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
Reynards Soldiers This overthrow perplexed Sir Firrapel and the Prince exceedingly for the possibility of storming it seemed now to be taken away Therefore the Prince consulâ—s with all his Friends abouâ— the present Business After a little time it was agreed by went to sord up certain Soldiers to the top of the Wall with 〈◊〉 not to attempt to leap down what provocation soever was given but to shoot and sling at their Enemies if 〈◊〉 were and to espy how the Avenues belonging â—o the Castle had their inâ—let They accordingly march up round about the Castle Here is seen hâ—â—â— Assailants dvâ—â—turing toorâ—shly are taught by their own loss to be afterward more wary and met with no small provocations from the Enemy who were but few in number yet they observed what they were commanded and between whiles well viewed the Trench and over if they espyed several Bridges many in number round about yet all of them were so narrow as but one Soldier could pass a-breast upon them at once This intelligence being given to the Prince he commanded two thousand Soldiers to imploy themselves in opening the Avenues and making them wider which was speedily done then he ordered more Soldiers to ascend the Walls thereby to amuse the Enemy giving them command to shout and sling but keeping in their places Whilst this was doing he sent in six hundred Soldiers through the Avenues commanding them to fight resolutely and get over the Bridges then to slay all they found in the Castle except only Reynard himself and for their encouragement he promised them among them full one half of the Booty that should be taken Promise 〈…〉 necessary in dangerous attempts therein and that if any died in the Attempt as he hoped none would his Wife and Children should have all his part duly given to them With this encouragement they boldly entred the Avenues some of which stunk so abominably as the Soldiers were almost poysoned nevertheless they hastned forward and got to the mouths of those Holes where they plainly saw the Bridges and Reynard's Soldiers standing here and there one very near them But by the mouths of the Holes they saw another out-let one of which being opened it was found to be one of them Holes by which the For 's Soldiers were wont to enter when laden with Booty Vpon this Sir Firrapel gave command that all the other Holes whcih were as many as there were private Avenues should be opened this was accordingly done by the six hundred Soldiers who were in those Avenues but duâ—st not beware over the Bridges Now when they saw great mâ—â—bers might speedily have entrance that way to back them they were encouraged and boldly set forward Yet in the mean while Reynard's Soldiers attempted to pluck up the Bridges but because they were shot at both from the top of the Walls and also from the mouths of the Holes they could not effect what they desired Therefore as they gave back the Kings Soldiers came forward and in a very short time above one thousand got over the Bridges then they flew about like wild Beasts killing all they sound and indeed all that were in the Castle died at that time and Reynard himself was knockt down with a Battle-are by a Soldier who knew him not but his fellow seeing him about to kill the Fox said That is the Traytor himself Then that Soldier who had knockt him down led him out of the Castle and carryed him to the Prince who rejoiced excéedingly that his Enemy was taken alive After this the Soldiers that first entred had half the Booty and the residue was divided among the whole Army CHAP. XXV Of dissolving of the Army and how Reynard the Fox was carryed Prisoner to the Court and what passed after this AS soon as this work was ended and the Castle demolished the Prince sent home all those Soldiers who were raised by Summons for his Assistance immediately and thâ—â— with the two hundred Soldiers of Sir Firrapel that râ—â—rained alive and all his other Friends he marched to Court leading the Fox along with them A little before Sun-set they were all come to the Court where they were welcomed by the King with great expressions of Ioy only some sorrow was intermixed by reason of the loss of those four hundred brave Soldiers who were drowned and killed by the 〈◊〉 policy Therefore the King at that time before he sat down declared that the two hundred Soldiers yet living should be retained as a Guard for his Person and over them Sir Firrapel the Libbard should be chief commander and his Lieutenant-General of all Forces that should be raised at any time ever after when need should be But unto Sly-look the Panther Firrapel's Cousin he said As for you my Lord I intend to constitute you the Keeper of my Stores and Steward of my House After this he spake to all his Friends praising their readiness and valour and to them he promised Gifts and Rewards as soon as all his trouble was over therefore he willed and desired them not to depart until the Execution of Reynard and all the Traytors was passed When the King had ended his Speech his Son asked him if he would see the Traytor Reynard The King answered No not at this time let him be bound and diligently lookt too that he escape not Vpon this the Soldiers that guarded the Fox haled him to the Prison and there in a stinking hole chained him to a stake that was fixed in the ground Then the King royally feasted his Friends and the two Lords Firrapel and Sly-look Also to every Company of Soldiers he sent a large Pittance so they all feasted right joyfully But the Prisoners in the hearing of all this were almost pined with hunger especially Isegrim the Wolf After the Feast was over and all the Kings Servitors had supped they gave to every Prisoner a few scraps and carryed into them a small quantity of dirty water And indeed their useage was so hard as they all even wished Death rather than Life CHAP. XXVI How the Fox was brought before the King and Examined of the Answer he gave and how he and all the other Traytors were condemned ON the Morrow the King sitting among his Nobles and Friends said I suppose it is now high time that we call Reynard before us To which they all assented Therefore Sir Firrapel went to the Prison and commanded that Reynard should be brought forth His Keeper presently obeying loosed Reynard from the Stake to which he was chained and by his Chain led him into the Kings Presence The King at the sight of him was so fraught with Ire as he could not speak until a little time being passed his fury was allayed then he said aloud False Miscreant how darest thou to hold up thy head for the Fox seemingly undaunted stedfastly looked upon the King who art so loaden with Vices as the worst of all living Creatures is not more Politick
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
