The most Delectable History of Reynard the For.

Anglo-Maori Warder, Volume 1, Issue 15, 3 August 1848, Page 4

The most Delectable History of Reynard the For.

[lt is our intention to publish, chapter by chapter, the pleasant History of Reynard the Fox, which we recommend to the special notice of our readers. It is one of the best and most characteristic of the mediæval fiction*, and enjoys, besides, the advantage of havißg been beautifully translated into genuine Saxon-Eng-lish. The following observations on it are by Hailam " The experiences and sagacity, the moral sentiments, the invention and fancy of many obscure centuries may be discerned more fully and favorably in these various fictions tban in their elaborate treatises. No one in the European natioos stands so high in this respact as the German—their ancient tales have a raciness and truth, which has been only imitated by others. Among the most renowned of these, we must place Reynard the foi—the origin of which, long sought by library critics, recedes as they prolong the inquiry, into greater depths of antiquity. It was supposed to be written, or at least published, in German rhyme, by Henry of Alkmaar, in 1498; but earlier editions in the Flem'sh language, have since been discovered. It has been found written in French verse by Jaquemars Giel&e, of Lille, near the end, and in French prose, by Peter of St. Cloud, near the beginulng, of the thirteenth century. Finally* the principal characters are mentioned in a Provencal song by Richard Cueur de -Lion. But, though we thus bring the story to France, where it breams so popular at to change the very name of the principal animal, which was always called goupil (vulpes), till the fourteenth century, when it assumed trom the hero of the tale, the name of Reynard—there seems every reason to believe that it is of German origin—and, according to probable conjecture, a certain Reinard «f Lorraine, famous for his vulpine qualities, in the ninth century, suggested the name to some unknown fabulist of the Empire.''] THE EPISILE TO THE READER. Thot hast here, courteous and friendly reader, the pleasant and delightful History of Reynard the Fox, which in an humble and low style, couched to the na tore of the beasts it treateth on, bearetb in it much excellent morali'y and hidden wisdom, worthy both thy regard in reading, and thine application in the course and commercement of thy life and actions—fur the aim at which it bendeth is the overthrow of vice, and the advancement of the good and virtuous. Chaptbr I. How the Lion proclaimed a solemn Feaxt at his Rotir/, and hov> Isegrion the Wolf and his Wife, and Curtis the Honnd, made their first complaints ef Reynard the Fox* About the Feast of Pentecost (which is commonly called Whitsuntide), when the woods ?ie in tlier j lusty hood and gallantry, and every tr< *3 clotben in the greeu and white livery of glorious leaves and sweet I smelling blossoms, and the Earth covered in her fai est I mantle of flowers, which the birds with much joy entertain with the delight of their harmonious songseven at this time and entrance of the lusty spring, the Lion, the royal king of beasts, to celebrate this holy feast time with all triumphant ceremony, intends to keep open court at his great palace of Stnden, and to that end, by soJema proclamation, makes known over all his kingom to all beasts whatsoever, that upon pain to be held contemptuous, every one should resort to that great celebration: so that within few day* after* at the time prefixed, all beasts, both great and small, came in infinite multitudes to the Court, only Reynard tbe Fox excepted, who knew himself guilty io so many trespasses against many blasts, that his coming thither icust needs have put his life in great hazard and danger. Now, when tbe King had assembled all his Cuurt together, there were few beasts found but made their several complaints against the Fox, but especially Isegrhn the wolf, who. being the first and principal complainant, came with all his lineage and kindred, and standing before the Kins said in this manner:— 41 My dread and dearest sovereign lord tbe King, I humbly beseech you, that from fie height and streogth of your great power, md tbe multitude of your mercies, you will be pleased to take pity on the great trespasses and insufferable injuries which that unworthy creature, Reynard the fox ha.h done to me, my wife, and our whole wlich to give your highness some taste, first know (ifit please your majesty,) thot th's same Reynard cami into my house by violence, and against the will of ny wife, where finding my children laid in their quiet couch, he thete assaulted them in such a manner that they became blind—for this offence a day wjsset and appointed wherein Reynard should come to excuse Umself, and to take a solemn oatb that be was guiltless of tbat high injury—but as soon as the book was tendered before him, he that well knew his own guiltln&s, refused to swear, and ran instantly into his hole, both in contempt of your Majesty, and your laws This, my dread Lord, many of the noblest beasts know, which uow are resident iu your Court—nor hath tbk aloue bounded his malice, but in many other thin;* he hath trespassed against me, which, to relate, neither the time nor your Higbness's patience would giro Sufferance thereunto: suffice it, my injuries are so great that none can exceed them, and the shame and villainy he hath done to my wife is such, that i can ueitber bide nor suffer it unreveuged, but 1 must eipec: from him amends, and from your Majesty, mercy." Nfheq tlx* Wolf had spoken these words, there stood by him a little hound whose uame was C arm, who*

I tfepjtfflgtOTtto matte UkMrtlVTgiUYOtu eompblatuato I the king against the fox, saying that in the extreme ' cold season of the winter, when the frost wu moat j violent, he befog half starved* sad detained from alt j manner of prey* had no more meat left him to sustain ! life than one poor paddiag—which padding the Mid Reynard had most mijnstly taken away from him. But the hound could hardly let these words fly from his lips, when with a fiery and angry countenance, in sprang Tibert the cat amongst tbem, and falling down before the king* said— 14 My Lord the King, 1 must confess the fox is hers grievously complaiued upon, yet were other beasts' actions searched, each wonld have enough to do for his own clsaring. Touching the complaint of Curtis the hound, it was an offence committed many years ago, and though I myself complain of no injury, yet was the pudding mine and not his, for I won it by night out of a mill when the miller lay asleep, ao that if Curtis could challenge any shaio thereof, it must be from mine interest." When Panther heard these words of the cat, he stood forth and said—' 14 Do you imagine, Tibert. that it were a jast, or a good court*, that Reynard should not be complained upon ? Why, the whole world knows he is a murderer, a vagabond and a thief, and that indeed he loveth not truly any creature, no, not his Majesty himself, but would suffer his Highness to lose both honor and renown, ao (hat thereby be might attain to himself but so much as the leg of a fat hen. I shall tell you what I saw bim do yesterday to Kywcetd the hare, that now standeth in the king's protection. He promised unto Kyward that he would teach him his credo and make him a good Chaplain—he made him come and 'it between his legs and sing and ery aloud—credo, credo—my way l*y thereby and J beards song i then, coming nearer, I fonnd that Mr. Itafexsnf had left his first note and song, and begun to play his old deceit—for he had caught Kyward by the throat, and had I not at that time come, he bad taken his life also, as you may see hy the fresh wound on Kywurd, at this present. O! my lord, the king, if you suffer this unpunished aod let him go quietly That hath thus broken your peace and profaned your dignity, and doing no right according to the judgment of your laws, vonr pr.ncely children, many years hereafter, shall bear the blander of this evil!" " Certainly Panihef'' said htgrim, " You say true, and it is fit they receive the benefit of justice that desire to live in peace. BNDOF CHAP. I.