96 THE STORY OF REYNARD THE FOX.

before, they went all to the King, guarding the fox on every side,
all the trumpets, pipes, and minstrelsy sounding before him.

When Reynard came before the King he fell on his knees, but
the King bade him stand up, and said to him, “ Reynard, you
may well rejoice, for you have won much honour this day; there-
fore here I discharge you, and set you free to go whither your
own will leads you.” So the court broke up, and every beast
returned to his own home.

With Reynard, all his friends and kinsfolk, to the number of
forty, took their leave also of the King, and went away with the
fox, who was no little glad that he had sped so well, and stood so
far in the King’s favour; for now he had power enough to advance
whom he pleased, and pull down any that envied his fortune.

After some travel the fox and his friends came to his borough
or castle of Malepardus, where they all, in noble and courteous
manner, took leave of each other, and Reynard did to every one of
them great reverence, and thanked them for the love. and honour
he had received from them, protesting evermore to remain their
faithful servant, and to send them in all things wherein his life
or goods might be available unto them ; and so they shook hands
and departed. -

Then the fox went to Dame Ermelin his wife, who welcomed
him with great tenderness ; and to her and her children he related
at large all the wonders which had befallen him at court, and
missed no tittle or circumstance therein. ‘Then grew they proud
that his fortune was so excellent ; and the fox spent his days from
thenceforth, with his wife and children, in great joy and content.

RN SS Sn 2 en eR ee
ROBSON, LEVEY, AND FRANKLYN, GREAT NEW STREET,