Geoffrey Chaucer

The Pardoner's Introduction, Prologue, and Tale in the Hengwrt Manuscript of the Canterbury Tales

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Geoffrey Chaucer

¶The myry talkyng/ of the hoo{s}t/ to the Phi{s}cien

Oure hoo{s}t gan to swere / as he were woodHarrow quod he / by nayles and by bloodThis was a fals cherl / and a fals Iu{s}ti{s}eAs shameful deeth / as herte may deuy{s}eCome to thi{s}e Iuges / and hir aduocatzAlgate this sely mayde / is slayn allasAllas / to deere boghte she beauteeWherfore I seye alday / |þt| men may {s}eThat yiftes of ffortune / and of natureBeen cau{s}e of deeth / to many a creatureOf bothe yiftes / |þt| I speke of nowMen han ful ofte / moore for harm than prow¶But trewely / myn owene mai{s}ter deereThis is a pitous tale / for to heereBut nathelees pa{ss}e ouer/ is no forsI pray to god / so saue thy gentil corsAnd eek thyne Vrynals / and thy IurdonesThyn Ypocras / and eek thy galyonesAnd euery boy{s}te / ful of thy letuarieGod ble{ss}e hem / and oure lady Seinte MarieSo mote I then / thow art a |prop|re manAnd lyk a |pre|lat / by Seint Ronyan

Seyde I nat wel / I kan nat/ speke in termeBut wel I woot/ thow doo{s}t myn herte to ermeThat I almoo{s}t/ haue caught/ a CardynacleBy corpus bones / but if I haue triacleOr ellis a draghte / of moy{s}te and corny aleOr but I heere anon / a murye taleMyn herte is lo{s}t/ for pitee of this mayde¶Thow beel amy / thow Pardoner he saydeTel vs som myrthe / or Iapes right anon¶It shal be doon quod he / by Seint RonyonBut fir{s}t quod he / heere at this ale stakeI wol bothe drynke / and eten of a Cake¶And right anon / thi{s}e gentils gonne to cryeNay lat hym telle vs / of no ribawdyeTel vs {s}om moral thyng/ / |þt| we may leereSom wit / and thanne wol we gladly heere¶I graunte ywis quod he / but I moot thynkeVp on som hone{s}te thyng/ whil |þt| I drynke

¶Radix |o{_mi}| malo|rum| / e{s}t Cupiditas // Ad Thimoth|_eu| .6^{0}^.

¶Here bigynneth / the {^}{{|pro|loge of the}} Pardo|ner|s tale

LOrdynges quod he / in chirches whan I |pre|cheI peyne me / to han an hauteyn specheAnd rynge it out/ as round as gooth a belleffor I kan / al by rote that I telleMy theme is alwey oon / and e|uer|e wasRadix malo|rum| / e{s}t cupiditas¶ffir{s}t I |pro|nounce / whennes |þt| I comeAnd thanne my bulles / shewe I alle |&| someOure lige lordes seel / on my patenteThat shewe I fir{s}t/ my body to warenteThat no man be so boold / ne pree{s}t ne clerk/Me to de{s}tourbe / of Cri{s}tes holy werk/And after that/ thanne telle I forth my talesBulles of Popes / and of Cardynales

Of Patriarkes / and Bi{ss}hopes I sheweAnd in latyn / I speke a wordes feweTo saffron with / my |pre|dicacio|un|And for to stire hem / to deuocio|un|¶Thanne shewe I forth / my longe |cri|{s}tal {s}tonesYcrammed ful / of cloutes and of bonesRelikes been they / as wenen they echonThanne haue I in a lato|un| / a shulder bonWhich |þt| was / of an holy Iewes sheepGoode men I seye / tak of my wordes keepIf |þt| this boon be wa{ss}he / in any welleIf cow / or calf/ or sheep / or Oxe swelleThat any worm hath ete / or worm y{s}tongeTaak water of that welle / and wa{ss}h his tongeAnd it is hool anoon / and forther moorOf pokkes / and of Scabbe / and e|uer|y soorShal e|uer|y sheep be hool / |þt| of this welleDrynketh a draughte / taak kepe eek what I telle¶If |þt| the goode man / |þt| the be{s}tes owethWol euery wike / er |þt| the cok hym crowethffa{s}tynge / drynken of this welle a draghteAs thilke holy Iew / oure eldres taghteHi{s}e be{s}tes and his stoor / shal multiplieAnd sire al{s}o / it heeleth Ialou{s}ieffor thogh a man / be falle in Ialous rageLat maken with this water / his potageAnd neuere shal he moore / his wyf my{s}tri{s}teThogh he the {s}oothe / of hir defaute wi{s}teAl hadde she / taken pree{s}tes / two or thre¶Heere is a Miteyn eek / |þt| ye may seHe |þt| his hand / wol putte / in this MitaynHe shal haue / multiplyyng/ of his graynWhan he hath sowen / be it whete or OtesSo |þt| / he / offre pens / or ellis grotes¶Goode men and wommen / o thyng warne I yowIf any wight/ be in this chirche nowThat hath doon synne horrible / that heDar nat for shame / of it y{s}hryuen beOr any womman / be she yong or oldThat hath ymaked / hir hou{s}bond Cokewold

