ILLUSCR&CeD HI 
 
 
 
 "SB 
 
 i 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 
 

 THE COURT OF KING NOBLE 
 
THE 
 
 MOST DELECTABLE HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 EDITED WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 
 BY 
 
 JOSEPH JACOBS 
 
 DONE INTO PICTURES 
 
 BY 
 
 W. FRANK CALDERON 
 
 lonhon 
 
 MACMILLAN AND CO. 
 
 AND NEW YORK 
 1895 
 
PREFACE 
 
 NEXT to sEsop, Reynard the Fox is the best 
 known of the tales in which animals play the 
 chief part. It is natural, therefore, that a 
 Cranford sEsop should be followed by a 
 Cranford Reynard ; and in the present volume 
 I have endeavoured to do for Reynard what I 
 attempted to do for sEsop in its predecessor- 
 provide a text which children could read with 
 ease and pleasure, and at the same time give 
 their parents, their cousins, and their aunts a 
 short re"sum<* of the results which the latest 
 research in folklore and literary history has 
 arrived at with regard to the origin of the 
 book. 
 
 With regard to the text, I found that 
 ready-made to my hand. The late Sir Henry 
 
viii REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 Cole, of South Kensington fame, in his earlier 
 days made an attempt to reform children's 
 books, and may be regarded as the precursor 
 of their improved position to-day. Under the 
 name of " Felix Summerley " he produced a 
 number of children's books, well printed, well 
 written, and tolerably illustrated, which some 
 of us remember as the chief treasures of 
 our youth. Among these was a version of 
 Reynard mostly adapted from Caxton's 
 which I found, with some slight alteration, 
 could easily be adapted for my present purpose, 
 and, in the main, the text of the present 
 book is a resuscitation of " Felix Summerley's " 
 version. 
 
 As regards Introduction and Notes, I have 
 attempted to give the adult reader a condensed 
 account of the latest results about the origin of 
 this interesting and characteristic product of the 
 Middle Ages. Much has been done during 
 the present century to clear up the many 
 obscurities attaching to Reynard the Fox, which 
 
PREFACE ix 
 
 shares with ^Esop the distinction of being a 
 piece of folklore raised into literature. I have 
 tried to summarise the results reached by such 
 authorities as Grimm, Voigt, Martin, and 
 Sudre, in their various monographs on the 
 subject. For the present I confine myself to a 
 summary of their researches, as the small space 
 at my disposal prevents me entering into any 
 discussion of doubtful or controverted points. 
 I have for some time been engaged in a more 
 elaborate treatment of the subject, which will 
 ultimately appear in the Bibliotheque de Carabas 
 as a companion to my treatment of ssop in 
 the same series. I owe it to the courtesy of 
 Mr. Nutt that I am able to deal with it in a 
 more popular manner before the publication of 
 the results of my own research. For the 
 present I confine myself to a summary of the 
 researches of others. 
 
 JOSEPH JACOBS. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 RAGINHARD was once a man's name, tolerably 
 widely spread, both in Germany itself and in 
 the Debatable Land between France and 
 Germany which forms at once both the link 
 and the bone of contention between the two 
 countries. It is composed of two Teutonic 
 roots, one of which is represented by our 
 English hard, and the other which exists only 
 in the Gothic ragin, with the sense of ' counsel.' 
 Raginhard thus means * strong in counsel,' and, 
 therefore, is well adapted for the name of the 
 beast which, most of all animals, lives by its 
 wits. In a slightly modified form it has become 
 in French the only name by which the fox is 
 known, the earlier form goupil having become 
 replaced by renard, owing to the widespread 
 popularity of the Beast Satire in which the fox 
 plays so prominent a part. 
 
 These philological facts are of somewhat 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 RAGINHARD was once a man's name, tolerably 
 widely spread, both in Germany itself and in 
 the Debatable Land between France and 
 Germany which forms at once both the link 
 and the bone of contention between the two 
 countries. It is composed of two Teutonic 
 roots, one of which is represented by our 
 English hard, and the other which exists only 
 in the Gothic ragin, with the sense of ' counsel.' 
 Raginhard thus means ' strong in counsel,' and, 
 therefore, is well adapted for the name of the 
 beast which, most of all animals, lives by its 
 wits. In a slightly modified form it has become 
 in French the only name by which the fox is 
 known, the earlier form goupil having become 
 replaced by renard, owing to the widespread 
 popularity of the Beast Satire in which the fox 
 plays so prominent a part. 
 
 These philological facts are of somewhat 
 
xii REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 more significance than the usual barren inquiry 
 into the derivation of words. They lead us at 
 once into most of the points of interest or 
 dispute with which scholarly inquiry has con- 
 cerned itself about Reynard the Fox. The 
 relative importance of France and Germany, 
 of the Celtic and the Teutonic genius, in 
 originating the Satire, the significance of a 
 proper name being attached to an animal 
 species, the distinction between the Fable and 
 the Beast Satire, the popularity of the latter 
 among the Folk, and its relation to the Folk-tales 
 dealing with the same subject all these topics 
 are suggested by the mere consideration of 
 the name of our hero. German and French 
 scholars have, naturally, much to say upon a 
 topic in which Germany and France are 
 equally interested, and there can be no doubt 
 that at times patriotic zeal has attempted to 
 supply the place of historic fact. Yet that very 
 zeal has served its purpose, for w r hen competent 
 scholars fall out Truth comes by her own. 
 
 Let us dismiss out of our way the more 
 certainly attested facts relating to the early 
 literary history of Reynard. Like most of 
 the favourite medieval productions of the 
 Romantic Period, versions of it occur in the 
 
INTRODUCTION xiu 
 
 chief languages of Western Europe. There 
 is the German Reinhart, dated by modern 
 scholarship circa 1180. There is the French 
 Roman de Renard, with its twenty-six or seven 
 ( branches,' to the nucleus of which a provisional 
 date of 1230 may be assigned, though many 
 of the ' branches ' are earlier and some later. 
 There is the Flemish Reinaert, the earliest 
 part of which was composed by a certain 
 Willem, near Ghent, about 1250. While there 
 is beyond these a Latin poem, Ysengrimus, 
 written at Ghent in 1148. Even in England a 
 trace has been found of a metrical version of 
 the Satire in the form of a thirteenth-century 
 poem, entitled, Of the Vox and of the Wolf. 
 Of the Italian Rainardo, and of the medieval 
 Greek version, there is no occasion to speak, 
 since they are out of the running in the race 
 for priority. 
 
 The results summed up in a few words 
 above are the outcome of a long series of 
 critical investigations by German, French, and 
 Dutch scholars, started by the monograph of 
 Jacob Grimm on Reinhart Fucks in 1824. He 
 originated the theory that Reynard was the 
 outcome of an ancient Teutonic Beast Epic of 
 primitive origin. Every step in the investiga- 
 
xiv REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 tion since his time has tended to strip his 
 theory of every vestige of plausibility, and it 
 may be now regarded as having gone the way 
 of all exploded theories. All the versions 
 referred to above are of literary origin, arid 
 with the exception of the Ysengrimus, that 
 origin, even the Germanists allow, is French. 
 Both the Reinhart and the Reinaert are 
 derived from French originals, now lost, which 
 have been revised and extended to form the 
 Roman de Rcnard. The whole family ;s thus 
 derived from a French parent, who flourished 
 somewhere between 1150 to 1170, though it is 
 from a Flemish descendant that all modern 
 versions, including Caxton's and Goethe's, and 
 the one represented in the book befor ; us, 
 have been derived. 
 
 But though we can trace our book to a 
 literary original, it does not follow that it is 
 entirely or solely literary in origin. Man 'has 
 been defined as a tale-telling animal ; it comes 
 as natural to him to tell tales as to cook food. 
 Thus, a tale may arise naturally among " the 
 Folk, even though it must ultimately be written 
 down by somebody who can write. One is, 
 naturally, inclined to suspect a Folk origin for 
 tales like those contained in sEsop's Fables, or 
 
INTRODUCTION xv 
 
 Reynard the Fox, which represent animals act- 
 ing and talking with all the duplicity of men. 
 Accordingly, it is the tendency of recent re- 
 search to attempt to discover how far and in 
 what way certain Folk fables were worked up 
 by the literary artist of the eleventh century, who 
 was the father of the family of the Reynards. 
 
 The question is complicated in various 
 ways. Many incidents of the Reynard are 
 mere modifications of ^Esopic fable, and might 
 be only literary renderings of those popular 
 tales. Thus, Voigt has traced all the incidents 
 of the Latin Ysengrinms, the firstborn of all the 
 Reynard family now in existence, to literary 
 sources, whether /Esop, or the Physiologus, or to 
 Peter Alfonsi. But the very medium in which 
 it is composed proves that the Ysengrinms is a 
 learned monkish product, and it is not, there- 
 fore, strange that it should have an entirely 
 literary origin. No such origin, however, can 
 be claimed for many of the incidents common 
 to the Reynard in its popular German, French, 
 and Flemish forms. To take a striking 
 example, the stratagem by which the Fox 
 induces the Wolf to fish with his tail through 
 a hole in the ice occurs nowhere in literature 
 
 before the Reynard, and unless actually in- 
 
 b 
 
xvi REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 vented by the author must have been found 
 among the Folk. 
 
 It is found among the Folk, even to the 
 present day, that incident of the Iced Wolfs 
 Tail. Dr. Krohn, a Finnish savant, has found 
 no less than a hundred and seventy-one variants 
 of the incident collected by folklorists in all the 
 four quarters of the globe. Still, nearly all of 
 these have been printed this century, and it 
 remains possible that they have been derived, 
 directly or indirectly, from the Reynard itself. 
 But though possible, this is far from being 
 probable. It is little likely, for example, that 
 the Finns, among whom no less than ninety- 
 eight variants of the incident have been 
 discovered, were at any time diligent students 
 of Reynard, nor can we attribute similar 
 learning to Uncle Remus, who also tells the 
 tale. No, we must assume that the Iced 
 Wolfs Tail has lived among the Folk for over 
 a thousand years, and that it was from the Folk 
 that the French satirist first adopted it. 
 
 Some, indeed, would go further, and contend 
 that it has lived among the Folk in all places 
 where it is found, because it is natural to the 
 Folk to think of wolves or bears fishing with 
 their tails in the ice. But by going further in 
 
INTRODUCTION xvii 
 
 this particular instance they certainly fare worse. 
 For the story has spread into lands where 
 there is no ice at all, and where, accordingly, 
 it could not have arisen independently. If it 
 could have spread to these lands, there is no 
 reason to suppose that it could not have spread 
 to lands favoured with ice in the winter. All 
 we need assume for the present purpose is that 
 it either originated in, or spread to, North- 
 Eastern France in the twelfth century, and was 
 there taken up by the original author of 
 Reynard into his fable. 
 
 What he did with the Iced Wolf's Tail 
 he must have done with other incidents of the 
 Cycle which are not found in earlier literary 
 sources, but which are found among the Folk of 
 to-day. In my Notes on the various incidents 
 given in the book before us, I have pointed 
 out which were probably derived from Fable 
 Literature, and which from the Folk. One of 
 the chief points of interest in the study of the 
 Reynard is this mixture of literature and folk- 
 lore which thus gave rise to a new form of 
 literature. Investigation of this mixture has 
 been begun by the capable hands of M. Sudre, 
 but the investigation is by no means at an end. 
 
 So much for the present on the origin of 
 
xviii REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 the book. But the question of origins is far 
 from being the only one which it raises. The 
 very form in which the tale is told is original. 
 The fable speaks of the Lion, the Wolf, or the 
 Fox. The Reynard talks of Noble, of Isengrim, 
 or of Reynard. The type is individualised and 
 made personal. The artistic gain of such a 
 procedure is clear, and is proved, above all, by 
 the fact that the personal name of the Fox has, 
 in France at least, replaced the name of the 
 species. One might have thought, at first 
 sight, that this individualising process had 
 been performed by the literary artist to whom 
 we owe the Reynard. But there is a curious 
 piece of evidence proving that the Wolf at 
 least received such an individualised name 
 before any literary form of the Reynard had 
 come into existence. In 1112 a tumult arose 
 at Laon, during which the life of the Bishop 
 Gaudri came into danger, and he concealed 
 himself in a cask. Among his pursuers was 
 one Teudegald, whom the Bishop had been 
 accustomed to call Isengrim, on account of 
 his wolf-like appearance. * For so,' adds the 
 chronicler, * some are wont to call wolves.' 
 When Teudegald came near the cask he tapped 
 it and called out, Ms Isengrim at home?' 
 
INTRODUCTION xix 
 
 and so had his revenge for the Bishop's insult. 
 Both Gaudri and Teudegald were clearly 
 familiar with the name of Isengrim, which was, 
 therefore, current among the Folk before the 
 rise of the Reynard Cycle. 
 
 From a comparison of the earliest forms 
 M. Gaston Paris, than whom no more competent 
 authority can be cited, comes to the conclusion 
 that among the animals which had individualised 
 names from the first, were Reynard the Fox, 
 Bruin the Bear, Baldwin the Ass, Belier the 
 Ram, Tibert the Cat, Hirsent the Lady Wolf, 
 Richut the Vixen. All these names are 
 German in origin, and might seem at first sight 
 to stand in the way of the French contention 
 for a French origin to the Cycle. Not at all, 
 answer M. Paulin Paris, and his son, German 
 names were quite common among the Franks, 
 and need not surprise us among the French. 
 When pressed for details they are able to find 
 these personal names in cartularies of the 
 eleventh and twelfth centuries. They are, 
 however, obliged to recognise the fact that 
 some of these names are only to be found in 
 documents relating to Lorraine, and it is, 
 accordingly, in this district that we must seek 
 for the origin of the names of the Cycle. 
 
xx REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 Whether we are to call Lorraine French or 
 German depends on which side of the Rhine 
 we were born. From this side of the Channel 
 one feels inclined to ' hedge ' and call the 
 names Franco-Teutonic. 
 
 Another set of names in the Cycle are of 
 interest, because they are appellative and not 
 personal. Noble the Lion, Chanticleer the 
 Cock, Kyward the Hare derive their names 
 from their qualities, and imply an allegorising 
 tendency in those who acted as their godfathers. 
 These names increase in the latter development 
 of the fable, and thus afford the crucial test 
 of the relative antiquity of the various branches. 
 Thus, the earliest of them, as represented by 
 the German Reinhart, contains only one such 
 appellative name, Chanticleer, and that in such 
 a form that it was clearly not appellative to the 
 German writer. It is owing to the significance 
 and critical importance of these names that I 
 have devoted such attention to them in the 
 annotations to this volume. 
 
 The increasing tendency to give significant 
 names to the various beasts introduced marks 
 a change that came over the Reynard after the 
 earlier stages of its development. When the 
 beasts had only personal names given to them 
 
INTRODUCTION xxi 
 
 their adventures were told by the Folk, as the 
 adventures of persons are told, for the purpose 
 of raising a laugh. Later on when significant 
 names were given to the new beast personages 
 introduced, there was a meaning, and often a 
 bitter meaning, underlying the laugh. The 
 Beast Jest had grown into the Beast Satire. 
 The story of the adventures of Sir Wolf and 
 Sir Fox, told first merely to raise a guffaw, 
 became in the hands of the later developers of 
 the thesis means of casting ridicule on the 
 institutions of Medieval Society. The hypo- 
 crisy of the Monk, the greed of the Noble, 
 the craft of the Lawyer, the conquest of the 
 world by cunning wickedness these were the 
 themes which formed the farrago of the later 
 branches of the Reynard Cycle. While seem- 
 ingly only continuing the earlier adventures of 
 their beast heroes, a change had come over the 
 spirit of the Cycle : the Beast Epic had become 
 a World Satire. 
 
 The earlier critics of Reynard laid almost 
 exclusive stress upon this satiric aspect of the 
 Cycle. The Roman de Renard was regarded 
 as an outcome of the same literary movement 
 that produced the second and satiric half of the 
 Roman de la Rose. Carlyle, in the remarks on 
 
xxil REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 Reynard, which he included in his essay on 
 Early German Literat^tre, regarded it almost 
 solely from this point of view. 
 
 ' A true Irony must have dwelt in the 
 Poet's heart and head. Here, under grotesque 
 shadows, he gives us the sadder picture of 
 Reality ; yet for us without Sadness ; his figures 
 mask themselves in uncouth bestial vizards, 
 and enact gambolling ; their Tragedy dissolves 
 into sardonic grins.' 
 
 The progress of critical research has shown 
 that Carlyle was mistaken in regarding Irony 
 as the original motive force for the Reynard 
 Cycle, which came in later in the French 
 developments of it in consonance with the 
 satiric tendencies of the Gallic genius. But in 
 its inception the Reynard was a Beast Comedy 
 rather than a Beast Satire. The Comedy came 
 from the Folk, the Satire from the Literary 
 Artist. The closest analogy is offered by 
 those modern redressings of folk-tales like 
 Thackeray's Rose and Ring, or Mr. Lang's 
 Prince Prigio, worthy pendant to that other, 
 in which the modern literary artist uses the 
 Folk form in which to express his genial Satire. 
 
 Reverting for a moment to the form in 
 which the earlier adventures of Reynard are 
 
INTRODUCTION xxm 
 
 found among the Folk we are enabled to guess 
 with some precision, owing to the researches 
 of M. Sudre, the set of tales on which the 
 twelfth-century artist based his work. The 
 outrage of Reynard on Dame Wolf, the Iced 
 Wolfs Tail, the Fishes in the Car, the Bear 
 in the Cleft, the Wolf as Bell-ringer, the Dyed 
 Fox, together with the yEsopic Fables of the 
 Sick Lion, the Lion's Share, the Fox and the 
 Goat, and the Fox, Cock, and Dog these form 
 the chief Folk ingredients out of which the 
 artist of the Reynard made up his tale. But 
 how ingeniously did he weld them into an 
 artistic whole ! In his hands the insult offered 
 by the Fox to Dame Wolf becomes the 
 starting-point of a whole Beast Epic, dealing 
 with the feud between the Fox and the Wolf, 
 which, ultimately, draws in all the other 
 animals in its train, till the court of King 
 Noble becomes like Verona in the days of the 
 Montagues and the Capulets. 
 
 Curiously enough, Dr. Krohn has found 
 these Folk incidents of the Cycle scattered 
 separately among the Folk in all parts 
 of the world. Still more curiously he finds 
 all these incidents, and more also, current 
 among the Finnish folk even at the present 
 
xxiv REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 day. 1 He connects eleven incidents into a Folk 
 History of the feud of the Wolf and the Fox, 
 constituting a definite chain of tradition, each 
 link of which is bound up inextricably with all 
 the rest. Here, then, it would seem we have 
 found among the Finnish folk of to-day the 
 actual Beast Epic which the French artist of 
 the twelfth century dressed up with his own 
 adornments seven centuries ago. But closer 
 investigation robs this thesis of most of its 
 plausibility. The chain does not occur in 
 Finland as a chain, but in separate links, so 
 that the epic character of the so-called chain 
 at once disappears. Many of the links, indeed, 
 occur, as some of my readers may remember, 
 in the tales collected from Uncle Remus by 
 Mr. J. C. Harris, so that it is impossible to 
 regard the existence of an original Folk Epic 
 as substantiated by Dr. Krohn's ingenious 
 researches. 
 
 The interest of those researches lies in a 
 different direction. M. Sudre's researches 
 have shown that in the eleventh and twelfth 
 centuries a series of folk-tales existed dealing 
 
 1 K. Krohn, Die geografische Verbreitung einer modischen 
 Tliiermarchenkette in Finnland. In Fennia^ organ of the 
 Helsingfors Literary Society, vol. iv. pt. 4. 
 
INTRODUCTION xxv 
 
 with the enmity of the Fox and the Wolf, or, 
 as some say, of the Fox and the Bear. Dr. 
 Krohn has shown that precisely these traditions 
 still exist as traditions among the Folk of to-day. 
 We have, accordingly, evidence here of the 
 continued existence of a fable among the Folk 
 for at least seven centuries, during which it has 
 spread through all the continents. 
 
 M. Sudre and Dr. Krohn go even further. 
 They think they can localise the original home 
 and scene of at least one part of the tradition. 
 The incident of the Iced Wolfs Tail, to which 
 I have already referred, occurs in many places, 
 especially in North Europe, as the Iced Bear's 
 Tail, and is there used to explain why the 
 Bear's tail is so short. It is, indeed, obvious, 
 that the story as told in the Reynard Cycle 
 loses much of its efficacy from the fact that 
 the Wolf is nearly as well provided with 
 a brush as Master Reynard himself. The 
 Reynard story can only be told of an individual 
 Wolf, the Northern folk-tale is appropriately 
 applied to the Bear in general. If we regard 
 the Northern Fable as the original, it is, in its 
 way, a myth told to explain a natural pheno- 
 menon, viz. ' Why the Bear's tail is so short,' 
 the actual title of one of the folk-tales. 
 
xxvi REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 Here, then, we seem to be getting back to 
 the position of Grimm, that for at least one 
 part of the Reynard Cycle there is a mytho- 
 logical source current among the Northern 
 European nations. But even this modicum 
 of Grimm's position is rendered doubtful, as has 
 been shown by M. Gaston Paris, by the fact 
 that even the Northern nations are not unani- 
 mous in keeping to the Bear. It is more 
 probable that the mythological explanation was 
 added when the Bear was substituted for the 
 Wolf, than that the mythology was dropped 
 when Isengrim took the place of the Bear. 
 We are, accordingly, reduced to the conclusion 
 that in this case the Great Bear does not point 
 to the Pole. 
 
 But after all, these investigations and theories 
 as to the origin, meaning, and source of the 
 Reynard have little bearing upon the attraction 
 it had for our forefathers, and to a more 
 limited extent for ourselves. Amid the com- 
 plexities of life it is an obvious convenience 
 to possess a means by which its problems 
 can be presented in simpler terms. The | 
 Fable or the Allegory is primarily intended to 
 simplify the problem in this way. The Fable, 
 in particular, does this by identifying the 
 
INTRODUCTION xxvn 
 
 elementary virtues and vices with the characters 
 of the best known birds, beasts, and fishes. 
 Man may be the most interesting thing to 
 man, but animals are more interesting to 
 children and to men of childlike mind. The 
 cynic has observed, * The more I know of men, 
 the more ..I respect dogs.' But the fabulists 
 invert the process and say that the more they 
 observe animals the more they understand 
 men. What applies to the simpler fable is 
 even more applicable to the more elaborate 
 Beast Satire, which is better suited to display 
 the complicated forces which go to make up 
 life. 
 
 The life depicted in the Reynard is, indeed, 
 a somewhat limited one. We have got down 
 to ' hard pan,' as American miners say. It is, 
 in truth, the bare struggle for existence that 
 Reynard portrays, and is a fit outcome of the 
 Feudal Age when for all but the barons life 
 was but a bare struggle. Medieval literature 
 presents us, for the most part, pictures of life 
 as seen by those above the salt. Reynard, the 
 Fabliaux, and Villon present us with life as 
 it appeared to the Disinherited Folk. What 
 a life is there presented ! Greed, hypocrisy^ 
 brute force, and cunning rule the roast. Force 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 / and cunning are the only two powers re- 
 cognised, and if the book has a moral, it is 
 merely the low one that cunning is more 
 powerful than force. 
 
 But it is scarcely the Moral, or the Allegory, 
 which has attracted so many to Reynard the 
 Fox. It is the adventurous, shifty, eponymous 
 Hero who captures our interest. We have 
 all a sneaking regard for the crafty villain who 
 can control Circumstance, even though we salve 
 
 our conscience by the implicit thought, ' But 
 for the grace of God, there go I.' There 
 is something artistic in the way the villain 
 moulds Circumstance to his own ends which 
 extorts our reluctant admiration. His career 
 is a long series of making fools of his enemy, 
 and to the primitive mind the ' sell ' is the most 
 exquisite form of practical wit. 
 
 To the medieval mind the triumphs of 
 Reynard were even more attractive than they 
 can be nowadays. When brute force un- 
 /blushingly ruled the world cunning was your 
 only remedy against the tyrant. Every district 
 in those days had its Noble, its Isengrim, and 
 its Bruin, and all the villagers who suffered 
 from their cruelty felt a sympathetic interest 
 in the triumphs of Reynard over them. Theo- 
 
INTRODUCTION xxix 
 
 retically the Hero ought to represent our best 
 self; if Reynard in some ways represented 
 the worst, the medieval conditions of life were 
 mainly to blame. 
 
 There is another source of interest to which 
 Reynard appealed, and still appeals. Mr. 
 Vincent Crummies knew the human heart when 
 he placed upon the Portsmouth stage a hero 
 of five feet nothing combating successfully 
 with three antagonists, all of larger inches. 
 ' Go it, little un ' is the natural cry in an 
 unequal battle of this description, and Reynard, 
 in his multifarious intrigues against Noble, 
 Isengrim, and Bruin, enlists our sympathy 
 much as David or Jack the Giant-killer has us 
 on his side in the conflict with the Giant. 
 
 Reynard had another source of attraction 
 in the Middle Ages and at the time of the 
 Reformation. At times he manages to gain 
 his ends by donning a monk's cowl. He 
 confesses his sins, and is scarcely absolved 
 before he longs to repeat them. He thus 
 became a type of the hypocrisy of the monkish 
 nature. A good deal of his popularity in 
 Germany has been due to his Protestant 
 proclivities. Earlier investigators were in- 
 clined to lay overmuch stress on this side of 
 
xxx REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 the Reynard. Writing was, in great measure, 
 a monopoly of the monks in the Middle Ages, 
 and there was, accordingly, evidence that most 
 versions of the Reynard were written down, 
 if not composed, by monks. This made the 
 whole Cycle seem to be a confession of 
 weakness by the monks. But more dis- 
 passionate inquiry has shown that the satiric 
 attack upon monkery is a later development, 
 and cannot be in any sense regarded as a 
 primary motif in the Cycle. Yet it adds many 
 a quaint passage in the later forms of the book, 
 and cannot be disregarded in any treatment of 
 the subject, however cursory. 
 
 Enough has now been said to put the reader 
 in a position where he can best begin the read- 
 ing of Reynard. He has to expect a novel 
 of adventure in which animals play the part of 
 men, and for the most part bear men's names. 
 The traits of character he will be called upon 
 to observe will be mainly those which men can 
 be supposed to share with beasts. Through it 
 all he will see Cunning clad in Fox pelt 
 extricating itself against invincible odds out 
 of the most desperate difficulties. Fables he 
 knows of in the ancient world he will find 
 repeated under novel circumstances ; while 
 
INTRODUCTION xxxi 
 
 other fables, possibly as old as those, have 
 been rescued by the Medieval Satirist from the 
 Folk and woven cunningly into the narrative. 
 And amidst it all he will remember that, while 
 the story-teller was relating the shifts by which 
 Reynard overcame Noble, Isengrim, and Bruin, 
 he was, as often as not, pointing the sly finger 
 of scorn at the Lawyer, the Squire, or the 
 Parson of the Parish. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 How the Lion proclaimed a solemn Feast at his Court, and 
 how Isegrim the Wolf and his Wife, and Curtois the 
 Hound, made their first complaints of Reynard the Fox 
 
 Pages 1-7 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 How Grimbard the Brock spake for Reynard before the King 
 
 8-1 1 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 How Chanticleer the Cock complained of Reynard the Fox 
 
 12-18 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 The King's answer to the Cock's complaint, and how they sung 
 the Dirge ..... 19-21 
 
xxxiv REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 How Bruin the Bear sped with Reynard the Fox 
 
 Pages 22-39 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 How the King sent Tibert the Cat for Reynard the Fox 
 
 40-45 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 How Tibert the Cat was deceived by Reynard the Fox 46-5 i 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 How Grimbard the Brock was sent to bid the Fox to the Court 
 
 52-54 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 How Reynard shrove him to Grimbard the Brock . 55-62 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 How the Fox came to the Court^ and how he excused himself 
 
 63-68 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 How the Fox was arrested and judged to death . 6973 
 
CONTENTS xxxv 
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 How Reynard made, his Confession before the King 
 
 Pages 74-94 
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 How Reynard the Fo.v was honoured of all beasts by the Kings 
 commandment . . . . 95-99 
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 How Isegrim and his wife Ereswine had their shoes plucked off, 
 for Reynard to wear to Rome . . 100106 
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 How Kywarcl the Hare was slain by Reynard the Fox, and 
 sent by the Ram to the King . . . 107-1 17 
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 How Bellin the Ram and his lineage were given to the Bear 
 and the Wolf . . . .118-124 
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 How the King was angry at these complaints, took counsel for 
 revenge, and how Reynard was forewarned by Grimbard 
 the Brock ..... 125-134 
 
xxxvi REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 How the Fox, repent i?ig his sins, doth make his confession and 
 is absolved by the Brock . . Pages 135-145 
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 
 How Reynard the Fox excused himself before the King, and of 
 the Kings answer .... 146-159 
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 How Dame Rukenaw answered for the Fox to the King, and 
 of the parable she told . . . 160-171 
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 How Reynard excused himself of Kyward's death, and all other 
 imputations, got the King's favour and made a relation 
 of certain Jewels . . . .172196 
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 
 How Reynard made his peace with the King, and how Isegrim 
 the Wolf complained of him again . . 197-214 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 How Isegrim proffered his glove to Reynard to fight with him 
 which Reynard accepted, and how Rukenaw advised the 
 F ox how to carry him self in the fight . . 215-223 
 
CONTENTS xxxvn 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 Of the combat betwixt the Fox and the Wolf, the event, 
 Passages, and victory . . Pages 224-237 
 
 CHAPTER XXV 
 
 How the King forgave the Fox all things, and made him the 
 greatest in his Land, and of his noble return home with 
 all his kindred . . . .238-245 
 
 NOTES ..... 247-260 
 
CHAPTER I 
 
 How the Lion proclaimed a solemn Feast at his 
 Court) and how Isegrim the Wolf and his Wife, 
 and Curtois the Hound, made their first com- 
 plaints of Reynard the Fox. 
 
 IT was about the Feast of Pentecost (which is 
 commonly called Whitsuntide), when the woods 
 are in their lusty-hood and gallantry, and every 
 tree clothed in the green and white livery of 
 glorious leaves and sweet-smelling blossoms, 
 and the earth is covered in her fairest mantle 
 of flowers, while the birds with much joy 
 entertain her with the delight of their har- 
 monious songs. Even at this time and 
 entrance of the lusty spring, the Lion, the royal 
 King of beasts, to celebrate this holy feast 
 time with all triumphant ceremony, intends to 
 keep open court at his great palace of Sanden, 
 and to that end, by solemn proclamation, makes 
 
 B 
 
2 (i . ,. ,,, THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 known over all his kingdom to all beasts what- 
 soever, that, upon pain to be held in contempt, 
 every one should resort to that great celebration. 
 Within a few days after, at the time appointed, 
 all beasts both great and small came in infinite 
 multitudes to the court, only Reynard the fox 
 excepted, who knew himself guilty in so many 
 trespasses against many beasts, that his coming 
 thither must needs have put his life in great 
 hazard and danger. 
 
 Now when the King had assembled all his 
 court together, there were few beasts found 
 but made their several complaints against the 
 fox, but especially Isegrim the wolf, who, being 
 the first and principal complainant, came with 
 all his lineage and kindred, and standing before 
 the King, spoke in this manner : 
 
 ' My dread and dearest Sovereign Lord the 
 King, I humbly beseech you, that from the 
 height and strength of your great power, and 
 the multitude of your mercies, you will be 
 pleased to take pity on the great trespasses 
 and unsufferable injuries which that unworthy 
 creature Reynard the fox hath done to me, my 
 wife, and our whole family. Now to give your 
 highness some taste of these, first know (if it 
 please your Majesty) that this Reynard came 
 
i REYNARD THE FOX 3 
 
 into my house by violence, and against the 
 will of my wife, where, finding my children laid 
 in their quiet couch, he there assaulted them 
 in such a manner that they became blind. 
 For this offence a day was set and appointed 
 wherein Reynard should come to excuse himself, 
 and to take a solemn oath that he was guiltless 
 of that high injury ; but as soon as the book 
 was tendered before him, he that well knew 
 his own guiltiness refused to swear, and ran 
 instantly into his hole, both in contempt of 
 your Majesty and your laws. This, my dread 
 Lord, many of the noblest beasts know which 
 now are resident in your court : nor hath this 
 alone bounded his malice, but in many other 
 things he hath trespassed against me, which to 
 relate, neither the time nor your highness's 
 patience would give sufferance thereunto. 
 Suffice it, mine injuries are so great that none 
 can exceed them, and the shame and villainy 
 he hath done to my wife is such that I can 
 neither bide nor suffer it unrevenged, but I 
 must expect from him amends, and from your 
 Majesty mercy.' 
 
