his windów, That stands full low upon his bower wall: To Alison then will I tellen all My lovë-longing; for I shall not miss That at the leastë way I shall her kiss. Some manner comfort shall I have, parfay, My mouth hath itched all this livelong day: That is a sign of kissing at the least. All night I mette eke I was at a feast. Therefore I will go sleep an hour or tway, And all the night then will I wake and play.” When that the first cock crowed had, anon Up rose this jolly lover Absolon, And him arrayed gay, at point devise. But first he chewed grains and liquorice, To smellë sweet, ere he had combed his hair. Under his tongue a truë love he bare, For thereby thought he to be gracious. Then came he to the carpentérë’s house, And still he stood under the shot window; Unto his breast it raught, it was so low; And soft he coughed with a semisoún’.
“What do ye, honeycomb, sweet Alisoún? My fairë bird, my sweet cinamomé, Awaken, leman mine, and speak to me. Full little thinkë ye upon my woe, That for your love I sweat there as I go. No wonder is that I do swelt and sweat. I mourn as doth a lamb after the teat. Y-wis, leman, I have such love-longíng, That like a turtle true is my mourníng. I may not eat, no morë than a maid.” “Go from the window, thou jack fool,” she said: “As help me God, it will not be, come ba me. I love another, else I were to blamë, Well better than thee, by Jesus, Absolon. Go forth thy way, or I will cast a stone; And let me sleep; a twenty devil way.” “Alas!” quoth Absolon, “and well away! That true love ever was so ill beset: Then kiss me, since that it may be no bet, For Jesus’ love, and for the love of me.” “Wilt thou then go thy way therewith?” quoth she. “Yea, certes, leman,” quoth this Absolon. “Then make thee ready,” quoth she, “I come anon.” [And unto Nicholas she said full still: “Now peace, and thou shalt laugh anon thy fill.”] This Absolon down set him on his knees, And said; “I am a lord at all degrees: For after this I hope there cometh more; Leman, thy grace, and, sweetë bird, thine ore.” The window she undid, and that in haste. “Have done,” quoth she, “come off, and speed thee fast, Lest that our neighëbours should thee espy.” Then Absolon gan wipe his mouth full dry. Dark was the night as pitch