XXII REYNARD THE FOX 213

out, ‘Woe and alas, | think I am come into
evil; did ever creature see such fearful goblins?
Drown them, for shame drown them, they are
so ugly, they will scare all the world; why,
they make my hair stand on end with their
horrid deformity.”

‘Then said she, “Sir /segrvzm, their creation
is not my fault, let it suffice, they are my
children, and I am their mother; nor ought
their beauty or hard favour to displease you:
there was a kinsman of theirs here to-day, and
is but newly departed, who is well known to
exceed. you, both in birth, virtue, and wisdom,
and he accounted them fair and lovely; for
your opinion I care not, therefore you may
depart at your pleasure.”

‘Then he replied, ‘‘ Dame, I would have you
know that I would eat of your meat, it is much
better bestowed on me than on those ugly
urchins.” But she told him, “she had no
meat.” ‘‘ Yes,” said he, ‘‘ here is meat enough,”
and with that, offering to reach at the meat,
my aunt started up with her children, and ran
at him with their sharp nails, and so clawed
him, that the blood ran about his ears, and |
heard him cry and howl so extremely, that it
appeared he had no defence but to run out