 When the wolf had spoken these words, 
 there stood by him a little hound whose name 
 was Curtois, who, stepping forth, made likewise 
 
4 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 a grievous complaint unto the King against 
 the fox, saying that in the extreme cold season 
 of the winter, when the frost was most violent, 
 he being half starved and detained from all 
 manner of prey, had no more meat left him to 
 
 sustain his life than one poor pudding ; which 
 pudding the said Reynard had most unjustly 
 taken away from him. 
 
 But the hound could hardly let these words 
 fly from his lips, when, with a fiery and angry 
 countenance, in sprang Tibert the cat amongst 
 them, and falling down before the King, said, 
 ' My Lord the King, I must confess the fox 
 is here grievously complained upon, yet were 
 other beasts' actions searched, each would have 
 enough to do for his own clearing. Touching 
 the complaint of Curtois the hound, it was 
 an offence committed many years ago, and 
 
I REYNARD THE FOX 5 
 
 though I myself complain of no injury, yet was 
 the pudding mine and not his ; for I won it by 
 night out of a mill when the miller lay asleep, 
 so that if Curtois could challenge any share 
 thereof, it must be from mine interest.' 
 
 When Panther heard these words of the cat, 
 he stood forth and said, ' Do you imagine, 
 Tibert, that it were a just or a good course 
 that Reynard should not be complained upon ? 
 Why the whole world knows he is a murderer, 
 a vagabond, and a thief. Indeed he loveth not 
 
 truly any creature, no not his Majesty himself, 
 but would suffer his highness to lose both 
 honour and renown, so that he might thereby 
 attain to himself but so much as the leg of 
 a fat hen ; I shall tell you what I saw him 
 do yesterday to Kyward the hare, that 
 now standeth in the King's protection. He 
 promised unto Kyward that he would teach 
 
6 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 him his credo, and make him a good chaplain ; 
 he made him come sit between his legs and 
 sing and cry aloud credo, credo. My way lay 
 thereby, and I heard the song : then coming 
 nearer, I found that Mr. Reynard had left his 
 first note and song, and begun to play his old 
 
 deceit ; for he had caught Kyward by the 
 throat, and had I not come at that time, he 
 had taken his life also, as you may see by the 
 fresh wound on Kyivard at this present. O 
 my Lord the King, if you suffer this un- 
 punished, and let him go quit, that hath thus 
 broken your peace, and profaned your dignity, 
 and doing no right according to the judgment 
 
I REYNARD THE FOX 7 
 
 of your laws, your princely children many years 
 hereafter shall bear the slander of this evil.' 
 
 * Certainly, Panther,' said Isegrim, ' you 
 say true, and it is fit they receive the benefit 
 of justice that desire to live in peace/ 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 How Grimbard the Brock spake for Reynard before 
 the King. 
 
 THEN spake Grimbard the brock, that was 
 Reynard 's sister's son, being much moved with 
 anger : ' Isegrim, you are malicious, and it is a 
 common saw, Malice never spake well ; what can 
 you say against my kinsman Reynard? I would 
 you durst adventure, that whichever of you had 
 most injured one another might die the death, 
 and be hanged as a felon. I tell you, were he 
 here in the court, and as much in the King's 
 favour as you are, it would be much too little 
 satisfaction for you to ask him mercy. You 
 have many times bitten and torn my kinsman 
 with your venomous teeth, and oftener much 
 than I can reckon, yet some I will call up to 
 my remembrance. 
 
 ' Have you forgot how you cheated him 
 with the plaice which he threw down from the 
 
CHAP, ii REYNARD THE FOX 9 
 
 cart, when you followed aloof for fear ? Yet 
 you devoured the good plaice alone, and gave 
 him no more but the great bones which you 
 could not eat yourself. The like you did 
 with the fat flitch of bacon, whose taste was so 
 good, that yourself alone did eat it up, and 
 when my uncle asked his part, you answered 
 him with scorn, " Fair young man, thou shalt 
 have thy share." But he got not anything, 
 albeit he won the bacon with great fear and 
 hazard, for the owner came, and caught my 
 kinsman ^in a sack, from whence he hardly 
 escaped with life. Many of these injuries 
 hath Isegrim done to Reynard, which I 
 beseech your lordships judge if they be 
 sufferable. 
 
 * Now comes Kyward the hare with his 
 complaint, which to me seems but a trifle, for 
 if he will learn to read, and read not his lesson 
 aright, who will blame the schoolmaster Rey- 
 nard if he give him due correction ? for if 
 scholars be not beaten and chastened they will 
 never learn. 
 
 ' Lastly complaineth Curtois that he with 
 great pain had gotten a pudding in the winter, 
 being a season in which victuals are hard to 
 find ; methinks silence would have become 
 
io THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 him better, for he had stolen it ; and Male qu<z- 
 sisti, et male perdidisti that is to say, it is fit 
 that be evil lost which was evil won ; who can 
 blame Reynard to take stolen goods from a 
 thief? It is reason that he which understands 
 the law and can discern right, being of great 
 and high birth as my kinsman is, do right unto 
 the law. Nay, had he hanged up Curtois when 
 he took him with the manner, he had offended 
 none but the King in doing justice without 
 leave ; wherefore, for respect to his Majesty, he 
 did it not, though he reaped little thanks for his 
 labour. Alas, how do these complaints hurt 
 him ! mine uncle is a gentleman and a true 
 man, nor can he endure falsehood ; he doth 
 nothing without the counsel of his priest. I 
 affirm, since my Lord the King proclaimed his 
 peace, he never thought to hurt any man. He 
 eateth but once a day, he liveth as a recluse, 
 he chastiseth his body, and weareth a shirt of 
 haircloth ; it is above a year since he ate any 
 flesh (as I have been truly informed by them 
 which came but yesterday from him) ; he hath 
 forsaken his castle Malepardus, and abandoned 
 all royal state, a poor hermitage retains him, 
 hunting he hath forsworn, and his wealth he 
 hath scattered, living only by alms and good 
 
ii REYNARD THE FOX II 
 
 men's charities ; doing infinite penance for his 
 sins, so that he is become pale and lean with 
 praying and fasting.' 
 
 Thus, whilst Grimbard his nephew stood 
 preaching, they perceived coming down the 
 hill unto them, stout Chanticleer the cock, who 
 brought upon a bier a dead hen, of whom Rey- 
 nard had bitten off the head, and was brought 
 to the King to have knowledge thereof. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 How Chanticleer the Cock complained of Reynard 
 the Fox. 
 
 CHANTICLEER marched foremost, smote piteously 
 his hands and feathers, whilst on the other side 
 the bier went two sorrowful hens the one was 
 Tantart, the other the good hen Cragant, being 
 two of the fairest hens between Holland and 
 Arden ; these hens bore each of them a straight 
 bright burning taper, and these hens were 
 sisters to Copple, which lay dead on the bier, 
 and in the marching they cried piteously, ' Alack 
 and well-a-day for the death of Copple, our dear 
 sister.' Two young hens bare the bier, which 
 cackled so heavily, and wept so loud for the 
 death of Copple their mother, that the hills 
 gave an echo to their clamour. Thus being 
 come before the King, Chanticleer, kneeling 
 down, spake in this manner : 
 
 ' Most merciful and my great Lord the 
 
CHAP. Ill 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 King, vouchsafe, I beseech you, to hear our 
 complaint, and redress those injuries which 
 Reynard hath unjustly done to me, and to my 
 children that here stand weeping. For so it is, 
 most mighty sir, that in the beginning of April, 
 
 when the weather was fair, I being then in the 
 height of my pride and glory, because of the 
 great stock and lineage I came of, and also I 
 had eight valiant sons, and seven fair daughters, 
 which my wife had hatched, all which were strong 
 and fat, and walked in a yard well walled and 
 fenced round about, wherein they had in several 
 
I 4 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, in 
 
 sheds for their guard six stout mastiff dogs, 
 which had torn the skins of many wild beasts, 
 so that my children feared not any evil which 
 might happen unto them. But Reynard, that 
 false and dissembling traitor, envying their 
 happy fortune because of their safety, many 
 times assailed the walls, and gave such dan- 
 gerous assaults, that the dogs divers times 
 were let forth unto him and hunted him away. 
 Yea, once they lighted upon him, and bit him, 
 and made him pay the price for his theft, and 
 his torn skin witnessed ; yet nevertheless he 
 escaped, the more was the pity ; albeit, we 
 were quit of his troubling a great while after. 
 At last he came in the likeness of a hermit, and 
 brought me a letter to read, sealed with your 
 Majesty's seal, in which I found written, that 
 your highness had made peace throughout 
 all your realm, and that no manner of beast or 
 fowl should do injury one to another. He 
 affirmed unto me that for his own part he was 
 become a monk or cloistered recluse, vowing to 
 perform a daily penance for his sins ; and 
 showed unto me his beads, his books, and the 
 hair shirt next to his skin, saying in humble 
 wise unto me, " Sir Chanticleer, never hence- 
 forth be afraid of me, for I have vowed never- 
 
CHAP. Ill 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 17 
 
 more to eat flesh. I am now waxed old, and 
 would only remember my soul ; therefore I take 
 my leave, for I have yet my noon and my 
 even song to say." Which spake, he de- 
 parted, saying his credo as he went, and laid 
 him down under a hawthorn ; at this I was 
 exceeding glad, that I took no heed, but went 
 and clucked my children together, and walked 
 
 without the wall, which I shall ever rue. For 
 false Reynard, lying under a bush, came creep- 
 ing betwixt us and the gate, and suddenly 
 surprised one of my children, which he trussed 
 up in his mail and bore away, to my great 
 sorrow. For having tasted the sweetness of 
 our flesh, neither hunter nor hound can protect 
 or keep him from us. Night and day he waits 
 upon us with that greediness, that of fifteen of 
 
 my children he hath left me but four un- 
 
 c 
 
iS REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, in 
 
 slaughtered, and yesterday Copple my daughter, 
 which here lieth dead on this bier, was after 
 her murder, by a kennel of hounds, rescued 
 from him. This is my plaint, and this I leave 
 to your highness's mercy to take pity of me, 
 and the loss of my fair children.' 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 The King's answer to tJie Cock's complaint, and how 
 they sung tJie Dirge. 
 
 THEN spake the King : ' Sir Grimbard, hear you 
 this of your uncle the recluse ? he hath fasted 
 and prayed well ; and well, believe me, if I live 
 a year, he shall dearly abide it. As for you, 
 Chanticleer, your complaint is heard and shall 
 be cured ; to your daughter that is dead, we 
 will give her the right of burial, and with 
 solemn dirges bring her to the earth, with 
 worship ; which finished, we will consult with 
 our lords how to do you right and justice 
 against the murderer.' Then began the 
 Placebo D online, with all the verses belonging 
 to it, which are too many to recite ; and as soon 
 as the dirge was done, the body was interred, 
 and upon it a fair marble stone laid, being 
 polished as bright as glass, in which was 
 engraven in great letters this inscription 
 following : 
 
20 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF < 
 
 Copple, 
 
 Chanticleer^ Haunter, 
 toljom Eegnarfc tje foj iatlj jaflain, 
 
 ijere burfeti- 
 tljou tliat reatie^t it, 
 for Ijer tieatl) tx>a0 unjust anti lamentable. 
 
 After this the King sent for his lords and 
 wisest counsellors to consult how this foul 
 murder of Reynard's might be punished. In 
 the end it was concluded that Reynard should 
 be sent for, and without all excuse to appear 
 before the King to answer those trespasses 
 should be objected against him, and that this 
 message should be delivered by Bruin the 
 bear. To all this the King gave consent, and 
 calling him before him, said, ' Sir Bruin, it is 
 our pleasure that you deliver this message, yet 
 in the delivery thereof have great regard to 
 yourself, for Reynard is full of policy, and 
 knoweth how to dissemble, flatter, and betray. 
 He hath a world of snares to entangle you 
 withal, and without great exercise of judgment, 
 will make a scorn and mock of the best wisdom 
 breathing.' 
 
 * My Lord,' answered Sir Bruin, ' let me 
 alone with Reynard, I am not such a truant in 
 
iv REYNARD THE FOX 21 
 
 discretion, to become a mock to his knavery ; ' 
 and thus full of jollity the bear departed ; if his 
 return be as jovial, there is no fear in his well 
 speeding. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 How Bruin the Bear sped with Reynard the Fox. 
 
 THE next morning away went Bruin the bear 
 in quest of the fox, armed against all plots of 
 deceit whatsoever. And as he came through a 
 dark forest, in which Reynard had a bypath, 
 which he used when he was hunted, he saw a 
 high mountain, over which he must pass to go 
 to Malepardus. For though Reynard have many 
 houses, yet Malepardus is his chiefest and most 
 ancient castle, and in it he lay both for defence 
 and ease. Now at last when Bruin was come 
 to Malepardus, he found the gates close shut, 
 at which after he had knocked, sitting on his 
 tail, he called aloud, ' Sir Reynard, are you at 
 home ? I am Bruin your kinsman, whom the 
 King hath sent to summon you to the court, to 
 answer many foul accusations exhibited against 
 you, and hath taken a great vow, that if you 
 fail to appear to this summons, that your life 
 
CHAP. V 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 shall answer your contempt, and your goods 
 and honours shall lie confiscate at his highness's 
 mercy. Therefore, fair kinsman, be advised of 
 your friend, and go with me to the court to 
 shun the danger that else w r ill fall upon you.' 
 
 Reynard, lying close by the gate, as his 
 custom was for the warm sun's sake, hearing 
 
 those words, departed into one of his holes, for 
 Malepardus is full of many intricate and curious 
 rooms, which labyrinth-wise he could pass 
 through, when either his danger or the benefit 
 of any prey required the same. There he medi- 
 tated awhile with himself how he might 
 counterplot and bring the bear to disgrace 
 (whom he knew loved him not) and himself to 
 honour ; at last he came forth, and said, ' Dear 
 uncle Bruin^ you are exceeding welcome ; 
 
24 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 pardon my slowness in coming, for at your first 
 speech I was saying my even song, and devo- 
 tion must not be neglected. Believe me, he 
 hath done you no good service, nor do I thank 
 him which hath sent you this weary and long 
 journey, in which your much sweat and toil far 
 exceeds the worth of the labour. Certainly had 
 you not come, I had to-morrow been at the 
 court of my own accord, yet at this time my 
 sorrow is much lessened, inasmuch as your 
 counsel at this present may return me double 
 benefit. Alas, cousin, could his Majesty find no 
 meaner a messenger than your noble self to 
 employ in these trivial affairs ? Truly it appears 
 strange to me, especially since, next his royal 
 self, you are of greatest renown both in blood 
 and riches. For my part, I would we were both 
 at court, for I fear our journey will be exceed- 
 ing troublesome. To speak truth, since I made 
 mine abstinence from flesh, I have eaten such 
 strange new meats, that my body is very 
 much distempered, and swelleth as if it would 
 break.' 
 
 ' Alas, dear cousin/ said the bear, * what 
 meat is that which maketh you so ill ? ' 
 
 * Uncle,' answered he, ' what will it profit you 
 to know ? the meat was simple and mean. We 
 
v REYNARD THE FOX 25 
 
 poor men are no lords, you know, but eat that 
 , for necessity which others eat for wantonness, 
 yet not to delay you, that which I ate was 
 honeycombs, great, full, and most pleasant, 
 which, compelled by hunger, I ate too im- 
 measurably and am thereby infinitely dis- 
 tempered.' 
 
 'Ha,' quoth Bruin, ' honeycombs ? do you 
 make such slight respect of them, nephew? 
 why it is meat for the greatest emperor in the 
 world. Fair nephew, help me but to some of 
 that honey, and command me whilst I live ; for 
 one little part thereof I will be your servant 
 everlastingly.' 
 
 ' Sure,' said the fox, 'uncle, you but jest with 
 me.' 
 
 ' But jest with you,' replied Bruin ; l beshrew 
 my* heart then, for I am in that serious earnest, 
 that for one lick thereat you shall make me the 
 faithfullest of all your kindred.' 
 
 ' Nay,' said the fox, ' if you be in earnest, 
 then know I will bring you where so much is, 
 that ten of you shall not be able to devour it at 
 a meal, only for your love's sake, which above 
 all things I desire, uncle.' 
 
 ' Not ten of us ? ' said the bear, ' it is im- 
 possible ; for had I all the honey betwixt Hybla 
 
26 
 
 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 and Portugal, yet I could in a short space eat 
 it all myself.' 
 
 ' Then know, uncle,' quoth the fox, ' that 
 near at hand here dwelleth a husbandman 
 named Lanfert, who is master of so much honey, 
 that you cannot consume it in seven years, 
 
 which for your love and friendship's sake I will 
 put into your safe possession.' 
 
 Bruin> mad upon the honey, swore, that 
 to have one good meal thereof he would not 
 only be his faithful friend, but also stop the 
 mouths of all his adversaries. 
 
 Reynard, smiling at his easy belief, said, 
 ' If you will have seven ton, uncle, you shall 
 have it.' 
 
v REYNARD THE FOX 27 
 
 These words pleased the bear so well, and 
 made him so pleasant, that he could not stand 
 for laughing. 
 
 Well, thought the fox, this is good fortune, 
 sure I will lead him where he shall laugh 
 more measurably ; and then said, ' Uncle, we 
 must delay no time, and I will spare no pain 
 
 for your sake, which for none of my kin I 
 would perform.' 
 
 The bear gave him many thanks, and so 
 away they went, the fox promising him as 
 much honey as he could bear, but meant as 
 many strokes as he could undergo. In the 
 end they came to Lanferts house, the sight 
 whereof made the bear rejoice. This Lanfert 
 was a stout and lusty carpenter, who the 
 
28 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, v 
 
 other day had brought into his yard a great 
 oak, which, as their manner is, he began to 
 cleave, and had struck into it two wedges in 
 such wise that the cleft stood a great way 
 open, at which the fox rejoiced much, for 
 it was answerable to his wish. So with a 
 laughing countenance he said to the bear, 
 * Behold now, dear uncle, and be careful of 
 yourself, for within this tree is so much honey 
 that it is unmeasurable. Try if you can get 
 into it, yet, good uncle, eat moderately, for 
 albeit the combs are sweet and good, yet a 
 surfeit is dangerous, and may be troublesome 
 to your body, which I would not for a world, 
 since no harm can come to you but must be 
 my dishonour.' 
 
 ' Sorrow not for me, nephew Reynard,' 
 said the bear, ' nor think me such a fool that 
 I cannot temper mine appetite.' 
 
 1 It is true, my best uncle, I was too bold. 
 I pray you enter in at the end, and you shall 
 find your desire.' 
 
 The bear with all haste entered the tree, 
 with his two feet forward, and thrust his 
 head into the cleft, quite over the ears, which 
 when the fox perceived, he instantly ran and 
 pulled the wedges out of the tree, so that 
 
CHAP, v REYNARD THE FOX 31 
 
 he locked the bear fast therein, and then 
 neither flattery nor anger availed the bear. 
 For the nephew had by his deceit brought 
 the uncle into so false a prison that it was 
 impossible by any art to free himself of the 
 same. Alas, what profited now his great X 
 strength and valour ? Why they were both fc 
 causes of more vexation ; and finding himself 4 
 
 
 destitute of all relief, he began to howl and 
 bray, and with scratching and tumbling to 
 make such a noise, that Lanfert, amazed, came 
 hastily out of his house, having in his hand 
 a sharp hook, whilst the bear lay wallowing 
 and roaring within the tree. 
 
 The fox from afar off said to the bear in 
 scorn and mocking, ' Is the honey good, 
 uncle, which you eat? How do you? Eat 
 not too much, I beseech you. Pleasant things 
 
32 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 are apt to surfeit, and you may hinder your 
 journey to the court. When Lanfert cometh 
 (if your belly be full) he will give you drink 
 to digest it, and wash it down your throat.' 
 
 And having thus said, he went towards 
 his castle. But by this time, Lanfert, finding 
 the bear fast taken in the tree, he ran to his 
 neighbours and desired them to come into his 
 yard, for there was a bear fast taken there. 
 This was noised through all the town, so that 
 there was neither man, nor woman, nor child 
 but ran thither, some with one weapon, and 
 some with another as goads, rakes, broom- 
 staves, or what they could gather up. The 
 priest had the handle of the cross, the clerk 
 the holy water sprinkler, and the priest's wife, 
 Dame Jullock, with her distaff, for she was 
 then spinning ; nay, the old beldames came 
 that had ne'er a tooth in their heads. This 
 army put Bruin into a great fear, being none 
 but himself to withstand them, and hearing 
 the clamour of the noise which came thundering 
 upon him, he wrestled and pulled so extremely, 
 that he got out his head, but he left behind 
 him all the skin, and his ears also ; insomuch 
 that never creature beheld a fouler or more 
 deformed beast. For the blood covering all 
 
v REYNARD THE FOX 33 
 
 his face, and his hands leaving the claws and 
 skin behind them, nothing remained but 
 ugliness. It was an ill market the bear 
 came to, for he lost both motion and sight- 
 that is, feet and eyes. But notwithstanding 
 this torment, Lanfert, the priest, and the 
 whole parish came upon him, and so be- 
 cudgelled him about his body part, that it 
 might well be a warning to all his misery, 
 to know that ever the weakest shall still go 
 most to the wall. This the bear found by 
 experience, for every one exercised the height 
 of their fury upon him. Even Houghlin with 
 the crooked leg, and Ludolf with the long 
 broad nose, the one with a leaden mall, and 
 the other with an iron whip, all belashed 
 poor sir Bruin, not so much but sir Bertolf 
 with the long fingers, Lanfert and Ortam 
 did him more annoyance than all the rest, 
 the one having a sharp Welsh hook, the 
 other a crooked staff well leaded at the end, 
 which he used to play at stab ball withal. 
 There was Birkin and Armes Ableqiiack, 
 Bane the priest with his staff, and Dame 
 Jullock his wife ; all these so belaboured the 
 bear, that his life was in great danger. The 
 poor bear in this massacre sat and sighed 
 
 D 
 
34 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 extremely, groaning under the burden of 
 their strokes, of which Lanferfs were the 
 greatest and thundered most dreadfully ; for 
 Dame Podge of Casport was his mother, and 
 his father was Marob the steeple -maker, a 
 passing stout man when he was alone. Bruin 
 received of him many showers of stones till 
 Lanferfs brother, rushing before the rest with 
 a staff, struck the bear in the head such a 
 blow, that he could neither hear nor see, so 
 that awaking from his astonishment the bear 
 leaped into the river adjoining, through a 
 cluster of wives there standing together, of 
 which he threw divers into the water, which 
 was large and deep, amongst whom the 
 parson's wife was one ; which the parson 
 seeing how she floated like a sea-mew, he 
 left striking the bear, and cried to the rest 
 of the company, ' Help ! oh help ! Dame 
 Jullock is in the water ; help, both men and 
 women, for whosoever saves her, I give free 
 pardon of all their sins and transgressions, 
 and remit all penance imposed whatsoever.' 
 This heard, every one left the bear to help 
 Dame Jullock, which as soon as the bear 
 saw, he cut the stream and swam away as 
 fast as he could, but the priest with a great 
 
v REYNARD THE FOX 35 
 
 noise pursued him, crying in his rage, ' Turn, 
 villain, that I may be revenged of thee ; ' 
 but the bear swam in the strength of the 
 stream and suspected not his calling, for he 
 was proud that he was so escaped from them. 
 Only he bitterly cursed the honey tree and 
 the fox, which had not only betrayed him, 
 but had made him lose his hood from his 
 face, and his gloves from his fingers. In 
 this sort he swam some three miles down 
 the water, in which time he grew so weary 
 that he went on land to get ease, where 
 blood trickled down his face ; he groaned, 
 sighed, and drew his breath so short, as if 
 his last hour had been expiring. 
 
 Now whilst these things were in doing, 
 the fox in his way home stole a fat hen, and 
 threw her into his mail, and running through 
 a bypath that no man might perceive him, 
 he came towards the river with infinite joy ; 
 for he suspected that the bear was certainly 
 slain : therefore said to himself, ' My fortune 
 is as I wished it, for the greatest enemy I 
 had in the court is now dead, nor can any 
 man suspect me guilty thereof.' But as he 
 spake these words, looking towards the river, 
 he espied where Brian the bear lay and 
 
36 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 rested, which struck his heart with grief, and 
 he railed against Lanfert the carpenter, 
 saying, ' Silly fool that thou art, what mad- 
 man would have lost such good venison, 
 especially being so fat and wholesome, and 
 for which he took no pains, for he was taken 
 to his hand ; any man would have been proud 
 of the fortune which thou neglectest.' Thus 
 fretting and chiding, he came to the river, 
 where he found the bear all wounded and 
 bloody, of which Reynard was only guilty ; 
 yet in scorn he said to the bear, ' Monsieur, 
 Dieu vous garde! 
 
 1 O thou foul red villain,' said the bear 
 to himself, ' what impudence is like to this ? ' 
 
 But the fox went on with his speech, and 
 said, ' What, uncle ? have you forgot any- 
 thing at Lanferfs, or have you paid him for 
 the honeycombs you stole ? If you have 
 not, it will redound much to your disgrace, 
 which before you shall undergo, I will pay 
 him for them myself. Sure the honey was 
 excellent good, and I know much more of 
 the same price. Good uncle, tell me before 
 I go, into what order do you mean to enter, 
 that you wear this new-fashioned hood ? Will 
 you be a monk, an abbot, or a friar? Surely 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 37 
 
 he that shaved your crown hath cropped your 
 ears ; also your foretop is lost, and your 
 gloves are gone ; fie, sloven, go not bare- 
 handed, they say you can sing fleccavt rarely.' 
 
 These taunts made Bruin mad with rage, 
 but because he could not take revenge, he 
 was content to let him talk his pleasure. 
 Then after a small rest he plunged again 
 
38 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 into the river, and swam down the stream, 
 and landed on the other side, where he began 
 with much grief to meditate how he might 
 get to the court, for he had lost his ears, his 
 talons, and all the skin off his feet, so that 
 had a thousand deaths followed him, he could 
 not go. Yet of necessity he must move, 
 that in the end compelled by extremity, he 
 set his tail on the ground, and tumbled his 
 body over and over, so by degrees, tumbling 
 now half a mile, and then half a mile, in the 
 end he tumbled to the court, where divers 
 beholding his strange manner of approach, 
 they thought some prodigy had come towards 
 them ; but in the end the King knew him, 
 and grew angry, saying, 'It is sir Bruin, 
 my servant ; what villains have wounded him 
 thus, or where hath he been that he brings 
 his death thus along with him ? ' 
 
 ' O my dread Sovereign Lord the King,' 
 cried out the bear, ' I complain me grievously 
 unto you ; behold how I am massacred, 
 which I humbly beseech you revenge on 
 that false Reynard, who, for doing your royal 
 pleasure, hath brought me to this disgrace 
 and slaughter.' 
 
 Then said the King, ' How durst he do 
 
v REYNARD THE FOX 39 
 
 this ? now by my crown I swear I will take 
 the revenge which shall make the traitors 
 tremble ! ' 
 
 Whereupon the King sent for all his 
 council, and consulted how and in what sort 
 to persecute against the fox, where it was 
 generally concluded that he should be again 
 summoned to appear and answer his tres- 
 passes ; and the party to summon him they 
 appointed to be Tibert the cat, as well for 
 his gravity as wisdom ; all which pleased the 
 King well 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 How the King sent Tibert the Cat for Reynard the 
 
 Fox. 
 
 THEN the King called for sir Tibert the cat, 
 and said to him, ' Sir Tibert, you shall go to 
 Reynard, and say to him the second time, and 
 command him to appear, and answer his 
 offences ; for though he be cruel to other 
 beasts, yet to you he is courteous. Assure 
 him if he fail at your first summons, that I will 
 take so severe a course against him and his 
 posterity, that his example shall terrify all 
 offenders.' 
 
 Then said Tibert the cat, * My dread Lord, 
 they were my foes which thus advised you, for 
 there is nothing in me that can force him either 
 to come or tarry. I beseech your Majesty 
 send some one of greater power ; I am little 
 and feeble. Besides, if noble sir Bruin, that 
 is so strong and mighty, could not enforce him, 
 what will my weakness avail ? ' 
 
CHAP, vi REYNARD THE FOX 41 
 
 The King replied, ' It is your wisdom, sir 
 Tibert, I employ, and not your strength, and 
 many prevail with art, when violence returns 
 with lost labour.' 
 
 ' Well,' said the cat, ' since it is your 
 pleasure, it must be accomplished ; Heaven 
 make my fortune better than my heart 
 presageth.' 
 
 This Tibert made things in readiness, and 
 went towards Malepardus, and in his journey 
 he saw come flying towards him one of Saint 
 Martin s birds, to whom the cat cried aloud, 
 ' Hail, gentle bird, I beseech thee turn thy 
 wings and fly on my right hand.' But the bird 
 turned the contrary way, and flew on his left 
 side ; then grew the cat very heavy, for he was 
 wise and skilful in augurism, and knew the 
 sign to be ominous ; nevertheless, as many do, 
 he armed himself with better hope, and went 
 to Malepardus, where he found the fox standing 
 before his castle gates, to whom Tibert said, 
 * Health to my fair cousin Reynard, so it 
 is that the King by me summons you to the 
 court, in which if you fail or defer time, there 
 is nothing more assured unto you than a cruel 
 and a sudden death.' 
 
 The fox answered, ' Welcome, dear cousin 
 
42 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, vi 
 
 Tibert, I obey your command, and wish my 
 Lord the King infinite days of happiness, only 
 let me entreat you to rest with me to-night, 
 and take such cheer as my simple house 
 affordeth. To-morrow, as early as you will, 
 we will go towards the court, for I have no 
 kinsman I trust so dearly as yourself. Here 
 was with me the other day the treacherous 
 knight sir Bruin the bear, who looked upon 
 me with that tyrannous cruelty, that I would 
 not for the wealth of an empire have hazarded 
 my person with him. But, my dear cousin, 
 with you I will go, were a thousand sicknesses 
 upon me.' 
 
 Tibert replied, ' You speak like a noble 
 gentleman, and methinks it is best now to go 
 forward, for the moon shines as bright as day.' 
 
 'Nay, dear cousin,' said the fox, ''let us 
 take the day before us, so may we encounter 
 with our friends ; the night is full of danger 
 and suspicion.' 
 
 ' Well,' said the cat, * if it be your pleasure, 
 I am content, what shall we eat ? ' 
 
 Reynard said, ' Truly my store is small, the 
 best I have is a honeycomb, too pleasant and 
 sweet, what think you of it ? " 
 
 Tibert replieth, ' It is meat I little respect. 
 
CHAP, vi REYNARD THE FOX 45 
 
 and seldom eat ; I had rather have one mouse 
 than all the honey in Europe.' 
 
 1 A mouse,' said Reynard, l why, my dear 
 cousin, here dwelleth a priest hard by, who 
 hath a barn by his house so full of mice that 
 I think half the wains in the parish are not 
 able to bear them.' 
 
 ' O dear Reynard,' quoth the cat, ' do but 
 lead me thither, and make me your servant for 
 ever.' 
 
 * Why,' said the fox, ' love you mice so 
 exceedingly ? ' 
 
 * Beyond expression,' quoth the cat ; ' why, 
 a mouse is beyond venison or the delicatest 
 cates on princes' tables ; therefore conduct me 
 thither, and command my friendship in any 
 matter ; had you slain my father, my mother, 
 and all my kin, I would clearly forgive you.' 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 How Tibert the Cat was deceived by Reynard the 
 Fox. 
 
 THEN said Reynard, ' Sure you do but jest.' 
 
 ' No, by my life,' said the cat. 
 
 ' Well, then,' quoth the fox, * if you be in 
 earnest, I will so work that this night I will 
 fill your belly/ 
 
 * It is not possible,' said the cat. 
 
 * Then follow me,' said the fox, * for I will 
 bring you to the place presently.' 
 
 Thus away they went with all speed to the 
 priest's barn, which was well walled about with 
 a mud wall, where but the night before the fox 
 had broken in, and stolen from the priest an 
 exceeding fat hen, at which the priest was so 
 angry, that he had set a gin or snare before 
 the hole to catch him at his next coming, which 
 the false fox knew perfectly, and therefore said 
 to the cat, ' Sir Tibert, creep in at this hole, 
 and believe it you shall not tarry a minute's 
 
CHAP, vii REYNARD THE FOX 47 
 
 space, but you shall have more mice than you 
 are able to devour. Hark, you may hear how 
 they peep ; when your belly is full, come again, 
 and I will stay and await for you here at 
 this hole, that to-morrow we may go together 
 to the court. But, good cousin, stay not too 
 long, for I know my wife will hourly expect us.' 
 
