The most Pleasant HISTORY OF Reynard the FOX.  

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Entered according to Order.  
Printed for J. Conyers, and are to be sold by J. Blare at the Looking-glass on London-Bridge.   


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THE History of REYNARD the FOX.  

CHAP. I. How a great Feast was proclaimed by the lion at his Court, and how the Wolf and his Wife and the Hound, complained against Reynard the Fox, and the Event of the same.  
IT was when the underwoods were clothed with the green Attire, and the Meadows adorned with delicate and fragrant Flowers, with the Birds sweetly Chanting forth their harmonious Songs in the entrance of delicate Spring. The lion the King of Beasts, intending to celebrate the Feast of Orpheus, in great State and Ceremony, and keeping open Court in his Palace of Sanden. He sent forth his Royal Proclamation over his Kingdoms, to all the Beasts whatever, upon pain of Contempt, to resort to Celebrate this great Beast, without delay.  
Now when this King had assembled his Court, there were few Beasts found, but made their complaint against the Fox, especially Isegrim the Wolf, who made the first Complaint, having his Friends and Kindred with him standing before the King, said, Most dread sovereign Lord the King, I beseech, according to your great Power you would take pity on me and my Wife for the great Injures I have suffered by that false Creature Reynard the Fox shall it please you, this Reynard came into my House and by violence, against the will of my Wife, where finding my Children lying in a quiet Couch, he bepist them in so rank a manner, that they became instantly Blind; for which shane and villainy he hath done me and my Wife I cannot suffer it unregarded, expecting from him Amends, and from your Majesty Iustice.  
When the Wolf had spoken these Words, there stepped forth a little Hound called Curtise, who made a grievous Complaint unto the King against the Fox, saying, in the extreme could Season of the Winter, when the Frost was most violent, he had been kept from all manner of Prey, so that he was half Starved, and having but one poor Pudding left, he the said Reynard took it unjustly from him. The Hound had hardly uttered these Words, but up starts Tibert the Cat, and falling before the King, said, my Lord the King, I must confess that Reynard the Fox is much complained against, yet each of these will find enough for his own Clearing, for concerning Curtise the Hound, the Offence was committed long since, the Pudding was mine, though I complained not, for I got it out of a Mill by Night, when the Miller lay asleep. Vpon these words of the Cat, stepped forth the Panther, and said it was just and good to Complain against Reynard for that all the World knew he was a Thief, Murderer, and Vanisher, and was false to every Creature; I shall tell you what I saw him do yesterday to Kaward the Hare that standeth in the King's Presence, he promised him he would teach him to sing Credo, and make him a good Chaplain, had I not come by, for he had got him between his Legs and had caught Kaward by the Throat, and had taken away his Life had I not come by and prevented him; and therefore, O my Lord the King, if you suffer him to go unpunished that hath broken your Peace, your Children hereafter will bear the slander of his Evil; certainly Panther, said Isegrim, you say true.   

CHAP. II. How Grimbard the Brock spoken in behalf of Reynard before the King.  
GRimbard the Brock who was Sisters Son to Reynard the Fox, being moved with much Anger said, Isegrim you are malicious, and as the Proverb is, Malice never speaks well of any: But what have you to say against my Kinsman Reynard, I wish you would adventure, that he that hath done the most injury may die the Death; for I tell you, was he here in Court in Favour as you are, he would make you ask Forgiveness for your Offences, for have not you often bitten and tore my Kinsman with your venomous Teeth? have you forgot how you cheated him with the Plaice, which he threw down from the Cart? you snatching it up left left him nothing but the Bones which you could not eat, and also the Flitch of Bacon whose taste was so good you alone eat it up, though my Kinsman, got it with the danger of his Life, being caught by the Owner in a Sack: all which Injuries your Majesty may understand are unsufferable, I must indeed confess my Kinsman lay with his Wife, but it was seven years before Isegrim Wed her, what credit gets he by slandering his Wife when she is not troubled at it?  
Now comes Kaward the Hare, with his Complaint which is but a Trifle, for if he would not learn his Lesson can you blame his School master Reynard for giving him due Correction? And last●y, for Curtise, that which with great pains had in winter got a pudding when Victuals was scant, had he not stolen it himself, who can blame Reynard for taking away stolen goods from a Thief? My uncle is a Gentleman and a true Man, and cannot endure falsehood, he doth nothing without the Counsel of a Priest. And since our Lord the King hath made Peace, he never thought hurt to any, he eats but once a day, he chastiseth his Body, weaveth a Shirt of Hair, it is a Year since he eat any Flesh, as I have been informed, he hath forsaken his Castle, a poor Hermitage retains him, he hath distributed his Wealth, and li●es upon Alms, and doth infinite Pennance for his Sins, and looks lean with fasting.   