Swich folk / shal haue no power / ne no |gra|ceTo offren to my Relikes / in this placeAnd who so fyndeth hym / out of swich blameHe wol come vp / and offre a goddes nameAnd I a{ss}oille hym / by the auctoriteeWhich |þt| by bulle / ygraunted was to me¶By this gaude / haue I wonne / yeer by yeerAn hundred mark/ sith I was PardonerI stonde lyk a Clerk / in my pulpet/And whan |þt| lewed peple / is doun y{s}et/I |pre|che so / as ye han herd biforeAnd telle / and hundred fal{s}e Iapes moreThanne peyne I me / to {s}trecche forth the nekkeAnd E{s}t and We{s}t/ vp on the peple I bekkeAs dooth a dowue / sittyng on a berneMyne handes / and my tonge goon {s}o yerneThat it is ioye / to se my bi{s}yne{ss}eOf Auarice / and of swich cur{s}edne{ss}eIs al my |pre|chyng/ for to make hem freeTo yeuen hir pens / and namely vn to meffor myn entente is nat/ but for to wynneAnd no thyng/ for correccio|un| of synneI rekke ne|uer|e / whan |þt| they been beryedThogh |þt| hir soules / goon a blakeberyedffor certes / many a |pre|dicacio|un|Comth ofte tyme / of yuel entencio|un|¶Som for ple{s}ance of folk/ and flateryeTo been auanced / by ypocri{s}ieAnd som for veyne glorie / and som for hateffor whan I dar / noon oother weyes debateThanne wol I {s}tynge hym / |with| my tonge s|mer|teIn |pre|chyng/ so |þt| he shal nat a{s}terteTo been diffamed fal{s}ly / if |þt| heHath tre{s}pa{s}ed / to my bretheren / or to meffor though I telle noght/ his |prop|re nameMen shal wel knowe / that it is the sameBy {s}ignes / and by othere circum{s}tancesThus quyte I folk/ that {^}{{doon}} vs di{s}ple{s}ancesThus spete I out/ my venym vnder heweOf holyne{ss}e/ to seme holy and trewe

But shortly / myn entente I wol deuy{s}eI |pre|che of no thyng/ but for coueiti{s}eTher fore my theme is yet/ and e|uer|e wasRadix malo|rum| / e{s}t Cupiditas¶Thus kan I |pre|che / agayn that same viceWhich |þt| I v{s}e / and that is AuariceBut though my self/ be gilty in that synneYet kan I make / oother folk to twynneffrom Auarice / and soore to repenteBut that is nat/ my principal ententeI |pre|che no thyng/ but for coueiti{s}eOf this matere / it oghte ynow suffi{s}e¶Thanne telle I hem / en{s}amples many oonOf olde stories / longe tyme agoonffor lewed peple / louen tales oldeSwiche thynges / kan they wel reporte |&| holdeWhat trowe ye / |þt| whiles I may |pre|cheAnd wynne / gold and siluer / for I techeThat I wol lyue in pouerte / wilfullyNay nay / I thoghte it ne|uer|e trewelyffor I wol |pre|che / and begge / in sondry landesI wol nat do no labour / |with| myne handesNe make ba{s}kettes / and lyue ther byBy cau{s}e / I wol nat beggen ydellyI wol / none of the Apo{s}tles countrefeteI wol haue moneye / wolle / che{s}e / and wheteAl were it yeuen / of the pouere{s}t pageOr of the pouere{s}te widwe / in a villageAl sholde hir children / {s}terue for famyneNay I wol drynke / licour of the vyneAnd haue a ioly wenche / in euery tounBut herkneth lordynges / in conclu{s}ioun¶Youre likyng is / |þt| I shal telle a taleNow haue I dronke / a draghte of corny AleBy god I hope / I shal yow telle a thyng/That shal by re{s}o|un| / been at youre likyng/ffor thogh my self be / a ful vicious manA moral tale / yet I yow telle kanWhich I am wont to |pre|che / for to wynneNow holde youre pees / my tale I wol bigynne

