While preparing a new impression of this popular tale for the press, I have chiefly followed the London edition of 1706. It is an octavo of some 300 pages, entitled "The Crafty Courtier, or the Fable of Reynard the Fox; newly done into English verse from the ancient Latin Iambics of Hartmann Schopperus." But while this version preserves the narrative of Reynard with all fidelity, it abounds with satirical episodes and political pasquinades, now obsolete, together with improprieties of language and unsuitable allusions; all which I have deleted, and confined myself exclusively to the story of Reynard, as it has descended to us through the lapse of centuries, with the important addition of awarding that great state criminal, that poetical justice which none of my predecessors have ventured to adjudge. - [Author]

Language: English