* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The

COMICAL CREATURES

from

WURTEMBERG. 

_From the EXAMINER, August 2d. _

"The title-page of this agreeable little volume sufficiently commendsits pleasant contents. To whom, old or young, will it not be welcome?Who has not, young or old, seen, laughed at, revisited, and broughtaway, pleasant recollections of the Stuffed Animals from the Zollverein?

"It was a good notion, that of perpetuating these clever productions bymeans of daguerreotype and wood-engraving. They are very nicely executedin this volume, and wonderfully like. It is needless to particularisewhere all is so graphic and faithful; but let the studious little rabbitover his arithmetic lesson at p. 32, with that demure conscience-strikenpair behind him wincing at the flogging of their idle brother, beespecially admired. 

"We must add that the letterpress is not unworthy of the humour andfidelity of the illustrations. The various Weasels, Rabbits, and Foxes, are brought into one little tale; the Wonderful Hare-Hunt into another;the Tea-Party of Kittens, and the Marten and Tabby, into a third; theDuel of the Dormice, and the Frogs, form two separate and ingeniousanecdotes; and the story of Reynard the Fox is quaintly related in proseso far as was necessary to explain the six comical groups of Ploucquet. 

"We predict a great run at Christmas for the _Comical Creatures fromWurtemberg_. "

_From the MORNING CHRONICLE, August 12th. _

"The book is a clever and a pleasant memento of the Great Exhibition. The drawings are careful and clever, and convey a very correctrepresentation of the original creatures, with all, or nearly all, theirsubtlety of expression and aspect. The capital fatuity of the Rabbitsand Hares, the delightful scoundrelism of the Fox, the cunningshrewdness of the Marten and Weasels, the hoyden visages of the Kittens, and the cool, slippery demeanour of the Frogs, are all capitally given. The book may lie on the drawing-room table, or be thumbed in thenursery; and in the latter case we have little doubt that many an urchinstill in petticoats will in future years associate his most vividrecollection of the Great Exhibition of 1851 with Mr. Bogue'sperpetuation of the _Comical Creatures from Wurtemberg_. "

 [Illustration: THE WONDERFUL HARE-HUNT. ]

 The

 COMICAL CREATURES

 from

 WURTEMBERG, _Including the Story of Reynard the Fox. _

 With Twenty Illustrations, Drawn from the Stuffed Animals contributed by Herrmann Ploucquet of Stuttgart to the Great Exhibition. 

 _Second Edition. _

 London: DAVID BOGUE, FLEET STREET. 1851. 

PREFACE. 

To HERRMANN PLOUCQUET, Preserver of Objects of Natural Historyat the Royal Museum of Stuttgart, --the capital of the kingdom ofWurtemberg, --we are indebted for one of the cleverest and most populardisplays in the GREAT EXHIBITION. Every one, from her Majesty the Queendown to the least of the charity-boys, hastens to see the StuffedAnimals from the Zollverein; every one lingers over them and laughs atthem as long as the crowd will allow; and every one talks of themafterwards with a smile and a pleasing recollection. 

That these clever productions of Ploucquet's talent may be longperpetuated, we have had daguerreotypes of them taken by Mr. Claudet, and engravings made from them on wood as faithfully like as possible. 

We must beg our readers to remember that, excepting "Reynard the Fox, "our sketches have been written to illustrate the drawings, for on thisplea we claim some indulgence; but as we know full well that thepictures will be the main attraction of the volume, we are notapprehensive of much criticism. 

The story of "Reynard the Fox" is told briefly in the words of an oldversion of this wonderful tale published in England many years ago. InGermany _Reinecke Fuchs_ is as popular as our "Jack the Giant-Killer. "Carlyle says, "Among the people it was long a house-book and universalbest companion; it has been lectured on in Universities, quoted inimperial Council-halls; it lay on the toilets of princes, and wasthumbed to pieces on the bench of the artisan: we hear of grave menranking it next to their Bible. "

Goethe took the story of "Reynard" for the subject of a great poem; andthe famous painter Kaulbach has recently illustrated Goethe's versionwith perhaps the finest series of pictures with which a book was everadorned. 

Herrmann Ploucquet has had the good taste to select six of these designsas models for his works. He has admirably preserved the expression whichthe painter gave to the Fox and his dupes, and every one recognises themwith pleasure. 

CONTENTS. PAGE

 The Weasels of Holm-Wood 15 The Wonderful Hare-Hunt 40 The Duel of the Dormice 45 The Six Kittens 49 The Frogs who would a-wooing go 59 The Story of Reynard the Fox 63

ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE

 The Wonderful Hare-Hunt (Double Plate) _Frontispiece. _ Dame Weasel and her Family 14 The Attentive Physician 17 The _very_ attentive Physician 21 Old Marten and Sharp Weasel, Esq. 25 Mr. Bantam's Interview with Old Marten 29 Longtail teaching the young Rabbits Arithmetic 33 Jack Hare and Grace Marten leading off the Ball 37 The Duel of the Dormice 44 The Kittens at Tea--Miss Paulina singing 48 Ensign Squeaker and Miss Rose 51 Young Marten bidding farewell to Miss Paulina 55 The Frogs who would a-wooing go 58 Reynard at Home at Malepardus 62 Reynard in the likeness of a Hermit 65 Sir Tibert delivering the King's Message 71 Reynard brings forward the Hare as his Witness 81 Reynard on his Pilgrimage to Rome 85 Reynard attacketh Laprell the Rabbit 91

 [Illustration: DAME WEASEL AND HER CHILDREN. ]

THE

WEASELS OF HOLM-WOOD. 

CHAPTER I. 

In a pleasant country where green meadows lay stretched bythe side of a broad river whose banks were lined with thepollard-willow and tall poplar, there once dwelt a family ofWeasels, known, from their place of residence, as theWeasels of Holm-wood. 

Holm-wood was a little island covered with underwood, rushes, and wild flowers. A few aged trees stood by itsedge, bathing their long arms in the stream, and in thehollow trunk of one of these the Weasels lived. 

Any fine morning you might have seen the mother of thisfamily carrying her infant in her arms, and followed by herother children, a girl and two boys, who would amusethemselves by dragging little wooden horses, playing atsoldiers with mock muskets, running against the wind withlittle whirligig mills, or frolicking about with a thousandof the antics of children. Their father, known every whereas Old Weasel, was of a most resolute and unbendingdisposition; he made many enemies, and was ever at warwith one or other of his neighbours. The Partridges ofClover-field asserted that he sucked their eggs and stoletheir young ones; the Rabbits of the Warren held Old Weaseland all his family in the deepest abhorrence, and accusedthem of the greatest cruelties; but no one complained ofthem more bitterly than Dame Partlett of the Farm, whoaccused the whole tribe of being born enemies of her race, and said, that were it not that Old Weasel himself wasdreadfully afraid of her neighbour and friend, young Mastiffof Kennel-wood, she verily believed that she should neverknow any peace on earth. 

 [Illustration: THE ATTENTIVE PHYSICIAN. ]

All the world will understand how, with such a character, the Weasels had but few friends, and that when Miss Weaselgrew to be of age, she should have but few admirers;nevertheless two or three families who were related to themby blood kept up an occasional acquaintance, and among themthe Ferrets of Hollow-oak were the most intimate. Now it sohappened that one evening, when out for a ramble in thewoods, a branch of a tree on which Miss Weasel had mountedin order to get nearer to young Linnet, with whom she wishedto be on intimate terms, broke suddenly off, and the pooryoung lady was precipitated to the ground and sadly hurt. Her cries brought to her assistance her younger brother Tom, who, as soon as he had helped her home, ran for youngFerret, who had lately begun practice as a physician. Whenthe good young doctor came, he found Miss Weasel lying onthe sofa, looking very pale and very interesting. He felther pulse, looked at her tongue, and soon discovered thatthe lady was more frightened than hurt. However, as he hadnot many patients, he did not choose to tell all the truth, but prescribing a simple remedy, he ordered her to keep veryquiet, and promised to call again on the next day. Whetherit was that Miss Weasel had been hurt more than herphysician had thought, or whether there were any otherinducements, we cannot say; but young Ferret thought it hisduty to call at Holm-wood every morning, and sometimes twicea day, for at least a month: and if any one could have seenhow frequently he felt Miss Weasel's pulse, and howanxiously he studied every expression of her face, he wouldhave set down Dr. Ferret as a very attentive at least, ifnot excellent physician. 

When Miss Weasel became somewhat stronger, this good youngman would lend his arm for her support during an eveningwalk, would bring her birds' eggs and other delicacies, andin many ways endeavour to contribute to her restoration tohealth. 

This went on for some time, till the gossips of theneighbouring village would smile whenever they saw thedoctor wending his way towards Holm-wood; and Miss Weasel'stwo brothers would immediately leave their lessons, whichtheir sister used to teach them, as soon as ever thephysician appeared in sight. 