[H]ere bigynneth / the Pardo|ner|s tale

IN fflandres / whilom was a compaignyeOf yonge folk/ that haunteden folyeAs Riot/ ha{s}ard / Stewes / and TauernesWhere as with harpes / lutes / and gyternesThey daunce / and pleyen at dees / bothe day |&| nyght/And ete al{s}o and drynke / o|uer| hir myght/Thurgh which / they doon the deuel sacrifi{s}eWith Inne that deueles temple / in cur{s}ed wi{s}eBy su|per|fluytee / abhomynableHir othes been {s}o grete / and so dampnableThat it is gri{s}ly / for to heere hem swereOure bli{ss}ed lordes body / they to tereHem thoughte / that Iewes / rente hym noght ynoughAnd eech of hem / at otheres synne loughAnd right anon / thanne coomen Tombe{s}teresffetys and smale / and yonge ffrute{s}teresSyngeris with harpes / Baudes / waufereresWhiche been / the verray deueles OfficersTo kyndle and blowe / the fyr of lecheryeThat is annexed / vn to glotonyeThe holy writ take I / to my witne{ss}eThat luxure / is in wyn / and dronkene{ss}e

¶Nolite inebriari vino in quo e{s}t luxuria

¶Lo how |þt| dronken loth / vnkyndelyLay by his doghtres two / vnwitynglySo dronke he was / he ny{s}te what he wroghteHerodes / who so wel the stories soghteWhan he of wyn was replet/ at his fe{s}teRight at his owene table / he yaf his he{s}teTo sleen the Bapti{s}t/ |Iohan| / ful gilteleesSenec/ seith a good word doutelees

¶No|ta|

¶He seith / he kan no difference fyndeBitwix a man / that {`,}is out of his myndeAnd a man / which |þt| is dronkeleweBut that woodne{ss}e / yfallen in a sherewe|per|{s}euereth lenger / than dooth dronkene{ss}eO glotonye / ful of cur{s}edne{ss}eO cau{s}e fir{s}t/ of oure confu{s}io|un|O original / of oure dampnacio|un|Til Cri{s}t hadde boght vs / with his blood agaynLo how deere / shortly for to sayn

Aboght was / thilke cur{s}ed vileynyeCorrupt/ was al this world for glotonyeAdam oure fader/ and his wyf al{s}offro Paradys / to labour and to woWere dryuen for that vice / it is no dredeffor whil |þt| Adam fa{s}ted / as I rede

/ /|Ieronimus| |contra| Iouinian|um| / / Q|Am| diu Ieiuna[uit Adam] duxit vxorem

He was in Paradys / and whan |þt| he

in paradi{s}o fuit / comedit |&| eiect|us| e{s}t/ {s}ta[tim]

Eet of the frut/ defended on a tree

duxit vxorem

Anon he was out ca{s}t/ to wo and peyneO glotonye / on thee wel oghte vs pleyne¶O wi{s}te a man / how manye maladiesffolwen of exce{ss}e / and of glotonyesHe wolde been / the moore me{s}urableOf his diete / sittyng at his tableAllas the shorte throte / the tendre mouthMarketh / |þt| E{s}t/ and We{s}t/ and North and SouthIn erthe / in Eyr / in Water / men to swynkeTo gete a gloton / deyntee mete and drynkeOf this matere / o Paul / wel kan{s}tow treteMete vn to wombe / and wombe eek vn to mete

/ / e{s}ca ventri et venter e{s}cis

Shal god de{s}troyen bothe / as Paulus seith

deus aut|em| |&| |hunc| |&| ill|am| de{s}truet

Allas a foul thyng/ is it by my feithTo seye this word / and fouler is the dedeWhan man so drynketh / of the white |&| redeThat of his throte / he maketh his pryueeThurgh / thilke cur{s}ed su|per|fluite¶The Apo{s}tle wepyng/ seith ful pitou{s}ly

/ / Ad Philipen{s}es ca^{0}^. 3^{0}^.

