A Clerk there was of Oxenford[105] also,
That unto logic hadde long ygo.[106]
As leane was his horse as is a rake,
And he was not right fat, I undertake,[107]
But looked hollow, and thereto soberly.
Full threadbare was his overest[108] courtepy,[109]
For he had geten[110] him yet no benefice,
Ne was so worldly for to have office.
For him was liefer[111] have at his bed's head
Twenty bookes clad in black or red,
Of Aristotle, and his philosophy,
Than robes rich, or fiddle, or gay psaltery.
But albe that he was a philosopher,
Yet hadde he but little gold in coffer,
But all that he might of his friendes hent,[112]
On bookes and his learning he it spent,
And busily[113] gan for the soules pray
Of hem, that gave him wherewith to scolay[114];
Of study took he most cure and most heed.
Not one word spake he more than was need;
And that was said in form and reverence,
And short and quick, and full of high sentence.[115]
Sounding in moral virtue was his speech,
And gladly would he learn and gladly teach.