48 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

by the neck in the gin, which as soon as the
cat felt and perceived, he quickly leaped back
again, so that the snare running close together,
he was half strangled, so that he began to
struggle and cry out and exclaim most
piteously.

Reynard stood before the hole and heard
all, at which he infinitely rejoiced, and in great
scorn said, ‘Cousin Zzéert, love you mice?
I hope they be well fed for your sake; knew
the priest or Martinet of your feasting, I know
them of so good disposition, they would bring
you sauce quickly. Methinks you sing at your
meat, is that the court fashion? If it be, |
would /segrim the wolf were coupled with
you, that all my friends might be feasted
together.’

But all this while the poor cat was fast, and
mewed so piteously, that Martinet leaped out
of bed, and cried to his people, ‘ Arise, for the
thief is taken that had stolen our hens.’

With these words the priest unfortunately
rose up and awaked all in his house, crying,
‘The fox is taken, the fox is taken!’ and
arising, he gave to /udlock his wife an offering
candle to light, and then coming first to 7zdert,
he smote him with a great staff, and after him