been so if Reynards policy had not been observed and put in practice by them Besides Isegrim for his own part carried himself so demurely and spake so seldom as even I my self was more thâ—n half perswaded he had changed his nature and with his new Gown put on another Nature directly contrary to that of his own But I now clearly see that a Wolf will be a Wolf what Coat soever he wears Therefore I am heartily glad his whole Lineage is at this time reduced to their pristine condition Nevertheless that I may not in time to come be upbraided by any The true Emblem of a Noble Prince of those ungrateful Beasts with the retaining their Treasure I will speedily order the distribution of the same among the Commons in general especially amongst those who have sustained damage by them The next day the King called all his Lords and Friends to Council where he declared his intentions of distributing the Treasure of the Wolves among the Commons and principally among such as had sustained loss or injury by them To this they all assented applauding the Kings Nobleness Then the King commanded the Lord Sly look and his Cousin Firrapel the Libbard to order the distribution thereof with as much equity as was possible Now while this was a doing the King again called his Lords and Friends about him and said Wâ—rthy Friends We unadvisedly and through false accusation condemnediour Chaplain Bellin and his Kindred therefore since our error is discovered and the Murther for which Bellin was condemned is acknowledged by Reynard that false Traytor to be perpetrated by himself it concerns us in some extraordinary manner to recompence the great wrongs that Family hath sustained for so long a time and all that through a misunderstanding of ours and through too great credulity of what we saw for though Bellin brought Kâ—yward the Hare's head to us yet the Fox â—lew the Hare and put it in his own Male and then tyed the Male about Bellins Neck through which notorious crime craftily vailed by that wretched Miscreant Reynard our judgment was deceived Bellin was put to Death his Lineage made a prey to the Bear and the Wolf and we and all our Family brought even to the brink of ruin These words were uttered by the king with so great earnestness as all his Lords and Friends were very much affected therewith therefore they said It is in your Majesties power to honour and respect them as much as you please we all will readily obey in whatsoever your Majesty shall command thereabout The king hearing them thus speak said Worthy Friends since you so readily have offred to follow our Advice and obey our Commands we accept the same kindly and therefore will now offer what we think most expedient in this case You all know we by our Proclamation have already taken them into our Protection yet you nor we our self cannot suppose that a sufficient recompence therefore since raise the Dead we cannot to the Living let us shew as much kindness as shall be convenient for when the Commons perceive that we not only protect but also respect Bellins Kindred they in imitation of us will do the like And that our respect and the good opinion we have of them may the more certainly be known to all our Subjects in general we will give command that they all behave themselves lovingly and fâ—iendly towards them so doing undonbtedly we shall unite all our meaner Subjects in love each to other and we our selves be so much the more happy This resolution of the Kings was immediately assented to and put in execution And from that day forward the Ram's Kindred walked up and down safely and found friends and friendly Entertainment in all places wheresoever they came The King himself and his Nobles observing the great Gravity of this Stock by him supposed to be utterly exstinâ— made Bellins Grandson his Counsellor all the other Nobles seeing this entertained one or more of the Ram's Kindred to be always residing in or near their own Lodgings This familiarity with Bellins Kindred wrought an alteration in the King and Lords for they heretofore were As evil Communication corrupts good Manners so on the other hand good Examples if followed produce the well-being of Mankind wont to fare deliciously and to feed on divers sorts of meats also upon slight occasions to be chalerick and angry they now seeing the great temperance and meekness of their new Sociates began to feed more sparingly and not of so many sorts at one time holding this course a while they found themselves not so prone to choler or anger as before The King observing this change not in himself only but in all his Friends and Nobles was willing to propagate it further therefore he by publick Proclamation commanded all his Subjects high and low to entertain familiarity with the Ram's Kindred also to take example by them and follow their Instructions in all things tending to sobriety and love This Proclamation was exactly obeyed by the Commons in general who ever after lived in such peace and love as the like hath searcely ever been heard of since the beginning of The height of all Happiness in this world consists in the Righteousness of King and People that Kingdom The King finding this change in all his Subjects universally was highly pleased and rewarded all his Friends nobly A POSTSCRIPT Friendly Reader IN the foregoing History I have not in any wise deviated from my first intention which was to frame a Second Part to the delightful History of Reynard the Fox which might yield thee both pleasure and profit If any one be offended let his offence be to himself my intent was not to give distaste but delight Nor have I in the foregoing History let slip any Expressions tending to the vitiating or debauching of Youth but have rather couched my words so as the intelligent may be profited and the disingenious not injured Therefore I desire this my Labour may be as well taken as meant If so I shall be encouraged to divulge a more serious piece not or Beasts but of Men so soon as time and opportunity will permit Farewell FINIS Books lately Printed for Edward Brewster at the Crane in St. Pauls Church-yard since the late dreadful fire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or the Sinner condemned of himself being a Plea for God against all the Uogodly proving them alone guilty of their own destiuction and that they shall be condemned in the great Day of Account not for that they lacked but only because they neglected the means of their Salvation And also shewing how fallacious and frivolous a Pretence it is in any to say They would do better if they could when indeed all men could and might do better if they would 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or Scriptures Self-evidence To prove its Existence Authority in it Self and sufficiency in its kind to ascertain others That it is Inspit'd of God to be the Only Rule of Faith Published as a Plea for Protestants in the Desence of their Profession and intended only for the use and instruction of the Vulgar sort The Doctrine of the Bible The History of Reynard the Fox The History of Guy Earl of Warwick A useful Table of Expences Moses revived a Treatise proving That it is not lawful and therefore sinful for any Man or Woman to eat Blood viz. the Life-blood of any Creature c. Natural and Artificial Conclusions Mr. Ball 's Catechism with the Exposition Mr. Roger's Righteous Mans Evidence for Heaven 1â— Christian advice both to Young and Old rich and poor which may serve as a Directory at hand ready to direct all persons almost in every state and condition under 17 general useful heads By Tho. Mocket M. A. Basilius Valentinus last Will and Testament which was found hid under a Table of Marble behind the High Altar in the Cathedral Church of the Imperial City of Erford leaving it there to be found by him whom Gods providence should make worthy There is now in the Press two very useful Books The Apostolical History containing a narration of the Acts of the Apostles By Samuel â—radock B. D. fol. A Prospect of Divine Providence By Tho. Crane octva
