William Caxton

“ I have but four, in such wise hath this thief forslungen them; and yet yesterday was Coppen my daughter that here lieth upon the bier with the hounds rescued. This complain I to you gracious king, have pity on my great and unreasonable damage and los of my fair children. ”

“ And Chanticleer tho said, "Merciful lord, my lord the king please it you to hear our complaint; and abhor the great scathe that Reynard hath done to me and my children that here stand, it was so that in the beginning of April when the weather is fair, as that I as hardy and proud, because of the great lineage that I am come of and also had, for I had VIII fair sons and seven fair daughters which my wife had hatched. And they were all strong and fat and went in a yard which was walled round about ”