94, THE STORY OF REYNARD THE FOX.

poor murdered Kyward, for which I executed the ram, he having
confessed the deed to be done by his advice and counsel.”

“Is this true ?” said the fox; “then wo is me that ever I was
born, for there are lost the goodliest jewels that ever were in the
possession of any prince living; would I had died when you were
thus defrauded, for I know it will be the death of my wife, nor
will she ever henceforth esteem me.”

Then Reynard told the King and Queen of the great value of
these inestimable jewels. One was a gold ring, another a comb
polished like unto fine silver, and the third was a glass mirror ;
and so great were the virtues of this rare glass that Reynard shed
tears to think of the loss of it. When the fox had told all this, he
thus concluded : “ If any one can charge me with crime and prove
it by witness, here I stand to endure the uttermost the law can
inflict upon me; but if malice only slander me without witness, I
crave the combat, according to the law and instance of the court.”

Then said the King, “‘ Reynard, you say well, nor know I any
thing more of Kyward’s death than the bringing of his head unto
me by Bellin the Ram; therefore of it I here acquit you.”

*¢ My dear Lord,” said be fox, ‘I humbly thank you; yet is
his death grievous unto me.’

But Isegrim the Wolf was not erator with this conclusion,
and defied the fox to mortal combat. This challenge the fox
accepted; and the next day was appointed for the meeting.

When all the ceremonies were done, and none but the com-
batants were in the lists, the wolf went toward the fox with in-
finite rage and fury, thinking to take him in his fore-feet ; but the
fox leaped nimbly from him, and the wolf pursued him, so that
there began a tedious chase between them, on which their friends
gazed. The wolf taking larger strides than the fox, often overtook