#  1.4 The Reeve's Prologue and Tale 

 



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**The Reeve's Prologue**

*The Prologe of the Reves Tale*

3855  **Whan folk hadde laughen at this nyce cas**  
 When folk had laughed at this foolish business  
3856  **Of Absolon and hende Nicholas,**  
 Of Absolon and clever Nicholas,  
3857  **Diverse folk diversely they seyde,**  
 Different folk said different opinions,  
3858  **But for the moore part they loughe and pleyde.**  
 But for the most part they laughed and enjoyed themselves.  
3859  **Ne at this tale I saugh no man hym greve,**  
 And at this tale I saw no man aggrieved,  
3860  **But it were oonly Osewold the Reve.**  
 Except for only Osewold the Reeve.  
3861  **By cause he was of carpenteris craft,**  
 Because he was of the carpenter's craft,  
3862  **A litel ire is in his herte ylaft;**  
 A little anger is left in his heart;  
3863  **He gan to grucche, and blamed it a lite.**  
 He began to grouch, and criticized it a little.

3864  **"So theek," quod he, "ful wel koude I thee quite**  
 "As I may prosper," said he, "very well could I repay thee  
3865  **With bleryng of a proud milleres ye,**  
 With (a tale of the) blearing of a proud miller's eye (tricking him),  
3866  **If that me liste speke of ribaudye.**  
 If I wanted to speak of ribaldry.  
3867  **But ik am oold; me list not pley for age;**  
 But I am old; because of age I do not want to play;  
3868  **Gras tyme is doon; my fodder is now forage;**  
 Grass time is done; my fodder is now dry straw;  
3869  **This white top writeth myne olde yeris;**  
 This white head reveals my old years;  
3870  **Myn herte is also mowled as myne heris,**  
 My heart is as moldy as my hairs,

3871  **But if I fare as dooth an open-ers --**  
 Unless I fare as does the fruit of the medlar --  
3872  **That ilke fruyt is ever lenger the wers,**  
 That same fruit continually grows worse,  
3873  **Til it be roten in mullok or in stree.**  
 Until it is rotten in rubbish or in straw.  
3874  **We olde men, I drede, so fare we:**  
 We old men, I fear, fare like that:  
3875  **Til we be roten, kan we nat be rype;**  
 Until we are rotten, we can not be ripe;  
3876  **We hoppen alwey whil that the world wol pype.**  
 We dance always while the world will pipe.  
3877  **For in oure wyl ther stiketh evere a nayl,**  
 For in our will there sticks ever a nail,  
3878  **To have an hoor heed and a grene tayl,**  
 To have a white head and a green tail,  
3879  **As hath a leek; for thogh oure myght be goon,**  
 As a leek has; for though our power is gone,  
3880  **Oure wyl desireth folie evere in oon.**  
 Our will desires folly continually.  
3881  **For whan we may nat doon, than wol we speke;**  
 For when we can not do anything, then will we talk about it;  
3882  **Yet in oure asshen olde is fyr yreke.**  
 Yet in our old ashes fire is raked over (covered).

3883  **"Foure gleedes han we, which I shal devyse --**  
 "Four live coals have we, which I shall describe --  
3884  **Avauntyng, liyng, anger, coveitise;**  
 Boasting, lying, anger, greed;  
3885  **Thise foure sparkles longen unto eelde.**  
 These four little sparks belong to old age.  
3886  **Oure olde lemes mowe wel been unweelde,**  
 Our old limbs may well be feeble,  
3887  **But wyl ne shal nat faillen, that is sooth.**  
 But desire shall not be lacking, that is truth.  
3888  **And yet ik have alwey a coltes tooth,**  
 And yet I have always a young man's desires,  
3889  **As many a yeer as it is passed henne**  
 As many years as have passed hence  
3890  **Syn that my tappe of lif bigan to renne.**  
 Since my tap of life began to run.  
3891  **For sikerly, whan I was bore, anon**  
 For surely, when I was born, immediately  
3892  **Deeth drough the tappe of lyf and leet it gon,**  
 Death turned on the spigot of life and let it flow,  
3893  **And ever sithe hath so the tappe yronne**  
 And ever since the tap has so run  
3894  **Til that almoost al empty is the tonne.**  
 Until the barrel is almost all empty.  
3895  **The streem of lyf now droppeth on the chymbe.**  
 The stream of life now drops on the rim.  
3896  **The sely tonge may wel rynge and chymbe**  
 The foolish tongue may well ring and chime  
3897  **Of wrecchednesse that passed is ful yoore;**  
 About wretchedness that passed long ago;  
3898  **With olde folk, save dotage, is namoore!"**  
 With old folk, save dotage, there is no more!"

3899  **Whan that oure Hoost hadde herd this sermonyng,**  
 When our Host had heard this sermon making,  
3900  **He gan to speke as lordly as a kyng.**  
 He began to speak as lordly as a king.  
3901  **He seide, "What amounteth al this wit?**  
 He said, "What amounts all this wit?  
3902  **What shul we speke alday of hooly writ?**  
 What! shall we speak all day of holy writ?  
3903  **The devel made a reve for to preche,**  
 The devil made a reeve to preach,  
3904  **Or of a soutere a shipman or a leche.**  
 Or of a cobbler made a shipman or a physician.  
3905  **Sey forth thy tale, and tarie nat the tyme.**  
 Say forth thy tale, and do not waste the time.  
3906  **Lo Depeford, and it is half-wey pryme!**  
 Lo Deptford, and it is almost seven thirty!  
3907  **Lo Grenewych, ther many a shrewe is inne!**  
 Lo Greenwich, in which is many a rascal!  
3908  **It were al tyme thy tale to bigynne."**  
 It is well time to begin thy tale."

3909  **"Now, sires," quod this Osewold the Reve,**  
 "Now, sires," said this Osewold the Reeve,  
3910  **"I pray yow alle that ye nat yow greve,**  
 "I pray yow all that you not be displeased,  
3911  **Thogh I answere, and somdeel sette his howve;**  
 Though I answer (him), and somewhat make a fool of him;   
3912  **For leveful is with force force of-showve.**  
 For it is permissable to repel force with force.