Ther walken manye / of whiche yow toold haue II seye it now wepyng/ with pitous voysTher been enemys / of Cri{s}tes croysOf whiche the ende is deth / wombe is hir godO wombe / o bely / o stynkyng codffulfilled of dong/ and of corrupciounAt either ende of thee / foul is the sounHow greet labour / and co{s}t/ is thee to fyndeThi{s}e Cokes / how they stampe / |&| streyne / |&| gryndeAnd turnen sub{s}tance / in to accident/To fulfillen al / the likerous talent/Out of the harde bones / knokke theyThe mary / for they ca{s}te nat awey

That may go thurgh the golet/ softe and sooteOf Spicerie / of lief / and bark / and rooteShal been his Sauce / ymaked by delitTo make hym yet/ a newer appetit/But |cer|tes / he that haunteth swiche delices

¶qui aut|em| in delicijs e{s}t viuens/ mortuus e{s}t

Is deed / whil |þt| he lyueth in tho vices¶A lecherous thyng is wyn / / and dronkene{ss}e

¶luxurio{s}a res/ vinum {?}

Is ful of stryuyng/ and of wrecchedne{ss}e

¶et contumelio{s}a ebrietas

O dronke man / di{s}figured is thy faceSour is thy breeth / foul artow to embraceAnd thurgh thy dronke no{s}e / {s}emeth the {s}ounAs thogh thou seyde{s}t ay / Samp{s}o|un| Samp{s}ounAnd yet god woot/ Samp{s}on drank ne|uer|e no wynThou falle{s}t/ as it were a stiked swynThy tonge is lo{s}t/ and al thyn hone{s}t cureffor dronkene{ss}e / is verray sepultureOf mannes wit/ and his di{s}crecio|un|In whom |þt| drynke / hath domynacio|un|He kan no con{s}eil kepe / it is no dredeNow kepe yow / fro the white and fro the redeAnd namely / fro the white wyn of lepeThat is to selle / in ffi{ss}h{s}trete / or in ChepeThis wyn of Spaigne / crepeth subtillyIn othere wynes / growynge fa{s}te byOf which/ ther ri{s}eth swich fumo{s}iteeThat whan a man / hath dronken draghtes threAnd weneth |þt| he be at hom in ChepeHe is in Spaigne / right at the toune of lepeNat at the Rochel / ne at Burdeux tounAnd thanne wol he seyn / Samp{s}on Samp{s}oun¶But herkneth lordynges / o word I yow preyeThat alle the souereyn actes / dar I seyeOf victories / in the olde te{s}tament/Thurgh verray god / that is o|_mi|potent/Were doon in ab{s}tinence / and in prayereLooketh the Bible / and ther ye may it leere¶Looke Attilla / the grete conquerourDeyde in his sleep / with shame and di{s}hon|our|Bledyng at his no{s}e / in dronkene{ss}eA Capitayn / sholde lyue in sobrene{ss}e

¶And o|uer| al this / auy{s}eth yow right welWhat was comaunded / vn to Lamwel

Noli vin|um| dare |&c'|

Nat Samuel / but Lamwel seye IRedeth the Bible / and fynd it ex|pre|{s}lyOf wyn yeuynge / to hem |þt| han Iu{s}ti{s}eNamoore of this / for it may wel suffi{s}e¶And now / that I haue spoken of glotonyeNow wol I / yow defende ha{s}ardryeHa{s}ard / is verray moder of le{s}ynges

¶|Poli|rum|| li^{0}^. 1^0^. ¶Mendacio|rum|

And of deceite / and cur{s}ed for{s}werynges

|&| |per|iuria|rum| ma|ter| e{s}t Alea

Bla{s}pheme of Cri{s}t/ man{s}laughtre / and wa{s}t/ al{s}oOf catel / and of tyme / and forthermoIt is reproue / and contrarie of honourffor to ben holden / a c|om|mune ha{s}ardourAnd euere the hyer / he is of e{s}taat/The moore is he holden de{s}olat/If |þt| a Prynce / v{s}eth ha{s}ardryeIn alle gouernance / and policyeHe is / as by c|om|mune opynyo|un|Yholde / the la{ss}e in reputacio|un|¶Stilbon / that was a wys Emba{ss}adourWas sent to Corynthe / in ful gret honourffro lacedomye / to make hi|re| allia|un|ceAnd whan he cam / hym happed |per| chaunceThat alle the grette{s}te / |þt| were of that londPleiynge at the ha{s}ard / he hem fondffor which as {s}oone / as it myghte beHe stal hym hom agayn / to his contreeAnd seyde / ther wol I nat le{s}e my nameNy wol nat take on me / so greet defameYow for to allie / vn to none ha{s}ardoursSendeth / othere wi{s}e Emba{ss}adoursffor by my trouthe / me were le|uer|e dyeThan I yow sholde / to ha{s}ardours allyeffor ye that been / {s}o glorious in honoursShal nat allye yow / with ha{s}ardoursAs by my wyl / ne as by my treteeThis wi{s}e Philo{s}ophre / thus seyde he¶Looke eek / that to the kyng DemetriusThe kyng of Parthes / as the book seith vs