especially I think I have done it to purpose You have indeed good Cousin replied the Wolf and I and mine shall always acknowledg our selves beholding to you not only for the time present but ever after during life But how I shall pass the censure of the commons I cannot tell Tush said the Fox let me alone for that do but follow my advice and all shall be well your advice Cousin said the Wolf that I will as long as I have breath Well then quoth the Fox do thus first of all trim your self handsomly then take Bellin's furr Gown and make it as fit to your body as is possible that head ears and all may be covered having done this those Beasts which before hated and fled from you will now follow love and adore you especially if you under that garment conceal your Covetous Persons are easily perswaded to disguise themselves and to dissemble their churlish natures for effecting honour and prâ—fit own churlish nature pardon me Uncle that I speak so Good Cousin said Sir Isegrim think not that I will take offence where I am to take advice Well then if it be so said the Fox I will proceed further I beseach you good Uncle as you love your self and me shew not your teeth at any time when you are among the 〈◊〉 in the day time in the night use your liberty Provision must be had You speak wisely saith the Wolf I could never have thought of all this but good Cousin tell me what I shall do when I come to say masse the hoarsness of my voice will bewray me O good Uncle said the Fox are you so weak as not to find an excuse for that tell them to whom you are to read that you have gotten a grievous cold I but Cousin said the Wolf that excuse will serve but once Ah Uncle said Reynard if you mean to thrive in your office you must not stick to lye apace Besides you being chief need not appear above once a year your children and the youngest of your kindred have not so hoâ—rse a voice as you when they grow old they must read but seldom but now being young they will stand you in good stead if they be exactly cloathed with the Gowns of Bellin's kindred otherwise Uncle all is nothing worth and be sure to give them the same advice I now give you that is not to shew their teeth in the ray time c. Indeed Uncle I wonder you should think the excuse of saying you have a cold will not hold water do you not well know that the Ram's Kindred have colds often and cough much It is true good Cousin said the Wolf I well remember it for when I went to hunt for any of them in the night I usually was directed to the place where they were by their coughing Well then said Reynard I hope Uncle you own my Counsel as right and good Yes with all my heart Cousin said Isegrim but now I think of it you spake of my Children and Kindred I perceive not as yet that any thing was said of them by the King and Lords at this last counsel Uncle said Reynard you seem to be very serupilous and to doubt where there is no cause know you not that every Captain puts who he will in place under him and why not every chief Prelate Blame me not good Cousin said Isegrim for I fear the Commons so soon as they hear my name will all cry out Not Isegrim not Isegrim Well Uncle said the Fox if that be your suspition we will seek some way to avoid what you most fear I my self will hasten to the King and acquaint him what hath passed between us as also with this most material cause of fear and when I have communed with him for some time I will request him to send for you then do you be sure to come with Bellin's Gown exactly fitted to your Body into the Kings Presence and doubt not but the success shall answer your desire In the mean while let us both go home to our Râ—pasts and early in the Morning I purpose to go to the King do you wait in readiness at home till you are sent for So the Fox returned to his Castle and the Wolf to his own house CHAP. III. How the Fox communed with the King touching Sir Isegrim's doubt and thereupon Sir Isegrim was sent for to Court and created Earl of Pitwood EArly in the morning the Fox came to Court and being suddenly admitted after obeysance made he said Hail my Soveraign Lord. The King seeing him looked pleasantly upon him and said what are you and your Uncle good Friends Yes said the Fox I humbly thank your Majesty all malice and rancor is laid aside and all the evening last I was instructing him how he should behave himself in this high Office your Mâ—jesty hath conferred upon him You did well Reynard said the King but did you mind him of wearing Bellin's fur Gown Yes noble Sir said the Fox and he is so far resolved of it tâ—at I judg ere this he hath fitted the Gown to his own body If so saith the King it is well then there is no doubt but he will be well liked of I have given commandment already that the heads of all the families of the Commons be summoned to appear here after the third day now next coming Therefore I would hâ—ve Sir Isegrim be reâ—â—â— at the time appointed Then the Fox said ready he will be to be sure aâ—d â—f he observe all that I advised him to wâ—â—â—â—â—doubtedly gain the Commons to be on his side Nâ—â—eâ—heless there is one thing which troubles him and mâ—kâ—s me suspiâ—iâ—us also and that is lest when your Majâ—â—â— shall present him by the name of Sir Isegrim which name â—ll the Commons know they immediately not miâ—â—ing his Garment or Person cry out No Isegrim â—o Isegrim 'T is true Reynard said the King this is a considerable matter and I wish I could remedy the sâ—me Sir sâ—id the Fox you may very well for if your Majesty be pleased to honour him with the title of Count it matters not of how mean a place he shall bear the name of that place and not his own name any longer Well then said the King I will do so here is a Wood not far from this place near his own house and it is called Pitwood that Wood I will settle upon him and his heirs for ever and he shall be created Eâ—cl of Pitwood Therefore send for him immediately to come before us Then Reynard stepping forth called to Sir Tibert who waited in the Court and commanded him to go presently and bring Sir Isegrim to the Kings presence Sir Tibert ran speedily to the House and when he had entred the House and saw Sir Isegrim he knew him not until he had more strictly observed his countenance and disage then he knew him and said Certes I knew you not Sir in this new fashioned Gown
the King hath sent to speak with you presently So away went the Wolf and Tibert the Cat to the Court. When they came there Reynard the Fox came forth and conducted his Uncle into the Kings presence and said here most noble Prince is your lately made chief Prelate is he not very trim and neat Yes Cousin Reynard said the King I like him passing well but had you not told me how he was dressed I should scarcely have known him sure his beard is shaved or else he seems younger than when we saw him last Mighty Sir said the Fox I advised him to trim himself thus judging it most convenient besides I have given him other particular Instructions which I hope he will observe Then the King turning to Sir Isegrim said assuredly Sir Isegrim you have found our Cousin Reynard to be your most faithful friend not only by advising you what to do but also by informing us how to assure and confirm that honour on you which we and our Lords have bestowed so freely on your self and on no other and that is by conferring a further title of honour that so your name so dreadful to the Commons may be laid aside and your other Title being unknown to them find acceptance and applause with them all The Wolf hearing this bowed so low as his mouth touched the ground then raising himself a little he began to speak in this manner Most puissant King how infinitely am I obliged to your Majesty and to the noble Lord Reynard here present and that in a time when I least of all expected any favour from your self and less from him whom I hated therefore I here before your Majesty