#  1.3 The Miller's Prologue and Tale 

 



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**The Miller's Prologue**

***Heere folwen the wordes betwene the Hoost and the Millere***  
Here follow the words between the Host and the Miller

3109 **Whan that the Knyght had thus his tale ytoold,**  
 When the Knight had thus told his tale,  
3110 **In al the route nas ther yong ne oold**  
 In all the company there was no one young nor old  
3111 **That he ne seyde it was a noble storie**  
 Who did not say it was a noble story  
3112 **And worthy for to drawen to memorie,**  
 And worthy to draw into memory,  
3113 **And namely the gentils everichon.**  
 And especially the gentlefolk every one.  
3114 **Oure Hooste lough and swoor, "So moot I gon,**  
 Our Host laughed and swore, "As I may move about (I swear),  
3115 **This gooth aright; unbokeled is the male.**  
 This goes well; the bag is opened.  
3116 **Lat se now who shal telle another tale;**  
 Let's see now who shall tell another tale;  
3117 **For trewely the game is wel bigonne.**  
 For truly the game is well begun.  
3118 **Now telleth ye, sir Monk, if that ye konne,**  
 Now tell you, sir Monk, if you can,  
3119 **Somwhat to quite with the Knyghtes tale."**  
 Something to equal the Knight's tale."  
3120 **The Millere, that for dronken was al pale,**  
 The Miller, who for drunkenness was all pale,  
3121 **So that unnethe upon his hors he sat,**  
 So that he hardly sat upon his horse,  
3122 **He nolde avalen neither hood ne hat,**  
 He would not doff neither hood nor hat,  
3123 **Ne abyde no man for his curteisie,**  
 Nor give preference to any man out of courtesy,  
3124 **But in Pilates voys he gan to crie,**  
 But in Pilate's voice he began to cry,  
3125 **And swoor, "By armes, and by blood and bones,**  
 And swore, "By (Christ's) arms, and by blood and bones,  
3126 **I kan a noble tale for the nones,**  
 I know a noble tale for this occasion,  
3127 **With which I wol now quite the Knyghtes tale."**  
 With which I will now requite the Knight's tale."  
3128 **Oure Hooste saugh that he was dronke of ale,**  
 Our Host saw that he was drunk on ale,  
3129 **And seyde, "Abyd, Robyn, my leeve brother;**  
 And said, "Wait, Robin, my dear brother;  
3130 **Som bettre man shal telle us first another.**  
 Some better man shall first tell us another.  
3131 **Abyd, and lat us werken thriftily."**  
 Wait, and let us act properly."

3132 **"By Goddes soule," quod he, "that wol nat I;**  
 "By God's soul," said he, "that will not I;  
3133 **For I wol speke or elles go my wey."**  
 For I will speak or else go my way."  
3134 **Oure Hoost answerde, "Tel on, a devel wey!**  
 Our Host answered, "Tell on, in the devil's name!  
3135 **Thou art a fool; thy wit is overcome."**  
 Thou art a fool; thy wit is overcome."

3136 **"Now herkneth," quod the Millere, "alle and some!**  
 "Now listen," said the Miller, "everyone!  
3137 **But first I make a protestacioun**  
 But first I make a protestation  
3138 **That I am dronke; I knowe it by my soun.**  
 That I am drunk; I know it by my sound.  
3139 **And therfore if that I mysspeke or seye,**  
 And therefore if that I misspeak or say (amiss),  
3140 **Wyte it the ale of Southwerk, I you preye.**  
 Blame it on ale of Southwerk, I you pray.  
3141 **For I wol telle a legende and a lyf**  
 For I will tell a legend and a life  
3142 **Bothe of a carpenter and of his wyf,**  
 Both of a carpenter and of his wife,  
3143 **How that a clerk hath set the wrightes cappe."**  
 How a clerk has set the carpenter's cap (fooled him)."

3144 **The Reve answerde and seyde, "Stynt thy clappe!**  
 The Reeve answered and said, "Hold your tongue!  
3145 **Lat be thy lewed dronken harlotrye.**  
 Let be thy ignorant drunken ribaldry.  
3146 **It is a synne and eek a greet folye**  
 It is a sin and also a great folly  
3147 **To apeyren any man, or hym defame,**  
 To slander any man, or defame him,  
3148 **And eek to bryngen wyves in swich fame.**  
 And also to bring wives in such ill fame.  
3149 **Thou mayst ynogh of othere thynges seyn."**  
 Thou canst say enough about other things."

3150 **This dronke Millere spak ful soone ageyn**  
 This drunken Miller spoke very quickly in reply  
3151 **And seyde, "Leve brother Osewold,**  
 And said, "Dear brother Oswald,  
3152 **Who hath no wyf, he is no cokewold.**  
 He who has no wife, he is no cuckold.  
3153 **But I sey nat therfore that thou art oon;**  
 But I say not therefore that thou art one;  
3154 **Ther been ful goode wyves many oon,**  
 There are very good wives, many a one,  
3155 **And evere a thousand goode ayeyns oon badde.**  
 And ever a thousand good against one bad.  
3156 **That knowestow wel thyself, but if thou madde.**  
 Thou knowest that well thyself, unless thou art mad.  
3157 **Why artow angry with my tale now?**  
 Why art thou angry with my tale now?  
3158 **I have a wyf, pardee, as wel as thow;**  
 I have a wife, by God, as well as thou;  
3159 **Yet nolde I, for the oxen in my plogh,**  
 Yet I would not, for the oxen in my plow,  
3160 **Take upon me moore than ynogh,**  
 Take upon me more than enough (trouble),  
3161 **As demen of myself that I were oon;**  
 As to believe of myself that I were one (a cuckold);  
3162 **I wol bileve wel that I am noon.**  
 I will believe well that I am not one.  
3163 **An housbonde shal nat been inquisityf**  
 A husband must not be inquisitive  
3164 **Of Goddes pryvetee, nor of his wyf.**  
 Of God's secrets, nor of his wife.  
3165 **So he may fynde Goddes foyson there,**  
 So long as he can find God's plenty there,  
3166 **Of the remenant nedeth nat enquere."**  
 Of the rest he needs not enquire."

3167 **What sholde I moore seyn, but this Millere**  
 What more should I say, but this Miller  
3168 **He nolde his wordes for no man forbere,**  
 He would not refrain from speaking for any man,  
3169 **But tolde his cherles tale in his manere.**  
 But told his churl's tale in his manner.  
3170 **M'athynketh that I shal reherce it heere.**  
 I regret that I must repeat it here.  
3171 **And therfore every gentil wight I preye,**  
 And therefore every respectable person I pray,  
3172 **For Goddes love, demeth nat that I seye**  
 For God's love, think not that I speak  
3173 **Of yvel entente, but for I moot reherce**  
 Out of evil intention, but because I must repeat  
3174 **Hir tales alle, be they bettre or werse,**  
 All their tales, be they better or worse,  
3175 **Or elles falsen som of my mateere.**  
 Or else (I must) falsify some of my material.  
3176 **And therfore, whoso list it nat yheere,**  
 And therefore, whoever does not want to hear it,  
3177 **Turne over the leef and chese another tale;**  
 Turn over the leaf and choose another tale;  
3178 **For he shal fynde ynowe, grete and smale,**  
 For he shall find enough, of every sort,  
3179 **Of storial thyng that toucheth gentillesse,**  
 Of historical matter that concerns nobility,  
3180 **And eek moralitee and hoolynesse.**  
 And also morality and holiness.  
3181 **Blameth nat me if that ye chese amys.**  
 Blame not me if you choose amiss.  
3182 **The Millere is a cherl; ye knowe wel this.**  
 The Miller is a churl; you know this well.  
3183 **So was the Reve eek and othere mo,**  
 So was the Reeve also and many others,  
3184 **And harlotrie they tolden bothe two.**  
 And ribaldry they told, both of the two.  
3185 **Avyseth yow, and put me out of blame;**  
 Think about this, and don't blame me;  
3186 **And eek men shal nat maken ernest of game.**  
 And also people should not take a joke too seriously.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**The Miller's Tale**

***Heere bigynneth the Millere his tale.***  
Here begins The Miller's Tale.

3187 **Whilom ther was dwellynge at Oxenford**  
 There was once dwelling at Oxford  
3188 **A riche gnof, that gestes heeld to bord,**  
 A rich churl, who took in boarders,  
3189 **And of his craft he was a carpenter.**  
 And of his craft he was a carpenter.  
3190 **With hym ther was dwellynge a poure scoler,**  
 With him there was dwelling a poor scholar,  
3191 **Hadde lerned art, but al his fantasye**  
 Who had learned the arts curriculum, but all his desire  
3192 **Was turned for to lerne astrologye,**  
 Was turned to learning astrology,  
3193 **And koude a certeyn of conclusiouns,**  
 And he knew a certain (number of) of astronomical operations,  
3194 **To demen by interrogaciouns,**  
 To determine by scientific calculations,  
3195 **If that men asked hym, in certein houres**  
 If men asked him, in specific (astronomical) hours  
3196 **Whan that men sholde have droghte or elles shoures,**  
 When men should have drought or else showers,  
3197 **Or if men asked hym what sholde bifalle**  
 Or if people asked him what should happen  
3198 **Of every thyng; I may nat rekene hem alle.**  
 Concerning every thing; I can not reckon them all.

