n you to the court, to
answer many foul accusations exhibited against you, and hath taken a
great vow, that if you fail to appear to this summons, your life shall
answer your contempt, and your goods and honors shall lie confiscate at
his highness's mercy. Therefore, fair kinsman, be advised of your
friend, and go with me to the court to shun the danger that else will
fall upon you."

_Reynard_, lying close by the gate, as his custom was for the warm sun's
sake, hearing those words, departed into one of his holes, for
_Malepardus_ is full of many intricate and curious rooms, which
labyrinth-wise he could pass through, when either his danger or the
benefit of any prey required the same. There he meditated awhile with
himself how he might counterplot and bring the bear to disgrace (who he
knew loved him not) and himself to honor; at last he came forth, and
said, "Dear uncle _Bruin_, you are exceeding welcome. Pardon my slowness
in coming, for at your first speech I was saying my even song, and
devotion must not be neglected. Believe me, he hath done you no good
service, nor do I thank him which hath sent you this weary and long
journey, in which your much sweat and toil far exceeds the worth of the
labor. Certainly had you not come, I had to-morrow been at the court of
my own accord, yet at this time my sorrow is much lessened, inasmuch as
your counsel at this present may return me double benefit. Alas, cousin,
could his Majesty find no meaner a messenger than your noble self to
employ in these trivial affairs? Truly it appears strange to me,
especially since, next his royal self, you are of greatest renown both
in blood and riches. For my part, I would we were both at court, for I
fear our journey will be exceeding troublesome. To speak truth, since I
made mine abstinence from flesh, I have eaten such strange new meats,
that my body is very much distempered, and swelleth as if it would
break."

"Alas, dear cousin," said the bear, "what meat is that which maketh you
so ill?"

"Uncle," answered he, "what will it profit you to know? The meat was
simple and mean. We poor men are no lords, you know, but eat that for
necessity which others eat for wantonness; yet not to delay you, that
which I ate was honeycombs, great, full, and most pleasant, which,
compelled by hunger, I ate too unmeasurably and am thereby infinitely
distempered."

"Ha," quoth _Bruin_, "honeycombs? Do you make such slight respect of
them, nephew? Why