雙語《列那狐》 14

CHAPTER XIV

HEREUPON was a Parliament; and they desired that Reynart should have been dead. And whatsomever they said against the Fox he answered to each to them. Never heard man of such beasts such plaints of wise counsel and subtle inventions. And on that other side, the Fox made his excuse so well and formably thereon, that they that heard it wondered thereof. They that heard and saw it may tell it forth for truth; I shall short the matter and tell you forth of the Fox. The King and the Council heard the witnesses of the complaints of Reynart's misdeeds. It went with them as it oft does, the feeblest has the worst. They gave sentence, and judged that the Fox should be dead and hanged by the neck. Tho list not he to play. All his flattering words and deceits could not help him. The judgment was given, and that must be done. Grymbart, his nephew, and many of his lineage might not find in their hearts to see him die, but took leave sorrowfully, and roomed the court.

The King bethought him, and marked how many a youngling departed from thence all weeping, which were nigh of his kin, and said to himself,“Here behoves other counsel hereto; though Reynart be a shrew, there be many good of his lineage.”

Tybert the Cat said,“Sir Bruin and Sir Esegrim, how be you thus slow? It is almost even. Here are many bushes and hedges. If he escaped from us and were delivered out of this peril, he is so subtle, and so wily, and can so many deceits, that he should never be taken again. Shall we hang him? How stand you all thus? Ere the gallows can be made ready it shall be night.”

Esegrim bethought him tho, and said,“Hereby is a gibbet or gallows.”And with that word he sighed.

And the Cat espied that, and said,“Esegrim, you be afraid. Is it against your will? Think you not that he himself went and laboured that both your brethren were hanged? Were you good and wise, you should thank him, and you should not therewith so long tarry.”