Page:Lays and Legends of Germany (1834).djvu/245

 no means accomplish, his lips were so much too large. Thereupon Rubezahl’s servant brought him wine in a cart, by which means he was enabled to get a hearty draught. Thus had the lords their sport with the ox, and were indeed right well pleased with this merry andrew’s trick.

In the meanwhile the rumour reached the ears of this guest’s wife, upon which she, with some of her companions, rode after her husband and alighted at the dwelling of Rubezahl. On entering she was informed that her husband had got an ox’s head. She sought him instantly and found that it was so. Upon this she addressed the foulest language to Rubezahl, and rated him soundly for putting this shame upon her husband. Rubezahl in reply, spoke mildly to her, telling her to hold her tongue. This, too, did the other guests, but in vain. Then Rubezahl conjured upon the woman’s shoulders a cow’s-head, with horns complete. Upon this the laughter increased; and when the woman sought to remonstrate, she began to blare, and so did the ox likewise.

Then, indeed, one might have seen merry faces, when these set themselves in order, and wore their caps so merrily. In this spirit did the guests at last all go to sleep together, and snore the whole night through.

When they at length awoke early on the following morning, lo! there they lay on an open heath, and the occurrence of the preceding day seemed no more than a dream. Yet some of them considered that this jest had been put upon them by Rubezahl.

.—This story is derived by from the same source. , p. 285—292. It is one of the most amusing and surprising of Number Nip’s adventures.