The Historye of Reynard the Foxe/capitulo .v. (2)

How the cock complained on Reynard
capitulo .v.

Chanticleer came forth and smote piteously his hands and his feathers and on each side of the bier went twain sorrowful hens that one was called Cantart and that other good hen Crayant they were two the fairest hens that were between Holland and Ardennes; these hens bore each of them a burning taper which was long and staight; these two hens were Coppen's sisters; and they cried so piteously "alas" and "wellaway" for the death of heir dear sister Coppen; two young hens bore the bier which cackled so heavily and wept so loud for the death of Coppen their mother that it was far heard, thus came they together tofore 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 Reynard hath 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 VIII 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 where in were six great dogs which had to tore and plucked many a beast's skin in such wise as my children were not afeard; on whom Reynard the thief had great envy because they were so sure that he could none get of them, how well ofttimes hath this fell thief gone round about this wall, and hath laid for us in such wise that the dogs have beset on him and have hunted him away; and once they leap 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 Reynard a long while, at last came he in likeness of a 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 slavin and pilch and a hairen shirt thereunder, and then said he, 'Sir Chanticleer after this time be no more afeard of me ne take no hede, for I now will eat no more flesh; I am forth on so old; that I would fain remember my soul I will now go forth, for I have yet to say my sext, nones, and my evensong, to God I betake you.' Tho went Reynard thence saying his credo and laid him under a hawthorn; then, was I glad and merry, and also took none heed, and went to my children and cluck hem together. And went without the wall for to walk whereof is much harm come to us, for Reynard 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 mail, whereof we have had great harm, for sith he hath tasted of him, there might never hunter ne hound save ne keep him from us, he hath waited by night and day in such wise that he hath stolen so many of my chyldren that of .xv. I have but four, in such wise hath this thief forslungen them; and yet yesterday was Coppen my daughter that here lieth upon the bier with the hounds rescued. This complain I to you gracious king, have pity on my great and unreasonable damage and los of my fair children.