FullReads

THE PROLOGUE

 

 When that the Knight had thus his tale told
 

 In all the rout was neither young nor old,
 

 That he not said it was a noble story,
 

 And worthy to be *drawen to memory*;            *recorded*
 

 And *namely the gentles* every one.   *especially the gentlefolk*
 

 Our Host then laugh'd and swore, "So may I gon,*       *prosper
 

 This goes aright; *unbuckled is the mail;*   *the budget is opened*
 

 Let see now who shall tell another tale:
 

 For truely this game is well begun.
 

 Now telleth ye, Sir Monk, if that ye conne*,           *know
 

 Somewhat, to quiten* with the Knighte's tale."         *match
 

 The Miller that fordrunken was all pale,
 

 So that unnethes* upon his horse he sat,       *with difficulty
 

 He would avalen* neither hood nor hat,            *uncover
 

 Nor abide* no man for his courtesy,            *give way to
 

 But in Pilate's voice<1> he gan to cry,
 

 And swore by armes, and by blood, and bones,
 

 "I can a noble tale for the nones*             *occasion,
 

 With which I will now quite* the Knighte's tale."        *match
 

 Our Host saw well how drunk he was of ale,
 

 And said; "Robin, abide, my leve* brother,            *dear
 

 Some better man shall tell us first another:
 

 Abide, and let us worke thriftily."
 

 By Godde's soul," quoth he, "that will not I,
 

 For I will speak, or elles go my way!"
 

 Our Host answer'd; "*Tell on a devil way*;      *devil take you!*
 

 Thou art a fool; thy wit is overcome."
 

 "Now hearken," quoth the Miller, "all and some:
 

 But first I make a protestatioun.
 

 That I am drunk, I know it by my soun':
 

 And therefore if that I misspeak or say,
 

 *Wite it* the ale of Southwark, I you pray:      *blame it on*<2>
 

 For I will tell a legend and a life
 

 Both of a carpenter and of his wife,
 

 How that a clerk hath *set the wrighte's cap*." *fooled the carpenter*
 

 The Reeve answer'd and saide, "*Stint thy clap*,  *hold your tongue*
 

 Let be thy lewed drunken harlotry.
 

 It is a sin, and eke a great folly
 

 To apeiren* any man, or him defame,              *injure
 

 And eke to bringe wives in evil name.
 

 Thou may'st enough of other thinges sayn."
 

 This drunken Miller spake full soon again,
 

 And saide, "Leve brother Osewold,
 

 Who hath no wife, he is no cuckold.
 

 But I say not therefore that thou art one;
 

 There be full goode wives many one.
 

 Why art thou angry with my tale now?
 

 I have a wife, pardie, as well as thou,
 

 Yet *n'old I*, for the oxen in my plough,        *I would not*
 

 Taken upon me more than enough,
 

 To deemen* of myself that I am one;               *judge
 

 I will believe well that I am none.
 

 An husband should not be inquisitive
 

 Of Godde's privity, nor of his wife.
 

 So he may finde Godde's foison* there,            *treasure
 

 Of the remnant needeth not to enquere."