But it is to dread that he came not so merrily again.

 

Capitulo vj. How the King spake touching this complaint. 

Then spake the King

Sir Dasse
hear you this well of the recluse 
your uncle
he has fasted and prayed 
that if I live a year
he shall atone for it

now, harken Chauntecler
your plaint is strong
your daughter that lies here dead
we will give to her the death's right
we may keep her no longer
we will betake her to God
we will sing her Vigil
and bring her worshipfully to earth

and then we will speak with these lords
and take counsel how we may do right and justice
of this great murder
and bring this false thief to the law

then began they placebo domino
with the verses so long
which if I should say
were too long
when this Vigil was done
and the commendation
she was laid in the pit
and thereupon was laid a marble stone
polished as clear as any glass
and thereon was hewn in great letters
in this wise

Coppe
Chauntecler's daughter
whom Reynard the Fox
has bitten
lies hereunder buried
complain you her
for she is shamefully come to her death

after this
the King sent for his lords
and wisest of his counsel for to tale advice
how this great murder and trespass
should be punished on Reynard the Fox

there was concluded and appointed for the best
that Reynard should be sent for
and that he left not for any cause
but he came in to the King's court
for to hear what should be said to him
and that Bruyn the Bear should do the message

the King thought all this was good
and said to Bruyn the Bear

Sir Bruyn
I will that you do this message
but see well to for yourself
for Reynard is shrewd and fell
and knows so many wiles
that he shall lie and flatter
and shall think how he may beguile
deceive and bring you to some mockery

then said Bruyn
what good lord
too late alone deceives me the fox
so have I learned my case
I trust he shall come too late to mock me

thus departed Bruyn merrily from thence
but it is to dread that he came
not so merrily again