realm

THE RELAPSE. 153

Should be fo punifhed, and for no offence, But my blind truft in Reynard's evidence. Alas ! 'twas in an evil hour, I ween, I heeded the perfuafions of the Queen ; She, in fimplicity a very child, By his falfe tongue was eafily beguil'd, And for his pardon did fo warmly pray I mould have been more firm but I gave way. Idle is all regret ; advice too late ; For even Kings muft fometimes bow to Fate." The Leopard anfwered," Sire, though you know

beft,

Haply I may a ufeful hint fuggeft. Some comfort to the Wolf and Bear 'twould bring To have the Ram as a peace-offering : You heard him boldly, as a boaft, declare, 'Twas he that counfelled killing the poor Hare. Thus fhall you deal him forth a righteous fate, And thus the injured Peers propitiate. Then will we hunt the Fox through all the land, And kill him, if we catch him, out of hand; For if he get but liberty of fpeech, The very Devil will he over-reach.

x

J54 REYNARD THE FOX.

In fine until that crafty Brute is flain,

No refpite from our griefs fhall we obtain."

He ceafed; and Noble, King of Beafts, replies; " Your counfel pleafes me, as juft and wife. Haften and fet th' imprifoned Barons free ; In honor fhall they take their ftate near me. Be all the Council furnmoned : they fhall learn How foully that bafe Traitor is forfworn ; How he and Bellyn killed the gentle Hare ; How he traduced the loyal Wolf and Bear : And, as you counfel, Bellyn and his Heirs For ever I make o'er to them and theirs."

Then Leopardus went without delay To where the Wolf and Bear in prifon lay. Straight from their bonds by his commands releafed, In foothing words the Twain he thus addrefled.

" Hail, Noble Lords! good tidings, lo, I bring! Full pardon and free conduct from the King ! By law, you both have been condemned of treafon; And law is the perfe<flion of all reafon ; But fince 'tis proved you're free of all offence, You're freely pardoned, for your innocence. And likewife in fome meafure to atone

THE RELAPSE. 155

For all the fuff'rings you have undergone,

Bellyn and all his Tribe, the King declares,

Are given up to you and to your Heirs :

In grove or green whene'er you chance to meet them ,

You have full privilege to kill and eat them.

Further, the King will lend his royal aid

To punifh him by whom you've been betray 'd ;

The Fox and all his Kindred, to a man,

You've leave to take and torture, if you can.

Thefe rights, which unto you the King doth yield,

Will all by his Succeffors be upheld ;

And, in return, you from your fouls will caft

All painful recollections of the part ;

Raifed to your old eftate, afrefh will fwear

Loyal allegiance to the King to bear."

They took the pardon at the proffered price, Bellyn the Simple fell a facrifice : And all his Kindred fuffered too with him, Viftims to the fierce Clan of Ifegrim. Eternal war was entered on that day ; The Wolves thenceforward made all Sheep their

prey; Hunting and worrying them by day and night ;

156 REYNARD THE FOX.

They had the power, and therefore had the right,

The Monarch further folace yet imparts To Ifegrim's and Bruin's wounded hearts, By ordering a twelve-days' feftival, At which his Barons fhould be prefent all ; That fo his Lieges might diftindlly fee Thofe the King loved, fhould duly honored be.

REYNARD THE FOX

CHAPTER THE SEVENTH

THE OUTLAWRY

CHAPTER THE SEVENTH.

HE Court was for the feftival prepared; And all who came, the banquet freely

fhared ;

By day and night fucceeded endlefs feafts ; Was never fuch a gathering of Beafts ; All to do homage to the Wolf and Bear, Who in their prefent joy forgot paft care.

Nor did the Guefts do noughtbut feed like Brutes ; The fcene was varied with refined purfuits ; The charms of mufic lent their foothing aid ; The big drums thundered and the trumpets bray'd ; The dance enlivened the convivial hall, The courtly minuet and the common brawl ; While day by day the fports afrefh begin, And day by day new Guefts come trooping in.

To name them all would too much time engrofs; There came the erudite Rhinoceros :

160 REYNARD THE FOX.

Thick-fkinned himfelf, he flayed the thin-fkinned

tribe,

A favage Critic, though himfelf a Scribe ; In all the goffip verfed of former times, He fafliioned hift'ry into nurf'ry rhymes ; Or, told in profe, made it feem all a (ham, By cooking up his fadls a /* epigramme.

Next the Hyaena, the good Bifhop, came, His reftlefs zeal for ever in a flame ; With his devices the whole kingdom rang, So mixed they were of piety and flang : No Blood-hound e'er fo quick a fcent as he To track the tainted Sons of herefy ; Not Gaul by Roman, nor by Spartan, Helot, Were ufed as they were by the reverend Prelate : Them with his pen he mangled fore ; and would Have had them burnt by inches, if he could. He came ; but not in over-cheerful mood, For at this time his thoughts could nought but brood On that accurfed and deadly fchifm which taught That in, and not fy, baptifm Grace was caught.

There was Sir Nibble too, the long-haired Rat ; Haggard and grim and fworn Foe to the Cat ;

THE OUTLAWRY. 161

Though he at one time, unlefs Rumor lied,

Had wifhed to 'lift himfelf on Tybalt's fide ;

Hoped all paft differences to efface,

And in his favor to obtain a place.

But when he found his fawning flatt'ry fpurned,

His fembled friendfhip into hate was turned ;

Where once he Havered, now he fpat his fpite,

And mewed his rodent teeth and ftrove to bite ;

But Tybalt thought it prudent to determine

To bide his time till he might crum the Vermin.

There too was Jocko feen, the long-armed Ape, Who was in mind ungainly as in fhape ; Malice and fun in him fo nicely blent, When playful moft, then moft he mifchief meant ; He chattered nonfenfe with look fo demure, Moft Folks would think he muft meanfomething

fure;

His very talents he would twift to ill, For he could limn and draw with eafe and flull ; But, juft to prove his power at grimaces, Caricatured his beft Friends to their faces.

To count them all, for ages would endure ; But Reynard was not one of them, be fure.

Y

162 REYNARD THE FOX.

In watchful idlenefs he lurk'd at home,

That falfe pretended Palmer, bound for Rome.

To vifit Court he was too circumfpect ;

He knew what welcome he might there expect.

Safely at home himfelf he might applaud ;

But not fo fafely could appear abroad.

Meanwhile was held high junketing at Court ; There all was mirth and jollity and fport ; Feafting and gambling were there, night and day; And thofe who came to fluff remained to play. Full was the royal palace as Noah's ark ; Joufts were there held, and tourneys, in the park. From his high place the King furveyed the whole And the vafl tumult fill'd his mighty foul.

'Twas now the eighth day of the feftival ; The King was fet at table in his hall, His Peers around, and by his fide his Queen ; When lo ! the Rabbit rufhed upon the fcene ! Bunny the Mild, his face all fmear'd with blood ; And thus he fpake, as panting there he flood :

" Ah, Sire! ah, hear me! Lords and Geatles all! Or fome fuch fate may fome of you befall; What murderous wrongs from Reynard I've re- ceived ;

J.Vaff,

REYNARD THE FOX.

"When Reynarl sacw one, up le rose to meet me, Intending, as I deemed, to come an.1

. 163.

THE OUTLAWRY. 163

Too fcandalous almoft to be believed !

I paffed by Malepartus yefterday ;

My road in coming hither led that way ;

Dreffed out in Pilgrim's habits there he fate,

Seemed to be reading Matins at his gate.

I hurried on, in hafte to reach this Court,

Deeming Your fummons, Sire, a fafe efcort.

When Reynard faw me, up he rofe to meet me,

Intending as I deemed, to come and greet me :

When lo ! he feizes me behind my ears,

And my foft fkin with his fharp talons tears ;

While to the earth with force he preffed me down ;

I verily believ'd my head was gone.

I ftruggled hard, and, thanks toHeav'n! being light,

Juft manag'd to get off by fpeed of flight.

I heard his curfes failing down the wind ;

But on I fped and never look'd behind ;

And here I am, all mangled as you fee ;

Ah, gracious Lord ! have pity on poor me !

If thus from Court we all may be debarr'd,

Of what avail fhall be the King's fafe-guard ?

Oh ! on the common ill in time reflect,

Nor let this Robber's crimes remain uncheck'd."

1 64 REYNARD THE FOX.

Scarce had he ended, when the noify Crow, Entering the Court, began his tale of woe ; And thus he fpake; " Ah, gracious Lord and King ! Moft melancholy news to You I bring ; For grief and forrow fcarcely can I fpeak ; For grief and forrow fure my heart will break. This morn, my Wife and I my Wife, I fay ; Alas ! my Wife that was but yefterday ! In fearch of food abroad prepared to fly, Juft as the dawn lit up the watchet fky ; For fcarce need I your Majefty inform, The early Bird picks up the morning worm. Croffing, near Reynard's home, that blafted heath, I faw a fight that took away my breath ; Himfelf lay there to all appearance dead ; Stiff were his limbs, his eyes turned in his head; His tongue protruded from his open jaws ; Awe-ftruck I called aloud, with ample caufe ; ( Alack !' I cried, ( alack ! and well-a-day ! He's dead and ' fcarcely knew I what to fay ; Loud did we both in lamentations join, For my Wife mixed her clamorings with mine. The body then I cautioufly approached,

THE OUTLAWRY. 165

And with my beak the back and belly touched ;

While fhe, poor Soul, perched boldly on his chin,

And, {looping down, his mouth fhe peered within;

Trufting fome trace of life me might detect ;

For little did me ought of ill expect :

But the bafe Wretch foon proved he was not dead ;

For in a moment off he fnapped her head !

With horror rooted to the fpot was I ;

And deemed upon the inflant I fhould die.

Quick ftarts he up and makes a dafh at me ;

I 'fcaped, I know not how, into a tree ;

Unconfcious terror muft have winged my flight :

And thence I faw, oh heavens ! what a fight !

Sooner alas ! would I have loft my life !

I faw the Murderer mangle my dear Wife ;

Her tender flefh I faw his talons tear,

The crunching of her bones too could I hear.

So mad with hunger feem'd the Cannibal,

That he devoured flefh, feathers, bones and all !

That hour of anguifh ne'er will be forgot !

The Wretch now fatiated left the fpot ;

And I alighted on* that curfed ground,

But nothing there fave drops of gore I found,

166 REYNARD THE FOX.

And thefe few feathers from my poor Wife's wing, Which here in Court, to prove my cafe, I bring.

" My tale is ended, Sire ! my tafk is done : I've humbly laid my griefs before the Throne. From his mifdoings, all the Realm complains 'Tis Reynard rules, and not the King that reigns. For thofe who have the pow'r fuch crimes to ftem, And yet reprefs them not, encourage them. Forgive me if too bold in what I fay ; But grief is voluble and will have way."

Now all the Court had heard thefe tales of woe, Both from the gentle Rabbit and the Crow. And much incenfed was Noble, King of beafts, Who liked not this difturbance in his feafts.

Thus then he fpake in angry tones though fad ; " Much have I borne with ; but this is too bad ! In vain it feems that my behefts are fpoken ; My laws are outraged and my peace is broken. This Traitor has deceived me once before ; But never, never (hall deceive me more ! Nor my fault is't that fuch a Criminal Is ftill at large; the Queen has' done it all. I fhall not be the laft, as not the firft,

THE OUTLAWRY. 167

By woman's idle counfels to be curft.

But if this rebel Thief go longer free

The name of juftice will a mock'ry be.

Take counfel then, my Lords, and do your beft

To rid our kingdom of this common Peft/'

Pleafed were the Bear and Wolf this fpeech to

hear ;

And thought their hour of vengeance now was near; But prudently were filent, feeing both The King fo much difturbed and deeply wroth.

At length the Queen in gentle accents fpake ; " Do not, dear Lord, your plans too rafhly make; Calm dignity will beft aflert the Right ; Of angry words th' effecl: is oft but flight. Men oft blame Others their own guilt to hide ;

Juftice demands to hear the other fide ;

Of thofe who're loudeft in his abfence, fome, If he were prefent, would perchance be dumb. For Reynard ; fkilful, wife and wary ftill I knew him, and fufpe&ed nought of ill. All I advifed was with the beft intent, Though the refult has prov'd fo different. From all I ever heard or underftood,

1 68 REYNARD THE FOX.

If bad his deeds, yet his advice was good.

Behoves us to .remember in this cafe

His num'rous Followers and powerful Race.

With over-hafte affairs but badly fpeed ;

But what your Royal will mall have decreed,

That mall your faithful Subjects execute ;

And thus ripe counfels yield their proper fruit.

Then fpake the royal Libbard thus ; " My

Lord,

Permit me humbly to throw in a word ; I own I think that Reynard fhould be heard. With eafe You can Your objects carry out, When he comes hither, as he will, no doubt. I think this is the general view ; I mean, We all would take the fame view as the Queen."

Then Ifegrim fpake out; " Forgive me, Prince, Your words, though wife, do not my mind con- vince.

Put cafe that Reynard now were prefent here, And from this double charge himfelf could clear ; Yet would I undertake to mow good caufe His worthlefs life lies forfeit to the laws. But of fuch matters better filent be

THE OUTLAWRY. 169

Until we have him fafe in cuftody. Have you forgot the wondrous tale he told About King Emm'rick's hidden ftore of gold ? At Hufterlow, near Krekelburn, he fwore It would be found, and fifty falfehoods more. Both me and Bruin hath he brought to mame ; And life we hold lefs dear than our good name. And yet at freedom roams the Rebel ft ill, And fteals and murders whom and what he will. If to the King and Council this feem fit, We, howfoever wronged, muft needs fubmit. Prince Libbard though fuggefts he may appear E'en yet at Court ; but why is he not here ? The Royal miffive bade all Lieges come ; But he, the fculking Thief! remains at home." Then faid the King of Beafts ; " Why more

delay ?

Why for the Traitor's coming longer ftay ? My Royal will is, ye all ready be On the fixth day from this to follow me. Unlefs our powV {hall quite be fet at nought, Thefe ills, my Lords, muft to a clofe be brought. Prepare yourfelves at once for battle's din ;

170 REYNARD THE FOX.

Come, armed with fword and bow and javelin ;

Let each right worthily his weapons wield,

So he may merit knighthood on the field.

My Subjects I expert will aid their Liege ;

The fortrefs Malepartus we'll befiege ;

And all its myft'ries into daylight bring/'

Then cried they all aloud; " Long live the King!"

Thus were the Monarch and the Peers agreed ; And Reynard's certain doom now feemed decreed. But Greybeard, at the banquet who had been, In fecret left the gay and feftive fcene. He haftened off the wary Fox to find, And let him know what now was in the wind. And as alone his weary way he fped, Thus to himfelf the grieving Badger faid ;

" Ah ! Uncle dear ! how I deplore thy cafe ! Thou prop and ornament of all our Race ! With thee to aid us and to plead our caufe We never feared the rigor of the laws."

Thus he arrived at Malepartus' gate, Where in the open air Sir Reynard fate. + Two youthful Pigeons he his prey had made, Who their firfl flight that morning had effay'd ;

THE OUTLAWRY. 171

But ill-fupported by their new-fledged wings, Theyfell,and he pounced on the poorweakThings. Soon as he faw the Badger drawing near He rofeand faid; " Ah, welcome, Nephew dear! For dear you are to me 'fore all my Kin ; But what a mortal hurry you feem in ! How hot you are ! and how you puff" and blow ! You bring fome cheerful news for me, I know." " Alas!" faid Greybeard, panting, " anything But cheerful, Uncle, are the news I bring. For all, excepting honor, now is loft : Ne'er have I known King Noble feem fo croft ; Deep hath he vowed a fhameful death fhall be The doom of Reynard and his Family. He and his Barons bold, a doughty Band, Armed at all points, for fuch is his command, With bow and fword and javelin and fpear, On the fixth day from this will all be here. Bethink you then in time ; for what can you, 'Gainft fuch an army, fingle-handed do ? Bruin and Ifegrim are with the King Quite reconciled ; their will is every thing. The Wolf of crimes of every fort and kind

172 REYNARD THE FOX.

Accufes you, and fways the Royal mind.

He has, as you will but too fhortly fee,

Been raifed to a Field Marshal's dignity.

The Crow and Rabbit have been both at Court,

And of your doings made a fad report.

Should the King this time get you in his pow'r,

Your life's not worth the purchafe of an hour."

" That all? Your flory moves me," quoth the Fox, " As fummer breezes do primaeval rocks. As for the King and all his Council too, I'll warrant me they'll have enough to do ; At leaft to talk about ; becaufe, in fad:, They'll prate and prate for ever, and not aft. About fuch trifles, Nephew, do not fret ; But juft ftep in and fee what we can get. You fee thefe nice young Pigeons I've juft caught; They are the beft of eating, to my thought ; Their bones and flefh like jellied milk and blood : So light ; and I'm compell'd to take light food ; My Wife too is of the fame tafte as I ; Come in ; fhe'll welcome you right heartily. She is not well though, fo I would not let her Know why you come ; for trifles quite upfet her.

THE OUTLAWRY. 173

We'll ftart to-morrow ; and I'm nought afraid But you'll afford me kind and kindred aid."

Quoth Greybeard, " I would die for you with

pleafure."

Quoth Reynard, " You oblige me paft all meafure. And if I live, as well I truft I may, Be fure that I your kindnefs will repay."

" Go," faid the other, " go before your Peers, With that brave honeft heart, devoid of fears ; At leaft a hearing you'll obtain from them. Even Prince Libbard fays they can't condemn, Until they've heard all you may have to fay ; And the Queen thinks precifely the fame way. This hint to your advantage you may guide."

" Be fure I will;" the crafty Fox replied; " Howe'er the King may ftorm; in his defpight,"] I have no doubt to make the matter right ; \-

I know the bait at which he'll furely bite." j

So into Reynard's dwelling now they went ; The Houfewife welcomed them with kind intent; The hofpitable board was quickly fpread, And on the Pigeons daintily they fed ; Duly divided each one had his mare ;

REYNARD THE FOX.

Much were they relifhed, and was nought to fpare. They could, for it was but a fcanty feaft, Have eaten half a dozen more at leaft.

The meal concluded, they to chat begin ; And the fond Father has the Children in ; And as they climb and cling about his knees, They waken his parental fympathies :

" Are they not charming little Rogues?" hefaid, " So frolic, yet fo thoroughly well-bred. Ruflell is fuch a Scamp ; and his young Brother, Greykin, will one day prove juft fuch another. Never will they their lineage difgrace ; Their principles do honor to their Race. One a young ftraggling Bantam up mall pick, The other pounce upon a Guinea-chick ; Nor do they reft contented on dry ground, But plunge for Ducklings in the Parfon's pond. To hunt Td fend them oft'ner, if I durft ; But care and prudence they muft ftudy firft ; Learn never to be taken unawares, And to avoid all Hunters, Dogs and fnares. And when by habit they expert mall grow, And courage, tempered with due caution, (how,

THE OUTLAWRY. 175

In fearch of prey then daily fhall they roam, And never fhall we want for food at home. Slow ftealthy ftep, low crouch and fteadfaft aim,i Sure fpring and firm grip; that is Reynard's game; |> Thus have weftill upheld the credit of our name." J

" Ay, Children are in truth great bleffings Sir;" Said Greybeard, who was ftill a Bachelor " Pledges of holy and of lawful love, A conflant joy and folace muft they prove ; Centred in them, the happy Parents fee The pleafures both of Hope and Memory ; And if fometimes they prove a fource of trouble, That makes, no doubt, the latter pleafure double. Nor are your joys confined to you alone ; /love your Children as they were my own."

