Reynard the Fox; an early apologue or renown clad in an English dress

Preface

Although so much in the way of commentary and criticism has been written about this renowned apologue, yet is its origin still enveloped in an apparently impenetrable fog. Many investigators, noted for learning and persevering research, have labored to clear this away; yet, with every new effort, the only result seems to be a further recession of the date of its birth. The probability of reliable discovery has vanished and naught seems left but to relegate it, as one painstaking enquirer has suggested, to prehistoric times.

By some it is regarded as unquestionably a European production ; others look upon the fundamental stories as the common property of various Aryan branches of the human family, and as having been brought from their Asiatic homes by Teutonic migrants. It has certainly been traced back to the tenth century, and Jacob Grimm arrives at the iv

PREFACE.

conclusion that it was then known under three forms, with the independent episodes in each so related as to furnish unmistakable hints of the groundwork of their later blending into one continuous narrative.

As with the date, so with the place, of its birth. We have no clear idea of where the narrative first saw the light or of the form in which it was brought into being. The claims of France, Germany, and the Netherlands have all been plausibly and forcibly advanced, and it has been likewise maintained that Latin ought to be regarded as the medium through which will be found the earliest account of the adventures of our famous Reynard. It seems, indeed, to have been demonstrated that the oldest extant version is in Latin, still the editor of that version has no apparent hesitation, after a very thorough investigation, in ascribing the origin of the poem to Flanders and in considering the material of the Flemish copy to be derived from some earlier source.

But, leaving these particulars as of secon-

PREFACE.

V dary importance, except as an impetus to the pleasures of antiquarian research, which are not to be despised, let us cast a glance at the substance of the famous beast-epic, as it has been aptly called. The motive of its inspiration is thought by some to have been satire. By these it is regarded as a satirical exposure of the foibles and vices of humanity, with a view to their improvement. There are others, however, who consider the romance as nothing but the expression of a general interest in animal life and habits, and as having no satirical basis or educational purpose. With our meagre knowledge of the original it is hard to form a valid judgment upon this question. Nor is it a matter of moment. Whatever the primal intent, it certainly contains, as we have it today, an abundance of satirical allusions to the general imbecility of mankind, as well as to the vices and iniquities prevalent in times past, and not yet altogether extinct, among officers and dignitaries of the church and the state.

vi PREFACE.

The recital of these adventures, of which Reynard is the hero, has always been held in high esteem among German scholars, but it was not until the genius of Goethe had gathered them into his delightfully written hexameters that the allegory gained a general reception. Now it is so highly appreciated among his fellow-countrymen that the story is to be found in almost every household of the land. It would be well if the same thing could be said of the English speaking peoples of the world, for no one can read it without receiving thereby a benefit whose value will be in direct ratio to the earnestness of the study bestowed upon it. Yet among these peoples it has never been widely known. Hence this new dress. If I shall have succeeded in extend* ing the area of its appreciation, my recompense will be ample ; if not, I shall rest contented with the pleasure and the profit that I have myself derived from the attempt.

J. S. C.

ARGUMENTA.

CANTO I. The Pentecostal days have come

And Leo now resolves with some

Of his good lords to hold a feast,

At which the greatest and the least

Shall be commanded to attend.

The fox, however, keeps away;

He knows what they of him will say,

For he has badly injured all;

So, loudly though they may him call,

He will not e'en excuses send.

He there is charged with all the crimes That have been known from olden times, And only one dares him defend. This does not much his matters mend, For all the cases are too clear. The council then is summoned forth, Which thinks that, be he south or north, To be compelled to come he ought. The king declares he shall be brought, And sends to summon him the bear, vii viii

ARGUMENTA.

Canto II

Forth Bruin goes upon his task. Assured if he but Reynard ask To go with him, as bidden, back, He'll find him nothing loth or slack. But Reynard is of other mind ; He pleasant greeting gives the bear And asks what he with him can share; Then, finding honey's to his taste, He takes him to a place in haste Where he a good supply shall find.

