64, THE STORY OF REYNARD THE FOX.

Then rose the Panther: “ Do you imagine, Tibert,’’ quoth he,
“that Reynard ought not to be complained of? The whole world
knows that he is a murderer, a vagabond, and a thief.”’

Then quoth Grimbard the Badger, Reynard’s nephew: ‘It is
a common proverb, Walice never spake well: what can you say
against my kinsman the fox? All these complaints seem to me
to be either absurd or false. Mine uncle is a gentleman, and
cannot endure falsehood. I affirm that he liveth as a recluse;
he chastiseth his body, and weareth a shirt of hair-cloth. It is
above a year since he hath eaten any flesh; he hath forsaken
his castle Malepardus, and abandoned all his wealth; he lives
only upon alms and good men’s charities, doing infinite penance
for his sins; so that he has become pale and lean with praying
and fasting.”

While Grimbard was still speaking, there came down the hill
Chanticleer the Cock, and with him two hens, who brought with
them on a bier their dead sister Copple, who had just been
murdered by Reynard. Chanticleer smote piteously his feathers,
and, kneeling before the King, spake in this manner:

“ Most merciful and my great Lord the King, vouchsafe, I
beseech you, to hear our complaint, and redress the injuries which
Reynard the Fox has done to me and my children. Not longer
ago than last April, when the weather was fair, and I was in
the height of my pride and glory, because of my eight valiant
sons and seven fair daughters, who were strong and fat, and who
walked in safety in a yard well-fenced round, wherein also were
several large dogs for their protection, Reynard, that false and
dissembling traitor, came to me in the likeness of a hermit, and
brought me a letter to read, sealed with your Majesty’s seal,
in which I found written, that your Highness had made peace