And as he spak that word, al sodeinly
This cok brak from his mouth deliverly, 650
And heighe up-on a tree he fleigh anon.
And whan the fox saugh that he was
y-gon,

Allas!' quod he, 'O Chauntecleer, allas!
I have to yow,' quod he, 'y-doon trespas,
In-as-muche as I maked yow aferd,
Whan I yow hente, and broghite out of the
yerd;

But, sire, I dide it in no wikke entente; Com doun, and I shal telle yow what I

670

Lo, swich it is for to be recchelees, And necligent, and truste on flaterye. But ye that holden this tale a folye, As of a fox, or of a cok and hen, Taketh the moralitee, good men. For seint Paul seith, that al that writen is, To our doctryne it is y-write, y-wis. Taketh the fruyt, and lat the chaf be stille.

Now, gode god, if that it be thy wille, As seith my lord, so make us alle good

throng:

XII

'Be well aware,' quoth then that ladie milde, Least suddaine mischiefe ye too rash provoke:

The danger hid, the place unknowne and wilde,

Breedes dreadfull doubts: oft fire is without smoke,

And perill without show: therefore your stroke,

Sir knight, with-hold, till further tryall made.'

'Ah, ladie,' sayd he, 'shame were to revoke The forward footing for an hidden shade: Vertue gives her selfe light, through darkenesse for to wade.'