And boast of service to the king.
This, howe'er, doth not avail,
For all the beasts do him assail
And bring complaints, by anger moved.
Their charges are considered proved,
And he condemned for them to swing
But now he talks of treasures vast,
Which he discovered in the past;
And tells of crimes that then were rife,
And plots to take the monarch's life
And set up Bruin in his place.
These words the king do greatly rouse,
And likewise much excite his spouse;
So he is ordered to descend
And tell them all from end to end,
Without evasion, face to face.
CANTO V.
Reynard now the plot sets forth,
And shows the treasure's princely worth;
Maligns his father, scores the bear,
And makes the badger out as clear
A traitor as was ever found.
He tells what he himself has done,
For firmer friend the king has none,
To frustrate all their base designs.
Of how he's treated then he whines,
As if in loyalty not sound.
The king and queen his lies believe,
And promise that he shall receive
Forgiveness full for all mistakes
That he has made, or ever makes,
If only now he change his life.
He, too, before returning home,
Permission gets to visit Rome,
To get release from papal ban,
Which Leo thinks a worthy plan,
As also does the queen, his wife.
