The Miller’s Tale
1 - Whilom ther was dwellynge at Oxenford
There was once dwelling at Oxford
2 - A riche gnof, that gestes heeld to bord,
A rich churl, who took in boarders,
3 - And of his craft he was a carpenter.
And of his craft he was a carpenter.
4 - With hym ther was dwellynge a poure scoler,
With him there was dwelling a poor scholar,
5 - Hadde lerned art, but al his fantasye
Who had learned the arts curriculum, but all his desire
6 - Was turned for to lerne astrologye,
Was turned to learning astrology,
7 - And koude a certeyn of conclusiouns,
And he knew a certain (number of) of astronomical operations,
8 - To demen by interrogaciouns,
To determine by scientific calculations,
9 - If that men asked hym, in certein houres
If men asked him, in specific (astronomical) hours
10 - Whan that men sholde have droghte or elles shoures,
When men should have drought or else showers,
11 - Or if men asked hym what sholde bifalle
Or if people asked him what should happen
12 - Of every thyng; I may nat rekene hem alle.
Concerning every thing; I can not reckon them all.
13 - This clerk was cleped hende Nicholas.
This clerk was called clever Nicholas.
14 - Of deerne love he koude and of solas;
Of secret love he knew and of its satisfaction;
15 - And therto he was sleigh and ful privee,
And moreover he was sly and very discreet,
16 - And lyk a mayden meke for to see.
And like a maiden meek in appearance.
17 - A chambre hadde he in that hostelrye
A room had he in that hostelry
18 - Allone, withouten any compaignye,
Alone, without any company,
19- Ful fetisly ydight with herbes swoote;
Very elegantly strewn with sweet-smelling herbs;
20 - And he hymself as sweete as is the roote
And he himself as sweet as is the root
21 - Of lycorys or any cetewale.
Of licorice or any zedoary (a ginger-like herb).
22 - His Almageste, and bookes grete and smale,
His Almagest, and books large and small,
23 - His astrelabie, longynge for his art,
His astrolabe, belonging to his art (of astronomy),
24 - His augrym stones layen faire apart,
His counting stones (for his abacus) lie neatly apart,
25 - On shelves couched at his beddes heed;
Arranged on shelves at his bed's head;
26 - His presse ycovered with a faldyng reed;
His linen press covered with a red woolen cloth;
27 - And al above ther lay a gay sautrie,
And all above there lay a fine psaltery,
28 - On which he made a-nyghtes melodie
On which at night he made melody
29 - So swetely that all the chambre rong;
So sweetly that all the room rang;
30 - And Angelus ad virginem he song;
And "The Angel to the Virgin" he sang;
31 - And after that he song the Kynges Noote.
And after that he sang the King's Tune.
32 - Ful often blessed was his myrie throte.
Very often his merry throat was blessed.
33 - And thus this sweete clerk his tyme spente
And thus this sweet clerk spent his time
34 - After his freendes fyndyng and his rente.
Living on his friends' support and his (own) income.
35 - This carpenter hadde wedded newe a wyf,
This carpenter had recently wedded a wife,
36 - Which that he lovede moore than his lyf;
Whom he loved more than his life;
37 - Of eighteteene yeer she was of age.
She was eighteen years of age.
38 - Jalous he was, and heeld hire narwe in cage,
Jealous he was, and held her narrowly in confinement,
39 - For she was wylde and yong, and he was old
For she was wild and young, and he was old
40 - And demed hymself been lik a cokewold.
And believed himself likely to be a cuckold.
41 - He knew nat Catoun, for his wit was rude,
He knew not Cato, for his wit was rude,
42 - That bad man sholde wedde his simylitude.
Who advised that man should wed his equal.
43 - Men sholde wedden after hire estaat,
Men should wed according to their status in life,
44 - For youthe and elde is often at debaat.
For youth and old age are often in conflict.
45 - But sith that he was fallen in the snare,
But since he was fallen in the snare,
46 - He moste endure, as oother folk, his care.
He must endure, like other folk, his troubles.
47 - Fair was this yonge wyf, and therwithal
Fair was this young wife, and moreover
48 - As any wezele hir body gent and smal.
As any weasel was her body graceful and slender.
49 - A ceynt she werede, barred al of silk,
A belt she wore, with decorative strips all of silk,
50 - A barmclooth as whit as morne milk
An apron as white as morning milk
51 - Upon hir lendes, ful of many a goore.
Upon her loins, full of many a flounce.
52 - Whit was hir smok, and broyden al bifoore
White was her smock, and embroidered all in front
53 - And eek bihynde, on hir coler aboute,
And also behind, around her collar,
54 - Of col-blak silk, withinne and eek withoute.
With coal-black silk, within and also without.
55 - The tapes of hir white voluper
The ribbons of her white cap
56 - Were of the same suyte of hir coler;
Were of the same color as her collar;
57 - Hir filet brood of silk, and set ful hye.
Her headband broad of silk, and set very high.
58 - And sikerly she hadde a likerous ye;
And surely she had a wanton eye;
59 - Ful smale ypulled were hire browes two,
Her two eyebrows were plucked very thin,
60 - And tho were bent and blake as any sloo.
And those were bent and black as any sloe.
61 - She was ful moore blisful on to see
She was much more blissful to look upon
62 - Than is the newe pere-jonette tree,
Than is the new early-ripe pear tree,
63 - And softer than the wolle is of a wether.
And softer than the wool is of a sheep.
64 - And by hir girdel heeng a purs of lether,
And by her girdle hung a purse of leather,
65 - Tasseled with silk and perled with latoun.
Tasseled with silk and ornamented with latten "pearls."
66 - In al this world, to seken up and doun,
In all this world, to seek up and down,
67 - There nys no man so wys that koude thenche
There is no man so wise that he could imagine
68 - So gay a popelote or swich a wenche.
So lovely a little doll or such a wench.
69 - Ful brighter was the shynyng of hir hewe
Much brighter was the shining of her complexion
70 - Than in the Tour the noble yforged newe.
Than the newly minted noble in the Tower.
71 - But of hir song, it was as loude and yerne
But of her song, it was as loud and lively
72 - As any swalwe sittynge on a berne.
As any swallow sitting on a barn.
73 - Therto she koude skippe and make game,
Moreover she could skip and play,
74 - As any kyde or calf folwynge his dame.
Like any kid or calf following its mother.
75 - Hir mouth was sweete as bragot or the meeth,
Her mouth was sweet as ale and honey or mead,
76 - Or hoord of apples leyd in hey or heeth.
Or a hoard of apples laid in hay or heather.
77 - Wynsynge she was, as is a joly colt,
Skittish she was, as is a spirited colt,
78 - Long as a mast, and upright as a bolt.
Tall as a mast, and straight as an arrow.
79 - A brooch she baar upon hir lowe coler,
A brooch she wore upon her low collar,
80 - As brood as is the boos of a bokeler.
As broad as is the boss of a shield.
81 - Hir shoes were laced on hir legges hye.
Her shoes were laced high on her legs.
82 - She was a prymerole, a piggesnye,
She was a primrose, a pig's eye (a flower),
83 - For any lord to leggen in his bedde,
For any lord to lay in his bed,
84 - Or yet for any good yeman to wedde.
Or yet for any good yeoman to wed.
