“Now, John,” quoth Nicholas, “I will not lie; I have y-found in my astrology, As I have looked in the moonë bright, That now on Monday next, at quarter night, Shall fall a rain, and that so wild and wood, 1084 That never half so great was Noë’s flood. This world,” he said, “in less than half an hour Shall all be dreint, 1085 so hideous is the shower: Thus shall mankindë drench, 1086 and lose their life.” This carpenter answér’d; “Alas, my wife! And shall she drench? alas, mine Alisoún!” For sorrow of this he fell almost adown, And said; “Is there no remedy in this case?” “Why, yes, for God,” quoth Hendy Nicholas; “If thou wilt worken after lore and rede; 1087 Thou may’st not worken after thine own head. For thus saith Solomon, that was full true: Work all by counsel, and thou shalt not rue.