This is the table of the history of reynart the fox In the first hoow the king of all beasts the lion held his court capitulo . primo. How Isegrym the wolf complained first on the fox ca two. The complaint of curtoys the hound and of the cat Tybert capitulo three How grymbert the dasse the foxes fusters son answered for the fox to the king capitulo four How chantecler the cock complained on the fox ca v: How the king said touching the complaint ca vj. How bruyn the bear sped with the fox capitulo vij: How the bear ●te the honey capitulo eight The complaint of the bear upon the fox capitulo ix How the king sent Tybert the cat for the fox ca x. How grymbert brought the fox to the law ca xj. How the fox was shriven to grymbert capitulo twelve How the fox came to the court & excused him ca xiii.; How the fox was arrested and judged to death ca xiiij· How the fox was led to the galwes capitulo xu How the fox made open confession to fox the king & tofore all them that would here it capitulo xuj How the fox brought them in danger that would have brought him to death And how he gate the grace of the king capitulo . xvij· How the wolf and the bear were arrested by the labour of the fox capitulo . xviij· How the wolf & his wife suffered her shoys to be pulckyd of And how the fox died them on his feet ffor to go to rome capitulo xix How kywart the hare was slain by the fox capitulo twenty How the fox sent the hare's heed to the king by bellyn the Ramme capitulo. xxj How bellyn the ramme and all his lineage were jugged to be given to the wolf and to the bear capitulo xxij: How the king held his feste/ & lapreel the coney complained to him of the fox capitulo. xxiij How corbant the ro●k complained on the fox for the death of his wife capitulo. xxiiij How the king was angry of these complaints. ca· xxv. How grymbert warned the fox that the king was wroth and would slay him capitulo xxuj How the fox came again to the court and of his 〈…〉 . xxvij· How the fox excused him before the king. ca xxviij. How dame Rukenawe the she ape answered ffor the fox capitulo ·xxix· A parable of a man which delivered a serpent fro death capitulo xxx Of them that were friends & /kin to the fox. ca xxxj· How the fox subtilely excused him of the death of the hare and of other matters & /how he gate his pees ca· xxxij. How the wolf complained on the fox capitulo xxxiij Aparable of the fox and the wolf capitulo . xxxiiij· How the wolf cast his glove to fight with the fox capitulo ·xxxv. How the fox took up the glove/ And the king set them day And field for to fight ca xxxuj How dame rukenawe the she ape counseylled the fox How he should do in the fold against the wolf. ca▪ xxxvij. How the fox came in to the field capitulo xxxviij How the fox & the wolf fought together. ca xxxix. How the fox being under the wolf with glozing and flattering words came to his above capitulo xl How ysegrym the wolf was overcomen and the battle finished & how the fox had the worship capitulo xlj An example that the fox told to the king when he had won the field capitulo ·xlij· How the fox with his friends departed nobly fro the king & went to his castle maleperduys /capitulo xliij Hyer beginneth th'history of reynard the fox In this history been wreton the parables /good lering/ and diverse points to be marked /by which points men may learn to come to the subtle knoweleche of such things as daily been used & had in the counseyllies of lords and prelate's ghostly and worldly/ and /also among merchants and other comone people/ And this book is maked for need and profit of all god folk /As far as they in reading or hearing of it shall mow understand and feel the foresaid subtle deceits that daily been used in the world /not to th'intent that men should use them but that every man should eschew and keep him from the subtle false shrewis that they be not deceived /Thenne who that will have the very understanding of this matter /he must oft and many times rede in this book and earnestly and diligently mark well that he readeth /ffor it is set subtilely /like as ye shall see in reading of it/ and not ones to rede it ffor a man shall not with ones over reading find the right understanding ne comprise it well /but oft-times to rede it shall 'cause it well to be understand /And for them that understandeth it /it shall be right joyous playsant and prouffitable How the lion king of all bestis sent out his mandementis that all beestis should come to his feast and court capitulo primo iT was about the time of penthecoste or whitsuntide /that the woods comynly be lusty and gladsome/ And the trees clad with levys and blossoms & the ground with herbs and flowris sweet smelling and also the fowls and birds singen melodiously in their harmony /That the lion the noble king of all beasts would in the holy days of this feast hold on open Court at stade /which he died to know over all in his land/ And commanded by straight conmyssyons and maundements that every be'st should come thither /in such wise that all the beasts great and small came to the court safe reynard the fox /for he knew himself faulty and guilty in many things aye●●s● many ●eestis that thither should comen that he durst not adventure to go thither /when the king of all beestis had assemblid all his court /there was noon of them all /but that he had complained sore on Reynart the foxe· The first complaint made Isegrym the wolf on Reynart capitulo ·ij· ISegrym the wolf with his lineage & friends came and stood to fore the king /And said hy● and mighty prince my lord the king I beseech you that through your great might /right /and mercy that ye will have pity on the great trespass and the unreasonable misdeeds that reynart the fox hath done to me and to my wife that is to we●e he is comen in to my house against the will of my wife/ And there he hath be pyssed my children where as they lay in such wise as they thereof been waxen blind /whereupon was a day set/ and was judged that ●eygnart should come and have excused him hierof/ and have sworen on the holy waints /that he was not guilty thereof/ And when the boost with the saints was brought forth /though had reygnart bythouht him other wise/ And went his way again in to his hole /as he had naught set thereby/ And dear king this known well many of the beasts that now be comen hither to your court /And yet hath he trespaced to me in many other things /he is not living that coude tell all that I now leave untold /But the shame and vyllonye that he hath done to my wife /that shall I never hide ne suffer it 〈…〉 that he shall make to me large amendss/ The complaint of Courtoys the hound capitulo iij. when these words were spoken so stood there a little hound and was named courtoys /and complained to the king /how that in the cold winter in the hard frost he had been sore forwynterd /in such wise as he had kept no more meet than a Pudding /which Pudding reygnard the fox had taken away from him Tho spoke thybert the cat with this so came Tybert the cat with an Irous indeed/ and sprang in among them and said My lord the king /I here hire that reygnart is sore complained on/ and hire is noon but that he hath ynowh to do to clear himself /that courtoys hire complaineth of that is passed many years goon /how be it that I complain not /that puding was mine /for I had won it by night in a mylle /The myllar lay & sleep /if courtoys had any part hieron /that came by me to /Thenne spoke panther /Think ye Tybert that it were good that reynard should not be complained on /he is a very murderer /a rover /and a thief /he loveth noman so well /not our lord the king here that he well would that he should lose good & worship /so that he might win as mo●h● as a leg of a fat hen /I shall tell you what I saw him do yesterday to Cuwaert the hare that hire standeth in the kings pees and saufgu●d● /〈◊〉 promised to Cuwart & said he would teach him his credo /and make him a good chaplain /he made him go sit between his legs & sang and cried loud Credo. Credo. my way lay th●● by there that I heard this song /Tho went I ner and fond master reynard that had left that he first red & song/ and bygan to play his old play /for he had caught kywaert by the throat/ and had I not that time comen he should have taken his life from him like as ye heir may see on kywaert the hare the fresse wound yet /ffor sooth my lord the king if ye suffer this unpunished and let him go quite that hath thus broken your peace /And will do no right after the sentence & judgement of your men /your Children many years hereafter shall be myspreysed and blamed therefore /Sickerly panther said Isegrym ye say truth /it were good that right and justice were done /for them that would fain live in peace/ How grymbart the dasse the foxes sisters son spack ffor reynart and answered to fore the king. capitulo four though spack Grymbart the dasse /and was Reynarts sister son with an angry moed /Sir Isegrym that is evil said it is a common proverb An Enemies mouth /saith ceil well /what lay ye /and wite ye mine Eme Reynart /I would that ye would aventure that who of you twain had most trespaced to other should hang by the neck as a thief on a tree /But and if he were as well in this court and as well with the king as ye be /it should not be thought in him /that it were ynowh /that ye should come and ask him forgiveness ye have byten and nip mine uncle with your fell and sharp teeth many mo times than I can tell /yet will I tell some points that I well know /know not ye how ye mysdeled on the plays /which he threw down fro the car /when ye followed after fro far/ And ye eat the good plays alone /and gave him no more than the grate or bones /which ye might not eat yourself /In like wise died ye to him also of the fat ●lycche of bacon /which savourd so well /that ye alone eat in your belly /and when mine Eme asked his part /though answered ye him again in scorn /Reynart fair youngling I shall gladly give you your part /but mine eme gate ne had naught /ne was not the better /Notwithstanding he had wonnen the flycche of bation with great dread /for the man came and threw him in a sack /that he scarcely came out with his life /Such manner things hath reynart many times suffered through ysegrym. o ye lords think ye that this is good /yet is th● more /he complaineth how that reynart mine eme hath much trespaced to him by cause of his wife /Mine Eme hath leyn by her but that is well seven year to fore /ere he wedded her/ and if reynart for love and courtesy died with. her his will /what was that /She was soon healed thereof /hierof by right should be no complaint were Isegrym wise. he should have left that he doth to himself no worship thus to slander his wife /She playneth not /now maketh kywaert the hare acomplaynt also /that thinketh me a vysevase /if he rede ne learned a right his lesson /should not reynard his master beat him therefore if the scholars were not beaten ne smitten and reprised of their truantrye /they should never learn/ Now complaineth Courtoys that he with pain had gotten apudding in the winter /at such time /as the cos●● is evil to find Thereof him had be better to have hold his pees /for he had stolen it /Male quesisti et male p●●didis●● it is right that it be evil lost /that is evil won w●● shall blame Reynart /if he have taken fro a th●●f stolen good it is reason who that understandeth the law and can discern the right/ & that he be of his burth● as mine Eme reynart is which knoweth well how he shall receive stolen good /ye all had he courtoys hanged when he fond him with the menowr /he had not much mysdon ne trespaced /Sauf against the crown /that he had done justice without leave wherefore for the honour of the king he died it not /all hath he but little thank /what skathed it him that he is thus complained on /mine Eme is a gentle and a true man he may suffer no falsehood /he doth nothing but by his priests counseyl And I say you sith that my lord the king hath do proclaimed his pees he never thought to hurt any man /for he eateth no more than ones a day /he liveth as a recluse /he chastiseth his body & wereth a shirt of here /it is more than a year that he hath eaten no flesh /as I yesterday heard say of them that came fro him he hath left and given over his Castle maleperduys/ And hath builded a cluse /therein dwelleth he/ & hunteth no more /ne desireth no winning but he liveth by alms and taketh nothing but such as men give him for charity and doth great penance for his sins /and he is waxen much pale and lene of praying & waking ffor he would be fain with god /Thus as grymbert his eme stood and preached these words /so saw they comen down the hill to 'em chauntecler the cock and brought on abiere a deed hen of whom reynart had lyten the heed of /and that must be showed to the king for to have knowledge thereof. How the Cock complained on reynart capitulo vo. chauntecler came forth & smote piteously his hands and his fetheris and on each side of the bier wenten twain sorouful hens that one was called cantart and that other good hen Crayant they were two the fairest hens that were between holland and arderne /These hens bore each of them a brennyg taper which was long and straight /these two hens were coppens sisters And they cried so pitously /Alas and weleaway for the death of her dear sister coppen /Two young hens bore the byere which kakled so heavily and wept so loud for the death of coppen their mother that it was far heard /thus came they to gydre to ●ore the king/ And chantecleer though saide /merciful lord /my lord the king please it you to here our complaint /And abhorren the great staithe that reynart hath done to me and my children that h●●re standen /it was so that in the beginning of app●yl wh●n the weather is fair /as that I as hardy and proud /because of the great lineage that I am comen of and also had /for I had viij fair sons and seven fair daughters which my wife had hatched. and they were all strong and fat and went in ayerde which was walled round about /In which was a shadde where in were si● great dogs which had to tore and plucked many a b●●stis sk●n in such wise as my children were not afeard /On whom Reynart the thief had great envy by cause they were so sure that hecowde noon get of them /how well oft-times hath this●fel thief goon round aboutethis wall/ & hath laid for us in such wise that the dogs have be set on him and have hunted him away/ And once they leep on him upon the bank /And that cost him somewhat for his theft /I seen that his skin smoked 〈…〉 went his way/ god amend it/ thus were we quite of reynart a long 〈◊〉 at last came he in likeness of an ●eremye● and brought to me a letter for to rede sealed with the kings seal /in which stood wreton that the king had made 〈◊〉 overall in his royalme /and that all manner beast's and fowlles should do noon harm nor scathe to any other /yet said he to me more /that he was a cloisterer or a closed recluse be comen /And that he would receive great penance for his sins /he showed me his slavyne and pilch and an hairen shirt there under /and then said he /sir Chaunteclere after this time be no more afeard of me ne t●ke no heed /for I now will eat no more flesh /I am forthon so old /That I would fain remember my soul I will now go forth /for I have yet to say my sext /none /and mine evensong to god I bytake you /Tho went reynart thence saying his Credo /and laid him under an hawthorn /Thenne /was I glad and merry/ & also took noon heed /And went to my children and clucked 'em to gydre And went without the wall for to waske whereof is moche harm comen to us /for reynart lay under a bush and came kreping between us & the gate /so that he caght one of my children & layed him in his male /whereof when have had great harm /for sith he hath tasted of him /there might never hunter ne hounnde save ne keep him from us /he hath waited by night & day in such wise that he hath stolen so many of my children that of ·xv. I have but four /in such wise hath this thief forslongen them /And yet yesterday was coppen my daughter that hire lieth upon the bier with the hounds rescued This complain I to you gracious king /have pity on mine great & unreasonable damage & loss of my fair children/ How the king spack touching this complaint ca uj: then spack the king /Sire dasse here ye this well of the recluse your Eme he hath fasted and prayed that if I live a year he shall aby it /Now heeke chauntecler /your plaint is enough your daughter that lieth here deed /we will give to her the deaths right we may keep her no longer /we will betake her to god /we will singen here vygylie/ and bring her worshipfully on earth/ & thenne we will speak with these lords and take counseyl how we may do right and justice of this great murdre /and bring this false thief to the law /Tho begun they placebo domino /with the verses that to longen which if I should say /were me to long /when this vigilye was done and the commendation /she was laid in the pit /and thereupon was laid a marble stone polyshed as clear as any glass and thereon was hewn in great letters in this wy●e cop chanteklers daughter /whom Reynart the fox hath byten lieth hire under buried /complain ye her ffor she is shamefully comen to her death /after this the /king sent ffor his lords and wisest of his counseyl for to take advys /how this great murdre & trespaas should be punished on reynart the fox /There was concluded and appointed for the best /that reynart should be sent ffore and that he left not for any cause /But he came in to the kings court ffor to here what should be said to him/ And that bruyn the bear should do the message. the king thowght that all this was good and said to brune the bear sir brune I will that ye do this message /but see well to for yourself /for reynart is a shrew/ and fell & knoweth so many wiles that he shall lie and flatter/ and shall think how he may beguile deceive and bring you to some mockery /though said brune what good lord late it alone /deceiveth me the fox /so have I ill learned my casus /I trow he shall come to late to mocque me /Thus departed brune merrily fro thence /but it is to dread that he came not so merrily again/ how brunne the beer was sped of Reynart the fox /capitulo vij nOw is brune goon on his way toward the fox with astowte moede /which supposed well that the fox should not have beguiled him /as he came in a dark wood in a forest were as reynard had a bypath when he was hunted /there bysyde was an high mountain and land /and there must brune in the middle goon over for 〈◊〉 go to maleperduys /for reynart had many a dwelling place /but the castle of maleperduys was the best & the fastest burgh that he had /There lay he Inn when he had need and was in any dread or f●●e /Now when b●●yn was comen to maleperduys he fond the gate fast shette /though went he to fore the gate and sat upon his tail 〈…〉 Reynart be ye at home I am browning /the 〈◊〉 hath sent me for you that ye should come to court /for to plete your caas /he hath sworn there by his god /come ye not /or bring I you not with me for tabyde such right and sentence as shall be there given /it shall cost you your life he will hang you /or set you on the rat /reynart do by my counseyl and come to the court /Reynart lay within the gate as he oft was wont to do for the warmth of the son /when reynart herd bruyn though went he juneward in to his hole /for maleperduys was full of hooleshier one hool & there an other & yonder an other /narrow. crooked and long with /many weighs to go out /which he opened and shette after that he had need /when he had any proye brought home /or that he wist that any sought him for his misdeeds and trespasses /then he ran and hid him fro his enemies in to his secret chambres /that they could not find him /by which he deceived many a be'st that sought him /and though thought reynart in himself how he might best bring the beer in charge ● need /and that he abode in worship/ iN this thought reynart came out and said 〈◊〉 eme ye be welcome /I heard you well to fore 〈◊〉 I was in mine evesong therefore have I the longer 〈◊〉 a little /dear eme he hath done to you no good service 〈◊〉 I can him no thank that hath sent you over this l●●●ge hill /for I see that ye be also weary that the swe●● r●n●neth down by your cheeks /it was no need /I had neuerth●●les comen to court to morrow but I sorrow now the la●se for your wise counseyl shall well help me in the court 〈◊〉 could the king find noon lass messenger but you ffor to send hither /that is great /wonder /for next the kyn●ge ye be the most gentle and richest of leaves and of land /I would well that we were now at the cour● but I fear me that I shall not con well go thither for I have eaten so much new meet /that me thinketh my bel● will break or cleave asunder & by cause the meet was 〈◊〉 we /I eat the more /though spack the bear lyef neve what meet have ye eaten that maked you so full /dear eme that I eat what might it help you that if I told you /I eat but simple meet a power man is no lord that may ye know eme by me /we pour folk must eat oft-times such as we gladly would not eat if we had better /they were great honey combs which I must needs eat for hunger /they have made my belly so great /that I can nowher endure /Bruyn though spack anon /alas reynart what say ye /set ye so little by honey /me aught to praise and love it above all meet /lief reynart help me that I might get a devil of this honey /and as long as I live I shall be to you a tryew friend and abide by you as far as ye help me that I may have a part of this honey/ how bruyn eat the honey capitulo. viij: bRuyn eme I had supposed that ye had iaped therewith /so help me god reynart nay /I should not gladly jape with you /then spacke the red reynart is it thenne earnest that ye love so well the honey /I shall do late you have so much that ten of you should not eat it at one meal /might I get therewith your friendship /not we ten reyner neve said the bear how should that be had I all the honey that is between this and portyngale I should well eat it allone· reynard sayde· what say ye Eme /hire by dwelleth an husbandman named lantfert which hath so moche honey that ye should not eat it in ·vij. year which ye shall have in your hold. if ye will be to me friendly and helping against mine enemies in the kings court /then promised bruyn the bear to him▪ that if be might have his belly full· he would truly be to him tofore all other a faithful friend /hereof laughed reynart the shrew and said /if ye would have un chamber barelis full I shall well get them and help you to have them /These words pleased the bear so well & made him so much to /lawhe /that he could not well stand Tho thought reynart /this is good luck I shall lede him thither that he shall lawhe by measure/ reynart said thenne /this matter may not be long ●●●ryed /I must pain myself for you /ye shall well understand the very yonste & good will that I bear to you ward I know noon in all my lineage that I now would labour fore thus sore /that thanked him the bear and thought he tarried long /Now eme late us go a good paas and follow ye me /I shall make you to have as much honey as ye may bear /the fox meant of good strokes but the caytyf marryed not what the fox meant and 〈◊〉 went so long to gydre that they came unto 〈◊〉 yard though was sir bruyn me●y /now hark of 〈…〉 true that men say /so was lantfert a strong 〈◊〉 of great timber /and had /brought that other day to fore in to his yard a /great oak which he had begun to cleave And as men be woned he had smeten two beetles therein one after that other in such wise the oak was wide open whereof reynart was glad /for he had found it right as he wished/ And said to the bear all laughing see non well sharply /to /in this tree is so much honey that it is without measure /asaye if ye came come therein & eat but lytil for though the honey combs be sweet & good yet beware that ye eat not to many. but take of them by measure. that ye cacche no harm in your body· for sweet eme I should be blasmed if they died you any harm. what reynart cousin sorrow ye not for me. ween it that I were a fole· measure is good in all mete· reynart sayde· ye say truth. wherefore should I sorowe· go to th'end and Creep 〈◊〉 bruyn the bear hasted sore toward the honey. and 〈◊〉 in with his two formest feet: and put his heed over his eeris in to the clyft of the tree. And reynart sprang lightly and brak out the betle of the tree. Tho helped the bear neither flattering ne chiding. he was fast shette in the tree thus hath the nephew with deceit brought his eme in prison in the tree in such wise as he could not get out with might ne with craft /heed ne foot/ what prouffyteth bruyn the bear that he strong and hardy is /that may not help him /he saw well that he beguiled was he began to howl and to bray /and crutched with the hinder feet and made such a noise and rumour that lantfert came out hastily/ and knew nothing what this might be/ and brought in his hand a sharp hook /bruyn de bear say in the clyfte of the tree in great fere and dread /and held fast his heed and nyped both his fore feet /he wrang he wrestled/ & cried/ & all was for naught /he wist not how he might get out /reynar the foresaw fro far how that lantfert the carpenter came & though spack reynart to the bear /is that honey good how is it now /eat not to much it should do you harm /ye should not thenne well con go to the court when lantfert cometh if ye have well eaten he shall give you better to drink and thenne it shall not stick in your throat/ affter these words though turned him reynart toward his castle and lantfert came and fond the 〈◊〉 fast tak●● in the tree /then ran he fast to his neighbours a●● said /come all in to my yard /there is a beer take● 〈◊〉 word anon sprang oneral in the thorpe /there n● 〈◊〉 neither man ne wife /but all ran thither as fast as 〈◊〉 coude /everich with his weepen /some with a sta● 〈◊〉 with a rake /some with a broom /some with a stake 〈◊〉 hegghe and some with a flayel /and the priest of the 〈◊〉 had the staff of the cross /and the clerk brought a van● The priests wife julok came with her dystaf she sa● th● and span /There came old women that for age had 〈◊〉 one toeth in her heed /now was bruyn the 〈…〉 moche sorrow /that he alone must shande ayense 〈◊〉 all when he heard all this great noise & cry /he 〈…〉 and plucked so hard and so sore /that he g●t● 〈◊〉 his heed /but he left behind all the skin and 〈◊〉 his eeris /In such wise that never man saw 〈◊〉 ne lothlyer be'st /for the blood ran over his eye● 〈◊〉 or he could get▪ out his /feet●he must bete the●● 〈◊〉 claws or nails & this rough hand Thi● 〈◊〉 came to him evil. for he supposed ne●●● to have 〈◊〉 is fe●t were so sore/ & he might not see for the blo●● which ran so over his eyen /lantfert came to him with the 〈◊〉 & forth with all the paryss●●● & began to smite & strike sore upon his heed & visage ●e ●●ceyuyd t●●re many a so●● stroke /every man beware hierby. who hath harm and s●athe /every man will be there at and put more to /That was well seen on the bear /for they were all fires and wroth on the bear great and small /ye hughelyn with the crooked lege· and ludolf with the broad long noose /they were booth wroth That one had an leaden malle· and that other a great leaden wapper /there with they wappred and all for slyngred him /sir bertolt with the long fingers lantfert. and ottrain the long. these died to the bear more harm than all the other that one had a sharp hook/ and that other a crooked staff well leded on th'end for to play at the ball /Baetkyn /end ave abelquak my dame ●aue. and the priest with his staff/ and dame julok his wife these wronghten to the bear so moche harm /that they would fain have brought him fro his life to death /they smote and stack him all that they could /bruyn the beer sat and sighed and groaned /and must take such as was given to him /but lantfert was the worthiest of birth of them all/ and made most noise /for dame peg of chafporte was his mother/ and his father was Macob the stoppelmake● /a moche stout man there as he was alone /bruyn received of 'em many a cast of stones /Tofore hem all sprang forced lanteferts brother with a staff/ and smote the bear on the heed that he ne herd ne saw/ & there with the bear sprang up between the bush & the river among an heep of wyvis that he threw a devil of 'em in the river which was wide & deep /there was the persons wife one of them wherefore he was full of sorrow when he saw his wife lie in the water /him lusted no longer to smite the bear /but called dame juloke in the water now every man see to /Alle they that may help her /be they men or /women /I give to 'em all pardon of her penance and release all their sins /all they thenne left bruyn the bear lie/ And died that the priest bad when bruyn the bear saw that they ran all fro him & ran to save the women /though sprang ●e in to the water and swam all that he coude /Thenne made the priest a great shout and noise and ran af●●● the bear with great anger and said come & torn aga●● thou false thief /The bear swam after the best of the stream /and let them call and cry /for he was glad that he was so escaped from them /he cursed and 〈…〉 honey tree /and the fo●e also that had so betrayed 〈…〉 he had cropen therein so deep that he lost boothe his 〈◊〉 and his ceris/ And so forth he droof in the 〈…〉 a ij or iij. mile /Tho wax he so weary that he went to land● for to sit and rest him /for he was heavy he groaned & sighed /and the blood lepe over his eyen /he drough his br●th like as one should have deyde/ nOw hark how the fox died /or he came fro lantfe●ts house he had stolen a fat hen and had laid her in his male And ran hastily away by a by path were he wend that noman should have comen /he ran toward the river that he sweat /he was so glad that he witted not whatto do for joy /for he hoped that the bear had be deed /he said /I have now well sped for he that should most have hindered me in the court is now deed /and noon shall wite me thereof /may I not then by right /be well glad /with these words the fox looked to the gyver ward and espied where bruyn the bear say and rested him /Tho was the fox so●ier and mightier than he tofore was merry /and was as angry & said In chiding to lantfert /alas lanfert lewd fool god give him a shames death that hath lost such good venison which is good & fat/ & hath late him go which was taken to his hand many aman would gladly have eaten of him. he