216 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

‘These things considered, I have forborne
you long, therefore now look not to escape;
wherefore seeing there is no other testi-
mony but our own consciences, here before
you, my Lord the King, and the rest of my
noble lords, friends, and alliances, here I affirm
and will approve to the last drop of my blood
that thou, Reyzard the fox, art a false traitor
and a murderer; and this I will approve and
make good upon thy body within the lists of
the field, body against body, by which means
our strife shall have an end, and in witness
whereof I cast thee here my glove, which |
dare thee to take up, that I may have right
for mine injuries, or else die like a recreant.’

Reynard was something perplexed when he
saw this, for he knew himself much too weak
for the wolf, and feared to come by the worst ;
but straight remembering the advantage he
had, by reason that the wolf’s fore-claws were
pulled away and that they were not yet fully
cured, he said, ‘Whosoever he be that saith |
am a traitor or a murderer I say he lieth in his
throat, especially /segr¢m above all others;
poor fool, thou bringest me to the place I
desire, and to the purpose I wish for, in sign
whereof I take up the gage, and throw