Geoffrey Chaucer

The Miller's Prologue and Tale from the Hengwrt Manuscript of the Canterbury Tales

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Geoffrey Chaucer

¶The prologe of the Milleres tale

WHan that the knyght/ hadde thus his tale ytooldIn al the compaignie / nas ther yong ne ooldThat he ne seyde / it was a noble StorieAnd worthy / for to drawen to memorieAnd namely / the gentils euerichon¶Oure hoo{s}t lough / and swoor / {s}o moot I gonThis gooth aright/ vnbokeled is the maleLat se now / who shal telle another taleffor trewely / the game is wel bigonneNow telleth ye sire Monk / if |þt| ye konneSom what / to quite with the knyghtes tale¶The Millere / that for dronken was a paleSo that vnnethe / vp on his hors he satHe nolde aualen / neither hood ne hatNe abiden no man / for his curtei{s}yeBut in Pilates voys / he gan to cryeAnd swoor by armes / and by blood and bonesI kan a noble tale / for the nonesWith which / I wol now quite the knyghtes tale¶Oure hoo{s}t saugh / |þt| he was dronke of ale

¶And seyde / abyde / Robyn leeue brotherSom bettre man / shal telle vs fir{s}t anotherAbyde / and lat vs werken thriftily¶By goddes soule quod he / that wol nat/ Iffor I wol speke / or ellis go my wey¶Oure hoo{s}t an{s}werde / tel on a deueleweyThow art a fool / thy wit is ouercome¶Now herkneth quod the Millere / alle and someBut fir{s}t/ I make a prote{s}taciounThat I am dronke / I knowe it by my sownAnd therfore / if |þt| I my{ss}peke / or seyeWite it/ / the ale of Southwerk/ I preyeffor I wol telle / a legende and a lyfBothe of a Carpenter / and of his wyfHow |þt| a clerk/ hath set the wrightes cappe¶The Reue an{s}werde / and seyde stynt thy clappeLat be / thy lewed dronken harlotryeIt is a synne / and eek a greet folyeTo apeyren any man / or hym diffameAnd eek to bryngen wyues / in swich fameThow may{s}t ynow / of othere thynges seyn¶This dronken Mille|re| / spak ful soone ageynAnd seyde / leeue brother O{s}ewoldWho hath no wyf / he is no CokewoldBut I seye nat therfore / |þt| thow art oonTher been ful goode wyues many oonWhy artow angry / wit my tale nowI haue a wyf |per|dee / as wel as thowYet nolde I / for the oxen in my ploughTake vp on me / moore than ynoughAs demen of my self / |þt| I were oonI wol bileeue wel / |þt| I am noonAn hou{s}bonde / shal noght been Inqui{s}ityf /Of goddes pryuetee / nor of his wyf/So he may fynde / goddes foy{s}on thereOf the remenant/ nedeth noght/ enquere¶What sholde I moore seyn / but this MillereHe nolde his wordes / for no man forbereBut tolde his cherles tale / in his manereMe athynketh / that I shal reherce it heere

And therfore / euery gentil wight I preyeDemeth noght/ for goddes loue / |þt| I seyeOf yuel entente / but for I moot reher{s}eHir tales alle / be they bet or wer{s}eOr ellis fal{s}en / som of my matereAnd therfore / who {s}o li{s}t it noght yhereTurne ouer the leef / and che{s}e another taleffor he shal fynde ynowe / grete and smaleOf storial thyng/ that toucheth gentile{ss}eAnd eek moralitee / and holyne{ss}eBlameth noght me / if |þt| ye che{s}e amysThe Millere is a cherl / ye knowe wel thisSo was the Reue eek/ and othere moAnd harlotrye / they tolden bothe twoAuy{s}eth yow / and put me out of blameAnd eek / men shal noght/ maken erne{s}t of game

¶Here bigynneth / the Millerys tale

Whilom / ther was dwellyng in OxenfordA riche gnof/ that ge{s}tes heeld to bordAnd of his craft/ he was a CarpenterWith hym ther was dwellynge a poure ScolerHadde lerned Art/ but al his fanta{s}ieWas turned / for to leere A{s}trologieAnd koude / a certeyn of conclu{s}ionsTo demen / by interrogacionsIf |þt| men axed hym / in |cer|tein houresWhan |þt| men sholde haue droghte / or ellis shouresOr if men axed hym / what shal bifalleOf euery thyng / I may nat rekene hem alle¶This clerk / was clepyd Hende NicholasOf derne loue he koude / and of solasAnd ther to he was sleigh / and ful pryueeAnd lyk a mayde meke / for to seeA chambre hadde he / in that ho{s}telrieAllone / with outen any compaignyefful feti{s}ly dight / with herbes swooteAnd he hym self/ as sweete as is the roote

