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Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924026192462 
 
BOHN'S STANDARD LIBRARY. 
 
 GOETHE'S REINEKE FOX, WEST- 
 EASTERN DIYAN, ETC. 
 
GOETHE'S 
 
 REINEKE FOX, 
 
 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN, 
 
 AND 
 
 ACHILLEID. 
 
 TRANSLATED IN THE ORIGINAL METRES. 
 
 BY 
 
 ALEXANDER ROGERS. 
 
 LATE BOMBAY CIVIL SERVICE. 
 
 LONDON : GEORGE BELL AND SONS, YORK STREET, 
 COVENT GARDEN. 
 
 1890. 
 
 / 
 
4 >2//£!L 
 
 A 
 
 (>' 
 
 ? 'CORN ELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY! 
 
 V 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 CHISWICK PRESS I— C. WHITTINGHAM AND CO., TOOKS COURT, 
 CHANCERY LANE. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Reineke Fox 
 
 West-Eastekn Divak 195 
 
 941 
 
 ACHILLEA) 
 
EEINEKE FOX. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 THE history of Eeynard the Fox has been known in 
 Europe under various forms for upwards of five 
 centuries, and has probably enjoyed the greatest amount 
 of popularity of any legends of the sayings and doings of 
 animals. It has been supposed by some to have been 
 written with a political design ; but, apart from the ex- 
 haustive refutation of this supposition, given by Grimm 
 (Eeinhart Fuchs von Jacob Grimm, Berlin, 1834), a pe- 
 rusal of the story, as given by Goethe, and translated in 
 the following pages.'appears sufficient to dispel any idea 
 of the kind. It is a fable, in which beasts, whilst retaining 
 their characteristic traits and propensities, display worldly 
 wisdom combined with the quaintest humour, in a manner 
 that not even the Hitopadesa and other Oriental collections 
 of fables derived from it can at all equal, the latter, 
 although abounding in instances in which beasts are 
 credited with almost superhuman acuteness and subtlety, 
 always treating such subjects in a dry, matter-of-fact style, 
 and, as it were, not seeing any fun in them. Probably the 
 best English criticism of the story in existence is that by 
 Carlyle, which may appropriately be quoted here. 
 
 " This remarkable book comes before us with a character 
 such as can belong only to a very few ; that of being a 
 true world's book, which through centuries was everywhere 
 at home, the spirit of which diffused itself into all Ian- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 guages and all minds. These quaint ^Isopic figures have 
 painted themselves in innumerable heads; that rough, 
 deep-lying humour has been the laughter of many genera- 
 tions, so that, at worst, we must regard this Keinecke as 
 an ancient idol, once worshipped, and still interesting for 
 that circumstance, were the sculpture never so rude. We 
 can love it, moreover, as being indigenous, wholly of our 
 own creation ; it sprang up from European sense and cha- 
 racter, and was a faithful type and organ of these. 
 
 " But, independently of all extrinsic considerations, this 
 fable of Eeinecke may challenge a judgment on its own 
 merits. Cunningly constructed, and not without a true 
 poetic life, we must admit it to be ; great power of concep- 
 tion and invention, great pictorial fidelity, a warm sunny 
 tone of colouring, are manifest enough. It is full of broad, 
 rustic mirth ; inexhaustible in comic devices : a "World- 
 Saturnalia, where Wolves tonsured into Monks and nigh 
 starved by short commons, Foxes pilgriming to Rome for 
 absolution, Cocks pleading at the judgment-bar, make 
 strange mummery. Nor is this Wild Parody of Human 
 Life without its meaning and moral ; it is an Air-pageant 
 from Fancy's Dream grotto, yet Wisdom lurks in it ; as 
 we gaze, the vision becomes poetic and prophetic. A 
 true Irony must have dwelt in the poet's heart and 
 head : here, under grotesque shadows, he gives us the 
 saddest picture of Reality ; yet for us without sadness ; 
 his figures mask themselves in uncouth, "bestial vizards, 
 and enact gambolling; their Tragedy dissolves into sar- 
 donic grins. He has a deep, artful Humour, sporting with 
 the world and its evils in kind mockery : this is the poetic 
 soul, round which the outward material has fashioned 
 itself into living coherence. And so, in that rude old 
 Apologue, we have still a mirror, though now tarnished 
 and time-worn, of true magic reality ; and can discern 
 
INTRODUCTION. Til 
 
 there in cunning reflex, some image both of our destiny 
 and of our duty, for now, as then, ' Prudence is the only 
 virtue sure of its reward,' and Cunning triumphs where 
 Honesty is worsted ; and now, as then, it is the wise man's 
 part to know this, and cheerfully look for it, and cheer- 
 fully defy it : 
 
 ' Ut vulpis adulatio 
 
 Here thro' his own world moveth, 
 
 Sic hominis et ratio 
 
 Most like to Reynard's proveth.' 
 
 If Eeinecke is nowise a perfect Comic Epos, it has various 
 features of such, and, above all, a genuine Epic spirit, 
 
 which is the rarest feature 
 
 " It has been objected that the animals in Eeinecke are 
 not animals, but men disguised ; to which objection, except 
 in so far as grounded on the necessary indubitable fact 
 that this is an Apologue or emblematic Fable, and no 
 Chapter of Natural History, we cannot in any considerable 
 degree accede. Nay, that very contrast between Object 
 and Effect, where the Passions of men develope themselves 
 on the Interests of animals, and the whole is huddled 
 together in chaotic mockery, is a main charm of the 
 picture. For the rest, we should rather say, these bestial 
 characters were moderately well sustained ; the vehement, 
 futile vociferation of Chanticleer ; the hysterical prompti- 
 tude, and earnest profession, and protestation of poor 
 Lampe the Hare ; the thick-headed ferocity of Isegrim ; 
 the sluggish, gluttonous rapacity of Bruin ; above all the 
 craft, the tact, and inexhaustible knavish adroitness of 
 Eeinecke himself, are in strict accuracy of costume. Often 
 also their situations and occupations are bestial enough. 
 What quantities of bacon and other proviant do Isegrim 
 and Eeinecke forage ; Eeinecke contributing the scheme — 
 for the two were then in partnership — and Isegrim paying 
 
Till INTRODUCTION. 
 
 the shot in broken bones ! What more characteristic than 
 the fate of Bruin, when ill-counselled to introduce his 
 stupid head into Kustifill's half-split log; has the wedges 
 whisked away, and stands clutched there, as in a vice, and 
 uselessly roaring, disappointed of honey, sure only of a 
 beating without parallel ! Not to forget the Mare, whom, 
 addressing by the title of Good-wife, with all politeness, 
 Isegrim, sore-pinched with hunger, asks whether she will 
 sell her foal, she answers that the price is written on her 
 hinder hoof; which document the intending purchaser, 
 being an 'Erfurt graduate,' declares his full ability to 
 read ; but finds there no writing, or print, save only the 
 print of six horse-nails on his own mauled visage. And 
 abundance of the like, sufficient to excuse our old epos on 
 this head, or altogether justify it." ' 
 
 Grimm denies that there exists in the story any tendency 
 to satire, but several of the incidents related go far to 
 prove that the author of the version from which Goethe 
 drew the materials for Eeineke Fuchs, at all events, had 
 in view some of the abuses that had crept into the adminis- 
 tration of the Church of Eome, and fully intended to put 
 in a ridiculous point of view some of the customs of the 
 Middle Ages. 
 
 The exact time when the events of the story may be 
 supposed to have taken place naturally cannot be deter- 
 mined, as, although some of them may have been suggested 
 to the author by contemporary occurrences, the general 
 thread of the narrative consists simply of such imaginative 
 incidents as might occur to the mind of a man of humour 
 well acquainted with the habits of the animals that consti- 
 tute his dramatis personal. 
 
 1 See article on " German Literature of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth 
 Centuries," in the "Foreign Quarterly Review," No. XVI., and " Mis- 
 cellanies" (1872), iii., p. 204. 
 
INTRODUCTION. IX 
 
 The locality where these events are supposed to have 
 occurred is identified hy the mention of the names of several 
 places in Flanders : — Aachen, more familiar under the 
 name of Aix-la-Chapelle, and Hiisterlo, the place where 
 King Emmerich's treasure is falsely reported by Reineke 
 to be buried, is situated near Ghent. 
 
 Of the literary productions to which the popularity of 
 the story of Reynard the Fox has given rise at various times 
 the following may be noted. 
 
 The Latin poem entitled, "Ecbasis cujusdam captivi 
 pro Tropologiam," published by G-rimm and Andreas 
 Schmeller in 1838. This consists chiefly of the story of 
 the lion's illness told by the wolf as explanatory of the 
 feud between the fox and himself, and the king's anger 
 against the fox, who alone among the animals neglected to 
 attend and bring medicines for his recovery. A decree is 
 issued against the fox, who, however, unexpectedly appears 
 at Court, and manages to cure the lion and punish the 
 wolf by having the hide of the latter torn off to envelop 
 the former while it is still hot. The names of the beasts 
 in this poem are not those used in the Eeynardine stories. 
 
 The Latin poem entitled " Isengrimus," printed by 
 Grimm from a MS. of the fourteenth century. In this for 
 the most part the beasts have the Eeynardine names. It 
 contains only two stories, viz. : the Sickness of the Lion, 
 and the Pilgrimage of the Goat. The sick Hon, lying in a 
 cool place at the side of a wood, orders a general assemblage 
 of the beasts, and proclaims a solemn peace. The fox does 
 not appear at first, but subsequently comes and suggests 
 as a remedy for the lion's complaint that he should be 
 enveloped in the fresh hide of a wolf of the age of three- 
 and-a-half years, and proving that Isengrim is just of that 
 age, gets the lion to order him to be flayed, and flays him 
 accordingly, thus wreaking his venegeance on his enemy 
 
INTEODUCTION. 
 
 the wolf. From various circumstances connected with 
 this poem, it is evident that it was written in South 
 Flanders in ahout the first half of the twelfth century, and 
 it is therefore probable that the tales were current in the 
 preceding century. 
 
 The latter poem was incorporated into another work, 
 entitled " Eeinardus Vulpes," published by Moore in 1832. 
 This contains several incidents similar to those in the later 
 versions of the Eeynardine story, but not related in the 
 same order. It seems unnecessary to enter into the details 
 of these. 
 
 Tne next is the first High German poem on the subject 
 of Eeynard the Fox. It was contained in a subsequent 
 work of an unknown author, who lived fifty years later 
 than Heinrich der Grlichesoere, or Grlichsenoere, its author, 
 and was discovered by G-rimm, who found it in the library 
 at Cassel, to be a portion of the Eeinhart as originally 
 written. In this the illness of the lion is accounted for by 
 his having trampled down the nests and killed thousands 
 of ants because they would not recognize his authority. 
 The king of the ants vows vengeance, and the lion is bitten 
 so severely that he looks on it as a judgment of heaven for 
 having neglected his duties. A Court is then assembled, 
 and various incidents are told of the same nature as in the 
 more modern versions. There appears to have been a 
 number of Norman French poems treating the story of 
 Eeynard the Fox in various ways, but the source to which 
 G-oethe's version may be directly traced is the Low German 
 poem of Eeineke de Fos, attributed by some to Heinrich 
 von Alkmar, and by others to Mcolaus Baumann. In- 
 numerable editions and translations of this poem have 
 appeared from time to time, and contributed greatly to the 
 popularity of the story. The particular translation with 
 which we are now concerned is that by Grottsched, pub- 
 
INTRODUCTION. XI 
 
 lished at Leipzig and Amersterdam in 1752, entitled, 
 " Heinrichs von Alkmar Eeineke der Fuchs mit schonen 
 Kupfern, nach der Ausgabe von 1498." The plates were 
 by Albert van Elverdingen, and are identical with those of 
 which a few were used in the " Pleasant History of Reynard 
 the Fox," issued by Felix Summerly. Goethe's Hexameters 
 are said by himself to have been something between a 
 translation and an independent version, and the work is 
 described by Carlyle as being, " for poetical use infinitely 
 the best : like some copy of an ancient, bedimmed, half- 
 obliterated woodcut, but now done on steel, on India 
 paper, and with all manner of graceful and appropriate 
 appendages." 
 
 Other translations into High German, Danish, Swedish, 
 and Latin have since appeared. Of the German transla- 
 tions the most interesting to the English public is one by 
 D. W. Soltau, first published at Berlin in 1803, and after- 
 wards in 1823 at Brunswick, on account of a subsequent 
 translation into doggrel English verse by the same author, 
 which possesses no merit but its quaintness. Of other 
 English translations the best known is that of Caxton, 
 published by him in 1481. It is clear, however, from 
 references to the story in Chaucer and elsewhere, that it 
 had been known in England in far earlier times. Caxton's 
 version is in prose, and contains the same incidents as 
 Goethe's work : it has been republished in 1844, in the 
 twelfth volume of the Transactions of the Percy Society, 
 with a preface by W. Thorns, and it is from this preface 
 that the information embodied in this Introduction has 
 been derived. 
 
 It will be seen what store of incidents is comprised in the 
 story. These are, of course, not of Goethe's invention, and 
 he is only responsible for the versification of Gottsched's 
 translation into hexameters, which are as good as they can 
 
Xll INTRODUCTION. 
 
 be expected to be in a language that lends itself to this 
 particular metre but little better than does our own. 
 
 Tor the following translation the editor is not solely 
 responsible, haying availed himself of numerous sugges- 
 tions made by a friend. Many instances occur in which 
 there has been a doubt as to the advisability of adopting 
 a literal rendering in spite of its mating the versification 
 rough, or a freer translation which might lend itself to a 
 smoother line. In all such cases he has endeavoured to 
 steer, as far as possible, a middle course, but in no case, 
 although not adopting the actual wording of his original, 
 knowingly to depart from its sense. The difficulty of 
 hitting the happy medium must be his excuse for the short- 
 comings of a wort at which he has earnestly laboured, and 
 which he now submits, with a prayer for reasonable criticism, 
 to the judgment of the public. The few notes have mostly 
 been taken from Herr Strehlke's edition in Hempel's 
 series. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Canto I. page 
 
 How the Lion assembles his court ; and the Fox, being absent 
 through fear of his accusers, is charged with many crimes. 
 How the Bear is sent to summon him 1 
 
 Canto 11. 
 How the Bear is received and betrayed by the Fox ; and having 
 suffered grievously at the hands of certain peasants, returns 
 to Court in a pitiful condition U 
 
 Canto III. 
 
 How the Cat, having been sent, also suffers evil treatment, and 
 returns to Court having lost an eye. How the Badger is sent 
 to summon his kinsman for the third time, and having per- 
 suaded him to come, hears his confession on the way, and 
 makes pretence of giving him absolution .... 27 
 
 Canto IV. 
 
 How the Fox makes his defence, and is condemned to be hanged, 
 but, at the gallows, obtains a respite from the King and 
 Queen, by falsely telling them of a certain hidden treasure, 
 and of a plot against the King's life 46 
 
 Canto V. 
 
 How the Fox describes the feigned plot, in which he implicates his 
 father, now dead, and his kinsman the Badger, as well as his 
 chief accusers ; and how the King approves of his design to 
 go on a pilgrimage to Rome and the Holy Land, to obtain 
 absolution from a ban under which he lies .... 59 
 
 Canto VI. 
 
 How the Bear and the Wolf are imprisoned, and how Eeineke 
 starts on his pilgrimage equipped at their expense ; but having 
 beguiled the Bam and the Hare to his castle, murders the' 
 
XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 latter, and insolently causes the Earn to convey his head to 
 the King ; whereupon the Bear and the Wolf are released, and 
 receive compensation, the Eam's life being forfeit ... 72 
 
 Canto VII. 
 
 How the Court is prolonged ; and the Eabbit and Crow complain 
 of further outrages by the Fox, whereupon the King commands 
 an expedition against him ; but the Badger goes quickly, and 
 persuades the Fox to come and defend his conduct . . 92 
 
 Canto VIII. 
 
 How the Fox again makes confession to the Badger, and lays his 
 crimes upon the evil example set by the clergy. How they 
 meet with the Ape on his way to Eome, who promises to 
 obtain for his kinsman, the Fox, absolution* from the ban 
 under which he lies 105 
 
 Canto IX. 
 
 How the Fox makes his defence before the King, and challenges 
 his enemies to single combat. How his cause is pleaded by 
 the She-ape, who is in favour with the King and Queen . 120 
 
 Canto X. 
 
 How the Fox describes the treasures which he feigns to have been 
 stolen by the Earn ; and recounts his father's services and his 
 own, and is pardoned by the King 13S 
 
 Canto XI. 
 
 How the Wolf brings further charges against the Fox, who replies 
 plausibly, whereupon the Wolf challenges him to single combat. 
 How the She-ape gives wise counsel to the Fox . . . 158 
 
 Canto XII. 
 
 How the Wolf and the Fox fight in the presence of the King, and 
 the Fox by craft and adroitness defeats the other, and attains 
 to great honour and favour with the King . , . .177 
 
REINEKE FOX. 
 
 FIRST CANTO. 
 
 WHITSUNTIDE, 1 loveable feast, was come : the plain 
 and the forest 
 Broke forth in verdure anew : on the hills, in the bushes 
 
 and hedges, 
 Birds, as if newly awakened to life, sang their happiest 
 
 ditties ; 
 Every meadow was decked with flowers in sweet-scented 
 valleys ; 4 
 
 Bright of hue was the earth, and the sky of brilliance festal. 
 
 Nobel, 2 the king, assembled together his Court, and his 
 
 vassals 
 Quickly came at his call in state ; s from ev'ry direction 
 Trooped in many a haughty fellow at once at the summons ; 
 Liitke, the crane, and Markart, the jay, and all of the chief 
 
 ones. 
 It was the wish of the king, with all his barons and 
 
 nobles, 10 
 
 1 Under the Merovingian king a general assembly of the people, as 
 well as the nobles of the realm, took place in the spring of the year, and 
 was fixed by Pepin the Little for the month of May. In this May-field 
 (Majicampus) were assembled by name the lay and clerical rassals under 
 Charles the Great. 
 
 2 In the original form of the fables of beasts the bear was considered 
 the king of animals. In Eeinardus Vulpes and Isengrimus, however, 
 the lion appears. In the former he is called Kufanus, supposed to be 
 an anagram for Arnufus, the German Emperor Arnulph (887 to 899). 
 The name Nobel comes from the French versions. 
 
 3 The summons to a Court festival was in earlier times by a verbal 
 message, but afterwards in writing, about six weeks before the time of 
 assembling. 
 
 B 
 
2 EEINBKB FOX. [CANTO I. 
 
 Grandly to hold a magnificent Court ; and with this 
 
 intention 
 One with another he summoned, the small as well as the 
 
 great ones. 
 None should fail to be there ! And yet there was one who 
 
 was absent, 
 Eeineke Fox, the rascal ! who, deeply given to mischief, 
 Held aloof from half of the Court. As shuns a bad 
 
 conscience 15 
 
 Light and day, so the fox fought shy of the nobles 
 
 assembled. 
 One and all had complaints to make, he had all of them 
 
 injured ; 
 Grimbart, 1 the badger, his brother's son, alone was excepted. 
 
 Isegrim 2 Wolf began the complaint ; by all his well- 
 wishers, 
 And by all of his cousins accompanied, and his com- 
 panions, 3 20 
 Standing before the king, he spoke in accents forensic : 
 " Master, most gracious Sovereign ! Hear my grievous 
 
 affliction. 
 Noble are you and great and worshipful, showing to all men 
 Mercy and right ; so now for the injury grant me 
 
 compassion, 
 That from Eeineke Fox, to my great disgrace, I have 
 suffered. z5 
 
 Give me especially pity for this, that often for mischief 
 He has made sport of my wife, and injury done to my 
 
 children. 
 Even, alas ! with dirt and corroding filth he defiled them, 
 So that at home there are three who weep and wail in their 
 
 blindness. 
 True, long ago we came to terms with regard to his 
 mischief. 30 
 
 1 This appears to have meant originally "shining with fury," or 
 " shining like a helmet," the latter from the face of the badger, which 
 ha9 on both sides of its head a black band like the fastenings of a helmet. 
 
 2 The reported meanings of the name are " eisgrimmig" (probably a 
 contraction for eisengrimmig), " iron-masked," or " shining like a sword." 
 
 3 According to old German judicial custom people appeared before 
 the legal tribunals accompanied by their relations. 
 
CANTO I.] EEINEKB FOI. 3 
 
 -Yes, a day had been fixed on which to settle the grievance. 
 Even to swear l did he offer, but soon thought better about it, 
 Dext'rously slipping away to his stronghold. Ev'ryone 
 
 knows this, 
 Ear too well do they know it, all who stand here and 
 
 around me. 
 Oh, Sir ! All the vexation that this great rascal has caused 
 
 me 35 
 
 Many a week would it take to recount in the briefest of 
 
 phrases. 
 If the linen of Ghent 2 — as much as ever is made there — 
 Into parchment were made, 'twould not hold all his vagaries, 
 And I am silent thereon. But still my spouse's dishonour 
 Gnaws at my heart ; revenge I will have, whatever may 
 
 happen." 40 
 
 "Whilst thus Isegrim vented himself in sorrowful spirit, 
 
 There came forward a dog called Wackerlos. Speaking in 
 French, he 
 
 Said to the king how poor he was, and how nothing was 
 left him 
 
 But a small piece of sausage, hid in a wintery thicket ; 
 
 Even this had Beineke filched. — Then up jumped the tom- 
 cat, 45 
 
 Hintze his name, and cried out, angrily: " Monarch exalted, 
 
 No one is here who has need to cry out lest the scoundrel 
 should hurt him 
 
 More than the king himself! I tell you, in all this 
 assemblage, 
 
 Young or old, there is none who is not more afraid of the 
 rascal 
 
 Than of yourself ! But Wackerlos' case is of little impor- 
 tance. 5° 
 
 Several years have passed since these occurrences happened. 
 
 Mine was the sausage. And I it was who had reason to 
 grumble. 
 
 I had gone out to hunt, and whilst on my way, in the 
 night I 
 
 * Probably the oath of purging, frequently alluded to in beast fables. 
 2 Ghent was already celebrated in the tenth century for its cloth 
 manufactures. 
 
4 BEINEKE POX. [CANTO I. 
 
 Searched through a mill, and the miller's wife was asleep,. 
 
 softly 
 One little sausage took up, I confess. Thus if any title 55 
 Wackerlos had therein, to my exertions he owed it." 
 
 Then the panther began: "Of what use are words and 
 
 complainings ? 
 It is but little they settle: enough ! the evil is well known. 
 He is a thief and murderer ! I can boldly maintain it. 
 Yes, as the gentlemen know, he practises all kinds of 
 
 mischief. to 
 
 Should all the noblemen here, and even our monarch 
 
 exalted, 
 Honour and property lose, he'd laugh, if thereby he might 
 
 gain him 
 Only a mouthful to eat of a fat and well-flavoured capon. 
 Let me relate how Lampe, the hare, he shamefully treated 
 Yesterday : there he stands, who never injured a creature. 65 
 Eeineke posed as pious, and wished in various matters 
 Briefly to teach him, and what in addition pertained to 
 
 the chaplain. 
 Opposite one to another they sat, and began on the ' Credo.* 
 Yet could Eeineke never forego his old, wily devices ; 
 Notwithstanding the peace of the king and safe conduct to 
 
 all men, 1 70 
 
 Lampe, the honest creature, was seized and held in his 
 
 clutches, 
 And malignantly worried. Along the road I was passing, 
 Heard the chaunt of the pair begun, but suddenly ended. 
 I was amazed at what I had heard, but as I came nearer 
 Knew at once it was Eeineke: Lampe he held by the 
 
 collar, 75 
 
 Yes, and had certainly taken his life, if I by good fortune 
 Had not happened to pass by the road. There standing: 
 
 you see him. 
 Look and see the wounds of the gentle creature, whom no one 
 Ever would think of ill-treating. And should our ruler 
 
 allow it, 
 
 ' It was the custom that anyone who had to appear before the 
 tribunals was nr.der the king's protection and safe conduct (Gcleit) on 
 his way there and back. 
 
CANTO I.J EEINEKE FOX. 5 
 
 Should you, noble lords, permit the peace of the monarch, 80 
 And his safe conduct and pass to be despised by a robber, 
 Then will the king and his children hereafter bear the 
 
 reproaches 
 Cast upon them by all who of right and just dealing are 
 
 lovers." 
 
 Isegrim said thereupon : " I fear it will always remain so. 
 No good, alas ! will Eeineke show us. Oh ! would he were 
 lying 85 
 
 Dead long ago ! for that were the best for peaceable people ; 
 If you forgive him, however, this time, be sure very shortly 
 Some who now suspect it least he'll audaciously swindle." 
 
 Eeineke' s nephew, the badger, took up the word, and with 
 
 courage 
 Spoke up in Eeineke' s favour, though all now knew of 
 
 his falseness. 90 
 
 "Old and true," he said: "Sir Isegrim, so goes the 
 
 proverb ; 
 ' Little to gain from an enemy's mouth.' And truly my uncle 
 little comfort will get from your words, but that is a trifle — 
 Were he but here at the Court as well as yourself, and 
 
 enjoying 
 Eoyal favour like you, you would certainly soon be 
 
 repenting 95 
 
 That you have been so spiteful and raked up all these old 
 
 stories. 
 Yet in all the mischief you now endeavour to do him 
 Tou over-reach yourself ; and some of these gentlemen well 
 
 know 
 How you effected a compact together, and both of you 
 
 promised 
 Equal in partnership always to live. I must tell you 
 
 about it. 100 
 
 Once for your sake in the winter he faced the greatest of 
 
 dangers. 
 There was a carter, with fish his cart who had heavily 
 
 loaded, 
 Driving along the road. Tou spied him out, and with 
 
 longing 
 
6 ' EEINEKE POX. [CANTO I. 
 
 Looked at his wares for a meal, but alas ! the money was 
 
 wanting. 
 Then you persuaded my uncle, and he, as if dead, on the 
 
 roadway ro 5 
 
 Craftily laid himself down. By heav'n, that was an ad- 
 venture, 
 One of the rashest ! Now see what he did for the sake of 
 
 the fishes. 
 When the carter came up. in the rut he there saw my uncle. 
 Quickly he drew his sword to finish him off, but the sly one, 
 Seemingly dead, moved neither limb nor leg, and the 
 
 carter "° 
 
 Threw him up on his cart, at the skin rejoicing before- 
 hand. 
 Tes, thus much did my uncle for Isegrim dare, but the 
 
 carter 
 "Went on driving the cart, so Eeineke threw down the 
 
 fishes. 
 Isegrim slunk up behind, from afar, and swallowed the 
 
 fishes. 
 Eeineke made up his mind to ride no farther, and rising 1 1 5 
 Jumped off the cart, with intent to dine off some of the 
 
 booty. 
 All, however, had Isegrim eaten ; and more than was 
 
 needful, 
 Had so blown himself out, that to burst he was ready. 
 
 The fishbones 
 Only were left behind, and he offered his friend the 
 
 remainder. 
 Just one little tale more ! This, too, is true that I tell 
 
 you. iao 
 
 Eeineke knew of a fattened pig that a peasant that morning 
 In his house had killed and hung on a peg. He reported, 
 All in good faith, to the wolf. They started, the profit and 
 
 danger 
 Fairly to share. Tet he alone bore both the trouble and 
 
 peril. 
 In at the window he crept, and threw with a good deal of 
 
 trouble 125 
 
 Down to the wolf their common booty. As ill luck would 
 
 have it, 
 
CANTO I.J BEINEKB FOX. 7 
 
 Not far off were some dogs, -who discovered him there 
 
 in the dwelling ; 
 And right well did they tousel his hide. He got away 
 
 wounded. 
 Isegrim quickly he sought, and complained of what he 
 
 had suffered, 
 And demanded his share. Then the wolf replying assured 
 
 him : 1 30 
 
 " Such a capital hit I have kept you. Fall to upon it, 
 Gnaw it well up, and see how nice and delicious the 
 
 fat is ! " 
 So he hrought out the piece ; 'twas the crooked stick that 
 
 the butcher 
 Had made use of to hang up the pig ; the delicate 
 
 roastling 1 34 
 
 Had that greedy wolf unrighteously swallowed and eaten. 
 Keineke spoke- not a word in his rage; you can easily 
 
 fancy 
 What were his feelings! 'lis certain, O king, that for 
 
 over a hundred 
 Similar tasty bits is the wolf to my uncle indebted ! 
 I will be silent, however. If you will have Keineke sent 
 
 for, 
 He will defend himself better. Meanwhile, O king ever 
 
 gracious, 140 
 
 Noble ruler, you heard yourself, I beg to remind you, 
 And these lords have heard how foolishly Isegrim' s talking 
 Touches too nearly the honour and fame of the wife of his 
 
 bosom, 
 Whom with body and life he should guard. Now this 
 
 much is certain : 
 Rather more than seven years since my uncle had offered 145 
 His true love, and his troth to the beautiful Gieremund 
 
 plighted, 
 Isegrim' s wife. It was at a dance by night that it happened, 
 Isegrim being away from home. I speak as I know it. 
 Often with kindness and courtesy she has accepted his offers. 
 What more is there to say ? She never brought this to 
 
 notice ; ' 5° 
 
 Nay, she's alive, and finds herself well ; what a fuss he is 
 
 making ! 
 
8 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO I. 
 
 Were he wise, he would hold his tongue : this will only 
 
 disgrace him." 
 Further pursued the badger : " And now for the hare and 
 
 his story. 
 Wish- washy empty talk ! Should not the master his pupil 
 Sometimes chastise when he will not observe, and is 
 
 stubborn in evil ? 155 
 
 If boys never were punished, were thoughtlessness always 
 
 passed over, 
 Were bad behaviour allowed, how would our juveniles 
 
 grow up ? 
 Wackerlos now complains how his sausage was losl; in the 
 
 winter, 
 Down by the hedge ; he had better put up with his trouble 
 
 in silence, 
 Since, as we now are told, he stole it. As lightly 'twas 
 
 come by, 160 
 
 Lightly also it went, and who can throw blame on my 
 
 uncle 
 If from a thief he took the goods he had stolen ? For all 
 
 men, 
 Those who are noble by birth, should always prove them* 
 
 selves hateful, 
 Much to be dreaded by thieves. Why, had he proceeded 
 
 to hang him, 
 Venial were the offence. But,: to honour the king, he 
 
 released him, 165 
 
 For to punish with death the king alone is permitted. 
 But the smallest of thanks can this uncle of mine ever 
 
 look for, 
 Be he ever so right, whatever misdeeds he prohibits. 
 Since in the country the royal peace was made known and 
 
 published 
 No one behaves as he does. His habits of living are 
 
 altered: i 70 
 
 Eating but once in the day, like a hermit himself he 
 
 chastises, 
 Wearing a hair-shirt next to his skin, and for many a 
 
 day has 
 Quite abstain'd from the eating of flesh both wild and 
 
 domestic ; 
 
CANTO I.J EBINEKE FOX. 9 
 
 Yesterday this I was told by one who lately was with him. 
 Malepartus, 1 his fort, he has left, and now for his dwelling 
 Builds him a hermit's cell. How lean and thin he is 
 
 growing, 176 
 
 Pale from hunger and thirst, and stricter mortifications, 
 Borne in Bitter remorse, all this yourselves you shall witness. 
 What can it matter to him if people come here with 
 
 petitions ? 
 Let him hut come, he will mate out his rights, and leave 
 
 them confounded." 180 
 
 Just as G-rimbart had finished there came, to their utter 
 
 amazement, 
 Henning, the Cock, with his kith and kindred. Stretched 
 
 on a bier there, 
 Borne in sorrow along was a hen, both headless and 
 
 neckless. 
 Scratch-foot it was, the best of all the egg-laying females. 
 Fast flowed, alas ! her blood : it was Eeineke, too, that had 
 
 shed it. 185 
 
 This must be told to the king. And now as Henning, the 
 
 valiant, 
 Came to the royal presence with deeply dejected demeanour, 
 Came with him two other cocks, of equally mournful 
 
 appearance. 
 Kryant was one ; a better cock was nowhere forthcoming 
 Either in Holland or Prance. The other who came was his 
 
 equal: 190 
 
 Hantart by name he was called, a bold and fine, strapping 
 
 fellow. 
 Each of them carried a lighted torch, for they were the 
 
 brothers 
 Of this murdered lady. They cried with loud lamentations 
 "Oh!" and "alas!" for the murder. Two young cocks 
 
 carried the body. 
 One could hear the mournful cries in the distance re- 
 sounding. 2 195 
 
 1 Malepartus is probably derived from the Latin, and means the fort 
 " in evil regions." 
 
 2 The friends of a murdered person were supposed to maJte a three- 
 fold cry at the commencement of their complaint. 
 
10 REINEKE POX. [CANTO J, 
 
 Henning spoke : " We complain of irretrievable mischief, 
 Lord and gracious king ! Take pity on me who am injured, 
 I and my children as well. Here witness Eeineke's doings t 
 When the winter was gone, and leaves, and blossoms, and 
 
 flowers, 
 Summoned us forth to pleasure, I joyed in my family 
 
 circle, z °° 
 
 That so gladly with me the beautiful days were enjoying. 
 Ten young sons were there, and fourteen beautiful 
 
 daughters, 
 Full of enjoyment of life, which the hen, my excellent 
 
 consort, 
 All in a single summer had nourished and brought up 
 
 together. 
 All were so strong and so well content, and for all was 
 
 provided 205 
 
 Aught that was needed for daily food in well-guarded 
 
 quarters. 
 Eich monks owned the yard, and lofty walls were our 
 
 shelter. 
 Six, large, powerful dogs, the household's trusted com- 
 panions, ,, 
 Held my children dear, and kept strict watch for their 
 
 welfare. 
 But it annoyed this, Reineke thief that there in content- 
 ment 210 
 Happy days we should spend, and keep ourselves clear of 
 
 his malice. 
 Ever at night did he sneak round the walls, and watch by 
 
 the gateway. 
 When the dogs saw it he had to run for it. One day, 
 
 however, 
 Bravely at last they seized him, and crumpled his skin up 
 
 . together. 
 Yet he made good his escape, and left us in peace for a 
 
 season. 215 
 
 But now listen to me. It was not long this had lasted 
 When he appeared as a monk, and brought me a letter and 
 
 signet. 
 'Twas your seal I knew on the letter, and there I found 
 
 written 
 
CANTO I.] EEINBKB FOX. II 
 
 Lasting peace for the birds and beasts that you were pro- 
 claiming. 219 
 Then he told me that he had adopted the life of a hermit, 
 And to atone for his sins the strictest tows he had 
 
 taken. 
 All his guilt, alas! he acknowledged, but no one ia 
 
 future 
 Need of him be afraid : he had sworn by all that is holy 
 Never again to put flesh in his mouth. His cowl he 
 
 displayed me, 
 Also his scapular, and in his favour farther to witness, 225, 
 Showed what the prior had ordered, the more to confirm 
 
 and assure me, 
 Under his cowl a garment of hair, and said, as he went off : 
 ' Now I commend you to God Almighty ! To-day there' 
 
 is plenty 
 That I still have to do. 1 There are Sexts and Nones to be- 
 
 read through, 
 Vespers as well.' He read his book as he went, and 
 
 thought over 230 
 
 Many an evil thing, whilst our destruction he plotted. 
 Quickly with lightened heart I told all the children around 
 
 me 
 What good message your letter conveyed, and all were- 
 
 delighted. 
 Since now Eeineke hermit had turned, we had for the- 
 
 future 234- 
 
 Neither care nor fear. Together with them I proceeded 
 Out in front of the walls, and we all rejoiced in our freedom .. 
 Yet, alas ! evil befell us. He lay outside in an ambush : 
 Springing then craftily forwards, he blocked our road to- 
 
 the gateway, 
 Seized and ran away with the finest of all of my children. 
 After that nothing availed us, when once their blood he 
 
 had tasted. 240- 
 
 Once and again he tried it, and neither the dogs nor the- 
 
 huntsmen 
 Either by day or night could protect us more from his. 
 
 malice. 
 
 1 The clerical day was divided into seven parts : matins, prime, tierce, 
 sext, none (or noon), vespers, and compline. 
 
12 BEINEKE FOX. [CANTO I. 
 
 Thus he deprived me of almost all of my children : from 
 
 twenty 
 Down to five I am now reduced ; the rest he has ravished. 
 Oh ! take pity on this, our bitter grief, for my daughter 245 
 Yesterday only he killed, the dogs only saving her body. 
 See where she lies ! His doing it was ! Oh take it to heart, 
 
 Sir!" 
 
 Then the king commenced : " Come nearer, Grimbart, and 
 
 see this ! 
 Thus does the hermit fast, and thus does he show his 
 
 repentance ! 
 One more year if I live, however, he surely shall rue it ! 250 
 Yet of what use are words? So hear me, sorrowful 
 
 Henning : 
 Let not your daughter want for a single thing that is 
 
 needful, 
 Pitting, and right for the dead. For her shall Vigils be 
 
 chaunted, 
 That with due honour and state she may to the earth be 
 
 committed. 
 Then with our lords we'll advise as to how to punish this 
 
 murder." - 255 
 
 Then did the king command them to chaunt the office of' 
 
 Vigils ; , 
 *' Domino placebo" x commenced the assembly: they chaunted 
 All of the verses thereof. And farther yet I could tell you 
 "Who it was that intoned the lesson, and who the 
 
 responses ; 259 
 
 This, however, would take too long ; I had rather omit it. 
 Down in a grave was the body laid, and on it a handsome 
 Square hewn marble slab, that was polished as bright as a 
 
 mirror. 
 Thick and large it was, and on it was legibly written : 
 " Scratch-foot, daughter of Henning, the Cock, the best of 
 
 the hen tribe. 
 Many an egg did she lay in her nest, and was skilful in 
 
 scratching. 265 
 
 1 The commencement of the Office for the Dead : " Placebo domino in 
 regiohe vivorum." 
 
CANTO I.] BEINEKE FOX. 13 
 
 Here she lies, lost, alas ! to her friends, by Reineke 
 
 murdered. 
 All the world should know of his false and cruel behaviour •, 
 As for the dead .they lament." Thus ran the words that 
 
 were written. 
 
 Then did the king his cleverest councillors cause to assemble, 
 That with them he council might hold how to punish the 
 
 outrage', 270. 
 
 Which of him and his Lords had sp clearly been brought 
 
 to the notice. 
 This at last they agreed to, that they to the crafty 
 
 transgressor 
 Must a messenger send, that on pain of further correction 
 He must not fail to attend at the royal palace in person, 
 When the baronial Court was next in meeting assembled. 275: 
 Brown, the bear, they selected as messenger. Him then 
 
 addressing, 
 Uttered the monarch these words : " Brown, I, your ruler, 
 
 command you, 
 Do your errand with diligence due. Tet I counsel you 
 
 prudence. 
 Reineke' s false and malicious ; and various sorts of devices 
 Will he make use of : and lies he will tell and with flattery 
 
 ply you, 280 
 
 And circumvent, as he alone can." " By no means," asserted 
 Brown with assurance : "Be at your ease ! Should he be 
 
 presuming, 
 Or in the slightest degree should he ever dare to despise 
 
 me, 
 Mark well, I swear by God, let me the penalty suffer 
 If I pay him not back till he knows not where he is 
 
 standing." 285. 
 
SECOND CANTO. 
 
 SO then Brown wandered forth upon his way to the 
 mountains : 
 High in courage he .went, his course through a desert 
 
 directing, 
 "Long and sandy and broad ; and this when at length he 
 
 had traversed, 
 Tow'rds the hills he approached, where to hunt was 
 
 Reineke's custom. 
 There in former days he himself had come for amusement. 5 
 But the bear went farther, to Malepartus, where buildings 
 Tair did Reineke own, and of all the towns and the castles, 
 Many of which he possessed, was Malepartus the finest. 
 "There did Beineke live whenever evil foreboded. 
 When Brown reached the castle, he found the usual 
 
 entrance 10 
 
 Tast closed up. Then standing in front he pondered a little ; 
 After a time he cried: "O uncle, are you at home 
 
 now? 
 Brown, the bear, has come from the king with message 
 
 judicial. 
 Tor the king has sworn, that at Court before his tribunal 
 You must present yourself, and I am sent hither to fetch 
 
 you, 15 
 
 Xest you delay what is just to receive and to render to all 
 
 men. 
 Else it may cost you your life, for, if you persist in 
 
 remaining, 
 You are threatened with gallows and wheel. Make choice 
 
 of the best, then : 
 •Come and follow me hence, or else there may evil befall 
 
 you." 
 
 Beineke heard his speech well enough from beginning to 
 ending, 10 
 
«ANTO II.] EEINEKE POX. 15 
 
 Lay and quietly listened and thought : " Oh ! would I 
 
 were able 
 His proud words to repay to this my clumsy companion ! 
 Let us think out the affair." He went to the depths of 
 
 his dwelling. 
 Into the fort's recesses, for artfully was it constructed. 
 Deep recesses there were, and caves with passages many, 2j 
 ^Narrow and long, and numerous doors for op'ning and 
 
 closing, 
 Just as occasion required. For when he found he was 
 
 wanted 
 For some rascally act, he there had perfect protection. 
 In these labyrinths, too, through very simplicity often, 
 "Wretched beasts were caught, a welcome prey to the 
 
 spoiler. 3° 
 
 Eeineke heard all the words, but in bis cunning was fearful 
 Lest, beside the messenger, others might be in the back- 
 ground. 
 When he had made himself sure that the bear had come 
 
 unattended, 
 He went craftily out and said : " My worshipful uncle, 
 "Welcome to me ! Forgive me ! I was just reading the 
 
 Yespers, 35 
 
 That was the reason I kept you waiting. I thank you for 
 
 coming, 
 For it will certainly help me at Court ; I venture to hope 
 
 so. 
 Heartily welcome you are at any time, uncle, and mean- 
 while 
 Bests the blame upon him who sent you off on the journey, 
 For it is long and wearisome. Heavens ! But how you 
 
 are heated ! 4° 
 
 Dripping wet is your hair, and your breathing laboured and 
 
 heavy. 
 Had not the mighty king some other messenger handy 
 Than the noblest man, whom highest in honour he raises ? 
 This, however, may be to my own advantage ; I pray you, 
 Give me aid at the Court of the king when people defame 
 
 me ! _ 45 
 
 In the morning I purposed, in spite of my ailing condition, 
 Freely to go to the Court, and such is still my intention, 
 
16 REINEKE FOX. [CANTO II. , 
 
 Only to-day I am too unwell to accomplish the journey. 
 
 I have, alas ! of a food by far too freely partaken 
 
 Not at all suited to me, and have terrible pains in my 
 
 stomach." 50 
 
 Brown interposed thereon : " What was it, uncle ? " The 
 
 other 
 Said in reply : " What good would it do if I were to tell 
 
 you? 
 Though my means of living are straitened, I bear it with 
 
 patience. 
 Poor men cannot be Counts ! And, if on any occasion 
 Better cannot be got for us and ours, we put up with 55 
 Combs of honey to eat, for these one can always get hold of. 
 Yet do I only eat them if need be, and now I am swollen. 
 Not with good will have I swallowed the stuff ; how could 
 
 it be wholesome ? 
 Could I always avoid it, 'twould never come near to my 
 
 palate." 
 
 " Ah ! what is this that I hear ? " exclaimed the Brown one, 
 
 " my uncle ? 60 
 
 What, then ! Do you despise the honey, which many folks 
 
 long for ? 
 Honey, I beg leave to say, is far beyond all other dishes, 
 Leastwise to me : oh ! let me have some and you shall not 
 
 repent it ! 
 I will serve you in turn." The other said : " Why, you 
 
 are joking ! " 
 " No, in good surety," swore the bear, " I said it in 
 
 earnest." 65 
 
 " If that is so," continued the Red one, " I really can serve 
 
 you, 
 For the peasant Eiisteviel lives at the foot of the mountain. 
 Honey he has, indeed, such that you and all of your 
 
 kindred 
 Never so much together have seen." Beyond moderation 
 Did Brown covet the well-loved food : " Oh ! take me, my 
 
 uncle, 70 
 
 Quickly thither," he cried, " and I will never forget it ! 
 Only procure me honey, though I get not enough for my 
 
 liking." 
 
CANTO II.] REINEKE FOX. 17 
 
 " Let us go," said the fox : " there shall be no failure of 
 
 honey. 
 Truly to-day I am bad on my feet, yet for me the affection 
 Long tow'rds you I have borne will sweeten the sourest of 
 
 journeys. 75 
 
 Not a single person I know of all my relations, 
 Whom I honour as you ! Now come ! You will in requital 
 Do me a service at Court on the day when the Lords are 
 
 assembled, 
 So that my foes' complaints and their power be brought to 
 
 confusion. 
 Honey enough to-day, as much as you ever can carry, 80 
 You'll have." The rascal meant the blows of the, furious 
 
 peasants. 
 
 Blindly the Brown one followed, while Eeineke ran on 
 
 before him. 
 "HI succeed," reflected the fox, " to-day I will bring thee 
 Yet to a mart where a bitter honey shall fall to thy 
 
 portion." 
 So they came to Biisteviel's yard, and the bear was delighted ; 
 Vainly, however, as fools with hopes are often deluded. 86 
 
 Evening had come, and Eeineke knew that according to 
 
 custom 
 Eiisteviel now would be lying upon his bed in his chamber. 
 He was a joiner, a capital workman. Down in the court- 
 yard 
 Lay the trunk of an oak : he had, with intention to 
 
 split it, 90 
 
 Driven in two stout wedges already; above and beyond 
 , them 
 
 G-aped the split tree for nearly an ell wide. Eeineke saw this, 
 And he said : " My uncle, in this tree trunk there is 
 
 found more 
 Honey than you would ever suppose ; now put in your 
 
 muzzle 
 Deep inside as far as you can. I only advise you 95 
 
 Not to be greedy and take too much ! It might possibly 
 
 harm you." 
 " Do you think," said the bear, " that I am a glutton ? By 
 
 no means ! 
 
 c 
 
18 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO II. 
 
 Moderation is ever in all things good." And in this 
 way, 
 
 Quite befooled was the bear, and put his head into the tree 
 cleft, 
 
 Down as far as his ears, as well as both of his fore- 
 paws. IOO 
 
 Eeineke then set to work; and with much pulling and 
 tugging 
 
 Pulled out both of the pegs, and thus the Brown one 
 was captive, 
 
 Caught by his head and his feet : nor abuse nor flattery- 
 helped him. 
 
 Plenty to do had Brown, so strong though he was, and so 
 daring. 
 
 Thus with treachery held the nephew his uncle a captive. 
 
 Howled and blubbered the bear, and made such a terrible 
 hubbub 106 
 
 As with his hind-feet he savagely scratched, that Eusteviel 
 jumped up. 
 
 " What can it be ? " the master thought, and brought out 
 his hatchet, 
 
 So that he might be armed if anyone wanted to hurt 
 him. 
 
 Meanwhile in terrible straits Brown found himself, for the 
 
 tree-cleft no 
 
 Squeezed him tightly : he tugged and pulled, and bellowed 
 
 in anguish. 
 Tet with all his trouble was nothing gained ; he expected 
 Never again to be free, and so thought Eeineke gladly. 
 Then he exclaimed, when he saw from a distance Eusteviel 
 
 coming : 
 " Brown, how are you ? Be moderate, pray, and spare me 
 
 some honey ! 115 
 
 Tell me, how does it taste ? Here's Eusteviel coming to 
 
 treat you ; 
 After dinner he brings you a nip, and I trust you will 
 
 like it." 
 So went Eeineke back to Malepartus, his fortress. 
 
 Eusteviel came, however. The bear as soon he saw there, 
 
CANTO II.] REINEKE FOX. 19 
 
 Ran he to call the peasants, who still in the tavern 
 
 together 120 
 
 Were carousing. " Come out," he exclaimed ; " entrapped 
 
 in my courtyard, 
 There is a bear. I tell you the truth." Then they 
 
 followed him running, 
 Each one speedily arming himself as he could. Now the 
 
 first one 
 Took his fork in his hand, and the second wielded his hay- 
 rake: 
 Likewise the third and the fourth, equipped with spit and 
 
 with mattock, 125 
 
 Came with a leap and a run ; the fifth with a flail was 
 
 provided. 
 Even the pastor and sexton, each with his own apparatus 
 Came; and the parson's cook, Erau Jutte, skilled as no 
 
 other 
 In the preparing and cooking of groats, remain'd not 
 
 behindhand : 
 Came with her distaff running, by which she had sat in 
 
 the daytime, 130 
 
 All to wash the hide of that luckless creature. The 
 
 Brown one 
 Heard in his terrible strait how the noise was ever 
 
 increasing, 
 And with violence tore his head from the cleft ; in the tree 
 
 still 
 Hair and skin from his face as far as his ears were left 
 
 sticking. 
 No more piteous beast had ever been seen, for there 
 
 trickled 135 
 
 Blood from over his ears. "What availed his getting his 
 
 head loose, 
 Eor his' paws still stuck in the tree? Then hastily 
 
 backing, 
 Senselessly raving, he tore them out, and still, with the 
 
 tree-cleft 
 Holding them tight, his claws remained and the skin of 
 
 his fore-paws. 
 Little, alas ! had this of that sweet flavour of honey 14a 
 Eeineke led him to hope for. Ill-advised was the journey, 
 
20 BEINEKE FOX. [ CANTO II. 
 
 And become a perilous trip for Brown. He was bleeding 
 Both from his beard and feet : to stand he hardly was able, 
 Nor could he crawl nor wait. And Biisteviel hastened to 
 
 beat him. 
 All fell upon him at once, who with the master had come 
 
 there, H5 
 
 All their desire his death. A long stout staff had the parson 
 Brought along with him there, with which he struck from 
 
 a distance. 
 Painfully turned Brown hither and thither, the mob on 
 
 him pressing : 
 Some of them here had their spits, and others there had 
 
 their axes. 
 Hammer and tongs brought the smith, and others came 
 
 with their shovels ; '5° 
 
 Others, again, with spades. "With cries they ran at and 
 
 beat him, 
 Till from his painful distress in his own uncleanness he 
 
 wallowed. 
 All set upon him at once, not a man of them lagging behind- 
 hand. 
 Bandy-legged Schloppe was there, and Ludolf, he with the 
 
 broad nose : 
 They were the worst of all. And the flail of G-erold was 
 
 busy '55 
 
 'Twixt his fingers bent ; and his brother-in-law was alongT 
 
 side, 
 Kuckelrei ' namely, the fat ; these two did most of the 
 
 drubbing. 
 Abel Quack 1 and Frau Jutte, too, they neither were 
 
 wanting. 
 Talke Lorden Quacks the poor wretch struck with her 
 
 basket. 
 And not those alone who are named, for both men and 
 
 women, 160 
 
 All of them ran to the spot, and all of them longed for the 
 
 bear's life. 
 Kuckelrei made the most noise, he thought himself of 
 
 importance, 
 
 1 Abel Quack and Talke Lorden Quacks are women's names. 
 
CANTO II.] EEINEKB FOX. 21 
 
 For Frau Willigetrud, on the seamy side of the blanket, 
 "Was his mother, they knew, but no one knew of his 
 
 father ; 
 Tet the peasants surmised that black Sander, the mower of 
 
 stubble, 165 
 
 Might very well be the man, they said ; he was a fine 
 
 fellow, 
 When by himself he was. The stones came with violence 
 
 flying; 
 These from all sides and quarters the desperate Brown 
 
 were distressing. 
 Eusteviel's brother sprang forward, and he had a long, 
 
 thickish bludgeon ; 
 This on the head of the bear he struck, so that hearing 
 
 and seeing 170 
 
 Vanished together, and yet from this mighty blow he 
 
 recovered. 
 Raging among the women he rushed, who one on another 
 Staggering, fell, and shrieked, and some plunged into the 
 
 water, 
 And the water was deep. Then the parson, crying aloud, 
 
 said: 
 " Look, men ! below, there swims Frau Jutte, the cook, in 
 
 her fur coat, 175 
 
 And her disfaff is here. Oh ! help, my good men, and I'll 
 
 give you 
 Two casks of beer as reward, with grace and the great 
 
 absolution." 
 All left the bear lying there as if dead, and rushed into 
 
 the water 
 After the women, and hauled out the five of them on to 
 
 the dry land. 
 In this way on the bank, meanwhile, as the men were all 
 
 busied, 180 
 
 Crept the bear in his misery into the water, and bellowed 
 In his desperate pain. For drowning seemed to him 
 
 better 
 Than to put up with such shameful blows. He had never 
 
 attempted 
 Swimming, and fully hoped that at once his life would be 
 
 ended. 
 
22 REINEKE FOX. [CANTO II. 
 
 Quite against surmise he felt himself floating, and safely- 
 Borne along by the stream : he was seen by all of the 
 
 peasants. l8 5 
 
 " This," they cried, " will certainly be a scandal for ever," 
 And they were grievously vexed, and began abusing the 
 
 women. 
 " Better had they remained at home ! There, look how he's 
 
 floating 
 Down on his way ! " Thereon they proceeded the block to 
 
 examine, '9° 
 
 Where still some of the skin and hair from his head they 
 
 detected, 
 And from his feet, whereat they laughed, and shouted; 
 
 " For certain 
 Thou wilt return again, for we hold thy ears as the 
 
 pledges ! " 
 Thus to his injuries insult was added, and yet was he 
 
 happy, 
 If only thus to get out of the scrape. He swore at the 
 
 peasants, 195 
 
 Who had so drubbed him, the pain in his ears and feet he 
 
 lamented, 
 Eeineke, who had betrayed him, he cursed. And with such 
 
 maledictions 
 Down he floated along with the stream, which was mighty 
 
 and rushing, 
 Almost a mile below in the space of a very few minutes. 
 Then he crept out on to land on the selfsame bank, and 
 
 lay panting. 200 
 
 No more bedraggled beast had the sun in his course ever 
 
 look'd on ! 
 Till the morrow he did not hope to survive, but expected 
 There and then to die. " Eeineke, falsest of traitors, 
 Shameless wretch ! " he exclaimed. He thought of the 
 
 peasants who beat him, 
 And he thought x>i the tree, and cursed all Eeineke's 
 
 cunning. 205 
 
 Reineke Fox, however, when thus with thoughtful in- 
 tention, 
 He had led his uncle to market, to get him his honey, 
 
CANTO II. J EEINEKE POX. 23 
 
 Ran to a place that he knew. for fowls, and seized upon one 
 
 there, 
 And with his booty ran off and dragged it down to the 
 
 river. 
 Then he ate it at once, and to other business proceeded, 210 
 Still on the river bank ; and, drinking water, reflected : 
 " Oh ! how rejoiced I am that I that lubberly bear have 
 Thus led to Court, and now has Rusteviel made him, I 
 
 wager, 
 Taste well his hatchet. The bear has always unfriendly 
 
 intentions 
 Tow'rds me displayed, and this is the way I have managed 
 
 to pay him. 215 
 
 I have always called him my uncle, and now in the tree 
 
 there 
 Lying dead is he left : as long as I live this will please me. 
 No more complaints or harm from him." — And while he 
 
 thus wanders, 
 Down the bank he happens to look, and sees the bear 
 
 rolling. 
 Then was he grieved at the heart that Brown had living 
 
 escaped him, 220 
 
 " Eiisteviel," cried he, " thou careless wight ! thou indolent 
 
 fellow ! 
 Dost thou despise such food, so fat and of excellent flavour, 
 Such as an honest man might wish for himself, that so. 
 
 nicely 
 Into thy hands had come ? And yet for thy good enter- 
 tainment 
 Honest Brown has left thee a pledge!" 'Twas thus he 
 
 reflected, 225 
 
 When he had seen how Brown was distressed, and bleed- 
 ing, and weary. 
 Ere long he shouted aloud: " Again do I find you, Sir Uncle ; 
 Let me know if aught with Eiisteviel you have forgotten, 
 Then I can tell him where you are staying. Yet thus 
 
 much I must say, 
 Tou must I think from the man much honey have certainly 
 
 stolen ; 230 
 
 Or did you pay for it honestly ? Tell me now, how has it 
 
 happened ? 
 
24 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO II. 
 
 Oh! how you're painted! Indeed, a most disgraceful 
 
 appearance ! 
 Did not the honey taste well? At the same price still 
 
 there is plenty 
 More to be bought ! Yet now, my uncle, quickly inform me, 
 What is the Order of which so lately the vows you have 
 
 taken, 235 
 
 That you have just begun to wear a scarlet biretta 
 On your head ? Are you an abbot then ? Surely the barber, 
 He who gave you the tonsure, has taken a snip at your 
 
 ears, too. 
 You have lost the skin from your cheeks, I see, and your 
 
 forelock, 
 And your gloves as well. Why, whereabouts left you 
 
 them hanging ? " 24° 
 
 Thus to words derisive must Brown one after another 
 Sit and silently listen, for speech through pain was denied 
 
 him; 
 Help or counsel he knew not. And so no longer to hear them, 
 Back to the water he crept, and drove with the swift, 
 
 rushing current 
 Still lower down where the bank was flat. He landed and 
 
 lay there 245 
 
 Sick and wretched, and thus to himself said, loudly 
 
 lamenting : 
 " Oh ! that some one would strike me dead ! To walk is 
 
 beyond me ; 
 Yet to the Court I should travel, and though disgraced, 
 
 might remain there, 
 Free at all events from this Eeineke's wicked devices. 
 H I get through with my life, then thou shalt certainly 
 
 rue it ! " 250 
 
 Yet he rallied himself, and, though with horrible anguish, 
 Four days dragged himself on, and came at last to the palace. 
 
 When the king perceived the bear in this wretched 
 
 condition, 
 " Gracious God'. " said he : "is it Brown that I see, and 
 
 how comes he 
 So disfigured ? " And Brown replied : " Alas ! 'tis a 
 
 piteous 255 
 
CANTO II.] EEINEKE FOX. 25 
 
 Plight that you see me in, and shamefully thus has be- 
 trayed me 
 
 Eeineke, that great villain!" Then spoke the monarch 
 indignant : 
 
 " Surely without any mercy this outrage will I avenge you. 
 
 Such a lord as Brown, shall he be by Eeineke injured ? 
 
 Yes, by my Mngly honour and that of my crown I will 
 swear it, 260 
 
 All shall Eeineke pay that Brown in justice can ask for. 
 
 No more, I vow, will I wear a sword, if I keep not my 
 promise." 
 
 Then the king commanded his council at once to assemble, 
 Duly consider, and for the outrage punishment order. 
 All advised thereon, that if such to the king should be 
 
 pleasing, 265 
 
 Eeineke once again should be summoned thither in person, 
 There his right to maintain against claim and complaint. 
 
 And the message 
 Should by Hintze, the cat, be conveyed to Eeineke 
 
 promptly, 
 For he was clever and sharp. And so all counselled 
 
 together. 
 
 Then the king, in Council with all his advisers agreeing, 270 
 Said to Hintze : " Observe now well their Lordships' in- 
 tention ! 
 If he allows himself for the third time now to be sent for, 
 'Twill be the ruin eternal of him and the whole of his 
 
 kindred. 
 If he is wise he will come betimes ! You must point 
 
 your instructions ! 
 Others he only despises : to your advice he will listen." 275 
 
 Hintze, however, replied : " Whether profit or loss be the 
 
 upshot 
 Matters not, but if I go to him how shall I manage the 
 
 business ? 
 He may do it or leave it for me, and yet as I see it, 
 Some one else had better be sent, for I am so little. 
 Brown, the bear, so big and so strong, was unable to force 
 
 him. 2 *° 
 
26 KEINBKE FOX. [CANTO II. 
 
 How am I to bring it about ? I pray you, excuse me ! " 
 " Me you cannot persuade," replied the king ; " there are 
 
 many 
 Little men to be found endowed with cunning and wisdom 
 That to the big are unknown. If not exactly a giant, 
 Yet you are clever and learned." The cat submissively 
 
 answered : 285 
 
 " Let it be as you will ! And on my right hand on the 
 
 roadside 
 Should I an omen see, good luck will follow my journey." 
 
THIRD CANTO. 
 
 NOW had Hintze, the cat, some way on his journey pro- 
 ceeded, 
 When from afar he saw a bird, 1 and thereupon called out r 
 " Noble bird, good luck ! be good enough here to my right 
 
 hand 
 Turning your wings to fly." But the bird flew off and 
 
 alighted 
 On a tree to the left of the cat, and fell to a-singing. y 
 
 Hintze was sadly disturbed, and thought he would hear of 
 
 misfortune ; 
 But he plucked up courage again, as most are accustomed. 
 Still going on towards fort Malepartus, he found there 
 Eeineke sitting in front of his house, and greeting addressed 
 
 him: 
 " God, the good and the merciful, grant you the happiest 
 
 ev'ning! 10 
 
 Now does his majesty threaten your life, if you hesitate 
 
 longer 
 With me to Court to proceed ; and furthermore sends you a 
 
 message : 
 Meet the complainants at law, or else your people will rue 
 
 it." 
 Whereupon Eeineke answered : " My dearest nephew, right 
 
 welcome ! 
 " May you enjoy the blessing of God, as much as I wish 
 
 you!" 15 
 
 This in his treacherous heart, however, he little intended. 
 New devices he planned, and him who came with the mes- 
 
 Back to the Court he would send with disgrace. Still call- 
 ing him always 
 
 1 In the original a "Martin's bird," applied by different people to 
 various birds, as the goose, the falcon, the blackbird, and the fieldfare, 
 while others consider it to be the crane, the flight of which on the left 
 side the Romans looked on as an unfavourable omen. 
 
28 BEINBKE FOX. [CANTO III. 
 
 Nephew, he said to the cat : " What sort of refreshment, 
 
 my nephew, 
 Should one provide for you now? with hunger appeased 
 
 one sleeps hetter. ; 2 ° 
 
 Let me for once be your host, and to-morrow we'll start off 
 
 at daybreak 
 Both for the Court. This seems to me best. Of all my 
 
 relations 
 None do I know whom I could more implicitly trust in. 
 For that voracious bear came here in an insolent manner ; 
 Fierce he is and strong, and for much I would not have 
 
 ventured 2 5 
 
 With him a journey to take. But now it is not to be 
 
 doubted 
 That with you I should willingly go. So early to-morrow 
 We will start on our road. This seems the best way of pro- 
 ceeding." 
 
 Thereupon Hintze replied : " 'Twere better at once to be 
 starting 
 
 Straight for the Court, as we are, without any more 
 preparation. 3° 
 
 Brightly shines the moon on the heath, and dry are the 
 roads, too." 
 
 Beineke said : " I think by night it is risky to travel. 
 
 Many are friendly in greeting by day, whom if in the dark- 
 ness 
 
 We were to meet, what were best to do we should have to 
 consider." 
 
 Hintze, however, remarked : " But, nephew, kindly in- 
 form me, 35 
 
 If I stay here, what is there to eat ? " And Eeineke an- 
 swered : 
 
 " Poor is our manner of life, but if you stay I can bring you 
 
 Fresh combs of honey to eat, and will pick out some of the 
 clearest." 
 
 Growling answered the cat : " Such stuff I never partake of. 
 
 ,If you have nothing at home, a mouse would suffice for the 
 present. 40 
 
 This would suit me the best, and I'll leave the honey for 
 others!" 
 
CANTO III.] EEINEKE FOX. 29 
 
 " Mouse would you like to eat ? " said Eeineke. " Tell me 
 in earnest. 
 
 I can oblige you with that. In his yard my neighbour the 
 parson 
 
 Has a barn with so many mice that not even a waggon 
 
 "Would convey them all. I hear the parson complaining 45 
 
 That both by day and by night they are growing more 
 troublesome to him." 
 
 Then incautiously answered the cat : " Pray do me the 
 kindness 
 
 Hence to lead and show me the mice, for far above wild- 
 game 
 
 Give me a mouse for delicate flavour." And Eeineke an- 
 swered : 
 
 " Now of a truth, indeed, you shall relish a capital dinner. 
 
 How to oblige you I know, so let us dawdle no longer." 51 
 
 Hihtze believed and followed. They came to the barn of 
 
 the parson, 
 Close to the mud-built wall. Through this had Eeineke slyly 
 Burrowed the day before, and while the parson was- 
 sleeping 54 
 
 Hadabstracted the bestof his cocks. And there little Martin, 
 Well-loved son of the reverend man, desirous of vengeance, 
 Over the hole had cleverly tied a string with a slip-knot : 
 Thus he hoped the cock to avenge when the thief was re- 
 turning. 
 Eeineke knew and remarked it, and said : " My nephew 
 
 beloved, 
 
 Creep inside here straight through the hole, and while you 
 
 are mousing, 60 
 
 Hero in front I will keep a watch. In heaps in the darkness 
 
 'Twill be easy to catch them. Listen how gaily they're 
 
 squeaking ! 
 When you've eaten enough, return . Here still you will find me. 
 We must not part from each other to-night, for early to- 
 morrow 
 Must we be off, and shorten the road with enlivening con- 
 verse." 6 J 
 " Do you think," said the cat, " that this is a safe place to 
 creep in ? 
 
30 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO III. 
 
 Some of these parsons, too, are rather malicious of purpose." 
 "Then the fox, the rascal, replied : " Why, how can one tell 
 
 that? 
 If you are timid, then let us go back. I vouch that my 
 
 wife will 
 •Give you a welcome with honour, and mate you a savoury 
 
 dinner. 70 
 
 Should it not be of mice, let us eat it still with enjoyment." 
 Hintze, the cat, however, sprang in at the opening, ashamed 
 
 by 
 
 Eeineke' s words of derision, and straight in the noose was 
 
 entangled. 
 Thus did Eeineke's guests -experience bad entertainment! 
 
 Hintze, as soon as he found that his neck in the noose was 
 surrounded, 75 
 
 Anxiously pulled himself together, and terribly blundered ; 
 For withapowerful spring he pulled the string all the tighter. 
 Piteously cried he aloud to Eeineke, who on the outside 
 Heard with malicious joy, and thus spoke in at the opening : 
 " Hintze, how do the mice taste ? You find them, I reckon, 
 well fattened. 80 
 
 If little Martin but knew how you were devouring his wild- 
 game, 
 Mustard he'd certainly bring, for he is a youth of good 
 
 manners. 
 Do they sing so at Court at dinner ? the tone is suspicious ! 
 If I had only Isegrim here in the hole, as I've managed 
 Now to bring you to ruin, he too should certainly pay me 8 5 
 All the evil he's done me." And so went Eeineke onwards. 
 
 Tet he went not only to perpetrate picking and stealing ; 
 
 Plunder, adultery, murder, deceit, he held none of them 
 sinful. 
 
 And he had just made out a plan in his mind, for he pur- 
 posed 
 
 Oieremundfair with a double intent to visit: The first 
 was 50 
 
 This, to hear from her what Isegrim's special complaint 
 was ; 
 
 Secondly, his old sins the rascal thought of renewing, — 
 
OANTO III. J EEINEKE FOX. 31 
 
 Back to the Court had Isegrim gone — he might use the 
 
 occasion. 
 For could anyone doubt that the she-wolf's own inclination 
 Tow'rds that shameless fox had excited Isegrim's anger ? 95 
 Eeineke entered the lady's abode, but found she was absent. 
 " G-reet you God, my little step-children," he said, not a 
 
 word more. 
 Giving a friendly nod to the children, he went on his busi- 
 ness. 
 When Lady Gieremund came (it was scarcely dawn in the 
 
 morning) 
 Said she : " Did nobody come to ask for me ? " " Tes, very 
 
 lately 100 
 
 Godfather Eeineke came and went. He wanted to see you. 
 All of us who are here he called his little step-children." , 
 Whereupon Gieremund cried : " He shall pay for that," 
 
 and departed 
 In the self-same hour to punish the outrage, She knew well 
 Where he was wont to resort. She found and with fury 
 
 addressed him : 105 
 
 " What kind of words are these, and what are the scandalous 
 
 speeches 
 You without any conscience before my children have 
 
 spoken ? 
 These you will have to account for." -Thus angrily speak- 
 ing, upon him 
 Looks of fury she cast, and seizing his beard she then 
 
 made him 
 Feel the force of her teeth, but he ran and tried to escape 
 
 her. ' 1 10 
 
 After him swiftly she flew. Whereupon there befell some 
 
 adventures. 
 
 Close in the neighbourhood lay a castle, fallen to ruin ; 
 Into it both were running at full speed ; but, as it happened, 
 One of the walls of a tower by reason of age was divided. 
 Eeineke slipped himself through, but even he had to 
 
 squeeze it. "5 
 
 Not very wide was the crack. The she- wolf quickly inserted 
 Big and stout as she was, her head in the fissure, and 
 
 squeezing, 
 
32 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO ITI. 
 
 'Pushed and crushed and tore and tried to follow, hut 
 eyer 
 
 Deeper she wedged herself in, and could move neither for- 
 wards nor backwards. 
 
 This when Eeineke saw, he ran through a roundabout 
 passage, >*<>• 
 
 Back to the other side again, and offered his service. 
 
 She was not wanting in words, however, but roundly- 
 abused him : 
 
 " Like a rascally thief thou behavest." Eeineke answered : 
 
 " Though it may never have happen'd before, let it happen 
 for this time." 
 
 Little honour it brings to save one's wife by another, "5 
 As now Eeineke did, but 'twas all the same to the 
 
 sinner. 
 When the she- wolf at last to escape from the fissure had 
 
 managed, 
 Eeineke, too, was gone, and on his way had departed. 
 Thus the lady who thought that she for herself could get 
 
 justice, 
 And her own honour preserve, to double disgrace was 
 
 subjected. '3° 
 
 Let us, however, go back and look after Hintze, poor 
 
 creature. 
 When he found himself caught, he cried in the manner of 
 
 tomcats, 
 Dolefully mewing. This heard little Martin, and sprang 
 
 from his pillow. 
 " G-od be praised ! I fastened the noose in a fortunate 
 
 moment 
 Over the hole, and the thief has been caught, and now I 
 
 bethink me, 135 
 
 Well shall he pay for stealing the cock." Thus jubilant 
 
 Martin. 
 Quickly he kindled a light (in the house all tne people were 
 
 sleeping), 
 Woke up at once his father and mother, and all the 
 
 domestics, 
 Crying aloud, " The fox is caught. Oh ! how we will serve 
 
 him!" 
 
CANTO III.] KEINEKE FOX. 33 
 
 All came, little and big. The parson even arising, 140 
 Threw a small cloak on his shoulders ; a pair of candles his 
 
 cook held, 
 Eunning before them in front, and hastily had little 
 
 Martin 
 Seized on a bludgeon, and with it he made at once for the 
 
 tom-cat, 
 Pummelled his hide and his head, and savagely knocked 
 
 him an eye out. 
 All set upon him ; the parson came with a two-pointed 
 
 pitchfork : 145 
 
 Eunning hastily in, he thought the robber to settle. 
 Hintze expected to die, and sprang with desperate madness 
 Straight at the parson's thighs, and bit and scratched him 
 
 severely, 
 Shamefully maiming the man, his own eye fiercely 
 
 avenging. 
 Crying aloud, the parson down on the earth fell and 
 
 fainted. 150 
 
 Unbethinkingly swore the cook that the devil himself 
 
 had 
 Purposely played her the scurvy trick, and doubly and 
 
 trebly 
 Did she swear that if to her lord had not happened the 
 
 evil, 
 She would gladly have lost her trifle of worldly posses- 
 sions. 
 Nay, she even swore, she would gladly have yielded a 
 
 treasure, r 55 
 
 Had it been hers, of gold, nor would she have ever re- 
 pented. 
 Thus she bewailed the shame of her lord and his -terrible 
 
 wounding ; 
 Whom at last to bed with lamentation they carried. 
 Hintze meanwhile they left in the noose, and forgot all 
 
 about him. 
 
 Now when Hintze, the cat, perceived that he was aban- 
 doned, l6 ° 
 
 Painfully beaten and badly wounded, and very near 
 dying, 
 
 D 
 
34 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO III, 
 
 Clinging to life, he seized the noose and rapidly gnawed it. 
 
 "Could I," he thought, "in some way escape from this 
 terrible evil ? " 
 
 And it succeeded. The noose gave way. How lucky he 
 thought it ! 
 
 Haste did he make to flee from the place where so ntuch 
 he had suffered, l6 5 
 
 Quickly sprang through the hole, and hastened along on 
 the highway 
 
 Tow'rds the royal Court, where he duly arrived in the 
 morning. 
 
 Angrily blamed he himself : " It must have been really 
 the devil, 
 
 Who, through Eeineke's cunning, that traitor vile, over- 
 came thee. 
 
 Overwhelmed with disgrace, and blind of an eye, and be- 
 laboured '7° 
 
 Soundly with painful blows, what shame must thou feel in 
 returning ! " 
 
 But the wrath of the king was fiercely kindled. He 
 
 threatened 
 Death to the traitor without any mercy. He straightway 
 
 directed 
 All his council to come. There assembled all of his barons, 
 All of his wisest men, and he asked them how they the 
 
 villain "75 
 
 Would at last to punishment bring who so richly de- 
 served it. 
 Whilst upon Eeineke fresh complaints were constantly 
 
 heaping, 
 Up spoke Grrimbart, the badger : " There are in this Court, 
 
 peradventure, 
 Many lords as well, of Eeineke who may think badly, 
 Tet there are none, I ween, who would injure the right of 
 
 a free man. 180 
 
 Now for the third time let him be called, and after this 
 
 summons, 1 
 Should he not then appear, the law may consider him 
 
 guilty." 
 1 It was the right of a freeman to be summoned three times. 
 
CANTO III.] KEINEKE FOX. 35 
 
 Thereupon answered the king : " I fear that none who are 
 
 present 
 Care to take to this treacherous fellow a third time a 
 
 summons. 
 Who has an eye too many ? and who is sufficiently daring 
 .For this traitor's sake to risk his life and his person, 186 
 Yenture his health on the chance of the game, and still, 
 
 after all's done, 
 Not bring Eeineke back ? I fancy none will attempt it." 
 
 Loudly the badger replied : " If you, O King, should 
 
 require me 
 This commission to do, the message at once I'll deliver, '9° 
 Let that happen that may ! Will you now openly send 
 
 me 
 Or shall I go as if of myself? Tou have only to order." 
 Then the king gave the order : " Depart, then ! All the 
 
 petitions 
 Tou yourself must have heard. Be cautious and set to 
 
 work wisely. 
 He is a dangerous man ! " Then answered Grimbart, the 
 
 badger: '9S 
 
 " Well ! I must dare it once, and venture to hope I shall 
 
 bring him." 
 Thus he took his way to Malepartus, the fortress. 
 Eeineke found he there, with his wife and children around 
 
 him. 
 •" Eeineke, uncle, I greet you," he said. " Experienced 
 
 are you, 
 ■Clever also, and wise. We all of us must be astonished *°o 
 That you despise, I may say you mock at, the king's 
 
 invitation. 
 Do you not think that the time has come? For, ever 
 
 increasing, 
 111 reports and complaints from all sides come. I advise you, 
 Come to the Court with me. There is no use in longer 
 
 delaying. 
 Many and many complaints to the king are already pre- 
 sented. 2 °5 
 ITow again to-day for the third time to come you are 
 
 summoned. 
 
36 EEINEKB POX. [CANTO III, 
 
 If you do not appear, you will be condemned, and the 
 
 king then 
 Hither his vassals will bring to shut you up and besiege 
 
 you 
 In this fortress of Malepartus. Thus you and your children, 
 Wife and property, even your life, will come to destruction. 
 You will never escape from the king ; it will therefore be 
 
 better 211 
 
 With me to come to the Court, where your crafty twisting 
 
 and turning 
 Will not desert you ; you have them ready to save and 
 
 defend you. 
 Such adventures you often have faced, far greater than 
 
 these, too, 
 Even on days when judicial assize was held, and have 
 
 always 215 
 
 Come very happily off, and your rivals been put to con- 
 fusion." 
 
