194 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

together, his ears dropping blood all the way
as he went.

‘In the end we took a calf, and when your
Majesty saw us bring it, you laughed, and said
to me, ‘I was a swift huntsman, and could find
my game quickly, and therefore I was fit to
serve in time of necessity.’ Then you bade
me to divide it, and I did it, and gave one half
thereof to your Majesty, the other half to the
Queen. As for the liver, lungs, and all the
inwards, I sent them to the young princes
your children. As for the head, I gave it to
Tsegrim the wolf, and took unto myself but the
feet only. Then said your Majesty, ‘Ah,
Reynard, who taught you to make these
courteous divisions?” ‘My Lord,” answered
I, “that did this priest which sits here with the
bloody pate; for he lost his skin for his too
much inequality, and for his covetousness hath
reaped nothing but shame and dishonour. But
it matters not, for there be many wolves in
these days that would even eat up their best
friends and kindred—nay, if they had power,
even your Majesty also, for they make no
respect either of friend or enemy. But woe to
that commonwealth where such have the upper
hand and government.”