THE MILLER OF THE DEA

There dwelt a miller hale and bold
Beside the river Dea;
He wrought and sang from morn till night
No lark could sing more blithe than 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 old king Hal,
"Thou'rt as wrong as wrong could be;
for could my heart be light as thine
I'd gladly change with thee.
And tell me nown whatn makes thee sing
With voice so loud and free
While I am sad though I am the king
Beside the river Dea?"
The miller smiled and doffed his cap;
"I earn my bread" quoth he
"I love my wife, I love my friends,
I love my children three'
I owe no penny I cannot pay,
In thank the river Dea.
That turns the mill ,and grinds the corn
To feed my babes and me!"
"Good friend," said Hal and sighed the while'
"farewell and happy be'
But say no more, if thou 'dst be true.
That no body envies thee.
Thy mealy cap is worth my crown,
Thy mill my kingdom's fee       
Such men as thou are England's boast
O miller of the Dea!"
                         -Charles Mackey