The Canterbury tales

Group 6

The Physician's Tale

ther was, as telleth titus livius, Line 1 A knyght that called was virginius, Line 2 Fulfild of honour and of worthynesse, Line 3 And strong of freendes, and of greet richesse. Line 4 this knyght a doghter hadde by his wyf; Line 5 No children hadde he mo in al his lyf. Line 6 Fair was this mayde in excellent beautee Line 7 Aboven every wight that man may see; Line 8 For nature hath with sovereyn diligence Line 9 Yformed hire in so greet excellence, Line 10 As though she wolde seyn, lo! I, nature, Line 11 Thus kan I forme and peynte a creature, Line 12 Whan that me list; who kan me countrefete? Line 13 Pigmalion noght, though he ay forge and bete, Line 14 Or grave, or peynte; for I dar wel seyn, Line 15 Apelles, zanzis, sholde werche in veyn Line 16 Outher to grave, or peynte, or forge, or bete, Line 17 If they presumed me to countrefete. Line 18 For he that is the formere principal Line 19 Hath maked me his vicaire general, Line 20 To forme and peynten erthely creaturis Line 21 Right as me list, and ech thyng in my cure is Line 22 Under the moone, that may wane and waxe; Line 23 And for my werk right no thyng wol I axe; Line 24 My lord and I been ful of oon accord. Line 25 I made hire to the worshipe of my lord; Line 26 So do I alle myne othere creatures, Line 27 What colour that they han, or what figures. Line 28 Thus semeth me that nature wolde seye. Line 29 this mayde of age twelve yeer was and tweye, Line 30 In which that nature hadde swich delit. Line 31 For right as she kan peynte a lilie whit, Line 32 And reed a rose, right with swich peynture Line 33 She peynted hath this noble creature, Line 34 Er she were born, upon hir lymes fre, Line 35 Where as by right swiche colours sholde be; Line 36 And phebus dyed hath hire tresses grete Line 37 Lyk to the stremes of his burned heete. Line 38 And if that excellent was hire beautee, Line 39 A thousand foold moore vertuous was she. Line 40 In hire ne lakked no condicioun Line 41 That is to preyse, as by discrecioun. Line 42 As wel in goost as body chast was she; Line 43 For which she floured in virginitee Line 44 With alle humylitee and abstinence, Line 45 With alle attemperaunce and pacience, Line 46 With mesure eek of beryng and array. Line 47 Discreet she was in answeryng alway; Line 48 Though she were wis as pallas, dar I seyn, Line 49 Hir facound eek ful wommanly and pleyn, Line 50 No countrefeted termes hadde she Line 51 To seme wys; but after hir degree Line 52 She spak, and alle hire wordes, moore and lesse, Line 53 Sownynge in vertu and in gentillesse. Line 54 Shamefast she was in maydens shamefastnesse, Line 55 Constant in herte, and evere in bisynesse Line 56 To dryve hire out of ydel slogardye. Line 57 Bacus hadde of hir mouth right no maistrie; Line 58 For wyn and youthe dooth venus encresse, Line 59 As men in fyr wol casten oille or greesse. Line 60 And of hire owene vertu, unconstreyned, Line 61 She hath ful ofte tyme syk hire feyned, Line 62 For that she wolde fleen the compaignye Line 63 Where likly was to treten of folye, Line 64 As is at feestes, revels, and at daunces, Line 65 That been occasions of daliaunces. Line 66 Swich thynges maken children for to be Line 67 To soone rype and boold, as men may se, Line 68 Which is ful perilous, and hath been yoore. Line 69 For al to soone may she lerne loore Line 70 Of booldnesse, whan she woxen is a wyf. Line 71 and ye maistresses, in youre olde lyf, Line 72 That lordes doghtres han in governaunce, Line 73 Ne taketh of my wordes no displesaunce. Line 74 Thenketh that ye been set in governynges Line 75 Of lordes doghtres, oonly for two thynges -- Line 76 Outher for ye han kept youre honestee, Line 77 Of elles ye han falle in freletee, Line 78 And knowen wel ynough the olde daunce, Line 79 And han forsaken fully swich meschaunce Line 80 For everemo; therfore, for cristes sake, Line 81 To teche hem vertu looke that ye ne slake. Line 82 a theef of venysoun, that hath forlaft Line 83 His likerousnesse and al his olde craft, Line 84 Kan kepe a forest best of any man. Line 85 Now kepeth wel, for if ye wole, ye kan. Line 86 Looke wel that ye unto no vice assente, Line 87 Lest ye be dampned for youre wikke entente; Line 88