To get the honey Bruin sticks, Through one of Reynard's scurvy tricks, His head within a gaping tree; And if you read you'll surely see How the peasants, learning that, Find him in a sorry plight, And beat him till, in sheer affright, He makes escape and gets again Back to court in grief and pain; And in his place is sent the cat.

Canto III

Now Tybert meets an omen bad, But still pursues his way, though sad. He finds the fox, his message gives; Then Reynard asks him how he thrives

ARGUMENTA.

And what he would prefer to eat. When mice he finds that he would like, He plays him, too, a dirty trick. With eye knocked out and wounded sore The cat gets back to court once more, Like Bruin lamed in head and feet.

The Badger now essays to do

What bear and cat have let fall through.

A third time does the fox not dare

To disregard, or he will fare

Full badly at his monarch's hand.

With Grimbart he at length sets out,

Beset with many an anxious doubt ;

He finally begins to pray,

So Grimbart shrives him on the way

And warns him evil to withstand.

Canto IV

i

Excitement's high when it is known

That Reynard now draws near the throne.

No sooner there than he begins

To shift on others all his sins

And boast of service to the king.

This, howe'er, doth naught avail,

For all the beasts do him assail

And bring complaints, by anger moved.

Their charges are considered proved,

And he condemned for them to swing.

ARGUMENTA.

But now he talks of treasures vast, Which he discovered in the past ; And tells of crimes that then were rife, And plots to take the monarch's life And set up Bruin in his place. These words the king do greatly rouse, And likewise much excite his spouse; So he is ordered to descend And tell them all from end to end, Without evasion, face to face.

CANTO V. Reynard now the plot sets forth

And shows the treasure's princely worth;

Maligns his father, scores the bear,

And makes the badger out as clear

A traitor as was ever found.

He tells what he himself has done,

For firmer friend the king has none.

To frustrate all their base designs.

Of how he's treated then he whines,

As if in loyalty not sound. .

The king and queen his lies believe, And promise that he shall receive Forgiveness full for all mistakes That he has made, or ever makes, If only now he change his life. He, too, before returning home,

A.RGUMENTA.

Permission gets to visit Rome, To get release from papal ban, Which Leo thinks a worthy plan, As also does the queen, his wife.

Canto VI

Now Reynard to the wolves' dismay, From both their hides has cut away A slice, to make him sack and shoes, And then upon his journey goes ; But first he by the priest is blest. A cavalcade of nobles go With him some steps, respect to show; But ram and hare induces he To travel on, his home to see, And there before return to rest.

Inside the house he takes the hare, And slaughters him as soon as there ; His head he puts within the sack, Which by the ram he sendeth back, As if it bore a king's despatch The head is found, the ram's condemned, And with the captives matters mend ; Once more to honor they are brought, And Reynard's life again is sought, Who deed so dastardly could hatch.

xii

ARGUMENTA.

CANTO VII. A feast of such display and size

Is seldom seen by mortal eyes

As now is carried on because

The wolves and bear, against just laws,

Have been to punishment condemned.

Before its close, complaints anew

Against the fox are brought to view;

The rabbit and the crow lament

That he on them his spite hath spent,

And urge the king such things to end.

An expedition now is formed,

And Reynard's fort is to be stormed ;

Each one desires that he be sent,

For they his acts do all resent,

And would chastise him out of hand.

The badger runs the fox to find,

And tell him what they have in mind;

Then him induces back to go.

As he will have much better show

If there on his defense he stand.

Canto VIII

The fox again that journey takes, A second time confession makes, And as before he tries to shift His sins to others' backs, and lift

The burden thus from off his own. The clergy now he takes in hand, The king and courtiers of the land: These all can do whate'er they will, But should a poor man fall, they'll fill The air with shrieks and hunt him down.

The ape now comes upon the two, And tells the fox bold front to show; To Rome he goes, and there he will Make slander's tongue keep very still And Reynard's matters straighten out. He knows them all at court of Rome, With all their tactics is at home ; His kinsmen are in numbers there, With them he'll manage this affair, And Reynard need not give it thought.

