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+Project Gutenberg's The Comical Creatures from Wurtemberg, by Unknown
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Comical Creatures from Wurtemberg
+       Second Edition
+
+Author: Unknown
+
+Contributor: Hermann Ploucquet
+
+Release Date: April 6, 2009 [EBook #28508]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMICAL CREATURES FROM WURTEMBERG ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Louise Hope and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+University of Florida, The Internet Archive/Children's
+Library)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+           *       *       *       *
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The
+
+COMICAL CREATURES
+
+from
+
+WURTEMBERG.
+
+
+
+
+_From the EXAMINER, August 2d._
+
+"The title-page of this agreeable little volume sufficiently commends
+its pleasant contents. To whom, old or young, will it not be welcome?
+Who has not, young or old, seen, laughed at, revisited, and brought
+away, pleasant recollections of the Stuffed Animals from the Zollverein?
+
+"It was a good notion, that of perpetuating these clever productions by
+means of daguerreotype and wood-engraving. They are very nicely executed
+in this volume, and wonderfully like. It is needless to particularise
+where all is so graphic and faithful; but let the studious little rabbit
+over his arithmetic lesson at p. 32, with that demure conscience-striken
+pair behind him wincing at the flogging of their idle brother, be
+especially admired.
+
+"We must add that the letterpress is not unworthy of the humour and
+fidelity 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; the
+Duel of the Dormice, and the Frogs, form two separate and ingenious
+anecdotes; and the story of Reynard the Fox is quaintly related in prose
+so far as was necessary to explain the six comical groups of Ploucquet.
+
+"We predict a great run at Christmas for the _Comical Creatures from
+Wurtemberg_."
+
+
+_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 correct
+representation of the original creatures, with all, or nearly all, their
+subtlety of expression and aspect. The capital fatuity of the Rabbits
+and Hares, the delightful scoundrelism of the Fox, the cunning
+shrewdness 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 the
+nursery; and in the latter case we have little doubt that many an urchin
+still in petticoats will in future years associate his most vivid
+recollection of the Great Exhibition of 1851 with Mr. Bogue's
+perpetuation 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 History
+at the Royal Museum of Stuttgart,--the capital of the kingdom of
+Wurtemberg,--we are indebted for one of the cleverest and most popular
+displays in the GREAT EXHIBITION. Every one, from her Majesty the Queen
+down to the least of the charity-boys, hastens to see the Stuffed
+Animals from the Zollverein; every one lingers over them and laughs at
+them as long as the crowd will allow; and every one talks of them
+afterwards with a smile and a pleasing recollection.
+
+That these clever productions of Ploucquet's talent may be long
+perpetuated, 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 this
+plea we claim some indulgence; but as we know full well that the
+pictures will be the main attraction of the volume, we are not
+apprehensive of much criticism.
+
+The story of "Reynard the Fox" is told briefly in the words of an old
+version of this wonderful tale published in England many years ago. In
+Germany _Reinecke Fuchs_ is as popular as our "Jack the Giant-Killer."
+Carlyle says, "Among the people it was long a house-book and universal
+best companion; it has been lectured on in Universities, quoted in
+imperial Council-halls; it lay on the toilets of princes, and was
+thumbed to pieces on the bench of the artisan: we hear of grave men
+ranking it next to their Bible."
+
+Goethe took the story of "Reynard" for the subject of a great poem; and
+the famous painter Kaulbach has recently illustrated Goethe's version
+with perhaps the finest series of pictures with which a book was ever
+adorned.
+
+Herrmann Ploucquet has had the good taste to select six of these designs
+as models for his works. He has admirably preserved the expression which
+the painter gave to the Fox and his dupes, and every one recognises them
+with 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 by
+the side of a broad river whose banks were lined with the
+pollard-willow and tall poplar, there once dwelt a family of
+Weasels, known, from their place of residence, as the
+Weasels of Holm-wood.
+
+Holm-wood was a little island covered with underwood,
+rushes, and wild flowers. A few aged trees stood by its
+edge, bathing their long arms in the stream, and in the
+hollow trunk of one of these the Weasels lived.
+
+Any fine morning you might have seen the mother of this
+family carrying her infant in her arms, and followed by her
+other children, a girl and two boys, who would amuse
+themselves by dragging little wooden horses, playing at
+soldiers with mock muskets, running against the wind with
+little whirligig mills, or frolicking about with a thousand
+of the antics of children. Their father, known every where
+as Old Weasel, was of a most resolute and unbending
+disposition; he made many enemies, and was ever at war
+with one or other of his neighbours. The Partridges of
+Clover-field asserted that he sucked their eggs and stole
+their young ones; the Rabbits of the Warren held Old Weasel
+and all his family in the deepest abhorrence, and accused
+them of the greatest cruelties; but no one complained of
+them more bitterly than Dame Partlett of the Farm, who
+accused the whole tribe of being born enemies of her race,
+and said, that were it not that Old Weasel himself was
+dreadfully afraid of her neighbour and friend, young Mastiff
+of Kennel-wood, she verily believed that she should never
+know 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 Weasel
+grew to be of age, she should have but few admirers;
+nevertheless two or three families who were related to them
+by blood kept up an occasional acquaintance, and among them
+the Ferrets of Hollow-oak were the most intimate. Now it so
+happened that one evening, when out for a ramble in the
+woods, a branch of a tree on which Miss Weasel had mounted
+in order to get nearer to young Linnet, with whom she wished
+to be on intimate terms, broke suddenly off, and the poor
+young 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 young
+Ferret, who had lately begun practice as a physician. When
+the good young doctor came, he found Miss Weasel lying on
+the sofa, looking very pale and very interesting. He felt
+her pulse, looked at her tongue, and soon discovered that
+the lady was more frightened than hurt. However, as he had
+not many patients, he did not choose to tell all the truth,
+but prescribing a simple remedy, he ordered her to keep very
+quiet, and promised to call again on the next day. Whether
+it was that Miss Weasel had been hurt more than her
+physician had thought, or whether there were any other
+inducements, we cannot say; but young Ferret thought it his
+duty to call at Holm-wood every morning, and sometimes twice
+a day, for at least a month: and if any one could have seen
+how frequently he felt Miss Weasel's pulse, and how
+anxiously he studied every expression of her face, he would
+have set down Dr. Ferret as a very attentive at least, if
+not excellent physician.
+
+When Miss Weasel became somewhat stronger, this good young
+man would lend his arm for her support during an evening
+walk, would bring her birds' eggs and other delicacies, and
+in many ways endeavour to contribute to her restoration to
+health.
+
+This went on for some time, till the gossips of the
+neighbouring village would smile whenever they saw the
+doctor wending his way towards Holm-wood; and Miss Weasel's
+two brothers would immediately leave their lessons, which
+their sister used to teach them, as soon as ever the
+physician appeared in sight.
+
+
+  [Illustration: THE _VERY_ ATTENTIVE PHYSICIAN.]
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+The other relations of the Weasels who were on visiting
+terms with them were, the Polecats of The Grange, who came
+but seldom, and the Martens of Forest-farm, with whom they
+were more intimate. Now old Mr. Marten had always intended
+that his own son Longtail, who kept a boarding-school for
+boys near the Warren, should marry Miss Weasel; and when he
+heard of the physician's great attentions to that young
+lady, he was very wroth. At first he thought of way-laying
+young Ferret in the wood and killing him; but then he
+recollected that the Ferrets were a powerful family, who
+would never rest till they had been revenged. His next
+thought was to go to his attorney, Sharp Weasel, Esq., of
+Nettle Cottage, and consult with him as to the best means of
+thwarting young Ferret's projects. So the old man took down
+his pipe and his account-book, and set off to the attorney.
+
+Mr. Sharp Weasel was well pleased to see so excellent a
+client 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 young
+Ferret owed him for the following goods sold and delivered,
+viz. one young rabbit; item, one wood-pigeon; item, one
+brace of partridges; item, one cock-pheasant; item, one
+duckling; item, one fat gosling.
+
+For this account young Ferret was next day summoned before
+Judge Fox, who, after hearing the case, immediately gave
+judgment in favour of plaintiff; and as young Ferret had not
+sufficient funds to meet this unexpected demand, he was
+forthwith arrested and sent to prison.
