XVI REYNARD THE FOX 123

body, but found no life therein at all. Then
went my wife (poor careful soul), laid her head
to his mouth, to see if he drew any breath, ©
which she had no sooner done, but the foul
murderer, awaiting his time, snatched her head
into his mouth, and bit it quite off. At that |
shrieked out and cried, ‘‘Woe is me, what
misfortunes are these?”

‘But presently the murderer started up,
and reached at me with such a bloody intent,
that with much trembling and anguish I was
fain to fly up to a tree, where I saw him
devour up my wife in such terrible manner,
that the very thought is death to me in the
repeating.

‘This massacre finished, the murderer de-
parted, and I went to the place and gathered
the feathers of my lost wife, which here I
humbly present before your Majesty, be-
seeching you to do me justice, and in such
manner to revenge mine injury, that the world
may speak fame of your great excellence.
For thus to suffer your laws, protections, and
safe-conducts to be violated and broken, will
be such disreputation and scandal to your
crown and dignity, that your very neighbours
and colleagues will note and point at your