The Canterbury Tales: The Reeve's Tale Lines 314 – 344 Summary

  • Aleyn, hearing this melody, pokes John and says, "Are you asleep?"
  • "Have you ever heard such a song as this? What a song they sing!"
  • "May a wild fire overtake their bodies! Whoever heard such an outlandish thing?"
  • "Indeed, they will meet an evil end. Throughout this night, there will be no rest for me."
  • "But yet, all will be for the best. For John," he says, "as I live and breathe, if I can I will have sex with that wench, the miller's daughter."
  • "We're legally owed some compensation."
  • "For, John, there's a law that says that if a man has a grievance, he is entitled to relief."
  • "Our corn has been stolen, that's for sure. And we have had an evil time of it today."
  • "And since I need compensation for my loss, I will take my pleasure."
  • "By God's soul, this will end no other way!"
  • John answers, "Aleyn, take care. This miller is a dangerous man, and if he awakens, I'm afraid he might hurt us."
  • Aleyn answers, "I don't care one bit about him."
  • He gets out of bed, and creeps close by the girl, who lays on her back, fast asleep.
  • He creeps so close that, by the time she sees him, it's too late to scream.
  • In no time at all, the two are one.
  • Now have fun, Aleyn, for I will speak about John.