11 - Kunin

Summary

Reynard left his kinsman. Isengrim, covered in blood, was on the point of death and said: “Alas for my life, and even more for my dear wife, who is noble and good and has always behaved decently and shunned any wickedness. Alas, too, for my sons, who will sadly now be fatherless, with only their mother left to bring them up. But I am comforted by the knowledge that my wife will not marry again.”

The tree-goblin Kunin heard this complaint and asked, “What is the matter with you, Lord Isengrim?”

“I have been dreadfully wounded,” he replied, “and I don't think I shall ever recover from this. And my dear wife will die of sorrow.”

“No, she won’t,” said Kunin. “She hasn't been as chaste as you seem to be saying. I saw Reynard between her legs and at it, and this was not as much as a mealtime ago. Or isn't that sex? He was going in and out just like a shuttle.”

Isengrim did not like what he was hearing and collapsed in sorrow, no longer knowing day from night. Kunin thought this was very funny. When Isengrim came to himself again, he said: “Goblin, I have a load of troubles, and now you are making it worse with your lying stories. If I were fool enough to believe them I would tear your eyes out. If you came down here, you wouldn't get up your tree ever again.” But Kunin said, “You’re a cuckold, you old fool!”

Isengrim howled. Suddenly Lady Hirsent appeared, and his sons with her. Isengrim was overjoyed to see them. With tears in his eyes, he said: “I have never been more pleased to see you, my sons, and my wife. I am done for, and that is the fault of Reynard—may he pay for it with his life! And on top of that, Kunin is driving me out of my mind by telling me wicked tales while I am sick—he said that Reynard had shared your bed. That story nearly killed me, although you should never believe what a liar tells you, and I did threaten to tear his eyes out.”