|
With herte soor he gooth unto his cofre, |
| And broghte gold unto this philosophre |
| 865 | The value of fyve hundred pound, I gesse, |
| And hym bisecheth of his gentillesse |
| To graunte hym dayes of the remenaunte, |
| And seyde, "Maister, I dar wel make avaunt, |
| I failled nevere of my trouthe as yit. |
| 870 | For sikerly my dette shal be quyt |
| Towareds yow, how evere that I fare, |
| To goon a begged in my kirtle bare! |
| But wolde ye vouche sauf upon seuretee |
| Two yeer or thre, for to respiten me, |
| 875 | Thanne were I wel, for elles moot I selle |
| Myn heritage, ther is namoore to telle." |
| This philosophre sobrely answerde, |
| And seyde thus, whan he thise wordes herde, |
| "Have I nat holden covenant unto thee?" |
| 880 | "Yes, certes, wel and trewely," quod he. |
| "Hastow nat had thy lady, as thee liketh?" |
| "No, no," quod he, and sorwefully he siketh. |
| "What was the cause, tel me if thou kan?" |
| Aurelius his tale anon bigan, |
| 885 | And tolde hym al, as ye han herd bifoore, |
| It nedeth nat to yow reherce it moore. |
|
|
With sore heart he went then to his coffer, |
| And took gold unto this philosopher, |
| 865 | The value of five hundred pounds, I guess, |
| And so besought him, of his nobleness, |
| To grant him dates for payment of the rest, |
| And said: "Dear master, I may well protest |
| I've never failed to keep my word, as yet; |
| 870 | For certainly I'll pay my entire debt |
| To you, however after I may fare, |
| Even to begging, save for kirtle, bare. |
| But if you'd grant, on good security, |
| Two years or three of respite unto me, |
| 875 | Then all were well; otherwise must I sell |
| My heritage; there is no more to tell." |
| Then this philosopher soberly answered |
| And spoke in this wise, when these words he'd heard: |
| "Have I not fairly earned my promised fee?" |
| 880 | "Yes, truly, you have done so, sir," said he. |
| "Have you not had the lady at your will?" |
| "No, no," said he, and sighed, and then was still. |
| "What was the reason? Tell me if you can." |
| Aurelius his tale anon began, |
| 885 | And told him all, as you have heard before; |
| It needs not I repeat it to you more. |
|
