to be appeased so easily. Reineke said, My
cousin Martin, who is trusted by the bishop,
has engaged to get forme my absolution from
the Pope. My pilgrimage was needless,
therefore. Then he rebutted, with feigned tales,
the accusation of the Rabbit, and the story of
the Crow. Finally, he defied all his accusers,
and offered to put his just cause to the test of
a judicial combat. The Rabbit and the Crow
then left the Court, and the King cried, Where
are the accusers? All shunned a wordy warfare
with the Fox, and Reineke was triumphing;
but the King arose wrathfully, and spoke of
Lampe's murder and the execution of Belline.

Reineke said, What do I hear? Is Lampe
dead, and is Belline no more? Alas! I lose
a treasure with them; precious gifts of which
they were the bearers to your Majesty and
to the Queen. Who could have believed that
the Ram would murder Lampe to commit a
robbery upon his King? Alas, this world is
full of danger and deceit!

The King did not listen to Reineke, but
retired, incensed, into his chamber, where the
Queen was closeted with the Ape's wife, Dame
Ruckenau. Dame Ruckenau, pleading for
Reineke, reminded their majesties of his ability,
and of his wise decision in a certain contest
between a serpent and a countryman. The King,
a little soothed, returned into the judgment
chamber, still threatening the Fox with death.
Reineke regretted, eloquently, the lost gifts,
which, if he were free, he would live only to
recover.

CHAPTER THE TENTH.

Reineke proceeded, with a minuteness that
appeared like truth, to describe these gifts.
To his majesty there had been sent a ring, on
which were mystic letters, which only Abryon
the Jew of Treves could read. He who wore
it could not suffer cold or hunger; could not
be defeated in a contest; could not be hated
by a beholder; knew no darkness; and could
not suffer by water or by fire. Many more
magic virtues the ring had. There was a
comb, also, with a looking-glass, intended for
the Queen. The wonders of the comb and
looking-glass, as Reineke described them,
were yet greater than the wonders of the
ring. Moreover, pictures were engraved
upon each, and Reineke told the fables
appertaining to them; so that he made a very
long speech. He also reminded the King of
services performed by his father as court-
physician. As for your father's services,
replied his Majesty, they were rendered so long
ago that they have escaped my memory. But
what good did I ever have from you?

Reineke had an answer ready, and narrated
another story, in which Isegrim the Wolf
figured disreputably. Justice must take its
course, the King said; your accusers must
come forward. But the accusers dared not
match their truth against the Fox's cunning.
Reineke would have been set free to make
search for the missing property, if Isegrim
had not stepped forward to defy the rascal.

CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH.

Isegrim narrated at length another pitiful
tale of what he, with his wife Greremund, had
suffered from Reineke. The answer of the
Fox was ready; and, again, he turned his
own misdeeds to merits, and threw back
disgrace on his accusers. Greremund told
another tale; and the Fox made another
explanation. Isegrim cried, We can get
nothing by this wordy combat. Right is
right, and will maintain itself. You are a
liar, Fox; a murderer, a traitor, and a thief.
I challenge you to fight.— He has lost his
fore-claws, thought Reineke, who said, I will
accept your challenge.— The King received
bail for the appearance of the combatants,
and ordered lists to be prepared for judicial
combat.

During the night, the friends of Reineke
surrounded him, and Dame Ruckenau spoke
comfortable words; she gave him good advice,
and, shaving his whole body, anointed the
plump Reineke with oil and fat. In the
morning came the Otter and Badger to
arouse their kinsman, and brought with them
a young duck for his breakfast. Reineke
breakfasted at ease, and walked to the lists
surrounded by his relatives.

CHAPTER THE TWELFTH.

The King laughed beyond measure when
he saw the smooth body of Reineke; the
Wolf was present with his friends, who, with
many threats and angry words, prayed for an
evil end of the Fox. The priests approached
to swear the combatants. Each swore that
he was true in everything, that the other was
in everything false. They were then left in
the lists together, and the whole assembly
eagerly looked on.

Isegrim attacked fiercely; Reineke ran
against the wind, and scratched up dust into
his pursuer's eyes. In every way he sought
to blind his adversary; to scratch and bite
about him when his eyes were full of dust.
One eye he tore out of the socket. The fight
went on. Reineke began to shout, after the
manner of ancient heroes, shame against his
antagonist, and to exult in victory, when
Isegrim put forth desperate strength, and
overthrowing the Fox, held one of his fore-feet
between his teeth. Yield, recreant! muttered
the Wolf out of his throat.— Reineke saw no
hope, and softly promised that, if Isegrim
released his hold, he would acknowledge him
the victor, be his serf, and fetch his famity to
kneel before the Wolf. All ducks, and geese,
and fishes, that he caught thereafter, he
would catch for Isegrim alone. Much more he
promised; but the Wolf refused to be a dupe,
and would have made an end to the whole
battle, if Reineke had not, at that moment,
fixed his other claw into a tender part of the
Wolf's skin. Isegrim shrieked with open
mouth, and Reineke drew out his foot. With
two paws he increased the torture of his