Of lycorys / or any CetualeHis Almage{s}te / and bookes grete and smaleHis A{s}trelabye / longynge for his Art/His Augrym stones / layen faire a part/On shelues couched / at his beddes heedHis Pre{ss}e / ycouered with a ffaldyng reedAnd al aboue / ther lay a gay SautryeOn which / he made a nyghtes melodyeSo swetely / |þt| al the chambre roong/And Angelus ad Virginem / he soong/And after that/ he soong the kynges notefful often / bli{ss}ed was / his murye throteAnd thus this swete clerk / his tyme spenteAfter his freendes fyndyng/ and his rente¶This Carpenter / hadde wedded newe a wyfWhich |þt| he louede / moore than his lyfOf .xviij. yeer / she was of ageIalous he was / and heeld hi|re| narwe in Cageffor she was wilde and yong / and he was oldAnd demed hym self / been lyk a CokewoldHe knew nat Cato|un| / for his wit was rudeThat bad / men sholde wedde his similitudeMen sholde wedden / after hir e{s}taatffor youthe and Elde / is often at debaatBut sith |þt| he / was fallen in the snareHe mo{s}te endure / as oother folk/ his care¶ffair was this yonge wyf / and ther with alAs any we{s}ele / hir body gent and smalA ceynt she werde / barred al of sylk /A barmclooth / as whit as morne Mylk/Vp on hir lendes / ful of many a gooreWhit was hir smok/ and broyden al bifooreAnd eek bihynde / on hir coler abouteOf col blak silk / with Inne and eek |with| outeThe tapes / of hir white voluperWere of the same sute / of hir colerHir filet brood of sylk/ and set ful hyeAnd sikerly / she hadde a likerous Iyefful smale ypulled / were hir browes twoAnd tho were bent/ and blake as is a slo

She was ful moore / bli{s}ful on to seeThan is the newe / Pereionette treeAnd softer / than the wolle is of a wetherAnd by hir girdel / heeng a purs of letherTa{ss}eled with silk / and perled with latounIn al this world / to seken vp and dounTher nys no man so wys / |þt| koude thencheSo gay a Popelote / or swich a wenchefful brighter was / the shynyng of hir heweThan in the Tour / the noble yforged neweBut of hir soong/ it was as loude and yerneAs any swalwe / sittyng on a BerneTher to / she koude skippe / and make gameAs any kyde / or Calf / folwynge his dameHir mouth was sweete / as Bragot/ or the meethOr hoord of Apples / leyd in hey or heethWyn{s}ynge she was / as is a ioly Colt/Loong as a Ma{s}t/ and vp righte as a bolt/A brooch she baar / vp on hir loue colerAs brood / as is the boos of a BokelerHir shoes were laced / on hir legges hyeShe was a Prymerole / a pigge{s}nyeffor any lord / to leggen in his beddeOr yet/ for any good yeman to wedde¶Now sire and eft sire / so bifel the casThat on a day / this hende Nicholasffil with this yonge wyf / to rage |&| pleyeWhil |þt| hir hou{s}bonde / was at O{s}neyeAs clerkes been / ful subtil and ful queynteAnd pryuely / he caughte hi|re| by the queynteAnd seyde ywys / but if ich haue my willeffor derne loue / of thee lemman I spilleAnd heeld hi|re| harde / by the haunche bonesAnd seyde lemman / loue me al atonesOr I wol dyen / al {s}o god me saueAnd she sproong/ as a Colt dooth in the TraueAnd with hir heed / she wryed fa{s}te aweyShe seyde I wol nat ki{ss}e thee by my feyWy lat be quod ich / lat be NicholasOr I wol crye / out harrow and allas

