THE

MILLER of Trompington,

OR, THE

REVE'S TALE from Chaucer..

A

By Mr. BETTERTON.

T Trompington, not far from Cambridge,

[ftood;

Across a pleasant Stream,a Bridge of Wood. Near it, a Mill, in low and plathy Ground, Where Corn for all the neighb'ring Parts was [grown'd. The sturdy Miller with his powder'd Locks, Proud as a Peacock, fubtle as a Fox,

Could Pipe, and Fish, and Wrestle, throw a Net, Turn drinking Cups, and teach young Dogs to Set.

Brawny,

Brawny, big-bon'd, strong made was every Limb,
But few durft venture to contend with him.
A Dagger hanging at his Belt he had,
Made of an ancient Sword's well-temper'd Blade.
He wore a Sheffield Whittle in his Hofe.
Broad was his Face, and very flat his Nose.
Bald as an Ape behind was this Man's Crown,
No one could better beat a Market down.
But Millers will be Thieves; he us❜d to Steal,
Slyly, and artfully, much Corn, and Meal.

This Miller's Wife came of a better Race, The Parfon's Daughter of the Town she was. Her Portion small, her Education high,

She had her Breeding in a Nunnery.

Whoe'er he Marry'd (Simkin boldly faid)

Should be a Maid, well born, and nicely bred.

You'd

You'd laugh to see him, in his best Array,
Strutting before her on a Holyday.
If any boldly durft accost his Wife,

He drew his Dagger, or his Sheffield Knife.
'Tis dang'rous to provoke a jealous Fool;
She manag'd cunningly her stubborn Tool.
To all beneath her infolently high,
Walk'd like a Duck, and chatter'd like a Pye :
Proud of her breeding, froward, full of Scorn,
As if the were of noble Parents born.

With other Virtues of the fame degree,
All learn'd in that choice School, the Nunnery.

Their Daughter was just twenty, course and [bold. A Boy too in a Cradle, fix Months old. Thick, fhort, and brawny, this plump Damfel was, Her Nose was flat, her Eyes were grey as Glass,

Her

Her Haunches broad, with Breasts up to her Chin, Fair was her Hair, but tawny was her Skin.

A mighty Trade this lufty Miller drove, All for Convenience came, not one for Love. Much Grift from Cambridge to his lot did fall, And all the Corn they us'd at Scholars Hall. Their Manciple fell dangerously ill;

Bread must be had, their Grift went to the Mill. This Simkin moderately stole before,

Their Steward fick, he robb'd'em tentimes more. Their Bread fell fhort; the Warden ftorm'd; with

[Skill, Examin'd those who brought it from the Mill.

The Miller to a strict account they call,

He impudently fwears, he gave 'em all.

Two poor young Scholars, hungry, much di

[ftrefs'd,

(Who thought themselves more wife than all the

[reft) Intreat

Intreat the Warden, the next Corn he fent,
To trust it to their prudent Management.
Both would attend him with fuch Care, and Art,
Defie him then to steal the smallest Part.

At last the Warden grants what they defire, All is got ready as these two require. Bold Men, tho' difappointed, ne'er are fham'd; One was call'd Allen, t'other John was nam'd. Both Northern Men, both in one Town were [Born, They mount, and lead the Horfe that bears the

[Corn

Be careful, Allen cries, and do not stray:
Fear nothing, he replies, I know the Way.
Thus they jog on, and on the Road contrive
To catch the Thief; till at the Mill they' arrive.

Ho Sim, fays John, what ho, the Miller there? Who calls, cries Simkin, tell me who you are? 文 How