carry fare to you and me yet if he partake not of part of our Wealth he may in time prove a bitter enemy Likewise Sir Firrapel the Libbard and Sly-look the Panther are esteemed great yet we well know that some small pittance from us will be so thankfully accepted by them as we shall ever after oblige them firmly to us And Uncle it is a very necessary point to be thought on for if we be diligent in obliging Friends so mighty what is it we may not do Yet you must be sure to be mindful of your own Servitors that they may not repine at your wealth especially look into your Secretaries profits if they be not large enough to content him you must add more till he holds himself well contented For he who would retain the greatness he at present hath must not forget to reward his Attendants so as they never utter one word in his discommendation Cousin said the Wolf I well understand you and purpose to put in practice what you have advised So for that time they parted and the Wolf distributed his Goods among the before-recited Nobles as freely and as liberally as ever Wolf did And the Fox according to the advice he had given himself did also largely reward those of whom he thought he stood in greatest need or in time to come might have occasion to use and in his bounty exceeded the Wolf by far CHAP. X. How the Fox behaved himself in his Office and of two Causes by him decided THe Fox who knew it was no less wisdom to keep what is gotten than to get the same notwithstanding his other affairs which now by reason of his Office were many waits and tends upon the King as formerly always making great Protestations of his Loyalty touching which the King doubted not at all the Fox had so craftily insinuated himself into his affections All being well on this side we now come to speak of his Decision of Causes and manifest differences among the meaner sort of Subjects And of these at this time we mention only two After this there happened a great difference betwéen certain Daws and Rooks. The occasion take as follows In an high Tower appertâ—ining to a Country-Town where men formerly had dwelt a company of Dawes took up their habitations and had dwelt there so long as until they became very numerous Right against this Tower wère planted Elmes which in length of time were grown up to a very great height in the upper part of which at first a few and afterwards many Rocks butâ—t Nâ—sts â—nd setled their These two kinds kinds being so near Nâ—ighbouâ—s at length grew into acquaintance and familiarity one with another the Rooks pretending great kindness to the Dâ—wes were by them admitted into their Houses and sometimes feasted the Rooks likewise invited thâ— Daws to them feasting them after the same manner This reciprocal entertainment continued a long time until a scarce and hard Season came Then the Rooks watching their opportunity when the old Dawes were gone forth for it was Spring-time and they had young ones being greatly pressed with hunger agreed all together to rob the Dawes and fearing the noise of the young Dawes would bewray their intentions it was resolved among them first to kill all they found in every house With this resolution they all at once flew out and one or two of them went into every house and slew all the young ones some of which in carrying out they let fall by reason of their haste but as many as they could hold they carryed into their own Nests and returned immediately and took away all the Provisions they could find which was not much by reason of the scarcity of the time and carryed that home also Then with speed some of them flew out to purvey as at other times but by reason of their own hunger mâ—de haste home By this time were the old Dawes also returned with provision for their Young whom they never more saw alive Therefore smelling the deceit some of the boldest of them flew over to their Neighbours and coming unawares upon theâ— could easily see the torn limbs of their children Others of them flying again downwards espied under the Tower-walls several of their younglings lying dead At this they were all so much enraged as had not some of the wisest among them dissâ—aded them from it they would have suddenly in an hostile manner assailed their Enemies Therefore they took up this resolution namely that they would complain of their Grievances to the King of Beasts But after it was told them that the King himself would not meddle in their matters because he had deputed his Cousin Reynard they all fly to him and lighting on a Trée nighth the place of Iudicature they called aloud Iustice Noble Lord Reynard Reynard being informed of this Cry immediately came forth and sitting down said What is the matter They said my Lord avenge our cause of those persidious Rooks who have slain our Children and robbed us of all our substance To this the Fox replied how shall I know your complaint is just unless I also hear those that be accused At this they all flew