The Buxom dame of Reading, or, The cuckold's cap/The King and the Miller

The KING and the MILLER.

HOW happy a ſtate does the Miller poſſeſs,⁠
⁠Who wou'd be no greater, nor fears to be leſs,
On his mill and himſelf he depends for ſupport,
⁠which is better than ſerviley cringing at court.
What tho' he all duſty and whit'ned does go,
⁠the more he's bepowder'd the more like a beau,
A clown in his dreſs may be honeſter far,
⁠than a courteour who ſtruts in his garter and ſtar.
Tho' his hands are ſo daub'd they're not fit to be ſeen,
⁠the hands of his betters are not very clean;
A palm more polite may as dirtily deal,
⁠gold in handling will ſtick to his fingers like meal,
What if, when a pudding for dinner he lacks,
⁠he cribs without ſcruple from other mens ſacks;
In this of right noble example her brags,
⁠who borrow as freely from other men's bags.

Or ſhou'd be endeavour to heap an eſtate,
⁠in this too he mimicks the Tools of the ſtate,
Whoſe aim is alone their coffers to fill,
⁠and all his concern's to bring griſt to his mill.
He eats when he's hungry, and drinks when he's dry,
⁠and down when he's weary contented does ly,
Then riſes up cheerful to work and to ſing:
⁠if ſo happy a Miller, then who'd be a King!