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


       "No," quod the Manciple, "that were a greet mescheef,
So myghte he lightly brynge me in the snare;
Yet hadde I levere payen for the mare,
Which that he rit on, than he sholde with me stryve
80I wol nat wratthen hym, al so moot I thryve;
That that I speke, I seyde it in my bourde.
And wite ye what? I have heer in a gourde
A draghte of wyn, ye, of a ripe grape,
And right anon ye shul seen a good jape.
85This Cook shal drynke therof if that I may,
Up peyne of deeth, he wol nat seye me nat."
       "Nay," said the manciple, "that were ill behoof!
So might he easily catch me in his snare.
Yet would I rather pay him for the mare
Which he rides on than have him with me strive;
80I will not rouse his rage, so may I thrive!
That which I said, I said as jesting word;
And know you what? I have here, in a gourd,
A draught of wine, yea, of a good ripe grape,
And now at once you shall behold a jape.
85This cook shall drink thereof, sir, if I may;
On pain of death he will not say me nay!"




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From The Manciple's Prologue, lines 87-104:
The Manciple offers the Cook some more wine and announces his tale
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