Sente hym a paire of dees / of gold in scornffor he hadde v{s}ed / ha{s}ard ther bifornffor which / he heeld his glorie / or his renounAt no value / or reputaciounLordes may fynden / oother ma|ner|e pleyHone{s}te ynow / to dryue the day awey¶Now wol I speke / of oothes fal{s}e and greteA word or two / as olde bokes trete¶Greet sweryng/ is a thyng abhomynableAnd fals sweryng/ is yet moore repreuableThe heighe god / forbad sweryng at alWitne{ss}e on Mathew / but in special

¶Nolite iurare o|mn|ino / Mathei .5.

Of sweryng/ seith the holy Ieremye

¶Ieremie .4^{0}^. Iurabis in veritate

Thow shalt swere sooth thyne othes / |&| nat lye

in Iudicio |&| Iu{s}ticia

And swere in doom / and eek in rightwi{s}ne{ss}eBut ydel sweryng/ is a cur{s}edne{ss}e¶Bihoold and se / |þt| in the fir{s}te tableOf heighe goddes he{s}tes honurableHow |þt| the seconde he{s}te of hym / is thisTake nat my name / in ydel or amysLo rather he forbedeth / swich sweryng/Than homycide / or many a cur{s}ed thyng/I seye / |þt| as by ordre / thus it standethThis knoweth / that hi{s}e he{s}tes vnder{s}tandethHow that the seconde he{s}te of god / is that/And forther ouer/ I wol thee telle al plat/That vengeance / shal nat parten from his housThat of hi{s}e othes / is to outrageousBy goddes |pre|cious herte / and by his naylesAnd by the blood of Cri{s}t/ that is in haylesSeuene is my chance / and thyn is cynk |&| treyeBy goddes armes / if thow fa[{s}]ly pleyeThis dagger / shal thurgh out thyn herte goThis frut cometh / of the bicche bones twoffor{s}weryng/ / Ire / fal{s}ne{ss}e / homycideNow for the loue of Cri{s}t/ that for vs dydeLete youre othes / bothe grete and smaleBut sires / now wol I / telle forth my tale¶Thi{s}e Riotours thre / of whiche I telleLonge er{s}t/ er Pryme ronge of any belle

Were set hem / in a Ta|uer|ne to drynkeAnd as they sat/ they herde a belle klynkeBiforn a cors / was caryed to his graueThat oon of hem / gan callen to his knaueGo bet quod he / and axe redilyWhat cors is this / that pa{ss}eth heer forbyAnd looke / |þt| thow reporte his name wel¶Sire quod this boy / it nedeth ne|uer| a delIt was me told / er ye cam heer two houresHe was |per|dee / an old felawe of youresAnd sodeynly / he was y{s}layn to nyght/ffordronke / as he sat on his bench vp right/Ther cam a |pri|uee theef/ / men clepeth deethThat in this contree / al the peple sleethAnd with his spere / he smoot his herte atwoAnd wente his wey / with outen wordes moHe hath / a thou{s}and slayn this pe{s}tilenceAnd mai{s}ter / er ye come in his |pre|{s}enceMe thynketh / that it were nece{ss}arieffor to be war / of swich an Ad|uer|{s}arieBeeth redy / for to meete hym e|uer|e mooreThus taughte me my dame / I sey namoore¶By Seinte Marie / seyde this TauernerThe child seith sooth / for he hath slayn this yerHenne ouer a myle / with Inne a greet villageBothe man and womman / child and hyne |&| pageI trowe / his habitacio|un| be thereTo been auy{s}ed / greet wi{s}dom it wereEr that he dide / a man a di{s}honour¶Ye goddes armes / quod this RiotourIs it swich |per|il / with hym for to meeteI shal hym seke / by wey / and eek by StreteI make avow / to goddes digne bonesHerkneth felawes / we thre been al onesLat ech of vs / holde vp his hand to ootherAnd ech of vs / bicome ootheres brotherAnd we wol sleen / this fal{s}e traytour deethHe shal be slayn / he |þt| so manye sleethBy goddes dignytee / er it be nyght/¶Togidres han thi{s}e thre / hir trouthes plyght/