Do wey youre handes / for youre curtei{s}ye¶This Nicholas / gan mercy for to cryeAnd spak so faire / and profred hym so fa{s}teThat she hir loue / hym graunted atte la{s}teAnd swoor hir ooth / by Seint Thomas of Kent/That she wolde been / at his comaundementWhan |þt| she may / hir ley{s}er wel e{s}pieMyn hou{s}bonde / is so ful of Ialou{s}ieThat but ye waite wel / and been pryueeI woot right wel / I nam but deed quod sheYe mo{s}te been ful derne / as in this cas¶Nay ther of / care thee noght quod NicholasA clerc/ hadde lutherly / bi{s}et his whileBut if he koude / a Carpenter bigyleAnd thus they been / acorded and y{s}wornTo waite a tyme / as I haue told bifornWhan Nicholas / hadde doon thus euerydelAnd thakked hire / vp on the lendes welHe ki{s}te hir sweete / and taketh his sautryeAnd pleyeth fa{s}te / and maketh melodye¶Thanne fil it thus / |þt| to the pari{ss}h chircheCri{s}tes owene werkes / for to wircheThis goode wyf / wente on an halidayHir forheed shoon / as bright as any daySo was it wa{ss}hen / whan she leet hir werk/¶Now was ther of that chirche a pari{ss}h clerk/The which / |þt| was yclepid Ab{s}olonCrul was his heer / and as the gold it shoonAnd strouted as a ffanne / large and brodefful streight and euene / lay his ioly shodeHis rode was reed / hi{s}e eyen greye as goosWith Poules wyndow / coruen on his shoosIn ho{s}es red / he wente feti{s}lyYclad he was / ful smal and |prop|relyAl in a kirtel / of a light waget {{set}}fful faire and thikke / been the pointesAnd ther vp on / he hadde a gay surplysAs whit/ as is the blo{s}me vp on the rysA murye child he was / {s}o god me saueWel koude he laten blood / and clippe and shaue

And maken a chartre of lond / or AquitaunceOn twenty manere / koude he trippe and daunceAfter the scole / of Oxenford thoAnd with his legges / ca{s}ten to and froAnd pleyen songes / on a smal RubibleTher to he soong {s}om tyme / a loud quynybleAnd as wel / koude he pleye on a gyterneIn al the town / nas Brewhous ne Ta|uer|neThat he ne vi{s}ited / with his solasTher any / gaylard tappe{s}tere wasBut {s}ooth to seyn / he was {s}om del squaymousOf fartyng / and of speche daungerous¶This Ab{s}olon / |þt| ioly was and gayGooth with a sencer / on the halidaySen{s}ynge the wyues / of the pari{ss}he fa{s}teAnd many a louely look / on hem he ca{s}teAnd namely / on this Carpenters wyfTo looke on hire / hym thoughte a murye lyfShe was {s}o |prop|re and sweete and likerousI dar wel seyn / if she hadde been a MousAnd he a cat/ he wolde hir hente anonThis pari{ss}he clerk/ this ioly Ab{s}olonHath in his herte / swich a loue longyngeThat of no wyf / ne took he noon offryngeffor curtei{s}ye / he seyde he wolde noonThe Moone / whan it was nyght/ ful brighte shoonAnd Ab{s}olon / his gyterne / hath ytakeffor |per|amours / he thoghte for to wakeAnd forth he gooth / iolyf and amorousTil he cam / to the Carpenters housA litel / after cokkes hadde ycroweAnd dre{ss}ed hym vp / by a shot wyndoweThat was / vp on / the Carpenters walHe syngeth / in his voys / gentil and smalNow deere lady / if thy wille beI prey yow / |þt| ye wol rewe on mefful wel acordant/ to his giternyngeThis Carpenter awook/ and herde hym syngeAnd spak/ vn to his wyf / and seyde anonWhat Ali{s}on / here{s}tow noght Ab{s}olon

That chaunteth thus / vnder oure boures wal¶And she / an{s}werde hir hou{s}bonde / ther with alYis god woot Io{_hn} / I here it euerydelThis pa{ss}eth forth / what wol ye bet than welffro day to day / this ioly Ab{s}olonSo woweth hi|re| / |þt| hym is wo bigonHe waketh al the nyght/ and al the dayHe kembed his lokkes brode / and made hym gayHe woweth hi|re| / by meenes / and brocageAnd swoor / he wolde been hir owene pageHe syngeth brokkyng/ as a nyghtyngaleHe sente hir pyment/ Meeth / and spiced AleAnd wafres pipyng hoot/ out of the gleedeAnd for she was of towne / he |pro|fred meedeffor som folk / wol be wonnen for riche{ss}eAnd som for strokes / and som for gentile{ss}e

