Come, daughter, we must learn to shake off pomp,

2.289To leave the state that erst beseemed a knight

2.390And gentleman of no mean descent,

2.491To undertake this homely millerʼs trade.

2.592Thus must we mask to save our wretched lives,

2.693Threatened by conquest of this hapless isle,

2.794Whose sad invasions by the Conqueror

2.895Have made a number such as we subject

2.996Their gentle necks unto their stubborn yoke

2.1097Of drudging labour and base peasantry.

2.1198Sir Thomas Goddard now Old Goddard is,

2.1299Goddard the miller of fair Manchester.

2.13100Why should not I content me with this state,

2.14101As good Sir Edmund Trafford did the flail?

2.15102And thou, sweet Em, must stoop to high estate

2.16103To join with mine, that thus we may protect

2.17104Our harmless lives, which led in greater port

2.18105Would be an envious object to our foes

2.19106That seek to root all Britainʼs gentry

2.20107From bearing countenance against their tyranny.

Good father, let my full resolvèd thoughts

2.22109With settled patience to support this chance

2.23110Be some poor comfort to your agèd soul.

2.24111For therein rests the height of my estate,

2.25112That you are pleased with this dejection

2.26113And that all toils my hands may undertake

2.27114May serve to work your worthinessʼ content.

115Thanks, my dear daughter. These thy pleasant words

2.29116Transfer my soul into a second heaven

2.30117And in thy settled mind my joys consist,

2.31118My state revived, and I in former plight.

2.32119Although our outward pomp be thus abased

2.33120And thralled to drudging, stay-less of the world,

2.34121Let us retain those honorable minds

2.35122That lately governed our superior state,

2.36123Wherein true gentry is the only mean

2.37124That makes us differ from base millers born.

2.38125Though we expect no knightly delicates

2.39126Nor thirst in soul for former sovereignty,

2.40127Yet may our minds as highly scorn to stoop

2.41128To base desires of vulgarsʼ worldliness,

2.42129As if we were in our precèdent way.

2.43130And, lovely daughter, since thy youthful years

2.44131Must needs admit as young affectiòns,

2.45132And that sweet love unpartially receives

2.46133Her dainty subjects through every part,

2.47134In chief receive these lessons from my lips

2.48135(The true discoverers of a virginʼs due

2.49136Now requisite). Now that I know thy mind

2.50137Something inclined to favour Manvilleʼs suit

2.51138(A gentleman, thy lover in protest),

2.52139And that thou mayst not be by love deceived,

2.53140But try his meaning fit for thy desert:

2.54141In pursuit of all amorous desires,

2.55142Regard thine honour. Let not vehement sighs

2.56143Nor earnest vows importing fervent love

2.57144Render thee subject to the wrath of lust.

2.58145For that, transformed to former sweet delight,

2.59146Will bring thy body and thy soul to shame.

2.60147Chaste thoughts and modest conversations

2.61148Of proof to keep out all enchanting vows,

2.62149Vain sighs, forced tears, and pitiful aspects

2.63150Are they that make deformèd ladies fair,

2.64151Poor rich. And such enticing men,

2.65152That seek of all but only present grace,

2.66153Shall in perseverance of a virginʼs due

2.67154Prefer the most refusers to the choice

2.68155Of such a soul as yielded what they sought.

2.69156But ho! Where is Trotter?

Whereʼs Trotter? Why, Trotter is here. 160Iʼfaith, you and your daughter go up and down weeping 161and waymenting, and keeping of a waymentation, 162as who should say, ‘The mill would go with your waymentingʼ.

How now, Trotter? Why complainʼst thou so?

Why, yonder is a company of young men and maids 165keep such a stir for their grist, that they would have it before 166my stones be ready to grind it. But iʼfaith, I would I could 167break wind enough backward! [Calling within] You should not tarry for your 168grist, I warrant you.

Content thee, Trotter. I will go pacify them.

170Iwis you will, when I cannot. Why look, 171you have a mill. Why, whatʼs your mill without me?

2.73.2172Or rather, mistress, what were I without you?

Nay, Trotter, if you fall a-chiding, I will give you over.

I chide you, dame, to amend you. 175You are too fine to be a millerʼs daughter, 176for if you should but stoop to take up the tole-dish 177you will have the cramp in your finger 178at least ten weeks after.

Ah, well said, Trotter. Teach her to play the good huswife, 180and thou shalt have her to thy wife, if thou canst get her good will.

Ah, words wherein I see matrimony come loaden 182with kisses to salute me. Now let me alone to pick the mill, 183to fill the hopper, to take the toll, to mend the sails, 184yea, and to make the mill to go with the very force of my love.

2.77.2186[Calling within] I come, I come! Iʼfaith, now you shall have your grist, 187or else Trotter will trot and amble himself to death.