3199 **This clerk was cleped hende Nicholas.**  
 This clerk was called clever Nicholas.  
3200 **Of deerne love he koude and of solas;**  
 Of secret love he knew and of its satisfaction;  
3201 **And therto he was sleigh and ful privee,**  
 And moreover he was sly and very discreet,  
3202 **And lyk a mayden meke for to see.**  
 And like a maiden meek in appearance.  
3203 **A chambre hadde he in that hostelrye**  
 A room had he in that hostelry  
3204 **Allone, withouten any compaignye,**  
 Alone, without any company,  
3205 **Ful fetisly ydight with herbes swoote;**  
 Very elegantly strewn with sweet-smelling herbs;  
3206 **And he hymself as sweete as is the roote**  
 And he himself as sweet as is the root  
3207 **Of lycorys or any cetewale.**  
 Of licorice or any zedoary (a ginger-like herb).  
3208 **His Almageste, and bookes grete and smale,**  
 His Almagest, and books large and small,  
3209 **His astrelabie, longynge for his art,**  
 His astrolabe, belonging to his art (of astronomy),  
3210 **His augrym stones layen faire apart,**  
 His counting stones (for his abacus) lie neatly apart,  
3211 **On shelves couched at his beddes heed;**  
 Arranged on shelves at his bed's head;  
3212 **His presse ycovered with a faldyng reed;**  
 His linen press covered with a red woolen cloth;  
3213 **And al above ther lay a gay sautrie,**  
 And all above there lay a fine psaltery,  
3214 **On which he made a-nyghtes melodie**  
 On which at night he made melody  
3215 **So swetely that all the chambre rong;**  
 So sweetly that all the room rang;  
3216 **And Angelus ad virginem he song;**  
 And "The Angel to the Virgin" he sang;  
3217 **And after that he song the Kynges Noote.**  
 And after that he sang the King's Tune.  
3218 **Ful often blessed was his myrie throte.**  
 Very often his merry throat was blessed.  
3219 **And thus this sweete clerk his tyme spente**  
 And thus this sweet clerk spent his time   
3220 **After his freendes fyndyng and his rente.**  
 Living on his friends' support and his (own) income.

3221 **This carpenter hadde wedded newe a wyf,**  
 This carpenter had recently wedded a wife,  
3222 **Which that he lovede moore than his lyf;**  
 Whom he loved more than his life;  
3223 **Of eighteteene yeer she was of age.**  
 She was eighteen years of age.  
3224 **Jalous he was, and heeld hire narwe in cage,**  
 Jealous he was, and held her narrowly in confinement,  
3225 **For she was wylde and yong, and he was old**  
 For she was wild and young, and he was old  
3226 **And demed hymself been lik a cokewold.**  
 And believed himself likely to be a cuckold.  
3227 **He knew nat Catoun, for his wit was rude,**  
 He knew not Cato, for his wit was rude,  
3228 **That bad man sholde wedde his simylitude.**  
 Who advised that man should wed his equal.  
3229 **Men sholde wedden after hire estaat,**  
 Men should wed according to their status in life,  
3230 **For youthe and elde is often at debaat.**  
 For youth and old age are often in conflict.  
3231 **But sith that he was fallen in the snare,**  
 But since he was fallen in the snare,  
3232 **He moste endure, as oother folk, his care.**  
 He must endure, like other folk, his troubles.

3233 **Fair was this yonge wyf, and therwithal**  
 Fair was this young wife, and moreover  
3234 **As any wezele hir body gent and smal.**  
 As any weasel was her body graceful and slender.  
3235 **A ceynt she werede, barred al of silk,**  
 A belt she wore, with decorative strips all of silk,  
3236 **A barmclooth as whit as morne milk**  
 An apron as white as morning milk  
3237 **Upon hir lendes, ful of many a goore.**  
 Upon her loins, full of many a flounce.  
3238 **Whit was hir smok, and broyden al bifoore**  
 White was her smock, and embroidered all in front  
3239 **And eek bihynde, on hir coler aboute,**  
 And also behind, around her collar,  
3240 **Of col-blak silk, withinne and eek withoute.**  
 With coal-black silk, within and also without.  
3241 **The tapes of hir white voluper**  
 The ribbons of her white cap  
3242 **Were of the same suyte of hir coler;**  
 Were of the same color as her collar;  
3243 **Hir filet brood of silk, and set ful hye.**  
 Her headband broad of silk, and set very high.  
3244 **And sikerly she hadde a likerous ye;**  
 And surely she had a wanton eye;  
3245 **Ful smale ypulled were hire browes two,**  
 Her two eyebrows were plucked very thin,  
3246 **And tho were bent and blake as any sloo.**  
 And those were bent and black as any sloe.  
3247 **She was ful moore blisful on to see**  
 She was much more blissful to look upon  
3248 **Than is the newe pere-jonette tree,**  
 Than is the new early-ripe pear tree,  
3249 **And softer than the wolle is of a wether.**  
 And softer than the wool is of a sheep.  
3250 **And by hir girdel heeng a purs of lether,**  
 And by her girdle hung a purse of leather,  
3251 **Tasseled with silk and perled with latoun.**  
 Tasseled with silk and ornamented with latten "pearls."  
3252 **In al this world, to seken up and doun,**  
 In all this world, to seek up and down,  
3253 **There nys no man so wys that koude thenche**  
 There is no man so wise that he could imagine  
3254 **So gay a popelote or swich a wenche.**  
 So lovely a little doll or such a wench.  
3255 **Ful brighter was the shynyng of hir hewe**  
 Much brighter was the shining of her complexion  
3256 **Than in the Tour the noble yforged newe.**  
 Than the newly minted noble in the Tower.  
3257 **But of hir song, it was as loude and yerne**  
 But of her song, it was as loud and lively  
3258 **As any swalwe sittynge on a berne.**  
 As any swallow sitting on a barn.  
3259 **Therto she koude skippe and make game,**  
 Moreover she could skip and play,  
3260 **As any kyde or calf folwynge his dame.**  
 Like any kid or calf following its mother.  
3261 **Hir mouth was sweete as bragot or the meeth,**  
 Her mouth was sweet as ale and honey or mead,  
3262 **Or hoord of apples leyd in hey or heeth.**  
 Or a hoard of apples laid in hay or heather.  
3263 **Wynsynge she was, as is a joly colt,**  
 Skittish she was, as is a spirited colt,  
3264 **Long as a mast, and upright as a bolt.**  
 Tall as a mast, and straight as an arrow.  
3265 **A brooch she baar upon hir lowe coler,**  
 A brooch she wore upon her low collar,  
3266 **As brood as is the boos of a bokeler.**  
 As broad as is the boss of a shield.  
3267 **Hir shoes were laced on hir legges hye.**  
 Her shoes were laced high on her legs.  
3268 **She was a prymerole, a piggesnye,**  
 She was a primrose, a pig's eye (a flower),  
3269 **For any lord to leggen in his bedde,**  
 For any lord to lay in his bed,  
3270 **Or yet for any good yeman to wedde.**  
 Or yet for any good yeoman to wed.

3271 **Now, sire, and eft, sire, so bifel the cas**  
 Now, sir, and again, sir, it so happened  
3272 **That on a day this hende Nicholas**  
 That one day this clever Nicholas  
3273 **Fil with this yonge wyf to rage and pleye,**  
 Happened with this young wife to flirt and play,  
3274 **Whil that hir housbonde was at Oseneye,**  
 While her husband was at Oseneye,  
3275 **As clerkes ben ful subtile and ful queynte;**  
 For clerks are very subtle and very clever;  
3276 **And prively he caughte hire by the queynte,**  
 And intimately he caught her by her crotch,  
3277 **And seyde, "Ywis, but if ich have my wille,**  
 And said, "Indeed, unless I have my will,  
3278 **For deerne love of thee, lemman, I spille."**  
 For secret love of thee, sweetheart, I die."  
3279 **And heeld hire harde by the haunchebones,**  
 And held her hard by the thigh,  
3280 **And seyde, "Lemman, love me al atones,**  
 And said, "Sweetheart, love me immediately  
3281 **Or I wol dyen, also God me save!"**  
 Or I will die, so save me God!"  
3282 **And she sproong as a colt dooth in the trave,**  
 And she sprang as a colt does when restrained,  
3283 **And with hir heed she wryed faste awey,**  
 And with her head she twisted fast away,  
3284 **And seyde, "I wol nat kisse thee, by my fey!**  
 And said, "I will not kiss thee, by my faith!  
3285 **Why, lat be!" quod she. "Lat be, Nicholas,**  
 Why, let me be!" said she. "Let me be, Nicholas,  
3286 **Or I wol crie `out, harrow' and `allas'!**  
 Or I will cry `out, help' and `alas'!  
3287 **Do wey youre handes, for youre curteisye!"**  
 Take away your hands, for your courtesy!"

3288 **This Nicholas gan mercy for to crye,**  
 This Nicholas began to cry for mercy,  
3289 **And spak so faire, and profred him so faste,**  
 And spoke so fair, and pressed his suit so fast,  
3290 **That she hir love hym graunted atte laste,**  
 That she granted him her love at the last,  
3291 **And swoor hir ooth, by Seint Thomas of Kent,**  
 And swore her oath, by Saint Thomas of Kent,  
3292 **That she wol been at his comandement,**  
 That she will be at his commandment,  
3293 **Whan that she may hir leyser wel espie.**  
 When she may well espy her opportunity.  
3294 **"Myn housbonde is so ful of jalousie**  
 "My husband is so full of jealousy  
3295 **That but ye wayte wel and been privee,**  
 That unless you wait patiently and are secretive,  
3296 **I woot right wel I nam but deed," quod she.**  
 I know right well I am as good as dead," said she.  
3297 **"Ye moste been ful deerne, as in this cas."**  
 "You must been very secret in this matter."