3913  **"This dronke Millere hath ytoold us heer**  
 "This drunk Miller has told us here  
3914  **How that bigyled was a carpenteer,**  
 How a carpenter was tricked,  
3915  **Peraventure in scorn, for I am oon.**  
 Perhaps in scorn, for I am one.  
3916  **And, by youre leve, I shal hym quite anoon;**  
 And, by your leave, I shall repay him right now;  
3917  **Right in his cherles termes wol I speke.**  
 Right in his churl's terms will I speak.  
3918  **I pray to God his nekke mote to-breke;**  
 I pray to God his neck may break into pieces;  
3919  **He kan wel in myn eye seen a stalke,**  
 He can well in my eye see a piece of straw,  
3920  **But in his owene he kan nat seen a balke."**  
 But in his own he can not see a large piece of timber."

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

**The Reeve's Tale**

*Heere bigynneth the Reves Tale.*

3921  **At Trumpyngtoun, nat fer fro Cantebrigge,**  
 At Trumpington, not far from Cambridge,  
3922  **Ther gooth a brook, and over that a brigge,**  
 There goes a brook, and over that a bridge,  
3923  **Upon the whiche brook ther stant a melle;**  
 Upon the which brook there stands a mill;  
3924  **And this is verray sooth that I yow telle:**  
 And this is absolute truth that I tell you:  
3925  **A millere was ther dwellynge many a day.**  
 A miller was there dwelling many a day.  
3926  **As any pecok he was proud and gay.**  
 As any peacock he was proud and gay.  
3927  **Pipen he koude and fisshe, and nettes beete,**  
 He could play the bagpipe and fish, and mend nets,  
3928  **And turne coppes, and wel wrastle and sheete;**  
 And play a drinking game, and well wrestle and shoot;  
3929  **Ay by his belt he baar a long panade,**  
 Always by his belt he carried a long cutlass,  
3930  **And of a swerd ful trenchant was the blade.**  
 And very sharp was the blade of the sword.  
3931  **A joly poppere baar he in his pouche;**  
 An elegant dagger he carried in his pouch;  
3932  **Ther was no man, for peril, dorste hym touche.**  
 There was no man, for peril, dared touch him.  
3933  **A Sheffeld thwitel baar he in his hose.**  
 A Sheffield knife he carried in his hose.  
3934  **Round was his face, and camus was his nose;**  
 Round was his face, and he had a pug nose;  
3935  **As piled as an ape was his skulle.**  
 As bald as an ape was his skull.  
3936  **He was a market-betere atte fulle.**  
 He was a quarrelsome bully in every way.  
3937  **Ther dorste no wight hand upon hym legge,**  
 There dared no person lay hand upon him,  
3938  **That he ne swoor he sholde anon abegge.**  
 That he did not swear he should pay for it right away.  
3939  **A theef he was for sothe of corn and mele,**  
 A thief he was, in truth, of grain and meal,  
3940  **And that a sly, and usaunt for to stele.**  
 And that a sly one, and accustomed to steal.  
3941  **His name was hoote deynous Symkyn.**  
 His name was called haughty Symkyn.  
3942  **A wyf he hadde, ycomen of noble kyn;**  
 A wife he had, come of noble kin;  
3943  **The person of the toun hir fader was.**  
 The parson of the town was her father.  
3944  **With hire he yaf ful many a panne of bras,**  
 With her he gave very many a pan of brass,  
3945  **For that Symkyn sholde in his blood allye.**  
 So that Symkyn should be allied with his family.  
3946  **She was yfostred in a nonnerye;**  
 She was fostered in a nunnery;  
3947  **For Symkyn wolde no wyf, as he sayde,**  
 For Symkyn would have no wife, as he said,  
3948  **But she were wel ynorissed and a mayde,**  
 Unless she were well educated and a virgin,  
3949  **To saven his estaat of yomanrye.**  
 To preserve his state of yeomanry.  
3950  **And she was proud, and peert as is a pye.**  
 And she was proud, and brazen as is a magpie.  
3951  **A ful fair sighte was it upon hem two;**  
 A very fair sight was it to look upon those two;  
3952  **On halydayes biforn hire wolde he go**  
 On holidays before her would he go  
3953  **With his typet wounde aboute his heed,**  
 With the tip of his hood wound about his head,  
3954  **And she cam after in a gyte of reed;**  
 And she came after in a gown of red;  
3955  **And Symkyn hadde hosen of the same.**  
 And Symkyn had hose of the same color.  
3956  **Ther dorste no wight clepen hire but "dame";**  
 There dared no one call her anything but "lady";  
3957  **Was noon so hardy that wente by the weye**  
 There was no one so brave that went by the way  
3958  **That with hire dorste rage or ones pleye,**  
 That dared flirt with her or once play,  
3959  **But if he wolde be slayn of Symkyn**  
 Unless he wished to be slain by Symkyn  
3960  **With panade, or with knyf, or boidekyn.**  
 With cutlass, or with knife, or dagger.  
3961  **For jalous folk ben perilous everemo --**  
 For jealous folk are dangerous always --  
3962  **Algate they wolde hire wyves wenden so.**  
 At least they would like their wives to think so.  
3963  **And eek, for she was somdel smoterlich,**  
 And also, because she was a bit besmirched (by her illegitimacy),  
3964  **She was as digne as water in a dich,**  
 She was as haughty as water in a ditch,  
3965  **And ful of hoker and of bisemare.**  
 And full of disdain and of scorn.  
3966  **Hir thoughte that a lady sholde hire spare,**  
 She thought that a lady should be aloof,  
3967  **What for hire kynrede and hir nortelrie**  
 Considering her family and her education  
3968  **That she hadde lerned in the nonnerie.**  
 Which she had learned in the nunnery.

