“La pucele” exists in three different manuscripts, each of which is a compilation of fabliaux and similar short verse tales. Each version of the tale is largely the same, but with some differences in details. The manuscripts are Bern, Burgerbibliothek 354, folio 43ra-44ra (Witness B); Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, fr. 1593, folio 187rb-188ra (Witness E); and Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, fr. 25545, folio 4vb-5vb (Witness I).
After this line, each manuscript diverges considerably. B and E stay near one another, but the order of verses is modified. I leaves out several passages that exist in B and E while adding several others that describe the situation of the pregnant girl. Because the transition in B and E from this line to the next seems rather abrupt, it's possible that the additions in I contain an echo of some verses that existed in the original manuscript, but which were lost in B and E.
After this line, each manuscript diverges considerably. B and E stay near one another, but the order of verses is modified. I leaves out several passages that exist in B and E while adding several others that describe the situation of the pregnant girl. Because the transition in B and E from this line to the next seems rather abrupt, it's possible that the additions in I contain an echo of some verses that existed in the original manuscript, but which were lost in B and E.
After this line, each manuscript diverges considerably. B and E stay near one another, but the order of verses is modified. I leaves out several passages that exist in B and E while adding several others that describe the situation of the pregnant girl. Because the transition in B and E from this line to the next seems rather abrupt, it's possible that the additions in I contain an echo of some verses that existed in the original manuscript, but which were lost in B and E.
Witness I has numerous extra lines that are not attested to in other manuscripts. Here, eight lines are added that describe how the cleric will fashion a beak (bec), wings (eles), and a tail (coe). The editors of the NRCF note that the structure of the story is weakened by the addition of this detail because, apparently, the scribe forgot that the girl had already been given wings by another young man (p. 337).
After this line, each manuscript diverges considerably. B and E stay near one another, but the order of verses is modified. I leaves out several passages that exist in B and E while adding several others that describe the situation of the pregnant girl. Because the transition in B and E from this line to the next seems rather abrupt, it's possible that the additions in I contain an echo of some verses that existed in the original manuscript, but which were lost in B and E.
Witness I has numerous extra lines that are not attested to in other manuscripts. Here, eight lines are added that describe how the cleric will fashion a beak (bec), wings (eles), and a tail (coe). The editors of the NRCF note that the structure of the story is weakened by the addition of this detail because, apparently, the scribe forgot that the girl had already been given wings by another young man (p. 337).