 [Illustration: THE _VERY_ ATTENTIVE PHYSICIAN. ]

CHAPTER II. 

The other relations of the Weasels who were on visitingterms with them were, the Polecats of The Grange, who camebut seldom, and the Martens of Forest-farm, with whom theywere more intimate. Now old Mr. Marten had always intendedthat his own son Longtail, who kept a boarding-school forboys near the Warren, should marry Miss Weasel; and when heheard of the physician's great attentions to that younglady, he was very wroth. At first he thought of way-layingyoung Ferret in the wood and killing him; but then herecollected that the Ferrets were a powerful family, whowould never rest till they had been revenged. His nextthought was to go to his attorney, Sharp Weasel, Esq. , ofNettle Cottage, and consult with him as to the best means ofthwarting young Ferret's projects. So the old man took downhis pipe and his account-book, and set off to the attorney. 

Mr. Sharp Weasel was well pleased to see so excellent aclient as old Mr. Marten, and received him with many smiles. The two quickly laid down a plan of proceedings, and Mr. Marten produced his account-book, and proved that youngFerret owed him for the following goods sold and delivered, viz. One young rabbit; item, one wood-pigeon; item, onebrace of partridges; item, one cock-pheasant; item, oneduckling; item, one fat gosling. 

For this account young Ferret was next day summoned beforeJudge Fox, who, after hearing the case, immediately gavejudgment in favour of plaintiff; and as young Ferret had notsufficient funds to meet this unexpected demand, he wasforthwith arrested and sent to prison. 

Old Mr. Marten chuckled and was well pleased at the successof his stratagem, and was on his way to his son Longtail totell him of what he considered the good news, when he metMr. Bantam of Holm-farm, searching for his wife anddaughters, who had wandered for a walk. Bantam, it wasevident, did not particularly wish for this meeting, for hiscomb grew very red, and he strutted off at a quick pace inan opposite direction; but old Marten ran through somebushes, and caught him just as he was getting clear of thewood. 

 [Illustration: OLD MARTEN AND SHARP WEASEL, ESQ. ]

"Good morning, Mr. Bantam, " said he. 

"Good morning, sir, " said Bantam, shaking in every feather. 

"I want you to do me a service, Bantam, " continued oldMarten; "but you must not say one word of what I am going totell you. "

Bantam promised this, as indeed he would have any thingelse. 

"You must go to Old Weasel of Holm-wood, " whispered Marten, laying his forepaws on Bantam's breast to hold him near him, "and find his daughter. Tell her that young Ferret is ascapegrace and a good-for-nothing fellow, and that Judge Foxhas sent him to prison. Then tell her that I am very rich, and that my son Longtail is making a handsome fortune by hisschool. This is a delicate matter, Bantam: if you managecleverly, I will be your friend through life; if you betrayme, mark this. " And the old man clapped his paw on thecutlass he usually wore by his side. 

Bantam, glad to get out of his clutches on any terms, promised the strictest compliance, and flew rather than ranback to his farmyard as soon as he was released. There thefirst person he saw was his wife, who had returned, and waswondering what had become of him. To her, of course, he toldall his strange adventure, and she, silly thing, wentimmediately and cackled the whole story to Dame Goose; whotold it to one of the young Goslings, who told it to oldMr. Drake; he quacked it about so loudly that his wife andchildren soon learned it; and in ten minutes there was notone in all Holm-farm who did not know of this wonderfuladventure. As for performing his promise, we must do Mr. Bantam the credit of saying he never for a moment thought ofbeing such a silly, for he well knew that the day which sawhim enter Old Weasel's house would be his last. 

 [Illustration: MR. BANTAM'S INTERVIEW WITH OLD MARTEN. ]

CHAPTER III. 

After old Marten had let Bantam go, he himself went straightto his son, whom he found engaged in his professionalpursuits. At the moment of his father's entry, youngLongtail was hearing a class of the young Rabbits, on one ofwhom he was inflicting summary chastisement for greatneglect and carelessness in his arithmetic. The poor youngfellow was squeaking terribly, and his three brothers, withtears in their eyes, were trying with all their might tocast up their sums on their slates, which shook so intheir hands that they could scarce see the figures. Theirmaster left off the beating when he saw his father, andconsequently young Rabbit, for the first and perhaps onlytime in his life, was very glad to see the old man. Theclass was dismissed; and if you had seen these fouryoungsters scamper off, shaking their white tails andjumping half a yard high as they ran to the Warren, you would have thought it was a good thing to have thelight-heartedness of children. 

The Martens, father and son, retired up an oak-tree, at theold man's request, to talk over their private affairs. Whenthe son heard of his father's plans, and how young Ferrethad been arrested, he was struck dumb with amazement. He hadnever dreamed that his father would interfere in such amatter; and if the truth must be told, he was alreadyengaged to Miss Pussy, the eldest daughter of old Mrs. Hareof the Ferns. 

However, he knew better than to contradict his father'sintentions too suddenly, for he felt assured that the oldman would cut him off with a shilling if he were to offendhim; so he pretended to acquiesce in all that was said, and promised compliance in every particular. 

But as soon as his father had bidden him farewell, andhad got out of sight, young Longtail ran as fast as hislegs would carry him to the cavern where the doctor wasimprisoned, paid the amount of the debt for which he hadbeen arrested, and took young Ferret home with him toconsult about their future conduct. 

 [Illustration: LONGTAIL TEACHING THE YOUNG RABBITS ARITHMETIC. ]

It would have amused you, could you have heard all the plansdiscussed by these young lovers for their joint benefit; howthe one talked of his darling Miss Weasel, and the other ofhis dear Miss Pussy; how they agreed that in matters of loveevery thing was allowable; and how they swore eternalfriendship to each other throughout their lives. 

Two days afterwards it was known all over Holm-wood that thefair Miss Weasel had eloped with Longtail Marten. Mrs. Gooseand the four Miss Goslings were full of the information forevery one they met. It was the finest piece of scandal theyhad known for years. "Only think, " said they, "after all herengagement to young Doctor Ferret, to go and take up withthe schoolmaster; and all, forsooth, because Old Marten isrich!"

But scarce had the first news of Miss Weasel's extraordinarybehaviour run through the farm-yard, than old Bantam wasseen hurrying in, very red in the face from over exertion, and was heard to declare, that he never knew the like of it, but as sure as he was a living cock, he had met young Ferretthe physician running away with Miss Pussy, the daughter ofold Mrs. Hare of the Ferns. Mrs. Goose turned up the whitesof her eyes and almost fainted. Dame Partlett ran withall speed, that she might be the first to cackle theintelligence to Mr. Drake; and the whole island was soonin a ferment at this wonderful piece of gossip. 

Of course, old Mr. Marten soon heard of all this; and sopleased was he that he immediately altered his will, doubling the amount he had previously given to his dear boyLongtail, and getting so extremely excited at the "Huntsmanand Hounds" on the same afternoon, that, sad to relate, hewas untimely carried off by an effusion of blood. 

And what think you became of the lovers? Why, the very dayall this commotion happened at Holm-wood the two pair met attheir aunt's, old Mrs. Stoat's, of Four-mile Cross, as theyhad agreed. There the young fellows, overjoyed at thesuccess of their scheme, changed their fair partners, and, to complete their happiness, immediately set out for a touron the neighbouring Continent. 

There, on fine summer evenings, you might often have seenthe doctor and his beloved quietly strolling by wood-sidesand along the banks of the green meadows, listening intentlyto the warbling of the tender birds they loved so much;while young Longtail Marten and his bride, fonder of moreboisterous excitement, devoted themselves to the pleasuresof the chase, scouring rapidly over hill and dale wheneverthey heard the huntsman's loud horn, or the hounds' deepernotes; and never so happy as when, after the sports of theday were done, they finished up with a ball, and dancedjoyously till the next day's dawn. 

 [Illustration: JACK HARE AND GRACE MARTEN LEADING OFF THE BALL. ]

As for the good folks at Holm-wood, as soon as Mrs. Harediscovered that her daughter had run away, she sent for hereldest son, Jack Hare, who lived in a farm close by, andasked him to pursue his sister and bring her back; but Jacksaid she was quite old enough to know her own mind, and thathe would have nothing to do with it. When, however, the oldlady learned that her daughter was married to the rich youngMarten, and not to the poor physician, then she was greatlyrejoiced, though she confessed she could not make out whyher dear child Pussy should run away with the doctor andthen marry the schoolmaster; but she supposed it was allright. 

