The most Delectable History of Reynard the Fox.

Anglo-Maori Warder, Volume 1, Issue 25, 12 October 1848, Page 4

The most Delectable History of Reynard the Fox.

Chapter XVI. How Bellin the Ram and his lineage were given to the Bear and the Wolf. To this motion of the 1 opard the King consented, so that Firapell went forthwith to th»* pris»n, where the bnnr ami 'he wolf were, and eaid. "My lords. I bring a free and general pardon from the Kimr, wi h b s io< e and a recomiitinn of your jorits, which ti iecunpense in sou e lar 2 e manner out of his prinrt-W h unl> , he is pleas d lo bestow upon you both Belli-i the p>dj and his whole generation, with whatsoever they pis. gi>sß, and ic now confiscate to hi* M»>ji*sty, *»» hold from hencefo'th to you and yours till doomsday ; with full coomiis-ion tc slay, kill, and devourth-ra wheresoever you find the®, be it in w.>eds, field*, or mountains. And also tbe King granted u»t» you full power to hunt, kill, or wound Rr rwd the f-x wheresoever you find him or any of his nease or generntion; and of this great privilege you shall recetve letters patent at your (pleasure, with only a reservation of your fealty and homage to be due 'o his Majesty, which I advise you to sccept, for it will redound much to yur honour." Thus was the peace made between the King and these nobles by the leoiard, aud Belltn the ram was forthwith slain by them; and all these privileges doth tf'e wolf hold to this hour, nor could ever anv reconcilement be made between tb ra and the ram's kindred. When this peace was thus finished, tbe King for joy thereof, proclaimed a feaßt to be held for twelve days after, which was done with all solemnity. . To this feast came all manner of w Id beasts, for it was universally known throughout the whole kingdom, nur ww there wanting any delight or pleasure that could he imagined, as "music, dancing, marking, and all princely recrea'ioos; as for several meats, they weie m that abundance, that the court seemed a storehouse which could not be emptied. Also to this feast resorted abundance of feathered fowl, and all other creatures that held peace with his M»jesty, and no one missing but the fox only. Now after this f?ast had thus continued in all pomp for the space of days, about high noon came Laprdl the coney befo e the Kiu» and Queen, as they sat at dinner, and with a heavy and lamentable voice, said, *' My gracious and great Lird, have pity upon my misery, and attend my complaint, which is of great vnlence, force, and murder, which Reynard the fox wou'd yesterday ha>e committed against me. As X passed by the castle of Malepardus, where, standing without the pates, attired like a pilgrim, I supposing to pass peaceably by him towards my nest; he crossed mj' way, siyiug liis beads so devoutly, that I saluted him; but he, returning no answer, stretched fnrtb hi? rij?ht foot, and gave me such a blow on the neck, bi'.wecu the head and shoulders, Ibat 1 imagined my bead had been stricktii from my body; but yet so much memory was left me that 1 leaped from liis claws, though most grievously hurt and wounded. At this he griend extremely, because I escaped ; only of one of my ears he utterly depri>ed me, wbtoh I be«eech your Majestj in your royal nature to pity, find that this bloody murderer nmy not live thus to afflict your poor subjects." Now whilst tbw coney thus speaking to he Ktns;, there came flying into the court Corba-it tbe 100k, who, coming before the King, sud," Great King, 1 beseech you vouchsafe to h-ar me, and pity the complaint I shall utter. So it is, that I went this morning with s/tarpbeak my wife to recreate ouiselveupon the l.eu'h, and there we found Reynard the fox laid «n the ground like a dead carcass his e) es t,U\ i»g, ! tongue lulling <u.t ot In* mouth, like a dead hound, I bo that we, wotide'ing at his ! feel and touch hU body, but, found no life thertm at t all; then went my wde (poor careful soul) and laid her

brad to his mouth, to see if he drew any breath, which she had no sooner done. but the fool murderer, awaiting his time, snatched her head into his mouth, and bit it quite off, at which I shrieked out and cried, *Wo i« me, what mis'ortunes are these ?' Bat pn~ gently the murderer started up,and reached at me with *uch a bloody intent, that with much trembling anil anguish I was fain to fly "p to a tree, where T law h'm devour up my wife in such terrible manner, that the very thought is death to me ill the repeating•'TliU mn«9acre iiuished, the murderer departed, and I went to the pl<»ce, and gathered the feathers of n»y lost wife, which I here bumbly prevent before your Mojesty, beseechiu? you to do mc justice, and i»» such manner to revenge mine injury, that the woiM may speak fame of yoor great excellence; for thu« to suffer your laws, protections, and safe conducts to be viola'ert and broken, will be such disreputation and scandal to your crown and dignity, that your vary neighbours and colleagues will note and point at your remissness; beside*, the sufferance of the evil will mske y°u guilty of the trespasses which price from such sufferance But to your great consideration I leave i f , since I know your M.jesiy's own goodness will make you careful of your honour and royalty.'* END OF CHAPTER XVI,