The Canterbury Tales: The Miller's Tale Lines 125-198 Summary

Lines 125-162

The narrator gives us an extensive description of Alisoun's character. (For more on this portrait, see the "Character Analysis" section.)

One day when John is away in a nearby town, Nicholas decides to seduce Alisoun.
He grabs her butt and tells her that unless she grants him her love, he will die.
Alisoun leaps away from him and declares that she will not kiss him.
She threatens to scream unless Nicholas leaves her alone.
Nicholas asks Alisoun to grant him mercy, pleading with her to have sex with him.
Alisoun relents and grants Nicholas her "love" (probably meaning sex).
She warns Nicholas that her husband is jealous. The two of them must be very careful and secretive about the affair; otherwise she will be punished.
Nicholas agrees to wait until John is not around to have sex with Alisoun again.
He pats her butt and kisses her some more.
Nicholas plays his harp.