64 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP. X

seek my confusion, if they could win belief with
your Majesty. But you scorn the slanders of
malice, and although in these days flatterers
have the most room in princes’ courts, yet with
you it is not so, nor shall they reap anything
but shame for their labour.’

But the King cut him short at these words,
and said, ‘ Peace, traitorous Aeyzard, | know
your dissimulation, and can expound your
flattery, but both shall now fail you. Think you
I can be caught with the music of your words?
No, it hath too oft deceived me; the peace
which J commanded and swore unto, that have
you broken.’

And as he would have gone forward,
Chanticleer crying out, ‘O how have I lost this
noble peace?’

‘Be still, Chanticleer, said the King, and
then he proceeded, ‘Thou evil among good
ones, with what face canst thou say thou lovest
me, and seest all those wretched creatures ready
to disprove thee, whose very wounds yet spit
bloody defiance upon thee; and for which
believe thy dearest life shall answer.’

‘In nomine patris, etc., said the fox, ‘my
dread Lord, if Lruzn’s crown be bloody, what
is that tome? If your Majesty employed him