As for Jack, when he heard that old Mr. Marten had died, leaving great riches behind him, he, to follow the fashion, fell in love with Grace, the only daughter of the deceased, and only sister of Longtail. Miss Grace listened favourablyto Jack's suit--for she was very lonely now her father wasdead, and her brother away; and as there was no papa toconsult in their case, they got married quietly at home, and asked all their neighbours to a ball, when Jack Hare andGrace Marten (that was) led off the polka in grand style, greatly to the admiration of all the young folks in theisland. 

THE WONDERFUL HARE-HUNT. 

Merrily sounded the cock's shrill horn, and brightly shonethe early morning sun, when a party of young sportsmen setout to the field, armed with their guns and game-bags. Fourbeaters from the neighbouring village attended them, eachwith a long stick to rout the hares and rabbits from theirhiding-places. Gaily went they forth, these merry sportsmenand their helpers; light was their step across the greenmeadows and up the sandy hill-sides; loud was their laughterwhen one of them, trying to jump through a broken hedge, fell into the neighbouring ditch; great was their mirth whenanother's gun went off and lamed a squirrel in an adjoiningtree; and joyous was the shout with which they scared afrightened rabbit from its morning meal. 

At last the sportsmen came to the side of a wood, and one ofthe beaters reported that just round the corner of thepalings he could see nearly a dozen hares feeding together. A council of war was summoned; each sportsman looked to thepriming of his gun, and trod with a more cautious step; eachbeater bent his head nearly to the ground, and crept alongthe grass. A plan of attack was formed; the beaters stolewithin the wood to stop the hares that way, while thesportsmen suddenly appearing on the other side, caused thepoor hares, surrounded as they were, to run into the veryjaws of destruction. They that leaped towards the woodreceived blows on their heads from the beaters; they thatran down the hill met Ponto the dog, who pounced on themopen-mouthed; and they that ran upwards were soon sentdownwards again, toppling head over heels, killed by thefire of the enemy. Not a hare escaped. The gun-bearers tookdeadly aim, and Ponto and the beaters prevented theirflight. 

While the young sportsmen and their helpers were yet pickingup the hares and rejoicing at their good fortune, the skybecame quickly overcast, black clouds gathered, and ahurricane of wind swept through the wood, tearing off largebranches of the trees. The sportsmen stood amazed at thesuddenness of the storm, but presently their amazement waschanged to fear; for, riding in a bright chariot drawn bysix snow-white swans, --blown swiftly by the wind, --thereappeared a lady of fairy-like beauty. At her command thebeautiful birds stayed their flight, and the chariot restedon the green turf close by the sportsmen. 

"Young men, " said the lady in a melodious but mournfulvoice, as she pointed to the dead hares, "you have murderedthese poor innocents for your sport: know, I am the fairycalled KINDNESS, and these hares were all of them myfriends. In punishment for your cruelty, you sportsmen shallbe changed into Martens, and you attendants into Weasels. In such shapes you may pursue your cruel sports; you are notworthy of the forms of men. " And, waving her wand, the swansbore her instantly out of sight. 

They who live in this country say that every oldMichaelmas-day, five martens and four weasels, with longsticks, may still be seen hunting hares near this wood;sometimes a dog's bark is heard and a shrill whistle, butif any of mankind appear in their sight, the creatures runquickly away, and hide themselves in the wood. 

 [Illustration: THE DUEL OF THE DORMICE. ]

THE DUEL OF THE DORMICE. 

Out in the fields, in the hollow of an old willow-tree, twoDormice slept the whole winter long. They neither ate nordrank, nor did they so much as raise their heads from theirpillows during all this dreary time. A ray of sunshine, asthe sun passed right over their tree, would perhaps make oneof them stretch out his paws; but as soon as the gleam hadpassed and left them, he would curl himself up all thecloser in his nest, and go faster asleep than ever. 

But the sun came one bright spring morning, and shone on theDormice so warmly, that they turned round in their bed, stretched their paws, rubbed their eyes, yawned, and at lastwoke quite up. 

"It is summer-time at last, " said the elder Dormouse, as hetook a nut from his store of provisions and cracked it, "andwe may now leave our winter's bed. " "I don't believe it, "replied the younger. "The wind blows cold; I shall go tosleep again. "

"Ah, that's like your laziness, " rejoined the elder; "sleepon; I'm off to the wood. " And so saying, he scrambled up thetree, then down the outside of the trunk, and so into thewide meadows. 

The younger Dormouse went to sleep. He slept for an hour, then he woke again, and finding his companion gone, heturned to the food and ate a hearty meal; then he sleptagain, but the sun had made his bed too hot: so he presentlywoke and made another attack on the provisions; and this hedid the whole day long, until, at evening time, all the cornand nuts which the two Dormice had so diligently collectedin the autumn, were gone. Soon the moon rose, and the youngone curled himself for sleep. 

In the meantime the elder had wandered about the fields;but the earth was wet, and no corn or fruit was ripe, so atnight he returned to his nest wet and hungry. He ranstraight to the store-room for food; but what was hissurprise when he found nothing left but a few barley-corns!His cries woke his companion, from whom he demanded theprovisions; the younger one muttered that he knew nothingabout them, and pretended to sleep; but the unfortunateadventurer, driven to desperation by hunger, flew into arage and struck the other with his claws: a fight ensued, and the whole neighbourhood was alarmed at the outcry. 

Two Moles who were passing by the foot of the tree, hearingthis dreadful noise, called out to the combatants to stop. The Dormice fearing it might be some of the Weasels whospoke, were silent instantly, and then the Moles bade themcome out. 

So the Dormice came down to the Moles; and when the Molesfound that the silly creatures were bent on their quarrel, they insisted that the combat should be with swords. Moreover, they offered to play the part of seconds, and todig a grave for the vanquished. 

To all this the Dormice consented; the Moles found an oldtrap, and from the iron parts they fashioned rude swords. These they measured, and gave to the combatants; and then, with their long spades in their hands, they awaited theissue of the affray. It was fierce and desperate. The hungryone fought with fury, but he who had had a good feast wasthe stronger and the calmer: at last the younger one drovehis sword right through the body of the elder; but the elderat the same moment clove his opponent's head asunder, and sothey fell dead together. And the Moles dug a deep hole, andburied both the Dormice in the same grave. 

 [Illustration: THE KITTENS AT TEA--MISS PAULINA SINGING. ]

THE SIX KITTENS. 

Once upon a time a cat had six kittens, whom she brought upin the most genteel manner. No one could say that theireducation was in any wise neglected, for besides beingtaught the ordinary duties of life by their mother, such asmouse-hunting, fish-stealing, and bird-catching, theyreceived instructions in the arts of singing, and playingthe harp and the piano, and were taught to waltz and dancethe polka with every imaginable grace. Now when the kittensgrew to be of age, it was their custom of an afternoon tospend some hours at tea and intellectual talk. The youngestalways performed the duties of servant, while one of theelder ones would entertain the rest by playing airs from thelatest opera, or singing a love-song, the music of which shehad herself composed. 

It is true some animals who dwelt close by complained ofthis music, and called it by all kinds of ill names; butthat is ever the jealous way of the world: and the kittensfrequently performed serenades in their garden by moonlight, when all who passed by would stay to listen to their melody. 

But to our tale. It happened that, one fine summer'safternoon, when the kittens were all enjoying themselves attea; when Paulina, the eldest, was warbling some of her mostdelightful songs, and Violet, the second, was entertainingthe rest, in an under tone, with a little bit of scandalabout a neighbouring Tabby, whom she had seen coming home ina sad condition about five o'clock in the morning, when she, Miss Violet, was taking her early walk;--just at this momentthere sounded a tap at the door, and presently in cameDiana, the youngest sister, bearing in her hand more cakesfor tea, and in the plate with them a note addressed to MissRose, --the next to Violet in age, and by most peopleconsidered the beauty of the family. Violet took the lettereagerly from Diana; but when she saw the address, sheremarked that it was evidently a gentleman's handwriting, and tossing her head somewhat disdainfully, she handed it toMiss Rose, who blushed very much, and retired with it to thesofa. Rose opened the note with trembling paws, and a sweetsmile played on her features as she read its contents; then, carefully folding it up, she observed to her sisters that itwas merely an invitation for a walk, and springing on to theback of the sofa, she jumped through the open window, andretired to her own summer-house up a fine sycamore-tree inthe garden. 

This incident, as may be imagined, caused a great sensationamong the sisters; and all wondered very much who could havebeen the writer of the note that had so evidently pleasedMiss Rose. One hoped it was not from that scapegrace Tom wholived at the Farm-yard; another feared it might come fromyoung Marten Sable of the Forest; and Violet demanded of heryoungest sister what sort of person it was who had broughtthe note. Diana did not know, but believed it was a relationof old Mr. Weasel, who belonged to the same farm that Tomdid. This set them all guessing again, for it was well knownthat Tom and Old Weasel did not speak to each other: and inthe end they were all just as wise as in the beginning. 

