Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 10.djvu/186

xvi Dame Rückenau, old Martin's wife, In converse is about this strife. She Reynard's cause begins to plead, Shows how in court his father shone, How Reynard, too, had often done Most worthy deeds where others failed. The king his anger then bewailed, And let the fox again proceed.

CANTO X. fox describes those treasures vast Mentioned in some cantos past: I meant them all for queen and king, And now the ram has everything, Which nought can e'er replace, purloined; Those things I sent by ram and hare, And thus am caught within a snare, For Bellyn has poor Lampen killed; A comrade's blood he's foully spilled, With whom he was as envoy joined.

And I am charged with this base crime; You think me guilty every time Some wicked handicraft is done, Though I am ever on the run My king to serve, whom I adore. His speech is clever, well designed, The king's induced to change his mind, Extends to Reynard leave to go And seek those treasures high and low; But Isengrim feels very sore.

CANTO XI. wolf in ferment seeks the king, The air with caustic words doth ring; The king hears all he has to say, And then decides that Reynard may His version of the matter give. The fox once more, with tricks of speech, Makes out himself a saint, who'd teach All beasts how proper lives to lead;