 ' Then,' said the cat, ' think you I may 
 safely enter in at this hole ? these priests are 
 wise, and subtle, and couch their danger so 
 close, that rashness is soon overtaken.' 
 
 ' Why, cousin Tibertj said the fox, ' I 
 never saw you turn coward before ; what, man, 
 fear you a shadow ? ' 
 
 The cat, ashamed at his fear, sprang quickly 
 in at the hole, but was presently caught fast 
 
48 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 by the neck in the gin, which as soon as the 
 cat felt and perceived, he quickly leaped back 
 again, so that the snare running close together, 
 he was half strangled, so that he began to 
 struggle and cry out and exclaim most 
 piteously. 
 
 Reynard stood before the hole and heard 
 all, at which he infinitely rejoiced, and in great 
 scorn said, ' Cousin Tibert, love you mice ? 
 I hope they be well fed for your sake ; knew 
 the priest or Martinet of your feasting, I know 
 them of so good disposition, they would bring 
 you sauce quickly. Methinks you sing at your 
 meat, is that the court fashion ? If it be, I 
 would Isegrim the wolf were coupled with 
 you, that all my friends might be feasted 
 together.' 
 
 But all this while the poor cat was fast, and 
 mewed so piteously, that Martinet leaped out 
 of bed, and cried to his people, ' Arise, for the 
 thief is taken that had stolen our hens.' 
 
 With these words the priest unfortunately 
 rose up and awaked all in his house, crying, 
 ' The fox is taken, the fox is taken ! ' and 
 arising, he gave to Jnllock his wife an offering 
 candle to light, and then coming first to Tibert, 
 he smote him with a great staff, and after him 
 
vii REYNARD THE FOX 49 
 
 many other, so that the cat received many 
 deadly blows, and the anger of Martinet was 
 so great, that he struck out one of the 
 cat's eyes, which he did to second the priest, 
 thinking at one blow to dash out the cat's 
 brains. But the cat perceiving his death so 
 near him, in a desperate mood he leaped upon 
 the priest, and scratched and tore him in so 
 dread a manner, that the poor priest fell down 
 in a swoon, so that every man left the cat to 
 revive the priest. And whilst they were doing 
 this, the fox returned home to Malepardus, for 
 he imagined the cat was past all hope to escape. 
 But the poor cat seeing all his foes busy about 
 the priest, he presently began to gnaw and 
 bite the cord, till he had sheared it quite 
 asunder in the midst. And he leaped out of 
 the hole and went roaring and stumbling, like 
 the bear, to the King's court. But before he 
 got thither, it was fair day, and the sun being 
 risen, he entered the court like the pitifullest 
 beast that ever was beheld ; for by the fox's 
 craft his body was beaten and bruised, his 
 bones shivered and broken, one of his eyes 
 lost, and his skin rent and mangled. 
 
 This when the King beheld, and saw Tibert 
 so pitifully mangled, he grew infinitely angry 
 
THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 and took counsel once more how to revenge 
 the injuries upon the fox. After some con- 
 sultation, Grimbard\he brock, Reynard s sister's 
 son, said to the rest of the King's council, * My 
 good lords, though my uncle were twice so evil 
 as those complaints make him, yet there is 
 remedy enough against his mischiefs. There- 
 
 fore it is fit you do him justice as to a man of 
 his rank, which is, he must be the third time 
 summoned, and if then he appear not, make 
 him guilty of all that is laid against him.' 
 
 Then the King demanded of the brock 
 whom he thought fittest to summon him, or 
 who would be so desperate to hazard his hands, 
 his ears, nay, his life, with so tyrannous and 
 irreligious a being ? 
 
vii REYNARD THE FOX 51 
 
 ' Truly,' answered the brock, * if it please 
 your Majesty, I am that desperate person who 
 dare adventure to carry the message to my 
 most subtle kinsman, if your highness but 
 command me.' 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 Hoiv Grimbard the Brock was sent to bid tJie Fox to 
 the Court. 
 
 THEN said the King, ' Go, Grimbard, for I 
 command you ; yet take heed of Reynard, for 
 he is subtle and malicious.' 
 
 The brock thanked his Majesty, and so 
 taking humble leave, went to Malepardus, 
 where he found Reynard and Ermelin his wife 
 sporting with their young whelps ; then having 
 saluted his uncle and his aunt, he said, ' Take 
 heed, fair uncle, that your absence from the 
 court add not more mischief to your cause than 
 the offence doth deserve. Believe, it is high 
 time you appear at the court, since your delay 
 doth beget but more danger and punishment. 
 The complaints against you are infinite, and 
 this is your third time of summons ; therefore 
 your wisdom may tell you, that if you delay 
 but one day further, there is not left to you or 
 yours any hope of mercy. For within three 
 
CHAP, vin REYNARD THE FOX 53 
 
 days your castle will be demolished, your 
 kindred made slaves, and yourself exempted 
 for a public example. Therefore, my best 
 uncle, I beseech you recollect your wisdom, 
 and go with me presently to the court, I doubt 
 not but your discretion shall excuse you, for 
 you have passed through many as eminent 
 perils, and made your foes ashamed, whilst the 
 innocence of your cause hath borne you spot- 
 less from the tribunal.' 
 
 Reynard answered, * Nephew, you say true, 
 and I will be advised and go with you, not to 
 answer offences, but in that I know the court 
 stands in need of my counsel. The King's 
 mercy I doubt not, if I may come to speak with 
 his Majesty, though mine offences were ten 
 times doubled ; for I know the court cannot 
 stand without me, and that shall his highness 
 understand truly. Though I know I have 
 many enemies, yet it troubles me not ; for mine 
 innocence shall awaken their injuries, and they 
 shall know that in high matters of state and 
 policy Reynard cannot be missing. They may 
 well harp upon things, but the pitch and 
 ground must come from my relation. It is the 
 envy of others hath made me leave the court, 
 for though I know their shallowness cannot 
 
54 REYNARD THE FOX CHAI\ vm 
 
 disgrace me, yet may their multitudes oppress 
 me ; nevertheless, nephew, I will go with you 
 to the court, and answer for myself, and not 
 hazard the welfare of my wife and children. 
 The King is too mighty, and though he do me 
 injury, yet will I bear it with patience.' This 
 spoke, he turned to his wife and said, ' Dame 
 Ermelin, have care of my children, especially 
 Reynardine my youngest son, for he had much 
 of my love, and I hope will follow my steps ; 
 also Rossel is passing hopeful, and I. love them 
 entirely, therefore regard them, and if I escape, 
 doubt not but my love shall requite you.' 
 
 At this leave-taking Ermelin wept, and her 
 children howled, for their lord and victualler was 
 gone, and Malepardus left unprovided. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 How Reynard sJirove Jiiui to Grimbard the Brock. 
 
 WHEN Reynard and. Grimdardhad gone a good 
 way on their journey, Reynard stayed and said, 
 ' Dear nephew, blame me not if my heart be 
 full of care, for my life is in great hazard, yet 
 to blot out my sins by repentance, and to cast 
 off the burthen, give me leave to shrive myself 
 unto you. I know you are holy, and having 
 received penance for my sin, my soul will be at 
 quiet.' 
 
 Grimbard bade him proceed ; then said the 
 fox, * Confitebor tibi pater' 
 
 ' Nay,' said the brock, * if you will shrive 
 you to me, do it in English, that I may under- 
 stand you.' 
 
 Then said Reynard, ' I have grievously 
 offended against all the beasts that live, and 
 especially mine uncle, Bruin the bear, whom I 
 lately massacred ; then Tibert the cat, whom 
 I ensnared in a gin. I have trespassed against 
 
56 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 Chanticleer and his children, and have devoured 
 many of them ; nay, the King hath not been 
 quiet of my malice, for I have slandered him 
 and his Queen. I have betrayed Isegrwi the 
 wolf, and called him uncle, though no part of 
 his blood ran in my veins ; I made him a 
 monk of Elmane, where I became also one of 
 the order only to do him open mischief. I 
 made him bind his feet to a bell-rope to teach 
 him to ring, but the peal had like to have cost 
 him his life, the men of the parish beat and 
 wounded him so sore. After this I taught him 
 to catch fish, but he was soundly beaten there- 
 fore, and feeleth the stripes at this instant. I 
 led him to steal bacon at a rich priest's house, 
 where he fed so extremely, that not being able 
 to get out where he got in, I raised all the 
 town upon him, and then went where the priest 
 was set at meat, with a fat hen before him ; 
 which hen I snatched away, so that the priest 
 cried out, " Kill the fox, for never man saw 
 thing so strange, so that the fox should come 
 into my house, and take my meat from before 
 me. This is a boldness beyond knowledge." 
 And with these words he threw his knife at me, 
 but he missed me, and I ran away, whilst he 
 pursued me crying, " Kill the fox, kill the fox," 
 
IX REYNARD THE FOX 57 
 
 and after him a world of people, whom I led to 
 the place where Isegrim was, and there I let 
 the hen fall, for it was too heavy for me (yet 
 much against my will), and then springing 
 through a hole, I got into safety. Now as the 
 priest took up the hen, he espied Isegrim, and 
 then cried out, " Strike, friends, strike, here is 
 the wolf, by no means let him escape." Then 
 the people ran all together with clubs and staves, 
 and with a dreadful noise, giving the poor wolf 
 many a deadly blow, and some throwing stones 
 after him, hit him such mortal blows on the 
 body that the wolf fell down as if he had been 
 dead, which perceived, they took him and 
 dragged him by the heels over stocks and 
 stones, and in the end threw him into a ditch 
 without the village, and there he lay all night, 
 but how he got thence I know not. Another 
 time I led him to a place where I told him were 
 seven hens and a cock, set on a perch, all lusty 
 and fat, and hard by the place stood a fall door, 
 on which we climbed ; then I told him if he 
 would creep in at the door he should find the 
 hens. Then Isegrim with much joy went 
 laughing to the. door, and entering in a little, 
 and groping about, he said, "Reynard, you abuse 
 me, for here is nothing." Then replied I, 
 
58 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 11 Uncle, they are farther, and if you will have 
 them, you must adventure for them ; those 
 which used to sit there I myself had long 
 since." At this the wolf going a little farther, I 
 gave him a push forward, so that he fell down 
 in the vault, and his fall was so great, and made 
 such a noise, that they which were asleep in 
 the house awaked and cried that something 
 was fallen down at the trap-door ; whereupon 
 they arose and lighted a candle, and espying 
 him, they beat and wounded him to death. 
 Thus I brought the wolf to many hazards of 
 his life, more than I can now either remember 
 or reckon, which as they come to my mind I 
 will reveal to you hereafter. 
 
 ' Thus have I told you my wickedness, now 
 order my penance as shall seem fit in your dis- 
 cretion.' 
 
 Grimbard was both learned and wise, and 
 therefore brake a rod from a tree, and said, 
 ' Nephew, you shall three times strike your 
 body with this rod, and then lay it down upon 
 the ground, and spring three times over it with- 
 out bowing your legs or stumbling. Then 
 shall you take it up and kiss it gently in sign 
 of meekness and obedience to your penance ; 
 which done, you are absolved of your sins com- 
 
IX 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 59 
 
 mitted this day, for I pronounce unto you clear 
 remission.' At this the fox was exceeding 
 
 glad, and then Grimbard said unto him, ' See 
 that henceforth, uncle, you do good works, 
 read your Psalter, go to church, fast vigils, 
 
60 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 keep holy days, give alms, and leave your 
 sinful and evil life, your theft, and your treason, 
 and then no doubt you shall attain mercy.' 
 
 The fox promised to perform all this, and so 
 they went together towards the court ; but a 
 little beside the way as they went, stood a 
 religious house of nuns, where many geese, 
 hens, and capons went without the wall ; and 
 as they went talking, the fox led Grimbard out 
 of his right way to that place. And finding 
 the poultry walking without the barn, amongst 
 which was a fat young capon, which strayed 
 a little from his fellows, he suddenly leaped at 
 and caught him by the feathers, which flew 
 about his ears, but the capon escaped, which 
 Grimbard seeing, said, ' Accursed man, what 
 will you do, will you for a silly pullet fall again 
 into all your sins ? mischief itself would not 
 do it.' 
 
 To which Reynard answered, ' Pardon me, 
 dear nephew, I had forgotten myself, but I 
 will ask forgiveness, and mine eye shall no 
 more wander ' ; and then they turned over a 
 little bridge ; but the fox still glanced his eye 
 toward the poultry, and could by no means 
 refrain it, for the ill that was bred in his bones 
 still stuck to his flesh, and his mind carried his 
 
IX 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 6 1 
 
 eyes that way as long as he could see them ; 
 which the brock noting, said, ' Fie, dissembling 
 cousin, why wander your eyes so after the 
 poultry ? ' 
 
 The fox replied, ' Nephew, you do me in- 
 jury so to mistake me, for mine eyes wandered 
 
 not, but I was saying a paternoster for the souls 
 of all the poultry and geese which I have slain 
 and betrayed, in which devotion you hindered 
 me.' 
 
 ' Well,' said Grimbard, ' it may be so, but 
 your glances are suspicious.' 
 
 Now by this time they were come into 
 
62 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, ix 
 
 the way again, and made haste towards the 
 court, which as soon as the fox saw, his heart 
 quaked for fear ; for he knew well the crimes 
 he was to answer, that they were infinite and 
 heinous. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 How the Fox came to the Court, and Jiow he excused 
 himself. 
 
 As soon as it was bruited in the court that 
 Reynard the fox, and Grimbard his kinsman 
 were arrived there, every one, from the highest 
 to the lowest, prepared himself to complain of 
 the fox ; at which Reynards heart quaked, but 
 his countenance kept the old garb, and he went 
 as proudly as ever he was wont with his nephew 
 through the high street, and came as gallantly 
 into the court as if he had been the King's son 
 and as clear from trespass as the most innocent 
 whosoever ; and when he came before the chair 
 of state, in which the King sat, he said, 
 ' Heaven give your Majesty glory and renown 
 above all the princes of the earth ; I assure 
 your highness there was never king had a truer 
 servant than myself have been to you, and yet 
 am, and so will die. Nevertheless, my dread 
 Lord, I know there be many in this court that 
 
64 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, x 
 
 seek my confusion, if they could win belief with 
 your Majesty. But you scorn the slanders of 
 malice, and although in these days flatterers 
 have the most room in princes' courts, yet with 
 you it is not so, nor shall they reap anything 
 but shame for their labour.' 
 
 But the King cut him short at these words, 
 and said, ' Peace, traitorous Reynard, I know 
 your dissimulation, and can expound your 
 flattery, but both shall now fail you. Think you 
 I can be caught with the music of your words ? 
 No, it hath too oft deceived me ; the peace 
 which I commanded and swore unto, that have 
 you broken.' 
 
 And as he would have gone forward, 
 Chanticleer crying out, ' O how have I lost this 
 noble peace ? ' 
 
 ' Be still, Chanticleer,' said the King, and 
 then he proceeded, ' Thou evil among good 
 ones, with what face canst thou say thou lovest 
 me, and seest all those wretched creatures ready 
 to disprove thee, whose very wounds yet spit 
 bloody defiance upon thee ; and for which 
 believe thy dearest life shall answer.' 
 
 4 In nomine patris, etc.' said the fox, 'my 
 dread Lord, if Bruin s crown be bloody, what 
 is that to me? If your Majesty employed him 
 
CHAP, x REYNARD THE FOX 67 
 
 in a message, and he would neglect it to steal 
 honey at the carpenter's house, where he re- 
 ceived his wounds, how shall I amend it? If 
 revenge he sought, why did he not take it 
 himself, he is strong and puissant ? As for 
 Tibert, whom I received with all friendship, if 
 he against my will or advice will steal into the 
 priest's barn to catch mice, and there lose his 
 eyes, nay, his life, wherein is mine offence, or 
 how become I their guardian ? O my dread 
 Lord, you may do your royal pleasure, and 
 however mine innocence plead, yet your will 
 may adjudge me to what death contents you. 
 I am your vassal, and have no support but your 
 mercy ; I know your strength and mine own 
 weakness, and that my death can yield you but 
 small satisfaction, yet whatsoever your will is, 
 that to me shall be most acceptable.' 
 
 And as he thus spake, Bellin the ram 
 stepped forth, and his ewe dame Oleway, and 
 besought the King to hear their complaint ; 
 with them Bruin the bear and all his mighty 
 lineage ; and Tibert the cat, Isegrim the wolf, 
 Kyward the hare, and Panther, the boar, the 
 camel, and Bruel the goose, the kid and the 
 colt, Baldwin the ass, Bortle the bull, and 
 Hamel the ox, the weasel, Chanticleer the 
 
68 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, x 
 
 cock, and Partlet with all her children ; all 
 these with one entire noise cried out against 
 the fox, and so moved the King with their 
 complaints, that the fox was taken and 
 arrested. 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 How the Fox was arrested and judged to deatJi. 
 
 UPON this arrest a parliament was called, and 
 every voice went that Reynard should be 
 executed. Notwithstanding he answered every 
 objection severally, though great art was used 
 both in one and the other, to the wonderful 
 admiration of all that heard him. But witnesses 
 examined, and every proof made pregnant, the 
 fox was condemned, and judgment was given, 
 that he should be hanged till his body were 
 dead ; at which sentence the fox cast down his 
 head, for all his jollity was lost, and no flattery 
 nor no words now prevailed. 
 
 This done, Grimbard his nephew, and divers 
 others near him in blood (which could not endure 
 to see him die) took their leave of the King 
 and departed from the court. When the King 
 noted what gallant young gentlemen departed 
 thence, all sad and weeping, being near of the 
 
70 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 fox's blood and alliance, he said to himself, * It 
 behoveth us to take good and mature counsel ; 
 though Reynard have some faults, yet he hath 
 many friends, and more virtues.' 
 
 As the King was thus thinking, the cat said to 
 the bear, * Sir Bruin, and you, sir Isegrim, why 
 are you slow in this execution ? The even is 
 almost come, and here be many bushes and 
 hedges ; if he escape and quit himself of this 
 danger, his subtilty is so great that not all the art 
 in the world shall ever again entangle him. If 
 you mean to execute him, then proceed, for before 
 the gallows can be made, it will be dark night.' 
 
 At these words Isegrim, remembering him- 
 self, said, ' There is a pair of gallows near at 
 hand' (and with that fetched a deep sigh), which 
 the cat noting, said, ' Are you afraid, sir Isegrim, 
 or is this execution against your mind ? You 
 may remember that it was only his work that 
 both your brethren were hanged ; and sure had 
 you judgment, you would thank him for the same, 
 and not thus stand trifling time.' 
 
 But Isegrim, half angry, answered, ' Your 
 anger puts out the eye of your reason, yet had 
 we a halter that would fit his neck, we would 
 soon despatch him.' 
 
 Reynard, that had been silent a great while, 
 
xi REYNARD THE FOX 71 
 
 said, * I beseech you, shorten my pain ; sir 
 Tibert hath a cord strong enough, in which 
 himself was hanged at the priest's house ; 
 besides, he can climb well and swift. O let him 
 be mine executioner, for it neither becometh 
 Isegrim nor Bruin thus to do to their nephew. 
 I am sorry I live to see it ; but since you are 
 set to be my hangmen, play your parts and 
 delay not ; go before, Bruin, and lead my way ; 
 follow, Isegrim, and beware I escape not.' 
 
 ' You say well,' said Bruin, ' and it is the 
 best counsel I have heard you give.' 
 
 So forth they went, and Isegrim and all his 
 friends guarded the fox, leading him by the 
 neck and other parts of his body. When the 
 fox felt this usage, he was dismayed, yet said, 
 ' O why do you put yourself, my best kins- 
 man, to this pain, to do me hurt ? Believe it, I 
 could well ask your forgiveness, though my pains 
 be pleasant unto you, yet well I know, did my 
 aunt, your wife, understand of my trouble, she 
 would for old affection's sake not see me thus 
 tormented. But I am subject to your will, and 
 can endure your worst malice ; as for Bruin and 
 Tibert, I leave my revenge to justice, and wish 
 you the reward of traitors, if you do not to me 
 the worst of your powers. I know my worst 
 
72 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 fortune, and death- can come but once unto me ; 
 I wish it were past already, for to me it is no 
 terror ; I saw my father die, and how quickly 
 he vanished, therefore the worst of death is 
 familiar unto me.' 
 
 Then said Isegrim, ' Let us go, for his curse 
 shall not light on me by delaying.' So he on 
 one side, and Bruin on the other, led the poor 
 fox to the gallows ; Tibert running before with 
 the halter, hoped to be revenged of his wrong 
 formerly received. When they were come to 
 the place of execution, the King and Queen, and 
 all the rest of the nobility, took their place to 
 see the fox die. Then Reynard, full of sorrow, 
 and busily bethinking himself how he might 
 escape that danger, and how to enthral and 
 disgrace his proud enemies, and also how to 
 draw the King on his party, said to himself, 
 ' Though the King and many others be offended 
 with me, as they have reason, for I have 
 thoroughly deserved it, nevertheless, yet I hope 
 to live to be their best friend.' 
 
 During this meditation the wolf said, ' Sir 
 Bruin, now remember your injuries, take your 
 revenge in a full measure, for the day is come we 
 wished for. Tibert, ascend quickly, and bring 
 the rope to the gallows, making a running noose, 
 
xi REYNARD THE FOX 73 
 
 for this day you shall have your will of your 
 enemy ; and good sir Bruin, take heed he escape 
 not, whilst I myself raise up the ladder/ 
 
 When all things were prepared, the fox said, 
 * Now may my heart be heavy, for death stands 
 now in all his horror before me, and I cannot 
 escape ; my dread Lord the King, and you, my 
 Sovereign Lady the Queen, and you, my lords, 
 that stand to behold to see me die, I beseech 
 you grant me this charitable boon, that I may 
 unlock my heart before you, and clear my soul 
 of her burdens, so that hereafter no man may be 
 blamed for me, which done, my death will be 
 easy.' 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 How Reynard made Jiis Confession before tJie King. 
 
 EVERY creature now took compassion on the 
 fox, and said his request was small, beseeching 
 the King to grant it, which was done ; and 
 then the fox thus spake : ' Help me, Heaven, 
 for I see no man here whom I have not 
 offended ; yet was this evil no natural in- 
 clination in me, for in my youth I was ac- 
 counted as virtuous as any breathing. This 
 know, I have played with the lambs all the 
 day long, and took delight in their pretty 
 bleating, yet at last in my play I bit one, and 
 the taste of their blood was so sweet unto me 
 that I approved the flesh, and both were so 
 sweet that since I could never forbear it. This 
 liquorish humour drew me into the woods 
 amongst the goats, where hearing the bleating 
 of the little kids, I slew one of them, and after, 
 two more, which slaughter made me so hardy, 
 
CHAP. XII 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 75 
 
 that then I fell to murder hens, geese, and 
 other poultry. And thus my crimes increased 
 by custom, and fury so possessed me, that all 
 was fish which came to my net. After this, in 
 the winter season, I met with Isegrim, where, 
 
 as he lay hid under a hollow tree, he unfolded 
 unto me how he was my uncle, and laid the 
 pedigree down so plain, that from that day 
 forth we became fellows and companions ; that 
 knot of friendship I may ever curse, for then 
 began the flood of our thefts and slaughters. 
 He stole the great things, I the small ; he 
 
76 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 murdered nobles, I the mean subjects ; and 
 in all our actions his share was still ever the 
 greatest. When he got a ram, a calf, or 
 wether, his fury would hardly afford me the 
 horns to pick on. Nay, when he had an ox, 
 or a cow, after himself, his wife, and his seven 
 children were served, nothing remained to me 
 but the bare bones to pick on. This I speak 
 not in that I wanted (for it is well known I 
 have more plate, jewels, and coin than twenty 
 carts are able to carry), but only to show his 
 ingratitude.' 
 
 When the King heard him speak of this 
 infinite treasure and riches, his heart grew 
 inflamed with a desire thereof, and he said, 
 ' Reynard, where is that treasure you speak of? ' 
 
 The fox answered, ' My Lord, I shall 
 willingly tell you, for it is true the wealth was 
 stolen, and had it not been stolen in that 
 manner which it was, it had cost your highness 
 your life (which Heaven I beseech keep ever in 
 their protection).' 
 
 When the Queen heard that dangerous 
 speech, she started, and said, ' What dangers 
 are these you speak of, Reynard? I do 
 command you, upon your soul's health, to 
 unfold these doubtful speeches, and to keep 
 
xii REYNARD THE FOX 77 
 
 nothing concealed which concerns the life of 
 my dread lord.' 
 
 The fox, with a sorrowful and sad counte- 
 nance, replied to the Queen, * O my dread 
 Sovereign Lady, at what infinite ease were I, 
 if I might die at this present ! But, gracious 
 Madam, your conjuration and the health of 
 mine own soul so prevaileth with me, that I 
 will discharge my conscience, and yet speak 
 nothing but what I will make good with the 
 hazard of my life. It is true, the King should 
 have been pitilessly murdered by his own 
 people, and I must confess by those of my 
 dearest kindred, whom I am unwilling to 
 accuse, did not the health of mine own soul and 
 my fealty to the King command the contrary.' 
 
 The King, much perplexed at this dis- 
 covery, said, ' Is this true, Reynard, which you 
 protest ? ' 
 
 The fox answered, * Alas, my dread Lord, 
 you see the case wherein I stand, and how 
 small a sand is left in my poor glass to run. 
 Can your Majesty imagine I will now dis- 
 semble ? What can the whole world avail me, 
 when my soul perisheth ? ' 
 
 At that he trembled, and looked so pitifully, 
 that the Queen had great compassion of him, 
 
78 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 and humbly besought the King, for the safety of 
 his own royal person, to take some pity of the 
 fox, and to command all his subjects to hold 
 their peace, and keep silence till he had spoken 
 the uttermost of his knowledge ; all which was 
 presently done, and the fox proceeded in this 
 manner : 
 
 ' Since it is the pleasure of my Sovereign 
 Lord the King, and that his royal life lieth in 
 the balance with my present death, I will freely 
 and boldly unfold this capital and foul treason, 
 and in the relation not spare any guilty person 
 for any respect whatsoever, whether it be 
 blood, greatness, or authority. Know then, 
 my dread Sovereign Lord the King, that my 
 father by a strange accident, digging in the 
 ground, found out King ErmericKs treasure, 
 being a mass infinite and innumerable ; of 
 which being possessed, he grew so proud and 
 haughty, that he held in scorn all the beasts 
 of the wilderness, which before had been his 
 kinsmen and companions. At last he caused 
 Tibert the cat to go into the vast forest of 
 Arden to Bridn the bear, and to tender to him 
 his homage and fealty, saying, "If it would 
 please him to be king, he should come into 
 Flanders, where he would show him means 
 
XII 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 79 
 
 how to set the crown upon his head." Bruin 
 was glad of this embassage (for he was ex- 
 ceeding ambitious, and had long thirsted for 
 sovereignty), and thereupon came into Flanders, 
 where my father received him nobly. Then 
 presently he sent for the wise Grimbard, my 
 
 nephew, and for Isegrim the wolf, and for 
 Tibert the cat ; then these five coming between 
 Gaunt and the village called Elfe, they held a 
 solemn council for the space of a whole night, in 
 which, by the assistance of the evil one, and the 
 strong confidence of my father's riches, it was 
 there concluded, that your Majesty should be 
 forthwith murdered. And, to effect this, they 
 took a solemn oath in this manner : the bear, 
 
So THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 my father, Grimbard, and the cat, laying their 
 hands on Isegrim s crown, swore, first to make 
 Bruin their king, and to place him in the chair 
 of estate at Aeon, and to set the imperial 
 diadem on his head ; and if by any of your 
 Majesty's blood and alliance they should be 
 gainsaid, that then my father with his treasure 
 should hire those which should utterly chase 
 and root them out of the forest. Now after 
 this determination held and finished, it hap- 
 pened that my nephew Grimbard, being on 
 a time high flown with wine, he discovered 
 this dread plot to Dame Slopecade his wife, 
 commanded her upon her life to keep secret 
 the same. But she, forgetful of her charge, 
 disclosed it in confession to my wife, as they 
 went a pilgrimage over an heath, with like 
 conjuration of secrecy. But she, woman-like, 
 contained it no longer than till she met with 
 me, and gave me a full knowledge of all that 
 had passed, yet so as by all means I must keep 
 it secret too, for she had sworn by the three 
 kings of Cologne never to disclose it. And 
 withal she gave me such assurance by certain 
 tokens, that I right well found all was true 
 which she had spoken ; insomuch that the very 
 affright thereof made my hair stand upright, 
 
XII 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 81 
 
 and my heart became like lead, cold and heavy 
 in my bosom. This made me call to mind the 
 story of the frogs, who being free and without 
 subjection, complained to Jupiter, and desired 
 they might have a king to rule and govern 
 over them, and he presently sent them a stork, 
 which ate and devoured them up ; so that by 
 his tyranny they became the most miserable of 
 all creatures ; then they complained again to 
 Jupiter for redress, but it was then too late, for 
 they which could not be content with their 
 freedom must now of necessity suffer in 
 thraldom. 
 
 ' Thus I feared it might happen with us, 
 and thus I sorrowed for your Majesty, although 
 you little respect my grieving. I know that 
 ambition of the bear, and his tyranny is so 
 infinite great, that should the government 
 come into his hands (as Heaven forbid) the 
 whole commonwealth will be destroyed. Be- 
 sides, I know your Majesty of so royal and 
 princely birth, so mighty, so gracious, and so 
 merciful, that it had been a horrible exchange 
 to have seen a ravenous bear sit in the throne 
 of the royal lion, for there is in the bear and in 
 his generation more prodigal looseness and in- 
 constancy than in any beast whatsoever. But 
 
 G 
 
82 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, xn 
 
 to proceed : from this sorrow I began to 
 meditate how I might undo my father's false 
 and wicked conspiracies, who sought to bring 
 a base traitor and a slave into the throne 
 imperial. For I well perceived as long as he 
 held the treasure, there was a possibility of 
 deposing your Majesty, and this troubled my 
 thought exceedingly, so that I laboured how I 
 might find out where my father's treasure was 
 hid, and to that end I watched and attended 
 night and day in the woods, in the bushes, and 
 in the open fields. Nay, in all places where- 
 soever my father laid his eyes, there was I ever 
 watching and attending. Now it happened on 
 a time, as I was laid down flat on the ground, 
 I saw my father come running out of a hole, 
 and as soon as he was come out, he gazed 
 round about him, to see if any discovered him. 
 Then seeing the coast clear, he stopped the 
 hole with sand, and made it so even, smooth, 
 and plain, that no curious eye could discern a 
 difference betwixt it and the other earth. And 
 where the print of his foot remained, that with 
 his tail he stroked over, and with his mouth so 
 smoothed, that no man might perceive it ; and 
 indeed that and many other subtilties I learned 
 of him there at that instant. When he had 
 
CHAP, xii REYNARD THE FOX 85 
 
 thus finished, away he went towards the village 
 about his private affairs ; then went I presently 
 towards the hole, and notwithstanding all his 
 subtilty I quickly found it out, then entered 
 I the cave, where I found that innumerable 
 quantity of treasure which cannot be expressed. 
 I took Ermelin my wife to help me, and we 
 
 ceased not, day nor night, with infinite great 
 toil and labour, to carry and convey away this 
 treasure to another place much more con- 
 venient for us, where we laid it safe from the 
 search of any creature. Now during the time 
 that my wife and I were thus employed, my 
 father was in consultation with the rest of the 
 traitors, about the death of the King ; in which 
 consultation it was concluded that Isegrim the 
 wolf should travel over all the kingdom, and 
 
86 
 
 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF 
 
 promise to all beasts that would take wages, 
 and acknowledge Bruin for their sovereign, 
 and defend his title, a full year's pay before- 
 hand. And in this journey my father accom- 
 panied him, carrying letters patent signed to 
 that purpose, little suspecting that he was 
 robbed of the wealth which should supply his 
 
 treason. When this negotiation was finished 
 between Elve and Soame, and a world of valiant 
 soldiers raised against the beginning of the 
 next spring, then they returned to Bruin and 
 his consorts, to whom they declared the many 
 perils they had escaped in the dukedom of 
 Saxony, where they were pursued by huntsmen 
 and hounds, so as they hardly escaped with 
 life. After this relation they showed Bruin 
 
xil REYNARD THE FOX 87 
 
 their muster rolls, which pleased him ex- 
 ceeding much, for there was of Isegrims 
 lineage about twelve hundred sworn to the 
 action, besides the bear's own kindred, the 
 fox's, the cat's, and the dassen's, all which 
 would be in readiness upon an hour's warning. 
 All this I found out, I praise Heaven, by 
 perfect intelligence ; now things being brought 
 to this perfection, my father went to his cave 
 of treasure, but when he found it open, spoiled, 
 and ransacked, it is not in me to express the 
 infinite agony and sorrow he fell into, that 
 grief converting to madness, and madness to 
 desperation, suddenly he went to the next tree 
 and hanged himself. 
 