 [Illustration: ENSIGN SQUEAKER AND MISS ROSE. ]

About seven o'clock the same evening an attentive observermight have noticed Miss Rose emerging from her door veryquietly, and making the best of her way to the green fieldsthat bordered the sea-coast close by. An ill-natured personwould have said that Miss Rose had taken especial pains withher toilet, and that she carried her parasol with alack-a-daisical air; but Rose herself, at her last peep inthe glass, had thought that she looked very nicely indeed;and so it would appear thought Ensign Squeaker (of theHousehold Pigade), who, with his regimental sword by hisside, and his pocket telescope in his hand, sauntered alongthe pathway, _merely_ to enjoy the beauty of the evening, and inhale the fresh breezes from the ocean. How it happenedthat Young Squeaker and Miss Rose met at the corner of thecliff, just as the village clock struck the half-past seven, no one knows; certain only it is that they did meet; andthat after the interchange of the usual compliments, MissRose accepted Mr. Squeaker's proffered arm, and that thepair wandered about by the sea-shore until the moon rose;and Miss Rose, in great trepidation at finding it so late, desired her companion to escort her home. Nor is it knownwhat Mr. Squeaker said when he bade a fond adieu to his dearRose, nor for how long after Rose sat in her arbour in thegarden and watched the bats flitting across the moon. 

It was noticed by the sisters that Rose was very quiet allthe next day, and that at times a tear stood in the cornerof her eye, which she would wipe away, sighing. Many werethe sly allusions to the note of the previous afternoon andthe long evening walk, and no one tormented poor Rose withher insinuations more than Paulina, who was for some causein a most unusual flow of spirits. After tea, Rose took downher treasured volume, "Pussicat's Poems, " and retiring tothe garden, read the tenderest parts. Violet, overcome withthe fatigue of a recent mouse-hunt, went to sleep on thesofa; the younger ones busied themselves with their crochetand net-work; and Miss Paulina, saying she was going to callon a neighbour, with her best lace-bordered handkerchief inher hand, sallied forth and took her way towards the forest. Now it so happened that young Marten Sable was leaningagainst a tree, tapping his heel with his cane, andmeditating very profoundly at the entrance of the very walktowards which Paulina bent her steps. He started at herapproach, and with a sad but eager countenance ran to meether. 

"What has happened, Marten, " cried Paulina, "that you lookso miserable? tell me directly, I implore you;" and placingher hand on his arm, she looked piteously in his face. Marten hung his head and seemed overcome with grief; at lasthe said in a low husky voice, "We must part, Paulina; but itwill be only for a time; my father has ordered me to set outfor Russia to visit his forests there, and, my darlingPaulina, --how can I bear the thought!--it will be six monthsbefore I see you again. " Paulina covered her face with herpaws and wept bitterly; at last rousing herself, she said, "Let us not, Marten, spend our last evening thus; come, sixmonths will soon pass, and then--" Here Paulina's voicedropped, and Marten threw his arms round her waist andkissed away the tears. 

 [Illustration: YOUNG MARTEN BIDDING FAREWELL TO MISS PAULINA. ]

We know of every word that Marten said to Paulina, and ofPaulina's every reply, for we had it all from a younghedgehog whose curiosity led her to listen to their talk;but we think that the hedgehog did wrong to listen, and so, perhaps, did we to listen to the hedgehog, and so we willnot tell their secrets; but this, we may mention, that theywandered up and down the pathways of the forest, now andthen pouncing on a stray field-mouse or a poor sleepingbird, until the moon shone brightly through the trees. Andwe know that they parted at length by the sign-post at theedge of the wood, when Paulina shed many tears, and Marten, laying his paw upon his heart, vowed ever to be constant toher, and in all his travels and all his adventures toremember his sweet Pussy. To have seen how the poor kittenwept when she went to bed that night, would have grieved ahard-hearted terrier; and to have seen how melancholy shelooked as she wandered about for three weeks afterwards, would have drawn pity from a ferocious bull-dog. 

One morning, about seven months after the events we havenarrated, there was a great commotion in the house where thekittens dwelt; the bells rang, the flags were hoisted, andlittle cannon fired. In the papers of the next morning weread that Ensign Squeaker of the Household Pigade carriedoff the beautiful Miss Rose, and young Marten Sable of theForest his fair prize Miss Paulina, both on the same day. 

May they all enjoy much felicity, and may the brides catchplenty of mice!

 [Illustration: THE FROGS WHO WOULD A-WOOING GO. ]

THE

FROGS WHO WOULD A-WOOING GO. 

Two frogs, who were cousins, were hopping about together onewarm summer's evening by the side of a rivulet, when theybegan talking--just as the men will talk--about a younglady-frog who lived in a neighbouring marsh. One extolledthe brightness of her eyes, the other praised the beautyof her complexion, and somehow the two frogs found outthat they had both fallen in love with the same younglady-froggy. When they had made this discovery they partedrather abruptly, and muttered something, the meaning ofwhich was not very clear. 

"Bless me, " said Mr. Croaker, the elder and richer of thetwo, "I must not let that young scapegrace Jumper get thebetter of me. A pretty joke indeed that _he_ should think ofthe beautiful Miss Leapfrog, he who is not worth a rap, andis as ugly as a toad. "

"Who would have thought, " said Jumper to himself, "that thatold curmudgeon Croaker was going to make love to that dearyoung Miss Leapfrog? We will soon see whom she likes best. "

The next morning Croaker dressed himself with unusualneatness; and that he might appear to better advantage, hewent to a barber-frog who lived in a neighbouring arbour, and asked to be shaved and to have his wig dressed. Thebarber had just spread his white cloth, had lathered hiscustomer's chin, and was flourishing a razor in his face, when what should catch Croaker's eye through the opendoorway but the figure of his cousin Jumper, smartlydressed, with his cane under his arm, and a parasol overhis head, to keep the sun off his delicate complexion, walking hastily along the path that led to Miss Leapfrog'sresidence. 

To jump from his chair was Croaker's first impulse, and, sadto say, it was his last; for he fell with his throat uponthe edge of the barber's razor, and in two minutes breathedhis last. 

Deep was Miss Leapfrog's grief, and great was Mr. Jumper'sjoy, when the news of this sad misfortune reached theirears. In the first burst of her anguish the young ladyaccused the barber of having murdered her dear Croaker; butMr. Jumper hopped about for joy, and vowed that the barberwas the best frog alive. And well he might be joyful, for asCroaker had died without a will, Jumper inherited all hisestates; and when, after a week's mourning, the young lady'sgrief had somewhat subsided, the happy Mr. Jumper carriedoff the beautiful Miss Leapfrog. 

But alas, how uncertain is happiness either to man orfrogs! Two days afterwards, as Jumper was crossing a brook, a lily-white duck, who had been concealed by the rushes, flew at him with open beak and gobbled him up. 

And the poor bride was left to mourn in silent solitude. 

 [Illustration: REYNARD AT HOME AT MALEPARDUS. ]

THE STORY

OF

REYNARD THE FOX. 

About the feast of Whitsuntide, when the woods were in theirlustyhood and gallantry, when every tree was clothed in thegreen and white livery of glorious leaves and sweet-smellingblossoms, when the earth was covered with her fairest mantleof flowers, and the sweet birds entertained the groves withthe delight of their harmonious songs, the LION, the RoyalKing of Beasts, made solemn proclamation that all quadrupedswhatsoever should attend his court, and celebrate this greatfestival. 

Now when the king had assembled all his subjects together, there was no one absent save Reynard the Fox, against whommany grievous accusations were laid. First came Isegrim theWolf, with all his family and kindred, who, standing beforethe King complained loudly how that Reynard had ill-treatedhis wife and children. Then there came a little hound namedCurtise, who accused the Fox of having stolen his pudding inthe extreme cold winter-time, when he was nigh dying ofstarvation. But scarcely had the hound finished his tale, when, with a fiery countenance, in sprang Tibert the Cat, and accused Curtise of having stolen this pudding fromhimself, and declared that Reynard had righteously taken itaway. 