CANTO IX. With Grimbart Reynard comes to court

Begins a discourse far from short,

In which he labors hard to show

That his accusers, as they know,

Dare naught against him bring point-blank.

He challenges to mortal strife

Each one of those who seek his life

And equals are with him in birth;

For thus is settled, o'er the earth,

xiv

ARGUMENTA.

The king in fury seeks his room,

And there he finds the queen, with whom

Dame Riickenau, old Martin's wife,

In converse is about this strife.

She Reynard's cause begins to plead,

Shows how in court his father shone,

How Reynard, too, had often done

Most worthy deeds where others failed.

The king his anger then bewailed,

And let the fox again proceed.

CANTO X. The fox describes those treasures vast

Mentioned in some cantos past:

I meant them all for queen and king,

And now the ram has everything,

Which naught can e'er replace, purloined;

Those things I sent by ram and hare,

And thus am caught within a snare,

For Bellyn has poor Lampen killed;

A comrade's blood he's foully spilled,

With whom he was as envoy joined.

And I am charged with this base crime ; You think me guilty every time Some wicked handicraft is done, Though I am ever on the run My king to serve, whom I adore.

ARGUMENT A.

His speech is clever, well designed, The king's induced to change his mind, Extends to Reynard leave to go And seek those treasures high and low; But Isengrim feels very sore.

Canto XI

The wolf in ferment seeks the king, The air with caustic words doth ring; The king hears all he has to say, And then decides that Reynard may His version of the matter give. The fox once more, with tricks of speech. Makes out himself a saint, who'd teach All beasts how proper lives to lead; Yet they through spite, he says, proceed To claim that he's not fit to live.

The furious wolf throws down his glove, To signify that he will prove. In combat, all his charges true. Poor Reynard now can nothing do But take the challenge up and fight. The she-ape comes and proffers aid And Reynard soon by her is made All ready for the coming strife, In which is wagered life for life, To manifest where dwells the right.

xvi

ARGUMENTA.

CANTO XII. The fox and wolf within the ring

Their duel fight before the king;

And never have elsewhere before

Sly Reynard's tricks availed him more.

With body shorn and laved with oil

Evades he all the wolf's attacks;

And then with subtle twists and knacks

He conquers Isengrim outright.

Low cunning better serves than might,

In folly's strife or reason's toil.

The wolf from off the field is borne,

Defeated, wounded, and forlorn;

His wife and friends about him grieve,

And think that he can hardly live.

But Reynard is exalted high;

Success has brought a change of front;

The king and all who him were wont

To vilify are now his friends.

And thus it is this fable ends;

Its moral you can now supply.

CANTO ONE Whitsun, that fairest of feasts, had arrived; the forest and field

Rejoiced in new life ; on hillock and knoll, in thicket and hedge,

The newly inspirited birds were singing their jubilant song;

The meads were all sprouting with flowers, infilling with fragrance the dales,

The heavens resplendently clear, and blushing the earth like a bride.

King Leo assembles his court ; the vassals

and lords of the realm, Called hither, make haste with the greatest

of pomp. Among them arrive

Great numbers of arrogant peers from the

length and the breadth of the land, Lord Grusly the crane, sir Pica the jay,

and all of the chiefs.

Then makes up the monarch his mind, with

all of his barons, at once 10 In splendor and state to hold court, and

bids to be thither convoked Together regardless of caste the little as

well as the great.

Of all not a soul should be missed ; but absent, however, was one, Sly Reynard, that rascal and knave, who,

because of his many misdeeds, Himself kept away from the court. As

shuns the conscience depraved The light of the day, so avoided the fox

this assembly of lords, For each of them had to complain that

harm he had done to them all, And Grimbart the badger alone, the son of

his brother, had spared.