 ' Thus by my art only was the treason of 
 Bruin defeated, for which I now suffer ; from 
 hence sprang all misfortune, as thus : these 
 foul traitors, Bruin and Isegrim, being of the 
 King's privatest council, and sitting in high 
 and great authority, tread upon me, poor 
 Reynard, and work my disgrace ; notwith- 
 standing, for your Majesty's sake, I have lost 
 my natural father. O my dread Lord, what 
 is he, or who can tender you a better affection, 
 thus to lose himself to save you ? ' 
 
 The King and Queen having great hope 
 
88 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 to get this inestimable treasure from Reynard, 
 took him from the gibbet, and entreated him 
 to unfold where this great treasure was. 
 
 But the fox replied, ' O my Lord, shall I 
 make mine enemies my heirs ? shall these 
 traitors which take away my life, and would 
 devour yours, be possessed of the good I 
 enjoy ? No, that is a madness I will never 
 die guilty of.' 
 
 Then said the Queen, ' Fear not, Reynard, 
 the King shall save your life, and grant you 
 pardon, and you shall henceforth swear faith 
 and true allegiance to his Majesty.' 
 
 The fox answered, ' Dearest Madam, if the 
 King out of his royal nature will give credit 
 to my truth, and forgive my former offences, 
 there was never King so rich as I will make 
 him.' 
 
 Then the King staying the Queen, said, 
 ' Madam, will you believe the fox ? know you 
 not that it is his natural quality to lie, steal, 
 and deceive ? ' 
 
 The Queen answered, ' My dear Lord, now 
 you may boldly believe him, for howsoever 
 in his prosperity he was full of errors, yet 
 now you may see he is changed. Why, he 
 spareth not to accuse his own father, nay, 
 
xii REYNARD THE FOX 89 
 
 Grimbard, his dearest nephew and kinsman ; 
 had he dissembled, he might have laid his 
 imputations on other beasts, and not on those 
 he loveth most entirely.' 
 
 ' Well, Madam,' said the King, ' you shall 
 at this time rule me, and all the offences of 
 the fox I will clearly pardon ; yet with this 
 protestation, that if ever again he offend in 
 the smallest crime whatsoever, that not only 
 himself, but his whole generation I will utterly 
 root out of my dominions.' 
 
 The fox looked sadly when the King spake 
 thus, but was inwardly most infinitely glad at 
 his heart, and said, ' My dread Lord, it were 
 a huge shame in me, should I speak any 
 untruths in this great presence.' 
 
 Then the King taking a straw from the 
 ground, pardoned the fox of all his trespasses 
 which either he or his father had ever 
 committed. If the fox now began to smile, 
 it was no wonder, the sweetness of life 
 required it ; yet he fell down before the 
 King and Queen, and humbly thanked them 
 for mercy, protesting that for that favour he 
 would make them the richest princes in the 
 world. And at these words the fox took up 
 a straw, and proffered it unto the King, and 
 
90 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 said to him, ' My dread Lord, I beseech your 
 Majesty to receive this pledge as a surrender 
 unto your Majesty of all the treasure that 
 the great King Ermcrick was master of, with 
 
 which I freely Jnfeoff you, out of my mere 
 voluntary and free motion.' 
 
 At these words the King received the 
 straw, and smiling, gave the fox great thanks 
 for the same. But the fox laughed outright 
 to think of the abuse ; from that day forward 
 
xii REYNARD THE FOX 91 
 
 no man's counsel prevailed with the King as 
 the fox's, which the fox seeing, said to the 
 King, ' My gracious Lord, you shall under- 
 stand that at the west side of Flanders, there 
 standeth a wood called Hustreloe, near which 
 runneth a river named Crekenpit ; this is a 
 wilderness so vast and impassable, that hardly 
 in all the year there cometh either man or 
 woman in the same. In it I have hid this 
 treasure, whither I would have your Majesty 
 and the Queen to go, for I know none but 
 yourselves whom I dare trust in so great 
 design ; and when your highness comes thither, 
 you shall find two birchen trees growing by 
 the pit, into which you shall enter, and there 
 you shall find the treasure, which consisteth 
 of coin, rich jewels, and the wealthy crown 
 which King Ermerick wore. With this crown 
 Bruin the bear should have been crowned, if 
 his treason had succeeded according to his 
 determination. There shall you see also many 
 rich and costly precious stones, of which, when 
 you are possessed, then remember the love 
 of your servant Reynard! 
 
 The King answered, ' Sir Reynard, you 
 must yourself help me to dig for this treasure, 
 for else I shall never find it. I have heard 
 
92 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 named Paris, London, Aix, and Cologne, but 
 Crekenpit I never heard of, therefore, I fear, 
 you dissemble.' 
 
 The fox blushed at those words, yet with 
 a bold countenance he said, * Is your Majesty 
 so doubtful of my faith ? nay, then I will 
 approve my words by public testimony ' ; and 
 with that he called forth Kyward the hare 
 from among the rest of the beasts, and 
 commanded him to come before the King, 
 charging him upon his faith and allegiance 
 which he bore to the King and Queen, to 
 answer truly to such questions as he should 
 ask him. 
 
 The hare answered, ' I will speak truth in all 
 things, though I were sure to die for the same.' 
 
 Then the fox said, ' Know you not where 
 Crekenpit standeth ? ' 
 
 ' Yes,' said the hare, ' I have known it any 
 time these dozen years ; it standeth in a wood 
 called Hiistreloe, upon a vast and wide wilder- 
 ness, where I have endured much torment 
 both of hunger and cold. Besides, it was there 
 where father Simony the friar made false coin, 
 with which he supported himself and his fellows. 
 Yet that was before I and Ring the hound 
 became companions.' 
 
xii REYNARD THE FOX 93 
 
 ' Well,' said the fox, ' you have spoken 
 sufficiently, go to your place again ' ; so away 
 went the hare. Then said the fox, ' My 
 Sovereign Lord the King, what say you now 
 to my relation am I worthy your belief or 
 no? ' 
 
 The King said, ' Yes, Reynard, and I 
 beseech thee excuse my jealousies, it was 
 my ignorance which did thee evil ; therefore 
 forthwith make preparation that we may go 
 to this pit where the treasure lieth.' 
 
 The fox answered, * Alas, my Lord, do 
 you imagine that I would not fain go with you ? 
 if it were so that I might go without your 
 dishonour, which I cannot do ; for you shall 
 understand (though it be my disgrace) that 
 when Isegrim the wolf, in the evil one's name, 
 would needs grow religious and turn a monk,' 
 that then the permission of meat which was 
 for six monks, was too little for him alone. 
 Whereupon he complained so pitifully unto 
 me, that I, commiserating his case, being my 
 kinsman, gave him counsel to run away, which 
 he did. Whereupon I stand accursed, and 
 excommunicated under the Pope's sentence, 
 and am determined to-morrow, as soon as 
 the sun riseth, to take my way towards Rome 
 
94 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, xn 
 
 to be absolved, and from Rome I intend to 
 cross the seas to the Holy Land, and will 
 never return again to my native country, till 
 I have done so much good, and satisfied for 
 my sins, that I may with honour and reputation 
 attend on your highness's person.' 
 
 The King, hearing this, said, * Since you 
 stand accursed in the censures of the Church, 
 I may not have you about me, and therefore 
 I will at this time take Kyward the hare, 
 and some other with me to Crekenpit, and 
 only command you, Reynard, as you respect 
 my favour, to clear yourself of his holiness's 
 curse.' 
 
 ' My Lord,' said the fox, * it is the only 
 reason of my going to Rome; neither will I 
 rest night nor day till I have gotten a full 
 absolution.' 
 
 ' The course you take is good,' said the 
 King, ' go on and prosper in your intent and 
 purpose.' 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 
 How Reynard tlie Fox was honoured of all beasts by 
 the King's commandment. 
 
 As soon as this conference was ended, the royal 
 King mounted upon a high throne made in 
 manner of a scaffold, made of fair squared stone, 
 and then commanded a general silence amongst 
 all his subjects, and that every one should take 
 his place according to his birth, or dignity in 
 office, only the fox was placed between the 
 King and the Queen. 
 
 Then said the King, * Hear, all you noble- 
 men, knights, gentlemen, and others of inferior 
 quality ; this Reynard, one of the chief and 
 supreme officers of my household, whose 
 offences had brought him to the least reckoning 
 of his life, as being in the hands of the law and 
 justice, hath this day, in requital of these in- 
 juries, done that noble and worthy service 
 to the State that both myself and my Queen 
 
THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 stand bound to render him our best grace and 
 favour. Therefore know, that for divers things 
 best known unto ourselves, we have freely given 
 pardon to all his offences, and restored back to 
 
 him whatsoever to us was confiscate; therefore, 
 henceforth I command all of you, upon the pain 
 and hazard of your dearest lives, that you fail 
 not from this day forward to do all reverence 
 and honour not only to Reynard himself, but 
 also to his wife and children ; whensoever or 
 
xin REYNARD THE FOX 97 
 
 wheresoever you shall meet them, whether by 
 night or by day. And let not any one hereafter 
 be so audacious as to trouble mine ears with any 
 more complaints of him ; for his wickedness 
 he hath cast behind him, and will no more be 
 guilty of wrongdoing, which to effect the better, 
 to-morrow very early he taketh his journey 
 towards Rome, where from the Pope he will 
 purchase a free pardon and indulgence for all 
 his offences, and then will go on pilgrimage to 
 the Holy Land.' 
 
 This speech, when Tisellin the raven heard, 
 he flew to Bruin, Isegrim, and Tibert, and 
 said, ' Wretched creatures, how are your 
 fortunes changed ! or how can you endure to 
 hear these tidings ? Why, Reynard is now a 
 courtier, a counsellor, nay, the prime favourite ; 
 his offences are forgiven, and you are all 
 betrayed, and sold unto bondage.' 
 
 Isegrim answered, ' It is impossible, Tisellin, 
 nor can such a thing be suffered.' 
 
 ' Do not deceive yourselves,' said the raven, 
 ' for it is as true as that now I speak it.' 
 
 Then went the wolf and the bear to the 
 King, but the cat stayed, and was so sore 
 affrighted with the news, that to purchase the 
 fox's friendship again, he would not only have 
 
 H 
 
98 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 forgiven the evils received, but willingly have 
 run into a second hazard. But now Isegrim, 
 with great majesty and pride tracing over the 
 fields, came before the King and Queen, 
 and with most bitter and cruel words inveighed 
 against the fox in such a passionate and im- 
 pudent manner, that the King, being infinitely 
 moved with displeasure, caused the wolf and 
 the bear to be presently arrested upon high 
 treason ; which suddenly was done with all 
 violence and fury, and they were bound hand 
 and foot so fast, that they could neither stir 
 nor move from the place where they were 
 couched. 
 
 Now when the fox had thus enthralled and 
 entangled them, he so laboured with the 
 Queen, that he got leave to have so much of 
 the bear's skin as would make him a large 
 scrip for his journey ; which granted, he 
 wanted nothing but a strong pair of shoes to 
 defend his feet from the stones in his travel ; 
 whereupon he said to the Queen, ' Madam, I 
 am your pilgrim, and if it would please your 
 Majesty but to take it into your consideration, 
 you shall find that sir Isegrim hath a pair of 
 shoon, excellent long-lasting ones, which would 
 you vouchsafe to bestow upon me, I should 
 
xin REYNARD THE FOX 99 
 
 pray for your Majesty's soul in all my travel, 
 above any charitable devotion. Also mine 
 aunt, Dame Ereswine, hath other two shoes, 
 which would your Majesty bestow upon me, 
 I should be most infinitely bound to you, nor 
 should you do to her any wrong, because she 
 goes seldom abroad.' 
 
 The Queen replied, ' Reynard, I can per- 
 ceive how you can want such shoes, for your 
 journey is full of labour and difficulty, both in 
 respect of the stony mountains and the gravelly 
 ways, and therefore you shall have (though it 
 touch their life never so nearly) from each of 
 them a pair of shoes to accomplish and finish 
 your journey.' 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 
 How Isegrim and his wife Ereswine had their shoes 
 plucked off, for Reynard to wear to Rome. 
 
 AFTER the fox had made this petition, Isegrim 
 was taken, and his shoes pulled off in most 
 cruel and violent manner, so that all the veins 
 and sinews lay naked, nor durst the poor 
 massacred wolf either complain or resist. After 
 he had been thus tormented, then Dame 
 Ereswine his wife was used on the same 
 manner on her hinder feet, as her husband 
 was on his forefeet ; which the fox seeing, 
 said to her in a scornful manner, * Dear aunt, 
 how much am I bound to you that take all this 
 pains for my sake ! Questionless, you shall be a 
 sharer in my pilgrimage, and take part in the 
 pardon I shall bring from beyond the seas by 
 the help of your shoes.' 
 
 Then Ereswine (though speech were trouble- 
 some to her) said, * Well, sir Reynard, you 
 
CHAP. XIV 
 
 REYNARD TflE FOX 
 
 101 
 
 have your will accomplished, yet Heaven, I 
 hope, will requite the misdoer.' 
 
 This she said, but her husband and the bear 
 lay mute, for their wounds were grievous unto 
 
 them ; and surely had the cat been there also, 
 he had not escaped some extreme punishment. 
 The next morning, very early, Reynard, 
 causing his shoes to be well oiled, put them 
 on, and made them as fit to his feet as they 
 
102 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 were to the wolves', and then went to the 
 King and Queen, and said, ' My dread Lord 
 and Lady, your poor subject voweth before 
 your Majesties, humbly beseeching your high- 
 nesses to vouchsafe to deliver me my mail and 
 my staff blessed, according to the custom due 
 unto pilgrims.' 
 
 This said, the King sent for Bellin the ram, 
 and commanded him to say solemn mass before 
 the fox, and to deliver him his staff and his 
 mail ; but the ram refused, saying, ' My Lord, 
 I dare not, for he hath confessed he is in the 
 Pope's curse.' 
 
 And the King said, * What of that ? Have 
 not our doctors told us, that if a man com- 
 mit all the sins in the world, yet if he repent 
 himself, be shriven, do penance, and walk as the 
 priest shall instruct him, that all is clearly for- 
 given him? and hath not Reynard &QKS. all this?' 
 
 Then answered Bellin, f Sir, I am loath to 
 meddle herein, yet if your Majesty will bear 
 me harmless against the bishop of Prendesor, 
 my ordinary, and against the archdeacon 
 Loosuyndy and Rapiamus his official, I will 
 effect your commandment.' 
 
 At this the King grew angry, and said, ' I 
 scorn to be beholden unto you ' ; but when 
 
xiv REYNARD THE FOX 103 
 
 the ram saw the King offended, he shook for 
 fear, and ran presently to the altar, and sang 
 mass, and used many ceremonies over the fox, 
 who gave little respect unto them, more than 
 the desire he had to enjoy the honour. 
 
 Now when Bellin the ram had finished his 
 orisons, he presently hung about Reynards 
 neck his mail, which was made of the bear's 
 skin, and put into his right foot a palmer's 
 staff; and thus being furnished of all things, 
 he looked sadly upon the King, as if he had 
 been loath to depart, and feigned to weep 
 (though sorrow and he were never farther 
 asunder), only his worst grief was, that all in 
 that presence were not in the same case that the 
 bear and the wolf were. Yet he took his leave 
 of them, and desired every one to pray for him, 
 as he would pray for them ; and then offering 
 to depart (for knowing his own knavery, he was 
 very desirous to be gone). 
 
 The King said, ' Sir Reynard, I am sorry 
 we must part thus suddenly.' 
 
 Then said the fox, * There is no remedy, my 
 Lord, nor ought I to be slow in so devout an 
 action.' 
 
 Then the King took leave, and commanded 
 all that were about him, but the bear and the 
 
io 4 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 wolf, to attend Reynard some part of his 
 journey. O he that had seen how gallant and 
 personable Reynard was, and how well his 
 staff and his mail became him, as also how fit 
 his shoes were for his feet, it could not have 
 chosen but have stirred in him very much 
 laughter. Yet the fox carried himself outwardly 
 very demurely, however inwardly he smiled at 
 the abuses he had cast amongst them, especially 
 to see his enemies now his attendants, and the 
 King, whom he had most palpably wronged 
 with false lies, aiding to all his vain desires, 
 and accompanying him also as if he had been 
 his companion. 
 
 But the fox being now started on his way, 
 he said to the King, * I beseech your Majesty 
 trouble yourself no further, but in respect of 
 your ease, and the danger might happen to 
 your royal person, for you have arrested two 
 capital traitors, who, if in your absence they 
 should get at liberty, the danger were infinite 
 which might ensue thereon.' 
 
 And this said, he stood upon his hinder feet, 
 and entreated the beasts that were in his com- 
 pany, and would be partakers of his pardon, 
 that they would pray for him ; which done, he 
 departed from the King with an exceeding 
 
XIV 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 sad and heavy countenance. Then turning to 
 Kyward the hare, and Bellin the ram, he said 
 with a smiling countenance, ' My best friends, 
 
 v 
 
 shall we part thus soon ? I know your loves 
 will not leave me yet ; with you two I was 
 never offended, and your conversations are 
 agreeable to my nature. For you are mild, 
 
106 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, xiv 
 
 loving, and courteous ; religious, and full of 
 wise counsel, even such as myself was when 
 I was first a recluse ; if you have a few green 
 leaves, or a little grass, you are well content as 
 with all the bread and flesh in the world, and 
 you are temperate and modest.' 
 
 And thus with a world of such like flattering 
 words he enticed these two, that they were 
 content to go along with him. 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 
 How Kyward the Hare was slain by Reynard tlie 
 Fox, and sent by the Ram to the King. 
 
 THUS marched these three together, and when 
 Reynard was come to the gates of his own 
 house he said to Bellin, ' Cousin, I will entreat 
 you to stay here without a little, whilst I and 
 Kyward go in, for I would have him a witness 
 to some private passages betwixt me and my 
 wife.' 
 
 Bellin was well content, and so the fox and 
 the hare went into Malepardus, where they 
 found Dame Ermelin lying on the ground with 
 her younglings about her, who had sorrowed 
 exceedingly for the loss and danger of her 
 husband ; but when she saw his return, her 
 joy was ten times doubled. But beholding his 
 mail, his staff, and his shoes, she grew into 
 great admiration, and said, * Dear husband, how 
 have you fared ? ' to whom he delivered from 
 
io8 
 
 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 point to point all that had passed with him at 
 the King's court, as well his danger as release, 
 and that now he was to go a pilgrimage, having 
 left Britin and Isegrim two pledges for him till 
 his return. 
 
 As for Kyivard, he said the King had be- 
 stowed him upon them, to do with him what 
 
 they pleased, affirming that Kyward was the 
 first that had complained of him, for which, 
 questionless, he vowed to be sharply revenged. 
 When Kyward heard these words he was 
 much appalled, and would fain have fled away, 
 but he could not ; for the fox had got between 
 him and the gate, who presently seized the 
 
xv REYNARD THE FOX 109 
 
 hare by the neck, at which the hare cried unto 
 Bellin for help, but could not be heard, for the 
 fox in a trice had torn out his throat ; which 
 done, he, his wife, and young ones feasted 
 therewith merrily, eating the flesh, and drink- 
 ing the blood to the King's health ; but 
 Ermelin, growing suspicious, said, ' I fear, 
 Reynard, you mock me ; as you love me, tell 
 me how you sped at the court.' 
 
 Then he told her how extremely he had 
 flattered the King and the Queen, and abused 
 them with a feigned promise of treasure that 
 was not, insomuch, that he knew when it 
 should come to be revealed, the King would 
 seek all the means he could to destroy him. 
 
 * Therefore, wife,' said he, ' there is no 
 remedy but we must steal from hence into 
 some other forest where we may live in better 
 safety, and in a place more fruitful, where we 
 shall have all the delicate meats that can be 
 wished for ; clear springs, fresh rivers, cool 
 shades, and wholesome air. Here I know is 
 no abiding, and now I have gotten my thumb 
 out of the King's mouth, I will no more come 
 within the danger of his talons.' 
 
 ' Yet,' said Ermelin, ' I have no fancy to 
 go from hence to a place where I am utterly 
 
i io THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 unacquainted ; here we possess all that we 
 desire, and you are a lord over all that lives 
 about you, and it is but an indiscreet hazard 
 to change a certain good for a hoped content- 
 ment ; besides, we are here sale enough, and 
 should the King besiege us never so straitly, 
 yet have we so many passages and by-holes, 
 that he can Cut from us neither relief nor liberty. 
 O what reason have we then to fly beyond seas? 
 but you have sworn it, that's my vexation.' 
 
 ' Nay, Dame,' said the fox, ' grieve not at 
 that ; the more forsworn, the less forlorn ; 
 besides, I have heard some say, that a forced 
 oath is no oath, nor do I make account that 
 this pilgrimage will avail me a rush ; and there- 
 fore I am resolved, and will not start from 
 hence, but follow thy counsel. If the King do 
 hunt after me, I will guard myself as well as I 
 am able, and against his power apply my policy; 
 so that being forced to open my sack, let him 
 not blame me if he catch hurt by his own fury.' 
 
 All this while stood Bellin the ram at the 
 gate, and grew exceeding angry both against 
 the fox and the hare, that they made him wait 
 so long ; and therefore called out aloud for 
 Reynard to come away, which, when Reynard 
 heard, he went forth, and said softly to the ram, 
 
xv REYNARD THE FOX in 
 
 ' Good Bellin, be not offended, for Kyward is in 
 earnest conference with his dearest aunt, and 
 entreated me to say unto you, that if you 
 would please to walk before, he would speedily 
 overtake you, for he is light of foot, and speedier 
 than you ; nor will his aunt part with him thus 
 suddenly, for she and her children are much 
 perplexed at my departure.' 
 
 ' Ay, but,' quoth Bellin, ( methought I heard 
 Kyward cry for help.' 
 
 ' How, cry for help? Can you imagine he 
 shall receive hurt in my house ? Far be such 
 a thought from you ; but I will tell you the 
 reason. As soon as we were come into my 
 house, and that Ermelin my wife understood 
 of my pilgrimage, presently she fell down in 
 a swoon, which, when Kyward saw, he cried 
 aloud, " O Bellin, come, help my aunt, she 
 dies, she dies ! " 
 
 Then said the ram, ' In sadness I mistook the 
 cry, and thought the hare had been in danger.' 
 
 ' It was your too much care of him,' said the 
 fox, ' but before he should have any injury in 
 my house, I would leave to respect either wife 
 or children. But letting this discourse pass, 
 you remember, Bellin, that yesterday the King 
 and his council commanded me, that before I 
 
H2 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 departed from the land, I should send unto him 
 two letters, which I have made ready, and will 
 entreat you, my dearest cousin, to bear them to 
 his Majesty.' 
 
 The ram answered, ' I would willingly do 
 you the service if there be nothing but honour- 
 able matter contained in your letters; but I am 
 unprovided of anything to carry them in.' 
 
 The fox said, ' That is provided for you 
 already, for you shall have my mail which you 
 may conveniently hang about your neck ; I 
 know they will be thankfully received of his 
 Majesty, for they contain matter of great im- 
 portance.' 
 
 Then Bellin promised to carry them ; so the 
 fox returned into his house, and took the mail, 
 and put therein the head of Kyward, and 
 brought it to the ram, and gave him a great 
 charge not to look therein, till it was presented 
 to the King, as he did expect the King's favour; 
 and that he might further endear himself with 
 his Majesty, he bade the ram take upon him 
 the inditing of the letters, ' which will be so 
 pleasing to the King, that questionless he will 
 pour upon you many favours.' 
 
 The ram was exceeding glad of this advice, 
 and thanked the fox, saying, ' That the favours 
 
xv REYNARD THE FOX 113 
 
 he did him should not die unrequited ; and I 
 know it will be much to mine honour when the 
 King shall think I am able to indite with so 
 great perfection ; for I know there be many in 
 these days as ignorant as myself that are risen 
 to high promotion, only by taking upon them 
 the worth of other men's labours; and therefore, 
 
 why may not I run the same course also ? Yet 
 I pray you, Reynard, further advise me : is it 
 meet that I take Kyward the hare along with 
 me?' 
 
 ' O by no means,' said the fox ; ' let him come 
 after you, for I know his aunt will not yet part 
 with him. Besides, I have other secret things 
 to impart to him, which may not yet be re- 
 vealed.' 
 
 I 
 
114 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 This said, Bellin took leave of the fox and 
 went toward the court, in which journey he 
 made such speed that he came thither before 
 noon, where he found the King in his palace 
 sitting amongst the nobility. 
 
 The King wondered when he saw the ram 
 come in with the mail which was made of the 
 
 bear's skin, and said, ' Whence comest thou, 
 Bellin, and where is the fox, that you have that 
 mail about you ? ' 
 
 Bellin answered, ' My dread Lord, I at- 
 tended the noble fox to his house, where, after 
 some repose, he desired me to bear certain 
 letters to your Majesty of infinite great im- 
 portance, to which I easily consented. Where- 
 
xv REYNARD THE FOX 115 
 
 upon he delivered me the letters enclosed in 
 this mail, which letters myself had formerly 
 indited, and I doubt not but are such as will 
 give your highness both contentment and 
 satisfaction.' 
 
 Presently he commanded the letters to be 
 delivered to Bocart, his secretary, who was an 
 excellent linguist, and understood all languages, 
 that he might read them publicly ; so he and 
 Tibert the cat took the mail from Belliris 
 neck, and opening the same, instead of letters 
 they drew out the head of Kyward the hare, 
 at which, being amazed, they said, ' Woe, and 
 alas, what letters call you these ? Believe it, 
 my dread Lord, here is nothing but the head 
 of poor murdered Kyward! 
 
 Which the King seeing, he said, ' Alas, 
 how unfortunate was I to believe the traitorous 
 fox ? ' 
 
 And with that, being oppressed with anger, 
 grief, and shame, he held down his head for a 
 good space, and so did the Queen also ; but in 
 the end, shaking his curled locks, he groaned 
 out such a dreadful noise, that all the beasts 
 of the forest did tremble to hear it. 
 
 Then spake sir Firapell the leopard, who 
 was the King's nearest kinsman, and said, 
 
ii6 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 ' Why is your Majesty thus vexed in heart ? 
 This sorrow might serve for the Queen's 
 funeral. I do beseech you, assuage your 
 anguish ; are not you King and master of 
 this country, and are not all things subject 
 to your power ? ' 
 
 The King replied, ' Cousin, this is a mischief 
 beyond endurance ; I am betrayed by a base 
 villain, and a traitor, and have been made to 
 wrong and abuse my best friends and subjects, 
 even those of my blood, and nearest counsel. 
 I mean the stout Bruin, and valiant Isegrim, 
 whose wrongs speak loud to my dishonour, yet 
 in myself I found an unwillingness thereto, 
 only my Queen's pity working upon the easi- 
 ness of my belief, hath made me guilty of that 
 which will evermore grieve me.' 
 
 ' Why,' said the leopard, ' what of all this ? 
 You are above your injuries, and with one 
 smile can salve the greatest wound that can 
 be made in honour ; you have power to re- 
 compense, and what reputation is it that 
 reward will not sawder ? As for the bear 
 which lost his skin, the wolf, and his wife, 
 Dame Ereswine, that lost their shoes, you may 
 in recompense (since Bellin hath confessed 
 himself a party in this foul murder) bestow 
 
xv REYNARD THE FOX 117 
 
 him and his substance on the parties grieved ; 
 as for Reynard, we will go and besiege his 
 castle, and having arrested his person, hang 
 him up by the law of arms without further 
 trial.' 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 How Bellin the Ram and his lineage were given to 
 the Bear and the Wolf. 
 
 To this motion of the leopard the King con- 
 sented, so that Firapell forthwith went to the 
 prison, where the bear and the wolf were, and 
 said, ' My lords, I bring a free and general 
 pardon from the King, with his love and a 
 recognition of your injuries, which to re- 
 compense in some large manner out of his 
 princely bounty, he is pleased to bestow upon 
 you both Bellin the ram and his whole genera- 
 tion, with whatsoever they possess, and is 
 now confiscate to his Majesty, to hold from 
 henceforth to you and yours till doomsday ; 
 with full commission to slay, kill, and devour 
 them wheresoever you find them, be it in 
 woods, fields, or mountains. And also the 
 King granted unto you full power to hunt, kill, 
 or wound Reynard the fox wheresoever you 
 
CHAP. XVI 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 4 find him or any of his lineage or generation ; 
 and of this great privilege you shall receive 
 
 letters patent at your pleasure, with only a 
 reservation of your fealty and homage to be due 
 to his Majesty, which I advise you to accept, 
 for it will redound much to your honours.' 
 
120 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 Thus was the peace made between the 
 King and these nobles by the leopard, and 
 Bellin the ram was forthwith slain by them ; 
 and all these privileges doth the wolf hold to 
 this hour, nor could ever any reconcilement be 
 made between them and the ram's kindred. 
 When this peace was thus finished, the King, 
 for joy thereof, proclaimed a feast to be held 
 for twelve days after, which was done with all 
 solemnity. 
 
 To this feast came all manner of wild 
 beasts, for it was universally known through 
 the whole kingdom, nor was there wanting any 
 delight or pleasure that could be imagined, as 
 music, dancing, masking, and all princely re- 
 creations ; as for several meats, they were in 
 that abundance, that the court seemed a store- 
 house which could not be emptied. Also to this 
 feast resorted abundance of feathered fowl, and 
 all other creatures that held peace with his 
 Majesty, and no one missing but the fox only. 
 
 Now after this feast had thus continued in 
 all pomp the space of eight days, about high 
 noon came Laprell the coney before the King 
 and Queen, as they sat at dinner, and with a 
 heavy and lamentable voice said, ' My gracious 
 and great Lord, have pity upon my misery, 
 
XVI 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 121 
 
 and attend my complaint, which is of great 
 violence, force, and murder, which Reynard the 
 fox would yesterday have committed against 
 me. As I passed by the castle of Malepardus, 
 where, standing without his gates, attired like 
 a pilgrim, I supposing to pass peaceably by 
 him towards my nest, he crossed my way, 
 
 saying his beads so devoutly, that I saluted 
 him ; but he, returning no answer, stretched 
 forth his right foot and gave me such a 
 blow on the neck between the head and 
 shoulders, that I imagined my head had been 
 stricken from my body ; but yet so much 
 memory was left me that I leaped from his 
 claws, though most grievously hurt and 
 wounded. At this he grieved extremely, 
 
122 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 because I escaped ; only of one of my ears 
 he utterly deprived me, which I beseech your 
 Majesty in your royal nature to pity, and that 
 this bloody murderer may not live thus to 
 afflict your poor subjects.' 
 
 Now whilst the coney was thus speaking to 
 the King, there came flying into the court 
 Corbaitt the rook, who, coming before the 
 
 King, said, ' Great King, I beseech you, vouch- 
 safe to hear me, and pity the complaint I shall 
 utter. So it is, that I went this morning with 
 Sharpbeak my wife to recreate ourselves on 
 the heath, and there we found Reynard the fox 
 laid on the ground like a dead carcass, his eyes 
 staring, his tongue lolling out of his mouth, 
 like a dead hound, so that we, wondering at 
 his strange plight, began to feel and touch his 
 
xvi REYNARD THE FOX 123 
 
 body, but found no life therein at all. Then 
 went my wife (poor careful soul), laid her head 
 to his mouth, to see if he drew any breath, 
 which she had no sooner done, but the foul 
 murderer, awaiting his time, snatched her head 
 into his mouth, and bit it quite off. At that I 
 shrieked out and cried, " Woe is me, what 
 misfortunes are these ? " 
 
 ' But presently the murderer started up, 
 and reached at me with such a bloody intent, 
 that with much trembling and anguish I was 
 fain to fly up to a tree, where I saw him 
 devour up my wife in such terrible manner, 
 that the very thought is death to me in the 
 repeating. 
 
