"
* * * * *
LESSON XXXVI.
en'vy, _wish one's self in another's place_.
doffed, _took off, as an article of dress_.
blithe, _very happy; gay_.
fee, _what is received as pay for service done_.
boast, _object of pride_.
quoth, _spoke_.
hale, _in good health; strong_.
* * * * *
THE MILLER OF THE DEE.
There dwelt a miller, hale and bold,
Beside the river Dee;
He worked and sang from morn till night--
No lark so blithe as he;
And this the burden of his song
Forever used to be:
"I envy nobody--no, not I,
And nobody envies me!"
"Thou'rt wrong, my friend," said good King Hal;
"As wrong as wrong can be;
For could my heart be light as thine,
I'd gladly change with thee.
And tell me now, what makes thee sing,
With voice so loud and free.
While I am sad, though I'm a king,
Beside the river Dee?"
The miller smiled and doffed his cap:
"I earn my bread," quoth he;
"I love my wife, I love my friend,
I love my children three;
I owe no penny I can not pay;
I thank the river Dee,
That turns the mill that grinds the corn
That feeds my babes and me.
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