#achj
,,cant}bury ,,tales ,,! ,,mill}',s ,,prologue
0,ge(frey ,*auc} ,! ,~ws 2t ! ,ho/
&! ,mill} ,n{ :5 ! kni<t _h ?us 8 /ory told1 ,9 all ! r|t "! 0 nor "y nor old ,b sd x 0 a no# /ory1 well ,wor?y 6be kept 9 m9d 6tell2 ,& speci,y ! g5tle folk1 ea* "o4 ,|r ho/1 he lau<$ & swore1 8,s may ,i run1 ,b ? goes well2 unbuckl$ is ! mail2 ,let's see n{ :o c tell ano!r tale3 ,= c}ta9ly ! game is well 2gun4 ,n{ % y tell1 sir monk1 if't c 2 d"o1 ,"s?+ ) : 6pay =! kni<t's tale40
,! mill}1 :o ) dr9k+ 0 all pale1 ,s t un/1dily on 8 horse he sat1 ,he wd n take (f ei hood or hat1 ,nor wait = any man1 9 c|rtesy1 ,b all 9 ,pilate's voice 2gan 6cry1 ,& 0! ,>ms & ,blood & ,b"os he swore1 8,i h a no# /ory 9 my /ore1 ,) : ,i w requite ! gd kni<t's tale40
,|r ho/ saw1 !n1 t he 0 drunk ) ale1 ,& sd 6hm3 8,wait1 ,rob91 my de> bro!r1 ,"s bett} man % tell u f/ ano!r3 ,submit & let u "w on pr(itably40
8,n{ 0,god's s|l10 cri$ he1 8t w n ,i6 ,= ,i w sp1k1 or else ,i'll g my way40
,|r ho/ repli$3 8,tell on1 !n1 till dooms"d6 ,y >e a fool1 yr wit is ov}come40
8,n{ he> me10 sd ! mill}1 8all & "s6 ,b f/ ,i make a prote/,n r.d ,t ,i'm q drunk1 ,i "k x 0my s.d3 ,& "!=e1 if ,i sl&} or mis-say1 ,blame x on ale ( ,s|?w>k1 s ,i pray2 ,= ,i w tell a leg5d &a life ,bo? (a c>p5t} &( 8 wife1 ,& h{ a s*ol> set ! gd w"r's cap40
,! reeve repli$ & sd3 8,oh1 %ut yr trap1 ,let 2 yr ignorant drunk5 ribaldry6 ,x is a s91 & fur!r1 grt folly ,6asp}se any man1 or hm defame1 ,&1 too1 6br+ ~u a man's wife %ame4 ,"! >e 5 ( o!r ?+s 6say40
,? drunk5 mill} spoke on 9 8 way1 ,& sd3 8,oh1 b my de> bro!r ,oswald1 ,! man :o has no wife is no cuckold4 ,b ,i say n1 "!by1 t y >e "o3 ,_m gd wives "! >e1 z wom5 run1 ,& "e a ?|s& gd 6"o t's bad1 ,z well y "k yrf1 un.s y're mad4 ,:y >e y angry ) my /ory's cue8 ,i h a wife1 2gad1 z well z y1 ,yet ,i'd n1 =! ox5 ( my pl{1 ,take on my %|ld}s m ?an is en{1 ,0judg+ ( myf t ,i am "o2 ,i w 2lieve full well t ,i am n"o4 ,a husb& m/ n 2 9quisitive ,( ,god1 nor ( 8 wife1 :ile %e's alive4 ,s l;g z he may f9d ,god's pl5ty "!1 ,= all ! re/ he ne$ n grtly c>e40
,:at %d ,i say1 except ? mill} r>e ,he wd =go 8 talk = no man "!1 ,b told 8 *urli% tale 9 8 {n way3 ,i ?9k ,i'll "h re-tell x1 if ,i may4 ,& "!=e1 e g5tle s|l1 ,i pray ,t = ,god's love y'll hold n :at ,i say ,evilly m1nt1 b t ,i m/ rehe>se1 ,all ( _! tales1 ! bett} &! worse1 ,or else prove false 6"s ( my design4 ,"!=e1 :o likes n ?1 let hm1 9 f9e1 ,turn ov} page & *oose ano!r tale3 ,= he % f9d 51 bo? grt & small1 ,( /ories t|*+ on g5til;y1 ,& holi;s1 & on moral;y2 ,& blame n me if y d *oose amiss4 ,! mill} 0 a *url1 y well "k ?2 ,s 0 ! reeve1 & _m ano!r m1 ,& ribaldry !y told f pl5te|s /ore4 ,2 !n advis$1 & hold me free f blame2 ,m5 %d n 2 too s}i|s at a game4
,,"h ,,5ds ,,! ,,prologue
#achj ,,cant}bury ,,tales ,,! ,,mill}',s ,,tale 0,ge(frey ,*auc} ,once on a "t 0 dwell+ 9 ,ox=d ,a w1l?y l|t :o took 9 gue/s 6bo>d1 ,&( 8 craft he 0 a c>p5t}4 ,a poor s*ol> 0 lodg+ ) hm "!1 ,:o'd le>n$ ! >ts1 b all 8 phantasy ,0 turn$ 6/udy ( a/rology2 ,& knew a c}ta9 set ( !orems ,& cd f9d | 0v>i|s /ratagems1 ,if m5 b ask$ ( hm 9 c}ta9 h|rs ,:5 !y %d h a dr"| or else h %{}s1 ,or if m5 ask$ ( hm :at %d 2fall ,6any?+- ,i _c reckon !m all4