+
+Old Mr. Marten chuckled and was well pleased at the success
+of his stratagem, and was on his way to his son Longtail to
+tell him of what he considered the good news, when he met
+Mr. Bantam of Holm-farm, searching for his wife and
+daughters, who had wandered for a walk. Bantam, it was
+evident, did not particularly wish for this meeting, for his
+comb grew very red, and he strutted off at a quick pace in
+an opposite direction; but old Marten ran through some
+bushes, and caught him just as he was getting clear of the
+wood.
+
+  [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 old
+Marten; "but you must not say one word of what I am going to
+tell you."
+
+Bantam promised this, as indeed he would have any thing
+else.
+
+"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 a
+scapegrace and a good-for-nothing fellow, and that Judge Fox
+has sent him to prison. Then tell her that I am very rich,
+and that my son Longtail is making a handsome fortune by his
+school. This is a delicate matter, Bantam: if you manage
+cleverly, I will be your friend through life; if you betray
+me, mark this." And the old man clapped his paw on the
+cutlass 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 ran
+back to his farmyard as soon as he was released. There the
+first person he saw was his wife, who had returned, and was
+wondering what had become of him. To her, of course, he told
+all his strange adventure, and she, silly thing, went
+immediately and cackled the whole story to Dame Goose; who
+told it to one of the young Goslings, who told it to old
+Mr. Drake; he quacked it about so loudly that his wife and
+children soon learned it; and in ten minutes there was not
+one in all Holm-farm who did not know of this wonderful
+adventure. As for performing his promise, we must do Mr.
+Bantam the credit of saying he never for a moment thought of
+being such a silly, for he well knew that the day which saw
+him 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 straight
+to his son, whom he found engaged in his professional
+pursuits. At the moment of his father's entry, young
+Longtail was hearing a class of the young Rabbits, on one of
+whom he was inflicting summary chastisement for great
+neglect and carelessness in his arithmetic. The poor young
+fellow was squeaking terribly, and his three brothers, with
+tears in their eyes, were trying with all their might to
+cast up their sums on their slates, which shook so in
+their hands that they could scarce see the figures. Their
+master left off the beating when he saw his father, and
+consequently young Rabbit, for the first and perhaps only
+time in his life, was very glad to see the old man. The
+class was dismissed; and if you had seen these four
+youngsters scamper off, shaking their white tails and
+jumping half a yard high as they ran to the Warren,
+you would have thought it was a good thing to have the
+light-heartedness of children.
+
+The Martens, father and son, retired up an oak-tree, at the
+old man's request, to talk over their private affairs. When
+the son heard of his father's plans, and how young Ferret
+had been arrested, he was struck dumb with amazement. He had
+never dreamed that his father would interfere in such a
+matter; and if the truth must be told, he was already
+engaged to Miss Pussy, the eldest daughter of old Mrs. Hare
+of the Ferns.
+
+However, he knew better than to contradict his father's
+intentions too suddenly, for he felt assured that the old
+man would cut him off with a shilling if he were to offend
+him; 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, and
+had got out of sight, young Longtail ran as fast as his
+legs would carry him to the cavern where the doctor was
+imprisoned, paid the amount of the debt for which he had
+been arrested, and took young Ferret home with him to
+consult about their future conduct.
+
+  [Illustration: LONGTAIL TEACHING THE YOUNG RABBITS
+    ARITHMETIC.]
+
+It would have amused you, could you have heard all the plans
+discussed by these young lovers for their joint benefit; how
+the one talked of his darling Miss Weasel, and the other of
+his dear Miss Pussy; how they agreed that in matters of love
+every thing was allowable; and how they swore eternal
+friendship to each other throughout their lives.
+
+Two days afterwards it was known all over Holm-wood that the
+fair Miss Weasel had eloped with Longtail Marten. Mrs. Goose
+and the four Miss Goslings were full of the information for
+every one they met. It was the finest piece of scandal they
+had known for years. "Only think," said they, "after all her
+engagement to young Doctor Ferret, to go and take up with
+the schoolmaster; and all, forsooth, because Old Marten is
+rich!"
+
+But scarce had the first news of Miss Weasel's extraordinary
+behaviour run through the farm-yard, than old Bantam was
+seen 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 Ferret
+the physician running away with Miss Pussy, the daughter of
+old Mrs. Hare of the Ferns. Mrs. Goose turned up the whites
+of her eyes and almost fainted. Dame Partlett ran with
+all speed, that she might be the first to cackle the
+intelligence to Mr. Drake; and the whole island was soon
+in a ferment at this wonderful piece of gossip.
+
+Of course, old Mr. Marten soon heard of all this; and so
+pleased was he that he immediately altered his will,
+doubling the amount he had previously given to his dear boy
+Longtail, and getting so extremely excited at the "Huntsman
+and Hounds" on the same afternoon, that, sad to relate, he
+was untimely carried off by an effusion of blood.
+
+And what think you became of the lovers? Why, the very day
+all this commotion happened at Holm-wood the two pair met at
+their aunt's, old Mrs. Stoat's, of Four-mile Cross, as they
+had agreed. There the young fellows, overjoyed at the
+success of their scheme, changed their fair partners, and,
+to complete their happiness, immediately set out for a tour
+on the neighbouring Continent.
+
+There, on fine summer evenings, you might often have seen
+the doctor and his beloved quietly strolling by wood-sides
+and along the banks of the green meadows, listening intently
+to the warbling of the tender birds they loved so much;
+while young Longtail Marten and his bride, fonder of more
+boisterous excitement, devoted themselves to the pleasures
+of the chase, scouring rapidly over hill and dale whenever
+they heard the huntsman's loud horn, or the hounds' deeper
+notes; and never so happy as when, after the sports of the
+day were done, they finished up with a ball, and danced
+joyously 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. Hare
+discovered that her daughter had run away, she sent for her
+eldest son, Jack Hare, who lived in a farm close by, and
+asked him to pursue his sister and bring her back; but Jack
+said she was quite old enough to know her own mind, and that
+he would have nothing to do with it. When, however, the old
+lady learned that her daughter was married to the rich young
+Marten, and not to the poor physician, then she was greatly
+rejoiced, though she confessed she could not make out why
+her dear child Pussy should run away with the doctor and
+then marry the schoolmaster; but she supposed it was all
+right.
+
+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 favourably
+to Jack's suit--for she was very lonely now her father was
+dead, and her brother away; and as there was no papa to
+consult in their case, they got married quietly at home,
+and asked all their neighbours to a ball, when Jack Hare and
+Grace Marten (that was) led off the polka in grand style,
+greatly to the admiration of all the young folks in the
+island.
+
+
+
+
+THE WONDERFUL HARE-HUNT.
+
+
+Merrily sounded the cock's shrill horn, and brightly shone
+the early morning sun, when a party of young sportsmen set
+out to the field, armed with their guns and game-bags. Four
+beaters from the neighbouring village attended them, each
+with a long stick to rout the hares and rabbits from their
+hiding-places. Gaily went they forth, these merry sportsmen
+and their helpers; light was their step across the green
+meadows and up the sandy hill-sides; loud was their laughter
+when one of them, trying to jump through a broken hedge,
+fell into the neighbouring ditch; great was their mirth when
+another's gun went off and lamed a squirrel in an adjoining
+tree; and joyous was the shout with which they scared a
+frightened rabbit from its morning meal.
+
+At last the sportsmen came to the side of a wood, and one of
+the beaters reported that just round the corner of the
+palings he could see nearly a dozen hares feeding together.
+A council of war was summoned; each sportsman looked to the
+priming of his gun, and trod with a more cautious step; each
+beater bent his head nearly to the ground, and crept along
+the grass. A plan of attack was formed; the beaters stole
+within the wood to stop the hares that way, while the
+sportsmen suddenly appearing on the other side, caused the
+poor hares, surrounded as they were, to run into the very
+jaws of destruction. They that leaped towards the wood
+received blows on their heads from the beaters; they that
+ran down the hill met Ponto the dog, who pounced on them
+open-mouthed; and they that ran upwards were soon sent
+downwards again, toppling head over heels, killed by the
+fire of the enemy. Not a hare escaped. The gun-bearers took
+deadly aim, and Ponto and the beaters prevented their
+flight.