To lyue and dyen / ech of hem with ootherAs thogh he were / his owene ybore brotherAnd vp they stirte / al dronken / in this rageAnd forth they goon / towardes that villageOf which the Ta|uer|ner / hadde spoke bifornAnd many a gri{s}ly ooth / thanne han they swornAnd Cri{s}tes ble{ss}ed body / they to renteDeeth shal be deed / if they may hym hente¶Whan they han goon / nat fully half a myleRight as they wolde / han treden o|uer| a styleAn old man and a poure / with hem metteThis olde man / ful mekely hem gretteAnd seyde thus / now lordes god yow se¶The proude{s}te / of thi{s}e Riotours threAn{s}werde agayn / what carl |with| sory |gra|ceWhy artow al forwrapped / saue thy faceWhy lyue{s}tow so longe / in {s}o greet age¶This olde man / gan looke in his vi{s}ageAnd seyde thus / for I ne kan nat fyndeA man / thogh |þt| I walked in to IndeNeither in Citee / ne in no villageThat wolde chaunge / his youthe for myn ageAnd ther fore moot I han / myn age {s}tilleAs longe tyme / as it is goddes wille¶Ne deeth allas / ne wol nat haue my lyfThus walke I / lyk a re{s}telees caytyf/And on the ground / which is my modres gateI knokke with my staf/ bothe erly and lateAnd seye / leeue moder leet me InLo how I vany{ss}he / fle{ss}h |&| blood |&| skynAllas / whan shal my bones / been at re{s}teModer / with yow / wolde I chaunge my che{s}teThat in my chambre / longe tyme hath beYe for an heyre clowt/ to wrappe meBut yet to me / she wol nat/ do that |gra|ceffor which ful pale / and welked is my faceBut sires / to yow / it is no curtei{s}yeTo speken / to an old man vileynyeBut he tre{s}pa{s}e in word / or ellis in dedeIn holy writ/ ye may your {s}elf wel rede

¶Agayns an old man / hoor vp on his heed

¶coram canuto capite con{s}urg[e]

Ye shal ari{s}e / wher fore I yeue yow reedNe dooth vn to an old man / noon harm nowNamoore than |þt| ye wolde /. men dide to yowIn age // if |þt| ye so longe abydeAnd god be with yow / wher ye go or rydeI moot go thider / as I haue to go¶Nay olde cherl / by god thow shalt nat soSeyde / this oother ha{s}ardour anonThow |per|te{s}t nat {s}o lightly / by Seint |Iohan|Thow speeke right now / of thilke traytour deethThat in this contree / alle oure freendes sleethHaue here my trouthe / as thow art his e{s}pyeTel wher he is / or thow shalt it abyeBy god / and by the holy sacramentffor {s}oothly / thow art oon of his a{ss}ent/To sleen vs yonge folk/ thow fal{s}e theef/¶Now sires quod he / if |þt| yow be {s}o leef/To fynde deeth / turn vp this croked weyffor in that groue / I lafte hym by my feyVnder a tree / and ther he wol abydeNat for youre boo{s}t/ he wol hym no thyng hydeSe ye that ook/ right ther ye shal hym fyndeGod saue yow / that boghte agayn man kyndeAnd yow amende / thus seyde this olde man¶And euerich / of thi{s}e Riotours ranTil he cam to that tree / and ther they foundeOf floryns fyne / of gold / ycoyned roundeWel ny an .viij. bu{ss}hels / as hem thoughteNo lenger thanne / after deeth they soughteBut ech of hem / so glad was of the sighteffor |þt| the floryns / been {s}o faire and brighteThat doun they sette hem / by this |pre|cious hoordThe wor{s}te of hem / he spak the fir{s}te word¶Bretheren quod he / taak kepe / what |þt| I seyeMy wit is greet/ thogh |þt| I bourde and pleyeThis tre{s}or hath ffortune / vn to vs yeuenIn myrthe and iolitee / oure lyf to lyuenAnd lightly as it cometh / {s}o wol we spendeEy goddes precious dignytee / who wende

