A rural miller becomes consumed by the hope of finding buried treasure after hearing of a neighbor’s dream-led discovery. He abandons steady labor and domestic duties while awaiting a prophetic dream, neglecting his mill and impoverishing his household as neighbors withdraw their trust. The poem traces his growing avarice and altered temperament, showing the social consequences of his folly and concluding with a moral appeal for moderation, industry, and appreciation of modest, reliable blessings.