,? cl}k 0 call$ ! cl"e ,ni*olas2 ,( secret loves he knew & _! solace2 ,& he kept c|nsel1 too1 = he 0 sly ,& meek z any maid5 pass+ by4 ,he _h a *amb} 9 t ho/elry1 ,& liv$ al"o "!1 )|t -pany1 ,all g>ni%$ ) sweet h}bs ( gd repute2 ,& he hmf sweet-smell+ z ! root ,( licorice1 val}ian1 or setwall4 ,8 ,almage/1 & books bo? grt & small1 ,8 a/rolabe1 2l;g+ 6his >t1 ,8 algorism /"os- all laid a"p ,on %elves t rang$ 2s 8 l"o b$'s h1d2 ,8 press 0 cov}$ )a clo? ( r$4 ,& ov} all "! lay a psalt}y ,":on he made an ev5+'s melody1 ,play+ s sweetly t ! *amb} rang2 ,& ,angelus ad virg9em he sang2 ,& af t he w>#d ! ,k+'s ,note3 ,(t5 9 gd voice 0 8 m}ry ?roat4 ,& ?us ? g5tle cl}k 8 leisure sp5ds ,support$ 0"s 9come & 8 frs4
,? c>p5t} _h lately w$ a wife ,:om lie lov$ bett} ?an he lov$ 8 life2 ,& %e 0 -e 6ei<te5 ye>s ( age4 ,j1l|s he 0 & held h} close 9 cage4 ,= %e 0 wild & "y1 & he 0 old1 ,& deem$ hmf z l 6be cuckold4 ,he knew n ,cato1 = 8 lore 0 rude3 ,t vulg> man %d w$ similitude4 ,a man %d w$ ac 6e/ate1 ,= y|? & age >e (t5 9 debate4 ,b n{1 s9ce he _h fall5 9 ! sn>e1 ,he m/ 5dure1 l o!r folk1 8 c>e4
,fair 0 ? y|?;l wife1 & "!)al ,z w1sel's 0 h} body slim & small4 ,a girdle wore %e1 b>r$ & /rip$1 ( silk4 ,an apron1 too1 z :ite z morn+ milk ,ab h} lo9s1 & full ( _m a gore2 ,:ite 0 h} smock1 embroid}$ all 2f ,& ev5 2h1 h} coll> r.d ab1 ,( coal-black silk1 on bo? sides1 9 & |2 ,! /r+s (! :ite cap ~u h} h1d ,w}e1 l h} coll>1 black silk "w$ ) ?r1d1 ,h} fillet 0 ( wide silk worn full hi<3 ,& c}ta9ly %e _h a lick}i% eye4 ,%e'd ?9n$ | c>e;lly h} eyebr{s two1 ,& !y 7 >*$ & black z any sloe4 ,%e 0 a f> m pl1sant ?+ 6see ,?an is ! newly bu4$ "y pe>-tree2 ,& s(t} ?an ! wool is on a we!r4 ,d{n f h} girdle hung a purse ( l1!r1 ,tassell$ ) silk1 ) latt5 b1d+ s{n4 ,9 all ? _w1 se>*+ x up & d{n1 ,s gay a ll doll1 ,i well 2lieve1 ,or s* a w5*1 "!'s no man c 3cv4 ,f> b"r} 0 ! brilli.e ( h} hue ,?an 9 ! ,t{} ! gold co9s m9t$ new4 ,& s;gs came %rill+ f h} pretty h1d ,z f a swall{'s sitt+ on a %$4 ,"!) %e'd d.e too1 & cd play & %am ,l any kid or calf ab xs dam4 ,h} m|? 0 sweet z bra7et or z m1d ,or ho>d ( apples laid 9 hay or we$4 ,skitti% %e 0 z is a pretty colt1 ,tall z a /aff & /rai<t z cross-b{ bolt4 ,a broo* %e wore ~u h} coll> l{1 ,z broad z boss ( buckl} did x %{2 ,h} %oes lac$ up 6": a girl's legs ?ick54 ,%e 0 a primrose1 &a t5d} *ick5 ,= any "l 6lay ~u 8 b$1 ,or yet = any gd yeoman 6w$4
,n{1 sir1 & !n1 sir1 g 2fell ! case1 ,t on a "d ? cl"e ,ni*olas ,fell 9 ) ? "y wife 6toy & play1 ,! :ile h} husb& 0 d{n ,osney way1 ,cl}ks 2+ z crafty z ! be/ ( u2 ,& unp}cvd he cau<t h} 0! puss1 ,say+3 8,9de$1 un.s ,i h my w1 ,= secret love ( y1 sweethe>t1 ,i'll spill40 ,& held h} h>d ab ! hips1 & h{6 ,& sd3 8,o d>l+1 love me1 love me n{1 ,or ,i % die1 & pray y ,god may save60
,& %e l1p$ z a colt does 9 ! trave1 ,&) h} h1d %e twi/$ fa/ away1 ,& sd3 8,i w n kiss y1 0my fay6 ,:y1 let g10 cri$ %e1 8let g1 ,ni*olas6 ,or ,i w call = help & cry 'alas6' ,d take yr h&s away1 = c|rtesy60
,? ,ni*olas = m}cy !n did cry1 ,& spoke s well1 importun$ h} s fa/ ,t %e h} love did grant hm at ! la/1 ,& swore h} oa?1 0,sa9t ,?omas ( ,k5t1 ,t %e wd 2 at 8 -m&1 3t5t1 ,z soon z opportun;y %e cd spy4