+
+While the young sportsmen and their helpers were yet picking
+up the hares and rejoicing at their good fortune, the sky
+became quickly overcast, black clouds gathered, and a
+hurricane of wind swept through the wood, tearing off large
+branches of the trees. The sportsmen stood amazed at the
+suddenness of the storm, but presently their amazement was
+changed to fear; for, riding in a bright chariot drawn by
+six snow-white swans,--blown swiftly by the wind,--there
+appeared a lady of fairy-like beauty. At her command the
+beautiful birds stayed their flight, and the chariot rested
+on the green turf close by the sportsmen.
+
+"Young men," said the lady in a melodious but mournful
+voice, as she pointed to the dead hares, "you have murdered
+these poor innocents for your sport: know, I am the fairy
+called KINDNESS, and these hares were all of them my
+friends. In punishment for your cruelty, you sportsmen shall
+be changed into Martens, and you attendants into Weasels.
+In such shapes you may pursue your cruel sports; you are not
+worthy of the forms of men." And, waving her wand, the swans
+bore her instantly out of sight.
+
+They who live in this country say that every old
+Michaelmas-day, five martens and four weasels, with long
+sticks, may still be seen hunting hares near this wood;
+sometimes a dog's bark is heard and a shrill whistle, but
+if any of mankind appear in their sight, the creatures run
+quickly 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, two
+Dormice slept the whole winter long. They neither ate nor
+drank, nor did they so much as raise their heads from their
+pillows during all this dreary time. A ray of sunshine, as
+the sun passed right over their tree, would perhaps make one
+of them stretch out his paws; but as soon as the gleam had
+passed and left them, he would curl himself up all the
+closer in his nest, and go faster asleep than ever.
+
+But the sun came one bright spring morning, and shone on the
+Dormice so warmly, that they turned round in their bed,
+stretched their paws, rubbed their eyes, yawned, and at last
+woke quite up.
+
+"It is summer-time at last," said the elder Dormouse, as he
+took a nut from his store of provisions and cracked it, "and
+we may now leave our winter's bed." "I don't believe it,"
+replied the younger. "The wind blows cold; I shall go to
+sleep again."
+
+"Ah, that's like your laziness," rejoined the elder; "sleep
+on; I'm off to the wood." And so saying, he scrambled up the
+tree, then down the outside of the trunk, and so into the
+wide meadows.
+
+The younger Dormouse went to sleep. He slept for an hour,
+then he woke again, and finding his companion gone, he
+turned to the food and ate a hearty meal; then he slept
+again, but the sun had made his bed too hot: so he presently
+woke and made another attack on the provisions; and this he
+did the whole day long, until, at evening time, all the corn
+and nuts which the two Dormice had so diligently collected
+in the autumn, were gone. Soon the moon rose, and the young
+one 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 at
+night he returned to his nest wet and hungry. He ran
+straight to the store-room for food; but what was his
+surprise when he found nothing left but a few barley-corns!
+His cries woke his companion, from whom he demanded the
+provisions; the younger one muttered that he knew nothing
+about them, and pretended to sleep; but the unfortunate
+adventurer, driven to desperation by hunger, flew into a
+rage 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, hearing
+this dreadful noise, called out to the combatants to stop.
+The Dormice fearing it might be some of the Weasels who
+spoke, were silent instantly, and then the Moles bade them
+come out.
+
+So the Dormice came down to the Moles; and when the Moles
+found 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 to
+dig a grave for the vanquished.
+
+To all this the Dormice consented; the Moles found an old
+trap, 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 the
+issue of the affray. It was fierce and desperate. The hungry
+one fought with fury, but he who had had a good feast was
+the stronger and the calmer: at last the younger one drove
+his sword right through the body of the elder; but the elder
+at the same moment clove his opponent's head asunder, and so
+they fell dead together. And the Moles dug a deep hole, and
+buried 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 up
+in the most genteel manner. No one could say that their
+education was in any wise neglected, for besides being
+taught the ordinary duties of life by their mother, such as
+mouse-hunting, fish-stealing, and bird-catching, they
+received instructions in the arts of singing, and playing
+the harp and the piano, and were taught to waltz and dance
+the polka with every imaginable grace. Now when the kittens
+grew to be of age, it was their custom of an afternoon to
+spend some hours at tea and intellectual talk. The youngest
+always performed the duties of servant, while one of the
+elder ones would entertain the rest by playing airs from the
+latest opera, or singing a love-song, the music of which she
+had herself composed.
+
+It is true some animals who dwelt close by complained of
+this music, and called it by all kinds of ill names; but
+that is ever the jealous way of the world: and the kittens
+frequently 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's
+afternoon, when the kittens were all enjoying themselves at
+tea; when Paulina, the eldest, was warbling some of her most
+delightful songs, and Violet, the second, was entertaining
+the rest, in an under tone, with a little bit of scandal
+about a neighbouring Tabby, whom she had seen coming home in
+a sad condition about five o'clock in the morning, when she,
+Miss Violet, was taking her early walk;--just at this moment
+there sounded a tap at the door, and presently in came
+Diana, the youngest sister, bearing in her hand more cakes
+for tea, and in the plate with them a note addressed to Miss
+Rose,--the next to Violet in age, and by most people
+considered the beauty of the family. Violet took the letter
+eagerly from Diana; but when she saw the address, she
+remarked that it was evidently a gentleman's handwriting,
+and tossing her head somewhat disdainfully, she handed it to
+Miss Rose, who blushed very much, and retired with it to the
+sofa. Rose opened the note with trembling paws, and a sweet
+smile played on her features as she read its contents; then,
+carefully folding it up, she observed to her sisters that it
+was merely an invitation for a walk, and springing on to the
+back of the sofa, she jumped through the open window, and
+retired to her own summer-house up a fine sycamore-tree in
+the garden.
+
+This incident, as may be imagined, caused a great sensation
+among the sisters; and all wondered very much who could have
+been the writer of the note that had so evidently pleased
+Miss Rose. One hoped it was not from that scapegrace Tom who
+lived at the Farm-yard; another feared it might come from
+young Marten Sable of the Forest; and Violet demanded of her
+youngest sister what sort of person it was who had brought
+the note. Diana did not know, but believed it was a relation
+of old Mr. Weasel, who belonged to the same farm that Tom
+did. This set them all guessing again, for it was well known
+that Tom and Old Weasel did not speak to each other: and in
+the 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 observer
+might have noticed Miss Rose emerging from her door very
+quietly, and making the best of her way to the green fields
+that bordered the sea-coast close by. An ill-natured person
+would have said that Miss Rose had taken especial pains with
+her toilet, and that she carried her parasol with a
+lack-a-daisical air; but Rose herself, at her last peep in
+the glass, had thought that she looked very nicely indeed;
+and so it would appear thought Ensign Squeaker (of the
+Household Pigade), who, with his regimental sword by his
+side, and his pocket telescope in his hand, sauntered along
+the pathway, _merely_ to enjoy the beauty of the evening,
+and inhale the fresh breezes from the ocean. How it happened
+that Young Squeaker and Miss Rose met at the corner of the
+cliff, just as the village clock struck the half-past seven,
+no one knows; certain only it is that they did meet; and
+that after the interchange of the usual compliments, Miss
+Rose accepted Mr. Squeaker's proffered arm, and that the
+pair 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 known
+what Mr. Squeaker said when he bade a fond adieu to his dear
+Rose, nor for how long after Rose sat in her arbour in the
+garden and watched the bats flitting across the moon.
+
+It was noticed by the sisters that Rose was very quiet all
+the next day, and that at times a tear stood in the corner
+of her eye, which she would wipe away, sighing. Many were
+the sly allusions to the note of the previous afternoon and
+the long evening walk, and no one tormented poor Rose with
+her insinuations more than Paulina, who was for some cause
+in a most unusual flow of spirits. After tea, Rose took down
+her treasured volume, "Pussicat's Poems," and retiring to
+the garden, read the tenderest parts. Violet, overcome with
+the fatigue of a recent mouse-hunt, went to sleep on the
+sofa; the younger ones busied themselves with their crochet
+and net-work; and Miss Paulina, saying she was going to call
+on a neighbour, with her best lace-bordered handkerchief in
+her hand, sallied forth and took her way towards the forest.
