CHAPTER Vall

How Grimbard the Brock was sent to bid the Fox to
the Court.

Tuen said the King, ‘Go, Grimébard, for I
command you; yet take heed of Reynard, for
he is subtle and malicious.’

The brock thanked his Majesty, and so
taking humble leave, went to Malepardus,
where he found Reynard and Ermelin his wife
sporting with their young whelps; then having
saluted his uncle and his aunt, he said, ‘ Take
heed, fair uncle, that your absence from the
court add not more mischief to your cause than
the offence doth deserve. Believe, it is high
time you appear at the court, since your delay
doth beget but more danger and punishment.
The complaints against you are infinite, and
this is your third time of summons; therefore
your wisdom may tell you, that if you delay
but one day further, there is not left to you or
yours any hope of mercy. For within three