8,my husb& is s full ( j1l|sy1 ,un.s y w await me secretly1 ,i "k ,i'm j z gd z d1d10 sd %e4 8,y m/ keep all q hi45 9 ? case40
8,nay1 "!( worry n10 sd ,ni*olas1 8,a cl}k has lazily employ$ 8 :ile ,if he _c a c>p5t} 2guile40
,& ?us !y 7 agre$1 & !n !y swore ,6wait a :ile1 z ,i h sd 2f4 ,:5 ,ni*olas _h d"o ?us e :it ,& patt$ h} ab ! lo9s a bit1 ,he kiss$ h} sweetly1 took 8 psalt}y1 ,& play$ x fa/ & made a melody4
,!n fell x ?us1 t 6! p>i% kirk1 ,! ,"l ,*ri/ ,jesus' {n "ws = 6"w1 ,? gd wife w5t1 ~u a holy "d2 ,h} =eh1d %"o z b"r z does ! ,may1 ,s well %e'd wa%$ x :5 %e left (f "w4
,n{ "! 0 ( t *ur* a p>i% cl}k ,~: "n 0 7z folk call$ hm7 ,absalom4 ,curl$ 0 8 hair1 %9+ l gold1 & f ,8 h1d spr1d fanwise 9 a ?ick b"r mop2 ',twas "p$ /rai<t & ev5 on ! top2 ,8 *eek 0 r$1 8 eyes grey z a goose2 ,) ,sa9t ,paul's w9d{s cut ~u 8 %oes1 ,he /ood 9 r$ hose fitt+ fam|sly4 ,& he 0 clo!d full well & prop}ly ,all 9 a coat ( blue1 9 : 7 let ,holes =! lac+s1 : 7 fairly set4 ,& ov} all he wore a f9e surplice ,z :ite z "e haw?orn spray1 & nice4 ,a m}ry lad he was1 s ,god me save1 ,& well cd he let blood1 cut hair1 & %ave1 ,& draw a de$ or quitclaim1 z mi<t *.e4 ,9 tw5ty mann}s cd he trip & d.e1 ,af ! s*ool t reign$ 9 ,ox=d1 ?|<1 ,&) 8 two legs sw++ to & fro2 ,& he cd play ~u a viol92 ,"!to he sang 9 tre# voice & ?92 ,& z well cd he play on 8 guit>4 ,9 all ! t{n no 9n was1 & no b>1 ,t he'd n visit$ 6make gd *e}1 ,especi,y 7 lively b>maids "!4 ,b1 tru? 6tell1 he 0 a bit squ1mi% ,( f>t+ &( language hau<tyi%4
,? ,absalom1 :o 0 s li<t & gay1 ,w5t )a c5s} on ! holy "d1 ,c5s+ ! wives l an 5?usia/2 ,& on !m _m a lov+ look he ca/1 ,especi,y on ? c>p5t}'s gdwife4 ,6look at h} he ?"| a m}ry life1 ,%e 0 s pretty1 sweet1 & lick}|s4 ,i d>e well say1 if %e _h be5 a m|se ,& he a cat1 he wd h maul$ h} "s4
,? p>i% cl}k1 ? lively ,absalom ,_h 9 8 he>t1 n{1 s* a love-l;g+ ,t f no wife took he an (f}+2 ,= c|rtesy1 he sd1 he wd take n"o4 ,! moon1 :5 x 0 ni<t1 full b"rly %"o1 ,& 8 guit> did ,absalom !n take1 ,= 9 love-wat*+ he'd 9t5t 6wake4 ,& =? he w5t1 jolly & amor|s1 ,until he came unto ! c>p5t}'s h|se ,a ll af cocks 2gan 6cr{2 ,& took 8 /& 2n a %ot-w9d{ ,t 0 let 96! gd wood-w"r's wall4 ,he sang !n1 9 8 pl1sant voice & small1 8,oh n{1 de> lady1 if yr w x be1 ,i pray t y w h "s ru? on me10 ,! ~ws 9 h>mony ) 8 /r+-pluck+4 ,? c>p5t} awoke & he>d hm s+1 ,& call$ unto 8 wife & sd1 9 sum3 8,:at1 ,alison6 ,d y he> ,absalom1 ,:o plays & s+s 2n |r b$room wall80
,& %e sd 6h} husb&1 "!)al3 8,yes1 ,god "ks1 ,john1 ,i be> x1 tru? 6tell40
,s ? w5t on2 :at is "! bett} ?an well8 ,f "d 6"d ? pretty ,absalom ,s woo$ h} he 0 woebeg"o "!from4 ,he lay awake all ni<t & all ! "d2 ,he -b$ 8 spr1d+ hair & dress$ hm gay2 ,0g-2ts & ag5ts1 too1 woo$ he1 ,& swore h} loyal page he'd "e be4 ,he sang z tremul|sly z ni<t9gale2 ,he s5t h} sweet5$ w9e & well-spic$ ale ,& wa6les pip+ hot | (! fire1 ,&1 %e 2+ t{n-br$1 m1d = h} desire4 ,= "s >e won 0m1ns ( m"oy sp5t1 ,& "s 0tricks1 & "s 0l;g desc5t4 ,once1 64play 8 v}satil;y1 ,he act$ ,h}od on a sca6old hi<4
