1 Whilom ther was dwellynge at oxenford
2 A riche gnof, that gestes heeld to bord,
3 And of his craft he was a carpenter.
4 With hym ther was dwellynge a poure scoler,
5 Hadde lerned art, but al his fantasye
6 Was turned for to lerne astrologye,
7 And koude a certeyn of conclusiouns,
8 To demen by interrogaciouns,
9 If that men asked hym in certein houres
10 Whan that men sholde have droghte or elles shoures,
11 Or if men asked hym what sholde bifalle
12 Of every thyng; I may nat rekene hem alle.
13 This clerk was cleped hende nicholas.
14 Of deerne love he koude and of solas;
15 And therto he was sleigh and ful privee,
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