85 - Now, sire, and eft, sire, so bifel the cas
Now, sir, and again, sir, it so happened
86 - That on a day this hende Nicholas
That one day this clever Nicholas
87- Fil with this yonge wyf to rage and pleye,
Happened with this young wife to flirt and play,
88 - Whil that hir housbonde was at Oseneye,
While her husband was at Oseneye,
89 - As clerkes ben ful subtile and ful queynte;
For clerks are very subtle and very clever;
90 - And prively he caughte hire by the queynte,
And intimately he caught her by her crotch,
91 - And seyde, "Ywis, but if ich have my wille,
And said, "Indeed, unless I have my will,
92 - For deerne love of thee, lemman, I spille."
For secret love of thee, sweetheart, I die."
93 - And heeld hire harde by the haunchebones,
And held her hard by the thigh,
94 - And seyde, "Lemman, love me al atones,
And said, "Sweetheart, love me immediately
95 - Or I wol dyen, also God me save!"
Or I will die, so save me God!"
96 - And she sproong as a colt dooth in the trave,
And she sprang as a colt does when restrained,
97 - And with hir heed she wryed faste awey,
And with her head she twisted fast away,
98 - And seyde, "I wol nat kisse thee, by my fey!
And said, "I will not kiss thee, by my faith!
99 - Why, lat be!" quod she. "Lat be, Nicholas,
Why, let me be!" said she. "Let me be, Nicholas,
100 - Or I wol crie `out, harrow' and `allas'!
Or I will cry `out, help' and `alas'!
101 - Do wey youre handes, for youre curteisye!"
ake away your hands, for your courtesy!"
102 - This Nicholas gan mercy for to crye,
This Nicholas began to cry for mercy,
103 - And spak so faire, and profred him so faste,
And spoke so fair, and pressed his suit so fast,
104 - That she hir love hym graunted atte laste,
That she granted him her love at the last,
105 - And swoor hir ooth, by Seint Thomas of Kent,
And swore her oath, by Saint Thomas of Kent,
106 - That she wol been at his comandement,
That she will be at his commandment,
107 - Whan that she may hir leyser wel espie.
When she may well espy her opportunity.
108 - "Myn housbonde is so ful of jalousie
"My husband is so full of jealousy
109 - That but ye wayte wel and been privee,
That unless you wait patiently and are secretive,
110 - I woot right wel I nam but deed," quod she.
I know right well I am as good as dead," said she.
111 - "Ye moste been ful deerne, as in this cas."
"You must been very secret in this matter."
112 - "Nay, therof care thee noght," quod Nicholas.
"No, care thee not about that," said Nicholas.
113 - "A clerk hadde litherly biset his whyle,
"A clerk had badly wasted his time (studying),
114 - But if he koude a carpenter bigyle."
If he could not outwit a carpenter."
115 - And thus they been accorded and ysworn
And thus they are agreed and sworn
116 - To wayte a tyme, as I have told biforn.
To wait for a time, as I have told before.
117 - Whan Nicholas had doon thus everideel
When Nicholas had done thus every bit
118 - And thakked hire aboute the lendes weel,
And well patted her about the loins,
119 - He kiste hire sweete and taketh his sawtrie,
He kissed her sweetly and takes his psaltery,
120 - And pleyeth faste, and maketh melodie.
And plays fast, and makes melody.
121 - Thanne fil it thus, that to the paryssh chirche,
Then it thus happened, that to the parish church,
122 - Cristes owene werkes for to wirche,
Christ's own works to do,
123 - This goode wyf went on an haliday.
This good wife went on a holiday.
124 - Hir forheed shoon as bright as any day,
Her forehead shone as bright as any day,
125 - So was it wasshen whan she leet hir werk.
It was so washed when she left her work.
126 - Now was ther of that chirche a parissh clerk,
Now was there of that church a parish clerk,
127 - The which that was ycleped Absolon.
Who was called Absolon.
128 - Crul was his heer, and as the gold it shoon,
Curly was his hair, and as the gold it shone,
129 - And strouted as a fanne large and brode;
And stretched out like a fan large and broad;
130 - Ful streight and evene lay his joly shode.
Very straight and even lay his elegant parted hair.
131 - His rode was reed, his eyen greye as goos.
His complexion was ruddy, his eyes gray as a goose.
132 - With Poules wyndow corven on his shoos,
With St. Paul's window carved on his shoes,
133 - In hoses rede he wente fetisly.
In red hose he went elegantly.
134 - Yclad he was ful smal and proprely
Clad he was very trimly and properly
135 - Al in a kirtel of a lyght waget;
All in a tunic of a light blue;
136 - Ful faire and thikke been the poyntes set.
Very fair and thick are the laces set.
137 - And therupon he hadde a gay surplys
And over that he had a gay surplice
138 - As whit as is the blosme upon the rys.
As white as is the blossom upon the branch.
139 - A myrie child he was, so God me save.
A merry lad he was, so save me God.
140 - Wel koude he laten blood, and clippe and shave,
Well could he draw blood, and cut hair and shave,
141 - And maken a chartre of lond or acquitaunce.
And make a charter of land or a legal release.
142 - In twenty manere koude he trippe and daunce
In twenty different ways could he trip and dance
143 - After the scole of Oxenforde tho,
After the school of Oxford as it was then,
144 - And with his legges casten to and fro,
And with his legs kick to and fro,
145 - And pleyen songes on a smal rubible;
And play songs on a small fiddle,
146 - Therto he song som tyme a loud quynyble;
To which he some times sang a loud high treble;
147 - And as wel koude he pleye on a giterne.
And he could play as well on a guitar.
148 - In al the toun nas brewhous ne taverne
In all the town there was no brew house nor tavern
149 - That he ne visited with his solas,
That he did not visit with his entertainment,
150 - Ther any gaylard tappestere was.
Where any merry barmaid was.
151 - But sooth to seyn, he was somdeel squaymous
But to say the truth, he was somewhat squeamish
152 - Of fartyng, and of speche daungerous.
About farting, and fastidious in his speech.
153 - This Absolon, that jolif was and gay,
This Absolon, who was elegant and gay,
154 - Gooth with a sencer on the haliday,
Goes with a censer on the holiday,
155 - Sensynge the wyves of the parisshe faste;
Censing the wives of the parish eagerly;
156 - And many a lovely look on hem he caste,
And many a lovely look he cast on them,
157 - And namely on this carpenteris wyf.
And especially on this carpenter's wife.
158 - To looke on hire hym thoughte a myrie lyf,
To look on her he thought a merry life,
159 - She was so propre and sweete and likerous.
She was so attractive and sweet and flirtatious.
160 - I dar wel seyn, if she hadde been a mous,
I dare well say, if she had been a mouse,
161 - And he a cat, he wolde hire hente anon.
And he a cat, he would have grabbed her at once.
162 - This parissh clerk, this joly Absolon,
This parish clerk, this elegant Absolon,
163 - Hath in his herte swich a love-longynge
Has in his heart such a love-longing
164 - That of no wyf took he noon offrynge;
That of no wife took he any offering;
165 - For curteisie, he seyde, he wolde noon.
For courtesy, he said, he would have none.
166 - The moone, whan it was nyght, ful brighte shoon,
The moon, when it was night, very brightly shone,
167 - And Absolon his gyterne hath ytake;
And Absolon his guitar has taken;
168 - For paramours he thoghte for to wake.
For the sake of love he intended to stay awake.
169 - And forth he gooth, jolif and amorous,
And forth he goes, elegant and amorous,
170 - Til he cam to the carpenteres hous
Until he came to the carpenter's house
171 - A litel after cokkes hadde ycrowe,
A little after cocks had crowed,
172 - And dressed hym up by a shot-wyndowe
And took his place up by a casement window
173 - That was upon the carpenteris wal.
