XVIII - REYNARD THE FOX 137

wound for the mail which | did cut off his skin ;
and | caused the wolf and his wife to be stripped
of their shoes; I appeased the King only with
falsehood. I feigned a conspiracy against his
Majesty’s life by the bear and the wolf, when
there was never any such determination ; also
I reported of great treasure to be hid in
fTustveloe, but it was as fabulous as the rest.
I slew Ayward, and betrayed Bellin; |
wounded the coney, and killed Dame Sharf-
beak, the rook’s wife. Lastly, I forgot at my
last shrift one great deceit which I committed,
but I will reveal it; and thus it was—

‘As I went talking with the wolf between
Flouthlust and Elverding, we beheld a goodly
bay mare grazing, with a black foal by her side,
which was exceeding fat and wanton; the wolf
at that instant was almost dead with hunger,
insomuch that he entreated me to go to the
mare, and know if she would sell her foal? I
went and demanded the question. The mare
said, ‘She would willingly sell it for money.”
I then asked the price? And she said, “The
price was written in her hinder foot, which, if
I pleased, I might come and read at my
pleasure”; but I, that well understood her

politic anger, said, “It is true that I cannot