3969  **A doghter hadde they bitwixe hem two**  
 A daughter had they between them two  
3970  **Of twenty yeer, withouten any mo,**  
 Of twenty years of age, without any more,  
3971  **Savynge a child that was of half yeer age;**  
 Except for a child that was a half year of age;  
3972  **In cradel it lay and was a propre page.**  
 In cradle it lay and was a good looking little boy.  
3973  **This wenche thikke and wel ygrowen was,**  
 This wench was thick and well grown,  
3974  **With kamus nose and eyen greye as glas,**  
 With pug nose and eyes gray as glass,  
3975  **With buttokes brode and brestes rounde and hye.**  
 With buttocks broad and breasts round and high.  
3976  **But right fair was hire heer; I wol nat lye.**  
 But right fair was her hair; I will not lie.

3977  **This person of the toun, for she was feir,**  
 This parson of the town, because she was fair,  
3978  **In purpos was to maken hire his heir,**  
 Was determined to make her his heir,  
3979  **Bothe of his catel and his mesuage,**  
 Both of his property and his household,  
3980  **And straunge he made it of hir mariage.**  
 And he raised difficulties about her marriage.  
3981  **His purpos was for to bistowe hire hye**  
 His purpose was to bestow her high  
3982  **Into som worthy blood of auncetrye;**  
 Into some worthy family of noble ancestry;  
3983  **For hooly chirches good moot been despended**  
 For holy church's goods must be dispensed  
3984  **On hooly chirches blood, that is descended.**  
 To holy church's blood, which is descended from the church.  
3985  **Therfore he wolde his hooly blood honoure,**  
 Therefore he would his holy blood honor,  
3986  **Though that he hooly chirche sholde devoure.**  
 Though he holy church should devour.

3987  **Greet sokene hath this millere, out of doute,**  
 A profitable monopoly on milling has this miller, out of doubt,  
3988  **With whete and malt of al the land aboute;**  
 With wheat and malt of all the land about;  
3989  **And nameliche ther was a greet collegge**  
 And namely there was an important college  
3990  **Men clepen the Soler Halle at Cantebregge;**  
 People call the Soler Hall at Cambridge;  
3991  **Ther was hir whete and eek hir malt ygrounde.**  
 There their wheat and also their malt was ground.  
3992  **And on a day it happed, in a stounde,**  
 And on one day it happened, at a time,  
3993  **Sik lay the maunciple on a maladye;**  
 The manciple lay sick with a malady;  
3994  **Men wenden wisly that he sholde dye.**  
 People thought indeed that he should die.  
3995  **For which this millere stal bothe mele and corn**  
 For which this miller stole both meal and grain  
3996  **An hundred tyme moore than biforn;**  
 A hundred times more than before;  
3997  **For therbiforn he stal but curteisly,**  
 For before this he stole but courteously,  
3998  **But now he was a theef outrageously,**  
 But now he was a thief excessively,  
3999  **For which the wardeyn chidde and made fare.**  
 For which the warden (of the college) complained and made a fuss.  
4000  **But therof sette the millere nat a tare;**  
 But the miller thought that not worth a weed;  
4001  **He craketh boost, and swoor it was nat so.**  
 He blustered fiercely, and swore it was not so.

4002  **Thanne were ther yonge povre scolers two,**  
 Then were there two young poor scholars,  
4003  **That dwelten in this halle, of which I seye.**  
 Who dwelt in this hall, of which I tell.  
4004  **Testif they were, and lusty for to pleye,**  
 Headstrong they were, and eager for sport,  
4005  **And, oonly for hire myrthe and revelrye,**  
 And, only for their mirth and amusement,  
4006  **Upon the wardeyn bisily they crye**  
 Upon the warden busily they implore  
4007  **To yeve hem leve, but a litel stounde,**  
 To give them leave, for but a little while,  
4008  **To goon to mille and seen hir corn ygrounde;**  
 To go to the mill and see their grain ground;  
4009  **And hardily they dorste leye hir nekke**  
 And boldly they dared pledge their necks  
4010  **The millere sholde not stele hem half a pekke**  
 The miller should not steal from them half a peck  
4011  **Of corn by sleighte, ne by force hem reve;**  
 Of grain by trickery, nor rob them by force;  
4012  **And at the laste the wardeyn yaf hem leve.**  
 And at the last the warden gave hem leave.  
4013  **John highte that oon, and Aleyn highte that oother;**  
 John was called that one, and Aleyn was called that other;  
4014  **Of o toun were they born, that highte Strother,**  
 Of one town were they born, that was called Strother,  
4015  **Fer in the north; I kan nat telle where.**  
 Far in the north; I can not tell where.

4016  **This Aleyn maketh redy al his gere,**  
 This Aleyn makes ready all his gear,  
4017  **And on an hors the sak he caste anon.**  
 And on a horse the sack he cast immediately.  
4018  **Forth goth Aleyn the clerk, and also John,**  
 Forth goes Aleyn the clerk, and also John,  
4019  **With good swerd and with bokeler by hir syde.**  
 With good sword and with buckler by their sides.  
4020  **John knew the wey -- hem nedede no gyde --**  
 John knew the way -- they needed no guide --  
4021  **And at the mille the sak adoun he layth.**  
 And at the mill he lays the sack down.  
4022  **Aleyn spak first: "Al hayl, Symond, y-fayth!**  
 Aleyn spoke first: "All hail, Symond, in faith!  
4023  **Hou fares thy faire doghter and thy wyf?"**  
 How fares thy faire daughter and thy wife?"

4024  **"Aleyn, welcome," quod Symkyn, "by my lyf!**  
 "Aleyn, welcome," said Symkyn, "by my life!  
4025  **And John also, how now, what do ye heer?"**  
 And John also, how now, what do you here?"

4026  **"Symond," quod John, "by God, nede has na peer.**  
 "Symond," said John, "by God, need knows no law.  
4027  **Hym boes serve hymself that has na swayn,**  
 He who has no servant must serve himself,  
4028  **Or elles he is a fool, as clerkes sayn.**  
 Or else he is a fool, as clerks say.  
4029  **Oure manciple, I hope he wil be deed,**  
 Our manciple, I expect he will be dead,  
4030  **Swa werkes ay the wanges in his heed;**  
 So continually ache the teeth in his head;  
4031  **And forthy is I come, and eek Alayn,**  
 And therefore I am come, and also Alayn,  
4032  **To grynde oure corn and carie it ham agayn;**  
 To grind our grain and carry it home again;  
4033  **I pray yow spede us heythen that ye may."**  
 I pray you speed us hence as fast as you can."

