XXI REYNARD THE FOX 189

‘Little did I then imagine that good Ayward
was so near his death, for except himself, and
Lellin the ram, 1 knew no messengers worthy
to carry so rich a present. But I will search
the whole world, and I will find the murderer,
for murder cannot be hid. It may be, he is in
this presence which knows what is become of
Kyward, albeit he do conceal it; for the wicked
walk like saints.

‘Yet the greatest wonder of all is, which
troubled me most, that my Lord the King
should say, that my father nor myself ever did
good. But the troubles of affairs may well
breed forgetfulness in Kings, otherwise your
Majesty might call to mind how, when the
King your father lived, and you were a prince
not above two years old, my father came from
the school at AZountpelorr, where he had studied
five years the art of physic, and was éxpert in
all the principles thereof, and so famous in
those days, that he wore clothes of silk and a
golden girdle. Now when he was come to the
court, he found the King in great extremity of
sickness, which was no little grief unto him,
for he loved the King most dearly, and the
King rejoiced at his sight, and would not suffer
him to be out of his presence. All others