" Suffice it for to-day;" then Reynard faid; We all are fleepy; let us now to bed."

Then on the floor, foft ftrewn with leavesandhay, Their weary limbs adown to reft they lay. But Reynard could not fleep for haunting cares, So grave appeared the pofture of affairs. He tofTed and tumbled all the livelong night, With aching eyes he met the morning light.

176 REYNARD THE FOX.

Then to the Partner of his joys and woes Thus did he fpeak, as from his couch he rofe ;

" Be not alarmed ; to Court I go again At Greybeard's wifh ; at home you'll fafe remain. That no one know where I am gone 'twere beft ; Be of good cheer and leave to Heav'n the reft."

" What!" cried Dame Ermelyne, " Again to

Court !

Methinks your foes would wifh no better fport. Are you obliged to go ? Bethink you well Of what on your laft vifit there befell."

" Indeed," quoth Reynard, " it was paftajeft, I ne'er remember to have been fo preft. But nothing certain is beneath the fun ; No matter how a thing may be begun, None can fay how 'twill finim, till 'tis done. J Albeit 'tis needful that to Court I go, For I have much that's weighty there to do, Be calm, I beg you ; there is nought to fear ; A week at furtheft I'll again be here. Adieu then, for a time, dear Love ;" he cried ; Then off he ftarts with Greybeard at his fide.

REYNARD THE FOX

CHAPTER THE EIGHTH

r

THE JOURNEY

A A

CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.

,OWARDS King Noble's Court, without

delay,

Greybeard and Reynard now held on their way.

And the Fox faid, " My heart feels quite elate, This journey will, I know, prove fortunate. And yet, dear Nephew, fince I laft confeft, My life has truly not been of the beft. Hear what frefh crimes I now have to deplore; Some too which I forgot to tell before.

" A good ftout fcrip I've had from Bruin's hide : The Wolf and his good Lady have fupplied My tender feet, each with a pair of fhoes ; 'Tis thus I've wreaked my vengeance on my Foes. The King too, I confefs, I've badly treated, And with grofs falfehoods fcandaloufly cheated. Further, for nought will I conceal from you,

i8o REYNARD THE FOX.

I killed the Hare, and what's more, ate him too : His mangled head by Bellyn I fent back, Trufting the King would ftretch him on the rack. The Rabbit too I tried to make my prey ; Although thank Heav'n for that he got away. Th' offence of which the Crow doth now complain Is not without foundation in the main ; For why {hould I the fimple truth difguife ? I did devour his Wife before his eyes.

" Thefe my chief fins are fince mylaft confeffion; But I omitted then an old tranfgreffion ; A trick, for which I hope forgiv'n to be, Againft the Wolf, mine ancient Enemy.

" One day we happened to be travelling The road between Kaktyfs and Elverding ; When we a Mare perceived with her young Foal, The Dam and Daughter each as black as coal ; 'Bout four months' old the Filly feemed to be ; Said Is'grim, who was nearly ftarved, to me, ' See, prithee, Nephew, if you can entice ' Yon Mare to fell her Foal at any price/ .. Rafh was the venture, I was well aware ; But up I trotted, and addrefled the Mare ;

THE JOURNEY. 181

'. Say, deareft Madam, may I make fo bold ' To afk if this fweet Creature's to be fold ? ' If fo, for it belongs to you I fee, ' I truft upon the price we may agree.' Said (he ; * Yes, if I get the fum I want,

• Pll fell her; and 'tis not exorbitant;

' You'll find it written on my near hind hoof.' I guefled her meaning and kept well aloof. ' Alas ! ' I cried, as though I nought fufpedted ; ' My education has been fore neglected ;

• Reading and writing are beyond my pow'r;

• My parents have a deal to anfwer for.

' Not for myfelf the dear Child I defire ;

' It was the Wolf who bad me to inquire.'

' He'd better come himfelf;' replied the Mare;

Qiioth I, ' I'll tell him what your wifhes are.'

So where he waited I joined Ifegrim ;

' The Foal is to be had,' faid I to him ;

' The price is written on the Mare's hind hoof;

• She kindly offered me to fee the proof;

• But 'twas no ufe to me, who cannot read ;

• My life, alas ! has fadly run to feed.

' But you, dear Uncle, foon will make it out ;

1 82 REYNARD THE FOX.

' Approach and read, for you can read, no doubt.' Said Ifegrim, ' I rather think I can ; ' German, French, Latin, and Italian.

• To fchool I went at Erfurt, then to college,

' Where I picked up a vaft amount of knowledge ; ' Took duly my degrees and honors too ;

• I fwear I quite forget how much I knew :

' All one learns there is wond'roufly abftrufe,

• Though not, perhaps, in practice, of much ufe.

• I'll go and the infcription read at once,

f To prove that, though a Scholar, I'm no Dunce.' So off he ftarted to the Mare, quite bold, Afked for how much the Foal was to be fold ; She gave the anfwer me had giv'n before ; And down he ftooped the writing to explore. Her hoof me lifted gently from the grafs ; Frefh fhod and armed with fix new nails it was ; And fetched him a full plumper on the head, That down he tumbled, ftunned, and lay for dead. Then off me galloped with her frifky Foal, And whinnied as me went, for joy of foul... For a good hour the Wolf lay on the ground, Then 'gan to howl, like any beaten Hound.

THE JOURNEY. 183

I haftened up to him, and, ' Uncle, fay,' Quoth I, ' what caufes you lament this way ?

• Have youyourbargainmadewith Madam Mare ?

' And eaten up her Foal? that's not quite fair!

• Sure, for my pains, I fhould have had my {hare.

• And, as you are fo learned, prithee do

• Expound to me the writing on the fhoe ?'

• Ah me ! I am derided ! ' he made moan ;

• My fuff'rings though might melt a heart of ftone.

' Never before did I fo badly fare.

• Oh ! may the Devil fetch that long-legged Mare !

• Six bleeding wounds I have in my poor head.

• The only wonder is I am not dead.'

" Thus I've confefled, as far as I am able, And made my confcience clean and comfortable. Now that is done, I truft to hear from you Some ghoftly counfel what is next to do."

Him Greybeard anfwered thus; " 'Tis true in- deed

Of ghoftly counfel you ftand fore in need ; For from your tone I gather that, as yet, Your crimes you rather boaft of, than regret. 'Tis true, regret for paft mifdeeds is vain ;

184 REYNARD THE FOX.

It cannot bring the Dead to life again.

Your fins I muft in charity forgive,

Seeing how fhort a time you have to live ;

For certainly the worft refults I dread :

You never can get over that Hare's head.

It was in footh a molt audacious thing

To aggravate the anger of the King !

More mifchief to your caufe thereby you've done

Than in your thoughtleffnefs you reckon on."

" Nay, not a jot; " replied th' undaunted Rogue; Self-intereft will always be in vogue. Thofe in the world who live muft look to rough it, And meet with many a kick and many a buffet. He who would beft get on muft rant and roifter, Nor think to pafs his time as in a cloifter. As for the Hare, I own he tempted me ; He fkipped and fprang about fo faucily, And looked fo plump, that howfoe'er I ftrove, My appetite proved ftronger than my love. For the Ram's fate I do not care a pin ; His was the fuff'ring ; mine may be the fin* 'Tis not my worft mifdeed by many a one ; My penance otherwife were quickly done.

THE JOURNEY. 185

To love our Neighbors we are told, 'tis true ; But Moft do juft what they ought not to do. What's done though can't be helped ; and, as you

faid,

'Tis worfe than ufelefs to regret the Dead. Ufelefs indeed, I think, is all regret ; Save fome advantage from it one can get.

" Enough of this ! we live in awful times ! No Rank or Station feems exempt from crimes ! Corruption from the Rich fpreads to the Poor ; Good men the gen'ral 111 can but deplore ; And though we dare not fpeak, we think the more.

" The King himfelf will plunder, that we know, As much as any of his Subjects do ; And, what he does not take himfelf, devolves, As lawful prey, upon the Bears and Wolves. To fpeak the truth dares not a fingle Soul, The mifchief may be ne'er fo great or foul. The Clergy keep quite filent ; and no wonder ; They have a decent portion of the plunder. If of extortion any one complains, He only has his trouble for his pains. If ought that you poflefs the Great allures,

B B

1 86 REYNARD THE FOX.

Then may you fafely fay it has been yours. But Few to tales of grievance will attend ; And they are fure to weary in the end. Noble, the Lion, is our Lord and King ; He afts as he were Lord of every thing ; He calls us oft his Children ; and, 'twould feem, Forfooth that all we have belongs to him. For let me fpeak my mind ; our gracious King Loves ever thofe the moft, who moft can bring; And who will dance as he may choofe to ling. The Many fuffer, though but Few complain; The Bear and Wolf are now in pow'r again ; They fteal and rob and pillage, left and right; And yet find favor in the Royal fight. While each who might have influence is dumb, Living in hopes that his own time may come. Let a poor Devil, like myfelf, but take A paltry Chicken, what a howl they make. They're all upon his back without remorfe, And he's condemned to fufFer, as of courfe. For thofe, who crimes commit of deeper, dye, No mercy fhow to petty larceny.

" Such thoughts, I own, have often crofled my mind

THE JOURNEY. 187

When to repentance I have felt inclin'd ; And to myfelf I've faid, in Reafon's fpite, That what fo many do muft fure be right. Confcience indeed within me fometimes ftirs, And fays, with that peculiar voice of hers ;

• Reynard, why feek thus to deceive thyfelf ?

' No good came ever of unrighteous pelf.' Then deep remorfe I've felt for doing wrong ; Deep for the moment, but not lafting long. Becaufe, look round the world which way I would, I faw the Bad fared better than the Good. Not, as times go, can every one afford To cherifh Virtue as its own reward.

" The people too, fave their mobility, In all their Betters' fecrets love to pry ; Their faults they will obferve and con by rote, And pick holes e'en in Honor's petitcoat.

" But the worft feature of this pinchbeck age, Which, if my fcorn it mov'd not, would, my rage, Is, that all forts of public men we fee Merged in the flough of mediocrity, There will they plunge and wade and flounce and flounder,

1 88 REYNARD THE FOX.

Endeav'ring each to keep the other under ;

For if one ftrive, by merits of his own,

To rife, his Neighbors pelt and pull him down.

As though 'twere quite agreed that little men

From a dead level had the furthefl ken ;

That by example might the World be fchooled

With what a fmall amount of wifdom it is ruled.

" In private, too, all paltry vices flourim ; Men are morofe and felfifh, fly and currifli : Backbiting, malice, lying and falfe-fwearing Have become matters of familiar bearing. Hypocrites and falfe Prophets fo abound That Truth, fave in a well, can ne'er be found.

" If to remonftrate with them you fhould try, Qukkly and coolly will they thus reply ; ' The fins you mention cannot ferious be,

• Or fure the Clergy from them would be free.'

Thus, following thofe of a fuperior ftation, The People fin, like Apes, by imitation. Thinking and acting much as Monkeys do, They often get the fame allowance too.

" Truly the Priefthood better fhould behave ; With common care, their credit they might fave,

THE JOURNEY.

But it quite marvellous appears to me The flight in which they hold the Laity. Before our very eyes they do not mind To aft in any way they feel inclin'd ; As though we all, like Bats or Moles, were blind. But ev'ry one, his eyes who ufes, knows What kind of ftore they fet upon their vows. Beyond the Alps, 'tis faid, that ev'ry Prieft Holds confort with one Miftrefs at the leaft ; And what is winked at by the Court of Rome No wonder Ihould be pra&ifed here at home. The holy Fathers, if truth may be fpoke, Have Children juft like any married Folk ; And, with paternal love, take care enough None of their Offspring fhall be badly off; Thefe, never thinking what was their Mamma, To lawful Children will not yield the pas ; Others they treat with as much flight and fcorn, As they were honeftly, nay, nobly born. Clad in the armor of fheer impudence, They have of fhame or modefty no fenfe. Time was, thefe bafe-born Sons o'th' Clergy knew What was their proper place, and kept it too.

190 REYNARD THE FOX.

But now they go about as brave and bold As any Lords. Such is the pow'r of gold.

" You fee the Prieft pofleffed, go where you*

will,

Of toll and tribute from each farm and mill ; And thus the World is difciplined to ill. No marvel the poor People go aftray, When, blind themfelves, the Blind lead them the way.

" Where for that pattern Paftor mall we look Content to feed and not to fhear his flock ; Who the pure precepts of the Gofpel teaches, And practifes the doctrines that he preaches ; Who, if he fuffer Wrong, will pardon it, And turn his right cheek if his left be fmit ; Who upon worldly treafures fets no ftore, But fells his all and gives it to the Poor ? Alas ! much readier a Prieft you'll find To pride, revenge and avarice inclin'd. Such fet the Laity a vile example, And on all precepts of their Mafter trample.

" As for their Baftards, would they quiet be, No one on earth would notice them, vou fee.

THE JOURNEY. 191

J Tis but their vanity that we condemn ;

For moft unjuft it were to carp at them.

It is not Race that makes us great or good ;

Nor fhame nor honor come by birth or blood.

Let Heralds draw what fancied lines they can,

Virtue and Vice alone mark man from man.

The honeft Prieft will ever honored be ;

The bad be fhunned, whate'er his pedigree ;

How good foe'er the fermons he may preach, Folks will contraft his actions with his fpeech. ' What does he for the church ?' they'll argue thus, ' He who is ever preaching up to us " Be fure you keep your church in good repair, " My Brethren, if of Grace you wifh to fhare : " ' For aught he does himfelf, while us he fleeces,

• The facred edifice might fall to pieces.'

" In coftly fare and fumptuous array They fquander more than half their wealth away. Engrofled with worldly thoughts, how can they

fpare

Their time for acts of piety and pray'r ? While the good Paftor fo at leaft I've heard Devotes his life to th' fervice of the Lord ;

192 REYNARD THE FOX.

With modeft temperance and fober gaiety, Setting a good example to the Laity.

" Full well too do I know the hooded clafs ; A dirty, frowzy, hypocritic Race; A tribe of prowling, prying Creatures, which Spend their whole time in hunting up the Rich. Adepts in flattery, they reckon moft How they may ufe it on a liberal Hoft. If one but get a footing, three or four Are fure to follow, if not many more. Who in the cloifter only longeft prates Is fure to gain promotion o'er his Mates ; Reader he's made, Librarian or Prior, Or he may even mount to fomething higher. Others, as good as he, are thruft afide; The prizes fo unfairly they divide. Some pafs their time in fafting and in pray'r, While others fleep, or fumptuoufly fare.

" As for your Papal Legates, Prelates, Deans, Your Abbefles, your Nuns, and your Beguines, What tales might I tell of them if I would ; Yet little I regret to fay that's good. One cry they always have, and one alone ;

THE JOURNEY. 193

'Tis, < Give me yours and let me keep my own.' But Few there are, not Ten affuredly, Who ftridtly with their Founder's rules comply. J Tis thus the Church acquires a doubtful name, Is brought to weaknefs, and fometimes to (hame."

" Uncle," the Badger faid, " I cannot guefs Why you mould other People's fins confefs. If they've done 111, what Good is that to you ? With your own matters you've enough to do. Why mould you meddle with the Priefts and Nuns ? Sure Mother Church can manage her own Sons. Let each his own peculiar burdens bear ; Let each th' account of his own deeds prepare ; The audit-day will furely come, which none, Or in, or out a cloifter-walls, can mun.

" You talk too much though of all fortsof things; Scarce can I follow all your wanderings ; I fometimes fear you'll leave me in the lurch : Pity you did not go into the Church. Great as your lore, you'd there find fcope for it ; I mould, with Others, reap the benefit. The moft of us, I own, are Brutes indeed, And of good doctrine ftand in awful need."

c c

194 REYNARD THE FOX.

Now the Court's precin&s they approached at laft; Said Reynard to himfelf " The die is caft!" When on the road Martin the Ape they met, Who off upon a tour to Rome had fet ; And both he kindly greeted. " Uncle dear," Thus to the Fox, " be of good heart and cheer." Then queftions put he to him, not a few, Although the ftate of matters well he knew.

" My good luck feems for ever to have fled ;" To Martin then the wily Reynard faid ; " Some fcurvy Comrades, moved by dirty fpleen, Again, I find, accufing me have been. The Rabbit and the Crow complain, I hear, That one has loft a Wife, and one, an ear. But what on earth has that to do with me ? That would I make them pretty quickly fee, If to the King I could but get to ipeak ; My caufe I know is ftrong, as theirs is weak. But ftill I labor 'neath the Papal Ban, A wretched excommunicated man ! There's not a Soul, except the Prebendary, Can refcue me from out this fad quandary. Unhappily, though why I cannot tell,

J.'Wotf.aal

REYNARD THE POX.

' I son just starting on a, tour to Rome; And .may do Tnaeh t 1 am oli orate ycnrr cLoom."

p. 19 5.

THE JOURNEY. 195

I don't (land, fomehow, with the Clergy well. This and more evils to a vafl amount, I fuffer upon Ifegrim's account.

" A Monk he once became ; but one fine day He from the monaftery ran away : The rules he found too rigid, and he fware He loft his time in failing and in pray'r. I helped his flight ; a caufe of deep regret, Which I have ever felt and do fo yet ; For nought fince then he's done but flander me, And work me ev'ry kind of injury. What if I made a pilgrimage to Rome ; How would my family get on at home ? Ifegrim then would caufe them endlefs 111 ; He'd have the pow'r, as he now has the will. And many Others are there who defign All forts of mifchief both to me and mine. If from this awful Ban I were but freed, My caufe at Court were certain to fucceed."

Said Martin, " I am glad 'tis in my pow'r To do you fervice in this trying hour. I am juft ftarting on a tour to Rome ; And may do much t' ameliorate your doom.

196 REYNARD THE FOX.

You are my Kinfman ; fet your mind at reft ; I will not fuffer you to be opprefs'd. I've fome weight, as the Bifhop's Secretary ; Til make them cite to Rome the Prebendary ; Againft him in your caufe will I make fight, And, Uncle, they mall do you ample right. The doom of Ban, reverfed mall fhortly be, Your abfolution I'll bring back with me. Your Foes their long hoftility fhall rue, Lofing their labor and their money too. I know how caufes may at Rome be won, And what is beft to do, what leave undone. My Coufin, Simon, has great influence ; For our name's fake he'll favor your defence : There's Gripeall too, Greedy and Eitherfide, And Turncoat, and I know not who befide. For I have at the College many a Friend, Who to our caufe their able aid will lend ; Or, rather let me fay, their aid will fell ; For only thofe they help who fee them well. I've fent my money firft, for that alone Will there enfure that juftice fhall be done. Loudly they talk of juftice, and fuch cant,

THE JOURNEY. 197

But 'tis your money that they really want. How crooked be a caufe, or intricate, The touch of gold will make it plain and ftraight. With that to find a welcome you are fure, Without it, clofed againft you ev'ry door.

" Do you then, Uncle, ftay at home ; while I Your knotty caufe will manage to untie. To Court 'twere beft you fhould at once repair ; Seek out my Wife, Dame Ruckenaw, when there ; She's a Ihrewd Soul, and with the King and Queen A fpecial Favorite has ever been. Take her advice, whatever fhe recommend ; There's nothing but fhe'll do t' oblige a Friend. On many a ftaunch Ally you there will light ; Such often help one more than being right. Her Sifters two are fure with her to be, And my three Children, for I have but three ; And many others of our common Kin, Who'll ftoutlyftick by you, through thick and thin. Should juftice be denied you, fend to me,

And what my pow'r is you fhall quickly fee :

P

An awful Evil on this land fhall fall,

On King, Men, Women, Children, one and all ;

REYNARD THE FOX.

