88 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

to get this inestimable treasure from Reynard,
took him from the gibbet, and entreated him
to unfold where this great treasure was.

But the fox replied, ‘O my Lord, shall I
make mine enemies my heirs? shall these
traitors which take away my life, and would
devour yours, be possessed of the good I
enjoy? No, that is a madness | will never
die guilty of.’

Then said the Queen, ‘ Fear not, Reynard,
the King shall save your life, and grant you
pardon, and you shall henceforth swear faith
and true allegiance to his Majesty.’

The fox answered, ‘Dearest Madam, if the
King out of his royal nature will give credit
to my truth, and forgive my former offences,
there was never King so rich as | will make
him.’

Then the King staying the Queen, said,
‘Madam, will you believe the fox? know you
not that it is his natural quality to lie, steal,
and deceive ?’:

The Queen answered, ‘My dear Lord, now
you may boldly believe him, for howsoever
in his prosperity he was full of errors, yet
now you may see he is changed. Why, he
spareth not to accuse his own father, nay,