beg his pardon of whose loyalty your Majesty hath undoubtedly had sufficient testimony otherwise your Princely wisdom could not have embraced one rendred so vile by me and other of your Subjects for which I here again humbly beg your Majesties pardon Sir Isegrim Sir Isegrim you are already pardoned said the King therefore rise up for Sir Isegrim had prostrated himself on the ground and hearken to what I shall further say I have not only pardoned you already but I do now also besides the honour of chief Prelate confer on you the Earldom of Pitwood which Wood you undoubtedly know for it lies near your Manston House that Wood I give to you your heirs and successors for ever and after the name of that Wood so shall you be called ever after and your old name Isegrim shall be no more mentioned but your title shall run thus Count of Pitwood Lord Paramount and for brevity sake you shall be called Lord Pitwood When the King had ended his speech Isegrim almost ready to leap out of his skin for joy knew not what to say but bowing himself with great reverence to the King and the Fox he in all humility acknowledged the Kings immense bounty toward him and the Foxes great love he would never forget besides he added that in the exercise of his Function he would study nothing so much as the Kings interest and that of his own profit he would be always least mindful with many other such like protestations yet in all these he lyed egregiously as you shall hear anon CHAP. IV. How the Bear and the Cat offended at the great Honours of Sir Isegrim conspired his death and how the Fox pacified them till the great Assembly of the Commons was over VVHen the rumour of the Wolf 's great Preferments was spread among the Nobles Sir Bruin the Bear and Sir Tibert the Cat hearing thereof stomacked the matter not a little And therefore reasoned among themselves thus How much is this Caitiff the greatest murtherer of all Beasts advanced to Honour above us if we suffer him to abide in this height we must necessarily be his Vassals besides how great soever our grievances be we can never find redress because the Fox his great friend is the Kings only Favourite so that every way we are like to suffer not only by himself but also by the Fox who is now so much his Intimate as he can crush us at pleasure and when we would complain the Fox perhaps will take our Petition but the King shall never see it Having thus reasoned they sate silent for some time until at length the Cat with a courage undaunted thus spake Noble Sir Bruin you are mighty and I am crafty it is not to be doubted but if you and I agree together we may acquit our selves of this burden Well said Cousin Tibert quoth the Bear if you can propose the way I will endeavour to follow your proposal Why Sir said the Cat the way I would have you take is this go unto Sir Isegrim and congratulate his happy advancement expressing as great joy and affection as is possible then invite him to your Castle to dinner and when he hath dinned for I know he will eat so long as until he is scarce able to stir invite him to walk telling him it is for his health out into the Forest where when you have him in a convenient place fall upon him and tare him to pieces Oh Sir Tibert said the Bear I am fraid to set upon him alone for he is devillish fierce and for all that I know may kill me Good Uncle said the Cat fear him not I will follow close after you and when you have got him down I will tare out his throat I 'le warrant you Well then said the Bear if you will be as good as your word follow me I will go to Sir Isegrim presently So they both hasted and got to the Wolfs house in a short space When they were thither Evil men once advanced are mortally hated of their friends because they also see no ho hopes of sharing with them in honor and profit but if once they see a probability of their own advancement they flatter and basely crouch to those whom they just before would have killed as appears by this Chapter come they found the Lord Reynard and Sir Isegrim together for they were discoursing about several weighty matters The Fox observing the countenance of these two Guests to be filled with hatred howsoever they covered the same with a dissembled cheerfulness began to speak to them in this manner Noble Friends had I not been engaged here with my Lord Pitwood for so his Majesty will have him called ever after I had ere this time sent for you to acquaint you with his Majesties royal intention concerning you both for so soon as this great Convention is over which now will be as you very well know the next day after to morrow our puissant King royally intends to honour you Sir Bruin with the Earldom of the Forests an honour which the greatest of Subjects must needs hold himself well contented with And for you Sir Tibert he intends to make you Steward of his house and if that like you not he purposeth to command the Earl of Pitwood here present
not hear them before the other Rooks who were accused were also come down off the Trèes and brought to the Bar. Now said he to the Witnesses let us hear what you can say We my Lord said one of them were eye-witnesses of what hapned to the young Dawes for they came all to the doors of their houses and there looked one upon another until at length striving as it seems to fly before they were able they all tumbled down headlong Now indeed we seeing they were fallen and dead took up every-one of us one of them and carried them home because we knew they were dead When these our Kinsfolks who are now arraigned came home we told them the whole story they allowed of what we had done because that was free booty yet to avoid the ill-will of our Neighbours they would not suffer us to fetch up any more of their dead bodies Now it is true that some of the Dawes flying over to us did see many of us the Witnesses eating of the dead bodies of their Children and therefore without one word speaking they falsly affirmed to your Lordship that we had slain their children and robbed them So then said the Fox you deny you have robbed them yet confess you eat the dead Younglings Now where are stoln goods to be found but in the possession of the Thief Therefore by your own evidence you have condemned your selves and I can do no less in equity than to condemn you all to be strangled as a just recompence for your heinous Massacre When he had said this the Fox's Attendants strangled every one of them in a moments time but their dead bodies were delivered Crafty men willingly forgo and readily give away what is not their own nor ever like to be in their possession as here is evident by the Fox who gives the Dawes the Rookes Nests because he knew not how to come at them by Tâ—le into the Lord Reynard's Kitchin The Dâ—wes seeing what was done rejoiced greatly and bowing themselves to the Fox said Honoured Sir we are infinitely bound to your Lordship for that you have so justly avenged our cause on the Murtherers of our Children The Fox answered I could do no less sor I plainly perceived they were guilty both of Murther and Theft therefore I give you all the Houses and Goods remaining of these Miscreants although indeed my own Pexquisites that you may ever after liveâ—secure from such treacherous Neighbours Now when the Dawes had humbly thanked the Fox they took their leaves and departed and from that day forward would never after have any Fellowship with Rooks. CHAP. XI How the Fox liberally bestowed what he got among the Nobles and of the Communication that was held by them at a general Meeting THe Fox in this manner handling all