For to go to Maleperduys.

 

Capitulo vij. How Bruyn the Bear fared with Reynard the Fox.

Now Bruyn went on his way to find the fox
in the mood for trouble
well supposing the fox should not beguile him

he came to a dark wood in the waste
followed the path Reynard made
when he was hunted
there in the highlands
beside a mountain high
and Bruyn must pass its midst
for to go to Maleperduys

Reynard had many a dwelling place
but the castle of Maleperduys
was his best
his fastest burgh
there he'd lay when he had need
when he was in any dread or fear

Now
when Bruyn came to Maleperduys
he found the gate fast shut
before the gate then
he sat on his tail 
and called Reynard

Be ye at home?
I am Bruyn
the King has sent me for you
that you should come to the court
for to plead your case
he has sworn there by his God
come ye not
or bring you not with me
for to bide such right and sentence
as shall be there given
it shall cost you your life
he will hang you
or set you on the dungheap
Reynard
do by my counsel
and come to the court

Reynard lay within the gate
as he oft was wont to do for the warmth of the Sun
when Reynard heard Bruyn
then went he inward in his hole
for Maleperduys was full of holes
here one hole
and there another
and yonder another
narrow, crooked and long
with many ways to get out
which he opened and shut whenever he had need
when he had any prey brought home
or he knew any sought him
for his misdeeds and trespasses
then he ran and hid from his enemies
into his secret chambers
that they could not find him
by which he deceived many a beast that sought him
and Reynard thought to himself 
how he might best bring the bear 
into his power and debt
his charge and need
that he abide in peace

holding this thought
Reynard came out
and said

Bruyn
uncle
ye be welcome
I heard you well before
but I was in my Evensong
therefore have I the longer tarried a little
dear uncle
he has done to you no good service
and I can him not thank
that has sent you over this long hill
for I see that ye be also weary
that the sweat runs down your cheeks
there was no need
I had nevertheless come to court tomorrow
but I sorrow now the less
for your wise counsel shall well help me
in the court
and could the King 
find none less messenger but you
for to send hither is great wonder
for next the King
ye be the most gentle and richest 
of leaf and land
I would well we were now at the court
but I fear me I cannot well go thither
for I have eaten so much new meat
me thinks my belly will break
or cleave asunder
and by cause the meat was new
I ate the more

Then spake the bear

lief nephew
what meat have ye eaten
that made you so full

dear uncle
what might help you 
if I told you I ate but simple meat 
a poor man is no lord
may ye know uncle by me
we poor folk must eat ofttimes such
as we gladly would not eat if we had better
they were great honeycombs
which I must needs eat for hunger
they have made my belly so great
I can nowhere endure

Bruyn then spake anon

alas Reynard
what say we sit
ye set so little by honey
I ought to praise and love it above all meat
lief Reynard
help me that I might get a deal of this honey
and as long as I live
I shall be to you a true friend
and abide by you as far as you help me
that I may have a part of this honey.