Searched through a mill, and the miller's wife was asleep, softly One little sausage took up, I confess. Thus if any title 55 Wackerlos had therein, to my exertions he owed it." Then the panther began: "Of what use are words and complainings? It is but little they settle: enough! the evil is well known. He is a thief and murderer! I can boldly maintain it. Yes, as the gentlemen know, he practises all kinds of mischief. Should all the noblemen here, and even our monarch exalted, Honour and property lose, he'd laugh, if thereby he might gain him Only a mouthful to eat of a fat and well-flavoured capon. Let me relate how Lampe, the hare, he shamefully treated Yesterday: there he stands, who never injured a creature. 65 Reineke posed as pious, and wished in various matters Briefly to teach him, and what in addition pertained to the chaplain. Opposite one to another they sat, and began on the 'Credo." Yet could Reineke never forego his old, wily devices; Notwithstanding the peace of the king and safe conduct to all men," 1 70 Lampe, the honest creature, was seized and held in his clutches, And malignantly worried. Along the road I was passing, Heard the chaunt of the pair begun, but suddenly ended. I was amazed at what I had heard, but as I came nearer Knew at once it was Reineke: Lampe he held by the collar, 75. Yes, and had certainly taken his life, if I by good fortune Had not happened to pass by the road. There standing you see him. Look and see the wounds of the gentle creature, whom no one Ever would think of ill-treating. And should our ruler allow it, It was the custom that anyone who had to appear before the tribunals was under the king's protection and safe conduct (Geleit) on his way there and back. Should you, noble lords, permit the peace of the monarch, 80 And his safe conduct and pass to be despised by a robber, Then will the king and his children hereafter bear the reproaches Cast upon them by all who of right and just dealing are lovers." Isegrim said thereupon: "I fear it will always remain so. No good, alas! will Reineke show us. Oh! would he were lying 85 Dead long ago! for that were the best for peaceable people; If you forgive him, however, this time, be sure very shortly Some who now suspect it least he'll audaciously swindle." Reineke's nephew, the badger, took up the word, and with courage Spoke up in Reineke's favour, though all now knew of his falseness. “Old and true," he said : proverb; 90 "Sir Isegrim, so goes the Little to gain from an enemy's mouth.' And truly my uncle Little comfort will get from your words, but that is a trifle— Were he but here at the Court as well as yourself, and enjoying Royal favour like you, you would certainly soon be repenting That 95 you have been so spiteful and raked up all these old Yet in all the mischief you now endeavour to do him know How you effected a compact together, and both of you promised Equal in partnership always to live. I must tell you about it. 100 Once for your sake in the winter he faced the greatest of dangers. There was a carter, with fish his cart who had heavily loaded, Driving along the road. You spied him out, and with longing Looked at his wares for a meal, but alas! the money was wanting. Then you persuaded my uncle, and he, as if dead, on the roadway 105 Craftily laid himself down. By heav'n, that was an ad venture, One of the rashest! Now see what he did for the sake of the fishes. When the carter came up, in the rut he there saw my uncle. Quickly he drew his sword to finish him off, but the sly one, Seemingly dead, moved neither limb nor leg, and the Threw him up on his cart, at the skin rejoicing before hand. Yes, thus much did my uncle for Isegrim dare, but the carter Went on driving the cart, so Reineke threw down the fishes. Isegrim slunk up behind, from afar, and swallowed the fishes. Reineke made up his mind to ride no farther, and rising 115 Jumped off the cart, with intent to dine off some of the booty. All, however, had Isegrim eaten; and more than was needful, Had so blown himself out, that to burst he was ready. The fishbones Only were left behind, and he offered his friend the remainder. Just one little tale more! This, too, is true that I tell you. 120 Reineke knew of a fattened pig that a peasant that morning In his house had killed and hung on a peg. He reported, All in good faith, to the wolf. They started, the profit and danger Fairly to share. Yet he alone bore both the trouble and peril. In at the window he crept, and threw with a good deal of trouble 125 Down to the wolf their common booty. As ill luck would have it, Not far off were some dogs, who discovered him there in the dwelling; And right well did they tousel his hide. He got away wounded. Isegrim quickly he sought, and complained of what he had suffered, And demanded his share. Then the wolf replying assured 66 him: 130 Such a capital bit I have kept you. Fall to upon it, Gnaw it well up, and see how nice and delicious the fat is! So he brought out the piece; 'twas the crooked stick that the butcher Had made use of to hang up the pig; the delicate roastling 134 Had that greedy wolf unrighteously swallowed and eaten. Reineke spoke not a word in his rage; you can easily fancy What were his feelings! 'Tis certain, O king, that for over a hundred Similar tasty bits is the wolf to my uncle indebted! I will be silent, however. If you will have Reineke sent for, He will defend himself better. Meanwhile, O king ever gracious, 140 Noble ruler, you heard yourself, I beg to remind you, bosom, Whom with body and life he should guard. Now this much is certain : Rather more than seven years since my uncle had offered 145 His true love, and his troth to the beautiful Gieremund plighted, Isegrim's wife. It was at a dance by night that it happened, Isegrim being away from home. I speak as I know it. Often with kindness and courtesy she has accepted his offers. What more is there to say? She never brought this to notice; 150 Nay, she's alive, and finds herself well; what a fuss he is making! Were he wise, he would hold his tongue: this will only disgrace him." Further pursued the badger: "And now for the hare and his story. Wish-washy empty talk! Should not the master his pupil Sometimes chastise when he will not observe, and is stubborn in evil? 155 If boys never were punished, were thoughtlessness always passed over, Were bad behaviour allowed, how would our juveniles grow up? Wackerlos now complains how his sausage was lost in the winter, Down by the hedge; he had better put up with his trouble in silence, Since, as we now are told, he stole it. As lightly 'twas come by, 160 Lightly also it went, and who can throw blame on my uncle If from a thief he took the goods he had stolen ? For all men, Those who are noble by birth, should always prove themselves hateful, Much to be dreaded by thieves. Why, had he proceeded to hang him, Venial were the offence. But, to honour the king, he released him, 165 For to punish with death the king alone is permitted. look for, Be he ever so right, whatever misdeeds he prohibits. published No one behaves as he does. His habits of living are altered: 170 Eating but once in the day, like a hermit himself he chastises, Wearing a hair-shirt next to his skin, and for many a day has Quite abstain'd from the eating of flesh both wild and domestic; |