matters so as When aspiring Subjects abound in Wealth the Kings royal person and power is lyable to great danger which way soever the scale turned profit should redound to him partly by Brides taken privily on both sides and partly by the Forfeitures of the condemned had got together an infinite mass of Wealth Then knowing his own great Riches he aspired to advance his estate yet higher yea even above his Master that had honoured him so highly and had given him power sufficient to endanger his own Crown and Dignity Therefore to proceed surely as he thought to his before-imagined Grandeur he shews himself much more liberal than formerly enrighing all the Nobles and their Followers and Retinue among which he most of all gratified Sir Tibert the Cat giving to him very largely By this liberal giving he was the only eminent person in the land as they who were so greatly benefited by him judged that was endued with Wisdom Policy and great Riches To Pitwood the Wolf though he had wealth enough of his own he also forgat not to send several Presents not once or twice but oftner He holding this course with the Nobles was not in the mean while unmindful of waiting often on the King and with smooth words and a lying pretâ—nce of honesty to â—ull him asleep even to a Lethargy of security for the King being old and hearing no complaints was well pleased that he had constituted a Substitute who was able and willing to free and discharge him of all trouble Thus the Fox concealing his intent seemingly behaded himself most uprightly and indeed he was so circumspect as he would never divulge his mind until he saw a manifest occasion offer it self very plainly Some time being passed the Nobles were all met together at the Lord Pitwood's house to which Meeting the Fox came not but attended on the King whether necessitated thereunto or purposely is not well known At this meeting the Fox's great worth was highly magnified and Pitwood himself extolled him to the skies adding withal that he was fit to rule a Kingdom These words being minded by those who judged all he said to be true spurred them on to speak disloyally of their Soveraign Therefore Bâ—uin the Bear broke his mind Also the Princes security is the disloyal Subjects advantage and whensoever any man in power is magnified by other potent men above his Master and the King his Master evil spoken of actual Treason is ready to be produced as this Chapter clearly shews thus He is indeed a most worthy person and is more mindful to recompence and pleasure his Friends than the King himself for what gives he to any of us If we bring him Presents he for the present only thanks us and afterward never more thinks of us or our Present but the Lord Reynard expects no gifts from us and yet is never weary of conferring Benefits on us To this Bittelas the Ape assented for he was newly come from Rome and said My Nephew the Lord Reynard is not only wise but courteous affable and exceeding mindful of Benefits yea and where he neither hath nor can expect to have reaped any commodity there also his benevolence is largely extended It is true indeed said Firrapel the Libbard and his near Kinsman Sly-look the Panther owned as much At length one among them said if a vacancy should happen shall we not do well to elect Reynard for our lawful King Yes said another we may do well in so doing but it is not time to talk of such matters as yet No no said Pitwood the Wlof we shall endanger our Heads by such a discourse as this if it should happen to come to the Kings ear Besides for us to imagine such a thing before we consult with the Lord Reynard thereabout to know whether he will accept of our good endeavours and stand by us in it and assist us with his wealth and friends I judg it a very great imprudence if not a rash and hazardous folly To these words of his they all assented and for that time spâ—ke no more thereabout CHAP. XII How Bitelas the Ape informed Reynard of all that passed
After this the bowing himself began to speak thus Worthy Friends it is well known unto us all that we have need of the Commons for as no man can work without hands so we can never accomplish what we intend without the assistance of many more than we out selves are Also for procuring their assistance we must not publickly invite or solicite any or otherwise hire and list as is usual in such Cases Therefore there is but one way left us and that is best and will be most secure The way is this Let every one of us here present by promise and reward oblige as many of the Commons as we can telling them we require their assistance in a private quarrel and therefore would have them be ready but secretly in Arms till we do call for them This way will both conceal our design and our selves until we Here it appearâ— that Flattery and Dissimulation are necessary concomitants of Treason for had not the Fox waited on the King as formerly his absence had given cause of suspition think good to disclose our selves and it The Nobles hearing the Foxes proposal approved thereof and highly praising his Wisdom said They would put in practise what he had so prudently advised to Then he again stood up and said Worthy Friends if you think good to put in practice our advice we also judg it expedient that all speed possible be used because delay may produce danger and indeed such designs as this should be as soon executed as thought on Therefore I request you and as Confederates adjure you to use all diligence this evening and all day too morrow to oblige as many as you can and then to meet here to morrow-night that we may determine what to do and appoint the hour in which we will set about the business and dispatch it Having said this the Meeting broke up and the Lords went forth one by one as privily as they could CHAP. XIV Of their last meeting and how they determined to surprise the Also Misereants before they attempt dangerous Designes forecast how in secure themselves if it happen their intentions befrustrated as here is evident by the â—ox his â—ortilying and furnishing his Castle to abide a siege if need should be King and Court the next night following THe next day the Fex went to Court and tarried with the King until Dinner-time then with great submission and seeming Loyalty he took his leave of him who doubting nothing dismissed the Fox with great chearfulness When Reynard came home he was not idle but stayed at home all that day not only to view the Fortifications of his Castle for he under pretence of repairing it had already fortified it strongly which he liked well but also to examine his stores of Provision observing what was deficient and supplying the same that day that if need were he might abide a Siege to the confusion of his Enemies as he still stedfastly hoped Therefore such Soldiers as he levied privily he kept there with a plentiful allowance of all that was needful CHAP. XV. How Sir Firrapel the Libbard and his Cousin Sly-look revealed the whole Treason to the King c. ON the morrow when Sir Firrapel and his Cousin met they both looked less theerful then they were wont and therefore asked each other the cause of his sadness The Libbard first spake thus Cousin I am troubled with the thoughts of what we are going about for I consider we have no reason to be Traytors Relenting thoughts in Conspirators prove dangerous to grand Projectors to our Soveraign because he never in the least degraded or injured us but always admitted us as Friends and Companions and indeed he is a Prince deserving the love and not the hatred of all his Subjects much more of his Lords