130 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

step betwixt thee and thy death, or at the best
thine everlasting banishment? Well may I
grieve for thee, since thou art the top and
honour of my house, art wise and politic, and a
friend to thy friends, when they stand in need
of thy counsel, for with thy sweet language
thou canst enchant all creatures; but all is now
bootless.’

With such manner of lamentations as these,
came Grimbard unto Malepardus, and found
his uncle Reynard standing at the castle gates,
who had newly gotten two young pigeons as
they came creeping out of their nest to try
how they could learn to fly. But now be-
holding his nephew Griméard, he stayed, and
said, ‘Welcome, my best beloved nephew, the
only one I esteem above all my kindred ; surely
you have run exceeding fast, for you are
wonderfully hot; what news, man, how run
the squares at the court?’

‘Oh,’ said Grimébard, ‘exceeding ill with
you, for you have forfeited both your life,
honour, and estate. The King is up in arms
against you with horsemen, footmen, and
soldiers innumerable; besides, /segrim and
Lruin are now in more favour with his Majesty
than I am with you, therefore it is high time