4034  **"It shal be doon," quod Symkyn, "by my fay!**  
 "It shall be done," said Symkyn, "by my faith!  
4035  **What wol ye doon whil that it is in hande?"**  
 What will you do while it is being done?"

4036  **"By God, right by the hopur wil I stande,"**  
 "By God, right by the hopper will I stand,"  
4037  **Quod John, "and se howgates the corn gas in.**  
 Said John, "and see how the grain goes in.  
4038  **Yet saugh I nevere, by my fader kyn,**  
 Yet saw I never, by my father's kin,  
4039  **How that the hopur wagges til and fra."**  
 How the hopper wags to and fro."

4040  **Aleyn answerde, "John, and wiltow swa?**  
 Aleyn answered, "John, and wilt thou do so?  
4041  **Thanne wil I be bynethe, by my croun,**  
 Then will I be beneath, by my head,  
4042  **And se how that the mele falles doun**  
 And see how the meal falls down  
4043  **Into the trough; that sal be my disport.**  
 Into the trough; that shall be my sport.  
4044  **For John, y-faith, I may been of youre sort;**  
 For John, in faith, I may be like you;  
4045  **I is as ille a millere as ar ye."**  
 I am as poor a miller as you are."

4046  **This millere smyled of hir nycetee,**  
 This miller smiled at their foolishness,  
4047  **And thoghte, "Al this nys doon but for a wyle.**  
 And thought, "All this is done only for a trick.  
4048  **They wene that no man may hem bigyle,**  
 They think that no man can trick them,  
4049  **But by my thrift, yet shal I blere hir ye,**  
 But by my welfare, yet shall I blear their eyes (fool them),  
4050  **For al the sleighte in hir philosophye.**  
 Despite all the trickery in their philosophy.  
4051  **The moore queynte crekes that they make,**  
 The more ingenious tricks that they make,  
4052  **The moore wol I stele whan I take.**  
 The more will I steal when I take.  
4053  **In stide of flour yet wol I yeve hem bren.**  
 Instead of flour yet will I give them bran.  
4054  **`The gretteste clerkes been noght wisest men,'**  
 `The greatest clerks are not the wisest men,'  
4055  **As whilom to the wolf thus spak the mare.**  
 As once to the wolf thus spoke the mare.  
4056  **Of al hir art counte I noght a tare."**  
 All their learning I reckon not worth a weed."

4057  **Out at the dore he gooth ful pryvely,**  
 Out at the door he goes full stealthily,  
4058  **Whan that he saugh his tyme, softely.**  
 When he saw his time, quietly.  
4059  **He looketh up and doun til he hath founde**  
 He looks up and down until he has found  
4060  **The clerkes hors, ther as it stood ybounde**  
 The clerks' horse, where it stood tied  
4061  **Bihynde the mille, under a levesel;**  
 Behind the mill, under an arbor;  
4062  **And to the hors he goth hym faire and wel;**  
 And to the horse he goes gently;   
4063  **He strepeth of the brydel right anon.**  
 He strips off the bridle right away.  
4064  **And whan the hors was laus, he gynneth gon**  
 And when the horse was loose, he begins to go  
4065  **Toward the fen, ther wilde mares renne,**  
 Toward the fen, where wild mares run,  
4066  **And forth with "wehee," thurgh thikke and thurgh thenne.**  
 And forth with "wehee," through thick and through thin.

4067  **This millere gooth agayn, no word he seyde,**  
 This miller goes back to the mill, no word he said,  
4068  **But dooth his note, and with the clerkes pleyde**  
 But does his work, and with the clerks amused himself  
4069  **Til that hir corn was faire and weel ygrounde.**  
 Until their grain was completely ground.  
4070  **And whan the mele is sakked and ybounde,**  
 And when the meal is sacked and tied,  
4071  **This John goth out and fynt his hors away,**  
 This John goes out and finds his horse gone away,  
4072  **And gan to crie "Harrow!" and "Weylaway!**  
 And began to cry "Help!" and "Wellaway!  
4073  **Oure hors is lorn, Alayn, for Goddes banes,**  
 Our horse is lost, Alayn, for God's bones,  
4074  **Step on thy feet! Com of, man, al atanes!**  
 Step on thy feet! Come on, man, quickly!  
4075  **Allas, our wardeyn has his palfrey lorn."**  
 Alas, our warden has lost his saddle horse."  
4076  **This Aleyn al forgat, bothe mele and corn;**  
 This Aleyn forgot everything, both meal and grain;  
4077  **Al was out of his mynde his housbondrie.**  
 All his skillful management was out of his mind.  
4078  **"What, whilk way is he geen?" he gan to crie.**  
 "What, which way is he gone?" he began to cry.

4079  **The wyf cam lepynge inward with a ren.**  
 The wife cam leaping inward at a run.  
4080  **She seyde, "Allas! youre hors goth to the fen**  
 She said, "Alas! your horse goes to the fen  
4081  **With wilde mares, as faste as he may go.**  
 With wild mares, as fast as he can go.  
4082  **Unthank come on his hand that boond hym so,**  
 Curses come on his hand that tied him so carelessly,  
4083  **And he that bettre sholde han knyt the reyne!"**  
 And he that should have tied the rein better!"

4084  **"Allas," quod John, "Aleyn, for Cristes peyne**  
 "Alas," said John, "Aleyn, for Christ's pain  
4085  **Lay doun thy swerd, and I wil myn alswa.**  
 Lay down thy sword, and I will mine also.  
4086  **I is ful wight, God waat, as is a raa;**  
 I am full strong (swift), God knows, as is a roe deer;  
4087  **By Goddes herte, he sal nat scape us bathe!**  
 By God's heart, he shall not escape us both!  
4088  **Why ne had thow pit the capul in the lathe?**  
 Why did thou not put the horse in the barn?  
4089  **Ilhayl! By God, Alayn, thou is a fonne!"**  
 Bad luck! By God, Alayn, thou art a fool!"

