the Hands and Heads of Reynard and Isegrim fixed upon Poles as is said The King and his Nobles being come home sat down together in the Court all of them pondering much the words of Reynard touching Belâ—ins death At length the King as one greatly perplexed said My Lords Friâ—nds it grieves me not a little that our Chapl. Bellin was long since so basely put to death and his Family ruined so as I question whether any of that Stock be now remaining in the World To Although in nocent persons may long remain injured yet in process of time the cause of their oppression comes to be known and then the â—â—dreâ—â— is nigh at hand this one of the Kings Friends who was present when Isegrim was chose chief Prelate said Soveraign Lord think not so for I am certain that many of them were living when Isegrim was made Prelate because I there saw several of them but would not be known I saw them for fear of your Majesties displeasure against them Sure said the King it is not possible I suppose your eye deceived you however if it were so then it is too probable that they are all dead since because the Sons and KIndred of Isegrim although very numerous had all of them Furr-Gowns like Bellin's which Isegrim himself wore not long after they were confirmed in the Priestly Function for many more of Isegrim's Kindred came into him after the choice of the Commons than were that day present upon the Scaffold with us and yet all these had such Fur-Gowns which they could never have had if so many of Bellin's Kindred had not been first slain and stript c. To this the same Lord replied Noble Sir I am most certain that in secret places of your Majesties Realm there are thousands of them yet living It is well if it be so said the King After this Discourse was ended the King again said Worthy Friends I too well know that we have confirmed the Priestly Office not on Isegrim only but on his whole Lineage and Kindred who are all revenous Beasts void of all goodness nay I think the worst of all Creatures living although the Fox by his subtilty blinded my eyes and Isegrims pretended demure carriage alienated my Iudgment For had honest Bellin yet lived treacherous Reynard could never have thought of working our ruin nor ever could that cursed Miscreant Isegrim have contributed any assistance to his disloyal intentions The young Prince seeing his Father speak with so great earnestness said Royal Father why is your Majesty troubled at the Advancement of Isegrims Lineage let it be signified by Proclamation that in their Father's Crime they have all forfeited their Offices and besides that upon good and sure grounds your Majesty well knows that they are the Destroyers of your Subjects and continually in their masked Habits and under a pretence of Sanctity they rob and pill them so bare as of necessity your Kingdom must be ruined if they be permitted to live in all excess and riot for of all the Beasts under your Majesties Authority there are none so debauched and vicious as they This Spéech of the Prince was seconded by several others of the Kings Friends all inveighing bitterly against Isegrim's Lineage The King hearing this said Sirs what think you is best to be done If we lay aside this Generation I mean displace them of their Offices and yet let them hold their Wealth they may in time by their Riches work us great wrong To this that Friend of the Kings Prudent advice to avoid Vulgar censure who first spake said Noble Sir to lay aside this impious stock is honourable but to take away their Wealth will have no good aspect in the eyes of the Vulgar whose censure is seldom right because they will impute their displacing to arise from no other cause then that they were rich or to speak more plainly because your Majesty was disposed to Many men willingly are blinded and by cunning Sycophants oppâ—essed because they judâ— of things aâ—â—eâ—appâ—a and not â—â— they reaâ—y are in themselves seize on all they had Therefore if your Majesty please to displace the Wolves there needs no care to be taken of the Wealth they have for if other of your Subjects whose eyes are open do but once find that they are out of your Majesty's favour which way the wealth of these Miscreants must néeds go any one without the help of Astrology may easily conjecture because whensoever they are displaced and out of favour there will be so many Complaints made of their Extortions as undoubtedly all they have will be too little to make recompence for the wrong they have done Besides if none of all this be they are such monstrous Gluttons as will be necessitated to eat up all in a short time You say well said the King I heartily believe if all those Wolves were but stript of this their disguise and compelled to put off their Furr-Gowns the Blind then would as clearly see as the Maâ—ks and Disguises constrain mâ—st men to judg amiâ—s other clear sighted Beasts you speak of It is true noble King said the same Lord pull but off the Mask there needâ— no more Well then said the King that I will not fail to do spéedily CHAP. XXIX How the King made Proclamation that no Beasts should walk disguised in other Garments than what were naturally theirs and what ensued thereupon THe next day early the King caused a Proclamation to be drawn the tenour whereof ran thus Leo Rex Whereas several of our Subjects wear Disguises and since under such Masks and false Habits many Mischiefs have been committed and some of those Persons allowed to wear such like Disguises have proved Traytors to our Royal Crown and Dignity We therefore will and command all our Subjects in general whether high or low of what state or condition so ever that after ten days next ensuing the Publication hereof they presume not to wear any Disguise whatsoever nor at any time day or night to walk clothed in other Garments than what are naturally their own upon pain of being proceeded against as Traytors to our Royal Crown and Dignity c. Having said this he dismissed the Lords who were sat in Counsel with him So the Wolves departed sad enough CHAP. XXX How the King desirous to see some of Bellins Kindred caused three of the oldest of them to be sent for c. AFter the Wealth of the Wolves was thus taken and the Kings jealousie thereabout allayed he became very pleasant and merry and in that merry mood said My When the cause of jealousie is removed cheerfulness necessarily follows Friends I should be glad to see some of the Rams Kindred therefore if any of you know them our pleasure is that he go to them and bring two or three of the oldest among them before us Then the Lord who had before told the King there were thousands of them living in
the Traytors against your Majesty Here the King interrupted him saying Treason and would have spoke more but for rage could not ot present Iu a little time his wrath abating he sternly said Who be the Traytors At which words the Panther and Libbard trembled excéedingly and said We he those Traytors who dissoyally conspired your Majesties Death The King hearing this knew not what to say but supposed they were mad Therefore he again asked them What do you accuse your selves are you Traytors Yeâ— we are said they Then the King said would you have pâ—rdon Yes said they if your Majesty so please Pleased I am to pardon all that of themselves make complaint first therefore I here pardon you how soul soever the Treason be provided you will reveal the whole â—onspiracy and Conspirators At these words they took courage and after Obeysance said We will not only reveal the whole Treason exactly from point to point as it is but will also if your Majesty will act by our advice deliver all or most of the Traytors into your own hands to deal with them as your Highness shall think fit Well said the King first let me know the Conspiracy and Conspirators So they in all points declared the whole Treason and Traytors from beginning to end as you have heard Then the King said How say you all the Lords Yes Sir said they from the highest to the lowest there was not one that coâ—sented not It is true indeed Sir Tibert was not at our Meetings but he must needs be privy to it for he is made Captain of the Scouts that are to go before the Army and undoubtedly he may be seen in or about the Court this night if a diligent search be made for him The King hearing this was above measure troubled and would often have sent for Reynard had not his eldest Son and his other Friends present perswaded him to the contrary saying We have often heard your Majesty say you have twice saved Reynard from death and that his Loyalty of late had so far repaid the Recompence of all his former Misdemeanors that you had no cause to repent of all or any your Favours Hath it not been too too often seen that some who receive greatest Benefits are most ungrateful to their Benefactors And is there not a Proverb Save a Thief from the Gallows he will hang you if he can All this is true said the King but sure our Cousin Reynard is not a Traytor To this his Son and Friends said Sir while your Majesty is of this mind the depth of this Treason can never be sufficiently known for if Reynard be sent for he will deny all and if he be guilty as we believe he is acense others most malielously and so A well meaning man cannot easily be perswnded to entertain bad thoughts of any one that hath â—ormerly been his friend as appears here by the King who would not believe that Reynard was a Traytor c. if your Majesty give credit to his words escape himself and another time put that in practice effectuâ—lly which now we have good reason to hope he can never be able to accomplish With these and the like words the King was with-dr wn from his intent of sending for Reynard the Fox Therefore he turning to the Panther and Libbard said Which way can you enervate this Treason and deliver the Traytors into our hands They answered My Lord we think it not possible to deliver Reynard himself because he already intends to come last and in surprisal of the other Lords some one or other of Tiberts Lineage will enter in among them and then seeing what is done acquaint Reynard therewith but for most of the other Lords we may make sure of before any thing of our intent is perceived if Tibert who will be sure to come this night enter not with us into Court For if your Majesty will be rightly informed by the effect and be resolved to take your Traytors acting their Treason we must have leave to depâ—rt and go to the place of Rendezvouz at the time appointed to meet the Soltiers by us levyed which will be near Six hundred with these Soldiers we with your Majesties leave will enter the Court and least Tibert should discover our intent will counterfeit a fight as against your Majesties Guard and then rushing in will by and by cry all is our own When this is done one of us will call to Tibert and send him away telling him we have slain all the Fox ordered should be slain and charge him to make haste Thus we shall accomplish all things well and undoubtedly before intelligence can be given to Reynard intangle most of the Nobles in their eâ—â—n Net CHAP. XVI How the Forces of the Lords met at the place appointed and how Firrapel and Sly-look entred the Court and ensnared most of the Confederates and among them Tibert the Cat. SIr Firrapel the Libbard and Sly-look the Panther were no sooner gone from Court but they hasted all they could to Reynard who was at home waiting their coming for the whole hindge of his business depended on their Intelligence how squares went at Court When they came near his Castle he came forth and met them and said My noble Friends you are welcome how is it you stayed so long To this they answered Most excellent Lord Reynard after we had spoke unto the King according to the Instructions we received from your self he entertained us with a large discourse of your Merits telling us how highly he was pleased with your Lordships great diligence by which he could Here is Treason repaid with Treachery take his pleasure without fear or care adding many such like expressions too long to be now recited we were constrained to stay by this occasion otherwise we had waited on your Lordship sooner All is well said the Fox you are come soon enough I would have you now to mind your Levies and see your Soldiers be all well armed for fear of the worst because you know it is ordered that you give the onset To this they replied My Lord we are ready to obey your command and so they departed about their Levies but not with the same intent as Reynard supposed So soon as it began to be dark the Soldiers in Troops repaired to the Forest where their Lords were ready to attend them and when they were all come they embatteled them as soon as was possible Reynard's Espials giving him Intelligence they were all ready he gave command for their March accordingly Sir Firrapel and his Cousin Sly-look marched out with their Six hundred Soldiers having not many Voluntiers out of the other Companies because each Lord strove to have most Soldiers Reynard met this Forlorn Hope and saluted the Leaders very courteously but spoke not loud So on they march until they come to the Court-gates When there they stand a little and make a pretended scuffle with the Kings Guard who well
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
Provision but yet I am in a very great strait if I draw all this Company into Maleparduâ— after me their number is so great as I shall not be able to hold out a long Siâ—ge especially if all the private Avenues of my Castle be stopped up as they will be to be sure if the King with his Forces shall come to sit down before it For so soon as I or my Soldiers shall be resâ—rained from forage so many mouth will quickly devour all And if I draw not in with me a sufficient number to make sallies out upon my Enemies then they will adventure to storm or blow up my Fort and what shall become of us then Truly it is an hard case Cousin said the Ape but cheer up and first of all with-draw from this place leaving the Kings high-way and beâ—ake your self and Soldiers to Covert in some by Lane that if the King pursue he may not find you Thus doing you will have some respit to determine of your March According to the Ape 's advice the Fox withdrew into a by Lane with all his Soldiers Then his Uncle again said to him Now Cousin you need fear no surprisal at least for an hour or two If you like not to hasten to your Castle and there to â—bide the brunt what is your determination I cannot at all judg it safe for us to go to the King especially whilst his rage is at such an height as it must needs be at this time Therefore I judg nothing will conduce more to our security then to protract the time the best way we can Indeed Uncle said the For. I think it will be best to do as you say but the