3298 **"Nay, therof care thee noght," quod Nicholas.**  
 "No, care thee not about that," said Nicholas.  
3299 **"A clerk hadde litherly biset his whyle,**  
 "A clerk had badly wasted his time (studying),  
3300 **But if he koude a carpenter bigyle."**  
 If he could not outwit a carpenter."  
3301 **And thus they been accorded and ysworn**  
 And thus they are agreed and sworn  
3302 **To wayte a tyme, as I have told biforn.**  
 To wait for a time, as I have told before.

3303 **Whan Nicholas had doon thus everideel**  
 When Nicholas had done thus every bit  
3304 **And thakked hire aboute the lendes weel,**  
 And well patted her about the loins,  
3305 **He kiste hire sweete and taketh his sawtrie,**  
 He kissed her sweetly and takes his psaltery,  
3306 **And pleyeth faste, and maketh melodie.**  
 And plays fast, and makes melody.

3307 **Thanne fil it thus, that to the paryssh chirche,**  
 Then it thus happened, that to the parish church,  
3308 **Cristes owene werkes for to wirche,**  
 Christ's own works to do,  
3309 **This goode wyf went on an haliday.**  
 This good wife went on a holiday.  
3310 **Hir forheed shoon as bright as any day,**  
 Her forehead shone as bright as any day,  
3311 **So was it wasshen whan she leet hir werk.**  
 It was so washed when she left her work.  
3312 **Now was ther of that chirche a parissh clerk,**  
 Now was there of that church a parish clerk,  
3313 **The which that was ycleped Absolon.**  
 Who was called Absolon.  
3314 **Crul was his heer, and as the gold it shoon,**  
 Curly was his hair, and as the gold it shone,  
3315 **And strouted as a fanne large and brode;**  
 And stretched out like a fan large and broad;  
3316 **Ful streight and evene lay his joly shode.**  
 Very straight and even lay his elegant parted hair.  
3317 **His rode was reed, his eyen greye as goos.**  
 His complexion was ruddy, his eyes gray as a goose.  
3318 **With Poules wyndow corven on his shoos,**  
 With St. Paul's window carved on his shoes,  
3319 **In hoses rede he wente fetisly.**  
 In red hose he went elegantly.  
3320 **Yclad he was ful smal and proprely**  
 Clad he was very trimly and properly  
3321 **Al in a kirtel of a lyght waget;**  
 All in a tunic of a light blue;  
3322 **Ful faire and thikke been the poyntes set.**  
 Very fair and thick are the laces set.  
3323 **And therupon he hadde a gay surplys**  
 And over that he had a gay surplice  
3324 **As whit as is the blosme upon the rys.**  
 As white as is the blossom upon the branch.  
3325 **A myrie child he was, so God me save.**  
 A merry lad he was, so save me God.  
3326 **Wel koude he laten blood, and clippe and shave,**  
 Well could he draw blood, and cut hair and shave,  
3327 **And maken a chartre of lond or acquitaunce.**  
 And make a charter of land or a legal release.   
3328 **In twenty manere koude he trippe and daunce**  
 In twenty different ways could he trip and dance  
3329 **After the scole of Oxenforde tho,**  
 After the school of Oxford as it was then,  
3330 **And with his legges casten to and fro,**  
 And with his legs kick to and fro,  
3331 **And pleyen songes on a smal rubible;**  
 And play songs on a small fiddle,  
3332 **Therto he song som tyme a loud quynyble;**  
 To which he some times sang a loud high treble;  
3333 **And as wel koude he pleye on a giterne.**  
 And he could play as well on a guitar.  
3334 **In al the toun nas brewhous ne taverne**  
 In all the town there was no brew house nor tavern  
3335 **That he ne visited with his solas,**  
 That he did not visit with his entertainment,  
3336 **Ther any gaylard tappestere was.**  
 Where any merry barmaid was.  
3337 **But sooth to seyn, he was somdeel squaymous**  
 But to say the truth, he was somewhat squeamish  
3338 **Of fartyng, and of speche daungerous.**  
 About farting, and fastidious in his speech.

3339 **This Absolon, that jolif was and gay,**  
 This Absolon, who was elegant and gay,  
3340 **Gooth with a sencer on the haliday,**  
 Goes with a censer on the holiday,  
3341 **Sensynge the wyves of the parisshe faste;**  
 Censing the wives of the parish eagerly;  
3342 **And many a lovely look on hem he caste,**  
 And many a lovely look he cast on them,  
3343 **And namely on this carpenteris wyf.**  
 And especially on this carpenter's wife.  
3344 **To looke on hire hym thoughte a myrie lyf,**  
 To look on her he thought a merry life,  
3345 **She was so propre and sweete and likerous.**  
 She was so attractive and sweet and flirtatious.  
3346 **I dar wel seyn, if she hadde been a mous,**  
 I dare well say, if she had been a mouse,  
3347 **And he a cat, he wolde hire hente anon.**  
 And he a cat, he would have grabbed her at once.  
3348 **This parissh clerk, this joly Absolon,**  
 This parish clerk, this elegant Absolon,  
3349 **Hath in his herte swich a love-longynge**  
 Has in his heart such a love-longing  
3350 **That of no wyf took he noon offrynge;**  
 That of no wife took he any offering;  
3351 **For curteisie, he seyde, he wolde noon.**  
 For courtesy, he said, he would have none.

3352 **The moone, whan it was nyght, ful brighte shoon,**  
 The moon, when it was night, very brightly shone,  
3353 **And Absolon his gyterne hath ytake;**  
 And Absolon his guitar has taken;  
3354 **For paramours he thoghte for to wake.**  
 For the sake of love he intended to stay awake.  
3355 **And forth he gooth, jolif and amorous,**  
 And forth he goes, elegant and amorous,  
3356 **Til he cam to the carpenteres hous**  
 Until he came to the carpenter's house  
3357 **A litel after cokkes hadde ycrowe,**  
 A little after cocks had crowed,  
3358 **And dressed hym up by a shot-wyndowe**  
 And took his place up by a casement window  
3359 **That was upon the carpenteris wal.**  
 That was upon the carpenter's wall.  
3360 **He syngeth in his voys gentil and smal,**  
 He sings in his voice gentle and high,  
3361 **"Now, deere lady, if thy wille be,**  
 "Now, dear lady, if it be thy will,  
3362 **I praye yow that ye wole rewe on me,"**  
 I pray yow that you will have pity on me,"  
3363 **Ful wel acordaunt to his gyternynge.**  
 Very well in harmony with his guitar-playing.  
3364 **This carpenter awook, and herde him synge,**  
 This carpenter awoke, and heard him sing,  
3365 **And spak unto his wyf, and seyde anon,**  
 And spoke unto his wife, and said at once,  
3366 **"What! Alison! Herestow nat Absolon,**  
 "What! Alison! Hearest thou not Absolon,  
3367 **That chaunteth thus under oure boures wal?"**  
 That chants thus next to our bedroom's wall?"  
3368 **And she answerde hir housbonde therwithal,**  
 And she answered her husband immediately,  
3369 **"Yis, God woot, John, I heere it every deel."**  
 "Yes indeed, God knows, John, I hear it every bit."

3370 **This passeth forth; what wol ye bet than weel?**  
 This goes on; what more would you have?  
3371 **Fro day to day this joly Absolon**  
 From day to day this elegant Absolon  
3372 **So woweth hire that hym is wo bigon.**  
 So woos her that he is in a sorry state.  
3373 **He waketh al the nyght and al the day;**  
 He stays awake all the night and all the day;  
3374 **He kembeth his lokkes brode, and made hym gay;**  
 He combs his flowing locks, and dressed himself elegantly;  
3375 **He woweth hire by meenes and brocage,**  
 He woos her by go-betweens and agents,  
3376 **And swoor he wolde been hir owene page;**  
 And swore he would be her own servant;  
3377 **He syngeth, brokkynge as a nyghtyngale;**  
 He sings, trilling like a nightingale;  
3378 **He sente hire pyment, meeth, and spiced ale,**  
 He sent her sweetened wine, mead, and spiced ale,  
3379 **And wafres, pipyng hoot out of the gleede;**  
 And wafers, piping hot out of the fire;  
3380 **And, for she was of town, he profred meede;**  
 And, because she was a townie, he offered money;  
3381 **For som folk wol ben wonnen for richesse,**  
 For some folk will be won for riches,  
3382 **And somme for strokes, and somme for gentillesse.**  
 And some by force, and some for noble character.  
3383 **Somtyme, to shewe his lightnesse and maistrye,**  
 Sometimes, to show his agility and skill,  
3384 **He pleyeth Herodes upon a scaffold hye.**  
 He plays Herod upon a high stage.  
3385 **But what availleth hym as in this cas?**  
 But what good does it do him in this case?  
3386 **She loveth so this hende Nicholas**  
 She so loves this clever Nicholas  
3387 **That Absolon may blowe the bukkes horn;**  
 That Absolon may go whistle;  
3388 **He ne hadde for his labour but a scorn.**  
 He had for his labor nothing but scorn.  
3389 **And thus she maketh Absolon hire ape,**  
 And thus she makes Absolon her fool,  
3390 **And al his ernest turneth til a jape.**  
 And turns all his earnestness into a joke.  
3391 **Ful sooth is this proverbe, it is no lye,**  
 Very true is this proverb, it is no lie,  
3392 **Men seyn right thus: "Alwey the nye slye**  
 Men say right thus: "Always the nearby sly one  
3393 **Maketh the ferre leeve to be looth."**  
 Makes the distant loved one to be disliked."  
3394 **For though that Absolon be wood or wrooth,**  
 For though Absolon be crazed or angry,  
3395 **By cause that he fer was from hire sight,**  
 Because he was far from her sight,  
3396 **This nye Nicholas stood in his light.**  
 This nearby Nicholas cast him in the shadow.

