He felt the Monarch's pulfe, and (hook his head ;

* May the King live for ever!* then he faid ;

* Though much I fear he hath not long to live :

* To fave his life, mine oven Vd gladly give.
* The contents of yon vafe let me infpedt,

* To fee vehat mifchief I may there detedl.'

* Do as he bids;' the King faid to the Nurfe;

* Do what you will ; Tm getting worfe and worfe.'

** Upon the Mirror's rim was fair engraved
The mode in which Your Sire by mine was faved.
The contents of the veffel they had brought
My Sire examined, with reflexive thought ;
Then faid ; * To fave Your health is but one way ;

* And that will not admit the leaft delay :

* Your life is gone, unlefs, within the hour,

* The liver of a Wolf you ftiall devour ;

* He muft too, at the leaft, be fev'n years old ;

* And you muft eat it. Sire, ere it be cold.
* All fcruples on the point muft be withftood ;

K K



2 so REYNARD THE FOX,



* The water here is thick and red as blood/

It chanced the Wolf was (landing near the bed.
And with difguft heard all my Father faid.
To him with feeble voice the Monarch fpake ;

* You hear. Sir Wolf, the phyfic I muft take.
