court,
where, in dismal accents, he recounted the sad trick that
Reynard had played him.

Then said the King, "Now, by my crown, I will take such
revenge as shall make that traitor tremble;" and sending for
his counsellors, they decided that Reynard should be again
summoned to court, and that Tibert the Cat should be the
bearer of the message. "It is your wisdom, Sir Tibert, I
employ," said the great King, "and not your strength: many
prevail with art, when violence returns with lost labour."

So Tibert made ready, and set out with the King's letter to
Malepardus, where he found the fox standing before his
castle-gates; to whom Tibert said, "Health to my fair cousin
Reynard; the King, by me, summons you to the court, in which
if you fail, there is nothing more assured unto you than a
cruel and a sudden death."

The fox answered, "Welcome, dear cousin Tibert; I obey your
command, and wish my Lord the King infinite days of
happiness; only let me entreat you to rest with me to-night,
and take such cheer as my simple house affordeth, and
to-morrow, as early as you will, we will go towards the
court, for I have no kinsman I trust so dearly as yourself."

Tibert replied, "You speak like a noble gentleman; and
me-thinks it is best now to go forward, for the moon shines
as bright as day."

"Nay, dear cousin," said the fox, "let us take the day
before us, so may we encounter with our friends; the night
is full of danger."

"Well," said the cat, "if it be your pleasure, I am content;
what shall we eat?"

Reynard said, "Truly my store is small; the best I have is a
honey-comb, pleasant and sweet; what think you of it?"

To which Tibert replieth, "It is meat I little respect, and
seldom eat; I had rather have one mouse than all the honey
in Europe."

"A mouse!" said Reynard; "why, my dear cousin, here dwelleth
a priest hard by, who hath a barn by his house so full of
mice, that I think half the wagons in the parish are not
able to bear them."

"Oh, dear Reynard," quoth the cat, "do but lead me thither,
and make me your servant for ever."

"Why," said the fox, "love you mice so exceedingly?"

"Beyond expression," quoth the cat.

[Illustration: SIR TIBERT DELIVERING THE KING'S MESSAGE.]

Then away they went with all speed to the priest's barn,
which was well walled about with a mud wall, where, but the
night before, the fox had broken in and stolen an exceeding
fat hen, at which the priest was so angry, tha