Then rose the Panther: "Do you imagine, Tibert, " quoth he, "that Reynard ought not to be complained of? The whole worldknows that he is a murderer, a vagabond, and a thief. "

Then quoth Grimbard the Badger, Reynard's nephew: "It is acommon proverb, _Malice never spake well_: what can you sayagainst my kinsman the fox? All these complaints seem to meto be either absurd or false. Mine uncle is a gentleman, and cannot endure falsehood. I affirm that he liveth as arecluse; he chastiseth his body, and weareth a shirt ofhair-cloth. It is above a year since he hath eaten anyflesh; he hath forsaken his castle Malepardus, and abandonedall his wealth; he lives only upon alms and good men'scharities, doing infinite penance for his sins; so that hehas become pale and lean with praying and fasting. "

While Grimbard was still speaking, there came down the hillChanticleer the Cock, and with him two hens, who broughtwith them on a bier their dead sister Copple, who had justbeen murdered by Reynard. Chanticleer smote piteously hisfeathers, and, kneeling before the King, spake in thismanner:

 [Illustration: REYNARD IN THE LIKENESS OF A HERMIT. ]

"Most merciful and my great Lord the King, vouchsafe, Ibeseech you, to hear our complaint, and redress the injurieswhich Reynard the Fox has done to me and my children. Notlonger ago than last April, when the weather was fair, and Iwas in the height of my pride and glory, because of my eightvaliant sons and seven fair daughters, who were strong andfat, and who walked in safety in a yard well-fenced round, wherein also were several large dogs for their protection, Reynard, that false and dissembling traitor, came to me inthe likeness of a hermit, and brought me a letter to read, sealed with your Majesty's seal, in which I found written, that your Highness had made peace throughout all your realm, and that no manner of beast or fowl should do injury one toanother; affirming unto me, that, for his own part, he wasbecome a monk, vowing to perform a daily penance for hissins; shewing unto me his beads, his books, and the hairshirt next to his skin; saying, in humble wise, unto me, 'Sir Chanticleer, never henceforth be afraid of me, for Ihave vowed never more to eat flesh. I am now waxed old, andwould only remember my soul; therefore I take my leave, forI have yet my noon and my evensong to say. ' Which spake, hedeparted, saying his Credo as he went, and laid him downunder a hawthorn. At this I was exceeding glad, that I tookno heed, but went and clucked my children together, andwalked without the wall, which I shall ever rue; for falseReynard, lying under a bush, came creeping betwixt us andthe gate, and suddenly surprised one of my children, whichhe trussed up and bore away, to my great sorrow; for, havingtasted the sweetness of our flesh, neither hunter nor houndcan protect or keep him from us. Night and day he waits uponus, with that greediness, that of fifteen of my children, hehath left me but four unslaughtered; and yesterday, Copple, my daughter, which here lieth dead on this bier, was, afterher murder, rescued from him. This is my complaint, and thisI leave to your Highness's mercy to take pity on me, and theloss of my fair children. "

Then spake the King: "Sir Grimbard, hear you this of youruncle the recluse? he hath fasted and prayed well: believeme, if I live a year, he shall dearly abide it. As for you, Chanticleer, your complaint is heard, and shall be cured; toyour daughter that is dead we will give the right of burial, and with solemn dirges bring her to the earth, withworship. "

After this the King sent for his lords and wisestcounsellors, to consult how this foul murder of Reynard'smight be punished. And in the end, it was concluded thatReynard should be sent for, and without all excuse, heshould be commanded to appear before the King, to answerwhatever trespasses should be objected against him; and thatthis message should be delivered by Bruin the Bear. 

To all this the King gave consent, and calling the bearbefore him, he said, "Sir Bruin, it is our pleasure that youdeliver this message; yet in the delivery thereof have greatregard to yourself; for Reynard is full of policy, andknoweth how to dissemble, flatter, and betray; he hath aworld of snares to entangle you withal, and without greatexercise of judgment, will make a scorn and mock of the bestwisdom breathing. "

"My Lord, " answered Sir Bruin, "let me alone with Reynard;I am not such a truant in discretion to become a mock to hisknavery;" and thus, full of jollity, the bear departed. 

The next morning Bruin set out in quest of the fox;and after passing through a dark forest and over a highmountain, he came to Malepardus, Reynard's chiefest and mostancient castle. Reynard was at home, and pretended to be illwith eating too much honey. When the bear heard this, he wasextremely desirous of knowing where such excellent foodcould be obtained; and Reynard promised to take him to agarden where he should find more honey-combs than ten bearscould eat at a meal. But the treacherous rascal took him toa carpenter's yard, where lay the trunk of a huge oak-tree, half-riven asunder, with two great wedges in it, so that thecleft stood a great way open. "Behold now, dear uncle, " saidthe fox, "within this tree is so much honey that it isunmeasurable. " The bear, in great haste, thrust his nose andfore-paws into the tree; and immediately Reynard pulled outthe two great wedges, and caught Bruin in so sharp a trap, that the poor beast howled with pain. This noise quicklybrought out the carpenter, who, perceiving how mattersstood, alarmed the whole village, who came and belabouredthe bear's sides with sticks and hoes and pitchforks, until, mad with rage, he tore his bleeding face and paws from thetree, and rushed blindly into a river that ran close by, knocking into the water with him many of the villagers, andamong them, Dame Julock, the parson's wife, for whose sakeevery one bestirred himself; and so poor Bruin got safeaway. After some delay, the bear returned to the court, where, in dismal accents, he recounted the sad trick thatReynard had played him. 

Then said the King, "Now, by my crown, I will take suchrevenge as shall make that traitor tremble;" and sending forhis counsellors, they decided that Reynard should be againsummoned to court, and that Tibert the Cat should be thebearer of the message. "It is your wisdom, Sir Tibert, Iemploy, " said the great King, "and not your strength: manyprevail with art, when violence returns with lost labour. "

So Tibert made ready, and set out with the King's letter toMalepardus, where he found the fox standing before hiscastle-gates; to whom Tibert said, "Health to my fair cousinReynard; the King, by me, summons you to the court, in whichif you fail, there is nothing more assured unto you than acruel and a sudden death. "

The fox answered, "Welcome, dear cousin Tibert; I obey yourcommand, and wish my Lord the King infinite days ofhappiness; only let me entreat you to rest with me to-night, and take such cheer as my simple house affordeth, andto-morrow, as early as you will, we will go towards thecourt, for I have no kinsman I trust so dearly as yourself. "

Tibert replied, "You speak like a noble gentleman; andme-thinks it is best now to go forward, for the moon shinesas bright as day. "

"Nay, dear cousin, " said the fox, "let us take the daybefore us, so may we encounter with our friends; the nightis full of danger. "

"Well, " said the cat, "if it be your pleasure, I am content;what shall we eat?"

Reynard said, "Truly my store is small; the best I have is ahoney-comb, pleasant and sweet; what think you of it?"

To which Tibert replieth, "It is meat I little respect, andseldom eat; I had rather have one mouse than all the honeyin Europe. "

"A mouse!" said Reynard; "why, my dear cousin, here dwelletha priest hard by, who hath a barn by his house so full ofmice, that I think half the wagons in the parish are notable to bear them. "

"Oh, dear Reynard, " quoth the cat, "do but lead me thither, and make me your servant for ever. "

"Why, " said the fox, "love you mice so exceedingly?"

"Beyond expression, " quoth the cat. 

 [Illustration: SIR TIBERT DELIVERING THE KING'S MESSAGE. ]

Then away they went with all speed to the priest's barn, which was well walled about with a mud wall, where, but thenight before, the fox had broken in and stolen an exceedingfat hen, at which the priest was so angry, that he had set asnare before the hole to catch him at his next coming, whichthe false fox knew of; and therefore said to the cat, "SirTibert, creep in at this hole, and believe it, you shall nottarry a minute's space but you shall have more mice than youare able to devour; hark, you may hear how they peep. Whenyou have eaten your fill, come again, and I will stay andawait for you here at this hole, that to-morrow we may gotogether to the court; but, good cousin, stay not too long, for I know my wife will hourly expect us. "

Then Tibert sprang quickly in at the hole, but was presentlycaught fast by the neck in the snare, which as soon as thecat felt, he quickly leaped back again; and the snarerunning close together, he was half-strangled, so that hebegan to struggle and cry out and exclaim most piteously. 

Then the priest, hearing the outcry, alarmed all hisservants, crying out, "The Fox is taken!" and away they allran to where poor Tibert was caught in the snare, and, without finding out their mistake, they beat him mostunmercifully, and cruelly wounded one of his eyes. The cat, mad with pain, suddenly gnawed the cord, and seizing thepriest by the legs, bit him and tore him in such a way thathe fell down in a swoon, and then, as every one ran to helphis master, Tibert leaped out of the hole, and limped asfast as his wounded legs would carry him to the court, wherethe King was infinitely angry at the treatment he hadreceived. 