,b :at avail$ x hm 9 any case8 ,%e 0 5am|r$ s ( ,ni*olas ,t ,absalom mi<t g & bl{ 8 horn2 ,he got nau<t = 8 lab|r b h} scorn4 ,& ?us %e made ( ,absalom h} ape1 ,& all 8 e>ne/;s %e made a jape4 ,= tru? is 9 ? prov}b1 & no lie1 ,m5 say well ?us3 ,x's alw he t's ni< ,t makes ! abs5t lov} seem a slo?4 ,= n{1 ?|< ,absalom 2 wildly wro?1 ,2c he is s f> | ( h} si<t1 ,? h&y ,ni*olas /&s 9 8 li<t4
,n{ be> y well1 y cl"e ,ni*olas6 ,= ,absalom may wail & s+ 8,alas60 ,& s x *.ed t on a ,satur"d ,? c>p5t} de"p$ to4 ,osney2 ,& cl"e ,ni*olas & ,alison ,7 well agre$ 6? e6ect3 anon ,? ,ni*olas %d put 9 play a wile ,! simple1 j1l|s husb& 62guile2 ,& if x *.ed ! game %d g a-"r1 ,%e 0 6sleep )9 8 >ms all ni<t1 ,= ? 0 8 desire1 & h}s al4 ,pres5tly !n1 & )|t m ado1 ,? ,ni*olas1 no l;g} did he t>ry1 ,b s(tly 6his *amb} did he c>ry ,bo? food & dr9k 6la/ at l1/ a "d1 ,say+ t 6h} husb& %e %d say- ,if he %d -e 6ask = ,ni*olas- ,:y1 %e %d say %e knew n ": he was1 ,= all "d %e'd n se5 hm1 f> or ni<2 ,%e ?"| he m/ h got "s malady1 ,2c 9 va9 h} maid wd knock & call2 ,he'd answ} n1 :at"e mi<t 2fall4
,& s x 0 t all t ,satur"d ,? ,ni*olas quietly 9 *amb} lay1 ,& ate & slept1 or did :at pl1s$ hm be/1 ,till ,sun"d :5 ! sun _h g"o 6re/4
,? simple man ) wond} he>d ! tale1 ,& m>vell$ :at _! ,ni*olas mi<t ail1 ,& sd3 8,i am afraid1 0,sa9t ,?omas1 ,t "ey?+'s n well ) ,ni*olas4 ,god s5d he 2 n d1d s su45ly6 ,? _w is mo/ un/a#1 c}ta9ly2 ,i saw1 td1 ! corpse 2+ borne 6kirk ,( "o :o1 b la/ ,mon"d1 0 at "w4 ,g up10 sd he unto 8 boy anon1 8,call at 8 door1 or knock "! )a /"o1 ,le>n h{ x is & boldly -e tell me40
,! s}vant w5t up1 !n1 "r /urdily1 ,& at ! *amb} door1 ! :ile he /ood1 ,he cri$ & knock$ z any madman wd- 8,:at6 ,h{6 ,:at d y1 ,ma/} ,ni*olay8 ,h{ c y sleep "? all ! livel;g "d80
,b all = nau<t1 he n"e he>d a ~w2 ,a hole he f.d1 l{ d{n ~u a bo>d1 ,"? : ! h|se cat _h be5 wont 6creep2 ,& 6t hole he /oop$1 & "? did peep1 ,& f9,y he rang$ hm 9 8 si<t4 ,? ,ni*olas sat gap+ "!1 up"r1 ,z if he'd look$ too l;g at ! new moon4 ,d{n/airs he w5t & told 8 ma/} soon ,9 :at >ray he'd f.d ? self-same man4
,? c>p5t} 6cross hmf 2gan1 ,& sd3 8,n{ help u1 holy ,frideswide6 ,ll a man c "k :at % 2tide4 ,? man is fall51 ) 8 a/romy1 ,96"s mad;s or "s agony2 ,i alw fe>$ t "sh{ ? wd be6 ,m5 %d n m$dle 9 ,god's priv;y4 ,aye1 b.s$ alw 2 ! ignorant man1 ,~: cre$ is1 all he "e has 6scan6 ,s f>$ ano!r cl}k ) a/romy2 ,he walk$ 96! m1d{s = 6pry ,96! />s1 6le>n :at %d 2fall1 ,until 96a clay-pit he did fall2 ,he saw n t4 ,b yet1 0,sa9t ,?omas1 ,i'm sorry = ? cl"e ,ni*olas4 ,he % 2 scold$ = 8 /udy+1 ,if n too late1 0,jesus1 ,h1v5's ,k+6
8,get me a /aff1 t ,i may pry 2f1 ,! :ile y1 ,rob91 h1ve ag/ ! door4 ,we'll take hm f ? /udy+1 ,i guess40
,& on ! *amb} door1 !n1 he did press4 ,8 s}vant 0 a /|t lad1 if a dunce1 ,& 0! hasp he h1v$ x up at once2 ,~u ! floor t portal fell anon4 ,? ,ni*olas sat "! z / z /"o1 ,gaz+1 ) gap+ m|?1 /rai<t up 9 air4 ,? c>p5t} ?"| he 0 9 despair1 ,& took hm 0! %|ld}s1 mi<tily1 ,& %ook hm h>d1 & cri$ |1 vehe;tly3 8,:at6 ,ni*olay6 ,:y h{ n{6 ,-e1 look d{n6 ,awake1 & ?9k on ,jesus' d1? & cr{n6 ,i cross y f all elves & magic wi<ts60
,& !n ! ni<t-spell sd he |1 0"rs1 ,at ! f|r corn}s (! h|se ab1 ,& at ! ?re%old (! door1 )|t3-