Vnde Ouidi|us| Ictib|us| Agrestis

Som tyme to shewe / his lightne{ss}e and mai{s}tryeHe pleyeth Herodes / vp on a Scaffold hyeBut what auailleth hym / as in this casShe loueth so / this hende NicholasThat Ab{s}olon / may blowe the Bukkes hornHe ne hadde for his labour / but a scornAnd thus she maketh / Ab{s}olon hir ApeAnd al his erne{s}t/ turneth til a Iapefful sooth is this |pro||uer|be / it is no lyeMen seith right thus / alwey the neighe slyeMaketh / the ferre leeue to be loothffor thogh |þt| Ab{s}olon / be wood or wroothBy cau{s}e / |þt| he fer was from hir sighteThis neighe Nicholas / stood in his lighte¶Now bere thee wel / thow hende Nicholasffor Ab{s}olon / may waille / and synge allas¶And so bifel it/ on a SaterdayThis Carpenter / was goon til O{s}enayAnd Hende Nicholas / and Ali{s}o|un|Acorded been / to this conclu{s}io|un|That Nicholas / shal shapen hem a wileThis sely Ialous hou{s}bonde / to bigileAnd if so be / the game wente aright/She sholde slepen / in his arm al nyght/

ffor this was hir de{s}ir / and his al{s}oAnd right anoon / with outen wordes moThis Nicholas / no lenger wolde tarieBut dooth ful {s}ofte / vn to his chambre carieBothe mete and drynke / for a day or tweyeAnd to hir hou{s}bonde / bad hire for to seyeIf |þt| he axed / after NicholasShe sholde seye / she ny{s}te wher he wasOf al that day / she seigh hym noght |with| IyeShe trowed / |þt| he was in maladyeffor / for no cry / hir mayde koude hym calleHe nolde an{s}were / for no thyng |þt| myghte falle¶This pa{ss}eth forth / al thilke SaterdayThat Nicholas / stille in his chambre layAnd eet/ and sleep / or dide what hym le{s}teTil Sonday / |þt| sonne gooth to re{s}te¶This sely Carpenter / hath greet |mer|uailleOf Nicholas / or what thyng myghte hym ailleAnd seyde / I am adrad / by Seint ThomasIt stondeth nat aright/ with NicholasGod shilde / |þt| he deyde sodeynlyThis world is now / ful tikel sikerlyI seigh to day a corps / born to chircheThat now a monday la{s}t/ I seigh hym wirche{.}b{.}Clepe at his dore / or knokke with a stoon{.}a{.}Go vp quod he / vn to his knaue anoonLooke how it is / and tel me boldely¶This knaue gooth hym vp / ful sturdilyAnd at the chambre dore / whil |þt| he {s}toodHe cryde and knokked / as |þt| he were woodWhat how / what do ye mai{s}ter NicholayHow may ye slepen / al the longe dayBut al for noght/ he herde nat a wordAn hole he foond / ful lowe vp on a bordTher as the Cat / was wont In for to crepeAnd at that hole / he looked In ful depeAnd atte la{s}te / he hadde of hym a sighte¶This Nicholas / sat euere capyng vp righteAs he hadde kiked / on the newe mooneAdown he gooth / and tolde his mai{s}ter soone

In what array / he saw this ilke man¶This Carpenter / to ble{ss}en hym biganAnd seyde / help vs seinte ffride{s}wydeA man woot litel / what hym shal bitydeThis man is falle / with his A{s}tromyeIn {s}om woodne{ss}e / or in som AgonyeI thoghte ay wel / how |þt| it sholde beMen sholde noght knowe / of goddes |pri|ueteeYe bli{ss}ed be alwey / a lewed manThat noght/ but oonly his bileue kanSo ferde another clerk/ with A{s}tromyeHe walked in the feeldes / for to pryeVp on the {s}terres / what ther sholde bifalleTil he was / in a Marlepit yfalleHe saw nat that/ but yet by Seint ThomasMe reweth sore / of hende NicholasHe shal be rated / of his studiyng/If |þt| I may / by |Iesus| heuene kyng/Get me a staf / |þt| I may vnder{s}poreWhil |þt| thow Robyn / heue{s}t vp the doreHe shal out of his {s}tudyyng/ as I ge{ss}eAnd to the chambre dore / he gan hym dre{ss}eHis knaue / was a {s}trong carl / for the nonesAnd by the ha{s}pe / he haaf it vp atonesIn to the floor / the dore fil anoonThis Nicholas / sat ay as stille as {s}toonAnd euere caped vp / in to the EyrThis Carpenter / wende he were in de{s}peyrAnd hente hym / by the sholdres myghtilyAnd shook hym harde / and cryde spitou{s}lyWhat Nicholay / what how looke adounAwake / and thenk on Cri{s}tes pa{ss}iounI crouche thee / from Elues / and fro wightesTher with the nyght spel / seyde he anon rightesOn foure halues / of the hous abouteAnd on the thre{ss}hfold / on the dore with oute|Iesu| cri{s}t/ and Seint/ Benedight/Ble{ss}e this hous / from euery wikked wight/ffor the nyghte{s}uerye / the white Pater no{s}terWhere wente{s}tow / seinte Petres su{s}ter

