‘THE STORY OF REYNARD THE FOX. 73 to-morrow we may go together to the court; but, good cousin, stay not too long, for I know my wife will hourly expect us.” Then Tibert sprang quickly in at the hole, but was presently caught fast by the neck in the snare, which as soon as the cat felt, he quickly leaped back again; and the snare running close together, he was half-strangled, so that he began to struggle and cry out and exclaim most piteously. Then the priest, hearing the outery, alarmed all his servants, crying out, “The Fox is taken!” and away they all ran to where poor ‘Tibert was caught in the snare, and, without finding out their mistake, they beat him most unmercifully, and cruelly wounded one of his eyes. The cat, mad with pain, suddenly gnawed the cord, and seizing the priest by the legs, bit him and tore him in such a way that he fell down in a swoon, and then, as every one ran to help his master, Tibert leaped out of the hole, and limped as fast as his wounded legs would carry him to the court, where the King was infinitely angry at the treatment he had received. Then Grimbard the Badger, Reynard’s nephew, fearing it was likely to go hard with his uncle, offered to go to Malepardus and take the King’s message to his most subtle kinsman; to which his Majesty graciously consented. So Grimbard set forth; and when he came to Malepardus, he found Reynard with Dame Ermelin his wife sporting with their children. When Grimbard had delivered the King’s letter, Reynard found that it would be better for him to shew himself at court at once; so bidding an affectionate faréwell to his dear wife and children, he immediately set out with the badger to go with him before the King. On his way, Reynard, remembering the heavy crimes he had committed, and fearing that his end was at hand, desired of the holy Grim- bard, who had always led a hermit’s life, that he would hear