208 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

rushing therein, but could not imagine the
cause why: then I desired the wolf to go in,
and look if anything were there to profit us,
for something I knew there was. Then said
he, ‘“‘ Cousin, I would not creep into the hole
for a hundred pounds, till I knew certainly
what was therein; for there may be danger:
but if you please to attempt it, who I know
hath both art and wit to save yourself, I will
stay here under this tree till you return; but I
beseech you make haste and let me know what
is therein as soon as you perceive it.”

‘Behold, my dread Lord the King, thus he
hath made me, poor silly beast, to go before
into the hazard, and he who is great, strong,
and mighty did abide without in peace,
wherein I expressed no little friendship, for I
would not endure the like danger for a king-
dom. But to proceed: I entered into the hole,
and found the way dark, long, and tedious;
in the end I espied a great light, which came
in on the farther side of the hole, by which I
saw there lying a great she ape, with eyes
glimmering and sparkling with fire, her mouth
set round with long sharp teeth, and on her
hands and feet nails sharp as an elfin or bodkin.
I imagined her at first a marmoset or baboon,