71 NEIGHBORS WITH CLAWS AND HOOFS, 



CHAPTER XII, 

 THE LEGEND OF BISHOP HATTO. 



Near Bingen on the Rhine is an old tower, known as the 

 " Rat-Tower " of Bishop Hatto. The tower is shown in the en- 

 graving. It is said to be more than a thousand years old. The old 

 German legend concerning it is well told in the following poem: 



1. THE summer and autumn had been so wet, 

 That in winter the corn was growing yet ; 

 'Twas a piteous sight to see, all around, 

 The grain lie rotting on the ground. 



2. Every day the starving poor 

 Crowded around Bishop Hatto's door, 

 For he had a plentiful last-year's store ; 

 And all the neighborhood could tell 

 His granaries were furnished well. 



3. At last Bishop Hatto appointed a day 

 To quiet the poor without delay ; 



He bade them to his great barn repair, 



And they should have food for the winter there* 



4. Rejoiced such tidings good to hear, 



The poor folk flocked from far and near ; 

 The great barn was full as it could hold 

 Of women and children, and young and old, 



5. Then when he saw it could hold no more, 

 Bishop Hatto he made fast the door ; 

 And while for mercy on Christ they call, 

 He set fire to the barn and burnt them all. 



6. u I' faith, 'tis an excellent bonfire ! " quoth he, 

 " And the country is greatly obliged to me ? 



