42 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP, VI

Tibert, | obey your command, and wish my
Lord the King infinite days of happiness, only
let me entreat you to rest with me to-night,
and take such cheer as my simple house
affordeth. To-morrow, as early as you will,
we will go towards the court, for I have no
kinsman I trust so dearly as yourself. Here
was with me the other day the treacherous
knight sir Bruzx the bear, who looked upon
me with that tyrannous cruelty, that I would
not for the wealth of an empire have hazarded
my person with him. But, my dear cousin,
with you I will go, were a thousand sicknesses
upon me.’

Tibert replied, ‘You speak like a noble
gentleman, and methinks it is best now to go
forward, for the moon shines as bright as day.’

‘Nay, dear cousin,’ said the fox, ‘let us
take the day before us, so may we encounter
with our friends; the night is full of danger
and suspicion.’

‘Well,’ said the cat, ‘if it be your pleasure,
I am content, what shall we eat ?’

Reynard said, ‘Truly my store is small, the
best I have is a honeycomb, too pleasant and
sweet, what think you of it?”

Tibert replieth, ‘It is meat I little respect.