4090  **Thise sely clerkes han ful faste yronne**  
 These hapless clerks have run very fast   
4091  **Toward the fen, bothe Aleyn and eek John.**  
 Toward the fen, both Aleyn and also John.

4092  **And whan the millere saugh that they were gon,**  
 And when the miller saw that they were gone,  
4093  **He half a busshel of hir flour hath take,**  
 He half a bushel of their flour has taken,  
4094  **And bad his wyf go knede it in a cake.**  
 And ordered his wife to go knead it in a cake.  
4095  **He seyde, "I trowe the clerkes were aferd.**  
 He said, "I suppose the clerks were leery (of what I might do).  
4096  **Yet kan a millere make a clerkes berd,**  
 Yet can a miller make a clerk's beard (trick a clerk),  
4097  **For al his art; now lat hem goon hir weye!**  
 Despite all his learning; now let them go their way!  
4098  **Lo, wher he gooth! Ye, lat the children pleye.**  
 Lo, there he goes! Yes, let the children play.  
4099  **They gete hym nat so lightly, by my croun."**  
 They will not catch him easily, by my crown."

4100  **Thise sely clerkes rennen up and doun**  
 These hapless clerks run up and down  
4101  **With "Keep! Keep! Stand! Stand! Jossa, warderere,**  
 With "Stop! Stop! Stand! Stand! Down there, watch out behind,  
4102  **Ga whistle thou, and I shal kepe hym heere!"**  
 Go whistle thou, and I shall catch him here!"  
4103  **But shortly, til that it was verray nyght,**  
 But shortly, until that it was truly night,  
4104  **They koude nat, though they dide al hir myght,**  
 They could not, though they did al their might,  
4105  **Hir capul cacche, he ran alwey so faste,**  
 Catch their horse, he ran always so fast,  
4106  **Til in a dych they caughte hym atte laste.**  
 Until in a ditch they caught him at the last.

4107  **Wery and weet, as beest is in the reyn,**  
 Weary and wet, as a beast is in the rain,  
4108  **Comth sely John, and with him comth Aleyn.**  
 Comes hapless John, and with him comes Aleyn.  
4109  **"Allas," quod John, "the day that I was born!**  
 "Alas," said John, "the day that I was born!  
4110  **Now are we dryve til hethyng and til scorn.**  
 Now are we driven to contempt and to scorn.  
4111  **Oure corn is stoln; men wil us fooles calle,**  
 Our grain is stolen; men will call us fools,  
4112  **Bathe the wardeyn and oure felawes alle,**  
 Both the warden and all our fellows,  
4113  **And namely the millere, weylaway!"**  
 And namely the miller, wellaway!"

4114  **Thus pleyneth John as he gooth by the way**  
 Thus laments John as he goes by the way  
4115  **Toward the mille, and Bayard in his hond.**  
 Toward the mill, and the horse Bayard in his hand.  
4116  **The millere sittynge by the fyr he fond,**  
 The miller sitting by the fire he found,  
4117  **For it was nyght, and forther myghte they noght;**  
 For it was night, and further they could not go;  
4118  **But for the love of God they hym bisoght**  
 But for the love of God they ask him   
4119  **Of herberwe and of ese, as for hir peny.**  
 For lodging and for refreshment, for their cash.

4120  **The millere seyde agayn, "If ther be eny,**  
 The miller said in reply, "If there be any,  
4121  **Swich as it is, yet shal ye have youre part.**  
 Such as it is, yet shall you have your share.  
4122  **Myn hous is streit, but ye han lerned art;**  
 My house is small, but you have learned the art of logic;  
4123  **Ye konne by argumentes make a place**  
 You know how by logical arguments to make a place  
4124  **A myle brood of twenty foot of space.**  
 A mile broad out of twenty feet of space.  
4125  **Lat se now if this place may suffise,**  
 Let's see now if this place may suffice,  
4126  **Or make it rowm with speche, as is youre gise."**  
 Or make it large by speech, as is your custom."

4127  **"Now, Symond," seyde John, "by Seint Cutberd,**  
 "Now, Symond," said John, "by Saint Cuthbert,  
4128  **Ay is thou myrie, and this is faire answerd.**  
 Thou art always joking, and this is nicely answered.  
4129  **I have herd seyd, `Man sal taa of twa thynges:**  
 I have heard said, `Man shall take one of two things:  
4130  **Slyk as he fyndes, or taa slyk as he brynges.'**  
 Such as he finds, or take such as he brings.'  
4131  **But specially I pray thee, hooste deere,**  
 But specially I pray thee, host dear,  
4132  **Get us som mete and drynke, and make us cheere,**  
 Get us some food and drink, and make us good cheer,  
4133  **And we wil payen trewely atte fulle.**  
 And we will pay truly at the full.  
4134  **With empty hand men may na haukes tulle;**  
 With empty hand men may lure no hawks;  
4135  **Loo, heere oure silver, redy for to spende."**  
 Lo, here is our silver, ready to spend."

4136  **This millere into toun his doghter sende**  
 This miller into town his daughter sent  
4137  **For ale and breed, and rosted hem a goos,**  
 For ale and bread, and roasted them a goose,  
4138  **And boond hire hors, it sholde namoore go loos,**  
 And tied up their horse, it should no more go loose,  
4139  **And in his owene chambre hem made a bed,**  
 And in his own bedroom made them a bed,  
4140  **With sheetes and with chalons faire yspred**  
 With sheets and with blankets nicely spread  
4141  **Noght from his owene bed ten foot or twelve.**  
 Not ten feet or twelve from his own bed.  
4142  **His doghter hadde a bed, al by hirselve,**  
 His daughter had a bed, all by herself,  
4143  **Right in the same chambre by and by.**  
 Right in the same chamber side by side.  
4144  **It myghte be no bet, and cause why?**  
 It could be no better, and (do you know) the cause why?  
4145  **Ther was no roumer herberwe in the place.**  
 There was no larger lodging in the place.  
4146  **They soupen and they speke, hem to solace,**  
 They sup and they converse, to entertain themselves,  
4147  **And drynken evere strong ale atte beste.**  
 And drink ever strong ale of the best quality.  
4148  **Aboute mydnyght wente they to reste.**  
 About midnight they went to bed.

