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Meat and Drink flowed, there were Plays and Esbatemens.

 


Capitulo xiij. How the King held his feast, and how Lapreel the Cony complained unto the King about Reynard the Fox. 

To this great feast came all manner of beasts
for the King did cry this feast over all that land

there was the most joy and mirth that ever was had among beasts
there was danced mannerly the hovedance to the shawm, trumpet 
and all manner of minstrelry

the King did order so much meat
that each and every found their fill
and there was no beast in all his land
so great or small
but there he was
and many fowls and birds also
and all that desired the King's friendship were there
saving Reynard the Fox
the false red pilgrim
which lay in wait to do harm
and thought it was not good for him to be there

meat and drink flowed there
there were plays and esbatemens
the feast was full of melody
one might lust to see such a feast

and right as the feast had lasted viij. days
about midday came in the Cony Lapreel before the King
where he sat at the table with the Queen
and said sorrowfully for all there to hear

my lord
have pity on my complaint
which is of great force 
the murder Reynard the Fox
would have done to me yestermorrow
as I came running by his burrow at Maleperduys

he stood before his door without
like a pilgrim
I supposed to have passed by him peaceable
to this feast
and when he saw me come
he came to meet me saying his beads
I saluted him
but he spake not one word
but he reached out and dubbed me in the neck
between mine ears
that I thought I should lose my head
but God be thanked
I was so light I sprang from him
with much pain from his claws
he glowered 
angry he no longer held me
though I escaped him
I lost mine one ear
and I had four great holes in my head
of his sharp nails
that the blood sprang out
and that I was nigh all a-swoon
but for the great fear for my life

I sprang and ran so fast from him
that he could not overtake me

see my lord
these great wounds
that he has made in me with his long nails
I pray you have pity on me
and that you will punish this false traitor and murderer
or else shall there no man go and come 
over the heath in safety while he haunts it
rules it false and shrewd


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