98 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

forgiven the evils received, but willingly have
run into a second hazard. But now J/segrim,
with great majesty and pride tracing over the
fields, came before the King and Queen,
and with most bitter and cruel words inveighed
against the fox in such a passionate and im-
pudent manner, that the King, being infinitely
moved with displeasure, caused the wolf and
the bear to be presently arrested upon high
treason; which suddenly was done with all
violence and fury, and they were bound hand
and foot so fast, that they could neither stir
nor move from the place where they were
couched.

Now when the fox had thus enthralled and
entangled them, he so laboured with the
Queen, that he got leave to have so much of
the bear’s skin as would make him a large
scrip for his journey; which granted, he
wanted nothing but a strong pair of shoes to
defend his feet from the stones in his travel;
whereupon he said to the Queen, ‘Madam, |
am your pilgrim, and if it would please your
Majesty but to take it into your consideration,
you shall find that sir /segvim hath a pair of
shoon, excellent long-lasting ones, which would
you vouchsafe to bestow upon me, I should