and in an especial manner of the Lord Reynard and his Uncle Isegrim since called Pitwood But now engaged as we are we are in such a streight as what to do I cannot tell Then the Panther said Truly Cousin I know not what to think I have been so perplexed all this night with the consideration of my Disloyalty as I am now even at my Wits end If we bewray the Plot to the King he is so well conceited of the Lord Reynard as he will not believe us and so we are in danger of death for falsly accusing him who is the falsest of all living and will not stick to ruin all us so he may but escape himself Besides his language is so smooth and he is so crafty and subtile as it will be impossible to prove a tittle of all we can say against him No no said the Libbard if we having declared all to the King request him to detain us in his Court but for one day until our Loyalty be proved or disproved and in the mean while not be known we have bewrayed the Plot we when the time appointed is come may look over the Battlements and call to Sir Tibert who will be sure to lie very near that he may give intelligence telling him the King and his Sons are dead the Lord Reynard may now come in securely then we shall quickly sée our selves out of danger and the Authors of our trouble brought to condign punishment Cousin said the Panther I like your counsel well but if we be detained in Court all day and come not with our Soldiers in the Evening to the place of Rendezvouz Reynard will presently smell the matter and let fall his present design but immediately run to Court and accuse us 'T is true indéed said the Libbard we are in a bad case if we reveal the Treason and it is very hazardous if we reveal it not and any other do our danger will be the greater Therefore since we are so straitned it is better for us of these two Evils to chuse the least and speedily to reveal the Treason let the event be what it will To this the Panther consented and so they went together to Court When they were come before the King and This Chapter shews that some men are easily wrought upon to consent to Treason yet will very un willingly put the same in practice but rather to save themselves reveal the whole Conspiracy as here the Libbard and Panther did had vowed themselves they thought to have spoke but neither of them could for shame and grief The King noting their dejected Countenances said Friends why are you so sad O Sir said the Libbard the consideration of your Majesties clemency and our own unworthiness is the cause of our present grief Why said the King speak you thus Because Sir said the Panther we have been so unworthy and indeed so false to your Majesty as to know of a Treason intended against your Royal Person Crown and Dignity for at least four days and not to reveal it and that which most of all perplexeth us is that we gave our consents and promised to aid and assist
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
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
Cousin Sly-look to command their Soldiers to make ready for a March for he would speedily march to Malepardus to be avenged of the Traytors Reynard and Bittelas When the Soldiers were ready the King sets out first with his eldest Son Kinsfolks and Friends then followed Sir Firrapel and his Cousin with their Soldiers of whom and of Servitors one hundred were left in the Court to keep Guard there and secure the Prisoners When all that were appointed for this Expedition were gone forth the Court-gates were diligently shut and the King himself being foremost made an halt and turning him to his Son said Son I this day commit the leading of the Army to your self that if possible you may have the honour of finding out and subduing the crafty and Trayterous Varlet Revnard Therefore lead as you please we all will follow as well as we can So this young Prince bowing himself to his Father and Friends said no more but maâ—rh on Sirs And indéed he led so hard without speaking ought as he got within fight of Maâ—â—pardus before Noon When he saw the place he stood still and so did they all Then â—he King said now Son it will be good to rest here a while and 〈…〉 mean time to consider wâ—â—t we have to do First of all 〈…〉 do our best to learn of what strength our 〈…〉 â—hether it be best to besiege or assault thâ—◠〈…〉 if we do not one of these our labor will 〈◊〉 purpose 〈◊〉 will not come forth to fight us we must either 〈…〉 with our Soldiers so by length of 〈…〉 them or suddenly with fire sword endeavour to force the Castle and so drive them forth His Son said my Lord to send out Scouts to discover what they can is most necessary but to begirt the Castle we have not Forces enough neither is that convenient at present because we know not the private Avenues and Holes belonging to the Castle how far they are extended Here is shewed the danger of attempting any thing in War without good advice And how beneficial a right understanding of the Enemy's condition is for a future management of Martial Affairs and so they may happen to lie within them and by that means when we only expect an Enemy before us they issuing out assault us behind and on every side suddenly It is well thought on said the King Therefore send out some of the nimblest Soldiers to espy whether they see any passing to from the Castle So Spies were sent and charged to lie close at a good distance from the Castle round about In a little time they discovered several Beasts laden with Provisions to pass in by holes under the Walls of Malepardus and others not loaded coming forth further off and among those Scouts there was one who see the Earth cast up just before him he lying close a little while at length see Reynard himself putting forth his Head but he espying that the Coast was not clear drew back then did this Scout leap to the Hole but the Fox had stiled it up so in that short time the Scout could not so much as put in one hand He by this set a mark and lay still at length he spyed one of Reynard's Soldiers coming forth of another hole a little further off him he suffred to come quite out and then immediately seized him and carryed him to the King Others of the Scouts saw like passages and some of them took of Reynard's Soldiers three or four other that were laden and going to the Castle When all the Scouts were returned it was found by their Relation that none went into the Castle laden by those private holes but by larger holes just under the Castle-walls The King hearing this examined the four Prisoners that were taken laden with Provisious fiâ—st they tell him that the Fox and his Uncle Bitelas were within the Castle and that with them the Soldiers in number were not above Three hundred seventy-five in all and that he had store of Provisions of all sorts yet fearing that would not be enough one half of the Soldiers were yesterday imployed in foraging and the other half to day withal adding if his Majesty were pleased be might take near an hundred of them with their booty in a short time for near so many were still out and had not returned since morning because they who went out yesterday had so alarum'd the Country thereabouts as near home nothing could be got Then the King immediately sent out a great Party here and there to lie in wait on every side Having done this he examined the Soldier that was taken coming out of an hole that lead from the Castle He said that the Lord Reynard as he still called him being informed by the Soldiers who returned into the Castle with their Booty that there were lyers in wait and that your Majesty was near with an Army