雙語《列那狐》 11

CHAPTER XI

“NOW go forth, Grymbart, and see well before you. Reynart is so fell and false, and so subtle, that you need well to look about you and to beware of him.”

Grymbart said he should see well to.

Thus went Grymbart to Maleperdays ward, and when he came thither he found Reynart the Fox at home, and Dame Ermelyn his wife lay with her whelps in a dark corner.

Tho spake Grymbart and saluted his Eme and his Aunt, and said to Reynart,“Eme, beware that your absence hurt you not in such matters as be laid and complained on you; but if you think it good, it is high time that you come with me to the Court. The withholding you from it can do you no good. There is much thing complained over you, and this is the third warning; and I tell you for truth, if you abide to-morrow all day, there may no mercy help you. You shall see that within three days that your house shall be besieged all about, and there shall be made before it gallows and rack. I say you truly you shall not then escape, neither with wife nor with child, the King shall take all your lives from you. Therefore it is best that you go with me to the Court. Your subtle wise counsel shall peradventure avail you. There are greater adventures fallen, ere this; for it may hap you shall go quit of all the complaints that have been complained on you, and all your enemies shall abide in the shame. You have often done more and greater things than this.”

Reynart the Fox answered,“You say sooth. I think it is best that I go with you, for there lacks my counsel. Peradventure the King shall be merciful to me if I may come to speak with him, and see him under his eyes. Though I had done much more harm, the Court may not stand without me; that shall the King well understand. Though some be so fell to me ward, yet it goes not to the heart. All the council shall conclude much by me. Where great Courts have been gathered, of kings or of great lords, whereas needs subtle counsel, there must Reynart find the subtle means. They may well speak and say their advice, but tho my is best, and that goes before all other. In the Court are many that have sworn to do me the worst they can, and that causes me a part to be heavy in my heart, for many may do more than one alone that shall hurt me. Nevertheless, nephew, it is better I go with you to the Court and answer for myself, than to set me my wife and my children in adventure for to be lost. Arise up, let us go hence. He is over mighty for me. I must do as he will. I cannot better it; I shall take it patiently and suffer it.”

Reynart said to his wife Dame Ermelyn,“I betake you my children, that you see well to them and specially to Reynkin, my youngest son. He belikes me so well I hope he shall follow my steps. And there is Rossel a passing fair thief, I love them as well as any may love his children. If God give me grace that I may escape, I shall, when I come again, thank you with fair words.”Thus took Reynart leave of his wife.

Ah, gods! how sorrowful abode Ermelyn with her small whelps, for the victualler and he that sorrowed for Maleperdays was gone his way, and the house not purveyed nor victualled.