+Now it so happened that young Marten Sable was leaning
+against a tree, tapping his heel with his cane, and
+meditating very profoundly at the entrance of the very walk
+towards which Paulina bent her steps. He started at her
+approach, and with a sad but eager countenance ran to meet
+her.
+
+"What has happened, Marten," cried Paulina, "that you look
+so miserable? tell me directly, I implore you;" and placing
+her hand on his arm, she looked piteously in his face.
+Marten hung his head and seemed overcome with grief; at last
+he said in a low husky voice, "We must part, Paulina; but it
+will be only for a time; my father has ordered me to set out
+for Russia to visit his forests there, and, my darling
+Paulina,--how can I bear the thought!--it will be six months
+before I see you again." Paulina covered her face with her
+paws and wept bitterly; at last rousing herself, she said,
+"Let us not, Marten, spend our last evening thus; come, six
+months will soon pass, and then--" Here Paulina's voice
+dropped, and Marten threw his arms round her waist and
+kissed away the tears.
+
+  [Illustration: YOUNG MARTEN BIDDING FAREWELL TO
+    MISS PAULINA.]
+
+We know of every word that Marten said to Paulina, and of
+Paulina's every reply, for we had it all from a young
+hedgehog 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 will
+not tell their secrets; but this, we may mention, that they
+wandered up and down the pathways of the forest, now and
+then pouncing on a stray field-mouse or a poor sleeping
+bird, until the moon shone brightly through the trees. And
+we know that they parted at length by the sign-post at the
+edge of the wood, when Paulina shed many tears, and Marten,
+laying his paw upon his heart, vowed ever to be constant to
+her, and in all his travels and all his adventures to
+remember his sweet Pussy. To have seen how the poor kitten
+wept when she went to bed that night, would have grieved a
+hard-hearted terrier; and to have seen how melancholy she
+looked 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 have
+narrated, there was a great commotion in the house where the
+kittens dwelt; the bells rang, the flags were hoisted, and
+little cannon fired. In the papers of the next morning we
+read that Ensign Squeaker of the Household Pigade carried
+off the beautiful Miss Rose, and young Marten Sable of the
+Forest his fair prize Miss Paulina, both on the same day.
+
+May they all enjoy much felicity, and may the brides catch
+plenty 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 one
+warm summer's evening by the side of a rivulet, when they
+began talking--just as the men will talk--about a young
+lady-frog who lived in a neighbouring marsh. One extolled
+the brightness of her eyes, the other praised the beauty
+of her complexion, and somehow the two frogs found out
+that they had both fallen in love with the same young
+lady-froggy. When they had made this discovery they parted
+rather abruptly, and muttered something, the meaning of
+which was not very clear.
+
+"Bless me," said Mr. Croaker, the elder and richer of the
+two, "I must not let that young scapegrace Jumper get the
+better of me. A pretty joke indeed that _he_ should think of
+the beautiful Miss Leapfrog, he who is not worth a rap, and
+is as ugly as a toad."
+
+"Who would have thought," said Jumper to himself, "that that
+old curmudgeon Croaker was going to make love to that dear
+young Miss Leapfrog? We will soon see whom she likes best."
+
+The next morning Croaker dressed himself with unusual
+neatness; and that he might appear to better advantage, he
+went to a barber-frog who lived in a neighbouring arbour,
+and asked to be shaved and to have his wig dressed. The
+barber had just spread his white cloth, had lathered his
+customer's chin, and was flourishing a razor in his face,
+when what should catch Croaker's eye through the open
+doorway but the figure of his cousin Jumper, smartly
+dressed, with his cane under his arm, and a parasol over
+his head, to keep the sun off his delicate complexion,
+walking hastily along the path that led to Miss Leapfrog's
+residence.
+
+To jump from his chair was Croaker's first impulse, and, sad
+to say, it was his last; for he fell with his throat upon
+the edge of the barber's razor, and in two minutes breathed
+his last.
+
+Deep was Miss Leapfrog's grief, and great was Mr. Jumper's
+joy, when the news of this sad misfortune reached their
+ears. In the first burst of her anguish the young lady
+accused the barber of having murdered her dear Croaker; but
+Mr. Jumper hopped about for joy, and vowed that the barber
+was the best frog alive. And well he might be joyful, for as
+Croaker had died without a will, Jumper inherited all his
+estates; and when, after a week's mourning, the young lady's
+grief had somewhat subsided, the happy Mr. Jumper carried
+off the beautiful Miss Leapfrog.
+
+But alas, how uncertain is happiness either to man or
+frogs! 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 their
+lustyhood and gallantry, when every tree was clothed in the
+green and white livery of glorious leaves and sweet-smelling
+blossoms, when the earth was covered with her fairest mantle
+of flowers, and the sweet birds entertained the groves with
+the delight of their harmonious songs, the LION, the Royal
+King of Beasts, made solemn proclamation that all quadrupeds
+whatsoever should attend his court, and celebrate this great
+festival.
+
+Now when the king had assembled all his subjects together,
+there was no one absent save Reynard the Fox, against whom
+many grievous accusations were laid. First came Isegrim the
+Wolf, with all his family and kindred, who, standing before
+the King complained loudly how that Reynard had ill-treated
+his wife and children. Then there came a little hound named
+Curtise, who accused the Fox of having stolen his pudding in
+the extreme cold winter-time, when he was nigh dying of
+starvation. 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 from
+himself, and declared that Reynard had righteously taken it
+away.
+
+Then rose the Panther: "Do you imagine, Tibert," quoth he,
+"that Reynard ought not to be complained of? The whole world
+knows that he is a murderer, a vagabond, and a thief."
+
+Then quoth Grimbard the Badger, Reynard's nephew: "It is a
+common proverb, _Malice never spake well_: what can you say
+against my kinsman the fox? All these complaints seem to me
+to be either absurd or false. Mine uncle is a gentleman,
+and cannot endure falsehood. I affirm that he liveth as a
+recluse; he chastiseth his body, and weareth a shirt of
+hair-cloth. It is above a year since he hath eaten any
+flesh; he hath forsaken his castle Malepardus, and abandoned
+all his wealth; he lives only upon alms and good men's
+charities, doing infinite penance for his sins; so that he
+has become pale and lean with praying and fasting."
+
+While Grimbard was still speaking, there came down the hill
+Chanticleer the Cock, and with him two hens, who brought
+with them on a bier their dead sister Copple, who had just
+been murdered by Reynard. Chanticleer smote piteously his
+feathers, and, kneeling before the King, spake in this
+manner:
+
+  [Illustration: REYNARD IN THE LIKENESS OF A HERMIT.]
+
+"Most merciful and my great Lord the King, vouchsafe, I
+beseech you, to hear our complaint, and redress the injuries
+which Reynard the Fox has done to me and my children. Not
+longer ago than last April, when the weather was fair, and I
+was in the height of my pride and glory, because of my eight
+valiant sons and seven fair daughters, who were strong and
+fat, 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 in
+the 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 to
+another; affirming unto me, that, for his own part, he was
+become a monk, vowing to perform a daily penance for his
+sins; shewing unto me his beads, his books, and the hair
+shirt next to his skin; saying, in humble wise, unto me,
+'Sir Chanticleer, never henceforth be afraid of me, for I
+have vowed never more to eat flesh. I am now waxed old, and
+would only remember my soul; therefore I take my leave, for
+I have yet my noon and my evensong to say.' Which spake, he
+departed, saying his Credo as he went, and laid him down
+under a hawthorn. At this I was exceeding glad, that I took
+no heed, but went and clucked my children together, and
+walked without the wall, which I shall ever rue; for false
+Reynard, lying under a bush, came creeping betwixt us and
+the gate, and suddenly surprised one of my children, which
+he trussed up and bore away, to my great sorrow; for, having
+tasted the sweetness of our flesh, neither hunter nor hound
+can protect or keep him from us. Night and day he waits upon
+us, with that greediness, that of fifteen of my children, he
+hath left me but four unslaughtered; and yesterday, Copple,
+my daughter, which here lieth dead on this bier, was, after
+her murder, rescued from him. This is my complaint, and this
+I leave to your Highness's mercy to take pity on me, and the
+loss of my fair children."
