XXIV REYNARD THE FOX 229

in such wise, as if he would have pressed him
to death.

Now began the fox to be grievously afraid,
and all his friends also, and all /segrzm’s friends
began to shout for joy; but the fox defended
himself as well as he could with his claws,
lying along, and the wolf could not hurt him
with his claws, his feet were so sore, only with
his teeth he snatched at him.to bite him, which,
when the fox saw, he smote the wolf on the
head with his fore-claws, so that he tore the
skin between his brows and his ears, and one
of his eyes hung out of his head, which put the
wolf to infinite torment, and he howled out
extremely. Then /segrim wiping his face,
the fox took advantage thereof, and with his
struggling got upon his feet.

At which the wolf was angry, and striking
after him, caught the fox in his arms, and held
him fast; never was Reynard in so great a
strait as then, for at that time great was their
contention; but anger now made the wolf
forget his smart, and griping the fox altogether
under him, as Reynard was defending himself
his hand lighted into /segrim’s mouth, so that
he was in danger of losing it. Then said the
wolf to the fox, ‘Now either yield thyself as