6 - The Fox and the Wolf

Summary

Soon after Reynard had escaped from this dangerous situa-tion, he met the wolf, Isengrim, and as soon as he saw him, this is what he said: “God give you good day, my lord! Whatever service I may offer to you and to milady your wife, just ask and you may be sure I shall do it. In fact, I came here to warn you because I have heard that you are widely hated. Will you accept me as a companion? I am clever, you are strong, and you would find me very useful. With your strength and my cunning we should be unbeatable. I could conquer us a castle!”

Isengrim consulted his wife and two sons on the matter, and they all agreed that the wolf should take him in as part of the family, something that he later came to regret quite con-siderably. Reynard was head-over-heels in love with Hirsent, Isengrim's wife, and she was the one he really wanted to serve. Isengrim had acquired, therefore, an evil companion who would cause a great amount of damage. [385–412]