That was upon the carpenter's wall.
174 - He syngeth in his voys gentil and smal,
He sings in his voice gentle and high,
175 - "Now, deere lady, if thy wille be,
"Now, dear lady, if it be thy will,
176 - I praye yow that ye wole rewe on me,"
I pray yow that you will have pity on me,"
177 - Ful wel acordaunt to his gyternynge.
Very well in harmony with his guitar-playing.
178 - This carpenter awook, and herde him synge,
This carpenter awoke, and heard him sing,
179 - And spak unto his wyf, and seyde anon,
And spoke unto his wife, and said at once,
180 - "What! Alison! Herestow nat Absolon,
"What! Alison! Hearest thou not Absolon,
181 - That chaunteth thus under oure boures wal?"
That chants thus next to our bedroom's wall?"
182 - And she answerde hir housbonde therwithal,
And she answered her husband immediately,
183 - "Yis, God woot, John, I heere it every deel."
"Yes indeed, God knows, John, I hear it every bit."
184 - This passeth forth; what wol ye bet than weel?
This goes on; what more would you have?
185 - Fro day to day this joly Absolon
From day to day this elegant Absolon
186 - So woweth hire that hym is wo bigon.
So woos her that he is in a sorry state.
187 - He waketh al the nyght and al the day;
He stays awake all the night and all the day;
188 - He kembeth his lokkes brode, and made hym gay;
He combs his flowing locks, and dressed himself elegantly;
189 - He woweth hire by meenes and brocage,
He woos her by go-betweens and agents,
190 - And swoor he wolde been hir owene page;
And swore he would be her own servant;
191 - He syngeth, brokkynge as a nyghtyngale;
He sings, trilling like a nightingale;
192 - He sente hire pyment, meeth, and spiced ale,
He sent her sweetened wine, mead, and spiced ale,
193 - And wafres, pipyng hoot out of the gleede;
And wafers, piping hot out of the fire;
194 - And, for she was of town, he profred meede;
And, because she was a townie, he offered money;
195 - For som folk wol ben wonnen for richesse,
For some folk will be won for riches,
196 - And somme for strokes, and somme for gentillesse.
And some by force, and some for noble character.
197 - Somtyme, to shewe his lightnesse and maistrye,
Sometimes, to show his agility and skill,
198 - He pleyeth Herodes upon a scaffold hye.
He plays Herod upon a high stage.
199 - But what availleth hym as in this cas?
But what good does it do him in this case?
200 - She loveth so this hende Nicholas
She so loves this clever Nicholas
201 - That Absolon may blowe the bukkes horn;
That Absolon may go whistle;
202 - He ne hadde for his labour but a scorn.
He had for his labor nothing but scorn.
203 - And thus she maketh Absolon hire ape,
And thus she makes Absolon her fool,
204 - And al his ernest turneth til a jape.
And turns all his earnestness into a joke.
205 - Ful sooth is this proverbe, it is no lye,
Very true is this proverb, it is no lie,
206 - Men seyn right thus: "Alwey the nye slye
Men say right thus: "Always the nearby sly one
207 - Maketh the ferre leeve to be looth."
Makes the distant loved one to be disliked."
208 - For though that Absolon be wood or wrooth,
For though Absolon be crazed or angry,
209 - By cause that he fer was from hire sight,
Because he was far from her sight,
210 - This nye Nicholas stood in his light.
This nearby Nicholas cast him in the shadow.
211 - Now ber thee wel, thou hende Nicholas,
Now bear thyself well, thou clever Nicholas,
212 - For Absolon may waille and synge "allas."
For Absolon may wail and sing "alas."
213 - And so bifel it on a Saterday,
And so it happened on a Saturday,
214 - This carpenter was goon til Osenay;
This carpenter was gone to Osenay;
215 - And hende Nicholas and Alisoun
And clever Nicholas and Alisoun
216 - Acorded been to this conclusioun,
Are agreed on this plan,
217 - That Nicholas shal shapen hym a wyle
That Nicholas shall devise a trick
218 - This sely jalous housbonde to bigyle;
To beguile this hapless jealous husband;
219 - And if so be the game wente aright,
And if it so be the game went right,
200 - She sholde slepen in his arm al nyght,
She should sleep in his arms all night,
221 - For this was his desir and hire also.
For this was his desire and hers also.
222 - And right anon, withouten wordes mo,
And right away, without more words,
223 - This Nicholas no lenger wolde tarie,
This Nicholas no longer would tarry,
224 - But dooth ful softe unto his chambre carie
But has carried very quietly unto his chamber
225 - Bothe mete and drynke for a day or tweye,
Both food and drink for a day or two,
226 - And to hire housbonde bad hire for to seye,
And told her to say to her husband,
227 - If that he axed after Nicholas,
If he asked about Nicholas,
228 - She sholde seye she nyste where he was;
She should say she knew not where he was;
229 - Of al that day she saugh hym nat with ye;
Of all that day she saw him not with eye;
230 - She trowed that he was in maladye,
She believed that he was ill,
231 - For, for no cry hir mayde koude hym calle,
Because, for no shout could her maid call him,
232 - He nolde answere for thyng that myghte falle.
He would not answer for anything that might befall.
233 - This passeth forth al thilke Saterday,
This goes on all that same Saturday,
234 - That Nicholas stille in his chambre lay,
That Nicholas still in his chamber lay,
235 - And eet and sleep, or dide what hym leste,
And ate and slept, or did what he pleased,
236 - Til Sonday, that the sonne gooth to reste.
Until Sunday, when the sun goes to rest.
237 - This sely carpenter hath greet merveyle
This hapless carpenter has great marvel
238 - Of Nicholas, or what thyng myghte hym eyle,
About Nicholas, or what thing might ail him,
239 - And seyde, "I am adrad, by Seint Thomas,
And said, "I am afraid, by Saint Thomas,
240 - It stondeth nat aright with Nicholas.
Things are not right with Nicholas.
241 - God shilde that he deyde sodeynly!
God forbid that he should suddenly die!
242 - This world is now ful tikel, sikerly.
This world is now very ticklish, surely.
243 - I saugh today a cors yborn to chirche
I saw today a corpse carried to church
244 - That now, on Monday last, I saugh hym wirche.
That just now, on last Monday, I saw him work.
245 - "Go up," quod he unto his knave anoon,
"Go up," he said unto his servant at once,
246 - "Clepe at his dore, or knokke with a stoon.
"Call at his door, or knock with a stone.
247 - Looke how it is, and tel me boldely."
Look how it is, and tell me quickly."
248 - This knave gooth hym up ful sturdily,
This servant goes up very resolutely,
249 - And at the chambre dore whil that he stood,
And at the chamber door while he stood,
250 - He cride and knokked as that he were wood,
He cried and knocked as if he were crazy,
251 - "What, how! What do ye, maister Nicholay?
"What, hey! What do you, master Nicholay?
252 - How may ye slepen al the longe day?"
How can you sleep all the long day?"
253 - But al for noght; he herde nat a word.
But all for naught; he heard not a word.
254 - An hole he foond, ful lowe upon a bord,
He found a hole, very low upon a board,
255 - Ther as the cat was wont in for to crepe,
Where the cat was accustomed to creep in,
256 - And at that hole he looked in ful depe,
And through that hole he looked in very carefully,
257 - And at the laste he hadde of hym a sight.
And at the last he had a sight of him.
258 - This Nicholas sat evere capyng upright,
This Nicholas sat ever gaping upward,
259 - As he had kiked on the newe moone.