CHAP. III. How Reynard the Fox is complained of by the Cock.  
THus whilst Grimbard his Nephew stood Preaching, there was brought upon a Bier by Chantecleer the Cock, a dead Hen, whom Reynard had bit off the Head, and was brought before the King to take knowledge thereof; on one side of the Bier went two sorrowful Hens being the two fairest Hens between Holland and Arden, the Hens bore each of them a burning Taper, these Hens were Sister to Coppel which lay dead on the Bier; in marching they cried ●lack and well-a-day for the Death of our dear Sister Coppel: they wept so loud that the Hills gave echo to their sad moan. And being come before their King, they kneeled down and spake, Most mighty Lord our King, vouchsafe to hear our Complaint and redress the great Injury that Reynard hath done me and my Children, standing here weeping before you. In April when the Weather was fair, I being in the height of my Pride because of the great Stock I came off, I which had eight valiant Sons and seven Daughters which my Wife had hatched, all which were strong and fat, walking in a Yard well walled and fenced about being secure from harm, till Reynard that false traitor envied our happiness, many times made attempts upon us, by Scaling the Walls but was Repulsed, and his Skin ●ore by the Dogs; but at last like a Hermit, he came in with a Letter to red sealed with your Majesties Seal, in which I found your Majesty had made peace throughout your whole Realm, and that no Beast or Fowl should hurt one another, and for him he was become a Monk, vowing to perform Pennance for his daily Sins and shewed me his Beads & Books, and his Hair shirt next his Skin, vowing never more to eat Flesh, saying his Credo he laid him down under a Thorn. I was very glad to hear this and took no heed, but Clocked my Children together, false Reynard, creeping between us and the Gate, suddenly seized on one of my Children and bore it away, and having tasted the sweetness of our Flesh he left us not till he had destroyed fifteen of my Children, and yesterday Coppel my Daughter which lieth dead on the Bier, a Kennel of Hounds rescued her from him: This is my sad Complaint, which I beg of your Highness that you would take pity on me and my fair Children.   

CHAP. IV. The Answer of the King to the Cock's Complaint.  
THE King hearing all this, spake to, so Grimbard, do you hear what Complaints is made against your uncle, he hath fasted and prayed well hath he not? I vow if I live a year longer, he shall dearly suffer for this, & for you Mr. Chantecleer, I have heard your Request, and for your Daughter that is dead give her Burial, and with solemn Dirge put her into the Earth with worship; in the mean time we will consult with our Lords how to do you Right against the murderer; These following Letters were engraven on her Tomb-stone:  
Coppel, Chantecleer's Daughter, whom Reynard the Fox hath slain, lieth here butted, mourn thou that readst it, for her Death was unjust & lamentable.  
After this, the King having consulted his Lords, it was in the end concluded, That Reynard should be Summoned to appear before the King by a day prefixed, to answer these foul Crimes laid to his Charge: So Bruin the Bear was pitched upon to deliver the message.   

