To tell tale of

Tale \Tale\, n. [AS. talu number, speech, narrative; akin to D.
   taal speech, language, G. zahl number, OHG. zala, Icel. tal,
   tala, number, speech, Sw. tal, Dan. tal number, tale speech,
   Goth. talzjan to instruct. Cf. {Tell}, v. t., {Toll} a tax,
   also {Talk}, v. i.]
   1. That which is told; an oral relation or recital; any
      rehearsal of what has occured; narrative; discourse;
      statement; history; story. "The tale of Troy divine."
      --Milton. "In such manner rime is Dante's tale."
      --Chaucer.
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            We spend our years as a tale that is told. --Ps. xc.
                                                  9.
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   2. A number told or counted off; a reckoning by count; an
      enumeration; a count, in distinction from measure or
      weight; a number reckoned or stated.
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            The ignorant, . . . who measure by tale, and not by
            weight.                               --Hooker.
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            And every shepherd tells his tale,
            Under the hawthorn in the dale.       --Milton.
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            In packing, they keep a just tale of the number.
                                                  --Carew.
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   3. (Law) A count or declaration. [Obs.]
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   {To tell tale of}, to make account of. [Obs.]
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            Therefore little tale hath he told
            Of any dream, so holy was his heart.  --Chaucer.
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   Syn: Anecdote; story; fable; incident; memoir; relation;
        account; legend; narrative.
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