As if he were gazing on the new moon.
260 - Adoun he gooth, and tolde his maister soone
Down he goes, and told his master immediately
261 - In what array he saugh this ilke man.
In what condition he saw this same man.
262 - This carpenter to blessen hym bigan,
This carpenter began to bless himself,
263 - And seyde, "Help us, Seinte Frydeswyde!
And said, "Help us, Saint Frideswide!
264 - A man woot litel what hym shal bityde.
A man knows little what shall happen to him.
265 - This man is falle, with his astromye,
This man is fallen, because of his astronomy,
266 - In some woodnesse or in som agonye.
In some madness or in some fit.
267 - I thoghte ay wel how that it sholde be!
I always thought well how it should be!
268 - Men sholde nat knowe of Goddes pryvetee.
Men should not know of God's secrets.
269 - Ye, blessed be alwey a lewed man
Yes, blessed be always an unlearned man
270 - That noght but oonly his bileve kan!
Who knows nothing but only his belief!
271 - So ferde another clerk with astromye;
So fared another clerk with astronomy;
272 - He walked in the feeldes for to prye
He walked in the fields to look
273 - Upon the sterres, what ther sholde bifalle,
Upon the stars, (to find) there what should happen,
274- Til he was in a marle-pit yfalle;
Until he was fallen in a fertilizer pit;
275 - He saugh nat that. But yet, by Seint Thomas,
He did not see that. But yet, by Saint Thomas,
276 - Me reweth soore of hende Nicholas.
I feel very sorry for clever Nicholas.
277 - He shal be rated of his studiyng,
He shall be scolded for his studying,
278 - If that I may, by Jhesus, hevene kyng!
If that I may, by Jesus, heaven's king!
279 - Get me a staf, that I may underspore,
Get me a staff, that I may pry up from below,
280 - Whil that thou, Robyn, hevest up the dore.
While thou, Robyn, lift up the door.
281 - He shal out of his studiyng, as I gesse."
He shall (come) out of his studying, as I guess."
282 - And to the chambre dore he gan hym dresse.
And to the chamber door he turned his attention.
283 - His knave was a strong carl for the nones,
His servant was a strong fellow for this purpose,
284 - And by the haspe he haaf it of atones;
And by the hasp he heaved it off at once;
285 - Into the floor the dore fil anon.
Onto the floor the door fell straightway.
286 - This Nicholas sat ay as stille as stoon,
This Nicholas sat ever as still as stone,
287 - And evere caped upward into the eir.
And ever gaped upward into the air.
288 - This carpenter wende he were in despeir,
This carpenter supposed he was in despair,
289 - And hente hym by the sholdres myghtily,
And seized him by the shoulders vigorously,
290 - And shook hym harde, and cride spitously,
And shook him hard, and cried loudly,
291 - "What! Nicholay! What, how! What, looke adoun!
"What! Nicholay! What, how! What, look down!
292 - Awak, and thenk on Cristes passioun!
Awake, and think on Christ's passion!
293 - I crouche thee from elves and fro wightes."
I bless thee from elves and from evil creatures."
294 - Therwith the nyght-spel seyde he anon-rightes
Therewith the night-charm he said straightway
295 - On foure halves of the hous aboute,
On four corners of the house about,
296 - And on the thresshfold of the dore withoute:
And on the threshold of the door outside:
297 - "Jhesu Crist and Seinte Benedight,
"Jesus Christ and Saint Benedict,
298 - Blesse this hous from every wikked wight,
Bless this house from every wicked creature,
299 - For nyghtes verye, the white pater-noster!
For evil spirits of the nights, the white pater-noster!
300 - Where wentestow, Seinte Petres soster?"
Where went thou, Saint Peter's sister?"
301 - And atte laste this hende Nicholas
And at the last this clever Nicholas
302 - Gan for to sik soore, and seyde, "Allas!
Began to sigh deeply, and said, "Alas!
303 - Shal al the world be lost eftsoones now?"
Shall all the world be lost right now?"
304 - This carpenter answerde, "What seystow?
This carpenter answered, "What sayest thou?
305 - What! Thynk on God, as we doon, men that swynke."
What! Think on God, as we do, men who work."
306 - This Nicholas answerde, "Fecche me drynke,
This Nicholas answered, "Fetch me drink,
307 - And after wol I speke in pryvetee
And after will I speak in private
308 - Of certeyn thyng that toucheth me and thee.
About a certain matter that concerns me and thee.
309 - I wol telle it noon oother man, certeyn."
I will tell it to no other man, certainly."
310 - This carpenter goth doun, and comth ageyn,
This carpenter goes down, and comes again,
311 - And broghte of myghty ale a large quart;
And brought of strong ale a large quart;
312 - And whan that ech of hem had dronke his part,
And when each of them had drunk his part,
313 - This Nicholas his dore faste shette,
This Nicholas shut fast his door,
314 - And doun the carpenter by hym he sette.
And the carpenter sat down by him.
315 - He seyde, "John, myn hooste, lief and deere,
He said, "John, my host, beloved and dear,
316 - Thou shalt upon thy trouthe swere me heere
Thou shalt upon thy pledged word swear to me here
317 - That to no wight thou shalt this conseil wreye,
That to no person thou shalt this counsel reveal,
318 - For it is Cristes conseil that I seye,
For it is Christ's secrets that I say,
319 - And if thou telle it man, thou art forlore;
And if thou tell it to anyone, thou art completely lost;
320 - For this vengeaunce thou shalt han therfore,
For this vengeance thou shalt have therefore,
321 - That if thou wreye me, thou shalt be wood."
That if thou betray me, thou shalt go mad."
322 - "Nay, Crist forbede it, for his hooly blood!"
"Nay, Christ forbid it, for his holy blood!"
323 - Quod tho this sely man, "I nam no labbe,
Said then this hapless man, "I am no blabbermouth,
324 - Ne, though I seye, I nam nat lief to gabbe.
And, though I say it, I do not like to gab.
325 - Sey what thou wolt, I shal it nevere telle
Say what thou will, I shall never tell it
326 - To child ne wyf, by hym that harwed helle!"
To child nor wife, by Him that rescued souls from hell!"
327 - "Now John," quod Nicholas, "I wol nat lye;
"Now John," said Nicholas, "I will not lie;
328 - I have yfounde in myn astrologye,
I have found in my astrology,
329 - As I have looked in the moone bright,
As I have looked on the bright moon,
330 - That now a Monday next, at quarter nyght,
That now on Monday next, after midnight,
331 - Shal falle a reyn, and that so wilde and wood
Shall fall a rain, and that so wild and raging
332 - That half so greet was nevere Noes flood.
That Noah's flood was never half so large.
333 - This world," he seyde, "in lasse than an hour
This world," he said, "in less than an hour
334 - Shal al be dreynt, so hidous is the shour.
Shall all be drowned, so hideous is the shower.
335 - Thus shal mankynde drenche, and lese hir lyf."
Thus shall mankind drown, and lose their lives."
336 - This carpenter answerde, "Allas, my wyf!
This carpenter answered, "Alas, my wife!
337 - And shal she drenche? Allas, myn Alisoun!"
And shall she drown? Alas, my Alisoun!"
338 - For sorwe of this he fil almoost adoun,
For sorrow of this he almost fell down,
339 - And seyde, "Is ther no remedie in this cas?"
And said, "Is there no remedy in this case?"