away home and being there called to their Neighbours the Rooks telling them they must appear before the Lord Reynard To this the Rooks answered that was no lawful Summons nevertheless they would not stick to appear being sufficiently able to clear themselves So some of the oldest of the Rooks flew first to the Court of Iudicature the Daws seeing that made haste after them When both had lighted on Trees as near the Foxes seat as they could the Dawes as before exhibit their complaint To this the Rooks answer My Lord these Dawes here present belye us shrewdly for we as well as they were gone forth to purvey for Necessaries but their young ones intheir absence crawled out and fell down and so died some of which are to be seen at this present broken to pieces against the Stones and this is the cause why these Varlets accuse us who are as innocent as your Lordship To this the Fox answered it is strange that all the young ones in every house should at one time be alike disposed to crawl out I suspect the truth of this matter and cannot acquit you unless you can by substantial Witnesses evidence the truth of your Assertion Then the oldest of the Rooks said My Lord we are able to produce Witnesses enough some of which saw this downfall of the young Dawes Go to then said the Fox produce them Then hasted one or two of the Rooks and in a short time produced all the rest of their It is dangerous for guilty persons to come within the Judg his power fellows who had an hand in the former Massacre of the Dawes When these Witnesses were come the Fox commanded them down to be sworn Therefore down they came though unwillingly and after they were sworn and ready to give evidence he would
be first called So when they were brought before the King his Majesty asked them how they durst take up arms against himself Some of them answered they were hired Soldiers hired by the Lord Reynard and by him led forth the last night but about what or for what cause they never knew till some of the other Lord's Soldiers run in among them saying the whole Army was either killed or taken then indeed said they we mistrusted we were led against your Majesty but yet of that could not be assured because those that fled from before the Court-gates unto us could not tell who were their Enemies only they said they who set upon them came all out at the Court-gates The King hearing the simplicity of their answer dismissed them and all the other Prisoners strictly charging them to be ready at his Summons when he thought good to hunt the Traytor Reynard They all bowing themselves promised they would couragiously fight against the Kings Enemies So they all departed safely to their own homes This being done the King said now my Friends I perceive that this is Reynard's work it is managed so craftily for I plainly see that not one of the Commons is guilty of this Treason because they knew not what they went about Therefore let the Lord Pitwood be first called So Pitwood was brought in before the King and his Friends with Bellin's Gown on his back quaking and trembling The King no sooner saw him but he sternly said Pull off the Villain 's disguise that we may see him as he is Then did Sir Firrapel Mâ—â—essctors oâ— base spirit and â—lâ—ttonâ—â— dâ—spositions are in their affâ—ction more dejected than others and the â—ercour of punishment is most â—â—eâ—â—â—s to such because thâ—â—â—â—exation â—â—seth not â—â—m the hoâ—â—â—â—â— and â—etesâ—â—â—on oâ— their â—oâ—eâ—aised evils but from a sense of being utterly depâ—ived of liberty to persist in that courseâ— of liâ—e and his Cousin Sly-look immediately tear off Bellin's Gown and when all the Company saw it was Isegrim the Wolf they laughed heartily As soon as they were all silent the King said Thou wretch what moved thee to conspire my death who from a low and vile estate advanced thee to so great Honour Is Treason Religion Or is Murder and Treason virtue in a Priest At these worâ—s the Wolf was so frighted as he pist for fear At length he said The Lord Reynard gave me presents often and often spake to me that I should commend him before the Lords and at length perswadâ— them to establish him in the Royal Throne And was that all said the King Yes all indeed Sir said the Wolf and then pist again except that we must with hired Soldiers who must know nothing before-hand of the Business come hither and kill your Majesty and all the Royal Family and then set the Crown on Reynard's Head Enough enough said the King Take away the Villain and chain him to a stake and so keep him with bread and dirty water until I call for him So the Keeper who had charge of this Prisoner took him away and bound and fed him according to the King's will CHAP. XX. How the Fox with his Soldiers made incursions the next day so eagerly on several of the Neighbouring Beasts that they complain to the King DVring the time the Fox was in prosperity and had abundance of all things either given by way