THE STORY OF REYNARD THE FOX. 15

the highest to the lowest, prepared himself to complain of the
fox; at which Reynard’s heart quaked, but his countenance kept
the old look, and he went as proudly as ever he was wont with his
nephew through the high street, and came as gallantly into the
court as if he had been the King’s son, and as clear from trespass
as the most innocent whosoever; and when he came before the
chair of state in which the King sat, he said, “‘ Heaven give your
Majesty glory and renown above all the princes of the earth.”

But the King cut him short at these words, and said: ‘‘ Peace,
traitorous Reynard; think you I can be caught with the music
of your words? no, it hath too oft deceived me; the peace which
I commanded and swore unto, that have you broken.”

Then Bellin the Ram, and Oleway his wife, and Bruin the
Bear, and Tibert the Cat, and Isegrim the Wolf, and Kyward the
Hare, and Bruel the Goose, and Baldwin the Ass, and Bortle the
Bull, and Hamel the Ox, and Chanticleer the Cock, and Partlett
the Hen, and many others, came forward; and all these with one
entire noise cried out against the fox, and so moved the King
with their complaints, that the fox was taken and arrested.

Upon this arrest, a parliament was called; and notwithstanding
that he answered every objection severally, and with great art,
Reynard was condemned, and judgment was given that he should
be hanged till his body was dead; at which sentence the fox cast
down his head, for all his jollity was lost, and no flattery nor no
words now prevailed.

Then Isegrim on the one side and Bruin on the other led the
poor fox to the gallows, Tibert running before with the halter.
And when they were come to the place of execution, the King
and the Queen, and all the rest of the nobility, took their places
to see the fox die.