But of him it is happened, as it is of the fox, when he is
boldest over the weald, and hath his full play, and fowls enow; for
wildness he climbeth, and rocks he seeketh; in the wilderness holes to
him worketh. Fare whosoever shall fare, he hath never any care; he
weeneth to be of power the boldest of all animals. But when come to
him the men under the hills, with horns, with hounds, with loud cries;
the hunters there hollow, the hounds there give tongue, they drive the
fox over dales and over downs, he fleeth to the holm, and seeketh his
hole; in the furthest end in the hole he goeth; then is the bold fox
of bliss all deprived, and men dig to him on each side; then is there
most wretched the proudest of all animals! So was it with Childric,
the strong and the rich; he thought all my kingdom to set in his own
hand, but now I have driven him to the bare death, whether so
(whatsoever) I will do, either slay or hang. Now will I give him
peace, and let him speak with me; I will not him slay, nor hang, but
his prayer I will receive. Hostages I will have of the highest of his
men; their horses and weapons, ere they hence depart; and so they
shall as wretches go to their ships; sail over sea to their good land,
and there worthily dwell in their realm, and tell tidings of Arthur
the king, how I them have freed, for my father's soul, and for my
freedom solaced the wretches.
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