* CHAP. XX1 REYNARD THE FOX 173

‘Is this true?’ said the fox; ‘then woe is
me that ever I was born, for there are lost
the goodliest jewels that ever were in the
possession of any prince living; would I had
died when you were thus defrauded; for |
know it will be the death of my wife, nor will
she ever henceforth esteem me.’

Then said the she ape, ‘Dear nephew,
why should you sorrow thus for transitory
wealth? Let them go, only discourse what
manner of jewels they were, it may be we
shall find them again; if not, the magician
M. AZkarin shall labour his books and search
_ all the corners of the earth. Besides, who-
soever detains them shall be cursed in all
parishes till he restore them to the King’s
Majesty.’

‘© aunt, said the fox, ‘do not persuade
yourself so, for whosoever hath them will not
restore them to gain an empire, they are so
goodly and precious; yet your words do some-
thing appease me. But whom shall we trust
in this corrupt age, when even sanctity itself
walks masked and mistaken?’

And then fetching a deep sigh, with which
he gilded his dissimulation, he proceeded on
and said, ‘Hearken all you of my stock and