of Presents or obtained by Delinquents forfeitures the Neighbouring Beasts that dwelt not far from Reynards Castle had rest and peace and therefore without fear were wont to walk abroad in the day-time all there about But when Reynard was fled home in fear and great danger with his Soldiers intending there to abide a Siege and protract the time as long as was possible for he knew he was now uncapable of mercy he on a sudden set forth with two hundred Soldiers who he commanded all to go silently along by the Hedges which encompassed a large Warren where many Conies dwelt These Conies fearless and suspecting Commonly the most peaceable feel the first strokes of War nothing played and skipped about in the Sun-shine as they were daily wont to do but suddenly Reynard with his Soldiers rushed in among them and flew two hundred outright presently all which he bore away to his Castle And immediately returned again where several She-goats fed their young ones all which young ones he and his Soldiers seized and carried home Many other Incursions he made that day further into the Country and made great havock and spoil At this all the Neighbouring Beasts were alarum'd and resolved to stand upon their defence But when they understood by the eldest of the Goats and Conies who it was had done their Neighbours this great wrong they resolved joyntly to go together to the Court and complain to the King for by this time they had all notice of Reynard's Treason and Rebellion and therefore had no doubt but they should be heard So they in the Evening come in troops to the Court-gates where the Guard seeing them demand the cause of their comming thus in multitudes They answer We are come to complain to his Majesty of the great Outrages Reynard and his company have committed So the Guard acquainted the King who immediately came forth to them saying Who is it that hath wronged you The Conies answer If your Majesty be pleased to hear us we will truly declare what we have suffred The King said speak we will hear you Then one of the eldest among them said Dread Soveraign We your Majesties peaceable Subjects being imployed about our occasions in tending our young ones drew them forth to take the Air in the morning the Traytor Reynard lying in wait as it seems with many Soldiers suddenly slew two hundred of us for so many young and old are missing and bear away the Bodies to his Castle of Malepardus for there we saw him plainly go in with all his Soldiers every one of them bearing one of our dear Friends and Kinsfolks dead this we could not have known had not some of us adventured to run after them to see which may they went and who they were Thus spake the Conies The Goats also made a like complaint of sudden surprising their Kid before they were aware And all the other Beasts who had sustained wrong exhibited their Complaints with tears in their eyes earnestly requesting his Majesty to take compassioon of them and to avenge their cause of such a bloody Murtherer The King in a rage shaking his curled locks said Be content if I live I will avenge my self and you on that cursed Traytor Reynard to morrow by this time if possible So they bowing themselves very submissively departed CHAP. XXI How the King with his Kinsfolks and the Soldiers of Sir Firrapel and his Cousin Sly-look marched out of the Court to Malepardus and there summoned the Fox to surrender himself EArly in the Morning the King willed Sir Firrapel and his
SECOND PART OF THE Most Pleasant and Delightful HISTORY OF Reynard the Fox Containing Much Matter of Pleasure and Content WRITTEN For the Delight of Young Men Pleasure of the Aged and Profit of all To which is added many Excellent Morals Here read the Fox his Nature and his Art Who in this Story acts the greatest Part. Him here you find advanced highly and In this his Grandeur for a time to stand Till he aspiring further Treachery Contrived and did for his Treason die LONDON Printed by A. M. for Edward Brewster at the Sign of the Crane in St. Pauls Church yard 1672. TO THE READER Courteous Reader IT is well known that publick Works necessarily undergo a publick Censure and how diligently careful soever any Man is who exposeth this or that to the view of all he shall meet with praise or dispaise more frequently according to the understanding or affection of the Censurer than according to the worth or invalidity of what he presents Therefore since I beg not the Patronage of any nor would I by any Man be misunderstood and so causlesly censured as an impertinent Writer I have to the subsequent Work which I was minded to have committed to the Press without Marginal Notes added a Moral or Exposition of my own in doing which I hope no Man will be so disingenious as to wrest my words to a sense contrary to my true and proper intent I in the following History aim not at the reproach or slander of any Man or Men whatsoever but do only desire thy Content and Recreation with delight