you! and if I see a sign on my right hand as
I travel, then I know I shall succeed.

CHAPTER THE THIRD.

Now Hintze had gone but a little way on
his journey when he saw a Martin, and cried,
Noble bird, come sit on my right hand.
The bird sat in a tree upon his left, and began
singing. Hintze was very sad, for then he
was sure of misfortune. But he went on to
Malepartus, where he found Reineke sitting
before the house, and so he respectfully
delivered the King's message. Reineke
replied, Welcome, dearest nephew! May
Heaven bless you to the utmost of my wishes!
What blessings Reineke wished, it is not hard
to imagine. Nephew, what will you eat?
one sleeps better after a supper. To-night
you are my guest; we will set out to-morrow.
Tis very well, for of all my relatives there is
none on whom I would depend so cheerfully
as upon you. The greedy Bear came to me
rudely; he is fierce and strong; I could not
for my life venture with him as a travelling
companion. But I dare go with you; we will
start the first thing in the morning. Hintze
said, We shall have moonlight on the heath,
and why not start directly? Reineke said,
Night travelling is far from safe. Men who
are polite in the sunshine are ill friends often
in the night. Said Hintze, Then, nephew,
I should like to know what I can eat if I stay
here. Said Reineke, Beautiful honey.—That
stuff I never eat, said the Cat, rather swearing.
Have you no such things as mice about
here?—What! are you fond of mice? said
Reineke. And are you really serious? Oho,
then, my neighbour the Priest has a barn
swarming with mice that he is anxious to get
rid of. I hear him daily grumbling at them.
—Bring me thither, said the incautious Cat.
—Now, verily, said Reineke, you shall be
furnished with a famous supper.

Hintze believed him, and followed; so they
came to the Priest's barn. Reineke had
scratched a hole under the wall of it the day
before, and stolen in the night a hen. Martin,
the Priest's beloved son, was her avenger; he
arranged a snare before the Fox's hole, and
thought to catch the vagabond. Reineke
noticed that, so—Creep straight in, dear
nephew, he said; I will keep watch on this side
while you are mousing. Hear how they
squeak! Come back when you have had enough.
—Is it quite safe here? said the Cat. These
Priests often have malice in them.—Oh, if
you are afraid, said Reineke, let us go back;
I'll find you a good supper, if we have no
mice.—But Hintze sprang into the hole, and
was caught in the noose. So Reineke showed
hospitality towards his guests.

Hintze struggled till the noose was tightened.
Reineke said, Hintze, how do you
find the mice,—fat? If little Martin knew
that you were supping on his game, without,
doubt he would come and bring you mustard;
he's a courteous boy. What! do the court
people all sing at their meals as you do? So
Reineke went away, intent on some new
villany.

But Hintze bewailed himself pitifully,
after the manner of cats, until Martin was
awakened, and sprang out of bed with joy. He
aroused father and mother, and the whole
household, crying, We have caught the Fox!
Even the Priest put on a little dressing-gown.
and all came with clubs and lanterns to
destroy the thief. Hintze, thinking death
near, straggled and fought; one eye he lost
from a club stroke. Then, fixing himself on
the Priest's leg, he inflicted horrible vengeance.
The Priest fainted, and all taking him to bed,
left Hintze in the noose, still living.

Wounded and almost dead, Hintze, for love
of life, bit through the cord, and, passing
through the hole, ran back to court, bewailing
his lost eye, his wounds, and the shameful
deceit of Reineke.

But the King's wrath burnt like a fire; he
threatened death to the traitor. He
summoned his council, and his barons came; he
asked, what should be done? Grimbart the
Badger answered, Summon him a third time;
then, if he come not, let him die. Who will
invite him? asked the King. Who has an
eye to spare?—My lord King, answered the
Badger, I will go as from my own will, if you
please, or as your messenger.—Go, said the
King, then, but be cautious.—Grimbart therefore
went upon the road to Malepartus. He
found Reineke at home, together with his
wife and children. Uncle Reineke, good day,
he said ; you are a prudent man ; why do you
jest at the King's messages ? Do you not
think it is high time to come to court?
Complaints against you increase daily. If you do
not come now, you will be condemned. The
King, with all his forces, will lay siege to
Malepartus. You cannot escape the ruin of
your family. Come, then, to court with
me ; your wit has often saved you in the
day of trial. Trust now in yourself again.—
Reineke said, Uncle, your advice is good. I
hope the King will show favour to me. He
knows that I am useful, and had I done ten
times more wrong, that he cannot do without
me. The barons, jealous of my better wit,
conspire against me. We must see what can
be done.—Then Reineke said also to his wife,
Dame Ermelyn, be careful of the children,
especially of Reynard, our youngest ; by the
sharpness of his teeth, he will turn out the
image of his father. Put our little Rossell
in the way of mischief, and take good care of
the house while I am gone. So Reineke went
off, at once, with Grimbart, leaving Dame
Ermelyn and both his sons, to the great
sorrow of the She Fox.

When they had not gone far, Reineke said,
Dear Uncle, I may be upon the road to death;
my sins much trouble me. No other priest
is to be had; let me confess to you.—Then
Grimbart said, Your penitence rejoices me ;
open your heart freely.—Reineke then related