 Grimbart thus spoke, and immediately Reineke gave him 
 
 his answer : 
 " Uncle, you counsel me well, that I to the Court should 
 
 repair me, 
 My own rights to protect for myself. I hope that the 
 
 monarch , 
 
 Will accord me his favour; how useful I am he is 
 
 conscious, 220 
 
 Knows, moreover, how much the others on that account 
 
 hate me. 
 Not- without me can the Court exist. Were I ten times a 
 
 sinner 
 More than I am, I know ^611 enough, as soon as I manage 
 Pace to face to see him and speak to him, then does he 
 
 feel that 
 All the rage in his breast is subdued. There truly are 
 
 many 225 
 
 Who the king attend and many who sit in his council, 
 Yet it never touches his heart, and often among them 
 Neither advice nor sense can be found. But at every 
 
 meeting, 
 Wheresoever I am, the decision is left to my judgment. 
 
CANTO III.] BEINEKE FOX. 37 
 
 When the ting and his lords for critical business assemble, 
 Prudent counsel to take, it is Eeineke that must produce 
 
 it. 231 
 
 Many are jealous of this. These must I, alas ! be afraid 
 
 of, 
 Tor they have sworn to procure my death, and precisely the 
 
 worst ones 
 Now in the Court are assembled. This just now it is that 
 
 disturbs me. 
 More than half a score, and mighty they are, and so many 
 How alone can I withstand ? It was therefore I 
 
 lingered. 235 
 
 Now I think it is better to go with you to the palace 
 After these matters to look, for this will bring me more 
 
 honour 
 Than by longer delay to plunge my wife and my children 
 Into sorrow and danger. We all should be ruined together, 
 For the king is too mighty for me. Whatever he orders 141 
 That must I do as soon as he bids me. We can but 
 
 endeavour 
 Possibly now with our foes some good arrangement to 
 
 come to." 
 
 Eeineke furthermore said, " Frau Ermelyn, look to the 
 
 children ; 
 (To your care I commend them ;) above all, look to the 
 
 youngest, 245 
 
 Eeynard ; his teeth in his mouth are looking so pretty ! I 
 
 hope he 
 After his father may take. And here is Bossel, the rascal, 
 Who to me is as dear. Oh ! care for them whilst I am 
 
 absent, 
 Both of the children together ! I'll keep it in grateful 
 
 remembrance 
 If I safely return, and you have obeyed my injunctions." 2 50 
 So he took his departure with G-rimbart as his companion, 
 Leaving Frau Ermelyn there with both of his sons, and he 
 
 hastened. 
 TJnprovisioned he left his house, which troubled the vixen. 
 
 Hardly an hour on the road had the two proceeded together 
 
38 REINEKE POX. [CANTO III. 
 
 When to Grimbart Eeineke said : "My dearest of uncles, 255 
 Worthiest friend, I confess that I -with anxiety tremble. 
 For I cannot shake off a painful, anxious foreboding, 
 That in truth I am going to meet my death, and I see 
 
 now 
 All of my sins before me, of which I've so many committed. 
 Ah! you cannot believe the inquietude that they have 
 
 caused me ! 260 
 
 Hear me, and let me confess. No other father-confessor 
 Is there near to be found, and if from my heart I unload 
 
 them, 
 None the worse shall I fare when before the king I a,m 
 
 standing.' 7 
 Grimbart replied, " Tou must first renounce your robbing 
 
 and stealing, 
 All your treacherous deeds and other wonted devices, 265 
 Else can confession avail you naught ! " "I very well 
 
 know it," 
 Eeineke said, " Then let me begin, and hear with attention." 
 
 " Gonfiteor tibi Pater et Mater, that I on the otter. 
 
 Also the cat and others, have tricked off many devices. 
 
 All I confess, and am quite willing to undergo penance." 270 
 
 " Speak," quoth the badger, " in German, and then I shall 
 quite understand you." 270 
 
 Eeineke said, " 'Tis true that against all beasts in existence — 
 
 Why should I try to deny it ?— have I committed trans- 
 gressions. 
 
 My good uncle, the Bear, I caught in a tree, and made 
 captive ; 
 
 Bloody his head was made, and he was thoroughly cudgelled. 
 
 Hintze I took after mice, and him in a noose I got cap- 
 tured ; 276 
 
 One of his eyes he lost, and much more also he suffered. 
 
 So, too, Henning with justice complains, for I robbed him 
 of children, 
 
 Little and big as I found them, and very much I enjoyed 
 them. 
 
 Not the king himself have I spared, but of many a scurvy 
 
 Trick upon him and the queen herself was I daringly 
 guilty ; 281 
 
CANTO III.] EEINEKE FOX. 39 
 
 Not long has she got over them. I must farther acknow- 
 ledge, 
 Isegrim wolf with every diligence have I dishonoured. 
 Time would fail me to tell of it all. I always have called 
 
 him 
 TJncle, hy way of a joke, yet we are no sort of relations. 285 
 Once, about six years ago it was, he came over to 
 
 Elkmar, 
 "Where I lived in the convent, 1 and begged to have my 
 
 assistance, 
 As he wished a monk to become. And this now he fancied 
 Would be a good employment, to ring the bell, for the 
 
 ringing 
 Pleased him so much. I accordingly tied his forefeet 
 
 together, 290 
 
 Making them fast to the ropes ; with much contentment 
 
 be stood there, 
 Pulled and amused himself, and seemed to be learning to 
 
 ring them. 
 Yet the art was destined not to lead him to honour, 
 For he rang as if he were foolish and frantic. The 
 
 people 
 All from the streets around came hastily rushing together, 
 For they thought no less than that some great misfortune 
 
 had happened. 296 
 
 There they came and found him. Before he had time to 
 
 inform them 
 How he wished to embrace a clerical life, he was beaten, 
 Cudgelled nearly to death, by the throng of infuriate 
 
 people. 
 Notwithstanding, the fool persevered in bis purpose, and 
 
 bade me 3°° 
 
 G-ive him my best assistance in taking the tonsure with 
 
 honour. 
 I accordingly had the hair on the top of his head singed, 
 So that the skin was shrivelled together. Thus frequently 
 
 have T 
 Knocks and blows procured him, with much disgrace to 
 the bargain. 
 
 1 Probably Elemar, a provostship attached to the convent of St. Peter 
 at Ghent, established in 1144, and destroyed by a flood in 1424. 
 
40 EEINEKE FOX* [CANTO III. 
 
 How to catch fisli I taught him as well, but they led him 
 to mischief. 3°5 
 
 Once in the country of Julich he'd followed me : there we 
 had slyly 
 
 Entered the house of the priest, the richest there in the 
 province. 
 
 This man possessed a store ; with costly hams 'twas pro- 
 Tided : 
 
 Here, moreover, he kept long sides of the tenderest hacon, 
 
 "While in his trough there was laid some meat that had 
 newly been salted. 310 
 
 Through the stony walls at last had Isegrim managed 
 
 To scrape out a hole that he could easily squeeze through. 
 
 There I induced him to go, and his gluttony also induced 
 him. 
 
 But he could not control himself in the superabun- 
 dance, 
 
 For he filled himself out to excess, and the aperture narrow 
 
 Held his swollen body by force, and prevented his leaving. 3 1 6 
 
 How he abused it, the faithless thing, that first let him 
 enter 
 
 When he was hungry, but when he was full had denied 
 him an exit ! 
 
 Thereupon I made such a great to-do in the village 
 
 That I incited the people the tracks of the wolf to dis- 
 cover. 320 
 
 For I entered the house of the priest, and found him at 
 dinner, 
 
 Where a fine, fat capon that very minute was brought 
 him, 
 
 Done to a turn ; this I snatched up swiftly and carried off 
 with me. 
 
 Quickly the parson attempted to follow me shouting, but 
 stumbled, 
 
 Throwing the table down with all the drink and the viands. 
 
 " Beat him ! throw at him ! catch him and kill him ! " the 
 furious parson 326 
 
 Cried, but he cooled his rage : (for he had not noticed the 
 puddle). 
 
 So there he lay, while the rest came after him, screaming 
 and yelling, 
 
CANTO III.] &EINEKE FOX. 41 
 
 " Beat him ! " I ran away, and those who meant the most 
 
 mischief 
 Followed closely behind, and louder than all cried the 
 
 parson: 33 o 
 
 " Oh ! what a daring thief ! he snatched up the fowl off the 
 
 table!" 
 Onwards I ran as far as the store-room, and very unwilling 
 There let the fowl fall down on the ground ; 'twas un- 
 luckily getting 
 Much too heavy to carry away — and the people then lost 
 
 me. 
 There they found the fowl, and as the parson retook it 335 
 In the store-room he spied the wolf, and the people beheld 
 
 him. 
 Loudly to all now cried the priest : " Come hither and 
 
 catch him ! 
 Here is another poacher, a wolf, fall'n into our clutches ! 
 We should be jeered at if he got off, and ev'ry one truly 
 At our cost would laugh in the whole of the province of 
 
 Julich ! " 340 
 
 All that he could thought the wolf, meanwhile came raining 
 
 upon him 
 Blows on his body, and painful wounds from hither and 
 
 thither. 
 All cried out as loud as they could. The rest of the 
 
 peasants 
 Ban together at once, and stretched him for dead on the 
 
 ground there. 
 No greater woe had happened to him in the course of his 
 
 lifetime. 345 
 
 Were one to paint it on canvas, in rare style would it 
 
 exhibit 
 How he paid the parson for all his hams and his bacon ! 
 Out on the road they threw him down, and rapidly dragged 
 
 him 
 Over stick and stone. There seemed no breath in his 
 
 body. 
 As he had made himself foul, they threw him with horror 
 
 and loathing 35° 
 
 Out of the village, and there he lay in a ditch that was 
 
 muddy, 
 
42 EEINEKE FOX*. (CANTO III. 
 
 For they all thought him dead. I know not how long he- 
 remained there 
 In this disgraceful swoon before he knew his condition. 
 How at last he escaped, that, too, I never discovered. 
 Yet after this, hut a year ago, he swore that for ever 355 
 True and faithful to me he would be, but not long it 
 
 lasted. 
 Why it was then that he friendship swore I can readily 
 
 fancy. 
 Once to a regular feast on fowls he had taken a liking ; 
 So in order to take him in nicely, I gravely informed him 
 How, as a rule, on a beam, a certain cock, of an ev'ning, 360 
 With seven hens was accustomed to roost. And thither I 
 
 led him 
 In the dead of the night — the hour of midnight had 
 
 sounded. 
 And the window shutter, by only a thin lath supported, 
 Still stood open (I knew it) . I made as though I would enter, 
 Then drew back as if shy, and the precedence gave to my 
 
 uncle. 365 
 
 " Don't be afraid to go in," I said; "and if you would win 
 
 them, 
 Hasten ! It's worth the risk ! You will find that the hens. 
 
 are well fattened." 
 Cautiously in he crept, and gently feeling about him, 
 Touched here and there, and at last in angry words then 
 
 addressed me : 
 " Oh ! how badly you've guided me ! Eeally not a hen's 
 
 feather 370 
 
 Can I discover." I answered : " Those that used to sit 
 
 foremost 
 I myself have removed ; the others are sitting behind there. 
 Only go perseveringly on, and mind where you're stepping." 
 Narrow indeed was the beam on which we were walking. 
 
 I kept him 
 Always in front, and held myself back ; then pushed my- 
 self backwards 375 
 Out of the window again, and pulled at the wood, when 
 
 the shutter 
 Slammed and clattered aloud. This set the wolf in a. 
 
 tremble, 
 
CANTO III.] EEINEKE FOX. 43 
 
 And on the ground from the narrow beam in terror he 
 
 tumbled. 
 Down by the fire were people asleep, and they started 
 
 affrighted. 
 All of them cried out aloud : " Say ! what fell in at the 
 
 window ? " 380 
 
 Then they picked themselves up in a hurry, and lighted 
 
 the lantern. 
 In the corner they found him out, and woefully beat him, 
 Dressing his hide for him well ; I wonder how he escaped 
 
 them. 
 
 More than this, I confess that I Erau Gieremund often 
 Secretly, also openly, visited, though it should ever 385 
 Unrevealed have remained. Oh ! would that it never had 
 
 happened ! 
 For as long as she lives the shame she can never get 
 
 over. 
 
 Every thing have I now to you confessed, in as far as 
 Memory serves me at all, .with which my soul has been 
 
 burdened. 
 Give absolution, I beg ; I will in humble submission 390 
 Every penance fulfil, the hardest that you may prescribe 
 
 me." 
 
 G-rimbart knew quite •well what to do to suit the occasion. 
 
 Breaking a little twig on the road, he said : " Strike your- 
 self, uncle, 
 
 Three times over the back with this little twig, and then 
 lay it 
 
 Down on the ground as I show you, and then jump over it 
 three times. ' 395 
 
 Then the rod you must meekly kiss, to show your obe- 
 dience. 
 
 Such is the penance that on you I lay, and straightway 
 pronounce you 
 
 From all sins and punishments free, and fully forgive you 
 
 All in the name of the Lord, whatever may be your trans- 
 gressions." 
 
 And as Eeineke then the penance gladly completed, 400 
 
44 KEINEKE TOX. [CANTO III. 
 
 Crrimbart continued : " My uncle, take care that your 
 future amendment 4 00 
 
 In good works be visible. Psalms you should read, and 
 ' should visit 
 
 Churches with diligence ; fast at the seasons duly ap- 
 pointed ; 
 
 Him who asks you point out the way to ; give to the needy 
 
 Willingly ; swear to forsake all evil habits of living, 405 
 
 All kinds of theft and robbing, deceit and evil behaviour. 
 
 Thus can you make quite sure that you will attain unto 
 mercy ! " 
 
 Eeineke answered and said : "I solemnly swear I will 
 do so ! " 
 
 So the confession was ended. The two then farther 
 
 proceeded 
 Tow'rds the Court of the king. Both he and G-rimbart 
 
 the pious, 410 
 
 Passed through dark-soiled, fertile plains, and came to a 
 
 convent 
 ■On the right of the road; there reverend women were 
 
 serving, 
 Early and late, the Lord, and kept in the yard of the 
 
 cloister 
 Many a cock and hen, and many a capital capon, 
 Which outside the walls sometimes were scattered for 
 
 feeding. 4'5 
 
 Eeineke often visited these. Then said he to Grimbart : 
 " That is our shortest way, which runs along by the wall 
 
 there." 
 But he thought of the fowls which out in the open were 
 
 walking. 
 Leading on his confessor, the fowls by degrees he ap- 
 proached to. 
 Now the rascal's eyes in his head were greedily rolling ! 4*° 
 Yes, above all he was pleased with a cock, that, young and 
 
 well fattened, 
 Walked behind the others ; on him his eye he had 
 
 fastened. 
 All of a sudden he sprang upon him ; his feathers were 
 
 scattered. 
 
CANTO III.] REINEKE POX. 45 
 
 Grimbart, however, enraged, rebuked this shameful back- 
 sliding. 
 " Godless Uncle ! is that what you do ? and can you 
 already 425 
 
 Tall again into sin for a cock, in spite of confession ? 
 Pretty repentance do I call this ! " But Eeineke answered : 
 "Truly without intention I did it ! O dearest uncle, 
 Pray to God, that he my sin may graciously pardon. 
 Never again will I do it, but give it up willingly." Passing 
 Round the convent on to their road, they found it was 
 needful 43 r 
 
 Over a narrow bridge to go, and Eeineke turned him 
 Back to look at the fowls — to help it was out of the 
 
 question. v 
 
 Just then had anyone cut off his head, it had certainly 
 
 bounded 
 Off in pursuit of the fowls, so grea/t was the force of his 
 longing. • 435 
 
 Grimbart saw it and cried : " Oh ! nephew, where are you 
 
 letting 
 Those eyes wander again? In truth, you're a terrible 
 
 glutton!" 
 Eeineke answered thereon : " You are greatly mistaken, 
 
 Sir Uncle ! 
 Be not in too great a hurry, and don't disturb my 
 
 devotions ! 
 Let me a Paternoster say ! The souls of the chickens 44° 
 And of the geese that I from the nuns, those sanctified 
 
 ladies, 
 Have through my cleverness taken away, must urgently 
 
 need it." 
 
 Grimbart was silent, but Eeineke's head was never averted, 
 Till they were out of his sight, from the fowls. At last 
 
 they succeeded 
 Back to the right road in coming, and thus drew near to 
 
 the palace. 445 
 
 And as Eeineke now the royal palace regarded 
 Inwardly troubled he grew, for loudly people accused 
 
 him. 
 
FOUETH CASTO. 
 
 WHEN at the Court it was known that Reineke really 
 was corning, 
 
 Ev'ry one thronged out of doors to see him, the great and 
 the little. 
 
 Pew with friendly intent ; for almost all were .complaining. 
 
 'This, however, in Reineke's mind was of little importance : 
 
 Thus he prfetended, at least, as he with G-rimbart, the 
 badger, 5 
 
 Boldly enough and with elegant mien now walked up the 
 high street. 
 
 JauniMy swung he along at his ease, as if he were truly 
 
 :Son of the king, and free and quit of ev'ry transgression. 
 
 'Thus he came before Nobel, the king, and stood in the 
 palace 
 
 In the midst of the lords ; he knew how to pose as un- 
 ruffled. 10 
 
 " Noble king and gracious lord ! " he began his oration ; 
 
 " Noble are you and great, in honour and dignity highest ; 
 
 Therefore I beg to-day you will give me fairly a hearing. 
 
 Ne'er has your princely grace discovered a trustier servant 
 
 Than myself ; and this to boldly maintain I may venture. '5 
 
 Many I know at the Court who therefore seek to undo me. 
 
 If the lies of my foes, as they wish, should appear to you 
 likely, 
 
 I should forfeit for ever your majesty's friendship and 
 favour. 
 
 Fortunate is it, however, that every statement you ponder, 
 
 Hear the defendant as well as the plaintiff ; and though in 
 my absence 20 
 
 Many lies have been told, I am still at my ease, and 
 remember 
 
 You my fidelity well enough know; hence this perse- 
 cution! " 
 
CANTO IV. J EEINEKE POX. 47 
 
 ■" Silence ! " answered the king ; " neither chatter nor 
 
 flattery helps you. 
 Iioud indeed are your crimes, and now their punishment 
 
 waits you. 
 Have you preserved the peace, which I to the beasts have 
 
 commanded — 25 
 
 "Which I have sworn to ? There stands the cock ; one 
 
 after another, 
 False, detestable thief! you have made away with his 
 
 children. 
 And of your love to me you would give, I presume, de- 
 monstration 
 When my servants you injure, my royal authority scorning ! 
 Hintze, poor fellow, has lost his health ; and how very 
 
 slowly 30 
 
 Will our wounded Brown from all his aching recover ! 
 But I will scold you no more, for here are crowds of 
 
 accusers, 
 Plenty of well-proved facts. Not easily will you escape 
 
 them." 
 
 * Am I, gracious sir, on this account to be punished ? " 
 
 Answered Reineke. " Am I responsible for it that Brown 
 comes 35 
 
 Back with a bloody pate? 'Twas he who audaciously 
 wanted 
 
 Busteviel's honey to eat, and if those lubberly peasants 
 
 Came to personal acts, his limbs were stout and sufficient. 
 
 Would they have struck and reviled him before he got to 
 the water, 
 
 If like a valiant man he had fairly avenged the dis- 
 honour ? 4° 
 
 And if Hintze, the cat, whom I with honour had wel- 
 comed, 
 
 Entertained as well as I could, refrained not from stealing, 
 
 And, in spite of my warning, inside the house of the parson 
 
 Sneaked in the dead of night, and got himself into trouble ; 
 
 Have I deserved to be punished when they were guilty of 
 folly? " 45 
 
 That would affect your majesty's crown a good deal too 
 nearly ! 
 
48 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO IV. 
 
 Yet you can deal with me now just as your majesty 
 pleases. 
 
 And though the matter he clear, dispose of it after your 
 pleasure, 
 
 Whether it tend to harm, or whether it tend to advantage. 
 
 Whether I am to be boiled or roasted, or hanged or be- 
 headed, 5° 
 
 Or have my eyes put out, let it even happen as may be ! 
 
 We are all in your hands, and in your power you have us. 
 
 Mighty are you and strong, and how can the feeble 
 withstand you ? 
 
 If you kill me indeed, you profit exceedingly little. 
 
 Yet let it come as it will, the right 1 firmly rely on ! " 55 
 
 Then did Bellyn, the ram, begin, "Now is the occasion. 
 Let us bring forth our complaints ! " And Isegrim came 
 
 with his kinsmen ; 
 Hintze, the cat, and Brown, the bear, with creatures in 
 
 numbers ; 
 Boldewyn came, too, the ass, and Lampe, the hare, had 
 
 arrived there. 
 Little dog Wackerlos came, and the bulldog Byn, and the 
 
 she-goat 6° 
 
 Metke, and Hermen the buck, and with them the squirrel 
 
 and weasel ; 
 Also the ermine. Nor were there wanting the horse and 
 
 the bullock. 
 There could one see as well the various beasts of the 
 
 forest, 
 Such as the stag and the roe, and Bokert, the beaver, the 
 
 marten, 
 Babbit and boar, with others : they all of them crowded 
 
 together. 65 
 
 Bartolt, the stork, and Markart, the jay, with Liitke, the 
 
 crane, too, 
 Came flying over ; and Tybbke, the duek, and Alheid, the 
 
 wild goose, 
 Made their appearance with many another one, each with 
 
 his grievance. 
 Henning, the sorrowing cock, with the few that were left 
 
 of his children, 
 
CANTO IV.] BEINEKE POX. 49 
 
 Bitterly made his complaints. There were birds in un- 
 countable numbers ; 70 
 
 Nor were there fewer of beasts, — could anyone possibly 
 name them ! 
 
 All of them aimed at the fox's life ; they hoped to bring 
 forward 
 
 All of his evil doings, and then to see his correction. 
 
 Bound about the king they thronged with furious speeches, 
 
 Heaping plaint upon plaint, and old as well as new 
 stories 75 
 
 Bringing forward together. At one assize there had. 
 never 
 
 So many charges been heard before the royal tribunal. 
 
 Reineke rose, and well he knew how to make the occasion 
 
 Usefully serve, for he seized on the word, and in eloquent 
 language, 79 
 
 Just as if it, were simple truth, flowed forth his excuses ; 
 
 All did he know how to twist aside or to place to ad- 
 vantage. 
 
 When one heard him one wondered, and thought him fully 
 acquitted ! 
 
 Tes, he had even rights to demand and much to complain of ! 
 
 But at last came forward some honest, trustworthy people, 
 
 Who against Eeineke evidence gave, and all of his mis- 
 deeds 85 
 
 Clearly proven were found. And this was an end of the 
 matter ! 
 
 For it was then with unanimous voice in the council deter- 
 mined: 
 
 " Eeineke Pox is worthy of death ! Then let us arrest him ; 
 
 Let him be bound and hanged by the neck ! Thus his 
 heavy transgressions 
 
 Shall at last by a shameful death be duly atoned for." 9° 
 
 Rein eke thought himself that the game was up, and but little 
 Had his artful words availed to help him. The monarch 
 Judgment delivered himself. Then, as they took him and 
 
 bound him, 
 Floated his tragical end before the eyes of the culprit. 
 
 Judgment and justice administered thus, as Reineke 
 stood there 95 
 
50 BEIKTEKE FOX. [CANTO IV. 
 
 Bound, his enemies rose, at once to death to conduct him, 
 
 Whilst his friends stood perplexed, and deeply with grief 
 were affected, 
 
 Martin, the ape, and G-rimbart, and many of Eeineke's 
 kindred. 
 
 Little they liked to hear the decree, and all were in sorrow, 
 
 More than one would have thought. He was one of the first 
 of the barons, i°° 
 
 Standing there, of his dignity shorn, deprived of all 
 honour, 
 
 And to a shameful death condemned. How must his re- 
 lations 
 
 All have been moved in mind at the spectacle ! All in a 
 body 
 
 Took their leave of the king, and left the palace together. 
 
 Much vexation, however, it gave the king that so many • 
 Knights should forsake him. It now was plain what a 
 
 crowd of relations, 106 
 
 Much demurring, at Eeineke's death, had forsaken and 
 
 left him. 
 Then said the king to one of his confidential retainers : 
 " Eeineke is a scoundrel indeed ; yet one must remember 
 Many of these his relations we cannot well spare from the 
 
 palace." no 
 
 Isegrim, Brown, and Hintze, the cat, however, were busy 
 Bound about the captive, on whom as their foe they were 
 
 eager 
 Soon to fulfil the sentence of shame, as the king had com- 
 manded. 
 Quickly they bore him along, and saw in the distance the 
 
 gallows. 
 Then did the cat begin to speak with the wolf in his 
 
 anger: 115 
 
 " Now, bethink you, Sir Isegrim, well, how Eeineke, that 
 
 time 
 Acted and urged as much as he could, and as hatred 
 
 dictated, 
 On the gallows to see your brother ! With eager rejoicing 
 How he pulled him along ! Pail not to pay what you 
 
 owe him. 
 
CANTO IV.] EEINEKE POX. 51 
 
 Also bethink you, Sir Brown, how shamefully did he betray 
 
 you, 1 20 
 
 "When in Riisteviel's yard to angry, lubberly rustics, 
 Men and women to wounds and blows he faithlessly left 
 
 you, 
 And to the shame thereby ; this all the world is aware of. 
 Take care to hold together. To-day if he should escape us, 
 If his wit and crafty devices should manage to free 
 
 him, "5 
 
 Never again would the hour of sweet revenge be allowed 
 
 us. 
 let us be quick, and take revenge for all that he owes us." 
 
 Isegrim said : "Of what use are words ? Procure me 
 
 directly 
 Simply a good, strong noose. We would wish to shorten 
 
 his trouble." 
 Thus they spoke of the fox as they went along on the 
 
 highway. , * 3° 
 
 Eeineke heard it, however, in silence, but finally spoke 
 
 thus : 
 *' Since you so savagely hate me, and long for so deadly a 
 
 vengeance, 
 Do not you know how to finish it off ? 'Tis truly a marvel ! 
 Hintze knew what he said when a good stout noose he 
 
 advised us, 
 ■For he has tried it himself when in the house of the 
 
 parson I3 5 
 
 He went down to look for the mice, nor with honour 
 
 retreated. 
 But you, Brown and Isegrim, seem in a terrible hurry 
 Death to your uncle to deal ! You think, perhaps, it will 
 
 answer ! " 
 
 Then did the king arise, with all the lords of the palace, 
 Judgment to see carried out, and presently joined the 
 
 procession; ' 4 ° 
 
 Also the queen herself, by all of her ladies escorted. 
 Poor and rich in crowds came, streaming behind them 
 
 together. 
 
52 KEINEKE FOX. [CANTO IT. 
 
 All were anxious for Eeineke's death, and were longing to 
 
 see it. 
 Meanwhile Isegrim spoke a word to his friends and rela- 
 tions, '44 
 And admonished them all that, keeping closely together, 
 On the fettered fox they should keep a watchful attention, 
 For they Still were afraid the clever rogue might escape 
 
 them. 
 Special order the wolf gave his wife that she should stand 
 
 by him 
 If she valued her life, and help to hold firmly the rascal. 
 " Were he to make his escape, we should all disgracefully 
 
 feel it." 15° 
 
 And to Brown he said : " Kemember how he has scorned 
 
 you; 
 All this now with goodly interest you may repay him ! 
 Hintze can climb and shall fasten for us the noose up 
 
 above there ; 
 Hold him fast, and stand by whilst I am removing the 
 
 ladder. 
 Only a few minutes more for the scoundrel ! — Then all will 
 
 be over." 15s 
 
 Brown said : " Only put up the ladder ! I'm ready to hold 
 
 him!" 
 
 Beineke said thereupon : " See now how busy you all 
 
 are 
 Tour poor uncle to bring to his death. 'Twere far more 
 
 becoming 
 Him to shield and protect, and in his need to have pity. 
 Gladly for grace I would plead, but how would it help me 
 
 to do so? 160 
 
 Isegrim hates me too much, and even his wife has com- 
 manded 
 Firmly to hold me, and from all chance of escape to debar 
 
 me. 
 Were she to think of old times, she certainly never would 
 
 hurt me. 
 But if I am to be finished, why, then I could wish that it 
 
 might be 16+ 
 
 Quickly got over. My father, too, was in terrible trouble, 
 
CANTO IV.] BEINEKE FOX. 53 
 
 But at the last it went quickly. 'Tis true that he was not 
 
 escorted 
 By such a crowd, as he went to his death, but if you much 
 
 longer 
 Keep me dawdling about, it will certainly come to a 
 
 scandal ! " 
 "Do you hear," said the bear, "how bravely the rascal is 
 
 talking ? 
 Come along ; up with him sharp ! He has gone the length 
 
 of his tether." '7° 
 
 Anxious now were Reineke's thoughts : " Oh ! couid I but 
 quickly think out 
 
 Think in these dire straits of some new lucky manoeuvre, 
 
 So that the king might graciously give me my life, and 
 these cruel 
 
 Foes', as these three are, throw back into shame and con- 
 fusion ! 174 
 
 Let us of ev'rything think, and help, if help yet there maybe. 
 
 Life is at stake — the need is pressing — how can I escape it ? 
 
 Ev'ry evil upon me is heaped. The king is indignant, 
 
 All my friends have gone, and all my foes are in power. 
 
 Seldom anything good have I done, and little have heeded 
 
 Either the strength of the king or his councillors' good 
 understanding. l8 ° 
 
 Much have I drawn on myself, but always hoped my mis- 
 fortune 
 
 Soon to reverse. If only to come to speech 1 could 
 manage, 
 
 Truly they would not hang me. AUhope I will not abandon." 
 
 From the ladder therewith he turned himself round to 
 
 the people. 
 "Death," he exclaimed, "I see before my eyes, and I can- 
 not l8 5 
 Now escape. I beg of you all, as many as hear me, 
 Only a short time more, before the earth I relinquish. 
 Fain would I yet to you, in solemn truth, my confession 
 Openly make for the very last time, and honestly own to 
 All the ill I have done, in case perchance to another, '9° 
 Whether this or that bv me in secret committed, 
 
54 EEINBKE FOX. [CANTO IT. 
 
 Some unrecognized sin be some day or other imputed. 
 So at the last much mischief I may prevent, and may hope 
 
 that 
 G-od Almighty may me in His infinite mercy remember ! " 
 
 Many herewith were grieved, and began to say to each 
 other : '95 
 
 " Slight the request and short the delay." Then the king 
 they petitioned, 
 
 And the king the favour allowed. Then somewhat less heavy 
 
 Eeineke's heart became, and he hoped for a happier issue. 
 
 Forthwith availing himself of the respite allowed him, he 
 thus spoke: 
 
 " Sjpiritus Domini help me now ! In all this assemblage 200 
 No single man do I see whom I have not injured in some 
 
 way. 
 First, when only a little fellow I was, and was hardly 
 Weaned from my mother's breasts, I followed the bent of 
 
 my craving, 
 Roaming among the lambs and kids that out in the open 
 Near to the herd were scattered. I heard the bleat of their 
 
 voices 205 
 
 Far too gladly; a longing for daintier nourishment 
 
 seized me. 
 Quickly I learned to know them. To death did I worry a 
 
 lambkin, 
 Licked up its blood, — it tasted so nice — and four of the 
 
 youngest 
 Kidlings I killed and ate them up, and gained greater 
 
 practice ; 2°9 
 
 Neither birds nor geese did I spare nor ducklings nor 
 
 chickens, 
 Wheresoever I found them, and many of those that I 
 
 slaughtered 
 Buried in sand, when to eat them all I'd no inclination. 
 
 " Then it so happened that once I found on the Ehine in 
 the winter 
 
 Isegrim lurking behind some trees, and made his acquain- 
 tance. 
 
 He at once assured me that I was one of his kindred ; "5 
 
CANTO IV.] REINEKB FOX. 55 
 
 Yes, he could even the actual steps of relationship reckon 
 Out on his fingers. I did not object. We made an agree- 
 ment, 
 Vowed the one to the other as faithful companions to 
 
 wander. 
 Thereby was I, alas ! on myself to bring many an evil. 
 Through the land together we travelled. He stole the big 
 things, 220 
 
 I the small, and what we gained was all to be common. 
 But in common fairly it was not ; he shared at his pleasure. 
 Never the half did I get, nay, even worse have I found it. 
 When he had stolen a calf, or made a prize of a wether, 
 If in the midst of abundance I found him seated, or 
 eating, 225 
 
 Just fresh slaughtered, a goat, or when there was lying 
 
 and struggling 
 Under his claws a buck, he would show his teeth and look 
 
 savage, 
 Growl and drive me away ; thus he always got hold of my 
 
 portion. 
 Such was ever the case, let the roast be as large as he 
 
 wished it. 
 Even when it so happened that we had in company cap- 
 tured 230 
 Things as big as an ox, or by chance a cow had got hold of, 
 There appeared on the scene his wife with seven young 
 
 wolflings, 
 Throwing themselves on the booty, and driving me off 
 
 from my dinner. 
 Not a rib could I get that they had not polished entirely, 
 Gnawing it dry and smooth. With this I was forced to 
 content me. 23 S 
 
 Thanks be to God, however, I never suffered from hunger ; 
 Secretly have I fed well by means of that excellent treasure, 
 All of silver and gold in a secret place that securely 
 Hidden, I keep ; with this I've enough. And, I say it in 
 
 earnest, 
 Not a waggon could carry it off, though sevenfold loaded." 
 
 As he spoke of the treasure, the king, who was listening 
 to him, *4' 
 
56 BEINEKE FOX. [CANTO IV. 
 
 Bent himself eagerly forward, and asked him : " Whence 
 
 did you get it ? 
 Tell us about it, — the treasure I mean." Then Beineke 
 
 answered : 
 "Even this secret I will not hide, for how would it 
 
 help me ? 
 None of such precious things as these can I take away 
 
 with me ; 2 45 
 
 But the whole of the matter, as you command me, I tell you. 
 Sooner or later all must come out. For good or for ill luck 
 Truly I could no longer conceal the terrible secret, 
 For the treasure was stolen. A number were banded 
 
 together, 
 You, O king, to murder, and that would have certainly 
 
 happened 2 5° 
 
 Had not the treasure been cleverly taken at that very 
 
 moment. 
 Mark this, gracious sire ! for both your life and your 
 
 •welfare 
 On the treasure depended. And when they stole' it my 
 
 father 
 Fell, alas ! into terrible straits ; it led him so early 254 
 To the saddest of journeys, perhaps to perdition eternal : 
 But yet, gracious sire, this all occurred for your profit ! " 
 
 And the queen, aghast, heard all this horrible story ; 
 
 Of her husband's murder she heard the bewildering secret, 
 
 Of the treason, and of the treasure, and all that he spoke of. 
 
 " Beineke," cried she, " I warn you that yonder before you 
 is lying 260 
 
 All the long homeward journey ! Unburden your soul in 
 repentance ! 
 
 Tell us the simple truth, and openly speak of the murder." 
 
 Thereupon added the king : " Let ev'ry one present be 
 silent ! 
 
 Now may Beineke come down thence, and nearer ap- 
 proach me — 
 
 For the matter concerns myself — that so I may hear it ! " 
 
 Beineke heard and took comfort again, and down from the 
 ladder 266 
 
CANTO IV.] EEINEKE EOX. 57 
 
 Climbed, to the great vexation of those who were wishing 
 
 him evil. 
 Then at once he drew himself close to the king and his 
 
 consort, 
 Who with eagerness asked him how all these matters 
 
 had happened. 
 
 Then he prepared himself for fresh unscrupulous lying. 
 " Could I," he thought, " win again the grace of the king 
 
 and his consort— 271 
 
 Could I without delay devise some other deception — ■ 
 So that the foes who now to death are leading me onward 
 I myself might destroy — it would rescue me out of all 
 
 danger ! 
 Truly would this be to me an unexpected advantage ; 275 
 Yet I perceive at once it will need inordinate lying ! " 
 
 Once again did the queen impatiently Eeineke question: 
 
 "Let us distinctly understand how the matter has hap- 
 ; .>' pened; 
 
 Conscientiously tell us the truth, and unburden your 
 spirit ! " 
 
 Eeineke answered thereon : " I will right willingly tell 
 you, 280 
 
 For I must certainly die ; I see no means of escaping. 
 
 If at the end of my life I should farther burden my con- 
 science, 
 
 Pain eternal to earn, that were a foolish proceeding ! 
 
 Better it is to confess ; and if, alas ! it is needful 
 
 Some of my own relations and dearest friends to com- 
 plain of. 285 
 
 How can I help it ? alas ! the pains of hell are before me." 
 
 Hearing Eeineke's words, the king was already beginning 
 Heavy at heart to feel. " Is it truth," he said, " you are 
 
 speaking ? " 
 Eeineke answered thereon, with well-dissembled demeanour : 
 " I, no doubt, am a sinful man, and yet I speak truly. 290 
 What would it profit to tell you a lie? 'Twould only 
 
 secure me 
 Everlasting perdition. You know full well it is settled, 
 
58 REINEKE FOX. [CANTO IV. , 
 
 Perish I must ; I am looking at death, and shall I speak 
 
 falsely ? 
 Neither evil nor good can now in any way help me." 
 Trembling, Eeineke spoke these words, and seemed to be 
 
 fainting. 295 
 
 Then spoke out the queen : " His anguish moves my 
 
 compassion. 
 Oh! I beg you, my lord, look graciously on him and 
 
 ponder, 
 Through this confession of his we're saved from manifold 
 
 evil. 
 Let us learn, the sooner the better, the grounds of his 
 
 story. 
 Order all to be silent, and let him openly tell you." 300 
 
 Then at the king's command the whole assembly was 
 
 silent. 
 Whereupon Eeineke said: "Tour majesty, now may it 
 
 please you, 
 This my tale to accept, and although without letters or 
 
 papers 
 My explanation is made, it shall be true and sufficient ; 
 You shall hear of the plot, and I will be sparing of no 
 
 one." 305 
 
FIFTH CANTO. 
 
 HEARKEN now to the fox's craft, and to how he 
 manoeuvred 
 His transgressions again to conceal by injuring others. 
 Groundless lies he invented, reviling even his father, 
 Dead in his grave, and with gross slander loaded the 
 
 badger, 
 His most honest of friends, who had so constantly served 
 
 him. S 
 
 All he allowed himself, if only belief in his story 
 He might thereby obtain, and avenge himself on his 
 
 " My good father," he thus began, " had had the good 
 
 fortune 
 Of King Emmrich, 1 the Mighty, once to discover the 
 
 treasure 
 In a secret spot, yet it brought him little advantage ; •<> 
 For with these great riches he puffed himself up, and no 
 
 longer 
 Valued his equals in rank, but all his former companions 
 Much beneath him esteemed and sought for friends who 
 
 were higher. 
 Hintze, the cat, he sent away to the forest of Ardennes, 
 Brown, the bear, to seek, and with a promise of fealty 15 
 Him to invite to Flanders to come and rule as our 
 
 monarch. 
 
 " Brown, as soon as he read the letter, was highly delighted. 
 Bold and heedless of rest he betook himself quickly to' 
 Flanders, 
 
 1 Ermannarich, or, as lie is called in the Nibelungen Saga, Ermen- 
 rich, the mythical king of the Ost-Goths, who killed himself on the 
 approach of the Huns, is here meant. According to the Saga he had 
 built a castle at Ghent, where he kept his treasures. 
 
CO BEINEKE FOX. [CANTO V. 
 
 For for a long time past some thoughts such as this he 
 
 had harboured. 
 There he found my father himself, who met him with 
 
 pleasure. 2 ° 
 
 " Isegrim then was sent for at once, and Grimbart, the wise 
 
 one, 
 And the four arranged and put the matter together ; 
 Also a fifth with them was Hintze, the cat. Now a village 
 Lies hard by, named Iste; and there to speak more 
 
 exactly, 
 Just between Iste and Ghent, they dealt with the matter 
 
 together. 25 
 
 Long and dark was the night by which the meeting was 
 
 hidden. 
 Not with G-od's grace, for the devilit was, or rather my father 
 With his detestable gold, who held them there in his power. 
 They resolved that the king must die ; and swore with 
 
 each other 
 Firm and eternal league ; the five of them swearing 
 
 together, 3° 
 
 All upon Isegrim' s head, that they as ruler would choose 
 
 them 
 Brown, the bear, and on the throne at Aachen 1 would seat 
 
 him, 
 And with the golden crown the empire firmly assure him. 
 Should any one of the friends of the king, or of his re- 
 lations, 
 Set himself up against it, then should my father persuade 
 
 him, 35 
 
 Or he should bribe, and if that failed, should forthwith 
 
 pursue him. 
 But this came to my ears, for Grimbart once on a 
 
 morning 
 Got right merrily drunk, and in his cups grew loquacious. 
 'Then did the fool blab out to his wife the whole of the 
 
 secret, 
 Silence enjoining upon her, and thought he had nicely 
 
 secured it. 4° 
 
 Soon after this she encountered my wife, and needs must 
 
 she have her 
 
 1 Aachen or Aix. la Chapelle, the ancient capital of Charlemagne. 
 
CANTO V.J REINEKE FOX. 61 
 
 Bind herself by a solemn oath in the name of the three 
 kings, 
 
 Pledging her honour and truth that, whether in good or ill 
 fortune, 
 
 Never a word she would say, and then the whole thing 
 revealed her. 
 
 Just as little, too, did my wife adhere to her promise, 45 
 
 For she told me all she had heard as soon as she found 
 me, 
 
 Gave me a token as well by which the truth of the story 
 
 I assuredly knew ; yet to greater mischief it brought me. 
 
 I recollected the tale of the frogs, 1 whose vigorous, 
 croaking 
 
 E'en to the ears of the Lord in heaven at last had 
 ascended. 50 
 
 Their desire was a king, that they might live under com- 
 pulsion, 
 
 Though in all lands till then they were in enjoyment of 
 freedom. 
 
 Them G-od heard, and unto them sent the stork, who for 
 ever 
 
 Persecutes, hates, and never a moment of peace will allow 
 them. 
 
 Thus without mercy he treats them, and now the fools are 
 complaining, 55 
 
 All too late, alas ! for the king keeps them well in sub- 
 jection." 
 
 Loud to the whole assembly did Eeineke speak, and they 
 
 listened, 
 All of the beasts, to his word, while he pursued his oration : 
 " Look ! I feared for the fate of you all, if so it had happened. 
 Sire, I was anxious for you, and I hoped for a better 
 
 rewarding. 6o 
 
 Brown's intrigues are known to me, his sly disposition ; 
 Many misdeeds he had also done ; for the worst I took 
 
 measures. 
 Were he lord to become, we should all be ruined together. 
 
 1 This was one of JEsop's fables, but has been somewhat altered, as 
 they in the first instance had a log given them for a king, and sub- 
 sequently a water- snake. 
 
€2 EEINEKB FOX. [CANTO T. 
 
 'Noble-born is our king, and very mighty and gracious,' 
 Thus I thought in my heart ; ' a bad exchange we should 
 
 find it, 65 
 
 Such a loutish, good-for-naught bear to raise to such 
 
 honour.' 
 Several weeks did I ponder on this, and try to prevent it. 
 
 " And, above all, I knew full well, that as long as my 
 
 father 
 Held his treasure in hand, by bringing many together, 
 He would certainly win the game, and the king would be 
 lost us. 7° 
 
 All my care was for this, that hidden place to discover 
 Where the treasure was kept, that I might secretly take it. 
 If my cunning old father went to the fields, or was running, 
 Whether by night or day, to the wood, or in summer or 
 
 winter, 
 Wet or dry, I was ever behind, and dogging his foot- 
 steps. 75 
 
 " Once I lay, hidden with earth, in care and deep medi- 
 tation 
 How I might find that treasure which I so well was 
 
 aware of. 
 There from a narrow cleft I saw my father come forward.; 
 Out from between the stones he came, from under 
 
 ascending. 
 Quiet and hidden I lay, and he thought that he was alone 
 
 there. 80 
 
 Then he looked carefully round about him, but as he saw 
 
 no one, 
 Near or far, he began his game; you shall hear all 
 
 about it. 
 Stopping the hole with sand again, he knew how exactly 
 With the soil up above to make it even. Nor could 
 
 one, 
 Not having seen, have possibly known. And ere he went 
 
 onwards 85 
 
 Well he understood at the place where his feet had been 
 
 planted 
 Cleverly backwards and forwards to draw his tail, and 
 
 to smooth it, 
 
CANTO V.J EEINEKE FOX. 63 
 
 And to efface the trace with the aid of his mouth. For 
 
 the first time 
 On that selfsame day from my crafty father I learnt this, 
 Who in twisting and turning, and all such tricks, was 
 proficient. 90 
 
 So he hurried away to his work, and then I bethought me 
 Whether that glorious treasure might be in the neigh- 
 bourhood hidden ? 
 Quickly I ran to the spot and set to work, and the cranny 
 In but a short space of time I had opened out with my 
 
 f orepaws ; 
 Then crept eagerly in, and found the costliest objects, 95 
 All of fine silver and ruddy gold in plenty ; for certain, 
 So much you never have seen, not even the oldest among 
 
 you. 
 Then I set to work, with the aid of my wife, and we 
 
 took it, 
 Dragging it day and night ; we had neither carriage nor 
 
 waggon, 
 So that great was the trouble it cost us, and many a hard- 
 ship. 100 
 Faithfully held Frau Ermelyn out until at the last we 
 Carried the treasure away to another place that we knew of, 
 More convenient for us ; and all this while did my father 
 Daily meet with the men who our sovereign lord were 
 
 betraying. 
 What they determined upon you shall hear, and it will 
 astound you. 105 
 
 " Brown and Isegrim forthwith despatched into Provinces 
 many 
 
 Letters-patent to summon recruits for pay ; they were 
 bidden 
 
 Quickly to come in numbers, and Brown would provide 
 them with service, 
 
 Even kindly proposing to pay them their wages before- 
 hand. 
 
 Then through the whole of the land my father went, 
 showing the letters, "0 
 
 On his treasure relying, which still he believed was well 
 hidden. 
 
64 REINEKE FOX. [CANTO V, 
 
 AH, however, was over, for had he, with all his com- 
 panions, 
 Ever so strictly searched, he had not discovered a penny. 
 
 " Nor did he spare himself trouble, for ev'ry province and 
 
 country 
 Lying between the Elbe and the Rhine he had actively 
 
 traversed. i • 5 
 
 Many a soldier to hire he found, and many he won him, 
 Golden promises lending a powerful aid to his speeches. 
 
 " Summer at last came over the land, and to his companions 
 Then my father returned. He had care and trouble to tell 
 
 them, 
 And much pain ; especially how in Saxony lately 120 
 
 He before the high tow'rs his life had near been to losing., ■ 
 Where all day the hunters with dogs and horses pursued 
 
 him, 
 So that, by narrow escape, he hardly got off with his skin 
 
 whole. 
 
 "Joyfully, then, the list to the four conspirators showing, 
 Told he what men he with gold, and what with promise 
 
 he'd won them. 125 
 
 Brown was rejoiced at the news, and the five all read it 
 
 together. 
 Thus did it run: 'Twelve hundred of Isegrim's bravest 
 
 relations 
 Will, with open mouths and teeth well sharpened, be 
 
 present. 
 Farther, the cats and the bears have all for Brown been 
 
 won over ; 
 Ev'ry Thuringian glutton and Saxon badger is ready.' 130 
 Yet they only agreed to bind themselves on the condition 
 That their pay for a month to all must be_ given before- 
 hand. 
 All for this would appear in force when the order should 
 
 reach them. 
 God for ever be thanked that I put an end to their project! 
 
 " After all had been looked to and cared for, my father then 
 hastened x 35 
 
CANTO T.] BEINBKE FOX. fi5 
 
 Over the country again, of his treasure to mate an inspec- 
 tion. 
 
 Then did his trouble first begin : he dug and he hunted, 
 
 Tet the longer he scratched the less did he find. To no 
 purpose 
 
 Were the pains he had taken and all his desperate efforts. 
 
 All his treasure was gone, and never again could he find 
 it ; 140 
 
 And for vexation and shame, my father — the fearful re- 
 membrance 
 
 Haunts me by day and by night — put an end to his life 
 with a halter. 
 
 " All this, then, have I done, that evil project to hinder. 
 
 Mischief it brings me now, and yet I can never regret it. 
 
 Brown, however, and Isegrim, ravenous ones, in the 
 council 145 
 
 Nearest the king are seated ; and Eeineke, pitiful mortal ! 
 
 How, on the other hand, art thou thanked, that thy very 
 own father 
 
 Thou did'st give to save the king ! Where wilt thou dis- 
 cover 
 
 Those who will ruin themselves if only your days they 
 may lengthen ? " 
 
 Meanwhile the king and the queen to possess themselves of 
 the treasure 150 
 
 Great desire had felt. They stepped aside and they sum- 
 moned 
 
 Eeineke private discourse to hold, and hurriedly asked him : 
 
 " Tell us where have you got the treasure ? we ought to be 
 told this." 
 
 Eeineke said in effect, as follows : " How would it help 
 me, 
 
 Were I to show these beautiful things to the king who con- 
 demns me? *55 
 
 He believes my enemies more, who rob and who murder, 
 
 Who, in order to win my life, abuse you with falsehoods." 
 
 " No ! " interrupted the queen ; " no, no, it shall never so 
 happen. 
 
 F 
 
66 REINEKE FOX. [CANTO T. 
 
 Life 'will my lord bestow, forgetting all that is bygone. 
 He will restrain his wrath. But you must behave for the 
 future j 60 
 
 More discreetly, and e'er to the king be trusty and useful." 
 
 Reineke said : " Kind lady, if you the king can prevail on 
 Solemn promise before you to make to restore me to 
 
 favour, 
 All my transgressions and faults, as well as all the displea- 
 sure 
 I have, alas ! excited in him, no more to remember, 165 
 Then 'tis certain in these our times no monarch whatever 
 Shall such riches possess as he through my faithfulness 
 
 wins him. 
 G-reat is the treasure ; I'll show you the place, you will 
 be astounded ! " 
 
 "Do not believe him ! " answered the, king, "yet when he 
 
 of stealing, 
 Lying, and plundering speaks, then may you implicitly 
 
 trust him, 170 
 
 Tor in truth a more thorough-paced liar has never 
 
 existed ! " 
 
 Then said the queen, " Of a truth, his conduct up to the 
 
 present 
 Little credit has gained him, yet must you also remember, 
 This time his uncle, the badger, as well as his very own 
 
 father, 
 Has he accused of crime, and all their wickedness pub- 
 
 lish'd. 175 
 
 These, had he chosen, he could have spared; and similar 
 
 stories 1 
 
 Told us of other beasts ; he never would lie so insanely ! " 
 
 ' ' Think you so ? " said the king ; " if you truly think it the 
 best thing 
 
 This should really be done, in order that still greater evil 
 
 May not arise therefrom, I'll do it, and Eeineke's mis- 
 deeds 180 
 
 Take on myself, with all this lame and impotent business. 
 
CANTO V.] REINEKE POX. 67 
 
 Once more I'll trust him, but 'tis for the last time, let 
 
 him remember ! 
 For I swear to him by my crown that if in the future 
 He shall do wrong or lie, he shall for ever repent it ! 
 All belonging to him, to the tenth degree of his kindred, 185 
 Be they who they may, shall answer, — and no one escapes 
 
 me; — 
 On them shall evil alight, with shame and stern prosecu- 
 tion!" 
 
 Now when Eeineke saw how quickly the thoughts of the 
 
 monarch 
 Turned themselves about, he plucked up courage and 
 
 answer'd : 
 " Gracious sir, could I be such a fool as to tell you such 
 
 stories, 190 
 
 All of whose falsehood or truth could in a few days be 
 
 established ?" 
 
 Then the king believed in his words, and all he forgave 
 him — 
 
 First, his father's treason ; and then his own proper trans- 
 gressions. 
 
 Eeineke's joy was beyond all bounds ; in a fortunate moment 
 
 Out of his enemies' power and his own suspense he was 
 rescued. 195 
 
 ■" Noble king and gracious lord ! " he began to address 
 them, 
 
 *' May God you and your consort repay in full compensa- 
 tion 
 
 "What for unworthy me you have done : I shall nevei 
 forget it, 
 
 And will always prove myself most fervently grateful. 
 
 For there surely exists in no other country or kingdom 200 
 
 Anyone under the sun, on whom these glorious treasures 
 
 I would rather bestow than on you. What mercy and 
 favour 
 
 Have you not granted to me ! In return I will willingly 
 give you 
 
 All King Emmerich's treasure, in all things just as he held it. 
 
68 BEINEKB FOX. [CANTO V. 
 
 Where it lies I will now describe and truthfully tell . 
 you. zo S 
 
 " Listen ! in eastern Manders there is a desert, and in it 
 Lies a lonely thicket, its name is Hiisterlo : mark it ! 
 Then there is also a well called Krekelborn ; one from the 
 
 other 
 Lies not far, you must know. And in that neighbourhood- 
 no one, 
 Either woman or man, in a. year is seen, and there dwell 
 
 there *i<> 
 
 Only the owl and schoohoo. It is there that I buried the 
 
 treasure. 
 Krekelborn is the place named ; now mark and make use of 
 
 the token. 
 Go there yourself with your consort alone ; for certainly no 
 
 one 
 Would be sufficiently sure to send as a messenger thither. 
 Tar too great would the injury be; I dare not advise 
 
 it. 215 
 
 You must in person go. Near Krekelborn you must pass 
 
 onwards. 
 Two young birches you'll see before you, and one of them, 
 
 mark this ! 
 Stands not far from the well. There, gracious king, you go 
 
 forward 
 Straight to the birches; for under these are hidden the 
 
 treasures. 
 Only go on and scratch. First moss at the roots you'll 
 
 discover, "» 
 
 Then at once you will come upon these magnificent jewels, 
 Golden and skilfully wrought, and Emmerich's crown you 
 
 will find, too. 
 Had the bear had his will, it is this he would now have 
 
 been wearing. 
 Many an ornament will you discover, and many a jewel, 
 Works of art ; they are made no more, for who could afford 
 
 them ? "5 
 
 When you behold, gracious king, these treasures to- 
 gether, 
 Yes, I am sure of this, of me you will think in all honour. 
 
CANTO V.] BEINEKE FOX. 69 
 
 ' Eeineke, true-hearted fox,' you will think, ' who hast so 
 discreetly 
 
 Buried the treasure beneath this moss, wherever thou 
 may'st be, 
 
 May good fortune ever be thine ! ' " Thus spoke the dis- 
 sembler. 230 
 
 Thereupon said the king in reply: "But you must go 
 
 with me. 
 How by myself shall I manage to hit on the spot ? I have 
 
 heard of 
 Aachen, 'tis true, and likewise of E61n, and also of Liibeck, 
 And of Paris, as well ; but the name of Hiisterlo never 
 Save I heard in my life, nor Erekelborn. Must I not 
 
 doubt then 235 
 
 Whether you are not lying again, and these names are 
 
 inventing ? " 
 
 Eeineke did not relish this cautious speech of the monarch. 
 " Not so far," he said, " is the journey, as if I had told 
 
 you 
 On the Jordan to search. What is it that seems so 
 
 suspicious ? 
 Close at hand, I maintain, it may all be discover'd in 
 
 Flanders. 240 
 
 Let us ask other people, for someone else may confirm it. 
 Erekelborn ! Hiisterlo ! thus did I say ; and such are the 
 
 two names. 
 Then he called out to Lampe, but Lampe trembled and 
 
 held back. 
 Eeineke cried : " Come, be of good cheer ! 'tis the king that 
 
 requires you, 
 Wishing you now, on the oath and duty you lately have 
 
 tender'd, *45 
 
 Plainly the truth to speak. So declare it as far as you 
 
 know it, 
 Tell us where Hiisterlo lies and Erekelborn. Let us all hear 
 
 you ! " 
 
 Lampe replied : " That I surely can tell. In the midst of the 
 desert, 
 
70 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO V. 
 
 Krekelborn close to Hiisterlo lies. "Tis thus that the 
 people 
 
 Name the thicket where hunchback Simonet often re- 
 sorted *5<> 
 
 Counterfeit money to coin with his abandon'd companions. 
 
 Much at that very same place from hunger and frost have 
 I suffer' d, 
 
 When in great distress from Eyn, the hound, I was 
 fleeing." 
 
 Eeineke thereupon said : " Tou can now go back to the 
 others, 
 
 Whence you came. You have given the king enough infor- 
 mation." 255 
 
 Then the king to Eeineke said : "I pray you, excuse me, 
 
 That too hasty I was in doubting the story you told me. 
 
 Look to it now, however, that thither you carry me 
 quickly." 
 
 Eeineke said : " Good fortune indeed for myself I should 
 
 deem it 
 Could I go with the king to-day, and escort him to 
 
 Flanders, 160 
 
 But it would count as a sin for you. However it shames 
 
 me, 
 Out it must come, alas! though willingly would I conceal it. 
 Isegrim some time ago devoted himself to the cloister, 
 Not, indeed, for the service of God, for he served but the 
 
 belly; 
 Almost ate up the convent — they gave him enough for six 
 
 people. 2 &5 
 
 All was too little ; to me he complain'd of his hunger and 
 
 trouble. 
 When I saw him so lean and ill, I took pity upon him ; 
 Kindly I helped him away — to me he is closely related. 
 Thus the ban of the Pope I have brought on myself for 
 
 my trouble, 
 And without farther delay, and with your good will and 
 
 permission, »7° 
 
 Must set in order my soul, and in the morning at sunrise 
 Start as a pilgrim for Eome, to seek absolution and 
 
 mercy, 
 
CANTO T.J EEINEKE POX. 71 
 
 And from there cross over the Sea. 1 So shall my trans- 
 gressions 
 
 All be taken away, and if I ever return home, 
 
 I may with honour approach you. If I to-day were to 
 do so, Z75 
 
 All men would say : ' Why, see how the king is again so 
 concern'd with 
 
 Eeineke, whom but a short time ago he condemn'd to 
 the gallows ! 
 
 And who, more than all, to the ban of the Pope is sub- 
 jected.' 
 
 Gracious sire, you surely will see we had better not do it." 
 
 "True," said the king in reply, "all this I could not be 
 
 aware of. 180 
 
 As thou art banned, 'twould be a reproach that thou 
 
 should' st go with me. 2 
 Lampe or someone else to the well can easily take me. 
 But from the ban that thou seekest to free thyself, Eeineke, 
 
 surely 
 Good and expedient is. I give thee gracious permission 
 Early to-morrow to start — the pilgrimage will I not 
 
 hinder, 285 
 
 For, as it seems to me, from evil to good you are turning. 
 God the intention bless, and allow you to finish the 
 
 journey ! " 
 
 1 The Sea referred to is of course the Mediterranean, and the ex- 
 pression, which frequently recurs, implies a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. 
 
 2 Excommunication cut a man off from personal intercourse with others. 
 It was the punishment for abducting a monk from a monastery, see 
 line 269. 
 
SIXTH CANTO. 
 
 REINEKE thus once more the royal favour recover'd. 
 Then the king came forth and stood in a lofty position, 
 Speaking down from the rock, and commanded the beasts 
 
 ■who were present 
 Silence to keep : in the grass, according to birth and 
 
 condition, 
 Seating themselves. By the side of the queen was 
 Beineke standing. ' s 
 
 Then the king began to speak with much circumspection : 
 
 " Silence! and listen to me, ye birds and beasts in assembly : 
 Poor and rich, attend ye to me, both the great and the 
 
 little ; 
 Barons mine, and ye in Court and in house my companions. 
 Beineke stands in my power ; not long since we were 
 
 proposing 10 
 
 He should be hanged ; and yet to the Court so much that 
 
 was secret 
 He has reveal' d, that I trust him, and, after reflexion, my 
 
 favour 
 Grant him again. So also the queen my consort has 
 
 pleaded 
 Urgently for him, and thus I became disposed in his 
 
 favour, 
 Fully am reconciled to him, and body and life and posses- 
 sions 15 
 Freely allow him. My peace henceforwards guards and 
 
 protects him. 
 Therefore on pain of death be all of you hereby admonish'd, 
 Beineke must with his wife and children be duly respected, 
 Wheresoever by day or by night in future you meet them. 
 
CANTO VI.J EEINEKE FOX. 73 
 
 Nor will I hear any farther complaints of Eeineke's 
 
 doings. 20 
 
 If he has done any wrong, it is past ; he intends reformation, 
 
 Which he will certainly make, for to-morrow betimes in the 
 
 morning 
 Wallet and staff he will take, and going to Eome as a 
 
 pilgrim, 
 Thence will pass over the sea, nor will he ever return here 
 Till for all of his sins he has gained complete abso- 
 lution." 25 
 
 Thereon Hintze, enraged, to Brown and Isegrim turn'd 
 
 him: 
 " Now is our trouble and labour lost,'' he lamented ; " oh ! 
 
 were I 
 Far away hence! For if Eeineke once comes back into 
 
 favour, 
 Every art he will use to bring us three to destruction. 
 One eye already I've lost, and I very much fear for the 
 
 other." 30 
 
 " G-ood advice is expensive, I see," responded the Brown 
 
 one. 
 Isegrim thereupon said : " The matter is strange ; let us 
 
 go now 
 Straight to the king." And Brown and he, in very bad 
 
 temper, 
 Went at once to the king and the queen, and many and 
 
 angry 
 Speeches loud against Eeineke made. Then answer'd the 
 
 monarch: 35 
 
 "Did you not hear me say I had taken him back into 
 
 favour ? " 
 Wrathfully spoke the king, and bade his men in a moment 
 Seize and bind and shut them up, for he thought of the 
 
 charges 
 He had from Eeineke heard, and his thoughts now dwelt 
 
 on their treason. 
 
 Thus in an hour it occurred that Eeineke's matters com- 
 pletely 4° 
 
74 BEINEKB FOX. [CANTO VI. 
 
 Changed complexion, for he was free and all his accusers 
 
 Came to disgrace. He even knew how to maliciously 
 manage 
 
 So that from off the bear a piece of his hide was ab- 
 stracted, 
 
 Each way a foot in size, wherefrom for his journey a 
 wallet 
 
 Ready was made. Thus little he seemed to lack as a 
 pilgrim. 45 
 
 Yet did he ask the queen some shoes as well to procure 
 him. 
 
 " Gracious lady," he said, " since you recognize me as 
 your pilgrim, 1 
 
 Give me your aid, that I the journey may fully accomplish. 
 
 Isegrim has four capital shoes, it were surely a fair thing 
 
 That he should -hand me over a pair of these for my 
 journey. 5° 
 
 These, through my lord the king, my gracious lady, pro- 
 cure me. 
 
 Lady Gieremund, top, a pair of her own might dispense 
 with, 
 
 Por as a housewife she for the most part stays in her 
 chamber." 
 
 This requisition the queen found fair, and graciously an- 
 swer'd : 
 
 " Tes, quite true, to be sure ; they each a pair may dis- 
 pense with." 55 
 
 Eeineke tender'd his thanks, and said with a joyful 
 obeisance : 
 
 " Well, if I get four useful shoes I'll tarry no longer. 
 
 All the good that I henceforward as pilgrim accomplish 
 
 You shall certainly share, both you and my gracious 
 master. 
 
 When one a pilgrimage makes, he is bound in duty to 
 pray for 60 
 
 All who in any way help. May God your kindness repay 
 you!" 
 
 1 Eeineke describes himself as the queen's pilgrim because he had 
 'vowed' the journey, according to a usual practice, to her and the 
 king. They thereby became entitled to the benefit of his prayers. 
 
CANTO VI.] REINEKE FOX. 75 
 
 Thus did Sir Isegrim lose the pair of shoes from his 
 
 fore-feet 
 Up to the knuckles ; Frau Gieremund, too, in a similar 
 
 manner 
 Fail'd any mercy to find, for they made her relinquish her 
 
 hind shoes. 
 
 Thus the skin and claws of their feet they both were de- 
 prived of ; 65 
 
 Lying with Brown in piteous state, they thought but of 
 dying. 
 
 Shoes and wallet, however, thus had the hypocrite won 
 him. 
 
 There as they lay he came, and the she- wolf especially 
 jeer'd &t -. 
 
 " Dear, good creature ! " to her he said, " just notice how ■ 
 neatly 
 
 Do your shoes fit me ; and I also hope they will wear 
 well. 7» 
 
 Much have you troubled yourselves already to cause my 
 destruction, 
 
 But I have taken some trouble as well, and I have suc- 
 ceeded. 
 
 Tour turn of pleasure you've had ; and now at last it is- 
 my turn. 
 
 This is the way of the world, and people adapt themselves, 
 to it. 
 
 As I my journey pursue, can I daily my loving rela- 
 tions 75- 
 
 Gratefully think of. To me these shoes you have kindly 
 presented, 
 
 And you shall not regret, for what I gain in indulgence 
 
 This you shall share ; from Borne and beyond the sea I 
 will bring it." 
 
 Though Frau G-ieremund lay in terrible pain, and could 
 
 hardly 
 Utter a word, she collected herself and managed to sigh 
 
 out : 8o 
 
 " Grod but gives you success our own transgressions to 
 
 punish." 
 
76 BEINEKE FOX. [CANTO VI. 
 
 Brown, however, and Isegrim lay in silence together. 
 Both were wretched enough, for both were bound and were 
 
 wounded, 
 And by their enemy mocked. The only one absent was 
 
 Hintze. 
 Beineke anxiously wished to warm the water for him, too. 85 
 
 Now was the hypocrite busy enough on the following 
 
 morning 
 Smoothly in greasing the shoes so lately lost by his 
 
 kinsfolk, — ■ 
 Then he ran to present himself to the king, and addressed 
 
 him: 
 ■" On the holy way your servant is ready to enter. 
 Now I beg that you your chaplain will graciously order, — ■ 9° 
 So that I start with confidence hence, — to give me his 
 
 blessing, 
 So will my going and coming be sanctified." Thus he 
 
 petition' d. 
 Now the ram had been by the king his chaplain appointed. 
 ■Clerical matters were his concern; the king made him 
 
 useful 
 Also as scribe. They called him Bellyn. He therefore 
 
 was summon'd. 95 
 
 ■" Some few holy words," he said, " at once you must 
 
 read me 
 Over Beineke here, that he may be blest on the journey 
 Which is before him. He goes to Borne and over the 
 
 water. 
 Oive him the staff in his hand, and hang the wallet upon 
 
 him." 
 Bellyn answer'd thereon : " king ! you must surely have 
 
 heard that 100 
 
 Beineke has not yet from the ban obtain'd absolution. 
 Badly enough should I have for this from my bishop to 
 
 suffer, 
 Who might easily hear, and has the power to chastise me. 
 Nought would I do to Beineke' s self that is straight or is 
 
 . crooked. 
 Could one, indeed, arrange the affair, and no objurga- 
 tion i°5 
 
CANTO VI. J EEINEKE POX. 77 
 
 From my bishop, Herr Lackland, expect ; or if no offence 
 
 were 
 By the provost, Herr Loosefish, felt, or even the deacon, 
 Eapiamus, — at your command I would willingly bless 
 
 him." 
 
 And the ting replied : " These rhymes and reasons, what 
 
 mean they ? 
 Many words you cause us to hear with little behind 
 
 them. no 
 
 If you will read over Eeineke neither what's straight nor 
 
 what's crooked, 
 Then the devil I'll ask ! For the church and the bishop I 
 
 care not ! " 
 Eeineke goes as a pilgrim to Eome, and will you prevent it ? " 
 Anxiously then scratched Bellyn the back of his head ; he 
 
 was fearful 
 Of the king's wrath, and his book began at once to recite 
 
 from 115 
 
 Over the pilgrim ; and yet the latter paid little attention. 
 That it was good for what it was worth may be taken for 
 
 granted. 
 
 Now had the blessing been read, and they had proceeded 
 to don him 
 
 Wallet and staff, and the pilgrim was fit for the journey 
 pretended. 
 
 False tears, coursing each other, ran down the cheeks of 
 the rascal7 12° 
 
 Wetting his beard, as if he felt the deepest repentance. 
 
 Truly it grieved him enough that he had not all at the 
 same time 
 
 Brought to grief like these, and only three had dis- 
 honoured. 
 
 There, however, he stood and besought them to pray for 
 him truly, 
 
 Each as well as he could. And now he made preparation 
 
 Forward to start ; he had reason to fear, for he felt him- 
 self guilty. "26 
 
 " Eeineke," said the king, " you are much in a hurry 
 Why is it?" 
 
78 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO VI. 
 
 ■" He who begins good works should never linger," in 
 
 answer 
 Eeineke said ; " I beg permission to go, for the moment 
 Hight has arrived, my gracious lord; so let me be moving." 
 •" Leave is granted," the king replied ; and then he com- 
 manded I3 1 
 All the lords of his Court to go for a part of the journey 
 "With the pretended pilgrim, as escort. In pain and in 
 
 sorrow 
 Meanwhile Brown and Isegrim both were lying in prison. 
 
 Thus had Eeineke once again the love of the monarch i35 
 JTully regained, and went from the Court in the fulness of 
 
 honour, 
 Seemingly bound with wallet and staff to the Sepulchre 
 
 Holy, 
 "Where he had just as little concern as a maypole in 
 
 Aachen. 1 
 Different quite were his designs, for he had succeeded 
 "Flaxen beard and waxen nose 2 to the monarch in 
 
 turning, 14° 
 
 Bo that now as he went on his way must all his accusers 
 Humbly follow his steps, and even with honour escort 
 
 him. 
 Yet his malice he could not forego, but said in departing : 
 ■"Gracious sir, take very good care that that couple of 
 
 traitors 
 Do not escape you, but keep them well tied up in the 
 
 prison. 145 
 
 "Were they free, with scandalous deeds they'll not be con- 
 tented. 
 Danger threatens your life. Sir king, fail not to be 
 
 careful." 
 
 t 
 
 So he went on his road with quiet and pious demeanour, 
 With an innocent look, as if he knew not another! 
 Then arose the king and back he went to the palace, 150 
 All the animals following thitherwards. As he had 
 ordered, 
 
 1 and 2 These apparently proverbial phrases are not further explained 
 by the German commentators, who do not find them used elsewhere. 
 
CANTO VI.] EEINEKE FOX. 79 
 
 They had accompanied Eeineke part of the way on his 
 journey, 
 
 And the rogue had maintained an anxious and mournful 
 demeanour, 
 
 So that many a kind-hearted man was moved to com- 
 passion. 
 
 Lampe, the hare, in especial was very much grieved, as 
 the rascal 155 
 
 Cried, "Dear Lampe, we must, oh! must we indeed be 
 divided ? 
 
 Might not you and Bellyn, the ram, to-day have the 
 kindness 
 
 On my road to come a little bit further ? Upon me 
 
 By your company you will confer a very great favour. 
 
 Honest, good folk you are withal, and pleasant com- 
 panions. 160 
 
 Ev'ry one speaks of you well, and this would redound to 
 my honour. 
 
 You are religious and saintly in morals, and both live 
 correctly, 
 
 Even as I in the convent lived. Contented with green 
 herbs, 
 
 Hunger you always appease on leaves and on grass, never 
 asking 
 
 Either for bread or meat, or other particular viands." 165 
 
 Thus the weakness of both with praise he managed to 
 flatter. 
 
 Both went on with him till they came to his dwelling, and 
 looked on 
 
 Malepartus, the fortress ; and Eeineke said to the ram 
 there : 
 
 "Bellyn, remain outside, and enjoy the grass and the 
 herbage 
 
 To your heart's content. Upon these hills are afforded 170 
 
 Many plants that are good for the health and of excellent 
 flavour. 
 
 Lampe with me I take, but beg him to give consolation 
 
 To my wife, who already is troubled, and when she dis- 
 covers 
 
 That I must go as a pilgrim to Eome, will be almost 
 despairing." 
 
80 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO VI. 
 
 Sweet were the words of the fox to the pair, wherewith to 
 
 deceive them. 175 
 
 Lampe he led inside, where he found the sorrowing' 
 
 vixen, 
 Lying beside her children, with great anxiety cumber'd, 
 For she did not believe from the Court that Eeineke ever 
 Home would return. Now when she saw him with staff 
 
 and with wallet, 
 Strange did the matter appear, and she said to him: 
 
 "Reynard, my darling, 180 
 
 Tell me, then, how it has gone with you, and all that 
 
 befell you ? " 
 And he said : " I was judged already and bound as a 
 
 captive. 
 But the king his mercy bestowed, and gave me my freedom. 
 And as a pilgrim I came away, and as hostages left there 
 Brown and Isegrim both. Meanwhile the king has pre- 
 sented 185 
 Lampe in compensation, to do with him as it may please us. 
 For the king declared at last with excellent judgment : 
 ' Lampe it was that acted the traitor.' Thus certainly has he 
 Signal correction deserved, and must make me an ample 
 
 atonement." 
 Lampe with terror transfix'd these threatening words 
 
 apprehended, 190 
 
 And in bewilderment hastened to save himself by escaping. 
 Eeineke quickly block'd up the doorway ; the murderer 
 
 seized him, 
 "Wretched thing, by the throat, who loud and shrill for 
 
 assistance 
 Screamed: "O Bellyn, help me! oh! help! I am done 
 
 for ; the pilgrim 
 Murders me." Tet not long did he cry, for Eeineke 
 
 soon had / '95- 
 
 Bitten him through the throat. It was thus his guest 
 
 that he welcomed. 
 " Come now," he said, " let us eat him quickly ; the hare 
 
 is a fat one, 
 Good in flavour, too. In sooth, he is now for thefirst time 
 Somewhat of use, silly fool ! I swore long ago I would 
 
 do it. 
 
CANTO VI."] EEINEKE POX. 81 
 
 There ! it is over now, and the traitor may go and accuse 
 me ! " 200 
 
 Eeineke set to at once with his wife and children, and 
 
 quickly 
 Pulled off the skin of the hare, and they dined in excellent 
 
 comfort. 
 Sweet did it taste to the vixen, who often and often 
 
 repeated : 
 " Thanks to the king and the queen ! "We have,'' she said, 
 
 " by their favour, 
 Such a lordly repast. May God for their goodness reward 
 
 them ! " 205 
 
 "Eat away," Eeineke said. "Thus much will serve for 
 
 the present. 
 We shall all have enough, and of getting some more I am 
 
 thinking ; 
 For they shall all at last most certainly pay up the 
 
 reck'ning 
 "Who upon Eeineke fall, and think to bring him. to 
 
 trouble." 
 
 Then Prau Ermelyn spoke: "I would fain ask how you 
 have managed *'o 
 
 Scot and lot to escape." He said : " It would certainly 
 take me 
 
 Many an hour to tell how I with clever finessing 
 
 Turn'd the king round to my side, deceiving both him and 
 his consort. 
 
 Yes, I will tell you no lies, that only skin-deep is the friend- 
 ship 
 
 Me and the king between, and it will not be long in exis- 
 tence. 215 
 
 When he finds out the truth, he will be savagely angry. 
 
 If he get me again in his power, nor silver nor gold 
 will 
 
 Save me again; he will follow me up and endeavour to 
 catch me. 
 
 No more grace can I ever expect ; of this I am certain. 
 
 Ne'er will he leave me unhang'd, and so we must try to 
 escape him. 220 
 
 e 
 
82 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO VI. 
 
 " Let us to Swabia flee. There no one will know us. We'll 
 
 live there 
 After the way of the land, and, Heaven helping, shall find 
 
 there 
 Viands sweet to the full, and of all that is good an abun- 
 dance. 
 Fowls, and geese, and hares, and rabbits, with dates and 
 
 with sugar ; 
 Figs, and raisins, and birds of every size and description. 
 In that country they bate the bread with eggs and with 
 
 butter. zz6 
 
 Pure and clear is the water, the air refreshing and lovely. 
 There are enough of fish that are called Galline; and 
 
 others 
 Pullus, and G-allus, and Anas are called, and who could 
 
 recount them ? 
 Those are the fish that* are after my taste ! Nor is there 
 
 occasion 230 
 
 Deep in the water to dive. And these I have constantly 
 
 eaten 
 "When as a monk I lived. Little wife, if we are desirous 
 Peace at last to enjoy, we must go hence; you must go 
 
 with me. 
 