was resolved to go forth by that Avenue where he was seen to put out his head to see whether the report was true and finding by his own experience that it was too true he presently commanded me to run to the Soldiers that are yet out and bid them to retire into Covert till night and then come home this I had done had I not been taken as your Majesty sees So the King gave command to secure the Prisoners yet that they should be used well After this the King again consulting with his Lords determined to send a Summons to Reynard to deliver himself and Castle into the Kings hand This Summons they judged convenient to send speedily before the Fox knew what strength the King had least in the night he should work them some mischief So Sir Firrapel the Libbard Traytors having forseited their Lives grow desperate and will hearken to no Summons but at the hearing therof are the more enraged with what Company he pleased was appointed to Summon the Fox to deliver up his Castle Sir Firrapel accordingly took forty Soldiers with him and came as near to the Castle as he thought he might with safety and called aloud Sir Reynard Sir Reynard his Majesty commands you to deliver up your Fort with all the Ammunition you have into his hands this night otherwise he is resolved to use all extremity to force it By that time he had ended his Speech a shower of stones was poured down upon him and his Soldiers which hurt many of them and doubtless had they been nearer would have killed most of them Sir Firrapel thus answered hastens to the King and shews him some of his Soldiers wounded Vpon this the King resolves to be revenged therefore said to his Son Son I see it will be long work and we have not soldiers enough to lay a close Siege Therefore when those you have sent out be come in encamp your selves as securely as you can either in the place where you are or further off from the Castle not failing to keep good Guard
persons dissemble their feâ—r till an aggravation of their them relent vile Was it not enough for you base Traytor to insinuate into my affections so far by Dissimulations as now I have great reason to judg as to engage me to invest that monstrously wicked and cruel Beast Isegrim with an Office due to the best of Creatures and Title so honourable but also to perswade me to create perfidious Bruin Earl of the Forests and last of all as if before you had not been vile enough to instigate these and all my Nobles at once against me and all this for your own base ends which can never be accomplished Have I honoured you for this end Or would any Creature living have thought that he who I most honoured would have conspired my Ruin most What sayest thou to this To this the Fox said not one word but at last hung down his head The King said speak wretch or I will pronounce Sentence against you speedily At last the Fox said My Lord I have so many Enemies that it will be in vain to say any thing contrary to what they have affirmed and since I know I must die I here before your Majesty declare I am guilty of what is laid to my charge and would have slain your Majesty for which I am now right sorrowful if my design had not been frustrated by the Treason of Firrapel and his Cousin It is enough said the King call in all the other Traytors that as they all conspired together so they may together hear their Sentence of Death justly to be pronounced against them and then their Execution shall quickly follow So all the Traytors were brought in Then did the King with the advice of his Friends in this manner proceed to Iudgment Since you are now all together except Bitelas the Ape who died a death too honourable for his Merit we judg it meet you should all hear your Sentence at one time Therefore Reynard first hearken to your Sentence Because you have Trayterously endeavoured the Subversion of our Government and Royal Dignity I condemn you to Death in this manner to be executed upon you First you shall be dragged contumelously from this Place to the Place of Execution and there your right hand shall be cut off afterward you shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead dead After death your Head shall be cut off and together with your right hand be set up in publick view on some conspicuous place for a terror to all Traytors for the future Vnto the Wolf he also repeated the above-said words and pronounced the same Sentence exactly in all points But on all the other Traytors he only pronounced the Sentence of Death in manner and form as you have heard except in cutting off their heads and right hands which was not mentioned in their Sentences After this the Prisoners were taken away until the place and time of Execution was fully determined and agreed on by the King and his Friends CHAP. XXVII Of the Fox's Consession and the Execution of himself and all the Traytors IN the Evening of the same day that Iudgment was given the King and his Friends again consulted together about the place and time of Execution At length it was agreed on that the place should be on the outside of that Forest out of which the Traytors marched to put their design in execution And the time the next morning early In the mean while that all things should be provided in readiness and the Prisoners have notice of their death so near approaching Now when the Morrow was come and the King and his Friends were gone before to take their standings commodiously to avoid the Press which they knew would be great The Fox himself and all the other Traytors were led out of their several Prisons then were their legs and hands tyed the Halters with which they were to be hanged were fastned about their necks and by them they were dragged with houtings and shouts of the multitude to the place of Execution When there Ladders were erected against the Trees which were more than enough to hang all the Traytors and each Prisoner by his Executioner led up those Ladders and immediately the Executioners fastned the ropes to the Trees supposing they must be hanged as soon as they came there because it was the custom of their Country in other Cases to hang Malefactors presently but the King spake to the Executioners and said Be not too-hasty if any of the Prisoners will purge himself by Confession he shall have as free liberty as any one of our Subjects hath who dieth on his bed The Fox hearing this said The King having said this ordered the Executioner to do his Office so he immediately cut off Reynard's right hand and afterward turned him off the Ladder In the mean while the King spake to Sir Isegrim the Wolf and said Isegrim have you any thing to say before the Executioner do his Office Nothing Sir said the Wolf looking roguishly except that I was drawn in by the Fox's subtilty and his great promises made me forget my Loyalty to your Majesty and readily to absolve both him and Sir Bruin of their oath of fidelity sworn to your Majesty and by me administred Oh execrable Villain said the King what durst you release any Subject of his sworn fealty to us After this the King would not hear him any further but spake to the Executioner and said Dispatch this Varlet out of my fight quickly So the Executioner presently cut off his hand and then turned him off the Ladder Next to him Sir Bruin the Bear was asked if he had ought to say but he answered No and so was quickly turned off After him all the rest in order were asked if they would say any thing before they died but they all answered They could say no more than they had already said in their Examination therefore they were all turned off After it was supposed the Traytors were dead the King gave command they should be cut down and their bodies buried in one Pit Accordingly they were all cut down being all stark dead except Tibert the Cat who stirred a little therefore his brains were beat out by one of the Guard and the bodies of them all were thrown into one Pit except the Heads and right Hands of Reynard and Isegrim which were carryed to the Palace and there set on Poles placed on the uppermost Tower of the same so high as they might be easily seen by all that passed by the Court. Thus have you as true an account of these matters as ever was given by any man that saw them not If you would know what this grand Treason produced peruse the following Chapters which will inform you more plainly than can be expressed without a Fable CHAP. XXVIII How the King and all his Nobles returning home ruminated the Fox's Confession and what was the effect of their consultation VVHen the Traytors were buried and