hath lost a rich and fat bear /Thus all chiding he came to the river /where he fond the beer sore wounded/ bebled/ and right seek /which he might thank noon better thereof than Reynart which spack to the bear in scorn /Chiere priestre /dieu vous guard will ye see the rede theof said the bear to himself /the rybaud & the fell diere here I see him comen /Thenne said the fox /have ye aught forgotten at lantferts. have ye also paid him for the honey combs that ye stolen fro him /if ye have not. it were agrete shame & not honest /I will rather be the messenger myself for to go and pay him /was the honey not /good /I know y●t more of the same pries. dear Eme tell me ere I go hens /In to what order will ye go. that were this new hood /were ye amonke or an abbot· he that shoef your crown /hath nyped of your ●eris /ye have lost your top And don of your gloves /I trow verily that ye will go sing complyn· all this herd bruyn the bear/ and wax all angry and sorry for he might not a venge him /he let the fox say his will And with great pain suffered it. and start again in the river/ & swum down with the streem to that other side /now must he sorrow how that he should come to the court /for he had lost his ●eris/ and the skin with the claws of h●● forefeet /for though a man should have slain him he 〈◊〉 not go /And yet he must. needs forth /but he 〈…〉 how Now here how he died. he sat upon his hams 〈◊〉 began to rutsele over his tail /and when he was so 〈◊〉 he wentled and tumbled nigh half a mile this 〈◊〉 with great pain so long till at last 〈◊〉 came 〈…〉 court /And when he was seen so coming 〈…〉 doubted what it might be that came so wenteling 〈…〉 atte last knew him /and was not well paid 〈…〉 This is bruyn the bear my friend/ lord god 〈…〉 wounded him thus he is passing reed on his 〈…〉 thinketh he is hurt unto the death where may 〈…〉 therewith is the bear come to fore the king and 〈◊〉 The complaint of the bear upon the fo●e· capo 〈…〉 i complain to you merciful lord sire king so 〈◊〉 ye may see how that I am handled praying you tavenge it upon reynart the fell b●est· ffor I have go●●n this in your service. I have lost both my formest 〈◊〉 my cheeks and mine ●eris by his false deceit and ●●eson The king said how durst this false thief Reynat do this /I say to you bruyn and swear by my crown I s●●l so avenge you on him /that ye shall ●onne me thank he sent for all the wise beestis /and desired counseyl how that he might avenge this over great wrong /that the fox had done /Thenne the counseyl concluded old and young /that he should be sent fore and dayed earnestly again for tabyde such judgement as should there be given on him of all his trespasses And they thought that the cat tybert might best do this message if he would /for he is right wise /The king thought this council good/ How the king sent another time tybert the cat for the fox/ & how tybert sped with reynart the fox /caº xº. then the king said sir tybert /ye shall now go to reynart and say to him this second time that he come to court unto the plea for to answer /for though he be fell to other beestis· he trusteth you well/ and shall do by your counseyl. and tell if he come not /he shall have the third warning and be dayed and if he thenne come not /we shall proceed by right against him and all his lineage without mercy /Tybert spack /My lord the king /they that this counseylde you were not my friends what shall I do there /he will not for me neither come ne abide /I beseech you dear king send some other to him /I am little and feeble /bruyn the bear which was so great and strong /coude-not bring him /how should I thenne take it on hand /nay said the king sir tybert ye been wise and well learned /Though ye be not great /there lieth not on /many do more with craft and cunning /than with might and strength /then said the cat /sith it must needs be done /I must thenne take it upon me/ god give grace that I may well achieve it /for my heart is heavy/ and evil willed thereto /Tybert made him /soon ready toward maleperduys/ and he seen fro far come fleeing one of saint martin's birds /though cried he loud & said all hail /gentle bird /torn thy wings hethaward and flee on my right side /the bird flewh forth upon a tree which stood on the lift side of the cat /though was ty●bert woe /for he thought it was a shrewd token and a sign of harm /for if the bird had flown on his right side /he had been merry and glad /but now he sorrowed that his journey should torn to unhap /nevertheless he 〈◊〉 as many do/ and gave to himself better hope than ●is heart said /he went and run to maleperduys ward 〈◊〉 there he fond the fox alone standing to fore his 〈◊〉 tybert said /The rich god give you good even reyna●● the king hath menaced you /for to take your life from you /if ye come not now with me to the court /The fore though spack and said /Tibert my dear cousin ye be right well come /I would well truly that ye had much good luck ● whad hurted the fox to speak fair /though he said well his heart thought it not and that shall be seen 〈◊〉 they depart /reynart said will we this night be to gydre /I will make you good chyere and to morrow early in the dawning we will to gydre go to the court /good n●u● late us so do /I ha●e noon of my kin /that I trus●e so much to as to you /hire was bruyn the bear the traitor he looked so shrewdly on me /and me thought he was so strong /that I would not for a thousand mark have goon with him /but cousin I will to morrow early go with you /Tybert said /it is best that we now go /for the moan shineth also light as it were day /I never saw fairer weather /nay dear cousin /such might meet us by day time /that would make us good chiere/ and by nyghtte peraventure might do us harm /it is suspicious to alke by night. Therefore a bide this night here by me Tybert said /wat should we eat /if we abode here /reynart said /here is but little to eat ye may well have an honey comb good and sweet /what say ye /Tybert will ye any thereof /tybert answered I set naught thereby have ye nothing elliss if ye gaf me agood fat mouse /I should be better pleased /a fat mouse said reynard /dear cousin what say ye /here by dwelleth a priest and hath a barn by his house there in been so many mice /that a man should not lede them a way upon a wain /I have heard the priest many times complain that they died him moche harm O ●ere reyner lede me thither for all that I may do for you /ye tybert say ye me truth /love ye well myes' /if I love 'em well said the cat /I love myes better than any thing that men give me· know ye not that myes' savour better than venison /ye than flawnes or pasteyes will ye well do. so lede me thither where the myes' ben· and then shall ye win my love. ye all had ye slain my father mother and all my kin. Reynart said ye moke and jape therwyth· the cat said so help me god I do not. Tybert said the fox wist I that verily I would yet this night make that ye should be full of myes. reynart quoth he· full that were many. tyberte ye jape /reynart quoth he in troth I do not /if I had a fat /mouseth /I would not give it for a golden noble /late us go then /tybert quoth the fox I will bring you to the place /er I go fro you /reyner quoth the fox /upon your safeconduct /I would well go with you to monpel●er late us then go said the fox we tarry alto long /Thus went they forth without letting to the place /where as they would be to the priests barn which was fast wallid about with a mud wall and the night to fore the fox had broken in /and had stolen fro the priest a good fat hen /and the priest all angry had set a gr●n to fore the hool to avenge him /for he would fain have ●ak● the fox /this knew well the fell thief the fore And said sir tybert rosin creep in to this hole ● and ye shall not long tarry but that ye shall catch myes by gre●● 〈◊〉 hark how they pipe. when ye be full /come again I will tarry here after you before this hole /we will to 〈◊〉 go to guider to the court /Tybert why tarry ye thus 〈◊〉 come of /and so may we return soon to my wife. which waiteth after us /and shall make us good chiere Tybert said /reynart cousin is it thenne your counseyl that I go in to this hole. These priests been so wily & shrewyssh /I dread to take harm /O ●o tybert 〈◊〉 the for I saw you never so sore afeard /what eylech ●●w the cat was ashamed and sprang in to the hole. And anon ●e was caught in the grin by the neck ere ●e wyft● thus deceived reynart his guest and cousin aS tybert was waer of the grin /he was a ferde and sprang forth /the grin wen●e to then began he to wrawen /for he was almost y strangled /he called he cried & made a shrewd noise /reynart stood to fore the hool and herd al /and was well a paid and said /tybert love ye well myes' /be they fat and good /knew the priest hereof or mertynet /they be so gentle that they would bring you sauce /Tybert ye sing and eaten /is that the guise of the court/ lord god if ysegrym ware there by you in such rest as ye now be then should I be glad /for oft he hath done me scathe and harm /tybert coud● not go away /but he mawede and galped so loud /that martynet sprang up /and /cried loud/ god be thanked my grin hath taken the thief that hath stolen our hens /arise up we will reward him/ with these words aroose the priest in an evil time and waked all them that were in the house/ and cried with a lowed vois /the fox is /take there leep and ran all that there was the priest himself ran all mother naked /mertynet was the first that came to tybert the priest took to locken his wife an offering candle and bad her light it at fire/ and he smote tybert with a great staff /There received tybert many a great stroke over all his body /mertynet was so angry that he smote the cat an eye out /the naked prerst lift up & should have given a great stroke to tybert /but tybert that saw that he must die sprang between the priests legs with his claws and with his teeth that he wrought out his right colyon or balock stone /that leep became ill to the priest and to his great shame. this thing fell down upon the floer /when dame julocke knew that /she swore by her faders soul /that she would it had cost her all th'offering of a bull year /that the priest had not had that harm hurt and shame /and that it had not happened and said /in the devils name was the grin there set /see mertynet lyef son /this is of thy faders harness /This is a great shame and to me a great hurt /for though he be healed hereof yet he is but a lost man to me and also shall never con do that sweet play and game /The fox stood without to fore the hole and herd all these words /and lawhed so sore that he uneath could stand /he spack thus all softly dame julock be all still /and let your great sorrow sink All hath the priest lost one of his stones it shall not 〈◊〉 him he shall do w●th you well ynowh there is 〈…〉 many a chapel /in which 〈…〉 but one bell 〈◊〉 scorned and mocked the fox /the priests wife dame 〈◊〉 that was full of sorrow /The pre●st fell down a 〈◊〉 they took him up and brought him again to bed. 〈◊〉 went the fox again in to his borugh ward/ and lef●● tybert the cat in great dread and jeopardy for the fore wist noon ocher but that the cat was nigh dead ● but when tybert the cat saw them all busy about the priest though began he to bite and gnaw the grenne in the middle a sondre/ and sprang out of the hool and went rolling and wentling towards the kings court or be came thither it was fair day and the son began to rise /And 〈◊〉 came to the court as a pour wight /he had caught harm a●te priests house by the help and c●unseyl of the fore ●his b●dy was all to beaten/ and blind on the one eye /when the king wist this /that tybert was thus arrayed /he was sore angry and menaced reynart /the thief sore/ & anon gathered his counseyl to wite what they would advise him /how he might bring the fox to the law and how he should be fet though spack sir grymbart which was the fox's sister son and said ye lords /thowgh mine eme were twice so bad and shrewessh /yet is their remedy enough /late him be done to /as to a free man when he shall be judged /he must be warned the third time for all and if he come not than /he is thenne guilty in all the trespasses that been laid against him and his or complained on /grymbert who would ye that should go and day him to come /who will adventure for him his eeris /his eye or his life which is so fell a be'st /I trow there is noon here so much a fool /grymbart spack /so help me god I am so much a fool /that I will do this message myself to reynart /if ye will command me/ How grymbert the dasse brought the fox to the law to fore the king /capitulo xj nOw go forth grymbart and see well to fore you reynart is so fell and falls and so subtle /that ye need well to look about you /and to beware of him /Grimbert said he should see welto /thus went grymbart to maleperduys ward /and when he came thither /he fond reynart the fox at home/ and dame ermelyn his wife lay by her whelps in a dark corner /Tho spack grymberd and salewed his eme and his aunt /and said to reynart eme beware that your absence hurt you not in such matters as be laid and complained on you but if ye think it good /it is high time that /ye come with me to the court /The wythholding you fro it can do ●ow no good there is moche thing complained over you ● this is the third warning/ and I tell you for troth if ye abide to morrow all day /there may no mercy help you ye shall see that with in three days that your house shall be byseged all about /and there shall be made to fore it 〈◊〉 'lows and rack /I say you truly ye shall not thenne escape neither with wife ne with child /The 〈◊〉 shall take all your livys fro you /therefore it is best 〈◊〉 ye go with me to the court /your sultyl wise coun●●● shall paranenture avail you /there been gre●ter 〈◊〉 fall ere this for it may hap ye shall go quy●● 〈…〉 the complaints that been complained on you and 〈◊〉 your enemies shall abide in the shame /ye have 〈…〉 don more and greater things than this. rEynart the fox answered /ye say s●t● I 〈◊〉 it is best that I go with you for their 〈◊〉 my counseyl peraventure the king shall be merciful 〈◊〉 me if I may come to speak with him and see 〈◊〉 under his eyen /though I had done much more harm 〈◊〉 court may not stand without me that shall the king well understande· Though some be so fell to me w●●d yet it goth not to the heart all the counseyl sh●l 〈◊〉 moche by me /where great courts been gathered of kings or of great lords /where as needeth subtle counseyl /there must reynart find /the subtle means /they may well speak & say their advys but the mine is best /and that goth to fore all other /in the court been many that have sworen to do me the wert they can /and that causeth me a part to be heavy in my heart /for many may do more than one alone /that shall hurt me /nevertheless nephew it is better that I go with you to the court and answer for myself /than to set m● /my wife /and my children in a venture for to be lost /arise up late us go hens /he is over mighty for me /I must do as he will /I can not beltre it I shall take it patiently and suffer it. rEynert said to his wife dame ermelyn I betake you my children that ye see well to hem /and specially to reynkyn my youngest son /He belyketh me so well I hope he shall follow my stappes And there is rosel apassing fair thief /I love 'em as well as any may love his children /If god give me grace /that I may escape I shall when I come again thank you with fair words Thus took Reynart leave of his wife /A gods /how sorouful abode ermelyn with her small whelps /for the vytayller and he that sorrowed for malperduys was goon his way/ And the house not pourueyed ne vitaylled. How reynard shroef him capitulo twelve when reynart and grymbert had goon a while to gy●re/th●said reynart /dear cousin now am I in gr●te fere /for I go in dread/ and jeopardy of my life /I have so moche repentance for my sins that I will sh●ryue me dear cousin to you /here is noon other priest to get if I were shriven of my sins /my soul should be the clearer /grymbert ansuerde /Eem will ye shrive you /then must ye promise first to leave your steeling and roving reynart said that wist he well /now hark 〈◊〉 cousin w●at I shall say /Confiteor tibi pater of all the misdeeds that I have done/ And gladly will recey●● penance for them /Grymbert said what say ye /will ye shrive you /then say it in english that I may vn●derstande▪ you reynart said /I have trespaced against all the beasts that live in especial against bruyn the bear mine Eem whom I made his crown all bloody/ And taught tybert the catteto catch myes for I made her leepe in a grenne where she was all to beaten /also I have trespaced greatly against chanteclere with his children /for I have made him quite of a great deal of 'em the king is not goon all quite /I have sklandeed him and the queen many times /that they shall never be clear thereof yet have I beguiled yse●grym the wolf ofter than I can tell well I called him eme /but that was to deceive him /he is nothing of my kin /I made him a monk /Eelmare /where I myself also became one/ And that was to his hurt and no profit /I made bind his feet to the bell rope /the rynging of the bell thought him so good that he would learn to ring whereof he had shame /for he range so sore that all the folk in the street were afeard thereof and meruaylled what might be on the bell/ And ran thither tofore he had comen to ask the religion /wherefore he was beaten almost to the death /after this I taught him to catch fish where he received many a stroke /also I led him to the richest priests house that was in vermedos /This priest had aspind wherein hinge many a good flitch of bacon /wherein many a time I was wont to fill my belly /in this spind I had made an hole /in which I made ysegrym to creep /There fond he tub with beef and many goed flytches of bacon whereof he eat so much without measure /that he might not come out at the hole where he went in /his belly was so great and full of the meet/ and when he entered his belly was small /I went in to the village and made there a great shout/ and noise /yet h●rke what I died thenne I ran to the priest where he sat at the table and eat/ And had to fore him as fat capon as a man might find /that capon caught I & ran my weigh therewith all that I might /the priest cried out & said /take & slay the fox /I trow that never man saw more wonder /the fox cometh in my house and taketh my capoone fro my table /where saw ever man an hardyer thief/ & as me thought he tok● his table knife & casted it at me /but he touched me not I ran away /he shoof the table from him/ & folewed me crying kill & slay him /I to go and they after and many moo came after which all thought to hurt me/ i Ran so long that I came where as isegrym was /and there I let fall the capone /for it was to heavy for me/ and against my will I left it there /and then I sprang through an hole where as I wold● be /and as the priest took up the capon. he espied isegrym and cried smite down here friends here is the thief the wolf /see well to that he escape us not· they ran all to gydre with stokkes and staves & made a great noise tha● all the neighbours camen out. and gaven· him many a shrewd stroke /and threw at him great stones▪ in such wise that he fell down as he had been deed /They slepid him and drew him over stones and over blocks without the villag● and threw him in to a dyche and there he lay all the night /I wo●e never h●w he came th●ns sith I have gotten of him/ 〈…〉 he as I made him to fill his belly /that he swore that 〈…〉 be mine help an hole year/ Tho led I him to a place where I tol●e him there we●e vij· hens and a cock which sat on a perch and were much fat/ And there stood a faldore by/ and we climbed there up /I said to him if he would believe me/ & that he would creep in to the door /he should find many fat hens /Isegrym went all laughing to /the door ward and crope a lityl in/ & tasted here & there/ & at last ●e said to me reynarde ye lord & jape with me /for what I seche I find not thenne said I●eme if ye will find creep further in /he that will win /he must labour and adventure/ They that were wont to sit there /I have them a way thus I made him to seche ferther in/ & shove him forth so far /that he fill down upon the floer for the perch was narrow /and he fill so great a fall /that they sprang up all that slept /and they that lay next the fire cry den that the val●ore was open and /something was fall and they wist not what it might be/ they roose up and light a candle/ and when they saw him they smeton betenn and wounded him to the death /I have brought him thus in many a iepardye /moo than I 'gan now reckon /I should find many moo /if I me well bythoughte /which I shall tell you here after /Also I have bydryven with dame erswind his wife /I would I had not done it /I am sorry for it /it is to her great shame /and that me repenteth /grymbert said /Eme I understand you not /he said I have trespaced with his wife /ye shrive you /as though ye held somewhat behind /I wot not what ye mean ne where ye have learned this language /Ache dear eme it were great shame if I should say it oppenly as it happened /I have leyen by mine aunt /I am your eme I should anger you if I spoke villainy of women /nephew now have I told you all that I can think on /set me penance/ and assoylle me /for I have great repentance /Grymbert was subtle and wise /he broke a rod of a tree and said /eme now shall ye smite yourself thrice with this rod on your body/ And then lay it down upon the ground/ & spring three times there over without bowing of you● legs and without stombling/ and then shall ye take it up and kiss it friendly in token of meken●● and obedience of your penance that I gaf you /herwith be ye quite of all sins that ye have done to this day for I forgive it you all /the fox was glad /though said grymbert to hi● eme /Eme see now forthon /that ye do good works /rede your psalms /go to church fast and keep your halydayes /and give your all mess /and leave your sinful and ill life /your theft and your treason and so may ye come to mercy /the fox promised that he would so do/ and then went they both to gydre to the court ward/ a little beside the way as they went stood a cloister of back nuns. where many ghees ●ennes and capones went without the walls/ and as they went talking the fox brought grymberte out of the right way thither and without the walls by the 〈◊〉 went the polayle /The fox espied them and seen a fat young capon which went alone fro his fellows & 〈…〉 caught him that the feathers flewh about his ●●ris but the capone escaped /grymbert said what eme cursed man what will ye do /will ye for one of these pole●es fall aga●yn in all your sins of which ye have shryu●n you 〈◊〉 aught sore repent you /reynart answered /truly cousin I had all forgotten /pray god that he forgive it me for I will never do so more /thenne turned they again over alityl bridge /yet the fox always looked after the polaylle ● he could not refrain himself /that which clevid by the bone ● might not out of the flesh /though he should be hanged▪ he could not let the looking after the polayll as far as he might see them /Grymbert saw his manner & said /ffowle false deceiver /how go your eyen so after the poleyl /The fox said /cousin ye /miss do to say to me any such words /ye bring me out of my devotion and prayers /late me say apater noster ffor all the souls of polaylle and ghes that I have betrayed/ and oft with falsehood stolen from these holly nuns /Grymbert was not well a paid but the fox had ever his eyen toward the polayl /till at last they came in the way again /And then turned they to the court ward /how sore quaked the reynard when they approached the court /for he wist well that he had for to answer to many a fowl feet and theft that he had done ● How the fox came to the court /and how he excused him to fore the king /capitulo xiij oh aT the first when it was known /in the court that reynart the fore and grymbaert his cousin were comen to the court /There was noon so pour nor so feeble of kin and friends /but that he made him ready for to complain on reynart the fox /reynart looked as he had not been afeard /and held him better than he was for he went forth proudly with his nephew through the highest street of the court /right as he had been the kings son & as he had not trespaced to any man the value of an here/ & went in the mydel of the place standing to fore noble the king and said/ God give you great honour and worship /There was never king /that ever had a trewe● servant /than I have been to your good grace and yet am· Nevertheless dear lord I know well that there been many in this court that would destroy me if yewold believe them /but nay god thank you /it is not sitting to your crown to believe these false deceyvars and liars lightly /To god moat it be complained /how that these false liars and flatterers now adays in the lords courts been moste heard and believed /the shrews and false deceivers been borne up for to do to good men all the harm and scathe they may /Our lord god shall ou●s reward them their hire /the king said /pees reynard false thief and traitor /how well can ye bring forth fair talis/ And all shall not help you a straw ● went ye with such flattering words to be my friend ● ye have so oft served me so as ye now shall well know▪ The pees that I have commanded & sworn /that have ye well 〈◊〉 /have ye /chauntecler coude no longer be still but cr●de ● alas what have /I by this pees lost /be still chanticleer hold your mouth late me answer this fowl thief thou shrewd fell thief said the king thou sa●ist that thou lovest me wel· that hast thou showed well on my messengers these pour fellows /Tibert the cat and bruyn the bere●whiche yet been all bloody which chide not ne say not much /but that shall this day cost the thy life /In nonine pater· criste. filij. said the fox dear lord & mighty king if bruyns crown be bloody /what is that to me /when he eat honey at lantferts house in the village and died him hurt and scathe /there was he beaten therefore if he had willed he is so strong of limbs /he might well have be avenged ere he sprang in to the water /Tho came tybert the cat whom I received friendly /if he went out without my counseyl for to steel myes to a priests house /and the pr●●st died him harm should I aby that then mygyht I say I were not happy not so my liege lord /ye may do what ye will /thowh my matter be clear and good. ye may si●de me /or roast /hang. or make me blind. I may not escape you. we stand all under your correction. ye be mighty and strong. I am feeble /and my help is but small /if ye put me to the death. it were a small vengeance whiles they thus spack. sprang up bellyn the rame and his ewe dame olewey and said my lord the king here our complaint /bruyn the bear stood up with all his lineage and his fellows. Tibert the cat Isegrym the wolf. kywart the hare/ and panther the boore· the camel and brunel the ghosts the kyde and ghoot. boudewyn the ass. born the bull /hamel the oxe· and the weasel. Chantecler the cock· pertelot with all their children· all these made great rumour and noise. And came forth openly to fore their lord the king. And made that the fox was taken and arrested/ How the fox was arrested and judged to death capitulo ·xiiijᵒ· hEre upon was a parliament/ and they desired that reynart should been deed and what sum ever they sayden against the fox /he answered to each to them /never heard man of such beestis /such playntiss of wise counseyl/ and subtle Inventions and on that other side /the fox made his excuse so well and formably thereon that they that heard it wondered thereof /they that heard & saw it /may tell it forth for truth /I shall short the matter and tell you forth of the fox /The king and the counseyl heard the witnessis of the complaints of reynarts misdeeds /it went with 'em as it oft doth the feblest hath the worst /They gave sentence and Iu●ged that the fox should be deed and hanged by the ne●●e though list not he to play all his flattering words and deceits could not help him /The judgement was given and that must be done /grymbert his nephew/ and ma●ny of his lineage might not find in their hearts 〈◊〉 see him die but token leave soroufully/ and roamed the court/ the king bithoughte him and marked how many a youngling departed from thence all weeping which were nigh of his kin/ and said to himself ● hire behoveth other counseyl hereto /Though reynart be a shrew /there be many good of his lineage /thybert the cat said /sir bruyn & sir Isegrym /how be ye thus slow. it is almost even /hire been many bushes & h●dges. if ●e escaped from us. & were delivered out of this peril he is so subtle & so wily & can so many deceits th●t he should never be taken again /shall we hang him how stand ye all thus ere the galewis can be made ready it shall be night /Isegrym bethought him tho and saide /hire by is a gibet or galewis /And with that word he sighed /and the cat espied that and said /Isegrym ye be afeard /is it against your will /think ye not that he himself went and laboured that both your brethren were hanged /were ye good and wise ye should thank him/ & ye should not therewith so long tarry/ How the fox was led to the galewis /capo ·xvᵒ· ysegrym balked and said /ye make much a do sir tybert had we an halter which were meet for his neck and strong enough /we should soon make an end /reynert the fox which long had not spoken /said to Isegrym short my pain /Tyberte hath a strong cord which caught him in the priests house /when he boat of the priests genytoirs /he can climb well and is swift late him bear up /the line /Isegrym and bruyn this becometh you well that ye thus do to your nephew /I am sorry that I live thus long /haste you ye be set thereto /it is evil do that ye tarry thus long /go to fore bruyn ●nde lede me Isegrym follow fast. andsee well to & beware that reynart go not away· though said bruyn it is the best counsel that I ever yet heard /that reynart there seith Isegrym commanded anon and bad his kin and friends. that they should see to reynart that he escaped not. for he is so wily and false. They helden him by the feet. by the beard. and so kept him that he escaped not from 'em /The fox heard all these words /which touchid him /nigh /yet spoke he and said /Och dear eme /me thynkyth ye pain yourself sore /for to do do me hurt and scathe /if I durst I would pray you of mercy /thaugh my hurt