The Miller's Tale
Folio 35v
14 of 18 folios
Syth seturday I trow that he be went
480
For tymber ther as our Abbot hath him sent
For he is wont for tymber for to go
And dwellen at the grange a day or two
Or elles he is at his hous certeyn
Where that he be I kan not soothely seyn
485
¶ This absolon ful ioly was and lyght
And thoght now is tyme to wake a nyght
For sikerly I sagh him noght stiryng
About his dore syn day bigan to springe
¶ So mote I thryue I shall at Cokkes crowe
490
Ful priuely knokken at his wyndowe
That stant ful low vpon his bour wall
To Alison now wol I tellen all
My loue longyng for yit I shal nat mysse
That at the lest wey I shall hir kysse
495
Some maner confort shal I haue parfay
My mouth hath icched al this longe day
That is a signe of kyssyng at the leest
Al nyght me met eeke that I was at a feest
Ther fore I wol go slepe an hour or tweye
500
And al the nyght than wol I wake and pleye
Whan that the first cok hath crowe anon
Vp rist this ioly louer absolon
And him arrayeth gay and poynt deuys
But first he cheweth greynes and licoris
505
To smellen swete or he had kembd his heer
Vndyr his tong a trew loue he beer
For therby wend he to be gracious
He rometh to the Carpenters hous
And stil he stont vnder the shot wyndow
510
Vnto his brest it raught it was so low
And softe he coughteth wyth a semy soun
What do ye hony combe swete Alisoun
My faire brid my swete Cynomome
A wake lemman myn and speke wyth me
515
Wel litel thinken ye vpon my wo
That for your loue I swete ther I go
No wondyr is thogh that I swelt and swete