8,o ,jesus ,*ri/ & gd ,sa9t ,b5edict1 ,protect ? h|se f all t may a6lict1 ,=! ni<t hag ! :ite ,pat}no/}6- ,": ha/ ?| g"o1 ,sa9t ,pet}'s si/}80 ,& at ! la/ ? cl"e ,ni*olas ,2gan 6si< full sore1 & sd3 8,alas6 ,% all ! _w 2 lo/ s soon ag80
,? c>p5t} repli$3 8,:at say y1 !n8 ,:at6 ,?9k on ,god1 z we d1 m5 t sw9k40
,? ,ni*olas repli$3 8,g fet* me dr9k2 ,& afw ,i'll tell y privately ,a c}ta9 ?+ 3c}n+ y & me2 ,i'll tell x 6no o!r man or m540
,? c>p5t} w5t d{n & came ag1 ,& br"| ( pot5t ale a brimm+ qu>t2 ,& :5 ea* "o ( !m _h drunk 8 "p1 ,ni*olas %ut ! door fa/1 &) t ,he drew a s1t & ne> ! c>p5t} sat4
,he sd3 8,n{1 ,john1 my gd ho/1 lief & de>1 ,y m/ ~u yr true fai? swe>1 "r "h1 ,t 6no man w y ? ~w 2tray2 ,= x is ,*ri/'s {n ~w t ,i w say1 ,& if y tell a man1 y're ru9$ q2 ,? puni%;t % -e 6y1 ( "r1 ,t if y're traitor y'll g mad- & %d60
8,nay1 ,*ri/ =bid x1 = ,8 holy blood60 ,sd !n ? simple man3 8,i am no blab1 ,nor1 ?|< ,i say x1 am ,i fond ( gab4 ,say :at y w1 ,i n"e w x tell ,6* or wife1 0,hm t h>ri$ ,hell60
8,n{1 ,john10 sd ,ni*olas1 8,i w n lie2 ,b ,i've f.d |1 f my a/rology1 ,z ,i h look$ ~u ! moon s b"r1 ,t n{1 -e ,mon"d next1 at n9e ( ni<t1 ,% fall a ra9 s wildly mad z wd ,h be51 0half1 grt} ?an ,noah's flood4 ,? _w10 he sd1 89 less "t ?an an h|r1 ,% all 2 dr{n$1 s t}ri# is ? %{}2 ,?us % all mank9d dr{n & lose all life40
,? c>p5t} repli$3 8,alas1 my wife6 ,& % %e dr{n8 ,alas1 my ,alison60 ,= grief ( ? he alm fell4 ,anon ,he sd3 8,is "! no rem$y 9 ? case80
8,:y yes1 gd luck10 sd cl"e ,ni*olas1 8,if y w "w 0c|nsel (! wise2 ,y m/ n act on :at yr wits advise4 ,= s says ,solomon1 & x's all true1 ',"w 0advice & ?| %alt n"e rue4' ,& if y'll act z c|nsell$ & n fail1 ,i "utake1 )|t a ma/ or sail1 ,6save u all1 aye y & h} & me4 ,hav5't y he>d (1 ,noah1 h{ sav$ 0 he1 ,2c ,|r ,"l _h w>n$ hm h{ 6keep ,| (! flood t cov}$ e>? s deep80
8,yes10 sd ? c>p5t}1 8l;g ye>s ago40 8,h y n he>d10 ask$ ,ni*olas1 8al ,! sorr{s ( ,noah & 8 fell{%ip ,9 gett+ 8 wife 6g abo>d ! %ip8 ,he wd h r1 ,i d>e "utake1 ,at t "t1 &= all ! w1!r black1 ,t %e _h "o %ip = h}f al"o4 ,"!=e1 d y "k :at wd be/ 2 d"o8 ,? ?+ ne$s ha/e1 &(a ha/y ?+ ,m5 m/ n pr1* nor d l;g t>ry+4
8,pres5tly g1 & fet* "h 6? 9n ,a kn1d+-tub1 or brew+ vat1 & w9 ,"o ea* = u1 b see t !y >e l>ge1 ,":9 we may swim | z 9 a b>ge1 ,& h "!9 su6ici5t food & dr9k ,= "o "d only2 t's 5|<1 ,i ?9k4 ,! wat} w dry up & fl{ away ,ab ! prime (! su3e$+ "d4 ,b ,rob9 m/ n "k ( ?1 yr knave1 ,& ev5 ,jill1 yr maid1 ,i may n save2 ,ask me n :y1 = ?|< y d ask me1 ,i w n tell y ( ,god's priv;y4 ,su6ice y1 !n1 un.s yr wits >e mad1 ,6h z grt a grace z ,noah _h4 ,yr wife ,i % n lose1 "! is no d|bt1 ,g1 n{1 yr way1 & spe$ily ab1 ,b :5 y h1 = y & h} & me1 ,procur$ ~! kn1d+-tubs1 or be}-vats1 ?ree1 ,!n y % hang !m ne> ! ro(-tree hi<1 ,t no man |r purvey.e may espy4 ,& :5 y ?us h d"o1 z ,i h sd1 ,& h put 9 |r dr9k & m1t & br1d1 ,al an axe 6cut ! ropes 9 two ,:5 ! flood -es1 t we may float & g1 ,& cut a hole1 hi< up1 ~u ! ga#1 ,~u ! g>d5 side1 ov} ! /a#1 ,t we may freely pass =? on |r way ,:5 ! grt ra9 & flood >e g"o t "d- ,!n % y float z m}rily1 ,i'll /ake1 ,z does ! :ite duck af ! :ite drake4 ,!n ,i w call1 ',ho1 ,alison6 ,ho1 ,john6 ,2 *e}y1 =! flood w pass anon4' ,& y w say1 ',hail4 ,ma/} ,ni*olay6 ,gd morr{1 ,i see y well1 = x is "d6' ,& !n % we 2 b>ons all |r life ,( all ! _w1 l ,noah & 8 wife4
