 | The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer |  |
40
THE MILLER.
The Miller, hardy as his own Mill-stones,With brawny Flesh, large Sinews and strong Bones.
His Strength to all the Town was known too well,
In Wrestling still he bore away the Bell.
Short Shoulder'd, knotty as a stubborn Oak,
Hard to be bent, and harder to be broke:
Not one, so far as he, cou'd pitch a Bar,
Or lift a Weight, or swing it in the Air.
He'd running force a Door, with his hard Head;
His Beard, like any Fox's Tail, was red,
But straight, and even as a Gard'ner's Spade.
Just at the End of his huge Nose he had
A large black Wart, on that a Tuft of Hairs,
Red, as the Bristles of an old Sow's Ears.
His Nostrils, like a Furnace, black and wide;
A Sword and Buckler hanging on his Side.
41
And leach'rous as a Monkey or a Goat.
Corn he cou'd steal, the same Corn thrice he toll'd;
And yet, they say, he had a Thumb of Gold.
His Coat was white, on Bagpipes he cou'd play,
And with that Musick brought us on our Way.
| The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer | |