28 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP. V

other day had brought into his yard a great
oak, which, as their manner is, he began to
cleave, and had struck into it two wedges in
such wise that the cleft stood a great way
open, at which the fox rejoiced much, for
it was answerable to his wish. So with a
laughing countenance he said to the bear,
‘Behold now, dear uncle, and be careful of
yourself, for within this tree is so much honey
that it is unmeasurable. Try if you can get
into it, yet, good uncle, eat moderately, for
albeit the combs are sweet and good, yet a
surfeit is dangerous, and may be troublesome
to your body, which I would not for a world,
since no harm can come to you but must be
my dishonour.’

‘Sorrow not for me, nephew eynard,
said the bear, ‘nor think me such a fool that
I cannot temper mine appetite.’

‘It is true, my best uncle, I was too bold.
I pray you enter in at the end, and you shall
find your desire.’

The bear with all haste entered the tree,
with his two feet forward, and thrust his
head into the cleft, quite over the ears, which
when the fox perceived, he instantly ran and
pulled the wedges out of the tree, so that