雙語《列那狐》 5

CHAPTER V

CHANTICLEER came forth and smote piteously his hands and his feathers; and on each side of the bier went two sorrowful hens, that one was called Cantart and that other good hen Crayant, they were two the fairest hens that were between Holland and Arderne. These hens bare each of them a burning taper which was long and straight. These two hens were Coppen's sisters, and they cried so piteously“Alas and weleaway”for the death of their dear sister Coppen. Two young hens bare the bier, which cackled so heavily and wept so loud for the death of Coppen their mother, that it was very hard. Thus came they together before the King.

And Chanticleer tho said,“Merciful lord, my lord the King, please it you to hear our complaint and abhor the great scathe that Reynart has done to me and my children that here stand. It was so that in the beginning of April, when the weather is fair, as that I, as hardy and proud because of the great lineage that I am come of and also had, for I had eight fair sons and seven fair daughters which my wife had hatched, and they were all strong and fat, and went in a yard which was walled round about, in which was a shed wherein were six great dogs which had tore and plucked many a beast's skin in such wise as my children were not afraid. On whom Reynart the thief had great envy because they were so sure that he could none get of them; how well often has this fell thief gone round about this wall and has laid for us in such wise that the dogs have be set on him and have hunted him away; and once they leapt on him upon the bank, and that cost him somewhat for his theft, I saw that his skin smoked. Nevertheless he went his way. God amend it!

“Thus were we quit of Reynart a long while. At last came he in likeness of an hermit, and brought to me a letter for to read, sealed with the King's seal, in which stood written that the King had made peace over all in his realm, and that all manner beasts and fowls should do none harm nor scathe to any other. Yet said he to me more that he was a cloisterer or a closed recluse become, and that he would receive great penance for his sins. He showed me his slavyne and pylche and an haired shirt thereunder, and then said he,‘sir Chanticleer after this time be no more afraid of me, nor take no heed, for I now will eat no more flesh. I am further so old that I would fain remember my soul. I will now go forth, for I have yet to say my sixth, none, and my evensong. To God I betake you.’Tho went Reynart thence, saying his Credo, and laid him under an hawthorn. Then I was glad and merry, and also took none heed, and went to my children and clucked them together, and went without the wall for to walk; whereof is much harm come to us, for Reynart lay under a bush and came creeping between us and the gate, so that he caught one of my children and laid him in his male. Whereof we have great harm, for since he has tasted of him there might never hunter nor hound save nor keep him from us. He has waited by night and day in such wise that he has stolen so many of my children that of fifteen I have but four, in such wise has this thief forslongen them. And yet yesterday was Coppen my daughter, that here lies upon the bier, with the hounds rescued. This complain I to you, gracious King, have pity on my great and unreasonable damage and loss of my fair children!”