+
+Then spake the King: "Sir Grimbard, hear you this of your
+uncle the recluse? he hath fasted and prayed well: believe
+me, if I live a year, he shall dearly abide it. As for you,
+Chanticleer, your complaint is heard, and shall be cured; to
+your daughter that is dead we will give the right of burial,
+and with solemn dirges bring her to the earth, with
+worship."
+
+After this the King sent for his lords and wisest
+counsellors, to consult how this foul murder of Reynard's
+might be punished. And in the end, it was concluded that
+Reynard should be sent for, and without all excuse, he
+should be commanded to appear before the King, to answer
+whatever trespasses should be objected against him; and that
+this message should be delivered by Bruin the Bear.
+
+To all this the King gave consent, and calling the bear
+before him, he said, "Sir Bruin, it is our pleasure that you
+deliver this message; yet in the delivery thereof have great
+regard to yourself; for Reynard is full of policy, and
+knoweth how to dissemble, flatter, and betray; he hath a
+world of snares to entangle you withal, and without great
+exercise of judgment, will make a scorn and mock of the best
+wisdom breathing."
+
+"My Lord," answered Sir Bruin, "let me alone with Reynard;
+I am not such a truant in discretion to become a mock to his
+knavery;" 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 high
+mountain, he came to Malepardus, Reynard's chiefest and most
+ancient castle. Reynard was at home, and pretended to be ill
+with eating too much honey. When the bear heard this, he was
+extremely desirous of knowing where such excellent food
+could be obtained; and Reynard promised to take him to a
+garden where he should find more honey-combs than ten bears
+could eat at a meal. But the treacherous rascal took him to
+a carpenter's yard, where lay the trunk of a huge oak-tree,
+half-riven asunder, with two great wedges in it, so that the
+cleft stood a great way open. "Behold now, dear uncle," said
+the fox, "within this tree is so much honey that it is
+unmeasurable." The bear, in great haste, thrust his nose and
+fore-paws into the tree; and immediately Reynard pulled out
+the two great wedges, and caught Bruin in so sharp a trap,
+that the poor beast howled with pain. This noise quickly
+brought out the carpenter, who, perceiving how matters
+stood, alarmed the whole village, who came and belaboured
+the bear's sides with sticks and hoes and pitchforks, until,
+mad with rage, he tore his bleeding face and paws from the
+tree, and rushed blindly into a river that ran close by,
+knocking into the water with him many of the villagers, and
+among them, Dame Julock, the parson's wife, for whose sake
+every one bestirred himself; and so poor Bruin got safe
+away. After some delay, the bear returned to the court,
+where, in dismal accents, he recounted the sad trick that
+Reynard had played him.
+
+Then said the King, "Now, by my crown, I will take such
+revenge as shall make that traitor tremble;" and sending for
+his counsellors, they decided that Reynard should be again
+summoned to court, and that Tibert the Cat should be the
+bearer of the message. "It is your wisdom, Sir Tibert, I
+employ," said the great King, "and not your strength: many
+prevail with art, when violence returns with lost labour."
+
+So Tibert made ready, and set out with the King's letter to
+Malepardus, where he found the fox standing before his
+castle-gates; to whom Tibert said, "Health to my fair cousin
+Reynard; the King, by me, summons you to the court, in which
+if you fail, there is nothing more assured unto you than a
+cruel and a sudden death."
+
+The fox answered, "Welcome, dear cousin Tibert; I obey your
+command, and wish my Lord the King infinite days of
+happiness; only let me entreat you to rest with me to-night,
+and take such cheer as my simple house affordeth, and
+to-morrow, as early as you will, we will go towards the
+court, for I have no kinsman I trust so dearly as yourself."
+
+Tibert replied, "You speak like a noble gentleman; and
+me-thinks it is best now to go forward, for the moon shines
+as bright as day."
+
+"Nay, dear cousin," said the fox, "let us take the day
+before us, so may we encounter with our friends; the night
+is 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 a
+honey-comb, pleasant and sweet; what think you of it?"
+
+To which Tibert replieth, "It is meat I little respect, and
+seldom eat; I had rather have one mouse than all the honey
+in Europe."
+
+"A mouse!" said Reynard; "why, my dear cousin, here dwelleth
+a priest hard by, who hath a barn by his house so full of
+mice, that I think half the wagons in the parish are not
+able 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 the
+night before, the fox had broken in and stolen an exceeding
+fat hen, at which the priest was so angry, that he had set a
+snare before the hole to catch him at his next coming, which
+the false fox knew of; and therefore said to the cat, "Sir
+Tibert, creep in at this hole, and believe it, you shall not
+tarry a minute's space but you shall have more mice than you
+are able to devour; hark, you may hear how they peep. When
+you have eaten your fill, come again, and I will stay and
+await for you here at this hole, that to-morrow we may go
+together 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 presently
+caught fast by the neck in the snare, which as soon as the
+cat felt, he quickly leaped back again; and the snare
+running close together, he was half-strangled, so that he
+began to struggle and cry out and exclaim most piteously.
+
+Then the priest, hearing the outcry, alarmed all his
+servants, crying out, "The Fox is taken!" and away they all
+ran to where poor Tibert was caught in the snare, and,
+without finding out their mistake, they beat him most
+unmercifully, and cruelly wounded one of his eyes. The cat,
+mad with pain, suddenly gnawed the cord, and seizing the
+priest by the legs, bit him and tore him in such a way that
+he fell down in a swoon, and then, as every one ran to help
+his master, Tibert leaped out of the hole, and limped as
+fast as his wounded legs would carry him to the court, where
+the King was infinitely angry at the treatment he had
+received.
+
+Then Grimbard the Badger, Reynard's nephew, fearing it
+was likely to go hard with his uncle, offered to go to
+Malepardus and take the King's message to his most subtle
+kinsman; to which his Majesty graciously consented. So
+Grimbard set forth; and when he came to Malepardus, he found
+Reynard with Dame Ermelin his wife sporting with their
+children. When Grimbard had delivered the King's letter,
+Reynard found that it would be better for him to shew
+himself at court at once; so bidding an affectionate
+farewell to his dear wife and children, he immediately set
+out with the badger to go with him before the King. On his
+way, Reynard, remembering the heavy crimes he had committed,
+and fearing that his end was at hand, desired of the holy
+Grimbard, who had always led a hermit's life, that he would
+hear him confess, and set him a penance for his sins.
+Grimbard bade him proceed. And the fox confessed how
+shamefully he had ill-used the bear, and the cat, and the
+wolf, and Chanticleer's children, and many other ill-doings
+during his life; and when he had finished, he knelt before
+Grimbard, and said, "Thus have I told you my wickedness; now
+order my penance, as shall seem fit in your discretion."
+
+Grimbard was both learned and wise; and therefore brake a
+rod from a tree, and said, "Uncle, you shall three times
+strike your body with this rod, and then lay it down upon
+the ground, and spring three times over it without bowing
+your legs or stumbling; then shall you take it up and kiss
+it gently, in sign of meekness and obedience to your
+penance; which done, you are absolved of your sins committed
+up to this day, for I pronounce unto you clear remission."
+
+At this the fox was exceeding glad; and immediately he
+performed the penance to Grimbard's satisfaction. But as
+they went journeying on, it happened that they passed by the
+poultry-yard of a convent; and as one young cock strayed far
+from the rest, Reynard leaped at him, and caught him by the
+feathers, but the cock escaped.
+
+"Villain that you are," said Grimbard, "will you, for a
+silly pullet, fall again into your sins?"
+
+To which Reynard answered, "Pardon me, dear nephew, I had
+forgotten myself; but I will ask forgiveness, and mine eye
+shall no more wander."
+
+However, Grimbard noted that he turned many times to look at
+the poultry. But soon afterwards they arrived at the court.