and sorrow is playsant to you /I wot well if mine aunt your wife bethought her well of old ferners·s she would not suffer that /I should have any harm /but now I am he /that now ye will do on me what it shall please you /ye bruyn and /thibert/ god give you shames death but ye do to me your wert /I wot whereto I shall /I may die but ones I would that I were deed all ready I saw my father die he had soon done /Isegrym said late us go /for ye curse us by cause we length the time /evil might he far if we abide any longer /he went forth with great envy on that one side and bruyn stood on the other side /and so lede the● him forth to the gallows ward /Tybert ran with a good will to fore /and bore the cord and his throat was yet sore of the grin /and his crop died him woe of the strike that he was take in that happened by the /counsel of the fox/ and that thought he now to quite/ tybert ysegrym and bruyn went hastily with reinert to the place /there as the felons been wont to be put to death /Noble the king and the queen/ and all that were in the court followed after for to see the end of reynart /the fox was in great deed if him misshaped/ and bethought him oft● /how be might save him fro the death/ And though three that so sore desired●● his death how he might deceive them/ and bring them to shame/ and how he might bring the king with leasings ffor to hold with him against 'em /This was all that he studied /how he might put away his sorrow with wylies/ And thought /thus though the king and many one be upon me angry /it is no wonder for- I have well deseruid it /nevertheless I hope for to be yet her best friend/ And yet shall I never do them good /how strong that the king be/ and how wise that his tounseil be /if I may brook my words /I know so many an invention /I shall come to mine above /as far as they would comen to the galewes/ though said ysegrym /sir bruyn think now on your red crown which by reynarte mean ye caught we have now the time that we may well reward him. /Tybert climb up hastily and bind the cord fast to the lined/ and make a riding knot or a strope /ye be the lyghtyst /ye shall this day see your will of hym· Bruyn see well to that he escape not. and hold fast. I will help that the ladder be set up /that▪ he may go upwart thereon. bruyn said. do. I shall help him well The fox said now may my heart be well heavy for great drede· ffor I see the death to fore mine eyen. and I may not escape· my lord the king and dear queen and forth all ye that here stand. oer I depart fro this world I pray you of a bone. that I may to fore you all make my confession openly & tell my defaults also clearly that my soul be not a /cumbered/ & also that noman here after /bear no blame for my theft ne for my treason my death shall be to me the esyer/ and pray ye all to god that he have mercy on my soul. How the fox made openly his confession to fore the king and to fore al them that would here it capo xuj oh all they that stoden there had pity when reynart said tho words & said it was /but a little request if the king would grant it him/ and they prayed the king to grant it him /The king gaf him leave /reynart was well glad and hoped that it might fall better ● And said thus /now help spiritus domini /for I 〈…〉 noman but I have trespaced unto /Nevertheless 〈…〉 I unto the time that I was weaned fro the teat/ 〈…〉 best child that /coude o●wher be founden /I went 〈◊〉 and pleyde with the lambs by cause I heard 'em gla●l● 〈◊〉 I was so long with 'em that at the last I boat one /there learned I first to lapen of the blood it savourd well /me thought it right good/ And after I began to taste of the flesh /throof I was lycourous so that after that I went to the gheet in to the wood. there ●erde I the kids blete and I slew of them twain /I began to wax hardy after I slew hens /polayl and 〈◊〉 where ever I fond hem /Thus word my teeth all blady after this I wax so fell and so wroth /That what 〈◊〉 ever I found that I might over /I slow all● /There aftercam I by Isegrym now in the winter ● where he hid him under a tree. And re●ened to me that /he was mine eme when I heard him then reckon alliance we becomen● fellows which I may well repent /we promised each to other to be true and to use good fellowship/ and began to wandre to guider /he stall the great things and I the small and all was common between us /yet he made it so that he had the best deal I gate not half my part /when that ysegrym gate a calf /a ramme or a weather then grimmed he /and was angry on me and droof me fro him /and held my part and his to /so good is he. yEt this was of the lest /but when it so lucked that we took an ox or a cow /then came thereto his wife with vij children so /that unto me might uneath come one of the smallest rib/ and yet had they eaten all the flesh thereof /there with all must I be content not for that I had so great need. for I have so grette scatte and good of silver and of gold that seven veins should not con carry it away /when the king heard him speak of this great good and richesse he burned in the desire and covetise thereof and said reynart where is the richesse becomen /tell me that· the fox said my lord I shall tell you /the richesse was stolen and had it not bestolen /it should have cost you /your life and should have been murdered which god forbid & should have been the greatest hurt of the world /when the queen heard that she was sore afeard and cried loud /alas and weleaway reynart what say ye /I conjure you by the long way that your soul shall go /that ye tell us openly the truth hereof as much as ye know of this great murdre that should have be done on my lord /that we all may here it now herkene how the fox shall flatter the king and queen/ and shall win both their good wills & love/ And shall hyndre them that labour for his death /he shall unbind his pack & lie and by flattery and fair words shall bring forth so his matters /that it shall be supposed for truth/ iN a sorouful countenance spack the fox to the queen I am in such caas now that I must needs die /and had ye me not so sore conjured /I will not jeopardy my soul/ & if I so died I should go therefore in to the pain of hell /I will say nothing but that I will make it good /for pytously he should have been murdered of his owen folk. nevertheless they that were most pryn●●pal in this feat. were of my next kynne· whom gladly I would not bewray. if the sorrow were not of the hell. The king was heavy of heart & said /reynart saiste thou to me the truth. ye said the fox. see ye not how it standeth with me. ween ye that I will damn my soul. what should it avail me if I now said other wise than truth. my death is so nyghe· there may neither prayer ne good help me Tho trembled the fox by dyssymlying as he had been a feared The queen had pity on him. And prayed the king to have mercy on him in eschewing of more harm/ & that he should do the people hold their peace and give the fox Audience. and here what he should say /Tho commanded the king openly that each of them should be still/ and suffer the fox to say vn●eri● sped what that he would. then said /the fox /be ye now all still. sith it is the kings will. and I shall tell you openly this treason. And therein I will spare noman that I know guilty. How the fox brought them in danger /that would have brought him to death. and how he gate the grace of the king. capitulo. xvij●: nOw herkene how the fox began. in the beginning he appeled grymbert his dear cousin. which ever had helped him in his need /he died so because his words should be the better believed. and that he forthon might the better lie on his enemies /thus began he first and said. my lord my father had founden king ermeryks treasure doluen in a pit. and when he had this great good. he was so proud and orguillous that he had all other beasts in despite which tofore had been his fellows he made tybert the cat to go in to that wild land of ardenne to bruyn the bear for to do to him homage. & bade him say if he would be king that he should come in to flanders /bruyn the bear was glad hierof /for he had long desired it /And went forth in to flanders where my father received him right friendly /anon he sent for the wise grymbert mine nephew/ And for ysegrym the wolf/ and for tybert the cat /Tho these five camen between gaunt and the thorpe called yfte /ther● they helden their counseyl an hole dark night long /what with the devils help & ●raft and for my faders richesse they concluded /and swore there the king's death/ now herkene and here this wonder the four sworen upon ysegryms crown /that they should make bruyn a king & a lord/ And bring him in the stole at akon & set the crown on his heed /and if there were any of the kings friends or lineage /that would be contrary or against this /him should my father with his good & treasure for /drive and take from him his might and power● iT happened so that on a morowtyde ●●ly tha● gr●mbert my nephew was of wine almost drunk 〈◊〉 he told it to dame sloepcade his wife in counseyl/ & 〈◊〉 her keep it secret /but she anon forgot it/ and said 〈◊〉 forth in confession to my wife /upon and heth where they both wenten a pilgrimage /but she must first sw●re by her truth & by the holy three kings of coleyne that fo● love ne for hate she should never tell it forth but keep 〈◊〉 secret but she held it not/ and kept it no longer 〈◊〉 but till she came to me /and she thenne told to me all that she heard /but I must keep it in secret/ & she told me so many tokenys /that I felt well it was truth & for dread & fer● mine here stood right up/ & my heart became as heavy as lead/ & as cold as Ice /I thought by this a likeness which hire a fore time byfylle to the fross his which were free /and complained that they had noon lord /ne were not bydwongen /for a comynte without a governor was not god/ & they crieden to god with a loud vo●s that he would ordain one that might rule them /this was all that they desired/ god heard their request /for it was reasonable and sent to them a stork /which eat & swolowed them in as many as he could find /he was always to hem unmerciful /though complained they their hurt /but thenne it was to late /they that were to fore free & were a feared of no body /been now bond and must obey to strength their king /higher fore ye rich and pour I sorrowed that it might happen us in like wise/ tHus my lord the king I have had sorrow for you whereof ye can me but little thank /I know bruyn the bear for such a shrew and ravener /wherefore I thought if he were king we should be all destroyed and lost /I know our sovereign lord the king of so high birth /so mighty so benign & merciful /that I thought truly it had been an evil change for to have a soul stinking thief & to refuse a noble mighty stately lion /for the bear hath more mad folly in his unthrifty heed & all his auncestris /than any other hath /thus had I in mine ●erte many a sorrow/ & thought always how I might break and fordoo my faders false counseyl which of a churl & a traitor & worse than a thief would make a lord and a king /always I prayed god that he would keep our king in worship & good health & grant him long life /but I thought well if my father held his treasure /he should with his false fellows well find the uva ye that the king should be deposed & sett● a side /I was sore bethought how I might best wite where my faders good lay /I a waited at all times as nigh as I coude /in woods in bushes in feeldis /where my father laid his eyen /were it by night or by day /cold or we●t I was always by him to espy & know where his treasure was laid/ oN a time I lay down all plat on the ground/ & saw my father come running out of an hole /Now hark what I saw him do /when he came out of the hole /he looked fast a bout if any body had seen him /And when he could nowher noon see /he stopped the hole with sand and made it even and plain like to the other ground by /he knew not that I saw it/ and where his footspore stood /there striked he with his tail and ma●● it smooth with his mouth that noman should espy 〈◊〉 that learned I there of my falls father and many subtyl●●tees that I to fore knew nothing of /then departed 〈◊〉 thence & ran to the village ward for to do his th●ngis ● and I forgot not but sprang & lepe to the hol● ward and how well that he had supposed that he had made all fas●● I was not so much a fool but that I fond the h●le wel● and cratched & scraped with my feet the sand out of t●e hole/ and crept therein /there fond I the most 〈◊〉 of silver and of gold that ever I saw /hire is noon so old that ever so much saw on one heep in all his life /Tho took I ermelyne my wife to help /and we ne rested night ne day to bear & carry a way with great labour & pain this rich treasure in to another place that lay for v● better under an haw● in a deep hole /in the● mean while that mine husewyf & I thus laboured my father was with them that would betray the king /now may ye here what they deed /bruyn the bear and ysegrym the wolf sent all the land a bout /if any man would tak● wages /that they should come to bruyn/ and he would pay them their souldye or wagis to fore. my father ran over all the land and bore the letters. he witted lytil that he was rob of his treasure. ye though he might have wonnen all the world. he had not con find a penny thereof. when my father had been overall in the land between the ●lue & the sum. And had gotten many a soldier that should the next summer have comen to help bruyn. though came he again to the bear and his felowiss. and told them in how great a venture he had be to fore the borughes in the land of saxone/ and how the hunters daily riden and hunted with hounds after him in such wise that he unnethiss escaped with his life /when he had told this to th●se four false traitors /then showed he them letters that pleased moche to bruyn there in were wreton xij·C· of ysegryms lineage by name without the bears /the foxes /the cats and the dassen /all these had sworn that with the first messenger that should come for them they should be ready and come for to help the bear /if they had their wages a month to fore /This aspyed I /I thank god /after these words my father went to the hole where his treasure had leyn & would look upon it /though began he a great sorrow /that he sought he fond nothing /he fond his hole broken and his treasure born away /there deed he that I may well sorrow & bewaylle /for great anger & sorrow he went & hang himself /thus abode the treason of bruyn by my subtlety after /Now see mine Infortune /these traitors ysegrym and bruyn /been now most privy of counseyl about the king/ and sit by him on the high bouche /And I pour reynart have no thank ne reward /I have buried mine owen father by cause the king should have his life /my lord said the fox /where been they that so would do /that is to destroy themself for to keep you/ the king and the queen hoped to win the tr●●sour and with out council took to them ●●ynart and prayed him that he would do so well as to tell them were this treasure was /reynart said how should I tell the king or them that would hang me /for lou● of the traitors and murderars which by her flatery● would feign bring me to death/ should I tell to them where my good is /then were I out of my wit /The queen though spoke nay reynart the king shall let you have your life/ and shall all to gydre forgive you/ and ye shall 〈◊〉 frohens forth wise & true to my lord. the fore answered to the queen. dear lady if the king will believe me and that he will pardon and forgive me all my old trespasses there was never king so rich as I shall make him for the treasure that I shall do him have /is right costly and may not be numbered /The king said ache dame. will ye believe the fox. safe your reverence he is borne to rob /steel & to lie /this clevid to his bones & can not be had out of the flesh /the queen said /nay my lord ye may now well believe him /though he were here to fore fell he is now changed otherwise than he was ye have well heard that he hath appechid his father & the dasse his nephew /which he might well have laid on other beasts /if he would have been false /fell/ and a liar /The king said dame will ye thenne have it so/ and think ye it best to be done /though I supposed it should hurt me /I will take all these trespasses of reynart upon me /and believe his words /But I swear by my crown /if he ever here after miss do and trespass /that shall he dear aby and all his lineage unto the. ix· degree ● The fox looked on the king stoundmele and was glad in his heart/ and said my lord /I were not wise /if I should say thing that were not true /The king took up a straw fro the ground /And pardoned and forgaf the fox all the misdeeds and trespasses of his father and of him also /if the fox was tho merry and glad it was no wonder /for he was quite of his death and was all free and frank of all his enemies/ tHe fox said my lord the king and noble lady the queen god reward you /this great worship that ye do to me /I shall think and also thank you for it ● in such wise that ye shall be the richest king of the world /for there is noon living unther the son /that I vouchesauf better my treasure on /than on you both /Thenne took the fox up a straw and proffered it to the king and said my most dear lord please it you to receive heir the rich treasure which king ermeryk had /for I give it unto you with a free will /and knowledge it openly /The king received the straw and threw it merrily fro him with a joyous visage/ And thanked much the fox /The fox laughed in him self /The king thenne herkened after the counseyl of the fox/ And all that there were /were at his will /My lord sade he /herkene and mark well my words /in the west side of flanders there standeth a wood and is named hulsterlo/ And a water that is called krekenpyt lieth thereby /This is so great a wilderness /that oft in an hole year man nor wife cometh therein /safe they that will /and they that will not eschew it /There lieth this treasure hid /understand well that the place is called krekenpit /for I advise you for the lest hurt /that ye and my lady go both thither /for I know noon so true that I durst on your behalne crust wherefore go yourself/ And when ye come to krekenpyt ye shall find there two birchen trees standing alther next the pit /my lord to tho byrchen trees shall ye go /there lieth the treasure unther doluen /There must ye scrape and dig a way a little the moss on the one side /There shall ye find many a jewel of gold and silver. and there shall ye find the crown which king Ermeryk ware in his days that should bruyn the bear have worn if his will had gone forth ye shall see many a cosily jewel with rich stones set in gold work which cost many a thousand mark /My lord the king when ye now have all this good /how oft shall ye say in your heart and think /O how true art thou reynart the fox. that with thy subtle wit daluyst and hyddest here-this great treasure /god give the good hap and welfare where ever thou be/ tHe king said /sir reynart ye must come and help us to dig up this treasure /I know /not the way /I should never con find it /I have herd oft● named /paryes /london akon and coleyn /As me thinketh this treasure lyeth-right as ye mocked and japed /for ye name kryekenpyt /that is afayned name /these worde● were not good to the fox/ and he said with an angry mode-and dissymyled and said /ye my lord the king /ye be also nigh that as fro rome to may /ween ye that I will lede you to flomme iordayn· /Nay I shall bring you out of weening and show it you by good witness /he called loud kywart the hare /come here to fore the king The beasts saw all thither ward and wondered what the king would /the fox said to the hare /kywart are ye a cold /how tremble ye and qua●e so /be not afeard /and tell my lord the king here the truth/ And that I charge you by the faith and /truth that ye own him and to my lady the queen of such thing. as I shall demand of you /Kywaert said I shall say the truth though I should loose my neck therefore /I shall not lie ye have charged me so sore /if I know it /Thenne say /know ye not where kri●ken pit standeth /is that in your mind /the hare said /I knew that well twelve yer a goon /where that standeth /why ask ye that. It standeth in awoode named hulsterlo upon a warande in the wilderness /I have suffered there moche sorrow for hunger and for cold /ye more than I can tell /Pater symonet the fries was woned to make there false money /wherewith he bore himself out and all his fellowship /but that was to fore ere I had fellowship with ryn the hound /which made me escape many a danger /as he could well tell if he were here /and that I never In my days trespaced against the king other wise than I aught to do with right /reynart said to him go again to yonder fellowship here ye kyward /my lord the king desireth no more to know of you /the hare returned and went again to the place he came fro /The fox said my lord the king is it true that I said /ye reynart said the king /for give it me /I died evil that I believed you not /Now reynart friend find the way that ye go with us to the place and pytte● where the treasure lieth /the fox said it is a wonder thing ween ye that I would not feign go with you /if it were so with me that I might go with you /in such wise that it no shame were unto your lordship /I would go but nay it may not be /herkene what I ●hal say and must needs thaugh it be to me villainy & shame ● when Isegrym the wolf in the devils name went in to reli●gion and become a monk shorn in the order ● though the provend of six monks was not sufficient to him/ and had not enough to eat ●e thenne plained and waylled so sore /that I had pity on him /for he became slow and seek /and by cause he was of my kin I gaf him co●●ceyl to run away and so he died /wherefore I stand a cursed and am in the popes ban and sentence I will to morrow bytymes as the son riseth take my way to rome for to be assoiled and take pardon and fro rome I will over the see in to the /holy land and will never return again till I have done so much good that I may with worship go with you/ it were greet repref to you my lord the king /in what land that I accompanied you that men should say ye raised and accompanied yourself with a cursed and a person aggravate /The king said sith that ye stand a cursed in the censures of the church if I went with you /men should arette villainy unto my crown /I shall thenne take kywaert or some other to go with me to kry●kenpytte/ and I counsell you reynart that ye put you yourself out of this curse /my lord quoth the fox /therefore will I go to rome as hastily as I may /I shall not rest by night nor day till I be assoylled /reynart said the king /me thinketh ye been turned in to a good way /god give you grace taccomplyssh well your desire/ assoon as this speaking was d●n /noble the king went and stood upon an high stage of stone /And conmanded silence to all the beasts /and that they should sit down in a ring round upon the grass every in his place after his estate and birth /reynart the fo●e stood by the queen /whom he aught well to love /Thenne said the king /here ye all that be pour and rich young and old that standeth here /reynart one of the heed officers of my house had done so evil which th●s day should have been hanged /hath now in this court done so much /that I and my wife the queen have promised to him our grace and friendship /The queen hath prayed much /for him /in so much that I have made pe●s with him/ And I give to him his life & member/ freely again/ and I comande you upon your life /that ye do worship to /reynart his wife and to his children /where somever ye meet 'em by day or by night/ and I will also here nomoo complaints of reynard /if he hath hire to fore mysdon and trespaced /he will no more mysdone trespass /but now better him ● he will to morrow /early go to the pope for pardon and forgiveness of all his sins and forth over the see to the holy land/ and he will not come again till he bring pardon of all his sins /This tale heard tyselyn the raven/ and leep to ysegrym /to bruyn /and to tybert there as they were ● and said ye caitiffs /how goth it now /ye unhappy folk 〈◊〉 do ye here /reynard the fox is now asquyer and a cou●●tyer and right great and mighty in the court /The kyn●ge hath skilled him quite of all his brokes and forgiven him all his trespasses and misdeeds ● And ye be all betrayed and appeached /ysegrym said how may this be /I trow tyselyn that ye lie I do not certainly said the raven /Tho went the wolf and the bear to the king Tybert the cat was in great sorrow he was so sore a feared /that for to have the fox's friendship ● he would well forgive reyner the loss of his one eye that be lost in the priests house /he was so woe /he witted not what to do ● he would well that he never had seen the fox/ How the wolf and the bear were a●estyd by the labour of reynart the fox capitulo xviii ySegrym came proudly over the field to fore the king/ and he thanked the queen ● and spack with afelle moed ill words on the fox /in such wise that the king heard it/ and was wroth and made the wolf and the bear anon to be arrested /ye saw never wood dogs do /more harm /than was done to them they were both fast bounden so sore that all that night /they might not steer hand ne foot /They might scarcely roar ne move any joint /Now here how the fox forth died /he hated 'em /he laboured so to the queen that he gate leave for to have as much of the bears skin upon his ridge as a foot long and a foot broad for to make him thereof a scrip /then was the fox ready if he had four strong shoes /now here how he died for to get these shoes /he said to the queen /madame I am your pilgrim /here is mine eme sir Isegrym that hath four strong shoes which were good for me /if he would late me have two of them I would on the way busily think on your soul /for it is right that a /pilgrim should always think and pray for them /that do him good /Thus may ye do your soul good if ye will/ And also if ye might get of mine aunt dame eerswyn also two of her shoes to give me /she may well do it /for she gooth but lytil out /but abideth always at home /then said the quene-reynard you behoveth well such shoes /ye may not be without them /they shall be good for you to keep your feet hool for to pass with them many a sharp mountain and stony roches /ye can find no better shoes for you /than such as Isegrym and his wife have and were /they be good and strong /though it should touch their life each of them shall give you two shoes for to accomplissh with your high pilgrimage/ How ysegrym and his wife ereswyn must suffer her shois to be plucked of/ And how reynard died on the shoys for to go to rome with /capitulo ·xix tHus hath this false pilgrim gotten fro Iseg●y● ij shoes fro his fe●t /which were haled of the claws to the senewis ye saw never soul that men roasted lay so still /as Isegrym died /when his shoes were haled of /he stirred not /and yet his feet bledde /then when Isegrym was unshoed /Tho must damn eerswyn his wife lie down in the grass with an heavy cheer/ And she lost there her hinder shoes /Tho was the fox glad and said to his aunt in scorn /My dear aunt how moche sorrow have ye suffered for my sake /which me sore repenteth /safe this /hereof I am glad ffor ye be the lyevest of all my kin /Therefore I will gladly were your shoe● ye slal be partner of my pilgrimage /and deal of the pardon that I shall with your shoen fecche over the see /dame erswyne was so woe that she uneath might speak /Nevertheless this she said /A reynart that ye now all thus have your will /I pray god to wreak it /ysegrym & his fellow the bear helden their pees and wheren all still /they were evil all ease /for they were /bounden and sore wounded had tybert the cat have been there /he should also somewhat have suffered /in such wise /as he should not escaped then● without hur●● and shame· tHe next day when the son aroos reynard then died grece his shoes which he had of ysegrym and erswyn his wife/ and died 'em on & bond 'em to his feet /and went to the king & to the queen and said to 'em with a glad cheer /Noble lord and lady god give you good morrow and I desire of your grace that I may have male and staff blessed a● belongeth to a pilgrym Thenne the king anon /sent for bellyn the ram/ & when he came he said /sir bellyn ye shall do mass to fore reynart /for he shall go on pilgrimage/ and give to him male and staff /the ram answered again and said /my lord I dare not do that /for he hath said that he is in the pope's curse /The king said /what thereof /master gelies hath said to us /if a man had do as many sins as all the world /and he would the sins forsake /shrive 'em & receive penance /and do by the priests counseyl /god will forgive them and be merciful unto him now will reynard go over the see in to the holy land & make him clear of all his sins /Thenne ansuerd bellyn to the king I will not do litil ne much herein /but if ye save me harmless in the spirituel court before the bishop pren /delor and to fore his archdeacon loosuind /and to for sir rap●amus his official /the king began to wax wroth and said /I shall not bid you so much in half a year /I had liefer hang you than I should so much pray you for it /when the rame saw that the king was angry /h● was so sore afeard that he quoke for fere /and went to the altar and sang in his books and radde such as him thought good over reynart /which little set there by/ safe that he would have the worship thereof when bellyn the ram had all said his service devoutly /thenne he hang on the fox's neck /a male covered with the skin /of bruyn the bear /and a lytil palster thereby. though was reynart ready toward his journey. though looked he toward the king as he had been sorrowful to depart & feigned as he had wept. right as he had y●●merde in his herte· but if he had any sorrow ● it was by cause all the other that were there were not in the same plight as the wolf & bear were brought in by him. nevertheless he stood & prayed them all to pray for him. like as he would pray for them the fox thought that he tarried 〈◊〉 & would fain have departed for he knew himself guilt the king said reynart I am sorry ye be so hasty and w●l no longer tarry /nay my lord /it is time /for m● aught not spare to do well /I pray you to give me l●ue to 〈◊〉 I must do my pilgrimage /the king said /god be 〈◊〉 now/ & commanded all them of the court to go & 〈◊〉 ne reynart