CHAP. V. How Bruin the Bear sped, in his Message to Reynard the Fox.  
THE next morning went Bruin the Bear, to seek Reynard the Fox, and coming through a dark forest which had a By-path where Reynard used when he was hunted, he went over a high mountain where Reynard had a Castle called Malepardus, where he lay both for Defence and Ease; and coming to this Castle he found the Gate shut, which after he had knocked he sate him down on his Tail, and called aloud, Sir Reynard, are you at home? I am Bruin your Kinsman, come to summon you to Court, to answer several complaints against you, and if you appear not to your Summons, the King hath vowed you shall answer it with your Life; Reynard lying close by the Gate, and hearing these words, departed into one of his holes, where he plotted how he might bring the Bear into disgrace,( whom he knew loved him not,) and also to himself honour; at last he starts out of his hole, and comes forth and said, Dear uncle you are very unbosom, I was busy when you spoken, a saying my Evening-Song, Devotion must not be left, I am sorry you have taken this long and painful journey, for certainly had not you come, I had been at Court to morrow on my own accord; for my part I could wish we were both at Court, for since I have left eating flesh, my Body is much distempered and swelled as if it would break: alas dear cousin, answered the Bear, what meat is it that makes you so ill? uncle, said he, what will you be the better to know, we poor eat for Necessity, which others eat for Wantonness? But that which I eat was Hony-combs, full and pleasant; and quoth Bruin, do you make so slight of Hony-Combs, that is Meat for the greatest Emperor's Fare? Nephew, help me to some of it and I will be your Friend for ever. Nay quoth the Fox, if you be in earnest, I will bring you where you shall have so much of it as you can devour at a Meal. These words pleased the Bear so that he could hardly stand for laughing: well thought the Fox I will led him where he shall laugh but on one side of his Mouth; the Fox promised him as much Hony as he could eat, at last he brought him to the House of one Landferet, this Landferet was a sturdy Carpenter, who had in his Yard a great and masty Oak, in which he had struck two Wedges, so that the cleft stood a great way open, the Fox rejoiced to see it, so with a smiling countenance, he said, Dear uncle be careful, for within this three is much Hony, try if you can get it, but eat moderately for a Surfeit is dangerous, for which I would not for a World, you should get. Do not think me such a Fool, said the Bear, but I can eat without hurt, it's true, my best uncle, I am too bold; I pray you, said Reynard enter the three; the Bear with hast entered with his two forefeet, and thrust his Head into the Cleft quiter over his Ears, which as soon as the Fox perceived, he pulled out the Wedges out of the three, so that he locked the Bear fast therein, and finding himself destitute of relief, he howled in a most hideous manner, so that the Carpenter came hastily out of his house, having in his hand a sharp hook; the Fox standing afar off, said to the Bear, is the Hony good uncle? you eat, how do you like it, have a care you do not Surfeit? having thus said, he left him and went to his Castle. By this time Landferet seeing the Bear fast, went to his Neighbours and  told them that there was a Bear in his Yard fast in a three, which when it was known, Men, Women and Children, came with Sticks and Staves, nay the old Beldames came that had never a Tooth in their heads; this great Army put poor Bruin in great fear, and hearing a Clamour of the noise, at last restend his head out of the three, having left behind him all his Skin and Ears, also after this, the People fell upon the Bear with their Clubs and Staves that they left him almost dead upon the place. At last he made his Escape, bitterly cursing them and the Fox, that brought him to this misery: At last with great Pain and Grief he arrived at the King's Court, where he cried, Behold dread sovereign for doing your Royal pleasure I am brought to this disgrace; then said the King, how durst he do this, I swear by my Crown I will take Revenge which shall make this traitor tremble. Vpon which, were summoned another Council, where it was agreed to sand Tibert the Cat.   

