58 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

‘Uncle, they are farther, and if you will have
them, you must adventure for them; those
which used to sit there I myself had long
since.” At this the wolf going a little farther, |
gave him a push forward, so that he fell down
in the vault, and his fall was so great, and made
such a noise, that they which were asleep in
the house awaked and cried that something
was fallen down at the trap-door; whereupon
they arose and lighted a candle, and espying
him, they beat and wounded him to death.
Thus I brought the wolf to many hazards of
his life, more than I can now either remember
or reckon, which as they come to my mind I
will reveal to you hereafter.

‘Thus have I told you my wickedness, now
order my penance as shall seem fit in your dis-
cretion.’

Grimbard was both learned and wise, and
therefore brake a rod from a tree, and said,
‘Nephew, you shall three times strike your
body with this rod, and then lay it down upon
the ground, and spring three times over it with-
out bowing your legs or stumbling. Then
shall you take it up and kiss it gently in sign
of meekness and obedience to your penance;
which done, you are absolved of your sins com-