The most Delectable History of Reynard the Fox.

Anglo-Maori Warder, Volume 1, Issue 21, 14 September 1848, Page 4

The most Delectable History of Reynard the Fox.

Chapter X. How the Fox came to the Court, and how he excused himself. As soon as it was bruited in the court that Reynard the fox, and Grimbardhis kinsiuau were arrived there everyone, from the highest to the lowest, i>rej«ueii himself to complain ot the fox; at which Rerjnaid's heart quaked, hut his countenance tse oIJ garb, and he v.*r,t as proudly as ever he was wont with ins nephew through the street, and came as gallantly into the court as it he had been the King's son, aud e& clear from trespass as the most inuoceitt whosoever; and when he came near the chair of state in which the lung «at, he tmid, "Heaven give your Majesty giory nd renown above all the piinc.s of the tarth. I »snre your Lighmss there was never kuwj had a truer rvaat thaa rojscif have beeu to you, and yet am, aud

so wilt die; nevertheless, ray dread lord, I know ther be many in this court that seek my confusion, if they could win belief with your majesty; but scorn the slander of malice, and although in these days flatterers have the most room in princes courts, yet with yuu it is not so, nor shall they reap anything but shame for their labour" But the King cut him Bhort at these words, and said, " Peace, traiterous Reynard. 1 know your dissimulation, andean txpouodyoui flattery, but btuh shall now fail you ; think you I be caught with the music of your words? No, it hath too olt deceived me; the peace which I commanded and sware unto, that have you broken." And as he would have cone forward, Chan/ieieer crying out, " O, how have I lost this nobis peace ?" *' Be still, Chantuleer," said the K ng, and then he proceedtd, " Thou evil among goud ones, with what face canst thou say thou lovest me, andseest all those wretched creatures ready to disprove tbea, whjse very wounds yet spit bloody defUnce uyon thee j aud which beheve thy dearest life shall answer." *' id nomine patris," &c , said the fox, •* my die d lord, if Bruin's ciowu be bloody, what is that to me ? If your majesty employed him iu a mes-age, and he would nt gleet it to steal hooey at the carpeuter's house, where he received his wounds, how shall i amend it? If revenge he sought, why did he not take it for birase r, he is strong and puissant ? Ab for Ttbert, whom I received with all friendship, if he against my will or advice, will steal into the priest's barn to catch mice, and there lose his eye*., nay, his lite, wherein is mine offence—or bow become 1 their gcarJian i Omy dread lord, you may do your royal pleasure, and however my innocence plead, yet jour will may adjudge me to what death cjiitents yoo. I am your vassal, and have no support but your mercy. I know your strength and mine own weakness, and that my death can yield yuu out smalt satisfaction, yet whatsoever your will is, tuat to me shall be most acceptable." Ai.d as he thus spake, Bvtlia the rasi stepped forth, auJ his ewe dame (Heway, and besought the King to hear their complaint; wuh them UruU the b?ar, ard all his mighty lineage j and Tibcrt the cat, Isegnm ihe wo'f, Kyward the hare, aud Panther, th? boar, the camel, aud Bruel the goose, the kid aud ti,e cjlt, Baldwin the ass, Burtte the bull, and Hamel the j os, the weaeel, Chanticleer the and Par net with all her ch.Jdren; ail th se with one enure none cryed out agaiust the fox, aud so moved the Kiog with their couipltiiuts, that the lox was taken aud arrtsttd.

