XXI REYNARD THE FOX 183

than is due to their merit; for an ass is an ass
and was born to eat thistles; and where asses
govern, there order is never observed, for they
have no eye either on this side, or beyond
their own private profit; yet sometimes they
are advanced, the more is the pity.

‘In another part was figured the story how
my father and 77éer¢ the cat travelled together,
and had sworn by their troth that neither for
love nor hate they would depart one from the
other; but it happened on a time they saw
hunters coming over the fields with a kennel
of hounds, from which they fled apace, for their
lives were in danger. Then said the fox,
“ Tibert, whither shall we fly? for the hunters
have espied us; for mine own part, I havea
thousand wiles to escape them, and as long as
we abide together we shall not need to fear
them.”

‘But the cat began to sigh, and was
exceedingly afraid, and said, “ Reyxard, what
needs many words? I have but one wile,
and that must help me”; and forthwith he
clambered up to the top of a high tree, where
he lurked amongst the leaves, that neither
huntsman nor hound could hurt him, and left
my father to abide the whole hazard, for the