The most Delectable History of Reynard the Fox.

Anglo-Maori Warder, Volume 1, Issue 24, 5 October 1848, Page 4

The most Delectable History of Reynard the Fox.

Chapter XV. How Kyward the Hare was slain by Reynard the Fox, and sent by the Ram to the King. Thus marched these three together, and when Reynard KB-- come to the gates of his own house, he said to Belli'i, "' Cousin, I will entreat you to stay here without a little, whilst I and Kyivard go in, for I would have him witness to some private passages betwixt me and my wife." B/lttn was well content, and so the fox and the hare went into Malepardus, where they found D me Ermetm Ijiog ou the ground with lier younglings about her, who had sorrowed exceedingly for the loss and danger of her husband ; but wlien she SiW his return, her jt-y was ten times doubled. But beholding his mail, oia star!, and his shoes, she grew imo giedt admiration, ami said, "Dear husband, how liave youiartd ?" to whom he delivered from point to point, all that had p,i&aed him st tbe King's court, as well his danger d s releuae, and that now lie was to go a pilgrimfl»f, having left Biutn and liujrtm two pledges lor him till his return. As to Kyuaul, he said the Kmg hud b*stowed upon them, to do with hnn what tbty pleased, affirming, tha' Kywatd was t e first that had complained of him, for which, questionless, ho vowid to be sharply revenged. When Kyward heard these words, he was much moved, aud would fain have fl-d away, but ci uld not, for the fox had got between him aud the gate; who prcs ntly teked the hare by the uegk, at v>hich the

