Xv REYNARD THE FOX III

‘Good Bellin, be not offended, for Kyward is in
earnest conference with his dearest aunt, and
entreated me to say unto you, that if you
would please to walk before, he would speedily
overtake you, for he is light of foot, and speedier
than you; nor will his aunt part with him thus
suddenly, for she and her children are much
perplexed at my departure.’

‘Ay, but,’ quoth Belin, ‘methought I heard
Kyward cry for help.’

‘How, cry for help? Can you imagine he
shall receive hurt in my house? Far be such
a thought from you; but I will tell you the
reason. As soon as we were come into my
house, and that Avmelin my wife understood
of my pilgrimage, presently she fell down in
a swoon, which, when Ayward saw, he cried
aloud, “O Bellin, come, help my aunt, she
dies, she dies!””’

Then said the ram, ‘In sadness I mistook the
cry, and thought the hare had been in danger.’

‘It was your too much care of him,’ said the
fox, ‘but before he should have any injury in
my house, I would leave to respect either wife
or children. But letting this discourse pass,
you remember, e/iin, that yesterday the King
and his council commanded me, that before |