XXI REYNARD THE FOX 177

also the smell of him is delicately sweet and
wholesome, that the very savour cureth all
infirmities, and for his excellent beauty and
rare odour all other beasts attend and follow
him, for he is the physician to all their
sicknesses,

‘The Panther hath one fair bone broad and
thin, which, whensoever this beast is slain, all
the virtues of the whole beast do rest in that
bone, which can never be broken, nor ever
rot, consume or perish either by fire, water,
or other violence, yet it is so light a small
feather may poise it. The smell of it hath
that virtue, that whosoever smells it, taketh
delight in no other thing whatsoever, and they
are presently eased of all manner of diseases
and infirmities, and the heart is cheerful and
merry ever after.

‘This comb is polished like unto fine silver,
and the teeth of it are small and straight, and
between the great teeth and the small in a
large field or space, there is graven many an
image, subtilely made, and cunningly enamelled
about with fine gold; the field is checked with
sables and silver, and enamelled with cybor
and azure; and therein is contained the story
how Venus, Juno, and Pallas strove for the

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