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"What!" quod this chanoun, "sholde I be untrewe? |
| 490 | Nay, that were thyng yfallen al of newe. |
| Trouthe is a thyng that I wol evere kepe |
| Unto that day in which that I shal crepe |
| Into my grave, and ellis God forbede. |
| Bileveth this as siker as your crede. |
| 495 | God thanke I, and in good tyme be it sayd, |
| That ther was nevere man yet yvele apayd |
| For gold ne silver that he to me lente, |
| Ne nevere falshede in myn herte I mente. |
| And sire," quod he, "now of my pryvetee, |
| 500 | Syn ye so goodlich han been unto me, |
| And kithed to me so greet gentillesse, |
| Somwhat to quyte with youre kyndenesse |
| I wol yow shewe, and if yow list to leere, |
| I wol yow teche pleynly the manere |
| 505 | Yow I kan werken in philosophie. |
| Taketh good heede, ye shul wel seen at ye |
| That I wol doon a maistrie er I go." |
|
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"What!" cried this canon, "Should I be untrue? |
| 490 | Nay, that for me would be a thing quite new. |
| Truth is a thing that I will ever keep |
| Unto that day, at last, when I shall creep |
| Into my grave, or elsewise God forbid! |
| Trust this as surely as you trust your creed. |
| 495 | I thank God, and in good time be it said, |
| That there was never yet man ill repaid |
| For gold or silver that to me he lent, |
| Nor ever falsehood in my heart I've meant. |
| And, sir," said he, "out of my privity, |
| 500 | Since you have been so very good to me, |
| And showed to me so great a nobleness, |
| Somewhat to quit you for your kindliness, |
| I'll show to you, and if you'd learn it here, |
| I'll teach you plainly all the methods dear |
| 505 | I use in working at philosophy. |
| Give it good heed, for you'll see with your eye |
| I'll do a masterpiece before I go." |
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