Then Grimbard the Badger, Reynard's nephew, fearing itwas likely to go hard with his uncle, offered to go toMalepardus and take the King's message to his most subtlekinsman; to which his Majesty graciously consented. SoGrimbard set forth; and when he came to Malepardus, he foundReynard with Dame Ermelin his wife sporting with theirchildren. When Grimbard had delivered the King's letter, Reynard found that it would be better for him to shewhimself at court at once; so bidding an affectionatefarewell to his dear wife and children, he immediately setout with the badger to go with him before the King. On hisway, Reynard, remembering the heavy crimes he had committed, and fearing that his end was at hand, desired of the holyGrimbard, who had always led a hermit's life, that he wouldhear him confess, and set him a penance for his sins. Grimbard bade him proceed. And the fox confessed howshamefully he had ill-used the bear, and the cat, and thewolf, and Chanticleer's children, and many other ill-doingsduring his life; and when he had finished, he knelt beforeGrimbard, and said, "Thus have I told you my wickedness; noworder my penance, as shall seem fit in your discretion. "

Grimbard was both learned and wise; and therefore brake arod from a tree, and said, "Uncle, you shall three timesstrike your body with this rod, and then lay it down uponthe ground, and spring three times over it without bowingyour legs or stumbling; then shall you take it up and kissit gently, in sign of meekness and obedience to yourpenance; which done, you are absolved of your sins committedup to this day, for I pronounce unto you clear remission. "

At this the fox was exceeding glad; and immediately heperformed the penance to Grimbard's satisfaction. But asthey went journeying on, it happened that they passed by thepoultry-yard of a convent; and as one young cock strayed farfrom the rest, Reynard leaped at him, and caught him by thefeathers, but the cock escaped. 

"Villain that you are, " said Grimbard, "will you, for asilly pullet, fall again into your sins?"

To which Reynard answered, "Pardon me, dear nephew, I hadforgotten myself; but I will ask forgiveness, and mine eyeshall no more wander. "

However, Grimbard noted that he turned many times to look atthe poultry. But soon afterwards they arrived at the court. 

As soon as it was bruited in the court that Reynard the Foxand Grimbard his kinsman were arrived there, every one, fromthe highest to the lowest, prepared himself to complainof the fox; at which Reynard's heart quaked, but hiscountenance kept the old look, and he went as proudly asever he was wont with his nephew through the high street, and came as gallantly into the court as if he had been theKing's son, and as clear from trespass as the most innocentwhosoever; and when he came before the chair of state inwhich the King sat, he said, "Heaven give your Majesty gloryand renown above all the princes of the earth. "

But the King cut him short at these words, and said: "Peace, traitorous Reynard; think you I can be caught with the musicof your words? no, it hath too oft deceived me; the peacewhich I commanded and swore unto, that have you broken. "

Then Bellin the Ram, and Oleway his wife, and Bruin theBear, and Tibert the Cat, and Isegrim the Wolf, and Kywardthe Hare, and Bruel the Goose, and Baldwin the Ass, andBortle the Bull, and Hamel the Ox, and Chanticleer the Cock, and Partlett the Hen, and many others, came forward; and allthese with one entire noise cried out against the fox, andso moved the King with their complaints, that the fox wastaken and arrested. 

Upon this arrest, a parliament was called; andnotwithstanding that he answered every objection severally, and with great art, Reynard was condemned, and judgmentwas given that he should be hanged till his body was dead;at which sentence the fox cast down his head, for allhis jollity was lost, and no flattery nor no words nowprevailed. 

Then Isegrim on the one side and Bruin on the other led thepoor fox to the gallows, Tibert running before with thehalter. And when they were come to the place of execution, the King and the Queen, and all the rest of the nobility, took their places to see the fox die. 

When all things were prepared, the fox said: "Now my heartis heavy, for death stands in all his horror before me, and I cannot escape. My dread Lord the King, and you mysovereign Lady the Queen, and you my lords that stand tobehold me die, I beseech you grant me this charitable boon, that I may unlock my heart before you, and clear my soul ofher burdens, so that hereafter no man may be blamed for me;which done, my death will be easy. "

Every creature now took compassion on the fox, and said hisrequest was small, beseeching the King to grant it, whichwas done; and then the fox thus spake: "Help me, Heaven, for I see no man here whom I have not offended; yet was thisevil no natural inclination in me, for in my youth I wasaccounted as virtuous as any breathing. This know, I haveplayed with the lambs all the day long, and taken delight intheir pretty bleating; yet at last in my play I bit one, andthe taste of its blood was so sweet unto me, that I approvedthe flesh, and both were so good, that since I could neverforbear it. This liquorish humour drew me into the woodsamongst the goats, where hearing the bleating of the littlekids, I slew one of them, and afterwards two more, whichslaughter made me so hardy, that then I fell to murder hens, geese, and other poultry. And thus my crimes increased bycustom, and fury so possessed me, that all was fish whichcame to my net. After this, in the winter season, I met withIsegrim, where, as he lay hid under a hollow tree, heunfolded unto me how he was my uncle, and laid the pedigreedown so plain, that from that day forth we became fellowsand companions; which knot of friendship I may ever curse, for then began the flood of our thefts and slaughters. Hestole the great things, I the small; he murdered nobles, I the mean subjects; and in all our actions his share wasstill ever the greatest: when he got a ram or a calf, hisfury would hardly afford me the horns to pick on; nay, whenhe had an ox or a cow, after himself, his wife, and hisseven children were served, nothing remained to me but thebare bones to pick. This I speak not in that I wanted (forit is well known I have more plate, jewels, and coin thantwenty carts are able to carry), but only to shew hisingratitude. "

When the King heard him speak of this infinite treasure andriches, his heart grew inflamed with a desire thereof; andhe said, "Reynard, where is that treasure you speak of?"

The fox answered: "My Lord, I shall willingly tell you, forit is true the wealth was stolen; and had it not been stolenin that manner which it was, it had cost your highness yourlife (which Heaven, I beseech, keep ever in protection). "

When the Queen heard that dangerous speech, she started, andsaid: "What dangers are these you speak of, Reynard? I docommand you, upon your soul's health, to unfold thesedoubtful speeches, and to keep nothing concealed whichconcerns the life of my dread Lord. "

Then the fox in these words unfolded to the King and Queenthis most foul treason: "Know, then, my dread sovereign Lordthe King, that my father, by a strange accident, digging inthe ground, found out King Ermerick's great treasure, --amass of jewels infinite and innumerable; of which beingpossessed, he grew so proud and haughty, that he held inscorn all the beasts of the wilderness, which before hadbeen his kinsmen and companions. At last he caused Tibertthe Cat to go into the vast forest of Arden to Bruin theBear, and to tender to him his homage and fealty; and to saythat if it would please him to be king, he should come intoFlanders, where he would shew him means how to set the crownupon his head. Bruin was glad of this embassage (for he wasexceeding ambitious, and had long thirsted for sovereignty), and thereupon came into Flanders, where my father receivedhim nobly. Then presently he sent for the wise Grimbard, mynephew, and for Isegrim the Wolf, and for Tibert the Cat;then these five coming between Gaunt and the village calledElfe, they held a solemn council for the space of a wholenight, in which, by the assistance of the evil one, and thestrong confidence of my father's riches, it was thereconcluded that your Majesty should be forthwith murdered;which to effect, they took a solemn oath in this manner: thebear, my father, the badger, and the cat, laying their handson Isegrim's crown, swore, first to make Bruin their king, and to place him in the chair of estate at Acon, and to setthe imperial diadem on his head; and if by any of yourMajesty's blood and alliance they should be gainsaid, thatthen my father with his treasure should hire those whichshould utterly chase and root them out of the forest. Nowafter this determination held and finished, it happened thatmy nephew Grimbard being on a time high flown with wine, he discovered this dread plot to Dame Slopecade his wife, commanding her upon her life to keep secret the same; butshe, forgetful of her charge, disclosed it in confession tomy wife, as they went a pilgrimage over an heath, with likeconjuration of secrecy. But she, woman-like, contained it nolonger than till she met with me, and gave me a fullknowledge of all that had passed, yet so as by all meansI must keep it secret too, for she had sworn by the threekings of Cologne never to disclose it: and withal she gaveme such assurance by certain tokens, that I right well foundall was true which she had spoken; insomuch that the veryaffright thereof made my hair stand upright, and my heartbecome like lead, cold and heavy in my bosom. 

"But to proceed from this sorrow, I began to meditate howI might undo my father's false conspiracies, who sought tobring a base traitor and a slave into the throne imperial;for I well perceived, as long as he held the treasure, therewas a possibility of deposing your Majesty. And thistroubled my thought exceedingly, so that I laboured how Imight find out where my father's treasure was hid; and tothat end I watched and attended night and day in the woods, in the bushes, and in the open fields; nay in all placeswheresoever my father laid his eyes, there was I everwatching and attending. Now it happened on a time, as I waslaid down flat on the ground, I saw my father come runningout of a hole, and as soon as he was come out, he gazedround about him, to see if any discovered him; then seeingthe coast clear, he stopped the hole with sand, and made itso even, smooth, and plain, that no curious eye coulddiscern a difference betwixt it and the other earth; andwhere the print of his foot remained, that with his tail hestroked over, and with his mouth so smoothed, that no manmight perceive it: and indeed that and many other subtiltiesI learned of him there at that instant. When he had thusfinished, away he went towards the village about his privateaffairs. Then went I presently towards the hole, andnotwithstanding all his subtilty, I quickly found it out;and then entered I the cave, where I found that innumerablequantity of treasure, which cannot be expressed; whichfound, I took Ermelin my wife to help me; and we ceased not, day nor night, with infinite great toil and labour, to carryand convey away this treasure to another place, much moreconvenient for us, where we laid it safe from the search ofany creature. 

