230 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

vanquished, or else certainly I will kill thee ;
neither thy dust, thy mocks, nor any subtle
invention shall now save thee; thou art now
left utterly desperate, and my wounds must
have their satisfaction.’

When the fox heard this he thought it was
a hard election, for both brought his ruin; and
suddenly concluding, he said, ‘Dear uncle,
since fortune commands me, | yield to be your
servant, and at your commandments will travel
for you to the Holy Land, or any other
pilgrimage, or do any service which shall be
beneficial to your soul or the souls of your
forefathers. I will do for the King or for our
holy father the Pope, I will hold of you my
lands and revenues, and as I, so shall all the
rest of my kindred; so that you shall be a lord
of many lords, and none shall dare to move
against you.

‘Besides, whatsoever | get of pullets, geese,
partridges, or plover, flesh or fish, you, your
wife, and children shall have the first choice,
ere any are eaten by me. I will ever stand by
your side, and wheresoever you go, no danger
shall come near you; you are strong, and I am
subtle ; we two joined together, what force can
prevail against us? Again, we are so near in