An Interdict fhall on the realm be laid ; )

No fervice fhall be fung, no mafs be faid, >

No Chriftian grave receive th' unhoufeled Dead. J The land a heathen defert will I make ; Be of good cheer then, Coz, and comfort take.

" The Pope is old, nor found in mind or limb ; But Few he cares for, and None care for him. 'Tis Cardinal Wifeacre rules the Church, And crows> as roofled on the higheft perch ; To which no doubt one day he may afpire, For he is full of craft and full of fire. He is enamoured of a certain Dame, Whom well I know, and, if I would, could name. Her wifhes me has only to make known ; And what me wifhes, is as good as done.

" But many tricks and frauds are played at Rome, Which to the Pope's ears never chance to come. But no one can get on without fbme aid ; Friends one muft make, or buy them ready made. Rely on me, dear Coz ; the King well knows, I will not fee you fall before your Foes ; 'Twere juft as well, he fhould remember too How Many kindred claim, with me and you :

THE JOURNEY. 199

For fober counfel, not a Family

At Court can with the Apes and Foxes vie.

This cannot fail your dangers to allay,

Let matters even take what turn they may."

Reynard replies," There's nothing, deareft Coz, Gives me fuch comfort as your friendfhip does : I mall remember it, an I get free." Then each the other greeted courteoufly ; And tow'rds the Court, to face his angry Foes, Reynard, with no efcort but Greybeard, goes.

REYNARD THE FOX

CHAPTER THE NINTH

THE ADVOCACY

D D

CHAPTER THE NINTH.

,EYNARD had now reached Court, and

ftill had hope

With his Accufers he might fafely cope; Yet when his num'rous Foes he faw arrayed, All eager for revenge, he felt difmayed ; But though his heart might tremble, with firm ftride He paffed the Barons, Greybeard by his fide.

Unto the Monarch's throne they both drew near, When Greybeard whifpered thus in Reynard's ear; " Take courage, Uncle, for the King is gracious ; And, we know, Fortune favors the Audacious : The Brave love danger on its own account, And are more pleafed the greater its amount."

And Reynard anfwered," What you fay is true;] Sage your advice, and comfortable too ; Were you in my place I'd fo counfel you."

With fearchingeye he glanced th'aflembly round

204

REYNARD THE FOX.

Where many Kinfmen, but few Friends, he found; For at his hands the moft but ill had fared ; The Otter nor the Beaver had he fpared ; None but he'd played fome pranks on, great or

fmall ;

Yet with aflurance now he greets them all. And down before the throne he lowly knelt, And boldly fpake, howe'er he may have felt ; " May Heav'n above, from whom no thought

or thing

Is hidden, long preferve my Lord the King; And my good Lady too and gracious Queen, Whofe humbleft Vaflal I am proud t' have been ; And grant you both found judgment, clear and

ftrong,

The difference to difcern 'tween Right and Wrong. For falfehood now is rife in ev'ry fpot ; Almoft all men appear what they are not. Would each man's thoughts were writ upon his

brow,

So that his fecret foul the King might know ; Then would it plainly to the world appear How true and loyal is the heart I bear.

THE ADVOCACY. 205

I know the Wicked rage together frill,

And howl againft me, as they always will.

In ev'ry way to injure me they ftrive,

And of Your countenance would quite deprive ;

As though I were the verieft Wretch alive.

But love of Juftice is a mighty thing ;

None own its pow'r, more than my Lord and King.

Let men feek to miflead him as they may,

From the ftraight path of Right he ne'erwill ftray."

While thus he fpake the Courtiers round him

throng,

All wond'ring at the boldnefs of his tongue. His crimes fo flagrant and notorious were, That each was anxious his defence to hear.

" Thou rafcal Reynard!" thus the Monarch

faid,

" Thy glofing fpeech thy caufe can little aid ; On thy perfuafive arts no more depend, Thy fhamelefs courfe at length hath reach'd its end. Thy truth and loyalty we all well know, As witnefs here the Rabbit and the Crow. Full is the meafure of thy wickednefs, And craft can nought avail thee, boldnefs lefs."

206 REYNARD THE FOX.

Reynard, uneafy at this Royal fpeech, Feared now the King he might not over-reach, For he had fpoke in terms precife and plain ; Ah ! how he wifhed he were fafe home again ! But wifhing now could do him little good ; He muft get through it the beft way he could.

" Nobleft and mightieft of Kings;" he faid, " Though you decree my life is forfeited, I fain may hope that You will hear me firft ; You've heard but one fide, and that fide the worft. When clouds and tempefts o'er the ftate were

hovering,

Firm have I flood and faithful to my Sovereign, When fbme, that I could name, have fled theirpoft, Some who are now efteemed and favored moft, Who bravely take each opportunity, When I am abfent, moft to flander me. Hear only my defence and then decide ; My doom, whate'er it be, I muft abide.

" Forgotten is my fervice to the State ? How I have early watched and labored late ? If of all crimes not quite exempt I were, Of my free will fhould I now venture here?

THE ADVOCACY. 207

I fhould have fhunned Your prefence confcience-

fcared

Nor my Accufers thus to meet have dared. Nay, the world's treafures, heaped up feven-fold, Should not have drawn me forth from my ftrong

hold.

Upon my native heather I was free, And none might touch me with impunity ; But my good Greybeard with the meflage came That I was wanted here, and here I am ! I had been counfel holding with the Ape, How from the Papal Ban I might efcape ; And he had promifed to remove the whole Of that oppreffive burden from my foul.

• I will myfelf/ faid he, ' to Rome refort ;

• Do you, without delay, repair to Court ;

' I'll undertake your character Til clear.' Such his advice ; he'd own it were he here. Our Bifhop knows the truth of much I ftate ; Five years has Martin been his Surrogate.

" And here I find complaint upon complaint; Enough to wear the patience of a Saint. The ogling Rabbit has, I hear, a cafe ;

210 REYNARD THE FOX.

Some great Fifli me had gorged, gills, bones and all, Had choked her, as her fwallow was but fmall. The truth he beft knows ; but the Slanderer Now dares aflert that I have murdered her ; May-be he did, himfelf ; there's none can tell ; For my own part, it were impoffible; Thefe dingy Devils, when they choofe to fly, No fpring of mine could reach, however high.

" Thofe who bring forward charges fuch as thefe Should prove them by truftworthy Witnefles. This ev'ry Freeman may of right demand ; And on my Right I boldly take my ftand. Are there no proofs ; another courfe is clear ; Lo ! ready to do battell am I here ! Let both the day and place be now aflign'd ; And if a worthy AdverPry I find, In birth my equal, I'll the combat dare ; And he the honor who then wins may wear. Such ever was the rule of law of yore ; So be it now, for I defire no more."

All flood and heard and wondered, Beafls and

Birds, At the audacity of Reynard's words.

REY^AUD THE FOX.

Lie there XLO proofs ! another course is clear; Lo.'reaiy to do "battel am. Ill ere.

-p. 220

THE ADVOCACY. 211

The Crow and Rabbit both felt dire difmay, And fecretly from Court they ftole away ; Nor did they dare another word to fay.

They muttered to each other ; " 'Twere indeed Unwife againft him further to proceed. Do what we may, no better mould we be ; For after all, what WitnefTes have we ? The truth unto ourfelves is only known, For with the Felon we were each alone. So in the end on us the lofs would fall. Oh ! would the Devil feize him, once for all ! And he propofes battell now ! To us ! Truly the thought is too prepofterous ! So powerful and cunning as he is ; So full of vigor and of trickeries ! 'Twould take to face him five as good as we, And even then he'd beat them eafily."

Both Ifegrim and Bruin groaned with ire, When from the Court they faw the Twain retire.

" Are any prefent here," then faid the King, Who againft Reynard have a charge to bring ? If any fuch there be, let them advance ; For he ftands here on his deliverance.

212 REYNARD THE FOX.

There were enough to threaten yefterday ;

And now their time is come ; but where are they ? "

Said Reynard, " Ah ! 'tis ever the old game ; Thofe who againft the Abfent moft declaim, Boafting what they could do, would he but come, When he arrives, flay prudently at home. Thefe Sland'rers vile, the Rabbit and the Crow, Fain would have brought poor me to fhame and woe. But I forgive, iince they are penitent ; Moft thoroughly afhamed away they went. How dangerous it is, you all have feen, T' encourage thofe who flander abfent men. They fcruple not the truth afide to wreft, And viftimife the Wifeft and the Beft. To Others only do thefe words apply, Of little moment to the State am I."

" Hear me!" exclaimed the King, " thou Trai- tor vild !

Say, where is Pufs, the Gentle and the Mild ? My brave and trufty Courier was he, And treacheroufly flain hath been by thee. Had I not pardoned thee thy numerous crimes ? Equipped thee forth to viiit holy climes,

THE ADVOCACY. 213

With fcrip and flaff and other pilgrim gear,

Believing thy repentance was fincere ?

And thy firft ad: was my poor Pufs to kill !

Bellyn thou mad'ft thy Meflenger of ill :

He in thy wallet brought the mangled head ;

And here in open Court unblufhing faid,

He brought defpatches which you both had framed,

Though he the larger {hare of merit claimed :

But in the wallet was the head alone !

To make a mock and gibe at Me 'twas done !

One though hath fuffered for the bafe defign ;

Bellyn hath loft his life ; look thou to thine ! " " Great Heav'ns ! What do I hear?" fly Rey- nard faid,

" Pufs murdered ! Gracious Pow'rs ! and Bellyn dead!

Oh, fatal hour ! oh, curfed love of pelf !

Alas ! alas ! that I were dead myfelf !

With them the choiceft treafures have I loft !

Jewels, fuch as the wide world cannot boaft !

The rareft things by them I fent for You ; For I believed them loyal both, and true. Of Bellyn who would credit fuch a thing,

214 REYNARD THE FOX.

His Friend to murder and to rob his King ? Who on this earth could e'er exped: to find Such craft with fuch fimplicity combin'd ?"

To hear him out the Monarch would not flay, He rofe and tow'rds his palace took his way ; Nor caught diftin<lly all that Reynard fpake : Determined was he deep revenge to take. To his own clofet did he ftraight withdraw, And found the Queen there with Dame Ruckenaw; A fpecial Fav'rite had me ever been, The fly She-ape, both with the King and Queen ; She haply now might do the Fox fome good ; For me was wife and wary, fage and fhrewd. Certain was me, wherever me appeared, To be by all refpe&ed and revered. Marking the angry flufh on the King's cheek, With thoughtful words thus gravely did fhe fpeak :

" Whenever, gracious Sire, at my requeft, You have allowed me counfel to fuggeft, Ne'er yet have You had reafon to repent ; Nor have you deemed me too impertinent, If, when my Liege was in an angered mood, A word of warning I have dared t' intrude.

THE ADVOCACY. 215

Once more vouchfafe, Sire, to extend Your grace ; This matter toucheth one of mine own race ; Who would defert a Friend in fuch a cafe ? Reynard's my kinfman, be he what he may ; But what I think of him I'll frankly fay ; Now he is here and ftands upon his Right, His caufe I view in a more hopeful light. Had not his Father, whofe fame ftill endures, And who was graced and countenanced by Yours, With evil tongues for ever to contend, And from falfe charges his good name defend ? But ftill his Foes he baffled in the end. When thoroughly was fifted the affair, 'Twas found what clofe infpedtion it would bear. Although his Sland'rers charged him many a time With incapacity, as well as crime ; Yet he retained his ftation to the laft, And, as the Bear and Wolf are now, was grac'd. 'Twould be as well if they themfelves could clear From all that 'gainft their characters we hear. But of the rules of Right they nothing know ; Both what they fay proves this, as what they do." Then the King anfwered ; " Can you wonder, Dame,

216 REYNARD THE FOX.

That Reynard's condudl flbould my wrath inflame ? My trufty Hare did he not bafely flay ? And lead that Simpleton, the Ram, aftray ? And now prefumes in open Court, forfooth, To boaft about his loyalty and truth ; When by the gen'ral voice accufed he ftands, Of crimes unnumbered as the ocean fands ! 'Tis proved beyond the fliadow of a doubt, He breaks My peace and fets My laws at nought. With robberies and murders, day and night, My land and Lieges doth he vex and 'fright ! I'll bear no more !" Then anfwered the She-Ape ; " Not ev'ry one his courfe can wifely fhape. 'Tis hard to pleafe all men, and giv'n to few Both to deferve fuccefs and get it too : And he who profpers, in his path fhall find Honor before, Envy and Hate behind ; His Foes in fecret will his ruin fcheme, When open fight too dangerous they deem.

" And many a time hath this to Reynard happed. It cannot have Your memory efcaped, How often to your refcue he hath come, With counfel fage, when all the reft were dumb.

THE ADVOCACY. 217

What fine difcernment through his judgment ran In that late leading cafe of * Snake and Man' None could decide the iffue that was raifed, But he alone : how was his wifdom praifed !"

Noble the King reflected a brief fpace, Then anfwered ; " Yes, I recoiled: the cafe ; But all the details I have quite forgot. 'Twas moft confufed and tangled; was it not? I pray you, if you can, the fadls relate." " Briefly," faid (he, " the whole affair Til ftate.

" Two years ago, a Snake of Dragon race Loudly accufed a Peafant to Your Grace. The Man refufed her juftice, fhe complained, Though twice againfthim (he had judgment gained. The Man appearing to defend the wrong, She entered on her cafe with eager tongue.

" Through a fmall op'ning in a hedge one day The Snake, it feem'd, had tried to force her way ; A fpringe there was before the op'ning plac'd, Which, as me entered, caught and held her faft. She muft perforce have perimed where fhe lay, But that a Trav'ller chanced to pafs that way ; To whom fhe loudly cried ; * Oh ! pity me !

F F

2i 8 REYNARD THE FOX.

' Let me implore thee, Sir! and fet me free!* And the Man faid ; ' Well, I will let thee loofe ; ' 'Tis hard to fee thee ftrangling in that noofe. Yet ere I do it, thou muft frankly fwear ' From ev'ry mifchief tow'rds me to forbear.' A folemn oath the anxious Dragon vowed, Ne'er to harm him to whom her life fhe owed. Then from the fnare the Man the Snake releafed ; All gratitude {he was, or feemed at leaft.

" They travelled on together, but ere long The Dragon felt the pains of hunger ftrong, And in a moment on the Man (he flew, Thinking to ftrangle and devour him too. With fearful energy he fprang afide, And ' Oh ! is this your gratitude?' he cried,

• Is this the way you keep that awful oath ?'

Said fhe, * To break it I am truly loath,

' But I am pofitively faint with hunger ;

• I feel a gnawing I can bear no longer.

I know how Shocking is ingratitude ;

• But cannot perifh here for want of food/

• Spare me a little yet ; * the Man replied ;

• Some People we may meet who fhall decide,

THE ADVOCACY. 219

' Impartial Judges betwixt thee and me/ ' Well ! ' tartly faid the Snake ; < fo let it be !' " They journeyed on, till, coming to a pond, Strongnib, the Raven, with his Son they found ; His name was Little Beakey. Thefe the Snake Begged the arbitrement to undertake. The Raven heard the cafe with thoughtful care, And, hoping to himfelf might fall a mare, Straight gave his judgment that the Man be eaten.

• Now,' cried the Snake triumphant/ I have beaten;

' My honeft purpofe mall no more be croft.'

' Nay/ faid the Man, ' I have not fairly loft. 6 How fhall a Thief on life and death decide ?

• Or fuch a cafe by one fole Judge be tried ?

' I ftand upon my Right and fhall appeal ;

< A Court of four or ten I fafe might feel/

• Come on then/ faid the Snake ; and off they fet;

Ere long with both the Wolf and Bear they met. The poor Man now was feized with mortal terror; Sure five fuch Judges never fat in error;

A Bear, a Wolf, two Ravens and a Snake ; Well might th j Appellant for his fafety quake. The hungry Court were foon unanimous ;

220 REYNARD THE FOX.

And the grim Wolf delivered judgment thus ; ' The Snake beyond all doubt the Man might kill, ' Yet keep her confcience quite unburdened ftill ; ' 'Twas plain no law neceffity could know, ' And hunger would releafe from any vow.'

" Anxious enough the Man was, for the five Had plain made up their minds he fhould not live. Then darting forth her forked and poif 'nous tongue Again the Snake upon the Traveller fprung. He leapt afide with prompt dexterity, Crying, < Who gave thee power over me ?' ' Twice thou thyfelf haft heard it ; ' me replied ; ' Twice has the judgment been upon my fide.' Then faid the Man, ( Judges yourfelves ye call !

• Robbers and Murd'rers are ye, one and all !

• You and your judgment I repudiate;

• King Noble only (hall decide my fate ;

• To him do I appeal ; to his decree

• Will I fubmit, though adverfe it fhould be.'

" Thenfaid the Wolf and Bear with jeering grin, ' You'd better try; the Snake is fure to win.' They thought no doubt that the aflembled Peers Wouldcounfel You, Sire, juft like Wolvesand Bears.

THE ADVOCACY. 221

Five prefled againft poor One, his life to take ;

The Wolf, the Bear, the Ravens and the Snake.

The Wolf indeed put in a triple claim;

His Sons, Thinpaunch and Greedyguts by name,

Each hoped to have a mare of the poor Man ;

A terrible disturbance thefe began ;

Howling and clamoring in fuch a fort,

That both were promptly ordered out of Court.

" Humbly imploring juftice of your Grace, Then did the Man begin to ftate his cafe ; The Snake now wifhed to kill him, heedlefs both Of all his kindnefs, and her folemn oath. Thefadls the Snake knew could not be denied, hence She pleaded in confeffion and avoidance ; Th' almighty pow'r of hunger was the caufe, Which owns no matter and obeys no laws.'

" Sore puzzled were You, Sire, how to decide ; Solution it appeared the cafe defied ; Hard to condemn the honeft Man it feemed ; And hard to bear {harp hunger's tooth, You deemed. Your Council then You fummoned to Your aid, Who only more involved the queftion made ; Moft part gave judgment that the Man mould die,

222 REYNARD THE FOX.

But gave their reafons too, unluckily ;

And thefe fo bad and inconfiftent were,

The more they gave, the more they 'broiled th'

affair.

For Reynard, as a laft refource, You fent ; He came and heard afrefh the argument ; You the decifion left to him alone, And faid as he adjudged it fhould be done.

" Then Reynard faid, ' Ere I decide the cafe,

• 'Tis needful I fhould go and view the place ;

' And fee the very way the Snake was bound, ' When by the Traveller me firft was found.' So to the fpot they fallied, and when there, -j The Snake again was fattened in the fnare ; Thus matters flood exactly as they were. J

" Then Reynard gave his judgment : ' Things

are now ' Juft as before the caufe arofe below ;

• And neither Party can of triumph boaft,

6 For neither now has won, and neither loft ; ' And as the circumftances now appear, ' The juftice of the cafe to me feems clear : ' If the Man pleafe to do fo, from the noofe

THE ADVOCACY. 223

Met at that time with general applaufe, From You, my Liege, and all who knew the laws,

' The Snake, upon her oath, he may let loofe ; ' If not, then he can let her hang there ftill,

• And go about his bufnefs if he will.

' Such are my views : if better here there be,

• Impart them ; or, if not, ufe thefe with me.'

" Reynard's decifion of this weighty caufe )

j

The Man vowed better it could not have been ; It even gained th' approval of the Queen.

