“Give it to me, and I will work well;—but do not stay long.”
“Oh, no, sir. Hold this sieve, and you will look like a woman.”
“As to that, God knows I care not,” said he, and with that laid hold of the sieve and began to work it as best he could.
Meanwhile the virtuous wench mounted to her lady’s room and woke her, and told her how her husband had attempted her virtue, and attacked her whilst she was sifting meal, “And if it please you to come and see how I escaped him,” she said, “come down with me and behold him.”
The lady rose at once, put on her dress, and was soon before the door of the room where her lord was diligently sifting. And when she saw him thus employed, and struggling with the sieve, she said to him;
“Ah, master, what is this? Where are now all your learning, your honour, your knowledge and prudence?”
He saw that he had been deceived, and replied quickly.
“Wife, they are all collected at the end of my c—k.”, and with that, being much annoyed and angry, he threw down the sieve and went back to his room.
His wife followed him, and began to lecture him again, but he paid little heed. When he was ready, he ordered his mule, and went to the palace, where he related his adventure to divers gentlemen, who laughed loudly thereat. And, although he was at first angry with the wench, he afterwards helped her, by his influence and rich gifts, to find a husband.