CHAP. XXI REYNARD THE FOX 187

was fain to gnaw and devour the bones, which
he did with such greediness, that swallowing
them too hastily down, one fell so across
his throat that he was almost choked, and
hardly escaped with life ; whereupon he sought
every place for the cunningest surgeons, pro-
mising them great gifts to ease his torment ;
but having lost much labour, in the end he
met with the crane, and besought him with his
long neck and bill to help him, and he would
highly reward him.

‘ The crane, greedy of gain, put his head into
the wolf’s throat, and brought out the bone.
The wolf started at the pull, and cried out
aloud, ‘Thou hurtest me; but I do forgive
thee; yet do it not again I charge thee, for at
another’s hands I would not bear it.”

‘Then the crane said, ‘“ Sir /segrtm, go and
be frolic, for you are whole. I look for no
more but the reward you promised me.”

“« How,” said the wolf, “what impudence
is this? I suffer and have cause to complain ;
yet he will be rewarded, he will not so much
as thank me for his life, but forgets that his
head was in my mouth, and how I suffered him
to draw it out again without hurting ; albeit
he has put me to exceeding much pain. I