This clerk was cleped hende Nicholas. Of deerne love he koude and of solas; And therto he was sleigh and ful privee, And lyk a mayden meke for to see. 95 A chambre hadde he in that hostelrye Allone, withouten any compaignye, Ful fetisly ydight with herbes swoote; And he hymself as sweete as is the roote Of lycorys, or any cetewale. 100 His Almageste, and bookes grete and smale, His astrelabie, longynge for his art, His augrym stones layen faire apart, On shelves couched at his beddes heed; His presse ycovered with a faldyng reed 105 And al above ther lay a gay sautrie, On which he made a-nyghtes melodie So swetely that all the chambre rong; And Angelus ad virginem he song; And after that he song the Kynges Noote. 110 Ful often blessed was his myrie throte. And thus this sweete clerk his tyme spente After his freendes fyndyng and his rente.

This clerk was called the clever Nicholas; Of secret loves he knew and their solace; And he kept counsel, too, for he was sly And meek as any virgin passing by. 95 He had a chamber in that hostelry, And lived alone there, without company, All garnished with sweet herbs of good repute; And he himself sweet-smelling as the root Of licorice, valerian, or setwall. 100 His Almagest, and books both great and small, His astrolabe, belonging to his art, His algorism stones - all laid apart On shelves that ranged beside his lone bed's head; His press was covered with a cloth of red. 105 And over all there lay a psaltery Whereon he made an evening's melody, Playing so sweetly that the chamber rang; And Angelus ad virginem he sang; And after that he warbled the King's Note: 110 Often in good voice was his merry throat. And thus this gentle clerk his leisure spends Supported by some income and his friends.