on his way sauf the wolf & the bear 〈◊〉 fast lay bounden /there was noon that durst be sor● therefore /and if ye had seen reynart how personably ●e went with his male and palster on his shoulder and t●e shoes on his feet /ye should h●ue laughed ● he went and showed him ouward wisely /But he laughed in his heart that all they brought him forth ● which had a little to fore been /with. him so wroothe And also the king which so much hated him /he had made him such● a fool that be brought him to his own intent he was a pilgrim of deux a●s. mY lord the king said the fox I pray you to return again I will not that ye go any ferther with me. ye might have harm thereby. ye have there two morderars arrested /if they escaped you. ye might be hurt by them I pray god keep you fro mysaventure· with these words he stood up. on his afterfeets. And prayed all the beasts great & small that would be partners of his pardon that they should pray for him /They said that they all would remenbre him /Thenne departed he fro the king so heavily that many of them ermed /Thenne said he to kyward the hare/ and to bellyn the ram merrily /dear friends shall we now depart /You will and god will accompany me ferther /ye two made me never angry /ye be good for to walk with /courtoys /friendly and not complained on of any beast ye be of good conditions/ and ghostly of your living /ye live both as I died /when I was a recluse /if ye have leevis and grass ye be pleased /ye retch not of breed /of flesh /ne such manner meet /with such flattering words hath reynard these two flattered /That they went with him till they camen to fore his house /maleperduys/ How kywart the hare was slain by the fox /capo .xx oh when the fox was come to fore the gate of his house he said to bellyn the ram /cousin ye shall abide here without /I and kywart will go in /for I will pray kywart to help me to take my leave of ermelyn my wife/ and to comfort her and my children /bellyn said I pray him to comfort them well /with such flattering words brought he the hare in to his hole in an evil hour /There fond they dame ermelin lying on the ground with her yonglyngiss /which had sorrowed moche ffor dread of reynarts death /but when she saw him come she was glad /but when she saw his male and palster/ and espied his shoes ● she meruaill●d and said dear reyner /how have ye sped /he said I was arrested in the court /But the king let me go● I mu●ste go a pilgrimage /Bruyn the bear and ysegr●m th● wolf they be pledge for me /I thank the king 〈…〉 given to us kywart hire /for to do with h●m 〈◊〉 we will /The king said him s●lf that ●●wart w●s th● first that on us complained/ And by the faith that I own you I am right wroth on kywart ● when kywart heard these words he was sore afeard ● He would have fled●de /but he might not /for the fo●e stood between 〈◊〉 and the gate/ And he caught him by the neck ● Tho cried the hare help bellyn help /Where be ye This pilgryme sleeth me ● but that cry was soon done /for the fox had anon byten his throat a two /Tho said he lat● us go eat this good fat hare /the young whelps came also /Thus held they a great feste /for kywart had a good fat body /ermelyn eat the flesh and drank the blood /she thanked oft the king that he had made them so merry /The fox said eat as much as ye may /he will pay for it /if we will ● feche it. sHe said reynart I trow ye mock /tell me th● truth how ye be departed thence /dame I have so flaterid the king & the queen /that I suppose the friendship between us shall be right thin when he shall know of this /he shall be angry/ & hastily seek me for to hang me by mine neck /Therefore late us depart & steel secretly a way in some other forest /Where we may live without fere & dread /and there that we may live seven year and more & find us not /there is plenty of good meet of partryches /wododekkis & much other wild fowl /dame & if ye will come with me thither /there been sweet wells & fair and clear running brokes /lord god how sweet eyer is there /There may we be in pees and ease & live in great wealth /for the king hath let me gone by cause I told him that there was great treasure in krekenpyt /but there shall he find nothing though he sought ever /This shall sore anger him when he knoweth that he is thus deceyvid what trow ye how many a great losing must I lie /er I could escape from him /It was hard that I escaped out of prison /I was never in greater peril ne nerrer my death /but how it ever go /I shall by my will never more come in the kings danger /I have now gotten my thumb out of his mouth /that thank I my subtlety. damn ermelyne said reynart I counsel that we go not in to another forest /where we should be strange and elenge we have here all that we desire/ And ye be here lord of our neighbours /wherefore shall we leave this place/ And adventure us in a worse /we may abide her sure enough /if the king would do us any harm or besiege us /here been so many by or side holes /in such wise as we shall escape fro him /in abiding here /we may not do amiss /we know all bypathes over all/ & ere he take us with might /he must have moche helmpe thereto but that ye have sworen that ye shall go oversee & abide there /that is the thing that toucheth m● most /nay dame care not therefore /how more for sworn how more forlorn /I went ones with a good man ● that said to me /that a bydwongen oth· or oath sworn by force. was noon oath. Though I went on this pilgrimage it should not avail me a cats tail. I will abide here an● follow your counsel /if the king hunt after me. I shall keep me as well as I may. if he be me to m●ght 〈◊〉 I hope with subtlety to beguile him. I shall 〈…〉 sack. if he will seche harm he shall find harm. nOw was bellyn the ramme angry that kywart 〈◊〉 fellow was so long in the hole. and called loud. come out kywarte in the devils name. ●ow long shall re●ynart keep you there. haste you & come late us go when reynard heard this· he went out & said softly to bellyn the ram. lief bellyn wherefore be ye angry kywart speaketh /with his dear aunt. me thinketh ye aught not to be dysplesid therefore. he bade me say to you ye might well go to fore· And he shall come after· he is lighter of foot than ye. he must tarry a while with his aunt and her children. they weep and cr●e by cause I shall go fro them. bellyn sayde· wh●t died kyward. me thought he cried after help /the fox answered /what say ye bellyne ween ye that he should have any harm /now hark what he thenne died /when we were comen in to mine house /and ermelyn my wife understood that I should go over see she fell down in a swoon & when kywart saw that /he cried loud bellyn come help▪ mine aunt to bring her out of her swoon then said the ramme In faith I understood that kywart had been in great danger /the fox said /nay truly /or kyward should have any harm in my house /I had liefer that my wife and children should suffer moche hurt/ How the fox sent the heed of kywart the hare to the king by bellyn the ramme· capitulo xxjᵒ. tHe fox said /bellyn remember ye not that yesterday the king & his counsel commanded me that ere I should depart out of this land /I should send to him two letters. dear cousin I pray you to bear them. they be ready wreton. the ramme said I wot never if I wist that your endytting & writing were good /ye might p●reuēture so mo●che pray me that I would bear them /if I had any thing to bear them in /reynard said ye shall not fail to have somewhat to bear them in /rather than they should be unborn I shall rather give you my male that I bear. and put the kings letters therein. & hang them about your neck ye shall have of the king great thank therefore & be right welcomen to him. hire upon bellyn promised him to bear these lettres·s though returned reynart in to his house & took the male and put therein kywarts heed and brought it to bellyn for to bring him in danger /And hinge it on his neck /and charged him not for to look in the male /if he would have the kings friendship & if ye will that the king take you in to his grace & love you /say that ye yourself have made the letter & indited it/ & have given the counnseyl that it is so well made & wreton /ye shall have great thank therefore /bellyn the ram was glad hereof & thought he should have great thank & said reynard I wot well that ye now do for me /I shall be in the court greatly praised when it is known that I can so well indite & make alettre /thaugh I can not make it /oft times it ha●●peth that god suffereth sum to have worship & thank o● the labouris & cunning of other m●n/ & so it shall bifalle m● now /Now what counsel ye reyner /shall kywa●rt he ●a●e come with me to the court /nay said the fox he shall anon follow you /he may not yet come /for he must speak with his aunt/ nOw go ye forth to fore /I shall show to k●wart secret thyngiss which been not yet known /bellyn said far well reynart/ & wen●● him forth to the court & he ran & hasted so fast that he came to fore midday to the cour● & fond the king in his palace with his barons /the kynge meruaylled when he seen him bring the male again which was made of the bears skin /the king said say on bel●lyn fro whence come y● /where is the fo●e /how is it ●h●t 〈◊〉 hath not the male with him /bellyn said my lord I shall say you all that I know /I accompanied reynard unto his house/ And when he was ready he asked me if I that would ffor your saacke bear two. lettre● to you /I said for to do you pleasure and worship /I would gladly here to you seven. though brought he to me this male where in the letters be /which been endited by my cunning and I gave counseyl of the making of them /I trow ye saw never letters better ne craftelyer made ne endited /the king commanded anon bokart his secretary to read the letters /for he understood all manner languages /tybert the cat and he took the male of bellyns neck /and bellyn hath so far said and confessed /that he therefore was dampened. tHe clerk bokart undyde the male/ and drew out kywarts heed and said alas what letters been these /certainly my lord this is kywarts heed /alas said the king that ever I believed so the fox /There might men see great heaviness of the king and of the queen /the king was so angry that he held long down his heed And at l●ste after many thoughts /he made a great cry /that all the beasts were afeard of the noise /Tho spack sir firapeel the lupaerd which was sib somewhat to the king/ and said /six king how make ye such a noise ye make sorrow enough thaugh the queen were deed /late this sorrow go /and make good cheer /it is great shame /be ye not a lord and king of this land /Is it not all under you. that here is /the king said sir firapeel how should I suffer this /one false shrew and deceyvar hath betrayed me and brought me so far /that I have forwrought and angered my friends /that I the stout bruyn the bear/ and ysegrym the wolf /which sore me r●pent●th /and this g●th against my worship that I have done amiss against my best barons and that I trusted and believed so much the false whoreson the fox/ and my wife is cause thereof /she prayed me so much that I heard her prayer and that me repenteth /thaugh it be to late /what thawh sir king said the lupaerd /if there be any thing mysdon /it shall be amended we shall give to bruyn the bear to ysegrym the wolf /and to erswyn his wife for the piece of his skin and for their shoes for to have good pees bellyn the ramme /for he hath confessed himself that he gave counseyl and consented to kywardes de●h it is reason that he aby it /And we all shall go fe●●he r●●●nard and we shall areste him and hang him by 〈◊〉 neck without law or judgement/ and there with 〈◊〉 shul be content/ How bellyn the ramme and all his lineage wer● goguen in the hands of ysegrym and bruyn and how he 〈◊〉 slain /capitulo. xxi● o▪ tHe king said I will do it gladly /firapel the ●●●paerd went tho to the prison /and unbonde them first /and then he said ye sires I bring to you a fa●ste pardon and my lords love and friendship it re●enteth him & is sorry that he ever hath done spoken or trespaced against you /and therefore ye shall have a good appoynte●ment /And also amendss he shall /give to you bellyn the ramme and all his lineage fro now forthon to domesdaye /in such wise that where somever ye find them in field or in wood that ye may freely /bite and eat them without any forfeit/ And also the king granteth to you /that ye may hunt and do the wert that ye can to reynard and all his lineage without mysdoing This fair great pryvelage will the king grant to you ever to hold of him/ And the king will that ye swear to him never to misdo /but do him homage and feawte I counsel you to do this /ffor ye may do it honourably /Thus was the pees made by fyrapel the lupaerd friendly and well/ And that cost bellyn the ram his tabart and also his life/ and the wulfis lineage hold these previlegis of the king/ & in to this day they devour & eat bellyns lineage where that they may find them this debate was begun in an evil time /for the pees could never sith be made between them /The king died forth with his court and feast length xij· days longer for l●ue of the bear and the wolf /So glad was hereof the making of this pees/ How the king held his feast/ and how lapreel the coney complained unto the king upon reynart the fox capitulo ·xxiij. to this great feast came all manner of beestis /for the king died do cry this feast over all in that land /There was the most joy and mirth that ever was seen among beasts /There was daunsed mannerly the hovedaunce with shalmouse trompettiss and all manner of menestralsye /the king died do ordain so much meet /that everych fond enough /And there was no be'st in all his land so great ne so little but he was there /an● th●r w●re many souls and birds also/ and all they that desired the kings frendhip were there /saving reynard the fox /the red false pilgrym which lay in a wait to do harm /and thought it was not good for him to be there /Meet and drink flowed there /There were plays and esbatemens' /The feast was full of melody /One might have lust to see such a feast/ and right as the feast had dured viij days /a bout midday came in the coney lapreel to fore the king where he sat on the table with the queen /and said all heavily that all they heard him that were there /My lord have py●e on my complaint which is of great force and murdre that reynard the fox would have done to ●e /yester morrow as I came running by his borugh at maleperdhuys he stood before his door without like a pilgrim I supposed to have passed by him peasibly toward this feast and when he saw me come /he come against me saying his beads I salewed him /but /he spack not one word /but he wrought out his right foot and dubbed me in the neck between mine Eeris /that I had wend I should have lost my ●e●ed /but god be thanked I was so light that I sprang fro him /with moche pain came I of his claws ● he grymmed as he had been angry by cause he held me no faster ● though I escaped from him I lost mine one ere /and I had four great holes in my heed of his sharp nails tha● the blood sprang out /and that I was nyhe all a swoon /but for the great fere of my life I sprang & ran so fast● fro him that he could not overtake me ● See my lord these great wounds that he hath made to me with his sharp long nails /I pray you to have pite of me and that ye will /punish this false traitor and morderar /or else shall there noman go and comen over the heath in saefte /whiles he haunteth his false & shrewd rule/ How corbant the roke complained on the fox for the death of his wife capitulo twenty-four right as the coney had made an end of his complaint /came in corbant the roek flown in the place to fore the king and said /dear lord here me /I bring you hire a piteous complaint /I went to day by the morrow with sharpebek my wife for to play wpon the heath And there lay reynart the fox down on the ground like a deed keytyf /his eyen stared and his tongue hinge long out of his mouth /like an hound had been deed /we tasted and felt his belly /but we fond thereon no life /though went my wife and herkened & laid her ere to fore his month for to wite if he drew his breath /which mysfylle her evil /for the false fell fox awaited well his time and when he saw her so nigh him /he caught her by the heed and boot it of /though was I in great sorrow and cried loud /Alas alas what is there happened /then stood he hastily up /and wrought so covetously after me that for fear of death /I trembled and flewh upon a tree thereby & saw fro far how the false keytyf eat and slonked her in so hungerly that he left neither flesh ne bone /nomore but a few feathers /the small feathers he slange them in with the flesh /he was so hungry /he would well have eten twain /Tho went he his street /though flew I down with great sorrow and gathered up the fetheris for to show them to you here /I would not be again in such peril and fere as I was there for a thousand mark /of the finest gold that ever came out of araby /My lord the king see hire this piteous work /these been the feathers of sharpbecke my wife /my lord if ye will have worship ye must do herfore justice & avenge you in such wise as men may fere and hold of you /ffor if ye suffer thus your safeconduct to be broken /ye yourself shall not go peasibly in the high way /for though lords that do not justice and suffer that the law be not executed vp●n the theevis /morderars and them that misdo /they be partners to fore god of all their misdeeds and trespasses ● and everich then /will be a lord himself /〈◊〉 lord see well to for to keep yourself· How the king was sore angry of these complaints capitulo xxv nOble the king was sore moved & angry when he had heard these complaints of the coney and of the roek /he was so ferdful to look on that his eyen glymmerd as fire /he brayed as loud as a bull in ●uche wise that all the court quoke for fear /at the last he said crying /by my crown and by the truth that I own to my wife I shall so awreke and avenge this trespasses /that it shall be long spoken of after /that my saufconduyt and my commandment is thus broken I was over nice that I believed so lightly the false shrew /his false flattering speech deceived me /He told me he would go to rome/ and for thence over see to the holy land /I gaf him male and palster and made of him a pilgrim & meant all troth /O what false touches can he /how can he stuff the sleeve with flocks /but this caused my wife /it was all by her counseyl /I am not the first that have been deceived by wymmens counseyl by which many a great hurt hath byfallen /I pray and comande all them that hold of me and desire my friendship /be they here or where somever they be /that they with their counseyl and deeds help me t'avenge this over great trespaas /that we and owris may abide in honour and worship /and this false thief in shame that he no more trespass against our safeguard /I will my cell in my person help thereto all that I may/ ySegrym the wolf and bruyn the bear heard well the kings words /and hoped well to be avenged on reynard the fox but they durst not speak one word The king was so sore moved that noon durst well speak /Atte last the queen spoke /Sire pour dieu ne croyes my toutes choses que on vous die /et ne jures pas legierment /A man of worship should not lightly believe /ne swear greatly unto the time he knew the matter clearly. and also me aught by right here that other party speak /There been many that complain on other and been in the default themself. Audi alteram partem. here that other party /I have truly holden the fox for good /and upon that /that he meant no falsehood /I helped him that I might but how somever it cometh or gooth /is he evil or good /me thinketh for your worship that ye should not proceed against him over hastily that were not good ne honest /for he may not escape fro you /You may prison him or flee him /he must obey your judgement /then said fyrapel the lupaerd /My lord me thinketh /my lady here hath said to you truth and gynen you good counseyl do ye well and follow her and take advise of your wise counseyl/ And if he be founden guilty in the trespasses that now to you be showed /late him be sore punysshid according do his trespasses /And if he come not hither /●r this feast be ended and excuse him /as he aught of right to do /then do as the coun●eyl shall 〈◊〉 you /But and if he were twice as much false and ill as he /is /I would not counsell that he should be done to more than right /Isegrym the wolf said sir fyra●al. all we agree to the fame as far as it pleaseth my lord the king /it can not be better. But though reynart were now here. and he cleared him of double so many playn●●s yet should I bring forth ayense him that he had forf●yted his /life. But I will now be still and say not. because he is not present and yet above all this he ●ath told the king of certain treasure lying in kreken●y● in hulsterlo. There was never lied a greater losing. t●er with he hath us all beguiled. and hath sore hindered me and the bexe. I dare lay my life thereon that he said not thereof a true word. Now robbeth he and steleth upon the heath /all that gooth forth by his house /Nevertheless sir fi●apel what that pleaseth the king and you /that must well be done /But and if he would have comen hither /he might have been here for he had knowledge by the kings /messenger /The king said we will noon otherwise send for him /but I command all them that own me service and will my honour and worship that they make them ready to the war at the end of uj days /all them that been archers and have bows /gonnes bombards horsemen /and footmen that all these be ready to besiege maleperduys /I shall destroy reynart the fox /if I be aching /ye lords and sires what say ye hereto /will ye do this with a good will /And they said and cried all /ye we lord /when that ye will /we shall all go with you. How grymbert the dasse warned /the fox /that the king was wroth with him and would slay him capitulo xxuj all these words heard grymbert the dasse which was his brother son /he was sorry and angry if it might have prouffyted he ran thenne the high way to maleperduys ward /he spared neither bush ne haw /but he hasted so sore that he sweat /he sorrowed in himself for reynart his read eme /and as he went he said to himself Alas in what danger be /ye comen in /where shall ye become shall I see you brought fro life to death /or else exiled out of the land /truly I may be well sorouful /for ye be the heed of all our lineage /ye be wise of counseyl /ye be ready to help your friends when they have need /ye can so well show your reasons /that where ye speak /ye win all /with such manner waylling and piteous words came grymbert to maleperduys/ And fond reynart his eme there standing /which had gotten two pigeons /as they came first out of her nest to assay if they could flee and because the feathers on her wyngiss were to short /they fill down to the ground /And as reynart was gone out to seche his meet /he espied them and caught 'em: was comen home with 'em/ And when he saw grymbert coming /he tarried and said /welcome my best beloved nephew that I know in all my kindred /ye have con fast ye been all be sweat /have ye any new tidings /alas said he /lyef eme it standeth evil with you /ye have lost both life and good /the king hath sworn that he shall give you a shameful death /he hath commanded all his folk withyn uj days for to be here /Archers footmen /horsemen/ And people in waynes·s And he hath gunn●s/bom●bardestents and pavilions/ And also he hath do laaden torches /See to fore you /For ye have need /Ysegrym and bruyn been better now with the king than I am with you /Alle that they will /Is done /Isegrym hath done him to understand that ye be a thief and a morderar· he hath great envy to you. Lapreel the coney and Corbant the roek have made a great complaint also. I sorrow much for your life. That for dread I am all seek. Puf said the fox /dear nephew is there nothing else /be ye so sore afeard hereof Make good cheer hardly /though the king himself and all that been in the court had sworn my deth● yet shall I be exalted above them all /They may all fast jangle clatre and give counseyl /but the court may not prosper weythoute me and my wiles and subtlety How reynart the fox came another time to the court capitulo xxvij dear nephew late all these things pass and come her● in /and see what I shall give you /a good pair of fat pigeons /I love no meet better /They been good to dygeste /they may almost be swolowen in all hool the bones been half blood /I ●te them with that other /I feel myself other while encumbered in my stomach therfo re eat I gladly light meet. My wife ermelyn shall receive us friendly /but tell her nothing of this thing /for she should take it over heavily /she is tender of heart. she might for fere fall in some sickness /a little thing gooth sore to her heart /And to morrow early I will go with you to the court/ And if I may come to speech & may be herd /I shall so ansuere /that I shall touch some nigh ynowh /nephew will not ye stand by me /as a friend aught to do to another /yes truly dear eme said grymbert and all my good is at your commandment /god thank you nephew said the fox /That is well said. if I may live I shall quite it you /Eme said grymbert ye may well come tofore all the lords and excuse you there shall noon ateste you ne hold as long as ye be in your words /The queen and the lupaerd have gotten that /then said the fox /therefore I am glad /then I car not for the best of them an here/ I shall well save myself /they spoke no more hereof /but went forth in to the burgh/ And fond ermelyn there sitting by her younglings which aroose up anon and received them friendly /Grymbert salewed his aunt and the children with friendly words /the ij pigeons were made ready for their soper /Which reynard had taken /each of them took his part as far as it would stretch /if each of 'em had had one more /there should but little have left over /the fox said lief novewe /how like /ye my children rosel and reynerdyn they shall do worship to all our lineage /They begin all ready to do well /that one catcheth well a chyken and that other a pullet /They· con well also duke in the water after lapwynches and dokies /I would oft send them for provande /but I will first teach them how they shall k●pe them fro the grynnes /fro the hunters and fro the houn●des /if they were so far comen that they were wise /I durst well trust to them that they should well victual us in many good diverses meats /That we now lack/ And they like and follow me well /for they play all grymming and where they hate they look friendly and meryly· ffor there by they bring them under their feet/ And bite the throat asondre /This is the nature of the fox /They be swift in their taking which pleaseth me well. eMe said grymbert ye may be glad that ye have such wise children /And I am glad of them also by cause they be of my kin /Grymbert said the fox ye have sweat and be weary it were high tide that ye were at your rest /Eme if it please you it thinketh me good Tho lay they down on a lytier made of straw /the fox /his wife and his children went all to sleep /But the fox was all heavy /and lay. sighed & sorrowed how he might best excuse himself /On the morrow early he ruymed his castle and went with grymbart /but he took leave first of dame ermelyn his wife and of his children/ & said think not long I must go to the court with grymbert my cousin /if I tarry somewhat be not afeard /and if ye here any ill tydyngis /take it always for the best. And see well to yourself and keep our castle well I shall do yonder the best I can after that I see how it gooth Alas reyner said she how have ye now thus taken upon you for to go to the court again /the last time that ye were there ye were in great jeopardy of your life. And ye said ye would never come there more. dame said the fox. thadventure of the worlnd is wonderly it goth otherwhile by weening /Many one weeneth to have a thing which he must forego. I must needs now go thither /be content it is all without dread /I hope to come at alther lengest with in five days again /Here with he departed and went with grymbert to the court ward/ And when they were upon the heath then said reyner /nephew sith I was last shriven I have done many shrewd tornes /I would ye would hear me now of all that I have trespaced in /I made the bear to have a great wound for the male which was cut out of his skin /And also I made the wolf & his wife to lose her shoes /I peased the the king with great leasings & bore him on hand that the wolf and the bear would have betrayed him & would have slain him /so I made the king right wroth with them· where they deserved it not /also I told to the king that there was great treasure in hulsterlo of which he was never the better ne richer /for I lied all that I said /I led bellyn the ram and kywart the hare with me & slew kyward and sent to the king by bellyn kywarts heed in scorn /And I dowed the coney between his ceris that almost I benamme his life from him ffor he escaped against my will /he was to me over swift /The ro●ke may well complain /for I swolowe● in dame sharpbe●k his wife/ & also I have forgotten on thing the last time that I was shreven to you /Which I have sith bethought me/ And it was of great deceit that I died which I now will tell you /I came with the wolf walking by●twene houthulst and eluerding /There saw we go a reed mare/ And she had a black colt or a fool of unmonethis olnde /which was good & fat Isegrym was almost storven for hunger /And prayed me go to the mare/ & wite of her if she would sell her fool /I ran fast to the mare/ And axed that of her /she said she would sell it for money /I demanded of her how she would sell it /she said it is wreton in my hyndre foot /If ye con read and be a clerk ye may come see and rede it. Tho wist I well where she would be. and I said nay for sooth I can not rede /And also I desire not to buy your chylde· Isegrym hath sent me hither. and would fain know the pries thereof /the mare said late him come then himself/ And I shall late him have knowledge /I said /I shall/ & hastily went to ysegrym & said /eme will ye eat your belly full of this colt /so go fast to the mare for she tarrieth after you /She hath do write the pris of her colt under her foot she would that I should have red it /but I can not one lettre /which me sore repenteth /for I went never to school /eme will