4149  **Wel hath this millere vernysshed his heed;**  
 Well has this miller varnished his head (drank heavily);  
4150  **Ful pale he was for dronken, and nat reed.**  
 Full pale he was for drunkenness, and not red.  
4151  **He yexeth, and he speketh thurgh the nose**  
 He belches, and he speaks through the nose  
4152  **As he were on the quakke, or on the pose.**  
 As if he had hoarseness, or had a cold.  
4153  **To bedde he goth, and with hym goth his wyf.**  
 To bed he goes, and with him goes his wife.  
4154  **As any jay she light was and jolyf,**  
 She was as cheerful and jolly as any jay,  
4155  **So was hir joly whistle wel ywet.**  
 So was her jolly whistle well wetted.  
4156  **The cradel at hir beddes feet is set,**  
 The cradle at her bed's feet is set,  
4157  **To rokken, and to yeve the child to sowke.**  
 To rock, and to give the child to suck.  
4158  **And whan that dronken al was in the crowke,**  
 And when all that was in the crock was drunk,  
4159  **To bedde wente the doghter right anon;**  
 To bed went the daughter right away;  
4160  **To bedde goth Aleyn and also John;**  
 To bed goes Aleyn and also John;  
4161  **Ther nas na moore -- hem nedede no dwale.**  
 There was no more -- they needed no sleeping potion.  
4162  **This millere hath so wisely bibbed ale**  
 This miller has imbibed so much ale  
4163  **That as an hors he fnorteth in his sleep,**  
 That he snorts like a horse in his sleep,  
4164  **Ne of his tayl bihynde he took no keep.**  
 And of his tail behind he took no heed.  
4165  **His wyf bar hym a burdon, a ful strong;**  
 His wife bore him a bass accompaniment, very loud;  
4166  **Men myghte hir rowtyng heere two furlong;**  
 One could hear their snoring two furlongs away;  
4167  **The wenche rowteth eek, par compaignye.**  
 The wench snores also, to keep them company.

4168  **Aleyn the clerk, that herde this melodye,**  
 Aleyn the clerk, who heard this melody,  
4169  **He poked John, and seyde, "Slepestow?**  
 He poked John, and said, "Sleepest thou?  
4170  **Herdestow evere slyk a sang er now?**  
 Heardest thou ever such a song before now?  
4171  **Lo, swilk a complyn is ymel hem alle;**  
 Lo, such a compline (evening service) is made by them all;  
4172  **A wilde fyr upon thair bodyes falle!**  
 May a wild fire upon their bodies fall!  
4173  **Wha herkned evere slyk a ferly thyng?**  
 Who heard ever such an amazing thing?  
4174  **Ye, they sal have the flour of il endyng.**  
 Yes, they shall have the best (i.e., the worst) of a bad ending.  
4175  **This lange nyght ther tydes me na reste;**  
 This long night there comes to me no sleep;  
4176  **But yet, na fors, al sal be for the beste.**  
 But yet, no matter, all shall be for the best.  
4177  **For, John," seyde he, "als evere moot I thryve,**  
 For, John," said he, "as ever I may thrive,  
4178  **If that I may, yon wenche wil I swyve.**  
 If I can, yon wench will I screw.  
4179  **Som esement has lawe yshapen us,**  
 Some redress the law has shaped for us,  
4180  **For, John, ther is a lawe that says thus:**  
 For, John, there is a law that says thus:  
4181  **That gif a man in a point be agreved,**  
 That if a man in one point is injured,  
4182  **That in another he sal be releved.**  
 That in another he shall be relieved.  
4183  **Oure corn is stoln, sothly, it is na nay,**  
 Our grain is stolen, truly, it can not be denied,  
4184  **And we han had an il fit al this day;**  
 And we have had a hard time all this day;  
4185  **And syn I sal have neen amendement**  
 And since I shall have no recompense  
4186  **Agayn my los, I will have esement.**  
 For my loss, I will have satisfaction.  
4187  **By Goddes sale, it sal neen other bee!"**  
 By God's soul, it shall be no other way!"

4188  **This John answerde, "Alayn, avyse thee!**  
 This John answered, "Alayn, be careful!  
4189  **The millere is a perilous man," he seyde,**  
 The miller is a perilous man," he said,  
4190  **"And gif that he out of his sleep abreyde,**  
 "And if he out of his sleep suddenly awoke,  
4191  **He myghte doon us bathe a vileynye."**  
 He might do injury to us both."

4192  **Aleyn answerde, "I counte hym nat a flye."**  
 Aleyn answered, "I reckon him not worth a fly."  
4193  **And up he rist, and by the wenche he crepte.**  
 And up he rises, and by the wench he crept.  
4194  **This wenche lay uprighte and faste slepte,**  
 This wench lay on her back and fast slept,  
4195  **Til he so ny was, er she myghte espie,**  
 Until he was so near, before she could see him,  
4196  **That it had been to late for to crie,**  
 It was too late to cry out,  
4197  **And shortly for to seyn, they were aton.**  
 And shortly to speak, they were together.   
4198  **Now pley, Aleyn, for I wol speke of John.**  
 Now play, Aleyn, for I will speak of John.

4199  **This John lith stille a furlong wey or two,**  
 This John lies still five minutes or so,  
4200  **And to hymself he maketh routhe and wo.**  
 And to himself he laments and feels sorry.  
4201  **"Allas!" quod he, "this is a wikked jape;**  
 "Alas!" said he, "this is a wicked trick;  
4202  **Now may I seyn that I is but an ape.**  
 Now may I say that I am nothing but a fool.  
4203  **Yet has my felawe somwhat for his harm;**  
 Yet has my fellow something for his harm;  
4204  **He has the milleris doghter in his arm.**  
 He has the miller's daughter in his arm.  
4205  **He auntred hym, and has his nedes sped,**  
 He took a risk, and has accomplished his purpose,  
4206  **And I lye as a draf-sak in my bed;**  
 And I lie like a sack of rubbish in my bed;  
4207  **And when this jape is tald another day,**  
 And when this trick is told another day,  
4208  **I sal been halde a daf, a cokenay!**  
 I shall be considered a fool, a weakling!  
4209  **I wil arise and auntre it, by my fayth!**  
 I will arise and chance it, by my faith!  
4210  **`Unhardy is unseely,' thus men sayth."**  
 `The timid one is unlucky,' thus people say."  
4211  **And up he roos, and softely he wente**  
 And up he rose, and quietly he went  
4212  **Unto the cradel, and in his hand it hente,**  
 To the cradle, and in his hand seized it,  
4213  **And baar it softe unto his beddes feet.**  
 And carried it quietly to the foot of his bed.

