Twelve hundred of Isegrim's relations come
with open jaws and sharpened teeth : Item,
the Cats and Bears have all declared for
Bruin ; every Badger is prepared to march
out of Thuringia and Saxony. But there is
one condition ; namely, a month's hire in
advance to every soldier. Heaven be praised
that I frustrated their intentions !

For when all had been planned, my father
went to look after his wealth. He scratched,
and searched, but did not turn a penny ;
then, out of vexation and shame—how fearfully
the recollection tortures me !—my father
hung himself.

That is what I have done. Now I must
suffer for it; but I do not now repent.
Isegrim and Bruin, gluttons as they are, sit
nearest to the King in Council. And poor
Reineke, what thanks has he? He has
sacrificed the life of his own father to save a
King. Now, the King and Queen had felt a
natural desire to get the treasure; so, stepping
aside, they called to Reineke to speak with
them in private, and said briskly, Tell us
where the treasure is, for we should like to
know.—Reineke said, however, Why should
I give this wealth to the King, who is
condemning me? You put faith in my enemies,
the murderers and thieves.

No, no, replied her Majesty; my lord
forgets the past. He controls himself, and
ceases to be angry with you. But behave
more prudently in future.

Reineke said, Gracious mistress, if the
King will make a vow to me before you, that
I have his pardon, then there is no King in
the present day so rich as I will make him.

Never believe him, said the King; except
when he confesses robbery and lies.—Then
said the Queen, No doubt his past life has not
earned for him our confidence; but think
now how he has accused his own relations.

Well, if you trust him, said the King, I'll
pardon Reineke. 'Tis for the last time. Let
him be cautious.—Reineke said, Now I will
tell you where the treasure is, and tell the
truth.

In the East of Flanders is a desert; therein
is a little bush called Hüsterlo—observe the
name. Then there is a spring called Krekelborn,
you understand, and it is not far from
the bush. It is a place frequented by the Owls,
and there I hid the treasure. Go thither in
person with your wife, and do not trust a
messenger about so rich a prize. Let me
advise you. Go thither yourself. You pass
by Krekelborn, and come near two young
birch-trees; one of them is near the fountain.
Go straight up to the birches; under them
the treasure lies.

But the King said: You must go with me.
How shall I find the place alone? I have
heard in my time of Lübeck and Cologne, of
Paris too; but Hüsterlo I have not heard
once named : no, sir, nor Krekelborn.

Reineke said : What can you suspect ? Ask
somebody. Krekelborn—Hüsterlo, I said ;
and those are the real names. Then he called
out to Lampe, Tell the King, as well as you
know, where Hüsterlo is, and where is Krekelborn.
Let us hear.—Lampe said, I can tell
you that. Hüsterlo is the bush near which
Simonet the cripple lived with his companions
when they made false money, I have often
suffered much about that place when I have
been chased by Rhyn their dog.—And the
King said to Reineke : Forgive my momentary
doubt, and see now about conducting me
to this place.—Reineke said, How proud
and happy should I now esteem myself in
going as the King's companion to Flanders !
but you would incur sin if you took me. Much
as I am ashamed of the fact, let me confess
it. Isegrim was made a monk some weeks
ago, because he had faith in the priest's
refectory. He ate rations for six, and still
complained to me that he was starving. I
took pity on him, when I saw how thin he
grew, and helped him to escape, because he is
my near relation. Now for this reason I am
excommunicated by the Pope, and, with your
leave, must start, for my soul's health, to-
morrow at sunrise, to obtain my dispensation.
I must go on a pilgrimage to Rome, and after-
wards across the seas ; before I dare to stand
with honour in your presence. Besides, if I
go with you, it will be said, How intimate
the King now is with Reineke, whom he so
recently condemned to death, and who,
moreover, is an excommunicated vagabond ! You
see, yourself, my liege, that it would be
exceedingly improper.

True, said the King. Since you are under
ban, I cannot take you with me. Lampe, or
some one else, will go. But, Reineke, you
ought to lose no time in getting absolution.
You have leave to set out early to-morrow.

CHAPTER THE SIXTH.

So Reineke regained the favour of the King,
and departed, making pious gestures, and
showing a simple face. The King and the
assembled animals returned to court. Many
a good-humoured beast had pitied the assumed
sorrows of Reineke; Lampe the Hare pitied
most. Dear Lampe, said the rascal, must
we part? If you and Belline the Ram
would only walk a little further with me,
agreeable and pious as you both are, I should
be much honoured. So they went on with
him, and saw his castle Malepartus. Reineke
said to the Ram, Stop outside, Belline, and
enjoy the sweet grass. I take our friend in
with me, and beseech him to console my wife.
So he went in with Lampe; there he found
the She Fox lying sorrowful beside her
children; for she despaired of Reineke's
return from court. She saw him enter now
with scrip and staff, and said, Reineke, my
love, how has it gone with you?—And he
said, I was condemned, but the King showed
mercy, and I left him as a pilgrim. Isegrim
and Bruin stayed behind as bail for me. The
King gave me Lampe as a peace-offering.