3397 **Now ber thee wel, thou hende Nicholas,**  
 Now bear thyself well, thou clever Nicholas,  
3398 **For Absolon may waille and synge "allas."**  
 For Absolon may wail and sing "alas."

3399 **And so bifel it on a Saterday,**  
 And so it happened on a Saturday,  
3400 **This carpenter was goon til Osenay;**  
 This carpenter was gone to Osenay;  
3401 **And hende Nicholas and Alisoun**  
 And clever Nicholas and Alisoun  
3402 **Acorded been to this conclusioun,**  
 Are agreed on this plan,  
3403 **That Nicholas shal shapen hym a wyle**  
 That Nicholas shall devise a trick  
3404 **This sely jalous housbonde to bigyle;**  
 To beguile this hapless jealous husband;  
3405 **And if so be the game wente aright,**  
 And if it so be the game went right,  
3406 **She sholde slepen in his arm al nyght,**  
 She should sleep in his arms all night,  
3407 **For this was his desir and hire also.**  
 For this was his desire and hers also.  
3408 **And right anon, withouten wordes mo,**  
 And right away, without more words,  
3409 **This Nicholas no lenger wolde tarie,**  
 This Nicholas no longer would tarry,  
3410 **But dooth ful softe unto his chambre carie**  
 But has carried very quietly unto his chamber  
3411 **Bothe mete and drynke for a day or tweye,**  
 Both food and drink for a day or two,  
3412 **And to hire housbonde bad hire for to seye,**  
 And told her to say to her husband,  
3413 **If that he axed after Nicholas,**  
 If he asked about Nicholas,  
3414 **She sholde seye she nyste where he was;**  
 She should say she knew not where he was;  
3415 **Of al that day she saugh hym nat with ye;**  
 Of all that day she saw him not with eye;  
3416 **She trowed that he was in maladye,**  
 She believed that he was ill,  
3417 **For, for no cry hir mayde koude hym calle,**  
 Because, for no shout could her maid call him,  
3418 **He nolde answere for thyng that myghte falle.**  
 He would not answer for anything that might befall.

3419 **This passeth forth al thilke Saterday,**  
 This goes on all that same Saturday,  
3420 **That Nicholas stille in his chambre lay,**  
 That Nicholas still in his chamber lay,  
3421 **And eet and sleep, or dide what hym leste,**  
 And ate and slept, or did what he pleased,  
3422 **Til Sonday, that the sonne gooth to reste.**  
 Until Sunday, when the sun goes to rest.  
3423 **This sely carpenter hath greet merveyle**  
 This hapless carpenter has great marvel  
3424 **Of Nicholas, or what thyng myghte hym eyle,**  
 About Nicholas, or what thing might ail him,  
3425 **And seyde, "I am adrad, by Seint Thomas,**  
 And said, "I am afraid, by Saint Thomas,  
3426 **It stondeth nat aright with Nicholas.**  
 Things are not right with Nicholas.  
3427 **God shilde that he deyde sodeynly!**  
 God forbid that he should suddenly die!  
3428 **This world is now ful tikel, sikerly.**  
 This world is now very ticklish, surely.  
3429 **I saugh today a cors yborn to chirche**  
 I saw today a corpse carried to church  
3430 **That now, on Monday last, I saugh hym wirche.**  
 That just now, on last Monday, I saw him work.

3431 **"Go up," quod he unto his knave anoon,**  
 "Go up," he said unto his servant at once,  
3432 **"Clepe at his dore, or knokke with a stoon.**  
 "Call at his door, or knock with a stone.  
3433 **Looke how it is, and tel me boldely."**  
 Look how it is, and tell me quickly."

3434 **This knave gooth hym up ful sturdily,**  
 This servant goes up very resolutely,  
3435 **And at the chambre dore whil that he stood,**  
 And at the chamber door while he stood,  
3436 **He cride and knokked as that he were wood,**  
 He cried and knocked as if he were crazy,  
3437 **"What, how! What do ye, maister Nicholay?**  
 "What, hey! What do you, master Nicholay?  
3438 **How may ye slepen al the longe day?"**  
 How can you sleep all the long day?"

3439 **But al for noght; he herde nat a word.**  
 But all for naught; he heard not a word.  
3440 **An hole he foond, ful lowe upon a bord,**  
 He found a hole, very low upon a board,  
3441 **Ther as the cat was wont in for to crepe,**  
 Where the cat was accustomed to creep in,  
3442 **And at that hole he looked in ful depe,**  
 And through that hole he looked in very carefully,  
3443 **And at the laste he hadde of hym a sight.**  
 And at the last he had a sight of him.  
3444 **This Nicholas sat evere capyng upright,**  
 This Nicholas sat ever gaping upward,  
3445 **As he had kiked on the newe moone.**  
 As if he were gazing on the new moon.  
3446 **Adoun he gooth, and tolde his maister soone**  
 Down he goes, and told his master immediately  
3447 **In what array he saugh this ilke man.**  
 In what condition he saw this same man.

3448 **This carpenter to blessen hym bigan,**  
 This carpenter began to bless himself,  
3449 **And seyde, "Help us, Seinte Frydeswyde!**  
 And said, "Help us, Saint Frideswide!  
3450 **A man woot litel what hym shal bityde.**  
 A man knows little what shall happen to him.  
3451 **This man is falle, with his astromye,**  
 This man is fallen, because of his astronomy,  
3452 **In some woodnesse or in som agonye.**  
 In some madness or in some fit.  
3453 **I thoghte ay wel how that it sholde be!**  
 I always thought well how it should be!  
3454 **Men sholde nat knowe of Goddes pryvetee.**  
 Men should not know of God's secrets.  
3455 **Ye, blessed be alwey a lewed man**  
 Yes, blessed be always an unlearned man  
3456 **That noght but oonly his bileve kan!**  
 Who knows nothing but only his belief!  
3457 **So ferde another clerk with astromye;**  
 So fared another clerk with astronomy;  
3458 **He walked in the feeldes for to prye**  
 He walked in the fields to look   
3459 **Upon the sterres, what ther sholde bifalle,**  
 Upon the stars, (to find) there what should happen,  
3460 **Til he was in a marle-pit yfalle;**  
 Until he was fallen in a fertilizer pit;  
3461 **He saugh nat that. But yet, by Seint Thomas,**  
 He did not see that. But yet, by Saint Thomas,  
3462 **Me reweth soore of hende Nicholas.**  
 I feel very sorry for clever Nicholas.  
3463 **He shal be rated of his studiyng,**  
 He shall be scolded for his studying,  
3464 **If that I may, by Jhesus, hevene kyng!**  
 If that I may, by Jesus, heaven's king!  
3465 **Get me a staf, that I may underspore,**  
 Get me a staff, that I may pry up from below,   
3466 **Whil that thou, Robyn, hevest up the dore.**  
 While thou, Robyn, lift up the door.  
3467 **He shal out of his studiyng, as I gesse."**  
 He shall (come) out of his studying, as I guess."  
3468 **And to the chambre dore he gan hym dresse.**  
 And to the chamber door he turned his attention.  
3469 **His knave was a strong carl for the nones,**  
 His servant was a strong fellow for this purpose,  
3470 **And by the haspe he haaf it of atones;**  
 And by the hasp he heaved it off at once;  
3471 **Into the floor the dore fil anon.**  
 Onto the floor the door fell straightway.  
3472 **This Nicholas sat ay as stille as stoon,**  
 This Nicholas sat ever as still as stone,  
3473 **And evere caped upward into the eir.**  
 And ever gaped upward into the air.  
3474 **This carpenter wende he were in despeir,**  
 This carpenter supposed he was in despair,  
3475 **And hente hym by the sholdres myghtily,**  
 And seized him by the shoulders vigorously,  
3476 **And shook hym harde, and cride spitously,**  
 And shook him hard, and cried loudly,  
3477 **"What! Nicholay! What, how! What, looke adoun!**  
 "What! Nicholay! What, how! What, look down!  
3478 **Awak, and thenk on Cristes passioun!**  
 Awake, and think on Christ's passion!  
3479 **I crouche thee from elves and fro wightes."**  
 I bless thee from elves and from evil creatures."  
3480 **Therwith the nyght-spel seyde he anon-rightes**  
 Therewith the night-charm he said straightway  
3481 **On foure halves of the hous aboute,**  
 On four corners of the house about,  
3482 **And on the thresshfold of the dore withoute:**  
 And on the threshold of the door outside:  
3483 **"Jhesu Crist and Seinte Benedight,**  
 "Jesus Christ and Saint Benedict,  
3484 **Blesse this hous from every wikked wight,**  
 Bless this house from every wicked creature,  
3485 **For nyghtes verye, the white pater-noster!**  
 For evil spirits of the nights, the white pater-noster!  
3486 **Where wentestow, Seinte Petres soster?"**  
 Where went thou, Saint Peter's sister?"

