230 SKETCH OF THE STATE OF LITERATURE 
are generally rather polished, and his diction indicates advancement in 
the culture of his native language. 
Whilst Christiern Hansen was thus endeavouring to establish the 
“ dramatic art” in Denmark, an anonymous writer translated the ro- 
mances of chivalry, the “ contes plaisans,’ the tale of Ruus, and the 
“ histoire galante” of Flores and Blantzeflor. 
Ruus is one of those bitter satires which the “ Middle-Age occa- 
sionally launched forth against the monks, by way of vindicating its 
independence at the very time it was playing the disciple.” The au- 
thor of Ruus relates how, one day, Disorder found his way into a 
monastery, Disobedience raised his front before the altar, and De- 
pravity unlocked the cellars. For a length of time, the devil had 
kept a vigilant eye upon the saintly brotherhood; so, he concluded 
that this was an excellent opportunity for catching a cluster of souls, 
and that it would be a great shame were so good a chance suffered to 
escape. Behold, then ! the arch-hypocrite puts himself into livery, 
assumes a respectable appearance, hastens to the abbey, and solicits 
the place of a domestic servant. The abbot interrogates the false 
menial, who produces satisfactory testimonials concerning his qualifi- 
cations, and is engaged for cook to the establishment. What mar- 
vellous management of the sagacious abbot! Well, from the hour 
that the devil “ posa la main sur les fourneausx,” the whole con- 
vent shone like a guild-hall at the time of an illumination. From 
that day forwards, adieu to fasts and penance, adieu to vigils and 
meagre diet. The skilful cook entirely proscribed the insipid fare 
enjoined by the monastic regulations, declaring it to be altogether un- 
worthy of attention. With the design of exciting the impaired appe- 
tite of his masters, and of prolonging the time of their repasts, he 
provided well-spiced condiments, and invented endless refinements. 
At early morn, the fire of hell crackled in the kitchen: the tables 
groaned under the weight of substantial hams and haunches of veni- 
son ; and, throughout the day, the cellar was open. There, sat the 
monks roaring over their bacchanalian orgies; and the devil, who 
treated them so handsomely, soon perceived in their increasing rotun- 
dity that his efforts were not fruitless. Several months glided in this 
state of delicious indolence ; and the cook, who had so nicely played 
his part in the instalment of laziness and revelry at the abbey, 
he began to fancy himself entitled to a recompence. Imp-like and 
impudent, he dematided to be made a monk; and, though a devil 
as he was,a monk they made him accordingly. He received the 
cowl between two butts; and, thenceforward, Brother #uus became 