 " Now understand me well. Once more the king has 
 
 allow'd me 
 To get off on account of some curious things that I lied of. 
 All King Emmerich's lordly treasure I promised to give 
 
 him. 236 
 
 This I described as lying near Krekelborn. If they should 
 
 come there 
 Searching for these, they will find, alas ! neither one nor 
 
 the other. 
 Vainly the ground they will dig, and if the king should dis- 
 cover 
 He has been taken in thus, he will be terribly angry. 240 
 'What kind of lies they were I invented before I escaped 
 
 him 
 You may imagine well. In truth my neck was in peril. 
 Never in greater straits have I been, and never more 
 
 frighten'd. 
 
CANTO VI. J REINEKE FOX. 83 
 
 No ! I hope I may never again be in any such danger. 
 
 Briefly ; let things turn out as they will, I'll not be per- 
 suaded 245 
 
 Ever to Court to return, and thus once more in the king's 
 hands 
 
 Place myself : it needed in truth the greatest adroitness 
 
 Out of his mouth by a narrow shave my thumb to 
 deliver." 
 
 Then Frau Ermelyn, much disturb'd, said: "What will 
 it come to ? 
 
 We shall in every other land be strange and unhappy. 250 
 
 Here we have all that we can desire. Tou still are the 
 master 
 
 Over your peasants ; and have you then an adventurous 
 journey 
 
 Any such need to risk ? In truth, to leave what is 
 certain 
 
 What is uncertain to seek, speaks not for wisdom or credit. 
 
 Here we live in safety enough. How strong is the for- 
 tress ! 255 
 
 Here with his host should the king besiege us, or should he 
 beleaguer 
 
 Also the roads with force, we have always so many side- 
 gates, 
 
 So many secret ways, that we would surely be able 
 
 Safely to flee. Tou know it so well, why need I repeat 
 it? 
 
 It would take a good deal to bring us into his power 260 
 
 By sheer might and force ; and not for this am I anxious. 
 
 That, however, across the sea you have sworn to betake 
 you, 
 
 There is the pity. I can not be calm. What will be 
 the ending?" 
 
 " Do not trouble yourself, dear wife ! " then Eeineke an- 
 swered. 
 
 " Listen to me and mark what I tell you : ' Better for- 
 sworn is 265 
 
 Than forlorn ; ' and a wise man told me once at con- 
 fession. 
 
84 KEIHEKE FOX. [CANTO VI. . 
 
 Oaths that are forced have little weight. Not the hair of 
 
 a cat's tail 
 Would they ever deter me ; I mean the oaths, understand 
 
 me. 
 A.s you have said so shall it be done ; from home I will 
 
 budge not. 
 Little have I to loot for at Eome, and e'en had I taken 
 Half a score of oaths, I would on Jerusalem never 271 
 
 Look. I will stay with you, which is certainly much more 
 
 convenient. 
 No other place do I know that pleases me better than this 
 
 place. 
 Should the king prepare me annoyance, I needs must await 
 
 it. 
 He is too strong and mighty for me ; yet, still, I may 
 
 manage 275 
 
 Once again to befool him ; the motley cap with the bells 
 
 shall 
 Over his ears be pulled. If I live long enough, he shall 
 
 find it 
 Worse than he thinks it to be : I take my oath he shall 
 
 have it." 
 
 Bellyn now began to scold at the gate with impatience : 
 " Lampe, are you not ready ? Now come, and let us be, 
 
 going." 2 &o 
 
 Eeineke heard him, and hastened out exclaiming : " My 
 
 dear friend, 
 Lampe desires you much to hold him excused. He is in 
 
 there, 
 Having a game with his aunt, and said that you would 
 
 not begrudge it. 
 Go you quietly on, for his aunt, Frau Ermelyn, will not 
 Let him away so soon, and you cannot disturb their 
 
 enjoyment." 285 
 
 Then did Bellyn reply : " I heard some crying ; what was 
 
 it? 
 Lampe I heard. He call'd to me : ' Bellyn ! oh ! help 
 
 me ! oh ! help me ! ' 
 
CANTO VI.] KEINEKE FOX. 85 
 
 Have you done to him aught that is evil ?" Then answer'd 
 the crafty 
 
 Eeineke : " Hear me aright ! As I of my pilgrimage told 
 them, 
 
 Which I have vowed to take, it made my wife so de- 
 spondent Z90 
 
 That there came upon her a mortal alarm, and she fainted. 
 
 Lampe saw and was frighten'd himself, and in his con- 
 fusion , 
 
 Cried out : ' Help ! oh ! Bellyn, help ! be speedy in 
 coming ! 
 
 Sure I am that my aunt will certainly never recover.' " 
 
 " This much 1 know," said Bellyn, " he seem'd to be crying 
 in terror." 295 
 
 " Not a hair of him's hurt," said the liar, swearing a false 
 oath. 
 
 " Eather would I that mischief should happen to me than 
 to Lampe. 
 
 Did you not hear ? " again said Eeineke, " how the king 
 bade me, 
 
 Yesterday when I came home, to write him in one or two 
 letters 
 
 What I thought should be done in sundry matters of 
 import ? 300 
 
 Take them with you, dear nephew ! They all are written 
 and ready. 
 
 Many fine things I have said, and the wisest advice I have 
 given. 
 
 Lampe beyond all bounds was delighted ; with pleasure I 
 heard him 
 
 With his lady aunt recalling old stories together. 
 
 How they chatted, never content ! They were eating and 
 drinking, 305 
 
 And enjoying themselves. Meanwhile I wrote the de- 
 spatches." 
 
 " My dear Beynard," quoth Bellyn, " it only needs that 
 the letters 
 
 Safely protected be. I must have a case to enclose them. 
 
 If I happen'd to break the seals it would do me a mis- 
 chief." 
 
86 BEINEKE POX. [CANTO VI. 
 
 Beineke said: "I know what to do. I think that the 
 
 wallet 310 
 
 "Which from Brown I got will answer the purpose exactly.- 
 It is both thick and strong. In this I will wrap up the 
 
 letters, 
 And for this the king will certainly highly reward you. 
 He will receive you with honour, and trebly will you be 
 
 welcome." 
 Bellyn, the ram, believed it all. The^n hasten' d the 
 
 other 3«5 
 
 Into the house again, took the wallet, and quickly put in it 
 Lampe's head, the murdered hare's, and thought at the 
 
 same time 
 How poor Bellyn he might prevent from unclosing the 
 
 wallet. 
 
 As he came out of the house, he said : " Just put on the 
 
 wallet 
 Round your neck, and be not, my nephew, in any wise 
 
 tempted 320 
 
 Into the letters to look ; 'twould be curiosity shameful ! 
 Carefully have I wrapped them up, and so must you keep 
 
 them. 
 Don't even open the wallet. The knots I have skilfully 
 
 fasten'd, 
 As I am always accustomed to do in things of importance 
 Passing between the king and myself. If he find tfiat 
 
 the straps are 325 
 
 All arranged as he's wont to see them, you'll merit his 
 
 favour, 
 And will deserve the gifts that are given to trustworthy 
 
 envoys. 
 
 " Tes, as soon as you see the king, and to still better favour 
 Wish to attain with him, 'twere well to bring to his notice 
 That you have sagely given advice in composing the 
 
 letters, 330 
 
 Yea, and the writer have help'd. 'Twill bring you profit 
 
 and honour." 
 Bellyn was highly delighted thereat, and leapt in his 
 
 pleasure 
 
CANTO VI.J BEINEFE POX. 87 
 
 Up from the place where he stood, and bounding hither 
 
 and thither, 
 " Reineke, nephew and master ! " quoth he. " I see that 
 
 you love me, 
 And would bring me to honour. This will before all of the 
 
 courtiers 335 
 
 Greatly redound to my credit, when I such excellent 
 
 counsels, 
 String together in fine and elegant words. For in truth I 
 Know not how to write like you, but they will suppose 
 
 it, 
 And I have only you to thank. 'Twas all to my profit 
 That I follow'd you here. Now, tell me your further 
 
 intentions ; 340 
 
 When I set out on my way, is Lampe not to go with me ? " 
 
 "No! understand me,'' the rascal replied; "that cannot 
 as yet be. 
 
 Go you slowly onwards, and he shall follow as soon as 
 
 Certain matters of weight to him I have told and com- 
 mended." 
 
 " God be with you ! " Bellyn replied ; " so will I go on, 
 then." 345 
 
 And he hastened forth, and arrived at the Court about mid- 
 day. 
 
 When the king beheld him, and saw at the same time the 
 
 wallet, 
 " Bellyn," he said, " from where do you come, pray tell me, 
 
 and where has 
 Eeineke stayed ? and what does it mean that you carry his 
 
 > wallet?" 
 Then did Bellyn reply : " Most gracious king, he enjoin'd 
 
 me 35° 
 
 Letters twain to deliver to you. We both of us jointly 
 Thought them out, and in them you will find the weightiest 
 
 matters 
 Treated with subtlety. I in their substance have given my 
 
 counsel. 
 Here they are in the wallet; the knots himself did he 
 
 fasten." 
 
88 eeineke rox. [canto VI. 
 
 And the ting directed the beaver at once to be sent for : 355 
 He the notary was and scribe to the king ; and they call'd 
 
 him 
 Bokert. His business it was important and difficult letters 
 In the king's presence to read. He understood many a 
 
 language. 
 Hintze, the cat, was summon'd as well by the king to be 
 
 present. 
 
 Now when Bokert had loosed the knots, with Hintze, his 
 comrade, 360 
 
 Much astonish' d, the head of the murdered hare from the 
 wallet 
 
 Out he drew, and cried : " Ah ! here are verily letters ! 
 
 These are uncommon enough ! Who wrote them and who 
 can explain it ? 
 
 This is certainly Lampe's head, and none can mistake it." 
 
 Horror-struck were the king and the queen. The monarch, 
 however, 365 
 
 Bent his head, and said : " 0, Beineke, could I but catch 
 thee!" 
 
 King and queen alike were filled with grief beyond measure. 
 
 " Eeineke has betray'd me," exclaimed the king ; " had I 
 only 
 
 Not given faith to the scandalous lies he told me ! " So 
 cried he, 
 
 Seemingly dazed in his mind, and all the beasts were be- 
 wilder 'd. 370 
 
 Then Lupardus began, a kinsman near of the monarch : 
 " Truly I fail to see why you should thus be confounded, 
 Tou and the queen as well. Let such ideas be banish' d. 
 Pluck up your courage ! You're like to be shamed in the 
 
 presence of all men. 
 Are you not master ? And all who are here are bound to 
 
 obey you?" 375 
 
 " Just for that reason," answer'd the king ; " it need not 
 
 surprise you 
 That I am troubled at heart ! Alas ! my dignity's lower'd. 
 
CANTO VI.] EBINEKE FOX. 89 
 
 For ■with, his scandalous knavish tricks the traitor has 
 
 caused me 
 Punishment on my friends to inflict ; for two in dishonour, 
 Brown and Isegrim, lie, and must I not heartily rue it ? 380 
 Honour it cannot bring me, that I the best of my barons 
 Here in my Court have so foully entreated, and unto that 
 
 liar 
 So much confidence given, and exercised so little foresight. 
 I too hastily followed my wife. She allow' d him to fool 
 
 her; 
 Begg'd and entreated for him. Oh ! had I but acted more 
 
 firmly! 385 
 
 Now is repentance too late, and counsel is all to no 
 
 purpose ! " 
 
 And Lupardus replied : " Sir king, oh ! hear my petition ! 
 
 Sorrow no more! The harm that is done may still be 
 adjusted. 
 
 Give the bear and the wolf and his wife the ram for atone- 
 ment, 
 
 For since Bellyn with perfect freedom and impudence 
 states that 390 
 
 Lampe's death he advised, 'tis well that he pay for it also. 
 
 And we'll presently all in a body on Beineke marching 
 
 Catch him whenever we can, and then let us hang him 
 impromptu. 
 
 If we once let him speak, he'll talk himself out of his 
 hanging. 
 
 But I know well enough, these folk will accept the atone- 
 ment." 395 
 
 Gladly the king heard this, and said in reply to 
 
 Lupardus : 
 " Pleasing is your advice. So now go quickly and fetch 
 
 me 
 Both of the barons here, and they shall again with due 
 
 honour 
 Near me in Council be seated. And also summon together, 
 All in one conclave, the beasts who at Court are assembled. 
 All must know what shameful lies has Beineke told 
 
 me, 4° • 
 
90 EEINBKE POX. [CANTO VI. 
 
 How he escaped, and murder'd Lampe with Bellyn's 
 
 assistance. 
 All should proceed to meet the wolf and the bear with due 
 
 honour, 
 And for atonement I give to these lords, as you have advised 
 
 me, i 
 
 Bellyn, the traitor, himself, and all his kindred for 
 
 ever." 4°5 
 
 Then did Lupardus haste, till he found the two in the 
 
 prison, 
 Brown and Isegrim, bound, and when they were loosed, he 
 
 address'd them : 
 " Tidings of comfort receive from me ! From the ting I 
 
 have brought you 
 Peace assured and passage free. My lords, understand 
 
 me! 
 If the king has done you harm, to him it is painful. 410 
 This he bids me to say, and offers you both satisfaction. , 
 And as atonement Bellyn, the ram, with all of his kindred, 
 Tou shall receive, to dispose of, and all his descendants 
 
 for ever. 
 Tou may attack them with no farther notice wherever you 
 
 find them 
 "Whether in forest or field. To you they are all of them 
 
 granted. 415 
 
 Then beyond all this my gracious master permits you 
 Eeineke, him who betrayed you, by every method to injure ; 
 Him and his wife and children, and everyone of his 
 
 kindred, 
 Tou may pursue wherever you meet with them. None will 
 
 prevent you. 
 In the name of the king I proclaim this precious exemp- 
 tion. 420 
 He and all who after him reign will hold to it firmly. 
 Tou, too, now may forget the ills that upon you have 
 
 fallen. 
 Swear to be true and submissive to him ! Tou may do 
 
 so with honour. 
 He will not harm you again. Be advised and accept the 
 
 proposal." 
 
CANTO VI.] REINE'KE FOX. 91 
 
 Thus were the terms of atonement decided, whereafter the 
 ram must 425 
 
 Pay the account with his neck ; whereby, too, all his 
 relations 
 
 Are for ever pursued by Isegrim's powerful kindred. 
 
 Thus commenced the eternal feud. The wolves are accus- 
 tom' d 
 
 Heedless of fear or shame against lambs and sheep to be 
 rabid, 
 
 For they firmly believe that justice and law are on their 
 side. 43» 
 
 Naught will their fury appease, nor will they be recon- 
 ciled ever. 
 
 But for Brown and Isegrim's sake, and to pay them due 
 
 honour, 
 Twelve days more the king prolong'd the Court. He was 
 
 anxious 
 Publicly thus to show how he wished these lords to atone 
 
 to. 
 
SEVENTH CANTO. 
 
 NOW they saw the palace prepared and array'd in its 
 splendour ; 
 
 Many a knight was there ; and after the whole of the 
 beast-kind 
 
 Came uncountable birds, and they all of them highly 
 exalted 
 
 Brown and Isegrim, who meanwhile forgot their mis- 
 fortunes. 
 
 There did the finest company meet in festive enjoyment 5 
 
 That had ever assembled. The drums and the trumpets 
 were sounded, 
 
 And the Court dance was duly led off with stately 
 decorum. 
 
 Every person's wants were sated in more than abun- 
 dance. 
 
 Messengers followed each other inviting the guests in the 
 country. 
 
 Birds and beasts came trooping in; in pairs they came 
 trooping ; 10 
 
 Travelling thither by day and by night, they hasten'd 
 their coming. 
 
 Beineke Fox in his house, however, was lying and 
 watching, 
 
 Nor did he think of going to Court, the renegade pilgrim. 
 
 little thanks could he hope for there, and after his 
 custom 14 
 
 Best of all did it please the rascal to practise his cunning. 
 
 Now were heard at Court the songs that were sweetest 
 and finest ; 
 
 Meat and drink were served to the guests in endless pro- 
 fusion. 
 
 Jousting and fencing were there to be seen. Each one 
 with his fellows, 
 
CANTO Til.] BEINEKE POX. 93 
 
 Like with like, were join'd; there was also dancing and 
 singing, 
 
 Whilst the pipes were heard and trumpets at intervals 
 sounding. 20 
 
 Down from his gallery looked the king with friendly de- 
 meanour ; 
 
 Him did the great confusion delight ; with joy he be- 
 held it. 
 
 Eight days now had passed and gone (the king at his 
 
 table 
 Had just taken his seat in the midst of his principal barons ; 
 Near the queen he sat), when lo ! all bloody, the rabbit 25 
 Came before the king, and spoke with tragical meaning : 
 
 " King and master, and all who are here, take pity upon 
 
 me! 
 For such cruel deceit, or any such murderous action, 
 As I have now from Beineke suffer'd, you seldom have 
 
 heard of. 
 'Twas about six o'clock when I found him yesterday 
 
 morning 30 
 
 Sitting, as I on the road by Malepartus was passing, 
 And I thought in peace to go on my way, for his 
 
 clothing 
 Was as a pilgrim's garb, and matins he seemed to be 
 
 reading, 
 Sitting in front of his gate. And I wished to pass by him 
 
 quickly, . 
 Keeping along on my road in order to come to the 
 
 palace. 35 
 
 When he saw me he rose at once and coming towards me, 
 Was as I thought intending to greet me, but straightway 
 
 he seized me 
 Savagely with his paws, and between my ears in a moment 
 Felt I his claws, and thought that my head I was certainly 
 
 losing, 
 For they are long and sharp ; then down on the earth 
 
 did he throw me. 40 
 
 Luckily, being so light, I got myself loose from his 
 
 clutches, 
 
94 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO VII. 
 
 Springing away ; he growled as I went, and swore he would 
 
 find me. 
 But I was silent, and took myself off, yet, as ill luck 
 
 would have it, 
 Leaving an ear behind ; with bleeding head have I come 
 
 here. 
 Look ! four holes have I carried away. You can easily 
 
 fancy 45 
 
 With what fury he struck ; but a little and I had remain'd 
 
 there. 
 Now give ear to my need, and of your safe-conduct 
 
 bethink you ! 
 Who can travel, and who can find his way to your palace, 
 Whilst that robber beleaguers the roads, and all of 
 
 lis injures ? " 
 
 Scarce had he made an end of his speech when the garru- 
 lous crow came, 50 
 
 Merkenau, saying: "0 gracious king and worshipful 
 master ! 
 
 Doleful tales before you I lay : I am not in condition 
 
 Much to speak for grief and pain, and I fear me it yet 
 may 
 
 Break my heart, so sad is the thing that to-day has be- 
 fallen. 
 
 Scharfenebbe, my wife, and I were .walking together 55 
 
 Early this morning, and Keineke lay as if dead on the 
 heather, 
 
 Both of his eyes turned into his head, his tongue hanging 
 loosely 
 
 Out of his open mouth. Whereon with terror began I 
 
 Loudly to cry. He did not move. I cried and bewail'd 
 him, 
 
 Calling : ' Oh ! woe is me ! ' and ' Alas ! ' and repeating 
 my outcry. 60 
 
 * Oh ! he is dead ! how I sorrow for him ! how much I 
 am troubled ! ' 
 
 Much disturbed was my wife as well ; we were both of us 
 weeping. 
 
 Both his head and his stomach I touched, and my wife, 
 drawing near him. 
 
CANTO VII.J EEINEKE FOX. 95 
 
 Came and stood by his chin, to see perchance if his 
 
 breathing 
 Still betrayed any life ; but all in vain did she listen. 65 
 Both of us could have sworn he was gone. Now hear the 
 
 misfortune ! 
 
 " As in her sorrow she brought her beak without appre- 
 hension 
 Near to the rascal's mouth, the ill-favour'd villain ob- 
 served it, 
 Savagely snatched at her head, and tore it away from her 
 
 body. 
 How I was horrified will I not say. 'Oh! sorrow be 
 
 with me ! ' 70 
 
 Loudly I shrieked; when he bounded forward and snapp'd 
 
 in a moment 
 After me, too. Then bracing myself, I swiftly escaped 
 
 him. 
 Had I not been so quick, me, also, he would in an instant 
 Fast have held. I barely escaped from the murderer's 
 
 clutches. 
 Swiftly I gained the tree. Oh ! would that my wretched 
 
 existence 75 
 
 I had not saved ! My wife I saw in the claws of the 
 
 scoundrel. 
 Woe is me! the good creature he soon had eaten, so 
 
 greedy 
 And so hungry he seemed, as if he could others have 
 
 eaten. 
 Not a small bone did he leave, not even a knuckle re. 
 
 maining. 
 Such was the tragedy I beheld. He quickly departed. 
 1 could not leave the place, but flew with a heart full of 
 
 sorrow 81 
 
 Back to the spot, where I found but blood and one or two 
 
 feathers 
 Of my wife's. I have brought them here as proofs of the 
 
 murder. 1 
 
 1 According to ancient Teutonic custom the body itself was brought 
 hefore the tribunal, but afterwards it was considered sufficient to bring 
 some portable token, as, for instance, the right hand. 
 
96 REINEKE FOX. [CANTO VIL 
 
 Oh ! have pity, my gracious lord, for if you again should 
 Spare this traitor, and stay the course of legitimate 
 
 vengeance, — - 85 
 
 If your peace and safe-conduct you fail to establish, — 
 Much will be said thereanent, which to you will hardly be 
 
 pleasing. 
 For they say that he who a crime has power to punish, 
 Failing to do so, is guilty himself. Thus all would be 
 
 masters. 
 Much would you suffer in honour : of this you may well be 
 
 reminded." , 90 
 
 Thus had the Court the sad complaints of the good little 
 rabbit 
 
 And of the crow received. Then Nobel, the king, was 
 indignant, 
 
 Saying : " Now be it sworn by the truth of my conjugal 
 honour, 
 
 I will this wickedness punish, for ages it shall be re- 
 member' d. 
 
 My safe-conduct and bidding to scorn ! I will not endure 
 it ! 95 
 
 Much too lightly I trusted the rascal, and let him escape 
 me; 
 
 Fitted him out as a pilgrim myself, and saw him de- 
 parting 
 
 Hence, as if he were going to Rome. What not has the liar 
 
 Palm'd off upon us ! The queen's good word how well 
 did he manage 
 
 Quickly to win ! She talked me over, and now he's escaped 
 us. IOO 
 
 Yet I shall not be the last who has bitterly had to repent 
 him 
 
 That he has follow'd a woman's advice. And if we for 
 longer 
 
 Leave this rascal unpunish'd at large, it needs must dis- 
 grace us. 
 
 Always a scoundrel he was, and always he will be. Be- 
 think you, 
 
 All together, my lords, of how we may catch and convict, 
 him. 105 
 
CANTO VII.] BEINEKE FOX. 97 
 
 See that we earnestly take it in hand, and success will 
 attend us." 
 
 Comforted Brown and Isegrim felt by this speech of the 
 
 monarch. 
 "After all we shall he revenged," were both of them 
 
 thinking. 
 But to speech they would not commit themselves, for they 
 
 plainly 
 Saw that the king was greatly disturb'd and wroth beyond 
 
 measure. no 
 
 Then said the queen at length : " Eestrain such vehement 
 
 language, 
 Gracious sire, in your wrath, nor swear too lightly. By 
 
 such means 
 Is your dignity hurt, and the weight of your words is 
 
 diminish'd. 
 What is the actual truth we cannot yet see in the daylight. 
 First it is right to hear the accused ; and if he were 
 
 present, 115 
 
 Many would hold their peace who are now against Eeineke 
 
 speaking. 
 Both the parties should always be heard, for oft a delin- 
 quent 
 Only complains to hide his transgressions. For prudent 
 
 and clever 
 Eeineke ever I held, suspecting no evil, and keeping 
 Always before me your good ; though now it has otherwise 
 
 happened. 120 
 
 Well worth following is his advice, though his life of- 
 
 a surety 
 Much of reproach deserves. And well it is to remember 
 All his connexion and family. Things will never be 
 
 better'd 
 By an excess of haste, and what you really determine 
 You, in the end, as lord and ruler can always accom- 
 plish." 1*5 
 
 And Lupardus said thereupon: "You have listen'd to 
 
 many, 
 Listen also to this one. Let him surrender, and what you 
 
 H 
 
98 REINEKE FOX. [CANTO VII. 
 
 Then determine, be done at once, for in this thing I doubt 
 
 not 
 All these lords are with your noble queen in agreement." 
 
 Isegrim thereupon said: "Let each give the best of his 
 
 counsel. 130 , 
 
 Sir Lupardus, listen to me ! Were Beineke present 
 At this moment, and cleared himself of the double indict- 
 ment 
 Of these two, it would always for me be easy to prove that 
 Forfeit his life has become ; but I upon all will be silent 
 Till he is here. And have you forgotten how basely he 
 
 cheated 135 
 
 With the treasure the king? He said that in Hiisterlo, 
 
 nigh to 
 Krekelborn, he would find it, with other gross lies in 
 
 addition. 
 All of us has he deceived, and me and Brown has dis- 
 
 honour'd. 
 But upon this I will stake my life, that the liar is busy 
 Still on the heath ; he scampers about, and plunders and 
 
 murders. 140 
 
 If it seem right to the king and his lords; then let him 
 
 continue 
 Thus to behave. But if to Court he were coming in earnest, 
 Here he had been long ago. The messengers royal have 
 
 sped them 
 All through the land, to invite the guests, but he is at 
 
 home still." 
 
 And the king replied thereupon : " Why should we, then, 
 longer 145 
 
 Wait for him here? Now all get ready (so be it com- 
 manded !) 
 
 Me on the sixth day hence to follow ; for truly the end of 
 
 All these embarrassments will I see. What say ye, my lieges? 
 
 Is he not one who would bring, in the end, a country to ruin? 
 
 Make yourselves ready as well as you can, and come in 
 full armour ; 150 
 
 Come with your bows, and your lances, and all the rest of 
 your weapons. 
 
CANTO VII.] EEINEKE FOX. 99 
 
 Show yourselves gallant and brave ! Let ev'ry one think 
 
 of his honour, 
 Well maintaining his name, on the field he may haply 
 
 he knighted. 
 Malepartus, the castle, will we besiege ; in his dwelling 
 "What there is will we see." Then all cried : " We will 
 
 obey you." 155 
 
 So did the king propose, with all his retainers, the fortress, 
 Malepartus, to storm, the fox to punish ; but G-rimbart, 
 Who in the council had been, went out, and secretly 
 
 hastened . 
 Eeineke to seek out, and tell him of all that had happened. 
 Grieving went he along, to himself complaining and 
 
 saying : 160 
 
 " What will happen, my uncle, alas ? The whole of thy 
 
 kindred 
 Mourn with reason for thee, of the whole of the clan thou 
 
 art chieftain. 
 We were of safety assured if thou in the courts didst defend 
 
 us; 
 None there were who could stand against thee and thy 
 
 clever devices." 
 
 So he arrived at the castle, and found there Eeineke 
 sitting 165 
 
 Out in the open, where two young doves he had recently 
 captured. 
 
 These from out of their nest to essay a flight had adven- 
 tured, 
 
 But their feathers were still too short; to the ground 
 they had tumbled, 
 
 Quite unable to rise again, and Eeineke caught them ; 
 
 For he often went round to hunt. And so from a dis- 
 tance I/O 
 
 Grimbart he saw, and awaited his coming, and greeted 
 
 him, saying: 
 " Nephew, welcome to me above all the rest of my 
 
 kindred ! 
 Why are you running so fast ? Tou pant. What news do 
 
 you bring me?" 
 
100 BEINEKE POX. [CANTO Til. 
 
 To him Grrixnbart replied : " The news of which I am bearer 
 Has not a comforting sound ; you see that in pain I am 
 
 running. 175 
 
 Life and property all are lost ! The king's indignation 
 I have beheld. He has sworn to catch and disgracefully 
 
 Mil you. 
 All to appear at this place on the sixth day hence he has 
 
 bidden, 
 Armed with bow and with sword, with muskets and also 
 
 with wagons. 1 
 All is now coming upon you at once ; so quickly bethink 
 
 you ! 180 
 
 Isegrim, too, and Brown again with the king are in favour, 
 Even more trusted than I am with you, and all that 
 
 they wish for 
 Comes to pass at their will. And Isegrim loudly pro- 
 claims you 
 Worst of all murdering thieves, and the king's wrath 
 
 thus is excited. 
 Marshal he has become ; in a few weeks hence you will 
 
 see it. 2 185 
 
 Then the rabbit appeared, and also the crow, and against 
 
 you 
 Grave accusations they both of them laid. And should 
 
 the king happen 
 This time to catch you, your life will be short ! It is this 
 
 I'm afraid of." 
 
 Nothing more ? " said the fox, in reply. " All this will 
 
 affect me 
 Not the worth of a fig. If the king and the whole of his 
 
 council 190 
 
 Doubly and trebly had made a vow and taken their oaths, 
 
 too, 
 Let me only get there myself, and I'll soon overtop them. 
 For they consult and consult, and never can hit on the right 
 
 thing. 
 
 1 The apparent discrepancy between this line and 1. 151 does not 
 exist in the older versions of the poem, in which firearms are mentioned 
 in both places. Their use dates from the fourteenth century. 
 
 2 It was the marshal's duty to carry out sentences of death. 
 
CANTO VII.] REINBKE FOX. 101 
 
 Now, my dear nephew, let that alone, and what I will give 
 
 you 
 Follow and see. It happens just now that some doves I 
 
 have captured, 195 
 
 Young and plump ; they are still for me the hest of all 
 
 dishes ; 
 For so light to digest they are, you have only to bolt 
 
 them. 
 And so sweet do their little bones taste, they melt as you 
 
 eat them, 
 Half of them milk and the other half blood ; light nutri- 
 ment suits me ; 
 Such is my wife's taste too. But come, and a friendly 
 
 reception 200 
 
 We shall obtain; but let her not see the cause of your 
 
 coming ! 
 Every trifle she takes to heart, and gets in a fidget. 
 With you, to-morrow, to Court will I go, and I trust you 
 
 will give me, 
 There, dear nephew, your aid, in the way that is proper for 
 
 kinsmen." 
 
 " Life and property, all I willingly give in your service," 205 
 Answered the badger. And Eeineke said: "I will not 
 
 forget it. 
 If I survive, it shall be to your profit." The other 
 
 continued : 
 " Gro with assurance before the lords, and put the best 
 
 face on 
 Tour affairs. They will give you a hearing. Lupardus 
 
 was also 
 Willing that you should not be punish' d before you had 
 
 fully aio 
 
 Made your defence, and the queen herself was not other- 
 wise minded. 
 Mark this fact, and try to make use of it." Eeineke 
 
 answered : 
 " Only be calm ! It will all come right. The king when he 
 
 hears me, 
 Though he be angry, will change his mind ; it will end in 
 
 my favour." 
 
102 RBISTEKE FOX. [CANTO VII. 
 
 So the two went together-' inside, and with pleasant 
 
 demeanour 215 
 
 Were by the housewife received. She brought them all 
 
 that she had there, 
 And they divided the doves. They found them toothsome, 
 
 and each one 
 Ate up his portion, but was not content, for each could have 
 
 eaten 
 Half a dozen such birds, had he only been able to get 
 
 them. 
 
 Eeineke said to the badger: " Acknowledge, uncle, I'm 
 
 blest with 220 
 
 Children of such a superior sort that all must admire 
 
 them. 
 Tell me, now, what do you think of Eossel, and Eeynard, 
 
 the young one ? 
 They will increase our race, and to form themselves are 
 
 beginning 
 Day by day, and from morn till eve delight they afford 
 
 me. 
 One will capture a fowl, and the other seize on a chicken. 
 Into the water they boldly dive to fetch up a duckling 226 
 Or a plover. To hunt I should like more often to send 
 
 them, 
 But before all things must I instruct them in sharpness 
 
 and foresight, 
 So that they may avoid all dogs and hunters and nooses. 
 When they understand the right way of working, and have 
 
 been , 230 
 
 Thoroughly train'd as is fitting they should, I hope they 
 
 will daily 
 Fetch us home something to eat ; and naught in the house 
 
 shall be wanting. 
 For they take after me, and play in the grimmest of 
 
 fashions. 
 When they begin it the rest of the beasts come off as the 
 
 losers. 
 Soon at his throat their enemy feels them and struggles 
 
 no longer. 235 
 
 This is Eeineke's style of play. Their grip, too, is ready, 
 
CANTO VII.] REINEKE FOX. 103 
 
 And their spring is unfailing. To me this is just as it 
 should be." 
 
 Grimbart replied : " It tends to one's credit and well may 
 
 it please one 
 Children to have as you wish them to be, who soon grow 
 
 adept in 
 Plying their trade, and help their parents. And I am 
 
 delighted 240 
 
 Of my own kindred to know them, and have the best hopes 
 
 for their future." 
 " Let this suffice for to-day," said Eeineke. " Let us to 
 
 slumber ; 
 All are tired, I think, and Grimbart especially weary." 
 Then they laid themselves down in the hall, which over 
 
 and over 
 Was with hay and foliage spread, and slumber'd together. 
 
 Eeineke lay, however, awake, with anxiety thinking 246 
 
 How the case needed good counsel, and morning found him 
 still thinking. 
 
 Then he arose from his couch, and spoke to the house- 
 wife as follows : 
 
 " Do not take it to heart that Grimbart bids me go with 
 him 
 
 Back to the Court ; do you remain in the house and be 
 easy. 250 
 
 If any speak about me, you must put the best face on it 
 always. 
 
 Take good care of the fort, for this for us all is the chief 
 thing." 
 
 Then Frau Ermelyn spoke: " "lis strange indeed ; you are 
 
 daring 
 Back to the Court to go, where they think so badly about 
 
 you. 
 Are you compelled ? I cannot see why. The past you should 
 
 think of." ' ' *55 
 
 " Certainly," Eeineke said ; " it was not a matter for 
 
 joking. 
 Many wished evil to me, and I was in sore tribulation. 
 
104 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO VII. 
 
 Many the things, however, beneath the sun that may happen ; 
 This thing or that thing may come to pass against all 
 
 supposition. 
 He who imagines that something is his may all at once 
 
 lose it. 260 
 
 So you must e'en let me go. I have there a good deal to 
 
 accomplish. 
 Be at your ease, I earnestly beg. There is really no reason 
 For your anxiety. Wait the result! Tou will see me, my 
 
 darling, 
 Back again here in five or six days, if it possibly may be." 
 So he departed thence, attended by Grimbart, the 
 
 badger. 265 
 
EIGHTH CANTO. 
 
 OYER the heath then onwards the two went waiting 
 together, 
 
 Grimbart and Reineke, straight on the road to the resi- 
 dence royal. 
 
 Then said Reineke : " Let whateTer may happen befall me, 
 
 Tet the journey I take forebodes me nothing but profit. 
 
 Listen, dear uncle, to me. Since last I made my con- 
 fession 5 
 
 I have, alas ! again relapsed into sinful existence. 
 
 Hear the great and the small, and what I omitted the 
 last time. 
 
 " Prom the back of the bear and out of his hide I procured 
 
 me 
 One very capital piece, and to me the wolf and the she- wolf 
 Handed over their shoes, and thus I have cool'd my dis- 
 pleasure. »o 
 It was my lies that accomplished this. Full well did I 
 
 know, too, 
 How to stir up the king, and horribly have I deceived him. 
 For I told him a story that I about treasures invented ; 
 Yes, and that even did not suffice, for Lampe I murdered. 
 Then with the murder'd one's head I loaded Bellyn, and 
 
 grimly 15 
 
 Looked the king upon him, and he had to settle the 
 
 reck'ning. 
 Then of the rabbit ; behind the ears I forcibly squeez'd him, 
 So that his life he almost lost, and much did it grieve me 
 That he escaped. And I also confess that not without 
 
 reason 
 Is the complaint of the crow, for I ate up his wife Scharf e- 
 
 nebbe. 20 
 
 This is what I have done since last I made my confession. 
 
106 EEINEKE POX. [CANTO VIII. 
 
 One thing, however, I've missed — and now will proceed 
 
 to relate you 
 One other rascally trick that I played, you ought to be 
 
 told it. 
 Such a load I would not willingly bear, and at one time 
 Shifted it on to the back of the wolf. We were walking 
 . together 25 
 
 Kackyss and Elverdingen between, and there at a dis- 
 tance, 
 Saw we a mare with her foal ; the one, no less than the 
 
 other, 
 Was as black as a crow ; about four months old was the 
 
 young one. 
 Isegrim, just at the time, was perish'd with hunger, and 
 
 bade me : 
 ' Go you and ask for me whether the mare will not sell 
 
 us the filly, 30 
 
 And for what sum.' So I went to the mare and ventured 
 
 the question : 
 ' Dear Madam mare,' I proceeded to say, ' your own is the 
 
 filly; 
 
 ' This I'm aware of ; perchance you will sell her ? I beg 
 
 you to tell me.' 
 Then she said : ' If you pay me well, perhaps I may spare 
 
 her. 
 As for the sum for which I will sell, you can readily read 
 
 it; 35 
 
 On my hoof behind you'll find it written.' I saw, then, 
 What was her purpose ; and said, in reply, ' I am fain to 
 
 acknowledge 
 Beading and writing are not my forte, as I could have 
 
 wished it. 
 Nor do I want the foal for myself ; but Isegrim wished to 
 Know the exact conditions, and he it is that has sent 
 
 me.' 40 
 
 " ' Let him come,' she thereupon answered, ' and he will 
 
 soon know them.' 
 So I went to where Isegrim stood awaiting my coming. 
 ' If you wish to be filled,' I replied, ' you have only to go 
 
 there, 
 
CANTO VIII.] REINBKE POX. 107 
 
 For the mare -will give you the foal ; written under her 
 
 hind foot 
 Stands the price ; I might go hehind, she told me, and 
 
 see it, 45 
 
 But, to my own vexation, I have to leave much unattempted, 
 Since to read and write I have never learnt ; but, my 
 
 uncle, 
 Try it, and look at the writing, it may be that you'll 
 
 understand it.' 
 
 "Isegrim said: 'What should I not read? 'Twere strange 
 if I could not. 
 
 German, Italian, Latin, and French, I am equally skill'd 
 in. 50 
 
 For with diligence did I attend the classes in Erfurt 
 
 And with the wise and the learned, and with the legal 
 professors 
 
 Questions have put and opinions given, and so my diplomas 
 
 I have formally taken ; and all that is found in the Scrip- 
 tures 
 
 Like my name I can read. To-day, then, shall it not fail 
 me. 55 
 
 Wait, I will go and read the writing, and see all about it.' 
 
 " So he went and asked the lady, ' What price is the filly ? 
 Make it cheap.' Whereupon she replied, 'You've only 
 
 to read it ; 
 There you will find the sum inscribed on one of my hind 
 
 feet.' 
 ' Let me look,' continued the wolf, and she answered, 
 
 ' With pleasure.' 60 
 
 Then she lifted upwards her foot from the grass ; it was 
 
 studded 
 With six nails. She struck straight out, and not by a 
 
 hair's breadth 
 Missed she her mark. She struck on his head, and straight- 
 way he fell down 
 Lying as dumb as the dead. But she from the place in a 
 
 hurry 
 Went as fast as she could. He lay there, wounded, a long 
 
 time. 65 
 
108 BEINEKE POX. [CA.NTO VIII. 
 
 After an hour had pass'd, he once more moyed and 
 
 began to 
 Howl like a dog. I went to his side, and said to him, 
 
 ' Uncle ! 
 Where is the mare ? and how did you like the foal ? you 
 
 forgot me 
 When you were feasting. That was not right, for I brought 
 
 you the message. 
 After a meal a nap was enjoyable. How was the writing 70 
 Under the foot to be read ? you are such an excellent 
 
 scholar.' 
 
 " ' Ah ! ' he exclaimed, ' are you mocking me still ? How ill 
 
 I have come off 
 This time ! even a stone would now take pity upon me ! 
 Oh, that long-legged mare ! May she get her deserts from 
 
 the hangman ; 
 For her hoofs were shod with iron, and that was the 
 
 writing. 75 
 
 Brand new nails ! From them six wounds I have on my 
 
 forehead ! ' 
 
 " Scarce did he keep his life. — And now I have made my 
 confession, 
 
 Nephew, dear, forgive me now these sinful proceedings. 
 
 How I shall fare at Court is doubtful ; however, my con- 
 science 
 
 Now I have freed, and I am from all my iniquities 
 cleansed. go 
 
 Teach me how to reform, that I may attain unto mercy." 
 
 Grimbart replied: "I find that again with sin you are 
 
 laden. 
 Yet the dead can not be made to live. It were surely 
 Better to save their lives. And thus I am ready, my 
 
 uncle, 
 Seeing the terrible hour — the nearness of death that 
 
 approaches, 85 
 
 Threatening you — as a servant of God, your sins to forgive 
 
 you, 
 For I fear for the worst when they in force do pursue you. 
 
CANTO Till.] REINBKE VOX. 109 
 
 More than all 'tis the head of the hare they remember 
 
 against you. 
 Great was your hardihood, you must allow, the king to 
 
 excite so, 
 And it has injured you more than e'er your leTity fancied." 90 
 
 " Never a hair ! " continued the scamp ; " and now let me 
 
 tell you, 
 "lis not so easy to help oneself in the world, and one cannot 
 Always keep oneself holy, you know, as if in a convent. 
 He who deals with honey will sometimes be licking his 
 
 fingers. 
 Lampe excited me greatly; he jumped about hither and 
 
 thither 95 
 
 Eight in front of my eyes ; his plump condition was pleasing, 
 Therefore affection was put on one side. Tor Bellyn I 
 
 cherish'd 
 Little regard. The loss is theirs, and mine the trans- 
 gression. 
 Partly, however, 'twas this, that they were so clumsy, in 
 
 all things 
 Rude and coarse. To stand on form there was little 
 
 occasion. 100 
 
 Little enjoyment had I in the matter. I had from the 
 
 palace 
 Narrowly made my escape, and was teaching them this 
 
 thing and that thing, 
 But it did not succeed. It's true we should all love our 
 
 neighbours. 
 This I admit, but such as they were I could little respect 
 
 them, 
 And as you say yourself, what's dead is dead. Let us 
 
 talk of 105 
 
 Other affairs. They are dangerous times, indeed, that we 
 
 live in. 
 How from our betters do things come down ! One must 
 
 not be talking, 
 Yet do we others make notes, and think for ourselves in 
 
 the matter. 
 
 This we know very well, that the king himself is a robber. 
 
110 EEINEKB POX. [CANTO Till. 
 
 All that he does not capture himself the hears and the 
 wolves are no 
 
 Order' d to bring, and he thinks it lawful, and never a 
 person 
 
 Ventures to tell him' the truth, (so deeply imbued is the 
 evil!) 
 
 Neither confessor nor chaplain. They all are silent ; and 
 wherefore ? 
 
 They themselves have their share, if only a frock for their 
 portion. 
 
 If any other should come to complain, with equal ad- 
 vantage 1 1 s 
 
 Might he grasp at the wind. He wastes his time, and 
 had better 
 
 Take up another trade. For gone is gone, and whatever 
 
 One more mighty has seized is thine no more. To thy 
 pleading 
 
 Little attention is paid ; in the end it renders them weary. 
 
 Lord of us is the lion, and holds it but due to his station 120 
 
 All things to draw to himself. He commonly calls us his 
 people, 
 
 And in truth what is ours belongs, as it soems, to him also. 
 
 " Dare I speak, my uncle ? Our noble king has affection 
 Quite especial for those who bring, and who after the 
 
 tune that 
 He himself pipes know how to dance. Too plainly one 
 
 sees it. 125 
 
 But that the wolf and the bear have again got into the 
 
 council 
 Wrongs a good many. They steal and they rob, and yet 
 
 the king loves them. 
 Ev'ry one sees, but is silent, and hopes to get on to the 
 
 roster. 
 More than four are found at the side of our sovereign 
 
 master 
 Chosen above the rest, and they at Court are the 
 
 greatest. 130 
 
 If a poor devil like Eeineke dares to take but a chicken, 
 All the people at once will make for him, search for and 
 
 catch him, 
 
CANTO Till.] REINEKE POX. Ill 
 
 And with loud and unanimous voice tb death will condemn 
 
 him. 
 Petty marauders they hang out of hand, whilst those that 
 
 are greater 
 Get the advantage, and have at command the land and the 
 
 castles. 135 
 
 Mark you, then, uncle. When I see this, and the matter 
 
 consider, 
 Then, forsooth, I play my own game, and often reflecting 
 Think to myself that it must be correct, it is done by so many. 
 True it is that my conscience then wakes, and shows in the 
 
 distance 
 God's condemnation and wrath, and makes me consider 
 
 the future. 140 
 
 Gain unrighteous, however small, must then be surrender'd. 
 Then there rises remorse in my heart, though it is not 
 
 enduring. 
 How does it help thee the best to be, for even the best ones 
 In these days do not escape the popular censure ? 
 For the mob know perfectly well how to pry into all 
 
 things ; 145 
 
 None do they lightly forget, and this thing or that thing 
 
 discover. 
 Little good there is in the herd, and few of the number 
 Eeally even deserve to have honest masters to rule them, 
 For they talk and sing of the evil ever and ever, 
 Though they know what is good in the nobles greater and 
 
 smaller. 150 
 
 Yet they are silent thereon, and rarely it comes to be 
 
 talked of. 
 Worst of all do I find the conceit of that arrant delusion, 
 Which lays hold upon men, that each of them can in the 
 
 frenzy 
 Of his violent will rule over the world and correct it. 
 Would each man but keep his wife and his children in 
 
 order — 155 
 
 Could he but check his arrogant servants — he might at his 
 
 leisure, 
 Whilst fools squander, enjoy himself in moderate living. 
 How can the world, however, improve ? Self-loving in all 
 
 things, 
 
112 EEINEKE POX. [CANTO Till. 
 
 Each would forcibly bring all others into subjection. 
 And thus deeper and ever more deep we sink into evil. 160 
 Treachery, slander, and lies, and theft, and perjurous 
 
 swearing, 
 Bobbery, murder, and naught besides are commonly heard of, 
 Whilst false seers and quacks are foully deceiving the 
 
 people. 
 
 " Thus does ev'ry one live, and if one honestly warns them, 
 Lightly they take it, and say, perchance : Well, surely, if 
 
 sin were 165 
 
 Grievous and heavy, as here and there do some of the 
 
 learned 
 Preach to us, the priest himself would be careful to shun it. 
 Bad example they make their excuse, wherein they re- 
 
 . semble 
 Wholly the race of apes, that imitation are born to, 
 Having no thought or choice, and painful injuries suffer. 170 
 
 Eeally the reverend folks should strive to conduct them- 
 selves better. 
 Many things might they do if they only did them in 
 
 secret. 
 But no heed do they pay to us, the laity, doing 
 Everything as they please before our eyes, as if blindness 
 On us all had fallen. We see, however, too clearly, 175 
 That their faithless vows as little please the Almighty 
 As to the sinful friend of worldly deeds they are suited. 
 
 For, on the further side of the Alps, the priests are accus- 
 tom' d 
 
 Each a mistress to have, nor less in our provinces are there 
 
 Some who live in sin. Tou will tell me, perhaps, they 
 have children, 180 
 
 Like other folk who in wedlock live ; and these to provide for 
 
 Diligent pains they take, and bring them up for high 
 stations. 
 
 Whence they have sprung themselves the children no 
 longer remember. 
 
 None do they yield to in rank, but proudly walk and 
 erectly, 
 
CANTO Till.] BEINEKE FOX. 113 
 
 Just as if they were noble, and still remain of opinion 185 
 That their standing is legal. Of old it was not the 
 
 custom 
 These priest-children to hold so high, but now they are 
 
 always 
 Ladies and gentlemen styled. All-powerful truly is money ! 
 Pew are the princely lands in which the priests do not 
 
 levy 
 Tolls and rents, availing themselves of mill and of 
 
 village. 190 
 
 Such pervert the world, and the people learn what is evil ; 
 For one sees, where the priest is such, there all become 
 
 sinful, 
 One blind man from the path that is good misleading the 
 
 others. 
 Nay, now, who has seen any pious worts of the priesthood, 
 Or how they build up holy Church with worthy ex- 
 ample? 195 
 Who lives only thereafter ? They all grow stronger in evil. 
 So is it, too, with the people ; — then how shall the world 
 
 become better ? 
 
 " Hear me further, however. If any be born in dishonour, 
 Let him e'en bear it in peace. What good can he do in the 
 
 matter? 
 Whereby I mean but this, understand me. — If any such 
 
 person 200 
 
 Only with meekness behaves, and does not with frivolous 
 
 conduct 
 Irritate others, we have no occasion, nor have we the 
 
 right to 
 Make of such people a subject of scandal. For birth can- 
 not make us 
 Either noble or good, nor can it be held to disgrace us. 
 Virtue it is and vice that in mortals make the distinction. 
 Good, and learned, and pious men are highly in honour 206 
 Held, as is due ; but evil men set an evil example. 
 Though their best they may preach, 'twill always be said 
 
 by the lay-folk : 
 ' G-ood he may teach, but if evil he does, which are we to 
 
 follow ? ' 
 
 1 
 
114 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO VIII. 
 
 And to the Church he does no good, for he preaches to all 
 men : 210 
 
 ' Spend your money and build the Church, I advise you, 
 my brethren, 
 
 If you would mercy obtain and absolution ' ; so ends he. 
 
 Little, however, he does himself ; nay, naught ; and as 
 far as 
 
 He is concern'd the church might go to ruin. He holds, 
 too, 
 
 That sort of living as best that consists in costly adorn- 
 ments 215 
 
 And in dainty fare. How, when beyond all moderation, 
 
 Thus he is troubled with earthly affairs, can he pray and 
 sing praises? 
 
 Faithful priests in the service of God are daily and hourly 
 
 Diligent. All that is good they practise, and thus of 
 advantage 
 
 Are to Holy Church; they manage by worthy example 220 
 
 Laymen through the right gate to lead on the way of 
 salvation. 
 
 "But I know the becowl'd folk too. They babble and 
 
 chatter 
 Ever the same, as it seems, and they always are seeking the 
 
 wealthy, 
 Know how people to flatter, and love to be bidden to 
 
 dinners. 
 One of them if you invite, there comes a second, and 
 
 later 225 
 
 Two or three others arrive as well. And he. in the convent 
 Who at talking is good, will soon be advanced in the order ; 
 Eeader will he become, and then the custos or prior. 
 Others all stand aside. The keys are unequally wielded ; 
 Some must always be in the choir, for nightly devotions. 
 Singing and reading, and going the round of the tombs, 
 
 but the others 231 
 
 Eest and advantages get, and eat of the daintiest morsels. 
 
 " Then, too, the papal legates, the abbots, the provosts, and 
 prelates, 
 
CANTO VIII.] EEINEKE FOX. 115 
 
 And the Beguines and nuns — of these one could tell pretty 
 
 stories. 
 ' Give me yours and leave my own,' is the cry universal. 235 
 Few indeed, scarce seven, there are who, adopting the 
 
 precepts 
 Of their order's rule, are of holy living exemplars. 
 Thus the estate of the clergy is thoroughly weak and 
 
 defective." 
 
 " Uncle," the badger said, " 'tis strange that you are so 
 
 ready 
 Others' sins to confess ; hut how will it help you ? Me- 
 
 thinks you 240 
 
 Have enough of your own. And tell me, uncle, why need 
 
 you 
 Trouble yourself for this, or for that, and the state of the 
 
 clergy ? 
 Each his burden should bear for himself, and each should 
 
 be ready 
 Question and answer to give, how he the dues of his station 
 Faithfully strives to fulfil ; and none should try to avoid 
 
 them, 245 
 
 "Whether he's old or young, in the world as well as the 
 
 cloister. 
 Too much, indeed, you talk about all kinds of things, and 
 
 at last might 
 Lead me astray into error. You have a most excellent 
 
 knowledge 
 As to the ways of the world, and how its affairs are 
 
 connected. 
 2To one would make a better priest. I would come to 
 
 confession 250 
 
 With other sheep to you, and listen to your exhortations, 
 "Wisdom from you to learn ; for freely must I confess it, 
 Dull and gross the most of us are, and sadly we need it." 
 
 Thus, in the meanwhile, they to the Court of the king were 
 
 approaching. 
 Eeineke said : " I am in for it now," and summon'd his 
 
 courage. 255 
 
116 EEINEKE POX. [CANTO VIII. 
 
 Then they came across Martin, the ape, who was at that 
 
 same time 
 Starting off on a journey to Eome. He gave them a 
 
 greeting. 
 And to the fox he said : " Now pluck up your courage, dear 
 
 uncle ; " 
 Asking him this thing and that, although he with all was 
 
 acquainted. 
 " How much, alas ! in these evil days, is fortune against 
 
 me ! " 260 
 
 Eeineke said, in reply ; " for certain thieves have accused 
 
 me 
 Once again, whoever they are ; the crow in especial, 
 With the rabbit. His wife has lost one child, and the 
 
 other 
 Lacks an ear. But what does it matter to me ? Could I 
 
 only 
 Speak to the king myself, to their cost should both of 
 
 them feel it. 265 
 
 But it is this that hinders me most, that still I am lying 
 Under the ban of the Pope. The cathedral provost, who's 
 
 potent 
 In the affair, with the king has favour. The curse is upon 
 
 me 
 All for Isegrim's sake, who once had entered the cloister, 
 But from the convent escaped, at Elkmar, where he was 
 
 living. 270 
 
 For he swore he could not live so, they kept him too 
 
 strictly. 
 Not for long could he fast, nor could he always be reading. 
 Then it was that I help'd him away. I repent it, for now he 
 Slanders me much to the king, and is always seeking to 
 
 hurt me. 
 Am I to go to Borne ? In what a plight in the mean- 
 while 275 
 Those at home will be ! For Isegrim never would leave 
 
 them. 
 Wheresoever he found them he'd injure them ; then there 
 
 are many 
 Who think evil of me, and pay themselves off on my 
 
 kindred. 
 
CANTO VIII.] BEINEKE FOX. 117 
 
 Were I absolved from the ban, I should be in a better 
 
 position, 
 And at the Court once more with comfort follow my 
 
 fortune." 280 
 
 Martin replied : " It will all come right ; in this I can help 
 
 you. 
 I am going to Rome, and can aid you with artful devices. 
 I'll not allow you to be oppressed, for as scribe to the 
 
 bishop 
 I understand the work, I believe. I will see that the provost 
 Straightway is summoned to Rome, where I myself will 
 
 oppose him. 285 
 
 Look you, uncle, I'll push the affair, and manage to 
 
 guide it. 
 I will have the decree carried out ; and safe absolution 
 I will obtain and bring to you, and your enemies then 
 
 shall 
 Fare but badly, and lose their money as well as their 
 
 trouble. 
 For I know the course of things at Rome, and am versed 
 
 in 290 
 
 What to do and to leave. I have there Sir Simon, my 
 
 uncle, 
 Much respected and potent, a helper of all that can pay 
 
 well. 
 Schalkefund, too, what a man! and Doctor G-raball and 
 
 others, 
 Turncoat and Loosefish, and many more with whom I am 
 
 friendly. 
 All my money I've sent in advance, for that is the best 
 
 way 295 
 
 There to become well known. They tell you, no doubt, of 
 
 citations, 
 But it is only your money they want ; and if the affair 
 
 were 
 Ever so crooked, I'd make it straight with liberal payment. 
 If you bring money, you'll find you have favour, but when 
 
 it is wanting, 
 Doors will shut themselves. But do you keep still in the 
 
 country. 300 
 
118 EBINEKB FOX. [CANTO VIII. 
 
 I'll undertake the affair, and see that its knots are 
 unravell'd. 
 
 G-o on now to the palace. Frau Biickenau there you will 
 meet with. 
 
 She is my wife, and is much beloved by the monarch, our 
 ruler, 
 
 And by the queen as well. She is one of quick under- 
 standing. 
 
 Speak to her ; she is discreet, and to friends she is glad to 
 be useful. 305 
 
 Many relations, too, you will find. Not always it helps one 
 
 Bight on one's side to have. She has two sisters, and also 
 
 Three of my children with her. Connexions, too, you have 
 many, 
 
 Beady to render you service as often as you may demand it. 
 
 Should they refuse to render justice, they soon shall dis- 
 cover 310 
 
 What I can do ; and if they oppress you, be quick to in- 
 form me. 
 
 Then shall the land be put under the ban, the king and 
 all others, 
 
 Men and women and children. I will an interdict send 
 them. 
 
 There shall be no more singing, or reading of mass, or 
 baptising, — 
 
 No more interments or anything else. Be comforted, 
 nephew ! 315 
 
 " For the Pope is old and ill, and has in such matters 
 No more concern. They mind him but little ; and now at 
 
 the palace 
 Cardinal Uncontent, a young and capable fellow, 
 Fiery-soul' d and of quick resolve, has absolute power. 
 He loves one that I know. This woman shall bring him a 
 
 letter. 320 
 
 She can cleverly manage a matter for which she is 
 
 anxious. 
 And his scrivener, John Partei, is thoroughly versed in 
 Coinages old and new. Then Harkwell, who is his comrade, 
 Is of the court ; and " Slink-and-Turn " the notary's 
 
 name is. 
 
CANTO VIII.] RBINEKE FOX. 119 
 
 Bachelor of both laws, 1 who, if he only remain there 325 
 One more year, will he an adept in technical writings. 
 Then there are yet the two judges there : their names are 
 
 Moneta 
 And Donarius ; what they decree remains as they say it. 
 
 Thus in Eome no end of tricks and devices are practised 
 All unknown to the Pope. To make yourself friends is 
 
 essential, 330 
 
 Tor through them are sins forgiven and people deliver'd 
 Out of the ban. Depend upon this, my worthiest uncle, 
 Long has the king been aware that I will not let you be 
 
 ruin'd. 
 Tour affair will I carry through, and am capable of it. 
 This, besides, he should think of, that there are many 
 
 akin to 335 
 
 Both the foxes and apes, who are qualified best to advise 
 
 him. 
 This, let the matter turn out as it will, should certainly 
 
 help you." 
 
 Reineke said: "This comforts me much, and I will not 
 
 forget it 
 If I escape this time." Then each took leave of the 
 
 other. 
 Having no pass, a yet Eeineke went with Grimbart, the 
 
 badger, 34° 
 
 On to the Court of the king, where all were ill-minded 
 
 towards him. 
 
 1 That is, of Civil and Canon, or Ecclesiastical, law. 
 * Ohne Geleit, without safeconduct from the king. 
 
NINTH CANTO. 
 
 REINEKE now had arrived at the Court, in hope of 
 refuting 
 Those complaints by which he was threatened, but seeing 
 
 around him 
 All his foes as they stood, collected together, and eager 
 Each to revenge himself, and even to death to chastise 
 
 him, 
 Fail'd in his courage. Yet, though he doubted, he went 
 
 with assurance 5 
 
 Straight through the midst of the barons all, and Grimbart 
 
 alongside. 
 To the king's throne they came, when G-rimbart said in a 
 
 whisper : 
 " Eeineke, this is no time to flinch ; bethink you ; the 
 
 timid 
 Do not of fortune partake. A bold man seeks out the 
 
 danger 
 And rejoices therein, and it helps him out of the peril." 10 
 Eeineke said : " Tou speak what is true, and I heartily 
 
 thank you 
 For your cheering words ; if I ever recover my freedom, 
 I will remember it." Looking around, he saw many 
 
 kinsmen 
 Mixed with the crowd, yet he found but a few well-wishers 
 
 among them. 
 Most he was wont to ill-use ; aye, among the otters and 
 
 beavers, '5 
 
 Great and small alike, he had practised his rascally habits. 
 Yet he discern' d still friends enough in the hall of the 
 
 monarch. 
 
 Eeineke knelt on the earth in front of the throne, and with 
 caution 
 
CANTO IX.] BBINEKB FOX. 121 
 
 Spoke : " May Q-od," said he, " who all things knows, and 
 
 for ever 
 Mighty remains, preserve you, my lord and king ; may He 
 
 also 20 
 
 Ever preserve my lady, the queen ; and excellent judgment 
 May He bestow upon both, with wisdom, that they may 
 
 distinguish 
 Eight asunder from wrong ; for much untruthfulness is 
 
 there 
 Now in vogue amongst men. Thus many appear on the 
 
 outside 
 What they are not. Oh ! would that each had inscribed on 
 
 his forehead *5 
 
 What were his thoughts, and the king could see ! Then 
 
 would it be patent 
 That no liar am I, and am always ready to serve you. 
 True that the wicked accuse me with vehemence, wishing 
 
 to hurt me, 
 And of your favour to rob me, as if I did not deserve it. 
 But full well do I know the strict attachment to justice, 30 
 Of my king and lord, for no one ever beguiled him 
 Equity's roads to contract, and this will ever be certain." 
 
 All came thronging in crowds, and each at Eeineke's 
 
 boldness 
 Needs must marvel, and each and all were longing to hear 
 
 him. 
 His transgressions were all well known; how would he 
 
 escape them ? 35 
 
 " Reineke, rogue that thou art," said the king, " thy slip- 
 pery speeches 
 
 This time shall not save thee ; no longer shall they assist 
 thee 
 
 Falsehood and fraud to disguise ; thou hast come to the end 
 of thy tether. 
 
 Eor of thy fealty to me, a proof, I trow, thou hast given 
 
 On the rabbit and crow, and this by itself were sufficient. 40 
 
 But thou in every place and corner dost treachery practise. 
 
 Eapid and false are thy tricks, yet they shall no longer 
 avail thee. 
 
122 EEINEKE POX. [CANTO IX. 
 
 Full to the brim is thy measure, and further I will not 
 upbraid thee." 
 
 What will become of me ? Keineke thought. Oh ! were I 
 
 but once more 
 Safe in my dwelling again ! What remedy can I imagine ? 
 Happen what will, I must go through it now ; let naught 
 
 be neglected. 46 
 
 " Noblest prince and mighty king ! " these words he began 
 
 with. 
 "If you think me worthy of death, the matter you have 
 
 not 
 Looked at from the right point of view. I, therefore, 
 
 beseech you 
 First to hear me speak. Ere now I have counsell'd you 
 
 wisely ; 5° 
 
 By your side in need have I stood, when others forsook 
 
 you, 
 They who between us two now set themselves to my ruin,' 
 Turning the time to account when I was absent. You 
 
 may, then, 
 Noble king, when I have spoken, determine the matter. 
 If I am guilty found, then truly must I endure it. 55 
 
 Little of me did you think whilst I was roaming the 
 
 country, 
 Keeping the carefullest watch in many a region and 
 
 border. 
 Should I now come to the Court, do you think, if of any 
 
 transgression 
 Great or little, I knew myself to be guilty ? With caution 
 I should the neighbourhood flee, and keep my foes at a 
 
 distance. 60 
 
 No ! the whole world and the treasures therein should 
 
 certainly never 
 Out of my fortress have hither beguiled me, for there I 
 
 was surely 
 Free on ground and floor of my own. But as I am conscious 
 Of no evil deed, I have come accordingly hither. 
 I had just risen to stand on the watch when my uncle 
 
 convey'd me 65 
 
CANTO IX.] REINEKE POX. 123 
 
 News that I to Court must go. I was only then thinking 
 
 How to get quit of the ban, and much had I spoken to 
 Martin 
 
 Over the matter, and he had solemnly made me a promise 
 
 From this burden to free me. ' To Borne I am going,' he 
 told me, 
 
 ' And from now hencef orwards will take the matter com- 
 pletely 70 
 
 On my own shoulders. Go you to Court ; from the ban I 
 will free you.' 
 
 This, you see, was Martin's advice : he must understand it, 
 
 For that excellent bishop, Herr Lackland, often employs 
 him. 
 
 Five years has he served him already in matters judicial. 
 
 So, then, hither I come, and find complaints in abun- 
 dance. 75 
 
 That young spy, the rabbit, maligns me, but here am I 
 standing, 
 
 Reineke's self. Before my eyes, then, let him come forward, 
 
 For in truth it is easy enough to complain of the absent ; 
 
 But you should hear the opposite party before you condemn 
 him. 
 
 By my troth ! these faithless fellows have often accepted 80 
 
 Benefits from my hand, the crow as well as the rabbit. 
 
 Only the day before last, at an early hour in the morning, 
 
 Did this rabbit encounter and greet me kindly. I'd only 
 
 Just sat down in front of my fort and matins was 
 reading, 
 
 And he explain'dhe was going to Court ; whereon I said to 
 him, 85 
 
 ' God be with you ! ' On this he complained : ' How weary 
 and hungry 
 
 Have I become ! ' ' Will you have some refreshment ? ' I 
 civilly ask'd him. 
 
 ' Thankfully will I accept it,' he answered. Then I con- 
 tinued, 
 
 ' I will give it with pleasure.' I went and quickly pro- 
 vided 
 
 Cherries and butter — on Wednesdays flesh I never in- 
 dulge in. 90 
 
 So he ate to his full of fruit and of bread and of butter. 
 
124 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO IX. 
 
 Just then, however, my son, the youngest one, came to the 
 
 table, 
 Looting if aught was left, for children are all fond of 
 
 eating. 
 And as the boy made a snatch, the rabbit hastily struct 
 
 him 
 Such a blow on his mouth that his lips and his teeth began 
 
 bleeding. 95 
 
 Reynard, the other one, saw the encounter, and set upon 
 
 Bound Eyes 
 Straight at his throat, thus playing his game, and avenging 
 
 his brother. 
 This is what happened, no more and no less. I did not 
 
 delay, but 
 Ran and punish'd the boys, and pull'd with a good deal 
 
 of trouble, 
 One from the other apart. If he came to harm, let him 
 
 bear it, 100 
 
 For he deserved even more ; and had I intended a mischief, 
 Doubtless the young ones alone would soon have finished 
 
 the business. 
 This is all his thants ! He says I pulled him an ear off ; 
 Honour has he enjoyed, and of this he has taten a toten. 
 
 " After that there came the crow, the loss of his wife he i°5 
 Deeply lamented ; alas ! she had brought on her death by 
 
 a surfeit, 
 For a good sized fish with all its bones she had swallow'd. 
 Where this occurred he best can say. And now he declares 
 
 that 
 I have till'd her; he did it himself, most likely, and 
 
 were he 
 Solemnly asked if I could have done it, he'd alter his 
 
 story, " o 
 
 For they fly too high for anyone jumping to reach them. 
 
 " Of such lawless deeds should anyone wish to accuse me, 
 Let him bring honest and trustworthy proofs ! For so is it 
 
 fitting 
 With men of honour to plead. I have a right to ex- 
 pect it. 
 
CANTO IX.] REINEKE FOX. 125 
 
 But and if there are none, there's another mode of pro- 
 ceeding. 115 
 
 Here ! I am ready to fight. Let day and place be deter- 
 mined 
 
 For the encounter, and then let a worthy opponent con- 
 front me, 
 
 Equal in birth to myself, and by each let his right be 
 defended. 
 
 Then let the honour remain with him who wins it; for 
 always 
 
 Justice has thus been upheld, and nothing better I ask 
 for." 120 
 
 All stood round and listen' d, and were at Eeineke's talking 
 Highly astonish' d, and wonder'd at what he so boldly had 
 
 spoken. 
 Then did the two, the crow and the rabbit, smitten with 
 
 terror, 
 Quit the palace, and not a word further to speak did they 
 
 venture ; 
 And as they went, to each other they said : " It would not 
 
 be prudent, 125 
 
 Further against him to plead. We might make every 
 
 endeavour, 
 Yet not carry it through. For who was there present to 
 
 see it ? 
 We were alone with the villain, and who could therefore 
 
 bear witness ? 
 We in the end should suffer. For all his sins and trans- 
 gressions 
 May the hangman await him, and pay him according to 
 
 merit. 130 
 
 He is for fighting us, then ? In that case ill might befall 
 
 us. 
 No, forsooth, we had better leave it, for crafty and law- 
 less, 
 False and adroit, we know him to be, and truly we five ' 
 
 were 
 Still too few for him ; we should have to pay for it 
 
 dearly." 
 
 1 The other three are of course Brown, Isegrim, and Hintze. 
 
126 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO IX. 
 
 Brown and Isegrim, though, were angry, and saw with 
 
 vexation, 135 
 
 How the two from the palace had slunk away ; and the 
 
 king said : , 
 
 " Whoso has still a complaint to make, come forth ! let us 
 
 hear it ! 
 Yesterday threaten'd so many. Here stands the defendant ! 
 
 Where are they ? " 
 
 Eeineke said : " 'Tis always the way. They're ever com- 
 plaining, 
 
 This one or that one accusing. Yet when he is there, they 
 at home stay. 140 
 
 Thus these wanton deceivers, the crow and the rabbit 
 together, 
 
 Willingly would have brought me to shame and punish- 
 ment grievous ; 
 
 Now they are making excuses, but I forgive them, for 
 doubtless, 
 
 Now that I come, they bethink them again, and get out 
 of it sideways. 
 
 How could I help but abash them ? You see how great is 
 the danger 145 
 
 When against absent servants you listen to shameless 
 detractors. 
 
 All that is right they distort, and the best of men must 
 abhor them. 
 
 Others have pity alone for me, but little it matters.'' 
 
 " Listen to me," then said the king ; " thou wicked de- 
 ceiver ! 
 
 Say, what was it that drove thee to this, so foully to 
 murder 150 
 
 Lampe, the trusty, my letters who always faithfully carried ? 
 
 Had I not pardoned all of the sins thou'dst ever committed ? 
 
 Wallet and staff, too, thou hadst received, and wast fully 
 prepared to 
 
 Journey to Rome and over the sea ; for nothing I grudged 
 thee. 
 
 Hoping that thou wast amending thy ways ; but now at the 
 outset 155 
 
CANTO IX.J EEINEKE FOX. 127 
 
 Lampe I find thou hast killed, and as messenger Bellyn 
 
 must serve thee. 
 In the wallet he carried the head, and told us in public 
 Letters he had with him brought, which he and thou m 
 
 conjunction 
 Had composed and written, and he for the best had 
 
 advised thee. 
 And there was found the head, no more nor less, in the 
 
 wallet. 1 60 
 
 This in despite of me thou hast done. In return, as a 
 
 hostage 
 Bellyn I took ; be lost his life ; now thine is in question." 
 
 Eeineke said: ""What? Lampe dead? And Bellyn no 
 longer 
 
 Shall I behold ? What shall I do now ? Oh ! would I were 
 dead, too ! 
 
 "With these two I have lost, alas ! the greatest of trea- 
 sures, 165 
 
 For I sent you by them some jewels, than which are no 
 better 
 
 Here on the earth to be found. And who would have 
 thought that the ram would 
 
 Murder Lampe himself, and of the treasures despoil you ? 
 
 "Wary one need be, when danger and fraud are suspected 
 by no one." 
 
 Full of wrath was the king; to the end of Eeineke' s 
 
 story '7° 
 
 Hearkening not, to his chamber he turn'd, nor had he 
 
 distinctly 
 Taken in Eeineke' s speech, and he thought with death to 
 
 reward him. 
 As it happen' d, he found the queen just then in his 
 
 chamber 
 "With Frau Ruckenau standing. The she-ape favour 
 
 especial 
 Had with the king and queen, and this was to Eeineke' s 
 
 profit. 17s 
 
 Well inform'd and clever was she, and skilful in speaking ; 
 
128 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO II. 
 
 Where she appeared all look'd -with respect at andhonour'd 
 
 her highly. 
 She the king's vexation remark' d, and address' d him with 
 
 prudence : 
 " Gracious king, when in past days you have heard my 
 
 petitions, 
 Tou have never had cause to repent, and have pardon'd 
 
 my boldness, 180 
 
 Begging you, though you were angry, to speak with milder 
 
 expression. 
 Be, then, disposed once more to hear, for, indeed, it 
 
 applies to 
 One of my race and kind. For who can disown his rela- 
 tions ? 
 Eeineke, whatsoever he be, is my kinsman, and if I 
 Honestly am to declare how I regard his behaviour, 185 
 Now he surrenders to justice, I take the best view of the 
 
 matter. 
 How had his father as well, by your own father so favour' d, 
 Much to suffer from slanderous mouths and lying accusers ! 
 Yet did he always shame them. As soon as a stricter 
 
 inquiry 
 Into the matter was made, it was clear' d, though crafty 
 
 maligners 190 
 
 Even his merits endeavour'd to show as heavy transgres- 
 sions. 
 Thus at the Court he was held in esteem ever greater and 
 
 greater, 
 As are Brown and Isegrim now. It were much to be 
 
 wish'd that 
 These two also were able to set aside all of the charges 
 Which one hears in abundance of them. However, of 
 
 justice 1 95 
 
 Little they understand, as is proved by their lives and their 
 
 counsel." 
 
 Yet did the king to this reply : " It is surely no wonder 
 That I am angry with Eeineke — thief that he is — who so 
 
 lately 
 Lampe has killed and Bellyn beguiled ; and, bolder than ever, 
 All denies, and still as an honest and trustworthy servant 200 
 
CANTO IX.] BEINEKE FOX. 129 
 
 Dares to set himself up ; while all the people in concert 
 Utter complaints aloud, and only too clearly establish 
 How my safe-conduct he has infringed, and how he with 
 
 stealing 
 And with murder has harried the land, and injured my 
 
 lieges. 
 No ! I will bear it no longer ! " Thereto the ape said in 
 
 answer : 105 
 
 " Truly, it is not given to many, on ev'ry occasion, 
 Wisely to deal and wisely advise, but he who attains it 
 Confidence wins for himself ; but envious rivals endeavour 
 Either in secret to harm him, or, if they are many in 
 
 number, 
 Openly put themselves forward. And this has to Reineke 
 
 happen'd 210 
 
 Frequently ; yet such people can never blot out from re- 
 membrance 
 How he advised you for good in cases where others were 
 
 silent. 
 Don't you remember, not long ago, when a man and a 
 
 serpent 
 Came before you, and none were able the matter to settle ? 
 Eeineke did it, however ; you praised him, then, above all 
 
 men." 115 
 
 After thinking awhile, the king replied to her question : 
 " I remember the case quite well, yet have I forgotten 
 How the affair hung together : 'twas rather confused, I 
 
 bethink me. 
 If you remember it still, it will give me pleasure to hear 
 
 it." 
 Then she replied : "As the king has commanded, so will I 
 
 relate it. "° 
 
 " Just two years ago it is that a serpent before you 
 
 Came, O gracious sire, and loudly complain' d that a 
 
 peasant 
 
 Would not obey a writ, tho' the law had already against 
 
 him 
 
 Twice given judgment. The peasant was brought before 
 
 the tribunal, 
 
 K 
 
130 EEINEKE POX. [CANTO IX. 
 
 Where with many indignant words the affair was re- 
 lated. 225 
 
 "Through a hole in a hedge the snake to creep had 
 
 endeavour' d, 
 But was caught in a noose that was placed in front of the 
 
 op'ning. 
 Tighter the noose was drawn — the snake her life had 
 
 abandon' d ; 
 When, by great good luck, a traveller chanced to be 
 
 passing. 
 Anxiously cried the snake : 'Oh! take compassion and free 
 
 me. 230 
 
 Let me implore you.' The man replied : ' I will surely 
 
 release thee, 
 For thy misery grieves me ; but first thou must solemnly 
 
 swear this, 
 Not to do me harm. The snake was ready and willing, 
 Swore the most binding oath that she would in no manner 
 
 whatever 
 Injure the man who freed her, on which the peasant 
 
 released her. 235 
 
 " Then together a while they went, till the serpent, be- 
 coming 
 
 Painfully hungry, struck at the man, intending to choke 
 him, 
 
 Him to devour ; the wretch, in terror hardly escaped it. ■ 
 
 ' What ! and are these the thanks I deserved? ' , he cried ; 
 ' and moreover ■ < 
 
 Hast thou not sworn the solemnest oath ? ' Then answered 
 the serpent : 240 
 
 ' It is hunger, alas ! that compels me. I cannot avoid it. 
 