 ' This massacre finished, the murderer de- 
 parted, and I went to the place and gathered 
 the feathers of my lost wife, which here I 
 humbly present before your Majesty, be- 
 seeching you to do me justice, and in such 
 manner to revenge mine injury, that the world 
 may speak fame of your great excellence. 
 For thus to suffer your laws, protections, and 
 safe-conducts to be violated and broken, will 
 be such disreputation and scandal to your 
 crown and dignity, that your very neighbours 
 and colleagues will note and point at your 
 
I2 4 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 CHAP. XVI 
 
 remissness ; besides, the sufferance of the evil 
 will make you guilty of the trespasses which 
 arise from such sufferance. But to your 
 great considerations I leave it, since I know 
 your Majesty's own goodness will make you 
 careful of your honour and royalty.' 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 How the King was angry at these complaints, took 
 counsel for revenge, and how Reynard was fore- 
 warned by Grimbard the Brock. 
 
 THE royal King was much moved with anger 
 when he heard these complaints both of the 
 coney and the rook, so that his eyes darted 
 out fire amongst the beams of majesty ; his 
 countenance was dreadful and cruel to look on, 
 and the whole court trembled to behold him. 
 In the end he said, ' By my crown and the 
 truth I evermore reverence and owe unto the 
 Queen my wife, I will so revenge these out- 
 rages committed against my crown and dignity, 
 that goodness shall adore me, and the wicked 
 shall die with the remembrance ; his falsehood 
 and flattery shall no more get belief in me. Is 
 this his journey to Rome and to the Holy 
 Land? Are these the fruits of his mail, his 
 staff, and other ornaments becoming a devout 
 
126 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 pilgrim ? Well, he shall find the reward of his 
 treasons ; but it was not my belief, but the 
 persuasion of my Queen ; nor am I the first 
 that hath been deceived by that soft gender, 
 since many great spirits have fallen through 
 their enticements.' 
 
 This said, he commanded all that were about 
 him, all noble, worthy, and very discreet spirits, 
 to assist him with their counsel, and to lay him 
 down such sure ground for his revenge, that 
 his honour and royalty might be anew revived, 
 and every offender made to know and feel the 
 heavy price for their most unjust actions. 
 
 Isegrim the wolf and Bruin the bear, hearing 
 the King's words, were wonderfully well repaid, 
 and doubted not but now to gain their full 
 revenge against Reynard ; yet still they kept 
 silence and spake not a word. Insomuch that 
 the King being much moved with their dumb- 
 ness, and noting that none durst freely deliver 
 their opinions, he began to bend his forehead. 
 
 But the Queen, after solemn reverence, said 
 to the King, * Mon Sire, pour Dieii croyez mie 
 toutes choses quon vous dira, et ne jurez point 
 tigerement, Sir, it is not the part of any ex- 
 cellent wisdom to believe or protest in any- 
 thing till the matter be made most apparent 
 
xvri REYNARD THE FOX 127 
 
 and pregnant to his knowledge. Neither 
 should both his ears be engaged to any com- 
 plaint, but one ever reserved to entertain the 
 defence of any accused ; for many times the 
 accuser exceedeth the accused in injury, and 
 therefore Audire alterant partem, to hear the 
 other party, is the act of perfect justice. For 
 my own part, howsoever I have erred, yet I 
 have strong ground for my persuasion, and 
 whether Reynard be good or bad, yet it stands 
 with your Excellency not to proceed against 
 him but by the true form of your laws ; for he 
 hath no power to escape you, but must obey 
 whatsoever your severity can impose upon 
 him.' 
 
 When the Queen had thus spoken, Firapell 
 the leopard, to second her entreaty, said, ' My 
 Lord, the Queen hath spoken graciously, and I 
 see not wherein your Majesty can stray from 
 her judgment ; therefore let him take the due 
 trial of your laws, and being found guilty of the 
 trespasses whereof he is accused, let him be 
 summoned, and if he appear not before your 
 feast be ended, to clear himself, or submit to 
 your mercy, then may your Highness proceed 
 against him as it shall seem best to your 
 pleasure/ 
 
128 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 To this speech Isegrim the wolf replied, 
 * Sir Firapell, for my own part, I think not any 
 in this assembly will dissent from your counsel, 
 so it may stand with the pleasure of my Lord 
 the King. Yet this I dare maintain, that how- 
 ever Reynard shall clear himself of these and a 
 thousand such like trespasses which shall be 
 brought against him, yet I have that lodged in 
 my bosom which shall approve he hath forfeited 
 his life ; but at this time his absence shall make 
 me silent, only touching the treasure of which 
 he hath informed his Majesty to lie at Crekenpit 
 in Hustreloe, there never came a falser informa- 
 tion from the mouth of any creature ; for it was 
 a lie made out of malice to wrong me and the 
 bear, and get himself liberty to rob and spoil 
 all that pass by his house as now he doth ; but, 
 notwithstanding, I hold it meet that all things 
 be done as shall seem good to his Majesty, or 
 you, sir Firapell. Yet this believe, that if he 
 had meant to have appeared, he had been here 
 long since, for he hath had summons given 
 him by the King's messenger.' 
 
 To this the King answered, ' I will have no 
 other course of summoning him, but command 
 all that owe me allegiance, or respect mine 
 honour, that forthwith they make themselves 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 129 
 
 ready for the war ; and at the end of six 
 days appear before me with their bows, guns, 
 bumbards, pikes, and halberds ; some on horse- 
 back, some on foot, for I will besiege Male- 
 pardus instantly, and destroy Reynard and his 
 generation from the earth for ever ; this if any 
 dislike, let him turn his back, that I may know 
 him for mine enemy.' 
 
 And they all cried with one voice, * We are 
 ready to attend your Majesty.' 
 
 When Grimbard the brock heard this 
 determination he grew exceeding sorry, though 
 his sorrow was desperate, and stealing from 
 the rest of the company, he ran with all speed 
 possible to Malepardus, neither sparing bush 
 nor brier, pale nor rail ; and as he went he said 
 to himself, ' Alas, my dear uncle Reynard, into 
 what hazards art thou drawn, having but one 
 
 K 
 
130 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 step betwixt thee and thy death, or at the best 
 thine everlasting banishment ? Well may I 
 grieve for thee, since thou art the top and 
 honour of my house, art wise and politic, and a 
 friend to thy friends, when they stand in need 
 of thy counsel, for with thy sweet language 
 thou canst enchant all creatures ; but all is now 
 bootless.' 
 
 With such manner of lamentations as these, 
 came Grimbard unto Malepardus, and found 
 his uncle Reynard standing at the castle gates, 
 who had newly gotten two young pigeons as 
 they came creeping out of their nest to try 
 how they could learn to fly. But now be- 
 holding his nephew Grimbard, he stayed, and 
 said, ' Welcome, my best beloved nephew, the 
 only one I esteem above all my kindred ; surely 
 you have run exceeding fast, for you are 
 wonderfully hot ; what news, man, how run 
 the squares at the court ? ' 
 
 ' Oh,' said Grimbard^ ' exceeding ill with 
 you, for you have forfeited both your life, 
 honour, and estate. The King is up in arms 
 against you with horsemen, footmen, and 
 soldiers innumerable ; besides, Isegrim and 
 Bruin are now in more favour with his Majesty 
 than I am with you, therefore it is high time 
 
xvn REYNARD THE FOX 131 
 
 you have great care of yourself, for their envy 
 hath touched you to the quick ; they have 
 informed against you, that you are a thief and 
 a murderer ; and to second their informations, 
 Laprell the coney and Corbaut the rook have 
 made heinous complaints against you, so that 
 but your shameful death, I see no escape or 
 freedom.' 
 
 ' Tush,' said the fox, ' my dear nephew, if 
 this be the worst, let no sorrow affright you ; 
 but let us be cheerful and pleasant together, 
 for though the King and all the court would 
 swear my death, yet will I be exalted above 
 them all. Well may they prate and jangle, 
 and tire themselves with their counsels ; but 
 without the help of my wit and policy, neither 
 can the court nor commonwealth have any long 
 continuance. Come, then, my best nephew, 
 let us enter into my castle and feast ; I have 
 here a pair of fat pigeons for you, which are 
 meat of pure and light digestion ; I love not 
 anything better ; they are young and tender, 
 and may be almost swallowed whole, for their 
 bones are little other than blood. Yet come, I 
 say, my wife Ermelin will receive you kindly ; 
 but by all means report not to her of any 
 clangers, for she is of soft and melting temper, 
 
132 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 and it might strike her into sudden sickness, 
 for women are apt to entertain grief. When 
 we have feasted, I will then to-morrow early in 
 the morning go with you to the court, and if I 
 can but obtain speech with the King, I shall 
 gall some deep enough ; only this I desire, 
 dear nephew, at your hands, that you will 
 stand to me, as one friend and kinsman ought 
 to do to another.' 
 
 ' Doubt me not,' said Grimbard, l for both 
 my life and goods shall be at your service.' 
 
 ' I thank you, nephew,' said the fox, ' and 
 you shall not find me ungrateful.' 
 
 ' Sir,' said the brock, ' be bold of this, that 
 you shall come and make your answer before 
 the lords freely, for none shall dare to arrest or 
 hold you, for that favour the Queen and the 
 leopard have purchased from the King.' 
 
 ' I am glad of that,' said the fox, ( nor care I 
 then a hair for their worst malice.' 
 
 And this said, they went into Malepardus, 
 and found Ermelin sitting among her young- 
 lings, who presently arose, and received the 
 brock with all reverence, and he on the other 
 part saluted her and her children with all 
 courtesy. Presently the two pigeons were 
 made ready, and they supped together, each 
 
XVII 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 133 
 
 taking their part, though none had so much as 
 they desired. 
 
 Then said the fox, ' Nephew, how like you 
 my children Rossel and Reynardine ? I hope 
 they will do honour to our family ; they are 
 towardly, I assure you, for the one lately caught 
 
 a chicken, and the other hath killed a pullet ; 
 they are also good duckers, and can both 
 deceive the lapwing and the mallard. I tell 
 you true, I dare already adventure them far, 
 only I mean first to instruct them how to 
 escape the gins, and to avoid both the hunts- 
 man and his hounds. They are of the right 
 
134 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, xvn 
 
 hair, nephew, and like me both in countenance 
 and quality ; they play grinning, entrap sooth- 
 ing, and kill smiling ; this is the true nature of 
 the fox, and in this they are perfect, which is 
 great pride unto me.' 
 
CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 How the Fox, repenting his sins, dotJi make his 
 confession and is absolved by the Brock. 
 
 ' UNCLE,' said the brock, ' you may be proud 
 that you have such toward children, and I re- 
 joice because they are of my blood.' 
 
 ' I thank you, nephew,' said the fox, ' but I 
 know your journey hath made you weary, 
 therefore you shall go to your rest ' ; to which 
 the brock consented, so they laid them down 
 upon straw litter, and all slept soundly but the 
 fox, whose heart was heavy with sorrow, and 
 he lay studying how he might best excuse 
 himself before the King. 
 
 But as soon as the morning began to rise 
 from the tops of the mountains, he arose and 
 went with Grimbard towards the court ; yet 
 before he went, he took leave of his wife and 
 children, and said, * Think not mine absence 
 long, dear wife and children, for I must go to 
 
136 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 the court with my cousin Grimbard, and though 
 my stay be more than ordinary, yet take no 
 affright thereat, and what tidings soever you 
 hear, yet consider all things for the best, and 
 be careful of yourselves, and keep my castle 
 close and well guarded ; as for myself, doubt 
 not but I will defeat all mine enemies.' 
 
 * Alas, Reynard] said his wife, ' what moves 
 you to take this sudden journey ? The last time 
 you were at the court you know what dangers 
 you escaped, and you vowed never to see it 
 again. Will you now run a second hazard ? ' 
 
 ' Dame,' said the fox, ' the occurrences of 
 the world are divers and uncertain, and we are 
 subject to the strokes of fortune ; but rest you 
 content, there is necessity that I go, and I 
 hope my stay shall not be above five days at 
 the uttermost ' ; and so embracing his wife and 
 children, he took leave and departed. 
 
 And as they journeyed over the heath, 
 Reynard said to the brock, * Nephew, since I 
 was last shriven I have committed many sins, 
 therefore, I beseech you, let me make before 
 you my confession, that I may pass with less 
 trouble through my worst dangers.' 
 
 Then he proceeded and said, ' It is true, 
 nephew, that I made the bear receive a great 
 
xviii REYNARD THE FOX 137 
 
 wound for the mail which I did cut off his skin ; 
 and I caused the wolf and his wife to be stripped 
 of their shoes ; I appeased the King only with 
 falsehood. I feigned a conspiracy against his 
 Majesty's life by the bear and the wolf, when 
 there was never any such determination ; also 
 I reported of great treasure to be hid in 
 Hitstreloe, but it was as fabulous as the rest. 
 I slew Kyward, and betrayed Bellin ; I 
 wounded the coney, and killed Dame Sharp- 
 beak, the rook's wife. Lastly, I forgot at my 
 last shrift one great deceit which I committed, 
 but I will reveal it ; and thus it was 
 
 * As I went talking with the wolf between 
 Houthlust and Elverding, we beheld a goodly 
 bay mare grazing, with a black foal by her side, 
 which was exceeding fat and wanton ; the wolf 
 at that instant was almost dead with hunger, 
 insomuch that he entreated me to go to the 
 mare, and know if she would sell her foal ? I 
 went and demanded the question. The mare 
 said, " She would willingly sell it for money." 
 I then asked the price? And she said, "The 
 price was written in her hinder foot, which, if 
 I pleased, I might come and read at my 
 pleasure"; but I, that well understood her 
 politic anger, said, " It is true that I cannot 
 
138 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 read, neither do I desire to buy your foal, only 
 I am a messenger from the wolf, who hath a 
 great desire to have it." " Then," said the 
 mare, "let him come himself, and I will give 
 him satisfaction." 
 
 ' Then went I to the wolf, and told him 
 what the mare said, assuring him that if he 
 pleased, he might have his belly full of the 
 foal, provided he could read, for the price was 
 written in the mare's hinder foot. " Read," 
 said the wolf, " what should ail me? I can, 
 cousin, read Latin, French, English, and 
 Dutch ; I have studied in Oxford, and argued 
 with many doctors ; I have heard many stately 
 plays, and sat in the place of judgment ; I 
 have taken degrees in both the laws, nor is 
 there that writing which I cannot decipher." 
 
 ' So desiring me to stay for him there, away 
 he went to the mare, and craved that he might 
 see and read the price of the foal ; to which 
 the mare consented, and lifting up her hinder 
 foot, which was newly shod with strong iron 
 and seven sharp nail heads, as the wolf looked 
 thereon, she smote him just upon the forehead, 
 so that she threw him over and over, and he 
 lay in a dead swoon whilst a man might have 
 ridden a mile and better, which done, away 
 
xviil REYNARD THE FOX 139 
 
 trotted the mare with her colt, and left the 
 
 poor wolf bloody and wounded, insomuch that 
 he howled like a dog. 
 
140 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 ' Then went I to him and said, " Sir Isegrim, 
 dear uncle, how do you, have you eaten too 
 much of the colt ? Indeed, you are unkind, that 
 will give me no part with you. I went your 
 message honestly, methinks you have outslept 
 your dinner ; good uncle, tell me what was 
 written under the mare's foot, was it in prose 
 or rhyme? Indeed, I would fain know it ; I 
 think it was a prick song, for I heard you 
 sing ; nay, you show your scholarship in all the 
 
 arts." 
 
 * " Alas, Reynard, alas," said the wolf, " I pray 
 you forbear to disdain me, for I am extremely 
 wounded, and my anguish is so great that a 
 heart of flint would pity me. The mare on 
 her long leg hath an iron foot, and I took the 
 nails to have been letters, on which I looked .; 
 she hit me so full on the head that I think my 
 skull is cloven." 
 
 '"Dear uncle," said I, "is this truth 
 which you tell me ? Believe it, you make me 
 wonder ; why, I took you for one of the 
 greatest clerks in this kingdom. Well, well, 
 I perceive the old proverb is now made good 
 in you : The greatest clerks are not the wisest 
 men. Poor men sometimes may outstrip them 
 in judgment, and the reason is, you great 
 
xvin REYNARD THE FOX 141 
 
 scholars study so much that you grow dull, in 
 that you so much over-labour." 
 
 * And thus with these mocks and taunts I 
 brought the wolf within a hair's- breadth of 
 destruction. And now, fair nephew, I have 
 unladed my conscience, and delivered as many 
 of my sins as I can call to my remembrance, 
 wherefore, I beseech you, let me receive ab- 
 solution and penance, and then come what 
 chance shall at the court, I am armed against 
 all dangers.' 
 
 Then Grimbard said, ' Your trespasses are 
 great and heinous, nevertheless, who is dead 
 must abide dead. And therefore here I freely 
 absolve you, upon assurance of your hearty 
 repentance ; only the contempt you made in 
 sending him Kyward's head, and the abuse 
 of so many falsehoods will lie heavy upon you.' 
 
 ' Why,' said the fox, ' he that will live in 
 the world to see this, hear that, and under- 
 stand the third, must ever converse with 
 affliction. No man can touch honey but he 
 must lick his fingers. I often feel touches of 
 repentance, but reason and our will are ever 
 in continual combat, so that I often stand still 
 as at my wits' end, and cry out against my 
 sins, feeling a detestation of them. But pre- 
 
142 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 sently the world and her vanities appear to me 
 again, and when I find so many stones and 
 rubs in my way, and the examples of the crafty 
 men of all degrees, to enchant me, I am forth- 
 with taken again. 
 
 ' The world fills me with covetousness, and 
 the flesh with wantonness, so that losing my 
 good resolutions, I am only for evil and 
 wickedness. I hear their singing, piping, 
 laughing, playing, and all kind of mirth, and 
 I see their words and actions so contrary, that 
 nothing is more uncertain and various ; from 
 them I learn my lying, and from lords' courts 
 my flattery ; for certainly lords, ladies, and 
 clerks use most dissimulation. 
 
 * It is now an offence to tell great men truth ; 
 and he that cannot dissemble cannot live. I 
 have oft heard men speak truth, yet they have 
 still graced it with falsehood ; for untruths 
 many times happen into discourse unwillingly 
 and without knowledge, yet having a handsome 
 garment it ever goes for current. Dear nephew, 
 it is now a fashion to lie, flatter, soothe, threaten, 
 pray, and curse, and to do anything that may 
 keep the weak in subjection ; who does other- 
 wise is held foolish. But he that cannot wimple 
 falsehood in truth's kerchief, hath neither art 
 
xviii REYNARD THE EOX 143 
 
 nor cunning ; but he that can do it, and de- 
 liver error without stammering, he may do 
 wonders, he may wear scarlet, gray, or purple ; 
 he shall gain both by the laws spiritual and 
 temporal, and write himself conqueror in every 
 designment. 
 
 ' There be many that imagine they can lie 
 neatly, but their cunning oft fails them, so that 
 when they think to feed of the fat morsels, 
 they slip quite beside their trenchers. Others 
 are blunt and foolish, and for want of method 
 mar all their discourses ; but he that can give 
 to his lie a fit and an apt conclusion, can pro- 
 nounce it without rattling, and make it as 
 truth appear fair and amiable ; that is the man, 
 and worthy of admiration. 
 
 * But to speak truth is no cunning, it never 
 makes the evil one laugh. To lie well and 
 with a grace ; to lift up wrong above right ; 
 to make mountains and build castles in the air ; 
 to make men juggle and look through their 
 fingers, and all for the hope of gain only : this, 
 nephew, is an art beyond expression ; yet ever- 
 more of the end cometh misery and affliction. 
 I will not deny but sometimes men may jest 
 or lie in small things, for he that will speak 
 all truths shall sometimes speak out of season. 
 
144 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 To play Placebo may now and then be borne 
 with ; for whoso always speaks truth shall find 
 many rubs in his way ; men may err for need 
 and mend it by counsel, since no trespass but 
 hath his mercy, nor any wisdom but at some 
 time dulleth.' 
 
 ' Then,' said the brock, * uncle, you are so 
 wise you cannot fail in any purpose, and I 
 would grow enamoured of you ; your reasons 
 so far surpass my understanding, that it is no 
 need of your shrift, for yourself may play 
 both the priest and confessor ; you know the 
 world in such sort, that it is impossible for 
 any man to halt before you.' 
 
 With these and such manner of discourses 
 they held on their journey towards the court ; 
 the fox's heart, for all his fair show, was sad 
 and heavy, yet his countenance betrayed it 
 not ; but he passed without amazement through 
 all the press of the court, even till he came to 
 the presence of the King, and the brock 
 marched close by his side, saying, ' Uncle, be 
 not afraid, but be of good cheer ; it is courage 
 of whom fortune is ever enamoured.' 
 
 1 Then,' said the fox, ' nephew, you say 
 true, and your comfort avails me.' 
 
 And so on he went, casting a disdainful 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 145 
 
 countenance on those he liked not ; or as one 
 would say, Here I am, what is it that the 
 proudest of you dare object against me ? He 
 beheld there many of his kin which he knew 
 
 loved him not, as the Otter, the Beaver, and 
 divers others which I will name hereafter ; 
 and many he saw which loved him. As soon 
 as he was come in the view of the King, he 
 fell down humbly on his knee, and spake as 
 followeth. 
 
CHAPTER XIX 
 
 How Reynard the Fox excused himself before the 
 King, and of the King's anszver. 
 
 ' THAT divine power from whom nothing can 
 be hid, save my Lord the King, and my Lady 
 the Queen, and give them grace to know who 
 hath right and who hath wrong, for there 
 are many false shows in the world, and the 
 countenance bewrayeth not the heart. This 
 I wish were openly revealed, and that every 
 creature's trespass stood written on his fore- 
 head, albeit it cost me the uttermost of my 
 substance, or that you, my Sovereign Lord, 
 knew me as well as myself, and how I dispose 
 myself early and late, labouring in your service. 
 For which cause only malice makes all her 
 complaints against me, striving to thrust me 
 out of your grace and favour, insomuch that 
 out of my anguish I must needs cry shame 
 upon them which have so deadly belied me. 
 
CHAP, xix REYNARD THE FOX 147 
 
 ' Nevertheless, I know that you, my Lord 
 and Sovereign Lady, are so excellent in your 
 judgment, that you will not be carried away 
 with falsehoods ; and therefore I most humbly 
 beseech your Majesties to take into your 
 wisdom all things according to the right of 
 your laws. For it is justice I look for, and 
 desire that he which is found guilty may feel 
 the weight of his punishment. For believe 
 it, dread Lord, it shall be known before I 
 depart from your court who I am, that I cannot 
 flatter, but will show my face with an un- 
 blemished forehead.' 
 
 All they that were in the presence stood 
 amazed, and wondered when the fox spake 
 so stoutly. But the King, with a stately 
 countenance, said, ' Reynard, I know you are 
 expert in fallacies, but words are now too 
 weak to relieve you. I believe this day will 
 be the last of your glory and disgrace ; for me, 
 I will not chide you much, because I intend 
 you shall live but a short time ; the love you 
 do bear me you have showed to the coney 
 and the rook, and your requital shall be a 
 short life on earth. The ancient saying is, 
 A pitcher may pass often to the water, but in 
 the end it comes broken home. And your evils 
 
148 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 have so long succeeded, that they will now pay 
 you the hazard.' 
 
 At these words Reynard was stricken into 
 
 a great fear, and wished himself far away ; 
 yet he bethought himself that now he must 
 bear through, what fortune soever came. 
 Whereupon he said, ' My Sovereign Lord 
 
xix REYNARD THE FOX 149 
 
 the King, it is but justice that you hear me 
 answer my accusations, for were my faults 
 more heinous than envy can make them, yet 
 equity gives the accused leave ever to answer. 
 I have with my counsel done you service in 
 former times, and may no less still. I have 
 never started from your Majesties, but walked 
 by your side when others have gone from 
 your presence ; if then mine enemies with 
 their slanders shall prevail against me, blame 
 me not to complain. Time hath been it was 
 otherwise, and mine may bring it to the old 
 course, for the actions of good servants ought 
 not to be forgotten. 
 
 * I see here divers of my kindred and friends 
 which now make no value of me, whom I can 
 prove go about to deprive you of the best 
 servant you possess. Can your Majesty 
 imagine if I had been guilty in the least 
 imagined crime that I would thus voluntarily 
 have made my appearance even in the throng 
 of mine enemies ? Oh, it had been too much 
 indiscretion, nor would the liberty I had been 
 so easily subjected. But Heaven be thanked 
 I know mine innocence, and dare confront my 
 worst enemy. 
 
 ' Yet when my kinsman Grimbard first 
 
150 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 brought me the tidings, I must confess I was 
 half distracted with anger, and had I not been 
 
 in the censure of his church, I had appeared 
 ere they had left complaining, but that detained 
 me. And I wandered with sorrow on the 
 heath, till I met with my uncle Martin, the 
 
xix REYNARD THE FOX 151 
 
 ape, who far exceedeth any priest in pastoral 
 business, for he hath been attorney to the 
 bishop of Camerick any time this nine years ; 
 and seeing me in this great agony of heart, 
 he said, " Dear cousin, why are you thus heavy 
 in spirit, and why is your countenance dejected ? 
 Grief is easy to carry when the burden is 
 divided amongst friends ; for the nature of a 
 true friend is to behold and relieve that which 
 anguish will not suffer the oppressed to see 
 or suffer." 
 
 ' Then I answered him, " You say true, 
 dear uncle, and the like is my fortune, for 
 sorrow is without cause laid upon me, and of 
 that I am not guilty ; I am accused by those 
 I ranked with my best friends : as namely, the 
 coney, who came yesterday to my house as I 
 was saying Matins, saying he was travelling 
 towards the court, but was at that time both 
 hungry and weary, and therefore requested 
 of me some meat. I willingly consented, took 
 him in and gave him a couple of manchets and 
 sweet butter, for it was on Wednesday, on which 
 day I never eat flesh. Besides, it was then 
 a fast, by reason the feast of Whitsuntide was 
 near. At which time we must have cleansed 
 and prepared hearts, Et vos e stole par ati. 
 
152 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 ' " Now when he had almost well refreshed 
 himself, my youngest son Rosscl came in and 
 offered to take away what he had left, for you 
 know the nature of children is ever to be 
 eating and craving ; but presently the coney 
 smote Rossel on the mouth, that his teeth bled, 
 and the poor fool fell down almost in a swoon, 
 which when Reynardine, my eldest son, beheld, 
 he forthwith leaped to the coney, and caught 
 him by the head, and questionless had slain 
 him, had I not come to the rescue. Which 
 done, I went and gave my son correction for 
 his fault. But presently Laprell the coney 
 posted to my Lord the King, and gave 
 information that myself sought means to 
 murder him. Thus I am accused without 
 cause, and brought in danger, that in truth 
 have best cause to accuse others. 
 
 ' " But not long after came Corbaut the rook 
 flying to my house with a sad noise. And 
 demanding what he ailed ? he answered, 
 ' Alas, my wife is dead.' I craved the cause; 
 he said, ' A dead hare lying on the heath full 
 of maggots and vermin, of which she had eaten 
 so much, that the worms had gnawed her 
 throat in sunder ' ; and without speaking to me 
 any more words, away he flew, leaving me much 
 
xix REYNARD THE FOX 153 
 
 amazed ; and now reports that I slew his wife, 
 which how could I by any possible means do, 
 considering she flieth in the air and I walk afoot 
 on the ground ? Thus, dear uncle, you see how 
 I am slandered, but it may be it is for my old 
 sins, and therefore I bear it with more patience." 
 * Then said the ape to me, " Nephew, you 
 shall go to the court and disprove their false- 
 hoods." "Alas, uncle," quoth I, " it cannot 
 be, for the archdeacon hath put me in the 
 Pope's curse, because I gave counsel to the 
 wolf to forsake his holy orders, when he com- 
 plained to me of his unableness to endure that 
 strict life and much fasting ; of which act I 
 now much repent me, since he repayeth my 
 love with nothing but hatred and malice ; and 
 with all the slanders he can invent, stirreth 
 his Majesty daily against me. These things, 
 dear uncle, bring me to my wits' end, for of 
 necessity I must go to Rome for absolution ; 
 and in mine absence, what injury may happen 
 to my wife and children through the malice of 
 these bloody wretches, any one may guess. 
 Whereas, on the other part, were I free of the 
 Pope's curse, then I could go to the court, and 
 plead mine own cause, and turn their malice 
 into their own bosoms." 
 
154 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 ' Then said the ape, " Cousin, cast off your 
 sorrow, for I know the way to Rome well, and 
 am experienced in these businesses, for I am 
 called the bishop's clerk, therefore I will go 
 thither, and enter a plea against the archdeacon, 
 and in spite of his will, bring you from the 
 Pope a well-sealed absolution. 
 
 ' " Tut, man, I have many great friends 
 there, as mine uncle Simon and others, 
 Prentout, Waytescathe, and the like, all which 
 will stand unto me ; besides, I will not go 
 unfurnished of money, for I know praters are 
 best heard with gifts, and the law hath no feet 
 to walk on but money. A true friend is tried 
 in necessity, and you shall find me without 
 dissembling ; therefore cast off your grief, and 
 go to the court as soon as you can, for I will 
 presently to Rome, and in the meantime, here I 
 quit you of all your sins and offences, and only 
 put them upon myself. 
 
 ' " When you come to the court you shall 
 find there Dame Rukenaw my wife, her two 
 sisters, and my three children, with divers 
 others of our family. I pray you salute them 
 from me, and show them mine occasions ; my 
 wife is exceeding wise, and she shall find that 
 her distressed friends shall not shrink when I 
 
xix REYNARD THE FOX 155 
 
 can help them. I know she is faithful, and as 
 behoves her will never leave her friend in 
 danger. At the uttermost, if your oppression 
 be more than you can bear, send presently to 
 me to Rome, and not an enemy that you have, 
 be it king or queen, or subject, even from the 
 highest to the lowest, but I will presently put 
 them in the Pope's curse, and send back such 
 an interdiction, that no holy or sacred duty 
 shall be performed till you have right and 
 justice restored you. 
 
 ' " This assure yourself I can easily perform, 
 for his holiness is very old and little regarded, 
 and only now cardinal Paregold beareth all the 
 sway in the conclave, as being young, and 
 rich in many friends ; besides, he hath a 
 favourite, of whom he is far enamoured, that 
 he denies nothing she demandeth. His lady is 
 my niece, and will do whatsoever I request her ; 
 therefore, cousin, go boldly to the King, and 
 charge him to do you justice, which I know he 
 will, since he understands the laws are made 
 for the use of all men." 
 
 * This, my Sovereign Lord the King, when 
 I heard him speak I smiled, and with great 
 joy came hither to relate unto you the truth ; 
 therefore, if there be any creature within this 
 
156 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 court that can charge me with any trespass 
 whatsoever, and prove it by testimony as the 
 law requireth, or if otherwise, he will oppose 
 himself against me, person to person, grant me 
 but a day, and equal lists, and in combat I will 
 maintain my innocence against him, provided 
 he be equal to me in birth and degree ; this 
 law hath ever hitherto stood constant, and I 
 
 hope neither in me, for me, or by me, it shall 
 now be broken.' 
 
 When all the assembly of beasts heard this, 
 they were dumb and amazed to behold his 
 stoutness. As for the coney and the rook, they 
 were so scared they durst not speak, but 
 privately stole away out of the court, and being 
 far on the plain, they said, ' This devilish 
 murderer hath such art in his falsehood, that 
 no truth can look with better countenance, 
 
xix REYNARD THE FOX 157 
 
 which only ourselves know ; but having no 
 other witness, therefore it is better we 
 depart than try combat with him, which is 
 so much too strong for us ' ; and so away they 
 went. 
 
 Isegrim the wolf, and Bruin the bear, were 
 very sad when they saw these two forsake the 
 court; whereupon the King said, ' If any will 
 appeal the fox, let him come forth, and he shall 
 be heard ; yesterday we were laden with com- 
 plaints, where are they to-day? Here is the 
 fox ready to answer.' 
 
 Then said the fox, ' My Sovereign Lord, 
 absence makes impudent accusers when 
 presence daunts them, as your highness may 
 see both by the coney and the rook. Oh, what 
 it is to trust the malice of these cowards, and 
 how soon they may confound good men ; but 
 for me it matters not ; nevertheless, had they, 
 at your Majesty's commandment, but asked me 
 forgiveness, I had quickly cast all their offences 
 behind me, for I will ever shake hands with 
 charity, and not hate or complain of mine 
 enemies ; my revenge I leave to Heaven, and 
 justice to your Majesties.' 
 
