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There I first learned to lap of blood. It savoured well.

 


Capitulo xvj. How the Fox made openly his confession before the King, and before all them that would hear it.

All they that stood there
had pity when Reynard said these words
and said it was but a little request
if the King would grant it him
and they prayed the King to grant it him
the King gave him leave

Reynard was well glad
and hoped it might fall better
and said thus

Now help
Spiritus Domini
for I see here no man
but I have trespassed unto
nevertheless
yet was I unto the time
I was weaned from the teat
one of the best children
that could anywhere be found
I went then and played 
with the lambs
by cause I heard them gladly bleat
I was so long with them
that at the last I bit one
there learned I first 
to lap of blood
it savoured well
me thought it right good
and after I began to taste
the flesh thereof
I was filled with lust
so that after that
I went to the goat in the woods
there heard I the kids bleat
and I slew of them twain

I began to wax hardy
after I slew hens, poultry and geese
wherever I found them
thus were my teeth all bloody
after this I waxed so fell
and so wroth
that what some ever I found
that I might ever
I slew all

thereafter came I by Isegrym
now in the winter
where he hid him under a tree
and reckoned to me 
that he was my uncle
when I heard him
then reckon alliance
we became fellows
which I may well repent
we promised each other 
to be true
and to use good fellowship
and began to wander together
he stole the great things
and I the small
and all was common between us
yet he made it so
that he had the best deal
I got not half my part
when that Ysegrym got a calf
a ram or a wether
then snarled he
and was angry with me
and drove me from him
and held my part and his too
so good is he

yet this was of the least
but when it so lucked
that we take an ox or a cow
then same thereto his wife
with vij children
so that unto me might at least
come one of the smallest ribs
and yet had they eaten
all the flesh thereof
therewith all must I be content
not for that I had so great need
for I have so great plenty
of goods, silver and gold
that seven wains
should not carry it away

when the King heard him speak
of these great goods and riches
so he burned with desire
and coveted thereof
and said

Reynard
where is the riches
tell me that

the Fox said

my lord
I shall tell you
the riches were stolen
and had it not been stolen
it should have cost you your life
and you should have been murdered
which God forbid and should have been
the greatest hurt of the world

when the Queen heard that
she was sore afraid
and cried loud

alas!
and well away!
Reynard
what say ye?
I conjure you 
by the long way
that your soul shall go
that ye tell us openly 
the truth hereof
as much as ye know
of this great murder
that should have been done
on my lord
that we all may hear it

now harken
how the Fox
shall flatter the King and Queen
and shall win both their good wills and love
and shall hinder them that labour for his death
he shall unbind his pack and lie
and by flattery and fair words
shall bring forth so his matters
that it shall be supposed for truth

in a sorrowful countenance 
spake the Fox to the Queen

I am in such case now
that I must needs die
and had ye me not so sore conjured
I will not jeopardy my soul
and if I so died
I should go therefore 
into the pain of Hell
I will say nothing
but that I will make it good
for piteously he should have been murdered
of his own folk
nevertheless
they that were most principal in this feat
were of my next kin
whom gladly I would not betray
if the sorrow were not of Hell

the King was heavy of heart
and said

Reynard
say thou to me the truth?

yea

said the Fox

see ye not how it stands with me?
would you that I will damn my soul?
what should it avail me
if I now said otherwise than truth?
my death is so nigh
there may neither prayer nor good help me

then trembled the Fox
by dissembling
as he had been afraid

the Queen had pity on him
and prayed the King
to have mercy on him
in eshewing of more harm
and that he should have the people
hold their peace
and give the Fox audience
and hear what he should say
then commanded the King openly
that each of them should be still
and suffer the Fox to say what he would
without reproof
then said the Fox

be ye now all still
since it is the King's will
and I shall tell you openly
this treason
and therein 
I will spare no man
that I know guilty.










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