"Thus by my art only was the treason of Bruin defeated, forwhich I now suffer. From hence sprang all my misfortune, asthus: those foul traitors, Bruin and Isegrim, being of theKing's privatest council, and sitting in high and greatauthority, tread upon me, poor Reynard, and work mydisgrace, notwithstanding, for your Majesty's sake, I havelost my natural father. O my dread Lord, what is he, or whocan tender you a better affection, thus to lose himself tosave you?"

Then the King and Queen, having great hope to get thisinestimable treasure from Reynard, took him from the gibbet;and the King taking a straw from the ground, pardoned thefox of all his trespasses which either he or his father hadever committed. If the fox now began to smile, it was nowonder; the sweetness of life required it: yet he fell downbefore the King and Queen, and humbly thanked them formercy, protesting that for that favour he would make themthe richest princes in the world. 

Then the King began to inquire where all these treasureswere hid, and Reynard told that he had hid them in a woodcalled Hustreloe, near a river named Crekinpit. But when theKing said that he had never heard of such a place, Reynardcalled forth Kyward the Hare from among the rest of thebeasts, and commanded him to come before the King, charginghim, upon his faith and allegiance which he bore to the Kingand Queen, to answer truly to such questions as he shouldask him. 

The hare answered, "I will speak truth in all things, thoughI were sure to die for the same. "

Then the fox said, "Know you not where Crekinpit floweth?"

"Yes, " said the hare, "I have known it any time these dozenyears; it runneth in a wood called Hustreloe, upon a vastand wide wilderness. "

"Well, " said the fox, "you have spoken sufficiently; go toyour place again;" so away went the hare. 

Then said the fox, "My sovereign Lord the King, what say younow to my relation; am I worthy your belief or no?"

 [Illustration: REYNARD BRINGS FORWARD THE HARE AS HIS WITNESS. ]

The King said, "Yes, Reynard, and I beseech thee excuse myjealousies; it was my ignorance which did thee evil;therefore forthwith make preparation that we may go to thispit where the treasure lieth. "

But the fox answered that he could not go with his Majestywithout dishonour; for that at present he was underexcommunication, and that it was necessary that he should goto Rome to be absolved, and that from thence he intended totravel in the Holy Land. "The course you propose is good, "said the King; "go on and prosper in your intent. "

Then the King mounted on a rock, and addressing hissubjects, told them how that, for divers reasons best knownto himself, he had freely given pardon to Reynard, who hadcast his wickedness behind him, and would no more be guiltyof wrongdoing; and furthermore, he commanded them all toreverence and honour not only Reynard, but also his wife andchildren. At this, Isegrim the Wolf and Bruin the Bearinveighed against the fox in such an unseemly way, that hisMajesty caused them both to be arrested for high treason. Now when the fox saw this, he begged of the Queen that hemight have so much of the bear's skin as would make him alarge scrip for his journey; and also the skin of the wolf'sfeet for a pair of shoes, because of the stony ways he wouldhave to pass over. To this the Queen consented, and Reynardsaw his orders executed. 

The next morning Reynard caused his new shoes to be welloiled, and made them fit his feet as tightly as they hadfitted the wolf's. And the King commanded Bellin the Ram tosay mass before the fox; and when he had sung mass and usedmany ceremonies over the fox, he hung about Reynard's neckhis rosary of beads, and gave him into his hands a palmer'sstaff. 

Then the King took leave of him, and commanded all that wereabout him, except the bear and the wolf, to attend Reynardsome part of his journey. Oh! he that had seen how gallantand personable Reynard was, and how well his staff and hismail became him, as also how fit his shoes were for hisfeet, it could not have chosen but have stirred in him verymuch laughter. But when they had got onward on their way, the fox entreated all the beasts to return and pray for him, and only begged of Bellin the Ram and Kyward the Hare thatthey would accompany him as far as Malepardus. 

Thus marched these tree together; and when Reynard was cometo the gates of his own house, he said to Bellin, "Cousin, Iwill entreat you to stay here without a little, whilst I andKyward go in. " Bellin was well content; and so the fox andthe hare went into Malepardus, where they found Dame Ermelinlying on the ground with her younglings about her, who hadsorrowed exceedingly for the loss and danger of her husband;but when she saw his return, her joy was ten times doubled. But beholding his mail, his staff, and his shoes, she grewinto great admiration, and said, "Dear husband, how have youfared?" so he told all that had passed with him at theKing's court, as well his danger as his release, and thatnow he was to go a pilgrimage. As for Kyward, he said theKing had bestowed him upon them, to do with him what theypleased, affirming that Kyward was the first that hadcomplained of him, for which, questionless, he vowed to besharply revenged. 

 [Illustration: REYNARD ON HIS PILGRIMAGE TO ROME. ]

When Kyward heard these words, he was much appalled, andwould fain have fled away; but he could not, for the fox hadgot between him and the gate; who presently seized the hareby the neck, at which the hare cried unto Bellin for help, but could not be heard, for the fox in a trice had torn outhis throat; which done, he, his wife, and young ones feastedtherewith merrily, eating the flesh, and drinking to theKing's health. 

All this while stood Bellin the Ram at the gate, and grewexceeding angry both against the fox and the hare, that theymade him wait so long; and therefore called out aloud forReynard to come away, which when Reynard heard, he wentforth, and said softly to the ram, "Good Bellin, be notoffended for Kyward is in earnest conference with hisdearest aunt, and entreated me to say unto you, that if youwould please to walk before he would speedily overtake you, for he is light of foot and speedier than you: nor will hisaunt part with him thus suddenly, for she and her childrenare much perplexed at my departure. "

"Ay, but, " quoth Bellin, "methought I heard Kyward cry forhelp. "

"How, cry for help? can you imagine he shall receive hurt inmy house? far be such a thought from you; but I will tellyou the reason. As soon as we were come into my house, andthat Ermelin my wife understood of my pilgrimage, presentlyshe fell down in a swoon, which when Kyward saw, he criedaloud, 'O Bellin come, help my aunt, she dies, she dies!'"

Then said the ram: "In sadness I mistook the cry, andthought the hare had been in danger. "

"It was your too much care of him, " said the fox. "But, letting this discourse pass, you remember, Bellin, thatyesterday the King and his council commanded me that, beforeI departed from the land, I should send unto him twoletters, which I have made ready, and will entreat you, my dearest cousin, to bear them to his Majesty. "

The ram answered: "I would willingly do you the service ifthere be nothing but honourable matter contained in yourletters; but I am unprovided of any thing to carry them in. "

The fox said: "That is provided for you already, for youshall have my mail, which you may conveniently hang aboutyour neck; I know they will be thankfully received of hisMajesty, for they contain matter of great importance. "

Then Bellin promised to carry them. So the fox returned intohis house, and took the mail, and put therein the head ofKyward, and brought it to the ram, and gave him a greatcharge not to look therein till it was presented to theKing, as he did expect the King's favour; and that he mightfurther endear himself with his Majesty, he bade the ramtake upon him the inditing of the letters, "which will be sopleasing to the King, that questionless he will pour uponyou many favours. "

This said, Bellin took leave of the fox and went toward thecourt, in which journey he made such speed, that he camethither before noon, where he found the King in his palacesitting amongst the nobility. 

The King wondered when he saw the ram come in with the mailwhich was made of the bear's skin, and said: "Whence comestthou, Bellin, and where is the fox, that you have that mailabout you?"

Bellin answered: "My dread Lord, I attended the noble foxto his house, where, after some repose, he desired me tobear certain letters to your Majesty of infinite greatimportance, to which I easily consented. Wherefore hedelivered me the letters enclosed in this mail, whichletters I myself indited, and I doubt not but they aresuch as will give your highness both contentment andsatisfaction. " Presently the King commanded the letters tobe delivered to Bocart, his secretary, who was an excellentlinguist and understood all languages, that he might readthem publicly; so that he and Tibert the Cat took the mailfrom Bellin's neck, and opening the same, instead of lettersthey drew out the head of Kyward the Hare, at which beingamazed, they said: "Wo and alas, what letters call youthese? Believe it, my dread Lord, here is nothing but thehead of poor murdered Kyward. "

Which the King seeing, he said: "Alas, how unfortunate wasI to believe the traitorous fox!" And with that, beingoppressed with anger, grief, and shame, he held down hishead for a good space, and so did the Queen also. But in theend, shaking his curled locks, he groaned out such adreadful noise, that all the beasts of the forest didtremble to hear it. 

