Then closely as he might he cast to leave 935
The court, not asking any passe or leave;
But ran away in his rent rags by night,
Ne ever stayd in place, ne spake to wight,
Till that the Foxe, his copesmate, he had found;
[_Copesmate_, partner in trade.]
To whome complayning his unhappie stound, 940
[_Stound_, plight, exigency.]
At last againe with him in travell ioynd,
And with him far'd some better chaunee to fynde.
So in the world long time they wandered,
And mickle want and hardnesse suffered;
That them repented much so foolishly 945
To come so farre to seeke for misery,
And leave the sweetnes of contented home,
Though eating hipps and drinking watry fome.
[_Hipps_, dog-rose berries.]
Thus as they them complayned too and fro,
Whilst through the forest rechlesse they did goe, 950
[_Rechlesse_, reckless.]
Lo! where they spide how in a gloomy glade
The Lyon sleeping lay in secret shade,
His crowne and scepter lying him beside,
And having doft for heate his dreadfull hide:
Which when they saw, the Ape was sore afrayde, 955
And would have fled with terror all dismayde.
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