222 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

The fox answered not a word, but bowing
himself down humbly to the earth, both before
the King and the Queen’s Majesties, went
forth into the field; and at the same time
the wolf was also ready, and stood boasting,
and giving out many proud and vainglorious
speeches. The marshals and rulers of the
lists were the leopard and the loss. These
brought forth a book, on which the wolf swore
and maintained his assertion that the fox was
a traitor and a murderer, which he would
prove on his body, or else be counted a
recreant. Then Reynard took the book, and
swore he lied as a false traitor and a thief,
which he would prove on his body, or be
accounted a recreant.

When these ceremonies were done, the
marshals of the field bade them do their
devoir. And then every creature avoided the
lists, save Dame Aukenaw, who stood by the
fox, and bade him remember the words and
instructions she had given him, and call to
mind how, when he was scarce seven years old,
he had then wisdom enough to pass the darkest
night without lantern or candle-light, or the
help of the moon, when any occasion required
him: and that his experience was much greater,