CHAPTER XIII
AT the first when it was known in the Court that Reynart the Fox and Grymbart his cousin were come to the Court, there was none so poor nor so feeble of kin and friends but that he made him ready for to complain on Reynart the Fox.
Reynart looked as he had not been afraid, and held him better than he was, for he went forth proudly with his nephew through the highest street of the Court, right as he had been the King's son, and as he had not trespassed to any man the value of an hair: and went in the middle of the place standing before Noble the King and said—
“God give you great honour and worship. There was never King that ever had a truer servant than I have been to your good grace, and yet am. Nevertheless, dear lord, I know well that there are many in this Court that would destroy me if you would believe them; but nay, God thank you, it is not fitting to your crown to believe these false deceivers and liars lightly. To God mote it be complained how that these false liars and flatterers nowadays in the lord's Courts are most heard and believed, the shrews and false deceivers are borne up for to do to good men all the harm and scathe they may. Our Lord God shall once reward them their hire.”
The King said,“Peace, Reynart, false thief and traitor! How well can you bring forth fair tales! And all shall not help you a straw. Ween you with such flattering words to be my friend, you have so oft served me so as you now shall well know. The peace that I have commanded and sworn, that have you well holden, have you?”
Chanticleer could no longer be still, but cried,“Alas, what have I by this peace lost!”
“Be still, Chanticleer, hold your mouth. Let me answer this foul thief. Thou shrewd fell thief,”said the King,“thou sayest that thou lovest me well: that hast thou showed well on my messengers, these poor fellows, Tibert the Cat and Bruin the Bear, which yet are all bloody; which chide not nor say not much, but that shall this day cost thee thy life. In nomy Patris et Christi filii.”
Said the Fox,“Dear lord and mighty King, if Bruin's crown be bloody what is that to me? When he ate honey at Lantfert's house in the village and did him hurt and scathe, there was he beaten therefor; if he had willed, he is so strong of limbs, he might well have be avenged ere he sprang into the water. Tho came Tybert the Cat, whom I received friendly. If he went out without my counsel for to steal mice to a priest's house, and the priest did him harm, should I abyou that, then might I say I were not happy. Not so, my liege lord. You may do what you will, though my matter be clear and good; you may siede me, or roast, hang, or make me blind. I may not escape you. We stand all under your correction. You be mighty and strong. I am feeble, and my help is but small. If you put me to the death it were a small vengeance.”
Whiles they thus spake, up sprang Bellyn the Ram and his ewe Dame Olewey, and said,“My lord the King, hear our complaint.”Bruin the Bear stood up with all his lineage and hisfellows. Tybert the Cat, Esegrim the Wolf, Cuwart the Hare, and Panther; the Boar, the Camel, and Brunel the Goose; the Kid and Goat; Boudewyn the Ass, Borre the Bull, Hamel the Ox, and the Weasel; Chanticleer the Cock, Pertelot with all their children, all these made great rumour and noise, and came forth openly before their lord the King, and made that the Fox was taken and arrested.
