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I went to my patron some blood to let him, * But found that the

moment was far from good: So I sat and I talked of all

strangenesses, * And with jests and jokes his good will I wooed:

They pleased him and cried he, 'O man of wit, * Thou hast proved

thee perfect in merry mood!' Quoth I, 'O thou Lord of men, save

thou * Lend me art and wisdom I'm fou and wood In thee gather

grace, boon, bounty, suavity, * And I guerdon the world with

lore, science and gravity.'