| 515 |
He made it straunge, and swoor, so God hym save, |
| Lasse than a thousand pound he wolde nat have, |
| Ne gladly for that somme he wolde nat goon. |
| Aurelius, with blisful herte anoon, |
| Answerde thus: "Fy on a thousand pound! |
| 520 | This wyde world, which that men seye is round, |
| I wolde it yeve, if I were lord of it. |
| This bargayn is ful dryve, for we been knyt. |
| Ye shal be payed trewely, by my throuthe! |
| But looketh now for no necligence or slouthe |
| 525 | Ye tarie us heere, no lenger than to-morwe." |
| "Nay," quod this clerk, "have heer my feith to borwe.' |
| To bedde is goon Aurelius whan hym leste, |
| And wel ny al that nyght he hadde his reste; |
| What for his labour and his hope of blisse, |
| 530 | His woful herte of penaunce hadde a lisse. |
|
| 515 | He played for time, and swore, so God him save, |
| Less than a thousand he would not have, |
| Nor eagerly for that would take it on. |
| Aurelius, with blissful heart, anon |
| Answered him thus: "Fig for a thousand pound! |
| 520 | This great wide world, the which, men say, is round, |
| I'd give it all, if I were lord of it. |
| The bargain is concluded and we're knit. |
| You shall be truly paid, sir, by my troth! |
| But look you, for no negligence or sloth, |
| 525 | Delay no longer than tomorrow morn." |
| "Nay," said this clerk! "upon my faith I'm sworn." |
| To bed went this Aurelius and undressed, |
| And well-nigh all that night he had his rest; |
| What of his labour and his hope of bliss |
| 530 | The pain had left that woeful heart of his. |
|
