[15] As we should say, “hot and hot,” for chill of their stomach.
Chaucer has many references to ale. The Cook, who was no mean proficient in his proper art, was a judge of ale as well:—
A coke thei hadde with them for the nones, To boyle the chickens, and the marrie bones, And pouder marchaunt tarte, and galengale, Well coude he know a pot of London ale.
The Miller prepares himself to tell his tale aright by swallowing mighty draughts of the same liquor. He knows he is drunk, and is not ashamed, thinking it quite sufficient excuse to lay the blame upon that seductive fluid, “the ale of Southwerk”:—
Now herkeneth, quod the miller, all and some But first I make a protestatioun, That I am dronke, I know it by my soun; And therefore if that I misspeke or say, Wite it the ale of Southwerk, I you pray.
The two Cambridge students who lodge a night at the miller of Trompington’s are feasted by their host in this wise:—
The miller the toun his daughter sent For ale and bred, and roasted hem a goos,
They soupen and they speken of solace, And drinken ever strong ale at the best. Abouten midnight wente they to rest.
Before they went, however, they had “dronken all that was in crouke,” and the miller, who appears to have had the lion’s share, had decidedly imbibed too much.