 Need observes no law, and so must be taken for justice.' 
 
 " ' Spare me only so long,' entreated the man, ' till we meet 
 with 
 
 Polk who between us two may give an impartial judg- 
 ment.' 
 
 And the serpent replied : ' So long, then, will I have 
 patience.' 245 
 
CANTO IX.] EEINBKE POX. 131 
 
 " So they went on, and found on the other side of the 
 
 water 
 Pluckpurse the Raven, along with his son ; the name of 
 
 the son was 
 Quackler. These to herself the serpent called, and ad- 
 
 dress'd them : 
 ' Come and listen.' The raven attentively heard out the 
 
 matter, 
 And gave judgment at once, that the man should he eaten ; 
 
 he hoped that 250 
 
 He for himself a piece would obtain. The snake was 
 
 delighted : 
 ' Now I have conquer' d,' she cried ; ' and no one surely 
 
 can blame me.' 
 ' No ! ' responded the man. ' I am not done for com- 
 pletely. 
 Should a robber condemn one to death, and should there 
 
 be only 
 One to adjudge ? I claim an appeal according to 
 
 justice. 255 
 
 Let us to four, or to ten, submit the matter, and hear 
 
 them.' 
 
 " ' Come along then ! ' said the snake, in reply. They went, 
 
 and were met by 
 Both the wolf and the bear, and ' they all proceeded 
 
 together. 
 Then the man the worst apprehended : for with five of 
 
 them near him 
 It was risky to be, and among such fellows as they were. *6° 
 There were around him the snake, and the wolf, and the 
 
 bear, and the ravens. 
 Anxious enough did he grow, for soon the two were in 
 
 concord, 
 Wolf and bear, to this effect to give their decision, 
 That the man might be killed by the snake ; for hunger 
 
 distressing 
 Knows no law ; from the bonds of an oath necessity 
 
 loosens. 265 
 
 Fear and pain on the traveller fell, for all were agreed 
 
 in 
 
132 BEINEKE FOX. [CANTO IX. 
 
 Wishing his death. Then darted the snake with terrible 
 
 hissing, 
 Spurting her venom upon him, while he sprang aside in his 
 
 , terror. 
 ' Gross injustice thou dost ! ' he cried. ' Who made thee 
 
 a ruler 
 Over my life ? ' And she replied : ' Thou fully hast heard 
 
 it. 27° 
 
 Twice have the judges spoken, and twice was the judgment 
 
 against thee.'. 
 But the man rejoin'd : ' They are thieves themselves and 
 
 marauders. 
 Let us go on to the king, for these I will never acknow- 
 ledge. 
 What he says I'll agree to at once, and if I be the loser, 
 Bad enough for me it will be, but still I will bear it.' 275 
 " Scornfully spoke the wolf and the bear : ' Ah ! well, you 
 
 can try it. 
 But the serpent will win : no better result can be hoped 
 
 for.' 
 For they thought that the Lords of the Court, assembled, | 
 
 would judge as 
 They had done, so boldly they went, the traveller leading. 
 So came the snake, the wolf, the bear and the ravens before 
 
 you. 280 
 
 Yes, the wolf and two others appeared, he had his two 
 
 children, 
 G-reedymaw one was named, and the other Neverfull. 
 
 These two 
 Grave the man the greatest concern ; for they had arrived 
 
 there 
 Each his share to devour, for they are ever voracious. 
 But they howled with such unbearable rudeness before 
 
 you, 285 
 
 That you forbad the Court to both of the lubberly 
 
 fellows. 
 
 " Then the man for himself besought your favour, and told 
 you 
 
 How that the snake intended to kill him ; completely for- 
 getting 
 
CANTO IX.] BEINEKE FOX. 133 
 
 Kindness past, she would break her oath ! So he begged 
 
 for protection. . 
 This the serpent did not deny, but said : ' It is hunger, 290 
 Which with all-powerful need compels me ; it knows no 
 
 restrictions.' 
 
 " Gracious Sire ! then were you troubled. It seem'd that 
 
 the matter 
 Very delicate was, and hard to determine correctly. 
 For it seem'd very harsh that you should condemn the 
 
 good fellow 
 Who had proved himself helpful ; but you had again to 
 
 consider 295 
 
 Also that horrible hunger, and so you summon'd the 
 
 council. 
 Most of them gave advice, alas ! to the man's disadvan- 
 tage, 
 For they hoped for a meal, and thought of assisting the 
 
 serpent. 
 Yet you sent a message to Eeineke : all of the others 
 Talk'd a great deal, but could not with equity settle the 
 
 matter. 300 
 
 Eeineke came and heard the report : you gave the decision 
 Into his hands, and as he determined it so should it 
 
 happen. 
 
 " Eeineke said with great circumspection : ' I find above all 
 
 things, 
 This to be needful, to visit the place and look at the 
 
 serpent 
 Tied as the peasant found her : thus only can judgment 
 
 be given.' 3°5 
 
 So they tied up the serpent again in the self -same position 
 On the self -same spot in the hedge, where the peasant had 
 
 found her. 
 
 " Eeineke thereupon said : ' Here now is each of the 
 
 parties 
 Once again in his former state, nor has either the contest 
 Won or lost. The right, I think, of itself is apparent. 3" 
 
134 EEINBKE I'OX. [CANTO IX. 
 
 For if it pleases the man, lie again can deliver the ' 
 
 serpent 
 Out of the noose ; if not, he may let her remain and he 
 
 hang'd there. 
 Free he may go on his way with honour, and see to his 
 
 business. 
 Since she has proved herself false, when she had accepted 
 
 his kindness : 
 Fairly the man has the choice. This seems to me to be 
 
 justice, 3«5 
 
 True to the spirit. Let him who understands better 
 
 declare it.' 
 
 " At that time his judgment pleased both you and your 
 council. 
 
 Keineke was commended : the peasant thank' d you ; and 
 all men 
 
 Spread the report of Reineke's wisdom : the queen even 
 praised him. 
 
 Much was said of the matter : — that hitherto always in war 
 time 320 
 
 Brown and Isegrim were in request ; being dreaded by all 
 men, 
 
 Far and wide ; for they liked to be where all was con- 
 suming. 
 
 Big and strong and bold was each, one could not deny it, 
 
 Tet in council the needful wisdom often was wanting, 
 
 For they were wont to rely too much on the strength of 
 their muscles. 3*5 ! 
 
 When in the field one gets close to work there's a good 
 deal of limping. 
 
 Bolder none could seem when they exhibit in private ; 
 
 Tet they rather prefer in public to keep in the back- 
 ground. 
 
 Tet when once shrewd blows are about, they'll answer your 
 purpose. 
 
 "Wolves and bears are destroying the country. It troubles 
 them little 33° 
 
 Whose house flames devour ; for they are always' accus- 
 tom'd 
 
 Over the coals to warm themselves, and pity no others 
 
CANTO IX.] EBINEKE FOX. 135 
 
 Whilst their own stomachs are full. The eggs they greedily 
 
 swallow, 
 Leaving the poor but the shells, and think it an honest 
 
 division. 
 Kei'neke Fox and his race on the other hand know what is 
 
 wisdom, 33 j 
 
 And good counsel, and if he has ever committed an 
 
 error, 
 Gracious Sire, he is not a stone. For ne'er can another 
 Give you better advice. I pray you, therefore, forgive 
 
 him I" 
 
 Then did the king reply, " I will think it over. The judg- 
 ment 
 
 Was pronounced as you say, and the penalty paid by the 
 serpent. 340 
 
 Yet he's a scamp from the bottom : how can he ever grow 
 better ? 
 
 You are betray'd in the end if you make with him any 
 <■ agreement, 
 
 Out of it all he so cleverly twists : where has he an equal ? 
 
 Wolf and bear and cat, and crow and rabbit are never 
 
 Nimble enough : he brings them all to shame and con- 
 fusion. 345 
 
 This one bereft of an ear and that of an eye, and the third 
 one 
 
 Robbed of his life ! In sooth ! Of such a scoundrel I know 
 not 
 
 How you in favour can speak, and how defend his proceed- 
 ings." 
 
 " G-racious Sire ! " responded the ape, " I cannot conceal 
 it. 
 
 Noble and great are all bis race ; consider, I pray you." 35° 
 
 Then the king rose up to go out. The people were 
 
 standing 
 All together awaiting his coming. He saw in the circle 
 Many of Eeineke's nearest kindred, who all were assembled 
 Beady to stand by their cousin. It were not easy to name 
 
 them. 354 
 
 This great clan he beheld, and standing opposite to them, 
 
136 BEINBKE POX. [CANTO IX. 
 
 Reineke's foes. It seemed that the Court was divided 
 between them. 
 
 Then began the king : " Now hear me, Eeineke ! Canst 
 thou 
 
 Such bad conduct excuse, that thou with Bellyn's assis- 
 tance 
 
 My pious Lampe murder' d, and that with impudent bold- 
 ness 
 
 Thou didst put his head in the wallet, as if it were 
 letters. 3 6 ° 
 
 This hast thou done in contempt of me : I have punished 
 already 
 
 One, for Bellyn has forfeit paid ; the same thou awaitest." 
 
 "Woe is me!" said Eeineke then : "Oh! would I were 
 dead now ! 
 
 Listen to me, and as you think fit, so let the event be : 
 
 If I am guilty, then kill me at once ; yet shall I in no 
 case 365 
 
 Trouble and care escape, but am for ever confounded. 
 
 For that traitor Bellyn my greatest treasures has stolen. 
 
 No one of mortal men has ever discovered their equal ; 
 
 They cost Lampe his life ! For them to both I entrusted ; 
 
 Now has that rascal Bellyn embezzled those costliest trea- 
 sures. 370 
 
 Still may they be sought for again! But, I very much 
 fear me, 
 
 No one will find them more ; they are lost, and will ever 
 remain so." 
 
 Then did the she-ape reply : " But why at once be despon- 
 dent? 
 
 If they are still above ground all hope we need not 
 abandon. 
 
 Early and late will we go, and both from priests and from 
 laymen, 375 
 
 Make a diligent quest. But say, of what kind were the 
 treasures ? " 
 
CANTO IX.] REINEKE FOX. 137 
 
 Reineke said : " Too precious they are for us ever to find 
 
 them. 
 He who has them will certainly keep them. "What grief it 
 
 will give to 
 My wife Ermelyn ! She will never forgive me about it. 379 
 For she advised me not to give to them jewels so precious. 
 Lies are now invented against me, and false accusations. 
 Yet will I fight for my right, and await with patience the 
 
 verdict. 
 If I am freed I will travel about through countries and 
 
 kingdoms, 
 Trying the treasures to find, tho' I lose my life in the 
 
 venture. 
 
TENTH CANTO. 
 
 OMY king ! " then said in reply the orator wily, 
 " Let me, most noble Prince, before my friends, give 
 account of 
 All those precious things that I for you had intended : 
 Though you may not have received them, yet laudable was 
 
 my intention." 
 " Only say on, then," answered the king, " and shorten 
 your speeches." 5 
 
 " Fortune and honour are gone ! With the whole I will 
 
 make you acquainted," 
 Eeineke sadly began. " The first of the jewels so precious 
 Was a ring. I gave it to Bellyn that he should present it 
 "Unto the king. In a very strange and wonderful manner 
 Had this ring been put together ; 'twas worthy of shining 10 
 In my prince's treasure : of purest gold it was fashioned. 
 On its inner rim, the side that is turned to the finger, 
 Letters had been engraved, and in molten metal inserted : 
 These were three Hebrew words of very particular meaning. 
 None in the country here could easily master the symbols ; ' 5 
 Master Abryon only of Treves could manage to read them. 
 He is a learned Jew, in all the tongues and the speeches 
 Skill' d, that are betwixt Poitou and Luneburg spoken ; 
 And all herbs and stones the Jew is especially versed in. 
 
 " When I showed him the ring, he said : ' In this there are 
 
 hidden 20 
 
 Sundry precious things. The three names graven upon it 
 
 Seth, the pious) brought down from Paradise when he was 
 
 seeking 
 For the Oil of Compassion. Whoe'er wears this on his 
 
 finger 
 Is from all danger exempt, nor can he ever be injured 
 Either by thunder or lightning, or any kind of enchant- 
 ment. 25 
 
CANTO X.] KEINEKE POX. 139 
 
 Further, the Master said he had read that he, on his finger 
 Who should carefully keep the ring, could never he frozen 
 In the bitterest cold; and a calm old age would attain 
 
 to. 
 On its outer side was a jewel, a shining carbuncle ; 
 This shone out at night, exhibiting objects distinctly. 30 
 Many a virtue the stone possess'd : it healed the unhealthy : 
 He who touched it felt himself free from ev'ry trans- 
 gression, 
 And from all distress. Death only could not be averted. 
 "Further the Master disclosed the stone's pre-eminent 
 
 virtues. 
 Happily travels the owner through every country: he 
 suffers 35 
 
 Neither by water nor fire ; the victim of capture or treason 
 Ne'er can he be ; and escapes from all his enemies' power. 
 If, whilst fasting, he loots on the stone, he will in a battle 
 Vanquish a hundred foes or more. The stone by its virtue 
 Takes the effect from poison and all injurious juices. 40 
 Even thus it obliterates hatred, and, should there be many 
 Who its possessor may hate, they feel themselves quickly 
 converted. 
 
 " Who would be able the stone to describe, and all of its 
 
 virtues, 
 Which in my father's treasure I found, and now had 
 
 intended 
 Unto the king to send ? For of such a costly possession 45 
 I was unworthy, I knew it right well. It ■should, I con- 
 
 sider'd, 
 Only to him belong, who of all is ever the noblest : 
 Only on him depend our welfare and all our possessions, 
 And I hope to protect his life from every evil. 
 
 " Further, should Bellyn, the ram, to the Queen a comb and 
 'a mirror 50 
 
 Also have given, by which she might of me be reminded. 
 
 Once on a time from my father's treasure I had for amuse- 
 ment 
 
 Taken them out : there was not on earth a more beautiful 
 art-work. 
 
140 BEINBKE FOX. [CANTO X. 
 
 Oh.! how often my wife to obtain them wish'd and at- 
 tempted ! 
 
 Nothing more of all the possessions of earth did she long 
 for ; 55 
 
 And we quarrell'd about them ; she never was able to move 
 me. 
 
 Yet now the mirror and comb with kindly thought I was 
 sending 
 
 Unto my gracious lady the queen, who ever towards me 
 
 Great goodwill had shown, and me from evil protected. 
 
 Often on my behalf a friendly word she has spoken. 60 
 
 Noble is she, of high descent, and virtue adorns her, 
 
 And in word and in deed is her ancient lineage proven. 
 
 Worthy was she, indeed, of mirror and comb, upon which 
 she 
 
 Never, alas ! set eyes, and now they have vanish'd for ever. 
 
 "Now of the comb to speak. For this the artist had 
 taken 65 
 
 Panther's bones : the remains of this magnificent crea- 
 ture. 
 
 Only between the Indies it lives and the Garden of. ' 
 Eden. 
 
 All kinds of colours adorn its skin, and sweet-smelling 
 perfumes 
 
 Spread themselves wherever it goes, and therefore all 
 creatures 
 
 Will along every road so readily follow its traces ; 70 
 
 For by this scent they healthy become, and all of them 
 feel it 
 
 And acknowledge the fact. From bones of such a de- 
 scription 
 
 Was this beautiful comb with every diligence fashion'd. 
 
 Bright as silver, and white, and of inexpressible pureness, 
 
 And the scent of the comb surpassed carnations and 
 cassia. 75 
 
 When the beast dies, through all its limbs the perfume 
 diffusing 
 
 Always remains therein, and saves the bones from cor- 
 ruption. 
 
 All contagion it drives away, and poison of all kinds. 
 
CANTO X.] EEINEKE FOX. 141 
 
 " On the back of the comb you saw the loveliest pictures 
 High in relief, and entwined with golden, beautiful scroll- 
 work, 8° 
 Bed and lazulite blue ; and in its central escutcheon 
 Artfully was the story depicted, how Paris, the Trojan, 
 One day sat by a well and saw three women before him 
 Godlike in mien ; their names were Pallas and Juno and 
 
 Yenus. 
 Long had they striven together, for each of them wanted 
 the apple 85 
 
 To possess as her own ; till then they had held it in 
 
 common. 
 At the last they agreed that the golden apple by Paris 
 Should to the fairest be given, who alone thenceforward 
 should keep it. 
 
 "Then did the youth survey them well with careful 
 
 attention. 
 Juno unto him said: 'If thou shouldst give me the 
 
 apple, 9° 
 
 Me as the fairest declaring, in wealth thou'lt be second 
 
 to no man.' 
 Pallas continued : ' Bethink thyself well and to me give the 
 
 apple : 
 Thou shalt become the mightiest man: all people shall 
 
 fear thee ; 
 Friends and foes alike, wherever thy name is repeated.' 
 Venus said : ' What is power to thee ? What reck'st thou 
 
 of treasures ? 95 
 
 Is not thy father king Priam, and hast thou not also thy 
 
 brothers, 
 Hector and others ; are they not rich and great in the 
 
 country ? 
 Is not Troy by its army protected, and have you not 
 
 also 
 Conquered all the surrounding land and races more 
 
 distant ? 
 Shouldst thou adjudge me the fairest of all, and give ine 
 
 the apple, "°o 
 
 Thou shalt enjoy on all this earth the lordliest treasure. 
 This is the gift of an excellent wife, the fairest of women, 
 
142 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO X. 
 
 Virtuous, noble, and wise ; and who could worthily praise 
 
 her? 
 •Give me the apple, and thou shalt possess the wife of the 
 
 Greek king, 
 Helen, the beautiful one, I mean, the treasure of treasures." 
 
 " And he gave her the apple, declaring that she was the 
 fairest. 106 
 
 Then in return, she help'd him the beautiful queen in 
 abducting, 
 
 Menelau's's wife ; with him in Troy she was mated. 
 
 This is the story you saw carved out, in the middlemost 
 panel ; 
 
 All around it were shields with writings artfully graven, no 
 
 'Twas but needful to read and you comprehended thelegend. 
 
 "Hear now more of the mirror ! In place of the glass was 
 inserted 
 
 One large beryl alone of great translucence and beauty ; 
 
 All could be seen in this, though miles away it was passing, 
 
 Whether by day or night. And if on one's face there were 
 ever 115 
 
 Any defect, a speck in the eye, or whatever it might be, 
 
 One had only to look in the glass, and from that very 
 moment 
 
 Every fault disappear' d, and all accidental defacement. 
 
 Is it a wonder that I am so grieved at losing the mirror ? 
 
 'Twas, moreover, a costly wood that was used for its panel, 
 
 Sethym the wood was called, of growth both hard aiid 
 resplendent; 1*1 
 
 Never a worm inside it bores, and ever, most justly, 
 
 Higher 'tis held than gold, and ebony only comes near it. 
 
 Once on a time of this wood a well-skill'd workman con- 
 structed, 
 
 Under King Krompardes, a horse of wonderful powers ; 125 
 
 More than a hundred miles in an hour its rider could 
 traverse. 
 
 At the present time I could not completely describe it. 
 
 For since the world was made no similar horse has existed. 
 
 " Bound about for a foot and a half was the frame of the 
 panel, 
 
CANTO X.] EEINEKE FOX. 143 
 
 Over the whole of its width adorned with artistical 
 
 carving; 130 
 
 Under the pictures there stood, inscribed in characters 
 
 golden, 
 What was the meaning of each. The stories now I will 
 
 tell you 
 In a few words. The tale of the envious horse was the 
 
 first one : 
 He for a wager proposed in a race a stag to contend with, 
 And was • grievously pained to find he was always behind 
 
 him. 135 
 
 So he hasten' d, thereon, to talk to a shepherd about it : 
 ' Tou shall profit,' he said,. ' if you will quickly obey me. 
 Mount on my back, and I will take you. There in the 
 
 forest, 
 Not long ago, a stag lay hid ; you ought to secure it, 
 And may sell at a profit its flesh, and its skin, and its 
 
 antlers. 140 
 
 Mount up at onee, and we will pursue him.' ' I may as 
 
 well venture,' 
 Answer'd the shepherd, and mounted the horse, and for- 
 wards they hasten'd, 
 And ere long they espied the stag, and galloping quickly, 
 Followed his tracks, and gave him chase. But he had the 
 
 advantage. 
 Then it became too much for the horse, and he said to the 
 
 shepherd : 14s 
 
 ' Get off a bit ; I need some rest. I have grown very 
 
 weary.' 
 * No, indeed,' then answer'd the shepherd ; ' now, thou 
 
 must obey me, 
 Thou shalt feel the prick of my spurs : it is thou who hast 
 
 brought me 
 On this ride thyself.' And thus did the rider control him. 
 Thus with many an ill are rewarded the men who to 
 
 others . x 5° 
 
 Mischief intending, burden themselves with pain and with 
 
 evil. 
 
 "More, again, I can tell you that stood portray'd on the 
 mirror. 
 
144 EEINEKE POX. [canto X. 
 
 There were a dog and an ass of a wealthy man in the 
 
 service 
 Both together. The dog, it is true, was especially favour' d, 
 For he sat at his master's table, and ate from his platter 155 
 Fish and flesh, and rested at ease in the lap of his patron, 
 Who of the finest tread was wont to give him ; and therefore 
 Wagged the dog his tail, and licked the hand of his master. 
 
 " Boldewyn saw the dog's good fortune ; and mournful be- 
 coming, 
 
 Said the ass in his heart to himself: 'Of what is my 
 master 160 
 
 Thinking, when he this lazy beast so excessively pampers ? 
 
 Does not the beast lick even his beard as he frolics around 
 him, 
 
 Whilst it is I who am doing the work, and hauling the 
 corn sacks. 
 
 Let him try it for once, and do with five, or with ten dogs, 
 
 In a whole year as much as I in a month can accomplish. 165 
 
 Tet while he of the best partakes, on straw do they feed me, 
 
 On the hard earth let me lie ; and, wheresoever they drive 
 me, 
 
 Or on me ride, I am mock'd by the people. I cannot and 
 will not 
 
 Bear it longer ; I, too, will gain the good will of my master." 
 
 "As he was speaking, along the street his master came 
 walking. 170 
 
 Then did the ass uplift his tail, and kicking his heels up, 
 
 Sprang on his master, and brayed, and sang, and blubber'd 
 with vigour, 
 
 Licking his master's beard, and tried, of dogg in the manner, 
 
 Close to his cheek to snuggle, but gave him several bruises. 
 
 Sorely hurt did his master escape, crying : ' Seize me the 
 donkey! 1-5 
 
 Strike him dead ! ' The servants came and rain'd on him 
 cudgels, 
 
 So they drove him away to his stall, where an ass he re- 
 mains still. 
 
 " Many a one is yet found of the self-same race, who to 
 others 
 
CANTO X.l KEINEEE FOX. 145 
 
 Their prosperity grudges, and finds himself nowise the 
 
 better. 179 
 
 Should such a one, however, attain to a wealthy position, 
 Into the place he fits, like a pig eating soup with a 
 
 ladle; 
 Not much better, forsooth. Let the ass then carry the 
 
 corn sacks ; 
 Lie on straw for his bed, and for nourishment feed upon 
 
 thistles. 
 Tho' he be otherwise treated, the old he still will abide by. 
 "Where an ass becomes the master 'tis seldom successful ; 185 
 To their own profit, indeed, they look ; what troubles them 
 
 further ? 
 
 " Farther, you ought to know, my king, and let not the 
 
 story 
 Give you distress, there also stood on the rim of the 
 
 mirror, 
 Fairly formed and clearly described, how my father, in 
 
 days past, 
 Made an agreement with Hintze to go and seek for ad- 
 ventures. 190 
 How the two most solemnly swore, in every danger, 
 Bravely to hold together, and share alike in the plunder. 
 As they went forward a space, they saw the dogs and the 
 
 huntsmen 
 Not very far from the road, and then said Hintze, the 
 
 tom-cat : 
 ' Good advice seems getting dear ! ' My ancient responded : 
 ' Truly, strange though it seem, my sack with the very 
 
 best counsel 196 
 
 I have stuffed full. Now let us remember the oath we 
 
 have taken, 
 And hold bravely together, for that above all is the first 
 
 thing.' 
 Hintze said in reply : ' Whatever may happen I care not, 
 One trick only I know, and that I intend to make use of.' 200 
 Thereupon quickly he sprang up a tree to get into 
 
 safety, 
 Out of the pow'r of the dogs, and thus he abandon'd his 
 
 uncle. 
 
146 REINEKE FOX. [CANTO X. 
 
 There stood my father aghast with fear, for the hunters 
 
 were coining. 
 Then said Hintze : ' Ah ! uncle, how are you ? Do open 
 
 your sack, now ! 
 If it is full of advice, you'll want it : the time is arriving,' 
 And the hunters blew on their horns, and called to each 
 
 other. 206 
 
 San my father, so ran the hounds as they followed him, 
 
 barking. 
 He with anxiety sweated, and nature freely relieved him : 
 Then he found himself lighter, and so his enemies fled 
 
 from. 
 
 " Shamefully, as you have heard, his nearest relation 
 
 betrayed him 210 
 
 Whom he trusted in most. His life came nigh to an ending, 
 For the dogs were too quick, and if he had not recollected 
 One of his burrows in time, ere long would all have been 
 
 over: 
 Into this, however, he crept, and his enemies lost him. 
 There are many such rascals about, as Hintze at that 
 
 time 215 
 
 Proved himself to my father : how should I honour and 
 
 love him ? 
 Half I have really forgiven, but still there is something 
 
 remaining — 
 All of this with pictures and words was engraved on the 
 
 mirror. 
 
 " Further was there to be seen of the wolf a singular picture, 
 How he is ready his thanks to return for favours im- 
 parted. 220 
 On the common he found a horse, of which there was 
 
 nothing 
 But the bones remaining, but hungry he greedily gnaw'd 
 
 them, 
 Till a pointed bone stuck crossways fast in his gullet : 
 Very anxious he grew, for it seemed a serious matter. 224 
 Messenger after messenger sent he to summon the doctors: 
 No one was able to help him, although a recompense 
 ample 
 
CANTO X.] EBINEKE POX. 147 
 
 He had offered to all. The crane at last made his appear- 
 ance 
 
 With the red cap on his head. Him thus the sick man 
 entreated : 
 
 ' Doctor, assist me quickly out of this strait, and I'll give 
 
 you, 
 
 If you only extract the hone, as much as you ask for.' 230 
 
 Then the crane believed his words, and inserted his long 
 
 beak, 
 Head and all, in the jaws of the wolf, and the splinter 
 
 extracted. 
 * Oh ! ' and ' Oh ! ' cried the wolf ; ' you are doing me 
 
 harm, for it hurts me ! 
 Let it not happen again ! For this one time I forgive you. 
 Had it been anyone else, I certainly would not have borne 
 
 it.' 235 
 
 ' Be content,' responded the crane ; ' you are perfectly 
 
 cured now. 
 Pay me the fee, I have earned it well, and been of some 
 
 service.' 
 ' Hark to the fool! ' said the wolf. ' It is I who suffer the 
 
 evil; 
 He demands the reward, and has quite forgotten the 
 
 favour 
 "Which I have just conferr'd ; for did I not let him escape 
 
 with *4° 
 
 Beak and skull unhurt, which in my jaws were inserted ? 
 Did not this huckster hurt me? If anyone talks of 
 
 rewarding, 
 Might I not, forsooth, myself be the first to demand it ? ' 
 Such is the way that rogues are wont to deal with their 
 
 servants. 
 Such and similar stories embellish' d, in carving artistic, 245 
 All the frame of the mirror, with many engraved decorations, 
 Many a golden legend. Of such a beautiful jewel 
 I was unworthy, so mean as I am, and therefore I sent it 
 Unto my lady, the queen. By such a gift I intended 
 Full of respect to show myself to her and her husband. 250 
 Very much grieved were both my children, the innocent 
 
 youngsters, 
 
148 REINBKE POX. [CANTO X. 
 
 When ■with the mirror I parted. They used to jump and 
 
 to gambol 
 Close in front of the glass, and look at themselves and their 
 
 hrushlets, 
 Hanging down from thftir backs, and laugh at their own 
 
 little faces. 
 I, alas ! little expected the death of the high-minded 
 
 Lampe, 255 
 
 When I frankly entrusted the treasures to him and to 
 
 Bellyn, 
 In all faith and truth, for I thought they were both honest 
 
 people : 
 No better friends to myself had I ever hoped to procure me. 
 Woe, oh ! woe on the murderer fall ! I shall surely dis- 
 cover 
 Who has hidden the treasures ; no murder can ever lie 
 
 hidden. 260 
 
 Would that some one or other in this very circle could 
 
 tell us 
 Where those treasures remain, and say how Lampe was 
 
 slaughter'd ! 
 
 " Look, my gracious king, there must come daily before you 
 Many such weighty things that you cannot always recall 
 
 them ; 
 Yet, perhaps, you in some wise remember the excellent 
 
 service 265 
 
 Which my father to yours in this very place once afforded. 
 Sick did your father lie; of his life came mine to the rescue 
 Tet you say that neither I nor my father have shown you 
 Aught that was good. May it please you a little while 
 
 longer to hear me. 
 Now permit me to tell you that once at the Court of your 
 
 father 270 
 
 Mine was assigned a high degree of importance and honour 
 As an experienced leech. He knew how an invalid's water 
 Wisely to test, and Nature to help, and any affection 
 Or of the eyes or the noblest members to heal he was 
 
 able. 
 Well he knew the strength of emetics, and understood 
 
 also 275 
 
CANTO X.] EEINBKE FOX,, 149 
 
 All about teeth, and sportively pulled out those that -were 
 
 aching. 
 Willingly do I believe that you have forgotten. No 
 
 wonder, 
 For you were only three years old. Tour father at that 
 
 time 
 Lay in very great pain in his bed in the cold of the winter; 
 Yes, they had to lift and carry him even. Physicians, 280 
 All between here and Eome, he summoned together ; and 
 
 each one 
 Had quite given him up. At last he sent for the old man ; 
 He the urgency heard, and knew the dangerous illness. 
 
 " Greatly grieved thereat was my father. ' My king,' he 
 
 exclaimed then ; 
 ' Gracious Sire, my life how willingly would I surrender, 285 
 Could I but save you thereby. Tet let me your water 
 
 examine 
 In this glass.' The king obeyed the word of my father, 
 But complain' d that the longer he lay, the worse he 
 
 was getting. 
 On the mirror 'twas fashioned how in that fortunate 
 
 moment 
 Cured your father became, for mine said after re- 
 flexion : 290 
 ' H you wish for health, resolve, delaying no longer, 
 Off a wolf's liver to make your dinner. 'Tis needful, 
 
 however, 
 It should be seven years old at the least, and this you must 
 
 eat up. 
 Tou must by no means delay, your life is dependent 
 
 upon it. 
 Nought but blood in your water is seen : and be quick and 
 
 determine.' 2 95 
 
 " In the circle was standing the wolf, who liked not to hear 
 
 this. 
 And your father thereupon said; 'Tou have all of you 
 
 heard it ! 
 Hark you, Sir Wolf ! In order that I may recover, you 
 
 will not 
 
150 BEINEKB FOX. [CANTO X. 
 
 Grudge me your liver ? ' The wolf to his question quickly 
 
 gave answer : 
 ' Not five years ago was I born : what good will it do 
 
 you ? ' 3°o 
 
 'Empty chatter!' insisted my father. 'That shall not 
 
 delay us. 
 That I shall see by your liver.' They took him straight to 
 
 the kitchen, 
 Where they took out his liver, and found it just what was 
 
 wanted. 
 Straightway your father ate it, and at that very same 
 
 moment 
 Found himself perfectly free from every weakness and 
 
 ailment. 305 
 
 Thanks enough to my father he gave, and all in the 
 
 Palace 
 Had to address him as Doctor, and no one dared to 
 
 forget it. 
 
 " Thus did my father obtain the king's continual favour. 
 After this your father bestowed, I know it for certain, 
 On him a buckle of gold, as well as a scarlet biretta, 310 
 Which he should wear before all the lords, that they duly 
 
 might hold him 
 High in esteem. But now, alas ! all this has been 
 
 altered, 
 In the case of his son, and none any longer remember 
 Aught of my father's virtues. The most rapacious of 
 
 scoundrels 
 Find promotion. The only thought is of gain and of 
 
 profit; ' 315 
 
 Justice and wisdom stand in the background. Impudent 
 
 flunkeys 
 Eise to be lords, for this must the poor man commonly 
 
 suffer. 
 When such a man attains to power, he blindly belabours 
 All the people around, and forgetting the rank that he 
 
 sprang from 
 Thinks how he from every game some profit may gather. 
 Round about great men are found many people of this 
 
 kind, 321 
 
CANTO X.] REINEKE FOX. 151 
 
 Ne'er do they list to petitions to which there are not at 
 the same time 
 
 Handsome presents attached, and when they give judg- 
 ments for people, 
 
 ' Bring,' is the word : ' You must bring for the first, the 
 second, and third times.' 
 
 " Such are the greedy wolves who reserve the daintiest 
 
 morsels 325 
 
 All for themselves, and had they to suffer but trivial 
 
 damage 
 Even to save their master's life they would hesitate 
 
 greatly. 
 Even his king to serve the wolf would not give up his 
 
 liver ! 
 What is a liver? I say it plainly, 'twere better that 
 
 twenty 
 "Wolves their livers should lose, if only the king and his 
 
 consort 330 
 
 Theirs might safely preserve, for the loss would still be the 
 
 smaller. 
 When a seed is bad, what good can it ever engender ? 
 That which occurr'd in the time of your youth, you cannot 
 
 remember ; 
 I know it well, however, as if it but yesterday happen'd. 
 It was my father that wished the story to stand on the 
 
 mirror, 335 
 
 Precious stones embellish'd the work, with tendrils of gold 
 
 work. 
 Life and wealth I would risk if I could but discover that 
 
 mirror." 
 
 " Eeineke," answered the king ; " I understand what thou 
 
 sayest : 
 I have heard thy words and all the tale thou hast told us. 
 If thy father were here so great, and if he accomplished 
 So many useful deeds, 'twas a long time ago that he did 
 
 them. 34i 
 
 These I cannot recall, nor has any one told me about 
 
 them. 
 Tour affairs, on the other hand, I am constantly hearing ; 
 
152 BEINEKE POX. [CANTO X. 
 
 You are in every game — at least, so the people all tell me. 
 If they wrong you in this, and the stories are old ones 
 
 repeated, 345 
 
 Let me for once hear something good ; one meets with it 
 
 seldom." 
 
 " Sire," said Eeineke then : " I must now to you on the 
 
 subject 
 Speak very plainly out, the matter nearly concerns me. 
 Good have I done to yourself ! though I bring it not up 
 
 to reproach you. 
 God forbid I should ! for I acknowledge my duty 350 
 
 Tou to serve to the best of my power. Tou have not for- 
 gotten 
 Surely the story, how I, with Isegrim, had the good 
 
 fortune 
 Once to run down a boar : it cried, and we worried and 
 
 ' killed it. 
 Tou came up complaining greatly, and said that your wife 
 
 was 
 Coming a little behind you, and if any person would give 
 
 you 355 
 
 Some small portion of food, you would both be greatly 
 
 beholden. 
 ' Give us a part of your gains : ' at that time thus you 
 
 demanded. 
 Isegrim said indeed ' Yes,' but under his breath he was 
 
 mumbling 
 Something one could not make out, but I on the other hand 
 
 answer'd : 
 ' Sire ! were herds of swine in the case, you should not be 
 
 grudged them. 360 
 
 Say, then, who is the one to divide it ? ' ' The wolf,' you 
 
 responded. 
 Isegrim greatly rejoiced: he divided as he was accus- 
 tomed, 
 Void of shame or modesty, giving you only a quarter, 
 And your wife a second, and fell himself on the halt 
 
 left, 
 Greedily gorging himself to the full, while handing me 
 
 over 365 
 
CANTO X.] REINEKE FOX. 153 
 
 Only the snout and the ears and half of the lights for my 
 
 portion. 
 All the rest he kept for himself; you, too, have be- 
 held it. 
 Small generosity showed he us there. You know it, O 
 
 monarch ! 
 Your own portion was quickly consumed, and I saw that 
 
 your hunger 
 Still remain'd unappeased ; but Isegrim would not perceive 
 
 it, 37° 
 
 Went on chewing himself, and offered you never a morsel. 
 Then, however, a violent blow with your claws you inflicted 
 Over his ears, that damaged his skin : he speedily vanish'd 
 Bruised on his head with a bleeding pate, and howling in 
 
 anguish. 
 And you cried to him then : ' Come back, and learn to be 
 
 modest. 375 
 
 When thou dividest again, do it better, or else I will show 
 
 you. 
 Now make haste and go and bring us some more for our 
 
 dinners ! ' 
 ' Sire,' I said, ' if this is your order I'll after him follow. 
 I can bring you something, I know.' To this you con- 
 sented. 
 Awkward enough did Isegrim look; he bled, and he panted, 
 Grumbling to me, but I drove him on and we hunted 
 
 together 3 Sl 
 
 Catching a calf, the food you love. And when we had 
 
 brought it, 
 Fat was it found to be. And you laughed and spoke in 
 
 my honour 
 Many a friendly word. A capital fellow, you called me, 
 One who was fit to send out in the hour of need, and you 
 
 said, too : 3 8 5 
 
 ' You shall divide the calf.' And I said, ' A half already 
 
 belongs to 
 You, and the other belongs to the queen. What is found 
 
 in the body, 
 Such as heart, and liver, and lights, belongs, as is fitting, 
 To your children. I take the feet as I like them for 
 gnawing. 
 
154 BEINEKE FOX. [CANTO X. 
 
 Lastly, the wolf shall receive the head, the delicate 
 morsel. 390 
 
 " When you had heard this speech, you said : ' Who was 
 
 it that taught you 
 Thus in court fashion to carve so well ? I should like you 
 
 to tell me.' 
 Then I replied : ' My teacher is near : it is he with the red 
 
 head, 
 And with the bleeding crown, that my understanding has 
 
 open'd. 
 For this morning I saw how he the porker divided, 395 
 And I learnt to seize on the meaning of such a division ; 
 Calf or pig, I find it easy and will not forget- it. 
 
 " Thus the wolf in his greed was cover 'd with shame and 
 
 confusion. 
 There are quite enough of his kind who greedily swallow 
 Of the farms the abundant fruits, and the farmers to- 
 gether. 400 
 All that is well they lightly destroy, and no moderation 
 Is to be looked for from them, and woe to the land that 
 may rear them. 
 
 " See, Sir King ; thus have I often upheld you in honour. 
 
 All that I now possess, or that I may gain in the future, 
 
 All I gladly devote to you and the queen ; be it little 405 
 
 Or be it ever so much, of all you may take the best 
 portion. 
 
 When you remember the calf and the pig, you see where 
 the truth is, 
 
 Where true loyalty dwells. ■ And now would Isegrim dare to 
 
 Measure himself with Eeineke ? Tet, worse luck ! in 
 position, 
 
 Is the wolf as the steward-in-chief, and oppresses the people. 
 
 Little he cares for your good; to the half or even the 
 whole he 41 ' 
 
 Knows how his own to promote. And thus, 'tis a fact that 
 with Brown he 
 
 Gives you advice, and Eeineke' s words have little at- 
 tention. 
 
CANTO X.] BEINEKE FOX. 155 
 
 " Sire ! It'is true that I am accused. I will not evade it. 
 I must go through with it now, and therefore let it be 
 
 spoken! 415 
 
 Any one here who thinks he has proofs let him come with 
 
 the vouchers. 
 Let him keep close to the matter, and duly deposit as 
 
 surety 
 Either his goods, or his ear, or his life, in case he should 
 
 lose it : 
 I, on my part, will do the like. For thus has it always 
 Been the custom in law. Let us have it so now ; and the 
 
 matter, 420 
 
 As it is argued for and against, will, after this fashion, 
 Honestly be conducted and judged — I dare to demand 
 
 it ! " 
 
 " Now, however, it be," said the king, " the road of true 
 
 justice 
 Cannot, and shall not be shorten'd, for this I never have 
 
 suffer'd. 
 Great is, indeed, the suspicion that thou in the murder of 
 
 Lampe, 4 2 5 
 
 Our honest envoy, a part didst play! I loved him sin- 
 cerely, 
 And was sorry to lose him, and grieved beyond moderation 
 When they drew his bleeding head from out of thy 
 
 wallet. 
 On the spot did Bellyn atone, as his wicked companion, 
 And thou may'st the matter judicially carry yet 
 
 further ; 430 
 
 As concerning myself I pardon Beineke freely, 
 For he has held by me in many critical cases. 
 But if any have further complaints we are ready to hear 
 
 him; 
 Unimpeachable witnesses let him produce, and in due 
 
 form 
 Bring against Beineke his complaints : he is here to 
 
 be dealt with." 435 
 
 Beineke said : " gracious Sire ! I thank you sincerely, 
 All are heard by you, and enjoy the blessings of justice. 
 
156 EBINEKE FOX. [CANTO X. 
 
 Let me solemnly swear with what disconsolate feelings 
 I let Bellyn and Lampe go — I had a foreboding 
 Something perchance might happen to both, and dearly I 
 loved them ! " 440 
 
 Thus did Eeineke cleverly garnish his words and narra- 
 tion. 
 
 All believed him; he had described the treasures so 
 finely, 
 
 And appeared so earnest, he seemed the truth to be 
 speaking ; 
 
 Nay, they tried to console him, and thus the king was 
 deceived too, 
 
 Whom the treasures had greatly pleased : he longed to 
 possess them ; 445 
 
 And to Eeineke said : " Be cheerful, travel and seek them 
 
 Tar and wide, and do your best to find what is miss- 
 ing; 
 
 If you want my assistance, it always stands at your 
 service." 
 
 " Thankfully," Eeineke said in reply, " I acknowledge the 
 
 favour ; 
 For these words restore me again, and let me be 
 
 hopeful. 450 
 
 Theft and murder to punish is ever the first of your 
 
 functions. 
 Still obscure is the matter to me, but it must be un- 
 
 ravell'd. 
 With the greatest zeal I will follow it up, and will travel 
 Busily day and night, and ask of all that I meet with. 
 Should I learn where they are, and should I myself be 
 
 unable 455 
 
 Them to recover, — too weak should I be, — I will ask for 
 
 assistance. 
 This you will grant me at once, and safely the thing may 
 
 be settled. 
 If I am lucky enough to bring you the treasures, my 
 
 trouble 
 Will in the end be rewarded ; my loyalty will have been 
 
 tested." 
 
CANTO X.J REINEKE FOX. 157 
 
 Then the king was highly pleased, and in each and all 
 ways 460 
 
 Reineke's plans approved, who his lies had so cleverly 
 woven. 
 
 All the rest believed on him, too ; he might venture to 
 travel 
 
 And to go wherever he pleased, without any question. 
 
 Isegrim could not contain- himself longer, and growl'd as 
 
 he answered : 
 " Gracious Sire ! So now you believe once more in the 
 
 rascal, 463 
 
 Twice and thrice who has taken you in ! 'Tis truly a 
 
 marvel ! 
 Do you not see the rascal deceives you, and all of us 
 
 injures ? 
 Truth he never can speak, and wanton lies he devises. 
 But so lightly he shall not escape, and you shall discover 
 What a false scoundrel he is. I know three heavy trans- 
 gressions 47° 
 That he has wrought; and though we should fight he 
 
 shall not escape me. 
 True, we are asked for witnesses' proofs, but how would 
 
 they help us ? 
 If they stood here and spoke, and swore through the- 
 
 whole of the sitting, 
 Would it avail ? He would still go on and do as it pleased 
 
 him. 
 Often no proof is forthcoming : in such case would not the 
 
 rascal 475 
 
 Practise his tricks as before, and who would venture to 
 
 argue ? 
 Something he tacks on to each, and all of us fear to be 
 
 injured. 
 Tou and yours will find it out also, and suffer together. 
 Past I will hold him to-day : he shall neither flinch nor 
 
 evade it. 
 Justice he now shall render to me, so let him be wary. 480 
 
ELEVENTH CANTO. 
 
 ISEGKIM made his complaint and said : " I will tell you 
 about it ! 
 
 Eeineke, gracious Sire, as always lie has been a scoundrel, 
 
 So he remains ; he stands up and tells the most scanda- 
 lous stories 
 
 Me and my kindred to injure. And thus for me he has 
 always, 
 
 And still more for my wife, contrived the most cruel dis- 
 honour. 5 
 
 Thus did he once on a time induce her to wade in a mill- 
 pond, 
 
 Through the morass, and engaged that she, in the course of 
 the daytime, 
 
 Many a fish should catch. She had her tail in the 
 water, 
 
 Only to dip, and allow it to hang, the fish would bite 
 firmly, 
 
 So that of what she caught she could not dispose of a 
 quarter. 10 
 
 Wading and swimming she came towards the end of the 
 mill-pond 
 
 Uigh to the sluices, for there the damm'd up water was 
 deeper. 
 
 Then he told to let her tail hang in the water at sun- 
 down. 
 
 Great was the cold in those parts, and it was beginning to 
 freeze hard, 
 
 So that she scarce could longer endure it; her tail in 
 a short time 15 
 
 Into the ice was frozen so fast that she could not remove 
 it. 
 
 Then she thought that all was right, and the fish were so 
 heavy. 
 
CANTO XI.] REINEKE BOX. 159 
 
 Reineke saw it, the scandalous thief, and what he accom- 
 
 plish'd 
 Dare I not say : he came, and alas ! overcame her com- 
 pletely. 
 Prom this place he shall not go. The outrage shall 
 
 cost us, 20 
 
 One of the two, this day, as you see us here, his existence. 
 For he shall not talk himself off, for I was a witness 
 Of that deed, when chance had taken me on to a hillock. 
 Loud for help I heard her cry, the wretched deceived 
 
 one. 
 Past in the ice she was caught, and could not protect her- 
 self from him ; 25 
 And I came, and was forced with my own eyes there to 
 
 behold it. 
 Truly a marvel it is that my heart was not broken 
 
 within me. 
 'Reineke,' cried I, 'what art thou doing?' He heard 
 
 • me, and hasten'd 
 Off on his way. I betook me there with sorrowful feelings, 
 Porced to wade and freeze in the icy water, and 
 
 managed 3° 
 
 Only after much trouble to break the ice and release her. 
 Badly enough we succeeded, alas ! in spite of her efforts, 
 Fully a fourth of her tail was caught in the ice and 
 
 remain'd there. 
 Loud and long she wail'd and cried. She was heard by the 
 
 peasants. 
 Porth they came and espied us there, and call'd to each 
 
 other; 35 
 
 Hastily over the dam they ran with their pikes and their 
 
 axes; 
 Distaff in hand the womenfolk came too, clamouring 
 
 shrilly. 
 ' Catch them ! Beat them, and knock them down ! ' they 
 
 cried to each other. 
 Never so anxious was I as then, and Grieremund knows it. 
 Barely we managed to save our lives with labour and 
 
 running, 4° 
 
 Till our skins were smoking. And then came running a 
 
 fellow 
 
160 EEINBKE FOX. [CANTO XI. 
 
 Who was an awkward rogue ; he carried a pike for his 
 
 weapon. 
 Light of foot was he, and he stabb'd at and savagely 
 
 press'd us ; 
 Had not night come on our lives had surely been for- 
 feit. 44 
 All this time the women kept crying, the witches, declaring 
 That we had eaten their sheep. They did their best to get 
 
 at us, 
 Foully abusing, and calling us names. However, we turn'd 
 
 back 
 Into the water again from the bank, and quickly conceal' d 
 
 us 
 Under the rushes, and there the peasants dared not pursue 
 
 us, 
 For it had now grown dark ; they returned, and betook 
 
 themselves homewards. 50 
 
 That was a narrow escape ! Thus, gracious monarch, you 
 
 see here 
 Eavishing, murder, deceit; of such and other transgressions 
 Now is the talk, and these, my king, you will punish 
 
 severely." 
 
 When the king had heard the complaint, he said, " On this 
 matter 
 
 Justice shall duly be done ; but let us hear Eeineke's 
 version. 55 
 
 Eeineke said: "If the matter stood thus, it would cer- 
 tainly bring me 
 
 Little of honour : and G-od forbid, in His infinite mercy, 
 
 That you should find it to be as he tells us ! I will not 
 deny this, 
 
 That I have taught her how to catch fish ; and the best 
 way have "told her 
 
 How to the water to come, and have shown her the road to 
 the mill-pond. 60 
 
 But as soon as she heard of fish, so greedily ran she, 
 
 That at once were means, moderation, and teaching for- 
 gotten. 
 
 If in the ice she was frozen, it was because she had sat 
 there 
 
CANTO XI.] REINEKE FOX. 161 
 
 Far too long. Her tail betimes had she drawn from the 
 
 water 
 Fish enough she had caught to furnish a capital dinner. 65 
 Too great greediness always is shameful. Whenever the 
 
 heart is 
 Prone to discontent, it needs must lose not a little. 
 He who has the spirit of avarice ever lives anxious ; 
 No one can sate it ; and this Frau Gieremund learnt by 
 
 experience, 
 "When in the ice she was frozen ; she pays me back for my 
 
 trouble 70 
 
 Scurvily. Tet for myself I can say that I honestly help'd 
 
 her, 
 For I pushed, and tried with all my strength to release her, 
 But she was far too heavy for me ; and whilst I was 
 
 trying 
 Isegrim stumbled upon me — along the bank he was 
 
 walking. 
 There he stood, and call'd from above, and savagely cursed 
 
 me. 75 
 
 Verily I was frighten'd at hearing these beautiful blessings ; 
 Once, and twice, and thrice he hurl'd the most horrible 
 
 curses 
 At my head, and shrieked, impell'd by his passionate mad- 
 ness, 
 And I thought to myself, ' You had better not wait any 
 
 longer, 
 Better to run than to rot.' It was just in time that I did 
 
 so, 80 
 
 For he was ready to tear me pieces. Whenever it happens 
 That two dogs for a bone are fighting together, 'tis certain 
 One must lose it, and so I thought I could not do better 
 Than to avoid his wrath, and flee his unreasoning passion. 
 Savage he was, and is so still, how can he deny it ? 85 
 
 Ask his wife ! For how does he, the liar, concern me ? 
 For as soon as he saw that his wife in the ice was bef rozen 
 Savagely cursing and scolding he came and help'd to re- 
 lease her. 
 H the peasants follow'd them up, it had this advantage : 
 Setting in motion their blood, the cold it kept them from 
 
 feeling. 9° 
 
162 REINEKE FOX. [CANTO XI. 
 
 What more is there to say? No doubt it is verj bad 
 
 conduct, 
 One's own wife with such abusive lies to bespatter. 
 Ask her herself, she is standing there. If truth he had 
 
 spoken 
 Would she herself have f ail'd to complain ? I ask in the 
 
 meanwhile 
 One single week's delay to beg my friends for their 
 
 counsel 95 
 
 As to the answer 'tis fitting to make to the wolf and his 
 
 charges." 
 
 Grieremund said thereupon : " In all your thoughts and 
 
 your actions 
 Roguery only is found, as we know; mere lies and 
 
 deception, 
 Knavery, sham, and impudence. He who your captious 
 
 speeches 
 Trusts in, is sure to be injured at last. You ever are 
 
 using ioo 
 
 Loose and profligate words ; and this I found at the 
 
 well once. 
 In it were hanging two buckets, and you, I cannot say 
 
 wherefore, 
 Having in one of them placed yourself and gone to the 
 
 bottom, 
 Found you had no means of getting again to the surface. . 
 Lustily did you complain. I came to the well in the 
 
 morning, 105 
 
 And I asked : ' What brought you here ? ' ' Dear gossip,' 
 
 you answer' d, 
 ' Just in time do you come ! I'll give you ev'ry advan- 
 tage. 
 Seat yourself in the bucket above, and you will be brought 
 
 down 
 Hither, to eat till you're full of fish.' I had come for 
 
 misfortune, 
 For I believed when you swore that so many fish you had 
 
 eaten no 
 
 That your stomach was aehing. And thus I allow'd you 
 
 to fool me — 
 
CANTO XI.J BBINBKE POX. 163 
 
 Fool that I was — and got into the pail, which immediately 
 
 went down, 
 While the other came up, and the pair of us met in the 
 
 middle. 
 Wonderful seem'd it to me, and I asked you, full of 
 
 amazement : 
 'Tell me, how is it done?' But you replied to my 
 
 question, 115 
 
 * Up and down, so it goes with the world, so goes it with us 
 
 two. 
 Thus it is all in the usual course : whilst some are 
 
 degraded 
 Others are raised on high, in .accord with the merits of 
 
 each one.' 
 Out of the bucket you jumped, and ran away in a hurry. 
 Troubled I sat in the well, and the livelong day had to wait 
 
 there, 120 
 
 And in the evening plenty of blows with the cudgel to 
 
 suffer 
 Ere I escaped, for several peasants came to the well side. 
 These observed me there, as, pinched with terrible hunger, 
 Anxious and mourning I sat, and felt a most pitiful object. 
 One to another the peasants said : ' Just look ! In the 
 
 bucket 125 
 
 Down below our enemy sits, that our flocks has diminished.' 
 
 * Pull him up ! ' said one of the others, ' I'll hold myself 
 
 ready, 
 Just at the brink to catch him at once ; for our lambs he 
 
 shall pay us ! ' 
 How he received me above, why that was a sight to be 
 
 pitied : 
 Blow upon blow there fell on my hide. I had had in my 
 
 life-time 130 
 
 No more grievous day, and death I hardly avoided." 
 
 Reineke said thereupon : " The result consider more closely, 
 And you will certainly find that the blows for you have 
 
 been wholesome. 
 I, as far as I am concerned, would rather not have them. 
 And as the matter stood, it was clear that one of the two 
 
 must . 135 
 
164 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO XI. 
 
 Tate the blows on himself, for both of us could not escape 
 
 them. 
 Mark this well, it will he to your profit, and no one in 
 
 future 
 Trust in similar cases. The world is full of deception." 
 
 " Well," remarked the wolf, " what further proof is there 
 
 wanting ? 
 No one has injured me more than this unprincipled 
 traitor. '4° 
 
 One tale yet is not told, how he in Saxony brought me 
 Once, amidst the tribe of apes, to shame and confusion. 
 He persuaded me there to enter into a cavern, 
 Knowing beforehand well that evil was sure to befall me, 
 Had I not speedily fled, I had lost my ears and my eye- 
 sight. '45 
 For he glibly declared, before I went into the cavern, 
 There I should find his lady aunt ; he spoke of the she- 
 ape. 
 Yet he was sorry that I came out. He sent me with 
 
 malice 
 Into the horrible nest : I thought it was hell I had got 
 to." 
 
 Eeineke thereupon said before all the Lords of the 
 
 Palace : '5° 
 
 " Isegrim's speech is bewilder'd ; he seems not quite in his 
 
 senses. 
 If of the she-ape he wishes to tell you, he'd best be 
 
 explicit. 
 It was a year and a half ago that be went to the country; 
 Saxony, namely, with great parade, and I followed after. 
 So much is true, the rest is a lie — they really were not 
 
 apes. '55 
 
 They were monkeys ' of which he talks, and I'll certainly 
 
 never 
 Recognize these as cousins of mine. Now, Martin, the 
 
 ape, he 
 
 1 The distinction made by Eeineke seems to be a mere verbal quibble. 
 The German words are Affen and Meerkatzen. 
 
CANTO XI.] EBINBKE POX. 165 
 
 And Emu Biiekenau are my relations ; as aunt I revere 
 
 her, 
 Him as my cousin : I pride myself on it. A notary 
 
 is he, 
 Understanding the ways of the law. Now touching these 
 
 creatures: 160 
 
 All that Isegrim says is meant to insult me ; for nothing 
 Have I with them to do ; they have never been my 
 
 relations. 
 Like to the devil in hell they are. And if at that 
 
 time I 
 Call'd the old one my aunt, I did it for reasons of prudence. 
 Nothing I lost thereby, and this I willingly grant you. 165 
 Well did she cater for me, or else she might have been 
 
 throttled. 
 
 " Look you, my lords ! We had gone aside, and out of the 
 
 high road ; 
 Going behind a hill, a gloomy cavern we noticed, 
 Deep and long and dismal. As usual when he was 
 
 hungry, 
 Isegrim felt himself weak, and when has anyone ever 17° 
 Seen him so well provided that he has been fully contented ? 
 Therefore to him I remark'd : ' 'Tis certain that here in 
 
 the cavern 
 Food enough will be found, and I make no doubt that its 
 
 inmates. 
 Gladly will share with us what they have : we come 
 
 opportunely.' 
 Isegrim answer' d, however, and said : ' I will wait for 
 
 you, uncle, 17s 
 
 Out here, under the tree. In all ways you are experter 
 New acquaintance in making, and if they give you some 
 
 dinner, 
 Come and let me know.' The rascal thought that he first 
 
 would 
 Thus at my risk hold back and see what occurred. I 
 
 betook me 
 Into the cave, however, and not without trepidation, 180 
 Through the long and crooked approach I walk'd It was 
 
 endless ; 
 
166 EEISTEKE FOX. [CANTO XI. 
 
 But what a sight was there ! I would not again in my 
 
 lifetime 
 Undergo such a shock for ruddy gold in abundance. 
 What a nest full of hideous beasts — both larger and 
 
 smaller ! 
 And the mother herself — I thought it was surely the 
 
 devil! 1S5 
 
 Wide and large was her mouth, with teeth projecting and 
 
 Very long nails on her hands and feet, and behind her a 
 
 long tail 
 Hanging down from her back ; — a sight so horrid I 
 
 never 
 Saw in the whole of my days. The black, detestable 
 
 children 
 Were of unusual forms, like nought but juvenile goblins. 
 Savagely stared she at me, and I thought, Oh, would I 
 
 were elsewhere ! 191 
 
 She was larger than Isegrim's self, _ and some of the 
 
 children 
 Almost matched her in size. In the midst of a litter of 
 
 foul hay 
 Pound I the loathsome brood, and over and over be- 
 
 slobber'd 
 "Up to their ears in filth, and there was a stink in their 
 
 quarters 195 
 
 Worse than the pitch of hell. To tell you the truth from 
 
 the bottom, 
 Little there was to please me there, for they were so 
 
 many, 
 Whilst but alone I stood ; they made most horrid grimaces ! 
 But I took thought, and a way of escape I tried to 
 
 discover, 
 Greeting them fairly— though otherwise thinking — and 
 
 managed to play the 200 
 
 Part of a well-known' friend. ' Madame Aunt,' I said to 
 
 the old one ; 
 Calling the children cousins, and words in abundance 
 
 supplying, 
 ' Long may the merciful G-od for days of happiness spare 
 
 you! 
 
CANTO XI.] REINBKE FOX. 167 
 
 Tell me, are those your children ? Forsooth, I need not 
 have asked you. 
 
 How it delights me to see them all. Good heavens ! How 
 sprightly ! 105 
 
 And how handsome they are ! One would take them all 
 to be princes. 
 
 Let me wish you joy that with such excellent offspring 
 
 You increase our race. It gives me delight beyond 
 measure. 
 
 Lucky I think myself to know of such a connexion, 
 
 For in times of need one wants the help of one's kins- 
 folk.' 210 
 
 "When I paid her such honour, however much in my 
 
 conscience 
 Otherwise did I think, no less on her side, she repaid 
 
 me, 
 Called me ' Uncle,' and acted so friendly ; little enough 
 
 though 
 Did the fool to my race belong. Nor could it much 
 
 hurt me 
 This once only to call her aunt. Meanwhile I was 
 
 sweating "5 
 
 Over and over again with fright. But civilly spoke she : 
 ' Eeineke, worthy relation, I bid you most heartily welcome ! 
 Are you also well ? For the rest of my life I shall thank 
 
 you 
 That you have paid me a visit. Henceforth you may into 
 
 my children 
 Clever ideas instil that they may honour attain to.' 220 
 Thus did I hear her speak. And this to put it in few 
 
 words, 
 Richly had I deserved, in that as my aunt I addressed 
 
 her, 
 And had spared the truth. But I wished myself out in 
 
 the open ; 
 But she would not excuse me, and said : ' My uncle, you 
 
 must not 
 Go away unrefresh'd. Just wait ! Let us offer you some- 
 thing.' "5 
 And she brought me dishes enough ; I certainly cannot 
 
168 EEINEKE POX. [CANTO XI. 
 
 Now their names recall, yet very greatly I wondered 
 How she came by them all. On fish and roebuck, and other 
 Excellent game I dined ; the taste of it mightily pleased me. 
 When I had eaten enough, she gave me a load in ad- 
 dition, 2 3° 
 Dragging a piece of venison forth she told me to take it 
 Back to my folks at home ; and I bade farewell with my 
 
 best grace. 
 ' Eeineke,' said she again, ' come often to see me.' I 
 
 would have 
 Promised whatever she wished; I managed to take my 
 
 departure. 
 Neither for nose nor eyes was it pleasant inside : I had 
 
 almost 235 
 
 Brought my death on myself, and only seeking to flee it, 
 Quickly I ran through the passage asfar as the tree at the 
 
 entrance ; 
 Isegrim lay there groaning. I said, 'How are you, my 
 
 uncle ? ' 
 'Far from well,' he replied; 'I soon must perish with 
 
 hunger.' 
 Taking compassion upon him, I gave him that capital 
 
 roast meat 240 
 
 Which I had brought from the cave ; with great avidity 
 
 ate he. 
 Many thanks he gave me then that he now has forgotten. 
 When he had done his meal, he began: 'Now tell me, I 
 
 pray you, 
 Who is it lives in the cavern ? And inside how did you 
 
 like it? 
 Good did you find it, or bad ? ' So I told him the truth of 
 
 the matter, 245 
 
 Grave him complete information. The nest was vile, not- 
 withstanding 
 Plenty of excellent food might be had. As soon as he 
 
 wanted 
 To receive his share, he might go boldly and enter, 
 Only he must above all beware, lest the truth he should 
 
 blurt out, — i 
 
 ' If you would get what you wish, then be of truth rather 
 
 sparing.' a 5° 
 
CANTO XI.] REINEXE FOX. 169 
 
 This I repeated again. For if anyone constantly has it 
 Stupidly in his mouth, he'll get persecution on all sides. 
 Always he'll stand at the back, while others get the 
 
 advantage. 
 Therefore I bade him begone, and taught him, whatever 
 
 might happen, 
 Always to speak such words as everyone likes to give ear 
 
 to ; 255 
 
 Then would people with kindness receive him. Such the 
 
 advice was, 
 Gracious king and lord, that I gave, to the best of my 
 
 conscience ; 
 But he did the reverse, and, if he has got something over, 
 Let him take what he's got: he should have done as I 
 
 told him. 
 G-rey are his locks, forsooth, and yet one searches for 
 
 wisdom 260 
 
 Underneath them in vain. Such fellows never pay heed to 
 Either prudence or subtle ideas : the value of wisdom 
 Always remains conceal' d from coarse and lubberly people. 
 Honestly did I exhort him for once of truth to be sparing. 
 ' Do not I know myself what is fitting ? ' he peevishly 
 
 answered. 265 
 
 So he went into the cavern, and there so nicely he caught 
 
 it! 
 
 " There at the back sat the hideous wife ; he thought that 
 
 the devil 
 Sat before him ! The children as well ! Then cried he, 
 
 astonish' d : 
 ' Mercy ! What hideous beasts are these ! Are all of these 
 
 creatures 
 Children of yours ? They look, in truth, like a litter of 
 
 devils. 270 
 
 Go and drown them ! That would be best, to prevent 
 
 such a vile brood 
 Spreading itself on the face of the earth ! Were they my 
 
 own children 
 I would throttle them all. With these I think you could 
 
 really 
 Unfledged devils decoy ; 'twere needful only to bind them 
 
170 EEINEKB FOX. [CANTO XI. 
 
 On to the reeds in a swamp, the whole vile smutty bat- 
 talion ; 275 
 
 Bog-apes they ought to be called ; the name would suit 
 them exactly." 
 
 "Quietly replied the mother, in wrathful syllables speaking: 
 'What sort of devil has sent us this messenger? Who 
 
 was it bade you 
 Hither to come and treat us so rudely ? And what with 
 
 my children, 
 Pretty or ugly, have you to do? Just now there has left 
 
 us 280 
 
 Beineke Pox, that experienced man : he must understand it. 
 And of my children, he strongly averred he found that 
 
 they all were 
 Handsome and well behaved ! of good demeanour : he'd 
 
 gladly 
 - Eecognize them as his kindred. He bade us be certain of 
 
 all this 
 Only an hour ago when on this spot he was standing. 285 
 If they have failed to please you as much, 'tis a positive 
 
 truth that 
 No one ask'd you to come. That, Isegrim, please to 
 
 remember.' 
 
 " Then did he ask her at once to give him some victuals, 
 
 exclaiming : 
 ' Bring it me here, or else I'll help you to find it ! And no 
 
 more 
 Speeches like those let us have ! ' He then set to work, 
 
 and was going to 290 
 
 Lay on her larder violent hands, — but that was a blunder ; 
 For she straightway threw herself on him and bit him; 
 
 and, scratching 
 Tooth and nail at his hide, she savagely claw'd him and 
 
 rent him. 
 Likewise also her whelps : they fell to biting and scratching 
 Cruelly at him. With bleeding cheeks he bellow'd and 
 
 blubber'd, 295 
 
 Made no resistance at all, but hastily ran to the entrance. 
 Sadly bitten I saw him come all scratch'd, with the tatters 
 
CANTO XI.] EEINEKB FOX. 171 
 
 Hanging loosely; an ear was split, and bloody his nose 
 
 was. 
 Many a wound they had nipped him with ; and the skin 
 
 that was on him 
 Nastily crumpled up. As he came from the entrance I 
 
 asked him : 300 
 
 'Did I not tell you the truth?' To this, however, he 
 
 answered : 
 ' Just as I thought of it so did I speak : that horrible 
 
 witch there 
 Vilely has done me shame. I wish that I had her outside 
 
 here ; 
 Dearly she'd pay for it all ! What think you, Eeineke ? 
 
 Have you 
 Ever such children beheld; so filthy a brood; so ma- 
 licious ? 305 
 All this happen'd as soon as I spoke to her. Not for a 
 
 moment 
 Grace did she grant in that hole ; I've lighted on nothing 
 
 but ill luck.* 
 
 " ' Are you out of your mind ? ' I answered. ' Wisely I 
 gave you 
 
 Other advice. I greet you most kindly (so should you 
 have spoken). 
 
 How goes all, dear Aunt, with you? And how are the 
 youngsters, 310 
 
 Good little dears? I'm perfectly charm'd once more to 
 behold them, 
 
 Nephews, little and big.' But Isegrim straightway re- 
 torted : 
 
 ' Call that woman my Aunt ? And the hideous children 
 my nephews ? 
 
 Devil may take them all ! I abominate such a connexion ! 
 
 Pah ! a thoroughly loathsome crew. No more will I see 
 them!' 315 
 
 That's why he fared so ill. 0, king, now give us your 
 judgment! 
 
 Has he a right to say I betrayed him? Let him ac- 
 knowledge, 
 
 Did not the matter occur in the very way that I tell it ? " 
 
172 KEINEKB FOX. [CANTO XI. 
 
 Isegrim answer'd in resolute tone : " We ne'er, of a surety, 
 This dispute will settle with words. Why need we to 
 
 bicker? 320 
 
 Eight is right, and he who has it will finally prove it. 
 Boldly, Eeineke, put yourself forward, and then you may 
 
 find it : 
 We with one another will fight, and settle the question. 
 Much have you found to say, as to how at the ape's 
 
 habitation 
 I from hunger suffer' d so much, and how at the time 
 
 you 3«S 
 
 Fed me so kindly, I know not with what. It was but a 
 
 small bone 
 That you brought out ; the meat you had probably eaten 
 
 beforehand. 
 There as you stand you jeer at and mock me, talking at 
 
 random, 
 Touching my honour too nearly. Tou bring suspicion 
 
 upon me 
 With most scandalous lies, as if I had been in intention 330 
 Foully conspiring against the king, and even desiring 
 Him to deprive of his life. Yet you were boasting before him 
 Somewhat of treasures conceal' d. He would not so easily 
 
 find them ! 
 Shamefully have you treated my wife, and this you shall 
 
 pay for. 
 These are the things I lay to your charge, intending to 
 
 fight you 335 
 
 Over both old and the new. I say it again : an assassin, 
 Also a traitor and thief you are. We'll try it by combat, 
 Setting life against life ! So an end to abuse and revilings. 
 Here I offer to give you a glove, as in combat judicial 
 Every challenger does. As a gage of battle accept it. 340 
 Then we- shall come to terms. The king in cognisance has it, 
 All the barons have heard it too. I hope they will also 
 Witnesses be of the combat judicial. Tou shall not escape 
 
 me 
 Till the affair is finally settled ; the end we shall see then." 
 
 Eeineke thought to himself : " 'Tis a question of life and 
 of fortune ; 345 
 
OANTO XI.] EEINEKE EOX. 173 
 
 He is so big, and I am so little. And should I in this 
 
 chance 
 Anyhow happen to fail, then all my crafty devices 
 Will have availed me little. But wait ; for now I bethink 
 
 me, 
 I the advantage have ; he has lost already his fore claws ! 
 If the fool has not cooler become, the end of the business, 35° 
 Cost whatever it may, shall not accord with his wishes." 
 
 Eeineke thereupon said to the wolf : " Tou, Isegrim, 
 
 also 
 May be to me a traitor yourself, and all the indictments 
 Which you may hope to fix upon me are wholly fictitious, 
 Are you anxious to fight ? I will risk it, without any flinch- 
 ing. 355 
 Here is my glove in return. It is what I have wished for 
 a long time." 
 
 Then tbe king received the pledges, which both of them 
 
 tender'd 
 Boldly. And then he said : " You must give me bail for 
 
 the combat, 
 That to-morrow you do not fail, for both of the parties 
 Seem confused in mind : for who can make sense of their 
 
 speeches ? " 36° 
 
 Then the bear and the cat at once were for Isegrim 
 
 sureties, 
 Brown and Hintze, to wit : at the same time Cousin 
 
 Moneke, 
 Son of ape Martin, was Eeineke' s bail, together with Grim- 
 
 bart. 
 
 " Eeineke," then Frau Eiickenau said ; " Now only be easy ; 
 
 Keep your wits. I once was taught a prayer by your 
 uncle, 365 
 
 My good man who now is at Eome. The abbot of 
 Schluckauf 
 
 Had for music composed it, and gave the same to my 
 husband, — 
 
 Whom he held in high regard — written out on a score- 
 sheet. 
 
174 BEINEKE POX. [CAUTO XI. 
 
 "This pray'r,' so the Abbot declared, 'is useful to all 
 
 men 
 Who are about to fight : they must in the morning recite 
 
 it 370 
 
 Ere they eat, and thus all day from trouble and danger 
 Tree they will be ; from death and pain and wounds be 
 
 protected.' 
 Nephew, take comfort therewith. Betimes in the morning 
 
 I'll read it 
 Over you. So shall you be of good cheer and without 
 
 apprehension." 
 " Dearest Aunt," then answered the fox ; " I heartily thank 
 
 you. 375 
 
 I shall not forget you for this, yet mostly I look for 
 Help from the righteousness of my cause and my ready 
 
 adroitness." 
 
 Eeineke's friends for the night remained together and 
 
 banish'd 
 All his misgivings with lively discourse. Frau Euckenau 
 
 only 
 Was very thoughtful for all and busy, and ordered him 
 
 quickly 380 
 
 Smooth from head to tail, from belly to breast to be 
 
 shaven ; 
 And with grease and oil to be smear' d well; Eeineke 
 
 looked then 
 Fat and round and well set up on his feet. In addition 
 Said she to him : " Pray listen, and think what you have 
 
 to accomplish ; 
 Hear the advice of sensible friends ; it will help you most 
 
 surely ; 385 
 
 Drink a great deal, and hold your water, and come in the 
 
 morning 
 Into the circle : there manage it neatly, and over and 
 
 over, 
 Wet your stubbly tail, and try to strike your opponent. 
 If you can smear his eyes, it best will answer your 
 
 purpose, 
 Then his sight will be spoilt at once, which to you will be 
 
 useful, 390 
 
CANTO XI.] EEINEKE FOX. 175 
 
 And will hinder him much. At first you must seem to be 
 
 frightened, 
 Fleeing against the wind, as fast as you're able to foot it. 
 If he follows you, stir up the dust, until you succeed in 
 Stopping his eyes with filth and sand. Then nimbly aside 
 
 jump, 
 Waiting on every movement. And when he is able to 
 
 clear them, 395 
 
 Seize the occasion at once, his eyes again to besprinkle 
 With the corrosive water ; and thus he will totally blind 
 
 be, 
 Nor be able to tell where he is, and so you will conquer. 
 Now, dear nephew, sleep for a little, and we will awake 
 
 you 
 When the time comes. But the holy words of which I 
 
 have spoken 400 
 
 I will forthwith over you read, and strengthen you thereby." 
 So she laid her hand on his head and repeated the sen- 
 tence: 
 " ' Nekrats negibaul geid sum namteflih dnudna mein 
 
 tedachs.' J 
 Now good luck ; for now you are safe !•" The same did 
 
 his uncle, 
 G-rimbart the badger say, and they took him and laid him 
 
 to slumber. 405 
 
 Calmly he slept ; the sun arose, and then came the otter 
 With the badger to waken their cousin. They greeted him 
 
 kindly, 
 Saying, " Be sure to prepare yourself well." Whereupon 
 
 did the otter 
 Bring out a young fat duckling, and said as she handed it 
 
 to him : 
 " Eat ! I have got it for you with much exertion and 
 
 jumping 4'° 
 
 On the Hunerbrot dam. I hope you will like it, my 
 
 cousin." 
 
 " That's a good token," Eeineke said, in capital humour. 
 
 1 If read backwards, Schadet Niemand tend hilfet: man muss die 
 Glaubigen starken, i.e. "Let none hurt, but help; 'tis needful to 
 strengthen the faithful." 
 
176 EEINEKE POX. [CANTO XI. 
 
 " This sort of thing is not to be scorned ; may Heaven 
 
 reward you 
 In that of me you have thought." He made himself happy 
 
 in eating 414 
 
 And in drinking too, and went, by his kinsmen supported, 
 Into the ring on the sandy plain, where the fight was 
 
 appointed. 
 
TWELFTH CANTO. 
 
 WIDEN the king on Eeineke looked and saw what a 
 figure, 
 Smoothly shaven with oil and grease all over his body, 
 In the ring he appear'd, he laughed beyond moderation. 
 " Fox ! who taught you that ? " he cried, " they have plenty 
 
 of reason 
 Eeineke Fox to call you ; for sure enough you're a 
 rascal. 5 
 
 Everywhere you know of a hole and manage to reach it." 
 
 Eeineke bowed himself deep to the king ; especially bowed he 
 
 Unto the queen, as into the ring he jauntily bounded. 
 
 There the wolf had already betaken himself with his kins- 
 folk : 
 
 One and all they wish'd to the fox an end that was shame- 
 ful. 10 
 
 Many an angry word and many a threat he was met with. 
 
 Meanwhile Lynx and Lupardus, the wards of the ring, 
 had brought forward 
 
 Holy relics ; * on which with reverence due the contenders, 
 
 Wolf and fox, made oath to the cause that each was main- 
 taining. 
 
