who no less lovingly and kindly treated and entertained me, hugged, cherished, cockered, dandled, and made much of me, as if I had been another neat dilly-darling minion, like Adonis.  Never was man more glad than I was then; my joy at that time was incomparable.  She flattered me, tickled me, stroked me, groped me, frizzled me, curled me, kissed me, embraced me, laid her hands about my neck, and now and then made jestingly pretty little horns above my forehead.  I told her in the like disport, as I did play the fool with her, that she should rather place and fix them in a little below mine eyes, that I might see the better what I should stick at with them; for, being so situated, Momus then would find no fault therewith, as he did once with the position of the horns of bulls.  The wanton, toying girl, notwithstanding any remonstrance of mine to the contrary, did always drive and thrust them further in; yet thereby, which to me seemed wonderful, she did not do me any hurt at all.  A little after, though I know not how, I thought I was transformed into a tabor, and she into a chough.

My sleeping there being interrupted, I awaked in a start, angry, displeased, perplexed, chafing, and very wroth.  There have you a large platterful of dreams, make thereupon good cheer, and, if you please, spare not to interpret them according to the understanding which you may have in them.  Come, Carpalin, let us to breakfast.  To my sense and meaning, quoth Pantagruel, if I have skill or knowledge in the art of divination by dreams, your wife will not really, and to the outward appearance of the world, plant or set horns, and stick them fast in your forehead, after a visible manner, as satyrs use to wear and carry them; but she will be so far from preserving herself loyal in the discharge and observance of a conjugal duty, that, on the contrary, she will violate her plighted faith, break her marriage-oath, infringe all matrimonial ties, prostitute her body to the dalliance of other men, and so make you a cuckold.  This point is clearly and manifestly explained and expounded by Artemidorus just as I have related it.  Nor will there be any metamorphosis or transmutation made of you into a drum or tabor, but you will surely be as soundly beaten as ever was tabor at a merry wedding.  Nor yet will she be changed into a chough, but will steal from you, chiefly in the night, as is the nature of that thievish bird.  Hereby may you perceive your dreams to be in every jot conform and agreeable to the Virgilian lots.  A cuckold you will be, beaten and robbed.  Then cried out Father John with a loud voice, He tells the truth; upon my conscience, thou wilt be a cuckold—­an honest one, I warrant thee.  O the brave horns that will be borne by thee!  Ha, ha, ha!  Our good Master de Cornibus.  God save thee, and shield thee!  Wilt thou be pleased to preach but two words of a sermon to us, and I will go through the parish church to gather up alms for the poor.