completed when Reynard, spying some fat hens, begins to chase them,
and is only with difficulty recalled to a sense of what is fitting.

On arriving at court, Reynard hypocritically regrets so many people
have slandered him to the king, and tries to refute every charge. He
is, however, sentenced to the gallows, but even on the road thither
devises a plan to escape. Pretending regret for his past, he humbly
begs the king's permission to address the spectators, and in a lengthy
speech describes how he was led astray in his youth by Isegrim the
Wolf. He also declares his only regret is to die before he can reveal
to the king the hiding-place of a vast treasure which would enable him
to outwit the plots of some rebels who are even now conspiring to kill
him. The king, hearing this, immediately orders a reprieve, and,
questioning the Fox in secret, learns that the conspirators are Brown
the Bear, Isegrim the Wolf, and others. To reward the Fox for saving
her husband's life, the queen now obtains his pardon, which Noble
grants in exchange for information in regard to the treasure.

Having given these indications, the Fox sets out on a pilgrimage to
Rome, escorted by the Ram and the Hare, which latter is slain as soon
as they arrive at Malepartus, where Reynard wishes to bid his family
farewell. After feasting upon the flesh of this victim, Reynard puts
his bones into a wallet and ties it on the Ram's back, bidding him
hasten back to court with this present and receive his reward!
Although circumstantial evidence is enough to convict the poor Ram of
murder, a few days later new complaints are made against Reynard by a
Rabbit and a Crow. Noble, roused again, prepares to batter down the
walls of Malepartus, and Grimbart, perceiving Reynard's peril, hurries
off to give him warning.

He finds Reynard contemplating some young doves, upon which he intends
to dine. On hearing what Grimbart has to say, Reynard declares it
would be easy to acquit himself could he only gain the king's ear long
enough to explain the real state of affairs. Then he again begs
Grimbart to act as his father confessor, and, resuming his confession
where he left off, makes a clean breast of all his misdeeds. Shortly
after this, Reynard meets the Ape, who tells him that should he ever
be in a quandary he must call for the aid of this clever ally or of
his wife.

At his second appearance at court, the Fox openly regrets there are so
many vile people in the