3487 **And atte laste this hende Nicholas**  
 And at the last this clever Nicholas  
3488 **Gan for to sik soore, and seyde, "Allas!**  
 Began to sigh deeply, and said, "Alas!  
3489 **Shal al the world be lost eftsoones now?"**  
 Shall all the world be lost right now?"

3490 **This carpenter answerde, "What seystow?**  
 This carpenter answered, "What sayest thou?  
3491 **What! Thynk on God, as we doon, men that swynke."**  
 What! Think on God, as we do, men who work."  
3492 **This Nicholas answerde, "Fecche me drynke,**  
 This Nicholas answered, "Fetch me drink,  
3493 **And after wol I speke in pryvetee**  
 And after will I speak in private  
3494 **Of certeyn thyng that toucheth me and thee.**  
 About a certain matter that concerns me and thee.  
3495 **I wol telle it noon oother man, certeyn."**  
 I will tell it to no other man, certainly."

3496 **This carpenter goth doun, and comth ageyn,**  
 This carpenter goes down, and comes again,  
3497 **And broghte of myghty ale a large quart;**  
 And brought of strong ale a large quart;  
3498 **And whan that ech of hem had dronke his part,**  
 And when each of them had drunk his part,  
3499 **This Nicholas his dore faste shette,**  
 This Nicholas shut fast his door,  
3500 **And doun the carpenter by hym he sette.**  
 And the carpenter sat down by him.

3501 **He seyde, "John, myn hooste, lief and deere,**  
 He said, "John, my host, beloved and dear,  
3502 **Thou shalt upon thy trouthe swere me heere**  
 Thou shalt upon thy pledged word swear to me here  
3503 **That to no wight thou shalt this conseil wreye,**  
 That to no person thou shalt this counsel reveal,  
3504 **For it is Cristes conseil that I seye,**  
 For it is Christ's secrets that I say,  
3505 **And if thou telle it man, thou art forlore;**  
 And if thou tell it to anyone, thou art completely lost;  
3506 **For this vengeaunce thou shalt han therfore,**  
 For this vengeance thou shalt have therefore,  
3507 **That if thou wreye me, thou shalt be wood."**  
 That if thou betray me, thou shalt go mad."  
3508 **"Nay, Crist forbede it, for his hooly blood!"**  
 "Nay, Christ forbid it, for his holy blood!"  
3509 **Quod tho this sely man, "I nam no labbe,**  
 Said then this hapless man, "I am no blabbermouth,  
3510 **Ne, though I seye, I nam nat lief to gabbe.**  
 And, though I say it, I do not like to gab.  
3511 **Sey what thou wolt, I shal it nevere telle**  
 Say what thou will, I shall never tell it   
3512 **To child ne wyf, by hym that harwed helle!"**  
 To child nor wife, by Him that rescued souls from hell!"

3513 **"Now John," quod Nicholas, "I wol nat lye;**  
 "Now John," said Nicholas, "I will not lie;  
3514 **I have yfounde in myn astrologye,**  
 I have found in my astrology,  
3515 **As I have looked in the moone bright,**  
 As I have looked on the bright moon,  
3516 **That now a Monday next, at quarter nyght,**  
 That now on Monday next, after midnight,  
3517 **Shal falle a reyn, and that so wilde and wood**  
 Shall fall a rain, and that so wild and raging  
3518 **That half so greet was nevere Noes flood.**  
 That Noah's flood was never half so large.  
3519 **This world," he seyde, "in lasse than an hour**  
 This world," he said, "in less than an hour  
3520 **Shal al be dreynt, so hidous is the shour.**  
 Shall all be drowned, so hideous is the shower.  
3521 **Thus shal mankynde drenche, and lese hir lyf."**  
 Thus shall mankind drown, and lose their lives."

3522 **This carpenter answerde, "Allas, my wyf!**  
 This carpenter answered, "Alas, my wife!  
3523 **And shal she drenche? Allas, myn Alisoun!"**  
 And shall she drown? Alas, my Alisoun!"  
3524 **For sorwe of this he fil almoost adoun,**  
 For sorrow of this he almost fell down,  
3525 **And seyde, "Is ther no remedie in this cas?"**  
 And said, "Is there no remedy in this case?"

3526 **"Why, yis, for Gode," quod hende Nicholas,**  
 "Why, yes indeed, by God," said clever Nicholas,  
3527 **"If thou wolt werken after loore and reed.**  
 "If thou will act in accordance with learning and (good) advice.  
3528 **Thou mayst nat werken after thyn owene heed;**  
 Thou mayst not act according to thine own ideas;  
3529 **For thus seith Salomon, that was ful trewe:**  
 For thus says Salomon, which was very true:  
3530 **`Werk al by conseil, and thou shalt nat rewe.'**  
 `Do all in accordance with good advice, and thou shalt not rue (it).'  
3531 **And if thou werken wolt by good conseil,**  
 And if thou will act in accordance with good advice,  
3532 **I undertake, withouten mast and seyl,**  
 I guarantee, without mast and sail,  
3533 **Yet shal I saven hire and thee and me.**  
 Yet shall I save her and thee and me.  
3534 **Hastow nat herd hou saved was Noe,**  
 Hast thou not heard how Noah was saved,  
3535 **Whan that oure Lord hadde warned hym biforn**  
 When our Lord had warned him before  
3536 **That al the world with water sholde be lorn?"**  
 That all the world should be destroyed by water?"

3537 **"Yis," quod this Carpenter, "ful yoore ago."**  
 "Yes indeed," said this Carpenter, "very long ago."

3538 **"Hastou nat herd," quod Nicholas, "also**  
 "Hast thou not heard," said Nicholas, "also  
3539 **The sorwe of Noe with his felaweshipe,**  
 The sorrow of Noah with his fellowship,  
3540 **Er that he myghte gete his wyf to shipe?**  
 Before he could get his wife onto the ship?  
3541 **Hym hadde be levere, I dar wel undertake,**  
 He would rather, I dare well guarantee,  
3542 **At thilke tyme, than alle his wetheres blake**  
 At that time, than have all his black sheep  
3543 **That she hadde had a ship hirself allone.**  
 That she had had a ship for herself alone.  
3544 **And therfore, woostou what is best to doone?**  
 And therefore, knowest thou what is best to do?  
3545 **This asketh haste, and of an hastif thyng**  
 This needs haste, and of a hasty thing  
3546 **Men may nat preche or maken tariyng.**  
 Men may not preach nor make tarrying.

3547 **"Anon go gete us faste into this in**  
 "Right now go bring us quickly into this dwelling  
3548 **A knedyng trogh, or ellis a kymelyn,**  
 A kneading trough, or else a large vat,  
3549 **For ech of us, but looke that they be large,**  
 For each of us, but see that they be large,  
3550 **In which we mowe swymme as in a barge,**  
 In which we may float as in a barge,  
3551 **And han therinne vitaille suffisant**  
 And have therein sufficient victuals  
3552 **But for a day -- fy on the remenant!**  
 But for a day -- fie on the remnant!  
3553 **The water shal aslake and goon away**  
 The water shall recede and go away  
3554 **Aboute pryme upon the nexte day.**  
 About nine a.m. on the next day.  
3555 **But Robyn may nat wite of this, thy knave,**  
 But Robin, thy knave, may not know of this,   
3556 **Ne eek thy mayde Gille I may nat save;**  
 And also thy maid Gille I can not save;  
3557 **Axe nat why, for though thou aske me,**  
 Ask not why, for though thou ask me,  
3558 **I wol nat tellen Goddes pryvetee.**  
 I will not tell God's secrets.  
3559 **Suffiseth thee, but if thy wittes madde,**  
 It suffices thee, unless thy wits go mad,  
3560 **To han as greet a grace as Noe hadde.**  
 To have as great a grace as Noah had.  
3561 **Thy wyf shal I wel saven, out of doute.**  
 Thy wife shall I well save, beyond doubt.  
3562 **Go now thy wey, and speed thee heer-aboute.**  
 Go now thy way, and speed thee on this business.

3563 **"But whan thou hast, for hire and thee and me,**  
 "But when thou hast, for her and thee and me,  
3564 **Ygeten us thise knedyng tubbes thre,**  
 Got us these three kneading tubs,  
3565 **Thanne shaltow hange hem in the roof ful hye,**  
 Then shalt thou hang them in the roof very high,  
3566 **That no man of oure purveiaunce espye.**  
 In a way that no man may espy our preparations.  
3567 **And whan thou thus hast doon as I have seyd,**  
 And when thou thus hast done as I have said,  
3568 **And hast oure vitaille faire in hem yleyd,**  
 And hast laid our victuals carefully in them,  
3569 **And eek an ax to smyte the corde atwo,**  
 And also an axe to smite the cord in two,  
3570 **Whan that the water comth, that we may go**  
 When the water comes, so that we may go  
3571 **And breke an hole an heigh, upon the gable,**  
 And break a hole on high, upon the gable,  
3572 **Unto the gardyn-ward, over the stable,**  
 Toward the garden, over the stable,  
3573 **That we may frely passen forth oure way,**  
 That we may freely pass forth on our way,  
3574 **Whan that the grete shour is goon away.**  
 When the great shower is gone away.  
3575 **Thanne shaltou swymme as myrie, I undertake,**  
 Then shalt thou float as merry, I guarantee,  
3576 **As dooth the white doke after hire drake.**  
 As does the white duck after her drake.  
3577 **Thanne wol I clepe, `How, Alison! How, John!**  
 Then will I call, `How, Alison! How, John!  
3578 **Be myrie, for the flood wol passe anon.'**  
 Be merry, for the flood will soon pass.'  
3579 **And thou wolt seyn, `Hayl, maister Nicholay!**  
 And thou will say, `Hail, master Nicholay!  
3580 **Good morwe, I se thee wel, for it is day.'**  
 Good morrow, I see thee well, for it is day.'  
3581 **And thanne shul we be lordes al oure lyf**  
 And then shall we be lords all our life  
3582 **Of al the world, as Noe and his wyf.**  
 Of all the world, like Noah and his wife.