ye buy that colt /con ye rede so may ye buy it /oy nephew that can I well what should me let /I can well frenshe latin english & duche. I have goon to school at oxenford I have also with old and ancient doctors been in the audience & herd pleas /and also have given sentence /I am licensed in both laws /what manner writing that any man can devise /I can rede it as perfectly as my name· I will go to her and shall anon understand the pries/ & bade me to tarry for him/ & he ran to the mare/ & axed of her how she would sell her fool or keep it /she said the s●̄me of the money standeth wreton after on my foot he said late me rede it /she said do and lift up her foot which was new should wy●h iron and uj strong nails/ and she smote him without missing on his heed that he fell down as he had been deed /a man should well have riden a mile ere he aroos /The mare trotted a way with her colt/ And she leet Isegrym lying shrewdly hurt and wounded He lay and bled/ And howled as an hound /I went tho to him and said/ Sir ysegrym dear eme how is it now with you. have ye eaten ynowh of the colt. is your belly full. why give ye me no part I died your erande. have ye slept your dinner I pray you tell me what was wreton under the mare's foot what was it. prose or rhyme. metre or verse. I would fain know it. I trow it was cantum. for I heard you sing me thought fro far. for ye were so wise that noman could rede it better than ye /Alas reynart alas said the wolf I pray you to leave your mocking. I am so soul arrayed & sore hurt. that an heart of stone might have pity of me. The door with her long leg had an iron foot I wend the nails thereof had been letters/ and she hit me at the first stroke vj. great wounds in my ●●ed that almost it is cloven. such manner letters shall I never more desire to r●de/ dear eme is that truth that ye tell me I have hereof great meruaylle /I ●●elde you for one of the wisest clerks that now live /Now I here well it is true that I long sith have red & heard /that the best clerks been not the wisest men /the lay people otherwhile weigh wise /the cause that these clerks been not the wisest /is that they study so much in the cunning & science that they therein doole /Thus brought I Isegrym in this great last and harm. That he uneath byhelde his life /lief nephew now have I told you all my sins that I remember. What so ever fall at the court. I wot never how it shall stand with me there. I am not now so sore afeard· ffor I am clear from sin I will gladly come to mercy/ & receive penance by your counseyl· grymbert said the trespasses been great /nevertheless who that is deed must abide deed. & therefore I will forgive it you altogether /With the fere that ye shall suffer therefore. oer ye shall con excuse you of the death/ & hire upon I will assoylle you. but the most hyndre that ye shall have shall be. that ye sent kywarts heed to the court And that ye blinded the king with sutthe lies /Eme that was right evyldoon /The fox said. what lyef nephew. Who that will go through the world this to here. and that to see /and that other to tell. truly it may not clearly be done. how should any man handle honey. but if he lycked his fyngres·s I am oft-times roared and pricked in my conscience as to love god above all thynge· and mine even christian as myself. as is to god well acceptable. and according to his law /But how ween ye that reason within forth fighteth against the ouward will than stand I all still in myself that me thinketh I have lost all my wits /And wot not what me aileth I am then in such a thought /I have now all left my symnes/ And hate all thing that is not good/ & climb in high comtemplation above his commandments but this special grace have I when I am alone /But in a short while after when the world cometh in me thenne find I in my way so many stones /and the foot spurs that these loose prelates /and rich priests go in /that I am anon taken again /then cometh the world and will have this/ And the fhesshe will live pleasantly /which lay to fore me so many things that I thenne loose all my good /thoughts and purposes /I here there sing pipe /lawhe /play/ and all mirth/ And I here that these prelates and rich curates preach and say all other wise /than they think and do /There learn I to lie /the leasings been most used in the lords courts certainly lords /ladies /priests and clerks maken most leasings /Men dare not tell to the lords now the truth /There is defaute /I must flatre and lie also /or else I should be shette without the door /I have oft heard men say truth and rightfully/ And have their reason made with a losing like to their purpose and brought it in & went through by cause their matter should seem the fairer /The losing oft-times cometh unadvised/ And falleth in the matter unwetyngly /And so when she is well clad /it goth forth through with that other/ dear nephew thus must men now lie here and there say sooth flatre /and menace praye· & curse And seek every man upon his feblest and wekest /who otherwise will now haunt & use the wo●ld /than devise alesing in the fairest wise/ & that bywymp●● with kerchievis about in such wise that men take it for a truth /he is not run away fro his master /Can he that subtlety in such wise that he stamer not in his words /and may thenne be herd /nephew /this man may do wonder he may were scarlet and gryse /he winneth in the spyrituel /law and temporal also and where sommever he hath to do /Now been there many false shrewis that have great envy that they have so great ford●le/ And ween that they con also well lie/ And take on them to lie and to tell it forth /he would fain eat of the fat morselliss. but he is not believed ne herd/ And many been there that be so plompe and folisshe· that when they ween best to prononce and show their matter and conclude. They fall beside and out thereof. And can not thenne help 'em self/ and leave their matter without tail or heed & he is a counted for a fool/ And many mock them there with /but who can give to his losing a conclusion /and prononce it without tateling like as it were wreton to fore him/ & that he can so blind the people /That his losing shall better be believed than the truth /That is the man. What cunning is it to say the troth that is good to do. How lawhe these false subtle shrewis that give counseyl to make these leasings. and set them forth /And maken unright go above right /and make bills/ and /set in things that never were thought ne said /and teach men see through their fingers And all for to win money /and late their tongues to hire for to maintain and strength their leasings alas nephew this is an evil cunning /of which. life. scathe & hurt may come there of/ i Say not but that otherwhile men must jape /board and lie in small thyngiss /for who so saith always truth. be may not now go nowher through the world. there been many that play placebo. who so alleway saith troth. shall find many lettyngiss in his way. Men may well lie when it is need/ and after amend it by counseyl /for all trespasses /there is mercy. There is no man so wise /but he dooleth other while /Grymbert said well dear eme what thing shall you let. ye know all thing at the narewest /ye should bring me hastily in doting your reasons passen my understanding /what need have ye to shrive you /ye should yourself by right be the priest/ And let me and other sheep come to you for to be shriven /ye know the state of the world in such wise as noman may halt tofore you /With such manner talking they came walking in to the court /The fox sorrowed somewhat in his heart /Nevertheless he bore it out and stryked forth through all the folk till he came in to the place where the king himself was/ And grymbert was always by the fox and said eme be not a ferde. and make good cheer /who that is hardy /thauen●ture helpeth him /oft-times one day is better than sometime an hole year /the fox said /nephew ye say truth god thank you ye comfort me well /And forth he w●●● and looked grymly here & there as who saith /what will ye here come I /he saw there many of his kin standing which yonned him but little good /as the otter beaver and other to the number of ·●x. whom I shall. name afterward/ And some were there that loved hym· The ffoxe came in & fell down on his knees to fore the king and began his words and sayde· How reynart the fox excused him before the king capitulo xxviij god fro whom nothing may be hid/ and above all thing is mighty save my lord the king and my lady the queen and give him grace to know who hath right and who hath wrong /For there live many in the world that seem otherwise outward than they be withinne /I would that god showed openly every man's misdeeds /and all their trespasses stooden wreton in their forehedes /and it cost me more than I now say/ And that ye my lord the king knew as much as /I do /how I dispose me both early and late in your service /And therefore am I complained on of the evil shrewyes and with leasings am put out of your grace and conceit and would charge me with great offencis without deserving against all right /Wherefore I cry out harowe on them that so falsely have belied me /and brought me in such trouble /how be it I hope and know you both my lord and my lady for so wise and discrete /that ye be not led nor believe such leasings ne false talis out of the right way for ye have not be woned so to do /Therefore dear lord I biseche you to considre by your wisdom all thing by right and law /is it in deed or in· speech /do every man right /I desire no better he that is guilty & ●●unde fawty late him be punished /men shall well know ●r I depart out of this court /who that I an /I came not f●atre I will allewey show openly my heed. How the king answered upon reynarts excuse. all they that were in the palace weren all still and wondered that the fox spack so stoutly /the 〈◊〉 sayd●/●areynart how well can ye your falacye & salutation d●on but your fair word's may not help you I think well that ye shall this day for your works be hanged by your neck /I will not much chide with you But I shall short your pain /that ye love us well /that have ye well showed on the coney and on corbant the roeck your falseness /and your false Inventions shall without long tarrying make you to die /A pot may go so long to water /that at the last it cometh to broken hoom /I think your pot that so oft hath deceived us shall now hastily be broken /reynart was in great fere of these wordes·s he would well. he had been at coleyn /when he came thedyr /Thenne thought he I must her through /how that I do my lord the king said he /it were well reason that ye heard my words all out /thaugh I were dampened to the death /yet aught ye to here my words out. I have yet here to fore time given to you many a good counseyl & prouffytable /And in need alway have byden by you wheire other beasts have wicked and goon their way /if now the evil beestis with false matters have to fore you with wrong bely●d me/ and I might not come to mine excuse /aught I not then to plain /I have to fore this seen that I should be herd by fore another /yet might these thyngiss well change and come in their old state Old good deeds aught to be remembrid /I see here many of my lineage and friends standing that seem they set now little by me /Which nevertheless should sore dear in their hearts. that ye my lord the king should destroy me wrongfully if ye so died ye should destroy the trewest servant that ye have in all your lands /what ween ye sir king /had I know●n myself guilty in any feat or broke. that I would have comen hither to the law among all mine enemies /Nay six nay /not for all the world of red gold /for I was free and at large/ What need had I to do that /but god be thanked I know myself clear of all misdeeds that I dare well come openly in the light and to answer to all the complaints that any man can say on me /but when grymbert brought me first these tydyngis /though was I not well pleased but half fro myself that I lepe here and there as an unwise man/ And had I not been in the censures of the church /I had without tarrying have comen /but I went doling on the heath/ and witted not what to do for sorrow/ And then /it happened that mertyne mine eme the ape met with me. Which is wiser in clergy than some priest. he hath been advocate for the bishop of cameryk ix year during. he saw me in this great sorrow and heaviness. and said to me /dear cousin me thinketh ye are not well with yourself /what aileth you. who hath dysplesyth you. Thing that thoucheth charge aught to be given in knowledge to friends. A triew friend is a great help. he findeth oft better counseyl than he that the charge resteth on. for who somever is charged with matters is so heavy and accumbered with them that oft he can not begin to find the remedye· ffor such be so woe like as they had lost their Inwytte. I said dear eme ye say truth. For in like wise is fallen to me. I am brought in to a great heaviness undeseruid and not guilty /by one to whom I have always been an hearty and great friend /that is the coney which came to me yesterday in the morening where as I sat to fore my house and said matins /He told me he would go to the court and salewed me friendly and I him again /Tho said he to me /good reynard I am an hongred and am weary /have ye any meet. I said ye ynowh come nere· Tho gaf I him acopel of maynchettis with sweet butter /It was upon a wednesday on which day I am not wont to eat any flesh/ And also I fasted by cause of this feast of whitsuntided which approached /For who that will taste of the overest wysehede/ and live ghostly in keeping the commandemts of our lord /he must fast and make him ready against the high festes /Et vos estote para●● /dear eme I gaf him fair white breed with sweet butter /wherewith a man might well be easid that were much hungry. aNd when he had eaten his belly full /though came russel my youngest son /and would have taken away that was left /For young children would always feign eaten/ And with that he tasted for to have taken somewhat /the coney smote russel to fore his month that his teeth bledde/ and fell down half a swoon /when reynardyn mine eldest son saw that. he sprang to the coney and caught him by the ●eed. and should have slain him. had I not reskowed him I help him that he went from him /and bete my child sore therefore. lapreel the coney ran to my lord the king and said I would have murdered him See eme thus come I in the words/ and I am laid in the blame/ And yet he complaineth and I plain not /After this came corbant the rock fleeing with a sorouful noise /I asked what him ailed. and he said alas my wife is deed /yonder lieth a deed hare full of mathes and worms/ & there she eat so much thereof. that the worms have byten a two her throat /I axed him how cometh that by /he would not speak a word more but flew his way/ And let me stande· Now saith he that I have byten & slain her /how should I come so nigh her /for she fleeth/ & I go a foot. behold dear eme thus am I born an hand. I may say well that I am unhappy /But peraventure it is for mine old sins /it were good for me if I could patiently suffer it. The ape said to me /nephew ye shall go to the court to fore the lords and excuse you /alas eme that may not be. for the archdeacon hath put me in the pope's curse /by cause I counseylled ysegrym the wolf for to leave his religion at elmare & forsake his habit /he complained to me that he lived so straightly as in long fasting and many thyngiss reading and singing that he could not endure it· If he should long abide there he should die. I had pity of his complaining/ And I help him as a true friend that he came out. Which now me sore repenteth. for he laboureth all that he can against me to the king for to do me behanged. thus doth he evil for good. See eme thus am I at the end of all my wits and of counseyl. For I must go to rome for an absolution. And thenne shall my wife and children suffer moche harm and blame. For these evil bestis that hate me /shulle do to 'em all the hurt they may & fordryve them where they can /And I would well defend 'em if I were free of the curse /for then would I go to the court & excuse me /where now I dar not /I should do great sin if I came among the good people /I am afeard god should plaghe me. Nay cousin be not af●rd· er I should suffer you in this sorrow I know the way to come well. I understand me on this work. I am called their mertyne the bishops clerk. & am well byknowen there. I shall do site the archdeacon & take a plea against him. and shall bring with me for you an absolution against his will /for I know there all that is for to be done or left there dwelleth simon mine eme which is great & mighty ther. who that may give aught /he helpeth him anon /there is prentout· wait scathe/ & other /of my friends & alyes Also I shall take sum money with me ● if I need any▪ the preyer is with yefts hardy. with money alleway the right goth forth. A true friend shall for his friend adventure both life & good /and so shall I for you in your right cousin make good cheer I shall not rest after to morrow till I come to rome/ & I shall solycyte you● matters /And go ye to the court as soon as ye may all your misdeeds/ & though sins that have brought you in the great sentence & curse /I make you quite of them & take them in myself /when ye come to the court ye shall find there rukenawe my wife /her two sisters and my three children & many mo of our lineage /dear cousin speak to them hardly /my wife his sondrely wise /and will gladly do some what for her friends /who that hath need of help shall find on her great friendship /one shall always seek on his friends /thaugh he have angered them /for blood must krepe /where it can not go /And if so be that ye be so over charged that ye may have no right /then send to me by night & day to the court of rome/ & late me have knowledge thereof /and all though that been in the land is it king or queen /wife or man I shall bring them all in the pope's curse/ & send there an Inderdicte that noman shall rede ne singen ne crystene children /ne bury the deed ne receive sacrament /till that ye shall have good right /Cousin this shall I well get /for the pope is so sore old that he is but lytil set by /And the cardynal of pure gold hath all the might of the court /he is young & great of friends he hath a concubine /whom he much loveth /And what she desireth that getteth she anon /see cousin /she is mine niece/ & I am great and may do moche with her in such wise /what I desire /I fail not of it /but am always furthered therein /wherefore cousin bid my lord the king that he do you right /I wot well he will not warn you /for the right is heavy enough to every man /my lord the king when I heard this I lawhed/ & with great gladness came he there & have told you all e truth /if there be any in this court that can lay on me any other matter with good witness & prove it as aught to be to a noble man /late me thenne make amendss according to the law/ & if he will not leave of herbi /thenne set me day & field & I shall make good on him also far as he be of as good birth as i am & to me like/ & who that can with fighting get the worship of the field /late him have it /this right hath standen yet hitherto. And I will not it should be broken by me. the law & right doth noman wrong /all the beasts both pour & rich were all still when the fox spoke so stoutly /the coney laprel and the wek were so sore afeard that they durst not sp●ke· but piked & stryked them out of the court both two. & when they were a women far in the play ne they said. good grant that this fell murderare may far evil. he can bywrappe & cover his falsehood. that his words seem as true as the gospel hereof knoweth noman than we. how should we bring witness. it is be●ter that we wyke & departe· than we should hold a field and fight with hym· he is so shrewd. ye thaugh there of us were five we could not defend us. but that he should s●e us all. isegrym the wolf & bruyn the bear /were woe oh in h●m self when they saw these twain rheum the cour● The king said /if any man will complain late h●m come forth/ and we shall here hym· yesterday cam●n 〈◊〉 so many where been they now Reynart is here /The fo●● said. my lord there been many that complain /that and if they saw their adversary they would be still and make no playnte /witness now of laprel the coney and Corbant the wek /which have complained on m● to you in my absence /but now that I am comen in your presence they flee away /And dare not abide by their words /if men should believe false shrews /it should do moche harm & hurt to the good men /as for me it skilleth not Nevertheless my lord if they had by your commandeent axed of me forgyfnes /how be it they have greatly trespaced /yet I had for your sake pardoned & forgive them /for I will not be out of charity /ne hate ne complain on mine enemies /but I set all thing in god's hand he shall work and avenge it as it plesyth him. tHe king said reynart /me thinketh ye be grieved as ye say /are ye withinforth as ye seem outward /Nay it is not so clear ne so open nowher nigh /as ye here have showed /I must say what my grief is /which towcheth your worship & life /that is to weet /that ye have done a soul & shameful trespaas /when I had pardonned you all your offencis and trespacis /and ye promised to go over the see on pilgrimage /And gave to you male & staff /And after this ye sent me by bellyn the ramme the male again & therein Kywarts heed /how ivyght ye do amore reprovable trespaas /how were ye so hardy to door to me do such a shame /is it not enyl done to send to a lord /his servants heed /ye can not say nay here against for bellyn the ram which was our chaplain told us all the matter how it happened /such reward as he had when he brought us the message /the same shall ye have or right shall fail /though was reynart so sore afeard that he witted not what to say /he was at his wits end/ & looked about him pytously & saw many of his kin & alyes that heard all this but naught they said /he was all pale in his visage but noman proffered him hand ne foot to help him /the king said thou subtle felaw & false shrew why speakest thou not now dumb /The fox stood in great dread and sighed sore that all heard him /But the wolf and the bear were glad hereof. How dame rukenawe answered for the fox to the king. capitulo xxixᵒ. damn rukenawe the she ape reynarts aunt was not well pleased /She was great with the queen and well beloved /it happened well for the fox that she was there. for she understood all wisdom /And she durst well speak /where as it to do was /where ever she came every was glad of her /she said my lord the king ye aught not to be angry when ye sit in judgement /for that becometh not your noblesse A man that sitteth in judgement aught to put fro him all wrath and anger A lo●de aught to have discretion that should sit in Iust●se I know better the points of the law /than some that were furryd gowns /for I have learned many of them ● was made cunning in the law /I had in the popes pala●● of woerden a good bed of hay /where other beasts 〈◊〉 on the hard ground & also when I had there to do /I was suffered to speak /and was herd to fore another /by cause I knew so well the law /Seneca writeth that a lord shall overall do right & law /he shall charge noon to whom he hath given his safeguard to above the right & law the law aught not to halt for noman /And every man that standeth here would well bethynke him what he hath done and bydryven in his days he should the better have patience and pity on Reynart /late every man know himself /that is my counsel /there is noon that standeth so surely, but otherwhile he falleth or slideth /who that never misdeed ne sinned, is holy and good and hath no need to amend him /when a man doth amiss, and then by counsel amendeth it /that is humaynly /and so aught he to do /but always to miss do & trespass /and not to amend him /that is evil and a duly life /Merke then what is wreton in the gospel Estote misericordes /be ye merciful yet standeth there more /Nolite judicare /et non judica bimini /deem ye noman/ & ye shall not be deemed /There standeth also how the pharisees brought awoman taken in adultery & would have stoned her to death /they axed our lord what he said thereto /he said who of you all is without sin /late him cast the first stone /though abode noman but left her there standing mE thinketh it is so hyere /there be many that see a straw in an others ye /that can not see a baulk in his own /there be many that deem other/ and himself is worst of all /thaugh one fall oft/ and at last ariseth up & cometh to mercy /he is not thereof dampened God receiveth all them that desire his mercy late noman condampne another /though they wist that he had done amiss /yet late them see their own defawtes/ & then may they themself correct first /and then reynert my cousin should not far the worse for his father & his graunfadre /have always been in more love & reputatonn in this court than Isegrym the wolf or bruyn the bear with all their friends and lineage /it hath been here to fore an unlike comparison /the wisdom of Reynart my cousin/ & the honour and worship of him that he hath done and the counseyl of them /for they know not how the world gooth /me thinketh this court is all turned up so done /these false shrews flater●●s and deceivers ari●e and wax great by the lords and been enhanused up /And the good triewe and wise been put down /For they have been woned to counsell truly and for th'honour of the king I can not see how this may stand long /Thenne said the king /dame if he had done to you such trespaas as he hath done to other it should repent you. Is it wonder that I hate him /he breaketh always my safeguard /have ●e not heard the complaints that here have been showed of him of murdre /of theefte /And of treason have ye such● trust in him /Think ye that he is thus good & cl●●● 〈◊〉 ne set him up on the altar & worship & pray to 〈◊〉 as to asaynte /But there is noon in all the word 〈◊〉 can say any good of him /ye may say moche f●● 〈◊〉 but in th'end ye shall find him all naught /he hath 〈◊〉 kin ne win ne friend that will enterprise to help 〈◊〉 he hath so deserved /I have great meruaylle of you /I 〈◊〉 never of noon that hath felawsshippid with him that ever thanked him or said any good of him /sauf you now but always he hath stryked 'em with his tail /the she 〈…〉 suerd & said /my lord I love him & have him in 〈…〉 erte /And also I know a good deed that he ones in 〈◊〉 presence died /Whereof ye could him great thank though now it be thus turned /yet shall the heaviest /weigh most●● a man shall love his friend by measure /and not his enem●e ●ate onermoche /steadfastness & constance is sitting & behoveth to the lords. how somever the world torneth. Me aught not praise to much the day. till even be come. good counseyl is good for him that will do there after. A parable of aman that delivered a serpent from peril of death. capitulo xxxᵒ. nOw two year passed came a man and a serpent-here in to this court for to have judgement. which was to you and yours right doubteful. The serpent stood in an hedche where as he supposed to have gone thorough /but he was caught in a snare by the neck. that he might not escape without help but should have lost his life there. the man came forth by. & the serpent called to him and cried. and prayed the man that he would help him out of the snare. or else he must there die: tHe man had pity of him and said /if thou promise to me that thou wilt not enuenyme me ne do me noon harm ne hurt I shall help the out of this peril /The serpent was ready and swore a great oath that he now ne never should do him harm ne hurte· Thenne he unlosed him and delivered him out of the snare /And went forth to gydre a good while /that the serpent had great hungers for he had not eaten a great while tofore. and start to the man and would have slain him. the man start away and was a ferde and said /wilt thou now sle me /hast thou forgotten the oath that thou madest to me that thou shouldest not misdo ne hurt me The serpent answered I may do it good /to fore all the world that I do /the need of hongte may 'cause a man to break his oath /The man said if it may be not better /give me so long respite till we meet and find that may judge the matter by right /The serpent granted thereto /thus they went to gydre so long that they fond tyselyn the raven/ And slyndpere his son /there rehearsed they their reasons /Tiselyn the raven judged anon that he should eat the man /he would fain have eaten his part and his son also /The serpent said to the man how is it now /what think ye have I not won /The man said /how should a robber judge this he should have a veil thereby/ & also he is alone /there must be two or three atte lest to gydre and that they understand the right & law and that done /late the sentence gone /I am nevertheless ill on enough /They a greed and went forth both to gydre so long that they fond the beer & the wolf to whom they told their matter /And they anon judged that the serpent should sle the man /For the need of hunger breaketh oath always /the man then was in great doubt & fere/ and the serpent came and cast his venom at him /but the man lepe a way from him with great pain /And said ye do great wrong that ye thus lie in a wait to slay me /ye have no right thereto /The serpent sa●yde /Is it not enough yet /it hath been twice judged /ye said the man that is of them that been wonde to murdr● and rob /Alle that ever they swear and promise th●y hold not /but I appeal this matter in to the court to fore our lord the king /And that thou mayst not forsake/ And what judgement that shall be given there /I shall obey and suffer/ and never do the contrary. tHe bear and the wolf sayden that it sbold be so/ And that the serpent desired no better /They supposed if it should come to fore you /It should go there as they would. I trow ye be well remembrid herof· Tho came they all to the court to fore you/ And the wolves two children came with their father. Which were called empty belly and never full /by cause they would eat of the man. ffor they howled for great hungers wherefore ye commanded them to avoid your court /The man stood in great dread/ And called upon your good grace and told how the serpent would have taken his life from him to whom he had saved his life and that above his oath & promise he would have devoured him /The