XX REYNARD THE FOX 171

Also the leopard said, ‘Sire, you must
judge according to witness, for to be governed
by will is tyrannous and ignoble.’

Then answered the King, ‘It is true you
inform me; but the disgrace done to my
particular self in Ayyward’s death and other
informations so robbed me of patience, that
I had no leisure to look back either to law
or reason. Therefore, now let the fox speak
boldly, and if he can justly acquit himself of
the crimes laid against him, I shall gladly
restore him his liberty, and the rather for
you his dear friends’ sake, whom I have ever
found faithful and loyal.’

Oh how infinitely glad was the fox when
he heard these words, and said in himself,
‘Thanks, my noble aunt, a thousand times,
thou hast put me new blossoms on my dried
roses, and set me in a fair path to liberty.
I have one good foot to dance on; anaes
doubt not but to use my art of dissimulation
so bravely, that this day shall be remembered
for my renown and victory.’