Thus can a squyer doon a gentil dede, do As wel as can a knyghte, withouten drede. Thus can a squire do a noble deed As nobly as a knight can, without dread. Dorigene fell down on her knees and thanked him, and went back to her husband happy, and they lived in bliss ever after. Aurelius, however, though his conscience was clear, bethought him of all his trouble and the money he had spent to no purpose. He had willingly promised all his fortune when he thought he could win beautiful Dorigene; but now he said, “I must sell my heritage, but I cannot live here a beggar to shame my kindred; unless the magician would be so kind as to let me pay the thousand pounds little by little. I will not break my promise to him. He shall have the money though I have got nothing by it.” With herte soor he goth unto his cofre, sore And broughte gold unto this philosophre, philosopher The value of fyf hundred pound, I gesse, And him bysecheth of his gentillesce, beseecheth To graunte him dayes of the remenaunt; remnant And sayde, Maister, I dar wel make avaunt boast I fayled never of my trouthe as yit, For sikerly my dettes schall be quyt surely Towardes yow, how so that ever I fare To goon and begge in my kurtil bare, beg, tunic But wolde ye vouchesauf upon seurté, vouchsafe, surety Tuo yere or thre for to respite me, Than were I wel, for elles most I selle Myn heritage, ther is nomore to telle. With mournful heart he went unto his coffer And took such gold as he was free to offer, The value of five hundred pounds, I guess; Beseeching him, of his kindheartedness, To grant him for the rest some time to pay, And said, “Master, I do not fear to say I never failed to keep my word as yet; Truly my debt to you I shall acquit, Whatever comes--though I must needs at best Go begging in my shirt to find the rest. But would ye grant, on good security, To give me credit for two years, or three, Then all were well, for else I must needs sell My heritage--there is no more to tell.” The magician soberly answered, “Did I not keep my covenant with you?” “Yes, well and truly,” said Aurelius. “And did you not take the lady away with you?” “No, no,” said Aurelius, sadly; and he told him all that had happened. The magician answered, “Dear friend, every one of you has behaved honourably. Thou art a squire, and he is a knight, but a simple clerk can do a gentle deed, as well as any of you! Sir, I release you from your thousand pounds: I will not take a penny from you.” And he took his horse and rode away. Chaucer winds up by saying-- Lordynges, this questioun wold I axe now-- ask Which was the moste free, as thinketh yow? liberal Masters, a little question answer me-- Which one was the most generous of the three?