8,b ( "o ?+ ,i w>n y n{1 |t"r4 ,2 well advis$1 t on t v ni<t ,:5 we h r1*$ |r %ips & got abo>d1 ,n "o ( u m/ sp1k or :isp} ~w1 ,nor call1 nor cry1 b sit 9 sil5t pray}2 ,= ? is ,god's {n bi4+1 h;e- don't d>e6
8,yr wife & y m/ hang a"p1 t 9 ,! ni<t % -e no *.e = y 6s9 ,ei 9 look+ or 9 c>nal de$4 ,~! ord}s ,i h told y1 g1 ,god spe$6 ,tm ni<t1 :5 all m5 >e asleep1 ,96|r kn1d+-tubs w we ?ree creep ,& sit "!1 /1 await+ ,god's hi< grace4 ,g1 n{1 yr way1 ,i h no l;g} space ,( "t 6make a l;g} s}mon+4 ,m5 say ?us3 ',s5d ! wise & say no ?+4' ,y >e s wise x ne$s n t ,i t1*2 ,g1 save |r lives1 & t ,i d 2see*40
,? silly c>p5t} w5t on 8 way4 ,(t5 he cri$ 8,alas60 & 8,welaway60 ,& 6his wife he told all1 privately2 ,b %e 0 bett} tau<t "!( ?an he ,h{ all ? rigm>ole 0 6apply4 ,n"e!.s %e act$ z %e'd die1 ,& sd3 8,alas6 ,g on yr way anon1 ,help u escape1 or we >e lo/1 ea* "o2 ,i am yr true & law;lly w$d$ wife2 ,g1 my de> sp|se1 & help 6save |r life40
,lo1 :at a grt ?+ is a6ec;n f.d6 ,m5 die ( imag9,n1 ,i'll 2 b.d1 ,s deep an impr9t may ! _s take4 ,? hap.s c>p5t} 2gan 6quake2 ,he ?"| n{1 v}ily1 t he cd see ,old ,noah's flood -e wall{+ l ! sea ,6dr{n 8 ,alison1 8 h"oy de>4 ,he wept1 he wail$1 he made b sorry *e}1 ,he si<$ & made full _m a sob & s|<4 ,he w5t & got hmf a kn1d+-tr|< ,&1 af t1 two tubs he "s": f.d ,& 6his dwell+ privately s5t r.d1 ,& hung !m ne> ! ro(1 all secretly4 ,) 8 {n h&1 !n1 made he la4}s ?ree1 ,6climb up 0! rungs "!(1 x seems1 ,& r1* ! tubs left hang+ 6! b1ms2 ,& ~? he victuall$1 tubs & kn1d+-tr|<1 ,) br1d & *eese & gd ju7$ ale1 5 ,6satisfy ! ne$s ( "o full "d4 ,b }e he'd put all ? 9 s* >ray1 ,he s5t 8 s}vants1 boy & maid1 "r d{n ,~u "s }r& 96,london t{n4 ,& on ! ,mon"d1 :5 x came on ni<t1 ,he %ut 8 door1 )|t a c&le-li<t1 ,& ord}$ "ey?+ z x %d be4 ,& %ortly af up !y climb$1 all ?ree2 ,!y sat :ile "o mi<t pl{ a furl;g-way4
8,n{1 0,|r ,"f1 hu%60 sd ,ni*olay1 ,& 8,hu%60 sd ,john1 & 8,hu%60 sd ,alison4
,? c>p5t}1 8 l|d devo;ns d"o1 ,sat sil5t1 say+ m5t,y a pray}1 ,& wait+ =! ra91 6he> x "!4
,! d1?like sleep ( utt} we>i;s ,fell on ? wood-w"r ev54 7z ,i guess7 ,ab ! curfew "t1 or ll m2 ,= travail ( 8 _s he groan$ sore1 ,& soon he snor$1 = badly 8 h1d lay4 ,d{n 0! la4} crept ? ,ni*olay1 ,& ,alison1 "r s(tly d{n %e sp$4 ,)|t m ~ws !y w5t & got 9 b$ ,ev5 ": ! c>p5t} 0 wont 6lie4 ,"! 0 ! revel &! melody6 ,& ?us lie ,alison & ,ni*olas1 ,9 joy t goes 0_m an alias1 ,until ! bells = lauds 2gan 6r+ ,& fri>s 6! *.el w5t 6s+4
,? p>i% cl}k1 ? amor|s ,absalom1 ,:om love has made s woebeg"o & dumb1 ,~u ! ,mon"d 0 d{n ,osney way1 ,) -pany1 6f9d "s sport & play2 ,& "! he *.ed 6ask a cloi/}}1 ,privately1 af ,john ! c>p5t}4 ,? monk drew hm a"p1 | (! kirk1 ,& sd3 8,i h n se5 hm "h at "w4 ,s9ce ,satur"d2 ,i ?9k well t he w5t ,= timb}1 t ! a2ot has hm s5t2 ,= he is wont = timb} ?us 6g1 ,rema9+ at ! grange a "d or s2 ,or else he's surely at 8 h|se td2 ,b : x is ,i _c truly say40