Wolf, Isengrim, opened the case, and with

him in court there appeared

CANTO I. His kinsmen, adherents, and friends; escorted

and succored by these, 20 He stepped up in front of the king and

began with the following speech : Most worshipful monarch and lord, give ear

to my grievances, pray ; Thou art noble and great and renowned,

and to each of us all dost accord Justice and mercy and grace ; compassion

then show for the wrongs That I, with such boundless reproach, have

suffered from Reynard, the fox; And bear well in mind, above all, that

times without number he has, In malice, made sport of my wife, and my

children most basely ill-used. Yes, he has them with foulness defiled,

with pestilent, virulent filth, Whereby I have still three at home with

harrowing blindness distressed. These offences were all, it is true, discussed

by us both long ago, 30 And a day, indeed, was ordained to settle

the things in dispute ;

REYNARD THE FOX.

He plighted his word under oath, but soon

his intention he changed, And then to his fortress he nimbly escaped.

Too well is this known By those who are here in the court and

now all about me I see.

My lord, the vexation and grief the villain

has caused me I could Not attempt to relate with hurrying words

in multiplied weeks.

Were all of the linen from Ghent, whatever the quantity made, At once into parchment reduced, the story

it would not contain, And I will be silent thereon, yet my wife's

defamation and shame Eats into my heart, and I would it avenge,

let happen what may. 40

Now when in this sorrowful , mood Isengrim

thus had declaimed, A puppy, named Nidget, stepped up and,

timidly speaking in French,

CANTO I. 5

Told the monarch how poor he'd become, so that nothing at all had been left

For his use but a morsel of sausage laid up in a winter retreat ;

And Reynard had robbed him of that. Then hurriedly sprang forth the cat,

Mad Tybert, with fury, and said : Commander, distinguished and high,

No one has cause to complain that the scoundrel may do him a wrong

Any more than our sovereign himself. In this convocation I say

There is none, be he aged or young, but dreads more intensely the scamp

Than even yourself. There's nothing, however, to Nidget's lament; 50

A number of years have gone by since the acts that he mentions occurred,

And seeing the sausage was mine, 'twas I who complaint should have made.

I went to take part in a hunt and, while thus engaged, I ran through

A mill in the night; the miller's wife slept, and I quietly seized

REYNARD THE FOX.

A sausage quite small ; I will it confess.

Now, pray, to the same Had Nidget a shadow of right, then he

owed it to labor of mine.

And the panther began : What use are

these wordy complaints ?

They little achieve ; be content, the evil's

as clear as the day ; A thief and a cut-throat he is, this at

least I will boldly assert; Indeed you, my lords, are aware that he

perpetrates all the known crimes. 60 Should all of the nobles, indeed, or you,

our most worshipful king, Of goods and of honor be robbed, he

would laugh could he get for himself, By chance, but a morsel thereby of a capon

well fattened and plump.

Let me bring to your knowledge what he

so wickedly did yestermorn To Lampen, the hare ; here he stands, the

man who has never done wrong.

CANTO I.

Reynard assumed the devout, and would in

all kinds of device Him shortly instruction impart, including a

chaplain's pursuits ; So facing each other they sat and their

task with the Credo began.

But abandon old tricks and their use, was

Reynard not able to do ; Within the safe conduct and peace bestowed

and assured by our king 70 He Lampen held fast in his fangs, and

worried with malice and spite The good honest man like a fiend. I

wended my way through the street And heard the low chant of the two,

which, almost as soon as begun, Was brought to an end. I listened surprised but, when I drew near, I recognized Reynard forthwith ; he Lampen

held fast by the throat, And surely had taken his life if I, by good

luck, in my walk, Had not then arrived on the scene. Here

now in your presence he stands ;

Just look at the wounds he received, that innocent person whom none

Would ever attempt to molest. And should our good master permit,

Or ever your lordships endure, that thus may the peace of the king, 80

His warrant and license, be mocked and made of no worth by a thief,

I fear me that yet will the king be forced with his offspring to hear

A tardy reproach from the folk, who reverence justice and right.

Isengrim said in reply: You say what is

true, and, alas !