serpent answered I have not trespaced/ And that I report me hoolly un the king /For I died it to save my life /for need of life /one may break his oath and promise /My lord that time were ye and all your counseyl here with accumbered For your noble grace saw the great sorrow of the man/ And ye would not that the man should for his gentleness and kindness be judged to death/ And on that other sith hungers and need to save the life seeketh narrowly to be helped /hire was noon in all the court that coude ne knew the right hierof /There were some that would fain the man had be helped /I see them hire standing /I wot well they said that they could not end this matter /Thenne commanded ye that reynard my nephew should come and say his advys in this matter /that tym● was he above all other believed and heard in the court/ And ye bade him give sentence according to the best right/ and we all shall follow him /For he knew the ground of the law /reynard said my lord /it is not possible te give a true sentence after their words /for in here saying been oft leasings /But and if I might see the serpent in the same peril and need that he was in when the man loosed him and unbonde /Thenne wyste I well what I should say/ And who that would do otherwise he should misdo again right /Thenne said ye my lord reynard that is well said we alle· ●corde hereto /ffor noman can say better /Thenne went the man and the serpent in to the place where as he fond the serpent Reynart bad that the serpent should be set in the snare in like wise as he was/ And it was done /Thenne said ye my lord /reynart how thinketh you now /what judgement shall we give. Thenne said reynart the f●●e. My lord now been they both like as they were to 〈◊〉▪ they have neither won ne lost See my lord how I judge for a right also far as it shall please your noble grace▪ if the man will now loose and unbind the serpent upon the promise and oath. that he to fore made to him, he may well do it. But if he think that he for any thing should be encumbered or hindered by the serpent. or for need of hunger would break his oath and promise. Thenne Iuge I that the man may go freely where he will. and late the serpent abide still bound. like as he might have done at the beginning. fforhe would have broken his oath and promise /where as he help him out of such fearful peril /Thus thinketh me a rightful judgement that the man shall have his free choice /like as he tofore had. lO my lord this judgement thought you good/ and all your counseyl which at that time were by you/ and folewed the same /And praised reynardis wisdom that he had made the man quite and free /Thus the fox wisely kept your noble honour and worship /as a triewe servant is bound to do to his lord /where hath the beer or the wolf done ever to you so much worship They con well huylen and blazon steel and rob /and eat fat morfelliss and fill their belies/ And then judge they for right and law that small thevis that steel hennys and chekyns should be hanged /But they himself that steal kine oxen and horses /they shall go quite and be lords/ And seem as though they were wiser than solomon /Auycene or aristotiles/ And each will be ●olden high proud/ and praised of great deeds and hardy But and they come where as it is to do /they been the first that flee /Thenne must the simple go forth to fore/ And they keep the rearward behind /Och my lord these and other like to them be not wise /but they destroy town. castle. land and people. They retch not whose house brenneth. so that they may warm them by the coals They seek all their own avail & singular profit /But Reynart the fox and all his friends & lineage sorowen and think to prefer the honour worship. fordeel and profit of their lord. and for wise counseyl which oft more prouffyteth here than pride and boost /This doth reynard /thaugh he have no thank /Atte long it shall be well known /who is best and doth most profit /My lord ye say /that his kin and lineage draw all afterward from him/ and stand not by him /for his falsehood and deceivable & subtle touchis /I would an other had said that /there should thenne such wreck be taken thereof /that him might growle that ever he saw him /But my lord we will forbear you /ye may say your pleasure/ and also I say it not by you /Were there any that would bedryve any thing against you with words or with works /him would we so do to /that m●n should say we had been there /There as fighting is we been not woned to be afeard· My lord by your leave I may well give you knoweleche of reynardis friends and kin. there been many of them that for his sake and love will adventure life and good. I know myself for one. I am a wife. I should if he had need set my life and good for him also I have three full wa●●n children which been hardy and strong /whom I would all to gydr● adventure for his love. rather than I should see him destroyed /yet had I liefer die than I saw them myscarye to fore mine eyen. so well love I him. Which been friends and kin unto Reynard the fox. capitulo xxxjᵒ. tHe first child is named byteluys. which is much cherished and can make moche sport & game /wherefore is given to him the fat trenchers and much other good meet which cometh well to prouffyt of fulrompe his brother/ and also my third child is a daughter and is named hatenette /she can well pike out lice and netis out of mens heedis /these three been to each other tryewe /wherefore I love them well /dame rukenawe called 'em forth and said /welcome my dear children to me forth and stand by reynard your dear nephew /Thenne said she /Come forth all ye that been of my kin & reynarts /and late us pray the king that he will do to reynart right of the land /Tho came forth many a b●est anon /as the squyrel /the musehont /the fychews /the martron /the beaver with his wife ordegale /the genete /the ostrole /the boussing/ and the fyret /these twain eat as feign polayl as doth reynart /The oter and pantecroet his wife whom I had almost forgotten /yet were they to fore with the beaver enemies to the fox /but they durst not gaynsaye dame rukenawe /for they were afeard of her She was also the wisest of all his kin of counseyl & was most doubted /There came also mo than xx other by cause of her for to stand by Rynard /There came also dame atrote with her ij sisters /the weasel/ and hermell the ass. the back /The watreratte and many moo to the number of xl /which all camen and stooden by reynard the fox/ mY lord the king said rukenanwe come and see hire if reynart have any friends /here may ye see /we been your true subjects which ffor you would adventure both life and good if ye had need /Though ye be hardy mighty and strong /Our well-willed friendship can not hurt you /late reynard the fox well bethynke him upon these matters that ye have laid against him/ And if he can not excuse him /then do him right we desire no better/ And this by right aught to noman be warned /The queen then spack. this said I to him yesterday /But he was so fierce and angry that he would not here it. the lupaerd said also. Sire ye may judge no ferther than your men give their verdict. for if ye would go forth by will and might that were not worshipful ffor your estate here allewaye both parties and th●nne by the best & wisest counseyl give judgement discretely according to the best right. the king said. this is all trewe· but I was so sore moved when I was informed of kywarts death and saw his heed. that I was hoot and hasty. I shall here the fox. can he answer and excuse him of that is laid against him. I shall gladly late him go quite. And also at request of his good friends and kin. Reynart was glad of these words. and though●● god thank mine aunte· She hath the ries do blosme aagayn· She hath well helped me forth now. I have now a good foot to dance on. I shall now look out of mine eyen. And bring forth the fairest leasings that ever man heard. and bring myself out of this danger. How the fox with subtlety excused him for the death of kywart the hare and of all other matters that were laid against him and how with fflatering gate again his pres of the king. capitulo xxxijᵒ. then spoke reynart the fox and said /Alas what say ye is kywart deed/ and where is bellyn the ram /what brought he to you /when he came again /for I delivered to him three iewelliss /I would fain know where they been be comen /That one of 'em should he have given to you my lord the king/ And the other ij to my lady the queen /The king said /bellyn brought us naught else but kywarts heed /like as I said you to fore /whereof I took on him wreck /I made him to loose his life /for the soul kaytyf said to me /that he himself was of the counseyl of the letters making that were in the male /Alas my lord is this very truth /woe to me kaytyf that ever I was born sith that these good jewels be thus lost mine heart will break for sorrow /I am sorry that I now live /what shall my wife say when she heareth hereof /she shall go out of her wit for sorrow /I shall never also long as I live have her friendship she shall make moche sorrow when she heareth thereof /The she ape said Reynard dear nephew /what prouffyteth that ye make all this sorrow late it pass /And tell us what these jewels were /peraventure we shall find counseyl to have them again if they be above earth Master akeryn shall labour for them in his bookis /and also we shall curse for them in all chirchies unto the time that we have knowledge where they been /They may not be lost /Nay aunt think not that /for they that have them will not lightly depart fro them. there was never king that ever gaf so rich jewels as these be /Nevertheless ye have somewhat with your words eased mine heart and made it lighter than it was /Alas loo here ye may see how he or they to whome a man trusteth most is oft by him or them deceived /thaugh I should go all the world thorough & my life in adventure set therefore /I shall wite where these jewels been becomen. with a dissimuled & sorouful speech said the fo●e hearken ye all my kin and frendyes /I shall name to you /these jewels what they were/ And then may ye say that I have a great loss /that one of them was a ring of fyn gold /and within the ring neyt the finger were wreton letters enameled with sable and azure and there were three hebrews names therein /I could not myself rede ne spell them /for I understand not that language /but master a●●ion of trier he is a wise man he understandeth well all manner of languages & the virtue of all manner herbs /and there is no be'st so fires ne strong but he can dompte him /for if he see him once he shall do as he will/ And yet he believeth not on god /He is a jew /The wisest in cunning and specially he knoweth the virtue of stones. I showed him once this ring /he said that they were tho three names that seth brought out of paradies when he brought to his father Adam the oil of mercy/ And who somever beareth on him these three names /he shall never be hurt by thondre ne lightning ●ne no witchcraft shall have power over him ne be tempted to do sin. And also he shall neu●r take harm by cold /thaugh he lay three winters long nyghtis in the field /thaugh it snowed stormed or frore never so sore /so great might have these words /witness of master abrion /withought forth on the ring stood a stone of three manner colours /the one part was like red cristalle/ and shoes like as fire had been therein /in such wise that if one would go by night /him behoved non other light for the shining of the stone made & gave as great a light as it had been midday /That other part of the stone was white and clear as it had been burnysshid /Who so had in his eyen any smart or soreness /or in his body any swelling /or heed ache /or any sickness withoutforth if he stry●●ed this stone on the place where the grief is /he shall anon be hole /or if any man be seek in his body of venom /or ill meet in his stomach /of colyk /stranguyllyon /stone /fystel or canker or any other sickness /safe only the very death late him lay this stone in a little water/ And late him drink it/ & he shall forthwith be hole & all quite of his seknessis /Alas said the fox we have good cause to be sorry to lose such a jewel /fforthermore the third colour was green like glass /But there were somme sprynklis therein like purpur /the master told for truth /that who that bore this stone upon him should never be hurt of his enemy/ & that noman were he never so strong & hardy that might miss do him/ & where ever that he fought he should have victory were it by night or by day also far as he beheld it fasting/ & also thereto where somever he went & in what fellowship /he should be beloved /though they had hated him to fore /if he had the ring upon him /they should forget their anger as soon as they saw him /Also though he were all naked in a field again an hundred armed men /he should he well hearted & escape fro them with worship /but he must be a noble gentle man /and have no churl's conditions /for then the stone had no /might & by cause this stone was so precious & good /I thought in myself that I was not able n● worthy to bear it/ and ther● fore i sent it to my dear lord the king /for i know him for the most noble that now liveth/ & also all our welfare & worship lieth on him /and for he should be kep●● fro all dread need and ungheluck. i Fond this ring in my fathers treasure /and in the same place I took a glass or a mirror & a comb which my wife would algates have /a man might wondra that saw these jewels /I sent these to my lady the queen /for I have founden her good & gracious to me /this Comb might not be to much praised /Hit was made of the bone of a clean noble be'st named Panthera /which feedeth him between the great Jude and earthly paradise /he is so lusty fair & of colour /that there is no colour under the heaven /but some likeness is in him thereto he smelleth so sweet /that the savour of him booteth all syknessis & for his beauty and sweet smelling all other beasts follow him /for by his sweet savour they been healed of all syknessis /this panthera hath a fair boon broad & thin /when so is that this beefte is slain all the sweet odour restid in the bone which can not be broken ne shall nen rote ne be destroyed by fire /by water /ne by smiting /it is so hard tyht & fast/ and yet it is light of weight /The sweet odour of it hath great might /that who that smelleth it set naught by noon other lust in the world and is eased & quite of all manner diseases & Infirmytes /And also he is jocund & glad in his heart /this comb is polysshid as it were fine silver/ and the teeth of it been small and strait /And bytwen the greater teeth & the smaller is a large field and space where is coruen many an image subtlly made & enameled about with fyn gold /the field is checked with sable & silver /enameled with cybore & azure /And there in is th'history how venus juno and pallas strof for thapple of gold /which each of them would have had /which controversy was set upon paris /that he should give it to the fairest of them three. ●Arys was that time an herd man and kept his faders beasts & sheep without troy /when he had resceyvid thapple /juno promised to him if he would judge that she might have thapple /he should have the most richesse of the world /pallas said if she might have thapple she would give him wisdom & strength & make him so gret● a lord that he should overcome all his enemies/ & whom he would /venus said what needest thou richesse or streng the /art not thou pryamus son /and hector is thy brother which have all asye under their power /art not thou one of the possessors of great troy /if thou wilt give to me thapple i shall give the the richest treasure of the world & that shall be the fairest woman that ever had life on earth /ne never shall noon be born fairer than she /thenne shall thou be richer than rich /And shall climb above all other /for that is the treasure that noman can praise enough /for honest /fair and good women can put a way many a sorrow fro the heart /they be shamefast & wise /and bring a man in very joy and bliss /Paris heard th●s venus which presented him this great joy & fair lady & prayed her to name this fair lady /that was so fair & where she was /venus said● it is Helen king mencla●● wife of grece /there liveth not anobler. richer. gentiller. ne wiser wife in all the world /Thenne paris gave to her thapple and said that she was fayreft /how that he gate afterward Helen by the help● of venus and how he brought her in to troy & wedded her /the great love and jolly life that they had to gyd●e /was all coruen in the field every thing by himself /and the story wreton. nOw ye shall here of the mirror /the glass that stood thereon was of such virtue that men might see therein /all that was done within a mile /of men of beasts & of all thing that me would desire to wite & know /and what man looked in the glass had he any disease /of ●rie- king or motes /smart or pearls in his eyen he should be anon healed of it /Such great virtue had the glass is it thenne wondee if I be moved and angry for to loose such manner jewels. The tree in which this glass stood was light & fast and was named cetyne /it should endure ever ere it would rote or worms should hurt it/ and therefore king Solomon seelyd his temple with the same wood withynforth /Men praised it derrer than fyn gold it is like to tree of helenus /of which wooed king Crompart made his horse of tree for love of king morcadigas daughter that was so fair /whom he had wend for to have won /That hor● was so made within /that woe som●uer road on it if he would /he should be within less than on hour /an hundred mile thence /And that was well proved ffor cleomedes the kings son would not believe that /That horse of tree had such might and virtue /He was young /lusty and hardy/ And desired to do great deeds of pries for to be renowned in this world/ And leep on this horse of tree /Crompart turned a pin that stood on his breast/ And anon the horse lift him up and went out of the hall by the window and ere one might say his pater noster /He was goon more ten mile way cleomedes was sore afeard & supposed never to have turned again /as th'history thereof telleth more plainly /but how great dread he had/ & how far that he rood upon that horse made of the tree of hebenus ere he could know the art & craft how he should torn him/ and how joyful he was when he knew it/ & how men sorrowed for him/ and how he knew all this and the joy thereof when he came again all this I pass over for losing of time /but the most part of all came to by the virtue of the wood /of which wooed the tree that the glass stood in was made /and that was without forth of the glass half a foot brood /wherein stood sum strange histories which were of gold /of sable of silver /of yellow /azure & cynope /these six colowrs were therein wrought in such wise as it behoved/ & under every history the words were graven & enameled that every man might understand what each history was/ After my judgement there was never mirror so costly so lustily n● so playsaunt /in the beginning stood there an horse made fat strong & sore envious upon an heart which ran in the field so far & swiftly that the horse was angry that he ran so far to fore hym· and could not overtake hym· he thought he should cacche him & subdue him. though he should suffer moche pain therefore. the horse spack though to a herdsman in this wise. if thou cowdest taken an heart that I well can show the /thou shouldest have great profit thereof. thou shouldest sell dear his horns his skin & his flesh. the herdsman said how may I come by him. the horse said sit upon me. & I shall bear the and we shall hunt him till he be take· The herdsman sprang & sat upon the horse & saw the heart and he road after but the heart was light of foot & swift. & out ran the horse ferre they honted so far after him that the horse was we●y and said to the herdsman that sat on him. now sit of I will rest me /I am all weary. and give me leave to go fro the. The herdsman said I have arrested the th●w mayst not escape fro me· I have a bridle on thy heed and sporis on my heel's thou shalt never have thank hereof /I shall bid wing & subdue the hadst thou sworn the contrary. see how the horse brought himself in thraldem & was taken in his own net. how may one better be taken than by his own proper envy suffer himself to betaken & riden· there been many that labour to hurt other· & they them seluen been hurt and rewarded with the same there was also made an ass & an hound /which dwelled both with a rich man /The man loved his hound well /for he pleyde oft with him as folk do with houndis /the hound leep up and played with his tail/ And licked his master about the mouth /this saw bowdwyn the ass /and had great spite thereof in his heart/ and said to himself /how may this be and what may my lord see on this fowl hound /whom I never see doth good ne profit /sauf springeth on him and kysseth him /But me whom men putten to labour /to bear & draw /and do more in a week than he with his xv should do in a hole year and yet sitteth he nevertheless by him at the table/ and there ●teth bones flesh and fat trenchers /And I have nothing but thistles and nettles/ And lie on nights on the hard earth and suffer many ascorn /I will no longer suffer this /I will think how I may get my lords love and friendship like as the hound doth /Therewith came the lord /And the ass life up his tail and sprang with his fore feet on the lords shoulders/ And ble●ed grennyd and song and with his feet made two great bules about his ears/ And put forth his mouth and would have kissed the lords mouth as he had seen the hound done /Tho cried the lord sore afeard help /help /this ass will slay me /Thenne came his servants with good stavis and smitten and bete the ass so sore that he had wend he should have lost his life /Tho returned he to his stable and eat thistles & nettles and was an ass as he tofore was. In like wise who so have envy and spite of an others welfare /and were served in like wise /it should be well behoefful /Therefore it is concluded that the ass shall eat thistelis & netteles and bear the sack /though men would do him worship he can not understand it /but must use old lewd manners /Where as asses getten lordshippis /there men see seld good rule /For they take heed of nothing but on their singular profit /yet been they take up and risen great /the more pity is/ hearken ferther how my fad●e and tybert the cat wend to gydre/ and had sworn by their truth that for love ne hate they should not depart. And what they gate /they should depart to each the half /Thenne on atyme they saw hunters coming over the field with many hounds /They leep and run fast fro them wa●d all that they might as they that were afeard of they: life /Tybert said the fox whither shall we now best flee /the hunters have espied us /know ye any help my father trusted on the promise that each made to other/ And that he would for no need depart fro him /Tybert said ●e /I have a sack full of wiles if we have need /as far as we abide to gydre we need not to doubt hunters ne hounds /Tybert began to sigh and was sore afeard/ And said /Reynart what availed many words /I know but one wile. and thither must I too. And though clamme he upon on high tree in to the top under the levys /Where as hunter ne hound might do him non harme· And left my father alone in jeopardy of his life. for the hunters set on him the hounds all that they coude /Men blewe the horns and cried & hallowed the fox /Sle● & take. When tybert the cat saw that. he mocked and s●orned my father and said what reynart cousin unbind now your sakke where all the wylis been in /it is now time ye be so wise called /help yourself /ffor ye have need /this mock must my father here of him to whom he had most his trust on /And was almost taken and nigh his death and he ran and fled with great fere of his life and let his male slide of by cause he would be the lighter /yet all that could not help him for the hounds were to swift and should have byten him /But he had one adventure that there by he fond an old hole /wherein he crept/ and escaped thus the honters and hounds /Thus held this false deceiver tibaert his sikerness that he had promised /Alas how many been there now a days that keep not their promise /and set not thereby though they break it /And though I hate tybaert herfore /is it wonder ●ut I do not sikerly /I love my soul to well thereto /Nevertheless if I saw him in adventure and mysfalle in his body or in his goods /I trow it should not much go to my heart so that another died it /Nevertheless I shall neither hate him ne have /envy at him /I shall ffor god's love forgive him yet is it not so clear out of mine heart /but a little ill will to him ward abideth therein as this cometh to my remembrance/ And the cause is that the sensuality of my flesh fighteth against reason. there stood also in that mirror of the wolf /how he fond ones upon an heth a deed horse flayn· but all the flesh was eaten then went he and boat great morselliss of the bones that for hunger he took three or iiij atones and swolowed them in /for he was so greedy that one of the bones stack thwart in his mouth /Whereof he had great pain/ And was in great fere of his life /He sought all about for wise masters and surgeons and promised great gifts for to be healed of his disease /Atte last when he could nowher find remedy he came to the crane with his louge neck and bill /and prayed him to help him and he would lone and reward him so well that he should ever be the better /The crane herked after this great reward and put his heed in to his throat & brought out the boon with his bill /The wolf start a side with the plucking /and cried out alas thou dost me harm ● but I forgive it the /do no more so /I would not suffer it of an other /the crane said /Sir Isegrym go and be merry for ye be all hool now give to me that ye promised The wolf said /will ye here what he saith /I am he that hath suffered and have cause to plain/ and he will have good of me /he thanketh not me of the kindness that I died to him he put his heed in my mouth /and I suffered him to draw it out hole without hurting /And he died to me also harm/ And if any hire should have a reward it should be I by right /Thus the unkind men now adays reward them that do them good ● when the false and subtle arise and become great /then goth worship and prouffyt all to n●ught /There been many of right that aught reward and do good to such as have helped 'em in her need /that now find causes and say they be hurt and would have amendis /where they aught to reward and make amendss themself /Therefore i● 〈◊〉 said and truth it is /who that will chide or chasty●t /see that he be clear himself. all this and moche more than I now can well remember was made and wrought in this glass /The master that ordained it /was aconning man and a profound clerk in many sciencis/ And by cause these jewels were over good and precious for me to keep & have /Therefore I sent them to my dear lord the king and to the queen in present /Where been they now that give to their lords such presents /The sorrow that my 〈◊〉 children made when I sent away the glass was great for they were woned to look therein and see themself how their clothing and array bycam them on their bodies /O alas I knew not that kywart the hare was so nigh his death when I delivered him the male with these iewellis /I wist not to whom I might better have taken them. though It should have cost me my life. than him & bellart the ram /They were two of my best friends /Out alas I cry upon the murder●r /I shall know who it was. though I should run through all the world to seek him. for murdre abideth not hid. it shall come out peradventure he is in this company that knoweth where kywart is becomen. though he telleth it not. for many false shrews walk with good men. fro whom noman can keep hym· they known their craft so well & can well cover their falseness. but the most wonder that I have is that my lord the king hire saith so felly. that my father nor I died him never good /that thinketh me marvel of a king /but there come so many thyngiss to fore him that he forgetteth that one with that other /and so faryth by me /Dear lord remember not ye when my lord your father lived /and ye an youngling of two year were that my father came fro skole fro Menpellier /where as he had five year studied in recepts of medicines /he knew all the tokens of the urine as well as his hand /And also all the herbs and nature of them which were viscose or laxatyf /he was a singular master in that science /he might well were cloth of silk and a guilt girdle /when he came to court he fond the king in a great sickness whereof he was sorry in his heart /For he loved him above all other lords /The king would not forego him ● for when he came all other had leave to walk where they would he trusted noon so much as him /he said reynard I am seek and feel me the longer the worse /My father said /my dear lord here is an urinal /make your water therein & assoon as I may see it I shall tell what sickness it is & also how ye shall be helped /the king died as he conseilled him for he trusted noman better that lived /Though so were that my father died not as he should have d●n to you /But that was by counseyl of evil and soul beesti● 〈◊〉 had wonder thereof /but it was a rasing against 〈…〉 he said my lord if ye will he hole /You must 〈…〉 of a wolf of seven year old /that may ye not l●ue or else ye shall die /for your urine showeth it plainly /the wolf stood there by and said naught /But the king said to him sir ysegrym now ye here well that I must have your liver /if I will be whole /Tho answered the wolf and said /Nay my lord not so /I wot well I am not yet five year old /I have heard my mother say so /My father said /what skilleth his words /late him be opened and I shall know by the liver if it be good for you or not/ And therewith the wolf was had to kitchen/ & his liver taken out /which the king eat and was anon all hole of all his sickness /th●nne thanketh he my father moche/ and commanded all his household upon their lyvies that after that time they should call him master reynard hE abode still by the king and was believed of all thyngiss /and must allewey go by his side/ And the king gave to ●hym a garland of rooses. Which he must always were on his heed. but now this is all turned· all the old good things that he