+
+As soon as it was bruited in the court that Reynard the Fox
+and Grimbard his kinsman were arrived there, every one, from
+the highest to the lowest, prepared himself to complain
+of the fox; at which Reynard's heart quaked, but his
+countenance kept the old look, and he went as proudly as
+ever he was wont with his nephew through the high street,
+and came as gallantly into the court as if he had been the
+King's son, and as clear from trespass as the most innocent
+whosoever; and when he came before the chair of state in
+which the King sat, he said, "Heaven give your Majesty glory
+and 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 music
+of your words? no, it hath too oft deceived me; the peace
+which I commanded and swore unto, that have you broken."
+
+Then Bellin the Ram, and Oleway his wife, and Bruin the
+Bear, and Tibert the Cat, and Isegrim the Wolf, and Kyward
+the Hare, and Bruel the Goose, and Baldwin the Ass, and
+Bortle the Bull, and Hamel the Ox, and Chanticleer the Cock,
+and Partlett the Hen, and many others, came forward; and all
+these with one entire noise cried out against the fox, and
+so moved the King with their complaints, that the fox was
+taken and arrested.
+
+Upon this arrest, a parliament was called; and
+notwithstanding that he answered every objection severally,
+and with great art, Reynard was condemned, and judgment
+was given that he should be hanged till his body was dead;
+at which sentence the fox cast down his head, for all
+his jollity was lost, and no flattery nor no words now
+prevailed.
+
+Then Isegrim on the one side and Bruin on the other led the
+poor fox to the gallows, Tibert running before with the
+halter. 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 heart
+is heavy, for death stands in all his horror before me,
+and I cannot escape. My dread Lord the King, and you my
+sovereign Lady the Queen, and you my lords that stand to
+behold me die, I beseech you grant me this charitable boon,
+that I may unlock my heart before you, and clear my soul of
+her 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 his
+request was small, beseeching the King to grant it, which
+was done; and then the fox thus spake: "Help me, Heaven,
+for I see no man here whom I have not offended; yet was this
+evil no natural inclination in me, for in my youth I was
+accounted as virtuous as any breathing. This know, I have
+played with the lambs all the day long, and taken delight in
+their pretty bleating; yet at last in my play I bit one, and
+the taste of its blood was so sweet unto me, that I approved
+the flesh, and both were so good, that since I could never
+forbear it. This liquorish humour drew me into the woods
+amongst the goats, where hearing the bleating of the little
+kids, I slew one of them, and afterwards two more, which
+slaughter made me so hardy, that then I fell to murder hens,
+geese, and other poultry. And thus my crimes increased by
+custom, and fury so possessed me, that all was fish which
+came to my net. After this, in the winter season, I met with
+Isegrim, where, as he lay hid under a hollow tree, he
+unfolded unto me how he was my uncle, and laid the pedigree
+down so plain, that from that day forth we became fellows
+and companions; which knot of friendship I may ever curse,
+for then began the flood of our thefts and slaughters. He
+stole the great things, I the small; he murdered nobles,
+I the mean subjects; and in all our actions his share was
+still ever the greatest: when he got a ram or a calf, his
+fury would hardly afford me the horns to pick on; nay, when
+he had an ox or a cow, after himself, his wife, and his
+seven children were served, nothing remained to me but the
+bare bones to pick. This I speak not in that I wanted (for
+it is well known I have more plate, jewels, and coin than
+twenty carts are able to carry), but only to shew his
+ingratitude."
+
+When the King heard him speak of this infinite treasure and
+riches, his heart grew inflamed with a desire thereof; and
+he said, "Reynard, where is that treasure you speak of?"
+
+The fox answered: "My Lord, I shall willingly tell you, for
+it is true the wealth was stolen; and had it not been stolen
+in that manner which it was, it had cost your highness your
+life (which Heaven, I beseech, keep ever in protection)."
+
+When the Queen heard that dangerous speech, she started, and
+said: "What dangers are these you speak of, Reynard? I do
+command you, upon your soul's health, to unfold these
+doubtful speeches, and to keep nothing concealed which
+concerns the life of my dread Lord."
+
+Then the fox in these words unfolded to the King and Queen
+this most foul treason: "Know, then, my dread sovereign Lord
+the King, that my father, by a strange accident, digging in
+the ground, found out King Ermerick's great treasure,--a
+mass of jewels infinite and innumerable; of which being
+possessed, he grew so proud and haughty, that he held in
+scorn all the beasts of the wilderness, which before had
+been his kinsmen and companions. At last he caused Tibert
+the Cat to go into the vast forest of Arden to Bruin the
+Bear, and to tender to him his homage and fealty; and to say
+that if it would please him to be king, he should come into
+Flanders, where he would shew him means how to set the crown
+upon his head. Bruin was glad of this embassage (for he was
+exceeding ambitious, and had long thirsted for sovereignty),
+and thereupon came into Flanders, where my father received
+him nobly. Then presently he sent for the wise Grimbard, my
+nephew, and for Isegrim the Wolf, and for Tibert the Cat;
+then these five coming between Gaunt and the village called
+Elfe, they held a solemn council for the space of a whole
+night, in which, by the assistance of the evil one, and the
+strong confidence of my father's riches, it was there
+concluded that your Majesty should be forthwith murdered;
+which to effect, they took a solemn oath in this manner: the
+bear, my father, the badger, and the cat, laying their hands
+on Isegrim's crown, swore, first to make Bruin their king,
+and to place him in the chair of estate at Acon, and to set
+the imperial diadem on his head; and if by any of your
+Majesty's blood and alliance they should be gainsaid, that
+then my father with his treasure should hire those which
+should utterly chase and root them out of the forest. Now
+after this determination held and finished, it happened that
+my 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; but
+she, forgetful of her charge, disclosed it in confession to
+my wife, as they went a pilgrimage over an heath, with like
+conjuration of secrecy. But she, woman-like, contained it no
+longer than till she met with me, and gave me a full
+knowledge of all that had passed, yet so as by all means
+I must keep it secret too, for she had sworn by the three
+kings of Cologne never to disclose it: and withal she gave
+me such assurance by certain tokens, that I right well found
+all was true which she had spoken; insomuch that the very
+affright thereof made my hair stand upright, and my heart
+become like lead, cold and heavy in my bosom.
+
+"But to proceed from this sorrow, I began to meditate how
+I might undo my father's false conspiracies, who sought to
+bring a base traitor and a slave into the throne imperial;
+for I well perceived, as long as he held the treasure, there
+was a possibility of deposing your Majesty. And this
+troubled my thought exceedingly, so that I laboured how I
+might find out where my father's treasure was hid; and to
+that end I watched and attended night and day in the woods,
+in the bushes, and in the open fields; nay in all places
+wheresoever my father laid his eyes, there was I ever
+watching and attending. Now it happened on a time, as I was
+laid down flat on the ground, I saw my father come running
+out of a hole, and as soon as he was come out, he gazed
+round about him, to see if any discovered him; then seeing
+the coast clear, he stopped the hole with sand, and made it
+so even, smooth, and plain, that no curious eye could
+discern a difference betwixt it and the other earth; and
+where the print of his foot remained, that with his tail he
+stroked over, and with his mouth so smoothed, that no man
+might perceive it: and indeed that and many other subtilties
+I learned of him there at that instant. When he had thus
+finished, away he went towards the village about his private
+affairs. Then went I presently towards the hole, and
+notwithstanding all his subtilty, I quickly found it out;
+and then entered I the cave, where I found that innumerable
+quantity of treasure, which cannot be expressed; which
+found, I took Ermelin my wife to help me; and we ceased not,
+day nor night, with infinite great toil and labour, to carry
+and convey away this treasure to another place, much more
+convenient for us, where we laid it safe from the search of
+any creature.
+
+"Thus by my art only was the treason of Bruin defeated, for
+which I now suffer. From hence sprang all my misfortune, as
+thus: those foul traitors, Bruin and Isegrim, being of the
+King's privatest council, and sitting in high and great
+authority, tread upon me, poor Reynard, and work my
+disgrace, notwithstanding, for your Majesty's sake, I have
+lost my natural father. O my dread Lord, what is he, or who
+can tender you a better affection, thus to lose himself to
+save you?"
