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8 - The Wolf and the Ham

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2024

Edited and translated by
Brian Murdoch
Affiliation:
University of Stirling
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Summary

At this point Reynard spotted the farmer, and this prom-ised to be a cause for rejoicing because he was carrying a large ham. Reynard laughed and said, “Listen to this, my Lord Isengrim!” “What's that, kinsman?” “Would you like to try some of that meat?” Isengrim and the family all declared that they would indeed.

Reynard got up and went over to a spot where he knew the farmer would have to pass, lifted up one foot, and began to limp heavily, and at the same time he bowed his back as if he had been beaten. The farmer yelled at him and dropped the ham onto the grass, because he was still after the white fur around Reynard's throat. He was carrying a fearsome-looking club. Reynard looked around, then lured him toward the forest. Isengrim jumped up, and before the farmer could do anything, he grabbed the ham and just as quickly started to gobble it up, forgetting entirely about Reynard. The farmer gave up the chase and wanted to retrieve his ham, but then he saw Isengrim, his nemesis, in the distance. He complained loud and long, but there was no sign of meat or bones, so he fell down on the grass and bewailed the loss of his ham.

Isengrim started to laugh. “Reynard's a good companion for me,” he said. “We couldn't have gotten a better dinner, and it's all thanks to him.” He had no idea, however, of where this would all lead in the end. Reynard came back with a smug look on his face and said, “Now where's my share?” Isengrim replied, “You’d better ask your kinswoman if she has saved any of hers.”

“Sorry, Reynard,” said the she-wolf, “I found it all far too tasty, but your reward will be in heaven! Don't be cross! It won't happen again.” [449–498]

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Three Political Tales from Medieval Germany
<i>Duke Ernst, Henry of Kempten, and Reynard the Fox</i>
, pp. 122 - 123
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer
Print publication year: 2024

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  • The Wolf and the Ham
  • Edited and translated by Brian Murdoch, University of Stirling
  • Book: Three Political Tales from Medieval Germany
  • Online publication: 09 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781805433071.020
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  • The Wolf and the Ham
  • Edited and translated by Brian Murdoch, University of Stirling
  • Book: Three Political Tales from Medieval Germany
  • Online publication: 09 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781805433071.020
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • The Wolf and the Ham
  • Edited and translated by Brian Murdoch, University of Stirling
  • Book: Three Political Tales from Medieval Germany
  • Online publication: 09 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781805433071.020
Available formats
×