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When it is known how well I write a letter, even though I cannot write.

 




Capitulo xxj. How the Fox sent the head of Cywart the Hare to the King by Bellyn the Ram.

The Fox said

Bellyn
remember ye not
yesterday the King and his council
commanded me
ere I should depart out of this land
I should send to him two letters

dear cousin
I pray you to bear them
they be ready written

the Ram said

I hadn't realised
you wrote so well as that
so well you'd compose a letter
for to bear
bear it I would
if only I'd the means of bearing

Reynard said

ye shall not lack something
to carry them in
rather than they go unsent
I'll give you my pouch
I'll slip the letters inside
and hang it around your neck
ye shall have the King's great thanks
and be right welcome to him

thereupon Bellyn promised
to carry the letters for him

Reynard returned to his house
took his pouch
therein put Cywart's head
brought it to Bellyn
to deliver him into danger
and hung it about his neck
charged him not to open the pouch
if he would have the King's friendship

if ye will the King
take you into his grace and love you
say ye yourself have made the letter
inscribed it yourself
so well made and written
you shall have great thanks 

I appreciate what you're doing for me
I'll be greatly praised at court
when it is known how well I write a letter
even though I cannot write
it happens sometimes
God suffers some be worshipped
for the labour and cunning of another man
and so shall it befall me now

said the Rame

what counsel ye
Reynard?
shall Cywart the Hare
come with me to the court?

said the Fox

nay
he shall follow you anon
he may not yet come
for he must speak with his aunt
go now
go ye forth before
I'll show Cywart secret things
which be not yet known

Bellyn said

farewell Reynard!

went him forth to the court
he ran and hasted so fast
he came before midday to the court
and found the King in his palace with his barons

the King marvelled 
when he saw him bring the pouch back
the pouch made from the Bear's own skin
the King said

say on
Bellyn
from whence come ye?
where is the Fox?
how is it he has not this pouch with him?

Bellyn said

my lord
I shall tell you all I know
I accompanied Reynard unto his house
when he was ready
he asked me if I would
for your sake bear two letters for you
I said for to do you pleasure and worship
I would gladly bear to you vij.
brought he me this pouch
wherein the letters be
letters composed by my own cunning
I counselled the making of them
I trust you've seen never letters better
better contrived or inscribed

the King commanded anon
Bokart his secretary
read the letters
for he understood all manner of language
Tybert the Cat and he
took the pouch from Bellyn's neck
Bellyn had spoken with such heat
he was damp to the touch

the clerk Bokart 
unfastened the pouch
drew forth Cywart's head

alas!
what letter be this?
this my lord
is certain Cywart's head

said the King

alas
that ever I believed so the Fox

there men might see
the great heaviness 
of the King and Queen
the King was so angry
he held long down his head
and at last after many thoughts
he made so great a cry
that all the beasts were afraid
at the sound of it

spake Sir Firapeel the Leopard
somewhat related to the King

Sir King
how make ye so much noise?
ye make sorrow enough
though the Queen were dead
let this sorrow go
and make good cheer
it is great shame
be ye not a lord and King of this land?
is it not all under you
that here is?

the King said

Sir Firapeel
how should I suffer this?
one false shrew and deceiver
has betrayed me
and led me so far
have I forewrought and angered my friends
stout Bruyn the Bear 
Ysegrym the Wolf
which sore me repents
this goes against my worship
that I have done amiss against my best barons
and that I trusted and believed so much
the false whoreson 
the Fox
and my wife is cause thereof
she prayed me so much
that I heard her prayer
and that me repents
though it be too late

said the Leopard

what though
Sir King
if there be anything misdone
it shall be amended
we shall give to Bruyn the Bear
to Ysegrym the Wolf
and to Erswyn his wife
for the piece of his skin
and for their shoes
for to have good peace
Bellyn the Ram
for he has confessed himself
that he gave counsel
and consented to Cywart's death
it is reason that he pay for it
we all shall go fetch Reynard
we shall arrest him
and hang him by the neck
without law or judgement
therewith all shall be content









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