XVIII REYNARD THE FOX 141

scholars study so much that you grow dull, in
that you so much over-labour.”

‘And thus with these mocks and taunts I
brought the wolf within a hair’s-breadth of
destruction. And now, fair nephew, I have
unladed my conscience, and delivered as many
of my sins as I can call to my remembrance,
wherefore, I beseech you, let me receive ab-
solution and penance, and then come what
chance shall at the court, | am armed against
all dangers.’

Then Grimbard said, ‘ Your trespasses are
great and heinous, nevertheless, who is dead
must abide dead. And therefore here I freely
absolve you, upon assurance of your hearty
repentance; only the contempt you made in
sending him Ayward’s head, and the abuse
of so many falsehoods will lie heavy upon you.’

‘Why,’ said the fox, ‘he that will live in
the world to see this, hear that, and under-
stand the third, must ever converse with
affliction. No man can touch honey but he
must lick his fingers. I often feel touches of
repentance, but reason and our will are ever
in continual combat, so that I often stand still
as at my wits’ end, and cry out against my
sins, feeling a detestation of them. But pre-