" 'Twas on all hands agreed that fitter far Bruin and If'grim were to ferve in war ; For they were known and feared in ev'ry fpot, And gladly went where plunder might be got. Strong are they, big and bold ; that none denies, Yet are their words more bold and big than wife ; And too much of their ftrength albne they brag, While in the field behind they often lag. At home the Braveft of the Brave are they ; At home too always they prefer to flay. In footh the Bears and Wolves eat up the land ; 'Gainft their united force there's nought can fland. What matters it to them whofe houfe may burn ?

224 REYNARD THE FOX.

To warm them by the flames will ferve their turn. What matters it to them who pine or ftarve ? While their own meals they take good care to carve. They gulp the yolk, and leave the {hell, and fwear That the partition is moft juft and fair. Reynard the Fox though, on the other hand, The rules of juftice well doth underftand ; And if fome evil he perchance have done, Remember, Sire, he is not made of ftone. A wifer Counfellor You ne'er (hall meet ; Hence am I bold his pardon to entreat."

And the King faid ; " I muft awhile refledl. The judgment I diftinftly recollect ; Juftice was done unto the Snake, 'tis plain : Yet ftill a Rogue is Reynard in the main. Who trufts him is deceived beyond all doubt ; No bonds fo tight but he will riggle out. The Wolf, the Bear, the Cat before ; and now Hath he aflailed the Rabbit and the Crow ; One of an eye, another of an ear, A third of life itfelf he fpoils, you hear ; And yet, though why I cannot comprehend, You feek the odious Monfter to defend."

THE ADVOCACY. 225

" Ah! Sire, I cannot from myfelf conceal The fervice he hath done the Commonweal ; " Thus the Ape anfwered ; " nor will you deny How num'rous are his Friends and Family."

Then rofe the King of Beafts and iffued ftraight To where th' afTembled Court his coming wait. Round that vaft circle as he cafts his eyes, A hoft of Reynard's Relatives he fpies ; To vindicate their Kinfman's caufe they came, And in fuch numbers they were hard to name ; They ranged together clofe : on th' other fide i The num'rous Foes of Reynard he defcried ; [ The Court they feemed between them to divide. J

And thus began the Monarch ; " Reynard, hear; Thyfelf from this one crime how canft thou clear ? By thee, with Bellyn's help, the Hare is dead ; As a defpatch thou fend'ft Me back his head. 'Twas done to mock My pow'r, that well I know ; But Bellyn has atoned, and fo mufl thou."

" Woe's me ! would I were dead !" the Fox

replied ;

" But as You find the truth, Sire, fo decide. If I am guilty, let me die, and fhame

G G

226 REYNARD THE FOX.

Fall as a heritage upon my name.

Bellyn, the Traitor vile, hath filched from me

The rareft Treafure eye did ever fee.

To him and Pufs 'twas giv'n ; and fure I am,

That Pufs was robbed and murdered by the Ram.

Oh ! could it but be found ; though much I fear

It never more to daylight will appear."

" Nay," faid the fly She-ape, " why thus de-

fpond ?

If 'tis on earth it furely may be found. Early and late we'll feek and never tire ; Of Priefts, as well as Laymen, we'll inquire. But, that our labor may not be in vain, What were the Jewels like 'twere beft explain." " Ah, well-a-day !" faid Reynard ; " but they

were

Such wond'rous coftly things, fo rich and rare ! To get them back I have but little hope ; None but an Idiot e'er would give them up. How will it vex poor Ermelyne, my wife ; I fear fhe'll not forgive me all her life. For, doubting Bellyn, if not Puffy too, She begged me not to let the Treafures go.

THE ADVOCACY. 227

" I would commence the fearch this very day ; But thefe falfe charges force me here to flay ; I'm bound in honor to defend my Right, By the bold ordeal of judicial fight. If I fucceed, as fure fucceed I muft, Since I am innocent and Heav'n is juft, - Unfought I will not leave one fpot of ground, But thefe loft Jewels (hall again be found."

REYNARD THE FOX

CHAPTER THE TENTH

r

THE SECOND PARDON

CHAPTER THE TENTH.

Y Liege!" thus ran the Fox's crafty

fpeech ;

" Before my Friends a hearing I be- feech ;

What Treafures let them learn for You were fent ; For though 'twas foiled, yet good was mine intent ; On me the blame falls not, but on the Thief." " Say on ; " the Monarch anfwered, " but bebrief." " Honor and Faith, alas ! from earth have fled!" With well-diflembled grief then Reynard faid : " The firft of thefe choice Jewels was a Ring ; Defigned a fpecial prefent for my King. Of fineft, pureft gold this Ring was caft; Yet was the fubftance by the work furpafs'd ; E'en the Crown Jewels 'twould not have difgrac'd. On th' inner fide, that next the finger worn, Engraven letters did the hoop adorn ;

232 REYNARD THE FOX.

Three Hebrew words of meaning ftrange they were;

Few in this land could read the character.

To Matter Abryon of Triers alone,

The meaning of thofe myftic words was known :

He is a wife and very learned Jew,

Skilled in all tongues 'twixt Luen'burg and Poitou ;

With ftones and herbs is he acquainted well ;

Knows of what ufe each one is capable.

He faid, when unto him I mewed the Ring;

' Concealed here lies full many a curious thing ;

• Thefe three engraven names, from Paradife

' Were brought of yore bySeth,the Good and Wife; ' When he, of coming Ills to Man fore-taught, ' In Eden's bow'rs the Oil of Mercy fought. e Who on his finger wears this Ring (hall be

• From ev'ry rifk and peril always free ;

• Lightning nor thunder-bolt nor magic charm

' Shall potent be to work him woe or harm.' And furthermore the cunning Matter faid, Whofe finger bore that Ring, fo he had read, Should never freeze in winter's direft cold, And calmly live in years and honors old.

" On th' outer fide was fet a precious Stone,

THE SECOND PARDON. 233

A brilliant Carbuncle by night that flione, And, with its clear and phoiphorefcent ray, All things difcovered, plain as it were day. Great pow'rs too had this Stone the Sick to heal ; Whofo but touched it free from crime mould feel ; Nor grief nor trouble could his mind difturb ; The pow'r of Death alone it could not curb. And the fage Mafler unto me made known The further virtues of this wond'rous Stone ; As thus ; the proud PoflefTor of the Gem Both fire and water may alike contemn ; Safe from the power of each Enemy, Betrayed or captured can he never be. If fading, on the Stone he gaze, fourfcore Of Foes fhall he o'ercome in fight, and more. The virtues of that Jewel can reduce The ftrength of poifon and each deadly juice. Hate it at once will quell ; nay, e'en will often The hearts of thofe you have befriended foften.

" But who could count this Jewel's virtues o'er ? I found it haply 'mong my Father's ftore ; And kept it ever facred for my King: Myfelf I knew unworthy fuch a Ring.

H H

234 REYNARD THE FOX.

Of right it appertained to him alone, Whofe virtues fhed a luftre on his Throne ; On whom depend our hopes and welfare ftill, Whofe life I've ever guarded, ever will.

" I trufted alfo, lucklefs that I am ! A Comb and Mirror to that treach'rous Ram. I hoped that they accepted might have been, As a memorial, by my gracious Queen. They were, in footh, moft precious works of art, And form'd too of my Father's hoard a part. Coveted were they greatly by my Wife, And caufed, alas ! between us, frequent ftrife ; She fairly longed for them, me ufed to fay ; But yet I ne'er a fingle inch gave way.

" Both Comb and Mirror I, with beft intent, Unto my gracious Lady freely fent. A Benefadtrefs kind in Her I fee ; From Evil hath me ever fhielded me ; When fland'rous charges 'gainft me were preferr'd, She oft hath interpofed a friendly word. Royal She is by qualities and birth ; And both by words and works She proves her worth. None fo deferved thofe Treafures as my Queen ;

THE SECOND PARDON. 235

And yet their beauty hath She never feen ; And ah ! that I fhould fay fo never will ! To find them now, I fear, is paft all fkill.

" Firft of the Comb to fpeak. To fafhion that, The Artift took bones of the Civet-cat ; Thatwond'rous Beaft that lives on flow'rs andfpice, And dwells 'twixt India's fhores and Paradife. Dyed is his fkin with tints of various hues ; And fweeteft odors round doth he diffufe ; Hence do all other Beafts his footfteps trace, And follow him about from place to place ; For they all feel and know, his very fmell Is certain to preferve them found and well. 'Twas of fuch bone this precious Comb was made; His rareft ikill the Artift had difplayed ; It equalled polifhed filver in its brightnefs, And e'en furpafled it in its luftrous whitenefs ; Its fcent excelled cloves, pinks and cinnamon ; For the Beaft's odor lives in ev'ry bone ; Corruption may his flefhly frame aflail, But o'er his fkeleton can nought prevail ; This never knows decay or gives offence, But keeps away all plague and peftilence.

236 REYNARD THE FOX.

" Upon the Comb's broad back one might behold A large blue Stone engrained with threads of gold ; Where flood in figures, carved in high relief, The tale of Paris, the young Trojan Chief; Who one day, fitting by a river's ftrand, Three Godlike Women faw before him ftand ; Juno, Minerva, Venus, were they named ; Each for herfelf had long an Apple claimed ; Though once 'twas common to them all indeed; To end this ftrife, at length they thus agreed ; Paris the golden Apple fhould decree To her he judged the Faireft of the Three, And hers alone it evermore fhould be. All Three the Youth with curious eye furveyed ; ' Let me be faireft held,' thus Juno faid ; ' Let but the Apple be decreed as mine ; ' And riches infinite henceforth are thine.' Minerva then ; ' The prize on me beftow, 1 < And mighty fhalt thou be on earth below ;

' Dreadful thy name alike to Friend and Foe.' Laft, Venus ; ' Why to Wealth or Might afpire ? ' Is not King Priamus of Troy thy Sire ?

• Are not thy Brethren, Hedtor and the reft,

THE SECOND PARDON. 237

' Supreme in wealth and pow'r by All confeft ?

' And while their arms ftill fhelter Troy, your fway

' Does not this land, and foreign realms obey ?

' If Beauty's Prize thou unto me award,

' Thine the beft treafure Earth can e'er afford :

• That treafure is a Woman paft compare,

' Noble and prudent, virtuous and fair :

' Give me the Apple ; Greece's peerlefs Queen

< Thou fhalt pofTefs ; Helen the famed, I mean.'

To her the Apple then awarded he,

Adjudging her the Fairefl of the Three.

He by her friendly aid that Lady gay,

The Spoufe of Menelaus, ftole away ;

And long did her fweet fellowfhip enjoy,

Secure within the facred walls of Troy.

" Carved was this ftory on a middle field ; Round which, with graven words, flood many a

fhield ;

That whofo took the Comb up in his hand, The fable there might read and underftand.

" Next of the Mirror hear. In lieu of glafs, A clear and beauteous Berylflone there was ; All things were fhewn therein, though miles away;

238 REYNARD THE FOX.

And that, by night as plainly as by day. Whofo upon his face or fpeck or fpot, Or in his eye perchance a cock had got, Let him but gaze upon that Mirror clear, And ev'ry blemifh ftraight fhould difappear. Who would not, having fuch a treafure boaft ? Who would not grieve for fuch a treafure loft ?

" Out of a coftly wood was made the frame, Clofe-grained and mining ; Shittim is its name ; No worm can pierce it ; and men juftly hold, 'Tis more than equal to its weight in gold. The neareft that comes to it in degree, For its rare qualities, is Ebony. 'Twas of this wood, fo mining and clofe-grained, In days of yore, when King Crompardes reigned, A cunning Artift framed a wond'rous Steed, Of mighty powers and unrivalled fpeed ; His Rider in a fhort hour's fpace he bore, With greateft eafe, one hundred miles, or more. I know not all the fafts ; but any how A Steed like that you cannot meet with now.

" The Mirror's border, for a good foot wide, With exquifite carved work was beautified ;

THE SECOND PARDON. 239

And 'neath each fubject an infcription flood, In golden letters, which its meaning fhew'd.

Briefly of each of thefe will I difcourfe : Firft came the ftory of the envious Horfe ; Who, racing for a wager with a Stag, Was greatly vexed fo far behind to lag. A Shepherd, on the plain, he thus addrefs'd ; ' I'll make thee wealthy, do but my beheft. ' A Stag has hid himfelf in yonder brake ;

• I'll carry thee ; mount boldly on my back ;

' Him thou fhalt flay, and flefh and horns and fell ' In the next market town canft dearly fell.

• Mount on my back at once ; we'll give him chafe.'

• I'll venture,' faid the Swain, * in any cafe ;

' No harm can come of the experiment.' So up he mounted, and away they went. The Stag they faw a little way ahead ; They followed faft, and faft away he fled, Till the earth trembled under their thundering

tread.

Long the Chafe lafted ; but the nimble Hart Of his Purfuers had, and kept the ftart ; Until at length, relaxing in his fpeed,

240 REYNARD THE FOX.

Thus fpake, panting, the over-wearied Steed ;

' Prithee difmount, for I am quite diftreft ;

' Heavy thou art, and I have need of reft.'

• No, by my foul !' the Shepherd Man replied ;

' It was thyfelf invited me to ride ;

c I've got thee and I'll keep thee in my pow'r.'

And Man's Slave hasthe Horfe beenfince that hour.

Thus Evils, which for Others had been fped,

Will oft rebound on the Projector's head.

" Now further hear, while I with truth allege What next was carved around the Mirror's edge : How once upon a time it came to pafs, A rich Man owned a Spaniel and an Afs ; The Dog was never known to bark or bite, And was defervedly a Favorite ; At table by his Mafter's fide he fate, Fifh, flefh and fowl together with him ate ; Or refted in his lap, and there was fed With dainty morfels of beft wheaten bread. The Spaniel then, who was a Hound of grace, Would wag his tail, and lick his Mafter's face. Now Neddy, when he faw the Dog's good luck With envy and aftonimment was ftruck ;

THE SECOND PARDON. 241

' With my Lord's taftes,' faid he, * how can it fuit

' To be fo partial to that lazy Brute ?

' Up in his lap it jumps, and licks his beard,

• As though by fuch ftrange antics 'twere endear'd;

• While I muft toil and travail, in and out,

' Fetch faggots home, and carry facks about. ' I wifh my Lord would think the matter o'er,

• And take a dozen Dogs, or e'en a fcore ;

' I'd wager, in a year they'd not get through

• One half the work that in a month I do.

' While with the beft his Dogfhip fills his maw ; ' Half ftarved am I, or only fluffed with ftraw. < On the hard earth my couch has ever been ;

• And jeered and mocked am I, wherever feen.

• I can and will this life no longer bear ;

' In my Lord's favors I will have my mare.' Juft as he fpoke, his Matter chanced to pafs ; His game at once begins that ftupid Afs ; Cocks up his bended tail, lays back his ears, And o'er his frighted Lord curvetting rears ; Brays long and loudly, while his beard he licks And drives to imitate the Spaniel's tricks, Careffing him with hard and lufty kicks.

i i

242 REYNARD THE FOX.

His terror-ftricken Mafter fprang afide ;

' Oh ! take this horrid Afs away !' he cried ;

' Kill him at once !' His Servants run in hafte ;

With fhowers of bio ws poor Neddy's fides they bafte ;

Then in his ftable lock him up again :

And thus the Afs he was he doth remain.

" How many are there of this felf-fame brood, Who, envying Others, do themfelves no good. Set thefe in place or pow'r, and juft as foon Might you feed Porkers with a filver fpoon. Let the Afs ftill his burdens duly bear ; Of ftraw and thirties make his bed and fare : Treat him in any other way you will, The Brute retains his former habits ftill ; And, taking human nature for his guide, Seeks his own ends, and cares for nought befide.

" Further will I this narrative purfue ; If thefe long tales, Sire, do not weary You. Around the Mirror's border next was placed, Carved in relief with proper legends graced, The ftory how Sir Tybalt, heretofore, Eternal friendfhip with my Father fwore : Each vowed to Each to prove a firm Ally,

THE SECOND PARDON. 243

And common danger jointly to defy. Traveling along one day they chanced to hear A cry of Hounds and Huntfmen in their rear. ' Hark to thofe founds/ cried Tybalt; ' good advice f Were worth, at fuch a moment, any price.' The old one faid, * Your terrors, prithee, lull ;

• Of wiles and mifts I have a budget full.

• Let's ftick together, nor forget our oath ;

• And they (hall Neither of us have, or Both.'

(He faid this merely Tybalt to confole ;

He had no mifts or wiles, good fimple Soul !) ' Bother the oath ! ' replied the treacherous Cat ; ' Methinks I know a trick worth two of that.' Into a tree, as faft as he could tear, He climbed, and left his Uncle planted there. The poor Soul flood awhile in anxious doubt ; While near and nearer came that Hunter rout. Then faid the Cat; ' Uncle, as you don't climb,

• You'd better ope your budget ; now's the time !'

Juft then the Beagles caught my Sire in view ; The Huntfmen fhouted, and their horns they blew ; Off ran my Father ; after him the Hounds ; Amid a perfed: Babel of mad founds ;

244 REYNARD THE FOX.

Barking and bellowing and bugle-blowing,

Enough to fet the very Devil going.

My Father fwate again for very fright,

His fewmets caft, and made himfelf more light ;

And fo at length he 'fcaped his Foes by flight.

Thus by his beft of Friends was he betray'd,

By him to whom he trufted moft for aid.

His life was perilled, for thofe Dogs were fwift ;

The hole he fled to was his only fliift ;

And had he not remembered that in time,

His Foes would foon have made fliort work of him.

" Would of fuchfcurvy Scum the world were rid, Who treat their Friends as fubtle Tybalt did. How can I love or honor fuch a Knave, Who's finned the more, the more I pardoned have ? All this was figured round the Mirror's frame, With legends fit to mark the moral aim.

" Upon the next compartment might be view'd A fpecimen of lupine gratitude. The Wolf had found a Horfe's (keleton, For little was there left of it but bone ; He gnawed voracious and, by evil luck, A pointed fragment in his gullet fluck ;

THE SECOND PARDON. 245

His fufferings were terrible to fee,

He was as nearly choked as Wolf could be.

He fent forth Meffenger on Meffenger

To call the Doctors in, from far and near ;

But though he promifed they fhould well be paid,

Not one could render him the flighteft aid.

At length appeared the learned Dodlor Crane,

With crimfon bonnet and gold-pommelled cane.

• Oh! help me, Dodlor!' cries the Invalid;

' Oh ! help me, I befeech you, and with fpeed ; ' But from my throat take out this curfed bone,

• And any fee you name fhall be your own/

The Crane of his profeffions felt no doubt ; He ftuck his long bill down the Wolf's huge

throat,

And in a jiffey pulled the fharp bone out. 'Zounds!' howled the Wolf; < you give me mon-

ftrous pain !

' Take care you never hurt me fo again ! c I pardon you ; had it Another been, ' I might not have Ib patient proved, I ween.' ' The bone's extracted ;' faid the cautious Crane ; ' You're cured ; fo never mind a little pain.

246 REYNARD THE FOX.

' As other Patients are expecting me,

( I'll go, if you'll oblige me with my fee/

< Hark to the Simpleton!' the rude Wolf faid;

' He's hurt me, and yet wifhes to be paid.

• 'Twould feem the ftupid Idiot cannot know

• How much to my forbearance he doth owe.

' His bill and head, which both were in my maw, ' Unharmed have I allowed him to withdraw : ' Methinks that I (hould afk for the reward ! ' 'Tis thus the Strong all juftice difregard.

" Thefe tales, and others of a kindred tafte, In high relief artiftically chaf 'd, With legends graved in characters of gold, Around the Mirror's frame one might behold. Too good for me fo rare a work had been, For I am all too humble, all too mean ; Therefore I fent it for my gracious Queen. To her and You, my Liege, I hoped 'twould prove A token of my loyalty and love. Much did my Children, little Dears, lament, When from their home away the Glafs was fent. Before it, they were wont, the livelong day, To flap about and dance and frifk and play,

THE SECOND PARDON. 247

And laugh, in childifh innocence of mind, To fee their long thick bruflies trail behind. Ah ! little did I then anticipate The Ram's foul treafon or the Hare's fad fate ! I thought they both were Beafts of honeft worth, And the two deareft Friends I had on earth. Accurfed the Murd'rer's mem'ry I denounce ! All hope though will I not as yet renounce ; Where'er the Treafures are, I make no doubt To find them ftill ; like Murder, Theft will out. Much I fufpecl: that Some there prefent are, Who know the truth about the whole affair ; Both what befell the Jewels and the Hare.

" Full well I know, my Liege, what weighty

things

Muft daily occupy the minds of Kings. It does not ftand with reafon to expect, Each trifling matter You fhould recoiled:. Then let me that moft wonderful of cures Recall, which once my Sire performed for Yours.

" Sick lay the King and dangeroufly ill ; He muft have died, but for my Father's {kill. Who fay then, Sire, that neither he nor I

248 REYNARD THE FOX.

Have e'er done fervice to Your Majefty, Not only fpeak the thing that is not true, But utter a grofs calumny on You.

" Forgive me, Sir, nor deem my tongue too bold. With Your good leave that tale I will unfold. My Sire was known, as far as Fame could reach, To be a learned and a fkilful Leech. All diagnoftics of difeafe he knew, Judged by a Patient's pulfe, and water too ; Could heal an injury in any part, And aided Nature with his wondrous Art. Emetics of all kinds he underflood, And what was cool and thinning for the blood. With fkill and fafety could he breathe a vein, And draw a tooth without the flighteft pain. You will not, Sire, remember this the leaft, For You were then a Suckling at the breaft. 'Twas when drear Winter's pall the earth o'erfpread, Sick lay Your Father and confined to bed ; So fadly weak that he could not ftir out; They were obliged to carry him about. All who could medicine were bade to come, From ev'ry fpot between this Court and Rome.

THE SECOND PARDON. 249

Not One of them encouraged any hope ; But All, without exception, gave him up. Then my poor Father they called in at laft, Though not till ev'ry chance of cure feemed paft. He felt the Monarch's pulfe, and fhook his head ; ' May the King live for ever !' then he faid ;

• Though much I fear he hath not long to live :

' To fave his life, mine own I'd gladly give.

' The contents of yon vafe let me infpeft, ' To fee what mifchief I may there detect.' ' Do as he bids ;' the King faid to the Nurfe ; ' Do what you will; I'm getting worfe and worfe.'

" Upon the Mirror's rim was fair engraved The mode in which Your Sire by mine was faved. The contents of the veflel they had brought My Sire examined, with reflective thought ; Then faid ; ' To fave Your health is but one way ; ' And that will not admit the leaft delay : ' Your life is gone, unlefs, within the hour, ' The liver of a Wolf you fhall devour ; ' He muft too, at the leaft, be fev'n years old ; ' And you muft eat it, Sire, ere it be cold.

• All fcruples on the point muft be withftood ;

K K

250 REYNARD THE FOX.

' The water here is thick and red as blood.' It chanced the Wolf was ftanding near the bed, And with difguft heard all my Father faid. To him with feeble voice the Monarch fpake ; ' You hear, Sir Wolf, the phyfic I muft take.

• Quick, then, about it ! to effect my cure,

' You will not grudge your liver, I am fure.' < Of no ufe mine would be;* the Wolf replied, ' I am but five years old next Lammas-tide.' ' Nonfenfe !' my Father cried ; ' we foon mall fee ; ' For we muft lay you open inftantly.' Off to the kitchen then the Wolf was brought; And out they cut his liver, quick as thought. 'Twas difhed up fmoking on a filver plate, And by Your Royal Father eaten ftraight. From that fame hour he was quite cured and well Reftored to health as by a miracle. What gratitude the King, Your Father, mewed ; The ftyle of Dodtor He on mine beftowed : At Court none dared this title to neglect, Or treat him with the flighteft difrefpect. Before th' affembled Peers he wore a cap Of crimfon velvet, with a golden fnap;

THE SECOND PARDON. 25

His place was ever at the King's right hand, And honored was by All throughout the land.

" Of his poor Son how different is the lot! The Father's virtues now are all forgot. The greedieft Rogues are now advanced to pow'r, Who only feek for what they may devour. Int'reft and Gain are thought of now alone, And Right and Juftice but by name are known. Great Lords are thofe, who Servants were before, And without mercy grind the fufPring Poor : Blindly they ftrike their former Mates among, Nor heed the leaft the ranks from whence they

fprung.

Their own advantage their fole end and aim, They ftill contrive to win, whate'er the game. 'Tis fuch as thefe that on the Wealthy fix, Their flatt'ry choking All on whom it flicks : No man's petition will they ever heed, If not by coftly gifts accompanied : By rapine and extortion ftill they live, And, like the Horfe-leech, ever cry, < Give! give!'

" Such greedy Wolves as thefe, the choice tit-bits Would always keep, as their own perquifites :

252 REYNARD THE FOX.

When a prompt facrifice their King might fave, Time for reflection they will ever crave. You fee how, in this cafe, the Wolf preferred To fave his liver, rather than his Lord ; And what a liver too ! The felfifh Brute ! For I without referve will fpeak my thought. In ought that danger to the King involves, What fignifies the death of twenty Wolves ? Nay, without lofs, the whole Tribe might be flain, So but the King and Queen their lives retain. None feek pure water from a puddled fource, Or from a Sow's ear make a filken purfe. No doubt, Sire, You the whole affair forget ; For You were much too young to notice it : I'm fure though of the truth of what I fay, As though it happened only yefterday.

" 'Graved on the Mirror all this ftory flood ; For 'twas my Father's fpecial wifh it fhould. Fair was the work and beauteous to behold, Adorned with jewels, and inlaid with gold. Oh ! for the chance to get that Mirror back, Fortune and life how gladly would I flake ! "

" Reynard !" faid Noble, " I your fpeech have heard,

THE SECOND PARDON. 253

And all your tales and fables, ev'ry word.

Your Father may have been both good and great,

And haply did vaft fervice to the State :

It muft have happened a long time ago ;

I never heard one word of it till now.

But of your evil deeds I learn each day ;

Your fport is death ; fo all My People fay.

If thefe are but old tales, as you declare,

Strange that no good of you e'er meets mine ear."

" Sire!" faid the Fox, " allow me to explain. What You have faid has caufed me deepeft pain. To you no good I e'er have done, You ftate ; But not a word will I retaliate : Forbid it, Heaven ! for full well, I know, To You the fervice of my life I owe.

" Permit me one adventure to repeat, Which I am certain You will not forget. If 'grim and I once chanced a Boar to hunt ; We caught him foon ; good Saints ! how he did

grunt !

You came, and much of hunger You complain'd, And faid Your Spoufe was foil' wing clofe behind : If we would Each give up a little bit,

254 REYNARD THE FOX.

We fhould on Both confer a benefit ;

A portion of our booty we might fpare ;

And If 'grim anfwered, ' Yes ; ' with fuch an air ;

While all the while between his teeth he muttered,

So that one could not hear a word he uttered.

Said I, ' Sire ! have Your wim! I but deplore

• Inftead of one Swine we have not a fcore.

Say, Which of us the booty (hall divide?'

• The Wolf!' You then with dignity replied.

Well pleafedwas If 'grim, and with (hamelefs front, 'Gan to divide, according to his wont.

One quarter, Sire, he placed afide for You ; Another, to Your Royal Spoufe as due ; The other half he claimed as his own fhare, And greedily began the flefh to tear ; My humble part, beiide the ears and fnout, Was half the lungs, and that was all I got ; And all the reft he kept himfelf ; to us In footh he was not over-generous. Your portion foon was gone ; but I perceived Your appetite was by no means relieved. Ifegrim though, juft like a greedy Beaft, Pretended not to fee it in the leaft ;

REYNARD THE FOX

" B~n thenjmrr Royal paws 3ii you Ttprear . And. sunte Irim lieasoly "beliad the ear."

p. 2 5 5.

11863.

THE SECOND PARDON. 255

Continuing ftill to gnaw and champ and chew,

Nor offered, Sire, the fmallefl bit to You.

But then Your Royal paws did You uprear,

And fmite him heavily behind the ear ;

It tore his fkin, and fwift away he fled,

Howling like mad, with bald and bleeding head.

' Thou blund'ring Glutton !' after him You cried,

' I'll teach thee how thy booty to divide :

' Hence! quick! gofetchUsfomethingmoretoeat!'

Then I faid, Sire, You (hould not want for meat;

I'd follow quickly upon If'grim's track,

And I'd be bound, we'd foon bring fomething back.

And You were pleafed to fay, You were content ;

So after Ifegrim with fpeed I went.

He fhewed his wound, and grumbled bitterly ;

But I perfuaded him to hunt with me.

We fell in with a Calf, which we purfued,

And caught him ; 'twas, I knew, Your fav'rite food ;

We brought and laid it at Your Royal feet ;

It was an ofF'ring for a Monarch meet ;

You faw 'twas fat, and to reward our toil,

With gracious condefcenfion deigned to frnile ;

And many a kindly word to me You fpoke,

256 REYNARD THE FOX.

And faid my hunting always brought good luck ; Adding, ' Now, Reynard, you divide the Calf.' I anfwered, ' Sire, to You belongs one half; ' That, with Your leave, I place alide for You ; ' The other to Your Royal Spoufe is due ; ' The entrails, fuch as liver, heart and lungs, ' All this to your dear Children, Sire, belongs :

• I'll take the feet, for thofe I love to gnaw ;

• And with the head the Wolf may cram his maw.'

Then, did You thus addrefs me ; * Where, I pray, ' Learnt you to carve in fuch a courtly way ? '

' Yonder my Teacher ftands, my Liege ; ' I faid ; ' The Greedy Wolf, with bald and bleeding head.

• Had I not learnt, it were indeed a fhame ;

• For, Swine or Calf, the principle's the fame.'

" Thus pain and forrow did the Wolf befall ; And fure his greedinefs deferved it all. Alas ! there are too many of the kind ; To facrifice all elfe to Self inclin'd. Their conftant thoughts all bent in one direction, They grind their Vaffals, calling it ' Protection.' The Poor perchance are ftarved,but what care th< Ah ! wretched is the land that owns their fway

THE SECOND PARDON. 257

Far otherwife, mine honored Liege, You fee, That You have always been efteemed by me ; All that I ever either reap or glean I dedicate to You and to my Queen. Whatever I chance to gain, or great or fmall, You furely have the largeft (hare of all. Think of this ftory of the Calf and Swine; Then judge to whom reward You fliould affign. But ah ! poor Reynard's merits have grown dim ; All favors now are heaped on Ifegrim ! All muft fubmit perforce to his commands ; All tribute pafs through his tenacious hands. But little for Your int'reft doth he care, Not e'en content with half for his own fhare. You heed alone what he and Bruin fay, While Reynard's wifeft words are thrown away. " But now I am accufed and {hall not budge ; I know I ftand before an upright Judge. Let whofo will, bring forth what charge he pleafe, Let him bring forward too his Witnefles ; And pledge, upon the ifliie of the ftrife, As I will do, his wealth, his ears, his life. Such were the law and pradtice heretofore ;

L L

258 REYNARD THE FOX.

To thefe I now appeal, and afk no more."

" Happen what may/ 'then faid the King, "by me

The path of Juftice fliall not ftraitened be.

Though thou art tainted, by Sufpicion's breath,

To have a hand in gentle Pufs's death

My trufty MefTenger ! I loved him well ;

And mourned his lofs, far more than tongue can tell !

How did I grieve when I the Beaver faw

That bleeding head from out thy wallet draw !

His crime the Ram atoned for on the ipot ;

But thou haft leave to fight the matter out. " We pardon Reynard's treafons 'gainft the Crown,

For many fervices which he hath done.

If Any aught againft him have to fay,

Let him ftand forth and prove it as he may ;

Or by fworn WitnefTes, or elfe by fight;

For here ftands Reynard to defend his Right." Then thus the Fox replied ; " My gracious Lord !

My humbleft thanks are all I can afford.

To ev'ry one You freely lend an ear ;

And e'en the Meaneft meet with Juftice here.

Heav'n is my witnefs, with how fad a heart

THE SECOND PARDON. 259

I fuffered Pufs and Bellyn to depart ;

Some ftrange foreboding of their fate had I ;

For oh ! I loved them both right tenderly."

Thus cunningly did Reynard play his game ; Thus artfully his endlefs fables frame. Another triumph thus his wit achieved, For he again by All was quite believed. He fpake with fo much earneftnefs, in footh, It was fcarce poflible to doubt his truth. Some with him even for his lofs condoled ; And thus once more his Sov'reign he cajoled. The ftory of the trinkets pleafed the King ; He longed to have them, Specially the Ring ; He faid to Reynard, " Go, in peace of mind, Go, and feek, far and near, the Loft to find. Do all you can ; more will I not require ; My aid you may obtain, when you defire."

" Thanks, Sire;" faid Reynard, " for this acl:

of Grace ;

Now, in my heart, Defpair to Hope gives place. To punifli Crime, and Falfehood to refute, This is, my Liege, Your nobleft Attribute. Though Darknefs ftill the whole affair enfhrouds,

260 REYNARD THE FOX.

Ere long fhall Light difpel the murky clouds. The queft forthwith, Sire, will I expedite, IncefTantly will travel, day and night ; And when I find the Treafures which I feek, If to retake them I fhould prove too weak, Then will I venture that kind aid to pray, Which You have offered gracioufly this day. Ah ! let me at Your feet but lay them down, Repaid fhall be my toil; my loyal truth made known ' '

The Monarch feemed well pleafed to be deceived, And all the Court as readily believed ; So cleverly the Fox his falfehoods wove, That what he only faid, he feemed to prove. And Reynard's mind was wonderfully eafed, For he was free to wander where he pleafed.

But If 'grim could his wrath no more reftrain ; He gnafhed his teeth and thus began complain ; " My Liege, and can You once more yield belief To this thrice damned Perjurer and Thief? Perceive You not, Sire, that in boafting thus, He but deludeth You and beardeth us ? Truth doth he from his very foul defpife ;

THE SECOND PARDON. 261

And all his wit is fpent in feigning lies. But I'll not let him off fo lightly now ; What a falfe Knave he is I foon fhall fhew ; Him of three grievous crimes I now indidt ; And 'fcape he fhall not, even fhould we fight. He talks of calling Witnefles forfooth ; As though that were the way to get the Truth ! They might fland here and witnefs all the day ; He'd manage to explain their words away ; And there might be no Witneffes at times ; Should therefore all unpunifhed be his crimes ? But who will dare the Culprit to accufe, When he is fure his time and fuit to lofe ; And from that time for ever, wrong or right, Be a marked objed: for the Ruffian's fpite ? E'en You Yourfelf, Sire, by experience know, As well as we, what mifchief he can do. To day I have him fafe ; he cannot flee ; So let him look to't; he fhall anfwer me !"

REYNARD THE FOX

CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH

r

THE DEFIANCE

CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH.

|HUS Ifegrim, the, Wolf, commenced his

plaint ;

Though words would fail his mighty rage to paint ;

" My Liege, this Reynard is a Scoundrel ftill, He ever has been one, and ever will. And there he ftands, and dares my wrath defy, Sland'ring myfelf and all my Family. My black Beaft has he ever been, through life ! What endlefs Evils has he wrought my Wife ! He once contrived the poor Thing to perfuade Into a mill-pond through a bog to wade. He promifed me mould gratify her wifh, And catch that day a multitude of Fifh ; She'd but to flip her tail into the pond, And leave it hanging clofe upon the ground ; Faft would the Fifhes fix ; fhe'd foon take more

M M

266 REYNARD THE FOX.

Than Three befides herfelf could well devour.

Partly fhe waded on, and partly fwam,

Till to the fluice fhe got beneath the dam :

There, where the waters flood moft flill and deep,

Should fhe her tail drop down, and quiet keep.

Tow'rds ev'ning-tide there came a nipping breeze,

And bitterly did it begin to freeze ;

She had not borne it long ; but, in a trice,

Her tail was fairly frozen in the ice.

She thought 'twas owing to the Fifhes' weight

She could not move it, and that all was right.

Reynard perceived her cafe, the Reprobate !

And then but what he did I dare not ftate

He fhall not now efcape me, by mine oath !

That outrage cofts the life of One or Both !

Prate as he will, he'll not impofe on me ;

Nor fhall his lying tongue now fet him free !

I caught him in the very aft, I fay

It was the mereft chance I pafled that way

I heard her cry, the poor deluded One !

Fafl was fhe fixed there, and defence had "none.

I came, and with my own eyes faw a fight

Oh Heav'ns ! why did my heart not break outright ?

THE DEFIANCE. 267

' Reynard ! what art thou doing there ?' I cried ; He heard me, and away the Coward hied. I haftened to the fpot in grief and wrath, Slipping and flith'ring on the glafly path. Ne'er had I greater trouble in my life, Than then, to break the ice and free my Wife. But my beft efforts did not quite avail ; She was obliged, poor Soul ! to tug and hale ; And left behind a fourth part of her tail. Loudly {he howled, and long ; fome Peafants near Her cries of bitter anguifh chanced to hear. They hurried thither, and foon fpied us out, And to each other 'gan to bawl and fhout ; Acrofs the narrow dam in hafte they fwarmed, With fpades and mattocks, pikes and axes armed; The Womankind with fpindles ; how they

fcreamed and ftormed ! ' Catch them and kill them! curfethem!' One and

All

Thus to each other did they loudly call. Such deep alarm I never felt before, Nor my poor Gieremund, till that fad hour. We faved our lives, though with the greateft pain,

268 REYNARD THE FOX.

And had to run till our hides fmoked again. There was one Fellow, curfes on his Soul ! Armed with a long and iron-headed pole, Who, light of foot, kept folPwing in our track, For ever poking at my fides and back. Had not the night approached with friendly gloom, We from that fpot alive had never come. And what a hubbub did the Women keep ! Swearing, the Hags ! we had devoured their Sheep. As they were armed with neither pikes nor prongs, They tried to wound us with their fpiteful tongues. We tow'rds the water took our courfe again, And crept among the fedges in the fen. The Hinds dared not in this purfuit embark, For luckily it now had grown pitch dark ; So they returned, fore difappointed, home ; And thus we juft efcaped our threatened doom.

" You fee, my Liege, how grave was this offence; A mem of treachery and violence. Such crimes Your love of juftice muft condemn ; For None are fafe unlefs You punim them:"

The King heard this complaint with patient ear; Then faid, " Be fure you fhall have juftice here ;

THE DEFIANCE. 269

Her rights are ever facred, come what may : But We will hear what Reynard has to fay.' 1

The Fox replied ; " If true this tale were found, Much to my credit would it not redound ; The charge is grave ; but gracious Heav'n forbid, I e'er fhould act as If 'grim fays I did. All I have, done was at his Wife's own wifh : I don't deny I taught her to take Fifh ; I told her where they would abound, and fhew'd How me might get there by the neareft road.