+
+Then the King and Queen, having great hope to get this
+inestimable treasure from Reynard, took him from the gibbet;
+and the King taking a straw from the ground, pardoned the
+fox of all his trespasses which either he or his father had
+ever committed. If the fox now began to smile, it was no
+wonder; the sweetness of life required it: yet he fell down
+before the King and Queen, and humbly thanked them for
+mercy, protesting that for that favour he would make them
+the richest princes in the world.
+
+Then the King began to inquire where all these treasures
+were hid, and Reynard told that he had hid them in a wood
+called Hustreloe, near a river named Crekinpit. But when the
+King said that he had never heard of such a place, Reynard
+called forth Kyward the Hare from among the rest of the
+beasts, and commanded him to come before the King, charging
+him, upon his faith and allegiance which he bore to the King
+and Queen, to answer truly to such questions as he should
+ask him.
+
+The hare answered, "I will speak truth in all things, though
+I 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 dozen
+years; it runneth in a wood called Hustreloe, upon a vast
+and wide wilderness."
+
+"Well," said the fox, "you have spoken sufficiently; go to
+your place again;" so away went the hare.
+
+Then said the fox, "My sovereign Lord the King, what say you
+now 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 my
+jealousies; it was my ignorance which did thee evil;
+therefore forthwith make preparation that we may go to this
+pit where the treasure lieth."
+
+But the fox answered that he could not go with his Majesty
+without dishonour; for that at present he was under
+excommunication, and that it was necessary that he should go
+to Rome to be absolved, and that from thence he intended to
+travel 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 his
+subjects, told them how that, for divers reasons best known
+to himself, he had freely given pardon to Reynard, who had
+cast his wickedness behind him, and would no more be guilty
+of wrongdoing; and furthermore, he commanded them all to
+reverence and honour not only Reynard, but also his wife and
+children. At this, Isegrim the Wolf and Bruin the Bear
+inveighed against the fox in such an unseemly way, that his
+Majesty caused them both to be arrested for high treason.
+Now when the fox saw this, he begged of the Queen that he
+might have so much of the bear's skin as would make him a
+large scrip for his journey; and also the skin of the wolf's
+feet for a pair of shoes, because of the stony ways he would
+have to pass over. To this the Queen consented, and Reynard
+saw his orders executed.
+
+The next morning Reynard caused his new shoes to be well
+oiled, and made them fit his feet as tightly as they had
+fitted the wolf's. And the King commanded Bellin the Ram to
+say mass before the fox; and when he had sung mass and used
+many ceremonies over the fox, he hung about Reynard's neck
+his rosary of beads, and gave him into his hands a palmer's
+staff.
+
+Then the King took leave of him, and commanded all that were
+about him, except the bear and the wolf, to attend Reynard
+some part of his journey. Oh! he that had seen how gallant
+and personable Reynard was, and how well his staff and his
+mail became him, as also how fit his shoes were for his
+feet, it could not have chosen but have stirred in him very
+much 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 that
+they would accompany him as far as Malepardus.
+
+Thus marched these tree together; and when Reynard was come
+to the gates of his own house, he said to Bellin, "Cousin, I
+will entreat you to stay here without a little, whilst I and
+Kyward go in." Bellin was well content; and so the fox and
+the hare went into Malepardus, where they found Dame Ermelin
+lying on the ground with her younglings about her, who had
+sorrowed 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 grew
+into great admiration, and said, "Dear husband, how have you
+fared?" so he told all that had passed with him at the
+King's court, as well his danger as his release, and that
+now he was to go a pilgrimage. As for Kyward, he said the
+King had bestowed him upon them, to do with him what they
+pleased, affirming that Kyward was the first that had
+complained of him, for which, questionless, he vowed to be
+sharply revenged.
+
+  [Illustration: REYNARD ON HIS PILGRIMAGE TO ROME.]
+
+When Kyward heard these words, he was much appalled, and
+would fain have fled away; but he could not, for the fox had
+got between him and the gate; who presently seized the hare
+by the neck, at which the hare cried unto Bellin for help,
+but could not be heard, for the fox in a trice had torn out
+his throat; which done, he, his wife, and young ones feasted
+therewith merrily, eating the flesh, and drinking to the
+King's health.
+
+All this while stood Bellin the Ram at the gate, and grew
+exceeding angry both against the fox and the hare, that they
+made him wait so long; and therefore called out aloud for
+Reynard to come away, which when Reynard heard, he went
+forth, and said softly to the ram, "Good Bellin, be not
+offended for Kyward is in earnest conference with his
+dearest aunt, and entreated me to say unto you, that if you
+would please to walk before he would speedily overtake you,
+for he is light of foot and speedier than you: nor will his
+aunt part with him thus suddenly, for she and her children
+are much perplexed at my departure."
+
+"Ay, but," quoth Bellin, "methought I heard Kyward cry for
+help."
+
+"How, cry for help? can you imagine he shall receive hurt in
+my house? far be such a thought from you; but I will tell
+you the reason. As soon as we were come into my house, and
+that Ermelin my wife understood of my pilgrimage, presently
+she fell down in a swoon, which when Kyward saw, he cried
+aloud, 'O Bellin come, help my aunt, she dies, she dies!'"
+
+Then said the ram: "In sadness I mistook the cry, and
+thought 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, that
+yesterday the King and his council commanded me that, before
+I departed from the land, I should send unto him two
+letters, 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 if
+there be nothing but honourable matter contained in your
+letters; but I am unprovided of any thing to carry them in."
+
+The fox said: "That is provided for you already, for you
+shall have my mail, which you may conveniently hang about
+your neck; I know they will be thankfully received of his
+Majesty, for they contain matter of great importance."
+
+Then Bellin promised to carry them. So the fox returned into
+his house, and took the mail, and put therein the head of
+Kyward, and brought it to the ram, and gave him a great
+charge not to look therein till it was presented to the
+King, as he did expect the King's favour; and that he might
+further endear himself with his Majesty, he bade the ram
+take upon him the inditing of the letters, "which will be so
+pleasing to the King, that questionless he will pour upon
+you many favours."
+
+This said, Bellin took leave of the fox and went toward the
+court, in which journey he made such speed, that he came
+thither before noon, where he found the King in his palace
+sitting amongst the nobility.
+
+The King wondered when he saw the ram come in with the mail
+which was made of the bear's skin, and said: "Whence comest
+thou, Bellin, and where is the fox, that you have that mail
+about you?"
+
+Bellin answered: "My dread Lord, I attended the noble fox
+to his house, where, after some repose, he desired me to
+bear certain letters to your Majesty of infinite great
+importance, to which I easily consented. Wherefore he
+delivered me the letters enclosed in this mail, which
+letters I myself indited, and I doubt not but they are
+such as will give your highness both contentment and
+satisfaction." Presently the King commanded the letters to
+be delivered to Bocart, his secretary, who was an excellent
+linguist and understood all languages, that he might read
+them publicly; so that he and Tibert the Cat took the mail
+from Bellin's neck, and opening the same, instead of letters
+they drew out the head of Kyward the Hare, at which being
+amazed, they said: "Wo and alas, what letters call you
+these? Believe it, my dread Lord, here is nothing but the
+head of poor murdered Kyward."
+
+Which the King seeing, he said: "Alas, how unfortunate was
+I to believe the traitorous fox!" And with that, being
+oppressed with anger, grief, and shame, he held down his
+head for a good space, and so did the Queen also. But in the
+end, shaking his curled locks, he groaned out such a
+dreadful noise, that all the beasts of the forest did
+tremble to hear it.
+
+Then the King, full of wrath, commanded the bear and the
+wolf to be released from prison, and gave to them and to
+their heirs for ever Bellin and all his generation.
+
+Thus was peace made between the King and these nobles, and
+Bellin the Ram was forthwith slain by them; and all these
+privileges doth the wolf hold to this hour, nor could ever
+any reconcilement be made between the wolf's and the ram's
+kindred. When this peace was thus finished, the King, for
+joy thereof, proclaimed a feast to be held for twelve days
+after, which was done with all solemnity.
+
+To this feast came manner all of wild beasts, for it was
+known through the whole kingdom, nor was there wanting any
+pleasure that could be imagined. Also to this feast resorted
+abundance of feathered fowl, and all other creatures that
+held peace with his Majesty, and no one missing but the fox
+only.
