Yesterday this I was told by one who lately was with him. Malepartus,' his fort, he has left, and now for his dwelling Builds him a hermit's cell. How lean and thin he is growing, 176 Pale from hunger and thirst, and stricter mortifications, Borne in bitter remorse, all this yourselves you shall witness. What can it matter to him if people come here with petitions? Let him but come, he will make out his rights, and leave them confounded." 180 Just as Grimbart had finished there came, to their utter amazement, Henning, the Cock, with his kith and kindred. Stretched on a bier there, Borne in sorrow along was a hen, both headless and neckless. Scratch-foot it was, the best of all the egg-laying females. Fast flowed, alas! her blood: it was Reineke, too, that had shed it. 185 This must be told to the king. And now as Henning, the valiant, Came to the royal presence with deeply dejected demeanour, Came with him two other cocks, of equally mournful appearance. Kryant was one; a better cock was nowhere forthcoming Either in Holland or France. The other who came was his equal: 190 Kantart by name he was called, a bold and fine, strapping fellow. Each of them carried a lighted torch, for they were the brothers Of this murdered lady. They cried with loud lamentations "Oh!" and "alas!" for the murder. Two young cocks carried the body. One could hear the mournful cries in the distance resounding." 195 1 Malepartus is probably derived from the Latin, and means the fort "in evil regions." 2 The friends of a murdered person were supposed to make a threefold cry at the commencement of their complaint. Henning spoke: "We complain of irretrievable mischief, Lord and gracious king! Take pity on me who am injured, I and my children as well. Here witness Reineke's doings! When the winter was gone, and leaves, and blossoms, and flowers, Summoned us forth to pleasure, I joyed in my family circle, 200 That so gladly with me the beautiful days were enjoying. Ten young sons were there, and fourteen beautiful daughters, Full of enjoyment of life, which the hen, my excellent consort, All in a single summer had nourished and brought up together. All were so strong and so well content, and for all was provided 205 Aught that was needed for daily food in well-guarded quarters. Rich monks owned the yard, and lofty walls were our shelter. Six, large, powerful dogs, the household's trusted com panions, Held my children dear, and kept strict watch for their welfare. But it annoyed this, Reineke thief that there in content ment 210 Happy days we should spend, and keep ourselves clear of his malice. Ever at night did he sneak round the walls, and watch by the gateway. When the dogs saw it he had to run for it. One day, however, Bravely at last they seized him, and crumpled his skin up together. Yet he made good his escape, and left us in peace for a season. 215 But now listen to me. It was not long this had lasted When he appeared as a monk, and brought me a letter and signet. 'Twas your seal I knew on the letter, and there I found written Lasting peace for the birds and beasts that you were pro claiming. 219 Then he told me that he had adopted the life of a hermit, And to atone for his sins the strictest vows he had taken. All his guilt, alas! he acknowledged, but no one in future Need of him be afraid: he had sworn by all that is holy Never again to put flesh in his mouth. His cowl he displayed me, Also his scapular, and in his favour farther to witness, 225 Showed what the prior had ordered, the more to confirm and assure me, Under his cowl a garment of hair, and said, as he went off : 'Now I commend you to God Almighty! To-day there is plenty That I still have to do.' There are Sexts and Nones to be read through, Vespers as well.' He read his book as he went, and thought over 230 Many an evil thing, whilst our destruction he plotted. Quickly with lightened heart I told all the children around me What good message your letter conveyed, and all were delighted. Since now Reineke hermit had turned, we had for the future 234 Neither care nor fear. Together with them I proceeded Out in front of the walls, and we all rejoiced in our freedom. Yet, alas! evil befell us. He lay outside in an ambush : Springing then craftily forwards, he blocked our road to the gateway, Seized and ran away with the finest of all of my children. After that nothing availed us, when once their blood he had tasted. 240 Once and again he tried it, and neither the dogs nor the huntsmen Either by day or night could protect us more from his malice. The clerical day was divided into seven parts: matins, prime, tierce, sext, none (or noon), vespers, and compline. Thus he deprived me of almost all of my children: fron twenty Down to five I am now reduced; the rest he has ravished. Oh! take pity on this, our bitter grief, for my daughter 245 Yesterday only he killed, the dogs only saving her body. See where she lies! His doing it was! Oh take it to heart, Sir!" Then the king commenced: "Come nearer, Grimbart, and see this! Thus does the hermit fast, and thus does he show his repentance! One more year if I live, however, he surely shall rue it! 250 Yet of what use are words? So hear me, sorrowful Henning : Let not your daughter want for a single thing that is needful, Fitting, and right for the dead. For her shall Vigils be chaunted, That with due honour and state she may to the earth be committed. Then with our lords we'll advise as to how to punish this murder." 255 Then did the king command them to chaunt the office of Vigils; "Domino placebo"1 commenced the assembly: they chaunted All of the verses thereof. And farther yet I could tell you Who it was that intoned the lesson, and who the responses; 259 This, however, would take too long; I had rather omit it. Down in a grave was the body laid, and on it a handsome Square hewn marble slab, that was polished as bright as a mirror. Thick and large it was, and on it was legibly written: "Scratch-foot, daughter of Henning, the Cock, the best of the hen tribe. Many an egg did she lay in her nest, and was skilful in scratching. 265 The commencement of the Office for the Dead: "Placebo domino in regione vivorum.” Here she lies, lost, alas! to her friends, by Reineke murdered. All the world should know of his false and cruel behaviour; As for the dead they lament." Thus ran the words that were written. Then did the king his cleverest councillors cause to assemble, That with them he council might hold how to punish the outrage, 270 Which of him and his Lords had so clearly been brought to the notice. This at last they agreed to, that they to the crafty transgressor Must a messenger send, that on pain of further correction He must not fail to attend at the royal palace in person, When the baronial Court was next in meeting assembled. 275: Brown, the bear, they selected as messenger. addressing, Him then Uttered the monarch these words: "Brown, I, your ruler, command you, Do your errand with diligence due. Yet I counsel you prudence. Reineke's false and malicious; and various sorts of devices. Will he make use of: and lies he will tell and with flattery ply you, 280 And circumvent, as he alone can." " By no means," asserted Brown with assurance: Be at your ease! Should he be presuming, Or in the slightest degree should he ever dare to despise me, Mark well, I swear by God, let me the penalty suffer standing." 285 |