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What sholde I moore seyn, but this Millere |
| 60 | He nolde his wordes for no man forbere, |
| But tolde his cherles tale in his manere; |
| Me thynketh that I shal reherce it heere. |
| And therfore every gentil wight I preye, |
| For Goddes love, demeth nat that I seye |
| 65 | Of yvel entente, but that I moot reherce |
| Hir tales alle, be they bettre or werse, |
| Or elles falsen som of my mateere. |
| And therfore who-so list it nat yheere, |
| Turne over the leef, and chese another tale; |
| 70 | For he shal fynde ynowe, grete and smale, |
| Of storial thyng that toucheth gentillesse, |
| And eek moralitee, and hoolynesse. |
| Blameth nat me if that ye chese amys; |
| The Millere is a cherl, ye knowe wel this, |
| 75 | So was the Reve, and othere manye mo, |
| And harlotrie they tolden bothe two. |
| Avyseth yow, and put me out of blame, |
| And eek men shal nat maken ernest of game. |
|
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What should I say, except this miller rare |
| 60 | He would forgo his talk for no man there, |
| But told his churlish tale in his own way: |
| I think I'll here re-tell it, if I may. |
| And therefore, every gentle soul, I pray |
| That for God's love you'll hold not what I say |
| 65 | Evilly meant, but that I must rehearse, |
| All of their tales, the better and the worse, |
| Or else prove false to some of my design. |
| Therefore, who likes not this, let him, in fine, |
| Turn over page and choose another tale: |
| 70 | For he shall find enough, both great and small, |
| Of stories touching on gentility, |
| And holiness, and on morality; |
| And blame not me if you do choose amiss. |
| The miller was a churl, you well know this; |
| 75 | So was the reeve, and many another more, |
| And ribaldry they told from plenteous store. |
| Be then advised, and hold me free from blame; |
| Men should not be too serious at a game. |
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