And at the la{s}te / this hende NicholasGan for to sike soore / and seyde allasShal al the world / be lo{s}t eft {s}oones now¶This Carpenter an{s}werde / what sei{s}towWhat thenk / on god / as we doon men |þt| swynke¶This Nicholas an{s}werde / fecche me drynkeAnd after / wol I speke in pryueteeOf |cer|tein thyng / |þt| toucheth me and theeI wol telle it / noon oother man |cer|tayn¶This Carpenter gooth doun / and comth agaynAnd broghte of myghty ale / a large quart/And whan |þt| eech of hem / hadde dronke his part/This Nicholas / his dore fa{s}te shetteAnd doun the Carpenter / by hym he setteAnd seyde / |Iohan| / myn hoo{s}t/ lief and deereThou shalt vp on thy trouthe / swere me heereThat to no wight/ thou shalt this con{s}eil wreyeffor it is cri{s}tes con{s}eil / that I seyeAnd if thou telle it/ man thou art forloreffor this vengeaunce / thow shalt haue therforeThat if thow wreye me / thow shalt be wood¶Nay Cri{s}t forbede it/ for his holy bloodQuod tho this sely man / I nam no labbeAnd thogh I seye / I nam nat lief to gabbeSey what thow wolt/ I shal it neuere telleTo child ne wyf/ by hym that harwed helle¶Now |Iohan| quod Nicholas / I wol noght lyeI haue yfounde / in myn A{s}trologyeAs I haue looked / in the moone bright/That now a monday next/ at quarter nyght/Shal falle a reyn / and that so wilde and woodThat half so greet/ was ne|uer|e Nowels floodThis world he seyde / in la{ss}e than in an hourShal al be dreynt/ so hidous is the shourThus shal man kynde drenche / and le{s}e hir lyf¶This Carpenter an{s}werde / allas my wyf/And shal she drenche / allas myn Ali{s}ounffor sorwe of this / he fil almoo{s}t adounAnd seyde / is ther no remedie in this cas¶Why yis for gode / quod Hende Nicholas

If thow wolt werken / after loore and reedThow may{s}t noght werken / after thyn owene heedffor thus seith Salomon / |þt| was ful treweWerk al by con{s}eil / and thow shalt noght reweAnd if thow werken wolt/ by good con{s}aylI vndertake / with outen ma{s}t/ or SaylYit shal I saue hi|re| / and thee and meHa{s}tow nat herd / how saued was NoeWhan |þt| oure lord / hadde warned hym bifornThat al the world / with water sholde be lorn¶Yis quod this Carpenter/ ful yore ago¶Ha{s}tow nat herd / quod Nicholas al{s}oThe sorwe of Noe / with his felawe{s}hipeEr |þt| he myghte / gete his wyf to shipeHym hadde leuere / I dar wel vndertakeAt thilke tyme / than alle hi{s}e wetheres blakeThat she hadde had a ship / hir self alloneAnd therfore / wo{s}tow what is be{s}t to doneThis axeth ha{s}te / and of an ha{s}tyf thyng/Men may noght |pre|che / or maken tariyng/Anoon go gete vs fa{s}te / in to this InA knedyng trogh / or ellis a kymelynffor eech of vs / but looke |þt| they be largeIn whiche we mowen swymme / as in a bargeAnd han ther Inne / vitaille suffi{s}aunt/But for a day / fy on the remenaunt/The water shal a{s}lake / and goon awayAboute pryme / vp on the nexte dayBut Robyn / may nat wite of this / thy knaueNe eek/ thy mayde Gille / I may nat saueAxe noght why / for thogh thou axe meI wol noght/ tellen goddes pryueteeSuffi{s}eth thee / but if thy wittes maddeTo han as greet a grace / as Noe haddeThy wif shal I wel sauen / out of douteGo now thy wey / and speed thee heer abouteBut whan thou ha{s}t / for hi|re| and thee and meYgeten vs / thi{s}e knedyng/ tubbes threThanne shaltow hangen hem / in the roof ful hyeThat no man / of oure purueiance e{s}pye

