He showed me his Pilgrim's Cloak and Hide, and a Hair Shirt thereunder.

 Capitulo v. How the Cock complained on Reynard.

Chauntcler came forth and smote piteously his hands
and his feathers
and on each of the bier went twain sorrowful hens
that one was called Cantart
and that toher good hen Ctrayant

they were two the fairest hens
that were between Holland and Arden

these hens bore each of them a burning tapers
which was long and straight

these two hens were Coppen's sisters
and they cried so piteously
alas and wellaway
for the death of her dear sister Coppen

two young hens bore the bier
which cackled so sorrowfully
and wept so loud for the death of Coppen
their mother
that it was far heard

thus came they together before the King
and Chauntecler then said

merciful lord
my lord the King
please it you to hear our complaint

and abhor the great hurt
that Reynard has done to me and my children
here stood

it was so
that in the beginning of April
when the weather is fair
as that I was hardy and proud
because of the great lineage I am come of
and also had
for I had viij fair sons and seven fair daughters
which my wife had hatched
and they were all strong and fat
and went in a yard which was walled round about
in which was a shed where in were six great dogs
which had torn and plucked many a beast's skin
in such wise as my children were not afraid

on whom Reynard the thief had great vexation
by cause they were so sure that he could none get of them
how well ofttimes had this fell thief gone round about this wall
and had laid for us in such wise
that the dogs had been set on him
and had hunted him away
and once they leapt on him upon the bank
and that cost him somewhat for his theft
I saw that his skin smoked
nevertheless he went his way
God amend it

thus were we quit of Reynard a long while

at last
came he in likeness of an eremite
and brought to me a letter for to read
sealed with the King's seal
in which stood written 
that the King had made peace over all in his realm
and all manner beasts and fowls
should do no harm nor hurt to any other
yet said he to me more
that he was a cloistered or closed recluse become
and that he would receive great penance for his sins
he showed me his pilgrim's cloak and hide
and a hair shirt thereunder

and then said he
Sir Chauntecler
after this time be no more afraid of me
not take no heed
for I now will eat no more flesh
for I am so old
that I would fain remember my soul
I will now go forth
for I have yet to say my Sext
None and mine Evensong 
to God I commend you

then went Reynard thence saying his Credo
and laid him under a hawthorn
then was I glad and merry
and also took no heed
and went to my children and clucked them together
and went without the wall for to walk
whereof is much harm come to us

for Reynard lay under a bush
and came keeping between us and the gate
so that he caught one of my children
and put him in his satchel
whereof we have had great harm
for since he has tasted of him
there might never hunter nor hound 
save or keep him from us
he has waited by night and day
in such wise that he has stolen so many of my children
that of xv I have but four

in such wise has this thief devoured them
and yet yesterday was Coppen my daughter
that here lies upon the bier
by the hounds rescued

this complain I to you
gracious King
have pity on mine great and unreasonable damage
and loss of my fair children