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Nonne Prestes TaleA thrifty widow had a cock, “hight Chaunteclere,” who had his
harem; but “damysel Pertilote” was his favourite, who perched beside
him at night. Chaunteclere once dreamt that he saw a fox who “tried to
make arrest on his body,” but Pertilote chided him for placing faith in
dreams. Next day a fox came into the poultry-yard, but told
Chaunteclere he merely came to hear him sing, for his voice was so
ravishing he could not deny himself that pleasure. The cock, pleased
with this flattery, shut his eyes and began to crow most lustily, when
Dan Russell seized him by the throat and ran off with him. When they
got to the wood, the cock said to the fox, “I should advise you to eat
me, and that anon.” “It shall be done,” said the fox,
but as he loosed the cock's neck to speak the word, Chaunteclere flew
from his back into a tree. Presently came a hue and cry after the fox,
who escaped with difficulty, and Chaunteclere returned to the
poultry-yard wiser and discreeter for his adventure. ( This tale is taken from the old French “Roman de Renart.” The same story forms also one of the fables of Marie of France, “Don Coc et Don Werpil.” Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Nonne Prestes Tale from Fact Monster:
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