And whan thow thus ha{s}t doon / as I haue seydAnd ha{s}t oure vitaille / faire in hem yleydAnd eek an Ax / to smyte the corde atwoWhan |þt| the water cometh / |þt| we may goAnd breke an hole / an heigh vp on the gableVn to the gardynward / ouer the stableThat we may frely / pa{ss}en forth oure weyWhan |þt| the grete shour / is goon aweyThanne shaltow swymme / as murye I vndertakeAs dooth the white doke / after his drakeThanne woltow clepe / how Ali{s}on / how |Iohan|Be murye / for the flood wol pa{ss}e anonAnd thou wolt seyn / hail mai{s}ter NicholayGood morwe / I see thee wel / for it is dayAnd thanne shal we be lordes al oure lyf/Of al the world / as Noe and his wyf/But of o thyng / I. warne thee ful rightBe wel auy{s}ed / on that ilke nyght/That we been entred / in to shippes bordThat noon of vs / ne speke noght a wordNe clepe ne crye / but been in his prayereffor it is / goddes owene he{s}te deereThy wyf and thow / mote hange fer atwynneffor |þt| bitwix yow / shal be no synneNamoore in lookyng/ than ther shal in dedeThis ordinaunce is seyd / go god thee spedeTomorwe at nyght/ whan men been alle a{s}lepeIn to oure knedyng/ tubbes / wol we crepeAnd sitten there / abidyng goddes graceGo now thy wey / I haue no lenger spaceTo make of this / no lenger sermonyng/Men seyn thus / seend the wi{s}e and sey no thyng/Thow art so wys / it nedeth thee nat techeGo saue oure lyf/ and that I thee bi{s}eche¶This sely Carpenter / gooth forth his weyfful ofte he seyde / allas and weylaweyAnd to his wyf / he tolde his |pri|ueteeAnd she was war / and knew it bet than heWhat al this queynte ca{s}t/ was for to seyeBut nathelees / she ferde as she wolde deye

And seyde allas / go forth thy wey anonHelp vs to scape / or we been dede echonI am thy trewe / verray wedded wyf/Go deere spou{s}e / and help to saue oure lyf/¶Lo which a greet thyng / is affeccio|un|Men may dyen / of ymaginacio|un|So depe / may im|pre|{ss}io|un| be takeThis sely Carpenter / bigynneth quakeHym thynketh verrailiche / |þt| he may seNoes flood / come walwyng as the seeTo drenchen Ali{s}o|un| / his hony deereHe wepeth / waileth / maketh sory cheereHe siketh / |with| ful many a sory swoghAnd gooth / and geteth hym a knedyng/ troghAnd after / a tubbe and a kymelynAnd pryuely / he sente hem to his InAnd heeng hem / in the roof in |pri|ueteeHis owene hand / he made laddres threTo clymben / by the ronges and the stalkesVn to the tubbes / hangyng/ in the balkesAnd hem vitailed / bothe trogh and tubbeWith breed and che{s}e / and good ale in a IubbeSuffi{s}ynge right ynogh / as for a dayBut er |þt| he hadde maad / al this arrayHe sente his knaue / and eek his wenche al{s}oVp on his nede / to londo|un| for to goAnd on the monday / whan it drogh to nyght/He shette his dore / with outen candel lyght/And dre{ss}ed alle thyng/ as it sholde beAnd shortly / vp they clomben alle threThey seten stille / wel a furlong wayNow Pater no{s}ter / clom seyde NicholayAnd clum quod |Iohan| / and clum seyde Ali{s}o|un|This Carpenter / seyde his deuocio|un|And stille he sit/ and biddeth his prayereAwaitynge on the reyn / if he it heere¶The dede sleep / for wery bi{s}yne{ss}effil on this Carpenter / right as I ge{ss}eAboute corfew tyme / or litel mooreffor trauaillyng of his goo{s}t/ he groneth soore

And eft he routeth / for his heed my{s}lay¶Doun of the laddre / stalketh NicholayAnd Ali{s}o|un| / ful softe adoun she speddeWith outen wordes mo / they goon to beddeTher as the Carpenter / is wont to lyeTher was the reuel / and the melodyeAnd thus lyth Ali{s}o|un| / and NicholasIn.bu{s}yne{ss}e of myrthe / and in solasTil that the belle of laudees / gan to ryngeAnd freres in the chauncel / gonne synge¶This pari{ss}h clerk/ this amorous Ab{s}olo|n_|That is for loue / alwey so wo bigonVp on the monday / was at O{s}neyeWith compaignye / hym to di{s}porte and pleyeAnd axed vp on caas / a Cloi{s}trerfful pryuely / after |Iohan| the CarpenterAnd he drogh hym a part/ out of the chercheAnd seyde I noot/ I saugh hym here noght wercheSith Saterday / I trowe |þt| he be wentffor tymber / ther oure Abbot hath hym sent/ffor he is wont/ for tymber for to goAnd dwellen atte graunge / a day or twoOr ellis / he is at his hous |cer|teynWhere |þt| he be / I kan noght soothly seyn¶This Ab{s}olon / ful iolyf was and lyght/And thoghte / now is tyme to wake al nyght/ffor sikerly / I saugh hym noght stiryngeAboute his dore / syn day bigan to spryngeSo mote I thryue / I shal at Cokkes crowefful |pri|uely / knokken at his wyndoweThat stant ful lowe / vp on his boures walTo Ali{s}on / now wol I tellen alMy loue longyng/. for yit I shal nat my{ss}eThat at the lee{s}te wey / I shal hir ki{ss}eSom manere confort/ / shal I haue parfayMy mouth hath icched / al this longe dayThat is a signe of ki{ss}yng/ at/ the lee{s}teAl nyght me mette eek / I was at a fee{s}teTher fore I wol go slepe / an houre or tweyeAnd al the nyght/ than wol I wake and pleye