CHAP. VI. How Tibert the Cat was sent by the King to Summon Reynard to Court.  
THen was Tibert the Cat sent by the King to summon Reynard to appear under pain of the King's highest displeasure; Tibert was very loth to underdertake this hazardous journey, knowing how cruelly Sir Bruin the Bear was before used, but daring not to disobey the King's Command, he at last undertook it, where with much difficulty he at last arrived at Malepardus, where he found the Fox standing before his Castle Gate, to whom Tibert thus said, Health to my fair Cousen Reynard, the King by me Summons you to Court, which if you neglect, you must expect nothing but sudden death: the Fox replied, welcome dear Cousen, I obey your command, and wish my Lord and King all happiness, only let me desire of you dear Cousen, to stay all night, and to morrow early I will wait upon you, for there is no Kinsman I can trust but yourself; here was Sir Bruin the other day, that looked upon me with that Cruelty that I would not for the Wealth of an Empire trust my Person with him; I will then go with you, were a thousand Sicknesses upon me; Tibert replied, you speak like a Gentleman, I am content to stay: truly in my store I having by me but a honeycomb, what think you of it? it is Meat I care not for, I had rather have a mouse, a mouse dear Cousen! here dwells a Priest hard by, hath a Barn full of mice; O dear Reynard, led me thither and I will be your Servant for ever, but said the Fox, do you love mice so well? yes beyond expression, said the Cat.   

CHAP. VII. How Tibert the Cat was deceived by the Fox.  
THen replied the Fox, you do but jest, by my Life, said the Cat, I do not; well since it is so, I will bring you to a place where you shall have your desire with speed. Now the Night before, the Fox had stolen into the Priest's Barn and had stolen a fat Hen, which angered the Priest that he had set a snare before the Hole to catch him the next time, which the Fox was ware of; therefore said he to Tibert, creep in at this Hole, and you shall have more than you are able to devour, and when your Belly is full, come out and I will wait for you, and to morrow we will go to Court, but stay not too long: But said the Cat, may I go safe, for Priests are subtle? Cousen, said the Fox, I never knew you a Coward before; the Cat ashamed, sprung quickly in, but was quickly caught fast by the Neck, which as soon as the Cat felt he leaped back again, so that the Snare closed and had like to have strangled him, so that he began to exclaim against Reynard piteously: The Fox heard all, and rejoiced and in great scorn said, Cousen Tibert, love you Mice? but all this while the Catmew'd sadly, the Priest arose out of his Bed, and called up his Servants, saying, the Thief is caught that stolen our Hens, the Fox is taken; after that he came to Tibert and smote him with a great Staff that he struck out one of the Cat's eyes, the Cat perceiving his Death near, leaped between the Priests Legs and fastened with his Claws on the Priests Genitals, which his Wife saw, swore she had rather lost the whole Offering of seven years than to have lost her Husbands Stones: all this while the Fox stood before the Hole, laughed extremely, and jeered the Priest's Wife, in the mean time the Priest fell into a Sound, they all left the Cat, and the Fox and returned home to his Castle, thinking the Cat past recovery; but the poor Cat seeing all his Foes about the Priest busy, she presently knawed the Cord asunder, and made her escape out of the hole, and went roaring and crying to the King's Court, for by the Fox's craft his body was bruised and one of his eyes lost, that when the King beholded him, he grew infinitely angry, and took Counsel once more to be revenged on the Fox.   

CHAP. VIII. How Brock was sent to Summon the Fox to Court.  
THen said the King, go thou Sir Grimbard, but take heed, for Reynard is subtle and crafty, Brock thanked his Majesty and taking his leave, went to Malepardus, where he found Reynard & his Wife sporting with their young Whelps, then having saluted his uncle and Aunt, he said, Take heed, dear uncle, how your absence from the Court doth not do you more Mischief than you are ware, for the Complaints against you are many and great, this is the third Summons, and if you delay coming, you and yours will find no mercy, for in three days your Castle will be demolished, and your Kindred made Slaves, and you a public example; therefore dear uncle go with me to Court, I doubt not, but that your discretion will excuse you, and you appear Innocent. Reynard answered, O Nephew you say true, I will go with you, not to answer Offences, I know the Court stands in need of me, I know I have many enemies, I will soon clear my Innocency, it is envy of others that hath made me leave the Court, nevertheless Nephew, I will go with you to Court and answer for myself, than hazard the welfair of my Wife and Children, the King is mighty, If he do me injury I will bear it with Patience; and turning to his Wife he said, Dame Ermelin, have a care of my Children, if I escape doubt not but my love shall require you: At this she wept and her Children howled, for their Lord and Victualler was gone and his Castle unprovided.   

