or are you
worse for me by anything more than the blemish of your eye, for which I
am sorry, and wished it had not happened; yet thereby know that you
shall reap rather benefit than loss thereby, for when other beasts in
their sleep shut two windows, you shall shut but one.

"As for my wife, children, and lineage, they shall fall down at your
feet before you in any presence; therefore, I humbly desire you, that
you will suffer poor _Reynard_ to live. I know you will kill me, but
what will that avail you, when you shall never live in safety for fear
of revengement of my kindred? Therefore, temperance in any man's wrath
is excellent, whereas rashness is ever the mother of repentance. But,
uncle, I know you to be valiant, wise, and discreet, and you rather seek
honor, peace, and good fame than blood and revenge."

_Isegrim_ the wolf said, "Infinite dissembler, how fain wouldst thou be
freed of my servitude? Too well I understand thee, and know that if
thou wert safe on thy feet thou wouldst forswear this submission; but
know all the wealth in the world shall not buy out thy ransom, for thee
and thy friends I esteem them not, nor believe anything thou hast
uttered. Too well I know thee, and am no bird for thy lime bush; chaff
cannot deceive me. Oh, how wouldst thou triumph if I should believe
thee, and say I wanted wit to understand thee; but thou shalt know I can
look both on this side and beyond thee. Thy many deceits used upon me
have now armed me against thee. Thou sayest thou hast spared me in the
battle; but look upon me, and my wounds will show how falsely thou
liest; thou never gavest me a time to breathe in, nor will I now give
thee a minute to repent in."

Now whilst _Isegrim_ was thus talking, the fox bethought himself how he
might best get free, and thrusting his other hand down he caught the
wolf fast by the neck, and he wrung him so extremely hard thereby, that
he made him shriek and howl out with the anguish; then the fox drew his
other hand out of his mouth, for the wolf was in such wondrous torment
that he had much ado to contain himself from swooning; for this torment
exceeded above the pain of his eye, and in the end he fell over and over
in a swoon; then presently _Reynard_ leaped upon him, and drew him about
the lists and dragged him by the legs, and struck, wounded, and bit him
in many places, so that all the whole field might take notice thereof.

At this, all _Isegrim's_ friends were full of sorro