15. The Host pokes fun at the Cook, riding at the back of the
company, blind drunk.
16. The Host began to crack jokes at the Cook who had fallen
asleep and was swaying dangerously on his saddle. The
Host’s efforts to wake him up were unsuccessful. Suddenly
the Cook’s horse threw him off.
17. The pilgrims had
to stop and with
great effort they
managed to put
him back on his
saddle. The Host
then requested
the Manciple to
tell a story.
18.
19. Phoebus had a wife who was dearer to him than his own life. He
did his very best to keep her satisfied and treated her with
respect. But Phoebus was also extremely jealous and kept a strict
vigilance over his wife to ensure that he would not be deceived.
20. Phoebus had a snow-white crow that could
imitate anybody’s speech and sing more sweetly
than a nightingale.
21. One day when Phoebus went out of town on business...
22.
23.
24. His wife sent for her lover and made passionate love with him.
Phoebus’ wife had a secret lover.
37. But soon enough he was filled with remorse and began to
repent that he had acted hastily on flimsy evidence.
38. In a fit of rage Phoebus plucked out all the white
feathers of the crow…
39. …and replaced them with black ones. He also took away the
crow’s power of speech and song. Further he cursed the crow
that all its descendants would be black and would have a harsh
voice.
40. Great evil
springs from
verbosity
when a few
words are
sufficient.
Nothing that
has already
been said can
ever be made
unsaid.
Restrain and
exercise
control over
your tongue
