156 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

court that can charge me with any trespass
whatsoever, and prove it by testimony as the
law requireth, or if otherwise, he will oppose
himself against me, person to person, grant me
but a day, and equal lists, and in combat I will
maintain my innocence against him, provided
he be equal to me in birth and degree; this
law hath ever hitherto stood constant, and I

 

hope neither in me, for me, or by me, it stnall
now be broken.’

When all the assembly of beasts heard this,
they were dumb and amazed to behold his
stoutness. As for the coney and the rook, they
were so scared they durst not speak, but
privately stole away out of the court, and being
far on the plain, they said, ‘This devilish
murderer hath such art in his falsehood, that
no truth can look with better countenance,