The grotesque in church art . ngue protruded,his eyes were inverted. They lamented his unhappy fate,and course so early run. The lady approached his chin,not, indeed, with any idea of commencing a meal ; far fromthat, it was to ascertain if perchance any signs of life remained,when—snap ! Her head was off! The Crow himself had themelancholy luck to fly to a tree, there to sit and watch hiswife eaten up. In the carving we have the crows first comingupon the sight of the counterfeit carrion as it lies near a rabbitwarren. To shew how perfect is Reynards semblance ofdeath, the rear portions of tw
The grotesque in church art . ngue protruded,his eyes were inverted. They lamented his unhappy fate,and course so early run. The lady approached his chin,not, indeed, with any idea of commencing a meal ; far fromthat, it was to ascertain if perchance any signs of life remained,when—snap ! Her head was off! The Crow himself had themelancholy luck to fly to a tree, there to sit and watch hiswife eaten up. In the carving we have the crows first comingupon the sight of the counterfeit carrion as it lies near a rabbitwarren. To shew how perfect is Reynards semblance ofdeath, the rear portions of two rabbits are to be seen as theyhurry into their holes on the approach of the crows, theproximity of the Fox not having previously alarmed them. The side figures have no simultaneous connection withthe central composition, being merely representations ofReynard, once more as a larder regarder. The pilgrims hat,borne by one of the figures, is a further reminder of theFable, and the monkish garb is of course in keeping. These. THE FOX IN CHURCH ART. 207 two are somewhat singular in being fox-headed men. AtChester, also, is a Fox feigning death. Thus far the examples have been of Reynards crimes ;we will now survey his punishment. In the fable he was tobe hanged, but was not, the Wolf and the Bear, whom healways outwitted, being the disappointed executioners. In thecarvings he is really hanged, and the hangsmen are the geese
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