 Isegrim swore, with violent words and threatening looks, 
 that 15 
 
 Eeineke was a traitor, a thief, and a murderer, guilty 
 Of all crimes ; convicted of rape and adulterous outrage, 
 False in every thing. Let life for life be the forfeit ! 
 Eeineke straightway swore against this, that nothing what- 
 ever 
 Of these crimes he knew, and that Isegrim lied, as he e'er 
 did, 2° 
 
 1 Relics of the saints enclosed in a casket were frequently used for 
 such a purpose as is here travestied. 
 
178 KEINEKE FOX. [CANTO XII. 
 
 And swore falsely, as usual ; yet should lie never succeed in 
 Giving his lies the semblance of truth, at all events this 
 
 time. 
 Then the wards of the ring proclaimed : " Let everyone do 
 
 now 
 What it hehoves him to do, and the right will soon be 
 
 established." 
 Great and small then left the arena ; alone the two 
 
 fighters as 
 
 There to enclose. In a trice the ape began in a whisper : 
 " Mark what I told you, forget not to follow the counsel I 
 
 gave you ! " 
 Eeineke merrily said, in reply : " Tour wise admonition 
 Gives me more heart for the work. Cheer up ! I shall not 
 
 forget now 
 Either the cunning or courage with which from manifold 
 
 dangers, 30 
 
 Greater than this, I've escaped; whereinto I often have 
 
 fallen, 
 Something or other procuring that never yet has been 
 
 paid for, 
 Venturing boldly my life. Then why should I not for this 
 
 time, too, 
 Safely stand up to this villain ? I certainly hope to disgrace 
 
 him, 
 Him and the whole of his race, and honour to gain for my 
 
 own kin. 35 
 
 All his lies I will stuff down his throat." Now were they 
 
 together 
 Left in the ring, whilst all the rest were eagerly watching. 
 
 Isegrim showed himself wild and terrible, stretching his 
 fore-claws, 
 
 On he came with open mouth, and powerful onset. 
 
 Keineke, lighter than he, escaped his raging opponent, 40 
 
 And in a moment his rough shorn tail with acid-like 
 water 
 
 Wetted, and dragg'd it along in the dust, till with sand it 
 was loaded. 
 
 Isegrim thought, ' I have got him already.' When straight- 
 way the rascal 
 
CANTO XII.] REINEKE FOX. 179 
 
 Slapp'd the tail in his eyes, and sight and hearing forsook 
 
 him. 
 Not for the first time he practised the trick, for many a 
 creature 45 
 
 Trial had made of the noxious strength of the water offen- 
 sive. 
 
 Isegrim's whelps he had blinded thus, as before was 
 related ; 
 
 Now their father he wished to mark. Then having 
 anointed 
 
 Thus his opponents eyes, he sprang aside quickly, and 
 running 
 
 Windward, he stirred up the sand, and drove the dust in 
 abundance 5° 
 
 Into the eyes of the wolf, who with all his rubbing and 
 wiping 
 
 Did himself harm in his haste, his miseries only in- 
 creasing. 
 
 Eeineke knew, on his part, how to manage his tail with 
 adroitness, 
 
 Once and again to strike his opponent and utterly blind 
 him. 
 
 Badly the wolf came off, for the fox now used his advan- 
 tage. 55 
 
 When he beheld the painfully streaming eyes of his rival, 
 
 With impetuous leaps he began at once to assail him, 
 
 Rushing upon him with vigorous blows, and scratching and 
 biting, 
 
 Striving ever anon to anoint his eyes with the lotion. 
 
 Half distracted grovell'd'the wolf, whilst Eeineke mock'd 
 him 6o 
 
 More audaciously, saying : " Ere now, Sir Wolf, you have 
 often 
 
 Swallow' d, I trow, an innocent lamb ; in the course of your 
 lifetime 
 
 Many a blameless beast devour'd. I hope that in future 
 
 They will enjoy repose : in any event be contented 
 
 Them in peace to leave, and find reward in their 
 blessings. 65 
 
 Through this atonement your soul will profit, if you in 
 especial, 
 
180 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO XII; 
 
 Patiently wait for your end. For on this occasion you shall 
 not 
 
 Out of my hands escape, but -with me you must by entrea- 
 ties 
 
 Mate your peace, and then, perchance, your life I will 
 grant you." 
 
 Thus did Eeineke hastily speak, and had his opponent 70 
 
 Tightly seized by the throat, and in this way hoped to sub- 
 due him. 
 
 Isegrim, stronger than he, however, with violent heaving 
 
 Tore himself loose in a couple of pulls. But Eeineke 
 struck him 
 
 Straight in the face, and wounded him badly, and one of 
 his eyes tore 
 
 Out of his head ; all down his nose the blood ran in tor- 
 rents. 75 
 
 Eeineke cried : " I was trying for that. It is just what I 
 wanted ! " 
 
 Desperate grew the wolf as he bled ; the loss of his eye- 
 ball 
 
 Made him rave ; forgetful alike of wounds and of anguish, 
 
 Straight against Eeineke sprang he, and down on the ground 
 did he pin him. 
 
 HI did it fare with the fox, and little his cunning avail'd 
 him. 80 
 
 One of his two fore paws, which he as hands had been 
 using, 
 
 Isegrim quickly seized with his teeth, and held it between 
 them. 
 
 Eeineke lay in distress on the ground, and fear'd on the 
 instant 
 
 One of his hands to lose, and thought of a thousand de- 
 vices. 
 
 Thus, meanwhile, with a hollow voice did Isegrim growl 
 out: 85 
 
 " Thief, thine hour has come ! This very instant surrender, 
 Else will I strike thee dead in return for thy treacherous 
 
 misdeeds ! 
 Now do I pay thee out ; it has been of little assistance, 
 
CANTO XII.] BEINEKE VOX. 181 
 
 Dust to scratch, and thy water to void, of hair to "divest 
 thee, 
 
 G-rease to apply. Now woe betide thee ! Such manifold 
 evil 90 
 
 Hast thou done me, lying about me, and striking my eye 
 out. 
 
 But thou shalt not escape. I bite if thou dost not sur- 
 render." 
 
 Reineke thought : " This is awkward for me ; what plan can 
 I think of? 
 
 If I do not surrender he kills me, and if I surrender 
 
 Ever shall I be abused. I richly deserve to be punished, 95 
 
 For I have treated him much too ill, too brutally wrong'd 
 him." 
 
 Honied speech he therefore tried, his opponent to soften. 
 
 " Uncle, dear," to .him he said : " with pleasure I will 
 be 
 
 Liegeman of yours at once, with all that I am pos- 
 sess' d of, 
 
 Gladly as pilgrim of yours I'll go to the Sepulchre 
 Holy, 1°° 
 
 Unto the Holy Land, to all the churches, and bring you 
 
 Absolution enough from there. 'Twill be to the profit 
 
 Not of your own soul only, but also your father and 
 mother 
 ' Somewhat of it will obtain, whereby in the life ever- 
 lasting 
 
 They may rejoice in this boon. Who is there that does 
 _ not require it ? 105 
 
 You I will honour as if you were Pope, and by all that is 
 holy, 
 
 Solemnly will I swear henceforth, for all time in the future, 
 
 Wholly at your disposal to be with all of my kindred. 
 
 All shall be at your service on every occasion. I swear it ! 
 
 What to the king I would not promise, I offer you 
 freely. "° 
 
 If you accept it, you have thereby command of the 
 country. 
 
 All the things that I know how to capture, to you I will 
 bring them — 
 
182 REINEKE FOX. [CANTO XII. 
 
 G-eese and fowls, and ducks and fish. Ere ever a morsel 
 Of such food be eaten by me, the choice I will always 
 Leave to you, and your wife and children. With diligence 
 
 also 115 
 
 Will I take heed for your life, that no evil shall ever molest 
 
 you. 
 Sly am I said to be, and you are strong, so together 
 We could achieve great things. We ought to hold by 
 
 each other, 
 One with strength, and the other with craft, then who 
 
 could oppress us ? 
 If against each other' we fight, we make a bad business. 120 
 No ! I would never have done it, had I with decent ap- 
 pearance 
 Known how the fight to avoid. But you were the party 
 
 who challenged, 
 So it was needful that I should assent in regard for my 
 
 honour. 
 I have, however, with courtesy acted, and during the 
 
 combat 
 Have not shown the whole of my strength. For thus I 
 
 bethought me, 125 
 
 If thou sparest thine uncle, it must redound to thine 
 
 honour. 
 Otherwise would'st thou have fared had I felt hatred 
 
 towards thee. 
 Small is the harm you have had, and if, by an accident 
 
 merely, 
 One of your eyes is damaged, for that I am heartily sorry. 
 Still the best remains to be told. A remedy know I 130 
 Which will cure you at once. If I tell you of this you will 
 
 thank me. 
 Though the eye be gone, but otherwise you should 
 
 recover, 
 That will at least be a boon. You'll have, when you lie 
 
 down to slumber, 
 Only one window to shut, and we others will double our 
 
 duty. 
 You to appease forthwith the whole of my kindred before 
 
 you 135 
 
 Shall bow down, my wife and all my children together. 
 
CANTO XII.] BEINEKE POX. 183 
 
 They in the sight of the king, in the face of this meeting 
 assembled, 
 
 You entreat and implore that me you will graciously 
 pardon, 
 
 And present me with life. Thus I will make public con- 
 fession, 
 
 That I have spoken untruth, and you with calumny 
 , injured, 140 
 
 Basely betray'd whenever I could. I promise to swear 
 that 
 
 Nothing evil I know of you, nor will I henceforward 
 
 Ever imagine mischief against you. What greater atone- 
 ment 
 
 Could you ever demand than that I am ready to make 
 you ? 
 
 Should you strike me dead, what would you gain ? There 
 will always 145 
 
 Kinsfolk and friends of mine be left to dread. But sup- 
 posing 
 
 Mercy you show, with credit and fame you will leave the 
 arena, 
 
 Seeming to ev'ry one noble and wise. For higher can no 
 one 
 
 Nobly rise, than when he forgives. Nor will you again 
 soon 
 
 Such opportunity find. Embrace it ! For me, at the same 
 time, '5° 
 
 Whether I live or die, is quite an indifferent matter." 
 
 " Treacherous fox ! " the wolf replied : " how willingly 
 wouldst thou 
 
 Once more be free ! Tet e'en if the world of gold were 
 constructed, 
 
 And in thy dire distress thou shouldest offer it me, I would 
 never 
 
 Let thee escape. So many a time false oaths thou hast 
 sworn me, 155 
 
 Lying fellow ! Forsooth, I should get not even the egg- 
 shells, 
 
 Were I to let thee go ! I care not much for thy kinsmen : 
 
 I will await what they may do, and imagine that fairly 
 
184 EBINEKE FOX. [CANTO XII. 
 
 I shall their enmity bear. Thou, joker malignant, how 
 
 wouldst thou 
 Jeer were I to let thee go free on thine own affirmation ? 160 
 Any who knew thee not might he deceived... Thou hast 
 
 spared me, 
 So thou sayest, to-day, thou pitiful thief ! And my eyeball 
 Hangs it not out of my head ? Thou scoundrel ! and hast 
 
 thou not also 
 Damaged my hide in two score places ? And could I have 
 
 ever 
 Managed again to breathe if thou hadst got the advan- 
 tage? 165 
 What a fool I should be, if for all this dishonour and 
 
 damage 
 I were to grant thee mercy or pity : thou, Traitor, hast 
 
 brought us, 
 Me and my wife to grief and shame ; thy life it shall cost 
 
 thee!" 
 
 Thus said the wolf. Meanwhile his other fore-claw had 
 
 the rascal 
 Managed to introduce between the thighs of his rival. 17° 
 There he clutch'd the tenderest parts of the body, and 
 
 pulled them, 
 Savagely rending — I say no more — Then piteous howlings, 
 With wide-open'd mouth, the wolf began to give vent to. 
 Out of his griping teeth his claws did Eeineke quickly 
 Draw, and with both held on to the wolf more tightly than 
 
 ever, 175 
 
 Pinching and pulling; the yells and shrieks of the wolf 
 
 were so fearful, 
 That he began to vomit up blood. In the pain of his body 
 Sweat broke through and through his hide. In his agony 
 
 lost he 
 Self-control. The fox was glad ; he expected to win now. 
 Still with hands and with teeth he gripped him, and terrible 
 
 anguish, 180 
 
 Fearful dread, came over the wolf, who thought he was 
 
 done for. 
 Blood ran over his head from his eye, and forward he 
 
 stumbled 
 
CANTO XII.] EEINEKE FOX. 185 
 
 Senseless on to the ground. The fox in exchange for this 
 
 moment 
 Would not have taken his weight in gold. Still tightly he 
 
 gripp'd him, 
 Dragged him along the ground, and pulled, till his wretched 
 
 condition 185 
 
 Ev'ry one plainly perceived. He pinched, bit, and claw'd at 
 
 his victim, 
 Who, with hollow howls in the dust, and the filth that 
 
 was on him, 
 EolTd in fashion uncouth from side to side in convulsions. 
 
 Loudly lamented his friends, and of the king they de- 
 
 ' manded, 
 If he so should please, that an end he put to the combat. 1 90 
 And the king replied : " As soon as to all it seems proper — 
 All are agreed that it so should be — then I am contented." 
 
 Then the king commanded the guardians twain of the circle, 
 Lynx and Lupardus, that they should enter and go to the 
 
 fighters. 
 And they accordingly enter'd the lists, and, addressing the 
 
 victor, '95 
 
 " Eeineke, it is enough," they said, " for the king is desirous 
 Now to conclude the fight, and see an end to the contest. 
 'Tis his wish," they proceeded to say, " that you leave your 
 
 opponent 
 At his disposal, and make a gift of his life to the van- 
 
 quish'd ; 
 For, if one of the two were done to death in this duel, *°° 
 Both would be injured thereby; you certainly have the 
 
 advantage ! 
 All have witness'd it, great and small, and the best men 
 
 among us 
 Are in favour of you : for good and all you have gain'd 
 
 them." 
 
 Eeineke said : " For this I will readily show myself grateful. 
 Gladly I follow the wish of the king, and what is be- 
 coming 205 
 Willingly do ; I have won the fight, and better I want not 
 
186 BEINBKE FOX. [CANTO XII. 
 
 E'er to attain to. But -will the king this favour allow 
 
 me— 
 That the advice of my friends I may take." And Eeineke's 
 
 friends all 
 Cried : " It seems to us good the wish of the king to agree 
 
 to." 
 Then did they all come hastening forth in crowds to 
 
 the victor, 210 
 
 All of his kindred — the badger, the ape, and the otter and 
 
 beaver. 
 Friendly also to him were now the martin and weasel, 
 Ermine and squirrel, and many another, who formerly 
 
 hostile, 
 Would not have done so much as mention his name ; they 
 
 came running 
 One and all to his side. There were found too now as 
 
 relations "5 
 
 Those who were once his accusers ; they brought their wives 
 
 and their children, 
 Big and middling and little; for even the least they 
 
 brought with them, 
 All of them greeted him well, and of flattery could not 
 
 make ending. 
 
 Such is ever the way of the world. They say to the lucky, 
 "Long may you live in good health," and friends he 
 
 finds in abundance. 220 
 
 When, however, ill fortune befalls him, alone he must 
 
 bear it. 
 Even so was it here ; each one of them wish'd to the victor 
 Nearest to be, to show himself off. A portion were fluting, 
 Others were singing, with blowing of trumpets and drum- 
 ming between whiles, 
 Eeineke's friends to him said : " Eejoice ! on this present 
 
 occasion, 225 
 
 Both yourself, and the whole of your race you have greatly 
 
 exalted ! 
 Sorely were we distress'd when we saw you lying beneath 
 
 him. 
 Yet did it speedily change ; it was a most excellent 
 
 contest ! " 
 
CANTO XII.] BEINEKB FOX. 187 
 
 Eeineke said: "It was lucky for me," and thanked his 
 
 well-wishers. 
 Thus, with abundant noise, they took their departure; 
 
 before them 230 
 
 Eeineke walk'd, with the wards of the ring, and so they 
 
 betook them 
 Unto the throne of the king, and there did Eeineke kneel 
 
 down. 
 Him did the king bid stand, and said before all of the 
 
 nobles : 
 " Well have you borne the day, and have with credit and 
 
 honour 
 Brought your cause to an end : I therefore pronounce you 
 
 not guilty. 235 
 
 Penalties all are removed. I will, on an early occasion 
 Speak with my nobles in council about it, as soon as it be 
 
 that 
 Isegrim only is well. Tor to-day there's an end of the 
 
 matter. 
 " "Wholesome it is, my gracious Sire, to follow your 
 
 counsel," 
 Eeineke modestly answered : " Tou know what is best in 
 
 this matter. 24° 
 
 When I came to this place there were many accusers, for- 
 swearing 
 Out of regard for the wolf, my powerful foe. To destroy me 
 Longing, he had me almost in his grasp ; the rest of them, 
 
 therefore, 
 'Crucify! '-cried, and they joined in his charges in order 
 
 to slay me, 
 Simply to gratify him, for all would easily see that *45 
 Better he stood with you than I did. and no one bethought 
 
 him 
 How the end wouhj. be, or the truth perchance be estab- 
 
 lish'd ; 
 These I may liken to certain dogs who were wont to 
 
 assemble 
 Bound the door of the kitchen, and wait in hopes that the 
 
 cook might 
 Out of his kindness a bone or two remember to throw 
 
 them. * 5° 
 
188 BEINEKE POX. [CANTO XII. 
 
 These expectant dogs perceived that one of theur comrades, 
 Who had carried away from the cook a fragment of 
 
 boil'd meat, 
 To his misfortune not quietly enough had managed to 
 
 spring off, 
 For the cook drench' d him well with boiling water behind 
 
 him, 
 Scalding his tail for him. Tet did he not leave hold of 
 his plunder, 255 
 
 But with the others he mingled, who, said the one to the 
 
 other, 
 ' Look how the cook before us all this fellow has f avour'd ! ' 
 ' See, what a dainty bit he has given him ! ' ' But,' quoth 
 
 the other 
 ' Little you understand. Prom the front you may praise 
 
 and commend me, 
 "Where, indeed, it may please you the dainty meat to set 
 eyes on ; 260 
 
 Look, however, behind, and call me lucky so long as 
 Tour opinion does not change." But when they examined, 
 He was so terribly burnt, that his hair was falling from 
 
 off him, 
 And his skin was all shrunk on his body. So horror fell 
 
 on them ; 
 None to the kitchen would go, and they ran and left him 
 alone there. 265 
 
 Sire, the grasping I hereby mean. Whilst they are in 
 
 power, 
 Ev"ry one makes it his object as friends of his own to 
 
 account them ; 
 Whilst they have meat in the mouth, they are daily with 
 
 honour regarded ; 
 He who adapts not himself to them must pay up his 
 
 forfeit. 1 
 
 They must ever be praised, how evil soever their actions ; 
 Thus they are strengthen'd in criminal c6nduct. Ev'ry- 
 one does this 271 
 
 Who thinks not of the end. Tet ofttimes fellows of this 
 
 sort 
 Come to be punished at last, and their might has a tragical 
 ending. 
 
CANTO XII.] REINEKE FOX. 189 
 
 No one will longer abide them, and thus on the right and 
 left side 
 
 Fall from their bodies their hairs. These are the friends 
 that they once had ; 275 
 
 Great and small, they now drop off, and in nakedness leave 
 them, 
 
 Just as the dogs with one accord their comrade deserted 
 
 When they noticed the damage and his maltreated hind- 
 quarters. 
 
 " Gracious Sir, you may take it for granted, of Reineke no 
 
 one 
 Ever shall say such things, nor of me shall my friends be 
 
 ashamed. 280 
 
 For your favour I thank you much, and if I could always 
 Know what your pleasure might be, most willingly would 
 
 I fulfil it." 
 
 "Words in excess avail us nought," the king said in 
 
 answer. 
 " All you have said I have heard, and have comprehended 
 
 its meaning. 
 You, as in former days, I will see again in my council, 285 
 As a Baron ; on all occasions I make it your duty 
 On my Privy Council to serve. To power and honour 
 Thus do I fully restore you, and trust that you may de- 
 serve it. 
 Help me to regulate all for the best ! I cannot dispense 
 
 with 
 You at my court, and if you will only add virtue to wis- 
 dom, z 9° 
 No one before you will stand, or with greater acuteness and 
 
 wisdom, 
 Counsel and methods devise. To whatever complaints in 
 
 the future 
 May be made against you I will not give ear. And here- 
 after 
 You shall as Chancellor speak and act in my stead, and my 
 
 signet- 
 Shall be entrusted to you. What is written and done at 
 your order 295 
 
190 BEINEKE POX. [CANTO XII. 
 
 Written and done shall remain." So now has Reineke 
 
 cheaply 
 Brought himself to favour great, and all is accomplish'd 
 As he advises or as he determines, for good or for evil. 
 
 Keineke thanked the king and said : " My sovereign 
 
 noble, 
 Too much honour to me you show. 'Twill serve to remind 
 
 me, 300 
 
 Ever, I hope, to preserve my judgment aright. Tou shall 
 
 see it." 
 
 Now let us briefly enquire how it fared with the wolf in 
 
 the meantime ; 
 There in the ring he lay defeated, and grievously handled. 
 Wife and friends went unto him there ; and Hintze, the 
 
 tom-cat ; 
 Brown, the bear ; and kith and kin, and servants and 
 
 children. 305 
 
 Weeping, upon a litter they laid him, (this they had 
 
 bolstered 
 Thickly with hay to keep him warm), and thus did they 
 
 bear him 
 Out and away from the ring. And then the wounds were 
 
 examined : 
 Six and twenty they counted. There came a number of 
 
 surgeons, 
 Who forthwith did bandage and give him a healing 
 
 elixir. 310 
 
 All his limbs were lamed. They rubb'd in his ear at the 
 
 same time 
 Ointment of herbs. He loudly sneezed both forwards and 
 
 rearwards. 
 And they consulted together : " We'll try to anoint and 
 
 to bathe him." 
 In such fashion the wolf's disconsolate kindred consoled 
 
 him, 
 Putting him gently to bed. He slept, but not for a long 
 
 time. 315 
 
 Soon he awtoke, confused and grieving : the shame and the 
 
 aching 
 
CANTO XII.] REINBKE POX. 191 
 
 Worse became, and he wept aloud, and was all but des- 
 pairing. 
 
 Carefully Gieremund waited upon him, with sorrowful 
 courage 
 
 Thought of his terrible loss. With manifold sorrow and 
 anguish 
 
 There she stood bemoaning herself and her friends and her 
 children, 320 
 
 Eyeing her suffering husband ; it seem'd he could never 
 recover, 
 
 Eaving with pain ; for the pain was great, and sorrows 
 would follow. 
 
 Highly, however, was Beineke pleased, as he happily chatted 
 Here and there with his friends, and heard himself praised 
 
 and exalted. 
 Full of good humour he took his departure, and with him 
 
 the monarch 325 
 
 Graciously sent an escort, and said to him kindly at 
 
 parting : 
 " Come again soon." Then in front of the throne the fox 
 
 on the ground knelt, 
 Saying : "To you and my gracious lady I'm heartily 
 
 grateful, 
 And to your Council and all the Lords. To manifold 
 
 honour 
 God in his mercy preserve you, my king ; and whatever you 
 
 wish for, 330 
 
 Gladly I do. I love you, in truth, and am ever -your 
 
 debtor. 
 Now, if you please to allow me, I think of travelling home- 
 wards, 
 That I may see my children and wife. They are waiting 
 
 and mourning." 
 " Travel away," then answered the king, " and fear nothing 
 
 further." 
 Then did Eeineke start on his way, above ev'ry one 
 
 favoured. 335 
 
 Many there are of his sort who the self-same arts can make 
 
 use of : 
 All wear not red beards, but all of them carry them hidden. 
 
192 EEINEKE FOX. [CANTO XII. 
 
 Eeineke went from Court with his clan ; two score of his 
 
 kinsmen ; 
 Proudly he went. They were honour' d, and therehy 
 
 highly delighted. 
 Eeineke walked in the front like a lord, and the rest of 
 
 them follow'd. 340 
 
 Light of heart he show'd himself now. It seem'd that his 
 
 hrush had 
 Grown again since he the goodwill of the king had 
 
 attain' d to. 
 He was again in the council ; now how to account could he 
 
 turn it ? 
 " He whom I love shall reap the advantage, my friends 
 
 shall enjoy it." 
 Wisdom, he thought to himself, is more than gold to he 
 
 honour'd. 345 
 
 So went Eeineke forth, escorted by all who were friendly 
 Unto him, on his way to Malepartus, his fortress. 
 Grateful he proved himself to all who had done him a 
 
 favour, 
 Who in a critical time had stood by his side and assisted. 
 In return he offered his service. They parted, and each ' ' 
 
 went 350 
 
 To his own people, while Eeineke came to his home. In 
 
 his household 
 Found he his wife, Frau Ermelyn, well. She greeted him 
 
 gladly, 
 Questioning him of his troubles, and how he again had 
 
 escaped them. 
 Eeineke said : "I managed it well. Once more I have 
 
 risen 
 To the king's high favour again, and shall, as afore- 
 
 times, 355 
 
 Sit in the Council again, and this will tend to the honour 
 Of the whole of our race ; for Imperial chancellor has he 
 Named me aloud before all, and to me the Great Seal has 
 
 entrusted. 
 All that Eeineke does, and all that he writes is for ever 
 Well done and written to be. Let ev'ry one carefully 
 
 mark it ! 360 
 
CANTO XII.] REINBKE FOX. 193 
 
 " I have completely defeated the wolf in but a few minutes. 
 He will complain against me no more. He is blinded and 
 
 wounded, 
 And the whole of his race is disgraced ! thus well have I 
 
 marked him ! 
 Little more he will do in the world. We contended 
 
 together, 
 And I have laid him low, and it seems to me he will 
 
 hardly 365 
 
 Ever recover. But what care I ? His over-lord always 
 Am I, and of his companions all, who support and stand 
 
 by him." 
 Eeineke's wife was mightily pleased, and the two little 
 
 boys, too, 
 Bolder than ever became when they heard of their father's 
 
 advancement. 
 Joyfully said they one to the other, " What days of enjoy- 
 ment 370 
 Now shall we spend, much honour'd by all ; and think in 
 
 the meanwhile 
 How we may strengthen the fort, and so live happy and 
 
 care-free." 
 
 Highly honour'd is Eeineke now ! To wisdom let all 
 men 
 
 Quickly apply them, and flee what is evil, and reverence 
 virtue ! 
 
 This is the end and aim of the song, and in it the poet 375 
 
 Fable and truth hath mixed, whereby the good from the 
 evil 
 
 Ye may discern, and wisdom esteem; and thereby the 
 buyers 
 
 Of this book in the ways of the world may be daily in- 
 structed. 
 
 For it was so created of old, and will ever remain so. 
 
 Thus is our poem of Eeineke's deeds and character 
 ended. 380 
 
 May God bring us all to eternal happiness. Amen ! 
 
WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 GOETHE seems from the time of his youth to have 
 been attracted by the imagery of the Old Testament 
 Scriptures, and by the descriptions it contains of Eastern 
 life and manners, particularly with the narrative of the 
 betrayal of Joseph by his brothers, and his subsequent 
 career in Egypt. The intimate knowledge that he had 
 acquired of those Scriptures is referred to by himself in 
 the piece with which the Boot of Hafiz, the second in the 
 " West-oestlicher Divan," commences. In this he compares 
 himself with that Persian poet with regard to the know- 
 ledge acquired by the latter of the Koran, the Bible of the 
 Mussulmans. It begins by Hafiz being asked why he, 
 whose real name was Shumsood-deen (the sun of the 
 faith), was called by the former, which signifies Preserver 
 or Ouardian in the original Persian, and on his answering 
 that it was because he preserved ever fresh in his memory 
 all the precepts of the Koran, the poet, G-oethe, replies 
 that he has done precisely the same with regard to the 
 Scriptures, in spite of all denial and hindrance. 
 
 He also studied through the medium of translations the 
 Koran, as well as the works of Saadi, Hafiz, and other 
 Persian poets, and became so fascinated by the peculiar 
 charms of Eastern life and its poetry, that he took to com- 
 posing at various times short poems based on Oriental 
 ideas found in different writings, sacred and profane. 
 These poems, after going through several incomplete 
 editions, were finally collected together and arranged, and 
 
198 translator's preface. 
 
 eventually became the " West-oestlicher Divan," which 
 appears to have assumed its present shape in about 1827. 
 A few selections of this work were included by Mr. 
 Bowring in his translation of Goethe's poems, but the 
 only complete translation ever published appears to have 
 been one by J. Weiss, which was brought out at Boston 
 (U.S.A.) in 1877. A good many notes were added to this 
 translation in an Appendix, and the present translator has 
 availed himself of a few of them in his own notes. The 
 translation, however, is, in his opinion, far too free to give 
 a correct idea of the original, in addition to being inac- 
 curate in some respects. In reality, the various pieces are 
 so full of references to local occurrences of Goethe's own 
 life and times, that it would be quite impossible for a 
 countryman of his own, and much more so for a foreigner, 
 to understand them without the assistance of a com- 
 mentary. The one that has been used in preparing the 
 present translation is Diintzer's, which, although itself 
 sometimes rather obscure, is remarkably full and useful, 
 especially in its references to the original Arabic and 
 Persian writers, on whose writings the ideas of many of 
 the separate poems were based. These references have 
 enabled the translator to compare most of the passages 
 with the original Persian in the Gulistan of Saadi and the 
 Ghazls of Hafiz. In some cases German commentators 
 differ greatly as to the meaning of some of the passages, 
 and acknowledge that Goethe himself must have meant 
 them to be ambiguous. The difficulty of translation is 
 enhanced by the ruggedness of the metre in many cases, 
 and by Goethe's having in some imitated the style of the 
 Persian Ghazl, in which the second, fourth, sixth, and the 
 remaining alternate lines throughout a piece end either in 
 the same word or in the same rhyme, a measure which it 
 would of course be impossible to follow in any foreign 
 language. 
 
WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 I. MOGHANNI NAMAH; OE, BOOK OF THE 
 SINGEE. 
 
 " Twenty years rolled smoothly by 
 In my happy lot enjoyed, 
 As in the Barmecides their time, 
 A vista fair in rest employed." 1 
 
 Hijea, or Flight. 2 
 
 NORTH and South, and West are crumbling, 
 Thrones are falling, kingdoms trembling : 
 Come, flee away to purer East, 
 There on patriarch's air to feast ; 
 There with love and drink and song 
 Khiser's 3 spring shall make thee young. 
 
 There, pure and right where still they find, 
 Will I drive all mortal kind 
 To the great depths whence all things rise, 
 There still to gain, in godly wise, 
 
 1 The introductory lines refer to the period between the Seven Years' 
 War and the French Revolution, which roused the poet from his long \ 
 period of rest at the Court of Weimar. " Fair as the time of the Barme- 
 cides," is an Arabic proverb, relating to that during which the Barme- 
 cides held the Vazirship under the Abbaside dynasty at Bagdad, 
 during which art and science were encouraged and flourished. 
 
 s Hijra, or Flight, The name is derived from the flight of Mahomet , 
 from Mecca, from which the Mussulman era bears date, and here signifies " 
 the flight of Goethe's spirit from the disturbed state of Europe, in which 
 thrones were falling, etc., to the tranquil rest of the East. 
 
 3 Khiser (in Arabic Khadr, or green), was the guardian of the fountain 
 of immortality in the Mussulman Paradise. 
 
200 WEST-EASTEBN DIVAN. 
 
 Heaven's lore in earthly speech, 
 
 Heads might break ere they could reach. 1 
 
 Where of their sires with love they spoke, 
 
 And never bowed to foreign yoke, 
 
 I'd gladly tilt in lists of youth ; 
 
 Where doubts were few and broad was truth, 
 
 How weighty there the word was heard, 
 
 Because it was a spoken word. 
 
 There among shepherds I will roam, 
 In Oases make my home, — 
 With caravans to marts repair, 
 Coffee, shawls, and musk my ware ; 
 Over each path from the waste 
 To the towns my footsteps haste. 
 
 Wild, rough road the hills among 
 Benders, Hafiz, 3 bright thy song, 
 When th' enchanted driver sings, 
 Perched on mule's back as he swings, 
 So that stars even may awake, 
 And coming robbers warning take. 3 
 
 In baths or inns, where'er I be, 
 I, holy Hafiz, think on thee, — 
 With lifted veil whene'er my fair 
 Shall shower down her amber hair. 
 
 1 German, " Und sich nicht den Kopf zerbrachen." Strangely put in 
 the past tense, whereas the present is used in the first part of the sen- 
 tence, in order to rhyme with " Erdensprachen." 4 
 
 2 Hafiz, the celebrated Persian poet, by whose ideas in his book called 
 the " Divan-i-Hafiz," most of Goethe's songs in the " Westbstlicher 
 Divan " were inspired, as will be seen hereafter. 
 
 3 Hafiz, in Ghazl Alif, says : — 
 
 " Would it be strange, if, moved by Hafiz' word, 
 
 In heav'n Messiah danced when Venus' song was heard ? " 
 
 And in Te 2 :— 
 
 " With sportive song the spheres themselves now dance, 
 Hafiz' sweet odes thy voice's tones enhance." 
 
I. BOOK OF THE SINGER. 201 
 
 Yes, the poet lover's song 
 Makes the Houris l even long. 
 
 Have ye envy at the sight, 
 Or would do them a despite, 
 Only know that poets' sighs 
 Round the gates of Paradise, 
 Knock for entrance, as they sway, 
 Into life's eternal day. 
 
 Charm Tokens. 
 
 Talism '' on cornelian ring 
 
 True Believers luck will bring ; 
 
 Be it engraved on onyx rare, 
 
 With holy zeal to kiss take care ! 
 
 All ill it drives before thy face, 
 
 Both thee it guards and guards thy place, 
 
 When the deep engraven word 
 
 Shall great Allah's name record, 
 
 And to loving deeds excite. 
 
 And women all, above the rest, 
 
 Trusting in talismans, are blessed. 
 
 Now amulets, as these on stone, 
 Are signs on paper written down. 
 Here one's not so cramped for space 
 As on narrow jewel's face, 
 And length of verse is in control 
 Of each pious, earnest soul. 
 Men, believing, papers choose, 
 And as scapularies use. 
 
 1 Houris. The enchanting heavenly maids appointed to wait on the 
 True Believers in the Mussulman Paradise. They figure largely in the 
 Twelfth Book, and elsewhere in the " Divan." 
 
 2 Talisman is a European corruption of the original Talism. The 
 piece is little more than a poetical description of talismans and amulets, 
 the former being generally the name of God, or some short in- 
 scription, cut on stone, and the latter verses from the Koritn, or sentences 
 written on paper. 
 
202 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 But what is cut will nothing more imply, 
 
 And, self-contained, in purport full will say 
 
 What afterwards in fair and honest way 
 
 Gladly thou cri'st : " I say it ! I ! " 
 
 Earely Abraxas 1 would I bring to thee ! 
 
 Here at the most must silly thought, 
 
 By gloomy madness into fashion brought, 
 
 In place of the All-Highest be. 
 
 So when I say a foolish thing 
 
 Think then that I Abraxas bring. 
 
 A signet-ring is very hard to draw, 
 
 The deepest purport in the smallest space ; 
 
 Yet may'st thou find here what is really good ; 
 
 Scarce known to thee stands there the word of grace. 5 
 
 Sense of Fbeedom. 
 
 Let me exulting in my saddle ride ! 
 
 "While in your tents and huts ye may abide ; 
 
 And joyfully I'll ride afar, 
 
 Naught o'er my turban but the star. 3 
 
 The stars as guides on land and seas 
 He places in the sky, 
 That ye yourselves with them may please 
 Whene'er ye look on high. 4 
 
 ' Abraxas are stones engraved with all kinds of strange, confused 
 characters. The Berlin edition remarks that this is a striking type of 
 the gloomy songs conceived in the moment of passion. The derivation 
 of the Greek word is as follows : — a = 1 : /3 = 2 : p = 100 : a = 1 : 
 1=60: a = 1 : e = 200 : total 365, the number of days in the year, 
 and of the Basilidian gradations of the spiritual world. 
 
 Goethe is said by some to hint, by these descriptions, at his various 
 styles in the " Divan." Abraxas is the Enigmatic. Under the Signet 
 Ring he expects the reader's concurrence to make out all his meanings. 
 (Note to Weiss's translation.) 
 
 2 The Berlin edition notes : " Epigrammatic sayings of true life-wis- 
 dom, that may be likened to the ingenious images on seal-rings, are 
 immortal, as the poet has said." 
 
 3 Based on the answer of a Caucasian Chief, who, when submis- 
 sion was proposed to him, said he could see nothing above him but 
 heaven. 
 
 4 Pounded on a verse in the Koran. 
 
I. BOOK OP THE SINGER. 203 
 
 Talismans. 
 
 God's is the East ! l 
 
 God's is the West ! 
 
 North and South and ev'ry land 
 
 Lie in the calm peace of his hand ! 
 
 He, the only righteous Judge, 
 Right to no man will hegrudge. 
 In this of hundred names may He, 
 Amen ! ever honoured be ! 2 
 
 Sin will lead my feet astray ; 
 Thou canst keep me in the way. 
 In my business, when I write/ 
 Keep me ever in the right ! 
 
 Towards what is earthly though I think and strain, 
 
 It reaches onwards tow'rds a higher gain. 
 
 The spirit, here below not lost in dust, 
 
 Of its own force itself must upwards thrust. 
 
 A double grace our breathing brings about ; * 
 One draws the air, the other lets it out. 
 The one will trouble, and the one refresh, 
 So mixed is life in this our mortal flesh. 
 Thank God, when He shall give thee pain ; 
 Thank Him, when He shall make thee free again. 
 
 Four Favours. 
 
 That Arabs all both free and far 
 Upon their path may ride, 
 Now Allah for the common good 
 Four graces doth provide. 
 
 1 It is said in the Koran : " God's is the East and God's is the West : 
 He guides whom He will upon the right path." 
 
 2 Allah is praised by the Mussulmans in ninety-nine names. 
 
 3 This is also based on a verse in the Koran. 
 
 4 This is founded on >(he following sentence in the Gulistan of Saadi, 
 the Persian poet : — " To the favour of God be glory and honour, for 
 obedience to Him is a means of approach (to Him), and in thanking him 
 is an increase of grace. Every breath that descends (into the breast) is 
 an assistance to life, and when it comes up a refreshing of the soul. 
 
204 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 The turban first, than kingly crown 
 More fair and comely still ; 
 A tent, that they from place to place 
 May wander at their will. 
 
 A sword, that more than rock or wall 
 Their honour will defend ; 
 A grateful, useful song, to which 
 Their ears the maidens bend. 
 
 The flowers from her shawl that fall 
 I sing in grateful lay ; 
 She knows right well what is her due, 
 Still loves me and is gay. 1 
 
 With fruit and flowers well I know 
 How to adorn the table, 
 And would you have a moral fresh 
 To draw it I am able. 2 
 
 Confession. 
 
 The monster fire is hard to conceal, 3 
 For smoke will show its place by day ; 
 By night its flame will all reveal. 
 Nor love can one easier hide away ; 
 
 Thus in each breath there are two graces found, and for each grace 
 gratitude is due." 
 
 1 What is meant by this verse, in which the poet breaks off entirely 
 from the subject of the preceding verses, it is impossible to understand. 
 Even the German commentators are at variance in their attempted ex- 
 planations. One thinks the flowers referred to are those on the shawls 
 of other maidens, which they pluck off in order to reward the poet's be- 
 loved, -^inother thinks they are those worked in her own shawl, which 
 become to him poetical flowers that she recognizes as belonging to her. 
 Diintzer considers these opinions entirely wrong, and thinks that by the 
 flowers is meant affection or aversion, and that hearty affection is so 
 deeply expressed in the poet's song, which, at the same time, is so per- 
 vaded by allusions to the beloved object, that she must needs appropriate 
 the song to herself. These so-called explanations appear no clearer than 
 the original. 
 
 2 The Arabs are skilled in arranging flowers and fruit in such a way 
 as to express the language of love. The Berlin edition remarks that the 
 Moral, clothed in such poetical images, has a charming freshness, but the 
 idea does not seem to hang together with the subject of the preceding lines. 
 
 3 Based on a saying of Agricola : " Four things cannot be hidden : 
 
I. BOOK OF THE SINGER. 205 
 
 However closely you may confine, 
 From sparkling eyes it is sure to shine. 
 A poem's the hardest of all to hide, 
 For under a bushel 'twill not abide. 
 For should it the poet have newly made, 
 His very being it must pervade, 
 And when he has written it neat and fair, 
 The whole of the world must for it care ; 
 "Whether it please or whether it bore, 
 He reads it to ev'rv one more and more. 
 
 Elements. 
 
 How many elements should go 
 To compose a right good song, 
 That while Novices it pleases 
 With pleasure Masters bears along ? 
 
 Above all other things should be 
 Love our theme, whene'er we sing : 
 If the whole song it pervades, 
 So much better it will ring. 
 
 Glasses, too, should always clink, 
 Sparkle forth the ruby wine ; 
 For those who love and those who drink 
 Should the fairest ehaplets twine. 
 
 Clash of arms then should be mixed 
 With the trumpet's blatant sound, 
 That when fortune blazes up, 
 Conqu'ring heroes gods be found. 
 
 The poet, last, on what is mean 
 Should with hate and scorning look : 
 With what is fair that it should live 
 Conscious, he should never brook. 
 
 Fire, for where fire is there is smoke and steam or heat : then a cough, 
 an eruption, and lastly love, which is blind, and fancies no one can 
 see it." 
 
206 WEST-EASTEBN DIVAN. 
 
 Mingling these primeval four, 
 Should the Singer make his choice, 
 Hafiz-like, 1 will he the world 
 Always quicken and rejoice. 
 
 Creation and Quickening. 
 
 Hans Adam was a lump of clay 2 
 G-od made a man, forsooth, 
 Tet brought he from his mother's womb 
 A deal of the uncouth. 
 
 Elohim in his nostrils breathed 
 The best of heav'nly breeze ; 
 Then he appeared as something more, 
 For he began to sneeze. 
 
 Half man, with legs and limbs and head, 
 Imperfect, lumpy whole 
 He was, till Noah found the wretch 
 What suited him, a bowl. 
 
 1 Hafiz, in all his poems in his " Divan,'' makes some allusion to him- 
 self by name at the end, as in this piece. 
 
 2 Hafiz, in Dal 18, says :— 
 
 " angel, at love's tavern's door 
 Intone thy hymn of praise, 
 For there it is that Adam's clay 
 With leaven that they raise." 
 Also Te 42 :— 
 
 " Keep me not, Soofi pure, from drinking wine away, 
 The wise Eternal with pure wine has mixed my clay." 
 
 According to Eastern tradition God, in creating Adam, kneaded clay 
 with wine. When the breath of life was breathed into the clay, it went first 
 into the breast and heart to stir up the blood, and then into the head. 
 When it reached the brain Adam opened bis eyes and began to sneeze. 
 The tradition with regard to Noah is introduced, Diintzer says, to show 
 the complete quickening of the clod, which must always be renewed. 
 Inspiriting with wine is also said to be humorously entitled by Goethe, 
 " leading to the Creator's temple," inasmuch as this is the true honour- 
 ing of God as a spiritual being, to which Hafiz's poems and example 
 exhort. 
 
I. BOOK OF THE SINGER. 207 
 
 The lump began to move and stir 
 As soon as it was wet, 
 Just as its turning sour the dough 
 Will soon in motion set. 
 
 So, Hafiz, may thy pleasing song, 
 Thy virtuous example, 
 Lead forward, as the glasses clink, 
 To our Creator's temple. 
 
 Phenomenon. 
 
 Let with the wall of rain 
 Phoebus unite, — 
 Quick shines the bow again 
 In coloured light. 
 
 Drawn in the cloud I see 
 Twin arc of light, — 
 Still bow of heav'n 'twill be, 
 Though it be white. 
 
 Let not, then, joyous sage, 
 Sorrow thee move : 
 White though thy hair with age, 
 Yet wilt thou love. 1 
 
 Lovely. 
 
 What these varied colours, binding 
 Heav'n above with mountain's height ? 
 Morning vapours, surely, blinding 
 With their mists my keenest sight. 2 
 
 1 The appearance of a rainbow with a faint, colourless reflection, the 
 twin arc, seems to have given the poet occasion to think of himself in his 
 old age as still capable of love. 
 
 2 This was written on the occasion of the poet, on a cloudy morning, 
 suddenly seeing some fields of bright poppies lit up by the sun, and in 
 sharp contrast to them bodies of troops marching by. 
 
208 WEST-EASTEBN DIVAN. 
 
 Are they tents that the Vazir 
 Has erected for the fair ? 
 Are they festal carpets, hung 
 When he wed the fairest there ? 
 
 Bed and white, of mingled colours, 
 Fairer could there never be : 
 How, Hafiz, in these Northern regions 
 Thy Shiraz canst thou now see ? 
 
 Yes, coloured poppies in the meadows 
 Neighbourly stretch out in rows, 
 And, the god of war despising, 
 Fields in friendly stripes disclose. 
 
 So may the wise man therefore ever 
 "Useful flowers cultivate, 
 And as to-day may brilliant sunshine 
 All my ways illuminate. 
 
 Distraction. 
 
 By the brook on the left 
 
 Cupid's flute playing ; 
 
 In the field on the right 
 
 Mars' trumpet braying. 
 
 Thither the list'ning ear 
 
 Lovingly bends, 
 
 Misled by false alarm 
 
 Where the song wends. 
 
 Still sounds the flute so glad 
 
 'Midst war's loud thunder : 
 
 I become raving, mad, 
 
 Is that a wonder ? 
 
 Still does the flute resound, 
 
 Still trumpet brays : 
 
 Raving, I wander round : 
 
 Why in amaze ? 1 
 1 Hafiz, Sheen 13, says : — 
 
 "Bring wine, of heav'n's deceit one never can be sure 
 
 Whilst Venus harping and her champion Mars allure." 
 
 This piece is a very difficult one to translate so as to keep the original 
 
I. BOOK OF THE SINGER. 209 
 
 The Past in the Present. 
 
 Rose and lily, bathed in dew, 1 
 Blossom in my garden near : 
 Clothed with verdure roots familiar, 
 In the height themselves uprear, 
 Girt around with lofty forests, 
 Knightly castles for their crown, 
 Till they mingle with the valleys 
 Tow'ring summit they bow down. 
 
 Still breathes of those days the fragrance, 
 When we victims were of love, 
 And my psaltery's soft lute-strings 
 With the morning sunbeams strove. 
 There in full tones from the thickets 
 Hunters' songs resounded free, 
 To enliven and to quicken, 
 As the heart would have it be. 
 
 Still the woods are ever sprouting, 
 Ever cheer thyself with this ! 
 Where thyself hast had enjoyment, 
 Let another taste of bliss. 
 That ourselves alone we think of, 
 None may on us cast the blame ! 
 Now of life in ev'ry station 
 Tour enjoyment be the same. 
 
 With this song and inclination 
 We shall e'er with Hafiz be ; 
 For with lovers of enjoyment 
 Should we day's completion see. 2 
 
 metre and yet give a general idea of the poet's meaning, the distraction 
 of his mind between the allurements of war and peace. A literal trans- 
 lation is quite unattainable. 
 
 1 Hafiz, Ye 48, says :— 
 
 " The lily and the rose in the garden friends remain, 
 And each has seized a cup his love's face to see again." 
 
 2 Hiifiz preaches enjoyment of the present, which the remembrance of 
 past years, more rich and full of life, cannot disturb. (Berlin edition. ) 
 
 P 
 
210 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Song and Stattjaby. 
 
 With the forms he makes of clay 
 Let the Greek exhaust his art, 
 With the son of his own hands 
 Swell the rapture of his heart. 
 
 Yet to us a source of joy 
 With Euphrates' stream to play, 
 In its limpid element, 
 Hither now, now thither sway. 
 
 Quench I so the soul's bright brand, 
 Song will ever loud resound ; 
 Dipped by poet's cleanly hand 
 Water will preserve its round. 1 
 
 Self-Confidence. 
 
 In what is all the secret found 
 That man should healthy be ? 
 Each should delight to hear the sound 
 That tends to harmony. 
 
 Away with what disturbs thy course ! 
 Away with gloomy strife ! 
 Before he sings, or ceases song, 
 The poet must have life. 
 
 Then though the brazen clang of life 
 May through the spirit roar ! 
 Poets will reconcile themselves 
 Though they at heart be sore. 
 
 1 There is aHindoo tradition, made use of in another of Goethe's poems, 
 that water can be taken up like a ball in the hand of a pure woman. 
 The general scope of this piece seems to be that he who has enjoyed the 
 perfection of Greek statuary should also refresh himself with the flowing 
 forms of Eastern poetry, which he will attain to if he first calms down 
 his own soul, as water can be taken up in the hand of a pure woman. 
 
I. BOOK OF THE SINGEB. 211 
 
 Rough and Ready. 
 
 To poetize is wantonness, 
 
 Let no one me decry ! 
 
 In fresh, warm blood have confidence, 
 
 As glad and free as I. 
 
 Yet should torture every hour 
 Bear bitter taste for me, 
 Then, still more modest than thyself, 
 "Would I, too, modest be. 
 
 For modesty is fair to see 
 In a young blooming maid. 
 She would by tenderness be won, 
 Though from the rough she fled. 
 
 And modesty is also good, 
 I heard a wise man say, 
 Who of eternity and time 
 Can teach me in the way. 
 
 To poetize is wantonness ! 
 
 Alone I like to write, 
 
 But friends and dames whose blood is warm 
 
 To enter I invite. 
 
 Monkling without a cap or hood, 
 Talk not to me for ever, 
 For thou perhaps may'st ruin me, 1 
 But make me modest, never ! 
 
 There's something in thy empty talk 
 That drives me off, to boot, 
 For all such ancient prejudice 
 I've trodden under foot. 
 
 1 " Kaput " is a term used in Piquet, and " kaput machen " means, 
 colloquially, to break or ruin. 
 
212 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 For -when the poet's mill revolves 
 Thou shouldst not hold it back ! 
 He who our frenzy understands 
 To pardon will not lack. 1 
 
 Permeating Life. 
 
 Dust of the elements is one 
 Thou with perfect skill subduest, 
 "When, Hafiz, in the loved one's praise 
 Thou the dainty song renewest. 
 
 For from her threshold wind-blown dust 
 A greater praise invites, 
 Than carpet on whose gold- worked flowers 
 Kneel Mahmoud's favourites. 
 
 The dust that from the threshold's floor 
 
 The wind in eddies blows 
 
 Is sweeter than is musk to thee, 
 
 Or fragrant oil of rose. 
 
 With dust, that in the cloudy North 
 For long I never see, 
 In the warm regions of the South 
 I would contented be. 
 
 For many days the well-loved gateways 
 Silent on their hinges lean. 
 Heal me, stormy wind, that, smelling, 
 I may know the earth grows green. 
 
 Through the sky the thunder rolling 
 When the lightning flashes round, 
 Then the dust, by storm-wind driven, 
 Moistened lies upon the ground. 
 
 1 These lines are meant as a hit at those critics who would restrict 
 Goethe's poetical freedom. He, having warm,fresh blood, feels constrained 
 to pour out his real feelings. If he were morose he might be modest, but 
 as a poet, he must be forward. He writes for himself and those friends 
 and women who have warm blood like himself. By monks without copes 
 and hoods are meant those reviewers who would teach him manners, and 
 whose empty talk he avoids. 
 
I. BOOK OF THE SINGER. 213 
 
 And forthwith, through Nature's working, 
 Swells a holy, secret birth, 
 Arid at once sprout forth in freshness, 
 Green, the regions of the earth. 1 
 
 A gloomy shadow is over the dust 
 
 Companion to my beloved. 
 
 Dust I had myself become 
 
 But quickly her shadow passed me by. 2 
 
 May I not a pleasing image 
 For myself supply, 
 Since our G-od of life the likeness 
 Gives us in the fly ? 3 
 
 May I not a pleasing image 
 
 For myself supply, 
 
 Since my God His likeness gives me 
 
 In my loved one's eye ? 
 
 Holt Longing. 
 
 Since the mob would not approve it, 
 No one says but to the wise, 
 That which seeks a death by burning 
 Is the living thing I prize. 
 
 1 As Hafiz sings the praises of the dust that lies on the threshold of 
 his beloved one's house, considering it more worthy of honour than the 
 prayer-carpets of the True Believers, so the poet, in these lines, sings 
 the beneficence of Nature, which contains in its dust the germs of all- 
 permeating life. In verse 5 mention is incidentally made of his longing 
 to return to Italy, which he had been unable to revisit for fifteen years. 
 
 2 The poet means to say he had wished his beloved to tread upon him, 
 but in vain had he made himself into dust, as only her dark shadow 
 passed over him, thus showing how little she cared for him. 
 
 3 He excuses this imagery by pointing out that God shows us how He 
 would desire to be honoured and loved in the action of the fly, which 
 devotedly flies to the light and is burnt. Saadi, in the introduction to, the 
 Gulistan, says : — " O bird of the morning (nightingale), learn love from 
 the moth, whose life is yielded in silence when it is burnt." This image 
 is a very favourite one with Orientals. 
 
214 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Where thou didst beget, begotten 
 In the coolness of love's night, 
 Some strange feeling overcomes thee, 
 When the quiet lamp's alight. 
 
 Thou no more remainest captive 
 In the shade of gloomy night, 
 But to higher union drawing 
 Fresh desire doth thee excite. 
 
 For thee distance does not weary, 
 Enchanted thou com'st flying fast, 
 And, as moth for candle yearning, 
 Thou thyself art burnt at last. 
 
 And whilst this thou hast not with thee : 
 " Rise through death to higher birth," 
 Thou art but a gloomy guest 
 On a dark and gloomy earth. 1 
 
 And yet, as there is found a reed 
 To sweeten worlds below, 
 So from the reed with which I write 
 May what is charming flow. 2 
 
 1 Occasion is here taken to approve man's longing for a future and 
 higher state of existence after fife in this world by pointing to him as 
 only a miserable guest on earth for a brief time, unless he can look for- 
 ward to something better after death. 
 
 2 The poet's pen is here compared to the sugar-cane. Arabic, and 
 other Eastern languages, are usually written with reed pens, mostly 
 coming from Shiraz and the Persian Gulf. This verse is printed with 
 the preceding in some editions, but should be separated from them as a 
 kind of conclusion to the book. 
 
IT. HAFIZ NAMAH; OR, BOOK OF HAFIZ. 
 
 " The Spirit be the Bridegroom named, 
 The Bride be named the Word : 
 He knows this marriage who his praise 
 To Hafiz doth afford. ' Fl 
 
 Nickname. 
 
 Poet. 
 
 MOHUMMUD Shumsooddeen, say why 
 Thy holy people call thee Hafiz. 2 
 
 Hafiz. 
 
 Honouring the question, — I reply. 
 Because the Koran's blessed will 
 In happy memory I still, 
 All unaltered keep and have, 
 And so piously behave, 
 That the ills of common day 
 Neither me nor them dismay, 
 Who the Prophet's words preserve, 
 With his seed, as they deserve — 
 Therefore gave thee me the name. 
 
 1 This is said to be copied from Hafiz, Dill 108 : — 
 
 " Like Hafiz none from face of thought 
 The veil has drawn aside, 
 Since of the Word the ringlets fair 
 They twisted of the bride." 
 
 And in 1 8 of the Mokataat : — 
 
 "The well-trained painter's skilful brush, 
 To it be praise indeed, 
 Who on Thought's virgin has bestowed 
 Of perfect grace the meed." 
 
 2 Shums-ood-deen means the Sun of the Faith, and Hafiz a guardian 
 or preserver. 
 
216 west-eastern divan. 
 
 Poet. 
 
 Hafiz, then it seems to me 
 
 I need not give way to thee ; 
 
 For when we think as others do, 
 
 Become we like those others, too, 
 
 And thus I quite resemble thee, 
 
 For from our holy Books in me 
 
 A glorious form assumed you see. 
 
 (As on that cloth of cloths impressed 
 
 The image of our Lord did rest.) ' 
 
 Thus to my tranquil soul relief, 
 
 Though robbed, denied, and with restraint oppressed, 
 
 Came in the glad form of belief. 2 
 
 Accusation. 
 
 'Twixt fort and rock, in deserts, early, late, 
 Know ye not, then, for whom the devils wait, 3 
 To see each moment how they may surprise, 
 And drag them down to deepest hell as prize ? 
 They are all liars and the Evil One. 
 "Why does the Poet not take care to shun, 
 And with such people not associate ? 
 
 Does he, then, know with whom he roams and walks, 
 He who in wildest frenzy always talks V 
 
 1 This refers to the legend of St. Veronica. 
 
 /i = Goethe says of himself with regard to his knowledge of the Bible : — 
 
 ( "For almost alone to it do I owe my moral culture, and the events, the 
 
 teachings, the symbols, the similes of it, had impressed themselves deeply 
 
 I upon me, and operated on me in one way or another." He allowed in 
 
 J Hafiz not only a thorough knowledge of the Koran, but also a pious 
 
 I practice of its precepts. He was a religious teacher in Shiraz. The last 
 
 / line but one was aimed against Voltaire's infidelity and mockery of 
 
 Christianity. 
 
 3 This is based on the following passage in the Koran : — " Shall I in- 
 form you on whom the devils alight ? They come down on every liar 
 and wicked person. They give out what they have heard, but most of 
 them are liars. And the poets follow them and allow themselves to be 
 deceived by them. Seest thou not how they wander round and roam in 
 all brooks ? And what they tell you that themselves they do not." 
 
ii. book or HAFIZ. 217 
 
 Without a bound, by love of self beguiled, 
 He will be driven to the desert wild, — 
 His plaintive verse, all written in the sand, 
 The wind at once scatters through the land : 
 For what he says he cannot understand, 
 And what he says to that he will not hold. 
 
 His song, because what in the Koriln is told 
 
 It contraverts, mankind will always sway. 
 
 But teach ye now, of law who know the right, 
 
 Ye skilled of wisdom, highly erudite, 
 
 The faithful Moslem in his duty's way. 
 
 As Hafiz to what is scandalous must own, 
 
 And Mirza plunge the soul in the unknown, 
 
 Say, then, what should one do, what leave alone ? l 
 
 Judgment. 
 
 All thy poetic fancies, Hiifiz, show 
 
 The light of inextinguishable truth, 
 
 But here and there, too, there are little things 
 
 That lie beyond the boundary of law. 
 
 Wouldst thou proceed in safety, thou shouldst know 
 
 Snake's venom to resolve from antidote. 
 
 It surely were the best, so not to err, 
 
 To the pure luxury oneself to give 
 
 Of noble action with a courage high, 
 
 And from all such as bring but ceaseless pain 
 
 Oneself to guard with a well-reasoned mind. 
 
 This the poor Ebnsund 2 indites to you. 
 
 (May God have grace and pardon all his sins !) 
 
 1 Lines 8 to 15 are meant as a defence of the poet, who is always more 
 or less in a state of frenzy. The whole are written by way of introduc- 
 tion to the following piece, in which judgment is passed on the character \/ 
 of Hafiz's poems, some of which were very erotic. 
 
 . 2 Ebensund was a celebrated Moofti, or Judge, in the time of Sulei- . 
 man I., at Constantinople. The judgment, in the case of Hafiz's poems, ) 
 is that, although they contain many undeniable truths, yet here and L 
 there there are in them little things that are beyond the boundary of the \ 
 law, i.e., unlawful. The best plan, therefore, is to distinguish between r J 
 them as one distinguishes snake-poison from its antidote, to follow what 
 is good, and avoid what may draw in its train only eternal pain. 
 
218 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 The Gebman Renders Thanks. 
 
 O holy Ebnsund, exactly so ! 
 
 It is such saints the poet wishes for, 
 
 For 'tis precisely in those little things 
 
 That he beyond the limits of the law 
 
 That lies the patrimony where he, proud, 
 
 Excites himself with pleasure in his grief. 
 
 Snake's venom and its antidote to him 
 
 The one just like the other must appear ; 
 
 One will not kill, the other will not cure. 
 
 For perfect life is ever in one's acts 
 
 To deal with innocence, which proves itself 
 
 In doing wrong to no one hut itself. 
 
 So may the ancient poet have a hope 
 
 In Paradise above that Houris fair 
 
 As a transfigured youth may him receive. 
 
 O holy Ebnsund, exactly so ! 
 
 Judgment. 
 
 The Mufti all of Misri's poems took, 
 And passed them in succession in review ; 
 Then in the flames deliberate he threw, 
 Till naught was left of, the well-written book. 
 Thus spoke the mighty Judge : Consumed be he, 
 Who speads and thinks like Misri. Only he 
 Exempted from the fire's deep pain, may be. 
 For Allah gives each poet gifts of poesy ; 
 Should to misuse them him his sins beguile, 
 Let him look to it, God to reconcile. 1 
 
 Unbounded. 2 
 
 It makes thee mighty that thou endest not ; 
 That thou hast no beginning is thy lot. 
 
 1 Misri was a Turkish poet, whose writings were condemned on account 
 of their leaning towards Christianity. 
 * This piece is a poem written in praise of Hafiz. The first verse 
 
II. BOOK OF HAFIZ. 219 
 
 Thy song revolves itself just like the starry frame, 
 From first to last remaining aye the same, 
 And what the middle brings is clear to view, 
 As it commenced so has it ended, too. """ 
 
 Thou art of pleasure the true poet's fount : 
 Who of thy waves the number aye may count ? 
 Thy ever ready mouth, prepared to kiss, 
 A song that from the heart aye flows in bliss, 
 A throat well-pleased the ruby wine to quaff, 
 A merry heart, e'er brimming with a laugh. 1 
 
 Let the whole world in ruin sink ! 
 Hafiz, it is with thee and thee alone 
 That I would vie. Let us as twins enjoy 
 A common pleasure and a common moan. 
 Ever like thee to love, to drink like thee, 
 That shall my pride, my very being be. 
 
 And now my song, thy fire renew ! 
 Thou art both new and ancient too.* 
 
 Imitation. 
 
 In thy rhyme's fashion soon I hope myself to find ; 
 The repetition's even pleasing to my ear : 
 I wish, first, sense, and afterwards fit words to find ; 
 A second time the self- same ring I would not hear, 
 For then it must with some especial meaning fall, 
 As thou canst manage it, most favoured one of all ! 
 
 points out, as the characteristic of his poetry, its want of poetical unity, , 
 
 I which continually revolves like the starry firmament, and has neither •/ 
 
 beginning nor ending. 
 
 1 In the second verse Hafiz's geniality is praised, and in the third, 
 
 consequently, Goethe declares his determination to follow him alone in 
 
 drinking and loving, which are the chief topics of Hafiz's poems. The V 
 
 last two lines are very freely rendered. 
 
 ' 2 Here Goethe announces his intention of singing after his own fashion, 
 | which is both older and newer than that of Hafiz ; older, because he fol- / 
 
 lows classical models, and newer, because he sings as a " Young V 
 I German." 
 
220 WEST-EASTEEN DITAN. 
 
 For as a spark that's capable of setting fire 
 To town imperial, when flames in fury rise 
 And generating wind in their own passion glow, 
 Itself extinguished, it floats up to the skies ; — 
 So has from thee one risen in eternal glow, 
 Upon a German heart fresh vigour to bestow. 
 
 Although a measured rhyme will easily enchant, 
 
 And genius joy in the congenial task, 
 
 How soon it tires and palls upon the taste, 
 
 Senseless, without a drop of blood, a hollow mask ! 
 
 Nor could the soul in its own self rejoice, 
 
 If, soaring free in search of fresher form and shape, 
 
 From those dead forms it could not quickly find escape. 1 
 
 To Hinz. 
 
 Hafiz, if I with thee compare, 
 
 "What folly 'twere ! 
 
 Swiftly and proud upon the tide 
 
 Though bark may ride, 
 
 Bold and proud wandering, its sail 
 
 Swell with the gale, — 
 
 Tet should the sea in splinters tear, 
 
 'Twould float, rotten there. 
 
 In light and sprightly melody 
 
 The cool flood sways for thee, 
 
 But boiling over, with its fiery fume 
 
 Will me consume. 
 
 1 A common form of Oriental poetry is to carry the same rhyme, and 
 sometimes the same word as a rhyme, through a whole piece. Here, 
 although Goethe professes to admire this and to imitate it, it is clear that 
 it is the sense, and not the actual form of the poem, that he would copy, 
 nor would he employ the same word again unless it were meant to ex- 
 press some special meaning. The second verse means that just such a 
 spark as might excite a conflagration, and float up to heaven, although 
 itself extinguished, has pierced his German heart from Hafiz's writings. 
 The third verse probably ought to be read apart from the preceding, 
 as it expresses only dislike to a cramped and monstrous style of versi- 
 fication. 
 
II. BOOK OF HAFIZ. 221 
 
 A thought will yet rise in my heart 
 And strength impart, 
 I've lived in lands of sunny hue, 
 And I have loved there, too. 1 
 
 Open Secret. 
 
 holy and reverend Hafiz, 
 They call thee the mystical tongue, 2 
 But who of the words knows the purport 
 There's no one the learned among. 
 
 With them thou art truly a mystic ; 
 They.think all is folly that's thine, 
 And thus in thy name without reason 
 Retail their unsavoury wine. 
 
 Because they can not understand thee, 
 To them a pure mystic art thou, 
 Who, though not devout, art yet blessed ! 
 Though this they will never allow. 
 
 Sign. 3 
 
 Yet those I blame may still be in the right, 
 A simple word itself can have no might 
 
 1 Commentators differ as to whether the sunny land referred to is 
 Italy, where he had been so happy, or the figurative land of his love. 
 The simile of the shipwreck is adopted by Hafiz, in imitation of whose 
 style the piece is composed. The Berlin edition remarks : — " To rival 
 Hafiz was a dangerous undertaking, on which the poet would only ven- 
 ture in remembrance of the sunny days of love which he had once lived 
 through." 
 
 a Hafiz was called the mystical tongue (Lisan ool ghaib), because his 
 words had superhuman power and mysterious purport. In order not to 
 condemn Hafiz, the True Believers endeavour to make out that his sensual 
 love was merely an allegory of that which is godlike, and his drunken- 
 ness an image of heavenly ecstasy. 
 
 3 A word has not an existence of its own, but is only a sign or indica- 
 tion of what is understood by it. Saadi likens words to a veil over the 
 
222 WEST-EASTEKN DIVAN. 
 
 To all must be self-evident, indeed. 
 
 A word is but a fan ! Between the sticks 
 
 On thee a pretty pair of eyes themselves can fix. 
 
 The fan resembles but a lovely mead, 
 
 For though the face from me it truly hide, 
 
 The maid herself concealed may not abide ; 
 
 For what is fairest in her beauty bright, 
 
 Her eye, still flashes on me with its light. 
 
 To Hafiz. / 
 
 V, 
 What we all wish, thou knowest well, 
 
 Nor needest to enquire ;\ 
 In stringent bonds, from dust to throne, 
 Binds us alike desire. 
 
 It is so painful, yet so sweet, 
 
 To thwart it who would care ? 
 For though it should break one man's neck, 
 
 Others still rashly dare. 
 
 O Master, from my frequent boast 
 
 With pardon turn thy face ; 
 The cypress draws all eyes, thou knoVst, 
 
 Waving in tempting grace. 
 
 Like rootlet-fibre glides her foot, 
 
 Loving the ground to press ; 
 Like airy cloud her kisses melt, 
 
 As zephyr's breath caress. 
 
 Presentient it draws us on, 
 
 Where lock with lock is twined, 
 Where in brown f illness ringlets swell, 
 
 And murmur in the wind. 
 
 face of a pretty woman, or the lnoon behind a cloud, and Goethe here 
 likens them to a fan held by a girl, whose sparkling eyes shine out 
 between the sticks. The piece is a humorous hit at the interpreters of 
 mysticism. Saadi (Gulistan, stanza 83), says : " Each of my rules 
 in this book is a cover, spread before the face of a fair woman ; under 
 each letter is hidden an interpretation, as a fair picture hides itself 
 under a screen and the moon under clouds." 
 
II. BOOK OF HAFIZ. 223 
 
 The forehead clear expands itself, 
 
 Wherewith thy heart to smooth ; 
 Thou hearest songs so glad and true 
 
 Wherein thy soul to soothe. 
 
 And at the same time if the lips 
 
 In sweetest fashion play, 
 Tree will they render thee at once, 
 
 Only in chains to lay. 1 
 
 The breath that's breathed will not return, 
 
 The soul to soul will flee : 
 And through thy fortune clouds unseen 
 
 Of perfume wrapt will be." 
 
 Tet when it burns in mighty force, 
 
 The bell thou seizest then : 
 The waiter runs, the waiter comes, 
 
 He comes once and again. 3 
 
 Sparkles his eye, his heart beats fast, 
 
 He would by thee be taught, 
 And when the wine thy spirit moves 
 
 Would hear thy deepest thought. 
 
 To him the worlds display their space, 
 
 Their inner mode and order, 
 His breast expands, his lip's down grows, 
 
 He is on manhood's border. 
 
 x The Berlin edition remarks : — " The song of the beloved frees the 
 breast in giving expression to our sad feelings : only so much the more 
 do we find ourselves drawn towards her." 
 
 2 In the Hohenlied, " The Song of Songs," chap. iv. 16, the beloved is 
 compared to a fragrant flower garden. " Awake, O North wind, and 
 come, thou South ; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may 
 flow out." 
 
 3 The Berlin edition says : — " The glow of love is cooled in the tavern, 
 less through wine than through earnest discourse with the boy, to whom 
 the poet without envy imparts all the treasures of worldly wisdom, so 
 that the youth through his instruction quickly ripens into a young 
 man. 
 
224 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 And when thou hast no mystery left 
 
 That heart and world conceal, 
 Loyal, thou to the thinker say'st : 
 
 " Let truth itself reveal." 
 
 And that in vain from Prince's throne 
 
 We succour may not seek, 
 In praise of Shah and of Vazir ' 
 
 G-ood words thou shouldest speak. 
 
 Thou knowest all and sing'st to-day, 
 
 And wilt to-morrow, too ; 
 Friendly in rough or softer life 
 
 Thy lead will bear us through. 
 
 1 The Berlin edition says — " To praise the Shah and his Vazir (pro- 
 nounced Wnzeer) is also the business of the poet." Therefore should 
 the poet go with the king ; they both (the Shah and his Vazir), dwell 
 upon the heights of manhood." 
 
 The poems of Hafiz are chiefly devoted to the praise of love and wine. 
 Accordingly, the first eight verses of this piece are devoted to love. In 
 the ninth, the subject changes to wine and its dispenser, the cup-bearer, 
 whom the poet is supposed to instruct in enlightened views and mystical 
 dicta. 
 
III. ISHK NAMAH, OE, THE BOOK OF LOVE. 
 
 " Tell me now 
 For what my heart longs ! 
 Honour it, since to thee 
 That heart belongs." l 
 
 Pattern Pictures. 2 
 
 HEAE and remember 
 Six pairs of lovers. 
 Word-picture kindling, love enhancing, 
 Eustam and Budawoo. 3 
 Near each other, though unknown, 
 Joseph and Zuleikha. 1 
 Passion and from love no profit, 
 Ferhad and Sheereen 5 
 Existing but for each other, 
 Mujnoon and Leila. 
 Though aged, loving looked 
 
 1 Said to be founded on Hafiz, Ghazl Te 70 :— 
 
 " My heart is always with thee ; 
 Treat it with all honour." 
 
 2 No attempt has been made to put this in rhyme — it would be im- 
 possible, both on account of the metre and the Persian names. 
 
 3 Kustan or Roostam is here substituted for his father ZaI, whose 
 love to Kudawoo or Rudabeh was brought about by Mehrab's descrip- 
 tion of her beauty. 
 
 * Zuleikha, Potiphar's wife, is said to have been enamoured of Joseph 
 through having seen him in a dream before she saw himself. 
 
 5 The sculptor Ferhad went mad and threw himself off a rock on 
 hearing a false report of the death of Sheereen, whom he loved. She 
 was the wife of Khusroo, the second king of Persia. Their loves are 
 often sung by Hafiz and other Persian poets. 
 
 6 A well-known Eastern love tale. His name was Keis, but he was 
 called Mujnoon, or mad, in consequence of his infatuation for Leila. 
 
 Q 
 
226 WEST-EASTEEN DIVAN. 
 
 Jumil on Boteinah. 1 
 Love's sweet fancy, 
 Solomon and the Brown One. 2 
 Hast thou well observed these, 
 In love art thou strengthened ? 
 
 Another Paib. 3 
 
 Yes, loving always is great pain : 
 Who may find fairer in the main ? 
 Not power nor wealth will it provide, 
 But places thee by heroes' side. 
 For of the Prophet he who tales can tell 
 Of Wamik and of Asra speaks as well. 
 One need not talk, one only has to name, 
 They are so wide and fully known to fame. 
 "What they have done, or how they moved 
 That no man knows : but that they loved 
 We know full well. To answer easy task 
 When men of Wamik and of Asra ask. 
 
 Beading-Book. 4 
 
 Most wonderful of all the books 
 
 Is the book of love. 
 
 With ev'ry care I've read it through: 
 
 Few its leaves of joy, 
 
 Ev'ry volume woe. 
 
 1 The Khalif Abdoolmalek, who had heard of the love of this couple, 
 sent for Boteinah, and was astonished when he found her old, black and 
 ugly, but was so pleased with the way in which she answered for herself 
 that he sent her away with handsome gifts. 
 
 8 The Queen of Sheba. A favourite love tale with Oriental writers, 
 mentioned even in the Koran. 
 
 3 Nothing is known of Wamik and Asra but that they loved each 
 other, and their loves are famous. 
 
 4 Based on some lines by a Turkish poet in the reign of Suleiman I., 
 for whom Goethe substitutes the Persian poet Nizami. In writing this he 
 also probably had in mind HaBz, Te 86 : — " Strangest wisdom is the 
 knowledge of the form of love." 
 
in. book: op love. 227 
 
 Separation forms one section, 
 Meeting but the smallest chapter, 
 Fragmentary. Grief in volumes, 
 Spun out terribly with notes, 
 Unmeasurable, endless. 
 O Mzami ! Tet at the last 
 Thou hast found the proper way. 
 Indissoluble, who solves it ? 
 None but lovers re-united. 
 
 Yes, this the mouth that me has kissed, 
 That gazed upon me those the eyes. 
 Narrow hips and full round body, 1 
 As for joys of Paradise. 
 "Was she there Y Where has she gone ? 
 Yes ! She it was the kiss that gave ; 
 Just as she fled she gave it me, 
 And chained me all my life a slave. 
 
 Warned. 2 
 
 To curling locks have I myself 
 Too willing captive made ; 
 So, Hafiz, to thy friend as thee 
 The same trick has been played. 
 
 But their tresses now they weave 
 Out of the longest hair ; 
 "Under this morion they fight, 
 As we can all declare. 
 
 But he who due precaution takes 
 Will not be caught again : 
 He runs into the lightest noose, 
 But fears a heavy chain. 
 
 1 According to Oriental ideas the waist should be slender and the hips 
 full and round. 
 
 2 Imitated from Hafiz, Te 61 : — 
 
 " My heart has entangled itself in the net of thy looks," 
 
 and aimed at a particular style of coiffure adopted by the ladies of 
 the day. 
 
228 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Absorbed. 
 
 Curl full of curls that little head so round ! 
 
 With both hands full, in such rich, streaming hair, 
 
 Might I to wander up and down hut dare, 
 
 Then from my heart myself might I feel sound. 
 
 And when I kiss that mouth, those eyes, that brow, 
 
 I am refreshed, though wounded just as now. 
 
 The five-tongued comb, 1 where shall I place it, where ? 
 
 Again it nestles in those tresses fair. 
 
 A soft caress denies me not the ear, 
 
 I feel no flesh, and there is no skin here, 
 
 So tender to be toyed with, full of love ! 
 
 And as around that little head we move, 
 
 Oh ! would that in those flowing tresses still 
 
 One could for ever wander up and down at will ! 
 
 Thou, Hafiz, also hast the same thing done : 
 
 For long ago we both have this begun. 
 
 Hesitating. 
 