¶Whan |þt| the fir{s}te cok/ hath crowe anonVp ri{s}t / this ioly louere Ab{s}olonAnd hym arrayeth gay / at point deuysBut fir{s}t / he cheweth grayn and likorysTo smellen swete / er he hadde kembd his heerVnder his tonge / a trewe loue he beerffor ther by / wende he to be graciousHe rometh / to the Carpenters housAnd stille he stant/ vnder the shot wyndoweVn to his bre{s}t/ it raughte / it was so loweAnd ofte he cogheth / with a semy sownWhat do ye hony comb / swete Ali{s}ounMy faire bryd / my swete cynamomeAwaketh lemman myn / and speketh to meWel litel thynken ye / vp on my woThat for youre loue / I swete ther I goNo wonder is / thogh |þt| I swelte and sweteI moorne / as dooth a lamb / after the teteYwis lemman / I haue swich loue longyng/That lyk a turtle trewe / is my moornyng/I may nat ete / namoore than a mayde¶Go fro the wyndow / Iakke fool she saydeAs help me god / it wol nat be com pa meI loue another / and ellis I were to blameWel bet than thee / by Ihu Ab{s}olonGo forth thy wey / or I wol ca{s}te a {s}toonAnd lat me slepe / a twenty deuelewey¶Allas quod Ab{s}olon / and weilaweyThat trewe loue / was euere {s}o yuel bi{s}et/Thanne kys me / syn |þt| it may be no bet/ffor |Iesus| loue / and for the loue of me¶Woltow thanne / go thy wey ther with quod she¶Ye certes lemman / quod this Ab{s}olon¶Thanne make thee redy quod she / I come anon¶This Ab{s}olon / doun sette hym on his kneesAnd seyde / I am a lord / at alle degreesffor after this / I hope ther cometh mooreLemman thy grace / and swete bryd thyn oore¶The wyndow she vndooth / and that in ha{s}teHaue do quod she / com of and speed thee fa{s}te

Le{s}t |þt| oure neghebores / thee e{s}pye¶This Ab{s}olon / gan wipe his mouth ful dryeDerk was the nyght/ as pych / or as the coleAnd at the wyndow / out she putte hir holeAnd Ab{s}olon / hym fil no bet ne wersBut with his mouth / he ki{s}te hir naked ersNo|ta| mal|um| quidfful sauourly / er he were war of thisAbak he {s}terte / and thoghte it was amysffor wel he wi{s}te / a womman hath no berdHe felte a thyng al rogh / and longe yherdAnd seyde / fy allas / what haue I do¶Te hee quod she / and clapte the wyndow toAnd Ab{s}olon / gooth forth a sory paas¶A berd / a berd / quod hende NicholasBy goddes corpus / this gooth faire and wel¶This sely{:}Ab{s}olon / herde euery delAnd on his lippe / he gan for anger byteAnd to hym self/ he seyde I shal thee quyte¶Who rubbeth now / who froteth now his lippesWith du{s}t/ |with| sond / |with| straw / |with| clooth |with| chippesBut Ab{s}olon / |þt| seith ful ofte allasMy soule / bitake vn to SathanasBut me were leuere / than al this town quod heOf this de{s}pit/ awreken for to beAllas quod he / allas I ne hadde ybleynt/His hote loue was coold / and al yqueyntffor fro that tyme / |þt| he hadde ki{s}t hir ersOf |per|amours / he {s}ette noght a kersffor he was heelyd / of his maladyefful ofte |per|amours / he gan defyeAnd weep / as dooth a child |þt| is ybeteA softe paas / he wente ouer the streteVn til a smyth / men clepen daun GerueysThat in his forge / smythed plogh harneysHe sharpeth shaar / and cultour bi{s}ilyThis Ab{s}olon / knokketh al e{s}ilyAnd seyde / vndo Gerueys and that anon¶What who artow|?| / it/ am I Ab{s}olonWhat Ab{s}olon / what Cri{s}tes swete treeWhy ri{s}e ye {s}o rathe / ey benedicitee

