Legends of the Middle Ages - Narrated with Special Reference to Literature and Art by H. A. (Hélène Adeline) Guerber
page 54 of 473 (11%)
page 54 of 473 (11%)
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the point where he had broken off, he told how maliciously he had secured a
piece of the bear's hide for a wallet, and socks from Isegrim and his wife. He then went on to relate just how he had murdered Lampe, charged the innocent Bellyn with the ambiguous message which had cost him his life, torn off one of the rabbit's ears, and eaten the crow's wife. Lastly, he confessed how he had gone out in company with the wolf, who, being hungry and seeing a mare with a little foal, had bidden Reynard inquire at what price she would sell it. The mare retorted that the price was written on her hoof. The sly fox, understanding her meaning, yet longing to get his companion into trouble, pretended not to know how to read, and sent the wolf to ascertain the price. The result was, of course, disastrous, for the mare kicked so hard that the wolf lay almost dead for several hours after. "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.' "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 straightway he fell down, Lying as dumb as the dead." Waxing more and more eloquent as they drew nearer court and his fears increased, Reynard began to moralize. He excused himself for Lampe's murder on the plea of the latter's aggravating behavior, said that the king himself was nothing but a robber living by rapine, and proceeded to show |
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