CHAP. IX. How Reynard shrove himself to Grimbard the Brock.  
WHen Reynard and Grimbard had gone a great way on in their journey, Reynard said, dear cousin blame me not, if my life be full of care I strive to blot out my sins by Repentance, that my Soul may be quiet; then Reynard said, I have grievously offended against all the Beasts that live, especially my uncle Bruin the Bear, and Tibert the Cat; whom I ensnared in a Ginn; I have Trespassed against Chantecleer and his children; nay I have abused the King, I have slandered him and his Queen, I have betrayed Isegrim the Wolf, and called him uncle though he was none of my Kindred, I made him a Monk of Esmane, I also became one of that Order only to do him Mischief; I made him bind his Foot in the Bell-rope to teach him to Ring, but the Peal had like to have cost him his Life: taught him to catch Fish, by which he was so finely banged; I led him to steal Bacon at a rich Priest's House; I raised the whole Town against him, and then went where the Priest was at Meat with a fat Hen before him, which I snatched away from him, so the Priest cried kill the Fox, with these words, he threw his Knife at me, but missed me, he pursued me, crying kill the Fox; then I let the Hen go, and sprung through a hole, I got in safety. Now the Priest took up the Hen and espied Isegrim the Wolf and cried, strike Friends, this is he, let him not escape; then the people got together and almost killed the Wolf, for this I ask forgiveness: But the Fox still glancing his Eye towards the Pullen, for the ill that was bread in the Bones stuck to his Flesh, and his Eyes wandered after the Pullen, which Brock noting, said, Fie dissembling Cousen, why wander your eyes after the Pullen? the Fox quickly replied, Nephew, you do me injury, for my Eyes wandered not, I was saying a Pater-noster for the Souls of the Pullen I have formerly slain, in which Devotion you hindered me. Now by this time they drew near the Court, which as soon as the Fox perceived, he quaked for fear, for the many Crimes he had to answer.   

CHAP. X. How Reynard the Fox came to Court, and how he excused himself before the King.  
FOR as soon as it was known in Court that Reynard the Fox and Grimbard his Cousen were come, every one from the highest to the lowest, prepared themselves to accuse him, at which Reynard's Heart quaked, but kept his Countenance, and went as proudly as ever, with his Cousen through the streets, and came as fine into the Court, as if he were the King's Son, and as unconcerned as the most Innocent: and when come before the King, he said, Heaven preserve your Majesty in Glory and Renown; I assure your Highness, that there never came before you a more Loyaller Subject than myself, and so will die, yet I know there is several in your Court, that seek my Life if they could, but be believed by your Majesty, but I know you hate Slanderers and Flatterers that swarm about most Courts. Vpon these words, the King said, Peace traitorous Reynard, I know your falsehood and Dissimulation, think you that you can deceive me? Know that the Peace that I commanded you have broken. Vpon this, Chantecleer cried out, O what have I lost by this Peace! be still Chantecleer, and then he proceeded, saying, Thou mere Devil amongst the Good, with what Face canst thou pretend to love me, when all these before me, whose Wounds stand in Bloody defiance of thee? said the Fox, my Lord, if Bruin's Crown be bloody, if your Majesty sand him on a Message, and he steal Honey and receive Wounds, I cannot help it: and if Tibert the Car, steal into the Priest's Barn to catch Mice, and lose his Eyes, I cannot help it, O my dread Lord, you may do your Pleasure with me, however I am as Innocent, as the Child unborn. Vpon this Bruin the Bear, belin the Ram, Kayward the Hare, Isegrim the Wolf, Bruel the Goose, Baulden the Ass, Borel the Bull, the Weasel and Chantecleer the Cock, with all their Children, all these with one Noise cried out against the Fox, and so moved the King, that he caused the Fox to be Arrested and judged to Death.   

