168 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

cised, they are the first which retreat and let
the simple go foremost, whilst they follow in
the retreat with shame and cowardice.

‘These, my Lord, and their like are the
fools of the corrupt times, yet destroy towns,
castles, lands, and people; nor care they whose
house burneth so they may warm them by the
fire; for it is their profit only at which their
aim bendeth. But Reynard the fox and all
his family have ever made the honour of the
King their renown and advancement, and ap-
plied their counsel to do him service, not pride
and boasting ; this hath been and is his exer-
cise, though it now be thankless. But time,
I hope, will produce whose merit is greatest.

‘Your Majesty says his kindred are all fallen
from him, and start at his fortune; would any
but your highness had affirmed it; you should
then have seen there could not be a thing of
greater falsehood. But your grace may say
your pleasure, nor will I in any word oppose
you, for to him that durst so do would both he
and we bend our forces.

‘It is known we dare fight, nor are we de-
scended of any base generation ; your highness
may call to mind the worth of our pedigree,
and how dearly from time to time they have