Line 88 For whoso dooth, a traitour is, certeyn. Line 89 And taketh kep of that that I shal seyn -- Line 90 Of alle tresons sovereyn pestilence Line 91 Is whan a wight bitrayseth innocence. Line 92 ye fadres and ye moodres eek also, Line 93 Though ye han children, be it oon or mo, Line 94 Youre is the charge of al hir surveiaunce, Line 95 Whil that they been under youre governaunce. Line 96 Beth war, that by ensample of youre lyvynge, Line 97 Or by youre necligence in chastisynge, Line 98 That they ne perisse; for I dar wel seye, Line 99 If that they doon, ye shul it deere abeye. Line 100 Under a shepherde softe and necligent Line 101 The wolf hath many a sheep and lamb torent. Line 102 Suffiseth oon ensample now as heere, Line 103 For I moot turne agayn to my matere. Line 104 this mayde, of which I wol this tale expresse, Line 105 So kepte hirself hir neded no maistresse; Line 106 For in hir lyvyng maydens myghten rede, Line 107 As in a book, every good word or dede Line 108 That longeth to a mayden vertuous, Line 109 She was so prudent and so bountevous. Line 110 For which the fame out sprong on every syde, Line 111 Bothe of hir beautee and hir bountee wyde, Line 112 That thurgh that land they preised hire echone Line 113 That loved vertu, save envye allone, Line 114 That sory is of oother mennes wele, Line 115 And glad is of his sorwe and his unheele. Line 116 (the doctour maketh this descripcioun). Line 117 this mayde upon a day wente in the toun Line 118 Toward a temple, with hire mooder deere, Line 119 As is of yonge maydens the manere. Line 120 Now was ther thanne a justice in that toun, Line 121 That governour was of that regioun. Line 122 And so bifel this juge his eyen caste Line 123 Upon this mayde, avysynge hym ful faste, Line 124 As she cam forby ther as this juge stood. Line 125 Anon his herte chaunged and his mood, Line 126 So was he caught with beautee of this mayde, Line 127 And to hymself ful pryvely he sayde, Line 128 This mayde shal be myn, for any man! Line 129 anon the feend into his herte ran, Line 130 And taughte hym sodeynly that he by slyghte Line 131 The mayden to his purpos wynne myghte. Line 132 For certes, by no force ne by no meede, Line 133 Hym thoughte, he was nat able for to speede; Line 134 For she was strong of freendes, and eek she Line 135 Confermed was in swich soverayn bountee, Line 136 That wel he wiste he myghte hire nevere wynne Line 137 As for to make hire with hir body synne. Line 138 For which, by greet deliberacioun, Line 139 He sente after a cherl, was in the toun, Line 140 Which that he knew for subtil and for boold. Line 141 This juge unto this cherl his tale hath toold Line 142 In secree wise, and made hym to ensure Line 143 He sholde telle it to no creature, Line 144 And if he dide, he sholde lese his heed. Line 145 Whan that assented was this cursed reed, Line 146 Glad was this juge, and maked him greet cheere, Line 147 And yaf hym yiftes preciouse and deere. Line 148 whan shapen was al hire conspiracie Line 149 Fro point to point, how that his lecherie Line 150 Parfouned sholde been ful subtilly, Line 151 As ye shul heere it after openly, Line 152 Hoom gooth the cherl, that highte claudius. Line 153 This false juge, that highte apius, Line 154 (so was his name, for this is no fable, Line 155 But knowen for historial thyng notable; Line 156 The sentence of it sooth is, out of doute), Line 157 This false juge gooth now faste aboute Line 158 To hasten his delit al that he may. Line 159 And so bifel soone after, on a day, Line 160 This false juge, as telleth us the storie, Line 161 As he was wont, sat in his consistorie, Line 162 And yaf his doomes upon sondry cas. Line 163 This false cherl cam forth a ful greet pas, Line 164 And seyde, lord, if that it be youre wille, Line 165 As dooth me right upon this pitous bille, Line 166 In which I pleyne upon virginius; Line 167 And if that he wol seyn it is nat thus, Line 168 I wol it preeve, and fynde good witnesse, Line 169 That sooth is that my bille wol expresse. Line 170 the juge answerde, of this, in his absence, Line 171 I may nat yeve diffynytyf sentence. Line 172 Lat do hym calle, and I wol gladly heere; Line 173 Thou shalt have al right, and no wrong heere. Line 174 virginius cam to wite the juges wille, Line 175 And right anon was rad this cursed bille; Line 176 The sentence of it was as ye shul heere -- Line 177 to yow, my lord, sire apius so deere, Line 178 Sheweth youre povre servant claudius Line 179 How that a knyght, called virginius, Line 180 Agayns the lawe, agayn al equitee, Line 181 Holdeth, expres agayn the wyl of me, Line 182 My servant, which that is my thral by right, Line 183 Which fro myn hous was stole upon a nyght, Line 184 Whil that she was ful yong; this wol I preeve Line 185 By witnesse, lord, so that it nat yow greeve. Line 186 She nys his doghter nat, what so he seye. Line 187 Wherfore to yow, my lord the juge, I preye, Line 188 Yeld me my thral, if that it be youre wille. Line 189 Lo, this was al the sentence of his bille. Line 190 virginius gan upon the cherl biholde, Line 191 But hastily, er he his tale tolde, Line 192 And wolde have preeved it as sholde a knyght, Line 193 And eek by witnessyng of many a wight, Line 194

