CHAP, III REYNARD THE FOX 17

more to eat flesh. I am now waxed old, and
would only remember my soul; therefore I take
my leave, for I have yet my noon and my
even song to say.” Which spake, he de-
parted, saying his cvedo as he went, and laid
him down under a hawthorn; at this I was
exceeding glad, that I took no heed, but went
and clucked my children together, and walked

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

without the wall, which I shall ever rue. For
false Reynard, lying under a bush, came creep-
ing betwixt us and the gate, and suddenly
surprised one of my children, which he trussed
up in his mail and bore away, to my great
sorrow. For having tasted the sweetness of
our flesh, neither hunter nor hound can protect
or keep him from us. Night and day he waits
upon us with that greediness, that of fifteen of

my children he hath left me but four un-
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