CHAP. XI. How Reynard the Fox was Judged to Death.  
UPon this, a Parliament was summoned, and appeared, before whom Reynard was tried and Sentenced to be Executed by general consent, tho' he answered all that was objected against him with great Craft, but for all this the Fox was sentenced to be Hanged till his Body was dead: at which sentence Reynard hung down his Head with great Sadness. Vpon this, Grimbard his Nephew and divers others of his Kindred left the Court weeping, not enduring to see him Executed; took their leave of the King very sad: but when the King noted what gallant young Gentlemen of the Fox's Relations, he said, that though the Fox had some faults, yet he had many Friends, and as the King was thus musing, the Cat said to the Bear, Sir Bruin and you Sir Isegrim, why do you not execute him? for the Evening is almost come, and you know the Fox's craft, therefore execute him presently, but Isegrim answered, your Anger puts out the eye of your Reason, had we a Halter, we would soon dispatch him. Reynard, who had been silent a great while, answered, I entreat you shorten my Pain, Tibert hath a Cord strong enough, in which himself was hanged at the Priest's house; Oh let me be hanged in that by the Priest, and not by my own Kindred, but since you are resolved to be my Hangmen, delay not, and beware I do not escape; answered Bruin, it is the best Counsel I ever heard you give: so Isegrim and his Friends guarded the Fox, saith Reynard, I fear not Death, I saw my Father die, and he quickly vanished, Death is familiar to me, I fear it not; then said Isegrim, let us go, for his Curse shall not fall on me for delay. When they were come to the place of Execution, the King and Queen, and all the Nobility took their Places, to see the the Fox die: then Reynard full of Sorrow, bethinking himself how to escape this danger, and to ensnare his proud Enemies, and to draw the King on his side; as he was studying about his Escape, the Wolf said to Bruin, now take your full Revenge, for now the day is come we wished for, Tibert quickly ascend, bring the Rope to the Gallows, make a running Noose, for this day you shall have your will, and good Sir Bruin see he escape not whilst I raise the Ladder: when all things were ready, the Fox said, now my Heart is heavy, for Death stands grimly before me, I cannot escape: My dread Lord the King, and you my Lady the Queen, grant me this request before I die, that I may unload my Conscience, that by the assistance of your Prayers I may be made happy hereafter.   