But foon as ever of the Fifh I fpoke,

g With greedy hafte, away from me me broke ;

Without reflection hurried to the fpot, And all my rules and cautions quite forgot. Then if me happened to get frozen in, From fitting there fo long it mufl have been ; Had fhe but pulled her tail more quickly out, She'd have got Fifh enough, I make no doubt. But Gluttony, a vice to be abhorr'd, Like Virtue, often brings its own reward. The heart that never will be fatisfied Muft needs oft prove a drear and aching void. Whofo the Spirit hath of Greedinefs

270 REYNARD THE FOX.

Will lead a life of trouble and diftrefs ; Him nothing fatisfies : this, Gieremund, When frozen in, by fad experience found.

" And thus it is my trouble is repaid ! Thus am I thanked for all my honeft aid ! I moved and ftrove my beft to fet her free ; But much too heavy for my ftrength was me. While in this charitable adt engaged, Came Ifegrim, and furioufly he raged ; He had, it feems, been prowling round the fhore ; And there he flood, and fiercely curfed and fwore ; I never heard fuch rude and favage tones ; They made my flem quite creep upon my bones ; Once, twice and thrice, at my poor head he hurl'd The wildeft execrations in the world. Thinks I then to myfelf, * It feems to me ' My fafeft courfe at once to fly will be ;

• For it were better fure to run away

' Than to this jealous Madman fall a prey.' And well it was I fled, or, by my faith ! Beyond a doubt I had been torn to death. When two Dogs fight together o'er a bone, The victory can but remain to one.

THE DEFIANCE. 271

I thought it therefore far the fafer courfe To flee his anger and his brutal force. For that he is a Brute he can't deny ; Afk his own Wife ; me knows as well as I ; Afk her, and (he no doubt will anfwer true. With him, the Liar ! what have I to do ?

" When he perceived his Wife in fuch a plight, No doubt he went to help her ; well he might. If by the peafant Rabble they were prefs'd, I guefs it happened really for the beft ; It cannot but have done the She-Wolf good, Have ftirred her finews, and have thawed her blood. 'Tis trulj infamous, upon my life, To hear him now fo fcandalize his Wife. But afk herfelf; think ye, if truth he fpoke, She would not vengeance on my head invoke.

" Meanwhile a week's imparlance will I crave, Means to confult my Friends that I may have ; And fee what anfwer it were beft to frame, To meet the Wolf's abfurd and groundlefs claim."

" Nothing but Rogu'ry," anfwered Gieremund, " In all you fay and do is ever found ; Tricks, treafons, treach'ry, ftratagems and lies,

272 REYNARD THE FOX.

Falfehood, in fhort, in ev'ry fhape and guife. Who trufts your glozing and deceitful tongue, For his credulity will fuffer long. This no one better than myfelf can tell ; Witnefs what happened lately at the well.

" Two buckets there were hanging; youinone Wherefore I knew not had yourfelf let down ; And nohow able to get up again, Of your poiition loudly did complain. At morning to the fpot I chanced repair And afked you what you could be doing there ; You anfwered, ' Coufin dear, come down here too;

• There's no good luck I would not fhare with you.

' Get in the bucket and defcend with fpeed ; ' Of Fifli I promife you a glorious feed/

" It was fome Demon led me, fure, that way, And made me credit what you pleafed to fay ; I to your oaths fhould ne'er have trufted more ; Well do I recollect what oaths you fwore : Not only that of Fifli you'd had your fill, But you had even ate till you were ill. My fympathy my judgment over-ruled ; Afs that I was to let myfelf be fooled !

REYNARD THE POX

"Here ire go up and cLoTOi.' ' you answered thus; 'So goes at in the world, and so -with, us"

THE DEFIANCE. 273

" Into the bucket did I thoughtlefs get ; "j And down it went ; the other mounting ftraight; J> And we about midway together met. J

Aftonifhed and alarmed, I called to you ;

• In Heaven's name, where am I going ta?'

' Here we go up and down !' you anfwered thus ;

• So goes it in the world, and fo with .us.

• Nor let it be a fubjecT: of furprife ;

By our own merits we muft fall or rife.' Safe mounted, on the edge you lightly ftepp'd Out of your bucket, and away you leapt; While at the bottom of the well I lay, In fad diftrefs of mind, the livelong day-,- And fuffered endlefs blows before I got away. " Some Boors came to the well at eventide,

,* . . f . T r ^ * ^ ?%

Nor was it long before poor Me they fpied;

Piteous indeed was my unhappy ftate,

As, cold and wet and hungry, there I fate.

Then to each other faid the Boors ; ' Hallo !

' See ! in yon bucket fits our ancient Foe !

' The Thief, from whom we nothing fafe can keep;

e Who eats our Kidlings and devours our Sheep ! '

• Juft pull him up!' faid One; I'll wait for him ;

N N

274 REYNARD THE FOX.

' And he fhall catch it, when he reach the brim.'

• He for our Sheep fhall pay !' Another faid :

I think the debts of all my Tribe I paid. Blows upon blows fell on me, thick and faft ; A fadder hour than that I never paft ; I deemed each moment muft have been my laft/

Then Reynard anfwered ; " If you but reflect, Thofe blows, you'll own, had all a good effect. For mine own part, I honeftly admit They'd not have fuited with my tafte a bit ; And as the matter flood, you fee quite well, For Both to 'fcape had not been poffible. To cenfure me is anything but juft : In fuch a cafe you'll ne'er Another trufl : A leflbn for the future let it be ; The World you know is full of roguery."

" Now," faid the Wolf, " what need of further

proof?

From this vile Traitor have I borne enough. Of yet another outrage I complain ; The marks whereof I even ftill retain. Through him I got into the worft of fcrapes, In Saxony, among a brood of Apes.

THE DEFIANCE. 275

Induced by him I went into the lair ;

He knew what mifchief I fhould meet with there.

Had I not fled with timely hafte away,

Both eyes and ears I fhould have loft that day.

But with his lying tongue he told me firft

Ah ! be that lying tongue for ever curft !

That I fhould find his Lady Aunt within ;

Dame Ruckenaw I fancied he muft mean.

Of me he wifhed, I doubt not, to be rid,

And grieved I got away, e'en as I did.

He fent me down, the fly and juggling Elf!

Into that horrid neft ; I thought 'twas Hell itfelf."

Reynard replied before th' aflembled Lords, Malicious meaning lurking in his words ; " To pity Ifegrim I'm half inclin'd ; I doubt if he is in his perfedt mind. If this adventure he defire to tell, To ftate it truly would be juft as well.

" About three years ago, to Saxony, With a vaft ftore of booty, travelled he ; I followed ; fo far truth I recognize In what he ftates ; the reft's a pack of lies. And thofe whofe cruelty he now bemoans,

276 REYNARD THE FOX.

They were not Apes at all, but juft Baboons.

With them no kinfhip have I ever claimed ;

Of fuch alliance I fhould feel afhamed.

Martin the Ape, and Ruckenaw his Spoufe,

They are my Kin, as Ev'rybody knows ;

I honor him as Uncle, her as Aunt ;

Of their affinity I well may vaunt:

He is a Notary, well verfed in law,

Can fign his name, and protefts deftly draw.

In what of thofe vile Creatures If 'grim fpoke,

Your fcorn at my expenfe he would provoke.

Relationfhip with them I quite repel ;

For they are like the very Fiends of Hell.

If I then called the old Hag < Aunt/ 'twas done

For prudent reafons to myfelf beft known :

I nothing loft thereby, I fairly own.

Her honored Gueft, I fumptuoufly fared ;

Or elfe fhe might have choked, for aught I cared.

" You fee, my Lords, Sir Ifegrim and I Left the high-road and pafled a mountain by. A cavern in the rear we chanced to mark,.. Deep it appeared, and long, and wondrous dark. My Friend complained, as ufual, of a finking ;

THE DEFIANCE. 277

He's got a Wolf infide him, to my thinking ; For let him eat as much as e'er he will, Who ever heard him own he'd had his fill ? I faid to him ; ' The Inmates of this cave ' Will certainly good ftore of victuals have ;

• I make no doubt they'll let us have a fhare ;

' Moft feafonable is our coming here.'

But Ifegrim replied, ' Go in and fee ;

< I'll wait for you meanwhile beneath this tree.

' Your focial talents no one can deny ;

• You make Acquaintance eafier far than I.

' Go in, good Coz ; I'm fure you'll be fo good ' To call me, if you meet with any food.' He wanted me to face the danger firft ; It being more, the Daftard ! than he durft.

" I entered ; nor without a fhudd'ring dread Did I the long and finuous paflage thread ; And what I faw oh ! not for worlds of gold, Would I again that awful fight behold ! A neft of ugly Monfters, great and fmall, And their Dam with them, uglieft of them all. With long black teeth briflled her frightful jaws, Her hands and feet with long and crooked claws,

278 REYNARD THE FOX.

A long and hairy tail behind fhe bore ; Such a grim Wretch I never faw before ! Her fwart, gaunt Children had the ftrangeft fhapes, And looked, for all the world, like goblin Apes. She gazed upon me with an evil eye ; ' Would I were fafe out of this houfe!' thought I. Than Ifegrim fhe was a bigger Beafl ; Some of her Young too were as big, at leaft. This horrible and hideous Brood I found Bedded on rotten hay on the dank ground, With filth all flobbered o'er. There oozed a fmell On ev'ry fide them, as from pitch of Hell. The honeft truth to fpeak, for I'll not lie, I felt fmall pleafure in their company ; They were fo many, and alone was I. With mine own bofom then I counfel fought, How from this curfed place I might get out. I greeted them with many a friendly word ; Although fuch a deceit my foul abhorr'd ; But thought it juft as prudent to be civil ; E'en as I would be to the very Devil. I called the old One, ' Aunt ;' the young ones, ' Coufins,'

THE DEFIANCE. 279

And gave them tender epithets by dozens.

< May gracious Heaven grant you lengthened days ! ' Thus I began ; ' and profper all your ways !

• Are thefe your Children ? But I need not afk ;

' Their likenefs it were difficult to mafk.

' I vow my very foul with joy it cheers,

< To fee them look fo well, the little Dears !

• So frefh and nice do you contrive to make 'em,

' Strangers might for the Royal Children take 'em.

• And grateful am I, as I ought to be,

' That you mould thus augment our Family, ' And graft fuch worthy fcions on our tree.

• Who has fuch Kinsfolk is moft bleft indeed ;

' For they may aid him in the hour of need.' As thus lip-honor forth to her I dealt,

Far different, in truth, from what I felt, She, on her fide, of me made much ado ; Was very civil ; called me, ' Nephew,' too ; Although the old Fool knew, as well as I, She bore no kinfhip to my Family. I thought, to call her, ' Aunt,' was no great crime; Albeit with fear I fweated all the time. With kindlieft words by her was I addreff'd ;

a8o REYNARD THE FOX.

' Reynard, dear Kinfman ! welcome, as my Gueft ! ' J Tis very good of you, that I will fay, ' To drop in on us in this friendly way.

• From your inftru&ions fhall my Children gain

' The fkill how they to honor may attain.' Her Courtefy thus did I cheaply earn ; A trifling facrifice juft ferved my turn ; Claiming her kin, though fhe was fo uncouth, And holding back fome difagreeable truth. Moft gladly would I then have gone away ; But (he entreated me that I would ftay ; ' So fhort a vifit furely you'll not make ; ' At leaft fome flight refrefhment you will take : ' And faying thus, fhe brought me heaps of food, More than I might defcribe, all frefh and good ; Fifh, ven'fon, wild- fowl and all forts of game; Much did I wonder whence the Deuce it came. Of all thefe to my heart's content I ate, And heartily enjoyed the bounteous treat. And even when I'd had my utmoft fill, She kept on urging me to take more ftill : For Some there are fo over-hofpitable, Would force their Guefts eat more than they are able.-

THE DEFIANCE. 281

A joint of fine buck venTon then brought (he A prefent for my Wife and Family. I thanked her, as behoved me, for her cheer ; She was all gracious ; called me ' Coufin dear ;' And faid, ' I hope to fee you often here.' I promifed all me afked ; indeed I would Have promifed anything, as matters flood. " At length I managed to get fafely off, Without an accident, and pleafed enough ; For nothing found I there, you may fuppofe, Either to gratify the eyes or nofe. Through the dark gall'ries did I fwiftly flee, And haftened to the op'ning by the tree : There on the greenfward Ifegrim ftill lay, Sighing and groaning in a grievous way. ' How fares it with you, Uncle mine ?' I cried ; ' Ah! nearly dead with hunger;' he replied. I pitied him, and juft his life to fave, The meat I brought to him I freely gave. He ate it up with grateful gluttony ; Though now he has forgotten all, you fee. His meal concluded, he defired to know, Who were the Dwellers in the cave below :

o o

282 REYNARD THE FOX.

' What fort of Folk are they down there?' he faid;

• And was your entertainment good or bad ?'

I told him juft the pure and naked truth ; The nefl was vile, the Inmates moil uncouth ; In manners wild, uncourteous and rough ;

To make amends though, there was food enough :

And if he wifhed himfelf to have a {hare,

He'd nought to do but enter boldly there ;

Only he muft be mindful Truth to fpare.

' Though Falfehood is almoft the worft of crimes,

4 Truth is not to be fpoken at all times/

This I repeated to him o'er and o'er,

And added fev'ral fage inftru&ions more :

' He who unwifely fwagg'ring about Truth,

• Has it for ever wobbling in his mouth,

' Is fure to meet with endlefs grief and woe, ' And perfecution wherefoe'er he go ;

• Others careffed and profp'rous fhall he find ;

' While he in ev'ry place will lag behind.'

I fully warned him what he might expe<3, If he thefe warnings madly fhould negledt ?

• He who but fpeaks what Others like to hear

' Is fure to be refpe&ed far and near.'

THE DEFIANCE. 283

" Thefe are the very words, Sire, that I fpake, Both for his guidance, and my confcience' fake : But if he chofe to act quite contrary And fuffer'd for it, who to blame but he ? His locks with age are grizzled, but 'tis plain One feeks for judgment under them in vain. Such ftupid Brutes on bluntnefs lay a ftrefs, And difregard all prudence and finefle ; And, groping underground with mole-like eyes, Affect the light of Wifdom to defpife. The fole advice I prefled on him, forfooth, Was not to be too fpendthrift of the Truth : He rudely anfwered, ' I fhould think I know

• How to behave, at leaft as well as you/

Into the cave then did he boldly trot;

And you fhall hear what welcome there he got. " He finds the frightful Dam within her lair, Like fome old dotard Devil crouching there : The young ones too ! With terror and furprife,

• Help! help! what hideous Beafts!' he wildly cries;

' Arethefe your Offspring, pray? Faugh! howthey

fmell!

• Worfe than the flime-engendered Spawn of Hell!

284 REYNARD THE FOX.

• Take them and drown them ! that is all they're

worth ;

' Left the unclean Brood overrun the earth ! ' An they were mine, I'd have them throttled

ftraight ;

• To catch young Devils they might ferve as bait ;

' One need but take them down to fome bog's edge, ' And let them hang there, fattened to the fedge.

• Bog-apes indeed ! it is a name that fuits

• Their nature well, the nafty, dirty Brutes !'

The outraged Mother anfwered with a fhriek, For hafte and anger fcarce would let her fpeak ;

• What Devil fent this bouncing Knave to us ?

' In my own houfe to be infulted thus !

' The vulgar Ruffian ! My poor Children too !

' Ugly or handfome, what is that to you ?

' Reynard the Fox, with fifty times your fenfe,

• A man of knowledge and experience,

' Has only juft now left us ; he avow'd

' My Young were handfome, and their manners

good;

' Nay e'en to call them Coufins he was proud. ' A fhort time back, and in this very place,

THE DEFIANCE. 285

' All this he ftated frankly to my face.

' If you they do not pleafe, as they did him, i

• Remember you came here of your own whim; }>

' Nobody aiked you, Gaffer Ifegrim !' J But he demanded food of her, and faid ;

• Bring it at once, or I your fearch may aid ;

' I cannot ftand your vanity to pleafe/ With that he ftrove upon her ftore to feize. Not prudent was the thought, or wife the deed ; But little did he all my cautions heed.

Upon him, quick as thought, herfelf me threw, And bit and fcratched him, that the blood (he drew. Her children too were all as wood as flie, And tore and clawed and mauled him fearfully. He did not dare return their blows again ; But howled and fcreamed in agony of pain. He fought, the only chance his life to fave With hafty fteps, the op'ning of the cave.

" I faw him come, with mangled cheeks and lips, His torn hide hanging down in gory ftrips ; One ear was fplit and bloody was his nofe ;

I He looked, in fhort, one wound from head to toes. [ afked, for his condition moved my ruth,

286

REYNARD THE FOX.

• You furely have not gone and fpoke the Truth ?'

But he replied ; * I faid juft what I thought.

' Oh ! to what fad difgrace have I been brought ! ' The ugly Witch ! Ah, would I had her here !

• I'd make her pay, for my diflionor, dear !

• What think you, Reynard ? Have you ever feen

' So vile a Brood ; fo nafty and obfcene ?

' I told her fo, and furely I did right ; ' 'But ftraight I loft all favor in her fight.

• I came but badly off, upon my foul !

' Would I had never feen the curfed hole !' Then anfwered I ; ' You muft be mad, I fwear ; ' How widely diff 'rent my inftru&ions were ;

• * Your Servant, deareft Aunt,' you fhould have

faid,

• It never injures one to feem well-bred;

• ' The world, I hope, goes ever well with you,

' ' And your fweet darling little Children too.

' ' The joy I feel is more than I can tell ' ' To fee you looking all fo nice and well/ ' But Ifegrim impatiently broke in ; ' What ! call that Bitch my Aunt ! thofe Cubs nr Kin!

THE DEFIANCE. 287

' The Devil may make off with all the Fry; ' He their relationfhip may claim, not I !

• Faugh ! but they are a foul and filthy race !

' Ne'er again may I meet them, face to face V

" Such were his actions, fuch was his reward ; Judge then if I betrayed him, good my Lord. He can't deny that what I've faid is true ; At leaft 'twill not much help him if he do."

Then Ifegrim replied with wrathful tongue, His breaft with fenfe of deep injustice wrung ; " What boots this idle war of angry words ? . Can we decide our feud with woman's fwords ? Right ftill is Right, whate'er the Bad pretend ; And he who hath it keeps it to the end. Reynard now bears himfelf as vauntingly As though the Right were his ; but we fhall fee.

" With me you fhall do battel ; thus alone On which fide truth is marfhalled fhall be known. A pretty tale forfooth is this you tell Of our adventure at the She-ape's cell ; That I was flarving and was fed by you ! But in what manner gladly would I know : For what you brought me was juft nought but bone;

288 REYNARD THE FOX.

You beft yourfelf know where the flefh was gone. And there you boldly ftand, and flout and jeer By Heav'n! but this doth touch mine honor near ! Sufpicions vile your falfe and fland'rous tongue On my good name and loyalty hath flung ; That I, devoid of 'legiance and faith, Had compafled and imagined my King's death : While you to Him with idle fables prate Of ftores and treafures, at a fhamelefs rate. Treafures and ftores, forfooth ! to my poor mind, Such wonders will be fomewhat hard to find. But what doth moft my vengeful wrath aroufe Is the deep (hame you've done my deareft Spoufe.

" For all thefe grievances, both old and new, I will do battel to the death with you. Here to your face do I proclaim you are A Traitor vile, a Thief, a Murderer ; And I will make it good, life againft life ; And thus, and not by chiding, end our ftrife. What I avouch, I am prepared to prove ; Whereof in token here I fling my glove : Thus formally the battel do I wage ; Stoop then if you have heart, and lift my gage.