 Shall I speak of emeralds 
 That thy pretty fingers bear ? 
 Though sometimes to speak is needful, 
 Often silence better were. 
 So I say the jewel's hue 
 Green is, and eye-quickening, too. 
 Say not thou that pain and scar 
 With it to be looked for are. 
 Forward, then ! Thou mayest read it ! 
 Why dost practice such control ? 
 " As reviving is the emerald, 
 As is dangerous thy soul ! " 2 
 
 1 By the five tongued comb is signified the hand, which nestles in the 
 beloved one's hair. 
 
 2 The poet doubts whether he should express the thoughts that occur 
 to him on looking at the emeralds on his beloved's hand. The colour re- 
 
III. BOOK OF LOVE. 229 
 
 Love, alas ! in stiff -bound volume 
 Sorely cramped is the free song, 
 Once that in the heavenly regions 
 Up and down flew blithe along. 
 Wasteful time brings all to ruin, 
 Song alone will lasting prove ! 
 Every line shall be immortal, 
 Everlasting as is love ! 
 
 Why should my ev'ry hour be full of care ? 
 
 Though life be short, yet long the days appear. 
 
 Forth ever longs my heart to go, 
 
 If heavenwards I do not know, 
 
 Yet farther still to soar 'twill try, 
 
 Perhaps but from itself to fly. 
 
 And should it reach the loved one's breast, 
 
 It rests in heaven unconfessed. 
 
 Life's giddy whirlpool seizes it, 
 
 Still one loved place it will not quit. 
 
 Whatever it has lost, or hopes to gain, 
 
 It must for ever its own fool remain. 
 
 Poor Consolation. 1 
 
 At midnight I both wept and sobbed, 
 Por I was far from thee. 
 Then came the spirits of night, 
 And I was ashamed. 
 
 minds him of her beauty, but the thought of pain unwillingly associates 
 itself with it. He apparently, therefore, determines to write instead of 
 speaking, hence " lesen " in the last verse. The fear of speaking in per- 
 son seems expressed in the second verse. 
 1 Founded on Hafiz, Lam 2 : — 
 
 " At all the blood, that yesternight 
 Flowed from the storehouse of my eyes, 
 Before the ghosts of dreams I sit 
 Ashamed, that weird at night arise." 
 
 Also Lam 5 : 
 
 " The night of parting threw a shade > 
 What games the ghosts of fancy played ! " 
 
230 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 " Spirits of night," I said ; 
 
 " Weeping and sobbing : 
 
 Now do ye find me, whom once 
 
 Ye had pass'd by as I slept. 
 
 Many good things I have lost. 
 
 Think not the worse of me, 
 
 Who once ye thought was so wise : 
 
 Great misfortune has happened." 
 
 Then the spirits of night 
 
 With longest of faces 
 
 Passed them along, 
 
 If I wise were or foolish 
 
 Quite unconcerned. 
 
 Contented. 
 
 How vain must thy imagination be, 
 That out of love the maid belongs to thee ! 
 That could not please me in the least degree. 
 She is an adept in her flattery. 
 
 Poet. 
 
 I am well pleased that it should be so. still, 
 And this for my excuse must do ; 
 Love is a bounty of the freest will, 
 Whilst flattery is homage due. 
 
 Greeting. 
 
 Oh ! how happy am I ! 
 
 I roam in the land 
 
 Where on the road runs the Hoopoo. 
 
 Petrified shells of the sea, 
 
 The ancient, I sought in the stone ; 
 
 Hoopoo ran hither, 
 
 Unfolding his top-knot, 
 
 Strutting in jesting fashion, 
 
 He, the living, 
 
 Cutting his jokes at the dead. 
 
III. BOOK OP LOVE. 231 
 
 " Hoopoo," I said, " 'tis true, 
 Thou art a beautiful bird ! 
 -Now haste thee, fair Hoopoo, 1 
 Haste and this message give 
 To my loved one, that ever 
 To her I'm devoted. 
 Formerly, too, 
 Between Suleiman 
 And Sheba's fair monarch 
 Thou wast the go-between made ! " 
 
 Beautiful the gift and costly, 
 Eight well the desire was guessed, 
 But that it was duly blessed 
 This for certain one would know. 
 But may this not be amended ? 
 If she to grant would only please 
 What he, modest, would not seize ! 
 Hoopoo, to announce this go ! 
 
 Hoopoo answered : " "With a look 
 She intrusted all to me. 
 I was built up by your fortune, 
 Was and evermore shall be. 
 Love on still ! In night of absence 
 See where in the stars 'tis writ, 
 That allied with heav'nly powers 
 Rests thy love with splendour lit." 
 
 Hoopoo on the palm-tree's stem, 
 In the corner, 
 
 1 The Hoopoo (Hudhud) was according to Easter tradition the 
 messenger between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Hafiz says, 
 Dal 40 :— 
 
 " Home from the provinces of Saba (Sheba) 
 
 Brought the Hoopoo joyful news." 
 
 Diintzer remarks on this piece that the contrast between the past, which 
 the poet inquires after (petrifactions !) and the lively present, of which 
 the Hoopoo reminds him, is most enchanting ! (AUerliebst.) 
 
232 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Sweetly smiles upon its nest, 
 Watchful, as it sits at rest. 
 
 Resignation. 
 
 " Thou fadest, and yet art so friendly, 
 Art wasted, and yet sing'st so gay ? " 
 
 Poet. 
 
 " It is love that is treating me badly, 
 
 And willingly now will I say, 
 
 I sing no more with heart so light, 
 
 Yet see, how candles in the night 
 
 Shine, though they still may waste away." J 
 
 Love's pain once sought itself a dreary place, 
 A desert where to hide its lovely face : 
 It found my empty heart wherein to rest, 
 And there it built its solitary nest. 2 
 
 Inevitable. 
 
 Who can command in the meadow 
 Silence the birds to keep ? 3 
 
 1 Imitated from Hafiz, Te G8 :— 
 
 " Ask of the candle, friends, that burns and melts, 
 Poor Hafiz' agony of burning heart." 
 
 In line 4, the same idea is constantly repeated. 
 
 2 Imitated from Hafiz, Lam 1 : — 
 
 " Grief has no better refuge found 
 Than my sad desert heart. 
 Hafiz, be silent, nor thy pain 
 To men of sense impart." 
 •' Imitated from Hafiz, Sheen 22 :— 
 
 " Can one, then, not whisper, ' Hush ' 
 To the bird that's in the bush ? " 
 The simile of the sheep is Goethe's own. 
 
III. BOOK OF LOVE. 233 
 
 And who can forbid at the shearing 
 To struggle the bleating sheep ? 
 
 Am I, then, becoming unruly 
 "When crispily curls my wool ? 
 ^No ! the shearer cures my impatience, 
 As my hair he does worry and pull. 
 
 "Who will prevent me from singing, 
 As I list to the heavens above, 
 To the clouds above me intrusting 
 How she has bewitched me with love ? J 
 
 Secret. 
 
 At my pretty sweetheart's ogling. 2 
 Look the people in surprise : 
 I, the knowing one, on my part 
 Know full well what it implies. 
 
 It means this : I love but this man, 
 And I love none else beside : 
 So may all of ye, good people, 
 Curious longings lay aside. 
 
 Tes : with very fierce expression 
 At the crowd her glances lour, 
 But she only tries to tell me 
 Of the next delightful hour. 
 
 1 Explained by Diintzer to be the expression of the repressed condition 
 of the lover, who must give out in some way the feelings of his love and 
 longing, and who can no more be forced to silence than a bird in the bush, 
 or to be still more than a sheep being shorn. Jf in no other way, 
 he must express his feelings to the clouds. 
 
 - Diintzer mistranslates Hafiz, Dill 107, with reference to this. It is 
 really as follows : — 
 
 " Wonder all the inexperienced 
 
 At the ogling of my eyes (not those of the beloved) ; 
 
 I am only what I've shown them, 
 
 Though they think me otherwise." 
 
234 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Most Secret. 
 
 We who anecdotes collect, 
 All are anxious to inquire, 
 Wlio thy love is, and how many, 
 Brothers-in-law thou dost require 
 
 " For that thou'rt in love we witness, 
 (May it bring good luck to thee !) 
 But that thy beloved loves thee, 
 Is what none of us can see." l 
 
 Gentlemen, you're very welcome, 
 Seek her out ! This only hear : 
 Caressing now her absent shadow, 
 You'd be frightened were she here. 
 
 Know ye how Shahab-ood-deen 2 
 Threw his cloak upon the mount ? 
 If he wisely does his business, 
 None as foolish will ye count. 
 
 If before the Emperor's throne 
 Any one should speak of thee, 
 Or before thy well beloved, 
 Highest guerdon let it be ! 
 
 For it was the greatest sorrow 
 Dying Mujnoon could bequeath, 
 That his name in Leila's presence 
 Ne'er again would people breathe. 
 
 1 Being questioned as to his love affairs by curious people, lie puts 
 them off, but the allusions in verses 3 and 5 point to his platonic and 
 honourable love for the Empress. 
 
 2 Shahab-ood-deen was filled with longing to know whether God, the 
 object of his most fervent love, thought well of him. When it was re- 
 vealed to him on Mount Arafat, on his pilgrimage to Mecca, that such 
 was the case, he was overjoyed, and threw off his clothes in order to kneel 
 down and pray, as it behoves Mussulmans to do. Saadi, in the Gulistan, 
 relates how, when Mujnoon was met by some one in his loneliness and 
 asked whether he had any message to send to Leila, he answered in 
 despair, it was unnecessary he should be thought of where she was, and 
 he had therefore nothing to impart to her from him. 
 
IV. TUFKIR NAMAH; OR, BOOK OF 
 REFLECTIONS. 
 
 OH ! hear the advice that the sweet lyre sings ;' 
 To him who is clever of use 'twill appear : 
 The happiest word will be ever despised, 
 When the hearer thereof has a crooked ear. 
 
 What sings, then, the lyre ? Her tones sound wide : 
 
 " She is not the best who's the fairest bride, 
 
 And if to our company thee we admit, 
 
 Thou must choose thee the prettiest that is most fit." 
 
 Five Things. 2 
 
 Five things with five are never fraught : 
 
 Open thy ear wide and be taught, 
 
 From haughty breast will never friendship grow. 
 
 Politeness seek not in companions low : 
 
 A scampish fellow never can to greatness rise : 
 
 The naked finds no pity in a miser's eyes : 
 
 For faith and confidence the liar hopes in vain, 
 
 Of these let none deprive thee, but for aye maintain. 
 
 1 Ilitfiz, in Ze 71, says : — 
 
 " Behind the screen the lyre the same advice will give, 
 But only preaches when thou fit art to receive." 
 
 2 Imitated from the Ptind-Namah (Book of Counsel) of Pureed-ood- 
 deen-attar, a Persian poet. 
 
236 
 
 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Five Others. 
 
 What shortens time for nie ? 
 
 Activity ! 
 What makes it unbearably long ? 
 
 Dawdling along ! 
 What causes a debit ? 
 
 Too much credit ! 
 And how's profit brought ? 
 
 By not too much thought ! 
 What will bring fame ? 
 
 Preserving good name ! 
 
 A beckoning maiden's look is fair to view : 
 Before he drinks a toper's is so, too. 
 Prom lord, who could command, a greeting won ; 
 In autumn unexpected, a warming from the sun. 
 More lovely far than all of this the sight 
 When for small gifts the poor man with delight 
 Stretches the hand of need, and humbly takes 
 What thou dost give and what him thankful makes. 
 What looks ! what greeting ! what a speaking show ! 
 look at it rightly, thou wouldst e'er bestow ! 
 
 What in the Book of Counsel's writ 
 Out of the heart will surely prove : 
 Him to whom thou givest gifts 
 As thyself thou soon wilt love. 
 Heap not gold up for thy will, 
 Give thy penny now away : 
 Gladly hasten to prefer 
 To monuments the present day. 1 
 
 Thou know'st not when thy horse he'll shoe, 
 If by a smith's forge thou dost ride ; 
 If in an open field a hut thou see, 
 Thou know'st not if thy love it hide ; 
 
 1 Fareed-ood-deen, the Persian poet, referred to above, says : — " There 
 is a greater profit in giving a drachma with one's own hand than in leaving 
 a hundred behind one at one's death." 
 
IV. BOOK OF REFLECTIONS. 23? 
 
 The youth -whom thou may'st meet so fair and free, 
 Thou may'st subdue, or he hereafter thee. 
 Yet of the vine thou safely may'st declare, 
 That something good for thee 'twill always bear. 
 Thus to the world thou art commended well, 
 And what is more than this I need not tell. 1 
 
 A stranger's greeting thou shouldst aye return ! 2 
 As an old friend's 'tis worth as much to thee ; 
 After brief converse thou canst say, " Farewell ! '* 
 Thou to the East, he West, may take your way. 
 Should after many years your road cross his, 
 When least expected, thou canst friendly cry ; 
 " Yes, that's the very man," as if had not 
 Many days' journey both by land and sea, 
 And many years and seasons intervened. 
 Now ware for ware exchange ! your profits share '. 
 An ancient confidence creates new ties ! 
 Worth many thousand is the first salute : 
 Him that salutes thee, therefore, friendly greet. 
 
 Of thy faults and thy failings 3 
 
 Often they've spoken, 
 
 And in truth to recite them 
 
 Much trouble taken. 
 
 Had they friendly thy virtues 
 
 Told thee as often, 
 
 And with wise, true suggestions, 
 
 1 The saying alluded to is evidently that apparent trifles should never 
 be disregarded. 
 
 2 The sense of these lines hangs well on to the preceding piece. 
 
 * In consequence of the shortness of the lines of this piece, and the re- 
 currence of similar rhymes in the alternate ones throughout it, it would, 
 be impossible to translate it into any foreign language in rhyme with any 
 approximation to the style of the original. Diintzer's remark on the piece 
 is as follows : — " People had before only attacked him instead of showing 
 him how he could do better : if they had done this, he would certainly 
 have retired within himself and accomplished something extraordinary. 
 Now, however, they had determined to teach him as a pupil and tell him 
 that men must do penance when they have committed faults." The note 
 in the Berlin edition of 1871 is as follows : — " They have now chosen me 
 to come to them as pupil, and I begin to see the need of penance for my 
 sins. Really a bitter irony ! " 
 
238 WEST-EASTEKN DIVAN. 
 
 How to choose better. 
 
 The " All best " had then surely 
 
 Not long been concealed, 
 
 That which even in cloisters 
 
 Few votaries reckons. 
 
 Now at last as a pupil 
 
 They must select me, 
 
 To instruct me, repentance 
 
 Profits a sinner. 
 
 Markets (of learning) thee entice to buy : 
 What knowledge raises is no humble cry, 
 He who quietly looks round, at length 
 Learns how love builds him up in strength. 
 Dost thou night and day bestow 
 Much to hear and much to know, 
 Listen at another gate 
 How thyself to educate. 
 When to Eight thou hast attained, 
 Feel something right in God is gained. 
 In whom's kindled purest love, 
 He is known of God above. 1 
 
 When I was quite honest, 
 
 Then I went wrong, 
 
 And gave myself trouble 
 
 Many years long. 
 
 I was something and nothing, 
 
 Why should that be ? 
 
 Then a scamp I would be 
 
 1 The markets are explained by German commentators to be the 
 schools and universities, which, although they entice, do not improve. 
 The wisdom, also, which is to be purchased in them only puffs up. He 
 only who looks round him quietly discovers how love builds up, or, as 
 the English version of 1 Cor. chap. viii. 1 has it, " charity edifieth." The 
 accumulation of knowledge day and night is not of much use ; one should 
 learn how to acquire it profitably. The last part points to God as 
 the only source of true knowledge, to which one can only attain through 
 love. Saadi says, " Thou wilt be known of God when thou art loosed 
 from thy own bonds. Man attains not his desire as long as he lingers 
 with himself: he attains his object as soon as he goes out of himself." 
 See John i. 4, 7. 
 
IV. BOOK OF REFLECTIONS. 239 
 
 And work busily ; 
 
 But soon gave that up, 
 
 It would not suit me. 
 
 Then thought, yet, to honesty 
 
 Best to hold fast ; 
 
 It may he burdensome, 
 
 But longest will last. 
 
 Ask not through what gate it was 
 Thou earnest into God's fair town, 1 
 But quiet in the place remain, 
 Where thou once hast settled down. 
 
 Look around thee for the wise ones, 
 For the strong ones who command ; 
 Those will give thee due instruction, 
 These to deeds will nerve thy hand. 
 
 If thou, useful and devoted, 
 To the State remainest true, 
 Enow that none will ever hate thee, 
 And that many love thee, too. 
 
 And the prince will know thee loyal, 
 Faith thy actions lively hold, 
 What is now itself conforming 
 To the standard of the old. 
 
 Strong yet mild, if thou completest 
 In pure fashion thy life's way, 
 Then shalt thou to those who follow 
 Serve as pattern in thy day. 2 
 
 1 God's town is the world. The verses appear to be a general 
 exhortation to the performance of good service to the State under all 
 circumstances. 
 
 2 In another edition of the Divan, Goethe had added this verse : — 
 
 " Know how to make use of talk 
 Abraham's devoted brood : 
 I see them chaffer in bazaar, 
 Buying cheap and buying good." 
 
 The lines are apparently an expression of Goethe's opinion of the Jew ish 
 character, which he had studied in the Judengasse in Frankfort. 
 
240 WEST-BASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Whence came I ? That is still a question : 
 
 Hither the way I scarce should know again, 
 
 To-day and here, on this delightful day, 
 
 As friends there meet together joy and pain. 
 
 O happy fate, could they this union keep ! 
 
 For lonely who would laugh, or who would weep ? ' 
 
 One may go behind another, 
 
 Or may go before, indeed ; 
 
 So let us, brave and keen and daring, 
 
 Forward on life's ways proceed. 
 
 It holds thee back, with sidelong glance, 
 
 Of the flowers much to read, 
 
 But shouldst thou false have been, naught worse 
 
 Can hold thee back, indeed. 
 
 To deal with women great precautions take, 
 From a crooked rib for God did her create, 
 And even He could not create her straight. 
 If you should try to bend her, she will break ; 
 Leave her alone, and she'll more crooked grow. 
 Can evil, Adam good, much farther go ? 
 In handling women great precautions take ; 
 'Twould not be well that thine own rib should break; 
 
 Our mortal life is but a sorry jest ; 
 When some want this, then that demand the rest ; 
 One wants too much, another nothing small, 
 And Will and Luck decide it after all. 
 
 1 German commentators explain this as an expression of Goethe's sor- 
 rowful frame of mind on a fine day in JFranzensbrumer on his journey 
 to Karlsbad. The idea of the two first lines is said to be taken from 
 Hafiz, Meem 20 :— 
 
 " Wherefore I came, where I have been 
 Is certainly unknown to me, 
 Of my own business, ah, alas! 
 That I so negligent should be ! " 
 
 2 One of Mahomet's Sunnas : — " Deal with women cautiously, for 
 woman was made out of a crooked rib. If thou wouldest make them 
 straight they break, and if thou leavest them alone they do not cease to 
 be crooked. Deal cautiously with women." — Men are here addressed by 
 the name of their common ancestor, Adam. 
 
IV. BOOK OF REFLECTIONS. 241 
 
 And should in this misfortune's self conspire, 
 
 One has to bear what one may not desire, 
 
 Until at last their much-delighted heir 
 
 " Can-not " and " Will-not " may still further bear. 1 
 
 Our life is but a game of goose : 
 The more one forwards sets his face 
 One reaches sooner to the goal, 
 Where willing no one takes his place. 
 
 They say that geese are very fools ; 
 Oh ! do not heed what the people say ! 
 For one of them will turn him round 
 To point me out the backward way. 
 
 On earth it is quite different. 
 Upon the forward track 
 When any stumbles or falls down 
 None think of looking back. 
 
 " Thou say'st thy years have taken much away, 
 
 The selfish pleasure of thy reason's play, 
 
 Eemembrance of the toy of yesterday, 
 
 Most loved of all, the rambling ever gay 
 
 Through wide and distant lands. Not even praise, 
 
 Acknowledged ornament of honour's ways, 
 
 Erst so refreshing, left. From thine own actions ease 
 
 Wells up no more, while hardy ventures please. 
 
 I know not what thou hast these things above." 
 
 I have enough. I have free thought and love. 2 
 
 I had through Erfurt once to go, 
 
 Which oft of old I had passed through, 
 
 And I seemed myself in many years, 
 
 Though well received, much to have suffered, too. 
 
 1 An expression of the general discontent with life. One wishes this, 
 and another that, but to attain one's wish one must have both ability and 
 luck. If one is unlucky one has to bear what one gets against one's in- 
 clination, until it ends in one's heirs carrying Messrs. "Can-not "and 
 ' ' Will-not," representatives of discontent, to the grave. 
 
 2 Knowledge of the world. 
 
 E 
 
242 WKST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Out of their shops as women who were old 
 
 Me, who had grown old too, would greet, 
 
 I might have thought my youthful days come back, 
 
 Which for each other we had made so sweet. 
 
 That one had been a baker's daughter, 
 
 This a shoe-maker down below : 
 
 This one an owlet was by no means, 
 
 Well how to live did that one know. 
 
 Hafiz, then, to emulate 
 
 Will we aye ourselves employ, 
 
 And rejoicing in the present, 
 
 Aye with him the past enjoy. 
 
 Before the wise thyself to place 
 
 Is the best way in ev'ry case. 
 
 If thou hast been in trouble long, 
 
 He knows at once what may be wrong, 
 
 And since he knows whence it may be 
 
 Thou mayest hope for sympathy. 
 
 He who gives freely is deceived, 
 The miser of his cash relieved, 
 He who is clever led astray, 
 And to the great void pass away. 1 
 The hard man taken in may be, 
 The ninny in captivity, 
 Over these lies have domain ; 
 Deceived, do thou deceive again ! 
 
 He who commands may sometimes praise, 
 Sometimes, also, he may blame ; 
 And that, true servant, should to thee 
 One as the other be the same. 
 For he praises what is trifling, 
 Praises where he should reprove ; 
 But if thou art always cheerful, 
 Thee, too, he may some time prove. 
 
 1 He who follows reason only may be led into the endless void, 
 to nothing. 
 
IT. BOOK OF REFLECTIONS. 243 
 
 So like the humble ones, ye lofty, 
 To your God draw ever near : 
 Do and suffer, as it may be, 
 But be always of good cheer. 
 
 To Shah Sejan and Others like Him. 
 
 Above the Transoxanian throng, 
 Shouting in thy praise, 
 Upon thy road our song 
 Heartily we raise. 
 In thy rule secure 
 All our life is past. 
 May thy life endure ! 
 May thy kingdom last. 2 
 
 The Highest Favottk. 3 
 
 Untamed as once I used to be, 
 I have now a master found : 
 Tamed but after many years, 
 I a mistress, too, have found. 
 As they trial did not spare, 
 True and faithful I was found, 
 Nursed and kept with ev'ry care 
 As a treasure they had found. 
 
 1 The Duke of Weimar under the name of Shah Sejan; this was 
 Julal-ood-deen, the fourth of the Mozuffer dynasty, under whom Hafiz 
 lived, and wrote much in his honour. The martial music of the countries 
 beyond the Oxus was celebrated. 
 
 2 Hafiz, Ain 3, says : — 
 
 " If to the world thou wishest good, 
 Ask for a long life for the king." 
 
 3 The form of this piece is a close imitation of the Persian style. 
 Written as an expression of esteem towards the Duke and Duchess of 
 Weimar, the latter of whom at first disliked Goethe, but afterwards came 
 round to trusting him entirely. 
 
244 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 None two masters can obey, 
 Or therein has fortune found, 
 Master, mistress, gladly see 
 That they both of them me found. 
 Fortune's star is bright as day, 
 Since I both of them have found. 
 
 Through many lands have I travelling been, 
 And everywhere crowds of people have seen ; 
 In every corner have searched right well: 
 On every blade for me grain would swell. 
 Such blessed towns have I never espied, 
 With Huris on Huris, and bride upon bride. 
 
 Fikdoosi SPEAKS. 
 
 O world, how shameless and wicked art thou ! 
 Thou rearest and cheerest and killest as well. 
 He only from Allah who favour receives, 
 Lively and rich, self-sustaining, will dwell. 
 
 "What, then, are riches ? A life-giving sun, 1 
 The beggar enjoys it, as we, too, have done, 
 And let not the rich his love ever take ill, 
 That love that is happy in stubborn self-will. 
 
 JuLAL-OOD-DEEN RoOMEE SPEAKS." 
 
 If in the world thou lingerest, as dream it flies apace, 
 And if thou movest onwards, fate restricts the space. 
 Nor heat nor cold art thou enabled fast to hold, 
 And that which blooms for thee is also growing old. 
 
 1 Riches consist in enjoyment, so the beggar that enjoys himself stub- 
 bornly in the sunshine, without being moved out of it by any one, enjoys 
 great riches, and should not be found fault with by the rich. 
 
 2 In answer to this warning by Julal-ood-deen, that this world and all 
 that are in it are fleeting, Zuleika is supposed to point out that God is 
 eternal, and her beauty is a reflection from Him. 
 
IV. BOOK OF REFLECTIONS. 245 
 
 ZlTLEIKA. SPEAKS. 
 
 That I am fair my mirror makes me understand ! 
 Te say that to grow old my fate must also be. 
 All in G-od's presence must for ever stand ; 
 Love for a moment, therefore, Him in loving me. 
 
V. EANJ NAMAH ; OE, BOOK OF SOEEOW. 
 
 HOW didst thou to it attain ? 
 Whence came it to thee again ? 
 'Midst life's trash of ev'ry kind 
 Where didst thou this tinder find, 
 So the fire when dim and low 
 Thou might' st freshen into glow ? 1 
 
 Let it not be thought by thee, 
 This a common spark may be : 
 In unmeasured depths profound, 
 Starry ocean's gleaming round, 
 Never lost, though far from earth, 
 This was, as 'twere, second birth. 
 
 As with billows' foaming light, 
 All the hills with sheep are white ; 
 Well pleased with but meagre fare, 
 Shepherds tend their herds with care, 
 These dear men so quiet rest, 
 That with joy each fills my breast. 
 
 1 The opening verse apparently relates to the surprise of the poet in 
 his advancing age at breaking out into new song. His ability to do 
 this is attributed to the invigoration of his spirit by what he found in 
 Eastern lands, in shepherd and caravan life, described in the subse- 
 quent verses. The hills are covered, as with white waves, with sheep 
 tended by careful shepherds under cloudless skies, whose unmeasured 
 depths are studded with stars. The caravan stretches onwards in ap- 
 parently aimless progress into the endless desert, escorted by armed 
 men prepared for instant fight in case of robber attacks ; camels are 
 groaning, drivers walking about and leading them, and the din and 
 noise of a large body of men and animals on the march bewilder the ear 
 and at the same time refresh the spirit, while in the distance the lying 
 sea, the deceptive appearance of water caused by the mirage, is 
 stretched out. 
 
V. BOOK OF SORROW. 247 
 
 Shrouded in the awful night, 
 Threatened all with instant fight, 
 Groans of camels kneeling near 
 Pierce the heart and stun the ear, 
 And among the moaning crowd 
 Camel drivers strutting proud. 
 
 Ever forward as it goes, 
 The long train still broader grows, 
 The procession to the sight 
 Stretching as in endless flight, — 
 Blue, the waste and host between, 
 Lying strips of water seen. • 
 
 Nevtr rhymer yet was found 
 Himself the best who would not say, 
 Never fiddler who preferred not 
 His own melodies to play. 
 
 And I would not blame them either. 
 When we others honour give, 
 Our own dignity is lowered : 
 Can we live when others live ? 
 
 And in certain ante-chambers 
 There I found it always so, 
 Mouse's dirt from coriander 
 Where the people did not know. 1 
 
 Such new, strong, and active besoms 
 What had been would always hate : 
 These again would quite look down on 
 What had besoms been of late. 
 
 1 According to German commentators these verses refer to jealousy 
 between old and new officials, the latter considering themselves far 
 superior to the old, and being compared to new brooms looking down 
 on the old ones, and the former hating the new, and holding, on the 
 contrary, that they could not distinguish mouse's dirt from coriander 
 seed. 
 
WEST-EASTEKN DIVAN. 
 
 (Folks who mutual in contempt 
 vAt each other look askance, 
 /Never will themselves acknowledge 
 I Towards the same point they advance. 1 
 
 And that coarse self-gratulation. 
 Most to blame will those think fit, 
 "Who the least are sympathetic 
 With those who have made a hit. 
 
 A friendship with Germans 
 
 I don't demand, 
 
 For bitterest hatred 
 
 Has politeness at command. 
 
 The milder to grow that they seemed, 
 
 Have I ever threatened more, — 
 
 Wretched morning and red evening, 
 
 Never less have I been sore ; 
 
 For joy or for sorrow 
 
 By me the waters still sped, 
 
 But notwithstanding all this 
 
 I still kept steady my head. 
 
 For they all would gladly enjoy 
 
 Each hour that passed as it stood, 
 
 And I have never reproved them, — 
 
 Each one went as he would. 
 
 Greeting me ever with their breath, 
 
 They all still hate me till death. 2 
 
 1 This and the last verse refer to the inordinate hatred of the French 
 by the Germans, carried to such a ridiculous length as to banish French 
 from the schools, the last verse casting their conceit in the teeth of the 
 French, but also blaming the Germans who could not stomach success 
 won by any other nation. 
 
 2 This is said to refer to the hatred incurred by Goethe among his 
 countrymen for having made himself distinguished, and for living on in 
 his own way, and keeping himself under control without paying any 
 regard to such feelings. Their outward politeness only served them as 
 a cloak for the bitterest enmity, and they all hated him to the death, 
 notwithstanding their continued greetings. The rhymes of the second 
 and the subsequent alternate lines are all in " ot " or " oth," which it 
 would be impossible to follow in any foreign language, but the rugged- 
 
V. BOOK OF SORROW. 249 
 
 The man that is always jolly and good 
 His neighbours constantly torment : 
 And while the strong man active lives, 
 With stoning would be content, 
 But then when he is really dead, 
 Much money they collect, 
 In honour of his need in life, 
 His tombstone to erect. 
 What profit they derive from this 
 The mob should reckon yet : 
 'Twere more judicious in his grave 
 The good man to forget. 1 
 
 Arrogance, ye well may know, 
 Never from the world will go : 
 Better pleases me to meet 
 With those tyrants who're discreet. 2 
 
 Since the stupid, narrow-minded 
 Always make the loudest noise, 
 And the cramped ones, the half-witted, 
 Gladly would make us their prize, 
 
 Both from fools and from the wise ones 
 When myself free I declare ; 
 These at ease are still remaining, 
 Those are writhing in despair. 
 
 In violence they think and loving 
 We must at length ourselves unite, 
 They make the shade for me too heated 
 Render dismal sun and light. 
 
 ness and inequality of the lines in the original are imitated as nearly as 
 possible. 
 
 1 This is a satirical sequel to the preceding piece, to point out how a 
 man who is despised during his life has monuments erected to him after 
 his death. 
 
 2 This refers to the charge against Goethe of truckling to people of 
 rank, here satirically called tyrants. Half-witted, narrow-minded 
 people, who consider themselves wise and desire to draw him over to 
 them, are annoyed that he will have nothing to do with them, and em- 
 bitter his life. Who these are is shown in verse 5. 
 
250 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Hafiz both, and Ulrich Hutten 
 Always guarded them with care 
 Against the blue and brown kapooohes, 1 
 Mine clothes as other Christians wear. 
 
 But tell us who may be our foes ? 
 None can them to us declare, 
 For in this community 
 I have quite enough to bear. 
 
 To copy me, transform, deform, 
 For fifty years they all have sought : 
 What in thy fatherland's thy lot 
 Thou canst thus learn, I often thought. 
 
 With demon-wild, young genial friends 
 Thou in thy time the fool hast played, 
 But gently, as the years passed by, 
 Drawn tow'rds the wise, the godly-staid. 2 
 
 If thou trustest in what's good, 
 
 Never will I blame ; 
 
 When thou doest what is good, 
 
 See ! thou gainest fame — 
 
 If, however, thou thy good 
 
 Closely feneest in, 
 
 Free am I, and live, forsooth, 
 
 Noways taken in. 
 
 For mankind, though they are good, 
 Would far better thrive, 
 Would they tow'rds the selfsame end 
 Not together strive. 
 
 1 Hafiz had to contend against the blue-hooded monks of his own 
 order, and Ulrich von Hutten against the brown-hooded Christians of 
 the Begging Orders and priests. As the hoods against which the poet 
 had to contend were clothed like other Christians, they were, like these, 
 pious opponents, as those of the Komantic School were, who appeared 
 to him half-formed because they denied the spirit of true freedom and 
 longed for the times of the middle ages. This is Diintzer's explanation. 
 
 2 This also refers to the misappreciation in which Goethe was held 
 during his life. 
 
V. BOOK OP SORROW. 251 
 
 None condemns if on the road 
 We should all agree : 
 To an equal goal we're bound, 
 Let's together be ! 
 
 On our way may here and there 
 
 Much against us stand ; 
 
 In making love one never needs 
 
 Comrades' helping hand : 
 
 Gold and honour one would wish 
 
 All alone to spend, 
 
 Yet will wine us disunite, 
 
 The true man, in the end. 
 
 Hafiz, too, on equal stuff 
 
 Many words has said ; 
 
 Over many a stupid trick 
 
 Broken, too, his head. 
 
 I see no good if from the world 
 
 Thbu fleest in despair ; 
 
 Thou canst yet, if the worst should come, 
 
 Again tear out thy hair. 1 
 
 As if that rested on a name 
 Which is unfolded in repose ! 
 Yet I love what's fair and good, 
 As it from its God arose. 
 
 I love someone ; that is needful ; 
 I hate no one. Must I hate, 
 Thereto also I am ready, 
 But whole masses I will hate — 
 
 1 Written in the first part against those who would willingly mould 
 every one after their own fashion. It is contended that it would be 
 better for every one to take his own way, as when people go together 
 on the same road, they are pretty sure to come to strife. Finally, 
 however, the conclusion is come to that it is advisable to walk in com- 
 pany, and not run out of the world. " If thou trustest in what's good" 
 means, " if thou behavest well." 
 
'252 'WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 If thou wouldst more closely know them, 
 Bad and good both keep in sight ; 
 What they excellent may call 
 Is not probably what's right. 
 
 What is right to firmly grasp 
 One should live an earnest life ; 
 Chattering to sweep along 
 Seems to me a shallow strife. 
 
 Well, Sir Crumpler, he himself 
 With the splitter may unite ; 
 Thus he who weathers out may still 
 Be the best in his own sight. 1 
 
 1 This piece is very involved and difficult to understand. It is said 
 by Diintzer to be directed against the partiality in poetry and art 
 which opposed the poet, whose classical tendencies the Komantic School 
 fought against. The " name," the Komantic, here is opposed to the 
 right, the Classical, which flows from the innermost soul, unfolding 
 itself in silence. The Romantic School talked much of true love, which 
 they denied the poet the possession of. He says, therefore, in the 
 second verse that he can hate, although hating is not congenial to him, 
 but if he must hate, it must be the great masses of misleading tenden- 
 cies. To know what these are, one must look to what they consider 
 right and wrong, as these may not be found to be what others think so. 
 To comprehend what is right one must go to the depths of being, and 
 not go on in a superficial, chattering way, as his opponents were apt to 
 do. They attack everything, merely to make out that they are of im- 
 portance. Such people he calls " Knitterer," because they crumple up 
 all they touch into folds or creases. They may even proceed to break- 
 ing it to pieces (zersplittern) and then only rest contented when they 
 have weathered (verwittern) it all out until there is nothing left of it. 
 Their sole aim appears to be to please with what is new and diverting, 
 and bring into subjection the spirit, which would be strengthened by ap- 
 propriating what had gone before. But so it has always been : men always 
 delight in what is new by way of diversion. In this he refers to the 
 "Journal und Tageblattverzetteln" (the multiplication of journals and 
 newspapers) through which the Germans did themselves so much harm. In 
 1797, Goethe wrote from Frankfort — " All pleasures, even the theatre 
 itself, tend to diversion, and hence arises the great inclination of the 
 reading public towards newspapers and journals, because the latter 
 always and the former generally bring amusement into diversion." He 
 himself for a long time left off reading newspapers, and in 1830 said he 
 was consequently better and freer in spirit. It was considered patriotic 
 to be called Teutsch instead of Deutsch, and Goethe ridicules the idea. 
 The song referred to in the last verse is what has preceded ; and what 
 
V. BOOK OF S0-RR0W. 253 
 
 Only let each renewal 
 Hear some new thing ev'ry day, 
 And let each one at the same time 
 Diversion to himself convey. 
 
 This the patriot loves and wishes, 
 Whether Deutsch or Teutsch his name : 
 This my ditty's secret hurden ; 
 " It was, and will be e'er, the same." 
 
 The term Mujnoon — I will not say ' 
 Its purport would be quite " insane ; ' 
 If I myself as Mujnoon praise, 
 You certainly must not complain. 
 
 If the breast, the full and honest, 
 Unloads itself, yourselves to spare, 
 Do not cry : " Behold the madman ! 
 Look for ropes, and chains prepare ! " 
 
 When at last ye see in fetters 
 Languish clever men through pain, 
 Fiery nettle this will sting you, 
 That you must look on in vain. 
 
 How to carry on your warfare 
 
 Have I e'er your hearts inflamed ? 
 
 Brave deeds done, when peace ye wished for, 
 
 Have I e'er your wishes blamed ? 
 
 it secretly complains of (heimlich piepet) is what is said in the last line, 
 viz., that it always was and will remain the same. 
 
 1 He is supposed to call himself Mujnoon or " mad," because he was- 
 so considered in consequence of the warnings uttered by him against 
 the freedom of the press. In the second verse, accordingly, he tells- 
 people not to consider him mad, when he merely speaks the honest truth 
 in order to save them, and in the third, points to the remorse they must 
 feel when they see clever men unable to stand against the gibes of an 
 unfettered press. German commentators acknowledge these lines to 
 have been written in an ambiguous sense. 
 
254 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Quietly I've seen the fisher 
 Nets to throw himself prepare, • 
 And desired the clever joiner 
 Not to sharpen up his square. 
 
 You yourselves would fain know better 
 What I've thought and long have known, 
 And what Nature, by me studied, 
 Had already made my own. 
 
 Equal strength if ye feel in you, 
 In your own way hasten on, 
 When you see my works, however, 
 First learn how I should have done. 1 
 
 Wanderer's Calmness. 
 
 Of what is common 
 Let no man complain, 
 For this is what's mighty 
 Whate'er folks maintain. 
 
 It rules with the bad 
 To high profit still ; 
 And with the right governs 
 Just as it will. 
 
 Wand'rer ! — Against such need 
 Wouldest thou strive ? 
 Dried mud and whirlwind, 
 Dust let them drive. 2 
 
 1 The poet rejects all officious advice as to what he should do or how 
 he should write, with the remark that he has always followed his own 
 nature. If his poet-advisers considered themselves fit for something of 
 importance, they might undertake it, but should first endeavour to 
 master his works, and find out what he himself meant. 
 
 2 The general drift of this seems to be that it is of as little use to fight 
 against what is common and mean, which is really all-powerful, as for 
 the traveller to contend against dust driven by a whirlwind. 
 
V. BOOK OF SORROW. 255 
 
 Who will of the world require 
 What she herself surveys in dreams ? 
 Backwards, sideways always looking, 
 The day of days to miss she seems. 
 All her effort and goodwill 
 Behind quick life hut limps away ; 
 What years ago hy thee was wanted 
 She may only give to-day. 1 
 
 To praise oneself is always a mistake, 2 
 Yet all will do it who do any good ; 
 If they in words are no dissemblers, then, 
 The good remains as it has ever stood. 
 Leave, then, ye fools, all pleasure to the wise, 
 Who holds the even tenour of his way, 
 That he the world's insipid, worn-out thanks, 
 A fool like you, may foolish fool away. 
 
 Think' st thou, then, from mouth to ear 
 Thou canst aught that's solid gain ? 
 For tradition, thou fool, 
 Is hut a phantom of the brain ! 
 Now first a judgment may be formed : 
 From superstition's chain alone 
 Understanding could release thee : 
 This already thou'st foregone. 3 
 
 1 The world is never up to time, but in looking backwards and side- 
 ways is never ready at the right moment with what is wanted. The 
 Berlin edition explains : — " Every one is too much engaged with him- 
 self to look at the merits of others. Thus, we only find recognition 
 when it is no more of use." 
 
 * Every one praises himself through his own actions, and if he prides 
 himself upon them they are none the worse for it. His folly may well 
 be pardoned, as he only injures himself by doing so, and deprives him- 
 self of the world's thanks, which are really not worth having. The 
 poet also says : " Only knaves are modest ; honest men rejoice in then- 
 actions." 
 
 8 Directed against those who endeavour by criticising tradition to 
 support the Christian faith, the foundations of which they implicitly 
 believe. " To overthrow tradition by bringing against it iu blind 
 faith the documents of the most ancient witnesses is only half the 
 labour. All tradition is uncertain, and the whole task has only 
 been possible since the Reformation." This is the note of the Berlin 
 edition. 
 
256 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Those who French or English style, 
 G-erman or Italian approve, 
 One like the other will demand 
 What is but asked for by self-love. 
 Or one or many of the styles 
 Will gain no recognition here, 
 That bring not forward to the light 
 That in which each would great appear. 
 
 What is right may for the morrow 
 Careful think out its own friends, 
 If to-day good place and favour, 
 What is bad can gain its ends. 
 He who of three thousand years 
 No account himself can give, 
 Inexpert still be in darkness, 
 And from day to day but live. 1 
 
 The holy Koran when one formerly quoted, 
 
 One mentioned the chapter : the verse, too, was noted. 
 
 And ev'ry true Moslem, as proper and due, 
 
 Pelt his conscience at rest in all that he knew. 
 
 But now the new Durweesh, who no better knows, 
 
 Of the new and the old together will prose. 
 
 Each day the confusion more prominent grows ! 
 
 holy Koran ! O eternal repose ! s 
 
 1 German commentators explain this piece as follows. He only can 
 have a correct taste in literature who, not adopting the peculiar style of 
 a particular nation at a certain time, has studied the poetry of all 
 nations from the earliest days, and can appreciate it. Those who adopt 
 one special style and consider it alone to be in the best taste, do so out 
 of conceit, for they only magnify that through which they themselves 
 have attained eminence, and may remain in ignorance of the best style, 
 living from one day to the next, as it were, in the style of a particular 
 people, which may speedily pass away and be no longer appreciated. 
 The Berlin edition notes : " The polymathy of the present day drives 
 the literature of all nations to wiu honour for itself, not on account of 
 its excellence, but to make a show of it. He who labours only for the 
 momentary result, and not to form himself on the eternal original 
 models of the beautiful, does not deserve fame or any lasting 
 influence." 
 
 1 Said by Diintzer to be directed against those who maintained the 
 
T. BOOK OP SORROW. 257 
 
 The Prophet speaks. 1 
 
 That God has deigned, whom it may vex to know, 
 On Mahomet grace and fortune to bestow, 
 On his hall's beam, the strongest he can find, 
 Let him a strong noose firmly fix and bind, 
 And hang himself. That holds and carries, too, 
 And that his anger's laid will be his feeling view. 
 
 Timoor speaks. 1 
 
 What ? Of arrogance the mighty storm, 
 Te lying priests, ye've reprobated ! 
 Had Allah meant me for a worm, 
 As worm I should have been created ! 
 
 verbal inspiration of the Gospel, while they mixed up new points of 
 view with its teachings. Line 4 points to its former living influence ; 
 now through the mingling of different elements there follows only con- 
 fusion. The Berlin edition remarks : " Eyen in the interpretation of 
 the Holy Scriptures each seeks only his own renown, instead of, as 
 formerly, subordinating himself to the Word." 
 
 1 Quoted almost word for word from the Koran, and said to be a 
 humorous hit at those who envied the poet. 
 
 2 The thought that God, and not he himself, created his individuality, 
 is here put into the mouth of Timoor, the conqueror of the world, by 
 whom Napoleon is here meant. 
 
VI. HIKMTTT NAMAH; OE, BOOK OF SAYINGS. 
 
 CHARMS will I scatter through the Holy Book, 
 Which in its leaves -will make an equipoise. 
 Needle of faith in probing who employs, 
 Finds blessed words wherever he may look. 1 
 
 Nor from this night nor from to-day 
 
 Shouldst thou seek aught 
 
 That was not brought thee yesterday. 
 
 Those born in evil times will still 
 Accommodate themselves to ill. 
 
 What a thing is in weight 
 
 Knows he who has gained it, from whom it bears date. 
 
 The sea's in flood ever :• 
 Land holds it back never. 
 
 If fate should try thee, wouldst thou know the cause ? 
 'Twould have thee sober. Follow dumb its laws. 2 
 
 Let all men labour while there still is day : 3 
 They can not work when it has passed away. 
 
 1 A method of divination, by thrusting a needle into the leaves of the 
 Koran at random, to see what particular verse was hit upon. 
 
 2 Hafiz, in referring to fate, says in Te 57 : — 
 
 " A faithful slave the how and when will never ask, 
 But with a perfect will will do the Sultan's task." 
 
 What is meant is that misfortune should teach men to bear loss with 
 patience. 
 
 3 See St. John, chap. ix. v. 4. 
 
VI. BOOK OF SAYINGS. 259 
 
 The world has been made, and thou canst do naught ; 
 The Lord of Creation has all things bethought. 
 Thy lot has been cast : the manner pursue : 
 Thy way is begun, thy journey end, too. 
 Unchanged by care and trouble 'twill abide ; 
 They from due balance push thee aye aside. 
 
 When the hardly-pressed complain, 
 Help and hope are all in vain, 
 Wholesome balm may still afford 
 Evermore a friendly word. 
 
 When thou hadst tasted fortune's favour, 
 How maladroit was thy behaviour ! 
 The maiden had not been offended, 
 But had her way there often wended. 1 
 
 How lordly my inheritance, how vast and wide ! 
 Fortune is my possession, my property beside. 
 
 From love of good, good ever doing be : 
 And to thy race pass on that follow thee. 
 Though to thy children nothing may remain, 
 It yet may turn to thy descendants' gain. 
 
 Anveri saith, that lordliest of men, — 
 The deepest heart, the highest head's within his ken : 
 In ev'ry place, at every time will profit thee 
 Uprightness, judgment, and with others sympathy. 
 
 Of thy foes why dost thou complain ? 
 Canst thou as thy friends ever gain 
 Those whose sole aim is to be 
 In their being ever like thee ? 
 
 There's nothing more stupid to bear 
 Than when the wise the stupid ones tell 
 That on high and festival days 
 The wise should behave themselves well. 
 
 1 Fortune is here represented as a maiden. A German proverb 
 says : " One cannot ward off fortune ;" and another : " Fortune is like 
 women; it loves youth, and is constantly changing." 
 
260 WEST-EASTEKN DIVAN. 
 
 If God an evil neighbour were, 
 As you and I ourselves have shown, 
 Then should we have but little honour : 
 Each as he is he leaves alone. 1 
 
 The poets of the East, it is confessed, 
 Are greater than we poets of the West. 
 In one thing, however, we're quite on a par, 
 Of our equals we just as good haters are. 2 
 
 Above his fellows ev'ry one would be, 
 For in the world 'tis always so ; 
 And each may surely churlish be, 
 If only in that whieji he may know. 
 
 May God us from his fury save, 
 When even wrens to lecture crave. 3 
 
 Envy will always envy kill : 
 Its own food let it eat at will. 
 
 In respect to hold your place, 
 Tou should use your bristles more : 
 Men with falcons all things chase, 
 All except the savage boar. 
 
 How can it benefit the priests 
 That they athwart my road should run ? 
 What by straight path can not be reached, 
 By crooked ways is never won. 
 
 He will praise a hero as he ought, 
 Who himself has long and keenly fought. 
 To none a man's worth will itself unfold 
 But him who has both suffered heat and cold. 
 
 1 Saadi says : " God sees and hides, a neighbour sees and blames." 
 
 2 Hafiz says, Swad 2 : " The narrator does not love the narrator." 
 
 * Envy drives the most wretched to depreciate the greatest, as the 
 wren finds fault with the eagle. Said to be aimed at interior poets. 
 
VI. BOOK OF SAYINGS. 261 
 
 Do what is good out of pure love of good ! 
 From what thou dost thou no profit may'st gain ; 
 And if from thy deeds thou some profit shouldst have, 
 There will none for thy children remain . 
 
 That men from thee may not most vilely steal 
 Thy gold, thy going and thy Faith conceal, 1 
 
 How does it come about in ev'ry place 
 That we much good and much that's stupid hear ? 
 The young repeat but what their elders say, 
 And make their elders' words their own appear. 2 
 
 Into contradicting 
 
 Be thou never led away : 
 
 When with the ignorant they strive, 
 
 The wise to folly fall away. 
 
 " Why, then, is Truth so very far away ? 
 
 Why does she hide her in the deepest ground ? " 
 
 None understands the proper time of day : 
 
 If one who understood it could be found, 
 
 Then would broad Truth her countenance display, 
 
 And lovely both and gentle would be found. 
 
 Why dost thou try to find 
 Where charity doth flow ? 
 Upon the waters cast thy bread ; 
 Who eats it who may know ? 3 
 
 I thought when once I had a spider killed, 
 Had I done right or not ? 
 G-od has indeed on it and me 
 In these days bestowed a lot. 
 
 1 The second line is quoted from the Koran. 
 
 2 An old German proverb says : — 
 
 " As the old ones have sung, 
 Will twitter the young." 
 
 3 Imitated from Ecclesiastes. "Cast thy bread upon the waters, and 
 thou shalt find it after many days. " 
 
262 WEST-EASTERN IVIVAN. 
 
 " The night is dart, -with God is ever light." 
 Why has he not so ordered us aright ? 
 
 How motley the communion ! 
 
 God's board, holds friends and foes in union.' 
 
 Tou call me stingy. For that matter 
 " Give me something that I can scatter, 2 
 
 The country round for me to show 
 Upon the housetop thou must go. 3 
 
 Him who is silent few cares betide : 
 Under his tongue does ev'ry one hide. 
 
 A master with two slaves 
 
 Is never rightly kept : 
 
 A house wherein two wives may be 
 
 Is never cleanly swept. 
 
 Good people, make no more ado, 
 And " Autos epha " only say. 
 To man and woman why appeal ? 
 Adam and Eve are they. 4 
 
 1 Saadi, in the Boostan says : " The earth is His (God's) table for 
 all men, where no difference is to be found between friend and foe." 
 
 2 An Arabic proverb quoted by Saadi, say3 : — 
 
 " Nature has not implanted stinginess in me : 
 Had I but money, I would generous be." 
 
 3 An .Arabic proverb says : — 
 
 " As long as up the steps thou dost not go, 
 On house-top thou thyself canst never show." 
 
 * The Pythagoreans supported all their arguments on the simple 
 assertion, clvtoq t<pa (he has said it). The meaning is very obscure. 
 Diintzer's explanation is : " This is aimed at those who appeal to their 
 own false judgment against others : this is unnecessary, he jokes, since 
 we all as descendants of Adam and Eve are apt to sin (as it is said : To 
 sin is mortal), and therefore such an appeal means nothing. Yon 
 Loeper supposes the point of the lines merely rests on the rather forced 
 play on the words " epha " and " Eva." The Berlin edition says : " So 
 thoughtlessly do people follow each .other in what they say, without 
 putting themselves to the test. Why do they not rather appeal to 
 
VI. BOOK OF SAYINGS. 263 
 
 For what should I most deeply Allah thank ? 
 That pain and knowledge he has kept apart : 
 If all the doctor knows the patient knew, 
 How would despair be rampant in his heart ! 
 
 How foolish in his case that ev'ry man 
 His own opinion must stand by ! 
 If Islam means devotedness to God, 
 In Islam all will live and die. 1 
 
 New house he builds who comes into the world : 
 He leaves it to another when he goes : 
 He for himself would something else prepare ; 
 Who will complete it no one knows. 2 
 
 What in my house has served for many years 
 He may abuse who ente"rs into it ; 
 But he must always wait outside the door, 
 If to come in I should not deem him fit. 
 
 Sir, let this house suffice thee, 
 Little though it is ; 
 
 Though one may greater houses build, 
 They hold no more than this. 
 
 The glory of the house increase, 
 Ever as possession last ; 
 And as to fame the father held 
 The son to honour, hold him fast ! 
 
 Now art thou ever secure ! 
 None takes what to thee belongs : 
 Two friends with never a care, 
 Wine-goblets, a bookful of songs. 
 
 Adam and Eve at once ? " It may mean that if people are to appeal to 
 this man and that woman indefinitely, why should they not support 
 their views by quoting Adam and Eve at once ? 
 1 Islam means safety in reliance on God. 
 * Based on lines in the Gulistan : — 
 
 " Who comes into the world a new house builds : 
 He goes away and leaves it to another : 
 This other begins to change the house in a new form, 
 And no one is found who has laid the last hand on it." 
 
264 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Lokman, whom men " the ugly " called, 
 What stories did he not produce ! 
 Not in the cane does sweetness lie ; 
 Sweet is the sugar in the juice. 1 
 
 Over the Mediterranean sea, 
 Bright the Orient sun has sprung : 
 But he who Hafiz knows and loves 
 Can know what Calderon has sung. 4 
 
 " Why, then, shouldst thou adorn one hand 
 Par more than is its due ? " 
 If it the right did not adorn, 
 What could the left hand do ? 3 
 
 If to Mecca one should drive 
 Christ's own ass, and there should train, 
 No whit better it would be, 
 But an ass 'twould still remain. 1 
 
 Mud, when trodden, 
 Spreads out, and is sodden. 
 
 But if you beat it up with strength, 
 
 A form compact it takes at length. 
 
 # # # # 
 
 1 Lokman was black, ugly, and fat, and yet told wonderful tales. 
 In Saadi's Gulistan it is said : " The value of the sugar is to be 
 ascribed not to the cane in which it grows, but to its own nature." 
 
 s This refers to the influence exercised on Calderon by the influx of 
 Arabic imagery through the prolonged domination of the Moors in 
 Spain. After Goethe's death the following lines were introduced here, 
 but subsequently omitted again : — 
 
 " Yet I hear in these thy songs, 
 
 Hafiz other poets praised. 
 
 See, I can its answer give : 
 
 Lordly he, whom thanks have raised." 
 
 IKifiz gives the highest praise in several places to Nizami's poetry. 
 
 3 Saadi says in the Gulistan : " The first man who introduced the 
 fashion of placing ornaments on dresses and rings on fingers was 
 Jumsheed (Solomon). They asked him why he put all the ornaments 
 on the left hand, as such honour properly belonged to the right. He 
 answered : ' It is ornament enough to the right hand that it is the 
 right.' " 
 
 4 Imitated from the Gulistan. 
 
VI. BOOK OF SAYINGS. 265 
 
 Do not distress yourselves, ye worthy souls ! 
 For he who fails not knows when others fail, 
 And he who fails is first set right thereby ; 
 He knows exactly how they have done well. 
 
 " Many to thee much good have done, 
 To them due thanks thou dost not give : " 
 It is not this that troubles me, 
 All in my heart their gifts will live. 
 
 Make thou thyself of good report : 
 Discern all things of ev'ry sort : 
 What's more than this will evil bring. 1 
 
 The flood of passion rages all in vain 
 Against unvanquished, solid land, 
 It throws poetic pearls upon the strand, 
 That even is one's life to gain. 2 
 
 The Trusted One. 
 
 Bequests so many thou hast granted, 
 And even when it did thee harm : 
 The good man there has little wanted,- 
 There was no cause, thus, for alarm. 
 
 Kb one of such a tie should make a boast, 
 But he himself who from the tie is free, 
 And he who gaily sports in the absurd, 
 With him what is absurd may well agree. 
 
 1 Fureed-ood-deen Attar is reported to have said : " Two things are 
 the source of fortune, one good reputation, and the other good dis- 
 crimination. He who looks for more than this will fall to the 
 ground." 
 
 1 Diintzer remarks : " The sufferings (of love) do not injure the poet's 
 heart, hut offer him the finest poetical gifts, which alone give a value 
 to life." 
 
266 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Vazie. 
 
 The good man has but little wanted, 
 But if his wish at once I'd granted, 
 He would have come to grievous harm. 1 
 
 How bad it is, though often it occurs, 
 When Truth, itself oft after Error errs, 
 She often finds her pleasure there ; 
 Who could e'er question one so fair ? 
 But should to Truth Sir Error cleave, 
 It would fair Truth for ever grieve. 
 
 Know, then, to me much annoyance it gives, 
 When so many people will sing and will spout, 
 Who drives from the world all the poetry out ? 
 
 The poets ! 
 
 1 See Tasso, act iv.. scene 4: "True friendship shows itself in 
 refusing at the right moment." 
 
VII. TIMOOE 1ST AMAH; OE, BOOK OF TIMOOE. 
 
 The Winter and Timoob. 
 
 SO the winter now surrounds them 
 In its mighty fury, breathing 
 Over all its. icy, cold breath, 
 All the winds of heav'n exciting 
 Contrary to spend their power. 
 Over them it gave all power 
 To its frost-befingered tempests : 
 Timoor's Council it invaded, 
 Shrieked and threatened and addressed him : 
 " Gently, slowly, wretched being ! 
 Thou the tyrant of Injustice ! 
 Shall thy lurid flames much longer 
 Scorch and burn up hearts of mortals ? 
 Of the spirits that are damned 
 Art thou one ? Well, I'm another ! 
 Thou art old ! I, too — and rigid 
 Make we both the land and people. 
 Thou art Mars and I am Saturn, 
 Evil-doing planets both are, 
 When united the more fearful. 
 Thou' dost kill the soul and f reezest 
 Ev'n the ether, but my breezes 
 Are still colder than thine own are. 
 Thy wild armies, though believing, 
 Tremble with a thousand martyrs. 
 Well, Grod grant that I in due time 
 What is worse myself discover. 
 And, by God ! I'll give thee nothing. 
 Hear it, God, what I command thee ! 
 Tes, by God, from death's cold fingers, 
 
268 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Old man, nothing shall defend thee, 
 Not thy hearth's still glowing embers, 
 Not the flames of thy December. 1 
 
 To Ztjleika. 
 
 Thee with sweet scents to caress, 
 Still thy pleasure to increase, 
 A thousand rosebuds none the less 
 Must in flames their being cease. 
 
 One small bottle to possess, 
 Slender as thy finger end, 
 That the scent will ever hold, 
 Must a world assistance lend. — 
 
 Yes, a world of vital force, 
 Rushing in full strength along, 
 Nightingale's sweet love foreboding, 
 And his soul-exciting song. 
 
 Should his shrill complaint torment us, 
 Since it has increased our joy ? 
 Did not Timoor's harsh dominion 
 Myriads of souls destroy ? 2 
 
 1 This is a translation of a Latin extract from a memoir of Timoor in 
 Arabic, adapted to Napoleon's Kussian expedition. 
 
 2 Bulbul is the Persian nightingale, which, according to Persian report, 
 is so enamoured of the rose as to be continually hovering round it, and 
 picking at its flowers, so that they have to be plucked as buds to be 
 saved from its attacks. The only reason for inserting these lines here 
 seems to be the reference in the last verse to the destruction of life 
 by Timoor's hosts, a propos to the destruction of rosebuds to make 
 perfume of. 
 
VHI. ZULEIKA NAMAH; OR, BOOK OF ZULEIKA. 
 
 " I was thinking in the night 
 That in my sleep I saw the moon, 
 But as soon as I woke up 
 Unexpected rose the sun." 
 
 Invitation. 
 
 BEFOEE the day thou must not flee ; 
 For the day thou overtakest 
 Is not better than to-day ; 
 But if -willingly thou stayest 
 Where the world aside I lay 
 To draw the world again to me, 
 With me in safety thou wilt be ; 
 The morrow's morrow and to-day's to-day, 
 And what's to come and what is past, 
 Enraptures not and does not last. 
 Best beloved, still linger thou ; 
 Thou hast both brought and giv'st it now. 1 
 
 With Joseph that Zuleika was enchanted, 5 
 Required no skill, forsooth, 
 
 1 This is explained by Diintzer to mean that he invites his beloved, 
 instead of longing in anxious unrest for fortune in the future, to with- 
 draw from the world with him and forget the course of time. He thus 
 closes with the wish that only his beloved may remain to him ; she is 
 the most beloved object, and brings it with herself and gives it. The 
 note to the Berlin edition is, that its passionate utterances owe their 
 origin and sudden 'ending to Goethe's love for Frau v. Willemer, in whose 
 house he had received such a warm welcome. 
 
 1 This is explained to refer to his future beloved one, whom at the 
 
27 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 • 
 
 For he was young, and many charms has youth. 
 He was, they say, too, ravishingly fair, 
 And she was pretty, thus a happy pair. 
 That thou, whom I have long awaited, 
 On me thy fiery youthful looks dost cast, 
 And loving now, wilt render blessed at last, 
 This shall my loving songs proclaim, 
 And bear me ever mv Zuleika' s name. 
 
 Now that thou art called Zuleika, 
 
 I should also have a name, 
 
 If thou thy beloved commendest, 
 
 Hatem ! this shall be the name. 
 
 By this name shall all men know me, 
 
 No presumption it will be : 
 
 He who's called St. George's knight 
 
 Like St. George thinks not himself. 
 
 Not Hatem Tai, most generous of men, 
 
 Can I in poverty e'er be ; 
 
 Not Hatem Zograi, the most luxurious 
 
 Of all the poets, would I be ; 
 
 But yet to have them both in view 
 
 Would not unwarrantable be : 
 
 To take and give away good fortune's gifts 
 
 Must ever a great pleasure be. 
 
 Loving, with each other to refresh ourselves 
 
 Will Paradise's rapture be. 1 
 
 end he calls Zuleika. He had long looked for her, who already shot 
 fiery glances at him and loved him, as Zuleika did Joseph in her 
 dream, and would later on make him happy. This name, and his own 
 of Hatem, which he assumes in the following piece, are kept up through- 
 out this book. Hatem Tai is celebrated by Eastern poets as the most 
 generous of men. Hatem Zograi, the poet, does not seem to be 
 known. 
 
 1 This is an imitation of the Persian Ghazl, in which the second 
 and all the other even lines alternating with it and with the same 
 word. 
 
VIII. BOOK OP ZTJLEIKA. 271 
 
 HiTEM. 
 
 Not opportunity will make a thief, 1 
 Thief it's the greatest of the whole : 
 "What in my heart me yet was left, 
 That remnant of my love it stole. 
 All to thee has it surrendered 
 All that in life is gain to me, 
 So that in poverty but life 
 Can I ever hope from thee. 
 Tet I feel at once there's pity 
 From the sparkling of thy eye, 
 Ever in thy arms rejoicing, 
 Fate's fresh favour I enjoy. 
 
 Zttleika. 2 
 
 Favoured with thy tender love, 
 Opportunity I cannot chide ; 
 Should it even from thee steal, 
 Such a theft would be my pride, 
 
 And why must I become a thief ? 
 Of free will give thyself to me, 
 But ever gladly would I think : 
 " He that has stole thee, I am he.'' 
 
 What thus cheaply thou dost give 
 Brings thee profit of the best : 
 • Bear them off, I give with pleasure 
 My life's riches all my rest. 
 
 1 Addressed to Marianne t. Willemer, the first poetical letter of their 
 courtship. Imitated from Hatiz, Lam 6 : — 
 
 " Thou stalest my heart : I give thee my soul." 
 
 2 This is Marianne's answer to the above. The first line is imitated 
 from Hafiz : — 
 
 " To thee belongs my face : what need to steal it 1 " 
 
272 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Jest not ! naught of poverty ! 
 Doth not love great riches seem ? 
 When I hold thee in my arms, 
 My good fortune is supreme. 
 
 He that loves will not go wrong, 1 
 However sad his fate may prove. 
 Mujnoon and Leila, should they rise, 
 Might learn from me the way of love. 
 
 Do I now hear thy godlike voice's tones ? 
 Is't possible that I thee, love, caress ? 
 Incomprehensible to me the rose, 
 The nightingale, too, none the less. 
 
 Zt/leika. 
 
 As I on Euphrates sailed, 
 Stripped itself off in the sea, 
 That gold ring from off my finger 
 Which thou lately gavest me. 
 
 Thus I dreamt. Then through the trees 
 Dazed my eye morn's rosy beam. 
 Tell me, poet ! tell me, prophet ! 
 What signifies to me the dream ? 2 
 
 Hatem. 
 
 I am ready to explain it. 
 Have I to thee not often said 
 How the lordly Doge of Venice 
 "Used him with the sea to wed ? 
 
 1 Saadi says : " If Leila and Mujnoon were to rise, and had they 
 forgotten love, they would learn again the art of loving from my 
 book." 
 
 2 Supposed to be spoken by Frau von Willemer in her character of 
 Zuleika. The next piece is Hatem's, or Goethe's answer. 
 
Till. BOOK OF ZTJLEIKA. 273 
 
 Thus from off thy finger joints 
 
 In Euphrates fell the ring. 
 
 Ah ! in thousand songs of heav'n, 
 
 Sweetest dream, thou mak'st me sing. 
 
 Me, from furthest Hindustan, 
 Who've journeyed to Damascus here, 
 So that ■with new caravans 
 To the Red Sea I might draw near. 
 
 To thy river thou shalt wed me, 
 To the terrace, to this tree ; ' 
 To the last kiss shall my spirit 
 E'er to thee devoted be. 
 
 All men's looks I understand — '^ 
 Oae may say : " I love and suffer ! '*>.,■„ 
 I desire, yes, I am desp'rate ! " 
 What else there is a girl will know — 
 All of this can no more help me ! 
 All of this does not disturb me ! 
 But, O Hatem ! thy bright glances 
 First give brightness to the day, 
 For they say : " This one delights me, 
 As there nothing else can please. 
 Saw I even roses, lilies, 
 That all gardens deck with honour, 
 Cypress, violet, and myrtle, 
 Moved to lend the earth adornment. 
 And she is wond'rously arrayed, 
 Captivating us with wonder, 
 Quick'ning, healing us and blessing, 
 So that we feel ourselves recovered, 
 Yet gladly would again be sick." 
 Then on Zuleika thou didst gaze, 
 And in being sick, wert healthy, 
 And in recovering, wert sick, 
 
 1 The terrace and tree here referred to were outside Marianne'i 
 window at the Gerbermiihle at Heidelberg. 
 
 T 
 
274 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 And gazedst on her with a smile 
 That on the world thou never smilest. 
 And in thy looks Zuleika feels 
 These words eternal : " She is pleasing, 
 As there nothing else can please me." l 
 
 Gingo Biloba. 
 
 This tree's leaves from Eastern regions 
 To my garden that are brought, 
 To the knowing with a flavour 
 Of a secret sense are fraught : 
 
 Is it, then, a living being, 
 Splitting, that divided grew ? 
 Are they two that chose each other, 
 So that both as one we knew ? 
 
 Such deep questioning to answer 
 . The right fancy I can see. 
 Peel'st thou not from all my ditties, 
 I can one and double be ? 2 
 
 ZtTLEIKA. 
 
 Say, hast thou not much verse indited, 
 Song directed here and there, 
 Written in a hand so neat, 
 Down to dot and cross complete, 
 With gilt edges, binding fair, 3 
 Many a volume to allure ? 
 Wheresoe'er thou didst dispatch, 
 Was it of love a token sure ? 
 
 1 HaBz, Meem 14 :— 
 
 " Without a friend my heart is sick, 
 With a friend I am more happy." 
 
 2 The leaves of this tree divide themselves at tne point into two. 
 Its botanical name is the Salisburia Adiantifolia. 
 
 3 Eastern writers adorn their books with coloured borders, etc. 
 
Till. BOOK OF ZTJLEIKA. 275 
 
 Hatem. 
 
 Tes, with sweet yet mighty glances, 
 Smile that every heart entrances — 
 And with teeth so dazzling clear, 1 
 Eye-lash dart, 2 snake locks that neck 
 And bosom fair surrounding deck, 
 Things a thousand-fold to fear. 
 Now reflect how from of old 
 Fair Zuleika was foretold. 
 
 Zuleika. 
 
 The sun appears with glorious face, — 
 The crescent moon doth him embrace. 
 Such a pair who could unite ? 
 Solve me now my riddle right. 
 
 Hatem. 
 
 The Sultan can, for he has married 
 This world's highest, noblest pair, 
 Of the true host who were chosen 
 The most valiant to declare. 
 
 Be this an image of our love ! 
 
 I see again but me and thee, 
 
 My love, thou callest me thy Sun ; 
 
 And now, sweet Moon, embrace thou me ! 
 
 Come, dear one, come ! The turban wind, 4 
 That from thy hand alone is fair. 
 
 1 A frequent simile with Hlfiz. 
 
 2 Imitated from H&fiz, Meem 64 : — 
 
 " Strike not my heart with the darts on thy eye-lids." 
 
 3 Orders of rank, with the figure of the sun or the moon, are common 
 at Oriental courts. An image of the sun embraced by the crescent 
 moon is a beautiful symbol of love. 
 
 4 A fold of muslin folded round the turban. 
 
276 WEST-EASTEBN DIVAN. 
 
 Abbas x himself, on Iran's highest seat, 
 Could not more glorious head-dress wear ! 
 
 A turban was the band that from the head, 
 
 In flowing folds, of Alexander fell, 
 
 And all of his successors, too, 
 
 A kingly ornament that pleased as well. 
 
 A turban still our Emperor adorns, 
 They call it crown. The name will hold ! 
 Though pearls and jewels may the eye enchant, 
 The fairest ornament's the muslin fold. 
 
 And this one here, so clean and silver striped, 
 Be wound around my forehead, love, by thee. 
 For what is earthly rank ? I know it well ! 
 Beneath thy glance I am as great as he. 
 
 'Tis very little I desire, 
 For all to me is fair and good, 
 And ev'n that little has long since 
 The courteous world on me bestowed. 
 
 Oft I sit happy in my inn, 
 
 And in cramped house am happy still, 
 
 And only when I think of thee 
 
 My mind do thoughts of conquest fill. 
 
 Thee should great Timoor's kingdoms serve, 
 His fearful hosts should thee obey, 
 Rubies should Badakhshan provide, 
 Turquoise the Caspian Sea convey. 
 
 Dried fruits should come, as honey sweet, 
 From Bokhara's sunny land ; 
 A thousand lovely poems writ 
 On silken leaves from Samarcand. 
 
 1 Abbas II., the Great, a powerful ruler in Persia in the beginning 
 of the seventeenth century. 
 
Till. BOOK OF ZULEIKA. 277 
 
 And there thou shouldst with pleasure read 
 What I of Harmuz l Isle have said, 
 And how from simple love to thee 
 The merchant world to move was led. 
 
 How in the Eastern Brahmin land 
 Thousands of hands the shuttle ply, 
 That the bright tints of Hindustan 
 For thee on wool and silk may lie. 
 
 Yes ! but to glorify thy love 
 The torrents flow through Sumbulpore, 3 
 And from earth and stone and gravel 
 Diamonds for thee would scour. 
 
 As the band of hardy divers 
 Pearl treasures from the Gulf would bring. 
 These a host of cunning experts 
 Should for thee with patience string. 
 
 When now Bussorah, the last, 
 . Sweet spices with perfume had brought, 
 The caravans would give thee all 
 That the luxurious world has sought. 
 
 Yet would all these lordly gifts 
 Confuse at last thy dazzled eye, 
 And 'tis true that loving spirits 
 Find in each other only joy. 
 
 Might I not as well bethink me, 
 Balkh, Bokhara, Samarcand, 3 
 These town's bawbles and excitement, 
 To bestow, love, in thy hand r 1 
 
 1 An island at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. 
 "" In Bengal, famous for diamond washing. 
 3 Hafiz, Aleph 8, says :— 
 
 " Would the Shirazee youth my heart take in his hand, 
 I would bestow for maintenance Bokhara, Samarcand." 
 
278 , WEST-EASTEKN DIVAN. 
 
 Yet the Emperor do thou question 
 If the towns he would hestow ? 
 He is lordlier and wiser, 
 Tet how one loves he does not know. 
 
 Monarch, to such gifts as these 
 Nevermore canst thou agree ! 
 One should have just such a maiden, 
 And, as I, a beggar be. 1 
 
 To Zuleika. 
 
 Sweet, my love, those rows of pearls, 
 
 As far as in my pow'r might be, 
 
 I wished in confidence to give 
 
 To serve for love's lamp as a wick to be. 
 
 And now thou comest, hung upon them 
 Quite another sign I see, 
 That among the like Abraxas 
 More than all displeases me. 
 
 This entirely modern folly 
 To Shiraz if thou shouldst bring, 
 Could I then, in all their stiffness, 
 One stick across another sing ? 
 
 Abraham the God of heaven 
 For his only Father chose ; 
 Moses, too, in distant desert, 
 Through one God to power rose. 
 
 David, who with many failures 
 Wandered on his sinful way, 
 " With one God, I've dealt me truly," 
 Knew with open heart to say. 
 
 1 H&fiz calls love's beggars " kings without thrones and emperors 
 without girdles," and in other places employs like similes. 
 
VIII. BOOK OF ZTJLEIKA. . 279 
 
 Jesus with the purest feelings 
 Thought on one God and was still, , 
 He who would make himself a God 
 Would mortify His holy will. 1 
 
 That must, then, as right appear 
 Which Mahomet's self maintained : 
 Through the one God's clear perception 
 He the world entire has gained. 
 
 To do this wretched thing thy homage 
 If, notwithstanding, thou are prone, 
 Let it serve me to excuse thee 
 That in this thou'rt not alone. 
 
 Yet alone ! Since many wives 
 
 Once led Solomon astray 
 
 To look upon those heathen gods, 
 
 To whom those silly fools would pray : 
 
 Isis' horn, Anubis' bark, 
 They offered to the Jewish pride — 
 A mournful image nailed on wood 
 Wouldst thou me as God provide ? 
 
 Than the goodness I possess 
 I will not pretend to more : 
 I my God have now disowned 
 As Solomon his own forswore. 
 
 Let the weight of renegadeship 
 In this kiss, then, lose its smart, 
 Since a puppet now thou wearest 
 As Talisman upon thy heart. 2 
 
 1 The Mussulmans consider Jesus Christ a prophet, but deny his 
 divinity, and think it idolatry to assign to God any companion, wife or 
 son. A necklace of pearls was sent by Khusroo the Persian, to Sheereen, 
 an Armenian princess, whom he loved. She, being a Christian, attached 
 a crucifix to it, which he saw when next they met. This piece relates 
 to the incident, and expresses Goethe's own opinion on the fashion of 
 putting up haggard and bloody crucifixes by the roadside, as customary 
 on the Continent. 
 
 1 A fanciful composition, in which the poet is supposed to have 
 
280 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Beautifully written, 
 
 Wonderfully gilded, 1 
 
 At my presumptuous leaves 
 
 Often thou smiledst, 
 
 Pardon' st my boasting, 
 
 Both of thy love and through thee, — 
 
 Of my success unexpected, 
 
 Pardon' st my self-praise so pleasant. 
 
 Self-praise ! Offensive to envy, 
 Sweet perfume to friends 
 And to one's own taste ! 
 
 Joy of existence is great, 
 Greater is joy in one's life, 
 When thou, Zuleika, 
 Mak'st me abundantly glad, 
 Castest thy passion upon me, 
 Just like a ball, 
 • That I may catch it, 
 And throw back on thee 
 Myself so devoted, 
 That indeed is a moment ! 
 And then tears me from thee. 
 Perchance now the Frank, now the Armenian. 
 But the days pass on, 
 Tears roll on, that I fresh may create. 
 A thousand-fold thy prodigality's fulness 
 Entwine my fortune's variegated knot, 
 A thousand threads intertwined 
 By thee, O Zuleika. 
 
