The Canterbury Tales: The Miller's Tale Lines 631-707 Summary

Lines 631-686

Absolon hears Nicholas and declares his intention to get revenge on Alisoun.
He washes his lips vigorously with sand, straw, and wood chips, so disgusted is he by what he has just done.
From that moment on, he is healed of his love-sickness.
He goes across the street to the blacksmith's shop and knocks loudly on the door.
The blacksmith answers the door and wonders what Absolon is doing awake so early, speculating that it must be because of a girl.
Absolon asks to borrow a hot poker from the blacksmith.
The blacksmith agrees but asks him what he intends to do with it.
Absolon says he will tell him tomorrow.
Absolon takes the poker to the carpenter's house and knocks on Alisoun's window.

Alisoun asks who's there, thinking it's a thief.
Absolon answers that it's him and tells Alisoun he's brought her a gold ring, which he will trade her for a kiss.
Nicholas has gotten up to go pee and decides he wants in on Alisoun's joke.
He sticks his butt out the window.
Absolon tells 'Alisoun' to speak so he can figure out where she is.

Nicholas farts in Absolon's face so percussively that Absolon is nearly blinded by the force of it.
Absolon brands Nicholas with the hot iron.
In great pain, Nicholas cries out for water.