3583 **"But of o thyng I warne thee ful right:**  
 "But of one thing I warn thee very sternly:  
3584 **Be wel avysed on that ilke nyght**  
 Be well advised on that same night  
3585 **That we ben entred into shippes bord,**  
 On which we are entered onto shipboard,  
3586 **That noon of us ne speke nat a word,**  
 That not one of us speak a word,  
3587 **Ne clepe, ne crie, but be in his preyere;**  
 Nor call, nor cry, but be in his prayer;  
3588 **For it is Goddes owene heeste deere.**  
 For it is God's own dear command.

3589 **"Thy wyf and thou moote hange fer atwynne,**  
 "Thy wife and thou must hang far apart,  
3590 **For that bitwixe yow shal be no synne,**  
 So that between yow shall be no sin,  
3591 **Namoore in lookyng than ther shal in deede.**  
 No more in looking than there shall be in deed.  
3592 **This ordinance is seyd. Go, God thee speede!**  
 This ordinance is said. Go, God give thee success!  
3593 **Tomorwe at nyght, whan men ben alle aslepe,**  
 Tomorrow at night, when people are all asleep,  
3594 **Into oure knedyng-tubbes wol we crepe,**  
 Into our kneading-tubs will we creep,  
3595 **And sitten there, abidyng Goddes grace.**  
 And sit there, awaiting God's grace.  
3596 **Go now thy wey; I have no lenger space**  
 Go now thy way; I have no more time  
3597 **To make of this no lenger sermonyng.**  
 To make of this any longer preaching.  
3598 **Men seyn thus, `sende the wise, and sey no thyng.'**  
 Men say thus, `send the wise, and say nothing.'  
3599 **Thou art so wys, it needeth thee nat teche.**  
 Thou art so wise, one needs not teach thee.  
3600 **Go, save oure lyf, and that I the biseche."**  
 Go, save our life, and that I beseech thee."

3601 **This sely carpenter goth forth his wey.**  
 This hapless carpenter goes forth his way.  
3602 **Ful ofte he seide "Allas and weylawey,"**  
 Very often he said "Alas and woe is me,"  
3603 **And to his wyf he tolde his pryvetee,**  
 And to his wife he told his secret,  
3604 **And she was war, and knew it bet than he,**  
 And she was aware, and knew it better than he,  
3605 **What al this queynte cast was for to seye.**  
 What all this ingenious scheme meant.  
3606 **But nathelees she ferde as she wolde deye,**  
 But nonetheless she acted as if she would die,  
3607 **And seyde, "Allas! go forth thy wey anon,**  
 And said, "Alas! go forth thy way quickly,  
3608 **Help us to scape, or we been dede echon!**  
 Help us to escape, or we are dead each one of us!  
3609 **I am thy trewe, verray wedded wyf;**  
 I am thy faithful, truly wedded wife;  
3610 **Go, deere spouse, and help to save oure lyf."**  
 Go, dear spouse, and help to save our lives."

3611 **Lo, which a greet thyng is affeccioun!**  
 Lo, what a great thing is emotion!  
3612 **Men may dyen of ymaginacioun,**  
 One can die of imagination,  
3613 **So depe may impressioun be take.**  
 So deeply may a mental image be taken.  
3614 **This sely carpenter bigynneth quake;**  
 This hapless carpenter begins to tremble;  
3615 **Hym thynketh verraily that he may see**  
 He thinks truly that he can see  
3616 **Noees flood come walwynge as the see**  
 Noah's flood come surging like the sea  
3617 **To drenchen Alisoun, his hony deere.**  
 To drown Alisoun, his honey dear.  
3618 **He wepeth, weyleth, maketh sory cheere;**  
 He weeps, wails, looks wretched;  
3619 **He siketh with ful many a sory swogh;**  
 He sighs with very many a sorry groan;  
3620 **He gooth and geteth hym a knedyng trogh,**  
 He goes and gets him a kneading trough,  
3621 **And after that a tubbe and a kymelyn,**  
 And after that a tub and a large vat,  
3622 **And pryvely he sente hem to his in,**  
 And secretly he sent them to his dwelling,  
3623 **And heng hem in the roof in pryvetee.**  
 And hanged them in the roof secretly.  
3624 **His owene hand he made laddres thre,**  
 With his own hand he made three ladders,  
3625 **To clymben by the ronges and the stalkes**  
 To climb by the rungs and the uprights  
3626 **Unto the tubbes hangynge in the balkes,**  
 Unto the tubs hanging in the beams,  
3627 **And hem vitailled, bothe trogh and tubbe,**  
 And provisioned them, both trough and tub,  
3628 **With breed, and chese, and good ale in a jubbe,**  
 With bread, and cheese, and good ale in a jug,  
3629 **Suffisynge right ynogh as for a day.**  
 Sufficing just enough for a day.  
3630 **But er that he hadde maad al this array,**  
 But before he had made all this preparation,  
3631 **He sente his knave, and eek his wenche also,**  
 He sent his servant, and also his servant girl,  
3632 **Upon his nede to London for to go.**  
 Upon his business to go to London.  
3633 **And on the Monday, whan it drow to nyght,**  
 And on the Monday, when it drew toward night,  
3634 **He shette his dore withoute candel-lyght,**  
 He shut his door without candlelight,  
3635 **And dressed alle thyng as it sholde be.**  
 And prepared everything as it should be.  
3636 **And shortly, up they clomben alle thre;**  
 And shortly, up they climbed all three;  
3637 **They seten stille wel a furlong way.**  
 They sat still a good two and one-half minutes.

3638 **"Now, Pater-noster, clom!" seyde Nicholay,**  
 "Now, Pater-noster, quiet!" said Nicholay,  
3639 **And "Clom!" quod John, and "Clom!" seyde Alisoun.**  
 And "Quiet!" said John, and "Quiet!" said Alisoun.  
3640 **This carpenter seyde his devocioun,**  
 This carpenter said his devotion,  
3641 **And stille he sit, and biddeth his preyere,**  
 And still he sits, and says his prayer,  
3642 **Awaitynge on the reyn, if he it heere.**  
 Awaiting the rain, if he might hear it.

3643 **The dede sleep, for wery bisynesse,**  
 The dead sleep, for weary business,  
3644 **Fil on this carpenter right, as I gesse,**  
 Fell on this carpenter right, as I guess,  
3645 **Aboute corfew-tyme, or litel moore;**  
 About curfew time, or a little more;  
3646 **For travaille of his goost he groneth soore,**  
 For suffering of his spirit he groans deeply,  
3647 **And eft he routeth, for his heed myslay.**  
 And also he snores, for his head lay wrong.  
3648 **Doun of the laddre stalketh Nicholay,**  
 Down on the ladder stalks Nicholay,  
3649 **And Alisoun ful softe adoun she spedde;**  
 And Alisoun very quietly down she sped;  
3650 **Withouten wordes mo they goon to bedde,**  
 Without more words they go to bed,  
3651 **Ther as the carpenter is wont to lye.**  
 Where the carpenter is accustomed to lie.  
3652 **Ther was the revel and the melodye;**  
 There was the revel and the sounds of festivity;  
3653 **And thus lith Alison and Nicholas,**  
 And thus lie Alison and Nicholas,  
3654 **In bisynesse of myrthe and of solas,**  
 In business of mirth and of pleasure,  
3655 **Til that the belle of laudes gan to rynge,**  
 Until the bell of the early morning service began to ring,  
3656 **And freres in the chauncel gonne synge.**  
 And friars in the chapel began to sing.

3657 **This parissh clerk, this amorous Absolon,**  
 This parish clerk, this amorous Absolon,  
3658 **That is for love alwey so wo bigon,**  
 That is for love always so woebegone,  
3659 **Upon the Monday was at Oseneye**  
 Upon the Monday was at Oseneye  
3660 **With compaignye, hym to disporte and pleye,**  
 With company, to be merry and amuse himself,  
3661 **And axed upon cas a cloisterer**  
 And by chance asked a cloistered monk  
3662 **Ful prively after John the carpenter;**  
 Very discreetly about John the carpenter;  
3663 **And he drough hym apart out of the chirche,**  
 And he drew him apart out of the church,  
3664 **And seyde, "I noot; I saugh hym heere nat wirche**  
 And said, "I know not; I have not seen him working here  
3665 **Syn Saterday; I trowe that he be went**  
 Since Saturday; I suppose that he is gone  
3666 **For tymber, ther oure abbot hath hym sent;**  
 For timber, where our abbot has sent him;  
3667 **For he is wont for tymber for to go**  
 For he is accustomed to go for timber   
3668 **And dwellen at the grange a day or two;**  
 And dwell at the granary a day or two;  
3669 **Or elles he is at his hous, certeyn.**  
 Or else he is at his house, certainly.  
3670 **Where that he be, I kan nat soothly seyn."**  
 Where he may be, I can not truly say."

