214 REYNARD THE FOX CHAP. XXII

of the hole as fast as he could. For indeed he
came out both extremely beaten, and extremely
bitten, and all his skin slashed like a Spanish
jerkin; and one ear left behind as a pawn of
his manners.

‘This when I saw, I asked him if he had
flattered sufficiently? and he said he had
spoken as he found, for the dame was a foul
animal, and the litter most ugly monsters.
Then I told him, how he should have com-
mended their beauties, and taken them for his
best of alliance. And he replied, he had
rather have seen them all hanged. “Then,”
quoth I, “ you must always receive such reward
as now you do, but wisdom would do otherwise ;
fair words never come out of season, and better
than we hold it for a rule worthy imitation.”

‘Thus, my Lord, I have told you truly how
he came by his red nightcap, which I know he
cannot, nor dare not deny, for all is true with-
out any addition.’