and profit Farewell Read and peruse this Little Book when care And pensive thoughts to be expelled are THE CONTENTS HOw the King and Reynard the Fox consulted together about chusing a chief Prelate in the place of Bellin the Ram and how Isegrim the Wolf was chosen c. Chap. 1. How the Fox advised the Wolf and his Children to wear Bellin's Gown and the Clothing of Bellin's Kindred Chap. 2. How the Fox communed with the King about Isegrim's Doubt and thereupon Sir Isegrim was sent for to Court c. Chap. 3. How the Bear and Cat conspired Sir Isegrim's Death c. Chap. 4. Of the Assembly of the Commons c. Ch. 5. How the King feasted his Nobles Chap. 6. Of the Discourse between the King and Reynard about the advancement of the Bear and Cat c. Chap. 7. How the Fox Bear and Cat were honoured c. Chap. 8. How the Wolf went to Malepardus to discourse with his Cousin Reynard c. Chap. 9. How the Fox behaved himself in his Office and of two Causes decided by him Chap. 10. How the Fox liberally bestowed what he got c. Chap. 11. How Bitelas the Ape informed Reynard of what passed at a Meeting of the Lords Ch. 12. Of the Discourse between the Fox and Wolf and of another Meeting of the Lords Chap. 13. Of their last Meeting and how they determined to surprise the King and Court c. Chap. 14. How Sir Firrapel the Libard and his Cousin Slylook revealed their Treason to the King Ch. 15. How the Forces of the Lords met at the place appointed c. and how the Traytors were surprised Chap. 16. How the Fox consulting with Bitelas the Ape returned to his own Castle c. Chap. 17. How the Fox was pursued c. Chap. 18. The Examination of Traytors and Prisoners taken c. Chap. 19. How the Fox and his Soldiers made Incursions c. Chap. 20. The King Summons the Fox to surrender his Castle c. Chap. 21. The Fox assaults the Kings Camp in the Night c. Chap. 22. The King proclaims all Traytors that assist Reynard c. Chap. 23. How the Fox's Castle was stormed and all but himself killed and he taken alive Ch. 24. Of the Dissolution of the Kings Army and how the Fox was carryed Prisoner to the Court Ch. 25. The Fox examined Chap. 26. His Confession and Execution as also of all the other Traytors c. Chap. 27. How the King and the Nobles ruminated the Fox's Confession Chap. 28. How the King made Proclamation no Beast should walk disguised c. Chap. 29. How the King caused three of the Ram's Kindred to be brought before him c. Chap. 30. How the Wolves were suddenly ruined Chap. 31. How the King distributed the Wealth of the Wolves among the Commons and then openly shewed his love to Bellin's Kindred c. Chap. 32. THE SECOND PART Of the Pleasant and Delightful HISTORY OF Reynard the FOX CHAP. I. How the King and Reynard the Fox consulted together about chusing a chief Prelate in the place of Beâ—â—in the Ram who as you heard in the former Part was convicted of the murder of Keyward the Hare though falsly and so put to Death and how Isegâ—im the Wolf was made chief Prelate c. The Fox and be reconciled NOW after the Fox his Vidory against Isegrim the Wolf he was not only honoured by the King and all his Subjects with the Title of Lord Reynard â—â—t elâ—e grew very inward and familiar with the King himself insomuch as none could â—e admitted to any private conference with his Majesty unless he first made way by the favour of the Lord Reynard Most puissant King the cause of my silence was not because I was unwilling to undergo any charge or trouble for the good of your Majesty and whole Kingdom but because I was ashamed of the discord that had been between my Lord Reynard my self and some other of your Loyal Subjects about matters not worthy to be mentioned in so noble an Auditory for that cause only was I silent We said the King remit and forgive all that hath passed between my Lord Reynard Sir Bruin your self or any other and will have no more mention made thereof My Lord Reynard hath highly commended you to me which surely no enemy would do He hath also praised Sir Bruin so as I will not forget to honour him also And for Sir Tibert because he is swift of foot and fit for imployment also politick and subtil I as soon as opportunity serves will think of some office wherein he may benefit himself and please me With these words they were all highly contented the Wolf gave his hand to the Fox in token of friendship the Bear and Cat also shook hands with the Fox After these Ceremonies were passed they all sate down And by a General Vote Sir Isegrim was chose chief Prelate CHAP. II. How the Fox advised the Wolf and his Children to wear Bellin's Gown and the cloathing of Bellin's kindred THe Fox and Wolf being thus reconciled held a counsel together how they might strengthen each other in the power they had thus obtained The Fox begun his discourse in this manner My most dear Uncle I remembring the wrong I did you more than once and now by the Kings favour having an opportunity to recompence you and my Cousin Bruin but you