Chapter 20 Summary

The abbot dispenses with abstinence and silence in honor of their guests, who are joining them for dinner. During the prayer, the Poet slips into an empty place beside the abbot, who apologizes to the scholar for his presence and outburst about the entrye. Hannegan maintains court jesters, so he is used to the species. Gault demands the Poet apologize, which he does, after a fashion, proclaiming people should apologize for one another rather than themselves, to remove humiliation and increase charity. Only the officers are amused. The Poet jokes on, eventually coming to his blue-headed goat, which he proposes should not be driven into the desert to bear responsibility for Taddeo's equations, but instead be kept to bleat a warning when Hannegan's troops lay siege. Officer Jorard is restrained from slashing the Poet as he reveals details of subversive drawings. Paolo grinds...