340 - "Why, yis, for Gode," quod hende Nicholas,
"Why, yes indeed, by God," said clever Nicholas,
341 - "If thou wolt werken after loore and reed.
"If thou will act in accordance with learning and (good) advice.
342 - Thou mayst nat werken after thyn owene heed;
Thou mayst not act according to thine own ideas;
343 - For thus seith Salomon, that was ful trewe:
For thus says Solomon, which was very true:
344 - 'Werk al by conseil, and thou shalt nat rewe.'
'Do all in accordance with good advice, and thou shalt not rue (it).'
345 - And if thou werken wolt by good conseil,
And if thou will act in accordance with good advice,
346 - I undertake, withouten mast and seyl,
I guarantee, without mast and sail,
347 - Yet shal I saven hire and thee and me.
Yet shall I save her and thee and me.
348 - Hastow nat herd hou saved was Noe,
Hast thou not heard how Noah was saved,
349 - Whan that oure Lord hadde warned hym biforn
When our Lord had warned him before
350 - That al the world with water sholde be lorn?"
That all the world should be destroyed by water?"
351 - "Yis," quod this Carpenter, "ful yoore ago."
"Yes indeed," said this Carpenter, "very long ago."
352 - "Hastou nat herd," quod Nicholas, "also
"Hast thou not heard," said Nicholas, "also
353 - The sorwe of Noe with his felaweshipe,
The sorrow of Noah with his fellowship,
354 - Er that he myghte gete his wyf to shipe?
Before he could get his wife onto the ship?
355 - Hym hadde be levere, I dar wel undertake,
He would rather, I dare well guarantee,
356 - At thilke tyme, than alle his wetheres blake
At that time, than have all his black sheep
357 - That she hadde had a ship hirself allone.
That she had had a ship for herself alone.
358 - And therfore, woostou what is best to doone?
And therefore, knowest thou what is best to do?
359- This asketh haste, and of an hastif thyng
This needs haste, and of a hasty thing
360 - Men may nat preche or maken tariyng.
Men may not preach nor make tarrying.
361 - "Anon go gete us faste into this in
"Right now go bring us quickly into this dwelling
362 - A knedyng trogh, or ellis a kymelyn,
A kneading trough, or else a large vat,
363 - For ech of us, but looke that they be large,
For each of us, but see that they be large,
364 - In which we mowe swymme as in a barge,
In which we may float as in a barge,
365 - And han therinne vitaille suffisant
And have therein sufficient victuals
366 - But for a day -- fy on the remenant!
But for a day -- fie on the remnant!
367 - The water shal aslake and goon away
The water shall recede and go away
368 - Aboute pryme upon the nexte day.
About nine a.m. on the next day.
369 - But Robyn may nat wite of this, thy knave,
But Robin, thy knave, may not know of this,
370 - Ne eek thy mayde Gille I may nat save;
And also thy maid Gille I can not save;
371 - Axe nat why, for though thou aske me,
Ask not why, for though thou ask me,
372 - I wol nat tellen Goddes pryvetee.
I will not tell God's secrets.
373 - Suffiseth thee, but if thy wittes madde,
It suffices thee, unless thy wits go mad,
374 - To han as greet a grace as Noe hadde.
To have as great a grace as Noah had.
375 - Thy wyf shal I wel saven, out of doute.
Thy wife shall I well save, beyond doubt.
376 - Go now thy wey, and speed thee heer-aboute.
Go now thy way, and speed thee on this business.
377 - "But whan thou hast, for hire and thee and me,
"But when thou hast, for her and thee and me,
378 - Ygeten us thise knedyng tubbes thre,
Got us these three kneading tubs,
379 - Thanne shaltow hange hem in the roof ful hye,
Then shalt thou hang them in the roof very high,
380 - That no man of oure purveiaunce espye.
In a way that no man may espy our preparations.
381 - And whan thou thus hast doon as I have seyd,
And when thou thus hast done as I have said,
382 - And hast oure vitaille faire in hem yleyd,
And hast laid our victuals carefully in them,
384 - And eek an ax to smyte the corde atwo,
And also an axe to smite the cord in two,
385 - Whan that the water comth, that we may go
When the water comes, so that we may go
386 - And breke an hole an heigh, upon the gable,
And break a hole on high, upon the gable,
387 - Unto the gardyn-ward, over the stable,
Toward the garden, over the stable,
388 - That we may frely passen forth oure way,
That we may freely pass forth on our way,
389 - Whan that the grete shour is goon away.
When the great shower is gone away.
390 - Thanne shaltou swymme as myrie, I undertake,
Then shalt thou float as merry, I guarantee,
391 - As dooth the white doke after hire drake.
As does the white duck after her drake.
392 - Thanne wol I clepe, 'How, Alison! How, John!
Then will I call, 'How, Alison! How, John!
393 - Be myrie, for the flood wol passe anon.'
Be merry, for the flood will soon pass.'
394 - And thou wolt seyn, 'Hayl, maister Nicholay!
And thou will say, 'Hail, master Nicholay!
395 - Good morwe, I se thee wel, for it is day.'
Good morrow, I see thee well, for it is day.'
396 - And thanne shul we be lordes al oure lyf
And then shall we be lords all our life
397 - Of al the world, as Noe and his wyf.
Of all the world, like Noah and his wife.
398 - "But of o thyng I warne thee ful right:
"But of one thing I warn thee very sternly:
399 - Be wel avysed on that ilke nyght
Be well advised on that same night
400 - That we ben entred into shippes bord,
On which we are entered onto shipboard,
401 - That noon of us ne speke nat a word,
That not one of us speak a word,
402 - Ne clepe, ne crie, but be in his preyere;
Nor call, nor cry, but be in his prayer;
403 - For it is Goddes owene heeste deere.
For it is God's own dear command.
404 - "Thy wyf and thou moote hange fer atwynne,
"Thy wife and thou must hang far apart,
405 - For that bitwixe yow shal be no synne,
So that between yow shall be no sin,
406 - Namoore in lookyng than ther shal in deede.
No more in looking than there shall be in deed.
407 - This ordinance is seyd. Go, God thee speede!
This ordinance is said. Go, God give thee success!
408 - Tomorwe at nyght, whan men ben alle aslepe,
Tomorrow at night, when people are all asleep,
409 - Into oure knedyng-tubbes wol we crepe,
Into our kneading-tubs will we creep,
410 - And sitten there, abidyng Goddes grace.
And sit there, awaiting God's grace.
411 - Go now thy wey; I have no lenger space
Go now thy way; I have no more time
412 - To make of this no lenger sermonyng.
To make of this any longer preaching.
413 - Men seyn thus, 'sende the wise, and sey no thyng.'
Men say thus, 'send the wise, and say nothing.'
414 - Thou art so wys, it needeth thee nat teche.
Thou art so wise, one needs not teach thee.
415 - Go, save oure lyf, and that I the biseche.'
Go, save our life, and that I beseech thee."
416 - This sely carpenter goth forth his wey.
This hapless carpenter goes forth his way.
417 - Ful ofte he seide 'Allas and weylawey,'
Very often he said "Alas and woe is me,"
418 - And to his wyf he tolde his pryvetee,
And to his wife he told his secret,
419 - And she was war, and knew it bet than he,
And she was aware, and knew it better than he,
420 - What al this queynte cast was for to seye.
What all this ingenious scheme meant.
421 - But nathelees she ferde as she wolde deye,
But nonetheless she acted as if she would die,
422 - And seyde, "Allas! go forth thy wey anon,
And said, "Alas! go forth thy way quickly,
423 - Help us to scape, or we been dede echon!