4214  **Soone after this the wyf hir rowtyng leet,**  
 Soon after this the wife stopped her snoring,  
4215  **And gan awake, and wente hire out to pisse,**  
 And awoke, and went out to piss,  
4216  **And cam agayn, and gan hir cradel mysse,**  
 And came back, and began to miss her cradle,  
4217  **And groped heer and ther, but she foond noon.**  
 And groped here and there, but she found none.  
4218  **"Allas!" quod she, "I hadde almoost mysgoon;**  
 "Alas!" said she, "I had almost gone wrong;  
4219  **I hadde almoost goon to the clerkes bed.**  
 I had almost gone to the clerks' bed.  
4220  **Ey, benedicite! Thanne hadde I foule ysped!"**  
 Ay, bless me! Then I would have made a mess of it!"  
4221  **And forth she gooth til she the cradel fond.**  
 And forth she goes until she found the cradle.  
4222  **She gropeth alwey forther with hir hond,**  
 She gropes always further with her hand,  
4223  **And foond the bed, and thoghte noght but good,**  
 And found the bed, and thought all was well,  
4224  **By cause that the cradel by it stood,**  
 Because the cradle by it stood,  
4225  **And nyste wher she was, for it was derk;**  
 And did not know where she was, for it was dark;  
4226  **But faire and wel she creep in to the clerk,**  
 But gently she crept in to the clerk,  
4227  **And lith ful stille, and wolde han caught a sleep.**  
 And lies full still, and would have gone to sleep.  
4228  **Withinne a while this John the clerk up leep,**  
 Within a moment this John the clerk leaped up,  
4229  **And on this goode wyf he leith on soore.**  
 And on this good wife he lays on vigorously.  
4230  **So myrie a fit ne hadde she nat ful yoore;**  
 She had not had so merry an experience for a long time;  
4231  **He priketh harde and depe as he were mad.**  
 He stabs hard and deep as if he were mad.  
4232  **This joly lyf han thise two clerkes lad**  
 This jolly life have these two clerks led  
4233  **Til that the thridde cok bigan to synge.**  
 Until the third cock began to sing (an hour before dawn).

4234  **Aleyn wax wery in the dawenynge,**  
 Aleyn grew weary at the time of dawn,  
4235  **For he had swonken al the longe nyght,**  
 For he had labored all the long night,  
4236  **And seyde, "Fare weel, Malyne, sweete wight!**  
 And said, "Farewell, Malyne, sweet creature!  
4237  **The day is come; I may no lenger byde;**  
 The day is come; I may no longer remain here;  
4238  **But everemo, wher so I go or ryde,**  
 But evermore, wherever I walk or ride,  
4239  **I is thyn awen clerk, swa have I seel!"**  
 I am thine own clerk, as I may prosper!"

4240  **"Now, deere lemman," quod she, "go, far weel!**  
 "Now, dear sweetheart," said she, "go, farewell!  
4241  **But er thow go, o thyng I wol thee telle:**  
 But before thou go, one thing I will tell thee:  
4242  **Whan that thou wendest homward by the melle,**  
 When thou go homeward by the mill,  
4243  **Right at the entree of the dore bihynde**  
 Right at the entry behind the door   
4244  **Thou shalt a cake of half a busshel fynde**  
 Thou shalt find a cake of half a bushel  
4245  **That was ymaked of thyn owene mele,**  
 That was made of thine own meal,  
4246  **Which that I heelp my sire for to stele.**  
 Which I helped my father to steal.  
4247  **And, goode lemman, God thee save and kepe!"**  
 And, good sweetheart, God save and keep thee!"  
4248  **And with that word almoost she gan to wepe.**  
 And with that word she almost began to weep.

4249  **Aleyn up rist, and thoughte, "Er that it dawe,**  
 Aleyn up rises, and thought, "Before it dawns,  
4250  **I wol go crepen in by my felawe,"**  
 I will go creep in by my fellow,"  
4251  **And fond the cradel with his hand anon.**  
 And found the cradle with his hand right away.  
4252  **"By God," thoughte he, "al wrang I have mysgon.**  
 "By God," thought he, "I have gone all wrong.  
4253  **Myn heed is toty of my swynk to-nyght,**  
 My head is dizzy from my work to-night,  
4254  **That makes me that I ga nat aright.**  
 That makes me go not right.  
4255  **I woot wel by the cradel I have mysgo;**  
 I know well by the cradle I have gone wrong;  
4256  **Heere lith the millere and his wyf also."**  
 Here lies the miller and his wife also."  
4257  **And forth he goth, a twenty devel way,**  
 And forth he goes, in the name of twenty devils,  
4258  **Unto the bed ther as the millere lay.**  
 Unto the bed where the miller lay.  
4259  **He wende have cropen by his felawe John,**  
 He expected to have crept in by his fellow John,  
4260  **And by the millere in he creep anon,**  
 And in by the miller he crept right then,  
4261  **And caughte hym by the nekke, and softe he spak.**  
 And caught him by the neck, and quietly he spoke.  
4262  **He seyde, "Thou John, thou swynes-heed, awak,**  
 He said, "Thou John, thou pig's-head, awake,  
4263  **For Cristes saule, and heer a noble game.**  
 For Christ's soul, and hear a real joke.  
4264  **For by that lord that called is Seint Jame,**  
 For by that lord that is called Saint James,  
4265  **As I have thries in this shorte nyght**  
 I have three times in this short night  
4266  **Swyved the milleres doghter bolt upright,**  
 Screwed the miller's daughter flat on her back,  
4267  **Whil thow hast, as a coward, been agast."**  
 While thou hast, like a coward, been terrified."

