CER AE Ro DX

How Dame Rukenaw answered for the Fox to the
King, and of the parable she told.

Dame Rukenaw the she ape, being aunt unto
Reynard, and a great favourite of the Queen,
was much grieved when she saw this dis-
traction; and it was well for the fox that she
was in the presence, for she was exceeding wise,
and durst boldly speak; and therefore rising
up, after reverence done, she said, ‘My Lord
the King, you ought not to be possessed with
anger when you sit in judgment, for it becometh
not nobility to be void of reason ; it is discretion
which should only accompany you in that
reason ; for my own part, I think I know the laws
as well as some which wear furred gowns, for |
have read many, and put some in use. It is
well known I had ever in the Pope’s palace a
bed of straw, when other beasts lay on the bare
ground, and | was ever suffered to speak freely