 Then said the King, ' Reynard \ you speak 
 well, if the inward heart be like the outward 
 
158 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 show, yet I fear your grief is not such as you 
 express it.' 
 
 ' It far surmounts it/ said the fox. 
 
 ' No,' quoth the King, ' for I must charge 
 you with one foul treason, which is, when I 
 had pardoned all your great transgressions, 
 and you had promised me to go a pilgrimage 
 to the Holy Land ; when I had furnished you 
 with mail, state, and all things fitting that holy 
 order ; then in the greatest despite you sent 
 me back in the mail by Bellin the ram the 
 head of Kyward the hare, a thing so notoriously 
 to my disgrace and dishonour, that no treason 
 can be fouler. This you have no colour to 
 deny, for Bellin, our chaplain, at his death 
 revealed the whole process, and the same 
 reward which he then gained, the same you 
 shall receive, or else right shall fail me.' 
 
 At this sentence Reynard grew so sore 
 afraid that he knew not what to say, but 
 looked with a pitiable countenance upon all his 
 kindred which stood round about him ; his 
 colour went and came, and his heart fainted, 
 but none lent him either hand or foot to help 
 him. 
 
 Then the King said, ' Thou dissembling 
 and false traitor, why art thou now dumb ? ' 
 
xix REYNARD THE FOX 159 
 
 But the fox, being full of anguish, fetched a 
 sigh as if his heart would have broken, so that 
 every beast pitied him, save only the bear 
 and the wolf, who much rejoiced to behold his 
 sorrow. 
 
CHAPTER XX 
 
 How Dame Rukenaw answered for the Fox to the 
 King, and of the parable she told. 
 
 DAME Rukenaw the she ape, being aunt unto 
 Reynard, and a great favourite of the Queen, 
 was much grieved when she saw this dis- 
 traction ; and it was well for the fox that she 
 was in the presence, for she was exceeding wise, 
 and durst boldly speak ; and therefore rising 
 up, after reverence done, she said, ' My Lord 
 the King, you ought not to be possessed with 
 anger when you sit in judgment, for it becometh 
 not nobility to be void of reason ; it is discretion 
 which should only accompany you in that 
 reason ; for my own part, I think I know the laws 
 as well as some which wear furred gowns, for I 
 have read many, and put some in use. It is 
 well known I had ever in the Pope's palace a 
 bed of straw, when other beasts lay on the bare 
 ground, and I was ever suffered to speak freely 
 
CHAP, xx REYNARD THE FOX 161 
 
 without interruption because I talk not beyond 
 mine experience. 
 
 'It is Seneca s opinion, that princes are 
 bound to do justice to all men, nor may the 
 law waver or halt with any partiality. I do 
 not think but if every man which standeth 
 here should call to account all the actions of 
 
 his life, he could not choose but pity much the 
 state of my poor kinsman Reynard, and there- 
 fore I wish every one to know himself, for 
 none so sure but they may fall, and for him 
 that never erred, he is so good that he needeth 
 no amendment. To do amiss and mend it by 
 counsel is humane and manly ; but to trespass 
 and still gallop forward in iniquity is insuffer- 
 
 M 
 
1 62 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 able. Goodness never forsaketh her own 
 servants. 
 
 ( This counsel would some take to their 
 hearts, the day would not appear so dark as it 
 doth to my cousin Reynard. It is well known 
 that both his grandfather and father ever bore 
 greater reputation in this court than either 
 Bruin or Isegrim, or their whole generations. 
 Alas ! when have their counsels or wisdoms 
 been worthy to have held comparison with 
 those of my cousin Reynard's ? Why, the 
 passages of the world are to them prophecies 
 which they understand not, and the court is 
 turned topsy-turvy by his absence ; the evil 
 are now advanced and the good suppressed ; 
 but how this can long endure I see not, since 
 the end of their labour is but the ruin of your 
 Majesty.' 
 
 To this speech the King made this answer : 
 * Dame, had the fox done that offence to you 
 that he hath done to others, your excuse would 
 couch in another nature ; you cannot blame 
 me to hate him, since it is only he which 
 breaketh my laws and covenants. You have 
 heard him accused of theft, murder, and treason, 
 how can you then defend him? If you will 
 needs make him your saint, then set him upon 
 
xx REYNARD THE FOX 163 
 
 the altar and do him worship ; but believe it, 
 there is no one good thing in him ; and how- 
 ever you imagine, yet search him and you 
 shall find him rotten and deformed. There 
 is neither kinsman nor friend but yourself that 
 will assist him, and therefore your violence 
 draws my greater wonder. What companion 
 hath he that ever thrived by his society, or 
 whom hath he smiled on, that his tail hath not 
 after dashed out the eye of ? ' 
 
 To this the she ape replied : ' My Lord, I 
 love him, and have ever borne him a singular 
 reverence, and I can well recount one noble 
 and good action he did in your presence, for 
 which then you thanked him, though it be now 
 forgotten ; yet the heaviest thing should ever 
 weigh the most, and men should keep a 
 measure in their affections, and not hate nor 
 love with violence, since constancy is the 
 greatest ornament of a princely nature. We 
 should not praise the day till the evening come, 
 nor is good counsel available but to those 
 which mean to pursue it. 
 
 ' I remember about some two years since 
 there came to this court a man and a serpent, 
 to have judgment in a doubtful controversy; 
 for the serpent attempting to go through a 
 
164 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 hedge was taken by the neck with a snare, so 
 that there was no way for him to escape with 
 life. A certain man passing by, the serpent 
 called and cried unto him and desired his help, 
 or else he should perish presently. The man 
 taking pity of him said, " If thou wilt faithfully 
 promise me neither to do me hurt with thy 
 tooth or tail, nor other poison about thee, I 
 will release thee." The serpent presently 
 swore " he would not, neither at that time nor 
 any time hereafter" ; so the man unloosed him 
 and set him free, and they went forth and 
 travelled together a long season. 
 
 ' At the last the serpent grew exceeding 
 hungry, and rushing upon the man offered to 
 kill him ; but the man started aside, and said, 
 "What meanest thou to do? hast thou for- 
 gotten thine oath ? " The serpent replied, 
 " No ; but I may justly kill thee since I am 
 compelled thereto by hunger, which cancelleth 
 all obligations." Then the man said, " If it be 
 so, yet give me leave to live till we may meet 
 with the next passenger which may judge the 
 controversy." 
 
 ' The serpent agreed thereto ; so they 
 travelled till they met with Tisellin the raven, 
 and Slinopere his son, to whom relating the 
 
xx REYNARD THE FOX 165 
 
 difference, the raven adjudged that the serpent 
 should eat the man, hoping that he and his 
 son should get a share also. But the man 
 said, " How shall he that is a robber and lives 
 by blood judge this cause ? It must not be one 
 but divers, and such as know both law and 
 equity, that must judge this contention : the 
 raven is neither just nor indifferent." 
 
 ' Then they travelled till they met the bear 
 and the wolf, unto whom also they told the 
 matter, and they adjudged as against the man 
 likewise. Then the serpent began to cast his 
 venom at the man ; but the man leaped away, 
 and said, " You do me wrong thus to attempt 
 to kill me" ; and the serpent said, " Hath not 
 the judgment gone twice on my side ? " " Yes," 
 said the man, " by such as are murderers them- 
 selves, and such as never keep promise ; but 
 I appeal unto the court, let me be tried by 
 your King, and what judgment he giveth I 
 will willingly abide." 
 
 ' To this they all consented : so they came 
 to the court before your Majesty, and the 
 wolf's two children came with their father, the 
 one was called Empty-bell, the other Ever-full, 
 because they sought to devour the man. So 
 the full process of the matter was declared to 
 
1 66 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 your Majesty ; both the man's kindness and 
 covenant, the serpent's danger and faith breach, 
 occasioned through the extremity of hunger. 
 Remember how much your highness was per- 
 plexed with their difference, and all your council 
 also. For the man's sorrow, the serpent's 
 hunger ; the man's goodness, and the serpent's 
 ingratitude, equally raised much pity in your 
 bosom. But in the end such doubts rose that 
 not any in your court was able to judge it. 
 
 ' At last, when no help could be found, then 
 you commanded my kinsman Reynard to decide 
 the business. Then was he the oracle of the 
 court, nor was anything received but what he 
 propounded ; but he told your Majesty it was 
 impossible to give true judgment according to 
 their relations ; but if he might see the serpent 
 in that manner as he was fettered, and the 
 greatness of his danger, then he knew well 
 how to give judgment therein. Then you 
 commended him, and called him by the title of 
 Lord Reynard, approving that to be done which 
 he had spoken. 
 
 ' Then went the man and the serpent to 
 the place where the serpent was snared, and 
 Reynard commanded the serpent to be fastened 
 as before in the snickle, which being done, 
 
xx REYNARD THE FOX 167 
 
 then said your Majesty, " Reynard, what judg- 
 ment will you now give ? " and he replied, 
 " They are now, my Lord, in the same state 
 they were before at their first encounter : 
 they have neither won nor lost ; therefore this 
 is my censure, if it be your Majesty's pleasure. 
 If the man will now loose and unbind the 
 serpent upon the same promise and oath made 
 formerly unto him, he may at his pleasure ; but 
 if he think that hunger or other inconvenience 
 will make him break his faith, then may the 
 man go freely whither he will, and leave the 
 serpent bound and enthralled as he first found 
 him ; for it is fit that ingratitude be so repaid." 
 
 1 This judgment your Majesty then ap- 
 plauded for most excellent, and held the 
 wisdom of the fox unlimitable, terming him 
 the preserver of your honour. When did 
 ever the bear or wolf the like ? They can howl 
 or scold, steal, rob, and eat fat morsels, make 
 their sides crack with others' ruin, and con- 
 demn him to death who takes a chicken ; but 
 themselves which kill kine, oxen, and horses, 
 oh, they go safe and be accounted as wise as 
 Solomon, Avicenna, or Aristotle, and their deeds 
 and statutes must be read for monuments. 
 But if they come where virtue is to be exer- 
 
1 68 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 cised, they are the first which retreat and let 
 the simple go foremost, whilst they follow in 
 the retreat with shame and cowardice. 
 
 ' These, my Lord, and their like are the 
 fools of the corrupt times, yet destroy towns, 
 castles, lands, and people ; nor care they whose 
 house burneth so they may warm them by the 
 fire ; for it is their profit only at which their 
 aim bendeth. But Reynard the fox and all 
 his family have ever made the honour of the 
 King their renown and advancement, and ap- 
 plied their counsel to do him service, not pride 
 and boasting ; this hath been and is his exer- 
 cise, though it now be thankless. But time, 
 I hope, will produce whose merit is greatest. 
 
 ' Your Majesty says his kindred are all fallen 
 from him, and start at his fortune ; would any 
 but your highness had affirmed it ; you should 
 then have seen there could not be a thing of 
 greater falsehood. But your grace may say 
 your pleasure, nor will I in any word oppose 
 you, for to him that durst so do would both he 
 and we bend our forces. 
 
 ' It is known we dare fight, nor are we de- 
 scended of any base generation ; your highness 
 may call to mind the worth of our pedigree, 
 and how dearly from time to time they have 
 
xx REYNARD THE FOX 169 
 
 respected him, willing ever to lay down their 
 lives and goods for the safety of their noble 
 kinsman Reynard. For mine own part I am 
 one myself, and albeit I am the wife of another, 
 yet for him I would not stick to spend my 
 dearest blood. Besides, I have three full- 
 grown children, which are known valiant and 
 strong in arms, yet for his sake I would ad- 
 venture them all to the uttermost peril. Albeit 
 1 love them with that dear affection that no 
 mother doth exceed me. My first son is called 
 Bitelus which is most active and nimble, my 
 second, F^llromp, the third is a daughter called 
 Hatanet ; and these three are loving and dear 
 to one another.' 
 
 With that she called them forth unto her, 
 and said, ' Come, my dear children, and stand 
 with your kinsman the noble Reynard, and 
 with you come all the rest of our ancient 
 family, and be all petitioners to the King, 
 that he would do to Reynard the equity of 
 his laws and kingdom.' 
 
 Then presently came forth a world of other 
 beasts, as the squirrel and the ferret ; for 
 those love poultry as well as Reynard doth. 
 Then came the otter and Pantecrote his wife, 
 which I had almost forgotten, because in 
 
1 70 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 former time they had taken part with the 
 bear against the fox, but now they dare not 
 but obey Dame Rukenaw, for they stood in 
 awe of her wisdom and greatness ; and with 
 these came above twenty other beasts for 
 her sake and stood by Reynard. Then came 
 also Dame Atrot and her two sisters, the 
 weasel and ermine, the ass, the sow, the 
 water-cat, and many others, to the number 
 almost of a hundred, and stood by Reynard 
 with such affection, as if his trouble did 
 equally concern them. 
 
 Then said the ape, * My Lord the King, 
 now you may see that my kinsman hath 
 friends which dare avow him, and we are 
 your true and loyal subjects, which will never 
 fail to do you faithful service. Therefore, let 
 us with one voice beg of your Majesty, that 
 Reynard may 'have justice ; and if he be not 
 able to disprove his adversaries, and clear 
 the crimes imputed against him, let the law 
 pass, for we will not murmur to see his 
 destruction.' 
 
 Then said the Queen to Rukenaw, ' Thus 
 much I told unto his Majesty yesterday, but 
 his anger was so great he would not give 
 ear to me.' 
 
xx REYNARD THE FOX 171 
 
 Also the leopard said, ' Sire, you must 
 judge according to witness, for to be governed 
 by will is tyrannous and ignoble.' 
 
 Then answered the King, ' It is true you 
 inform me ; but the disgrace done to my 
 particular self in KywarcCs death and other 
 informations so robbed me of patience, that 
 I had no leisure to look back either to law 
 or reason. Therefore, now let the fox speak 
 boldly, and if he can justly acquit himself of 
 the crimes laid against him, I shall gladly 
 restore him his liberty, and the rather for 
 you his dear friends' sake, whom I have ever 
 found faithful and loyal.' 
 
 Oh how infinitely glad was the fox when 
 he heard these words, and said in himself, 
 ' Thanks, my noble aunt, a thousand times, 
 thou hast put me new blossoms on my dried 
 roses, and set me in a fair path to liberty. 
 I have one good foot to dance on ; and I 
 doubt not but to use my art of dissimulation 
 so bravely, that this day shall be remembered 
 for my renown and victory.' 
 
CHAPTER XXI 
 
 How Reynard excused liimself of Kyward's death y 
 and all other imputations, got the King's favour, 
 and made a relation of certain Jewels. 
 
 THEN spake Reynard the fox to the King, 
 and said, ' Alas, my Sovereign Lord, what is 
 that you said? Is good Kyward the hare 
 dead? Oh where is then Bellin the ram, or 
 what did he bring to your Majesty at his 
 return ? For it is certain I delivered him 
 three rich and inestimable jewels, I would 
 not for the wealth of India they should be 
 detained from you ; the chief of them I 
 determined for you my Lord the King, and 
 the other two for my Sovereign Lady the 
 Queen.' 
 
 ' But,' said the King, ' I received nothing 
 but the head of poor murdered Kyward, for 
 which I executed the ram, having confessed the 
 deed to be done by his advice and counsel.' 
 
CHAP, xxi REYNARD THE FOX 173 
 
 ' Is this true ? ' said the fox ; ' then woe is 
 me that ever I was born, for there are lost 
 the goodliest jewels that ever were in the 
 possession of any prince living ; would I had 
 died when you were thus defrauded ; for I 
 know it will be the death of my wife, nor will 
 she ever henceforth esteem me.' 
 
 Then said the she ape, * Dear nephew, 
 why should you sorrow thus for transitory 
 wealth ? Let them go, only discourse what 
 manner of jewels they were, it may be we 
 shall find them again ; if not, the magician 
 M. Alkarin shall labour his books and search 
 all the corners of the earth. Besides, who- 
 soever detains them shall be cursed in all 
 parishes till he restore them to the King's 
 Majesty.' 
 
 ' O aunt,' said the fox, * do not persuade 
 yourself so, for whosoever hath them will not 
 restore them to gain an empire, they are so 
 goodly and precious ; yet your words do some- 
 thing appease me. But whom shall we trust 
 in this corrupt age, when even sanctity itself 
 walks masked and mistaken ? ' 
 
 And then fetching a deep sigh, with which 
 he gilded his dissimulation, he proceeded on 
 and said, ' Hearken all you of my stock and 
 
174 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 lineage, for I will here discover what these 
 rich jewels were, of which both I and the 
 King are defrauded. The first of them, and 
 which indeed I intended for his Majesty, was 
 a ring of fine and pure gold, and within this 
 ring next the finger were engraven letters 
 enamelled with azure and sables, containing 
 three Hebrew names. For my own part, 
 I could neither read nor spell them ; but 
 M. Adrian of Trere, the excellent linguist, who 
 knoweth the natures of all manner of herbs, 
 beasts, and minerals, to this famous Jew I 
 showed the ring once, and he assured me 
 that they were those three names which Seth 
 brought out of Paradise when he brought to 
 his father Adam the oil of mercy. And 
 whosoever shall wear these three names about 
 him shall never be hurt by thunder or 
 lightning, neither shall any witchcraft have 
 power over him ; he shall not be tempted to 
 do any sins, neither shall heat nor cold ever 
 annoy him. 
 
 ' Upon the top of the ring was encased a 
 most precious stone of three several colours : 
 the first like red crystal, and glittering like 
 fire, and that with such brightness, that if 
 one had occasion to journey by night, the 
 
xxi REYNARD THE FOX 175 
 
 light thereof was so great as that at noon- 
 day ; the other colour was white and clear, 
 as if it had been burnished, and the virtue 
 of it was to cure any blemish or soreness in 
 the eyes, or any part of the body ; also by 
 stroking the place grieved therewithal, it 
 presently cured all manner of swellings, 
 headache, or any sickness whatsoever, whether 
 it were venom, weakness of stomach, colic, 
 stone, strangles, fistula, or canker, either 
 outwardly applied as aforeshown, or inwardly, 
 by steeping the stone in water, and then 
 drinking the same ; the last colour was 
 green like grass mixed with a few small 
 spots of purple ; and the learned affirmed for 
 truth, that whosoever wears this stone about 
 him could never be vanquished by his 
 enemies, and that no creature were he never 
 so strong and hardy, but he shall yield to 
 him, and he should be victor day and night 
 in all places. 
 
 1 Again, as far as one bore it fasting, into 
 what company soever he chanced, albeit his 
 worst enemies, yet should he be of them 
 infinitely beloved, nor should any anger or 
 evil turn be remembered. Also, if one 
 should be naked in a vast wild field against 
 
i;6 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 an hundred armed enemies, yet should not 
 his heart fail him, but he should come off 
 with honour and victory ; only he must be 
 nobly bred, and of no churlish disposition ; 
 for the ring gave no virtue to any which 
 was not a true gentleman. Now all these 
 virtues considered, I thought myself unworthy 
 to keep it, and therefore I sent it to you, 
 my Lord the King, knowing you to be the 
 most excellent of all creatures living, and 
 one on whom all our lives depend, and 
 therefore fittest to be guarded with so rich 
 a jewel. 
 
 ' This ring I found in my father's treasure, 
 and in the same place also I found a comb 
 and a glass mirror, which my wife desired of 
 me ; they were jewels of great wonder and 
 admiration ; these were sent to my lady the 
 Queen, because of her grace and mercy 
 extended towards me. 
 
 ' To speak of the comb, it can never be 
 too much praised, for it was made of the 
 bone of a noble beast named Panther, which 
 liveth between the great India and earthly 
 Paradise; he is so goodly and fair of colour 
 that there is no beautiful colour under heaven 
 but some splendour thereof appears in him ; 
 
xxi REYNARD THE FOX 177 
 
 also the smell of him is delicately sweet and 
 wholesome, that the very savour cureth all 
 infirmities, and for his excellent beauty and 
 rare odour all other beasts attend and follow 
 him, for he is the physician to all their 
 sicknesses. 
 
 ' The Panther hath one fair bone broad and 
 thin, which, whensoever this beast is slain, all 
 the virtues of the whole beast do rest in that 
 bone, which can never be broken, nor ever 
 rot, consume or perish either by fire, water, 
 or other violence, yet it is so light a small 
 feather may poise it. The smell of it hath 
 that virtue, that whosoever smells it, taketh 
 delight in no other thing whatsoever, and they 
 are presently eased of all manner of diseases 
 and infirmities, and the heart is cheerful and 
 merry ever after. 
 
 ' This comb is polished like unto fine silver, 
 and the teeth of it are small and straight, and 
 between the great teeth and the small in a 
 large field or space, there is graven many an 
 image, subtilely made, and cunningly enamelled 
 about with fine gold ; the field is checked with 
 sables and silver, and enamelled with cybor 
 and azure ; and therein is contained the story 
 how Venus, Juno, and Pallas strove for the 
 
 N 
 
i;8 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 golden ball in the mountain Ida, and how it 
 was put to Paris, to give it to the fairest of 
 them. 
 
 * Now for the glass mirror, it was not 
 inferior to either of the other ; for the glass 
 which stood thereon was of such virtue that 
 men might see and perceive therein what- 
 soever was done within a mile thereof, whether 
 it were the actions of men, or beasts, or any- 
 thing else the owner would desire to know, 
 and whosoever but gazed therein, if he had 
 any malady whatsoever, it was presently cured. 
 So great were the virtues of this rare glass, 
 that wonder not if I shed tears to think of 
 the loss ; for the wood in which this glass 
 stood was light and fast, and is called catine, 
 it will last for ever ; for no worms, dust, wet, 
 or time can consume it ; and therefore King 
 Solomon ceiled his temple with the same. 
 The value exceeds far the value of gold ; it is 
 like to the wood hebenus, of which King 
 Crampart made a horse, for the love of the 
 most beautiful daughter of King Morcadiges. 
 
 ' This horse was made with such art within, 
 that whosoever rode on it, if he pleased, he 
 would run above an hundred miles in less than 
 an hour, which was approved by Clamades 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 179 
 
 the King's son, who not believing in the 
 engine, and being young and lusty, leaped 
 upon the horse, and presently Crampart turning 
 a pin that stood in the breast of the engine, 
 
 moved and went out of the palace through the 
 windows, and in the first minute he was gone at 
 least ten miles. Clamades was much affrighted 
 at the wonder, and imagined, as the story said, 
 that he should never have returned back 
 again ; but of his long journey, much fear, 
 
i8o THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 great trouble, and infinite joy, when he had 
 learned to manage and govern the wooden 
 beast, I leave to speak for tediousness' sake, 
 only the high virtue of all issued from the 
 wood. 
 
 ' Of this wood the glass case was made, 
 being larger than the glass by half a foot and 
 more square, upon which verge was deciphered 
 divers many strange histories in gold, in silver, 
 in sables, yellow, azure, and cynope ; and these 
 colours were very curiously wrought and inter 
 laid together, and under each history the 
 words so engraven and enamelled, that any 
 man might read the whole story. 
 
 ' Believe it, the world never produced a 
 thing of greater worth, lustre, or pleasure. 
 In the upper part thereof stood a horse in his 
 natural glory, fat, fair, and fiery, which braved 
 a stately hart which ran before him ; but 
 seeing he could not overtake the hart in 
 swiftness, at which he infinitely disdained, he 
 went to a herdsman standing by, and told him, 
 if he would help him to take a hart which he 
 would show him, he should have all the profit 
 of the conquest, as the horns, skin, and flesh. 
 
 ' Then the herdsman asked him what 
 means he should use to get him. The 
 
xxi REYNARD THE FOX 181 
 
 horse said, " Mount upon my back, and I 
 will bear thee after him, till with tiring we 
 take him." The herdsman took his offer, 
 and bestriding the horse followed the deer; 
 but he fled away so fast, and got so much 
 ground of the horse, that with much labour 
 the horse grew weary, and he bade the herds- 
 man alight, for he would rest himself awhile. 
 But the herdsman said, " I have a bridle on 
 thy head, and spurs on my heels, therefore 
 know thou art now my servant, neither will I 
 part with thee, but govern thee as seems best 
 to my pleasure." Thus the horse brought 
 himself into thraldom and was taken in his 
 own net, for no creature hath a greater 
 adversary than his own envy, and many which 
 labour the hurt of others, still fall upon their 
 own ruin. 
 
 ( In another part were figured an ass and a 
 hound, which were both the servants of a rich 
 man. This man loved his hound exceedingly, 
 and would oft play with him, and suffer the 
 dog to fawn and leap upon him, and now and 
 then to lick him about the mouth. Now when 
 Baldwin the ass saw this, he began to envy 
 the hound, and said, " What sees my master 
 in this foul hound, that he suffers him thus to 
 
1 82 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 leap upon him and kiss him ? I see no profit- 
 able service he doth him. I labour, bear and 
 draw, and do more service in one week than 
 the dog and his whole kind are able to do in 
 a year, and yet have I not the tithe of his 
 favours ; for he sitteth by his trencher, eats 
 the fat of his meat, and lies on carpets and 
 pillows ; when I that do all am fed only with 
 nettles and thistles. Well, I will no longer 
 endure it, but I will study to have my lord's 
 favour as much as the hound, if not in greater 
 measure." 
 
 ' Anon, the master of the house came home, 
 and the ass lifting up his tail leaped with his 
 forefeet on his shoulders, and braying and 
 grinning, and put forth his mouth to kiss him, 
 and used such rude unmannerly action, that he 
 rubbed all the skin from his master's ear, and 
 almost overthrew him, so that the man was 
 forced to cry out, " Help, help, for this ass will 
 kill me." Then came in his servants with 
 staves, and beat the ass so exceedingly, that 
 he was almost slain, which done, he returned 
 to his stall again, and was an ass as he was 
 before. In the same manner, they which do 
 envy and spite at others' welfare, if they 
 receive the same reward, it is nothing more 
 
xxl REYNARD THE FOX 183 
 
 than is due to their merit ; for an ass is an ass 
 and was born to eat thistles ; and where asses 
 govern, there order is never observed, for they 
 have no eye either on this side, or beyond 
 their own private profit ; yet sometimes they 
 are advanced, the more is the pity. 
 
 * In another part was figured the story how 
 my father and Tibert the cat travelled together, 
 and had sworn by their troth that neither for 
 love nor hate they would depart one from the 
 other ; but it happened on a time they saw 
 hunters coming over the fields with a kennel 
 of hounds, from which they fled apace, for their 
 lives were in danger. Then said the fox, 
 "Tibcrt, whither shall we fly? for the hunters 
 have espied us ; for mine own part, I have a 
 thousand wiles to escape them, and as long as 
 we abide together we shall not need to fear 
 them." 
 
 ' But the cat began to sigh, and was 
 exceedingly afraid, and said, " Reynard, what 
 needs many words ? I have but one wile, 
 and that must help me " ; and forthwith he 
 clambered up to the top of a high tree, where 
 he lurked amongst the leaves, that neither 
 huntsman nor hound could hurt him, and left 
 my father to abide the whole hazard, for the 
 
i $4 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, xxi 
 
 whole kennel pursued him, horns and halloos 
 echoing after him, " Kill the fox, kill the fox." 
 
 1 This when J^ibert saw, he mocked my 
 father, and said, " Now, cousin Reynard, it is 
 time to let loose all your wiles, for if your wit 
 fail you, I fear your whole body will perish." 
 This my father hearing from him he most 
 trusted, and being then in the height of 
 pursuit, wearied and almost spent, he let his 
 mail slip from his shoulders, to make himself 
 so much lighter ; yet all availed not, for the 
 hounds were so swift they had caught him, 
 had he not by chance espied a hole, into 
 which he entered, and escaped the hounds and 
 huntsmen. 
 
 ' Thus you may see the false faith of the cat, 
 whose like there be many living at this time, 
 and though this might well excuse me from 
 loving the cat, yet my soul's health and charity 
 bind me to the contrary, and I wish him no 
 hurt, though his misfortunes shall never be 
 grievous to me ; not so much for hatred as the 
 remembrance of his injuries, which often con- 
 tends against my reason. 
 
 * Also in that mirror stands another history of 
 the wolf, how on a time he found upon a heath 
 a dead horse, whose flesh being eaten away, he 
 
CHAP, xxr REYNARD THE FOX 187 
 
 was fain to gnaw and devour the bones, which 
 he did with such greediness, that swallowing 
 them too hastily clown, one fell so across 
 his throat that he was almost choked, and 
 hardly escaped with life ; whereupon he sought 
 every place for the cunningest surgeons, pro- 
 mising them great gifts to ease his torment ; 
 but having lost much labour, in the end he 
 met with the crane, and besought him with his 
 long neck and bill to help him, and he would 
 highly reward him. 
 
 * The crane, greedy of gain, put his head into 
 the wolfs throat, and brought out the bone. 
 The wolf started at the pull, and cried out 
 aloud, " Thou hurtest me ; but I do forgive 
 thee ; yet do it not again I charge thee, for at 
 another's hands I would not bear it." 
 
 ' Then the crane said, " Sir Isegrim, go and 
 be frolic, for you are whole. I look for no 
 more but the reward you promised me." 
 
 ' " How," said the wolf, " what impudence 
 is this ? I suffer and have cause to complain ; 
 yet he will be rewarded, he will not so much 
 as thank me for his life, but forgets that his 
 head was in my mouth, and how I suffered him 
 to draw it out again without hurting ; albeit 
 he has put me to exceeding much pain. I 
 
1 88 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 suppose it is I which deserve the reward, and 
 not the crane." 
 
 ' Thus you may see the fashion of ungrateful 
 men in these days, how ever they reward good 
 with evil ; for whereas pride is exalted, there 
 honour is ever laid in the dust. There be in 
 the world which ought to reward and do good 
 to those that have advanced them, which now 
 complain, and make those advancements in- 
 juries ; but the guerdon will follow ; for it is 
 the wisest counsel, that whosoever will go 
 about to chastise another, should ever be sure 
 of his own clearness. 
 
 * All this and a world more than I can well 
 remember was curiously wrought on this glass ; 
 for the work -master thereof was the most 
 cunning and profound clerk in all sciences that 
 ever breathed. And because the jewels were 
 too good and precious for me to keep, therefore 
 I sent them to the King and Queen's Majesties 
 as a present to witness my faith and service. 
 Oh, he that had seen what sorrow my children 
 made when I sent the glass away, would have 
 wondered ! for by reason of the great virtue 
 therein, they oft gazed in the same, both to 
 behold themselves, and to see how their 
 clothing and apparel became them. 
 
xxi REYNARD THE FOX 189 
 
 1 Little did I then imagine that good Kyward 
 was so near his death, for except himself, and 
 Bellin the ram, I knew no messengers worthy 
 to carry so rich a present. But I will search 
 the whole world, and I will find the murderer, 
 for murder cannot be hid. It may be, he is in 
 this presence which knows what is become of 
 Kyward, albeit he do conceal it ; for the wicked 
 walk like saints. 
 
 * Yet the greatest wonder of all is, which 
 troubled me most, that my Lord the King 
 should say, that my father nor myself ever did 
 good. But the troubles of affairs may well 
 breed forgetfulness in Kings, otherwise your 
 Majesty might call to mind how, when the 
 King your father lived, and you were a prince 
 not above two years old, my father came from 
 the school at Mountpeloir, where he had studied 
 five years the art of physic, and was expert in 
 all the principles thereof, and so famous in 
 those days, that he wore clothes of silk and a 
 golden girdle. Now when he was come to the 
 court, he found the King in great extremity of 
 sickness, which was no little grief unto him, 
 for he loved the King most dearly, and the 
 King rejoiced at his sight, and would not suffer 
 him to be out of his presence. All others 
 
190 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 might walk whither they would, only he must 
 ever be near him. Then said your father, 
 " Reynard, I am exceeding sick, and I feel my 
 sickness increasing." My father answered, 
 " My lord, let me feel your pulse, and as soon 
 as I perceive your state, I will give my 
 opinion." The King did as he was advised, 
 
 for he trusted not any equal with him. Then 
 said my father, " My best Lord, if you will be 
 eased of your grief, you must needs eat the 
 liver of a wolf of seven years old, or else your 
 disease is incurable." 
 
 * The wolf at that time stood by your father, 
 but said nothing ; whereupon the King said, 
 " Sir Isegrim, you hear how there is nothing 
 which can cure me but your liver." The wolf 
 
xxi REYNARD THE FOX 191 
 
 replied, " Not so, my Lord, for I am not yet 
 full five years old." " It is no matter," answered 
 my father, " let him be opened, and when I see 
 the liver, I will tell you if it be medicinal." 
 Then was the wolf carried to the kitchen and 
 his liver taken out, which the King ate, and 
 was presently cured of his sickness. 
 
