Capitulo x. How the King was sore angry about these complaints.
The noble King was sore moved and angry
when he heard these complaints
of the Cony and the Rook
he was so fearful to look on
his eyes glimmered as fire
be brayed as loud as a bull
in such wise that all the court quaked
for fear
at last he said
crying
by my crown
and by the troth
I owe my wife
I shall so a-wreak and avenge
these trespasses
that it shall be long spoken of after
that my safe-conduct
and my commandment
is thus broken
I was over-nice
that I believed so lightly
the false shrew
his false flattering speech
deceived me
he told me he would go to Rome
and from thence oversea to the Holy Land
I gave him satchel and staff
and made him a pilgrim
and meant all truth
O what false touches
how he stuffed the sleeve with wool
because of my wife
it was all by her counsel
I am not the first
that have been deceived by women's counsel
by which many a great hurt has befallen
I pray and command all
that hold of me
and desire my friendship
be they here or wheresoever they be
that they with their counsel and deeds
help me t'avenge this over great trespass
that we and ours may abide in honour and worship
and this false thief in shame
that he no more trespass against our safeguard
I will myself in my person help thereto all that I may
Ysegrym the Wolf and Bruyn the Bear
heard well the King's words
and hoped well to be avenged on Reynard the Fox
but they dared not speak one word
the King was so sore moved
that none dared well speak
at last the Queen spake
sire
pour dieu ne croyes
mye toutes choses que on vous dye
et ne iures pas legierment
a man of worship should not lightly believe
nor swear greatly
unto the time he knew the matter clearly
and also me ought by right hear
that other party speak
there are many that complain on another
and are in default themself
audi alteram partem
hear that other party
I have truly held the Fox for good
and upon that he meant no falsehood
I helped him
that I might but howsoever it comes or goes
is he evil or good
methinks for
your worship
that ye should not proceed against him
over hastily
that were not good nor honest
for he may escape from you
ye may prison him or flee him
he must obey your judgement
then said
Fyrapel the Leopard
my lord
methinks my lady has said to you truth
and given you good counsel
and if he be found guilty in the trespasses
that now to you be showed
let him come not hither
ere this feast be ended and excuse him
as he ought of right to do
then do as the counsel shall advise you
but and if he were twice as much false and ill as he is
I would not counsel that he should be done to more than right
Isegrym the Wolf said
Sir Fyrapal
all we agree to the same
as far as it pleases my lord the King
it can be no better
but though Reynard were now here
and he cleared him of double so many plaints
yet should I bring forth against him
that he has forfeited his life
but I will now be still and say not
by cause he is not present
and yet above all this
he has told the King
of certain treasure
lying in the Krekenpyt at Hulsterlo
there was never lied a greater lying
therewith he has us all beguiled
and has sore hindered me and the Bear
I dare lay my life thereon
that he said not thereof a true word
now robs he
and steals upon the heath
all that go forth by his house
nevertheless
Sir Fyrapal
what pleases the King and you
that must be done
but and if he would have come hither
he might have been heard
for he has knowledge by the King's messenger
the King said
we will none otherwise send for him
but I command all
them that owe me service
and will my honour and worship
that they make them ready to the war
at the end of vj. days
all them that are archers and have bows
guns
bombards
horsemen and footmen
that all these be ready
to besiege Maleperduys
I shall destroy Reynard the Fox
if I be a King
ye lords and sirs
what say ye hereto?
will ye do this with a good will?
and the said
and cried all
yea, we
lord
when ye will
we shall all go with you
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