THE STORY OF REYNARD THE FOX. 69

that the poor beast howled with pain. This noise quickly brought
out the carpenter, who, perceiving how matters stood, alarmed
the whole village, who came and belaboured the bear’s sides with
sticks and hoes and pitchforks, until, mad with rage, he tore his
bleeding face and paws from the tree, and rushed blindly into a
river that ran close by, knocking into the water with him many
of the villagers, and among them, Dame Julock, the parson’s
wife, for whose sake every one bestirred himself; and so poor
Bruin got safe away. After some delay, the bear returned to
the court, where, in dismal accents, he recounted the sad trick
that Reynard had played him. |

Then said the King, ‘“ Now, by my crown, I will take such
revenge as shall make that traitor tremble;’’ and sending for
his counsellors, they decided that Reynard should be again sum-
moned to court, and that Tibert the Cat should be the bearer
of the message. ‘It is your wisdom, Sir Tibert, I employ,” said
the great King, “and not your strength: many prevail with art,
when violence returns with lost labour.”

So Tibert made ready, and set out with the King’s letter to
Malepardus, where he found the fox standing before his castle-
gates; to whom Tibert said, “‘ Health to my fair cousin Reynard ;
the King, by me, summons you to the court, in which if you
fail, there is nothing more assured unto you than a cruel and a
sudden death.” |

The fox answered, “‘ Welcome, dear cousin Tibert; I obey your
command, and wish my Lord the King infinite days of happiness ;
only let me entreat you to rest with me to-night, and take such
cheer as my simple house affordeth, and to-morrow, as early as
you will, we will go towards the court, for I have no kinsman
I trust so dearly as yourself.”

K