The fox never will any good to us do,

and I heartily wish The fellow were dead long ago; that for

peace-loving folk had been best, And if we him pardon again, then will he,

before very long, Some of us boldly entrap, who at present

imagine it least.

CANTO I.

Reynard's nephew, the badger, now spoke, and with courage and force

In Reynard's behalf he held forth, depraved as the latter was known. 90

The maxim, though old, he remarked, istrue, my lord Isengrim, proved:

There is little that's good in an enemy's words. Thus my uncle, in truth,

Small comfort will find in your speech; yet is that of but little account.

Were he at the court to reply to your words, and enjoyed he with you

The favor and grace of the king, then might it you surely repent

That you had so spoken in spite, and all this old tattle revived.

The evil, however, that you to Reynard himself have produced

You are silent about , and yet to my lordsin great number 'tis known

How together a compact you made, and each to the other engaged

As two equal colleagues to % live. Here's something I ought to relate : 100

How once in the winter himself he put to the greatest of risks

Altogether for you. A man with a wagon full laden with fish

Was pacing the street; you scented him out and willingly would

Have feasted yourself on his goods; but alas, you no money possessed,

So persuaded my uncle to help; and himself he with craftiness laid

At once in the road as if dead. By heavens, that venture was bold!

Yet notice what species of fish, he got for the risk that he took.

The carrier came to the spot, my uncle perceived in the road,

And hastily drew out his sword to evict him forthwith, but he lay

As if dead ; he made not a motion or sign, and the wagoner then no

Threw him up on the top of his cart, glad of the skin in advance.

Yes! that dared my uncle for Isengrim's sake ; the cartman at once

CANTO I. II

Continued his way, and Reynard threw

some of the fish to the ground ; Then Isengrim came sneaking in from afar,

and ate it all up.

Reynard thought it not well any longer to

ride, so lifted himself And sprang from the cart; and now he

himself on the booty would feed, But gobbled had Isengrim all ; indeed so

completely had he Himself overgorged, he was ready to burst ;

the bones cleanly picked Were the only things he had left, which

remnants he offered his friend. One more little trick I will tell, which also

is naught but the truth: 120 To Reynard it known had become, on a

a nail at a countryman's house Hung a well fattened swine, but yesterday

killed ; of this he informed With frankness the wolf ; they went to the

place, the profit and risk To fairly divide ; but the danger and toil

bore Reynard alone.

REYNARD THE FOX.

Right in at the window he crept, and then

with great labor he threw The booty for both below to the wolf ; just

now, by ill luck, Not far from the place were some dogs,

who scented him out in the house And stalwartly tugged at his skin. Sore

wounded he made his escape, And Isengrim quickly sought out, to him

made complaint of his woes, Demanding his share of the meat. And

Isengrim thereupon said: 13a For you a fine morsel I've saved ; now earnestly set you to work And heartily gnaw at it well; how much

you will relish the fat.

He brought the delicious piece forth; 'twas

nought but the crook upon which The butcher had hung up the hog. The

savory flesh and the fat Had been gulped by the covetous wolf, that

base and iniquitous beast.

Now Reynard, from rage, was unable to

speak ; but the turn of his thoughts

CANTO I.

You can think for yourself. Great king, of

a truth, in a hundred and more Of matters like this has the wolf to my

uncle behaved like a knave. But not a word more about that ; were

Reynard himself summoned here, His case he would better defend. Meanwhile, most beneficent king, 140 Most noble of masters and lords, I here beg

to notice that you And all of these lords will have heard how

stupidly Isengrim's speech Hath damaged the wife of his choice, and

tarnished her honor, which he With limb and with life should defend.

Now these are the facts of the case : Years seven and more have arrived and gone

by since my uncle bestowed, Without any thought of reserve, his love

and allegiance upon Dame Greedimund's beauty and charms.

This happened one night at a dance Which Isengrim failed to attend; I say what I know to be true.

*

Most friendly and pleasantly oft has she his

advances received.