3671 **This Absolon ful joly was and light,**  
 This Absolon very was jolly and happy,  
3672 **And thoghte, "Now is tyme to wake al nyght,**  
 And thought, "Now is time to stay awake all night,  
3673 **For sikirly I saugh hym nat stirynge**  
 For surely I saw him not stirring  
3674 **Aboute his dore, syn day bigan to sprynge.**  
 About his door, since day began to spring.

3675 **"So moot I thryve, I shal, at cokkes crowe,**  
 "As I may prosper, I shall, at cock's crow,  
3676 **Ful pryvely knokken at his wyndowe**  
 Very quietly knock at his window  
3677 **That stant ful lowe upon his boures wal.**  
 That stands very low upon his bedroom's wall.  
3678 **To Alison now wol I tellen al**  
 To Alison now I will tell all  
3679 **My love-longynge, for yet I shal nat mysse**  
 My love-longing, for yet I shall not miss  
3680 **That at the leeste wey I shal hire kisse.**  
 That at the very least I shall her kiss.  
3681 **Som maner confort shal I have, parfay.**  
 Some sort of comfort shall I have, by my faith.  
3682 **My mouth hath icched al this longe day;**  
 My mouth has itched all this long day;  
3683 **That is a signe of kissyng atte leeste.**  
 That is a sign of kissing at the least.  
3684 **Al nyght me mette eek I was at a feeste.**  
 All night I dreamed also I was at a feast.  
3685 **Therfore I wol go slepe an houre or tweye,**  
 Therefore I will go sleep an hour or two,  
3686 **And al the nyght thanne wol I wake and pleye."**  
 And all the night then will I stay awake and play."

3687 **Whan that the firste cok hath crowe, anon**  
 When the first cock has crowed (about midnight), at once  
3688 **Up rist this joly lovere Absolon,**  
 Up rises this elegant lover Absolon,  
3689 **And hym arraieth gay, at poynt-devys.**  
 And dresses himself handsomely, in every detail.  
3690 **But first he cheweth greyn and lycorys,**  
 But first he chews cardamom and licorice,  
3691 **To smellen sweete, er he hadde kembd his heer.**  
 To smell sweet, ere he had combed his hair.  
3692 **Under his tonge a trewe-love he beer,**  
 Under his tongue he had a true-love herb,  
3693 **For therby wende he to ben gracious.**  
 For thus he thought he would be gracious.  
3694 **He rometh to the carpenteres hous,**  
 He goes to the carpenter's house,  
3695 **And stille he stant under the shot-wyndowe --**  
 And he stands still under the casement window --  
3696 **Unto his brest it raughte, it was so lowe --**  
 Unto his breast it reached, it was so low --  
3697 **And softe he cougheth with a semy soun:**  
 And softly he coughs with a gentle sound:  
3698 **"What do ye, hony-comb, sweete Alisoun,**  
 "What do you, honey-comb, sweet Alisoun,  
3699 **My faire bryd, my sweete cynamome?**  
 My fair bird, my sweet cinnamon?  
3700 **Awaketh, lemman myn, and speketh to me!**  
 Awake, sweetheart mine, and speak to me!  
3701 **Wel litel thynken ye upon my wo,**  
 Well little you think upon my woe,  
3702 **That for youre love I swete ther I go.**  
 That for your love I sweat wherever I go.  
3703 **No wonder is thogh that I swelte and swete;**  
 No wonder is though that I swelter and sweat;  
3704 **I moorne as dooth a lamb after the tete.**  
 I mourn as does a lamb after the tit.  
3705 **Ywis, lemman, I have swich love-longynge**  
 Indeed, sweetheart, I have such love-longing  
3706 **That lik a turtel trewe is my moornynge.**  
 That like a true turtledove is my mourning.  
3707 **I may nat ete na moore than a mayde."**  
 I can eat no more than a maiden."

3708 **"Go fro the wyndow, Jakke fool," she sayde;**  
 "Go from the window, you idiot," she said;  
3709 **"As help me God, it wol nat be `com pa me.'**  
 "So help me God, it will not be `come kiss me.'  
3710 **I love another -- and elles I were to blame --**  
 I love another -- and else I were to blame --  
3711 **Wel bet than thee, by Jhesu, Absolon.**  
 Well better than thee, by Jesus, Absolon.  
3712 **Go forth thy wey, or I wol caste a ston,**  
 Go forth thy way, or I will cast a stone,  
3713 **And lat me slepe, a twenty devel wey!"**  
 And let me sleep, in the name of twenty devils!"  
3714 **"Allas," quod Absolon, "and weylawey,**  
 "Alas," said Absolon, "and woe is me,  
3715 **That trewe love was evere so yvel biset!**  
 That true love was ever in such miserable circumstances!  
3716 **Thanne kysse me, syn it may be no bet,**  
 Then kiss me, since it can be no better,  
3717 **For Jhesus love, and for the love of me."**  
 For Jesus' love, and for the love of me."

3718 **"Wiltow thanne go thy wey therwith?" quod she.**  
 "Wilt thou then go thy way with that?" said she.

3719 **"Ye, certes, lemman," quod this Absolon.**  
 "Yes, certainly, sweetheart," said this Absolon.

3720 **"Thanne make thee redy," quod she, "I come anon."**  
 "Then make thee ready," said she, "I come right now."   
3721 **And unto Nicholas she seyde stille,**  
 And unto Nicholas she said quietly,  
3722 **"Now hust, and thou shalt laughen al thy fille."**  
 "Now hush, and thou shalt laugh all thy fill."

3723 **This Absolon doun sette hym on his knees**  
 This Absolon set himself down on his knees  
3724 **And seyde, "I am a lord at alle degrees;**  
 And said, "I am a lord in every way;  
3725 **For after this I hope ther cometh moore.**  
 For after this I hope there comes more.  
3726 **Lemman, thy grace, and sweete bryd, thyn oore!"**  
 Sweetheart, thy grace, and sweet bird, thy mercy!"

3727 **The wyndow she undoth, and that in haste.**  
 The window she undoes, and that in haste.  
3728 **"Have do," quod she, "com of, and speed the faste,**  
 "Get done with it," said she, "come on, and hurry up,  
3729 **Lest that oure neighebores thee espie."**  
 Lest our neighbors espy thee."

3730 **This Absolon gan wype his mouth ful drie.**  
 This Absolon wiped his mouth very dry.  
3731 **Derk was the nyght as pich, or as the cole,**  
 Dark was the night as pitch, or as the coal,  
3732 **And at the wyndow out she putte hir hole,**  
 And at the window out she put her hole,  
3733 **And Absolon, hym fil no bet ne wers,**  
 And Absolon, to him it happened no better nor worse,  
3734 **But with his mouth he kiste hir naked ers**  
 But with his mouth he kissed her naked ass  
3735 **Ful savourly, er he were war of this.**  
 With great relish, before he was aware of this.  
3736 **Abak he stirte, and thoughte it was amys,**  
 Back he jumped, and thought it was amiss,  
3737 **For wel he wiste a womman hath no berd.**  
 For well he knew a woman has no beard.  
3738 **He felte a thyng al rough and long yherd,**  
 He felt a thing all rough and long haired,  
3739 **And seyde, "Fy! allas! what have I do?"**  
 And said, "Fie! alas! what have I done?"

3740 **"Tehee!" quod she, and clapte the wyndow to,**  
 "Tehee!" said she, and clapped the window to,  
3741 **And Absolon gooth forth a sory pas.**  
 And Absolon goes forth walking sadly.

3742 **"A berd! A berd!" quod hende Nicholas,**  
 "A beard! A beard!" said clever Nicholas,  
3743 **"By Goddes corpus, this goth faire and weel."**  
 "By God's body, this goes fair and well."

3744 **This sely Absolon herde every deel,**  
 This hapless Absolon heard every bit,  
3745 **And on his lippe he gan for anger byte,**  
 And on his lip he began for anger to bite,  
3746 **And to hymself he seyde, "I shal thee quyte."**  
 And to himself he said, "I shall pay thee back."

3747 **Who rubbeth now, who froteth now his lippes**  
 Who rubs now, who now scrubs his lips  
3748 **With dust, with sond, with straw, with clooth, with chippes,**  
 With dust, with sand, with straw, with cloth, with chips,  
3749 **But Absolon, that seith ful ofte, "Allas!"**  
 But Absolon, who says very often, "Alas!"  
3750 **"My soule bitake I unto Sathanas,**  
 "My soul I entrust to Satan,  
3751 **But me were levere than al this toun," quod he,**  
 If I would not rather than (have) all this town," said he,  
3752 **"Of this despit awroken for to be.**  
 "Be avenged for this insult.  
3753 **Allas," quod he, "allas, I ne hadde ybleynt!"**  
 Alas," said he, "alas, I did not turn away!"  
3754 **His hoote love was coold and al yqueynt;**  
 His hot love was cold and all extinguished;  
3755 **For fro that tyme that he hadde kist hir ers,**  
 For from that time that he had kissed her ass,  
3756 **Of paramours he sette nat a kers,**  
 Love-making he thought not worth not a watercress,  
3757 **For he was heeled of his maladie.**  
 For he was healed of his malady.  
3758 **Ful ofte paramours he gan deffie,**  
 Very often he did renounce love-making,  
3759 **And weep as dooth a child that is ybete.**  
 And wept as does a child that is beaten.  
3760 **A softe paas he wente over the strete**  
 At a slow pace he went down the street  
3761 **Until a smyth men cleped daun Gerveys,**  
 To a smith men called dan Gerveys,  
3762 **That in his forge smythed plough harneys;**  
 Who in his forge made plowing equipment;   
3763 **He sharpeth shaar and kultour bisily.**  
 He sharpens ploughshares and plough blades busily.  
3764 **This Absolon knokketh al esily,**  
 This Absolon knocked all gently,  
3765 **And seyde, "Undo, Gerveys, and that anon."**  
 And said, "Open up, Gerveys, and that right now."