Help us to escape, or we are dead each one of us!
424 - I am thy trewe, verray wedded wyf;
I am thy faithful, truly wedded wife;
425 - Go, deere spouse, and help to save oure lyf."
Go, dear spouse, and help to save our lives."
426 - Lo, which a greet thyng is affeccioun!
Lo, what a great thing is emotion!
427 - Men may dyen of ymaginacioun,
One can die of imagination,
428 - So depe may impressioun be take.
So deeply may a mental image be taken.
429 - This sely carpenter bigynneth quake;
This hapless carpenter begins to tremble;
430 - Hym thynketh verraily that he may see
He thinks truly that he can see
431 - Noees flood come walwynge as the see
Noah's flood come surging like the sea
432 - To drenchen Alisoun, his hony deere.
To drown Alisoun, his honey dear.
433 - He wepeth, weyleth, maketh sory cheere;
He weeps, wails, looks wretched;
434 - He siketh with ful many a sory swogh;
He sighs with very many a sorry groan;
435 - He gooth and geteth hym a knedyng trogh,
He goes and gets him a kneading trough,
436 - And after that a tubbe and a kymelyn,
And after that a tub and a large vat,
437 - And pryvely he sente hem to his in,
And secretly he sent them to his dwelling,
438 - And heng hem in the roof in pryvetee.
And hanged them in the roof secretly.
439 - His owene hand he made laddres thre,
With his own hand he made three ladders,
440 - To clymben by the ronges and the stalkes
To climb by the rungs and the uprights
441 - Unto the tubbes hangynge in the balkes,
Unto the tubs hanging in the beams,
442 - And hem vitailled, bothe trogh and tubbe,
And provisioned them, both trough and tub,
443 - With breed, and chese, and good ale in a jubbe,
With bread, and cheese, and good ale in a jug,
444 - Suffisynge right ynogh as for a day.
Sufficing just enough for a day.
445 - But er that he hadde maad al this array,
But before he had made all this preparation,
446 - He sente his knave, and eek his wenche also,
He sent his servant, and also his servant girl,
447 - Upon his nede to London for to go.
Upon his business to go to London.
448 - And on the Monday, whan it drow to nyght,
And on the Monday, when it drew toward night,
449 - He shette his dore withoute candel-lyght,
He shut his door without candlelight,
450 - And dressed alle thyng as it sholde be.
And prepared everything as it should be.
451 - And shortly, up they clomben alle thre;
And shortly, up they climbed all three;
452 - They seten stille wel a furlong way.
They sat still a good two and one-half minutes.
453 - "Now, Pater-noster, clom!" seyde Nicholay,
"Now, Pater-noster, quiet!" said Nicholay,
454 - And "Clom!" quod John, and "Clom!" seyde Alisoun.
And "Quiet!" said John, and "Quiet!" said Alisoun.
455 - This carpenter seyde his devocioun,
This carpenter said his devotion,
456 - And stille he sit, and biddeth his preyere,
And still he sits, and says his prayer,
457 - Awaitynge on the reyn, if he it heere.
Awaiting the rain, if he might hear it.
458 - The dede sleep, for wery bisynesse,
The dead sleep, for weary business,
459 - Fil on this carpenter right, as I gesse,
Fell on this carpenter right, as I guess,
460 - Aboute corfew-tyme, or litel moore;
About curfew time, or a little more;
461 - For travaille of his goost he groneth soore,
For suffering of his spirit he groans deeply,
462 - And eft he routeth, for his heed myslay.
And also he snores, for his head lay wrong.
463 - Doun of the laddre stalketh Nicholay,
Down on the ladder stalks Nicholay,
464 - And Alisoun ful softe adoun she spedde;
And Alisoun very quietly down she sped;
465 - Withouten wordes mo they goon to bedde,
Without more words they go to bed,
466 - Ther as the carpenter is wont to lye.
Where the carpenter is accustomed to lie.
467 - Ther was the revel and the melodye;
There was the revel and the sounds of festivity;
468 - And thus lith Alison and Nicholas,
And thus lie Alison and Nicholas,
469 - In bisynesse of myrthe and of solas,
In business of mirth and of pleasure,
470 - Til that the belle of laudes gan to rynge,
Until the bell of the early morning service began to ring,
471 - And freres in the chauncel gonne synge.
And friars in the chapel began to sing.
472 - This parissh clerk, this amorous Absolon,
This parish clerk, this amorous Absolon,
473 - That is for love alwey so wo bigon,
That is for love always so woebegone,
474 - Upon the Monday was at Oseneye
Upon the Monday was at Oseneye
475 - With compaignye, hym to disporte and pleye,
With company, to be merry and amuse himself,
476 - And axed upon cas a cloisterer
And by chance asked a cloistered monk
477 - Ful prively after John the carpenter;
Very discreetly about John the carpenter;
478 - And he drough hym apart out of the chirche,
And he drew him apart out of the church,
479 - And seyde, "I noot; I saugh hym heere nat wirche
And said, "I know not; I have not seen him working here
480 - Syn Saterday; I trowe that he be went
Since Saturday; I suppose that he is gone
481 - For tymber, ther oure abbot hath hym sent;
For timber, where our abbot has sent him;
482 - For he is wont for tymber for to go
For he is accustomed to go for timber
483 - And dwellen at the grange a day or two;
And dwell at the granary a day or two;
484 - Or elles he is at his hous, certeyn.
Or else he is at his house, certainly.
485 - Where that he be, I kan nat soothly seyn."
Where he may be, I can not truly say."
486 - This Absolon ful joly was and light,
This Absolon very was jolly and happy,
487 - And thoghte, "Now is tyme to wake al nyght,
And thought, "Now is time to stay awake all night,
488 - For sikirly I saugh hym nat stirynge
For surely I saw him not stirring
489 - Aboute his dore, syn day bigan to sprynge.
About his door, since day began to spring.
490 - 'So moot I thryve, I shal, at cokkes crowe,
'As I may prosper, I shall, at cock's crow,
491 - Ful pryvely knokken at his wyndowe
Very quietly knock at his window
492 - That stant ful lowe upon his boures wal.
That stands very low upon his bedroom's wall.
493 - To Alison now wol I tellen al
To Alison now I will tell all
494 - My love-longynge, for yet I shal nat mysse
My love-longing, for yet I shall not miss
495 - That at the leeste wey I shal hire kisse.
That at the very least I shall her kiss.
496 - Som maner confort shal I have, parfay.
Some sort of comfort shall I have, by my faith.
497 - My mouth hath icched al this longe day;
My mouth has itched all this long day;
498 - That is a signe of kissyng atte leeste.
That is a sign of kissing at the least.
499 - Al nyght me mette eek I was at a feeste.
All night I dreamed also I was at a feast.
500 - Therfore I wol go slepe an houre or tweye,
Therefore I will go sleep an hour or two,
501 - And al the nyght thanne wol I wake and pleye.'
And all the night then will I stay awake and play.'
502 - Whan that the firste cok hath crowe, anon
When the first cock has crowed (about midnight), at once
503 - Up rist this joly lovere Absolon,
Up rises this elegant lover Absolon,
504 - And hym arraieth gay, at poynt-devys.
And dresses himself handsomely, in every detail.
505 - But first he cheweth greyn and lycorys,
But first he chews cardamom and licorice,
506 - To smellen sweete, er he hadde kembd his heer.
To smell sweet, ere he had combed his hair.
