|
A CLERK ther was of Oxenford also, |
| That unto logyk hadde longe ygo. |
| As leene was his hors as is a rake, |
| 290 | And he nas nat right fat, I undertake, |
| But looked holwe and therto sobrely. |
| Ful thredbare was his overeste courtepy; |
| For he hadde geten hym yet no benefice, |
| Ne was so worldly for to have office. |
| 295 | For hym was levere have at his beddes heed |
| Twenty bookes, clad in blak or reed, |
| Of Aristotle and his philosophie, |
| Than robes riche, or fithele, or gay sautrie. |
| But al be that he was a philosophre, |
| 300 | Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre; |
| But al that he myghte of his freendes hente, |
| On bookes and on lernynge he it spente, |
| And bisily gan for the soules preye |
| Of hem that yaf hym wherwith to scoleye. |
| 305 | Of studie took he moost cure and moost heede. |
| Noght o word spak he moore than was neede, |
| And that was seyd in forme and reverence, |
| And short and quyk, and ful of hy sentence; |
| Sownynge in moral vertu was his speche, |
| 310 | And gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche. |
|
|
A CLERK from Oxford was there also, |
| Who'd studied philosophy, long ago. |
| As lean was his horse as is a rake, |
| 290 | And he too was not fat, that I take, |
| But he looked emaciated, moreover, abstemiously. |
| Very worn off was his overcoat; for he |
| Had got him yet no churchly benefice, |
| Nor he was worldly to accept secular office. |
| 295 | For he would rather have at his bed's head |
| Some twenty books, all bound in black or red, |
| Of Aristotle and his philosophy |
| Than rich robes, fiddle, or gay psaltery. |
| Yet, and for all he was philosopher in base, |
| 300 | He had but little gold within his suitcase; |
| But all that he might borrow from a friend |
| On books and learning he would swiftly spend, |
| And then he'd pray diligently for the souls |
| Of those who gave him resources to attend schools. |
| 305 | He took utmost care and heed for his study. |
| Not one word spoke he more than was necessary; |
| And that was said with due formality and dignity |
| And short and lively, and full of high morality. |
| Filled with moral virtue was his speech; |
| 310 | And gladly would he learn and gladly teach. |
|
