70 THE STORY OF REYNARD THE FOX.

Tibert replied, “ You speak like a noble gentleman; and me-
thinks it is best now to go forward, for the moon shines as bright
as day.”

“Nay, dear cousin,” said the fox, “let us take the day before
us, SO may we encounter with our friends; the night is full of
danger.”

“Well,” said the cat, “if it be your pleasure, I am content;
what shall we eat ?”

Reynard. said, “‘ Truly my store is small; the best I have is a
_ honey-comb, pleasant and sweet; what think you of it P”’

T'o which Tibert replieth, “It is meat I little respect, and seldom
eat ; I had rather have one mouse than all the honey in Europe.”

‘“A mouse!” said Reynard; “ why, my dear cousin, here
dwelleth a priest hard by, who hath a barn by his house so full
of mice, that I think half the wagons in the parish are not able
to bear them.”

“Oh, dear Reynard,” quoth the cat, “do but lead me thither,
and make me your servant for ever.”

“Why,” said the fox, ‘‘ love you mice so exceedingly ?”

‘‘ Beyond expression,’’ quoth the cat.

Then away they went with all speed to the priest’s barn, which
was well walled about with a mud wall, where, but the night
before, the fox had broken in and stolen an exceeding fat hen,
at which the priest was so angry, that he had set a snare before
the hole to catch him at his next coming, which the false fox
knew of; and therefore said to the cat, “Sir Tibert, creep in at
this hole, and believe it, you shall not tarry a minute’s space but
you shall have more mice than you are able to devour ;- hark, you
may hear how they peep. When you have eaten your fill, come
again, and I will stay and await for you here at this hole, that —