507 - Under his tonge a trewe-love he beer,
Under his tongue he had a true-love herb,
508 - For therby wende he to ben gracious.
For thus he thought he would be gracious.
509 - He rometh to the carpenteres hous,
He goes to the carpenter's house,
510 - And stille he stant under the shot-wyndowe --
And he stands still under the casement window --
511 - Unto his brest it raughte, it was so lowe --
Unto his breast it reached, it was so low --
512 - And softe he cougheth with a semy soun:
And softly he coughs with a gentle sound:
513 - "What do ye, hony-comb, sweete Alisoun,
"What do you, honey-comb, sweet Alisoun,
514 - My faire bryd, my sweete cynamome?
My fair bird, my sweet cinnamon?
515 - Awaketh, lemman myn, and speketh to me!
Awake, sweetheart mine, and speak to me!
516 - Wel litel thynken ye upon my wo,
Well little you think upon my woe,
517 - That for youre love I swete ther I go.
That for your love I sweat wherever I go.
518 - No wonder is thogh that I swelte and swete;
No wonder is though that I swelter and sweat;
519 - I moorne as dooth a lamb after the tete.
I mourn as does a lamb after the tit.
520 - Ywis, lemman, I have swich love-longynge
Indeed, sweetheart, I have such love-longing
521 - That lik a turtel trewe is my moornynge.
That like a true turtledove is my mourning.
522 - I may nat ete na moore than a mayde."
I can eat no more than a maiden."
523 - 'Go fro the wyndow, Jakke fool,' she sayde;
"Go from the window, you idiot," she said;
524 - 'As help me God, it wol nat be 'com pa me.'
'So help me God, it will not be `come kiss me.'
525 - I love another -- and elles I were to blame --
I love another -- and else I were to blame --
526 - Wel bet than thee, by Jhesu, Absolon.
Well better than thee, by Jesus, Absolon.
527 - Go forth thy wey, or I wol caste a ston,
Go forth thy way, or I will cast a stone,
528 - And lat me slepe, a twenty devel wey!"
And let me sleep, in the name of twenty devils!"
529 - "Allas," quod Absolon, "and weylawey,
"Alas," said Absolon, "and woe is me,
530 - That trewe love was evere so yvel biset!
That true love was ever in such miserable circumstances!
531 - Thanne kysse me, syn it may be no bet,
Then kiss me, since it can be no better,
532 - For Jhesus love, and for the love of me."
For Jesus' love, and for the love of me."
533 - "Wiltow thanne go thy wey therwith?" quod she.
"Wilt thou then go thy way with that?" said she.
534 - "Ye, certes, lemman," quod this Absolon.
"Yes, certainly, sweetheart," said this Absolon.
535 - "Thanne make thee redy," quod she, "I come anon."
"Then make thee ready," said she, "I come right now."
536 - And unto Nicholas she seyde stille,
And unto Nicholas she said quietly,
537 - "Now hust, and thou shalt laughen al thy fille."
"Now hush, and thou shalt laugh all thy fill."
538 - This Absolon doun sette hym on his knees
This Absolon set himself down on his knees
539 - And seyde, "I am a lord at alle degrees;
And said, "I am a lord in every way;
540 - For after this I hope ther cometh moore.
For after this I hope there comes more.
541 - Lemman, thy grace, and sweete bryd, thyn oore!"
Sweetheart, thy grace, and sweet bird, thy mercy!"
542 - The wyndow she undoth, and that in haste.
The window she undoes, and that in haste.
543 - "Have do," quod she, "com of, and speed the faste,
"Get done with it," said she, "come on, and hurry up,
544 - Lest that oure neighebores thee espie."
Lest our neighbors espy thee."
545 - This Absolon gan wype his mouth ful drie.
This Absolon wiped his mouth very dry.
546 - Derk was the nyght as pich, or as the cole,
Dark was the night as pitch, or as the coal,
547 - And at the wyndow out she putte hir hole,
And at the window out she put her hole,
548 - And Absolon, hym fil no bet ne wers,
And Absolon, to him it happened no better nor worse,
549 - But with his mouth he kiste hir naked ers
But with his mouth he kissed her naked ass
550 - Ful savourly, er he were war of this.
With great relish, before he was aware of this.
551 - Abak he stirte, and thoughte it was amys,
Back he jumped, and thought it was amiss,
552 - For wel he wiste a womman hath no berd.
For well he knew a woman has no beard.
553 - He felte a thyng al rough and long yherd,
He felt a thing all rough and long haired,
554 - And seyde, "Fy! allas! what have I do?"
And said, "Fie! alas! what have I done?"
555 - "Tehee!" quod she, and clapte the wyndow to,
"Tehee!" said she, and clapped the window to,
556 - And Absolon gooth forth a sory pas.
And Absolon goes forth walking sadly.
557 - "A berd! A berd!" quod hende Nicholas,
"A beard! A beard!" said clever Nicholas,
558 - "By Goddes corpus, this goth faire and weel."
"By God's body, this goes fair and well."
559 - This sely Absolon herde every deel,
This hapless Absolon heard every bit,
560 - And on his lippe he gan for anger byte,
And on his lip he began for anger to bite,
561 - And to hymself he seyde, "I shal thee quyte."
And to himself he said, "I shall pay thee back."
562 - Who rubbeth now, who froteth now his lippes
Who rubs now, who now scrubs his lips
563 - With dust, with sond, with straw, with clooth, with chippes,
With dust, with sand, with straw, with cloth, with chips,
564 - But Absolon, that seith ful ofte, "Allas!"
But Absolon, who says very often, "Alas!"
565 - "My soule bitake I unto Sathanas,
"My soul I entrust to Satan,
566 - But me were levere than al this toun," quod he,
If I would not rather than (have) all this town," said he,
567 - "Of this despit awroken for to be.
"Be avenged for this insult.
568 - Allas," quod he, "allas, I ne hadde ybleynt!"
Alas," said he, "alas, I did not turn away!"
569 - His hoote love was coold and al yqueynt;
His hot love was cold and all extinguished;
570 - For fro that tyme that he hadde kist hir ers,
For from that time that he had kissed her ass,
571 - Of paramours he sette nat a kers,
Love-making he thought not worth not a watercress,
572 - For he was heeled of his maladie.
For he was healed of his malady.
573 - Ful ofte paramours he gan deffie,
Very often he did renounce love-making,
574 - And weep as dooth a child that is ybete.
And wept as does a child that is beaten.
575 - A softe paas he wente over the strete
At a slow pace he went down the street
576 - Until a smyth men cleped daun Gerveys,
To a smith men called dan Gerveys,
577 - That in his forge smythed plough harneys;
Who in his forge made plowing equipment;
578 - He sharpeth shaar and kultour bisily.
He sharpens ploughshares and plough blades busily.
579 - This Absolon knokketh al esily,
This Absolon knocked all gently,
580 - And seyde, "Undo, Gerveys, and that anon."
And said, "Open up, Gerveys, and that right now."
581 - "What, who artow?" "It am I, Absolon."
"What, who art thou?" "It am I, Absolon."
582 - "What, Absolon! for Cristes sweete tree,
"What, Absolon! for Christ's sweet cross,
583 - Why rise ye so rathe? Ey, benedicitee!
Why rise you so early? Ay, bless me!
584 - What eyleth yow? Som gay gerl, God it woot,
What ails yow? Some pretty girl, God knows it,
585 - Hath broght yow thus upon the viritoot.
Hath brought you to be running around like this.
586 - By Seinte Note, ye woot wel what I mene."
By Saint Note, you know well what I mean."