,? ,absalom "r happy 0 & li<t1 ,& ?"|3 8,n{ is ! "t 6wake all ni<t2 ,= c}ta9ly ,i saw hm n /irr+ ,ab 8 door s9ce "d 2gan 6spr+4 ,s may ,i ?rive1 z ,i %1 at cock's cr{1 ,knock cauti|sly ~u t w9d{ l{ ,: is s plac$ ~u 8 b$room wall4 ,6,alison !n w ,i tell ( all ,my love-l;g+1 & ?us ,i % n miss ,t at ! l1/ ,i'll h h} lips 6kiss4 ,"s sort ( -=t % ,i h1 ,i say1 ,my m|?'s be5 it*+ all ? livel;g "d2 ,t is a sign ( kiss+ at ! l1/4 ,all ni<t ,i dr1m$1 too1 ,i 0 at a f1/4 ,"!=e ,i'll g & sleep two h|rs away ,& all ? ni<t !n w ,i wake & play40
,& s :5 "t ( f/ cock-cr{ 0 -e1 ,up rose ? m}ry lov}1 ,absalom1 ,& dress$ hm gay & all at po9t-device1 ,b f/ he *ew$ "s licorice & spice ,s he'd smell sweet1 }e he _h -b$ 8 hair4 ,"u 8 t;gue "s bits ( true-love r>e1 ,= "!by ?"| he 6be m graci|s4 ,he w5t1 !n1 6! c>p5t}'s d>k h|se4 ,& sil5t /ood 2n ! %ot-w9d{2 ,unto 8 br1/ x r1*$1 x 0 s l{2 ,& he c|<$ s(tly1 9 a l{ half t"o3 8,:at d y1 h"oycomb1 sweet ,alison8 ,my c9namon1 my fair bird1 my sweetie1 ,awake1 ,o d>l+ m9e1 & sp1k 6me6 ,x's ll ?"| y give me & my woe1 ,:o = yr love d sw1t ":'} ,i g4 ,yet x's no wond} t ,i fa9t & sw1t2 ,i l;g z does ! lamb = "m's t1t4 ,truly1 sweethe>t1 ,i h s* love-l;g+ ,t l a turtle-dove's my true ye>n+2 ,& ,i c eat no m ?an c a maid40
8,g f ! w9d{1 ,jack-a-napes10 %e sd1 8,=1 s'help me ,god1 x is n '-e kiss me4' ,i love ano!r1 or 6blame ,i'd be1 ,bett} ?an y1 0,jesus1 ,absalom6 ,g on yr way1 or ,i'll /"o y "!from1 ,& let me sleep1 ! fi5ds take y away60
8,alas10 quo? ,absalom1 8& welaway6 ,t true love "e 0 s ill 2set6 ,b kiss me1 s9ce y'll d no m1 my pet1 ,= ,jesus' love &=! love ( me40
8,& w y g1 !n1 on yr way80 ask$ %e1 8,yes truly1 d>l+10 sd ? ,absalom4 8,!n make y r1dy10 sd %e1 8& ,i'll -e60 ,& unto ,ni*olas sd %e1 l{ & /3 8,be sil5t n{1 & y % lau< yr fill40
,? ,absalom plump$ d{n ~u 8 knees1 ,& sd3 8,i am a "l 9 all degrees2 ,= af ? "! may 2 bett} / ,d>l+1 my sweete/ bird1 ,i wait yr w40
,! w9d{ %e unb>r$1 & t 9 ha/e4 8,h d"o10 sd %e1 8-e on1 & d x fa/1 ,2f we're se5 0any nei<b|r's eye40
,? ,absalom did wipe 8 m|? all dry2 ,d>k 0 ! ni<t z pit*1 aye d>k z coal1 ,& "? ! w9d{ %e put | h} hole4 ,& ,absalom no bett} felt nor worse1 ,b ) 8 m|? he kiss$ h} nak$ >se ,"r gre$ily1 2f he knew ( ?4
,aback he l1pt- x seem$ "sh{ amiss1 ,= well he knew a woman has no be>d2 ,he'd felt a ?+ all r|< & l;gi% hair$1 ,& sd1 8,oh fie1 alas6 ,:at did ,i d80
8,teehee60 %e lau<$1 & clapp$ !1 w9d{ to2 ,& ,absalom w5t =? a sorry pace4
8,a be>d6 ,a be>d60 cri$ cl"e ,ni*olas1 8,n{ 0,god's corpus1 ? goes fair & well60
,? hap.s ,absalom1 he he>d t yell1 ,& on 8 lip1 = ang}1 he did bite2 ,& 6hmf he sd1 8,i w requite60
,:o vigor|sly ru2$ & scru2$ 8 lips ,) du/1 ) s&1 ) /raw1 ) clo?1 ) *ips1 ,b ,absalom1 & (t5 cri$ 8,alas6 ,my s|l ,i give n{ unto ,sa?anas1 ,= r f> ?an {n ? t{n10 sd he1 8,= ? despite1 x's well rev5g$ ,i'd be4 ,alas10 sd he1 8f h} ,i n"e bl5*$60
,8 hot love 0 gr{n cold1 aye & all qu5*$2 ,=1 f ! mo;t t he'd kiss$ h} >se1 ,= p>am|rs he didn't c>e a curse1 ,= he 0 h1l$ ( all 8 malady2 ,9de$ all p>am|rs he did defy1 ,& wept z does a * t has be5 b1t4 ,) sil5t /ep he w5t acr ! /reet ,unto a smi? :om m5 call$ ,dan ,j>vis1 ,:o 9 8 smi?y =g$ pl{ "ps1 t is ,he %>p5$ %>es & c|lt}s busily4 ,? ,absalom he knock$ all easily1 ,& sd3 8,unb> "h1 ,j>vis1 = ,i -e40