To day / that we sholde han / so fair a |gra|ceBut myghte this gold / be caried fro this placeHoom to myn hous / or ellis vn to youresffor wel ye woot/ that al this gold is ouresThanne were we / in height feliciteeBut trewely / by daye it may nat beMen wolde seyn / |þt| we were theues {s}trongeAnd for oure owene tre{s}or / doon vs hongeThis tre{s}or / mo{s}te ycaried be by nyghteAs wi{s}ly / and as sleyly / as it myghteTher fore I rede / that/ cut amonges vs alleBe drawe / and lat se / wher the {`,}cut/ wol falleAnd he |þt| hath the cut/ with herte blitheShal renne to towne / and that ful switheAnd brynge vs / breed / and wyn / ful |pri|uelyAnd two of vs / shal kepen subtillyThis tre{s}or wel / and if he wol nat taryeWhan it is nyght/ we wol this tre{s}or caryeBy oon a{ss}ent/ wher as vs thynketh be{s}t/That oon of hem / the cut broghte in his fe{s}t/And bad hem drawe / and looke wher it wol falleAnd it fel / on the yonge{s}te of hem alleAnd forth toward the town / (he wente anon)And al{s}o soone / as |þt| he was agonThat oon of hem / spak thus vn to that ootherThow knowe{s}t wel / thow art my sworn brotherThy |pro|fit/ wol I telle thee anonThow woo{s}t wel / |þt| oure felawe is agonAnd heere is gold / and that ful greet plenteeThat shal departed been / among vs threBut nathelees / if I kan shape it {s}oThat it departed were / among vs twoHadde I nat doon / a freendes torn to thee¶That oother an{s}werde / I noot how that may beHe woot/ |þt| the gold / is with vs tweyeWhat shal we doon / what shal we to hym seye¶Shal it be con{s}eil / seyde the fir{s}te shreweAnd I shal telle / in a wordes feweWhat we shul doon / and brynge it wel aboute¶I graunte quod that oother / out of doute

That by my trouthe / I wol thee nat biwreye¶Now quod the fir{s}te / thow woo{s}t wel we be tweyeAnd two of vs / shul {s}trenger be than oonLooke whan |þt| he is set/ that right anonArys / as though thow wolde{s}t/ with hym pleyeAnd I shal ryue hym / thurgh the sydes tweyeWhil that thow {s}trogele{s}t with hym / as in gameAnd with thy daggere / looke thow do the sameAnd thanne shal {`,}al this gold departed beMy deere freend / bitwixe thee and meThanne may we bothe / oure lu{s}tes al fulfilleAnd pleye at dees / right at oure owene willeAnd thus acorded been / thi{s}e sherewes tweyeTo sleen the thridde / as ye han herd me seye¶This yonge{s}te / which that wente to the tounfful ofte in herte / he rolleth vp and dounThe beautee of thi{s}e floryns / newe |&| brighteO lord quod he / if so were |þt| I myghteHaue al this tre{s}or / to my self alloneTher is no man / |þt| lyueth vnder the troneOf god / that sholde lyue / {s}o myrie as IAnd at the la{s}te / the feend oure enemyPutte in his thoght/ |þt| he sholde poy{s}on beyeWith which he myghte sleen / his felawes tweyeffor why / the feend foond hym / in swich lyuyngeThat he hadde leue / hym to sorwe bryngeffor this was outrely / his ful ententeTo sleen hem bothe / and neuere to repente¶And forth he goth / no lenger wolde he taryeIn to the toun / vn to ApothecaryeAnd preyed hym /|þt| he hym wolde selleSom poy{s}o|un| / that he myghte his rattes quelleAnd eek ther was / a polcat/ in his haweThat as he seyde / his capons hadde y{s}laweAnd fayn he wolde / wreke hym if he myghteOn |ver|myn / that de{s}troyed hym by nyghte¶The Pothecarie an{s}werde / and thow shalt haueA thyng/ that al{s}o god / my soule saueIn al this world / ther is no creatureThat ete / or dronke / hath of this confiture

