80 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

my father, Grimébard, and the cat, laying their
hands on /segrim’s crown, swore, first to make
Brum their king, and to place him in the chair
of estate at Acon, and to set the imperial
diadem on his head; and if by any of your
Majesty’s blood and alliance they should be
gainsaid, that then my father with his treasure
should hire those which should utterly chase
and root them out of the forest. Now after
this determination held and finished, it hap-
pened that my nephew Grimdbard, being on
a time high flown with wine, he discovered
this dread plot to Dame Svopecade his wife,
commanded her upon her life to keep secret
the same. But she, forgetful of her charge,
disclosed it in confession to my wife, as they
went a pilgrimage over an heath, with like
conjuration of secrecy. But she, woman-like,
contained it no longer than till she met with
me, and gave me a full knowledge of all that
had passed, yet so as by all means I must keep
it secret too, for she had sworn by the three
kings of Cologne never to disclose it. And
withal she gave me such assurance by certain
tokens, that I right well found all was true
which she had spoken; insomuch that the very
affright thereof made my hair stand upright,