70 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

fox’s blood and alliance, he said to himself, ‘It
behoveth us to take good and mature counsel ;
though Reynard have some faults, yet he hath
many friends, and more virtues.’

As the King was thus thinking, the cat said to
the bear, ‘Sir Bruin, and you, sir /segrim, why
are you slow in this execution? The even is
almost come, and here be many bushes and
hedges; if he escape and quit himself of this
danger, his subtilty is so great that not all the art
in the world shall ever again entangle him. If
you mean to execute him, then proceed, for before
the gallows can be made, it will be dark night.’

At these words /segrim, remembering him-
self, said, ‘There is a pair of gallows near at
hand’ (and with that fetched a deep sigh), which
the cat noting, said, ‘Are you afraid, sir /segrinz,
or is this execution against your mind? You
may remember that it was only his work that
both your brethren were hanged; and sure had
you judgment, you would thank him for the same,
and not thus stand trifling time.’

But /segrim, half angry, answered, ‘ Your
anger puts out the eye of your reason, yet had
we a halter that would fit his neck, we would
soon despatch him.’

Reynard, that had been silent a great while,