236 THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CHAP.

‘Praised be Heaven for this glorious conquest.’
Reynard thanked them all kindly, and received
them with great joy and gladness; then asked
their opinions whether he should yield the
victory to the King or no; and Dame Svlopecard
said, ‘Yea, by all means, cousin, for it stands
with your honour, nor may you deny it.’ And
so, the marshals going before, they went all to
the King, guarding the fox on every side, all
the trumpets, pipes, and minstrelsy sounding
before him.

When Reynard came before the King he
fell on his knees, and the King bade him stand
up, and said to him, ‘ Reynard, you may well
rejoice, for you have won much honour this
day, therefore here |] discharge you, and set
you free to go whither your own will leads
you, for all contestations I take upon myself,
and will have it discussed by the wisest of the
kingdom as soon as /segvim’s wounds shall be
cured, at what time I will send for you, and
so proceed to judgment.’

‘My worthy and dread Lord,’ said the fox,
‘IT am well repaid with anything that shall
please you; yet when I came first to your
highness’s court, there were many malicious
persons which sought my life, whom I never