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. THE LAWYER A sergeant of the Lawe, ware and wise, That often had ybeen at the Parvys,[116] There was also, full rich of excellence. Discreet he was and of great reverence; He seemed such, his wordes were so wise; Justice he was full often in assize, By patent and by plein[117] commission. For his science, and for his high renown, Of fees and robes had he many one; So great a purchaser[118] was nowhere none; All was fee simple to him in effect, His purchasing mighte not be infect.[119] Nowhere so busy a man as he there nas, And yet he seemed busier than he was. In termes had he case and doomes[120] all, That from the time of King William were fall. Thereto he could indite, and make a thing, There coulde no wight pinch[121] at his writing; And every statute could[122] he plein[123] by rote. He rode but homely in a medley[124] coat, Girt with a ceint[125] of silk, with barres smale[126]; Of his array tell I no lenger tale. THE SHIPMAN