Previous: From The Manciple's Prologue, lines 20-56: The Manciple says the Cook is too drunk to tell a tale

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From The Canterbury Tales:
The Manciple's Prologue
lines 57-75: The Host asks the Manciple to tell a tale and urges him not to make jokes about the drunk Cook

"By cause drynke hath dominacioun, Upon this man, by my savacioun, I trowe he lewedly wolde telle his tale. 60 For, were it wyn, or oold or moysty ale, That he hath dronke, he speketh in his nose, And fneseth faste, and eek he hath the pose. He hath also to do moore than ynough To kepen hym and his capul out of slough, 65 And if he falle from his capul eftsoone, Thanne shal we alle have ynogh to doone In liftyng up his hevy dronken cors. Telle on thy tale, of hym make I no fors;

"Since drink has got such utter domination Over this fellow here, by my salvation, I think that badly he would tell his tale. 60 For whether wine or old or musty ale Is what he's drunk, he speaks all through his nose; He snorts hard and with cold he's lachrymose. Also he has more than enough to do To keep him and his nag out of the slough; 65 And if he fall down off his horse again, We'll all have quite enough of labour then In lifting up his heavy drunken corse. Tell on your tale, he matters not, of course.

But yet, Manciple, in feith thou art to nyce, 70 Thus openly repreve hym of his vice. Another day he wole, peraventure Reclayme thee and brynge thee to lure. I meene, he speke wole of smale thynges, As for to pynchen at thy rekenynges, 75 That were nat honeste, if it cam to preef."

Yet, manciple, in faith, you are not wise 70 Thus openly to chide him for his vice. Some day he'll get revenge, you may be sure, And call you like a falcon to the lure; I mean he'll speak of certain little things, As, say, to point out in your reckonings 75 Things not quite honest, were they put to proof."

Next: From The Manciple's Prologue, lines 76-86: The Manciple says he has no intention to mock the Cook