CHAP. XII. How Reynard made his Confession before the King, and was pardonned.  
NOw every one began to pitty poor Reynard and beseeched the King to grant his request, which was done; then the Fox thus spake, Help me ye Powers above, for I see not one here, but I have offended, yet was not this natural to me, for in my Youth I was accounted as virtuous as any living, this know, I used to play with Lambs all day, delighting in their pretty bleating, till at last biting one of them, I tasting the sweetness of her Blood, that I never since could forbear it; this liquorish Humour drew me to the Woods among the Goats hearing the bleating of the young Kids, I slay one of them, and afterwards several others: this made me so hardy that I fell to killing of Hens goose, and most other Pullen; thus my Wickedness increased, That all was Fish that came to my Net: After I fell into had Company as Isegrim, who pretending to be my Kinsman, we grew at last so intimate, that whole floods of Thefts and Slaughters he taught me; he stolen the great things, and I the small; he murdered the Nobles and I the mean Subjects; when he got a Calf or a Ram, he would hardly allow me the Bones to pick: I speak not this, as though I wanted it, for it was well know, I had more Plate and jewels than ten Carts could carry. The King hearing of this infinite Treasure, said, Reynard where is that Treasure you spake of? the Fox answered, May it pleasure you my Lord, indeed it was stolen, but had it not been stolen as it was, it might have cost your Majesties Life, which Heavens protect. When the Queen heard this she started, what is this you spake of, I charge you discover it? to this the Fox with a sad Countenance replied, I am willing to discharge my Conscience before I die, 'Tis true, the King was to have been killed by his own Subjects I must ●onfess by some of my nearest Kindred: At this the King was much troubled, and said, is this true Reynard? you know I have but a short time to live, and do you imagine I would dissemble? upon this, the Queen besought the King to take some pity of the Fox, till he had made a full discovery of this Plot, which was soon done: the Fox then proceeded. May it please you, my Father digging in the Ground, found the King's Treasure, which was infinite, he being possessed, he grew so proud that he held in scorn all the rest of the Beasts in the Wilderness; at last he caused Tibert the Cat to go to Bruin the Bear in the forest of Arden to do him Homage; and promised to set the Crown on Bruin's Head, which he was glad, being very Ambitious; then presently he sent for his Wife, and Isegrim the Wolf and Tibert the Cat, where it was concluded to murder your Majesty, and to make Bruin King, by the assistance of my Father's great Riches; and it happened that my Nephew Grimbard being Drunk with Wine discovered this damnable Plot to Dame Slopard his Wife, charging her upon her Life not to discover it, but she at last disclosed it in confession to my Wife, with the like command of secrecy; but she disclosed it to me, not being able to keep her own Counsel, but charged me by the three Kings of Colen, not to discover it: It grieved me to think how the Ravenous Bear should dispose you of your Royal Throne, but I being very desirous to find this great Treasure which my Father had hide, I at last by continual watching found it o●t, which I and my Wife with great labour removed away; thus the Plot being carried on with great secrecy, and having gathered a great Army together, trusting to be all paid out of my Father's Treasury which I had found. All things being in readiness, my Father went to the Cave, but when he found it ransacked, and all taken away, he for madness hanged himself, thus was Bruins Treason defeated. Oh my dread sovereign, who is it hath shown greater Love to you then myself? the King and Queen hearing all this, and hoping to get this great Treasure from Reynard, released him from the Gibbit, and desired him to discover to him, where this great Treasure lay; the Fox replied, I had rather you should have the Treasure, then my Friends which seek my Life and would devour yours: then said the Queen, fear not Reynard, the King shall save your Life; then said the King, Madam will you believe the Fox, know you not his Quality to lie and Steal? now my dear Lord, you may believe him, well Madam, for this time I will be ruled by you, and pardon him all his Offences, with this proviso, that if he ever offend again, he and all his Posterity shall be destroyed.   

CHAP. XIII. How the King forgave Reynard the Fox all his Faults, and made him the greatest in his Land, and his return home with all his Kindred.  
THen the King  told Reynard, that he should owe him all Homage and Duty: and for your Discoveries, I make you one of the Lords of my Counse●, take heed you do nothing unworthy of the great Trust I put in you, hoping you will do Iustice to all persons, and be a Star whose Lustre outshines all others, remembering the Moral you  told me, and be a lover of Truth and Equity; henceforth I will be Governed by your Wisdom, and under me you shall be Chief governor.  
All Reynards Friends humbly thanked the King, to the number of forty, having took their leaves of the King, w●nt with the Fox who was as glad that he had sped so well, having caused Tibert the Cat and Bruin the Bear to be destroyed, who sought his Life. After some travail, they all arrived at his Castle of Malepardus where was great feasting and rejoicing at Reynard's good Fortune, they all at last took their leaves of each other, Reynard thanked them for their love and honour to him, protesting for ever after to remain their friend and servant: then they shook hands and departed.   
Thus ends the First Part.   


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