Chapter XI. How the f»x was anesied and judged io death. Upon this arrest a parliament was called, and even voice went (bat JReynard should be executed; notwith standing he answered every objection severally, tbuugt gr«it ait was used botb iu one and the other, to tht wandetful admiration of all that heard him ; but wit ne&ses examiued, and every procf nude pregi.au t, the fox was condemned, and judgment was g.ven, that be should be banged tilt bis body were dead; at which sentence the fox cast down his head, for all bis jolhtj was lost, and no flattery and no woids now uieiailed. This done, Grimbard bis nephew, and divers others near him m blood (winch could not endure to see him d e), took tbeir leave of the King, and departed (rem the citut. When th- K-ng noted what galliot yuuug gen lemen departed thence, all sad and weep iig, Uciig near the fox's bluod and allinue, he said to bnnse f, " It behoves ui to take goud and n.. ure cuuu-el \ though Heynard have somj faults, yet he huh many friends and more virtues.'* As tue King was tbui thinking, t!ie cat said to the bear, ** fair Brum, and pou, sir Isegrim, why arc jo. slow in tLi» a.'cuiii n ? The even is &luiogt come, and hjie bt- many bushes a„d hedges,; if he escape and quit him sell ot ibis danger, his fcubti.ty is so great, that not all the art iu tLe wuild shall ever again tutangl- him. It you mean to execute li m, then proceed, for before the gallows can bi made it will be datk night." At these words heyrim remembering himself, said, -'There is a pair oi gallms near at hand," (atid with that ie died a deep s'gh,j vuich the cat noting, said, '* Are you afraid, sir I ejrim, or is this extcn ion against jour mind i Ua nay remember ilut it was only his wutk that both tuar wethrea were hang* d, and sure had you yum judgment, ?ou would thank him for the same, and nut ihus !>ta d :nflin(r tune." But laegiim, half augry, answered, * Your anger puts out the eve of your reason, yet had ■ve a halter tuat would fit his neck, we would soon 1 spatch him." Reynard, that had been silent a great while, said, "I Uescecb you sborun my pain; sir Tibert hath a cord strong enough, ii winch himself ivas hanged at the priest's bouse ; besides .'],• can climb veil and swift. O let him be mine execui for it leitber becomeih Isegrim nor Bruin thus to do to thtir lephew. lam sony I live to see it; but since you are set to be my hangman, play your parts aud deiay not. 3o before, Brum, and lead my way ; follow, Isegr.m, md bewaie I escape not.'' " You say wet!,' said Bruin, " and it is the best counsel I have heaid jou jive." So forth they went, and Isegrim and all his riends guarded the fox, leading him by the neck aud >ther parts of his body. When the fox lelt this usage, ie was dismayed, yet said, *' O why do you put yourselves, my best kinsmen, to this pain to do me hurt? Believe it 1 could well you forgiveness, though my sains be pleasant unto you j jet well I know, did my mnt your wife understand ot my trouble, she would or old affections sake not see me thus tomiented. But I am subject to your will, and can endure your vorst malice; as for Bruin and Tibert, I leave my revenge to justice, and jou the reward of traitors, if you do not to rue the worst of your powers, I know ny wotst fortune, and death can come but once unto me. I wish it were past already, for lome it is no Le/ror; I saw my father die, and how quickly he ramshed, therefore the worst of dean, is mmiliar to me." Then said Isegrim, " Let us go, for his curse ihall not lur llt on nj e by delaying ;*» so he on one side, md Bruin on the other, led the poor fox to the gallows ; Tibert running befo.e with ti> e halter, hop ng to be revenged ot his wrong formerly received. When they were come to the place of execution, ihe Knioand Queen, and all the rest of the nobility, tuok their place to see the fox die. Then Reynard, tail of sorrow, ind busily bethinking how he might escape that danger, and how to enthral and disgrace his proud enemies, and also how to draw the King on his party, 3ajing to himself, ** Though the King and many others have reason to be offended with me, as they have reason, for I have thoroughly deserved it, nevertheless, yet I liopc to be their best friend." During this meditation [he wolf said, *' Sit Bruin, now remember your injuii?s, take your revenge in a full measure, for the day is' come we wished for; Tibert, ascend quickly, and bring the rope to the gallows, making a running noose, fur :his day ycu shall have your will of your enemy ; and jood sir Bruin, lake heed so he escape not, whilst I nyself raise up the ladder." When all things were prepared, the fox said, " Now may my heart be heavy, lor death stands now in all his horror before me, ana I cannot escape ; my dread lord the King, and you my torercigu lady the Queen, aud you my lords that stand :o behold to see me die, I beaeeth you grant me this jhantable boon, that I may tialjck my heart before fou, and clear my >oul of her burdens so that here ifter no man may be blamed for me, wh.ch done, my lflntU will liee-tsj.'' END OF CHAP. XI.