CHAPTER IV
THEN spake Grymbart the Dasse, and was Reynart's sister's son, with an angry mood.
“Sir Esegrim that is evil said. It is a common proverb an enemy's mouth says seldom well. What lie you and wite you my Eme Reynart? I would that you would adventure that who of you two had most trespassed to other should hang by the neck as a thief on a tree. But and if he were as well in this court and as well with the King as you be, it should not be thought in him that it were enough that you should come and ask him forgiveness; you have bitten and nipped my uncle with your fell and sharp teeth many more times than I can tell. Yet will I tell some points that I well know. Know not you how you misdealed on the plaice which he threw down from the car, when you followed after from afar, and you ate the good plaice alone, and gave him no more than the grate or bones which you might not eat yourself. In like wise did you to him also of the fat flitch of bacon which savoured so well that you alone ate it in your belly, and when my Eme asked his part tho answered you him again in scorn,‘Reynart, fair youngling, I shall gladly give you your part’—but my Eme got nor had nought, nor was not the better. Notwithstanding he had won the flitch of bacon with great dread, for the man came and threw him in a sack that he scarcely came out with his life. Such manner things has Reynart many times suffered through Esegrim. O you lordes, think you that this is good? Yet is there more. He complaines how that Reynart my Eme has much trespassed to him by cause of his wife. My Eme has lain by her, but that is well seven years before, ere he wedded her; and if Reynart for love and courtesy did with her his will, what was that? She was soon healed thereof. Hereof by right should be no complaint, were Esegrim wise. He should have believed that he does to himself no worship thus to slander his wife. She plaines not. Now makes Cuwart the Hare a complaint also. That thinks me a vyseuase. If he read nor learned aright his lesson, should not Reynart his master beat him therefor? If the scholars were not beaten nor smitten and reprised of their truantry, they should never learn. Now complaines Courtoys that he with pain had gotten a pudding in the winter, at such time as the cost is evil to find. Thereof him had be better to have held his peace, for he had stolen it. Male qu?sisti et male perdidisti. It is right that it be evil lost that is evil won. Who shall blame Reynart if he have taken from a thief stolen good. It is reason. Who that understands the law, and can discern the right, and that he be of high birth as my Eme Reynart is, knows well how he shall reserve stolen good. Yet all had he Courtoys hanged when he found him with the menour he had not much misdone nor trespassed, save against the Crown, that he had done justice without leave. Wherefore for the honour of the King he did it not, all has he but little thanks. What scathed it him that he is thus complained on? My Eme is a gentle and true man. He may suffer no falsehood. He does nothing but by his priest's counsel. And I say you, since that my lord the King has do proclaim his peace, he never thought to hurt any man; for he eats no more than once a day; he lives as a recluse; he chastises his body, and wears a shirt of hair; it is more than a year that he has eaten no flesh. As I yesterday heard say of them that came from him he has left and given over his Castle Maleperdays and has builded a cluse; therein dwells he and hunts no more nor desires no winning, but he lives by alms and takes nothing but such as men give him for charity, and does great penance for his sins, and he is waxen much pale and lean of praying and waking, for he would be fain with God.”
Thus as Grymbart his Eme stood and preached these words, so saw they coming down the hill to them Chanticleer the Cock and brought on a bier a dead hen of whom Reynart had bitten the head off, and that must be showed to the King for to have knowledge thereof.