 * Then the King thanked my father, and 
 commanded all his subjects, on pain of death, 
 from thenceforth to call him Master Reynard. 
 So he abode still about the King, walked by 
 his side, and was trusted in all things ; and the 
 King gave him, for an honour, a garland of 
 roses, which he must ever wear upon his head. 
 But these remembrances are all lost and gone, 
 and his enemies are now only advanced ; virtue 
 is put back, and innocence lives in sorrow ; 
 for when baseness and covetousness are made 
 commanders, they neither know themselves, 
 nor look at the lowness from whence they are 
 risen. They have no hearts for pity, nor ears 
 for the poor man's cause. Gold is the goal 
 they run to, and gifts the god which they 
 worship. What great man's gate doth not 
 now lock up covetousness ? Where is not 
 flattery entertained, and what prince takes 
 hate at his own praises ? But should greatness 
 
192 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 need their honest service, well might they 
 starve ere they could gain that employment ; 
 for like wolves they had rather see their 
 masters die than lend them the least part of 
 their liver. 
 
 ' This, my Lord, was an accident which fell 
 in your youth, and you may well forget it ; 
 yet, without boasting, I myself may say I 
 have done to you both honour and service, 
 and you haply also forget this which I shall 
 repeat, which I vow I do not to upbraid 
 your Majesty, for you are ever worthy of 
 more than I can tender ; and my uttermost 
 is but the rent of a loyal subject, which I 
 am ever bound by the laws of God and nature 
 to perform. 
 
 ' So it was, that on a time Isegrim the wolf 
 and I had gotten a swine under us, and by 
 reason of his extreme loud crying, we were 
 compelled to bite him to death. At which 
 time yourself came out of a grove unto us, 
 and saluted us friendly, saying, " That you 
 and the Queen your wife, who came after you, 
 were both exceeding hungry, and entreated us 
 to give you part of our getting." 
 
 ' Isegrim then whispered in such manner 
 that none could understand him ; but I spake 
 
XXI 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 193 
 
 out aloud, " With all my heart, my Lord, and 
 were it better than it is, it were too mean for 
 your service." But Isegrim, according to his 
 wont, departed grumbling, and took half of the 
 swine, giving you and the Queen but one poor 
 quarter, the other he himself unmannerly de- 
 voured, and left me for my share but poor half 
 of the lungs. When your Majesty had eaten 
 
 your part, you were still hungry, but the wolf 
 would deliver none ; so that you reached him 
 a blow with your foot, which tore all the 
 skin from about his ears, so that he ran away 
 crying and howling with all extremity. But 
 your Majesty commanded him to return again 
 speedily and bring you more meat ; yet he 
 went away grumbling. Then I besought your 
 Majesty that I might go with him : and I well 
 remember your answer. So away we went 
 
 
 
194 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 together, his ears dropping blood all the way 
 as he went. 
 
 ' In the end we took a calf, and when your 
 Majesty saw us bring it, you laughed, and said 
 to me, " I was a swift huntsman, and could find 
 my game quickly, and therefore I was fit to 
 serve in time of necessity." Then you bade 
 me to divide it, and I did it, and gave one half 
 thereof to your Majesty, the other half to the 
 Queen. As for the liver, lungs, and all the 
 inwards, I sent them to the young princes 
 your children. As for the head, I gave it to 
 Isegrim the wolf, and took unto myself but the 
 feet only. Then said your Majesty, " Ah, 
 Reynard, who taught you to make these 
 courteous divisions?" "My Lord," answered 
 I, " that did this priest which sits here with the 
 bloody pate ; for he lost his skin for his too 
 much inequality, and for his covetousness hath 
 reaped nothing but shame and dishonour. But 
 it matters not, for there be many wolves in 
 these days that would even eat up their best 
 friends and kindred nay, if they had power, 
 even your Majesty also, for they make no 
 respect either of friend or enemy. But woe to 
 that commonwealth where such have the upper 
 hand and government." 
 
xxi REYNARD THE FOX 195 
 
 1 My gracious Lord, this and many such like 
 actions as this have I done for your Majesty, 
 which were it not for tediousness' sake I could 
 well repeat. But they are all now cast out of 
 your remembrance ; time and my loyalty I 
 hope will one day again recall them. I have 
 seen the day when no matter was finished in 
 the court without my advice and censure, 
 though now that judgment is not so reputed ; 
 yet it may be, the same reputation may spring 
 up again, and be believed as firmly as before, 
 as long as it swerves not from justice, which is 
 the only thing I aim at. For if any one can 
 charge me otherwise and prove it by witness, 
 here I stand to endure the uttermost the law 
 can inflict upon me ; but if malice only slander 
 me without witness, I crave the combat ac- 
 cording to the law and instance of the court.' 
 
 Then said the King, * Reynard, you say 
 well, nor know I anything more of Kywarcfs 
 death than the bringing of his head unto me 
 by Bellin the ram, therefore of it I here acquit 
 you.' 
 
 * My dear Lord,' said the fox, ' I humbly 
 thank you : yet is his death so grievous unto 
 me I cannot let it pass so easily. I remember 
 my heart was heavy at his departure, and I was 
 
196 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, xxi 
 
 ready to sink to the ground, which was a certain 
 presage of the loss which happened.' 
 
 These words, and the sad looks of the fox, 
 so amazed all the beholders, that they could 
 not choose but believe all that he uttered, so 
 that every one bemoaned his loss, and pitied 
 his sorrow. But the King and Queen were 
 most touched with the same, and then entreated 
 him that he would make diligent search for the 
 finding of them out, for his praises had stricken 
 them far in love with the jewels. And because 
 he told them he had sent those jewels unto 
 them, though they never saw them, yet they 
 gave him as great thanks as if they had been 
 in their safe possession, and desired him he 
 would be a means they might be restored to 
 them again. 
 
CHAPTER XXII 
 
 Hoiv Reynard made his peace with the King, and how 
 Isegrim the Wolf complained of him again. 
 
 THE fox understood their meaning exceeding 
 well, and though he little meant to perform 
 what they entreated, yet he thanked the King 
 and Queen for the comforts they gave him in his 
 great extremity. He vowed not to rest, neither 
 night nor day, but to search all the corners of 
 the earth till he had found what was become of 
 those jewels. Also he entreated his Majesty, 
 that if they should be concealed in such places 
 where he might be withstood by force, so as 
 neither his prayers nor power might attain 
 unto them, that then his highness would assist 
 him both because it was an occasion which 
 concerned him so nearly, and also a thing 
 required from his office, being an act of perfect 
 justice, to punish theft and murder, both which 
 were contained in this action. 
 
198 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 Then the King assured him that so soon as 
 
 it should be known where they were, no help 
 
 or assistance should be wanting*. The fox 
 
 gave the King humble thanks, for now he 
 
 had gotten all his purposes to the wished end 
 
 q he expected, and by his false tale and flattery 
 
 f\ had so fastened the King unto him, that now 
 
 he might go freely whither he pleased, and 
 
 none should dare to complain of him. 
 
 Only Isegrim the wolf stood all this while 
 infinitely displeased, and not able to contain 
 his anger any longer, he said, ' O my Lord the 
 ^King, is it possible your Majesty should be so 
 much childish or weak of belief as to fix your 
 trust upon the falsehood of this ever-deceiving 
 merchant, which hath nothing but shadows and 
 chimeras wherewith to enchant you ? Oh be 
 not so easily seduced ; he is a wretch all 
 covered and besmeared with murder and 
 treason, and even to your own face hath made 
 a scoff of your Majesty. For my own part I 
 am glad he is here in your presence, and I 
 intend to ring him such a peal of contrary 
 nature, that all the lies he can invent shall not 
 bear him away with safety. 
 
 ' So it is, my dread Lord, that this dis- 
 sembling and false traitor not long since did 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 199 
 
 betray my wife most shamefully ; for it 
 happened upon a winter's day, that they two 
 travelled together through a very great water, 
 and he persuaded my wife that he would teach 
 her a singular art, how to catch fish with her 
 tail, by letting it hang angle-wise in the water 
 a good while, whereunto, he said, there would 
 so much fish instantly cleave, that half a dozen 
 of them should not be able to devour it. 
 
 ' The silly fool, my wife, supposing all to be 
 truth which came from him, went presently 
 into the mire up to the middle before she came 
 to the water, and coming into the depth of the 
 water, as he directed her, she held her tail 
 down still in the water, expecting when there 
 the fish would cleave to it ; but the weather 
 being sharp and frosty, she stood there so 
 long that her tail was frozen hard to the ice, 
 so that all the force she had was not able to 
 pull it out. This no impudence can make him 
 deny, for I came and saw him there. Oh how 
 much jealousy, grief, and fury assailed me at (// 
 that instant, I was even distracted to behold 
 them ; and I cried, " Reynard, villain, what 
 art thou doing ? " but he seeing me so near 
 approaching, presently ran his way. 
 
 ' So I went unto her with much sorrow and 
 
200 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, xxn 
 
 heaviness, having a world of labour ere I could 
 break the ice about her ; and in spite of all my 
 cunning, yet she was compelled to leave a piece 
 of her tail behind her : and indeed we both 
 hardly escaped with our lives. For by reason 
 of the great anguish she endured, she barked 
 so loud, that the people of the next village 
 rose up, and came with staves and bills, with 
 flails and pitchforks, and the wives with their 
 distaves, and so fiercely assaulted us, crying 
 Kill, kill, and Slay, slay, that I was never in 
 so desperate a taking. One slave amongst the 
 rest, which was strong and swift of foot, hurt 
 us sore with a pikestaff; and had not the 
 night befriended us, we had never escaped the 
 danger. From hence we came into a field full 
 of brooms and brambles, where we hid us from 
 the fury of our enemies. 
 
 * Thus, my gracious Lord, you have heard 
 how this traitor and murderer hath used us, 
 and against the same we crave the right of 
 your law and justice.' 
 
 But Reynard answered and said, ' If this 
 were true, I confess it would touch me near in 
 honour and reputation ; but it is not possible 
 that such a slander should be proved against 
 me : I confess I taught her to catch fish, and 
 
CHAP, xxn REYNARD THE FOX 203 
 
 taught her how to enter the water and never 
 touch the mire ; but her greediness so trans- 
 ported her when she heard me name the fish, 
 that she ran without respect of any path or 
 direction, and so coming into the ice, she was 
 there presently frozen by reason of her too long 
 tarrying, for she had more fish than would have 
 satisfied twenty reasonable appetites. But it 
 is commonly seen that who all would have, all 
 forego, for covetousness seldom bringeth any- 
 thing well home ; yet when I saw her so 
 fastened in the ice, I used all my best en- 
 deavours to loosen her, and so indeed was 
 heaving and shoving about her, but to little 
 purpose, for by reason of her weight I was not 
 able to move her. 
 
 ' Now whilst this was doing, came Isegrim, 
 and seeing me so busy about her, churl-like he 
 most vilely slandered me, and threatened much 
 vengeance against me, so that more to eschew 
 his blasphemy than fury I went my way, and 
 he came, and with as great ado, and as much 
 heave and shove he helped her out ; which 
 done, they then almost starved with cold, ran 
 and skipped up and down the fields to get 
 them heat : and that this is all truth which I 
 have spoken, I will willingly be deposed, for I 
 
204 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 would not be the father of any falsehood before 
 
 your Majesty, to be master of many millions ; 
 
 however my fortunes go, I respect not, truth is 
 
 my badge, and hath ever been the ensign of all 
 
 my ancestors ; and if there be any scruple or 
 
 C doubt made of mine assertion, I ask but eight 
 
 \ days' liberty, that I may confer with my learned 
 
 (counsel, and I will so approve all my words by 
 
 Ithe oath and testimony of good and sufficient 
 
 witness, that your Majesty and your honourable 
 
 council shall accord to the justness of my 
 
 protestation. 
 
 ' As for the wolf, what have I to do with 
 him ? it is well known already that he is a 
 debauched and almost notorious villain, false 
 both to heaven and to your Majesty ; and now 
 his own words witness him a base slanderer of 
 women, therefore I refer myself to the trial of 
 his wife ; if she accuse me, let the world hold 
 me guilty, provided she may be made free from 
 her husband, whose tyranny will compel her to 
 say anything, though never so unjustly.' 
 
 At this forth stepped Dame Ereswine, the 
 wolfs wife, and said, ' O Reynard, thou hast so 
 oily a smooth tongue, and so dipped in flattery, 
 that no man is safe from thine enchantment ; it 
 is not once, but oft thou hast deceived me ; 
 
XXII 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 205 
 
 remember but how thou didst use me at the 
 
 well with two buckets, 
 
 hanging at one cord, and 
 
 running through one 
 
 pulley, which ever as one 
 
 went down the other 
 
 went up. I remember 
 
 how thou getting into one 
 
 of them, fell down into 
 
 the bottom of the well, 
 
 and there sat in great 
 
 danger and peril, so that 
 
 I ran thither with great 
 
 haste, and heard thee sigh 
 
 and make great moan ; 
 
 then asking thee how 
 
 thou earnest there, thou 
 
 answeredst me that thou 
 
 wert there a- fishing, and 
 
 hadst much fish, of which 
 
 thou hadst eaten so many 
 
 that you were ready to 
 
 break with swelling. 
 
 ' Then I asked how I 
 might come to thee, and 
 thou saidst, " Aunt, leap 
 into that bucket which 
 
2o6 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 hangeth there, and you will be presently 
 with me " ; which I no sooner did, but being 
 much heavier than thyself, I fell presently to 
 the bottom of the well, and thou came up to 
 the top ; at which when I seemed to be angry, 
 thou said, " Aunt, this is but the fashion of the 
 world ; ever as one comes up another must go 
 down " ; and so said, you leaped out of the 
 bucket and ran your way, leaving me there all 
 alone, where I remained a whole day, pined 
 with hunger and starved with cold ; and ere I 
 could get out from thence, received so many 
 blows, that my life was never in greater 
 danger.' 
 
 The fox replied, * Aunt, though the strokes 
 were painful unto you, yet I had rather you 
 should have them than myself, for you are 
 stronger and better able to bear them ; and at 
 that time of necessity, one of us could not 
 escape them : besides, aunt, I taught you 
 wisdom and experience, that you should not 
 trust either friend or foe, when the matter he 
 persuades to is the avoiding of his own peril ; 
 for nature teacheth us to love our own welfare, 
 and he which doth otherwise is crowned with 
 nothing but the title of folly/ 
 
 Then said Sir Isegrim to the King, ' I 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 207 
 
 beseech your Majesty mark how this dissembler 
 can blow with all winds, and paint his mischief 
 with false colours : a world of times hath he 
 brought me into these hazards. Once he 
 betrayed me to his aunt the she ape, where 
 ere I escaped I was fain to leave one of mine 
 ears behind me. If the fox dare tell the 
 truth of the story, for I know his memory 
 to be much better, besides he is apt to 
 catch advantage from the weakness of my 
 language, I desire no better evidence against 
 him.' 
 
 Then said the fox, ' Willingly I will do it, 
 and without flattery or falsehood ; and there- 
 fore I beseech your Majesty lend me your 
 royal patience. Upon a certain time the wolf 
 here came to me into the wood, and complained 
 unto me that he was exceeding hungry, yet I 
 never saw him fuller in my life ; but he would 
 ever dissemble. At which presently I took 
 pity on him, and said I was also as hungry as 
 he : so away we went and travelled half a day 
 together without finding anything. 
 
 ' Then began he to whine and cry, and said 
 he was able to go no farther. Then hard by 
 the foot of a hawthorn tree we espied a hole all 
 covered over with brambles, and heard a great 
 
208 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 rushing therein, but could not imagine the 
 cause why : then I desired the wolf to go in, 
 and look if anything were there to profit us, 
 for something I knew there was. Then said 
 he, " Cousin, I would not creep into the hole 
 for a hundred pounds, till I knew certainly 
 what was therein ; for there may be danger : 
 but if you please to attempt it, who I know 
 hath both art and wit to save yourself, I will 
 stay here under this tree till you return ; but I 
 beseech you make haste and let me know what 
 is therein as soon as you perceive it." 
 
 ' Behold, my dread Lord the King, thus he 
 hath made me, poor silly beast, to go before 
 into the hazard, and he who is great, strong, 
 A. and mighty did abide without in peace, 
 wherein I expressed no little friendship, for I 
 would not endure the like danger for a king- 
 dom. But to proceed : I entered into the hole, 
 and found the way dark, long, and tedious ; 
 in the end I espied a great light, which came 
 in on the farther side of the hole, by which I 
 saw there lying a great she ape, with eyes 
 glimmering and sparkling with fire, her mouth 
 set round with long sharp teeth, and on her 
 hands and feet nails sharp as an elfin or bodkin. 
 I imagined her at first a marmoset or baboon, 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 209 
 
 or else a mercat, for a more dreadful beast I 
 never beheld in all my lifetime, and by her 
 side lay divers of her children, which like 
 herself were stern and cruel of countenance : 
 when they saw me come towards them, they 
 gaped wide with their mouths upon me, so 
 that I grew amazed, and wished myself far 
 from the harbour. 
 
 * But resolving with myself that now I was 
 in I must quit myself as well as I could, I 
 looked more constantly upon her, and me- 
 thought she appeared bigger than Isegrim the 
 wolf, and the least of her brats much larger 
 than myself; a fouler company I never saw, 
 they were all laid in so bad litter, that I was 
 almost poisoned with the place. For my own 
 part I durst not but speak them fair, and 
 therefore I said, " Aunt, God give you many 
 good days, and bless you and my cousins, 
 your pretty children ; questionless they are 
 the fairest of their ages that ever I beheld, 
 and so surpass in beauty and perfection that 
 they may well be accounted of most princely 
 issue. Truly, aunt, we are infinitely beholden 
 to you that doth add this increase and glory 
 to your family. For mine own part, dear aunt, 
 when I heard you were laid down and indis- 
 
 p 
 
210 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 posed, I could not stay but must needs come 
 to visit you." 
 
 * Then replied she, " Cousin Reynard, you 
 are exceeding welcome ; you have found me 
 like a slut, but I thank you for your kind 
 visitation : you are a worthy gentleman, and 
 through the King's dominions, for your wit 
 and judgment, held of singular reputation, you 
 do much honour to our kindred, and are 
 famous for the means you work to their prefer- 
 ment. I must entreat you to take the charge 
 of my children, and instruct them in the rules 
 of knowledge and science, that they may know 
 hereafter how to live in the world. I have 
 thought of you ever since they were born, and 
 resolved upon this, cousin, because I knew 
 your perfection, and that you accompanied 
 yourself with none but the good and the 
 virtuous." 
 
 ' Oh how glad was I when I heard those 
 words to proceed from her, which kindness 
 was only because at first I called her aunt, who 
 indeed was no soul kin unto me ; for my true 
 aunt indeed is only Dame Rukenaw, who 
 standeth yonder, who indeed is the mother of 
 excellent children. Yet, notwithstanding, I 
 answered this foul monster : " Aunt, my life 
 
xxn REYNARD THE FOX 211 
 
 and goods are both at your service, and what 
 I can do for you, night or day, shall ever be 
 at your command and your children's." 
 
 ' Yet I most heartily wished myself far 
 from them at that instant, for I was almost 
 poisoned with their smell. And I pitied 
 Isegrim who was sore griped with hunger all 
 this while ; and offering to take my leave, and 
 feigning that my wife would think it long till 
 my return, she said, " Dear cousin, you shall 
 not depart till you have eaten something. I 
 shall take it unkindly if you offer it " ; then 
 rose she up, and carried me into an inner 
 room, where was great store of all kind of 
 venison, both of the red deer, fallow deer, and 
 roe ; and great store of partridges, pheasants, 
 and other fowls, that I was amazed much from 
 whence such store of meat should come. 
 
 ' Now when I had eaten sufficiently, she 
 gave me a side and half a haunch of a hind, 
 to carry home to my wife, which I was ashamed 
 to take, but that she compelled me ; and so 
 taking my leave, and being entreated often to 
 visit her, I did depart thence, much rejoiced 
 that I had sped so well. 
 
 ' Now being come out of the causey, I spied 
 where Isegrim lay groaning pitifully, and I 
 
212 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 asked him how he fared ? He said, " Wondrous 
 ill, and so extremely ill, that, dear nephew, 
 without some meat I die presently " : then did 
 I take compassion on him, and gave him my 
 wife's token, which preserved his life, and for 
 which then he gave me a world of thanks, 
 though now he hates me extremely. 
 
 ' But as soon as he had devoured up my 
 venison, he said, " Reynard, my dear cousin, 
 what found you in the hole ? believe it, I am 
 now more hungry than I was before, and this 
 small morsel hath but sharpened my teeth to 
 eat more." Then said I to him, " Uncle, get 
 you into that hole, and you shall find store 
 of victuals, for there lieth my aunt with her 
 children : if you can flatter and speak her fair, 
 you need fear no hard measure, all things will 
 be as you would wish it." 
 
 ' I think, my gracious Lord, this was warn- 
 ing sufficient, and that which might have armed 
 any wise spirit ; but rude and barbarous beasts 
 will never understand wisdom, and therefore 
 they loathe the policies they know not. But 
 yet he promised to follow my counsel ; so forth 
 he went into that foul dismal hole, and found 
 the ape in that filthy sort as before I described ; 
 which when he saw, being affrighted, he cried 
 
xxn REYNARD THE FOX 213 
 
 out, " Woe and alas, I think I am come into 
 evil ; did ever creature see such fearful goblins ? 
 Drown them, for shame drown them, they are 
 so ugly, they will scare all the world ; why, 
 they make my hair stand on end with their 
 horrid deformity." 
 
 * Then said she, " Sir Isegrim, their creation 
 is not my fault, let it suffice, they are my 
 children, and I am their mother ; nor ought 
 their beauty or hard favour to displease you : 
 there was a kinsman of theirs here to-day, and 
 is but newly departed, who is well known to 
 exceed you, both in birth, virtue, and wisdom, 
 and he accounted them fair and lovely ; for 
 your opinion I care not, therefore you may 
 depart at your pleasure." 
 
 * Then he replied, " Dame, I would have you 
 know that I would eat of your meat, it is much 
 better bestowed on me than on those ugly 
 urchins." But she told him, " she had no 
 meat." " Yes," said he, " here is meat enough," 
 and with that, offering to reach at the meat, 
 my aunt started up with her children, and ran 
 at him with their sharp nails, and so clawed 
 him, that the blood ran about his ears, and I 
 heard him cry and howl so extremely, that it 
 appeared he had no defence but to run out 
 
214 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, xxn 
 
 of the hole as fast as he could. For indeed he 
 came out both extremely beaten, and extremely 
 bitten, and all his skin slashed like a Spanish 
 jerkin ; and one ear left behind as a pawn of 
 his manners. 
 
 ' This when I saw, I asked him if he had 
 flattered sufficiently ? and he said he had 
 spoken as he found, for the dame was a foul 
 animal, and the litter most ugly monsters. 
 Then I told him, how he should have com- 
 mended their beauties, and taken them for his 
 best of alliance. And he replied, he had 
 rather have seen them all hanged. " Then," 
 quoth I, " you must always receive such reward 
 as now you do, but wisdom would do otherwise ; 
 fair words never come out of season, and better 
 than we hold it for a rule worthy imitation." 
 
 ' Thus, my Lord, I have told you truly how 
 he came by his red nightcap, which I know he 
 cannot, nor dare not deny, for all is true with- 
 out any addition.' 
 
CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 How Isegrim proffered his glove to Reynard to figlit 
 with him, which Reynard accepted, and Iwiv 
 Rukenaw advised the Fox how to carry himself 
 in the fight. 
 
 THE wolf answered the fox, ' I may well for- 
 bear, false villain as thou art, thy mocks and 
 scorns ; but thine injuries I will not. You say 
 I was almost dead for hunger, when you 
 helped me in my need : but thou liest falsely 
 therein, for it was nothing but a bare bone 
 thou gavest me, when thou hadst gnawed all 
 the meat thereof; and therefore know in this 
 thou injurest my reputation. Again, thou 
 accusest me of treason against the King, and 
 to conspire his Majesty's death, for certain 
 treasure thou sayest is in Hustreloe : also^hou 
 hast abused and slandered my wife, which will 
 ever be an infamy to her name if it be not 
 revenged. 
 
2i6 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 ' These things considered, I have forborne 
 you long, therefore now look not to escape ; 
 wherefore seeing there is no other testi- 
 mony but our own consciences, here before 
 you, my Lord the King, and the rest of my 
 noble lords, friends, and alliances, here I affirm 
 and will approve to the last drop of my blood 
 that thou, Reynard the fox, art a false traitor 
 and a murderer ; and this I will approve and 
 make good upon thy body within the lists of 
 the field, body against body, by which means 
 our strife shall have an end, and in witness 
 whereof I cast thee here my glove, which I 
 dare thee to take up, that I may have right 
 for mine injuries, or else die like a recreant.' 
 
 Reynard was something perplexed when he 
 saw this, for he knew himself much too weak 
 for the wolf, and feared to come by the worst ; 
 but straight remembering the advantage he 
 had, by reason that the wolf's fore-claws were 
 pulled away and that they were not yet fully 
 cured, he said, ' Whosoever he be that saith I 
 am a traitor or a murderer I say he lieth in his 
 throat, especially Isegrim above all others ; 
 poor fool, thou bringest me to the place I 
 desire, and to the purpose I wish for, in sign 
 whereof I take up the gage, and throw 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 217 
 
 down mine, to approve all thy words lies and 
 falsehoods.' 
 
 This said, the King received their pledges, 
 and admitted the battle, commanding them to 
 put in their sureties, that the next morrow 
 
 they should try the combat : then stepped 
 forth the bear and the cat, and were sureties 
 for the wolf; and for the fox were sureties 
 Grimbard the brock and Bitelus. When all 
 ceremonies were finished, the she ape took 
 Reynard aside, and said, * Nephew, I beseech 
 you take care of yourself in this battle, be bold 
 
218 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 and wise. Your uncle taught me once a prayer 
 of singular virtue for him which was to fight ; 
 and he learned it of that excellent scholar and 
 clerk, the abbot of Budelo, and he that saith 
 this prayer with a good devotion fasting, shall 
 never be overcome in combat, and therefore, 
 my best nephew, be not afraid, for to-morrow 
 I will read it over to you, and the wolf shall 
 never prevail against you.' 
 
 The fox gave her many thanks for her 
 favours, and told her his quarrel was good and 
 honest, and therefore he had no doubt of happy 
 success ; so all that night he rested with his 
 kinsfolk about him, who drove away the time 
 with pleasant discourse. But Dame Rukenaw> 
 his aunt, still beat her brain how to work him 
 advantage in the combat, wherefore she caused 
 all his hair to be shaven off, even from his 
 head to the tail, and then she anointed all his 
 body quite over with oil of olive, so that she 
 made it so smooth and slippery that the wolf 
 could catch no hold of him. Besides he was 
 round, fat and plump of body, which much 
 availed to his advantage ; then she advised 
 him, ' At these especial times keep your tail as 
 close as can be between your legs, lest he catch 
 hold thereon and pull you to the ground ; also 
 
XXIII 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 219 
 
 look carefully to yourself at the first, and by 
 all means shun his blows, making him to toil 
 and run after, especially there where most dust 
 is, and spring it up with your feet, make it fly 
 in his eyes, take your advantage, and smite and 
 bite him where you may do him most mischief, 
 
 ever and anon striking him on the face with 
 your tail, and that will take from him both 
 sight and understanding. Besides, it will so 
 tire and weary him, that, his feet not being 
 fully cured of their hurt by the loss of his 
 shoes, which you caused to be pulled off, he 
 will no be able to pursue you ; for though he 
 is great, yet his heart is little and weak. 
 
220 
 
 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 ' This, nephew, is mine advice, and assure 
 yourself in these cases art prevaileth as much 
 as courage ; therefore regard yourself well, 
 that not only yourself, but your whole family 
 may gain honour and reputation from your 
 
 fortune. As for the charm of prayer which 
 your uncle Martin taught me, by which you 
 may be invisible, it is this which followeth ' : 
 then laying her hand upon his head, she said, 
 ' Blaerd, Shay, Alphenio, Rasbue, G or sons, 
 Arsbuntro. Now, nephew, assure yourself you 
 are free from all mischief or danger whatsoever, 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 221 
 
 therefore go to your rest, for it is near day, 
 and some sleep will make the body better 
 disposed.' 
 
 The fox gave her infinite thanks, and told 
 her, ' She had bound him to her a servant for 
 ever ; and in those holy words she had spoken 
 he had placed his confidence unremovable ' ; 
 and so he laid him down to rest under a tree 
 in the grass, till it was sunrise, at which time 
 the otter came unto him and awaked him and 
 gave a fat young duck to eat, saying, * Dear 
 cousin, I have toiled all this night to get this 
 present for you, which I took from a fowler ; 
 here take and eat it, and it shall give you 
 vigour and courage.' 
 
 The fox gave him many thanks, and said, 
 ' It was a fortunate handsel, and if he survived 
 that day he should find he would requite it ' ; 
 so the fox ate the duck without bread or sauce 
 more than his hunger, and to it he drank four 
 great draughts of water, and then he went to 
 the place appointed where the lists stood, with 
 all his kindred attending on him. 
 
 When the King beheld Reynard thus shorn 
 and oiled, he said to him, ' Well, fox, I see you 
 are careful of your own safety ; you respect 
 not beauty so you escape danger.' 
 
222 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 The fox answered not a word, but bowing 
 himself down humbly to the earth, both before 
 the King and the Queen's Majesties, went 
 forth into the field ; and at the same time 
 the wolf was also ready, and stood boasting, 
 and giving out many proud and vainglorious 
 speeches. The marshals and rulers of the 
 lists were the leopard and the loss. These 
 brought forth a book, on which the wolf swore 
 and maintained his assertion that the fox was 
 a traitor and a murderer, which he would 
 prove on his body, or else be counted a 
 recreant. Then Reynard took the book, and 
 swore he lied as a false traitor and a thief, 
 which he would prove on his body, or be 
 accounted a recreant. 
 
 When these ceremonies were done, the 
 marshals of the field bade them do their 
 devoir. And then every creature avoided the 
 lists, save Dame Rukenaw, who stood by the 
 fox, and bade him remember the words and 
 instructions she had given him, and call to 
 mind how, when he was scarce seven years old, 
 he had then wisdom enough to pass the darkest 
 night without lantern or candle-light, or the 
 help of the moon, when any occasion required 
 him : and that his experience was much greater, 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 223 
 
 and his reputation of wisdom more frequent 
 with his companions ; and therefore to work 
 so as he might win the day, which would be 
 an eternal monument to him and his family for 
 ever. 
 
 To this the fox answered, ' My best aunt, 
 assure yourself I will do my best, and not for- 
 get a tittle of your counsel. I doubt not but 
 my friends shall reap honour and my foes 
 shame by my actions.' To this the ape said 
 amen, and so departed. 
 
CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 Of the combat betivixt the Fox and the Wolf, the event, 
 passages ', and victory. 
 
 WHEN none but the combatants were in the 
 lists, the wolf went toward the fox with infinite 
 rage and fury, and thinking to take the fox in 
 his forefeet, the fox leaped nimbly from him 
 and the wolf pursued him, so that there began 
 a tedious chase between them, on which their 
 friends gazed. The wolf taking larger strides 
 than the fox often overtook him, and lifting up 
 his feet to strike him, the fox avoided the blow 
 and smote him on the face with his tail, so that 
 the wolf was stricken almost blind, and he was 
 forced to rest while he cleared his eyes ; which 
 advantage when Reynard saw, he scratched up 
 the dust with his feet, and threw it in the eyes 
 of the wolf. 
 
 This grieved him worse than the former, so 
 that he durst follow him no longer, for the dust 
 
CHAP, xxiv REYNARD THE FOX 227 
 
 and sand sticking in his eyes smarted so sore, 
 that of force he must rub and wash it away, 
 which Reynard seeing, with all the fury he had 
 he ran upon him, and with his teeth gave him 
 three sore wounds on his head, and scoffing 
 said, ' Have I hit you, Mr. Wolf? I will yet 
 hit you better ; you have killed many a lamb 
 and many an innocent beast, and would impose 
 the fault upon me, but you shall find the price 
 of your knavery. I am marked to punish thy 
 sins, and I will give thee thy absolution 
 bravely. It is good for thee that thou use 
 patience, for thy evil life is at my mercy. Yet, 
 notwithstanding, if thou wilt kneel down and 
 ask my forgiveness, and confess thyself van- 
 quished, though thou be the worst thing living, 
 yet I will spare thy life, for my pity makes me 
 loath to kill thee.' 
 