died. been forgeten▪ And these covetous and ravenous shrews been taken up and set on the high bench and been herd and made great. And the wise folk been put a back. by which these lords oft lack. And 'cause them to be in moche trouble and sorrow ffor when a covetous man of low birth is made a lord· & is much greet and above his neighbours hath power & might /Thenne he knoweth not himself /ne whence he is comen And hath no pity on noman's /hurt. ne heareth noman's request. but if he may have great gifts. all his intent and desire is to gadre good and to be greater. O how many covetous men been now in lords courts. they flatter & smeke/ and please the prince for their singular avail /But and the prince had need of them or their good they should ●ather suffer him to die or fare right hard ere they would give or lean him /They be like the wolf /that had liefer the king had died than he would give him his liver /Yet had I liefer ere that the king or the queen should far amiss /that xx such wolves should loose their lives /it were also the least loss /My lord all this bifelle in your youth that my father died thus /I trow ye have forgotten it/ And also I have myself done you reverence worship and courtosye /Vnroused be it /thaugh ye now thank me but little /but peraventure ye remembered not that I shall now say not to any for witting of you for ye be worthy all worship and reverence that any man can do /that have ye of almighty god by inheritance of your noble progenitors /wherefore I your humble subject and servant am bounden to do to you all the service that I can or may /I came on a time walking with the wolf Isegrym/ And we had gotten under us both a swine /And for his loud crying we boat him to death /and sire ye came fro far out of a grove against us. ye salewed us friendly and said we were welcome. and that ye & my lady the queen which came after you had great hungers. & had nothing for to eat/ and prayed us for to give you part of our winning /Isegrym spack so soft th●t a man uneath might hear him. but I spack out and said. ye my lord with a good william. though it were more we will well that ye have part And then the wolf departed as he was wont to do/ he departed and took that on half for himself/ And he gaf you a quarter /for you and for the queen /That other quarter he eat and boat as hastily as he might /because he would eat it alone/ And he gaf to me but half the longs that I pray god that evil might he far. tHus showed he his conditions and nature /ere men should have sungen a Credo ye my lord had eaten your part/ And yet would ye fain have had more /ffor ye were not full/ And because he gaf you no more ne proffered you /You life up your right foot and smote him between the eris that ye ta●e his skin over his eyen/ & though he might no lengre abide but he bledde/ howled and ran away and left his part there lie /Tho said ye to him haste you again hither and bring to us more/ And here after see better to how ye deal and part /Thenne said I my lord if it please you I will go with him /I wot well what ye said /I went with him /he bledde/ and groaned as sore as he was all softly /he durst not cry loud /we went so far. that we brought a calf/ And when ye seen us come therewith. ye laughed for ye were well pleased /ye said to me that I was swift in hontyng· I see well that ye can find well when ye take it upon you /ye be good to send forth in a need /The calf is good and fat. hereof shall ye be the delar I said my lord with a good will /The one half my lord shall be for you. And that other half for my lady the queen. the moghettis. liver longs and the Inward shall be for your children /the heed shall Isegrym the wolf have /and I will have the feet· Tho said ye Reynart who hath taught yo● to 〈◊〉 so courtoisly /my lord said I that hath done this p●●●st that sitteth 〈◊〉 with the bloody crown /he lost his 〈…〉 with the uncourtoys departing of the swyn/ And ma●is covetise & ravin he hath both hurt and 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 their ●en many wolves now a days that withou●●ight & reason destroy & eat them that they may have the overhand of /they spare neither flesh ne blood friend ne enemy /what they can gete· that take they /O woe be to that land and to townes·s where as the wolves have the overhand /My lord this and many other good thing have I done fo● you /that I could well tell if it wer● not to long /of which now ye remember litil by the words that I her of you. if ye would all thing oversee well /ye would not say as ye doo· I have seen the 〈◊〉 /that there should no great matter be concluded in this co●rt with out mine advise /all be it that this adventure is now fallen /It might happen yet that my words shall be herd & also bi●● /vyd as well as an others as far as right 〈◊〉 or I desire noon other /for if there be any can say and for●e good by sufficient witnessis that I have trespaced ● 〈◊〉 abided all the right & law that may come thereof. and 〈◊〉 any say on me any thing of which he can bring no witnesses. Late me thenme be ruled after the law and custom of this court the king said Reynart ye say reasonably I know not of Kywarts death more than that bellyn the Ram brought his heed hither In the male /thereof I let you go quyte· ffor I have no witness thereof /My dear lord said god thank you /sickerly ye do well for his death maketh me so sorrowful /that me thinketh my heart will break in two /oh when they d●parted fro me mine heart was so heavy /that me thought I should have swooned /I wot well it was a token of the loss that though was so nigh coming to me /all the most part of them that were there and heard the foxes words of the jewels and how he made▪ his countenance and stratchid him /had verily supposed that it had not be feigned but that it had be tryewe. they were sorry of his loss and misadventure. and also of his sorowe· The king & the queen had both pity of him. And bade him to make not to much sorrow /But that he should endevore him to feche hem. For he had so much praised 'em. that they had great will and desire to have them /And by cause he had made them to understand that he had sent these jewels to them. though they never had them· yet they thanked him. And prayed him to helmpe that they might have them. tHe fox understood their mining well. he thought toward them but little good fo● al that· he said god thank you my lord and my lady that ye so friendly comfort me in my sorrow. I shall not rest night ne day ne all● they that will do any thing for me but Renne and pray /Thretene and ask all the four corners of the wolrd /Thaugh I should ever seche till that I know where they been becomen/ and I pray you my lord the king /That if they were in such place as I could not get them by prayer /by might ne by request that ye would assist me and abide by me /for it towcheth yourself /and the good is youris/ And also it is your part to do justice on theft and murdre which both been in this caas /Reynart said the king that shall I not leave when ye know where they been /Mine help shall be always ready for you /O dear lord this is to much presented to me /if I had power and might I shield deserve against you /Now hath the fox his matter fast and fair /for he hath the king in his hand as he would /him thought that he was in better case than it was like to have be /he hath made so many leasings /that he may go freely where he will without complaining of any of them all /Sauf of Isegrym which was to hymward angry and displeased and said /O noble king are ye so much chyldyssh that ye believe this false and subtle shrew/ and suffer yourself with false lies thus to be deceived /Of faith it should be long or I should believe him /he is in murdre & treason all be wrapped/ And he mocketh you to sore your visage /I shall tell him another tale I am glad that I see now him here /all his leasings shall not a vaylle him ●r he depart fro me. How ysegrym the wolf complained again on the fox. capitulo xxxiijo mY lord I pray you to take heed /this false thief betrayed my wife once fowl and dishonestly /it was so that in a winters day that they went to guider through a great water/ and be bore /my wife an hand that he would teach her take fish with her tail/ and that she should late it hang in the water a good while and there should so much fish cleave on it that four of them should not con eat it. The fool my wife supposed he had said truth /And she went in the mire to the belly to ere she came in to the water /And when she was in the deppest of the water. he bade her hold her tail still. till that the f●sshe were comen. she held her tail so long that it was frorn hard in the ice and could not pluck it out. And when he saw that. he sprang up after on her body. Alas there ravished he and forced my wife so knavisshly that I am ashamed to tell it. she could not defend herself the silly beest· she stood so deep in the mire. hereof he can not say naye· ffor I fond him with the deed. for as I went above upon the bank I saw him bynethe upon my wife shoving and steking as men do when they do such work and play. Alas what pain suffered I though at my h●●te I had almost for sorrow lost my five wits & cried as loud as I might reynart what do ye there/ & when he saw me so nigh though leep he of. and went his way. I went to her in a great heaviness. And went deep in that mire and that water ere I coude b●cke the ice & moche pain suffered she ere she could have out her tail/ and yet left a gobbet of her tail behind her/ And we were like both thereby to have lost our lives /for she galped and cried so loud for the smart that she had ere she came out /that the men of the village came out with scavies and byllis /with flaylis and pykforkes/ And the wives with their distavis /and cried dyspytously slesle/ and smite down right /I was never in my life so a feed /for uneath we escape /we ran so fast that we sweat there was a villain that stake on us with a pike /which hurted us sore he was strong and swift a foot /had it not be night /Certainly we had been slain /The fowl old queens would fain have beaten us /they said that we had byten their sheep /They cursed us with many a curse /Tho came we in to a field sul of broom and brambleses there hid we us fro the villains /And they durst not follow us ferther by night /but returned home again See my lord this fowl matter /this is murdre /rape/ & treason /which ye aught to do justice thereon sharply. rEynard answered and said /if this were true /it should go to nigh mine honour and worship/ god forbid that it should be found true /it is well true that I taught her how she hold in a place ca●che fish/ & showed her a good way for to go over in to the water without going in to the mire /But she ran so desyrously when she heard me name the fish /That she neither way no path held /But went in to the ice wherein she was forfrorn/ And that was by cause she abode to long she had fish enough if she could have be pleased with measure it fall thofte /who that would have all /loseth all /Over covetous was never good /For the be'st can not be satisfied/ And when I saw her in the ice so fast /I wend to have helped her/ and heef & shoef & stack here & there to have brought her out /But it was all pain lost /for she was to heavy for me /Tho came ysegrym and saw how I shoef and stack and ●yde all my best & he as a fowl chorle· fowl and rybadously sklaundryth me with her. as these fowl unthrifts been wont to doo· But my dear lord it was noon otherwise. he belieth me falsely peraventure his eyen dazzled as he looked f●om above down. he cried and cursed me and swore many an oath I should dear aby it /when I heard him so curse and thretene /I went my way /and let him curse & menace till he was weary/ And though went he and heef & shoef and halpe his wife out/ and then he leep & ran & she also for to get them an heat & to warm them or ell●s they should have died for cold/ And what somever I have said a fore or after /that is clearly all truth /I would not for a thousand mark of fyn gold lyeto you one losing it were not sitting for me /what somever fall of me I shall say the truth /like as mine elders have always done /sith the time that we first understood reason & if ye be in doubt of any thing that I have said other ● wise than troth /give me respite of vin days that I may have counsel /and I shall being such Information with good tryew and sufficient record /that ye shall all your life during trust and believe me/ and so shall all your counseyl also /what have I to do with the wolf hi● is to fore clearly ynowh showed that he is a soul vylay●nous kaytyf/ and an unclean be'st /When he deled and departed the swyn /So is it now known to you all by his owen words that is a deffamer of women as much as in him is ye may well mark everichone /Who should lust to do that game to one so steadfast a wife being inso great peril of death now ask ye his wife /if it be so as he saith /if she will say the troth I wot well /she shall say as I do /Tho spack erswind the wulfis wife /Ache fell reynart /noman can keep himself fro the /thou canst so well utter thy words and thy falseness & treason set forth /but it shall be evil rewarded in the end /How broughtest thou me once in to the well where the two boketties hinge by one cord running through one polley which went one up and another down /thou sattest in that one boket bynethe in the pit in great dread /I came thither and heard the sigh and make sorrow/ And axed the how thou camest there /thou saidst that thou hadst there so many good fishes eaten out of the water that thy belly would breast /I said tell me how I shall come to the /Thenne saidst thou aunt spring in to that boket that hangeth there /and ye shall come anon to me /I died so/ & I went downward/ and ye came upward though was I all angry /thou saidst thus fareth the world that one goth up /and another goth down /though sprang ye forth and went your way & I abode there alone sitting an hole day sore an hungered & a cold/ And thereto had I many a stroke ere I could get thence /Aunt said the fox /thaugh the strokes died you harm I had liefer ye had them than I /for ye may better bear them /for one /of us must needs have had them /I taught you good /will ye understand it and think on it /that ye another time take better heed and believe noman over hastily /is he friend or cousin /for every man seeketh his own profit /They be now fools that do not so/ And specially when they be in jeopardy of their lives. A fair parable of the fox and the wulf· Cao xxxiiij oh mY lord said dame Erswyn I pray you here how he can blow with all winds/ And how fair bringeth he his matters forth /Thus hath he brought me many time in scathe & hurt said the wolf /he hath once bytrayed me to the she ape mine aunt /where I was in great dread and fere /for I left there almost mine one ere /of the fox will tell it how it byfel /I will give him the for deal thereof /for I can not tell it so well /but he shall beryspe me /well said the fox I shall tell it without stamering I shall say the troth /I pray you hearken me /he came in to the wood and complained to me /that he had great hungers ffor I saw him never so full /but he would always have had fain more /I have wonder where the meet becometh that 〈◊〉 destroyeth /I see now on his countenance that he beginneth to grim for hungers /When I heard him so complain I had pity of him/ And I said I was also hungry then went we half a day to gydre and fond nothing /though whyned he & cryted/ & said he might go no f●rther then espied I a great hool standing in the mids under an haw which was thyck of brambleses /and I heard a rushing therein I witted not what it was /then said I go therein and look if there be any thing there for us /I wot well there is somewhat /though said he cousin I would not cr●pe in to that hole for twenty pound but I witted first what is therein /me thinketh that there is some perilous thing but I shall abide here under this tree /if ye will go therein to fore /but come anon again/ And late me weet what thing is therein /You can many a subtlety and can well help yourself and much better than I /See my lord the king /Thus he made me pour wight to go to fore in to the danger /and he which is great long & strong abode without and rested him in pees /await if I died not for him there. i would not suffer the dread and fere that I there suffered for all the good in earth /but if I wist how to escape /I went hardyly in /I fond the way dark /long and brood /Ere I right in the hool came so espied I a great light which came in fro that one side there lay in a great ape with twain great wide eyen/ & they glymmed as a fire /And she had a great mouth with long teeth & sharp nails on his feet and on her hands /I wend hi● had be a mermoyse /a baubyn or a mercatte /for I saw never fouler be'st /and by her lay three of her children which were right fowl ffor they were right like the mother /when they saw me come /they gapeden wide on me and were all still /I was afeard /And would well I had been thence /but I thought I am therein /I must their through and come out as well as I may /as I saw her me thought she seemed more than ysegrym the wolf/ And her children were more than I /I saw never a fouler main /they lay on fowl hay which was all be pyssed/ They were byslabbed and byclagged to their ears to in her owen dung /it stank that I was almost smoldred thereof I durst not say but good/ and then I said /Aunt good give you god day and all my cousins your fair children /they be of their age the fairest that ever I saw O lord god how well please they me /how lovely /how fair been they each of them for their beauty might be a great king's son /Of right we aught to thank you /that ye thus energy our lineage /Dear aunt when I heard say that ye were delivered and laid down I could no longer abide but must come and friendly visit you /I am sorry that I had not erst known it/ Reynard cousin said she ye be welcome /for that ye have found me and thus come see me I thank you /Dear cousin ye be right true and named right wise in all lands /and also that ye gladly furthre and bring your lineage in great worship /You must teach my 〈◊〉 with the youris some wisdom that they may know what they shall do & leave /I have thought on you for gladly ye go and fellowship with the good /O how well w●s I pleased when I heard these words /this deserved I at the beginning when I called her aunt /how be it that she was nothing sib to me /for my right aunt is dame ruk●nawe that yonder standeth /Which is woned to bring forth wise children /I said aunt my life and my good is at your commandment/ and what I may do for you by night and by day /I will gladly teach them all that I can. I would fain have be thence for the stench of them. and also I had pity of the great long that Isegrym had /I said aunt I shall commit you and your fair children to god and take my leave /My wife shall think long after me /Dear cousin said she ye shall not depart till ye have eaten /for if ye died I would say ye were not kind /Tho stood she up and brought me in an other hool where as was much meet of hearts & hinds /was /fesaunts /partridge and much other venison that I wondered for whence all this meet might come/ And when I had eaten my belly full she gaf me a great piece of an hind fro to eat with my wife and with my household /when I come home /I was a shamed to take it /But I might noon other wise do /I thanked her & took my leave /she bade me I should come soon again /I said I would /And so departed thence merrily /that I so well had sped /I hasted me out/ & when I came and saw ysegrym which lay groaning. And I axed him how he feared /he said nephew all evyll· ffor it is wonder that I line /bring ye any meet to eat I die for hunger. though had I compassion of him and gaf him that I had. And saved him there his lyf·s whereof thenne he thanked me greatly. how be it that he now oweth me evil will. hE had eaten this up anon. though said he Reynard dear cousin what fond ye in that hole. I am more hungry now than I was to fore. my teeth been now sharped to eat. I said then. Eme haste you thenne lightly in to that hole. You shall find there enough. there lieth mine aunt with her chyldren· if ye will spare the troth and lie great leasings /ye shall have there all your desire /But & ye say troth /ye shall take harm /My lord was not this enough said and warned /who so would understand it /that all that he fond he should say the contrary But rude and plompe beestis can not understand wisdom /therefore hate they all subtle Inventions /for they can not conceive them. Yet nevertheless /he said he would go Inn /and lie so many leasings ere he should mishap that all man should have wonder of it. and so went forth in to that fowl stinking hole. & fond the marmosette. She was like the devils daughter. and on her children hang moche filth cloterd in gobettis. Tho cried he alas me growleth of these fowl nyckers /Come they out of hell. men may make devils afeard of 'em. good and drown them that evil might they fare· I saw never fouler worms. they make all mine hair to stand right up /sir ysegrym said she. what may I do thereto. they been my children. And I must be their mother. what lieth that in your weye· whither they be fowl or fay●. They have you nothing cost. here hath been one to day 〈◊〉 you which was to them nyhe of kyn· And was your b●tter and wiser and he said that they ware fair. who 〈◊〉 sent you hither with these tidings. dame will ye 〈◊〉 I will eat of your meet. it is better bestowed on me than on these fowl wights. She said hire is no mere /he said here is enough. And there with he start with his heed toward the meet. & would have goon in to the ●oool where the meet was. But mine aunt start up with her children. and run to him with their sharp long nails so sor● that the blood ran over his eyen /I heed him cry sore and howl /but I know of no defence that he made /but that he ran fast out of the hole/ And he was there cratched and byten /and many an hool had they made in his cote and skin /his visage was all on a blood /and almost he had lost his one ere /he groaned and complained to me sore /thenne asked I him if he had well lied he said I said like as I saw & fond/ and that was a fowl bitch with many fowl wyghtiss /Nay eme said I /ye should have said /Fair niece how far ye and your fair children which been my well-beloved cousins /the wolf said /I had liefer that they were hanged ere I that said /ye eme therefore must ye receive such manner payment /it is better otherwhile to lie than to say truth /They that been better /wiser and stronger than we be have done so to fore us /See my lord the king thus gate he his read coyf /Now standeth he all so simply as he knew no harm /I pray you ask ye him if it was not thus /he was not far of if I wot it wel· How ysegrym proffered his glove to the fox for to fight with hym· capitulo xxxvᵒ. tHe wolf said I may well forbear your mocks & your scorns and also your fell venomous words strong thief that ye are /ye said that I was almost deed for hunger /when ye help me in my need /that is falsely lied /for it was but aboon that ye gave to me /ye had eaten away all the flesh that was thereon/ And ye mock me and say that I am hungry here where I stand /that toucheth my worship to nigh /what many a spyty word have ye brought forth with false leasings/ And that I have conspired the kings death fro the treasure that ye have said to him /is in hulsterlo/ And ye have also my wife shamed and sklandred /that she shall never recover it/ and I should ever be disworshipped thereby if I avenged it not /I have forborn you long /but now ye shall not escape me /I can not make her of gre●● preef /But I say here to fore my lord and to fore all● them that been here that thou art a false traitor and a morderar /And that shall I prove and make good on th● body within lists in the field. and that body against body And then shall our strife have an end /And thereto I cast to the my glove/ and take thou it up /I shall h●u● right of the or die therefore /Reynard the fore thought how come I on this Camping /we been not both like I shall not well con stand against this strong th●ef all my proof is now come to an end. How the fox took up the glove. And how the king set to them day and field for to come and 〈◊〉 their battle capitulo 〈…〉 yEt thought the fox I have good advantage. the claws of his for feet been of. and his feet been y●● sore thereof. when for my sake he was unshoed. he shall be somewhat the weyker. Thenue said the fox who that saith that I am a traitor or a morderar. I say he lieth falsely and that art thou specially ysegrym /thou bryngest me /there as I would be /this have I oft desired /lo here is my pledge /that all thy words been falls/ And that I shall defend me /and make good that thou liest /The king received the pledges /and amitted the bateyll And asked borrows of them both /that on the morn they should come and perform their battle/ and do as they aught to do /Thenne the bear and the cat were borrows for the wolf/ And for the fox were borowies grymbert the dasse /and byteluys· How rukenawe the she ape counseylled the fox how he should byhave him in the field against the wolf Capitulo xxxvijo tHe she ape said to the fox /Reyner nephew /See that ye take heed in your battle /be cold and wise Your eme taught me once a prayer that is of moche virtue to him that shall fight/ And a great master & a wise clerk. & was abbot of boudelo that taughted him /he said who that said devoutly this prayer fasting shall not that day be overcomen in battle ne in fighting therefore dear nephew be not afeard /I shall rede it over you to morrow /then may ye be sure enough of the wolf it is betire to fight /than to have the neck asondre /I thank you dear aunt said the fox /The quarrel that I have is rightful therefore I hope I shalspede well/ & that shall greatly be mine help /Alle his lineage abode by hymal the night/ & help him to drive a way the time/ Same rukenawe the she ape his aunt thought always on his profit and fordele/ And she died all his hee● fro the heed to the tail be shorn of smooth /and she anointed all his body with oil of olive/ And then was his body also glat and slipper /that the wolf should have noon hold on him/ And he was round and fat also on his body/ And she said to him dear cousin ye must now drink moche /that to morrow ye may the better make your vain /but ye shall hold it in till ye come to the field/ And when need is and time /so shall ye pysse full your rowhe tail /and smite the wolf therewith in his be●de/ And if ye might hit him therewith in his eyen then shall ye byneme him his sight /that should much hyndre him /but elliss hold always your tail fast between your legs that he catch you not thereby/ and hold down your eris lying plat after your heed /that he h●lde you not thereby/ And see wisely to yourself/ and at beginning flee fro his strokes. And late him spring and run after you/ and run tofore where as most dust is/ and stir it with your feet that it may flee in his eyen and that shall much hyndre his sight/ And while he rubbeth his eyen take your advantage and smite and bite him there as ye may most hurt him/ And alleway to hit him with your tail full of piss in his visage and that shall make him so woe /that he shall not wite where he is/ And late him run after you for to make him weary /Yet his feet been sore /of that ye made him to loose his shoes /and though he be greet /he hath no heart /Novew certainly this is my counsel. tHe cunning goth to fore strength /therefore see for yourself/ And set yourself wisely at defence /that ye and we all may have worship thereof /I would be sorry if ye misshaped /I shall teach you the words that your eme mertyn taught me /that ye may overcome your enemy /as I hope ye shall do without doubt /therewith she laid her hand upon his heed and said these words /Blaerde Shay Alphemo /Kasbue Gorsons alsbuifri● /nephew now be ye sure fro all mischief and dread /and I counsel you that ye rest you a little /for it is by the day /ye shall be the better disposed /we shall aw●ke you all in time /aunt said the fox I am now glad /god thank you ye have done to me such good /I can never deserve it fully again /me thinketh there may no thing hurt me sith that ye have said these holy words over me /Tho went he and layed him down under a tree in the grass and slept till the son was risen /though came the otter and waked him and bade him arise/ and gave him agood young doke /and said /dear cousin I have this night made many a leep in the water ere I could g●te this young fat doke /I have taken it fro a fowler /take and eat it /Reynart said this is good hansel /if I refused this I were a fool /I thank you cousin that ye remember me /if I live I shall reward you /The fox eat the doke with out sauce or breed it savourd him well & went well in /And he drank thereto iiij great draughtiss of water /Thenne went he to the battle ward and all they that loved him went with him. How the ffoxe came in to the field and how they fought /capitulo xxxviijᵒ· when the king saw reynart thus shorn & oiled he said to him /Ay fox how well can ye see for yourself /he wondered thereof he was fowl to look on /but the fox said not one word but kneeled down low to the● the unto the king & to the queen & striked him forth in to the field /The wolf was there ready and spack many a proud word /the rulers and keepers of the field was the lupaert & the loss /they brought forth the book /on which swore the wolf that the fox was a traitor & a m●rderar/ and noon might be falser than he was/ & that he would prove on his body & make it good /Reynart the fox swore that he lied as a false knave & a cursed thief & that he would do good on his body /When this was done the governors of the field/ bad them do their devoir /Thenne roamed they all the field safe dame rukenawe the she ape /she abode by the fox & bade him rememb●● well the words that she had said to him /she said see well too /when ye were seven yer old ye were wise ynowh to go by night without lantern /or moan shine /Where ye wy●● to win any good /ye been named among the people w●se & subtle /pain yourself to work so that ye win the pries /then may ye have ever honeur. & worship /and all we that been your friends /he answered my dearest aunt I know it well /I shall do my best & think on your counseyl /I hope so to do that all my lineage shall have worship thereby /and