| 530 |
"Now, Pater-noster, clom!" seyde Nicholay, |
| And "Clom," quod John, and "clom," seyde Alisoun. |
| This carpenter seyde his devocioun, |
| And stille he sit, and biddeth his preyere, |
| Awaitynge on the reyn, if he it heere. |
| 535 | The dede sleep, for wery bisynesse, |
| Fil on this carpenter right, as I gesse, |
| Aboute corfew-tyme, or litel moore; |
| For travaille of his goost he groneth soore |
| And eft he routeth, for his heed myslay. |
| 540 | Doun of the laddre stalketh Nicholay, |
| And Alisoun ful softe adoun she spedde; |
| Withouten wordes mo they goon to bedde, |
| Ther as the carpenter is wont to lye. |
| Ther was the revel and the melodye; |
| 545 | And thus lith Alison and Nicholas, |
| In bisynesse of myrthe and of solas, |
| Til that the belle of laudes gan to rynge, |
| And freres in the chauncel gonne synge. |
|
| 530 |
"Now, by Our Father, hush!" said Nicholay, |
| And "Hush!" said John, and "Hush!" said Alison. |
| This carpenter, his loud devotions done, |
| Sat silent, saying mentally a prayer, |
| And waiting for the rain, to hear it there. |
| 535 | The deathlike sleep of utter weariness |
| Fell on this wood-wright even, as I guess |
| About the curfew time, or little more; |
| For travail of his spirit he groaned sore, |
| And soon he snored, for badly his head lay. |
| 540 | Down by the ladder crept this Nicholay, |
| And Alison, right softly down she sped. |
| Without more words they went and got in bed |
| Even where the carpenter was wont to lie. |
| There was the revel and the melody! |
| 545 | And thus lie Alison and Nicholas, |
| In joy that goes by many an alias, |
| Until the bells for lauds began to ring |
| And friars to the chancel went to sing. |
|