8,:at6 ,:o >e y80
8,x's ,i1 x's ,absalom40 8,:at6 ,absalom6 ,= ,jesus ,*ri/'s sweet tree1 ,:y >e y up s e>ly8 ,2n'cite6 ,:at ails y n{1 man8 ,"s gay girl1 ,god "ks1 ,has br"| y on ! jump 6my bell{s2 ,0,sa9t ,neot1 y "k well :at ,i m1n40
,? ,absalom c>$ n a s+le b1n ,= all ? play1 nor "o ~w back he gave2 ,he'd m t{ on 8 4taff1 _h ? knave1 ,?an ,j>vis knew1 & sd he3 8,fr s de>1 ,? r$-hot c|lt} 9 ! fireplace "h1 ,l5d x 6me1 ,i h a ne$ = x1 ,& ,i'll return x af j a bit40
,j>vis repli$3 8,c}ta9ly1 7 x gold ,or a purse fill$ ) yell{ co9s untold1 ,yet %d y h x1 z ,i am true smi?2 ,b eh1 ,*ri/'s foe6 ,:at w y d "!)80
8,let t10 sd ,absalom1 8be z x may2 ,i'll tell y all tm1 :5 x's "d0- ,& cau<t ! c|lt} !n 0! cold /eel ,& s(tly f ! smi?y door did /1l ,& w5t ag up 6! wood-w"r's wall4 ,he c|<$ at f/1 & !n he knock$ )al ,~u ! w9d{1 z 2f1 ) c>e4
,? ,alison repli$3 8,n{ :o is "!8 ,& :o knocks s8 ,i'll w>rant x's a ?ief40
8,:y no10 quo? he1 8,god "ks1 my sweet rosel1f1 ,i am yr ,absalom1 my {n d>l+6 ,( gold10 quo? he1 8,i h br"| y a r+2 ,my "m gave x me1 z ,i'll 2 sav$2 ,f9e gold x is1 & x is well 5grav$2 ,? w ,i give y = ano!r kiss40
,? ,ni*olas _h ris5 =a piss1 ,& ?"| t x wd c>ry on ! jape ,6h 8 >se kiss$ 0? jack-a-nape4 ,& s he op5$ w9d{ ha/ily1 ,& put 8 >se | !r1t1 quietly1 ,ov} ! buttocks1 %{+ ! :ole bum2 ,& "!to sd ? cl}k1 ? ,absalom1 8,o sp1k1 sweet bird1 ,i "k n ": ?| >t40 ,? ,ni*olas j !n let fly a f>t ,z l|d z x _h be5 a ?"u-clap1 ,& well-ni< bl9d$ ,absalom1 poor *ap2 ,b he 0 r1dy ) 8 iron hot ,& ,ni*olas "r 9 ! >se he got4
,(f w5t ! sk9 a h&'s-br1d? broad1 ab1 ,! c|lt} burn$ 8 bottom s1 "?|t1 ,t =! pa9 he ?"| t he %d die4 ,& l "o mad he />t$ 9 6cry1 8,help6 ,wat}6 ,wat}6 ,= ,god's de> he>t60
,? c>p5t} | ( 8 sleep did />t1 ,he>+ t 8,wat}60 cri$ z madman wd1 ,& ?"|1 8,alas1 n{ -es d{n ,noel's flood60 ,he /ru7l$ up )|t ano!r ~w ,&) 8 axe he cut 9 two ! cord1 ,& d{n w5t all2 he did n /op 6trade ,9 br1d or ale till he'd ! j|rney made1 ,& "! ~u ! floor he swoon+ lay4
,up />t$ ,alison & ,ni*olay ,& %|t$ 8,help60 & 8,hello60 d{n ! /reet4 ,! nei<b|rs1 grt & small1 ) ha/5+ feet ,sw>m$ 9 ! h|se 6/>e ~u ? man1 ,:o lay yet swoon+1 & all pale & wan2 ,= 9 ! fall+ he _h sma%$ 8 >m4 ,he _h 6su6}1 too1 ano!r h>m1 ,= :5 he spoke he 0 at once borne d{n ,0cl"e ,ni*olas & ,alison4 ,= !y told "ey"o t he 0 odd2 ,he 0 s m* afraid ( 8,noel's0 flood1 ,"? fantasy1 t | ( van;y ,he'd g"o & b"| ~! kn1d+-tubs1 all ?ree1 ,& t he'd hung !m ne> ! ro( abv2 ,& t he _h pray$ !m1 = ,god's de> love1 ,6sit ) hm & be> hm -pany4
,! p lau<$ at all ? fantasy2 ,up 6! ro( !y look$1 & "! did gape1 ,& s turn$ all 8 9jury 6a jape4 ,= :5 ? c>p5t} got 9 a ~w1 ',twas all 9 va91 no man 8 r1sons he>d2 ,) oa?s impr5ive he 0 s sworn d{n1 ,t he 0 held = mad 0all ! t{n2 ,= e cl}k did side ) e o!r4 ,!y sd3 8,! man is crazy1 my de> bro!r40 ,& "ey"o did lau< at all ? /rife4
,?us futt}$ 0 ! c>p5t}'s gdwife1 ,= all 8 wat*+ & 8 j1l|sy2 ,& ,absalom has kiss$ h} ne!r eye2 ,& ,ni*olas is br&$ on ! butt4 ,? tale is d"o1 & ,god save all ! r|t6,,"h ,,5ds ,,! ,,mill}',s ,,tale