+
+Now after this feast had thus continued in all pomp the
+space of eight days, about high noon came Laprell the Rabbit
+before the King and Queen, as they sat at dinner, and with a
+heavy and lamentable voice said: "My gracious and great
+Lord, have pity upon my misery and attend to my complaint,
+which is of great violence which Reynard the Fox would
+yesterday have committed against me. As I passed by the
+castle of Malepardus, supposing to go peaceably towards my
+nest, I saw the fox, standing without his gates, attired
+like a pilgrim and telling his beads so devoutly, that I
+saluted him; but he, returning no answer, stretched forth
+his right foot, and with his pilgrim's staff gave me such a
+blow on the neck between the head and shoulders, that I
+imagined my head had been stricken from my body; but yet so
+much memory was left me that I leaped from his claws, though
+most grievously hurt and wounded. At this he was wrathful
+extremely, because I escaped; only of one of my ears he
+utterly deprived me, which I beseech your Majesty in your
+royal nature to pity, and that this bloody murderer may not
+live thus to afflict your poor subjects."
+
+The royal King was much moved with anger when he heard this
+complaint, so that his eyes darted out fire amongst the
+beams of majesty; his countenance was dreadful and cruel to
+look on, and the whole court trembled to behold him. In the
+end he said: "By my crown, I will so revenge these outrages
+committed against my dignity, that goodness shall adore me,
+and the wicked shall die with the remembrance; his falsehood
+and flattery shall no more get belief in me. Is this his
+journey to Rome and to the Holy Land? are these the fruits
+of his mail, his staff, and other ornaments becoming a
+devout pilgrim? Well, he shall find the reward of his
+treason. I will besiege Malepardus instantly, and destroy
+Reynard and his generation from the earth for ever."
+
+  [Illustration: REYNARD ATTACKETH LAPRELL THE RABBIT.]
+
+When Grimbard heard this, he grew exceedingly sorry, and
+stealing from the rest, he made all haste to Malepardus, and
+told to his uncle all that had happened. Reynard received
+him with great courtesy, and the next morning accompanied
+him back to court, confessing on his way many heinous sins,
+and obtaining absolution from the badger. The King received
+him with a severe and stately countenance, and immediately
+asked him touching the complaint of Laprell the Rabbit.
+
+To which Reynard made answer: "Indeed, sire, what Laprell
+received he most richly deserved. I gave him a cake when he
+was hungry; and when my little son Rossel wanted to share a
+bit, the rabbit struck him on the mouth and made his teeth
+bleed; whereupon my eldest son Reynardine forthwith leaped
+upon him, and would have slain him had I not gone to the
+rescue." Then the rabbit, fearing Reynard, stole away out of
+court.
+
+"But," quoth the King, "I must charge you with another foul
+treason. 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 things
+fitting that holy order; then, in the greatest despite, you
+sent me back in the mail, by Bellin the Ram, the head of
+Kyward the Hare; a thing so notoriously to my disgrace and
+dishonour, that no treason can be fouler."
+
+Then spake Reynard to the King, and said, "Alas, my
+sovereign Lord, what is that you have said? Is good Kyward
+the Hare dead? Oh, where is then Bellin the Ram, or what did
+he bring to your Majesty at his return? For it is certain I
+delivered him three rich and inestimable jewels, I would not
+for 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 of
+poor murdered Kyward, for which I executed the ram, he
+having confessed the deed to be done by his advice and
+counsel."
+
+"Is this true?" said the fox; "then wo is me that ever I was
+born, for there are lost the goodliest jewels that ever were
+in the possession of any prince living; would I had died
+when you were thus defrauded, for I know it will be the
+death of my wife, nor will she ever henceforth esteem me."
+
+Then Reynard told the King and Queen of the great value of
+these inestimable jewels. One was a gold ring, another a
+comb polished like unto fine silver, and the third was a
+glass mirror; and so great were the virtues of this rare
+glass that Reynard shed tears to think of the loss of it.
+When the fox had told all this, he thus concluded: "If any
+one can charge me with crime and prove it by witness, here
+I stand to endure the uttermost the law can inflict upon me;
+but if malice only slander me without witness, I crave the
+combat, according to the law and instance of the court."
+
+Then said the King, "Reynard, you say well, nor know I any
+thing more of Kyward's death than the bringing of his head
+unto me by Bellin the Ram; therefore of it I here acquit
+you."
+
+"My dear Lord," said the fox, "I humbly thank you; yet is
+his death grievous unto me."
+
+But Isegrim the Wolf was not content with this conclusion,
+and defied the fox to mortal combat. This challenge the fox
+accepted; and the next day was appointed for the meeting.
+
+When all the ceremonies were done, and none but the
+combatants were in the lists, the wolf went toward the fox
+with infinite rage and fury, thinking to take him in his
+fore-feet; but the fox leaped nimbly from him, and the wolf
+pursued him, so that there began a tedious chase between
+them, on which their friends gazed. The wolf taking larger
+strides than the fox, often overtook him, and lifted up his
+feet to strike him; but the fox avoided the blow, and smote
+him on the face with his tail, so that the wolf was stricken
+almost blind, and was forced to rest while he cleared his
+eyes; which advantage when Reynard saw, he scratched up the
+dust with his feet, and threw it in the eyes of the wolf.
+This grieved him worse than the former, so that he durst
+follow him no longer, for the dust and sand sticking in his
+eyes smarted so sore, that of force he must rub and wash it
+away; which Reynard seeing, with all the fury he had he ran
+upon him, and with his teeth gave him three sore wounds on
+his head.
+
+Then the wolf being enraged, said, "I will make an end of
+this combat, for I know my very weight is able to crush him
+to pieces; and I lose much of my reputation, to suffer him
+thus long to contend against me." And this said, he struck
+the fox again so sore a blow on the head with his foot, that
+he fell down to the ground; and ere he could recover himself
+and arise, the wolf caught him in his feet and threw him
+under him, lying upon him in such wise, as if he would have
+pressed 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 the
+belly, and he wrung him so extremely hard thereby, that he
+made him shriek and howl out with the anguish, and in the
+end the wolf fell over and over in a swoon; then presently
+Reynard leaped upon him, and drew him about the lists and
+dragged him by the legs, and struck, wounded, and bit him in
+many places, so that the whole field might take notice
+thereof.
+
+Then a great shout was raised, the trumpets were sounded,
+and every one cried, "Honour to the fox for this glorious
+conquest." Reynard thanked them all kindly, and received
+their congratulations with great joy and gladness. And, the
+marshals going before, they went all to the King, guarding
+the fox on every side, all the trumpets, pipes, and
+minstrelsy sounding before him.
+
+When Reynard came before the King he fell on his knees, but
+the King bade him stand up, and said to him, "Reynard, you
+may well rejoice, for you have won much honour this day;
+therefore here I discharge you, and set you free to go
+whither 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 of
+forty, took their leave also of the King, and went away with
+the 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 power
+enough to advance whom he pleased, and pull down any that
+envied his fortune.
+
+After some travel the fox and his friends came to his
+borough or castle of Malepardus, where they all, in noble
+and courteous manner, took leave of each other, and Reynard
+did to every one of them great reverence, and thanked
+them for the love and honour he had received from them,
+protesting evermore to remain their faithful servant, and to
+send them in all things wherein his life or goods might be
+available unto them; and so they shook hands and departed.
+
+Then the fox went to Dame Ermelin his wife, who welcomed him
+with great tenderness; and to her and her children he
+related at large all the wonders which had befallen him at
+court, and missed no tittle or circumstance therein. Then
+grew they proud that his fortune was so excellent; and the
+fox spent his days from thenceforth, with his wife and
+children, in great joy and content.
+
+
+ROBSON, LEVEY, AND FRANKLYN, GREAT NEW STREET.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+           *       *       *       *
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Errata (noted by transcriber)
+
+  that demure conscience-striken pair  [_text unchanged_]
+  we will give the right of burial
+    [_text unchanged: error for "rite"?_]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Comical Creatures from Wurtemberg, by Unknown
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