4268  **"Ye, false harlot," quod the millere, "hast?**  
 "Yes, false scoundrel," said the miller, "hast (thou done so)?  
4269  **A, false traitour! False clerk!" quod he,**  
 Ah, false traitor! False clerk!" said he,  
4270  **"Thow shalt be deed, by Goddes dignitee!**  
 "Thou shalt be dead, by God's worthiness!  
4271  **Who dorste be so boold to disparage**  
 Who dared be so bold to degrade  
4272  **My doghter, that is come of swich lynage?"**  
 My daughter, who is come from such noble lineage?"  
4273  **And by the throte-bolle he caughte Alayn,**  
 And by the Adam's apple he caught Alayn,  
4274  **And he hente hym despitously agayn,**  
 And he seized him angrily in turn,  
4275  **And on the nose he smoot hym with his fest.**  
 And on the nose he smote him with his fist.  
4276  **Doun ran the blody streem upon his brest;**  
 Down ran the bloody stream upon his breast;  
4277  **And in the floor, with nose and mouth tobroke,**  
 And on the floor, with nose and mouth badly broken,  
4278  **They walwe as doon two pigges in a poke;**  
 They wallow as do two pigs in a bag;  
4279  **And up they goon, and doun agayn anon,**  
 And up they go, and down again straightway,  
4280  **Til that the millere sporned at a stoon,**  
 Until the miller stumbled on a stone,  
4281  **And doun he fil bakward upon his wyf,**  
 And down he fell backward upon his wife,  
4282  **That wiste no thyng of this nyce stryf;**  
 Who knew nothing of this foolish strife;  
4283  **For she was falle aslepe a lite wight**  
 For she was fallen asleep a little bit  
4284  **With John the clerk, that waked hadde al nyght,**  
 With John the clerk, who had been awake all night,  
4285  **And with the fal out of hir sleep she breyde.**  
 And with the fall out of her sleep she started up.  
4286  **"Help! hooly croys of Bromeholm," she seyde,**  
 "Help! holy cross of Bromeholm," she said,  
4287  **"In manus tuas! Lord, to thee I calle!**  
 "In your hands! Lord, to Thee I call!  
4288  **Awak, Symond! The feend is on me falle.**  
 Awake, Symond! The fiend has fallen on me.  
4289  **Myn herte is broken; help! I nam but deed!**  
 My heart is broken; help! I am as good as dead!  
4290  **Ther lyth oon upon my wombe and on myn heed.**  
 There lies one upon my belly and one on my head.  
4291  **Help, Symkyn, for the false clerkes fighte!"**  
 Help, Symkyn, for the false clerks fight!"

4292  **This John stirte up as faste as ever he myghte,**  
 This John started up as fast as ever he could,  
4293  **And graspeth by the walles to and fro,**  
 And grasps by the walls to and fro,  
4294  **To fynde a staf; and she stirte up also,**  
 To find a staff; and she leaped up also,  
4295  **And knew the estres bet than dide this John,**  
 And knew the interior of the house better than did this John,  
4296  **And by the wal a staf she foond anon,**  
 And by the wall a staff she found right away,  
4297  **And saugh a litel shymeryng of a light,**  
 And saw a little glimmering of a light,  
4298  **For at an hole in shoon the moone bright,**  
 For at a hole in shone the moon bright,  
4299  **And by that light she saugh hem bothe two,**  
 And by that light she saw both the two of them,  
4300  **But sikerly she nyste who was who,**  
 But surely she did not know who was who,  
4301  **But as she saugh a whit thyng in hir ye.**  
 But she saw a white thing in her eye.  
4302  **And whan she gan this white thyng espye,**  
 And when she did espy this white thing,  
4303  **She wende the clerk hadde wered a volupeer,**  
 She thought the clerk had worn a night cap,  
4304  **And with the staf she drow ay neer and neer,**  
 And with the staff she drew ever nearer and nearer,  
4305  **And wende han hit this Aleyn at the fulle,**  
 And intended to have hit this Aleyn squarely,  
4306  **And smoot the millere on the pyled skulle,**  
 And smote the miller on the bald skull,  
4307  **That doun he gooth, and cride, "Harrow! I dye!"**  
 So that down he goes, and cried, "Help! I die!"  
4308  **Thise clerkes beete hym weel and lete hym lye,**  
 These clerks beat him well and let him lie,  
4309  **And greythen hem, and tooke hir hors anon,**  
 And dress themselves, and took their horse straightway,  
4310  **And eek hire mele, and on hir wey they gon.**  
 And also their meal, and on their way they go.  
4311  **And at the mille yet they tooke hir cake**  
 And at the mill yet they took their cake  
4312  **Of half a busshel flour, ful wel ybake.**  
 Of half a bushel flour, very well baked.

4313  **Thus is the proude millere wel ybete,**  
 Thus is the proud miller well beaten,  
4314  **And hath ylost the gryndynge of the whete,**  
 And has lost the charge for grinding of the wheat,  
4315  **And payed for the soper everideel**  
 And paid for the supper every bit  
4316  **Of Aleyn and of John, that bette hym weel.**  
 Of Aleyn and of John, who beat him well.  
4317  **His wyf is swyved, and his doghter als.**  
 His wife is screwed, and his daughter also.  
4318  **Lo, swich it is a millere to be fals!**  
 Lo, this is how it is when a miller is false!  
4319  **And therfore this proverbe is seyd ful sooth,**  
 And therefore this proverb is said very truly,  
4320  **"Hym thar nat wene wel that yvele dooth."**  
 "One who does evil should not expect good."  
4321  **A gylour shal hymself bigyled be.**  
 A trickster shall himself be tricked.  
4322  **And God, that sitteth heighe in magestee,**  
 And God, that sits high in majesty,  
4323  **Save al this compaignye, grete and smale!**  
 Save al this company, high ranking and low (every one)!  
4324  **Thus have I quyt the Millere in my tale.**  
 Thus have I repaid the Miller in my tale.

*Heere is ended the Reves Tale*