Full blown in self-
satisfaction he trots, lifting his toes delicately, and carrying his
brush aloft, as full of cunning and conceit as that world-famous
ancestor of his, whose deeds of unchivalry were the delight, if not
the model, of knight and kaiser, lady and burgher, in the Middle Age.
Suddenly he halts at the great gate of Malepartus; examines it with
his nose; goes on to a postern; examines that also, and then another,
and another; while I perceive afar, projecting from every cave's
mouth, the red and green end of a new fir-faggot. Ah, Reinecke!
fallen is thy conceit, and fallen thy tail therewith. Thou hast
worse foes to deal with than Bruin the bear, or Isegrim the wolf, or
any foolish brute whom thy great ancestor outwitted. Man the many-
counselled has been beforehand with thee; and the earths are stopped.
One moment he sits down to meditate, and scratches those trusty
counsellors, his ears, as if he would tear them off, 'revolving swift
thoughts in a crafty mind.'
He has settled it now. He is up and off--and at what a pace! Out of
the way, Fauns and Hamadryads, if any be left in the forest.
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