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The MILLERE was a stout carl for the nones; |
| Ful byg he was of brawn and eek of bones- |
| That proved wel, for over al ther he cam |
| 550 | At wrastlynge he wolde have alwey the ram. |
| He was short-sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre, |
| Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre, |
| Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed. |
| His berd as any sowe or fox was reed, |
| 555 | And therto brood, as though it were a spade. |
| Upon the cop right of his nose he hade |
| A werte, and thereon stood a toft of herys, |
| Reed as the brustles of a sowes erys; |
| Hise nosethirles blake were and wyde. |
| 560 | A swerd and bokeler bar he by his syde. |
| His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys. |
| He was a janglere and a goliardeys, |
| And that was moost of synne and harlotries. |
| Wel koude he stelen corn, and tollen thries; |
| 565 | And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee. |
| A whit cote and a blew hood wered he. |
| A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne, |
| And therwithal he broghte us out of towne. |
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The MILLER was a strong fellow, be it known, |
| Hardy, big of brawn and big of bone; |
| Which was well proved, for wherever a festive day |
| 550 | At wrestling, he always took the prize away. |
| He was stoutly built, broad and heavy; |
| He lifted each door from its hinges, that easy, |
| Or break it through, by running, with his head. |
| His beard, as any sow or fox, was red, |
| 555 | And broad it was as if it were a spade. |
| Upon his nose right on the top he had |
| A wart, and thereon stood a tuft of hairs, |
| Red as the bristles in an old sow's ears; |
| His nostrils they were black and wide. |
| 560 | A sword and buckler he carried by his side. |
| His mouth was like a furnace door for size. |
| He was a jester and knew some poetry, |
| But mostly all of sin and obscenity. |
| He could steal corn and three times charge his fee; |
| 565 | And yet indeed he had a thumb of gold. |
| A blue hood he wore and a white coat; |
| A bagpipe he could blow well, up and down, |
| And with that same he brought us out of town. |
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