What eyleth yow / som gay gerl / god it woot/Hath broght yow thus / vp on the viritoot/By Seinte note / ye woot wel what I mene¶This Ab{s}olon / ne roghte nat a beneOf al his pley / no word agayn he yaf/He hadde moore tow / on his dy{s}taf/Than Gerueys knew / and seyde freend so deereThat hoote cultour / in the chymenee heereAs lene it me / I haue ther with to dooneI wol brynge it thee / agayn ful {s}oone¶Gerueys an{s}werde / certes were it goldOr in a poke / nobles al vntoldThow sholde{s}t haue / as I am trewe SmythEy Cri{s}tes foo / what wol ye do ther with¶Ther of quod Ab{s}olon / be as be mayI shal wel telle it thee / another dayAnd caughte the cultour / by the colde stelefful softe / out at the dore he gan to steleAnd wente / vn to the Carpenters walHe cogheth fir{s}t/ and knokketh ther with alVp on the wyndow / right as he dide er¶This Ali{s}on an{s}werde / who is ther|?|That knokketh so / I warante it a theef/¶Wy nay quod he god woot/ my swete lief/I am thyn Ab{s}olon / my derelyng/Of gold quod he / I haue thee broght a ryng/My moder yaf it me / so god me sauefful fyn it is / and ther to wel ygraueThis wol I yeuen thee / if thow me ki{ss}e¶This Nicholas / was ri{s}en for to pi{ss}eAnd thoghte / he wolde amenden al the IapeHe sholde ki{ss}e his ers / er |þt|/ he scapeAnd vp the wyndow / dide he ha{s}telyAnd out his ers / he putteth pryuelyOuer the buttok / to the haunche bon¶And ther with / spak/ this clerk/ this Ab{s}olonSpek swete herte / I noot noght wher thow art/This Nicholas / anoon leet fle a fart/As greet/ as it hadde been a thonder dent/That with the strook/ he was almoo{s}t yblent/

And he was redy / with his Iren hoot/And Nicholas / in the ers he smoot/Of gooth the skyn / an handbrede abouteThe hoote cultour / brende so his touteThat for the smert/ he wende for to dyeAs he were wood / for wo he gan to cryeHelp water / water / help for goddes herte¶This Carpenter / out of his slomber sterteAnd herde oon cryen water / as he were woodAnd thoghte allas / now cometh Nowelys floodHe sette hym vp / with oute wordes moAnd with his Ax / he smoot the corde atwoAnd down gooth al / he foond neither to selleNe breed ne ale / til he cam to the CelleVp on the floor / and the|re| a{s}wowne he lay¶Vp {s}tirte hi|re| / Ali{s}on and NicholayAnd cryden out and harrow / in the StreteThe neghebores / bothe smale and greteIn ronnen / for to gauren on this manThat a{s}wowne lay / bothe pale and wanffor with the fal / he bro{s}ten hadde his armBut stonde he mo{s}te / vn to his owene harmffor whan he spak / he was anon bore dounWith hende Nicholas and Ali{s}ounThey tolden euery man / |þt| he was woodHe was aga{s}t so / of Nowelys floodThurgh fanta{s}ie / |þt| of his vanyteeHe hadde yboght hym / knedyng tubbes threAnd hadde hem hanged / in the roof aboueAnd |þt| he preyde hem / for goddes loueTo sitten in the roof / |per| compaignye¶The folk gan laughen / at his fanta{s}yeIn to the roof / they kiken and they capeAnd turned al his harm / vn to a Iapeffor what {s}o / |þt| this Carpenter an{s}werdeIt was for noght/ no man his re{s}on herdeWith othes grete / he was {s}o sworn adounThat he was holden wood / in al the tounffor euery clerk / anon right heeld with ootherThey seyde / the man was wood / my leeue brother

And e|uer|y wight/ gan laughen at this stryf/Thus swyued / was the Carpenters wyf/ffor al his kepyng/ and his Ialou{s}yeAnd Ab{s}olon / hath ki{s}t hir nether IyeAnd Nicholas / is scalded in the touteThis tale is doon / and god saue al the route

¶Here is ended / the Millerys tale