For with his scandalous knavish tricks the traitor has caused me Punishment on my friends to inflict; for two in dishonour, Brown and Isegrim, lie, and must I not heartily rue it? 380 Honour it cannot bring me, that I the best of my barons Here in my Court have so foully entreated, and unto that liar So much confidence given, and exercised so little foresight. I too hastily followed my wife. She allow'd him to fool her; Begg'd and entreated for him. Oh! had I but acted more firmly! 385 Now is repentance too late, and counsel is all to no purpose!" And Lupardus replied: "Sir king, oh! hear my petition! Sorrow no more! The harm that is done may still be adjusted. Give the bear and the wolf and his wife the ram for atonement, For since Bellyn with perfect freedom and impudence states that 390 Lampe's death he advised, 'tis well that he pay for it also. And we'll presently all in a body on Reineke marching Catch him whenever we can, and then let us hang him impromptu. If we once let him speak, he'll talk himself out of his hanging. But I know well enough, these folk will accept the atonement." 395 Gladly the king heard this, and said in reply to 66 Lupardus : Pleasing is your advice. So now go quickly and fetch me Both of the barons here, and they shall again with due honour Near me in Council be seated. And also summon together, All in one conclave, the beasts who at Court are assembled. All must know what shameful lies has Reineke told me, 401 How he escaped, and murder'd Lampe with Bellyn's assistance. All should proceed to meet the wolf and the bear with due honour, And for atonement I give to these lords, as you have advised me, Bellyn, the traitor, himself, and all his kindred for Then did Lupardus haste, till he found the two in the prison, Brown and Isegrim, bound, and when they were loosed, he address'd them: Tidings of comfort receive from me! From the king I have brought you Peace assured and passage free. My lords, understand me! 410 If the king has done you harm, to him it is painful. for ever. You may attack them with no farther notice wherever you find them Whether in forest or field. To you they are all of them granted. 415 Then beyond all this my gracious master permits you Reineke, him who betrayed you, by every method to injure; Him and his wife and children, and everyone of his kindred, You may pursue wherever you meet with them. None will prevent you. In the name of the king I proclaim this precious exemp tion. 420 He and all who after him reign will hold to it firmly. fallen. Swear to be true and submissive to him! You may do so with honour. He will not harm you again. Be advised and accept the proposal." Thus were the terms of atonement decided, whereafter the ram must 425 Pay the account with his neck; whereby, too, all his relations Are for ever pursued by Isegrim's powerful kindred. Thus commenced the eternal feud. The wolves are accustom'd Heedless of fear or shame against lambs and sheep to be rabid, For they firmly believe that justice and law are on their side. 430 Naught will their fury appease, nor will they be reconciled ever. But for Brown and Isegrim's sake, and to pay them due honour, Twelve days more the king prolong'd the Court. anxious He was Publicly thus to show how he wished these lords to atone to. OW SEVENTH CANTO. Now they saw the palace prepared and array'd in its splendour; Many a knight was there; and after the whole of the beast-kind Came uncountable birds, and they all of them highly exalted Brown and Isegrim, who meanwhile forgot their misfortunes. There did the finest company meet in festive enjoyment 5 That had ever assembled. The drums and the trumpets were sounded, And the Court dance was duly led off with stately decorum. Every person's wants were sated in more than abundance. Messengers followed each other inviting the guests in the country. Birds and beasts came trooping in; in pairs they came trooping; ΤΟ Travelling thither by day and by night, they hasten'd their coming. Reineke Fox in his house, however, was lying and watching, Nor did he think of going to Court, the renegade pilgrim. Little thanks could he hope for there, and after his custom 14 Best of all did it please the rascal to practise his cunning. Now were heard at Court the songs that were sweetest and finest ; Meat and drink were served to the guests in endless profusion. Jousting and fencing were there to be seen. Each one with his fellows, Like with like, were join'd; there was also dancing and singing, Whilst the pipes were heard and trumpets at intervals sounding. 20 Down from his gallery looked the king with friendly de meanour; Him did the great confusion delight; with joy he beheld it. Eight days now had passed and gone (the king at his table Had just taken his seat in the midst of his principal barons; Near the queen he sat), when lo! all bloody, the rabbit 25 Came before the king, and spoke with tragical meaning: -66 King and master, and all who are here, take pity upon me! For such cruel deceit, or any such murderous action, As I have now from Reineke suffer'd, you seldom have heard of. "Twas about six o'clock when I found him yesterday morning 30 Sitting, as I on the road by Malepartus was passing, clothing Was as a pilgrim's garb, and matins he seemed to be reading, Sitting in front of his gate. And I wished to pass by him quickly, Keeping along on my road in order to come to the palace. 35 When he saw me he rose at once and coming towards me, Was as I thought intending to greet me, but straightway he seized me Savagely with his paws, and between my ears in a moment Felt I his claws, and thought that my head I was certainly losing, For they are long and sharp; then down on the earth did he throw me. 40 Luckily, being so light, I got myself loose from his clutches, |