THE DEFIANCE. 289

My Sov'reign Liege and all th' affembled Lords Have heard and know the import of my words ; They will affift this trial of the Right, As Witneffes of our judicial fight. But you fhall not efcape me anyhow, Until our feud is fettled; that I vow !"

Then with himfelf did Reynard counfel take ;

• Fortune and life are now indeed at flake :

• For big and ftrong is he ; I, weak and fmall ;

• 'Twere fad if ill mine efforts now befall ;

' Vain then were all my cunning and my fkill ;

• Yet will I hope a good conclufion flill.

' Of fome advantage I may fairly boaft ;

' Since his fore-claws he hath but lately loft :

' And, in the end, unlefs his paffion cool,

' He may perchance be foiled, prefumptuous Fool ! '

Then to the Wolf he boldly thus fpake out; " I fluff the Traitor's name back down your throat! Charge upon charge againfl me you devife, But I denounce them all as groundlefs lies.

You offer battel now, and haply think

t-

That from the trial I in fear may fhrink ; But long I've wifhed this means my truth to prove ;

p P

290 REYNARD THE FOX.

The challenge I accept ! Lo ! here my glove !' Then Noble, King of Beafls, agreed to hold The gages proffered by thefe Champions bold ; And faid, " Bring forth your Sureties now as bail That at to-morrow's fight you fhall not fail. Both fides I've heard, but underftand no more Nay, lefs I may fay than I did before."

As If'grim's Sureties flood the Cat and Bear, Tybalt and Bruin; thofe for Reynard were Greybeard and Monkie, Martin's Son and Heir.

To Reynard then thus fpake Dame Ruckenaw ; " Coolnefs and Prudence now muft be your law. My Hufband, who is on his road to Rome, Taught me a pray'r laft time he was at home ; Good Abbot Gulpall did the fame compofe, And gave it, as a favor, to my Spoufe. He faid it was a pray'r of wond'rous might, A faving fpell for thofe about to fight : He who, the morning, this fhould failing hear, Nor pain nor peril all that day need fear ; Vanquifhed he could not be by any Foe, Nor death nor wounds of any nature know. This pray'r o'er you to-morrow will I fay ; Then, Nephew dear, be jocund for to-day."

THE DEFIANCE. 291

" Thanks, deareft Aunt," faid Reynard, " for

your care ;

Deeply beholden am I for your pray'r ; But moftly do I truft, and ever will, The juftice of my caufe, and mine own {kill." All night his Friends remained with him, and

fought

With cheerful chat to fcare each gloomy thought. Dame Ruckenaw, more thoughtful than the reft, Was ever bufied how to ferve him beft. From head to tail me had him clofely fheared, And then with fat and oil his body fmeared ; He flood all fmooth and fleek from top to toe, That he no grip mould offer to his Foe.

Then thus fhe fpake; " We muftbecircumfpect, And on all chances of the fight reflect. Hearken to my advice ; a Friend in need, Who gives good counfel, is Friend indeed. To-night, whate'er you do, before you fleep, Of light Liebfrauenmilch drink pottle-deep : To-morrow, when you enter in the lifts Attend me well, herein the point confifts Wet well your brufh I need not tell you how Then fly upon your unfufpedting Foe ;

292 REYNARD THE FOX.

Lafh at his face, and falve him right i' th' eye ; His fmarting fight will darken inflantly : This cannot fail to caufe him fore diflrefs, And in the combat profit you no lefs. Next muft you take to flight, as though in fear ; He will be fure to follow in your rear ; You will take heed to run againfl the wind, While your fwift feet kick up the duft behind; So fhall his lids be clofed with fand and dirt ; Then on one fide fpring fudden and alert ; And while he flops his fmarting eyes to wipe, Upon them deal another flinging flripe ; Thus, blinded, at your mercy fhall he be, And yours the undifputed vidtory.

" Yourfelf to reft now, deareft Nephew, lay ; We will be fure to wake you when 'tis day. But firfl, as now the midnight hour is pafl, Ere yet you flumbef, and while flill you fafl, Your heart to flrengthen, fhould it chance be weak, Thofe facred words of power Til o'er you fpeak."

Then both her hands fhe placed upon his head, And with a folemn voice thefe words fhe faid ; " Tiw roftfofejfap hfir'bbig gnidnuos-hgih ! Now ev'ry adverfe charm you may defy."

THE DEFIANCE. 293

They laid him then to reft beneath a tree ; And there he flept, both long and tranquilly.

Soon as the morning o'er the hill-tops brake, The Beaver came his Kinfman to awake ; With him the Otter ; greeting kind they gave ; Bade him arife, and bear him bold and brave ; And laughing faid, he had no need to (have.

The Otter brought with him a nice young duck, And handing it to Reynard, thus he fpoke ; " For this I've toiled, while you were faft afleep ; And it hath coft me many a parlous leap ; I caught it at the mill near Huenerbrod ; Eat it, dear Coz ; and may it do you good !"

" Gra'mercy for the handfel!" Reynard faid, With cheerful heart as out he flapped from bed ; " So choice a prefent I would never flight ; I pray that Heav'n your kindnefs may requite."

He ate and drank unto his heart's content ; Then to the lifts with all his Friends he went; Down to a fandy level near a field, Where the appointed combat fhould be held.

REYNARD THE FOX

CHAPTER THE TWELFTH

THE BATTEL

CHAPTER THE TWELFTH.

HEN Reynard thus before the throne

appeared,

Shorn of his hair, with oil and ointment fmeared ;

The good King was fb tickled with the fight, He could not choofe but fairly laugh outright. " Why, Fox, who taught thee fuch a trick ? "

he cried ;

<c As fhave thy hair away, to fave thy hide ! Reynard the Fox well may they chriften thee, For all thy life is full of foxery ; No matter how involved may be the fcrape, Thou'rt fure to find fome loop-hole for efcape."

Low to the King, with reverential mien, Bowed Reynard, and ftill lower to the Queen ; Then gaily did he leap the lifts within, Where waited Ifegrim with all his Kin ;

298 REYNARD THE FOX.

Who prayed the Fox might find a fhameful fate, And fhowered upon him words of threat'ning hate.

The Lynx and Libbard, Marfhals of the lift, Brought forth the holy relics in a cheft ; The while, bare-headed flood the Champions both, The Wolf and Fox, and took the wonted oath.

With many angry words and fcowling looks, Firft Ifegrim the Wolf fwore 'gainft the Fox ; He was a Traitor, Murderer and Thief; Guilty of ev'ry kind of crime, in brief ; Falfe unto him and outraging his Wife ; This he would prove againft him, life for life.

Then Reynard fwore, upon the other fide, That Ifegrim, the Wolf, moft foully lied ; A Traitor and a Perjurer was he, While he himfelf from ev'ry crime was free.

The doughty Marshals then, ere they withdrew, Bade both the Champions their devoir to do, And truly keep the rules of lawful fight ; And Heav'n in juftice would defend the Right; The lifts then duly cleared of ev'ry one, They left the Champions in the midft alone. To Reynard though Dame Ruckenaw drew near,

THE BATTEL. 299

And, as flie pafled, thus whifpered in his ear ; " Remember, Nephew, the advice I gave ; My counfel follow, and your credit fave."

To her, in cheerful tones, the Fox replies ; " My heart your kindly warning fortifies ; My wiles have carried me through many a fcrape, Through rifks of ev'ry kind and ev'ry (hape ; Nor fear I but they mall affift me now To baffle yonder fierce and favage Foe. Shame upon him and his I look to heap, While all my Friends fhall fame and honor reap."

Now ftand the Champions in the lifts alone, While hufht and ftill the anxious Crowd look on.

Wildly and favagely, with outftretched claws, With briftling hair, and wide-diftended jaws, If'grim, the Wolf, the onfet firft began, And, fwift as thought, at his Opponent ran. The wily Fox dared not the charge abide, But, light of foot, fprang actively afide ; Nor did he now his Aunt's advice forget ; His bufhy tail already had he wet ; On ev'ry fide this did he whifk and flirt, And fo befmear it well with fand and dirt.

300 REYNARD THE FOX.

i

Thought Ifegrim, ' I furely have him now ;' But Reynard dealt him fo fevere a blow, Acrofs his eyes, with his bedaggled tail, That the Wolf's fight and hearing 'gan to fail.

'Twas not the only time this trick he'd played ; Others this flinging ointment had eflayed ; Ifegrim's Children he half blinded fo, As has been hinted at fome time ago ; And now he hoped to blind the Father too. J

Having to If'grim's eyes this falve applied; Again the wily Reynard fprang afide ; And taking care to run againft the wind, He ftirred a mighty cloud of duft behind. This filled the Wolf's eyes, that they fmartedfore;i The more he rubbed, they fmarted all the more ; |> And worfe he fared than he had done before. J Meanwhile the crafty Reynard did not fail To ply with vigor his afliduous tail ; Laming his Adverfary left and right, Till wholly he deprived him of his fight. Faint he became, and dazed, and all confufed : The wary Fox quick his advantage ufed ; Seeing what tears his ftraining eye-balls wept,

THE BATTEL. 301

On his unhappy Foe he fiercely leapt ; His hide, with teeth and talons, tore and gafhed, And ever with his tail his eyes he lafhed. While If 'grim, fenfelefs, gropes about, the Fox, With fleering taunts, thus his Opponent mocks ;

" Sir Wolf, bethink you well that in your time You have committed many a heinous crime : How many a Lamb and other harmlefs Beaft Your maw have furnifhed with a guilty feaft ; While I have borne the fcandal and the blame, And your bad deeds have fullied my good name ; But your iniquities henceforth (hall ceafe ; And the poor Innocents may reft in peace. A boon as gainful 'tis to you, as them, Your further guilty progrefs now to ftem ; Your only chance is this your foul to fave ; Yet if my pardon you will humbly crave, And freely own that vanquifhed now you are, I will have mercy, and your life will fpare."

He faid ; and griping hard his Foeman's throat, Again his bleeding cheeks he fiercely fmote. But IPgrim's ftrength no longer idle lay ; He gave two vigorous twifts, and tore away.

302 REYNARD THE FOX.

j

But Reynard at his face once more lets fly, And fharply ftriking him, tears out an eye : A deep and ghaftly wound ! the fmoking blood Adown his cheek in crimfon current flow'd. " See!" quoth the taunting Fox; " hehathitnow! Avenged am I, and vanquished is my foe !" But mad with pain and heedlefs of his wound, ] The favage Wolf with one tremendous bound, On Reynard fprang, and bore him to the ground

His faucy courage now began to quail, His tricks and cunning nothing might avail ; With fudden fnap, one of his foremoft paws The Wolf has feized faft in his griping jaws : And Reynard lay half dead with fear and pain, While thoufand thoughts fwarmed darting through

his brain ;

Then Ifegrim, with hot and clammy breath, And hollow voice, thus muttered 'tween his teeth;

" Thine hour is come ! furrender on the fpot ! Or death, upon the inftant, is thy lot. Thine hour is come ! it little fhall avail To fcratch the duft up, or bewet thy tail ; To (have thy hair ; to fmear thyfelf with greafe ;

THE BATTEL. 303

Woe on thee, Mifcreant! thou'ft run out thy leafe! Thou'ft wrought me countlefs ills ; told many a

, lie;

Wounded me forely, and torn out mine eye ; But now, efcape thou malt not ; yield or die ! "

Thought Reynard then ; * This is an evil hour! What fhall I do on earth t' avoid his pow'r ? Me, if I yield not, will this Savage flay ; If I do yield, difgraced am I for aye. I've earned his hate, for I've abufed him ftill, With wrong and infult, to my utmoft fkill/

Then, with fweet words and accents foft and

fmooth,

He ftrove his fierce Opponent's wrath to foothe ; " Hear me, good Uncle ! I with joy will be Your Vaflal, I and all my Family ; A pilgrimage with pleafure, for your fake, Unto the Holy Sepulchre I'll make ; I'll vifit ev'ry church upon my track, And endlefs abfolutions bring you back ; Your foul to benefit thefe cannot fail ; Your blefled Parents too they may avail ; Though they may now be in a better place ;

304 REYNARD THE FOX.

Who is there does not need a faving Grace ?

I'll honor you, as though the Pope you were ;

The deepeft and moft folemn oaths will fwear,

That I myfelf and all my Relatives

Shall do you homage for our goods and lives ;

And fuit and fervice will we yield to you,

More than to our liege King we even do.

" Take then my offer, Uncle, while you may ;

And all the land fhall quickly own your fway :

All that I catch myfelf, to you I'll bring ;

Fiih, Fowls, Ducks, Geefe and Pigeons every- thing !

Yourfelf, your Wife and Children, of all pelf

Shall have firft choice, ere I will tafte myfelf.

Your fafety will I watch with anxious eye,

That harm or danger ne'er approach you nigh.

They call me cunning, powerful are you ;

Together what great things may we not do !

What a confed'racy were this of ours !

Wifdom and Strength ! who could withfland fuch pow'rs ?

To join together thus though, but to fight

That, deareft Uncle, never can be right !

THE BATTEL. 305

This combat I had done my beft to fhun, If but it might with honor have been done. But, as the public challenge came from you, What, in the name of honor, could I do ? My courtefy I've carried fuch a length, I've not, put forth one quarter of my ftrength : For to myfelf I faid ; * Now, have a care ; ' It is but right you mould your Uncle fpare/ Had I but given way to hate or fpleen, How different the iflue might have been. You have not fuffered much; if your poor eye Have met with an untoward injury, It happened by the pureft accident, For which, with all my foul, do I lament. I know a fimple and a certain cure, In which you mall participate, be fure : Or if the hurt be greater than my fkill, You'll have one comforting advantage ftill : If you at any time would fain repofe, Only one window will you have to clofe ; While we, unlefs we always keep awake, A double trouble have to undertake.

" Bethink you then, dear Uncle ; all my Kin

R R

306 REYNARD THE FOX.

Shall kneel before your feet, my grace to win :

Here, in full Court, my Children and my Wife

From you fhall pray my pardon and my life.

Here will I even publicly declare,

The crimes, I charged you with, but {landers were ;

That I have groffly lied ; nay, I will vow,

That nought againft your character I know ;

That, for all future time, I never will

Or breathe or think againft you aught of 111.

" This freely will I do to foothe your ire : What expiation can you more defire ? Kill me ; and where will be the flighteft good ? My Friends and Kindred will keep up the feud. Spare me ; and think how in renown you rife ; For all will deem you generous and wife. Prove thus how truly noble is your mind ; Another chance you may not quickly find. But do your pleafure ; for you will, I fee : To live or die is all the fame to me !"

" Falfe Fox!" replied the favage Wolf; " how

fain"

Thou from my grapple wouldft be loofe again ! But were the world one lump of fire-tried gold,

THE BATTEL. 307

And offered here, my vengeance to withold, I would not, bafe Diflembler, let thee go : What value are thine oaths, full well I know. What for thy Friends or Kindred do I care ? Their enmity methinks I well may bear. Well might'ft thou at my filly weaknefs feoff, If proteftations now could get thee off. Of thy forbearance thou doft boafting fpeak ! How is't mine eye hangs bleeding on my cheek? By thine infernal claws is not my hide In twenty places fcored and fcarified ? When panting I was worn almoft to death, What leifure didft thou grant to fetch my breath ? Pardon and Mercy ! That is not the way That Injury and Infult I repay ! Me thou haft bafely wronged ; and my poor Wife Ah! thou malt pay the forfeit with thy life !"

Thus fpake the Wolf; the crafty Fox meanwhile, Who faw that nothing could be gained by guile, Ufing the other hand he ftill had free, Gripped hold of his Opponent favagely ; And in fo very fenfitive a part, The ftartled Wolf howled with the fick'ning fmart.

308 REYNARD THE FOX.

Swift then the Fox withdrew his other paw From the huge chafm of that portentous jaw ; With both his Foeman hard and faft he clenched, And lugged and fcratched and haled and nipped

and wrenched,

That Ifegrim fcreamed out, till blood he fpate, And brake with pain into a feething fweat.

Glad Reynard deemed his conqueft now fecure; Yet, tooth and nail, held firm, to make all fure ; While the Wolf, fpent and fprawling undermoft, Stifled and blind, himfelf gave up for loft. The fanguine ftream in copious currents flows, Adown his beard, from eyes and mouth and nofe, Oh ! not for heaps of wealth and boundlefs gold, The triumph of that hour had Reynard fold ! The more his Foe grew faint and weak, the more He griped and pinched and bit and clawed and tore; F th' duft the Wolf rolled, with dull, hollow fobs, Geftures unfeemly and convulfive throbs.

With waitings loud his Friends the Monarch

prayed

He would command the combat might be ftayed : The King replied ; " E'en fo then let it be,

R I',' Y N ARD THE "FOX.

"G-laxC Reynard deemed. Ms coiujuest now secure;

Yet, tooth end. nail, held, ftrm.to make aH sirre ; "While the Wolf, spent and. spxa-vding

Stifled and "bind, Iran a elf gave -op for lost."

-p. 308.

y, JafulJ.853.

THE BATTEL. 309

If you all wifh it; 'tis all one to me."

Then Noble bids the Marfhals of the lift To caufe the Champions from the fight dcfift. The Lynx and Libbard quick are at their poft, And Reynard as the Conqu'ror thus accoft ;

• Enough! the King doth now his mandate fend

The combat mall conclude, the ftrife fhall end. He wills you fpare the life of Ifegrim, And leave the iffiie of the day to Him. If either of the Twain mould lofe his life We all had reafon to regret the ftrife. The vidYry, Reynard, refts with you ; we own ] That you right nobly your devoir have done ; And have from all golden opinions won."

Then Reynard faid ; f< To all my thanks I pay; And gladly will the King's behefts obey ; Too proud to do whatever he require : Vicftor ! what triumph can I more delire ? But that my caufe I may not prejudice I humbly crave to a(k my Friends' advice."

Then Reynard's Friends with one accord replied; " We think it beft the King were fatisfied." And round him gathered in tumultuous flocks

310 REYNARD THE FOX.

The Relatives of the victorious Fox ; The Beaver and the Otter and the Ape, With Greybeard, wifhed him joy of his efcape. And many greeted him as Friends, of thofe Who theretofore had been his deareft Foes ; The Squirrel and the Weafel and the Stoat, The Ermine too, and fome of lefler note, Who formerly would fcarcely fpeak his name, Kindred with him are now too glad to claim. In fine, he found no end of Relatives, Who brought with them their Children and their

Wives ;

While Great and Little with each other vie, To lavifh compliments and flattery.

In the World's circle fares it ever thus ; Good wifhes rain upon the Profperous ; But the unfortunate or needy man May e'en get through his troubles as he can.

So fares it now ; and all the Courtiers ftrive How honor to the Vidlor they may give. Somefing; fome play the flute; the hautboy y fome; Some blow the trumpet ; others beat the drum ; And his now numerous Friends in chorus cry ;

THE BATTEL. 311

" Hail ! happy day of joy and vidtory !

Hail ! conquering Hero ! unto whom we trace

The honor and renown of all our Race.

How did we grieve when wounded there you lay !

How glad we greet the iflue of the fray !"

And Reynard anfwered ; " Thanks, .my worthy

Friends !

For all Fve borne your kindnefs makes amends : " Then, while behind in fwarming crowds they preft, Marched onward with the Marfhals of the lift ; And thus with acclamations loud they bring The Conqueror in triumph to the King.

So foon as they arrived before the throne, The Fox with humble bearing knelt him down ; But the good Monarch motioned him to rife, And then addrefled him thus, in gracious wife ;

" The day is yours by right of victory ; And from all forfeit We pronounce you free. With all Our Barons counfel fhall be ta'en, So foon as Ifegrim is whole again : Then will We judge the caufe as beft We may. The matter is concluded for to-day."

