Reynard the Fox. 55

«The snake said he would do so; so they went on till

they met Tis-el-len the Ra-ven, who said that the snake
should eat the man; but gave the snake to know that he
must get a share. But, quoth the man, ‘ How shall he
‘that is a thief and lives by spoil, judge the cause? It
must be done by such as know both law and right; the
Ra-ven is not just, nor is he free from self love. Let us
go to the Court and have the point made clear; there cam
be no doubt left then. Let your King try me, and [ shall
fain bide by what he says.’ So they brought their case,
my liege, for you to judge of. It was set forth in full form
by your law lords, and both sides were heard. Points
were put which got the whole Court in a fog. In fact,
such doubts were brought to bear on the case that not one
in your Court could judge of it.

“ At last, when no help could be found, you put the case
in Rey-nard’s hands. He told you, my lord, that he could
not judge of the case as it was put, and said he should
have more proof, and that if he might see in what way the
snake had been. caught, and what risk he had run, then he
could state his view as to what ought to be done. Then
went the man and the snake to the place where the trap
was set; so Rey-nard had the snake made fast in the
snare. When this was done, then you, my lord, said,
‘Rey-nard, how will you judge now?’ Thus he spoke,
‘They are, my lord, just in the same state they were in
when they first met; they have not won or lost. Hence I
judge in this case, may it but please my lord the King:
If the man will now let the snake loose on the strength of
the same vow made to him at first, he may do so; but if
he thinks that want will force the snake to break faith
with him, then is he free to go where he choose, and leave