XII REYNARD THE FOX gl

no man’s counsel prevailed with the King as
the fox’s, which the fox seeing, said to the
King, ‘My gracious Lord, you shall under-
stand that at the west side of /vlanders, there
standeth a wood called AYustreloe, near which
runneth a river named Cvekenpit, this is a
wilderness so vast and impassable, that hardly
in all the year there cometh either man or
woman in the same. In it I have hid this
treasure, whither I would have your Majesty
and the Queen to go, for I know none but
yourselves whom I dare trust in so great
design ; and when your highness comes thither,
you shall find two birchen trees growing by
the pit, into which you shall enter, and there
you shall find the treasure, which consisteth
of coin, rich jewels, and. the wealthy crown
which King Armerick wore. With this crown
Bruin the bear should have been crowned, if
his treason had succeeded according to his
determination. There shall you see also many
rich and costly precious stones, of which, when
you are possessed, then remember the love
of your servant Reynard.’

The King answered, ‘Sir Reynard, you
must yourself help me to dig for this treasure,
for else I shall never find it. I have heard