The Canterbury Tales (unsourced)/The Miller's Prologue and Tale

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.<BR> 3116	       Lat se now who shal telle another tale;<BR> Let's see now who shall tell another tale;<BR> 3117	       For trewely the game is wel bigonne.<BR> For truly the game is well begun.<BR> 3118	       Now telleth ye, sir Monk, if that ye konne,<BR> Now tell you, sir Monk, if you can,<BR> 3119	       Somwhat to quite with the Knyghtes tale."<BR>                    Something to equal the Knight's tale."<BR> 3120	       The Millere, that for dronken was al pale,<BR> The Miller, who for drunkenness was all pale,<BR> 3121	       So that unnethe upon his hors he sat,<BR> So that he hardly sat upon his horse,<BR> 3122	       He nolde avalen neither hood ne hat,<BR> He would not doff neither hood nor hat,<BR> 3123	       Ne abyde no man for his curteisie,<BR> Nor give preference to any man out of courtesy,<BR> 3124	       But in Pilates voys he gan to crie,<BR> But in Pilate's voice he began to cry,<BR> 3125	       And swoor, "By armes, and by blood and bones,<BR>                    And swore, "By (Christ's) arms, and by blood and bones,<BR> 3126	       I kan a noble tale for the nones,<BR> I know a noble tale for this occasion,<BR> 3127	       With which I wol now quite the Knyghtes tale."<BR>                    With which I will now requite the Knight's tale."<BR> 3128	       Oure Hooste saugh that he was dronke of ale,<BR> Our Host saw that he was drunk on ale,<BR> 3129	       And seyde, "Abyd, Robyn, my leeve brother;<BR>                    And said, "Wait, Robin, my dear brother;<BR> 3130	       Som bettre man shal telle us first another.<BR> Some better man shall first tell us another.<BR> 3131	       Abyd, and lat us werken thriftily."<BR>                    Wait, and let us act properly."<BR>

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

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

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

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

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

<B>< The Miller's Tale</B> <BR></H2>

<P> </P> Heere bigynneth the Millere his tale. <BR> Here begins The Miller's Tale. <P> </P>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3397	       Now ber thee wel, thou hende Nicholas,<BR> Now bear thyself well, thou clever Nicholas,<BR> 3398	       For Absolon may waille and synge "allas."<BR> For Absolon may wail and sing "alas."<BR> 3399	       And so bifel it on a Saterday,<BR> And so it happened on a Saturday,<BR> 3400	       This carpenter was goon til Osenay;<BR> This carpenter was gone to Osenay;<BR> 3401	       And hende Nicholas and Alisoun<BR> And clever Nicholas and Alisoun<BR> 3402	       Acorded been to this conclusioun,<BR> Are agreed on this plan,<BR> 3403	       That Nicholas shal shapen hym a wyle<BR> That Nicholas shall devise a trick<BR> 3404	       This sely jalous housbonde to bigyle;<BR> To beguile this hapless jealous husband;<BR> 3405	       And if so be the game wente aright,<BR> And if it so be the game went right,<BR> 3406	       She sholde slepen in his arm al nyght,<BR> She should sleep in his arms all night,<BR> 3407	       For this was his desir and hire also.<BR> For this was his desire and hers also.<BR> 3408	       And right anon, withouten wordes mo,<BR> And right away, without more words,<BR> 3409	       This Nicholas no lenger wolde tarie,<BR> This Nicholas no longer would tarry,<BR> 3410	       But dooth ful softe unto his chambre carie<BR> But has carried very quietly unto his chamber<BR> 3411	       Bothe mete and drynke for a day or tweye,<BR> Both food and drink for a day or two,<BR> 3412	       And to hire housbonde bad hire for to seye,<BR> And told her to say to her husband,<BR> 3413	       If that he axed after Nicholas,<BR> If he asked about Nicholas,<BR> 3414	       She sholde seye she nyste where he was;<BR> She should say she knew not where he was;<BR> 3415	       Of al that day she saugh hym nat with ye;<BR> Of all that day she saw him not with eye;<BR> 3416	       She trowed that he was in maladye,<BR> She believed that he was ill,<BR> 3417	       For, for no cry hir mayde koude hym calle,<BR> Because, for no shout could her maid call him,<BR> 3418	       He nolde answere for thyng that myghte falle.<BR> He would not answer for anything that might befall.<BR>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3718	       '''"Wiltow thanne go thy wey therwith?" quod she.'''<BR> "Wilt thou then go thy way with that?" said she.<BR>

3719	       "Ye, certes, lemman," quod this Absolon.<BR> "Yes, certainly, sweetheart," said this Absolon.<BR>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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