XI REYNARD THE FOX 93

for this day you shall have your will of your
enemy ; and good sir Bru, take heed he escape
not, whilst | myself raise up the ladder.’
When all things were prepared, the fox said,
‘Now may my heart be heavy, for death stands
now in all his horror before me, and | cannot
escape; my dread Lord the King, and you, my
Sovereign Lady the Queen, and you, my lords,
that stand to behold to see me die, I beseech
you grant me this charitable boon, that I may
unlock my heart before you, and clear my soul
of her burdens, so that hereafter no man may be
blamed for me, which done, my death will be

easy.’