Then the King, full of wrath, commanded the bear and thewolf to be released from prison, and gave to them and totheir heirs for ever Bellin and all his generation. 

Thus was peace made between the King and these nobles, andBellin the Ram was forthwith slain by them; and all theseprivileges doth the wolf hold to this hour, nor could everany reconcilement be made between the wolf's and the ram'skindred. When this peace was thus finished, the King, forjoy thereof, proclaimed a feast to be held for twelve daysafter, which was done with all solemnity. 

To this feast came manner all of wild beasts, for it wasknown through the whole kingdom, nor was there wanting anypleasure that could be imagined. Also to this feast resortedabundance of feathered fowl, and all other creatures thatheld peace with his Majesty, and no one missing but the foxonly. 

Now after this feast had thus continued in all pomp thespace of eight days, about high noon came Laprell the Rabbitbefore the King and Queen, as they sat at dinner, and with aheavy and lamentable voice said: "My gracious and greatLord, have pity upon my misery and attend to my complaint, which is of great violence which Reynard the Fox wouldyesterday have committed against me. As I passed by thecastle of Malepardus, supposing to go peaceably towards mynest, I saw the fox, standing without his gates, attiredlike a pilgrim and telling his beads so devoutly, that Isaluted him; but he, returning no answer, stretched forthhis right foot, and with his pilgrim's staff gave me such ablow on the neck between the head and shoulders, that Iimagined my head had been stricken from my body; but yet somuch memory was left me that I leaped from his claws, thoughmost grievously hurt and wounded. At this he was wrathfulextremely, because I escaped; only of one of my ears heutterly deprived me, which I beseech your Majesty in yourroyal nature to pity, and that this bloody murderer may notlive thus to afflict your poor subjects. "

The royal King was much moved with anger when he heard thiscomplaint, so that his eyes darted out fire amongst thebeams of majesty; his countenance was dreadful and cruel tolook on, and the whole court trembled to behold him. In theend he said: "By my crown, I will so revenge these outragescommitted against my dignity, that goodness shall adore me, and the wicked shall die with the remembrance; his falsehoodand flattery shall no more get belief in me. Is this hisjourney to Rome and to the Holy Land? are these the fruitsof his mail, his staff, and other ornaments becoming adevout pilgrim? Well, he shall find the reward of histreason. I will besiege Malepardus instantly, and destroyReynard and his generation from the earth for ever. "

 [Illustration: REYNARD ATTACKETH LAPRELL THE RABBIT. ]

When Grimbard heard this, he grew exceedingly sorry, andstealing from the rest, he made all haste to Malepardus, andtold to his uncle all that had happened. Reynard receivedhim with great courtesy, and the next morning accompaniedhim back to court, confessing on his way many heinous sins, and obtaining absolution from the badger. The King receivedhim with a severe and stately countenance, and immediatelyasked him touching the complaint of Laprell the Rabbit. 

To which Reynard made answer: "Indeed, sire, what Laprellreceived he most richly deserved. I gave him a cake when hewas hungry; and when my little son Rossel wanted to share abit, the rabbit struck him on the mouth and made his teethbleed; whereupon my eldest son Reynardine forthwith leapedupon him, and would have slain him had I not gone to therescue. " Then the rabbit, fearing Reynard, stole away out ofcourt. 

"But, " quoth the King, "I must charge you with another foultreason. When I had pardoned all your great transgressions, and you had promised me to go a pilgrimage to the Holy Land;when I had furnished you with mail, scrip, and all thingsfitting that holy order; then, in the greatest despite, yousent me back in the mail, by Bellin the Ram, the head ofKyward the Hare; a thing so notoriously to my disgrace anddishonour, that no treason can be fouler. "

Then spake Reynard to the King, and said, "Alas, mysovereign Lord, what is that you have said? Is good Kywardthe Hare dead? Oh, where is then Bellin the Ram, or what didhe bring to your Majesty at his return? For it is certain Idelivered him three rich and inestimable jewels, I would notfor the wealth of India they should be detained from you;the chief of them I determined for you my Lord the King, and the other two for my sovereign Lady the Queen. "

"But, " said the King, "I received nothing but the head ofpoor murdered Kyward, for which I executed the ram, hehaving confessed the deed to be done by his advice andcounsel. "

"Is this true?" said the fox; "then wo is me that ever I wasborn, for there are lost the goodliest jewels that ever werein the possession of any prince living; would I had diedwhen you were thus defrauded, for I know it will be thedeath of my wife, nor will she ever henceforth esteem me. "

Then Reynard told the King and Queen of the great value ofthese inestimable jewels. One was a gold ring, another acomb polished like unto fine silver, and the third was aglass mirror; and so great were the virtues of this rareglass that Reynard shed tears to think of the loss of it. When the fox had told all this, he thus concluded: "If anyone can charge me with crime and prove it by witness, hereI stand to endure the uttermost the law can inflict upon me;but if malice only slander me without witness, I crave thecombat, according to the law and instance of the court. "

Then said the King, "Reynard, you say well, nor know I anything more of Kyward's death than the bringing of his headunto me by Bellin the Ram; therefore of it I here acquityou. "

"My dear Lord, " said the fox, "I humbly thank you; yet ishis death grievous unto me. "

But Isegrim the Wolf was not content with this conclusion, and defied the fox to mortal combat. This challenge the foxaccepted; and the next day was appointed for the meeting. 

When all the ceremonies were done, and none but thecombatants were in the lists, the wolf went toward the foxwith infinite rage and fury, thinking to take him in hisfore-feet; but the fox leaped nimbly from him, and the wolfpursued him, so that there began a tedious chase betweenthem, on which their friends gazed. The wolf taking largerstrides than the fox, often overtook him, and lifted up hisfeet to strike him; but the fox avoided the blow, and smotehim on the face with his tail, so that the wolf was strickenalmost blind, and was forced to rest while he cleared hiseyes; which advantage when Reynard saw, he scratched up thedust with his feet, and threw it in the eyes of the wolf. This grieved him worse than the former, so that he durstfollow him no longer, for the dust and sand sticking in hiseyes smarted so sore, that of force he must rub and wash itaway; which Reynard seeing, with all the fury he had he ranupon him, and with his teeth gave him three sore wounds onhis head. 

Then the wolf being enraged, said, "I will make an end ofthis combat, for I know my very weight is able to crush himto pieces; and I lose much of my reputation, to suffer himthus long to contend against me. " And this said, he struckthe fox again so sore a blow on the head with his foot, thathe fell down to the ground; and ere he could recover himselfand arise, the wolf caught him in his feet and threw himunder him, lying upon him in such wise, as if he would havepressed him to death. 

Then the fox bethought himself how he might best get free;and thrusting his hand down, he caught the wolf fast by thebelly, and he wrung him so extremely hard thereby, that hemade him shriek and howl out with the anguish, and in theend the wolf fell over and over in a swoon; then presentlyReynard leaped upon him, and drew him about the lists anddragged him by the legs, and struck, wounded, and bit him inmany places, so that the whole field might take noticethereof. 

Then a great shout was raised, the trumpets were sounded, and every one cried, "Honour to the fox for this gloriousconquest. " Reynard thanked them all kindly, and receivedtheir congratulations with great joy and gladness. And, themarshals going before, they went all to the King, guardingthe fox on every side, all the trumpets, pipes, andminstrelsy sounding before him. 

When Reynard came before the King he fell on his knees, butthe King bade him stand up, and said to him, "Reynard, youmay well rejoice, for you have won much honour this day;therefore here I discharge you, and set you free to gowhither your own will leads you. " So the court broke up, and every beast returned to his own home. 

With Reynard, all his friends and kinsfolk, to the number offorty, took their leave also of the King, and went away withthe fox, who was no little glad that he had sped so well, and stood so far in the King's favour; for now he had powerenough to advance whom he pleased, and pull down any thatenvied his fortune. 

After some travel the fox and his friends came to hisborough or castle of Malepardus, where they all, in nobleand courteous manner, took leave of each other, and Reynarddid to every one of them great reverence, and thankedthem for the love and honour he had received from them, protesting evermore to remain their faithful servant, and tosend them in all things wherein his life or goods might beavailable unto them; and so they shook hands and departed. 

Then the fox went to Dame Ermelin his wife, who welcomed himwith great tenderness; and to her and her children herelated at large all the wonders which had befallen him atcourt, and missed no tittle or circumstance therein. Thengrew they proud that his fortune was so excellent; and thefox spent his days from thenceforth, with his wife andchildren, in great joy and content. 

ROBSON, LEVEY, AND FRANKLYN, GREAT NEW STREET. 

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Errata (noted by transcriber)

 that demure conscience-striken pair [_text unchanged_] we will give the right of burial [_text unchanged: error for "rite"?_]