CHAPTER XXXVIII

WHEN the King saw Reynart thus shorn and oiled he said to him,“Ey, Fox, how well can you see for yourself!”

He wondered thereof; he was foul to look on.

But the Fox said not one word, but kneeled down low to the earth unto the King and to the Queen, and striked him forth into the field.

The Wolf was there ready and spake many a proud word. The rulers and keepers of the field were the Leopard and the Losse. They brought forth the book on which sware the Wolf that the Fox was a traitor and a murderer, and none might be falser than he was, and that he would prove on his body and make it good. Reynart the Fox sware that he lied as a false knave and a cursed thief, and that he would do good on his body.

When this was done, the governors of the field bade them do their devoir. Then roomed they all the field, save Dame Rukenawe the She Ape, she abode by the Fox and bade him remember well the words that she had said to him. She said,“See well to. When you were seven years old you were wise enough to go by night without lantern or moonshine where you wist to win any good. You are named among the people wise and subtle. Pain yourself to work so that you win the prize, then may you have ever honour and worship, and all we that are your friends.”

He answered,“My dearest aunt, I know it well. I shall do my best, and think on your counsel. I hope so to do that all my lineage shall have worship thereby, and my enemies shame and confusion.”

She said,“God grant it you.”

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国王见列那那样的浑身光滑，对他说道：“呵，列那，你真会自己修饰！”

国王觉得奇怪，脸色很难看。

但狐默默无言，只跪在地上，向国王及王后行了礼，便起身进了决斗场。

狼已经在那里了，正在说着许多骄傲的话。决斗场的守者是豹和大野猫，他们带了书来，在书上，狼说，狐是一个奸臣，一个杀人犯，没有一个比他更坏的，并说他将以体力证明他。列那狐说，狼是一个虚伪的狡者，一个恶贼，说着谎话，他将以体力证明他。

“她用橄榄油擦他的全身。”

当这事完了时，守场官叫他们开始决斗。一切旁观者都退到场外，只有母猴绿克娜夫人还留在那里，她立在狐身边，嘱咐他记住她昨夜所说的话。她说道：“好好地留心。当你七岁时，你已经会在夜间不带灯，也没有月的去得到东西了。在人民中，你素以聪明才著名。专心尽力去赢得这个荣誉，大家都可以有光荣。”

他答道：“我挚爱的婶母，我都知道。我将竭力做去，依着你的忠言。我希望如此做去，我的全族都可以有光荣，我的仇人们将要受辱。”

她说道：“上帝把它给你！”