2 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

known over all his kingdom to all beasts what-
soever, that, upon pain to be held in contempt,
every one should resort to that great celebration.
Within a few days after, at the time appointed,
all beasts both great and small came in infinite
multitudes to the court, only Reynard the fox
excepted, who knew himself guilty in so many
trespasses against many beasts, that his coming
thither must needs have put his life in great
hazard and danger.

Now when the King had assembled all his
court together, there were few beasts found
but made their several complaints against the
fox, but especially /segvim the wolf, who, being
the first and principal complainant, came with
all his lineage and kindred, and standing before
the King, spoke in this manner:

‘My dread and dearest Sovereign Lord the
King, 1 humbly beseech you, that from the
height and strength of your great power, and
the multitude of your mercies, you will be
pleased to take pity on the great trespasses
and unsufferable injuries which that unworthy
creature Reynard the fox hath done to me, my
wife, and our whole family. Now to give your
highness some taste of these, first know (if it
please your Majesty) that this Reyzard came