The Manciple's Tale

When Phoebus lived on earth, he was the lustiest of bachelors, a superior archer and the envy of all for his singing. Phoebus had a white crow that he had taught to speak and a wife whom he kept guarded out of jealousy. Yet guarding a wife so closely is unnecessary ­ if she is faithful, there is no need to do so, but if she is unfaithful no amount of monitoring will keep her faithful. Phoebus treated his wife well, but this was merely a gilded cage for her. Once when Phoebus was gone she sent for her lover. The white crow saw what they did, but did not say a word. When Phoebus returned, the crow gave the sorry news to Phoebus. The enraged Phoebus murdered his wife with an arrow and subsequently went on a rampage, breaking his musical instruments. The crow lamented that he told Phoebus the news. Phoebus, believing that the crow lied about his wife, called the crow a false thief and plucked off his white feathers. He also cursed the crow, telling him that all crows should forever be black and never sing beautifully again. The Manciple leaves this as a warning: never tell another man that his wife has been unfaithful, for such gossip only causes the cuckolded husband to hate the messenger.