Now what is there more to be said? She

never has made any charge; 150 Moreover she lives and is well, so why

does he make such a fuss?

He silence would keep were he wise ; it

brings to him only disgrace. The badger then further remarked : Now

comes this romance of the hare ! Detestable, vacuous talk ! Should not a good

master, forsooth, His pupil correct, if he be not attentive and

evil withstand?

If never we punished our boys, and put not

a potent -restraint On frivolous habits and bad, into what would

develop our youth?

Young Nidget next comes and complains,

how a sausage, one winter, he lost Aback of the hedge ; but this should he

rather in silence endure, For certainly hear we it said that some one

had stolen the thing. 160

CANTO I.

Goes lightly what lightly is got ; and who

can my uncle reproach For easing a thief of his stolen effects? It

surely is right That men of high station and birth, themselves to rascals and thieves Should hateful and dangerous show. Why I

had he him thereupon hanged, Excuse there had been ; yet he set him at

large to honor the king, For penance by death to inflict has no one

the right but the king.

The requital, however, is poor, on which can

my uncle rely, How guileless so e'er he may be and deeds

that are evil impede.

As matter of fact, ever since the peace of

the king was proclaimed, Conducts himself no one as he. He has

altered completely his life; 170 Eats but one meal a day, like an anchoret

lives, chastises himself, Wears raiment of hair on unsheltered skin,

and has also for long

Desisted entirely from flesh of all kinds, both

domestic and wild, As yesterday I was informed by one who

had stayed at his house, He has left Malepartus, his fort, and built

a small hut for himself, In which as a hermit to live. How lately

so thin he's become, So pallid from hunger and thirst and other

like penances sharp, That he in repentance endures, yourselves

into that will enquire.

Then what can it matter to him if all who

are here him accuse?

Should he but arrive, his rights he'd uphold

and them put to shame. 180

When Grimbart had drawn to a close, to the

wonder of all there appeared Henning, the cock, with the whole of his

brood. On a sorrowful bier, Despoiled of her neck and her head, was a

hen carried slowly within ;

CANTO I.

1/

Poor Scraper it turned out to be, most prolific of egg-laying hens;

Alas, how her blood trickled down ! and Reynard had caused it to flow.

This now must be brought to the ear of the king. When Henning, the brave,

Presented himself to the king with sad and most grief-stricken face,

Came with him still other two cocks, who also lamented their loss.

The one of them Kreyant was called, and no better cock could be found

If Holland and France were explored ; the other, who stood by his side, 190

Was known by the name of Kantart, a fellow straightforward and stout.

Each carried a candle alight, and it happened that brothers were both

Of the massacred hen they brought in ; and over the murder they cried

For trouble and pain. Two younger cocks were supporting the bier,

And the wailing they made as they came could plainly be heard afar off.

1 8

REYNARD THE FOX.

At length Henning spake: That loss we

bewail which none can repair, Benevolent master and king ! Oh, pity the

wrong we endure, My children as well as myself! Here look

you on Reynard's foul deed. When winter had from us gone by, and

leaves and blossoms and flowers Invited us all to be glad, I much in my

offspring rejoiced, 200 That spent the delectable days so blithely

and gaily with me.

Ten juvenile sons with daughters fourteen,

and all of them full Of relish and pleasure in life ; my wife,

that most excellent hen, Together had brought them all up in a

summer as happy as long; They all were robust and content with their

lot, and provided themselves Each day with the food they required at a

spot that was thought to be safe. The court-yard belonged to rich monks, and

its walls were a shelter to us

CANTO I.

And six immense dogs. These partners, so

noble and brave, of our home Were much to my children attached and

sharply watched over their lives ; But Reynard, that thief, it annoyed that we,,

in contentment and peace, 210 Such gay, happy days should enjoy, and

meantime escape from his wiles; By night he would sneak round the walls,

and waiting would lie at the gate ; But the dogs found it out, so he took to

his heels; yet boldly, at length, They managed to collar him once, and then

they made holes in his fur ; Yet out of their hands he escaped, and left