3766 **"What, who artow?" "It am I, Absolon."**  
 "What, who art thou?" "It am I, Absolon."  
3767 **"What, Absolon! for Cristes sweete tree,**  
 "What, Absolon! for Christ's sweet cross,  
3768 **Why rise ye so rathe? Ey, benedicitee!**  
 Why rise you so early? Ay, bless me!  
3769 **What eyleth yow? Som gay gerl, God it woot,**  
 What ails yow? Some pretty girl, God knows it,  
3770 **Hath broght yow thus upon the viritoot.**  
 Hath brought you to be running around like this.  
3771 **By Seinte Note, ye woot wel what I mene."**  
 By Saint Note, you know well what I mean."

3772 **This Absolon ne roghte nat a bene**  
 This Absolon cared not a bean  
3773 **Of al his pley; no word agayn he yaf;**  
 For all his joking; no word he gave in reply;  
3774 **He hadde moore tow on his distaf**  
 He had more business on hand   
3775 **Than Gerveys knew, and seyde, "Freend so deere,**  
 Than Gerveys knew, and said, "Friend so dear,  
3776 **That hoote kultour in the chymenee heere,**  
 That hot plough blade in the hearth here,  
3777 **As lene it me; I have therwith to doone,**  
 Lend it to me; I have something to do with it,  
3778 **And I wol brynge it thee agayn ful soone."**  
 And I will bring it back to thee very soon."

3779 **Gerveys answerde, "Certes, were it gold,**  
 Gerveys answered, "Certainly, were it gold,  
3780 **Or in a poke nobles alle untold,**  
 Or in a sack countless silver coins,  
3781 **Thou sholdest have, as I am trewe smyth.**  
 Thou sholdest have it, as I am true smith.  
3782 **Ey, Cristes foo! What wol ye do therwith?"**  
 Ay, Christ's foe! What will you do with it?"

3783 **"Therof," quod Absolon, "be as be may.**  
 "Concerning that," said Absolon, "be as be may.  
3784 **I shal wel telle it thee to-morwe day" --**  
 I shall well tell it to thee to-morrow" --  
3785 **And caughte the kultour by the colde stele.**  
 And caught the plough blade by the cold handle.  
3786 **Ful softe out at the dore he gan to stele,**  
 Very softly out at the door he began to steal,  
3787 **And wente unto the carpenteris wal.**  
 And went unto the carpenter's wall.   
3788 **He cogheth first, and knokketh therwithal**  
 He coughs first, and knocks then  
3789 **Upon the wyndowe, right as he dide er.**  
 Upon the window, just as he did before.

3790 **This Alison answerde, "Who is ther**  
 This Alison answered, "Who is there  
3791 **That knokketh so? I warante it a theef."**  
 That knocks so? I swear it is a thief."

3792 **"Why, nay," quod he, "God woot, my sweete leef,**  
 "Why, nay," said he, "God knows, my sweet beloved,  
3793 **I am thyn Absolon, my deerelyng.**  
 I am thy Absolon, my darling.  
3794 **Of gold," quod he, "I have thee broght a ryng.**  
 Of gold," said he, "I have brought thee a ring.  
3795 **My mooder yaf it me, so God me save;**  
 My mother gave it to me, as God may save me;  
3796 **Ful fyn it is, and therto wel ygrave.**  
 Very fine it is, and also nicely engraved.  
3797 **This wol I yeve thee, if thou me kisse."**  
 This will I give thee, if thou kiss me."

3798 **This Nicholas was risen for to pisse,**  
 This Nicholas was risen to piss,  
3799 **And thoughte he wolde amenden al the jape;**  
 And thought he would make the joke even better;  
3800 **He sholde kisse his ers er that he scape.**  
 He should kiss his ass before he escapes.  
3801 **And up the wyndowe dide he hastily,**  
 And he opened up the window hastily,  
3802 **And out his ers he putteth pryvely**  
 And he puts out his ass stealthily  
3803 **Over the buttok, to the haunche-bon;**  
 Over the buttock, to the thigh;  
3804 **And therwith spak this clerk, this Absolon,**  
 And then spoke this clerk, this Absolon,  
3805 **"Spek, sweete bryd, I noot nat where thou art."**  
 "Speak, sweet bird, I know not where thou art."

3806 **This Nicholas anon leet fle a fart**  
 This Nicholas immediately let fly a fart  
3807 **As greet as it had been a thonder-dent,**  
 As great as if it had been a thunder-bolt,  
3808 **That with the strook he was almoost yblent;**  
 So that with the stroke he was almost blinded;  
3809 **And he was redy with his iren hoot,**  
 And he was ready with his hot iron,  
3810 **And Nicholas amydde the ers he smoot.**  
 And he smote Nicholas in the middle of the ass.

3811 **Of gooth the skyn an hande-brede aboute,**  
 Off goes the skin a hand's breadth about,  
3812 **The hoote kultour brende so his toute,**  
 The hot plough blade so burned his rump  
3813 **And for the smert he wende for to dye.**  
 And for the pain he thought he would die.  
3814 **As he were wood, for wo he gan to crye,**  
 As if he were crazy, for woe he began to cry,  
3815 **"Help! Water! Water! Help, for Goddes herte!"**  
 "Help! Water! Water! Help, for God's heart!"

3816 **This carpenter out of his slomber sterte,**  
 This carpenter woke suddenly out of his slumber,  
3817 **And herde oon crien "water!" as he were wood,**  
 And heard someone cry "water!" as if he were crazy,  
3818 **And thoughte, "Allas, now comth Nowelis flood!"**  
 And thought, "Alas, now comes Nowell's flood!"  
3819 **He sit hym up withouten wordes mo,**  
 He sits up without more words,  
3820 **And with his ax he smoot the corde atwo,**  
 And with his ax he smote the cord in two,  
3821 **And doun gooth al; he foond neither to selle,**  
 And down goes all; he found nothing to sell (wasted no time),  
3822 **Ne breed ne ale, til he cam to the celle**  
 Neither bread nor ale, until he came to the pavement  
3823 **Upon the floor, and ther aswowne he lay.**  
 Upon the floor, and there he lay in a swoon.

3824 **Up stirte hire Alison and Nicholay,**  
 Up started Alison and Nicholay,  
3825 **And criden "Out" and "Harrow" in the strete.**  
 And cried "Out" and "Help" in the street.  
3826 **The neighebores, bothe smale and grete,**  
 The neighbors, both low-ranking and high,  
3827 **In ronnen for to gauren on this man,**  
 Run in to gawk at this man,  
3828 **That yet aswowne lay, bothe pale and wan,**  
 Who yet lay in a swoon, both pale and wan,  
3829 **For with the fal he brosten hadde his arm.**  
 For with the fall he had broken his arm.  
3830 **But stonde he moste unto his owene harm;**  
 But he had to stand up for himself, though it went badly;  
3831 **For whan he spak, he was anon bore doun**  
 For when he spoke, he was immediately put down  
3832 **With hende Nicholas and Alisoun.**  
 By clever Nicholas and Alisoun.  
3833 **They tolden every man that he was wood;**  
 They told every one that he was crazy;  
3834 **He was agast so of Nowelis flood**  
 He was so afraid of Nowell's flood  
3835 **Thurgh fantasie that of his vanytee**  
 Because of his imagination that in his foolishness  
3836 **He hadde yboght hym knedyng tubbes thre,**  
 He had bought himself three kneading tubs,  
3837 **And hadde hem hanged in the roof above;**  
 And had hanged them in the roof above;  
3838 **And that he preyed hem, for Goddes love,**  
 And that he begged them, for God's love,  
3839 **To sitten in the roof, par compaignye.**  
 To sit in the roof, to keep him company.

3840 **The folk gan laughen at his fantasye;**  
 The folk did laugh at his foolishness;  
3841 **Into the roof they kiken and they cape,**  
 Into the roof they stare and they gape,  
3842 **And turned al his harm unto a jape.**  
 And turned all his harm into a joke.  
3843 **For what so that this carpenter answerde,**  
 For whatever this carpenter answered,  
3844 **It was for noght; no man his reson herde.**  
 It was for naught; no one listened to his explanation,  
3845 **With othes grete he was so sworn adoun**  
 With oaths great he was so sworn down  
3846 **That he was holde wood in al the toun;**  
 That he was considered crazy in all the town;  
3847 **For every clerk anonright heeld with oother.**  
 For every clerk immediately agreed with the other.  
3848 **They seyde, "The man is wood, my leeve brother";**  
 They said, "The man is crazy, my dear brother";  
3849 **And every wight gan laughen at this stryf.**  
 And every person did laugh at this strife.  
3850 **Thus swyved was this carpenteris wyf,**  
 Thus screwed was this carpenter's wife,  
3851 **For al his kepyng and his jalousye,**  
 In spite of all his guarding and his jealousy,  
3852 **And Absolon hath kist hir nether ye,**  
 And Absolon has kissed her lower eye,  
3853 **And Nicholas is scalded in the towte.**  
 And Nicholas is scalded in the rump.  
3854 **This tale is doon, and God save al the rowte!**  
 This tale is done, and God save all this company!

***Heere endeth the Millere his Tale***   
\[Here ends the Miller's Tale\]