 These words made Isegrim both mad and 
 desperate, so that he knew not how to express 
 his fury, his wounds bled, his eyes smarted, and 
 his whole body was oppressed. So that in the 
 height of his fury he lifted up his foot and struck 
 the fox so great a blow that he felled him to the 
 ground. But Reynard, being nimble, quickly rose 
 up again and encountered the wolf, that between 
 them began a dreadful and doubtful combat. 
 
228 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 The wolf was exceeding furious, and ten 
 times he leaped to catch Reynard fast, but his 
 skin was so slippery and oily he could not hold 
 him. Nay, so wondrous nimble was he in the 
 fight, that when the wolf thought to have him 
 surest, he would shift himself between his legs 
 and under his belly, and every time gave the 
 wolf a bite with his teeth, or a slap on the face 
 with his tail, that the poor wolf found nothing 
 but despair in the conflict, albeit his strength 
 was much the greater. 
 
 Thus many wounds and bitings passing on 
 either side, the one expressing cunning, and 
 the other strength, the one fury, the other 
 temperance ; in the end the wolf being enraged 
 that the battle had continued so long, for had 
 his feet been sound it had been much shorter, 
 he said to himself, ' I will make an end of this 
 combat, for I know my very weight is able to 
 crush him to pieces ; and I lose much of my 
 reputation, to suffer him thus long to contend 
 against me.' 
 
 And this said, he struck the fox again so 
 sore a blow on the head with his foot, that he 
 fell down to the ground, and ere he could 
 recover himself and arise, he caught him in his 
 feet and threw him under him, lying upon him 
 
xxiv REYNARD THE FOX 229 
 
 in such wise, as if he would have pressed him 
 to death. 
 
 Now began the fox to be grievously afraid, 
 and all his friends also, and all Isegrims friends 
 began to shout for joy ; but the fox defended 
 himself as well as he could with his claws, 
 lying along, and the wolf could not hurt him 
 with his claws, his feet were so sore, only with 
 his teeth he snatched at him to bite him, which, 
 when the fox saw, he smote the wolf on the 
 head with his fore-claws, so that he tore the 
 skin between his brows and his ears, and one 
 of his eyes hung out of his head, which put the 
 w r olf to infinite torment, and he howled out 
 extremely. Then Iscgrim wiping his face, 
 the fox took advantage thereof, and with his 
 struggling got upon his feet. 
 
 At which the wolf was angry, and striking 
 after him, caught the fox in his arms, and held 
 him fast ; never was Reynard in so great a 
 strait as then, for at that time great was their 
 contention ; but anger now made the wolf 
 forget his smart, and griping the fox altogether 
 under him, as Reynard was defending himself 
 his hand lighted into Isegrims mouth, so that 
 he was in danger of losing it. Then said the 
 wolf to the fox, ' Now either yield thyself as 
 
230 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 vanquished, or else certainly I will kill thee ; 
 neither thy dust, thy mocks, nor any subtle 
 invention shall now save thee ; thou art now 
 left utterly desperate, and my wounds must 
 have their satisfaction.' 
 
 When the fox heard this he thought it was 
 a hard election, for both brought his ruin ; and 
 suddenly concluding, he said, ' Dear uncle, 
 since fortune commands me, I yield to be your 
 servant, and at your commandments will travel 
 for you to the Holy Land, or any other 
 pilgrimage, or do any service which shall be 
 beneficial to your soul or the souls of your 
 forefathers. I will do for the King or for our 
 holy father the Pope, I will hold of you my 
 lands and revenues, and as I, so shall all the 
 rest of my kindred ; so that you shall be a lord 
 of many lords, and none shall dare to move 
 against you. 
 
 ' Besides, whatsoever I get of pullets, geese, 
 partridges, or plover, flesh or fish, you, your 
 wife, and children shall have the first choice, 
 ere any are eaten by me. I will ever stand by 
 your side, and wheresoever you go, no danger 
 shall come near you ; you are strong, and I am 
 subtle ; we two joined together, what force can 
 prevail against us ? Again, we are so near in 
 
xxiv REYNARD THE FOX 231 
 
 blood, that nature forbids there should be any 
 enmity between us ; I would not have fought 
 against you had I been sure of victory, but 
 that you first appealed me, and then you know 
 of necessity I must do my uttermost. I have 
 also in this battle been courteous to you, and 
 not shown my worst violence, as I would on a 
 stranger, for I know it is the duty of a nephew 
 to spare his uncle ; and this you might well 
 perceive by my running from you. I tell you, 
 it was an action much contrary to my nature, 
 for I might often have hurt you when I 
 refused, nor are you worse for me, by anything 
 more than the blemish of your eye, for which 
 I am sorry, and wished it had not happened ; 
 yet thereby know that you shall reap rather 
 benefit than loss thereby, for when other beasts 
 in their sleep shut two windows, you shall shut 
 but one. 
 
 ' As for my wife, children, and lineage, they 
 shall fall down at your feet before you in any 
 presence ; therefore, I humbly desire you, that 
 you will suffer poor Reynard to live. I know 
 you will kill me, but what will that avail you, 
 when you shall never live in safety for fear of 
 revengement of my kindred? Therefore, temper- 
 ance in any man's wrath is excellent, whereas 
 
232 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 rashness is ever the mother of repentance. 
 But, uncle, I know you to be valiant, wise, and 
 discreet, and you rather seek honour, peace, 
 and good fame than blood and revenge.' 
 
 Isegrim the wolf said, ' Infinite dissembler, 
 how fain wouldst thou be freed of my 
 servitude ? Too well I understand thee, and 
 know that if thou wert safe on thy feet thou 
 wouldst forswear this submission ; but know all 
 the wealth in the world shall not buy out thy 
 ransom, for thee and thy friends I esteem them 
 not, nor believe anything thou hast uttered. 
 Too well I know thee, and am no bird for thy 
 lime bush, chaff cannot deceive me. Oh how 
 wouldst thou triumph if I should believe thee, 
 and say I wanted wit to understand thee ; but 
 thou shalt know I can look both on this side 
 and beyond thee, thy many deceits used upon 
 me have now armed me against thee. Thou 
 sayest thou hast spared me in the battle ; but 
 look upon me, and my wounds will show how 
 falsely thou liest, thou never gavest me a 
 time to breathe in, nor will I now give thee a 
 minute to repent in.' 
 
 Now whilst Isegrim was thus talking, the 
 fox bethought himself how he might best get 
 free, and thrusting his other hand down he 
 
xxiv REYNARD THE FOX 233 
 
 caught the wolf fast by the neck, and he 
 wrung him so extremely hard thereby, that 
 he made him shriek and howl out with the 
 anguish ; then the fox drew his other hand 
 out of his mouth, for the wolf was in such 
 wondrous torment that he had much ado to 
 contain himself from swooning ; for this torment 
 exceeded above the pain of his eye, and in the 
 
 end he fell over and over in a swoon ; then 
 presently Reynard leaped upon him, and drew 
 him about the lists and dragged him by the 
 legs, and struck, wounded, and bit him in 
 many places, so that all the whole field might 
 take notice thereof. 
 
 At this, all hegrims friends were full of 
 sorrow, and with great weeping and lamentation 
 went to the King, and prayed him to be pleased 
 
234 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 to appease the combat, and take it into his own 
 hands; which suit the King granted, and then the 
 leopard and the loss, being marshals, entered 
 the lists, and told the fox and the wolf that 
 the King would speak with them, and that 
 the battle should there end, for he would take 
 it into his own hands and determine thereof; 
 as for themselves they had done sufficiently, 
 neither would the King lose either of them. 
 And to the fox they said the whole field gave 
 him the victory. 
 
 The fox said, ' I humbly thank them, and 
 what pleaseth my Lord the King to command 
 I am ready to obey, for mine ambition is no 
 further than to be victor ; therefore, I beseech 
 you, let my friends come to attend me, that I 
 may proceed by their advice.' 
 
 They answered it was reason ; so presently 
 came forth Dame Slopecade and Grimbard her 
 husband, Dame Rukenaw with her two sisters 
 Bitelus and Fulromp, her two sons, and Malice 
 her daughter, the field mouse, the weasel, and 
 above an hundred which would not have come 
 if the fox had lost the conquest ; for to him 
 that hath honour will ever flock attendants ; 
 but to him that is in loss will nothing but 
 contempt follow. Also, the fox came to the 
 
xxiv REYNARD THE FOX 235 
 
 beaver, the otter, and both their wives 
 Pauntecerrot and Ordegalc, and the Ostrole, 
 the Marten, and the Fitchews, the Ferret, the 
 Squirrel, and a world more than I can name, 
 and all because he was the victor ; nay, divers 
 which before had complained of him, were now 
 of nearest kindred, and ready to do him all 
 
 service. This is the fashion of the world ; 
 he that is rich and in favour can never be 
 poor or hungry for friendship, every one will 
 seem to love him, every one will imitate his 
 fashions. 
 
 Then was a solemn feast held, trumpets 
 were sounded, cornets winded, shawms, and 
 all instruments warbled, and every one cried, 
 
236 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 ' Praised be Heaven for this glorious conquest.' 
 Reynard thanked them all kindly, and received 
 them with great joy and gladness ; then asked 
 their opinions whether he should yield the 
 victory to the King or no ; and Dame Slopecard 
 said, ' Yea, by all means, cousin, for it stands 
 with your honour, nor may you deny it.' And 
 so, the marshals going before, they went all to 
 the King, guarding the fox on every side, all 
 the trumpets, pipes, and minstrelsy sounding 
 before him. 
 
 When Reynard came before the King he 
 fell on his knees, and the King bade him stand 
 up, and said to him, ' Reynard, you may well 
 rejoice, for you have won much honour this 
 day, therefore here I discharge you, and set 
 you free to go whither your own will leads 
 you, for all contestations I take upon myself, 
 and will have it discussed by the wisest of the 
 kingdom as soon as Isegrims wounds shall be 
 cured, at what time I will send for you, and 
 so proceed to judgment.' 
 
 * My worthy and dread Lord,' said the fox, 
 ' I am well repaid with anything that shall 
 please you ; yet when I came first to your 
 highness's court, there were many malicious 
 persons which sought my life, whom I never 
 
XXIV 
 
 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 237 
 
 injured ; but they thought to overcome me by 
 joining with mine enemies against me, and 
 thinking the wolf had greater favour than I 
 with your Majesty ; this was the ground of 
 their indignation, wherein they showed their 
 simplicity not to alter the end which followed.' 
 
CHAPTER XXV 
 
 Hozu the- King forgave the Fox all things, and made 
 Jiim the greatest in his Land, and of his noble 
 return home with all his kindred. 
 
 THE King said, * Reynard, you are one that 
 owes me homage and fealty, and I hope I shall 
 ever enjoy it ; and for your service here I 
 make you one of the lords of my privy council. 
 Take heed you do not anything unworthily, 
 for here I place you in all your power and 
 authority as formerly you were, hoping you 
 will administer justice equally and truly. For 
 as long as you employ your wit unto virtuous 
 actions, so long the court cannot miss you ; for 
 you are a star whose lustre exceeds all other, 
 especially in finding out mischiefs and pre- 
 venting them. Therefore, remember the moral 
 you yourself told me, and be a lover of truth 
 and equity. From henceforth I will be 
 
CHAP, xxv REYNARD THE FOX 239 
 
 governed by your wisdom, and there shall not 
 breathe that creature in any kingdom which 
 shall do you injury ; but I w r ill highly revenge 
 it. This you shall proclaim through all the 
 nation, and be the chief governor in the same, 
 for the office of high bailiff here I freely 
 
 bestow upon you, and I know you may reap 
 great honour thereby.' 
 
 All Reynards friends and kindred humbly 
 thanked the King ; but he told them it was 
 much short of that he intended to do for their 
 sakes, and advised them all to admonish him 
 to be careful of his faith and loyalty. This 
 said Dame Rukenaw^ ' Believe it, my Lord, we 
 will not fail in that point, neither fear you the 
 contrary ; for should he prove otherwise, we 
 would renounce him.' 
 
240 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, xxv 
 
 Then the fox also thanked the King with 
 fair and courteous words, saying, ' My gracious 
 Lord, I am not worthy of these high honours 
 you do me ; yet will ever study with my 
 service how to deserve them ; nor shall my 
 counsel at any time be wanting.' 
 
 And this said, he took his humble leave of 
 the King, and so departed with the rest of his 
 friends and kindred. 
 
 Now whilst these passages happened, Bruin 
 the bear, Tibert the cat, and Ereswine and her 
 children, with the rest of their lineage, drew 
 the wolf out of the field and laid him upon soft 
 litters and hay, and covered him all over very 
 warm, and dressed his wounds, which were to 
 the number of five -and -twenty, by the help 
 of many skilful leeches and surgeons. His 
 sickness and weakness was so great that his 
 feeling was lost ; but they rubbed and chafed 
 him on the temples and under the eyes, till he 
 leaped out of his swoon, and howled so loud 
 that all were amazed which heard him; but 
 the physicians gave him cordials to drink, and 
 a dormiture or potion to make him sleep ; and 
 then comforted his wife, telling her there was no 
 danger or peril of his life. So the court broke 
 up, and every beast returned to his own home. 
 
CHAP, xxv REYNARD THE FOX 243 
 
 Amongst the rest Reynard the fox took his 
 leave of the King and Queen ; she desired him 
 not to be long absent from them. To whom 
 he answered, ' That he would be ever ready 
 at their service, as was his bounden duty, and 
 not himself alone, but all his friends and 
 kindred also.' 
 
 And so begging license of his Majesty in 
 all solemn manner and with fair speech, he 
 departed from the court. 
 
 WITH Reynard all his friends and kinsfolks to 
 the number of forty took their leave also of 
 the King, and went away with the fox, who 
 was no little glad that he had sped so well, and 
 stood so far in the King's favour. For now 
 he had power enough to advance whom he 
 pleased, and pull down any that envied his 
 fortune. 
 
 After some travel the fox and all his friends 
 came to his borough or castle of Malepardus, 
 where every one, in noble and courteous 
 manner, took leave of each other, and Reynard 
 did to every one of them great reverence, and 
 thanked them for the love and honour he had 
 received from them, protesting evermore to 
 
244 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP. 
 
 remain their faithful servant, and to send them 
 in all things wherein his life or goods might be 
 available unto them ; and so shook hands and 
 departed. 
 
 The fox went to Dame Ermelin his wife, 
 who welcomed him with great tenderness. 
 And to her and her children he related at 
 large all the wonders which had befallen him 
 at the court, and missed no tittle or cir- 
 cumstance therein. Then grew they proud 
 that his fortune was so excellent ; and the 
 fox spent his days from thenceforth with 
 his wife and children in great joy and 
 content. 
 
 There are many plays both comic and moral 
 which figure out things that never were, only 
 to make use and benefit of the example, that 
 men may thereby the better shun vice and 
 pursue virtues. In like manner this book, 
 though it contain but matter of jest and sport, 
 yet if he look seriously thereunto, he may haply 
 find much moral matter and wisdom worthy 
 his consideration. Goodness or any good men 
 shall he not find in it disreputed, for all things 
 are generally spoken, and every man may take 
 his own part as his conscience shall instruct 
 him. If any find himself too much oppressed, 
 
REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 let him shake it off with amendment ; if any 
 be clear, let him hold on his path and avoid 
 stumbling. And if any take distaste or offence, 
 let him not blame me but the fox, for it is only 
 his language. 
 
NOTES 
 
 The story of Reineke Fuchs is more than any other a 
 truly European performance ; for some centuries the universal 
 Household Possession and Secular Bible, read everywhere, in 
 the palace and the hut. . . . It comes before us with a character 
 such as can belong only to very few ; that of being a true 
 World's Book which through centuries was everywhere at 
 home, the spirit of which diffused itself into all languages and 
 all minds. CARLYLE. 
 
IN the following Notes I have endeavoured to give 
 rough indications of the parallels existing in other branches 
 of the Reynard Cycle, together with references to modern 
 critical investigations where these parallels are discussed. 
 The references to the Roman de Renard are to the 
 'branches' of M. Martin's (Strassburg, 1882-87) edition, 
 and are indicated by Ren. br. The German Reinhart 
 Fucks is referred to as Rein. I have used the edition 
 of Reissenberger (Halle, 1886). The Flemish verse is 
 indicated by Reyn. (edit. Van Helten, Groningen, 1887). 
 The Flemish prose version is, practically, the base of the 
 one before us, and may best be paralleled by Caxton's 
 version (edit. Thorns, Percy Society, 1844). 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 The beginning of the Plea. Ren. br. I., Rein, combines 
 with the episode of the sick lion. Reyn. vv. 33 seq. The 
 earliest form occurs in an Italian version, Rainardo, 
 published by Teza (Pisa, 1869), Caxton, cc. i.-iii. Goethe 
 i. 1-88. 
 
 P. i. Sanden, Caxton, Stade. Other versions do not 
 localise. 
 
 P. 2, Reynard. For the etymology see Introduction, 
 
250 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 p. xi. The y comes from the Flemish, the Middle 
 English form was Reneward. 
 
 Isegrim. The original form was Isengrini or possibly 
 Isangrim, and was current among the Folk before it 
 appeared in literature (see Introduction, p. xviii.). 
 
 P. 3. House by violence, Ren. br., ii. Rein. 563-634. This 
 incident of the adultery of Reynard with the she-wolf forms 
 the central motif in the Roman, and was developed in the 
 later branches. It occurs among folk-tales in which at 
 times the she-bear takes the place of the she-wolf, while 
 on other occasions the hare replaces the fox (cf. Sudre, 
 Sources, pp. 153-157). Marie de France (c. 1200) tells 
 the story of a fox and she-bear. 
 
 Refused to swear. Referred to in a few lines, Ren. br. I. 
 37-42 as here, but developed at greater length in br. V. ; 
 an earlier form in Rein. 
 
 P. 4. Tibert. In Rein. Diepreht. As a personal name 
 one of the earliest actors in the Cycle. 
 
 Curtois. In the Roman this is applied to the ewe. 
 
 P. 5. Panther, derived from the Pancer, in Rein. 126, 
 which has probably only an accidental resemblance to the 
 name of the beast. 
 
 Kyward, from the Cuvaert of Reyn. In the later 
 editions of Caxton it is misprinted Ruward. It is the 
 same word with the same meaning as our ' coward.' 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 Continuation of the Plea, see chap, i., Caxton, chap. iv. 
 P. 8. Grimbard does not occur in Rein., but probably 
 one of the earlier names. 
 Brock, that is, the badger. 
 Reynard's sister's son. This is not an attempt at 
 
NOTES 251 
 
 phylogeny, but merely a relic of the original form of the 
 Cycle which dealt with the feud between Isegrim and 
 Reynard, and connected all the other beast actors by ties of 
 relationship with the protagonists. 
 
 P. 9. Fat flitch of bacon. A reference to an episode 
 contained in Ren. br. V. 
 
 P. 10. Malepardus. In Ren. Malpertius. In Rein. 
 Ubelloch. Probably Maupertius in Champagne. 
 
 P. ii. Chanticleer. Familiar to us in Chaucer's use of 
 the name in his Nonne Preestes Tale. Occurs in Rein, as 
 Schantecler. It is, obviously, a French descriptive term 
 for the ' clear singing ' cock. 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 Chanticleer's Plaint. Ren. br. II., Caxton, chap. v. For 
 the sources, see Sudre, chap, iv., section i. 
 
 P. 12. Tantart, Cragant. In Reyn. Cantaert, craiant. 
 
 Copple. A diminutive of Coppe of Reyn. Grimm 
 compares the English 'copped hen ' (Rein. Fucks, ccxxxviii.) 
 Chaucer calls Chanticleer's wife, Pertelote, whence the 
 Shakespearian name, Partlet (/. King Henry IV., Act iii. 
 sc. 3 ; Winter's Tale, Act ii. sc. 3). 
 
 P. 14. Had made peace, derived from the ^Esopic 
 fable of 'Fox, Cock, and Dog' (see Jacob's j 
 Cranford edition, lix., and note, p. 214). 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 Continuation of Chanticleer's Plaint (see chap. iii.). 
 P. 19. Placebo. An anthem used in the office for the 
 dead, and beginning with Ps. Vulg. cxiv. 9. 
 
 P. 20. Bruin. In Rein. Brune. In Ren. Bruns. In 
 
252 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 Reyn. Brun. The name is to be referred to the colour of 
 bear-skin. 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 Bruin and the Honeycomb. Ren. br. I. 476-605. 
 Caxton, chap. viii. For the source, see Sudre, loc. tit. pp. 
 180-188. 
 
 P. 25. Honeycombs. Both in Russian and Finnish, 
 one of the popular names of the bear is ' Honey Eater.' 
 
 P. 26. Lanfert. One of the few names of men given 
 in the story. In Ren. it is written Lanfroi. 
 
 P. 28. Head into the cleft. A similar incident occurs in 
 the Fables of Bidpai. See my edition, in the Bibl. de 
 Carabas, p. 73, and references, p. Ixxi. 
 
 P. 36. Dicu vous garde. In the old Flemish original it 
 was Dieu vo saut. 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 Embassage of Tibert. Ren. br. XV, Caxton, chap. x. 
 
 P. 41. St. Martin's birds. The learned are not at one 
 as to which birds these are. Some say the crow, some the 
 goose, while others produce evidence of a wren, with long 
 legs, named after St. Martin. 
 
 Skilful in augurism. As is well known, the Ancients 
 drew auguries from the side on which certain birds 
 appeared. When starting on a journey the left was 
 considered unlucky, cf. Hopf, Thierorakel und Orakelthiere 
 (Stuttgart, 1888). 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 Continuation of Tibert's Embassage (see chap. vi.). 
 P. 48. Jullock. She was Bane, the priest's wife, a little 
 while before (see p. 33). 
 
NOTES 253 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 Grimbard's Embassage. 
 
 P. 52. Ermelin. Not named in Rein. Hermeline in 
 Ren. 
 
 P. 54. Reynardim^ Rossel. In Ren. there are three sons, 
 Malebranche, Percehaie, and Rousel. In Reyn. there are 
 two, named Reinerdin and Rossel. The fox is named the 
 Russet Dog by the Scotch peasantry. 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 Reynard's Confession. Ren. br. VII. This is one of the 
 incidents that have caused the book to be regarded as a 
 satire upon monks, to which some of its popularity in 
 Protestant Germany is due. 
 
 P. 56. Bind his feet to a bell-rope. Told at length in 
 Ren. br. VIII. In some of the medieval Latin fables the 
 wolf sings in church. In two French folk-tales, collected 
 by Blade, this is turned into pulling the bell-rope, as in the 
 Reynard, from which this touch was probably derived 
 (see Sudre, pp. 242-243). 
 
 Catch fish. See infra, p. 200. 
 
 Steal bacon. See supra, p. 9, and note. In one of the 
 fables of Babrius, No. 86, repeated in the prose Greek 
 sEsop, ed. Halm 31, it is the fox with swollen paunch who 
 cannot escape (cf. Sudre, loc. cit. p. 247). 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 Reynard's Condemnation. Ren. br. V. 
 P. 67. Bellin, not in Rein, Belin in Ren, 
 
254 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 Oleway. In Reyn. Havi. Clearly not one of the early 
 names. 
 
 Bruel. Brunei in Reyn., not in Rein, or Ren. In 
 Reineke Vos Alheit. Again a late invention. 
 
 Baldwin. In Rein. Baldewin. One of the earliest 
 names of the Cycle. 
 
 Bortle. In Reyn. Boore ; in Ren. Bruiant. 
 
 P. 68. Partlet. See supra, note on p. 12. 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 P. 69. Reynard Arrested. Ren. br. VII. Not in 
 Rein., but well told in Reyn. 
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 P. 74. Reynard's Confession. For occurrences in 
 comparative literature, see chap. xi. The skill with which 
 Reynard extracts himself from his perilous position is, 
 perhaps, the most characteristic passage in the whole book. 
 Not even Antony before the Roman mob has chosen so 
 deftly the most effective of arguments. 
 
 P. 77. What can the whole world. Reynard can quote 
 Scripture for his own purposes. 
 
 P. 78. King Ermerick. The great hoard of the 
 Nibelungen, renowned in Teutonic myth. 
 
 P. 79. Elfe. In Reyn. Waes, a district in Flanders. 
 
 P. 80. Aeon. Aix-la-Chapelle. German Aachen. 
 
 P. 90. Received the straw. In all transfers of real 
 property under Roman and Feudal Law some material 
 object, supposed to be taken from the land, was almost 
 
NOTES 255 
 
 invariably passed as a stipulation of surrender, whence 
 the term. The author of Reynard makes a delicious use 
 of this practice here to lend plausibility to his hero's 
 deceit. 
 
 P. 91. Hustreloe, properly Hulsterio. A wood between 
 Hulst and Lillo in East Flanders. 
 
 Crekenpit. In Reyn. Kriekepit. This river is unknown 
 to geography. Grimm suggests that it was placed where 
 c Greek meets Greek ' ; as Greek was used in Old German 
 for anything strange and woeful. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 P. 95. Reynard Restored. Caxton, chap. xiii. 
 P. 97. Tisellin. In Rein. Diezelin. \\\ Ren. Tiecelins. 
 Probably one of the original names. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 P. ioo. Reynard Shod. Caxton, chap. xix. Of course 
 in the original, Isegrim and his wife have their paws shod 
 to make Reynard's shoes. 
 
 P. 102. Prendesor, Rapiamus. These names of Church 
 dignitaries are, of course, satirical, and helped towards the 
 popularity of the Reynard in Protestant countries. Learned 
 research is inclined to regard them as later additions and 
 not in the original intention. 
 
 P. 103. Used many ceremonies. There was a prescribed 
 rule for starting on pilgrimages, the pilgrim being blessed 
 by the priest (see Fosbrooke, British Monachism, p. 326). 
 
256 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 P. 107. The Slaying of Kyward. Caxton, chap. xx. 
 In the Ren. br. L, Couart escapes. 
 P. 115. Firapell) i. e. Fier a poiL 
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 P. 1 1 8. Caxton, chaps, xxii.-xxiv. 
 P. 120. Laprell. Not in Rein, or Ren. 
 P. 122. Corbaut. Not in Rein, or Ren. 
 Sharpbeak. From the Reyn. Scerpenebbe. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 P. 125. Caxton, chap. xxv. 
 
 P. 133. Rossel and Reynardine. From Reyn. In Ren. 
 the three sons are named Malebranche, Percehaie, and 
 Rosel, though the latter is called Rousel in one place. 
 This is clear evidence that the Fox's cubs are a later 
 insertion. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 P. 135. Reynard's Confession. Ren. br. VII., Caxton, 
 chap, xxvii. 
 
 P. 137. Goodly bay mare. This episode is one of the 
 most widely spread of the medieval editions to jEsop. It 
 first occurs in Peter Alfonsi's Disdplina Clericalis, v. 4. 
 For other references see my edition of Caxton's ^Esop t 
 where it forms the first of the Fabulcc extravagantes, foe. 
 dt. vol. i. p. 252. 
 
NOTES 257 
 
 P. 140. The greatest clerks. Cf. Chaucer, The Reves 
 Tale, A. 4054. 
 
 The greteste clerkes been noght the wysest men, 
 As whylom to the wolf thus spak the mare. 
 
 And Prof. Skeat's note thereto, who fails, however, to 
 observe that the quotation in this connection proves that 
 Chaucer had before him some form of The Reynard. We 
 may have here another trace of the Middle English 
 Reynard, of which the only other fragment that remains is 
 that Of the Vox and of the Wolf. 
 
 P. 141. He that will live. Here begins Reynard's 
 Apologia pro Domo, the moral of the tone of the book, 
 which is, in its way, a parody on the clerical morals 
 attached to stories like those of the Gesta Romanorum. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 
 P. 146. Reynard's Second Defence. Caxton, chap, 
 xxviii., xxix. 
 
 P. 150. Martin. Rein. Kunin. Not in Ren., therefore 
 of very late addition. 
 
 P. 155. Cardinal Paregold. A late and Protestant 
 touch. 
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 P. 1 60. Rukenaw's Defence. Caxton, chap. 
 Rukenaw. Not in Rein, or Ren. 
 
 P. 163. A man and a serpent. This well-known 
 story is also widely spread among folk-tales. Prof. Krohn 
 has given references to no less than ninety-four parallels of 
 it in his dissertation, Mann und Fuchs (Helsingfors, 1891), 
 to which I have added a few others in Indian Fairy Tales, 
 
 S 
 
258 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 pp. 242, 243. I there contend for the Indian origin of the 
 whole collection of variants. The earliest form occurs in 
 Petrus Alfonsi, from whom it probably got into the 
 Reynard, 
 
 P. 169. BiteluS) Ful ro nip, Hatanet. Only in Reyn., 
 and therefore very late additions. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 P. 172. Caxton, chap. xxii. 
 
 P. 173. Alkarin. Quite an imaginary personage. 
 Possibly, I suggest, a confused reminiscence of Alkoran. 
 
 P. 174. Abrion of Trere. Equally imaginary, and 
 certainly unknown in the history of the Treves Jewry. 
 Perhaps a ' Portmanteau ' word compounded of Abraham 
 and Aaron. 
 
 Seth brought out. The opening scene of the Legend of 
 the Holy Cross, when Adam sends Seth to Paradise for 
 some of the Oil of Mercy, instead of which he gets three 
 Seeds of the Tree of Life, which afterwards grew up into 
 the Cross. See Ashton, Legendary History of the Cross, 
 woodcut i. 
 
 P. 176. Panther. Not the panther of ordinary 
 commerce, but an entirely legendary animal, a cross 
 between lion and tiger. 
 
 Great India, earthly Paradise. Smaller India was 
 Abyssinia. The earthly Paradise is usually placed in 
 medieval maps as an island, at the top, that is at the 
 extreme east of the habitable world. See Bevan and 
 Phillott, Medieval Geography, p. 25, and A. Graf, Miti 
 Lcggende e Superstizioni, Turin, 1892. 
 
 P. 178. Crampart. The Cambuscan of Chaucer's 
 Squire's Tale, derived here from the romance of Cleomades 
 
NOTES 259 
 
 by Adeles Le Roi, Poet Laureate, to Henri III., Duke of 
 Brabant, fl. 1250 (see Clouston, Magical Elements in the 
 Tale, p. 409). 
 
 P. 1 80. The horse. See my Cranford ^sop, xxxiii. 
 
 P. 1 8 1. Ass and hound. See Cranford ^Esop, x. 
 
 P. 183. My father and Tibert. See Cranford sEsop, 
 xxxviii. 
 
 P. 184. History of the wolf. See Cranford sEsop, v. 
 
 P. 190. Liver of a wolf. This incident is given in 
 Ren.) x. 
 
 P. 191. Master Reynard. Master was applied mainly 
 to qualified physicians. 
 
 P. 192. Give a part. This is a variant of the fable of 
 'The Lion's Share,' on which I have commented, History 
 of the sEsopic Fable, pp. 74, 166. M. Sudre develops 
 my thesis, loc. cit. p. 128 seq. It is clear that we have here 
 the original form of the fable with carnivorous fellow hunts- 
 man of the lion as against his herbivorous comrades in 
 Phsedrus's fable. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 
 P. 199. Catch fish with her tail. See Introduction, 
 pp. xv-xvii, and Krohn's Bar, Wolf, nnd Euchs, pp. 25, 44. 
 Also Gerber's further references in Great Russian Animal 
 Tales, pp. 48, 49. I have given a translation of the earliest 
 literary version from a Hebrew fable by an English Jew in 
 my Jews of Angevin England,^. 170-172. The Scotch 
 Highland peasants tell the tale to explain ' How the bear 
 lost his tail.' 
 
 P. 205. Two buckets. Told at length in Ren. br. IV. 
 M. Sudre, loc. cit. pp. 226-236, contends that the story has 
 nothing to do with the ^sopic fable of c The Fox and the 
 
260 REYNARD THE FOX 
 
 Goat.' The Reynard occurs earliest in Petrus Alfonsi, 
 and was probably derived from the East. 
 
 P. 212. Foul dismal hole. In Ren. br. XIV. the wolf 
 eats his fill and becomes too fat to get out again. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 P. 215. Challenge. Trial by battle was of course the 
 final resource during the Middle Ages in cases like the 
 present, where there was a conflict of evidence. 
 
 CHAPTERS XXIV-V 
 
 P. 224. The Combat. Ren. br. VI., Caxton, chap. 
 xxx ix. 
 
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