587 - This Absolon ne roghte nat a bene
This Absolon cared not a bean
588 - Of al his pley; no word agayn he yaf;
For all his joking; no word he gave in reply;
589 - He hadde moore tow on his distaf
He had more business on hand
590 - Than Gerveys knew, and seyde, "Freend so deere,
Than Gerveys knew, and said, "Friend so dear,
591 - That hoote kultour in the chymenee heere,
That hot plough blade in the hearth here,
592 - As lene it me; I have therwith to doone,
Lend it to me; I have something to do with it,
593 - And I wol brynge it thee agayn ful soone."
And I will bring it back to thee very soon."
594 - Gerveys answerde, "Certes, were it gold,
Gerveys answered, "Certainly, were it gold,
595 - Or in a poke nobles alle untold,
Or in a sack countless silver coins,
596 - Thou sholdest have, as I am trewe smyth.
Thou sholdest have it, as I am true smith.
597 - Ey, Cristes foo! What wol ye do therwith?"
Ay, Christ's foe! What will you do with it?"
598 - "Therof," quod Absolon, "be as be may.
"Concerning that," said Absolon, "be as be may.
599 - I shal wel telle it thee to-morwe day" --
I shall well tell it to thee to-morrow" --
600 - And caughte the kultour by the colde stele.
And caught the plough blade by the cold handle.
601 - Ful softe out at the dore he gan to stele,
Very softly out at the door he began to steal,
602 - And wente unto the carpenteris wal.
And went unto the carpenter's wall.
603 - He cogheth first, and knokketh therwithal
He coughs first, and knocks then
604 - Upon the wyndowe, right as he dide er.
Upon the window, just as he did before.
605 - This Alison answerde, "Who is ther
This Alison answered, "Who is there
606 - That knokketh so? I warante it a theef."
That knocks so? I swear it is a thief."
607 - "Why, nay," quod he, "God woot, my sweete leef,
"Why, nay," said he, "God knows, my sweet beloved,
608 - I am thyn Absolon, my deerelyng.
I am thy Absolon, my darling.
609 - Of gold," quod he, "I have thee broght a ryng.
Of gold," said he, "I have brought thee a ring.
610 - My mooder yaf it me, so God me save;
My mother gave it to me, as God may save me;
611 - Ful fyn it is, and therto wel ygrave.
Very fine it is, and also nicely engraved.
612 - This wol I yeve thee, if thou me kisse."
This will I give thee, if thou kiss me."
613 - This Nicholas was risen for to pisse,
This Nicholas was risen to piss,
614 - And thoughte he wolde amenden al the jape;
And thought he would make the joke even better;
615 - He sholde kisse his ers er that he scape.
He should kiss his ass before he escapes.
616 - And up the wyndowe dide he hastily,
And he opened up the window hastily,
617 - And out his ers he putteth pryvely
And he puts out his ass stealthily
618 - Over the buttok, to the haunche-bon;
Over the buttock, to the thigh;
619 - And therwith spak this clerk, this Absolon,
And then spoke this clerk, this Absolon,
620 - "Spek, sweete bryd, I noot nat where thou art."
"Speak, sweet bird, I know not where thou art."
621 - This Nicholas anon leet fle a fart
This Nicholas immediately let fly a fart
622 - As greet as it had been a thonder-dent,
As great as if it had been a thunder-bolt,
623 - That with the strook he was almoost yblent;
So that with the stroke he was almost blinded;
624 - And he was redy with his iren hoot,
And he was ready with his hot iron,
625 - And Nicholas amydde the ers he smoot.
And he smote Nicholas in the middle of the ass.
626 - Of gooth the skyn an hande-brede aboute,
Off goes the skin a hand's breadth about,
627 - The hoote kultour brende so his toute,
The hot plough blade so burned his rump
628 - And for the smert he wende for to dye.
And for the pain he thought he would die.
629 - As he were wood, for wo he gan to crye,
As if he were crazy, for woe he began to cry,
631 - "Help! Water! Water! Help, for Goddes herte!"
"Help! Water! Water! Help, for God's heart!"
632 - This carpenter out of his slomber sterte,
This carpenter woke suddenly out of his slumber,
633 - And herde oon crien "water!" as he were wood,
And heard someone cry "water!" as if he were crazy,
634 - And thoughte, "Allas, now comth Nowelis flood!"
And thought, "Alas, now comes Nowell's flood!"
635 - He sit hym up withouten wordes mo,
He sits up without more words,
636 - And with his ax he smoot the corde atwo,
And with his ax he smote the cord in two,
637 - And doun gooth al; he foond neither to selle,
And down goes all; he found nothing to sell (wasted no time),
638 - Ne breed ne ale, til he cam to the celle
Neither bread nor ale, until he came to the pavement
639 - Upon the floor, and ther aswowne he lay.
Upon the floor, and there he lay in a swoon.
640 - Up stirte hire Alison and Nicholay,
Up started Alison and Nicholay,
641 - And criden "Out" and "Harrow" in the strete.
And cried "Out" and "Help" in the street.
642 - The neighebores, bothe smale and grete,
The neighbors, both low-ranking and high,
643 - In ronnen for to gauren on this man,
Run in to gawk at this man,
644 - That yet aswowne lay, bothe pale and wan,
Who yet lay in a swoon, both pale and wan,
645 - For with the fal he brosten hadde his arm.
For with the fall he had broken his arm.
646 - But stonde he moste unto his owene harm;
But he had to stand up for himself, though it went badly;
647 - For whan he spak, he was anon bore doun
For when he spoke, he was immediately put down
648 - With hende Nicholas and Alisoun.
By clever Nicholas and Alisoun.
649 - They tolden every man that he was wood;
They told every one that he was crazy;
650 - He was agast so of Nowelis flood
He was so afraid of Nowell's flood
651 - Thurgh fantasie that of his vanytee
Because of his imagination that in his foolishness
652 - He hadde yboght hym knedyng tubbes thre,
He had bought himself three kneading tubs,
653 - And hadde hem hanged in the roof above;
And had hanged them in the roof above;
654 - And that he preyed hem, for Goddes love,
And that he begged them, for God's love,
655 - To sitten in the roof, par compaignye.
To sit in the roof, to keep him company.
656 - The folk gan laughen at his fantasye;
The folk did laugh at his foolishness;
657 - Into the roof they kiken and they cape,
Into the roof they stare and they gape,
658 - And turned al his harm unto a jape.
And turned all his harm into a joke.
659 - For what so that this carpenter answerde,
For whatever this carpenter answered,
660 - It was for noght; no man his reson herde.
It was for naught; no one listened to his explanation,
661 - With othes grete he was so sworn adoun
With oaths great he was so sworn down
662 - That he was holde wood in al the toun;
That he was considered crazy in all the town;
663 - For every clerk anonright heeld with oother.
For every clerk immediately agreed with the other.
664 - They seyde, "The man is wood, my leeve brother";
They said, "The man is crazy, my dear brother";
665 - And every wight gan laughen at this stryf.
And every person did laugh at this strife.
666 - Thus swyved was this carpenteris wyf,
Thus screwed was this carpenter's wife,
667 - For al his kepyng and his jalousye,
In spite of all his guarding and his jealousy,
668 - And Absolon hath kist hir nether ye,
And Absolon has kissed her lower eye,
669 - And Nicholas is scalded in the towte.
And Nicholas is scalded in the rump.
670 - This tale is doon, and God save al the rowte!
This tale is done, and God save all this company!
=Brian Ó Broin