 Here, on the other hand, 
 Pearls poetical, 
 
 denied his own God, the God of Abraham, Moses, and Mahomet, but 
 lightens his guilt at the last by kissing and embracing his beloved, who 
 has appended a crucifix to a pearl chain he had given her. Bitzliputzli 
 (translated puppet) was the Mexican war-god, celebrated in German 
 puppet-shows. 
 
 2 Goethe appears to have been in the habit of writing songs upon 
 gold-edged and arabesqued paper to send to favourite friends. 
 
Till. BOOK OF ZT/LEIKA.. 281 
 
 That the mightiest billows 
 
 Of thy suffering.passion, 
 
 Of this my being 
 
 Cast on the desert shore. 
 
 With pointed fingers 
 
 Daintily gathered, 
 
 Strung through with golden thread, 
 
 Gold-worked ! 
 
 "Upon thy neck place them, 
 
 And on thy bosom, 
 
 Allah's rain-drops from above, 
 
 In especial mussel-shell ripened. 1 
 
 Hour for hour and love for love, 
 From a true mouth kiss for kiss, 
 Look for look and word for word, 
 Breath for breath and bliss for bliss ! 
 So to-day and so to-morrow ! 
 Still thou feelest tow'rds my song 
 Ever some mysterious sorrow ; 
 Joseph's beauty I would borrow 
 Not to do thy beauty wrong. 2 
 
 Alas ! I cannot vie with it, 3 
 However much 'twould me rejoice ; 
 Be thou contented with my songs ; 
 My heart, my truth may thee suffice. 
 
 Thou art delicious as musk ; 4 
 
 Where thou hast been, men vouch for thee still. 
 
 1 An impetuous dedication of the poet's songs to Marianne. The 
 allusion to Franks and Armenians in lines 22 and 23, must refer, 
 Diintzer says, to commercial transactions with foreigners, which tear 
 him away from the society of his beloved. 
 
 2 Written on the day of Marianne's departure from Heidelberg. 
 Diintzer remarks : " He enjoys henceforward the full fortune of the 
 most heart-felt interchange of love, yet desires, lest the failure of 
 youthful beauty should alienate Zuleika from him, to borrow Joseph's 
 charms, in order that he may respond to her beauty. 
 
 3 He cannot respond to it with any beauty of his own, but offers his 
 songs, his heart, and his truth. 
 
 * The expression of a feeling that, as the scent of musk can be easily 
 
282 -WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 ZXJLEIKA. 
 
 i People, slaves, and tyrants, too 
 \ They have always this confessed : 
 \ Of all the blessings men can have 
 \Independence is the best. 
 
 Cny life one well might lead, 
 If one's work one did not miss, 
 And one ev"rything might lose 
 By remaining as one is. 1 
 
 Hatem. 
 
 May be so ! And so 'twas purposed, 
 Yet I'm on another track : 
 "Were earth's fortunes all combined, 
 In Zuleika none would lack. 
 
 When herself on me she wastes 
 I myself most worthy deem, 
 But if she ever turns away 
 That very moment lost I seem. 
 
 Now with Hatem at an end 
 I have chos'n another fate, 
 And in him whom she caresses 
 I myself incorporate. 
 
 traced, so he must always think of her loveliness, even when she has 
 left him. In Jami's book of Yussuf and Zuleika occur the lines : — 
 
 " For as musk love never hides itself: 
 If it were covered with a thousand cloths, 
 Its perfume always betrays the musk." 
 
 1 Hatem has surrendered himself entirely to Zuleika, so that if she 
 should forsake him for another, he would be constrained to pass over 
 into that person's soul, as expressed in his answer to this observation of 
 Zuleika's, that the best of all blessings to mortals is personality, i.e., 
 independence. 
 
VIII. BOOK OF ZULEIKA. 283 
 
 I would, though, not just a Babbi, — 
 That, perhaps, might not suit me — 
 Still Firdoosi, Motanabbi, 1 
 Or at least the Emperor be. 
 
 Hatem. 2 
 
 Say, beneath what heav'nly sign 
 
 Lies the day 
 
 Where the heart, that still my own is, 
 
 No more flies away. 
 
 And should it flee, for me to reach 
 
 Quite near me lies ? 
 
 On the pillow, soft and sweet, 
 
 On hers where my heart lies. 
 
 Hatem. 
 
 Many coloured, polished lamps 
 The goldsmith's little shop surround, 
 So around the grey-haired poet 
 Many pretty maids are found. 
 
 Maiden. 
 
 Thou sing'st Zuleika's praise again ! 
 Her we can not bear ; 
 Yet must envy, not for thee, 
 But for thy songs so rare. 
 
 For even if she ugly were, 
 Thou wouldst give her fairest looks, 
 As of Jumeel and Boteinah 
 Often we have read in books. 
 
 1 Firdoosi, author of the Shah-namah. Motanabbi maintained of 
 himself that he could hare said much better all that Mahomet had 
 said. 
 
 2 An imitation of the Persian Ghazl form of varse. Han's: in Dal 
 ] 33, speaks of the bird of his heart escaping out of his hand. 
 
284 
 
 WEST-EASTEBN DIVAN. 
 
 But because we all are pretty 
 'Twere well that thou our portraits drew, 
 And if thou really dost them cheaply 
 Handsomely we'll pay thee, too. 1 
 
 H£tem. 
 
 The time is fit. Come, Brownie, come ! 
 Thy curls and combs, the small and great, 
 Adorn thy little graceful pate, 
 As doth the mosque adorn the dome. 
 
 Little blonde one, thou'rt so dainty, 
 In all thy ways so trim and neat, 
 Not to thy detriment one thinks 
 Of the graceful minaret. 
 
 Thou, too, there behind, possessest 
 Eyes a pair, and of them one 
 Thou canst use as thou mayst wish to, 2 
 Tet I would thee rather shun. 
 
 With its lid so gently closing 
 One its pupil hides from view, 
 Looks to me so very roguish, 
 Tet the other looks so true. 
 
 Whilst the other wanders wounding, 
 This one nourishes and heals : 
 No one can, I think, be happy 
 Who the want of two eyes feels. 
 
 1 The poet is supposed to be among a number of girlsTone of whom 
 desires that he will draw their portraits also, and not merely describe 
 Zuleika under pretence of drawing them. He then .proceeds .to describe 
 three of them, a brunette, a blonde, and a third with roguish eyes, but 
 concludes by saying he would only be 'describing Zuleika if he spoke of 
 their beauty. They remark that poets feign subserviency in order to 
 rule, and suggest that his beloved, if capable, should sing of herself. 
 He describes her poetical powers not to their advantage, and the piece 
 concludes by their showing that he has been describing one of the 
 Houris. 
 
 2 That is, " wink." 
 
VIII. BOOK OF ZTJLELKA. 285 
 
 So could I to all be loving, 
 
 All of you to honour raise, 
 
 For I should describe your mistress, 
 
 If I should your beauty praise. 
 
 Maidens. 
 
 A poet's such a willing slave, — 
 Rule, he thinks, from service springs, 
 Yet above all should it please him 
 If herself his loved one sings. 
 
 Is she capable of songs, 
 As upon our lips they play ? 
 For it mates her much suspected 
 That she holds such secret sway. 
 
 HATEM. 
 
 Who can tell what she can do ! 
 Such deep mysteries do ye know ? 
 Self-dictated to her mouth, 
 Self-inspired poems flow. 
 
 Now of all you poetesses 
 None of you can equal her, 
 For she sings and pleases me : 
 You to sing yourselves prefer. 
 
 Maidens. 
 
 Just observe how of those Houris 
 Thou pretendest one to show : 
 Let it be, but so that no one 
 ..Praise herself on earth below. 
 
 Hatem. 
 
 Of the face within the circle 
 Bound me captive, ringlets, close ! ' 
 To such brown and well-loved serpents 
 I have nothing to oppose. 
 
 1 The poet, although old, here desires to describe himself as still 
 glowing with passion, like a volcano raging up from under snow. 
 
286 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 But this heart from everlasting 
 In youth's blooming garden dwells : 
 Under snow and cloud and shower 
 Eaging up, an Etna swells. 
 
 Thou sham'st me, as the morning glow 
 Those solemn summits of the hill ; 
 Summer's heat and spring's sweet breath 
 Once more is Hatem breathing still. 1 
 
 Pour the wine ! Another bottle ! 
 This bowl for her I bring to-day ! 
 If she finds a heap of ashes, 
 " He burnt for me," then she may say. 
 
 Zttleika. 
 
 I will never, never lose thee ! 
 Love will aye love's strength bestow. 
 May my youth's aye sweet adornment 
 Of thy passion be the glow ! 
 
 Oh ! how flattering to my spirit 
 When my poet men approve, 
 Genius is of life the essence, 
 And 'tis life itself to love. 
 
 Against insistance ruby lips '' 
 Should never curses speak ; 
 Love's pain has no other ground 
 Its safety but to seek. 
 
 1 The rhyme in the original to "Morgeurothe" was Goethe, thus show- 
 ing that the poet meant to speak of himself. 
 
 2 Taken from the Kiatib-i-Boomee : — 
 
 " Shame, cup-bearer, to let the wine strive with the ruby mouth of the 
 
 beloved ! 
 What other hope of healing has love's, pain ? " 
 
Till. BOOK OP ZULEIKA. 287 
 
 As East is from the West apart/ 
 
 If from thy loTed one thou must part, 
 
 Through ev'ry desert runs the heart : 
 
 Itself is there its only guide ; 
 
 Tor lovers Bagdad's distance is not wide. 
 
 May ever your own ruined world * 
 Itself again complete ! 
 For me are shining those bright eyes, 
 For me does that heart beat. 
 
 There are too many senses, I find ! 
 One's happiness they but confuse. 
 To be deaf, when I see thee, I'd choose, 
 And when I hear thee, be blind. 
 
 Though distant, still to thee so near, 
 And unexpected comes my pain — 
 Then of a sudden thee I hear, 
 And unexpected see again. 
 
 How could I happy be, 
 Away from day and light ? 
 Now although I may not drink, 
 I can and will both write. 
 
 No more was speech then wanted, 
 When tow'rds her me she drew, 
 And when my tongue grew rigid, 
 Then would my pen cease, too. 
 
 Cup-bearer ! Come, beloved, 
 Fill up the goblet still. 
 I need but say : " Attention ! " 
 They know then what I will. 
 
 1 Imitated from the Kiatib-i-Koomee : — 
 
 " When thou art so far from the beloved as East is from the West, 
 Then hasten only, my heart : for lovers Bagdad is not far." 
 
 2 Von Loeper says this is imitated from Hafiz, Te 90 : — 
 " For all the world's affairs I never had respect, 
 
 Thy face alone has in my eyes the world with honour decked." 
 
288 WEST-EASTEKN DIVAN. 
 
 For when I think of thee, 1 
 Cup-bearer says to me : 
 " Sir, why now so still ? " 
 Since to thy pleasant lore 
 Listen more and more 
 Cup-bearer gladly will. 
 
 Beneath the cypress set, 
 When I myself forget, 
 'Tis foolish in his eyes : 
 Tet in still circle ever, 
 Now I am quite as clever, 
 As Solomon, and wise. 
 
 The Loving One speaks. 2 
 
 Why does the Captain 
 Not send his messenger, 
 Not send him daily 
 Here to my comfort ? 
 Sure he has horses, 
 Knows how to write, too. 
 
 He can write Talik, 
 Neski he knows, too : 
 Sweetly he writes it 
 On silken pages. 
 In place of himself, then, 
 He should aye write me. 
 
 1 In the absence of bis beloved he has consolation from the presence of 
 the cup-bearer, who listens attentively to his wise instruction. He sits 
 under the cypress absorbed in the thought of his beloved, a proceeding 
 the cup-bearer does not approve of, and yet in this quiet retreat he con- 
 siders himself, on account of his love, as clever and wise as Solomon. 
 
 2 This and the following piece do not refer to Zuleika, but are 
 imitated from Hafiz, Dal 133 : — 
 
 " He that is dear to me for long no word has sent, 
 
 No line has he written, nor word of greeting sent. 
 
 A hundred times he wrote, and yet the captain 
 
 Has neither messenger nor message sent." 
 Neski and Talik are two kinds of Persian handwriting. Talik is the 
 ordinary Persian handwriting, and Neski a finer and more finished 
 style. 
 
VIII. BOOK OP ZULEIKA. 289 
 
 Can not the sick one, 
 Will not recover 
 From her sweet sorrow. 
 She at the tidings 
 From her beloved one 
 Sickens, though healthy. 
 
 The Loving One (afterwards). 
 
 Writes he in Neski, 
 Truly he'll write : 
 Writes he in Talik, 
 Still he'll delight. 
 One's like the other, 
 Enough, that he loves me ! 
 
 Book Zitleika. 
 
 Gladly would I this book now pin together, 
 That like the others, too, it might be bound, 
 But how wouldst thou its words and pages shorten, 
 Led by love's madness still if thou wert found ? 
 
 Upon the leafy branches, 1 
 Beloved, turn and see : 
 In prickly shells enveloped 
 Fruit let me show to thee. 
 
 In silent balls aye hanging 
 Themselves they do not know ; 
 A bough them serves for cradle, 
 That rocks them to and fro. 
 
 Still from within they ripen, 
 And the brown kernels swell ; 
 The fresh air they desire to gain, 
 And see the sun as well. 
 
 1 The lovers, Goethe and Marianne, seem to have been re-united. 
 The reference to the fruit-trees is to the chestnuts at Heidelberg, 
 when the shells burst and the brown kernels fall to the ground in 
 autumn. 
 
 u 
 
290 WEST-EASTEEN DIVAN. 
 
 The shell will crack, and gladly 
 The fruit fall to the ground ; 
 So shall my songs in falling 
 Heaped in thy lap be found. 
 
 Zttleika. 
 
 On pleasant fountain's edge I stand, 
 That here in threads of water plays, 
 Not knowing what 'tis me delays, 
 Till there, as by thy loving hand, 
 My cipher lightly drawn I see, 
 And gazing down am drawn to thee. 
 
 Where the canal flows to its end, 1 
 Along the trees extends my view 
 That fringe the long-drawn avenue ; 
 Again aloft my eyes I bend, 
 Cut once by thee my name I see : 
 Oh stay ! Oh stay, in love for me ! 
 
 Hatem. 
 
 Mayst thou from the leaping waters, 
 From the waving cypress, know, 
 Prom Zuleika to Zuleika 
 Is my going to and fro. 
 
 Ztjleika. 
 
 Hardly yet again I see, 
 "With kiss and song refreshing, thee, 
 When thou within thyself art still : 
 What doth thy breast with anguish fill ? 
 
 1 Here there is a fanciful reference to canals bordered with trees in 
 Ispahan. 
 
Till. BOOK OF ZTJLEIKA. 291 
 
 HA.TEM. 
 
 Ah Zuleika, shall I say with pain; 1 
 Instead of praising thee, complain ? 
 Once thou sang'st my songs alone, 
 New and fresh was ev'ry one. 2 
 
 "Worthy of praise I might them deem, 
 But dragged in that they all seem, 
 Not from Hafiz or Nizami, 
 None from Saadi nor from Jami. 
 
 Known is what the fathers wrote, 
 Word for word and note for note, 
 These in my memory are worn, 
 These others are but newly born, 
 
 They were composed but yesterday ; 
 Art thou fresh beholden, say ? 
 Dost thou glad, so rashly dare, 
 Breathe in my face another's air, 
 
 Which enlivens all thy ways, 
 In love, too, around thee sways, 
 In sweet converse to unite, 
 As mine harmonious, would invite. 
 
 Ztjleika. 
 
 Yes, Hatem was away so long, 
 
 The maiden learnt another song. 
 
 So fair was she by him confessed, 
 
 That absence brought itself to test, 
 
 But now, that they may not seem strange to thee, 
 
 Believe Zuleika's songs thine own to be ! 
 
 1 Hatem's jealousy is aroused by Zuleika's singing songs that he 
 believes to be those of another lover picked up in his absence, and he 
 is consoled by her telling him they are her own composition. 
 
 2 " Immer neu und immer wieder." These words are probably 
 based on the first words of a well-known Persian song, " T&zah lu 
 tazah, nao le nao," " fresh to fresh and new to new." 
 
292 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Behram Groor, they say, discovered rhyme, 1 
 Prom his pure soul entranced he wrote : 
 Quick Dilaram, his friend in many hours, 
 With equal words then answered, note for note. 
 
 To find a pleasurable use for rhyme, 
 To me, my love, does fate thy love assign, 
 That I, a Behram Groor, the Sassanides 
 May never envy, since their lot is mine. 
 
 Does this book rouse me, thou hast been the cause ; 
 What I, well-pleased, from a full heart have spoken 
 Prom thy pure life was quickly echoed back, 
 Look answered look, and rhyme to rhyme unbroken. 
 
 Now echoes it to thee, though from afar ! 
 The words will reach, though disappear the sound, 
 Is't not the mantle of the thick-sown star ? 
 And will not love enraptured there be found ? 
 
 To thy look to be conformed, 
 To thy mouth and to thy breast, 
 Once again to hear thy voice, 
 Was my latest joy and. best. 
 
 Yesterday, alas ! were this the last, 
 Light and fire would disappear : 
 Ev'ry jest that erst was pleasing 
 Would, like debt, be sad and dear. 
 
 Whilst Allah's will it pleases not 
 TJs in union to keep, 
 Sun and moon and world but give me 
 Opportunity to weep. 
 
 Let me weep ! By night surrounded 
 In the endless, dreary waste, 
 
 i 
 
 Behram Goor, or Behram the wild ass (a symbol of heroic courage), 
 was a king of the Sassanide dynasty, and Dilaram (heart's-easo) his 
 favourite female slave. 
 
VIII. BOOK OP ZTTLEIKA. 293 
 
 Whilst camels rest and drivers do the like, 
 
 Still reckoning, Armenians -wake. 
 
 Yet I am near them, counting up the long, long miles 
 
 That part me from Zuleika, and repeat 
 
 Those wretched turns that lengthen out the road. 
 
 Let me but weep ! There is no shame in that. 
 
 Weeping men are good to see. 
 
 Achilles, even, for Brise'is wept, 
 
 And for the unslain host did Xerxes weep, 
 
 And over his self -murdered favourite, 
 
 Too, wept Alexander ! 
 
 Let me weep ! For tears enliven the dust ; 
 
 Already 'tis green ! 
 
 Zttleika. 
 
 What does this commotion mean? 1 
 Will the East good news impart ? 2 
 Of its pinions the fresh motion 
 Cools the deep wounds of the heart. 
 
 With the dust it sports caressing, 
 Blows it up in fleecy cloud, 
 Drives towards the safe vine-arbour 
 Insects in their happy crowd. 
 
 Benders mild the sun's hot fervour, 
 Cools these heated cheeks of mine, 
 Kisses, as it passes by, 
 On the hills and plains the vine. 
 
 And its gentle whisper brings me 
 Thousand greetings from my friend, 
 And before the hills grow darker 
 Greet me kisses without end. 
 
 1 This song was written by Marianne >. Willemer, and has been 
 altered by Goethe, as the Berlin edition maintains, unhappily. 
 
 a The east wind is entitled the messenger of lovers, as in Hafiz, 
 Ze 36 :— 
 
 " Where's the East wind on its gracious wing, 
 A letter from my lore that now shall bring ? " 
 
294 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 So thou canst now farther go ! 
 
 Serve thy friends 1 and those that sorrow. 
 
 There, where lofty towers glow, 
 
 Shall I find my love to-morrow. 
 
 Ah ! glad tidings for the heart, 
 Love's breath that makes it joy to live, 
 Come to me only from his mouth, 
 For these his breath alone can give. 
 
 Ideal. 
 
 The sun, the Helios of the Greeks, 2 
 Bright on his heav'nly way doth go, 
 In truth, creation to subdue, 
 Looks up above, around, below. 
 
 He sees that fairest goddess weep, 
 For her alone he seems to shine, 
 The heav'nly daughter of the cloud : 
 Then to all brighter realms supine, 
 
 He sinks him down in pain and grief, 
 And quicker then her tears must flow : 
 For ev'ry pearl a kiss on kiss, 
 He sends her pleasure in her woe. 
 
 Now steadfastly she gazes up, 
 And deeply feels his glances warm, 
 Whilst every pearl his image takes, 
 As it assumes a perfect form. 
 
 And thus lights up her beaming face, 
 ' Engarlanded with coloured bow, 
 But her, alas ! he cannot reach, 
 Although he hastens down below. 
 
 1 The words were originally " the glad " (frohen), which would suit 
 the sense better. 
 
 2 The grief of the sun, which from sympathy with the rain clond 
 forms its coloured bow, but which it can never reach, affords the poet an 
 image of his own love, as he cannot reach his beloved, who has just left 
 him. 
 
VIII. BOOK OP ZULEIKA. 295 
 
 So through the stern decree of fate, 
 Thou leav'st me, dearest, here alone, 
 And were I Helios the Great, 
 Of what use were his chariot throne ? 
 
 Echo. 1 
 
 It sounds so grandly when a poet 
 In sun or emperor his likeness takes, 
 Yet as in dusky night he slinks away, 
 He hides the mournful faces that he makes. 
 
 By clouds encompassed in their heavy folds, 
 Sank down to night the purest Hue of day ; 
 My cheeks emaciated are so pale, 
 And my heart's tears become a leaden grey. 
 
 My best beloved, of the moon-like face, 
 Oh ! leave me not to pain and to the night ; 
 My lamp, my phosphorus art thou, 
 My sun art thou, and thou art too, my light ! 
 
 Zuxeika. 
 
 How I envy thee, O West, 2 
 For thy damp and humid wing ; 
 How I suffer when we part, 
 Thou canst him the tidings bring. 
 
 With the stirring of thy wings 
 Longing in my breast appears : 
 Flowers, meadows, wood and hillock 
 At thy breath dissolve in tears. 
 
 1 Written as a contrast to the above, as he cannot, in his grief at 
 parting, fairly compare himself to a sun or emperor. 
 
 a Imitated from 25 of Hafiz's Roobeiyat : — 
 
 " O wind of my story, him my secret relate : 
 With hundred tongues my heart's grief relate. 
 Speak not to him so that he. may sorrow : 
 Speak but one word ; let that be moderate." 
 
 This was also composed by Marianne von Willemer. 
 
296 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Yet thy mild and gentle movements 
 Of my eyelids cool the pain : 
 With grief, alas ! I soon should perish, 
 Hoped I not him to meet again. 
 
 Haste thee, then, to my beloved, 
 Speak so gently to his heart, 
 Yet forbear to make him sorrow, 
 Nor my heavy grief impart. 
 
 Tell him, aye, but so discreetly, 
 That I live but in his love ; 
 For us both a sweet sensation 
 Would his nearness to me prove. 
 
 Finding Again. 
 
 Star of stars, can I conceive 
 To my heart that I thee press ? 
 How the gloomy night of parting 
 Yawns, a gulf of deep distress ! 
 Yes, it is so, of my pleasures 
 Counterpart most sweet and dear ! 
 Mindful of our by-gone sorrow, 
 Must I for the present fear. 
 
 As the world in deepest chaos 
 
 On God's eternal bosom lay, 
 
 In creation's lofty pleasure 
 
 He ordained primeval day. 
 
 " Let there be ! " The word was spoken ; 
 
 Echoed back a painful sigh, 
 
 As the " All" with mighty movement 
 
 To reality drew nigh. 
 
 The light was manifest and coy, 
 Darkness from it quick withdrew, 
 And the elements at once 
 Sep'rate from each other flew. 
 Swift, in wild, disordered dreams, 
 Strove each onwards in the race, 
 Silent, cold, and without longing, 
 Moving through unmeasured space. 
 
Till. BOOK OF ZTJLEIKA.. 297 
 
 All was dumb, and still, and dreary, 
 The first time G-od in loneliness ; 
 He created morning's blushes 
 That took pity on distress. 
 They unfolded for the mournful 
 A resounding colour-play ; 
 Now together came in, loving, 
 What at first divided lay. 1 
 
 Seeking each its right belongings, 
 Each with ardent fervour burned, 
 And to an unmete existence 
 Sight and feeling then returned. 
 Whether grasped or whether snatched, 
 Let each what it holds maintain ! 
 We ourselves his world creating, 
 Allah need not make again. 
 
 So with wings of ruddy morning 
 Tow'rds thy mouth my being steals, 
 And the star-clear night our cov'nant 
 Witnesses with thousand seals. 
 We bear both upon the earth, 
 Exemplary, joy and pain, 
 And a second " Let there be " 
 Would not part us two again. 
 
 Full Moon Night. 2 
 
 Lady, say, what mean those whispers ? 
 What so softly moves thy lips ? 
 E'er before thee dost thou whisper, 
 Sweeter than of wine the sips ! 
 
 1 The Berlin edition says : " If the time of separation may be likened 
 to night, meeting again is like the morning blush that heralds the day. 
 On this simple image rests the myth invented by the poet, and so happily 
 carried out." 
 
 2 Imitated from Hafiz, Dal 156 :— 
 
 " Amidst her locks I saw my loved one's face, 
 As clouds did yesterday the moon surround : 
 I said : ' Shall I begin to kiss ? ' She said : 
 ' Not till the moon's beyond the scorpion's bound.' " 
 
298 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Of mouth sisters here of thine 
 Think'st a pair still to entwine ? 
 " I will kiss and kiss," I answered. 1 
 
 In doubtful darkness see displaying 
 EVry blooming bough its glow, 
 Star on star is downwards playing : 
 Through the emerald bush below 
 Thousand-fold carbuncles gleam : 
 Thy spirit, still doth absent seem. 
 " I will kiss and kiss," I answered. 
 
 Thy distant lover's testing now 
 In like manner sour and sweet, 
 Peeling an unhallowed bliss. 
 Each other at full moon to greet 
 Tou have made a solemn vow ; 
 This the very moment is ! 
 " I will kiss and kiss," say I. 
 
 Secret Writing. 
 
 Prepare ye now, ye diplomates, 
 Each his very best device, 
 And give your several potentates 
 The very best advice. 
 Let all the world be busy 
 And secret ciphers send, 
 At last till ev'ry turning 
 In being straight may end. 
 
 A cipher written by herself 
 My lady sweet has sent, 
 And I the more enjoy it, 
 That she did it invent. 
 
 1 The poet and ITrau von Willemer are supposed to have made a com- 
 pact to think of each other at the time of full moon. As" the moon rises, 
 she is supposed to fulfil this promise, and to move her lips as if in the 
 act of kissing, to the astonishment of her maid, who had forgotten the 
 agreement that had been made, but now remembers it, and says: "This 
 is the moment." The mistress, as it were, sends her kisses to her lover 
 in the distance, as she supposes him to be greeting her. " Mouth sisters " 
 literally translated from " Mund geschwistern." 
 
Till. BOOK OF ZULEIKA. 299 
 
 It is sweet love's completeness 
 In country fair to see, 
 A pure and heart-felt pleasure 
 Between herself and me. 
 
 Of thousand fairest flowers 
 It is a nosegay sweet, 
 A well inhabited abode, 
 Where heav'nly natures meet ; 
 With many kinds of feathered things 
 A sky that's overspread, 
 Of songs a sounding ocean 
 With perfume overshed. 
 
 It is a double writing 
 Not easy to attain, 
 Piercing life's very marrow 
 With dart on dart again. 
 What now I am disclosing 
 Was long a wish devout, 
 And you should silent use it, 
 If you have found it out. 1 
 
 Reflection. 2 
 
 It has become my mirror, 
 Wherein I gladly see 
 As if the Emperor's Order 
 In lustre shone on me. 
 
 1 German commentators deny that any system of secret correspon? 
 dence was carried on between the lovers, although these lines would 
 appear to point to such a fact. A note to the Berlin edition makes out 
 the secret method of correspondence to have been Hafiz's poems, by the 
 intonation of particular passages of which the lovers could read each 
 other's thoughts, as diplomatists read writings in cipher. It is likened 
 to various poetical images, and diplomatists are finally advised not to 
 reveal, but to make use of it. 
 
 2 The book of his songs is the mirror into which the poet looks to see 
 his beloved. These he, therefore, writes ever fairer and more according 
 to his own taste, in spite of criticism, as he sees her in them always 
 fresh and fair, surrounded by wreaths of flowers and azure frames. 
 
300 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Not at all to please myself 
 I seek myself to trace ; 
 I like to have companions, 
 And this is here the case. 
 
 For when before my mirror 
 In my widower house I stand, 
 My love peeps unexpected 
 Behind me close at hand. 
 I turn, and quick has vanished 
 What I saw, that vision fair, 
 But when I see my songs again 
 I find she still is there. 
 
 I write them ever fairer 
 
 And to my mind more dear, 
 
 To win a daily profit 
 
 In spite of critics' sneer. 
 
 Her form in rich surroundings 
 
 Is glorified anew, 
 
 In golden wreaths of roses 
 
 And frames of azure hue. 
 
 Ztjleika. 
 
 I perceive with inward comfort, 
 Song, the word that thou wouldst say : 
 Full of love to say thou seem'st, 
 " I am by his side to-day." 
 
 That of me he's always thinking, 
 His love's blessing always gives 
 To the Absent One, devoted, 
 Who for him, adoring, lives. 
 
 Yes, my fond heart is the mirror, 
 Friend, where thou thyself hast seen ; 
 This the breast on which thy signet, 
 Kiss on kiss, impressed has been. 
 
VIII. BOOK OF ZULEIKA. 301 
 
 Sweetest poems, truth transparent, 
 Chain me here in sympathy, 
 Love's serenity embodied 
 In the garb of poesy. 
 
 The world's glass leave to Alexander, 1 
 What does it show him ? Then and there, 
 Quiet people, whom he wished to conquer, 
 Together shaking them with other men. 
 
 But do thou look not farther nor abroad, 
 What to thyself thou sangest sing to me : 
 Think that I thee love and that I live ; 
 Bethink thyself that thou hast conquered me. 
 
 The world throughout is beautiful to view ; 
 
 Especially the poet's world is fair : 
 
 By day and night, in fields of varied hue, 
 
 Or clear or silver-grey, the lights are shining there. 
 
 To-day 'tis all so splendid, may it lasting prove ! 
 
 To-day I see it but through spectacles of love. 
 
 No more on silken leaves 
 
 Will I symmetric rhymes indite, 
 
 No more will shape them 
 
 To golden tendrils : 
 
 On fickle dust, the ever-moving, written, 
 
 The wind will blow them over, but their force remains 
 
 Down to earth's central point, 
 
 Spelled to the surface up. 
 
 And the wanderer shall come, 
 
 The loving one. Should he tread 
 
 "Upon this spot, his limbs 
 
 All of them quiver. 
 
 " Here. Before me the loving one loved, 
 
 1 Alexander the Great is said to have bad a mirror, by looking into 
 which he could see all the people he had to conquer. Zuleika says 
 Hatem has conquered her, and need look no farther. Hatiz several 
 times mentions Alexander's mirror, and says he had only to look into it 
 to see all of Darius's plans. 
 
802 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Was it Mujnoon, the tender ? 
 
 FerMd, the powerful ? Jumeel, the enduring ? 
 
 Was it one of those thousand 
 
 Unfortunate, fortunate ones ? 
 
 He loved, and yet I love as he : 
 
 I copy." 
 
 But thou, Zuleika, restest 
 
 Upon thy soft pillow, 
 
 That I prepared and for thee adorned. 
 
 And when thou wakest, quiver thy limbs, too. 1 
 
 " He calls me ! It is Hatem ! 
 
 And I, too, call thee, Hatem, my Hatem ! " 
 
 In thousand forms though thou art hid from sight, 
 Yet my best love at once I recognize : 
 Thou mayst be decked with magic veils of night, 
 All-present, thee at once I recognize. 
 
 In cypress' young and freshly springing glow, 
 So fairly growing, thee I recognize : 
 Where in canal the living waters flow, 
 0, thou that flatt'rest, thee I recognize. 
 
 When, foaming forth, the water-sprays unfold, 
 Thou sportive one, thee, glad I recognize : 
 When clouds, assuming form, themselves unfold, 
 O, many-folded, thee I recognize. 
 
 On meadow carpet of the flowered veil 
 Thee, fair, with many stars I recognize : 
 Where ivy, with its thousand arms doth trail, 
 Thee, all-embracing one, I recognize. 
 
 When morning on the hills is dawning bright, 
 I greet thee at once, who all dost enliven : 
 I breathe thee, thou that the heart enlargest, 
 When over me spreads in its pureness the heaven. 
 
 1 The pillow on which Zuleika's head rests is said to be the songs the 
 poet has written on her. 
 
VIII. BOOK OF ZULEIKA.. 303 
 
 All that I learn from sense, from inmost ken, 
 O, thou that teachest all, I know through thee ; 
 And when I tell of Allah's hundred names 
 With each there sounds alike a name for thee. 1 
 
 1 A poem in Oriental form to Love in its thousand forms. 
 
IX. SAKI NAMAH; OE, BOOK OF THE 
 CUP-BBAEEE. 
 
 YES, I, too, in my inn was seated, 1 
 To me, as others, wine was meted : 
 They chattered, cried, and with each other dealt, 
 And on the day's theme glad or sorry dwelt ; 
 But sitting still, rejoiced at heart I felt, 
 And thought ; how loves me she that I love best ? 
 That know I not, yet how I feel oppressed ! 
 I love her, just as if there were one soul, 
 Slavish, dependent on her sole control. 
 Where was the parchment, where the pen, 
 That all had summed up ? Yet it was so then. 
 
 I sit alone, 
 
 Where could I better be ? 
 
 To drink is mine 
 
 Alone my wine. 
 
 No one bounds to me can set, 
 
 My private thoughts I have as yet. 
 
 Muley, the thief, remarkably clever, 
 Wrote, when drunk, better letters than ever. 
 
 If the Koran from eternal be, 
 That inquire I not. 
 If the Koran created be, 
 That know I not. 
 
 1 The poet is supposed to be sitting in an inn, and to desire to record 
 his thoughts towards his beloved, but to be unable to obtain writing 
 materials : hence the two last lines of the piece. 
 
IX. BOOK OF THE CUP-BEARER. 305 
 
 That the Book of Books it be, 
 A Moslem, I must hold to be. 
 But that ■wine's from eternity, 
 That doubt I not, 
 
 Or that before the angels it was made 
 Perhaps may be no poet's fable : 
 Whiche'er it be, into God's face 
 To look the drinker's better able. 
 
 Drunk must we all be in truth ! 
 Wineless drunkenness is youth. 
 Drinks back itself old age to youth, 
 This is a virtue in good sooth. 
 One's well-loved life will grief allay, 
 And grapes will drive one's care away. 1 
 
 Inquire no more ! It is not hidden, 
 
 Wine is solemnly forbidden. 
 
 From drinking wine canst thou not rest, 
 
 Then drink it always of the best. 
 
 If with sourish stuff thou'rt crammed, 
 
 Double heretic thou'rt damned. 
 
 On what sort of wine 
 Drunk did Alexander get ? 
 My last spark of life I'd bet, 
 It was not as good as mine. 
 
 "Wine does not agree with thee ; 
 No doctor would say it was meet. 
 But slightly it ruins the stomach, 
 But gives the head far too much heat. 
 
 1 This is derived from Hafiz, Ya 50 :— " If thou wilt have proof (of the 
 way of the world), drink wine, and drink not sorrow." This piece is 
 founded on the following passage in the book Kabus : — " In youth are men 
 drunk without wine. Always call for the best wine, for if the wine is 
 bad, then the dinner will be considered bad. It comes to this, that it is 
 a sin to drink wine. If thou, then, committest sin, commit it at least 
 for the best wine, for otherwise wonldst thou on one part commit sin, 
 and on another drink bad wine. By God! that would bo the most 
 sorrowful among sorrowful things." 
 
306 WEST-EASTEKN DIVAN. 
 
 Know ye what is my loved one's name, 
 The wine I prize, it is the same. 
 
 "When one is sober, 
 Bad even goes ; 
 When one has drunk a bit 
 What's good one knows, 
 But that intemperance 
 Not far may be. 
 Say how the matter 
 Seems, Haflz, to thee. 
 
 For my contention is 
 
 Not over-forced ; 
 
 Where a man cannot drink, 
 
 Love is divorced. 
 
 Yet should not the drinkers 
 
 Themselves better think ; 
 
 When a man cannot love, 
 
 He should not drink. 1 
 
 ZtTlEIKA. 
 
 Why does thy kindness often fail ? 2 
 
 Hatem. 
 
 Thou know'st the body is a jail. 
 
 The soul, by fraud therein confined, 
 
 Eoom for its elbows cannot find. 
 
 Lest to escape she be inclined, 
 
 The jail itself in chains they bind. 
 
 A double danger she has thus to run, 
 
 And thus by far the strangest things are done. 
 
 1 The idea that love and wine must go together is expressed by Hafiz, 
 Te 15 :— 
 
 " Forbidden by our Faith though drinking might not be, 
 
 Yet, cypress-rose, its end without thy face must aye unlawful be.'' 
 
 2 This belongs properly to the Book of Zuleika, and only owes its 
 place here to the lines : — 
 
 " If the body is a Jail," etc., 
 
 which presents a kind of excuse for drinking. 
 
IX. BOOK OF THE CUP-BEAREB. 307 
 
 " If the body is a jail, then why 
 
 Should it always be so dry ? " 
 
 Well pleased, the soul when in its proper mind, 
 
 Would be content to be therein confined, 
 
 Did not the wine flasks, brimming fair, 
 
 One after other enter there, 
 
 Till them the soul can bear no more, 
 
 And breaks in pieces at the door. 
 
 To the Waiter. 
 
 Why dost thou wine before one place, 
 
 Thou Grobian, with such an acid face ? 
 
 Who brings me wine, his eyes should friendly glow, 
 
 Or in the glass good wine * will turbid grow. 
 
 To the Ctjp-Beaber. 
 
 Thou handsome boy, do thou now come within : 
 Why dost thou stand upon the threshold here ? 
 Thou shalt hereafter my cup-bearer be ; 
 The wine thou bringest tasty be and clear. 
 
 The Cttp-Beabeb speaks. 
 
 Tou with ringlets all so brown, 
 Ah, you cunning wench ! get out ! 
 Master mine will kiss my brow 
 To please him when I wine pour out. 
 
 As for you, I'd lay a wager, 
 Content with this you will not rest, 
 And my good friend will soon fatigue 
 Your painted cheeks, your shameless breast. 
 
 Now, ashamed, you slink away : 
 A fool of me d'ye think you'll make ? 
 Across the threshold I will lie, 
 And when you come I shall awake. 
 
 1 In the original this is " Elfer," or wine grown in the year 1811, 
 celebrated for being good. 
 
308 WEST-EASTEKN DIVAN. 
 
 They have concerning drunkenness 
 
 Complained in many a way, 
 
 And for our private drunkenness 
 
 Not had enough to say. 
 
 'Tis common after drunkenness 
 
 To go to bed till day, 
 
 Tet sometimes me my drunkenness 
 
 Has driven by night away. 
 
 Me ever will love's drunkenness 
 
 Most piteously torment ; 
 
 From day to night, from night to day, 
 
 My heart be ever sent. 
 
 The heart which with the drunkenness 
 
 Of song can rise and swell, 
 
 So that no tasteless drunkenness 
 
 May dare the like prevail. 
 
 Love, song, and wine-bred drunkenness, 
 
 Whether by day or night, 
 
 This godliest of drunkenness 
 
 Will vex me yet delight. 1 
 
 Thou little rascal, thou ! 
 That I should be conscious 
 To that at last it must come ; 
 So I rejoice myself 
 Upon thy presence, too, 
 O thou dearest one, 
 Though I am quite drunk. 
 
 Oh ! what a row there was to-day, 
 
 At early morning in the inn ! 
 
 The host ! The girls ! The torches' play ! 
 
 What a business ! What a din ! 
 
 The flute was blown ! The drum was beat ! 
 It was a wild abode, 
 
 1 Imitated from the Persian, in which the same word frequently 
 occurs in alternate lines, in honour of the three kinds of drunkenness — 
 from love, wine, and song. A song in praise of 1811 wine, which is not 
 in most editions, but is in Hempel's, has been omitted here. 
 
IX. BOOK OF THE CT7P-BEARER. 309 
 
 Yet, full of pleasure and of love, 
 There in and out I strode. 1 
 
 That I've of manners nothing learnt, 
 They blame me freely all around : 
 I think it wise that I am not 
 In strife of schools or pulpit found. 
 
 Ctip-Bearer. 
 
 Out of your room you came to-day 
 So late, Sir ! What a plight appalling ! 
 Persians call it, " Bee damagh boodun," : 
 The Germans call it caterwauling. 
 
 Poet. 
 
 Leave me now, my dearest boy, 
 For now on me the world will cloy, 
 Ev'n sunshine, roses' perfumed gale, 
 And sweetest song of nightingale. 
 
 Cup-Bearer. 
 
 Even that I now will deal with, 
 And I think I shall succeed. 
 Here, Sir ! Eat some bitter almonds, 
 Sour the wine will taste indeed. 
 
 Then out there upon the terrace 
 I would have you drink fresh air. 
 You will kiss then your cup-bearer, 
 When your eye he catches there. 
 
 1 Imitated from Hafiz, Dal 124 :— 
 
 " God ! in the tavern street this morning what a dine there was ! 
 Cup-bearer, sweetheart, lights ! what row and fuss there was ! 
 Of love, with word and voice that always is content, 
 With drums and flutes, what furious talk there was ! " 
 
 2 " Bee damagh boodun,'' means, literally, to be without brains, or out 
 of one's senses. 
 
310 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 See ! the world is not a cavern ; 
 Always rich in brood and nest, 
 Roses' scent and oil of roses, 
 Bulbuls, as yesterday, at best. 
 
 That odious beggar, 1 
 
 The coquettish one, 
 
 They call her " world," 
 
 Me has she quite deceived, 
 
 As she all others has. 
 
 Of Faith she deprived me, 
 
 Then it was Hope ; 
 
 Now would she, too, 
 
 Take my love. 
 
 Then I flew off, 
 
 The treasure I'd rescued 
 
 To save me for ever. 
 
 Divided it wisely 
 
 Between Zuleika and Saki. 
 
 Bach one of the two, 
 
 For a wager works zealously 
 
 Higher interest to gain me. 
 
 So I'm richer than ever. 
 
 My faith has come back to me, 
 
 My old faith in her love for me ! 
 
 In the bowl he'll afford me 
 
 For the present liveliest feeling. 
 
 What there, then, can Hope do ? 
 
 Cup-Beaber. 
 
 Though you have eaten well to-day, 
 Still more you must have drunk ; 
 At the meal what you forgot 
 Is in this goblet sunk. 
 
 1 Hlfiz and other Persian poets call the world a deceitful old woman. 
 The poet here finds his greatest happiness in Znleika's love and in the 
 enlivening bowl, between which he has divided his love in order to 
 secure it for ever. He then is in no more need of hope. 
 
IX. BOOK OP THE CUP-BEARER. 311 
 
 See, this we call a " little swan," 
 To please the sated guests, 
 This now to my swan I bring, 
 The foaming wave that breasts. 
 
 When the swan sings, one may know 
 'Tis his own parting knell, 
 But that song let me ever want 
 If of your end it tell. 1 
 
 Cup-Bearer. 
 
 People the great poet call thee, 
 On market when thou dost appear : 
 When thou sing'st I gladly listen, 
 When thou'rt silent, too, I hear. 
 
 Yet I love thee still more dearly 
 When I think upon thy kiss, 
 For thy words but pass me over, — 
 In my heart remains the kiss. 
 
 Rhyme on rhyme must have some meaning, 
 Better were it much to think ; 
 Sing thou, then, to other people, 
 Dumb to him who brings thee drink. 
 
 Poet. 
 Cup-bearer, come ! Another bowl ! 
 
 Cup-Bearer. 
 
 Thee the wild tippler people call, 
 
 And thou hast now drunk quite enough ! 
 
 1 Commentators differ as to the meaning of the " little swan " in this 
 piece, but it was most probably a mixed drink of cherry water, peaches, 
 and almonds, given after supper to well-filled guests, as in the house of 
 Professor Paulus at Heidelberg, where the piece was originally written. 
 The allusion in the third verse is, of pourse, to the well-known fable of 
 the swan singing only just before its death. 
 
312 west-eastern divan. 
 
 Poet. 
 Pray, didst thou ever see me fall ? 
 
 Cttp-Beaeer. 
 Forbids Mahomet. 
 
 Poet. 
 
 Now, my dear ! 
 I will speak, if no one's near. 
 
 Ctjp-Bearer. 
 
 If thou'rt willing now to speak, 
 No need to ask, I'll only hear. 
 
 Poet. 
 
 Now listen here. We Mussulmans 
 To he soher all must bow. 
 Himself alone in holy zeal 
 Would he to he mad allow. 1 
 
 Citp-Bearer. 
 
 Master ! Think, when thou hast drunk, 
 Bound thee spurts the bright fire's glow ! 
 Sparkle round a thousand sparks ; 
 Where they strike thou dost not know. 
 
 Monks I see in every corner, 
 Hypocritically glide, 
 When thou strikest on the table, 
 And thy heart thou dost not hide. 
 
 Tell me only, why a young man, 
 From no sin or error free, 
 In all virtue thus deficient, 
 Cleverer than age should be ? 
 
 1 Mahomet is by some said to have reserved the prerogative of drink- 
 ing wine for himself, although he forbade it to his followers. 
 
IX. BOOK Or THE CTTP-BEAEEB. 313 
 
 All that is in heav'n thou knowest, 
 Thou knowest all that is on earth, 
 And concealest not the tumult 
 In thy bosom that has hirth. 
 
 Hatem. 
 
 Even therefore, hoy beloved, 
 E'er be young and ever wise : 
 To poetize is heaven's gift, 
 Yet deceit in earthly eyes. 
 Eirst, in secret to be cradled, 
 Early, late, then talk abroad ! 
 In vain for poets to be silent, 
 To poetize itself s a fraud ! l , 
 
 Stjmmee Night. 
 
 Poet. 
 
 Evening sun has gone below, 
 Western glimmer still is seen ; 
 I should like to know how long 
 Still goes on that golden sheen. 
 
 Cup-Beaeee. 
 
 Master, should it be your pleasure, 
 Till the night the gleam o'ercome, 
 Outside the tents will I remain here, 
 Then to tell thee instant come, 
 
 For I know that thou delightest, 
 The endless there above to view, 
 When those fires of heaven shining 
 Praise each other in the blue. 
 
 1 The cup-bearer advises the poet, who when drunk blurts out his 
 whole soul, to be less open, as he is surrounded by enemies and hypo- 
 crites, and is astonished at his master's want of such worldly wisdom 
 as he himself, a youth, has. In his answer the poet asserts that a poet 
 cannot conceal his thoughts, as poetry is Heaven's gift, and must come 
 out. 
 
314 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 And the brightest will but tell us : 
 " As my state is, so I shine : 
 Would God but more daylight give you, 
 Then your light would be as mine." 
 
 For in G-od's eyes all is beauteous, 
 In that He Himself is best ; 
 So the birds are all now sleeping, 
 Each in large or smaller nest. 
 
 One on branches of the cypress 
 Gracefully himself will set, 
 Where the tepid breezes lead him, 
 Till the wind with dew is wet. 
 
 Such or other equal lessons 
 Thou to me didst aye impart : 
 What from thee I e'er am learning, 
 This will never leave my heart. 
 
 Like an owl, upon the terrace 
 Will I for thee crouch and sit, 
 Till the Great and Little Bear, 
 With the North Star by me flit. 
 
 'Twill then be midnight, when thou often 
 Didst me far too early call : 
 That will be a scene of splendour, 
 When thou with me admir'st the " All." 
 
 Poet. 
 
 Still in this so breezy garden 
 When the nightingale sings late ; 
 Till the night was further waning 
 Thou couldst still much longer wait. 
 
 For at this time 'tis that Flora, 
 Whom the Grecian folk have named 
 The grass-widow, the Aurora, 
 Is by Hesperus inflamed. 
 
IX. BOOK OP THE CTJP-BEAEER. 315 
 
 Look around ! She comes ! how quickly ! 
 Over flower fair and field : 
 Here 'tis bright and there still clearer : 
 In the crush, too, night must yield. 
 
 On her light and ruby feet 
 Him she hastes to bring above, 
 With the Sun-G-od who escaped — 
 Dost not feel the breath of Love ? 
 
 G-o then, thou most lovely son, 
 Thyself secure within to make, 
 Lest she, looking on thy beauty, 
 Thee for Hesperus mistake. 1 * 
 
 Cup-Beaber (sleepily). 
 
 Thus lastly have I ever looked to thee 
 God's presence in all elements to see. 
 How lovely this thou giv'st, yet all above 
 Is this that still thou me dost love. 
 
 (Sleeps off.) 
 
 Hatem. 
 
 Sweetly he sleeps and has a right to sleep. 
 For thou, good youth, has poured me out my drink ; 
 From friend and teacher, not punished nor by force, 
 Learnt in thy youth what but the old would think. 
 
 But now to all thy youthful limbs comes health, 
 Which thou renewest in its sweetest fulness : 
 That thou awake not, still to give me joy, 
 I'll go on drinking, but in perfect stillness. 
 
 1 Aurora is called the grass-widow because she has lost Kephalos 
 (Cephalus). 
 
X. MATHAL NAMAH; OE, BOOK OF PARABLES. 
 
 FEOM heaven sank into the wild sea's spray 
 An anxious drop ; the horrid billows heaved. 
 God gave it strength through which it might endure, 
 Born of the courage true of faith conceived. 
 The drop into its womb the silent mussel took, 
 And now, to its eternal honour and renown, 
 A pearl it brightly shines in our own Emperor's crown, 
 With gentle radiance and a gracious look. 
 
 Bulbul's song through chilly night, 1 
 Rose to Allah's throne of light : 
 As her sweet melody's reward, 
 In golden cage will He her guard. 
 This cage a mortal's members know, 
 Wherein she feels herself confined ; 
 Yet when she thinks with proper mind 
 Her song again will ever flow. 
 
 Belief in Miracles. 
 
 Once I gave way to sheer despair ; 
 I'd broken a pretty shell : — 
 My clumsiness and over-haste 
 I wished them both in hell. 
 
 At sight of those sad little bits 
 I wept and then I swore ; 
 
 By the bulbul is here meant the soul. Hilflz, in Nun 23, says : — 
 
 " My heart's bird is a holy thing in heav'n that has its nest, 
 Grieved at the body's narrow cage, no more on earth 'twill rest. " 
 
X. BOOK OF PARABLES. 317 
 
 God pitied me and made it whole, 
 As it had been before. 1 
 
 The pearl that from the shell escaped, 
 
 Fair and of high degree, 
 
 To that good man, the jeweller, 
 
 " Now I am lost," said she. 
 
 " If thou dost pierce my pretty all, 
 'Twill surely ruin me : 
 With common sisters, found by chance, 
 I shall connected be." 
 
 " On profit now alone I think, 
 Thou must not take it ill ; 
 For if I were not cruel here, 
 How would the necklace fill ? " 
 
 I saw with pleasure and surprise one day, 
 A peacock's feather in the Koran lay. 
 Welcomed be thou in this so holy place, 
 Thou highest treasure with an earthly face ! 
 As in the stars of heaven, can we see 
 In little things God's greatness e'en in thee, 
 That He above the puny world so high 
 Hath deigned below to turn His holy eye, 
 And thence the plume adorned with majesty, 
 That kings may hardly in their royal state 
 The bird's great beauty try to imitate. 
 Discreet, rejoice thyself of fame, 
 In holy places thou shalt have a name." 2 
 
 1 The Berlin edition says this is aimed at the orthodox mechanical 
 representation of man's fall through sin, and his redemption through 
 faith. 
 
 2 Imitated from Saadi's Gulistan : — " I said to » pretty peacock's 
 feather which I found lying between the leaves of the Koran, 'How ob- 
 tainest thou such exaltation, to lie in such a lordly book ? ' It answered 
 me at once, ' He who is handsome has always, more than one that 
 is ugly, a foot free to set where he will, and no one's hand can easily 
 draw it back.'" 
 
318 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 An Emperor once had two cashiers, 
 The one to take, the other to expend. 
 From the one's hands the money lightly flew, 
 The other whence to draw it hardly knew. 
 The spender died — the ruler did not know 
 On whom the spending office to bestow. 
 They hardly had had time to look around, 
 When the receiver very rich was found : 
 One knew not how from gold to get away, 
 When nothing had been spent one single day. 
 The monarch thence a clear conclusion drew, 
 To what account the whole calamity was due. 
 Experienced, he soon made up his mind, 
 Never another for the place to find. 
 
 New pot to kettle gave abuse : 
 
 " Thy belly's very black, my friend." 
 
 " This comes to us from kitchen use, 
 
 But soon thy pride will have an end. 
 
 Thou polished fool ! Come here, come here, 
 
 Although thy handle's face is clear, 
 
 Be not exalted in thy mind, 
 
 But only turn and look behind." ' 
 
 All men, whether fat or thin, 
 
 A fine web for themselves will spin, 
 
 With scissors pointed sharp, where they 
 
 Will sit genteelly all the day. 
 
 If one a broom should ever bring, 
 
 They call it an unheard-of thing, 
 
 That a great palace they have swept away. 
 
 Jesus brought from heaven down for men 
 The G-ospel written with eternal pen. 
 To the disciples read it night and day ; 
 A Grodly Word, it made its way. 
 
 1 An adaptation of the old saying about the pot calling the kettle 
 black. 
 
X. BOOK OF PARABLES. 319 
 
 When he arose he took it back, 
 
 But all had felt its influence, 
 
 And each one wrote it, step by step, 
 
 As he had understood its sense, 
 
 In varied ways. There's naught to know, 
 
 They'd not the same abilities to show. 
 
 With these, however, pious Christians may 
 
 Pass all their time until the Judgment Day. 1 
 
 It is Good. 
 
 By moonlight down in Paradise 
 
 God found our Adam in a slumber deep 
 
 Sunk down, and by his side he laid 
 
 A little Eve, and she was, too, asleep. 
 
 God's loveliest thoughts, a lovely pair, 
 
 Within earth's boundaries lay there. 
 
 " 'Tis good," as master- merit to Himself He cried, 
 
 Nor willing from the vision passed aside. 
 
 No wonder that it us beguiles, 
 When eye to eye so freshly smiles, 
 As if we'd raised ourselves so high 
 Who made us all to be Him nigh. 
 If he should call us, I'm not loth, 
 But bargain that he calls us both. 
 Within these arms thou liest pressed, 
 Of all God's loving thoughts the best. 
 
 1 The Mahomedan account of the Gospel is that Jesus received it 
 from the Angel Gabriel. He gave it to His apostles and disciples to 
 read, and took it back with Him to heaven. The apostles then wrote it 
 out as well as they could remember it. Goethe here says, therefore, 
 that people should consider the real kernel of the Christian faith, and 
 not quarrel about the discrepancies between the writings of the Evan- 
 gelists. 
 
XI. PARSEE NAMAH; OR, BOOK OF THE 
 PARSEES. 
 
 Testament of the Ancient Persian Faith, 
 
 WHAT, brothers, has the poor and dying man to give 
 By way of legacy when he shall cease to live, 
 Whom you, disciples, nourished with a patience rare. 
 His last days tended with the kindest care ? 
 
 When we have often seen the monarch ride, 
 Gold on himself and gold on ev'ry side, 
 Jewels on him and all his courtiers round, 
 Thick strewn as falling hailstones on the ground, 
 
 Eor this hath envy ever filled your breast ? 
 Did not your gaze with greater pleasure rest 
 On where the sun upon Darnfiwend's height * 
 Touched on unnumbered peaks with wings of light. 
 
 And like a bow arose ? Who could refrain 
 From gazing on it ? Aye, I felt again, 
 In many days of life than thousand times more oft 
 With rising sun my spirit borne aloft, 
 
 Upon his throne our God to recognize, 
 In Him the fountain of our life to prize, 
 To live as worthy of that Presence bright, 
 And to move forth in that so wondrous light. 
 
 1 Mountains on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, commonly 
 called Demawend. 
 
XI. BOOK OP THE PAR8EES. 321 
 
 But as the fiery circle rose on high, 
 
 As if in darkness blind, my dazzled eye 
 
 Would close ; I beat my breast, my limbs refreshed 
 
 Prostrate would bow, on earth my brow would rest. 
 
 Now this a holy legacy shall be, 
 In brotherly good will and memory : 
 "A daily task of heavy duty done," 
 Of revelation further need is none. 
 
 When moves its gentle hands a child new-born, 
 Towards the sun at once the infant turn. 
 In bath of fire both soul and body place, 
 Thus will it feel renewed each morning's grace. ■■> 
 
 To him that lives ye should your dead give o'er, 1 
 Dead beasts themselves to earth and dust restore ; 
 Take heed to this, and with all strength insure 
 That all is buried that ye think impure. 
 
 Let work in fields in purity be done, 
 That on your zeal may gladly shine the sun. 
 Plant out your trees each in its fitting row, 
 For what is ordered well it maketh grow. 
 
 For water in canals take ev'ry heed 
 
 To keep it pure and not to check its speed. 
 
 Pure as doth Zindah Eood 2 from mountain source descend, 
 
 So should it flow on pure until the end. 
 
 Clear out all channels well, above, below, 
 That water may preserve its gentle flow : 
 Newt, salamander, grass and rush and reed, 
 All noxious things thou should' st destroy indeed ! 
 
 Earth, water, pure to keep if ye so care, 
 The sun shines gladly through a purer air, 
 Where it, if worthily ye entertain, 
 All life in happiness and profit will maintain. 
 
 1 The ancient fire-worshippers and their descendants, the Parsees, 
 expose their dead on towers, to be devoured by vultures. 
 
 a Zindah Eood, the living stream, is a small river rising about three 
 miles from Ispahan, and led into the latter through canals. 
 
 T 
 
322 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Now ye who labour on from pain to pain, 
 Be comforted that all is pure again : 
 Now may man dare below as priest to strike 
 From stone the fire that to the Godhead's like. 
 
 Acknowledge gladly when the flame is bright, 
 The limbs are supple, and is clear the night. 
 "Upon the hearth, as through the fire's lively pow'r, 
 Ripen beasts' strength, and sap of plant and fiWr. 
 
 If ye bring wood, with rapture be it done : 
 
 Te bring the seed of a terrestrial sun. 
 
 If ye pick cotton, ye may trusting say • 
 
 " This for the Holy serves as wick some day." 
 
 When in the lamp's bright flame that meets your eyes 
 
 Of a higher light ye the reflection recognize, 
 
 Let no mishap e'er cause you to neglect 
 
 Each morn God's throne to honour with respect. 
 
 Of Being this the royal stamp and sure, 
 
 To angels and to us G-od's mirror pure : 
 
 What in G-od's praise speaks here with falt'ring tongue, 
 
 By heavenly circles there's in concord sung. 
 
 From bank of Zindah Bood ascending high, 
 On joyous wings to Darnawend I fly, 
 ■ At dawn aloft to meet the genial ray, 
 And thence on earth a blessing to convey. 
 
 If a man the earth should treasure, 
 Because the sun's rays on it shine, 
 And to the sharp knife when it's weeping 
 Still takes pleasure in the vine, 
 Since it feels that with its fire 
 Its ripened juice will men inspire ; 
 That many 'twill with strength indue, 
 Whilst many more it ruins, too : 
 To thank the glow for this he knows 
 
XI. BOOK OF THE PAKSEES. 323 
 
 That all this to pass -will bring, 
 
 The drunkard -will but halting give it, 
 
 The moderate rejoice and sing. 1 
 
 1 This piece seems to have been inserted here from the allusions it 
 contains to the sun in its ripening powers. The sap exuding from the 
 vine when it is cut is considered by the poet in the light of tears shed by 
 it from a consciousness that though wine strengthens some men it 
 injures more. Man thanks the sun for its warming power while the 
 fruit is forming, and then more especially when its blood rejoices him ; 
 when the immoderate man can only express his thanks in a faltering 
 way, the moderate one overflows with joyful songs. (Duntzer.) 
 
XII. KHOOLD NAMAH; OE, BOOK OF PARADISE, 
 
 FORETASTE. 
 
 THE True Believer speaks of Paradise, 
 As if himself he always there had been : 
 The promises of the Koran he trusts, 
 Thus taught, upon its precepts he will lean. 
 
 And yet the Prophet, author of the Book, 
 Can there above appreciate our need, 
 And sees, despite the thunder of his curse, 
 How Faith's embittered by the doubts we plead. 
 
 Thus he sends down from the eternal spheres 
 Youth's model 1 all to render young again : 
 Swaying she floats her down, and on my neck 
 Of lovely ringlets clasps around the chain. 
 
 To bosom and to heart so close I press 
 The heav'nly thing ; I need no farther wiss : 
 I have no farther doubt of Paradise, 
 For ever trustingly I her would kiss. 
 
 Perfected Men — after the Fight op Beds, 
 under the open set. 
 
 Mahomet speaks. 
 
 Now let the enemy his dead ones mourn, 
 Without 4 hope of coming back they lie : 
 And pity not your brothers who are gone, 
 For they are living there beyond the sky. 
 
 1 The model of youth, promised in the Koran, that floats down from 
 above, is one of the Houris. 
 
XII. BOOK OF PABAMSE. 325 
 
 For now their strong metallic doors 
 Have opened wide the planets seven, 
 And sharply our transfigured friends 
 Are knocking at the gates of heaven. 
 
 There over-fortunate, unhoped, they find 
 Glories that in my flight there came to view, 
 In one short moment when my wondrous steed 
 With me above through all the heavens flew. 
 
 There trees of knowledge, as the cypress tall, 
 Apples display of golden grace, 
 Adorning gardens fair and flowery mead, 
 Where trees of life broad shadows trace. 
 
 Now from the Eastern sweet wind blowing fair 
 A band of heavenly maidens fly, 
 And as thy hungry eyes begin to taste, 
 One look alone will satisfy. 
 
 They stand and ask: "What didst thou undertake? 
 Or projects vast or dangerous bloody fray?" they ask. 
 As thou hast come, they must thee hero hail : 
 ■" What are thy hero deeds, to seek for now their task." 
 
 And soon upon thy wounds themselves they see, 
 Thy title to due honour written plain : 
 Fortune and grandeur, all have passed away, 
 Now for the faith thy wounds alone remain. 
 
 Thee to kiosks and bowers then they lead, 
 With pillars rich of coloured stones of light, 
 And with sweet sips of noble juice of grape 
 To enter friendly do they thee invite. 
 
 Stripling ! more than stripling, thou art welcome ! 
 All here as all are in their brightness clear : 
 She to thy heart to take whom thou shalt choose, 
 Thy friend and mistress of thy band, is here. 
 
 Yet in no way with glories such as these 
 Is the most perfect here of all content; 
 Honest, and envyless, and gay must she 
 Thee many others' beauties, too, present. 
 
326 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 One leads thee onwards to another's feast, 
 "Which each will think out with extremest care. 
 With many wives at home thou still hast peace, 
 Of Paradise to thee is this the guerdon fair. 
 
 So for this peace thyself thou mayst prepare ! 
 For thou canst never farther change thy fate. 
 Thou wilt not weary with such maids as these, — 
 And such wine will not thee intoxicate. 1 
 
 This was the little that I had to tell 
 
 Of how the sainted Mussulman himself may flout : 
 
 For Paradise for all the heroes of the Faith 
 
 Is to the full with such things fitted out. 
 
 Chosen Women. 
 
 None of these joys should women lose, 
 In all sincerity to hope we dare, 
 And still of womankind as yet we know, 
 Of only .four who were admitted there. 
 
 1 This piece is supposed to be spoken by Mahomet after the battle of 
 Bedr, his first victory over his enemies, in a.d. 624. In speaking of 
 those who are killed in battle, the Koran says : " Say not of those who 
 have been slain for the way of Faith, 'They are dead,' They are living." 
 The doors of the seven planets are the gates of the seven Mussulman 
 heavens. The flight referred to is the instantaneous flight of Mahomet 
 on the steed Barak from Mecca to Jerusalem, whence carried up to the 
 highest heaven, he was admitted into the presence of God, and received 
 his message from Him. The Koran says : "They (those on the right 
 hand) shall dwell in the seventh heaven by thornless Sidra trees (trees 
 of life and knowledge), and by Talka trees planted in rows in the fairest 
 order, that cast a broad shadow." Hafiz calls the Sidra also the Toobe. 
 Of those recognized by the Houris as having fallen for the Faith, it is 
 said, " Happy is he who has fallen for the Faith. His sins are forgiven 
 him : on the Day of Judgment his wounds shall shine like rubies, and 
 smell like musk, and the loss of limbs shall be made up by the wings of 
 angels and cherubims." According to the Koran, fair and noble youths 
 will hand the. Believers wine, but here the Houris do so, taking the first 
 sip themselves, in beautiful kiosks or pleasure-houses, with fountains of 
 water in them. The wine gives no headache, and does not dull the 
 senses, and is mixed with water from the fountain Salsabeel. If a 
 Mussulman chooses one of these fair damsels, he may live without fear 
 of envy on the part of the rest, and without strife, as all will endeavour 
 to make him happy, leading him to each other's banquets. 
 
XII. BOOK OP PABADISE. 327 
 
 First Zuleika, earthly sun, 
 Who tow'rds Joseph was inflamed, 
 Love of Paradise now won, 
 Of resignation gem is famed. 
 
 Then comes she, who ever-blessed, 
 Grieving for her bitter loss, 
 Bearing heathens' safety, cheated, 
 Saw her son lost on the cross. 
 
 His weal and glory who built up, 
 Next she who was Mahomet's wife, 
 Who one to trust in and one G-od, 
 Eecommended in her life. 
 
 And then comes Fatima, the fair, 
 Daughter and faultless consort, there, 
 Purest soul of angels' mould, 
 In a form of honey gold. 
 
 These are the four that there we find. 
 And he who sings a woman's praise, 
 In everlasting homes with these, 
 Deserves to roam to endless days. 1 
 
 Admittance. 
 Hotjki. 
 
 To-day I stand upon my watch 
 Outside the gates of Paradise : 
 I know not what I ought to do, 
 Thou art in such suspicious guise. 
 
 1 Zuleika was Potiphar's wife. She, Mary the mother of Christ, 
 Mahomet's wife (the third wife, Ai'sha), and Fatima his daughter, the 
 four mentioned here as the chosen women, differ from the four to whom 
 the Mussulmans assign places in Paradise. They were Ahia, Pharaoh's 
 wife, Mirza, Amran's daughter, Khadeiza, Mahomet's wife, and Fatima, 
 his daughter. The Koran says that Christ was taken up alive into 
 heaven, Goethe's account being the accepted Christian version. The 
 piece concludes with the promise that all poets who have sung in praise 
 of women as he has will enjoy Paradise in their company. There is a 
 second version of this in Hempel's edition, which is not inserted here. 
 
 2 When Goethe read this piece to the Chancellor Miiller and Frau von 
 
328 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 To our Brothers of the Faith 
 Art thou strict and truly kin, 
 That thy battles and thy merits 
 To Paradise should let thee in ? 
 
 Count' st thou thyself among those heroes ? 
 What thy wounds are do thou show, 
 That proclaim to me thy honour, 
 That I may let thee onwards go. 
 
 Poet. 
 
 Not so much of feather-picking ! ' 
 Only let me enter through, 
 For a man. I always hare been, 
 And that means a warrior, too. 
 
 Quicken now thy sharpest glances, 
 Look my bosom through and through : 
 See the malice of my life-wounds, 
 See my pleasant love- wounds, too. 
 
 Like the faithful yet I've sung : 
 
 So that, true to me, my love, 
 
 That the world, too, though capricious, 
 
 Full of love and thanks might prove. 
 
 I have laboured with the noblest 
 Till this longed-for lot was mine, 
 That my name in flames of passion 
 From the fairest hearts might shine. 
 
 No ! thou wouldst not choose a base one : 
 Give here thy hand, that so I may 
 Count upon thy tender fingers 
 Eternities all day for day. 
 
 Eglostcin, he is said to have remarked : " Now I have tried to outbid 
 the Briton." This was Moore, who had just written " Paradise and the 
 Peri." When the Houri hesitates to admit him into Paradise as not being 
 one of the Faithful, he claims admittance as a man who has been 
 wounded by love. As he cannot accustom himself to the thought of 
 eternity, he breaks it up into ages, which he counts upon her fingers. 
 1 That is, not so much standing on ceremony. 
 
XII. BOOK or PARADISE. 329 
 
 Echo (Accord?). 
 
 Houri. 1 
 
 Outside at the gate 
 
 Where at first I thee found, 
 
 Aye keeping my watch there, 
 
 As I am e'en bound, 
 
 Sometimes a wonderful whisper I heard : 
 
 Rippling tones and words here within 
 
 Would penetrate fain ; 
 
 But no one was there to be seen, 
 
 Less and less, then, they passed again : 
 
 Yet now again I think I call to mind, 
 
 Much like thy songs the tones I find. 
 
 Tender thou bearest in mind, 
 
 My ever beloved, thy trusted friend ! 
 
 That which in earthly fashion and kind 
 
 All upwards will tend 
 
 And passes itself for song. 
 
 Down below do many in numbers crash, 
 
 Whilst others in flight with spirit rash, 
 
 Just like Mahomet's winged steed, 
 
 Soar aloft, and sound indeed 
 
 Outside at the gates. 
 
 Should such a song reach the ear of thy mates, 
 
 Of the sound they should friendly take note, 
 
 And strengthen the echoes that float, 
 
 That again it may sound down below : 
 
 Great care, too, should they take, 
 
 That where'er he may go, 
 
 Or come, for ev'ry one's sake, 
 
 1 The Houri acknowledges to having, when on her watch at the gate, 
 heard sounds (his songs) trying to penetrate into Paradise, but being 
 unable to do so. The poet is rejoiced at the recollection, and hopes her 
 companions, when similarly on watch, when they hear the songs, may 
 echo them back again, so that both worlds may rejoice at them. Her, 
 however, he desires to appropriate to himself, and let another Houri go 
 to guard the gate. 
 
330 WEST-EASTEKN DIVAN. 
 
 His gifts may useful be found, 
 And to both worlds again redound. 
 
 They might him ev'n friendly reward, 
 
 Complying in generous way, — 
 
 As the good are always content, 
 
 They might with them allow him to stay. 
 
 Tor thou to me art giv'n by lot ; 
 Out of eternal peace I leave thee not. 
 Thou shalt on watch no longer go : 
 Of thy idle sisters send one below. 1 
 
 Poet. 
 
 Thy love, thy kiss, enchant me still ! 
 Into thy secrets I would never pry, 
 Yet tell me if, descending from the sty, 
 Thou hast not had a mortal birth ? 
 To me the thought is often borne, 
 I almost think I might be sworn, 
 Zuleika thou wast named on earth. 
 
 Houei. 
 
 Made of the elements are Houris we, 
 
 Without a medium, from water, air, 
 
 And fire and earth, nor could our essence rare 
 
 E'er with the vapours of the earth agree. 
 
 We never, therefore, can come down to you, 
 
 But when to rest with us you come, 
 
 Why, then we have enough to do. 
 
 When, by the Prophet recommended well, 
 The True Believers eager came, you see, 
 To take possession of their Paradise, 
 As he had given orders, there stood we, 
 So amiable all and nice, 
 So that the angels could us hardly tell. 
 
 1 The exact length of lines is here preserved, and the translation made 
 s literal as possible, in order to show the peculiarity of the metre. 
 
salem. 
 
 XII. BOOK OP PARADISE. 331 
 
 The first, however, just as all the rest, 
 Each had his favourite on earth possessed. 
 Compared with us, of course, the things were plain, 
 And yet they looked upon us with disdain. 
 Though we were charming and so brightly gay, 
 The Moslems back again would wend their way. 
 
 Being all high-born dames of heavenly kind, 
 Such strange behaviour put us all about : 
 All leagued together and incensed in mind, 
 Both up and down we thought the matter out. 
 Then as the Prophet through the heavens flew, 
 Quick on his trace we all together drew, 
 And as to get him back he had no way, 
 He had his winged steed '* perforce to stay. 
 
 There, then, we held him in our midst, a prize 
 So earnest, solemn, in prophetic wise ; 
 About our business we were quickly sent, 
 Yet did his words not heal our discontent. 
 So that the Prophet gain his wished-for end, 
 We must in all to his commandment bend : 
 Our thoughts to be like yours we must dissemble, 
 And we your earthly loves ourselves resemble. 
 
 Our self-conceit completely disappears ; 
 
 The maidens, all perplexed, must scratch their ears, 
 
 And yet we thought that in eternal life 
 
 We must give in, nor have continued strife. 
 
 Now each one sees what he has seen, 
 To each one happens what has been. 
 While some are brown and some are blonde, 
 And some have whims of which they're fond, 
 And some a fib may even please ; 
 Each as at home thinks he's at ease, 
 And all of us are pleased to know 
 That they should purpose even so. 
 
 I.e., Burak, on the prophet's miraculous flight from Mecca to Jeru- 
 
332 WEST-EASTEBN DIVAN. 
 
 But thou, thy humour is more free, 
 From Paradise thou thinkest me. 
 Zuleika though I may not be, 
 Honoured are looks and kiss by thee, 
 And as she was too bright and fair 
 She must be like me to a hair. 
 
 Poet. 
 
 Thou dazzlest me with heav'nly light, forsooth : 
 Thou mayst deceive me or it may be truth, 
 Yet I admire thee more than all of these. 
 That she in bounden duty may not fail, 
 And that a German poet she may please, 
 A Houri tells in doggerel rhyme her tale. 
 
 Houri. 
 
 Tes, let thy rhyme flow unrestrained, 
 
 As the winged thoughts fly up within thy mind : 
 
 For we inhabitants of Paradise 
 
 To word and deed are with pure heart inclined. 
 
 The beasts are not excluded, dost thou know, 
 
 Themselves that faithful and obedient show ? 
 
 An unkind word a Houri does not anger ; 
 
 What from the heart speaks we well know. 
 
 From a fresh fountain that which springs 
 
 In Paradise may also flow. 
 
 Hotiki. 
 
 Another finger thou hast folded in ! 
 How many ages, canst thou tell, 
 Do we in confidence together dwell ? 
 
 Poet. 
 
 No ! Nor will I know it ! Nay ! 
 In many shapes a fresher bliss ! 
 An ever bride-like, modest kiss ! 
 
in, BOOK OP PARADISE. 333 
 
 My very being when each moment shakes, 
 Why should I ask how long it lasts or takes ? ' 
 
 Houei. 
 
 Thou art again, then, absent ! Well I see, 
 Measure and count seem both unknown to thee. 
 Although God's depths thou hast both dared and seen, 
 Thou in the world hast not despondent been. 
 Now to await thy loved one be disposed ! 
 Thy song already hast thou not composed ? 
 I will not urge thee further. At the gate 
 What was the song that echoed with thy voice ? 
 Sing me the songs thou didst Zuleika sing, 
 Thou canst not enter further into Paradise. 
 
 The Favoured Beasts. 
 
 Pour animals were bidden 
 To Paradise to come : 
 There with pious, holy men, 
 Is their eternal home. 
 
 The preference had the donkey here, — 
 He came with steps so gay, 
 For Jesus to the prophets' town 
 Upon him rode one day. 
 
 1 The poet in this piece asks the Houri if she has not had an earthly 
 birth, and been called Zuleika. This leads to an explanation of what 
 Hour is are, and as to the necessity they had been under, when they 
 could not please the Mussulmans who came to them, recommended by 
 Mahomet, of endeavouring to make themselves resemble earthly women, 
 as, although they had intercepted the Prophet in his flight on his winged 
 steed Burak from Mecca to Jerusalem, and thence to heaven, and com- 
 plained to him of the contempt with which they had been treated, they 
 had got no redress. With regard to himself, she says that, although 
 she was not Zuleika, she must be very like her. He expresses himself 
 well pleased at a Houri conversing freely with him in doggerel verse. 
 She assures him that as even worthy beasts are admitted into Paradise, 
 he may let his songs flow unrestrained. He continues to count her 
 fingers, and refuses to reckon time, because he is too happy in her pre- 
 sence. The interview results in his not being admitted into Paradise, 
 but encouraged to sing Zuleika's songs. 
 