Nat but the monta|un|ce / of a corn of wheteThat he ne shal his lyf / anoon for leteYe sterue he shal / and that in la{ss}e whileThan thow wolt goon a paas / nat but a myleThe poy{s}on / is {s}o {s}trong / and violent/This cur{s}ed man / hath in his hand yhent/This poy{s}on in a box / and sith he ranIn to the nexte Strete / vn to a manAnd borwed hym / large Botels threAnd in the two / his poi{s}on poured heThe thridde / he kepte clene for his drynkeffor al the nyght/ he shoop hym for to swynkeIn cariyng/ of the gold / out of that placeAnd whan this Riotour / with sory |gra|ceHadde filled with wyn / hi{s}e grete Botels threTo hi{s}e felawes / agayn repaireth he¶What nedeth it/ to sarmone of it mooreffor right as they / hadde ca{s}t his deeth biforeRight {s}o / they han hym slayn / and that anonAnd whan this was doon / thus spak that oonNow lat vs sitte and drynke / and make vs meryeAnd afterward / we wol his body beryeAnd with that word / it happed hym |per| casTo take the Botel / ther the poy{s}on wasAnd drank / and yaf his felawe drynke al{s}offor which anon / they storuen bothe two¶But certes I suppo{s}e / that AuycenWroot neuere in no Canon / ne in no fenMo wonder signes / of empoy{s}onyng/Than hadde thi{s}e wrecches two / er hir endyng/Thus ended been / thi{s}e homicides twoAnd eek / the fal{s}e empoy{s}one|re| al{s}o¶O {.} cur{s}ed synne / of alle cur{s}edne{ss}eO {.} traytours homicide / o wikkedne{ss}eO {.} glotonye / luxure / and ha{s}ardryeThou bla{s}phemour of Cri{s}t/ with vileynyeAnd othes grete / of v{s}age / and of prydeAllas mankynde / how may it bitydeThat to thy Creatour / which |þt| thee wroghteAnd with his |pre|cious herte blood / the boghte

Thow art {s}o fals / and {s}o vnkynde allas¶Now goode men / god foryeue yow youre |ter|pasAnd ware yow / fro the synne of AuariceMyn holy pardo|un| / may yow alle wari{ss}eSo that ye offre nobles / or starlyngesOr ellis siluer broches / spones / ryngesBoweth you|re| heed / vnder this holy bulleCometh vp ye wyues / offreth of youre wolleYoure name I entre /{^}{{here}} in my rolle anonIn to the bli{ss}e of heuene / shul ye gonI yow a{ss}oille / by myn heigh powerYe |þt| wol offre / as clene and eek as clerAs ye were born / and lo sires thus I |pre|cheAnd |Iesu| cri{s}t/ that is oure soules lecheSo graunte yow / his pardo|un| to receyueffor that is be{s}t/ I wol yow nat deceyue¶But sires / o word / forgat I in my taleI haue Relikes / and pardon in my maleAs faire / as any man in EngelondWhiche were me yeuen / by the Popes hondIf any of yow / wol of deuocio|un|Offren / and han myn ab{s}olucio|un|.Com forth anon / and kneleth here adounAnd mekely / receyueth my pardounOr ellis / taketh |per|do|un| as ye wendeAl newe and fre{ss}h / at euery myles endeSo |þt| ye offren alwey / newe and neweNobles / or pens / whiche |þt| been goode |&| treweIt is an honour / to euerich that is heerThat ye mowe haue / a suffi{s}ant |per|donerTa{ss}oille yow / in contree as ye rydeffor auentures / whiche |þt| may bityde|per|auenture / ther may falle oon or twoDoun of his hors / and breke his nekke atwoLooke which a seuretee is it to yow alleThat I am / in you|re| felawe{s}hip yfalleThat may a{ss}oille yow / bothe moore |&| la{ss}eWhan |þt| the soule / shal fro the body pa{ss}eI rede / that oure hoo{s}t/ shal bigynneffor he is moo{s}t/ envoluped in synne

Com forth sire hoo{s}t / and offre fir{s}t anonAnd thow shalt ki{ss}e / the Relikes e|uer|ychonYe for a grote / vnbokele anon thy purs¶Nay nay quod he / thanne haue I Cri{s}tes cursLat be quod he / it shal nat be {s}o thee ichThow wolde{s}t/ make me ki{ss}e thyn olde breechAnd swere it were / a Relyk of a Seint/Thogh it were / with thy fondement depeynt/But by the croys / which |þt| Seint Eleyne foondI wold I hadde / thy coylons in myn hondIn {s}tide of Relikes / or of SeintuarieLat cutte hem of / I wol thee hem carieThey shul be shryned / in an hogges toord¶This pardoner / an{s}werde nat a wordSo wrooth he was / no word ne wolde he seye¶Now quod oure hoo{s}t/ I wol no lenger pleyeWith thee / ne with noon oother angry man¶But right anon / the worthy knyght biganWhan |þt| he saugh / |þt| al the peple loughNamoore of this / for it is right ynoughSire Pardoner be glad / and murye of cheereAnd sire hoo{s}t/ that been to me so deereI pray yow / |þt| ye ki{ss}e the PardonerAnd Pardoner / I pray thee / drawe thee neerAnd as we diden / lat vs lawe and pleyeAnon they ki{s}te / and ryden forþ {`,}hir weye

¶Here is ended the Pardoners tale