XIX REYNARD THE FOX 151

ape, who far exceedeth any priest in pastoral
business, for he hath been attorney to the
bishop of Camervick any time this nine years;
and seeing me in this great agony of heart,
he said, ‘“‘ Dear cousin, why are you thus heavy
in spirit, and why is your countenance dejected ?
Grief is easy to carry when the burden is
divided amongst friends; for the nature of a
true friend is to behold and relieve that which
anguish will not suffer the oppressed to see
or suffer.”

‘Then I answered him, “ You say true,
dear uncle, and the like is my fortune, for
sorrow is without cause laid upon me, and of
that I am not guilty; I am accused by those
I ranked with my best friends: as namely, the
coney, who came yesterday to my house as |
was saying JZatins, saying he was travelling
towards the court, but was at that time both
hungry and weary, and therefore requested
of me some meat. I willingly consented, took
him in and gave him a couple of manchets and
sweet butter, for it was on Wednesday, on which
day I never eat flesh. Besides, it was then
a fast, by reason the feast of Whitsuntide was
near. At which time we must have cleansed
and prepared hearts, Z¢ vos estote paratt.