Then the King began to inquire where all these treasures were hid, and Reynard told that he had hid them in a wood called Hustreloe, near a river named Crekinpit. But when the King said that he had never heard of such a place, Reynard called forth Kyward the Hare from among the rest of the beasts, and commanded him to come before the King, charging him, upon his faith and allegiance which he bore to the King and Queen, to answer truly to such questions as he should ask him.
The hare answered, “I will speak truth in all things, though I were sure to die for the same.”
Then the fox said, “Know you not where Crekinpit floweth?”
“Yes,” said the hare, “I have known it any time these dozen years; it runneth in a wood called Hustreloe, upon a vast and wide wilderness.”
“Well,” said the fox, “you have spoken sufficiently; go to your place again;” so away went the hare.
Then said the fox, “My sovereign Lord the King, what say you now to my relation; am I worthy your belief or no?”
REYNARD BRINGS FORWARD THE HARE AS HIS WITNESS.
The King said, “Yes, Reynard, and I beseech thee excuse my jealousies; it was my ignorance which did thee evil; therefore forthwith make preparation that we may go to this pit where the treasure lieth.”
But the fox answered that he could not go with his Majesty without dishonour; for that at present he was under excommunication, and that it was necessary that he should go to Rome to be absolved, and that from thence he intended to travel in the Holy Land. “The course you propose is good,” said the King; “go on and prosper in your intent.”