Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 10.djvu/182

xii He takes him to a place in haste Where he a good supply shall find.

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

CANTO III. Tybert meets an omen bad, But still pursues his way, though sad. He finds the fox, his message gives; Then Reynard asks him how he thrives And what he would prefer to eat. When mice he finds that he would like, He plays him, too, a dirty trick. With eye knocked out and wounded sore The cat gets back to court once more, Like Bruin lamed in head and feet.

The Badger now essays to do What bear and cat have let fall through. A third time does the fox not dare To disregard, or he will fare Full badly at his monarch's hand. With Grimbart he at length sets out, Beset with many an anxious doubt; He finally begins to pray, So Grimbart shrives him on the way And warns him evil to withstand.

CANTO IV. high when it is known That Reynard now draws near the throne. No sooner there than he begins To shift on others all his sins