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S&S

Char AER

How the Lion proclaimed a solemn Feast at hes
Court, and how Isegrim the Wolf and his Wife,
and Curtois thé Hound, made their first com-
plaints of Reynard the Fox.

Ir was about the Feast of Pentecost (which is
commonly called Whitsuntide), when the woods
are in their lusty-hood and gallantry, and every
tree clothed in the green and white livery of
glorious leaves and sweet-smelling blossoms,
and the earth is covered in her fairest mantle
of flowers, while the birds with much joy
entertain her with the delight of their har-
monious songs. Even at this time and
entrance of the lusty spring, the Lion, the royal
King of beasts, to celebrate this holy feast
time with all triumphant ceremony, intends to
keep open court at his great palace of Sanden,
and to that end, by solemn proclamation, makes
B