many mouths we have to feed will endanger all Why Cousin you have a remeâ—y for that Know you not that three or four hundred in a Fort will be able to resist ten thousand in the Field Yes Uncle quoth the For I well know it yet I would have more than three hundred yea more than four hundred Soldiers if I were sure not to be blockt up too suddenly Cousin Cousin said the Ape you must determine somewhat speedily Be ruled by me I pray chuse out the weakest of your Soldiers and dismiss them and retain none with you but such as are stout and resolute Warriers To this the Fox hearkned and presently discharged thrée hundred and odd of the weakest but the strongest with him were near four hundred his Army being increased by the Run-aways who were retained still with him and because the night was far spent and he durst not abide where he was till day-light he by a swift march came toh is own Castle by break of day CHAP. XVIII How the Fox was pursued and many of his Soldiers that he dismissed taken by the Pursuers VVHen Firrapel the Libbard as is aforeshewed had routed and dispersed the Army that lay before the Court not long after it was thought convenient to send out other fresh Soldiers in pursuit of the Fox and his Company The Leader of these fresh Soldiers was one of the Kings Friends that supped with him that night He having no guide to direct him where to find the Fox bade his Soldiers to lie in wait for straglers So they did and in a short time one of them laid hold of one of Tiberts Lineage and cried out a Spy a Spy the Captain hearing this said bind him and bring him hither When he was brought bound to the Captain he asked him what he was he told him he was one of Sir Tiberts Kindred Well then said the Captain go along with us and shew us the place where that Trayterous Lord Reynard is So on they went with this their Guide to that very by-Lane in which Reynard and his Uncle Bitelas had béen but were gone Then he again examined the Guide if he knew not where they were gone The Guide told him whither they were gone he could not tell for whilst they were with their Soldiers in that by-Lane he was sent out with several others to lie as near the Court as they could to give notice if any marched out to attaque the Lord Reynard And that he having layn long thereabout did at length return to that place but found neither him nor his Soldiers except some few that were dismissed by him as they said and so were going to their own homes Which way went they said the Captain this way Sir said the Guide pointing westward from the Court and if you hasten you will overtake them for they go not fast The Captain having this intelligence from the guide commanded his Soldiers to follow close In a little time they found two or three and passing further on found several others by threes and fours in a Company this course they held till they had gleaned up almost an hundred Then the Captain fearing to be over-burthened with too many Prisoners gave command to pursue no further So he with these Prisoners hasted to the King but he had marched out so far in pursuit as it was Sun-rise ere he came to the Court. CHAP. XIX Of the Examination of the Traytors and Prisoners WHen this Captain with his party were come into the Court and the King by him understood that Reynard was fled He then fearing no Enemy commanded his Purveyors to bring Provision in abundance that he and all his Friends might eat and be merry The Purveyors mate ready as soon as was possible and the King and all his Friends dined very chearfully after this the Seâ—vitors dined and what was left was given to the Captive Prisoners but the Traytors all this while had neither eat nor drunk Therefore the King commanded that what the Prisoners left the Traytors should have divided among them This was done accordingly and they had no more any of them except Tibert who by good fortune had a Mouse given him by a certain Soldier who found it dead and trod on in the Court This present was so thankfully accepted by Sir Tibert as he promised to requite him who gave it with a greater Booty iâ— ever he had his Liberty When the King and his Friends had dined as we said The King looking on Sir Firrapel and his Cousin Sly look said Now my Noble Lords I perceive you have told me a truth you have in very deed convinced me of that which I could not otherwise have believed although my incrâ—dulity had cost me my life I thank you both for your Loyalty and all you my Friends for your faithful advice and assistance Now I judg it convenient that we first examine the Prisoners and afterward the Traytors that if we find any not guilty we may dismiss them Then Sir Firrapel stood up and said Noble Prince I do verily believe that all the Captive Prisoners are not guilty for they were led by their Lords but about what they could not tell as by Examination your Majesty will clearly find Well then said the King let Reynard's Soldiers