雙語《列那狐》 37

CHAPTER XXXVII

THE She Ape said to the Fox,“Reynart Nephew, see that you take heed in your battle. Be cold and wise. Your Eme taught me once a prayer that is of much virtue to him that shall fight; and a great master and a wise clerk, and was abbot of Boudelo, that taught him, he said, who that said devoutly this prayer fasting shall not that day be overcome in battle nor in fighting. Therefore, dear Nephew, be not afraid, I shall read it over you to-morrow, then may you be sure enough of the Wolf. It is better to fight than to have the neck asunder.”

“I thank you, dear aunt,”said the Fox.“The quarrel that I have is rightful, therefore I hope I shall speed well, and that shall greatly be my help.”

All his lineage abode by him all the night and holp him to drive away the time.

Dame Rukenawe the She Ape, his aunt, thought alway on his profit and fordele. And she did all his hair from the head to the tail be shorn off smooth; and she anointed all his body with oil of olive; and then was his body also glat and slipper that the Wolf should have none hold on him. And he was round and fat also on his body.

And she said to him,“Dear cousin, you must now drink much that to-morrow you may the better make your urine; but you shall hold it in till you come to the field. And when need is and time, so shall you piss full your rough tail and smite the Wolf therewith in his beard. And if you might hit him therewith in his eyes, then shall you byneme him his sight. That should much hinder him. But else, hold alway your tail fast between your legs that he catch you not thereby; and hold down your ears lying plat after your head that he hold you not thereby; and see wisely to yourself. And at beginning flee from his strokes, and let him spring and run after you, and run before where as most dust is, and stir it with your feet that it may flee in his eyes, and that shall much hinder his sight. And while he rubs his eyes, take your advantage and smite and bite him there as you may most hurt him, and alway to hit him with your tail full of piss in his visage, and that shall make him so woe that he shall not wit where he is. And let him run after you for to make him weary. Yet his feet are sore of that you made him to lose his shoes, and though he be great he has no heart. Nephew, certainly this is my counsel. The connyng goes before strength; therefore see for yourself, and set yourself wisely at defence, that you and we all may have worship thereof. I would be sorry if you mishapped. I shall teach you the words that your Eme Martin taught me, that you may overcome your enemy, as I hope you shall do without doubt.”Therewith she laid her hand upon his head, and said these words:“Blaerde Shay Alphenio Kasbue Gorfons Alsbuifrio. Nephew, now be you sure from all mischief and dread. And I counsel you that you rest you a little, for it is by the day you shall be the better disposed; we shall awake you in all in time.”

“Aunt,”said the Fox,“I am now glad. God thank you, you have done to me such good I can never deserve it fully again. Methinks there may nothing hurt me since that you have said these holy words over me.”

Tho went he and laid him down under a tree in the grass, and slept till the sun was risen. Tho came the Otter and waked him, and bade him arise, and gave him a good young duck and said,“Dear cousin, I have this night made many a leap in the water ere I could get this young fat duck. I have taken it from a fowler. Take and eat it.”

Reynart said,“This is good handsel. If I refused I were a fool. I thank you, cousin, that you remember me. If I live I shall reward you.”

The Fox ate the duck without sauce or bread. It savoured him well, and went well in. And he drank thereto four great draughts of water. Then went he to the battle ward, and all they that loved him went with him.