the little bones, they are so sweet! they melt
in the mouth, they are half blood, half milk.
Light diet suits me, and my wife is of the same
taste. Come in, then; she will greet us
cheerfully; but do not tell her what you came
about. The merest trifle troubles her, she
takes things so to heart. To-morrow I shall
go to Court with you; and then, dear nephew,
I hope you will help me like a good relation.

My money and my life are at your service,
said the Badger.— If I live long, said the Fox,
I will reward your faithfulness.

So they both went in, and were received
cheerfully by the mistress; she put before
them what she had. They divided the doves
and liked them, and each ate a full share;
they could have eaten half-a-dozen more.

Reineke said to the Badger after dinner,
Do you not admire my children? What do
you think of Rossell and the little Reynard?
They will establish our house; they give me
delight from sunrise until sunset. So clever
after hens; and you should see them dive for
the young ducks! I would send them out
oftener to hunt, but I must not neglect their
education. Prudence and foresight they are
to be taught, how to escape the snare, the
huntsman, and the hound. When they have
finished their education they shall go out into
the world, and labour on their own accounts,
and bring home wherewith to maintain their
parents. Already they bite well, and their
leap is certain.

Grimbart said, It is delightful to have
children such as one desires, and who soon
learn a business by which they can assist their
parents. I am glad that they belong to my
own family, and hope the best. Suppose we
go to bed, said Reineke, for all seem tired,
Grimbart especially. And they lay down in
the hall, upon the hay and leaves with which
its floor was covered.

But Reineke remained awake because of
his distress; the matter seemed to need good
counsel, and the morning found him thinking
still. And he rose from his litter and said to
his wife, Do not concern yourself; Grimbart
has invited me to go with him to Court; do
you stop quietly at home. If anybody asks for
me, you will know what to say, and you can
take care of the castle.

And Dame Ermelyn said, I think it strange
that you should venture back to Court, where
so much evil is thought of you. Are you
obliged to go? I do not understand: think
of the past!— Certainly, said Reineke, that
was no joking matter; my enemies were
many and my trouble great; but many things
take place under the sun. One thing and
another happens unexpectedly, and he who
thinks to have a thing suddenly misses it. So
let me go, for I have business to do. Be calm,
now, I entreat you; there is nothing to
distress yourself about. Be patient, and if
possible, in five or six days, darling, you will
see me here again. So he set out for the
Court, together with Grimbart the Badger.

CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.

Grimbart and Reineke went straight across
the heath, towards the royal palace. Reineke
said:— Happen what may, this time I feel
that I am going to good fortune. Dear
nephew, I have committed some more sins
since I last made confession. Listen to me.
And thereupon he told, with great delight, of
one more prank that he had played upon the
wolf. There, nephew, I have made
confession; now teach me how to obtain pardon.

Grimbart said: I find you laden with fresh
sins. They follow at your heels, and you,
have no time to escape them; for I fear you
are near death. Lest, therefore, they
overtake you suddenly, I now absolve you from
them. Ah, you will not be forgiven for the
Hare and Bird, when you come before the
King. How could you behave so rashly?—
Pooh! said Reineke, one has to make one's
own way in the world. One can't behave as
in a monastery. He who sells honey licks his
fingers, now and then. Lampe took my
fancy; he frisked up and down before my
eyes; his fat little body tickled me; and I
put love aside. As for Belline, what trouble
his stupidity had given me! Well; dead is
dead, as you say. We will change the subject.

Reineke then began to show how the King
was himself a robber, and his lords were
robbers, and the Fox was only persecuted
for his want of privilege. Reineke then
dilated disrespectfully upon the shortcomings
of the priests, and counted priestcraft as
more hurtful than the craft of foxes.

Uncle, the Badger said, I find it strange
that you confess the sins of other people, when
you have so many of your own to think of.

So they came near the Court, and met
Martin the Ape travelling out as a pilgrim.
They stopped by the way, and Reineke had
conversation with him. Reineke told how he
was persecuted by his enemies; and being
under ban, was yet afraid to go to Rome, and
leave his family in Bruin's neighbourhood.
Martin enlightened Reineke upon the practice
of the Church at Rome, and having himself
great interest with the Pope, promised to get
the Fox his absolution; yes, and put an
interdict over the King and all his nation, if they
should behave ill to his ancient crony. For
the Foxes and the Apes were always friends,
and forgiveness of sins, with all such matters,
could be negotiated better, in fact, by any
well-disposed third party.

Reineke the Fox thanked Martin for his
consolation, and they parted. Reineke, with
no companion but Grimbart the Badger,
travelled on to Court, where war was being
planned against him.

CHAPTER THE NINTH.

Having arrived at Court, Beineke knelt
cheerfully before the throne honouring the
King, flattering the Queen; and all the
courtiers pressed round, astonished at his
boldness. But the King was fierce, and not