secret places said If it be your Majesties pleasure to see any of Bellins stock I can easily satisfie your Majesty therein for I am familiarly acquainted with many of them especially with Bellins Grandson and two more of the Eldest of them who by reason of their discretion have retired themselves from the fury of the Bear and Wolf and live safely in a small piece of ground well fenced The King hearing this said Send for the three you speak of or go your self and fetch them So that Lord immediately went to the Meadow where they three dwelt alone and first saluted them as he was wont at other times afterward told his Errand withal in what condition the Wolfs Kindred stood and how they were like to lose their Offices suddenly They knowing the realty of their Friend doubted nothing but went along with him to the Court. When they were thither come they by the same Lord were brought into the Kings presence who looking cheerfully upon them said I am glad to see you indeed for I supposed you had been all destroyed before this time I do confess when I gave my consent to the publishing that Edict I thought I had done that which was right but since understanding by the Traytor Reynards own words that he was the Murtherer of Kayward and not your Father I heartily repented of what I had done Therefore before you depart from us we will And a good Pâ—â—nce having once câ—nsented to the wrong of other through the perfidiâ—â—â— actings â— tâ—eacherooâ— persons is never satiâ—fied till he hath compleatly recompenced that wrong as tar as is possible aholish that law and every part of it totally as if it had never béen Accordingly that Law was repeâ—let and â—â—de vâ—id that very day and Proclamation made that if any Bâ—ust whatsoever committed any out-rage against any of Bellins Lineage young or old they thould die for it Vpon this these three persons were so well satisfied and assured of their peace and safety as they came â—ily to vâ—sit this Lord and sometimes went in to the King himself owning his favour and protection as the greatest happiness that could befall them Also the King himself delighted in their company very much for séeing their simplicity and good behaviour he was not weary of seeing them but rather thought they were long â—bsent if he saw them not once a day CHAP. XXXI How the Wolves behaved themselves in their Offices after the Date of the Proclamation was expired and how they were suddenly ruined By this time the ten days expressed in the Kings Preclemation were fully ended and the Wolves much against their wills had laid a side their Disguises Vpon this whensoever any one of the Commons came to any of their Houses to commune with them or present them any 〈◊〉 so soon as he saw the Wolf not masked he would run away as hard as he could and acquaint all he met that he went to one of the Prelates Sons and sound none in his house except a Wolf loâ—king gastly upon him The Wolvâ—s â—erceiving they were utterly undone if their Cilenâ—s should be coustantly thus frighted knew not what course to take therefore the subtilest of them when any of the Commons came either to see them or to pay their â—â—es or to present them with ought laid themselves down pretending they were not well and that they might not be seen as they were they spread over them a Coverlet of some other skin as if they were laid in a Sweat by the Phisicians order and so under that would speak advising them to leave what they brought in such or such a corner of the House This shift held water a while but long it could not for the most inconsiderate and the youngest of the Wolves would rather run the hizard than be stâ—â—ved therefore they again put on their Gowns and such as came to them then were not frighted as the other who saw them without those Gowns had been But so soon as this was blâ—zed abroad some of Bellins friends Wolfish Natures when openly seen are abominable to all came to the Houses of these foolish Wolves and well marking them said nothing but went and immediately informed against them offering to prove their contempt of the King and his Lawe When this their Relation was heard by the King he sent for those Wolves and after proof made of their contempt he hanged up Seventéen of them for no more were then taken the other being fled for fear The Execution of these terrifled all the other so as if you would have perswaded them with an assurance of never so great seerâ—siâ— to have put their Gowns on again but for one minute they would not have done it nay they absolutely hated that Gâ—â—b ever after By this means the Wolves were in extreâ—m penury and needs must so be for in a very short time it was known to all the Commons that the Liueage of Pitwood and be himself had been and were all very Wolves and that Furr Gown which Pitwood himself wore and all the Gowns of his Lineage were the true and natural Garments of Bellin and Bellins Kindred which Garments they took from them as often as any one of that Race fell into their hands The matter being thus clearly known the King had no need to think of displacing them because their Officeâ— fell from them immediately after it was fully understood what they wâ—â—e For all the Commons did not only fly from â—â—rm but also hardâ—d together against them if in the day-time any one of them stirred abroad he was in danger of his Life thâ—â— all eâ—â—ing A Wolf a Wolf kill him kill him This hard usâ—ge made the Wolves to keep close and not be seen abroad at all in the day-time 〈◊〉 they of necessity must go forth to purvey for food and accordingly they did but always in fear of being taken so as they ever after led a poor and miserable Life until they eâ—ther died or were forgot CHAP XXXII How the King rejoycing at the Wolves ruin distributed their wealth among the Commons and then openly shewed his love to Dâ—lin's Kiâ—dred and commanded all his Subjects to fellow their-Instructions c. WHen the King saw the effect of his Proclamation what a ruin it had brought on Isegrims Lineage he was highly contented in his mind and said to that Lord who before said Pull but off the Mask and there needs no more now my Friend the Mask is off and there needs no more With that the same Lord bowed himself and said Your Majesty is now freed from the â—are of displating them But who would have thought they should so suddenly have been ruined How could it be otherwise said the King certainly the Traytor Reynard well knew that Isegrim would never have been admitted by the Commons into his Office had he not worn that Disguise For Isegrim and his whole Tribe were always hateful to the Commons and would always have