" Your refolution, Sire ; " with bow profound

312 REYNARD THE FOX.

Said wily Reynard, " is both wife and found.

Whate'er be the opinions of the Reft,

Yours muft prevail ; for ever You know beft.

" How many here confpired to lay me low, And lied, to gratify my pow'rful Foe. When I was hardeft preft by Ifegrim, How they all clamored then ' Down, down with

him !'

All to delight the Wolf; for all could fee I flood not in Your favor high as he. They little thought how the affair would end : And each of thefe is now my worthy Friend.

" Such Knaves are like unto a pack of Hounds, Whom once I noted in a rich Man's grounds ; For a true ftory, Sire, is this I tell, Though it commenceth like a parable. In groups they waited round the kitchen door, Where ofttimes they had been regaled before, In eager expectation, fome ftray bone Might by the Scullion's kindnefs forth be thrown. A piece of flefh the foremoft of the lot Contrived to pilfer fmoking from the pot ; With his rich booty quick he hurried off;

THE BATTEL. 313

But not, unluckily, quite quick enough :

For the vexed Scullion, when the theft fhe fpied,

Flung all the boiling water on his hide.

He kept his booty though, defpite the pain,

And his expectant Comrades joined again.

They to each other cried ; * Why, only look !

• How our dear Friend is favored of the Cook ! '

They cringed to him and fawned in various ways, And fpoke no end of nonfenfe in his praife.

• All mighty fine ! ' the fcalded Hound replied ;

• But ere you judge, firft hear the other fide.

• Worthy of envy you my ftate may find,

' As feen in front ; but, look at me behind.' And faying this his back to them he turned, And fhewed his rump naked as though 'twere

burned.

Seeing his hairlefs hide all creafed and fhrunk, Great fear fell on them, and away they flunk ; They left him ftanding there all bare and lone ; And not one ventured back to feek a bone.

" Such is the fate, Sire, of the Covetous ; They profper and they perifh ever thus : In pow'r they find no lack of eager Friends,

s s

3 H REYNARD THE FOX.

Who fawn upon them for their felfifh ends ; With kind indulgence all their foibles treat, Becaufe their mouths are haply full of meat : From All they look for and receive refped: ; For who will dare the Profp'rous to negledl ? Allies in Old and Young alike they find, Until misfortune falls on them behind : Their enviable lot then alters quick, Their former Friends to them no longer ftick, But right and left fall off, like fcalded hair, And leave them in their forrow, lone and bare ; Or as that fycophantic pack of Hounds Forfook their Comrade, when they faw his wounds.

" Ah! Sire; all humble though he be, and weak, Shall None of Reynard thus have caufe to fpeak. I fet fome value on my honeft name ; My Friends through me fhall never come to fhame. One only miffion have I to fulfil ; To learn and execute my Sovereign's will."

" What need more words ?" thus did the King

reply ;

" We comprehend the matter perfectly. To you as a free Baron We reflore

THE BATTEL. 315

All privileges you e'er held before. Henceforth at Court Our favor {hall you meet, And at Our Privy Council take your feat. To pow'r and honor will we raife you up ; And you fhall well deferve it, as we hope. Whatever faults are charged on you, 'tis clear We never can afford to mifs you here. Of all your Peers none can above you rife, If only you prove virtuous as wife. No frefh complaints againft you will we hear, No matter what Complainants may appear. Nay, to evince Our confidence ftill more, We now appoint you Lord High Chancellor ; And here Our Seal deliver to your hand ; That what you do or write, throughout the land, Shall be as writ or done by Our command."

While all th' aflembled Peers to Reynard bow'd, And wifhed him joy with gratulations loud ; Thus to the King he fpake ; " Thefe honors, Sire, Are more than I deferve, or dared defire. But by my deeds I'll prove my grateful mind ; For words are, at the beft, but idle wind."

How it with Ifegrim meanwhile did fare,

3 r6 REYNARD THE FOX.

Shall in a few brief words be made appear. Still in the lifts he lay upon the ground, Faint and begafhed with many a ghaftly wound. His Wife and Friends all haftened to him there ; Tybalt the Cat came with the fhaggy Bear ; Thefe to his Kin and Children gave their aid ; The wounded Wolf they on a litter laid, Well bolftered round, to keep him warm, with hay; And bore him, mourning, from the field away.

They fearch his wounds, and count one fcore and

fix;

And Leeches come and bandages affix, And with rare unguents all his limbs anoint, For fprained was he and lame in ev'ry joint ; And herbs they rub of pungent qualities Into his eyes and nofe, to make him fneeze. And they confulted long, and did their beft To calm his Friends and give their Patient reft.

He flept at length, but not as they could wifh; His {lumbers were difturbed and feverifh ; And when he woke, 'twas with a burning brain, Unto a mingled fenfe of fhame and pain. So poignant and fo deep his feelings were,

THE BATTEL. 317

He howled aloud with anguifh and defpair. And Gieremund, his all but widowed Wife, Watched o'er the ebb and flow of her Lord's life ; His fufF'rings ftirred up all her fympathies, And with her fobs and groans me anfwered his ; And looking at her own and Children's doom, *i She faw the future fhrouded o'er with gloom; }> And no bright profpecfts in the diftance loom. J

But Reynard's Friends loudfongs of triumphraife, Till he is almoft tired of his own praife. In higheft fpirits then he left the Court ; The King had granted him a brave Efcort ; And, when he took his leave, was pleafed to fay ; " We truft you will not long remain away."

Then did the Fox before the Monarch kneel, Saying ; " Ah ! could I fpeak the thanks I feel To You, Sire, and my gracious Lady dear, And, I may add, to every body here. May Heav'n eternal bleflings on You fliower ; Would to confer them were but in my power.

" And now with grateful, though with humble

heart, I crave Your kind permiffion to depart ;

3i8 REYNARD THE FOX.

And to my Wife and Children home return, Who ftill with anxious tears my abfence mourn."

" Depart in peace !" replied the mighty King; " And fear not any man or any thing."

So Reynard left with all his Kin ; two fcore There were who with him journeyed, if not more. All full of triumph and of joy they are, And in their Kinfman's glory hope to {hare. While he himfelf his tranfports noway veils ; But ftalks as proud as though he had two tails ; To think he'd won fuch honor by fheer wit, And how the braveft ufe to make of it.

' This realm henceforth (thus to himfelf

thought he)

On true Fox principles fhall governed be, By members only of my Family. A certain proof the world may thus behold How much more wifdom is of worth than gold/

Thus he, with all his Friends, as an efcort, Reached Malepartus, his domeftic fort. He thanked them for the fympathy they'd fliewn, When he in peril's hour had flood alone ; And promifed all their kindnefs to repay :

THE BATTEL. 319

Then they departed, and went each his way.

His dwelling then he entered, where he found His Wife and Children haply fafe and found. How Ermelyne rejoiced to fee her Lord To her fond arms alive and well reftor'd ! And earneftly fhe prayed him to relate By what good chance he Tcaped his threatened fate.

Reynard replied ; " It was not chance, dear Wife, But fkill and cunning that have faved my life. Again with Noble reconciled am I ; Ne'er in his favor have I flood fo high. He's called me to his Council, as of yore, And in full Court has named me Chancellor; Has giv'n into my keeping the Great Seal ; And henceforth I fhall rule the Commonweal.

" The Wolf have I in battel overcome ; In future are his lips for ever dumb ; Wounded he lies, difabled and difgraced ; My marks of vengeance on him have I placed. Her ftreams of forrow may his Wife unfluice ; Henceforth her Hufband is of little ufe. But nothing fhall I grieve on that account ; Vanquifhed is he, and I, Lord Paramount. Be of good cheer then, Love ; for happy hours

320 REYNARD THE FOX.

The future hath in ftore for us and ours."

Great was the Vixen's gladnefs; while her Boys

Their Sire half deafened with their frantic joys.

They frifked and fprang about on every fide ;

" Oh, happy day ! oh, joyful hour !" they cried ;

" Who upon earth fo fortunate as we ?

For honored through our Father fhall we be.

Our Enemies we now may fet at nought,

And have it our own way, as Foxes ought." Now Reynard lives in honor and in ftate ;

Then let us all his wifdom imitate ;

Efchew the Evil and feledt the Good :

This moral points our tale, when underflood.

The truth with fables hath the Poet mixed,

That Virtue in your hearts may be infixed ;

And you who purchafe and perufe this poem

May fee the ways o'th' world, and learn to know 'em;

As it has been, is now, and aye will be.

Here then ends Reynard's life and hiftory ;

And with a bow we here lay down our pen.

The Lord preferve us evermore. Amen ! ..

THE END.

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CONTENTS : Brighton, Worthing, and Arundel ; Lewes, Hastings, Rye, and Winchelsea ; Dover and Canterbury ; Isle of Thanet, Sandwich, and Deal; Bath; Bristol; Windsor and Eton; Oxford; Portsmouth and Chichester ; Winchester, Southampton, and Salisbury ; The Isle of Wight ; Dorchester, Weymouth, and the Isle of Portland ; Exeter and the South Coast of DeVon ; Plymouth and its Environs ; Cheltenham and Gloucester ; Stratford-on-Avon, and Warwick ; Woolwich, Sheer- ness, Rochester and Chatham ; Gravesend, and the Baronial Halls of Kent; Cambridge; Leamington and Coventry.

Lawrences (Sir Thomas) Works. Engra- vings from the choicest Works of Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A. a Series of Fifty Plates, engraved in Mezzotints, in the First Style of the Art, by S. Cousins, Ward, Giller, Coombes, Humphreys, &c. with Biographical and Critical Notices to each Plate, folio, PROOFS, ha/f bound morocco extra, gilt edges, (pub. at 3818. 18*) 5. 15* 6d

One of the most beautiful volumes ever published. The portraits are those of persons moving in the highest ranks of life, or who have achieved to themselves a European reputation, so that independently of the merit of presenting fifty of the choicest pictures of this great master, the volume forms also a most desirable companion to the folio edition of Lodge's Portraits.

Lepsius (Dr. jR.) Discoveries in Egypt,

Ethiopia, and the Peninsula of Sinai, in 1842-45, edited with Notes by Kenneth Mackenzie ; second edition, with additions, map and 2 plates, 8vo. cloth (pub. at 12*) 5*

Library (The} of Entertaining Knowledge,

published by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Know- ledge, Illustrated with 2000 Engravings on Wood and Steel, 43 vols. 12mo. bound in cloth gilt, (pub. at 9. 13s 6d) for only 4. 10*

CONTENTS.

The Menageries, 4 vols.

Architecture of Birds

Habits of Birds

Faculties of Birds Insect Architecture

Miscellanies

• Transformations

Biographical Memoirs of Eminent

Men, 4 vols. Pompeii, 2 vols. Egyptian Antiquities, 2 vols. Elgin Marbles, 2 vols. Townley Marbles, 2 vols. British Costume The New Zealanders The Hindoos, 2 vols. 'Backwoods of Canada

• Manners and Customs of the

Modern Egyptians, by E. W. Lane, 2 vols.

The Chinese : a Description of the Empire of China, by Sir J. F. Davis, F.R.S., 2 vols.

• * The various works (excepting those marked with an asterisk*)

are sold separately at 2s 3d per volume.

Vegetable Substances, 8 vols.

Paris and its Historical Scenes, 2 vols.

Pursuit of Knowledge under Dif- ficulties, 2 vols.

Criminal Trials, 2 vols. Secret Societies of the Middle Ages

Historical Parallels, 2 vols.

WORKS PUBLISHED BY

Letters of William III. and Louis XIV.

and of their Ministers ; illustrative of the Domestic and Foreign Politics of England from the Peace of Ryswick to the Accession of Philip V. of Spain (1697 to 1700), edited by P. Grimblot, 2 vols. 8vo. cloth (pub. at \. 10s) Is 6d

Liverseeges (H.) Works, 37 beautiful en- gravings in Mezzotinto, by S. and H. Cousins, Bromley, Ward, Giller and others, folio, half bound morocco extra, gilt edges, (pub. at 6. 6s) 2. 12s Qd

Miles s Epitome, Historical and Statistical,

descriptive of the Royal Naval Service of England, with 8 coloured Views of Shipping, &c. by W. Knell, and 14 coloured Illustrations of Flags, Pendants, and Ensigns, royal 8vo. cloth gilt, (pub. at 18s) I Os 6d

National Gallery of Pictures, published by

the Associated Artists i a Series of Twenty-nine splendid Plates, beautifully engraved in the Line Manner, by Finden, Burnett, Doo, Golding, Goodall, Humphries, Le Keux, Pye, Miller, Robinson, Watt and Greatbach, with Descriptions to each Plate in English and French, imperial folio, hf. bd. mo- rocco extra, gilt edges, (pub. at [6. 16s) 4. 14s 6d

The same, a cheaper edition, 29 plates, folio, hf. bd.

morocco extra, gilt edges, 2. 5s

This edition, being- about one half the size of its precursor, is admir- ably adapted to adorn the drawing room table.

Neales (J. P.) Mansions of England, or

Picturesque Delineations of the Seats of Noblemen and Gen- tlemen ; nearly 400 Views with Descriptions, 2 vols. 4to. hf. Id. morocco extra, uncut, top edges gilt, 2. 8s

Front's (Samuel} Hints on Light and

Shadow, Composition, fyc., as applicable to Landscape Paint- ing, illustrated by Examples, twenty-two plates, imp. 4 to. cloth gilt, (pub. at 2. 2s) \. \s

Front's Sketches at Home and Abroad,

being Examples of the Interiors and Exteriors of Grothic Buildings. -With Hints on the acquirements of Free- dom of Execution, and Breadth of Eifect in Landscape Painting; to which are added Simple Instructions oa the proper use and application of Colour. Forty-eight Plates on India Paper, impl. 4to. hf. bd. morocco extra, gilt edges, (pub. at 4. 14s 6d) 2.

%* Mr. Prout's Hints on Light and Shadow ; with his Sketches, or Hints on Breadth of Effect and the Use of Colour, and the admirable works of Mr. Pyne on Groups and Figures, form A COMPLETE CYCLO- PJEDIA OF DRAWING.

NATTALI AND BOND.

Pynes (W. H.) Microcosm; Picturesque

Groups for the Embellishment of Landscape, in a Series of One Thousand Subjects, viz. Kural and Domestic Scenery, Shipping, Crafts, Sports, &c. 1 20 plates in aquatinta, with descriptions, 2 vols. in I, royal 4to. half bound morocco, uncut, (pub. at 6. 6s) \. 11* Qd

Pynes Etchings of Rustic Figures in imita- tion of Chalk, 36 plates, 4to. cloth, (pub. at \. 16s) 9s

Pynes Etchings of Rustic Figures for the

Embellishment of Landscapes, 60 plates, royal 8vo. cloth, (pub. at 1. 10s) 9s

Puffin (A.) and Le Keux's Architectural

Antiquities of Normandy, with Descriptions by John Britton, Eighty Plates by Le Keux, 4to. hf. bd. morocco, uncut, top edges gilt, (pub. at 6. 6s) 2. 12s 6d

Pugin and Mackenzie s Specimens of Gothic

Architecture, selected from Ancient Buildings at Oxford, Sixty-one Plates, 4 to. cloth, (pub. at 2. 2s) 1. Is

Puffin's Specimens of Gothic Architecture,

selected from Ancient Edifices in England, consisting of Plans, Sections, and Parts at large ; calculated to exemplify the various Styles, and the Practical Construction of this admired Class of Architecture, with Historical and De- scriptive Accounts by E. J. Willson, 114 plates, 2 vols. 4to. half bound morocco, uncut, top edges gilt, (pub. at Q. 6s) 3. 13s 6d

Another copy, 2 vols. impl. 4to. LARGE PAPER, cloth, (pub.

at 9. 9s) 6. 6s

This work is adapted to furnish practical and useful information to the Architect, Builder, Cabinet Maker, &c. as well as to the critical An- tiquary and Connoisseur.

Puffins (A. W.) Details of Ancient Timber

Houses of the 15th and 1 6th Centuries, selected from those existing at Caen, Beauvais, Abbeville, Strasbourg, &c. 22 plates, 4to. cloth, (pub. at 1. Is) 12s

Puffins Gothic Furniture of the 15th cen- tury, 25 plates, 4to. cloth, (pub. 1. Is) 12s

Pugin s Designs for Iron and Brass Work,

in the Style of the 15th and 16th Centuries, 27 plates, 4to. cloth, (pub. at 1. Is) 12s

Pugin s Designs for Gold and Silver Orna*

ments,m the Style of the 15th and 16th Centuries, 27 plates of Cups, Chargers, Flagons, Tankards, Candlesticks, Sconces, Chalices, Crosses,. Reliquaries, Candelabra, Mon- strances, Feretra, &c. 4to. cloth, (pub. at 1. Is) 12s

%* The above four works of Mr. A. VV. Pugin may also be had, in one volume, half bound morocco extra, gilt edges, price 2. 12s 6d.

8 WORKS PUBLISHED BY NATTALI AND BOND. Reynard the Fox, after the German Version

of Goethe, with a Bibliographical and Historical Introduction, by T. J. Arnold, Esq. 8vo. beautifully printed by Whitting- ham, with title-page and 12 plates, engraved on steel, after the clever and characteristic designs of J. Wolf, half bound morocco, RoxburgJie style, uncut, 1 0* 6d

Reynolds (Sir Joshua) Discourses on Paint-

ing, with Notes by J. Burnet; with 12 fine engravings executed in bistre and aquatint, roy. 4to. LARGE PAPER, with proof impressions of the plates on India paper, half bound morocco, uncut, (pub. at 4. 4s) [. 5s

One of the most important works on art ever published.

Thugs, or Secret Murderers of India. Il- lustrations of the History and Practices of the Thugs ; and Notices of some of the Proceedings of the Government of India for the suppression of the crime of Thuggee, 8vo. cloth, (pub. at 15s) 5s 6d

Turner s Southern Coast of England. An

Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour by Land and Sea, round the Southern Coast of England, illustrated with Eighty-four Plates by J. M. W. Turner, William Collins, P. Dewint, S. Owen, W. Westall, Prout, and others, engraved by George Cooke, W. B. Cooke, W. Finden, and other eminent Engravers, 4to. half bound morocco extra, gilt edges, 2. \2s 6d or half bound morocco, uncut, 2. lOs 1849

Wallace's (Wm.) History of the Life and

Reign of George IV. 3 vols. fcap. 8vo. with vignette titles, cloth, (pub. at 15s) 7*

Walters (Rev. Henry) History of England,

from the earliest Period to the passing of the Reform Bill in 1832, in which it is intended to consider Men and Events on Christian Principles, 7 vols. 12mo. cloth, (pub. at 2. 12s) 18s or hf. bd. calf gilt, \. 6s

7 vols. royal 12mo. LARGE PAPER, cloth, (pub. at 3. 3s)

\. Is or half bound, calf extra, marb. edges, \. I\s6d

An excellent History of England, and particularly adapted to be put into the hands of the youth of both sexes.

Westwood's (J. O.) Cabinet of Oriental En- tomology ; being a Selection of the Rarer and more Beautiful Species of Insects, Natives of India and the adjacent Islands, the greater portion of which are now, for the first time, de- scribed and figured, 42 beautifully coloured plates, 4 to. cloth gilt, (pub. at 2. 12s 6d) 1. 1 6s

Woodcock's (Rev. W. /.) Scripture Lands;

being a Visit to the Scenes of the Bible, with 4 coloured plates, post Svo. cloth gilt, gilt edges, (pub. at 10s 6d) 4s bd

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