hare cried unto Bellin for help, but could not be beard, fur the fox in a trice had torn out bis throat; which done, he, hiß wife, and young oues, feasted therewith merrily, eating the flesh, and drinking tbe blood to the King's health; but Ermelin, growing suspicious, said, " I fear, R<ynard, you mock tne; as you Jove me, tell me how you sped at tbe court.'* Then be told her how <xtrerae!y he had flattered the King and the Queen, and abused them with a feigned promise of treasure that was not, insomuch, that be knew when it should come to be revealed, the King would seek all the means be could to destroy him. " And thtrefore, wife," said he, "there is no remedy but we must steal from hence into some other forest where wc may live in better safety, and in a place more fruitful, where we shall have all the delicate meats that can be wished for; clear springs, fresh rivers, cool (-hades, and wholesome air; hrre I know is no abiding, and now I have gotten my thumb out of the King's mouth, I will coun no more within the danger of his talons." " Yet," said Rrmelin, *' I hive no fancy to go from hence to a place wheie I am utterly unacquainted; he<e we possess nil that we desire, and you are a lotd over all that lives about you, and it is but an indiscreet hazard to change a certain good for a hoped contentment; besides, we are here safe enough, and should the King besiege us never so straightly, yet have we so many passages and bye holes, that he cao cut from us neither relief nor liberty. O what reason have we then to fly beyond seas ? But you have sworn it, taat is my vexation.'* ** Nay, dame," said the fox, *' grieve not at thai; the more forsworn, tbe less forlorn; besides, I have heard some that a fof ceil oath is no oath, nor do I make account that this pilgrimage will avail me a rush; and therefore I am resolved, and will not start from hence, but follow thy counsel. If the King do hunt after , me, I will guard myself as well as I am able, and against h s power apply my policy; so that being forced to open my sack, let him not blame himself if ! he catch hurt by his own i'ury.*' All this while stood Bellin the ram at the gate, and | grew exceeding angry both against the fox and hare, i that they made him wait so long ; ana therefore called , out aloud for Reynard to come away, which, when ; Reynaid heard, he went forth, and said softly to the ' raw, *' Good Bellin, be not tffeutlud, for SyWard is in earnest conference with bis dearest aunt, and en- , treated me to sav unto >ou, that if ynu would please to ' walk before, he would speedily overtake you, tor be is light of foot, and speedier thin you; nor will his aunt j part with him thus suddenly, for she and her children ' are much rerplestd at my depar ure.'' "Ay, but," quoth Bellin, •• methougjit I heard Kyioard cry fur help." *' How, cry for help? <J*n you imagine he shall receive hurt in my house ? Far be such a thought from you; but I will tell you the rtason. As >oon as we were come into my house, and that Lrmclin my wife understood of my pilgrimage/ presently she fell down in a swoon, which, when Kyivard saw, lie cried aloud, * O Bellm, come help my au>.t, she dies, she dies !' '* Then sa-d the ram. '■ In sadness I mistook the cry, and thought the hare had been in danger." " It was your ti o much care of him," said the fox, " but before he should have any injury in my house, I would leave to respect either wife or children. But letting this discourse pass, you remember, Bellm that yesterday the King and his council commanded me, that before I departed from tbe land, I should tend unto him two leiiets, which 1 ha\e to make ready, and will entreat you, my dearest cou&m, to bjar them to his Majesty." Tbe mm answered, " I would w.Hingly do you the service if there be nothi g but honourable matter c mtained in your Utter ; b-jt I am unprovided of any thing to carry them in." The fox said, "That is prmided for 50U already, for you sh.lt have my mail, which you may conveniently bant; about your ntck. I kuuw they will be thankfully received of his Majesty, for they contain matter of great importance." Then Btlhn promised to carry them; *o the fox returned into hi; house, and ruok the mail, and put therein tbe head of Kyicard, and brought it to the ram, and gave him a great charge not to look the.-tin till it was presented to the King, as he expect the King's favour; and tlwt he migi>t further endear himself with his Majesty, he hade the ram take up <n him the inditing of the letters, •• which will be so jleasing to tin K-ng. that questionless he will pour upon me many favours. * The mm was exceedingly glad of this aVvce, aid thanked the fox, saying, " lhat the favour be did him should not die unrequited; and I Know * will he much to mine honour when the Kins R hall think 1 am able to indite with so great perfection; for I know there be many in these days as igmnm as myself that a:e risen to high promotion, only by taking upon them the worth ot other men's labours; and therefore why may I not run the same course also i Yet I pray yon, Reynard, further advise me ; is it meet that I ; take Kyivard the hare along with me?'* '* O by no j mc-ms," said the fox, " let him come afer tor 1 | know bis aunt 171JI not part with him. Besides, I hive other secret things to iixpait to him which muy not i yet be revealed." This 'said, Bellin took le-.ve of ihe j tox, and Went toward the court, m which journey he made such speed, th<t he came ihith.*r beforo noon, ; where he found the King in his palace sitting amongst j tbe nobility. The King wondered when he saw the ram come in with the mail which was made of the bear's ikin, and Baid, '* Whence comest thou, Bellin, and where is the fox, that you have that mail about yeu ?*' Bellm answered, " My dread Lord, I attended the noble fox to his house, where, after some repo;e, he de>irei me to bear certain latters to your Majesty of infiuite importance, to which I easily consented. Whereupon he delivered me the letters enclosed in this mail, which letters myself bad formerly indited, and I du*bt not but are such bb wi'l give your highness both cunt nt* merit and satisfaction." Presently he commanded the letters to be delivered to Bocart, bis secre;ary, who was au excellent linguist, and understood all languages, that he might read them publ.cly; so he and Tibet t the cat took the mail from Bellm's neck, and opening the same, in%tead of letters they drew out the he id of Kyuard the hare, at which, biiog amazed, they said, " Wo, and alas, what letters call you these * 3eheve it, my drtad Lord, here is nothing but the htad of pour murdered Kywartl." Which the King seeing, he sad, "Alas, how unfortunate was I to believe tte traitorous fox?" Aud with that, being uj. pressed with auger, grief, and shame, be held down his Lei J for a good space, and so did the Queen also; hut m the end, shaking his curled locks, he groantd out such a dreadful noise, that all the beasts of the forest t-id tremble to bear it. Then spake sir Ftrapt.lt the lc-fpArd, who was the King's nearest km*man, aud said, " Why is your Majesty thus vtxtd m heart? This sorrow might serve fur the Queen's luneral, I do beseech you assuage jour anguish. Are not you King and master of this country, aud are not a'l things subject to your power.'" The King replied, ■' Cousin, th.s is \ mischief beyond endurance. 1 am betrayed by a bj;,* villain, and a (miter, «ud have been made to wiong aud abuse my best Iriemis <md >ubjtrcts, evtu those of my blood, and nearest counsel; 1 nit an the btout Brum, and vah.mt Isegmn, whose wrongs speak loud to my dishonour, yet m myself I found an uu.YiUiugne.ss thereto, only my Queen's psty working

on the easiness of my belief, hath made me guilty of that which will evermore Rriove me." " Why," said ihe leopard, ".what of all this ? You are above yous injuries, and with one smile can solve the greatert wound that can be made in honour J yon have yowcr to recompense, and what reputation is it that renwd will not sawder ? An for the hear which lost his skin, the wolf, and h's wife dame Ereswine, that hut their shoes, you may in r«compense (since Beilin tatli confessed himself a party in this foul murder), bestow bim and liU suhstince ou the parties grieved. As for Reward we will go and besiepe his castle, and having arrested his persju, hang him up by the law of arms without further trial," END OF CHAFTHR XV.