334 WEST-EASTERN DIVAN. 
 
 Commended to Mahomet comes 
 
 The wolf half timid there : 
 
 " Now, leave the poor man there his sheep : 
 
 For the rich go seek elsewhere." 
 
 With wagging tail, so gay and true, 
 The dog his faith that kept 
 To his own lord when in the cave, 
 The seven together slept. 
 
 Abooherrira's cat its lord 
 Purrs round, for ever blessed, 
 For that must be a holy beast 
 The Prophet has caressed. 1 
 
 Higher and Highest. 
 
 That such matters we should teach, 
 Let them not take us to task : 
 How this all may be unfolded 
 Tou may well your deepest ask. 
 
 So may ye well understand, 
 There above and here below, 
 Pleased with himself, that ev'ry man 
 His " I " was saved would gladly know. 
 
 Well-loved " I " would always look for 
 Much of comfort, much of ease, 
 Would for ever dearly relish 
 Joys like these that me now please. 
 
 1 According to Oriental tradition there will be admitted into Paradise 
 Abraham's ram, the ant and Solomon's hoopoo, the prophet Jeremiah 
 or Ezra's ass, Jonah's whale, the oxen of Moses, Noah's dove, Mahomet's 
 Burak or Camel, and St. George's horse. The dog of the seven sleepers 
 was allowed in also with them. Mahomet is said to have pointed out a 
 better pre}' to the wolf than the hind it had caught. This appears to be 
 the only reason why it has been admitted among the four by Goethe. 
 Abooherrira in Arabic means the father of cats : one of Mahomet's 
 friends was so called, because he was always accompanied by a cat. 
 
XII. BOOK OF PARADISE. 335 
 
 Gardens, fruit and flowers please me, 
 Pretty babes the groves among : 
 These things here have ever pleased us, 
 Not the less the soul made young. 
 
 All my friends I would thus gladly 
 Bring together, old and young, 
 Glad the speech of Paradise, too, 
 Stammer in the German tongue. 
 
 Tet dialects one now is hearing, 
 As when men with angels talk, 
 Of that grammar hid, when bowing, 
 Rose and poppy bend the stalk. 
 
 Farther, in the place of rhetoric, 
 One may gladly use the eyes, 
 Though no sound or voice is heard there, 
 To rapture as of heaven rise. 
 
 Still will voice and tone unheard, 
 Self-understood, expression lend, 
 And the transfigured feel himself 
 Ev'n more emphatic to the end. 
 
 In Paradise for senses five 
 One is ordained by Providence, 
 And it is sure that I shall have 
 For all of them a single sense. 
 
 Now through the eternal circles 
 More easily may I arise 
 To those regions that replete are 
 With God's word in living wise. 
 
 Unrestrained by heated impulse, 
 We shall find no ending there, 
 Till, gazing e'er on love eternal, 
 We soar aloft and disappear. 1 
 
 1 The first five verses of this piece are said by Diintzer to be an intro- 
 duction, by way of excusing the poet for his description of Paradise in 
 Eastern style. The poet must express his wish as a man to be able to 
 show himself to all his friends as a poet in Paradise, through which he 
 prepares for himself a transit to the true future, where there is no 
 
336 WEST-EASTEB.N DIVAN. 
 
 Seven Sleepers. 
 
 Of the Court six favoured young men 
 Flee before the emperor's anger, 
 He as God -would fain be honoured, 
 Tet as God does not preserve him. 
 For a fly doth e'er prevent him 
 From enjoying pleasant morsels. 
 Off his servants ever brush it, 
 Tet away they cannot hunt it. 
 Stinging, it still buzzes round him, 
 And disorders all the table, 
 Like the messenger returning, 
 Of the fly-god so malicious. 
 " Now," say the boys to one another, 
 " Could a fly a God embarrass ? 
 Could a God be eating, drinking, 
 As we all do ? No, the Sole One, 
 "Who the sun and moon created, 
 And the stars' glow arched above us. 
 He is God ! We fly." Those tender, 
 Lightly shod and well-dressed striplings, 
 Took a shepherd and concealed them, 
 Himself and them in rocky cavern. 
 Shepherd's dog, he will not leave them : 
 Driven off with foot all shattered, 
 Clinging closely to his master, 
 To him hidden still allies him, 
 
 earthly language — where there is one dialect only, that men and angels 
 caress each other — where there are no grammatical forms, but these are 
 compensated for by the scent of roses and poppies — where rhetoric will 
 consist of lively glances, words of toneless and noiseless breathing, and 
 at last the perceptions of the enlightened will be everlastingly elevated. 
 All the present five senses are to be united at last in one single sense, 
 through which he will enter into the circle that is filled with the Deity, 
 until at last, in the contemplation of God, he himself entirely disappears, 
 and attains the highest spirituality. " God Himself is love." This 
 metaphysical explanation dues not appear to make the meaning of the 
 piece much clearer. " Decliniren," in the sixth verse, is a play on the 
 word to decline, which also means to bow down. Hoses and poppies 
 are supposed to speak to each other by expressive bowings and move- 
 ments. 
 
XII. BOOK OP PARADISE. 337 
 
 To those darlings there who slumber. 
 And the prince, whom they have fled from, 
 Irritated, thinks to punish : 
 Fire and sword he both refuses : 
 Bricks and mortar then employing, 
 In the cavern he incloses. 
 
 But they go on, sleeping ever, 
 
 And the angel, their protector, 
 
 Makes report to the Almighty. 
 
 " On their right side, on their left side, 
 
 I have always turned them over, 
 
 That their young and tender members 
 
 Mould and moisture may not injure. 
 
 In the rock I've made them fissures, 
 
 That the sun in rising, setting, 
 
 All their young cheeks still may freshen ; 
 
 So they lie in blessed stillness. 
 
 There, too, on whole fore-paws resting, 
 
 Sleeps the dog in balmy slumber." 
 
 Tears are flying, years are coming, 
 Wake at last those tender striplings, 
 And the wall, already rotten, 
 On account of age has fallen. 
 Then Jamblika says, the fair one, 
 Than them all more tall and handsome, 
 Whilst the shepherd, shudd'ring, trembles : 
 " I will run and get you dinner : 
 I will risk my life and money." 
 Ephesus for many years past 
 Had the teaching of the Prophet, 
 Jesus (Peace be on the Blessed!). 
 
 And he ran and found the gateway, 
 Watch-tower and all so altered. 
 Yet in haste the nearest baker's 
 In his search for bread he runs to. 
 "Eascal," cries the baker; "hast thou, 
 Youngster, lately found a treasure ? 
 Give me, for thy gold betrays thee, 
 Give me half to keep it quiet." 
 
338 WEST-EASTEBN DIVAN. 
 
 Then they wrangle, till the matter 
 
 Comes before the king for judgment. 
 
 He would share it as the baker. 
 
 Now the miracle's established, 
 
 By degrees, by hundred tokens. 
 
 To the palace he'd erected 
 
 He can now his right establish, 
 
 For a pillar that is cut through 
 
 Leads to treasures designated. 
 
 Then assemble there the people 
 
 Their relationship to show him, 
 
 And as great-grandfather grandly 
 
 Jamblika stands in youthful vigour. 
 
 As of ancestors he hears them 
 
 Speak of both his sons and grandsons. 
 
 Crowds of grandsons here surround him 
 
 As a race of valiant warriors, 
 
 Him, the youngest there, to honour. 
 
 Now one sign upon another 
 
 Is brought up, the proof completing : 
 
 Of himself and of his comrades 
 
 The identity's established. 
 
 Now he goes back to the cavern, 
 
 King and people going with him. 
 
 Not to king nor yet to people 
 
 Comes the chosen one returning, 
 
 For the seven, for many ages 
 
 (Eight they with the dog were counted) 
 
 Who had from the world been severed, 
 
 Gabriel's mysterious power, 
 
 To the will of God submissive, 
 
 Has to Paradise conducted, 
 
 And the cave is closed for ever. 1 
 
 1 This is founded on the legend, narrated in the Koran, of the six 
 sleepers, who, being persecuted for Christianity's sake under Decius, 
 were hid in a care by a shepherd, and falling asleep, only woke after 
 200 years, when Christianity had been established, being finally ad- 
 mitted into Paradise by the Angel Gabriel, with the shepherd and the 
 dog that had slept with them. The fly alluded to is .said to he that 
 with which, according to tradition, Nimrod was plagued, to save Abra- 
 ham from his persecution. 
 
XII. BOOK OF PARADISE. 339 
 
 Good-night. 
 
 Now, loved songs, be laid to rest 
 
 Of my people on the breast. 
 
 In musk-scented cloud of sleep 
 
 Gabriel the members keep 
 
 Of this weary one at length ! 
 
 That he, fresh with youthful strength, 
 
 Gay, convivial as ever, 
 
 May the rock's dark fissures sever ; 
 
 So with heroes of all days 
 
 He may walk in pleasure's ways, 
 
 Where the fair, the ever-new, 
 
 From all sides may itself renew, 
 
 And on Paradise's plain 
 
 Infinity rejoice again ; 
 
 Yes, the dog, the faithful, true, 
 
 Accompany his masters, too. 1 
 
 1 Written by Goethe as a wind-up to the Divan. He dedicates the 
 songs to his people, the Germans ;\ but desires that Gabriel may shut 
 him himself up in a rocky cave, as the seven sleepers and the dog were,. 
 and translate him to Paradise in 1 ike manner with them. 
 
ACHILLEID. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 "TPHE Achilleid is a mere fragment, being only the first 
 canto of an epic poem descriptive of the life of Achilles 
 after he slew Hector before Troy, which G-oethe intended 
 to occupy the space between Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. 
 It is much to be regretted that the poem was never com- 
 pleted, for although it is one of the least known a.nd least 
 lead of Goethe's compositions, it is in its conception and in 
 the style in which it was commenced, one of the most 
 worthy of preservation of his works. He himself desired 
 to write it in accordance with the sentiment and spirit of 
 the Iliad. How far he has succeeded it is hoped the 
 following translation — the first, it is believed, ever made in 
 the original hexameter metre — will help to show the 
 English public. It opens with the closing scene of 
 Hector's story, when Achilles stood watching from a dis- 
 tance, and with unsatisfied hatred towards the dead, the 
 flames of the pyre that gradually consumed the remains of 
 his noblest and most formidable enemy. He then proceeds 
 to summon the Myrmidons, his vassals, to proceed with 
 the erection of the mound, of which he had already laid the 
 foundations, for the purpose of receiving the ashes of his 
 friend Patroclus, who had been slain by Hector, and of him- 
 self when his own approaching fate, of which he had been 
 repeatedly warned, should be accomplished. Whilst he is so 
 engaged an assembly of the gods is held on Olympus. In 
 this his mother Thetis appears, and after a passage of arms 
 
344 
 
 PEEFACE. 
 
 with Here, or Juno, bewails the approaching death of 
 Achilles. Jupiter, by way of consoling her, speaks in a 
 doubtful way with regard to this, and rouses Juno to 
 throw in his teeth the prophesied overthrow of his own 
 rule by the Titans. "When the meeting is dissolved she 
 apparently endeavours without avail to persuade Mars to 
 descend and himself engage in combat with Achilles, and 
 he only consents to summon the Ethiopians and Amazons 
 to the assistance of the Trojans. Finally, Minerva declares 
 her intention of consoling Achilles for the decree of Fate, 
 which can not be avoided, by pointing out to him the 
 superiority of a short and glorious life, with renown to be 
 carried down to all future ages, to a longer one undis- 
 tinguished by great deeds. In order to do this she assumes 
 the form of Achilles' friend Antiochus, and meets him 
 where he is busy on his sepulchral mound with his followers. 
 Having inspired him accordingly, the goddess goes off to 
 urge those of the Myrmidons who are not engaged on the 
 mound to send up food and wine for the workers, and the 
 scene, full of great promise, abruptly closes. 
 
 The translation has been made as literal as possible, con- 
 sistently with the general preservation of the style and 
 metre of Goethe's original poem. The notes have been 
 carefully extracted from Hempel's Berlin Edition. 
 
AC HI L LEI D. 
 
 HIGH into flames burst forth once more the great con- 
 flagration, 
 Ere it heavenwards died, and through the gathering darkness 
 Eed loomed Ilios' walls. Of wood 1 from the forest, the 
 
 scaffold, 
 Piled up in mighty heaps, excited, crashing together, 
 Glow of the fiercest at last. Then sank down the body of 
 
 Hector, 
 And as mere ash on the ground there lay the noblest of 
 
 Trojans. 
 
 Then from his seat Achilles rose before the encampment, 
 
 "Where through the nightly hours he watched, and looked 
 at the distant, 
 
 Terrible play of the flames and the fire's continual changes, 
 
 Not once turning his eyes from Pergamos' reddening 
 fortress. 
 
 Deep in his heart tow'rds the dead 2 still raged the bitterest 
 hatred, 
 
 Him who had smitten his friend, and there at last was dis- 
 posed of. 
 
 When, however, the rage of the flames devouring 3 
 diminished, 
 
 Growing less by degrees, and the rose-fingered 4 goddess, 
 adorning * 
 
 1 The conception of " Waldung " and " Ungeheuer " in the German 
 original are combined in aaireroQ iiXij. 
 
 2 A true Homeric idea — the hatred extends even to the dead in their 
 graves. 
 
 3 The word " fressend " (devouring) has no exact equivalent in the 
 Greek. The nearest to it is " all-burning" (jra/j^Xs/cros). 
 
 1 " Rosenfinger " (rose-fingered) accurately represents the Homeric 
 word po8ollaierv\o£. 
 
346 
 
 ACHILLEID. 
 
 Land and sea, arose, of the flames thus paling the terrors, 
 Deeply moved and softened, then turned the great son of 
 
 Peleus 
 To Antilochos round, and spoke words of weighty ex- 
 pression : 
 " Soon will arrive the day x when thus from Ilios' ruins 
 Smoke and vapour shall rise, and, driven by Thracian 
 
 breezes, 
 Ida's long mountain range and G-argaros' 2 summit shall 
 
 darken. 
 Tet shall I not see it. 3 For Eos, who wakens the nations, 4 
 Pound me collecting Patroclos' remains, as now she is 
 
 finding 
 Hector's brothers engaged in similar pious employment, 
 And may soon as well, my trusted Antilochos, find thee, 
 Deep immersed in grief, of thy friend the light relics ° 
 
 interring. 
 Must, then, this be now, as already the gods have directed, 
 Then let it be ! 6 But now, let us think what to do may be 
 
 needful. 
 For there shall for me, with my friend Patroclos united, 7 
 Rise to honour a mound, on the highest bank of the sea- 
 shore, 
 Grandly built, a memento for all future people and ages. 
 Busily have already the active Myrmidons 8 dug me 
 Bound all the space a trench, and thrown the earth from 
 it inwards, 
 
 1 With reference to the well-known verses in Iliad, vi. 448 and iv. 164. 
 
 * The southerly point of Ida, on which stood a temple of Zeus. 
 
 ' Achilles had long known that his own death was near, and, accord- 
 ing to the last books of the Iliad, had been reminded of it by Thetis, 
 Hector, and the shade of Patroclus. 
 
 * Not exactly after the description in Homer. There Eos spreads 
 Herself over the earth to bring light to immortals and mortals, or rather 
 to announce it to them (kpsovoa). 
 
 5 After the expression, a/iucpa Xtfyava, in Sophocles' Electra (verse 
 1113), well known to Goethe. 
 
 6 Absolute submission to the will of the gods is a characteristic of the 
 Homeric poems. 
 
 7 See Iliad, xxiii. 63, where the soul of Patroclus expresses the same 
 wish — that the bones of the two friends may lie together. 
 
 8 The Myrmidons were the vassals and soldiers of Achilles, who 
 accompanied him to the siege of Troy. 
 
A.CHILLEID. 347 
 
 Forming against the attack of our foes at the same time a 
 
 rampart : 
 Thus have they the wide space with diligent labour 
 
 encircled. 
 Yet must, however, the work increase. I hasten to summon 
 Bather the crowds, who earth on earth to heap up are willing : 
 Thus, perchance, the half of the mound to build I may 
 
 manage : 
 Thine must be its completion, when soon the urn shall 
 
 inclose me." 
 
 Thus, then, speaking, he went, and through the tents he 
 
 proceeded, 
 Beckoning this one and that, and calling others together. 
 All arriving, at once they seized on their implements 
 
 mighty, 
 Shovel and mattock with zeal, so that round them brass 
 
 ringing resounded ; 
 Also the mighty stake, as well as the stone-moving lever. 
 And thus onwards they drew, pressing forwards from the 
 
 encampment, 
 All along the soft path the crowd moving forward in 
 
 silence. 
 As when, armed for sudden attack by night, the selected 
 Band of the host draws quietly forth, and with lightest of 
 
 footsteps 
 Moving forward in ranks, each measures his pace, and with 
 
 caution 
 Each holds his breath, to force the enemy's ill-guarded 
 
 city; 
 So they drew forward together; of all the strenuous 
 
 silence 
 Honoured the solemn task and the painful grief of the 
 
 monarch. 
 
 When they, however, the ridge of the wave-washed 7 
 mound had arrived at, 
 
 1 " Wellenbespiileten " (wave-washed), probably taken from ttoKvk- 
 Xvbtoq, in the Odyssey, v. 354, although it there has the meaning of 
 " Wellen viel anspiilend," and assumes ~ passive sense only in later 
 poetry. 
 
348 
 
 ACHILLBID. 
 
 Now unfolded itself to their view the breadth of the 
 
 ocean : 
 Out of the distant cloud of the holy morning upon them ' 
 Friendly did Eos look, and the heart of each of them 
 
 quickened. 
 All plunged down at once in the trench, and, greedy of 
 
 labour, 
 Tore up in massive clods the soil that long had been trodden, 
 Threw it up with their shovels, whilst others carried in 
 
 baskets : 
 Some could one see that there were filling their shields and 
 
 their helmets, 
 Whilst with others the ends of their clothes took the place 
 
 of utensils. 
 
 Now did the Hours 2 the portals of Heaven forcibly open 
 And there displayed itself the wild team of Helios, snorting. 3 
 Quickly he lighted up the land of the Ethiops pious, 4 
 They of all people on earth who inhabit the outermost 
 
 regions. 
 Shaking his golden locks, through Ida's forests he 
 
 mounted, 
 Both the sorrowing Trojans and stout Achaians to lighten. 
 But the Hours, 5 meanwhile, through ether striving, arrived at 
 Zeus Kronion's 6 holy house, which ever they honour. 
 
 1 With the ancients all things related to the gods, or that proceeded 
 from them, were holy. Thus Ilios, which they founded, the sacrifices 
 that they- received day and night, light and darkness, the seers that 
 announce the future, the rivers, because they had their own river-gods. 
 Hence the application of this epithet hereafter, in lines 87, 277, 404, 
 461, and 490. 
 
 2 The " Hours * are gate-keepers of Olympus, Iliad, viii. i93, and v. 
 749. 
 
 3 The mention of a team peculiar to Helios is probably taken here 
 from Pindar's Olympus, vii. 71, where Helios is named the driver of the 
 fire-breathing steeds (irvp ttvwvtuv apxbs 'LirTTtov). 
 
 4 According to Homer the Ethiops dwell at the rising and setting 
 points of the sun. The ancients counted them pious either on account 
 of their rich sacrifices, or because they dwelt near the light. 
 
 s The "Hours" here enter upon a new, although mythologically 
 based, scene of activity : with the Graces and Nymphs they are the 
 serving and accompanying entourage of the other gods. 
 
 6 Kronion, son of Kronos or Saturn. 
 
ACHILLEID. 349 
 
 As they entered therein, there hastily met them Hephaistos. 1 
 Lame as ever 2 he was,and with words defiant addressed them : 
 "Quick to the happy and slow to the waiting, deceitful 
 
 ones, hear me ! 
 I have constructed this hall, 3 to the wish of the father 
 
 obedient, 
 After the godly measure of splendidest song of the Muses : 
 Spared not silver, or gold, or brass, or white metal either, 4 
 And as completed by me still stands the work just as 
 
 perfect, 
 Never injured by Time, for here rust never attacks it, 
 Nor does dust, the earthly wanderer's comrade, e'er reach it. 
 All have I done that ever creative art could accomplish. 
 Indestructible rests the lofty roof of the mansion, 
 And the foot invites to tread it the well-polished surface. 
 Follows every ruler his throne, 5 wherever he orders, 
 As does the hunter his dog. And walking boys that are 
 
 golden 
 Have I created as well, that Zeus support as he's coming, 
 As I created the brazen maidens. Yet still all is lifeless ! 
 To you alone is it given, to you and the Karites only, 
 Over the image dead to spread of life the enchantment. 
 tJp, then, and grudge me nothing, but pour from the 
 
 sanctified salve horn, 6 
 
 1 Hephaistos or Vulcan. 
 
 2 See Iliad, i. 600 and xviii. 4U. Goethe had probably in his mind 
 the occasion on which the inextinguishable laughter of the gods was 
 excited on seeing Vulcan carrying round the hall, and spilling, in 
 attempting to pour out, the nectar, exhausting his breath {iroiirvvovTa). 
 
 3 A hall decorated artistically by Vulcan is not mentioned in Homer. 
 He had built dwellings for individual gods, and a room for his mother 
 Here, or Juno, fitted with an artistic lock (Iliad, i. 606. xiv. 166). 
 But the general assemblies of the gods took place in the Golden Hall of 
 Zeus. The building of this hall after the measure of a song of the 
 Muses is borrowed by Goethe from the myths of Orpheus and Amphion. 
 
 4 Either tin (naaoiTtpoQ) or iron, which is generally called iro\toc, or 
 grey. See Iliad, ix. 366 and xxiii. 261. 
 
 5 In Iliad, xviii. 372 and 417, Hephaistos is described as making tripods 
 capable of spontaneous movement. In Odyssey, vii. 91 are mentioned 
 immortal dogs that guard the house of Alkinoos, and golden virgins 
 that support Hephaistos in walking, and resemble living ones (avTouaroi). 
 
 6 Among the numerous attributes of the Karites — roses, myrtles 
 ears of corn, apples — comes also, though not in Homer, that of possessors' 
 of the salve horn. 
 
350 ACHILLEID. 
 
 Glorious graces around, that I my work may rejoice in, 
 And the gods enchanted may prize me as in the beginning." 
 Gently they smiled, those versatile ones, and nodded the 
 
 old man : * 
 Friendly and lavishly life and light they poured out around 
 
 him, 
 So that men could not hear it, and gods might all be 
 
 enchanted. 
 Then towards the threshold moved on quietly, Hephaistos, 
 On his labour intent, for his heart this only affected. 
 There he encountered Here, by Pallas Athene escorted, 
 Varied words discoursing. 2 As Here, the godlike, perceived 
 
 him, 
 She at once detained her son, as thus she addressed 
 
 him : 
 " Son ! in the fame that pleases thyself thou soon wilt be 
 
 wanting, 
 That thou armour preparest, in order from death to shield 
 
 mortals, 
 Every art exhausting, when bidden by this or that goddess : 3 
 For the day is near when betimes the great son of Peleus 
 Down in the dust will sink, thus marking the limits of 
 
 mortals. 
 Neither the round of the shield, nor will thy armour protect 
 
 him, 
 And thy helmet no more, of death when the dark fates 
 
 assail him." i 
 
 But thereto replied the god Hephaistos, the skilful : * 
 " Why dost thou mock me, mother ! that I should now 
 have for Thetis 
 
 1 This contradicts the general Homeric idea of the gods, and what is 
 said below in line 195, for they are supposed to be immortal, and never 
 to grow old. In the plastic arts, however, Hephaistos is sometimes 
 represented in the form of a dwarf, and with an old face, and this may 
 have been present to Goethe's mind when he was writing. 
 
 2 Homer : aixiij3tadui Imam. 
 
 3 According to Homer only Thetis had asked Vulcan to make armour ; 
 but in Quintus Smyrnaeus, whose writings Goethe made use of at the 
 same time, Memnon, the son of Eos, also appeared in armour forged by 
 him. 
 
 4 Homer : Krjpeg /tiXavoc 9avdroio. 
 
 6 Homer : icXvroepyoe or KkuTOT&xvriQ. 
 
ACHILLEID. 351 
 
 Made myself active those weapons in forging and making ? 
 Such could never produce of earthly workers the anvil ; 
 No ! nor with my tools could even a deity make it, 
 Fitting closely the body, as wings the hero upraising, 1 
 Rich and not to be pierced, to the sight astonished a 
 
 wonder. 
 For what a god bestows on a man is a gift full of blessing, 
 Not like the gift of a foe, that is only preserved to destruc- 
 tion. 2 
 And to me had Patroclos, certainly happy and conqu'ring, 
 Come back again, from off his head had Phoibos the 
 
 helmet 
 Not thrown down, 3 and his armour opened ; thus fell he 
 
 uncovered. 
 Should it so happen, however, and Fate the mortal should 
 
 summon, 
 Would the most godly armour fail to protect him, the 
 
 ^Egis, 4 
 Not avail, from the gods that avert the day of misfortune. 
 Tet what care I ? For he who forges arms must prepare 
 
 for 
 War, and can not expect therefrom the ring of the zither." 
 Thus he spoke and went grumbling away, the goddesses- 
 
 laughing. 
 
 And there entered the hall the rest of the gods in the 
 
 meanwhile. 
 Artemis came, the early, .proud of the conquering arrow, 5 
 Low that had laid the stoutest stag at the fountains of 
 
 Ida. 
 Iris with Hermes, too, then came, with Leto, the lofty, 
 
 1 This metaphor is not Homeric in this application : the winged shoes- 
 of Mercury, and those of Perseus, found in later poems, however, might 
 easily, lead up to it. 
 
 2 This refers either to the wooden horse, the deadly gift of the Greeks- 
 to the Trojans, or to the sword that Ajax received from Hector, and 
 killed himself with. 
 
 3 Iliad, xvi. 793 and 804. 
 
 4 The jEgls was the shield of Zeus, described in Iliad, v. 738. The 
 conjunctive imperfect is used here in the German, as in lines 182, )83 r 
 226, and 316. 
 
 5 Homer : io%iaif>a, the " arrow-glad. 
 
352 
 
 A.CHILLEID. 
 
 Always of Here detested, like her, but of mild disposition.. 1 
 Her follows Phoibos, the son his godly mother rejoicing ; 2 
 Ares, the mighty, forward strides, the warrior, agile, 
 Friendly to none, and only Kupris, 3 the fair one restrains 
 
 him : 
 Later the ogling * goddess came on, the fair Aphrodite, 
 "Who in the morning hours her lovers unwillingly parts 
 
 from. 
 Still enchanting, though weary, as if night had not sufficed 
 
 her 
 For her repose, at once in the arms of the throne she 
 
 subsided. 
 Soft was the light in the hall : a breath of the heavenly ether " 
 Blew from afar, of the son of Kronos the presence 
 
 betraying, 
 And at once from his lofty chamber he entered the meeting, 
 Leant on the form of Hephiastos. 6 Thus he lordly pro- 
 ceeded 
 On to the golden throne, the artistic, and sat, whilst the 
 
 others 
 Stood to bow, and then sat, the one apart from the 
 
 other. 
 G-aily at once the gods of youth, the cup-bearers active, 
 Hastened into the hall, and with them the Q-races and 
 
 Hebe. 
 Eich and foaming Ambrosia round they distributed freely. 
 Full, not overflowing, enjoyment for the celestials. 
 
 1 The post-Homeric legend in the Hymn to Apollo makes Leto out to 
 be pursued through the earth by Juno, on account of her being beloved 
 by Zeus, until in her flight she gives birth to Artemis and Apollo. In 
 Hesiod she has the epithet rjmog, " soft " or " gentle." 
 
 2 In the Hymn to Apollo, the "golden-locked" Leto and the 
 " counsel-revolving " Zeus, rejoice when Apollo plays the zither to the 
 other gods. 
 
 3 She was called Kupris, from Cyprus, her home, and the place where 
 she was chiefly worshipped. 
 
 4 The " ogling " goddess is not a Homeric expression. In " Reineke 
 Fuchs," line 76 of canto 9, Goethe calls the rabbit ogler. 
 
 5 This signifies the movement of the air caused by the shaking of the 
 ambrosial locks of Zeus when he moves. See Iliad, i. 529. 
 
 6 Any foundation for this is not traceable in Homer. Goethe had in 
 his mind probably the meeting of the gods in Ovid's Metamorphoses, 
 i. 168. 
 
ACHILLEID. 353 
 
 To the son of Kronos alone went Ganymede, earnest l 
 Look of the youth in his childish eye delighting the God- 
 head. 
 Thus, then, they all in silence enjoyed of bliss the 
 
 perfection. 
 Thetis, 2 the godlike, however, came with mournful ex- 
 pression, 
 High of stature and large, the loveliest daughter of Nereus, 
 And to Here turning without delay she addressed her : 
 " Goddess ! turn not away in receiving me ! learn to do 
 
 justice ! 
 For I swear it by those who, below in Tartaros dwelling, 3 
 Sit all round about Kronos and over the Stygian fountain, 
 "Who will late hereafter for oaths sworn falsely take 
 
 vengeance, 
 Hither am I not come, from my son for the sake of averting 
 Only too certain fate, or keep from him sad days in future.* 
 No, there drives me up from the purple dwelling of 
 
 ocean 5 
 Irrepressible pain, that perchance on the heights of 
 
 Olympus 
 I might hope to assuage anxiety only too grievous. 
 Me does my son no longer invoke, he stands on the sea- 
 shore 
 Of me forgetful, and of his friend only thinking with 
 
 longing, 
 Who before him down to the dismal dwelling of Hades 
 Has descended, and whom to the shades he is striving to 
 follow. 
 
 1 Ganymede, son of the Trojan king Tros, was snatched away by the 
 gods, on account of his beauty, to become cup-bearer to Zeus. See 
 Iliad, xx. 232 to 236. 
 
 2 Thetis was the mother of Achilles by Peleus, king of Thessaly. 
 Nereus was one of the sea-deities, and the fifty sea-nymphs, the Nereids, 
 were his daughters. 
 
 3 An oath by the Styx, the river crossed by departed souls entering 
 into the infernal regions, was peculiarly solemn and binding. The 
 infernal gods in Tartarus are in Homer only witnesses to oaths, and not 
 avengers. 
 
 4 Homer : micbv or iiopai/wv ^jtap. 
 
 5 After Iliad, i. 462, where the waves of the sea are called purple 
 (iropfvptov). 
 
 A A 
 
354 ACHILLBID. 
 
 Yes, I can neither see nor speak to him. Now would it 
 
 help us 
 Mutual unavoidable need that we should complain of ? " 
 
 Furious, Here, turning herself with look full of menace, 1 
 Spoke full of spite these bitter words to the sorrowing 
 
 goddess : 
 " O thou hypocrite, unexplored like the ocean that bred 
 
 thee! 
 Should I trust, and even with friendly expression receive 
 
 thee? 
 Thee, who a thousandfold both before and lately 2 hast 
 
 vexed me ? 
 "Who for me to death hast despatched the noblest of 
 
 warriors, 
 And this only thy son's unendurable feelings to flatter ? 
 Think'st thou I know thee not, and consider not the 
 
 beginning, 
 When as a glorious bridegroom the son of Kronos 
 
 descended, 
 Me, his spouse and sister, forsook, and the daughter of 
 
 Nereus, 3 
 With vainglory inflamed, had hoped to be Queen here 
 
 in Heaven ? 
 Tet the godly one now from the prophecy wise of the Titan 
 Shrinks back with terror, who from the damnable bed had 
 
 foretold him 
 There should be born a most dangerous son. Prometheus 
 
 well knew it ! i 
 
 1 Compare lines 384, 385. Homer : Suva SeSopiewg, or, still stronger, 
 Seiva $' viroSpa lSmv. 
 
 2 The allusion is not very clear. Here appears to be thinking of the 
 men killed by Achilles in the war, who were dear to her, or of Hector. 
 
 3 That Here was both sister and wife of Zeus was held by Virgil and 
 Horace, as well as Homer. 
 
 4 In addition to Zeus, Poseidon and Theseus had quarrelled over 
 Thetis. Bat Promethus, as iEschylus relates in his " Prometheus Un- 
 bound," was, when chained on the Caucasus, in possession of the secret 
 that Zeus, if he were to ally himself to Thetis, would beget a son who 
 would be greater than himself, and would overthrow him. Zeus con- 
 sequently broke off the alliance, and forced Thetis against her will to 
 marry the mortal Theseus. 
 
ACHILLEID. 355 
 
 For from thee and the mortal man has arisen a monster 
 In the Chimera's ' stead and the fierce earth-ravaging 
 
 dragon's. 
 Had a god him begot, for the gods who had guarded the 
 
 ether ? 
 For as one had the world, so the other 2 had ravaged the 
 
 heaven. 
 Yet I never see thee approach, but ever in gay mood 
 Calls thee the son of Kronos, and light on thy cheek thee 
 
 caresses. 
 Even all would the wretch concede thee, in order to stint 
 
 me. 
 Never desire unsatisfied fades in the breast of a mortal." 
 
 And thereupon replied the daughter of truth-speaking 
 
 Nereus : 3 
 " Cruel one ! what sort of speech dost thou use, thou arrow 
 
 of hatred ? 
 Dost thou not spare a mother's grief, most fearful of sorrows, 
 She who, grieved at her son's near fate, all around is com- 
 plaining ? 
 Surely thou never hast learnt, in the breast of a goddess 
 
 immortal 
 How grief equally rages as in the breast of a woman. 
 For begotten of Zeus do lordly sons dwell around thee, 
 Ever lusty and strong, and thou in these high ones rejoicest, 
 Yet thou thyself didst grieve, poured out in anxious 
 
 lamenting, 
 On that day when, enraged, upon the island of Lemnos 
 Hurled for thy sake Kronion 4 down Hephaistos, the true 
 
 one, 
 And like a man, with injured foot the lordly one lay there. 
 Then didst thou loudly invoke the nymphs of the island 
 
 umbrageous : 
 
 1 A monster of godly origin killed by Bellerophon. In the fore part 
 it was a lion, behind a dragon, and in the middle a wild mountain goat 
 (Iliad, vi. 179). 
 
 2 That is, the son whom Thetis would have borne to Zeus. 
 
 3 The epithet " truth-speaking " is not applied in Homer to Nereus, 
 although it agrees with his mythological character (vij/jeprfe). 
 
 4 See note to line 90. 
 
356 ACHILLEID. 
 
 Then didst thou summon Paon x and thyself hast the injury 
 
 seen to. 
 Tes, even now thy lame son's imperfection disturbs thee, 
 When he good-naturedly hastens round, to the great gods 
 
 conveying 
 Costliest beverage, when the golden goblet he carries, 
 Limping, in solemn care lest in shaking he somehow should 
 
 spill it, 
 And from the blessed gods should arise then laughter un- 
 ending. 
 Solemn alone dost thou show thyself, and thy son art con- 
 cerned for. 
 Neither to-day have I sought a social relief for my sorrow, 
 Though the death of my single, lordly one instantly 
 
 threatens. 
 For of this has the grey-headed father, too, firmly informed 
 
 me, 
 Nereus, the true of speech, of the future godly inquirer, 
 On that day when you, ye eternal gods, all assembled, 
 For me the feast enforced, of- a mortal man the embraces 
 Solemnized, down into Pelion's gloomy forests descending. 
 At that time the old man my glorious son, too, foretold me, 
 Who should his father excel, for this had destiny ordered, 
 Yet at the same time told that the sorrowful days should 
 
 be shortened. 
 Thus for me the hastening years 3 passed speedily onwards, 
 Not to be checked, my son towards the dark portals 4 of 
 
 Hades 
 Driving. Did cleasing fires and art and cunning 5 avail me ? 
 
 1 Paon or Paion was the physician of the gods. He heals Hades or Pluto 
 (Iliad, v. 401) and Ares or Mars of their wounds. According to Homer, 
 however, after his second fall on Lemnos, Vulcan was tended by the 
 natives of the island, the Sintian people. 
 
 2 Homer: irtpn:\Gph'ii>v kviavrwv. 
 
 3 Cloudy darkness (?o0oc tfepoeig) is the usual description of Hades. 
 It requires no demonstration that what is without light may easily be 
 called black. 
 
 4 Art and cunning are a hendiadys for artful cunning. Goethe here 
 makes use of post-Homeric tales, although, according to Iliad, ix..410, 
 Achilles, if he remains till the capture of Troy, must die, but will obtain 
 undying fame, and by a timely return gain less renown with a long life. 
 A turn was later given to the tradition that his going to Troy would 
 inevitably bring about his death. Accordingly, his mother took him 
 
A.CHILLEID. 357 
 
 What did womanly garb ? To war was driven the noblest 
 By unlimited greed for fame and by destiny's fetters. 
 Through sad days has he passed : x they will soon, however, 
 
 be over. 
 Well to me are known his lofty fortune's conditions. 
 Fame for ever is well assured, yet destiny's weapons 2 
 Threaten him near and sure, so that Zeus himself can not 
 
 save him." 
 Thus, then, she spoke, and by the side of Leto was seated, 
 Who in her breast beyond the other celestial beings 
 Carries a motherly heart, and enjoyed of sorrow the 
 
 fulness. 
 
 Earnest and gentle, Kronion turned his countenance godly 
 Tow'rds her as she complained, and thus as a father ad- 
 dressed her : 
 '' Daughter ! should I from thee to impetuous words of 
 
 reviling 
 Ever incline my ear, as in his anger a Titan 3 
 Vents them against the gods who high reign here in 
 
 Olympus ? 
 In thy foolish despair to death thy son thou eondemnest : 
 Hope 4 remains still wedded to life, the flattering goddess, 
 Sweeter far than many who, as spirits protecting, 
 Pass; with mortal men through changes of days and of 
 
 seasons. 
 Not to her is Olympus closed, and even of Hades 
 Opens to her the terrible dwelling, and destiny brazen 
 Smiles when in flattering guise the gracious one thrusts 
 herself on him. 
 
 to Skyros, and let him live there , in a woman's garb among the 
 daughters of King Lykomedes, and be found there by Ulysses and 
 Diomede. 
 
 1 According to later story Thetis laid Achilles by night in the 6re to 
 render him immortal, and anointed him by day with ambrosia. The 
 legend that she dipped him in the Styx to make him invulnerable is of 
 still later origin. 
 
 2 The Pates mixed themselves up personally in combats, so that it is 
 not out of place to talk of their weapons. See Iliad, xviii. 535. 
 
 3 According to the Homeric conception special reference seems to be 
 made to Kronos and Japetos, who may be meant under the title of 
 infernal gods. 
 
 4 Hope was first personified by Hesiod in the legend of Pandora, 
 
358 ACHILLEID. 
 
 Gave not, impervious night, then, back to Admetos his 
 
 consort 
 For my invincible son ? And also has not arisen 
 Protesilaos 1 once more, his sorrowing consort embracing ? 
 Also were not Persephone's feelings moved when below 
 
 there 
 Orpheus' * song she had heard and his irresistible longing ? 
 Did not my thunderbolts, too, restrain Asklepios' 3 power 
 When he, rashly enough,. to life would bring back the dead 
 
 men? 
 E'en for the dead hopes the living himself, and wilt thou 
 
 despair, then, 
 Since the living still the light of the sun is enjoying? 
 Nor are firmly hedged in the bounds of life, for a god 
 
 drives, 
 Tes, and even a man, can of death the destiny drive 
 
 back. 
 Therefore let not thy courage fail thee, and from all evil 
 Guard well thy lips, and close thy ears to thy enemies' 
 
 mocking. 
 Oft has the sick man buried the doctor, to death who con- 
 demned him, 
 In brief time himself recovered and happy in sunshine. 
 Does not Poseidon often drive the keel of the vessel 
 Into the deadly Syrtes with force, so that planks and ribs 
 
 shiver ? 
 Out of the hand falls the helm at once ; of the rent ship 
 
 the remnants, 
 
 1 The earlier legend is that Protesilaos sacrificed himself for the 
 Greeks by being the first to leap ashore on their arrival in their ships, 
 although he knew that whoever did so must die. He had, moreover, left 
 bis house half finished, and his wife Laodamia in deep grief (audadpvfiis, 
 " with lacerated cheeks"). The later legend adds to this that Laodamia 
 had not rested till her husband came back to the upper world, united 
 himself with her, and again returned with her to Hades. 
 
 2 The story of Orpheus and Eurydice does not appear in Homer, but 
 was well known in the ancient world. 
 
 3 A post-Homeric legend. In Homer Asklepios only appears as the 
 father of two leaders, Podaleirios and Machaon ; but Pindar and the 
 author of the Hymn to Asklepios know him as the son of Apollo, and 
 as physician or waker of the dead. In the present passage stress is laid 
 on the latter faculty of Asklepios, and not on the punishment that Zeus 
 allots to him. 
 
ACHILLEID. 359 
 
 Grasped by the drowning men, by the god on the waves 
 
 are then scattered. 
 All would he then destroy, but many are saved by the 
 
 Daimon. 1 
 Thus, too, I think, no god, nor even the principal goddess, 
 Knows from Ilios' plain for whom return home is destined." 
 
 Thus he spoke, and was silent. Then tore herself Here 
 
 the godlike, 
 Quick from her seat, and stood, as a hill in the midst of the 
 
 ocean, 2 
 Bound whose lofty head the ether's tempests illumine. 
 Angry and loud did the peerless one speak, with dignified 
 
 carriage : 
 " Wretch ! Infirm of purpose ! What mean thy words so 
 
 deceitful ? 
 Said'st thou this to annoy me, or didst thou wish entertain- 
 ment, 
 When I was angry, to bring me to shame before the 
 
 celestials ? 
 For I hardly believe that thy words have been thought out 
 
 in earnest. 
 Ilios falls ! Thou hast sworn it thyself to me. Destiny's 
 
 signals 
 Point to the same conclusion, and so must fall, too, 
 
 Achilleus, 
 He, the best of the Greeks, of the gods the worthiest 
 
 fav'rite. 3 
 He who stands in the way of fate, the fearful, that hastens 
 On to its final goal, in the dust is trodden of horses, 
 And him the wheel of the brazen, holy chariot crushes. 
 Therefore did I not speak, whatever doubt thou excitest, 
 
 1 The word is not here used in the Homeric sense, but the conception 
 seems to be that every man has his " Daimon," or tutelary spirit, that 
 prepares for him good or bad fortune. 
 
 2 The same simile is applied in the Odyssey to the queen of the 
 Lastrygones. She is likened to a mountain summit (opt or KopvQri). 
 
 3 The conception of particular favourites of the gods is quite Homeric. 
 Those who obtain the favour of the gods do so not so much through 
 merit as through luck, or beauty, or strength, or any qualification that 
 they have not acquired for themselves. The epithet " worthy " is 
 applied intentionally, as some were unworthy. 
 
360 ACHILLEID. 
 
 Her perhaps to comfort, to grief who thus weakly sur- 
 renders. 
 This, however, I say, and thou in thy heart mayst accept it ; l 
 Both of gods and of men remains free-will ever hated, 
 When in words it is shown, or manifested in action, 
 For though high we may stand, of the gods who are called 
 
 everlasting 
 Themis 2 alone is eternal, and she must reign and continue, 
 When hereafter thy realm, however late, to the Titans' 
 Overpowering strength, the long held under, surrenders." 3 
 Still unmoved and gaily the son of Kronos then answered : 
 " Not in deeds, though in words, art thou wise, for 'tis open 
 
 to challenge, 
 Both in heaven and on the earth, when the ruler's companion 
 Whether in deeds or in words is with his opponents united. 
 For of action approaching the word is truly a herald. 
 Therefore I tell thee this, thou restless one, if it should 
 
 please thee, 
 Ruling below, this day to split up the kingdom of Kronos, 
 G-o, determined, below, and await the day of the Titans, 
 Which, it seems to me, is not far from the light of the 
 
 ether. 
 But to you others I say that no destruction is pressing 
 Now that cannot be checked, to throw down Bios' fortress. 
 Up, then ! he who Troja protects, let him guard, too, 
 
 Achilleus. 
 And for the rest there lies, I think, a sorrowful business, 
 When of the favoured Greeks they kill the most glorious 
 
 hero." 4 
 Speaking thus, he rose from his throne, and sought his 
 
 apartments. 
 
 And from their seat, much moved, then went off Leto 
 and Thetis 
 
 1 As Homer : av 8' iv\ <ppcai fiaXkeo ayai. 
 
 2 Themis in the Iliad is only keeper of order in the hall of the gods. 
 In Hesiod, she is wife of Zeus, and later still, goddess of Justice. 
 
 3 The old, though not Homeric, tradition of the overthrow of the rule 
 of Zeus rests upon the curse pronounced upon him by Kronos. 
 
 4 The Greeks were so far favoured by the gods that after the death 
 of Achilles Troy was to fall into their hands. 
 
ACHILLEID. 361 
 
 To the lower part of the hall, for the mournful excite- 
 ment 
 
 Of conversation alone, and no one followed them thither. 
 
 And to Ares turning exclaimed then Here, exalted : 
 
 " What dost thou now propose, my son, whose uncontrolled 
 pleasure 
 
 Favours this one and that, now the one and sometimes the 
 other, 1 
 
 With the changing fortunes of terrible weapons rejoicing ? 
 
 In thy thoughts lies never the end, where'er it is hidden, 
 
 Only force and rage for the moment, and sorrow un- 
 ending. 
 
 Soon thus, I think, that thou wilt in the midst of the 
 Trojans 
 
 Fight with Achilleus thyself, whom at last his doom is 
 approaching, 
 
 And by a god's hand to fall himself is not counted un- 
 worthy." 
 
 Ares, however, answered thereto, with rev'rence and 
 
 grandeur : 2 
 " This to do command me not, mother ! To make such an 
 
 ending 
 Would not become a god. 'Tis the way of men that are 
 
 mortal 
 Ever each other to kill, as the lust for victory leads them. 
 Be it mine to arouse them from where in peaceable 
 
 dwelling, 
 TJnoppressed, they ever enjoy the glorious seasons, 
 With the gifts of Ceres, the cherisher, busily troubled. 
 Now will I warn them, by Ossa 3 accompanied, for in the 
 
 distance 
 Kings in their ears the tumult of slaughter already around 
 
 them: 
 Eoars the tempest of battle, their natures fiercely exciting, 
 
 1 Homer : d\\o7T|u6<raWoc, any one who turns now to one and now to 
 the other. 
 
 2 This is by no means a Homeric idea. 
 
 8 Ossa is in Homer the war-cry, the summons to battle, but is never 
 personified as accompanying Ares, as in this passage. 
 
362 ACHILLEID. 
 
 Far beyond bounds, naught holds them back, and with 
 impulse courageous 
 
 Eagerly forward they strive, all greedy of death of the 
 danger. 
 
 Now, then, thither I go, the son of Eos, the lovely, 
 
 Memnon, 1 and with him the Ethiopian people, to summon ; 
 
 With them, too, the Amazons' race, 2 by whom men are 
 hated." 
 
 Speaking thus, he turned him away, but Kupris, the fair one, 
 
 Caught him and looked in his eye, and with smiles en- 
 chanting addressed him : 
 
 " Thus dost thou storm forth, wild one, of earth the 
 nations remotest 3 
 Here to the fight to call, that for a woman is raging ? 
 Do so ! Thee will I not hold back ; for the fairest of women 
 Is more worthy the fight than for possession of chattels. 
 Do not, however, stir up the Ethiopian peoples, 
 Often who for the gods the most pious festivals order. 
 Pure in their lives, to these good ones I gave of gifts the 
 
 most precious, 
 Constant enjoyment of love and endless children sur- 
 rounding. 
 This, however, be praised, if thou the unwomanly cohorts 
 Of wild Amazons now to the field of danger conductest ; 
 Hateful to me are the rude ones, who the community flee 
 
 from, 
 Pleasant, of men, and from the female tamers of horses 
 Ev'ry pure grace remove, of women all the adornment." 4 
 
 Thus she spoke, and looked at him hastening off, and 
 then quickly 
 
 1 Memnon, after Hector's death, was the chief defender of Troy. He 
 killed Antilochus, and was at last himself killed by Achilles. 
 
 2 The Amazons are, in the Iliad, hostile to the Trojans, and are called 
 avTiavupcu, " fighting with men." According to Quint us Smyrnaeus, 
 they came under the brave Fenthesilea to the aid of the hardly pressed 
 Trojans. 
 
 3 In the Odyssey the Ethiopians are called the remotest of nations 
 (toxaroi dvSpiov), and north of them the Amazons were supposed to have 
 their seat. 
 
 1 The Amazons were reported to cut off the right breast, so as not to 
 be impeded in drawing the bow. 
 
ACHILLEID. 363 
 
 Turned she her eyes away, the course of Phoibos observing. 
 He on the blooming earth had just from Olympus 
 
 descended. 
 Then he passed through the sea, the whole of the islands 
 
 avoiding, 
 Hastening on to the Thymbrian ' vale, where stood him 
 
 a temple. 
 Solemn and worthy it stood, flowed round by the peoples 
 
 ofTroja, 2 
 Whilst there still was peace, when all the festival long for. 
 Empty, however, it stood, with no celebration or contests. 
 There the clever, active Kupris, the goddess, perceived 
 
 him, 
 And to meet him she purposed, for much she revolved in 
 
 her bosom. 3 
 
 And to Here spoke the solemn Pallas Athene : 
 " Goddess ! be not thou angry. For even now must I go 
 
 down 
 By his side to stand, by destiny soon to be o'ertaken. 
 Such a fair life does not deserve to close in displeasure. 
 Gladly to thee I confess that before all heroes of old time, 
 As of the present day, of Achilleus I was the fondest. 
 Tes, in love and embraces would I have bound myself 
 
 to him, 
 Had the works of Kupris befitted one born on the Triton.* 
 As his friend, however, he holds with mighty affection, 
 So, too, him will I hold, and as he his comrade laments for, 
 So when he falls shall I, the goddess, lament him, the 
 
 mortal. 
 Woe that so soon already this earth-born image enchanting 
 Should break down, which broad and wide in the people 
 
 rejoices ; 
 That the beauteous body, of glorious being the building, 
 Should to devouring flame be given over and perish. 
 
 1 Iliad, x. 478, Thymbra is a plain in the Troad, flowed through by 
 the river Thymbrios ; in it the camp of the allies of Troy stretched down 
 to the sea. The temple of Apollo was only mentioned in later times. 
 
 2 That is, " visited in numbers." 
 
 3 Homer : fieppripiZav Kard. typiva (ippeoi) or kvi ippeal flaWxoQcu. 
 
 4 The Triton was a lake or river in Libya. 
 
364 ACHILLBID. 
 
 And alas ! that the noble stripling himself should be never 
 Formed into man. A princely man on the earth is so 
 
 needful, 1 
 So that the youthful rage, for wild destruction the 
 
 craving, 
 Should in the end be shown in creative and mightier 
 
 purpose, 
 Which should order evolve, and after which thousands 
 
 might rule them. 
 Perfected man would not resemble impetuous Ares, 2 
 Him whom only slaughter contents, the man-slaying. 3 
 
 No, he 
 More resembles Kronides himself, from whom proceeds 
 
 welfare. 
 Towns destroys he no more, but builds them : to shores that 
 
 are distant 
 Leads he forth the citizens' surplus: the coasts and the 
 
 Syrtes 
 With new nations would swarm who longed for space and 
 
 for living. 
 He, however, builds him his grave. I cannot and shall not 
 Lead my favourite back from the gloomy portals of 
 
 Which he already inquires and looks for, to follow his 
 
 friend there ; 
 Which, though it close to him gapes, still nightly darkness 
 
 conceals it." 
 Thus did she speak, and with look appalling gazed into 
 
 ether 
 Far and wide : for a god looks terrific when mortals are 
 
 weeping. 
 
 Here, however, pursued, as she touched her friend on the 
 shoulder : 
 "Daughter! fully I share with thee the grief that has 
 seized thee, 
 
 1 Lines 370 to 373 have reference to the political circumstances of the 
 time when the Achilleid was written, just as in " Eeineke ITuchs," canto 
 8, lines 152 to 160, relates to contemporary circumstances. 
 
 2 Homer : Soupoc. 
 
 3 Homer : avUpoQovos, a common appellation of Hector, 
 
ACHILLEID. 365 
 
 For in much do we think alike, as well as in this thing, 
 That I avoid a man's embraces, as thou, too, abhorrest. 
 Him who is worthy, we may thus honour and prize. There 
 
 are women 
 Many who wish for a delicate man, as Anchises, 1 the 
 
 fair one, 
 Or as ev'n Endymion, who was beloved as he slumbered. 
 But collect thyself now, Kronion's worshipful daughter ! 
 Go thou down to Pelides, and pour thou into his bosom 
 G-odly life, that to-day beyond and above other mortals 
 He may the happiest be, his future renown when he 
 
 thinks of, 
 And the hand of the Hours eternal fulness may give him." 
 
 Pallas, her feet with golden sandals quickly adorning, 3 
 That through broad heaven's space and over the sea should 
 
 convey her, 
 Thus strode forward, and through the spacious regions of 
 
 ether, 
 Through the inferior air, and on the height of Scamander 
 Brought herself quickly down : on Aisuetes' tomb 3 she 
 
 descended, 
 Seen from afar. She looked not first of the town at the 
 
 fortress, 
 Not at the tranquil plain between where Xanthos, the 
 
 holy, 
 Ever in beauty flows, and Simois, dried up and rocky, 
 In its broad bed along the gravelly shore is extended. 
 Nor did her look pass over the rows of the tents and the 
 
 1 Anchises is not termed " fair " in Homer. Among the gods Demeter, 
 Leto in the hymns, and among prominent heroes Achilles, Menelaiis, 
 Ulysses, Meleagros, Khadamanthus, and Agamede, daughter of Augeias, 
 are so called. 
 
 2 Homer : virb iroaoiv i$r\oa.TO ica\a irediKa. 
 
 3 The scene of the Trojan war is the plain between the rivers Simois 
 and Scamander, or Xanthos. According to the Iliad, book xx. 74, the 
 former is the name by which it is called by the gods, and the latter is 
 what men call it. One of the most conspicuous points in the plain is the 
 tomb of Aisuetes, from which the Greek camp could be seen. The hillock 
 of Sigeion, which is not mentioned by Homer, on which the grave of 
 Achilles was shown even in modern times, is the promontory to the 
 north of the mouth of the Scamander. 
 
366 ACHILLEID. 
 
 Did not behold the bustle around of the busy encampment ; 
 Seawards turned the goddess herself ; the mound of Sigeion 
 Filled so fully her eye, where she saw the stout son of 
 
 Peleus 
 Over his people well-employed, the Myrmidons, ruling. 
 
 Like to a lively crowd of ants, 1 who deep in the forest 
 Have been disturbed at work by the hastening foot of the 
 
 hunter, 
 Scattered their heap, however long and carefully piled up, 
 Quick the associate throng, in thousand cohorts dispersing, 
 Hither and thither pwarm, and wander about in their 
 
 thousands, 
 Each the nearest seizing, and pushing on tow'rds the 
 
 middle 
 Of the labyrinthian mound, to the ancient building. 
 In like manner earth upon earth the Myrmidons heaping, 
 Thus was the dam piled up outside from around it, and 
 
 higher 
 Every moment it grew, yet ever in circumscribed circle. 
 
 But Achilleus stood in the bowl at the bottom, surrounded 
 All around by the crumbling dam, as his monument rising. 
 Not far behind him came Athene : Antilochos' 2 image 
 Shrouded the goddess, but not altogether : more glorious 
 
 looked he. 
 Turning round again soon, perceived his friend the Pelides ; 
 Joyful towards him he went, and, seizing his hand, thus 
 
 addressed him : 
 "Dear friend, comest thou, too, my solemn business to 
 
 forward, 
 "Which the young mens' zeal brings nearer and nearer 
 
 completion ? 
 See how the dam is rising around : already the middle 
 
 L Thi3 simile has probably been specially employed because, accord- 
 ing to' the tradition first reported by Hesiod, the Myrmidons were des- 
 cended from ants. 
 
 2 Antilocbus, the eldest of Nestor's seven sons, is mentioned in Iliad, 
 xxiii. 556, as the friend of Achilles. It was he who first brought Achilles 
 the news of the death of Patroclus (Iliad, xriii. 16). As he appears 
 in the lower world accompanied by Achilles, his ashes were buried in 
 the same mound. 
 
ACHILLBID. 367 
 
 Threatens the rolling rubbish in ever narrowing circle. 
 This may the crowd complete, but to thee shall this be 
 
 intrusted, 
 To protect the urns a roof to build in the middle. 
 Two flat pieces I have selected, found in the trench here, 
 Massive and large, which surely has torn the shaker 
 
 Poseidon 1 
 Down from the top of the lofty mountain, and hurled them 
 
 down hither, 
 Covering up with earth and stones on the brink of the 
 
 ocean. 
 These, when prepared, put up, and leaning one on the 
 
 other, 
 Build up firmly the slope of a tent, for the urns to stand 
 
 under, 
 Where in secret preserved they may last till days have an 
 
 ending. 
 Then in the ground fill up with earth the whole of the 
 
 fissures, 
 Ever farther and farther, until the mound, thus com- 
 pleted, 
 Self- supported shall stand to future men as a token." 
 
 Thus as he spoke, the daughter of Zeus, Athene, the 
 
 clear-eyed, 2 
 Firmly took hold of his hands, the terrible, near which in 
 
 battle 
 No man gladly approached, 3 though he himself were most 
 
 perfect. 
 These she closed with force both godlike and friendly, and 
 
 pressed them 
 Once and again, and spoke in gracious, enlivening accents : 
 " Dear one ! what thou hast built the last of thine shall 
 
 hereafter 
 Finish, who knows whether I it may be, or haply another ? 
 Let us at once, however, from out this circle oppressive 
 
 1 Homer : Ivoaixdiav, kvvoaiycaoQ. 
 
 2 This expression, and those in lines 457 and 471, are imitations of the 
 Homeric epithet ykavnGnnQ. 
 
 3 In Homer the hands of heroes are " unapproachable," aairroi. 
 
368 ACHILLEID. 
 
 Climb up aloft, and walk round the lofty dam up above 
 there. 
 
 Thence may be seen the land and the sea and the isles in 
 the distance." 
 
 Thus she spoke, and his heart was moved, and raising she 
 led him 
 
 Lightly above by his hand, and the two then wandered 
 together 
 
 Round the lofty edge of the mound, that was ever in- 
 creasing. 
 
 But the goddess began, her blue and brilliant eyes turning 
 Round to the sea, in words that were both friendly and 
 
 trying : l 
 " "What are these sails that numberless here one after 
 
 another 
 Strive to attain to the shore, stretched out in rows in the 
 
 distance ? 
 These, I think, to the holy soil will not approach quickly, 
 For the morning wind from the shore is blowing against 
 
 them." 
 
 " If my sight does not err," replied the mighty Pelides, 
 
 " And the form of those coloured ships now does not de- 
 ceive me, 2 
 
 These are brave, Phoenician men, desirous of riches ; 
 
 Welcome provender out of the islands here are they 
 bringing 
 
 To the Achaian host, that long has missed its provisions, 
 
 Wine, with fruit that is dried, and herds of the loud- 
 lowing cattle. 
 
 Yes, they will be landed, I think, for the people's refresh- 
 ment, 3 
 
 Ere the hurrying fight shall summon the newly refreshed 
 ones." 
 
 1 Homer : 7retpj)ri?n>. 
 
 2 The epithet is chosen in remembrance of the Homeric Qoivucoiraprios, 
 by which the red colour of the ships' sides is signified. The ordinary 
 appellation of the ships (icoiXoc, " hollow ") is found in lines 479 and 
 605. 
 
 3 The supply, at least of the wine, for the Grecian army came in the 
 Trojan war from Lemnos. 
 
ACHILLEID. 369 
 
 " Sooth to say," thereon the blue-eyed goddess responded ; 
 " In no way did the man do wrong, who here on the sea- 
 shore 
 His watch-tower to build aroused the whole of the people, 
 On the high sea hereafter to look- after vessels arriving, 
 Or a fire to light at night, a mark for the steersman ; 
 For the widest space to the eye of the searcher is opened. 
 'Tis never empty! one ship other struggling ships may 
 
 encounter, 
 Or it may follow. In truth, a man from the streams of 
 
 the ocean, 1 
 Coming and bringing the gold in grains from Phasis 
 
 remotest, 
 In hollow ship to roam through the sea, and eager for 
 
 barter, 
 Would be seen, wherever he turned, or if he were sailing 
 Either on through the briny flood of the broad Hellespontos 
 Tow'rds the Kronides' cradle, or tow'rds the river of 
 
 Egypt, 
 Longing to see the Tritonian Syrtes, 2 or else peradventure 
 Down tow'rds the end of the earth, 3 to meet and greet the 
 
 descending 
 . Steeds of Helios ; after this to wend his way homewards, 
 Eich with laden wares that many coasts had. presented : 
 Still would be be seen in going both outwards and inwards. 
 There behind also, I think, where night from holy earth 
 
 never, 
 Vexed by cloud eternal, separates, there, too, is dwelling 
 
 1 The Phasis, famed through the Argonautic expedition, lay in the 
 realm of King Acetes, in the westerly portion of the earth, to the north- 
 east of the Ethiops. Starting from there all ships must cross the Helles- 
 pont, whether making for Crete, where Zeus was born of Rhea, and 
 hidden in the caves of Ida, or for Egypt. 
 
 2 The river Triton in old times passed through three lakes, of which 
 the last was called rptruvtnc \ifivti. This was connected with the small 
 Syrtes through a narrow arm of water, which according to later travellers 
 no longer exists. In ancient times the small Syrtes and this lake were 
 frequently confused, as in Herodotus and Diodorus, and Goethe probably 
 was thinking of the Tritonian Syrtes as a bay, and not as a lake. 
 
 3 According to Homeric ideas the western edge of the earth. This 
 same neighbourhood is meant below in line 489, and clearly points to the 
 Cimmerian sea (Odyssey, xi. 14). 
 
 B B 
 
370 ACHILLEID. 
 
 Many a man determined enough, and craving adventures, 
 
 Ready to dare the open sea, tow'rds gladsome day steering ; 
 
 Hither may he arrive, and showing the mound in the 
 distance, 
 
 Will his companions ask as to what the signal may pur- 
 port." 
 
 And with a cheerful look then happy answered Pelides : 
 " Wisely to me thou speakest, of wisest father thou off- 
 spring ! 1 
 Not only thinking of what just now thy eye is affecting, 
 But like * the holy seers the future also beholding. 
 G-ladly to thee I listen, thy gracious speeches creating 
 Fresh delight in my breast, that I so long am deprived of. 
 Well may many a man, hereafter the blue billows cleaving, 
 This magnificent monument see, and say to the rowers : 
 'Here lies interred by no means the least of all the 
 
 Achaians, 8 
 Whom the way to return the Moirae had sternly for- 
 bidden, 
 For not a few must have carried this towering hillock 
 together.' " 
 
 "No! not thus will he speak," impetuous answered the 
 
 goddess : 
 " See ! " will he cry enchanted, on seeing the peak from a 
 
 distance, 
 " There is the glorious tomb of the peerless, mighty Pelides, 
 Whom so young tore away from the earth the will of the 
 
 Moirae." 
 " This .to thee do I now declare, as a truth-speaking 
 
 prophet, 
 One to whom the gods are now revealing the future ; 
 Far from Okeanos' 1 stream, where Helios drives up his 
 
 horses, 
 
 1 In many places in the Iliad and Odyssey the wisdom of Nestor is 
 spoken of. He was the first adviser of Agamemnon and the Greeks 
 generally. 
 
 2 Homer : IvaKifyKeiag. 
 
 3 In Iliad, vii. 64, Hector speaks of a mound to be raised to the 
 memory of a valiant Greek who would be slain by him. 
 
 4 The ocean was supposed to be a river that ran round the earth. 
 
ACHILLEID. 371 
 
 Orer the summit guiding, 1 to where he descends in the 
 
 ev'ning, — 
 Yes, as far as reach the day and the night, shall be 
 
 rumoured 
 This thy glorious fame, and all the people shall honour 
 This good choice thou hast made, of a famous life, though 
 
 a short one. 
 Excellent has been thy choice. The earth who youthful has 
 
 quitted 2 
 Wanders for ever youthful still in Persephone's kingdom : 
 Ever young he will seem to the future ones, and ever 
 
 longed for. 
 When my father shall die, the grey and road-ready 3 
 
 Nestor, 
 Who will bewail him then ? From the eye of his son even 
 
 hardly 
 Trickles the tender tear. They will say that fully com- 
 pleted 
 Lies the old man at rest, 4 of mortals an excellent pattern. 
 But when a young man falls, is excited longing unending 
 In all future men, and for each he dies again newly, 
 Famous deeds with deeds of renown who crowned to see 
 
 wishes." 
 
 Thereupon answered at once with words according 
 Achilleus : 
 " Tes ! so treasures a man his life as a sanctified jewel, 
 That he will ever honour him most who bravely disdains it. 
 Much of virtue there lies in lofty intelligent wisdom, 
 Much in faith, and duty, and love that all things embraces, 
 Yet of all mankind is nothing so perfectly honoured 
 As that determined purpose, to death in place of surrender " 
 
 1 The highest point of the mountain, whence there is a descent on both 
 sides. Goethe has here adopted post-Homeric ideas of the sun's path, 
 like those of Ovid's Metamorphoses, ii. 64, in which the highest point is 
 reached in the middle of heaven (Medio est (sc. via), altissima coelo). 
 
 2 This idea does not appear directly in Homer, but may easily be de- 
 duced from his writings. Ulysses in the lower world sees youths and 
 virgins, as well as old men. 
 
 3 Homer, itttcoto, " mounted and ready for the road." 
 
 4 Applicable to Nestor especially, not to old age in general. 
 
 6 Schiller, in " Das Gliick," says that that man may be deemed great 
 who overcomes the Fates themselves by the f6rce of virtue. 
 
372 .ACHILLEID. 
 
 Bravely that calls the force of the Fates themselves to the 
 
 conflict. 
 Worthy of honour, too, he seems to new generations, 
 Who, when hardly pushed by shame and trouble, deter- 
 mined 
 .Turns the edge of his brass against his own tender body. 
 Fame pursues him against his will. The glorious chaplet 
 Out of the hand of despair he takes of the victor un- 
 fading." 
 
 Thus he spoke, and quickly answered him Pallas Athene : 
 " Words becoming thou speakest, for thus does it happen 
 
 to mortals, 
 Death and its dangers despised exalting even the lowest. 
 Grlorious stands in the fight a slave by the side of the 
 
 monarch. 
 Even the fame of domestic wives in the earth may be 
 
 rumoured. 
 Ever the name of Alkestis, the tranquil wife, will be men- 
 tioned, 
 Who for Admetos offered herself, among those of heroes. 
 Tet for none is reserved a lot more glorious or greater 
 Than for him in the strife of untold men without question 
 Who the first is counted, who here of the race of Achaians 
 Or of native Phrygians 2 fight through battles unending. 
 Sooner will Mnemosyne, 3 with her glorious daughters, 
 Cast to oblivion the fights, the godly first of the battles 
 That confirmed Kronides his realm, when not only the 
 
 heavens, 
 But the earth and the sea, were moved with throes sym- 
 pathetic. 
 Sooner indeed shall be quenched of the Argonauts' pluck 
 
 the remembrance, 4 
 And the world no more the power of Hercules think of, 
 
 1 No example of suicide occurs in the Iliad or Odyssey. The farther 
 we go back in the ancient world, the fewer traces we find of suicide. 
 
 2 A common name for the Trojans and their allies. In the Iliad the 
 Phrygians are mentioned as a distinct people. 
 
 3 Mnemosyne appears in the hymn to Mercury (Hermes), and in 
 Hesiod's Theogony as the Mother of the Muses. 
 
 4 The war with the Giants, the Argonantic expedition, and the labours 
 of Hercules, are all mentioned in the Homeric poems. 
 
ACHILLBID. 373 
 
 Than that this broad plain and these coasts should never 
 
 hereafter 
 Tell of the ten years' strife, and that of great deeds as the 
 
 summit. 
 And for thee it was destined in this so glorious conflict, 
 Which all Hellas excites, and all its valiant fighters 
 Over the sea has driven, as well as remotest barbarians, 
 Who in league with the Trojans hither to war have been 
 
 summoned, 
 Always to be the first to be named as leader of peoples. 1 
 Where hereafter the garland of peaceable people assembles, 
 And, in the harbour landed safe, shall list to the singer, 
 On the well-chiselled stones reposing of oars from the 
 
 labour, 
 And from the terrible strife with ever untamable billows ; 
 Or when at holy festival, round the glorious temple 
 Camped of Olympian Zeus, or of far-striking Phoibos, 2 
 When the prize of renown to the fortunate victors is 
 
 portioned, 
 Ever thy name shall flow the first on the lips of the singer, 
 After first the name of the god with honour is mentioned. 
 All peoples' hearts thou raisest, and in thee singly united 
 Shall the fame and renown of all who are valiant vanish." 
 
 Sprightly with earnest look thereto then answered 
 
 Achilleus : 
 " All this honest and well thou sayest, intelligent young 
 
 man. 
 Truly to see this thronging crowd a man it rejoices 
 For his own sake assembled in life, and eager to see him. 
 So will he, too, rejoice of the gracious singer in thinking, 
 Who his name shall interweave of his song in the garland. 
 Yet more pleasing it is to joy in congenial feeling 
 Both in life and in death of men with the best and the 
 
 noblest. 3 
 
 1 Homer, in accord with the often repeated phrase of the Iliad, auv 
 apiQTtiuv sal vmipoxov ifijixvai aWiov. 
 
 2 Homer, skotoq, iicaepyoe, ekij/3o\o£, or iKarril3v\og. 
 
 3 When Alexander saw the mound of Achilles, he exclaimed, " O for- 
 tunatum adolescentem, qui Homerum virtutis tuae praeconem inveneris " 
 (O fortunate young man, who hast found in Homer the herald of thy 
 virtue). 
 
374 ACHILLEID. 
 
 For to me upon earth can nothing more precious be given 
 Then when Ajax, 1 Telamon's son, shakes my hand of an 
 
 ev'ning 
 After my terrible labour, and when the battle is ended, 
 Pleased at the victory gained, as well as the enemy 
 
 slaughtered. 2 
 Truly in this short life it were of man to be envied, 
 Sitting within his hall that he from morning to ev'ning, 
 Food in all abundance enjoying, should happy complete it, 
 Drinking the strengthening wine, the healer of care and of 
 
 sorrow,' 1 
 Whilst meanwhile the singer discoursed of the past and 
 
 the future. 4 
 On that day, however, no such fortune befell him, 
 When great Zeus was enraged at the clever son of Japetos, 
 And Pandora's form 5 for the king Hephaistos created. 
 Then was apportioned the lot of unavoidable sorrow 
 To all mortal men that ever the earth may inhabit, 
 Whom ever Helios lights to hopes that are always decep- 
 tive, 
 E'en with enlivening beams and heavenly splendour 
 
 deceiving. 
 For in the bosom of men is of endless quarrels the fountain 
 Ever disposed to flow, of the peacefullest house the 
 
 destroyer. 
 Envy, and lust of power, and wish for unfettered pos- 
 session 
 Even of widely distributed goods, of cattle and woman, 
 Who, though godlike of look, to the house brings dangerous 
 
 ' In Homer no particular friendship between Ajax and Achilles is 
 mentioned. He is first seen in the lower world as his companion with 
 Antilochus. He was nearly related to him, Telamon and Feleus being 
 both sons of JEacns, and was eminent among the Greeks. 
 
 2 Lines 587 to 591 are a free rendering of Ulysses' words in Odyssey 
 ix. 3 to 11. 
 
 3 \vaiog, a post-Homeric description of Dionysus or Bacchus. 
 
 4 Of the seer Kalchas it is said that he knew the present, the future, ' 
 and the past. 
 
 5 Pandora was made out of clay for Zeus, and endowed by the gods 
 with various excellent gifts. Zeus gave her the famous box containing 
 all human ills, at the bottom of which lay Hope. 
 
ACHILLEID. 375 
 
 Where does the man find rest from effort and vehement 
 
 labour 
 Who in his hollow vessel crosses the sea, or who ploughs up 
 After his mighty * bulls the soil in convenient furrows ? 
 All around him are dangers near, and Tyche, 2 the eldest 
 Of the Moirae, rules on the face of the earth as on ocean. 
 Thus, then, I say to thee : let the most fortunate ever 
 
 remember 
 Tor the strife to be ready, and let bfm resemble the 
 
 warrior, 
 Who is ever prepared from Helios' face to be parted." 3 
 
 Smiling answered thereon the goddess, Pallas Athene : 
 " Let us set this aside ; for any mortal expression, 
 Wise though it be, that earth-born man may make use of, 
 Can not the problem solve of the future not to be fathomed. 
 Therefore think I more of the purpose for which I have 
 
 come here, 
 Of thee to ask if thou perchance would anyway bid me, 
 What may be needful for thee and for thine just now to 
 prepare thee." 
 
 Then with a glad solemnity answered the mighty Pelides r. 
 " Well dost thou more wisely remind me of what may be 
 
 needful. 
 Me nor hunger allures, nor thirst, nor many another 
 Appetite born upon earth, to the hour's more cheerful 
 
 enjoyment. 
 But for these there is not, these true industrious workers, 
 In the labour itself refreshment for labour provided. 
 If thou demandest the' strength of thy men, then must 
 
 thou them strengthen 
 With the gifts of Ceres, who all that nurtures distributes. 
 
 1 Homer : l<j>9iftog. 
 
 2 Tyche, a daughter of Zeus Eleutherios, was the mightiest of the 
 sisters who direct the undertakings of men by sea, in war, on land, and 
 in the council. 
 
 3 Parting from Helios, the light, as the opposite of the lower world, 
 was accounted particularly painful. Ajax, when about to kill himself, 
 takes particular leave of the light, and in Homer life is specially associated 
 with seeing the light of the sun. 
 
376 ACHILLEID. 
 
 Hasten, therefore, my friend, below, and of bread send 
 
 sufficient, 
 Also enough of wine, that we may hasten the labour. 
 And of the welcome meat shall refreshing smell in the 
 
 ev'ning 
 Rise up, steaming, to you, of cattle recently slaughtered." 
 Thus did he speak aloud, and, laughing one to another, 
 Heard his men the words, refreshed from the sweat of 
 
 their labour. 
 
 Then with flying steps descended Pallas, the godlike, 
 Beaching without delay the Myrmidons, where they were 
 
 camping 
 Under the foot of the mound, and there were faithfully 
 
 guarding 
 That right side of the camp, that fell by lot to Achilleus. 1 
 Soon the goddess aroused the ever provident people, 
 Who the golden fruit of the earth were fully protecting, 
 And were ready to hand it on to those who were fighting. 
 These she called, and thus to them spoke with words of 
 
 commandment : 
 " Up ! Why now the delay of bread the nourishment 
 
 welcome 
 And of the wine to take up there to those who are working, 
 Who, to-day at the tents in merry converse assembled, 
 Sit not and trim the fire, their daily food to prepare them ? 
 Up ! you lazy fellows ! procure for those who are active 
 What their stomachs require ! Too often you're given to 
 
 stinting 
 Those who are working their due reward of promised 
 
 refreshment. 
 But I think the rage of your ruler will soon overtake you. 
 Not for your sakes, be sure, has he-led his warriors hither." 
 Thus she spoke, and they, distressed at heart, then obeying, 
 Hastened to bring out abundance 1 upon themulestobeladen. 
 # # # * * 
 
 1 The ships of Achilles and Ajax stood, because these were the most 
 valiant leaders, at the most dangerous points, the former on the right 
 and the latter on the left wing of the camp for the ships (Iliad, xi. 5-9, 
 and viii. 224-225). 
 
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