mine enemies shame and confusion /she said god grant it you. How ●he fox & the wolf fought to gydre cao xxxix oh therewith she went out of the field and let them twain go to gydre /the wolf trade forth to the fox in great wrath and opened his sore feet /and supposed to have taken the fox in 'em /But the fox sprang fro him lightly /For he was lighter to foot than he /The wolf sprang after and hunted the fox sore /their friends stood /without the lists and looked upon 'em /The wolf strode wider than reynard died and oft overtook him /And lift up his foot and wend to have smitten him /but the fox saw to /and smote him with his rowhe tail /Which he had all be pyssed in his visage /though wend the wolf to have been plat blind /the piss start in his eyen /then must he rest for to make elene his eyen /Reyner thougthe on his fordele and stood above the wind skrabbing & casting with his feet the dust that it flew the wulfis eyen full /the wolf was sore blinded therewith /in such wise that he must leave the running after him /for the sonde and pysse cleaved under his eyen that it smerted so sore /that he must rub and wash it a way /Tho came reyner in a great anger & boat him three great wounds on his heed with his teeth /and said /what is that sir wolf /hath one there byten you /how is it with you /I will all otherwise on you yet /abide I shall bring you some new thing /ye have stole many a lamb & destroyed many a simple be'st/ & now falsely have appeled me & brought me in this trouble /all this shall I now avenge on the /I am chosen to reward the forthyn old sins ffor good will no longer suffer the in thy great ravayn & shrewones I shall now assoylle the & that shall be good for thy soul take patiently this penance /for thou shalt live no longer /the hell shall be thy purgatory /Thy life is now in my mercy /but and if thou wilt kneel down & ask me forgyfnes /and knowledge the to be oue●●omen /yet though thou be evil /yet I will spare the /for my conscience counseylleth me /I should not gladly slay no man /Isegrym wend with these mocking & spytous words to have goon out of his wit/ And that dered him so much that he wist not what to say buff ne baff /he was so angry in his heart /The wounds that reynart had given him bled and sm●●ted sore /And he thought how h● might best avenge it with great anger he life up his foot and smote the fox on the heed so great a str●ke /that he f●● to the ground /though start the wolf to & wend to have take him /but the fox was light & wily & roose lightly v● & met with him fiercely /and there began a fell battle▪ which dured long /the wolf had great spite on the fox as it well seemed /he sprang after him x times each after other/ & would fain have had him fast /but his sk●n was so slipper & fat of the oil that always he escaped fro him O so subtle & snelle was the fox /that many times when the wolf wend well to be sure of him /he start thenne between his legs & under his belly & then turned he again & gaf the wolf a stroke with his tail full of piss in his eyen that Isegrym wend he should have lost his ●ght /and this died he often times /And alway when he had so smitten him then would he go above the wind and raise the dust /that it made his eyen full of stufs /Isegrym was woe begun /and thought he was at an afterdele /yet was his strength and might much more than the foxes /Reynard had many a sore stroke of him when he wrought him /They gave each other many a stroke & many a bite when they seen their advantage/ And each of 'em died his best to destroy that other /I would I might see such abataylle /that one was wily/ & that other was strong /that one fought with strength /and that other with subtlety. tHe wolf was angry that the fox endured so long against him if his formest feet had been hole /the fox had not endured so long /but the sores were so open that he might not well run /And the fox might better of & on than he/ And also he swange his tail with piss oft under his eyen /and made him that him thougthe that his eyen should go out /Atte last he said to himself /I will make an end of this battle /How long shall this caytyf dure thus against me /I am so great /I should if I lay upon him press him to death /it is to me agrete shame that I spare him so long /Men shall much & point me with fingers to my shame & rebuke for I am yet on the wert side /I am sore wounded /I blede sore/ & he drowneth me /with his piss/ & cast so moche dust & sand in mine eyen /that hastily I shall not con see /if I suffer him any longer /I will set it in adventure/ & seen what shall c●me thereof /with that he smote with his foot reynard on the heed that he fill down to the ground And ere he could arise he caught him in his feet· and lay upon him as he would have pressed him to death. Tho began the fox to be afeard. and so were all his friends when they saw him lie under· And on that other side all ysegryms friends were ioyeful and glad. The fox defended him fast with his claws as he lay upward with his feet· And gaf him many a clope· The wolf durst not with his feet do him much harm but with his teeth snatched at him as he would have byten him. when the fox saw that he should be byten and was in great dread. he smote the wolf in the heed with his formest claws and tare the skin of between his brows and his eeris. and that one of his eyen hinge out. Which died him much payne· he howl. he wepte· he cried lewd. and made a piteous noise /for the blood ran down as it had been a stream How the fox being under the wulf· with flattering wordesg loosed him. that the fox came to his above again. capitulo xlo tHe wolf wiped his eyen. the fox was glad when he saw that /he wrestled so sore /that be sprang on his feet whiles he rubbed his eyen /the wolf was not w●l pleased therewith all/ And smote after him or he escaped and caught him in his arms and held him fast/ notwithstanding that he bledde/ Reynard was woe then /There wrestled they long and sore /The wolf wax so angry that he forgot all his smart & pain and threw the fox all plat under him /which came him evil to pass /for his one hand by which he deffended him start in the falling in to ysegryms throat/ and then was he afeard to lose his hand /The wolf said tho to the fox /Now cheese whither ye will yield you as overcome /or else I shall certainly slay you /the skatering of the dust thy piss /thy mocking ne thy defence /ne all thy false wylies /may not now help the /thou mayst not escape me /Thou hast here to fore done me so much harm and shame /and now I have lost mine one eye/ and thereto sore woundeed /When reynard heard that it stood so room /that he should cheese to knowledge him overcomen and yield him /Or else to take the death /he thought the choice was worth ten mark/ And that he must say that one or that other /he had anon concluded what he would say/ and began to say to him with fair words in this wife /Dear eme I will gladly become your man with all my good/ And I will go for you to the holy grave /and shall get pardon and winning for your cloistre /of all the churches that been in the holy land /Which shall much profit to your soul and your elders souls also /I trow there was never such a prouffre /prouffred to any king/ And I shall serve you /like as I should serve our holy father the p●pe /I shall hold of you all that I have and ever been your servant and forth I shall make that all my lineage shall do in likewise /Thenne shall ye be a lord a 'bove all lords /who should then dare do any thing against you/ And furthermore what somever I take of polaylle /ghees /partrych or plovyer /fish or flesh or what somever it be /thereof shall ye first have the choice/ and your wife and your children /er any come in my body /Thereto I will always abide by you /that where ye be there shall no hurt ne scathe come to you /ye be strong and I am wily /late us abide to gydre /that one with the counseyl and that other with the deed /then may there nothing mysfalle to us ward /and we been so nigh of kin each to other /that of right should be no anger between us /I would not have fought against you if I might have escaped /But ye appeled me first unto fight /Tho must I do /that I not do would gladly /And in this battle I have been curtoys to you /I have not yet showed the utterest of my might on you /like as I would have done if ye had been a stranger to me /for the nephew aught to spare the eme /it is good reason and it aught so to be /Dear eme so have I now do/ And that may ye mark well when I ran to fore you. mine heart would not consent thereto. for I might have hurt you much more than I died. but I thought it never ffor I have not hurt you ne done you so much harm that may hyndre yow· sauf only that mishap that is fallen on your eye /ache therefore I am sorry and suffer moche sorrow in my heart. I would well dear Eme that it had not happened you. But that it had fallen on me. so that ye therewith had been pleased. how be it. that ye shall have thereby a great advantage. For when ye here after shall sleep ye need not to shette but one window. where another must shette two. My wife and my children. and my lineage shall fall down to your feet /to fore the king and to fore all them that ye will desire and pray you humbly /that ye will suffer reynart your nephew live and also I shall knoweleche oft to have tpespaced against you/ and what leasings I have lied upon you /How might any lord have more honour than I proffre you /I would for no good do this to another /therefore I pray you to be pleased here with all i Wot well if ye would ye might now slay me /but and ye so done had /what had ye won /so must ye ever after this time keep you fro my friends and lineage /Therefore he is wise that can in his anger /measure himself & not be over hasty/ and to see well what may fall or hap afterward to him /what man that in his anger can well advise him certainly he is wise /Men find many fools that in heat hasten 'em so much /that after they repent 'em /and then it this to late /but dear Eme I trow that ye be to wise so to do /it is better to have pries honour /rest /and pees /And many friends that be ready to help him /than to have shame /hurt /unrest /and also many enemies lying in a wait to do /him harm /Also it is lityl worship to him that hath overcomen a man /then to slay him /it is great shame /not for my life /Thaugh I were deed /that were a ly●yll hurt. iSegrym the wolf said /Aye /thief how fain wouldest thou be loosed and discharged fro me /that here I well by thy words /were thou now fro me on thy free fect /Thou wouldest not set by me an egg shell/ Though thou promysedest to me all the world of fyn red /gold /I would not late the escape /I se●te little by the and all thy stendes and lineage /Alle that thou hast here said is but leasings and feigned falseness /Weenest thou thus to deceive me /it is long sith that I knew the /I am no bird to be locked ne take by chaf /I know well ynowh good corn /O how wouldest thou mock me /if I let the thus escape /thou mightest well have said this to one that knew the not /but to me thou losest thy flattering and sweet floyting /for I understand to well thy subtle lying tallies /Thou hast so oft deceived me ● that me behoveth now to take good heed of the. 〈◊〉 false stinking knave thou sayst that thou hast spa●●d me in this battle. look hitherward to me. is not mine 〈◊〉 eye out. and thereto hast thou wounded me in 〈…〉 in my heed. thou wouldest not suffer me so long to 〈◊〉 as to take once my breath. I were ever mock a 〈◊〉 if I should now spare the. or be merciful to the so 〈…〉 confusion and shame as thou hast done to me. and 〈◊〉 also that toucheth me most of all. that thou hast diswor●shiped and sklaundred ●rswyn my wyf·s Whom I love as well as myself. and falsely forsese and deceyuedes● her. which shall never out of my heart. for as oft as it cometh to mine mind /all mine anger and hate that I have to the reneweth. In the mean will that ysegrym was thus speaking. The fox bithought him how ●e might help himself. And stack his other hand after between his legs. And grepe the wolf fast by the colyons. And he wrong 'em so sore that for woe and pain /he must cry loud and howl /Thenne the fox● drew his other hand out of his mouth /The wolf had so moche pain and anguish of the sore wringing that the fox dowed and wrong his genitors /that he spit blood /And for great pain he byshote himself How ysegrym the wolf was overcomen and how the battle was taken up and fynysshid /And how the fox had the worship capitulo xljo tHis pain died him more sorrow and woe /than his eye died that so sore bled/ and also it made h●m to overthrow all in a swoon ffor he had so much bledde /and also the thresting that he suffered in his colyons made him so faint that he had lost his might /Thenne reynard the fox lepe upon him with all his might /And caught him by the legs and drew him forth through the field /that they all might see it/ and he stack and smote him sore /Thenne were ysegryms friends all full of sorrow/ and went all weeping unto thayr lord the king/ And prayed him that he would do sece the battle and take it up in to his hands /The king granted it/ and thenne went the keepers of the field the lupaerd & the lossem and said to the fox and to t●e wolf /Our lord the king will speak with you /and will that this battle be ended /he will take it in to his hand /he desireth that ye will give your strife unto him ffor if any of you here were slain /it should be great shame on both sides /For ye have as much worship of this field as ye may 〈…〉 the fox /Alle the beasts give to you the pr●● /that have seen this battle /The fox said thereof I thank h●m/ and what that shall please my lord to command that shall no● I gaynsaye /I ●●sire no better /but to have won the field /late my friends come hither to me /I will take advise of them what I shall do /They said /that they thought it good/ And also it was reason in weighty matters a man should take advys of his friends /th●nne came dame slopecade /and grymbert the dasse her husband /dame rukenawe with her ij sust●rs/Byteluy●and fulrompe her ij sons and hatene● her daughter /the flyndermow● and the wezel /And there came moo than xx /which would not have comen if the fox had lost the field· So who that winneth and cometh to his above. he getteth great loose and worship/ And who that is over throwen· And hath the wrose. to him will no man gladly come. There came also to the fox. the beaver. the otter and both their wives panthecrote and ordegale. And the ●st●●le· the Ma●tre the fychew●. the fyret. the mouse. and the squyrel and many moo than I can namo. And all because he had won the field. ye some came that to fore had complained on him and were now of his next kin. & they showed him right friendly chier and countenance. Thus fareth the world now /who that is rich and high on the wheel. he hath many kinsmen and frendes·s that shall help to bear out his wealth. But who that is needy & in ●ayne or in poverty. findeth but few friends and kynnesmen· ffor every man almost eshew●th his company and way. There was thenne great feste they blewe up trompettiss and pyped with shalmoyses /They sayden all dear nephew blessed be god that ye have sped well /we were in great dread and fere when we seen you lie under /reynart the fox thanked all them friendly /and received them with great joy and gladness /Thenne he asked of them what they couns●ylled him /if he should give the field unto the king or no /Dame slopecade said /ye hardly cosyn /You may with worship well set it in to his hands/ And trust him well enough /Thoo went they all with the keepers of the field unto the king/ And Reynard the fox went to fore them all /with trumps and pipes & much other minstrelsy /The fox kneeled down to fore the king /The king bade him stand up /and said to him /reynard ye be now joyful /ye have kept your day worshipfully /I discharge you. and late you go freely quite where it plesyth you/ And the debate between you I hold it on me. And shall discuss it by reason and by counseyl of noble men and will ordain thereof that aught be done by ●●son. at such time as ysegrym shall be whole. And thenne I shall. send for you to come to me· And then by god's grace I shall give out the sentence & jugement· An ensample that the fox told to the king when he had won the field. capitulo xlijo mY worthy & dear lord the king. said the fox I am well a greed & paid therewith. But when I came first in to your court. there were many that were fell and envious to me. Which never had hurt ne cause of scathe by me /but they thought that they might best over me/ And all they crieden with mine enemies against me/ and would fain have destroyed me /by cause they thought that the wolf was better withholden and greater with you than I was which am your humble subget /They knew noon other thing why ne wherefore /They thought not as the wise be woned to do /that is what the end may happen /My lord these been like a great heep ofhounndes which I once saw stand at a lords place upon a dunghill /where as they awaited that men should bring them meet /Thenne saw they an hound come out of the kitchen/ and had taken there a fair rib of beef or it was given him/ And he ran fast away with all /but the cook had espied or he went away/ and took a gre●e bowl full of scalding water/ and cast it on his hypped behind /Whereof he thanked nothing the cook /for 〈◊〉 here behind was scalded of/ And his skin seemed as it had be through sudden /Nevertheless he escaped away /and kept that he had won/ And when his fellows the other hounds seen him come with this fair rib /They called him all and said to him /O how good a friend is the cook to the /Which hath given to the so good a boon /Whereon his so moche flesh /The hound said ye know nothing thereof /You praise me like as ye see me to fore with the bone /But ye have not seen me behind /take heed and behold me afterward en mine buttokkis/ And then ye shall know how I have deserved it. aNd when they had seen him behind on his hypped how that his skin and his flesh was all raw and through sudden /though growled them all and were afeard of that syedyng water /and would not of his fellowship /but fled & ran away from him/ and let him there alone /See my lord this right have these false beasts /when they be made lords and may get their desire/ and when they be mighty & doubted /then been they extorcionners & scatte & pylle the people/ and eaten them like as they were forhongred hounds /These been they that ●ere the bone in her mouth /Noman dare have to do with 'em but praise all that they bedryve /Noman dare say other wise /but such as shall please 'em by cause they would not be shorn/ & some help them forth in their unryghtwies deeds by cause they would have part & lykke their fingers/ & strength them in their evil life & works /O dear lord how little seen they that do thus after behind them what the end shall be atte last they fall fro high to low in great shame & sorrow/ & then their weerkiss come to knowledge & be open● in such wise that noman hath pity n● compassion on them /in their mischief & trouble/ & every man curse them & say evil by them to their shame and villainy /many of such have been blamed & shorn full nigh that they had no worship ne profit /but loose their here as the heund died. that is their friends. which have holp them to cover their misdeeds & extortions. like as the here covereth the skin /And wehan they have sorrow and shame for their old trespasses. then each body pluckyth his hand fro him. And flee. like as the hounds died fro him that was scalded thyth the syedyng water /and let him these extortions in her sorrow and need/ mY dear l●rde king I beseech you to remember this example of me /it shall not be against your worship ne wisdom /What ween ye how many been there such false extortioners now in these days /ye much worse than an hound /that beareth such a bone in his mouth /in towns /in great lords courts /which with great facing & bracing oppress the power people with great wrong/ & sell their freedom & pryvelages/ and bear them on hand of thyngiss that they never knew ne thought /And all for to get good for their singular profit/ God give them all shame and soon destroy them who some ●uer they be that so do /but god be thanked said the fox /there may noman endwyte me ne my lineage ne kin of such works /but that we shall acquit us/ And comen in the light /I am not afeard of any that can say on me any thing that I have done otherwise than a true man aught to do /Alleway the fox /shall a bide the fox though all his enemies had sworn the contrary /My dear lord the king I love you with my heart a 'bove all other lords/ And never for noman would I torn fro you /But abide by you to the wtterist how well it hath been otherwise informed your hyenes /I have neverthetheles always do the best/ and forth so will do all my life that I can or may/ How the king forgaf the fox all thyngiss/ & made him sovereign & greatest over all his lands. cao xlijj oh tHe king said Reynard ye be one of them that oweth me homage· which I will that ye alway so do. And also I will that early and late ye be of my counseyl. and one of my justices /See well to that ye not misdo /ne trespass nomore. I set you again in all your might and power. like as ye were to fore and see that ye further all matters to the best righte· For when ye set your wit and counseyl to virtue & goodn●sse· then may not our court be without your advise & counseyl. for here is none that is like to you in sharp and high counsel ne subtyller in finding a remedy for a mischief. And think ye on th'example that ye yourself have told. And that ye haunt rightwiseness /and be to ●e true. I will frohens forth work and do by your advise & counsel. he liveth not that if he misdeed you. But I should sharply avenge and wreak it on him ye shall overalle speak and say my words. And in all my land shall ye be above all other sovereign and my bail. That Office I give you. ye may well occupy it with worship /Alle reynardis friends and lineage thanketh the king heyly /The king said /I would do more ffor your sake /than ye ween /I pray you all that ye remember him that he be true /Dame rukenawe thenne said yes sickerly my lord /that shall he ever be /And think ye not the contrary /for if he were otherwise /He were not of our kin ne lineage And I would ever myssake him /and would ever hyndre him to my power /Reynart the fox thanked the king with fair curtoys words/ And said /dear lord I am not worthy to have the w●rship that ye do to me /I shall think thereon & be true to you also long as I live/ & shall give you as wholesome counseyl as shall be expedient to your good grace /here with he departed with his friends fro the king /Now hark how Isegrym the wolf died /bruyn the bear /thybert the cat/ and erswind & her children with their lineage drewen the wolf out of the field /and laid him upon a lyter of hay/ & covered him warm /and looked to his wounds which were well. xxu· and there came wise masters and surgeons Which bond them & welsh hem he was so seek & feeble /that he had lost his feeling /But they rubbed & wryved him under his temples & eyes /that he sprang out of his swoon /and cried so loud that all they were afeard /they had wend that he had been wood but the masters gaf him a drink /that comforted his heart and made him to sleep /They comforted his wife/ And told to her that there was no death wound ne peril of his life /Thenne the court broke up/ and the beestis departed and went to their places and homes that they came froo. How the fox with his friends and lineage departed nobly fro the king /and went to his castle malleperduys /capitulo xliijo rEynart the fox took his beve honestly of the king and of the queen. And they bade him he should not tarry long. But shortly return to them agayn· he answered & said dear king and queen always at your commandment I shall be ready /if ye need any thing which god forbid I would always be ready with my body and my good to help you/ and also all my friends & lineage in like wise shall obey your commandment & desire /ye have hyely deserved it/ god quite it you and give you grace long to live /And I desire your licence and leave to go home to my wife and children/ And if your good grace will any thing /late me have knowledge of it /And ye shall find me always ready /Thus departed the fox with fair words fro the king. Now who that could set him in reynardis craft/ & could behave him in flattering & lying as he died /he should I trow be h●●de /both with the lords spyrytuel and temporel /The ●en many and also the most part that creep after his way and his hole /The name that was given to him /abideth always still with him /he hath left many of his craft in this world /Which allewaye wax and become mighty /for who that will not use reynardis craft now is naught worth in the world now in any estate that is of might /But if he can creep in reynardis net/ and hath been his scholar /then may he dwell with us /For then knoweth he well the way how he may arise /And is set up above of every man /There is in the world moche seed left of the fox /which now overall groweth & cometh sore up /though they have no read beards /Yet there been founden mo foxes now /than ever were here to fore /The rightwies people been all lost /truth and rightwiseness been exiled and fordriven/ And for them been abiden with us covetise /falsehood /hate and envy /these regne now much in every country /For is it in the pope's court /the emperors /the kings dukes or any other lords where somever it be each man laboureth to put other out fro his worship /office and power /for to make him sylf to climb high with lies /with flattering with simony /with money /or with strength and force /there is noon thing beloved ne known in the court now adays but money /the money is better beloved than god /For men do much more therefore /ffor who somever bringeth money /shall be well received and shall have all his desire /is it of lords or of ladies or any other /that money doth moche harm /Money bringeth many in sham● & dread of his life /and bringeth false witness against true people for to get money. Hit causeth uncleanness of living. lying. and lechery. Now clerks goon to rome /to paties & to many another place. for to learn reynardis crafte· is he clerk /is he lay man· everiche of them tredeth in the fox's path. & seeketh his hole. The world is of such condition now. that eucey man seeketh himself in all matters. I wot not what end shall come to us hereof all wise men may sorrow well herfore. I fear that for the great falseness theft robbery and murdee that is now used so moche & commonly. & also the unshamefast lechery and avoultry boasted and blown a brood with the auauntyng of the same. that without gret● repentance and penance therefore /that god will take vengeance & punish us sore therefore /whom I humbly beseech & to whom nothing is hid that he will give us grace to make amendss to him therefore /and that we may rule us to his pleasure/ And her with will I leave ffor what have I to write of these mysdedis /I have ynowh to do with mine own self/ And so it were better that I held my pees and suffer/ And the best that I can do for to amend myself now in this time/ And so I counsel 〈◊〉 man to do here in this present life /and that shall 〈◊〉 ●●ost our profit /For after this life /cometh no time 〈◊〉 w● may occupy to our advantage for to amend us ffor th●nn● shall every man answer for himself and 〈◊〉 his ●wen burden /Reynardis friends and lineage 〈◊〉 the number of ●l have taken also their leave of the king/ And w●nte all to gydre with the fox /which was right glad that he had so well sped/ And that he stood so 〈◊〉 in the kings grace. he thought. that he had no shame. but that he was so great with the king that he might help and further his friends /and hyndre his enemies /and also to do what he would. without he should be blamed if he would be wise/ The ffoo● and his friends went so long to gydre that they c●men to his burgh to Maleperduys. there they all took leave each of other with fair and courtoys words/ Reynard died to them great reverence and thanked them all friendly. of their good faith & also worship that they had done and showed to him. And proffered to each of them his service if they had need with body and goods/ And herewith they departed/ and each of them went to their own houses /The fox went to damn ermelyn his wife which welcomed him friendly he told to her and to his children /all the wonder /that to him was befallen in the court /And forgot not a word /but told to them every deal /how he had escaped /Thenne were they glad that their father was so enhanced & great with the king/ And the fox lived forthon with his wife and his children in great joy and gladness Now who that said to you of the ffoxe more or less than ye have herd or read /I hold it for losing /but this that ye have herd or read /that may ye believe well/ & who th●t ●●leueth it not /is not therefore out of the right believe /how be it there be many if that they had seen it /th●y should have the lass doubt of it /for there been many things in the world which been believed though they were never 〈…〉 there been many figures /plays founden /that never wer● done ne happened /But for an example to the pe●le that th●● may there by the better /use and follow vertu● & ●●●●shewe sin and vices /in like wise may it be by this bo●ke /that who that will rede this matter /though it ●e of 〈◊〉 and bourdes /yet he may find therein many a good wisdom and learnings /By which he may come to v●rtue & worship. There is no good man blamed herein /it is spoken generally /Late every man take his own part as it belongeth & behoveth /and he that findeth him guilty in any deal or part thereof /late him b●●tre & amend h●m And he that is verily good /I pray god keep him therein And if any thing be said or wreton herein /that may grieve or displease any man /●lame not me /but the fox /for they be his words & not mine/ praying all them that shall see this little treatis /to correct and amend /Where they shall find fault /For I have not added ne mynusshed but have followed as nigh as I can my copy which was in dutch /and by me willm Caxton trans●●ted in to this rude & simple englyssh in th'abbey of west●estre. finished the uj day of juyn the year of our lord· M. CCCC.Lxxxj. & the xxj year of the reign of king Edward the iiijth/ Here endeth the history of Reynard the fox {etc}