Line 194 That al was fals that seyde his adversarie, Line 195 This cursed juge wolde no thyng tarie, Line 196 Ne heere a word moore of virginius, Line 197 But yaf his juggement, and seyde thus -- Line 198 I deeme anon this cherl his servant have; Line 199 Thou shalt no lenger in thyn hous hir save. Line 200 Go bryng hire forth, and put hire in oure warde. Line 201 The cherl shal have his thral, this I awarde. Line 202 and whan this worthy knyght virginius, Line 203 Thurgh sentence of this justice apius, Line 204 Moste by force his deere doghter yiven Line 205 Unto the juge, in lecherie to lyven, Line 206 He gooth hym hoom, and sette him in his halle, Line 207 And leet anon his deere doghter calle, Line 208 And with a face deed as asshen colde Line 209 Upon hir humble face he gan biholde, Line 210 With fadres pitee stikynge thurgh his herte, Line 211 Al wolde he from his purpos nat converte. Line 212 doghter, quod he, virginia, by thy name, Line 213 Ther been two weyes, outher deeth or shame, Line 214 That thou most suffre; allas, that I was bore! Line 215 For nevere thou deservedest wherfore Line 216 To dyen with a swerd or with a knyf. Line 217 O deere doghter, endere of my lyf, Line 218 Which I have fostred up with swich plesaunce Line 219 That thou were nevere out of my remembraunce! Line 220 O doghter, which that art my laste wo, Line 221 And in my lyf my laste joye also, Line 222 O gemme of chastitee, in pacience Line 223 Take thou thy deeth, for this is my sentence. Line 224 For love, and nat for hate, thou most be deed; Line 225 My pitous hand moot smyten of thyn heed. Line 226 Allas, that evere apius the say! Line 227 Thus hath he falsly jugged the to-day -- Line 228 And tolde hire al the cas, as ye bifore Line 229 Han herd; nat nedeth for to telle it moore. Line 230 o mercy, deere fader! quod this mayde, Line 231 And with that word she bothe hir armes layde Line 232 Aboute his nekke, as she was wont to do. Line 233 The teeris bruste out of hir eyen two, Line 234 And seyde, goode fader, shal I dye? Line 235 Is ther no grace, is ther no remedye? Line 236 no, certes, deere doghter myn, quod he. Line 237 thanne yif me leyser, fader myn, quod she, Line 238 My deeth for to compleyne a litel space; Line 239 For, pardee, jepte yaf his doghter grace Line 240 For to compleyne, er he hir slow, allas! Line 241 And, God it woot, no thyng was hir trespas, Line 242 But for she ran hir fader first to see, Line 243 To welcome hym with greet solempnitee. Line 244 And with that word she fil aswowne anon, Line 245 And after, whan hir swownyng is agon, Line 246 She riseth up, and to hir fader sayde, Line 247 Blissed be god, that I shal dye a mayde! Line 248 Yif me my deeth, er that I have a shame; Line 249 Dooth with youre child youre wyl, a goddes name! Line 250 and with that word she preyed hym ful ofte Line 251 That with his swerd he sholde smyte softe; Line 252 And with that word aswowne doun she fil. Line 253 Hir fader, with ful sorweful herte and wil, Line 254 Hir heed of smoot, and by the top it hente, Line 255 And to the juge he gan it to presente, Line 256 As he sat yet in doom in consistorie. Line 257 And whan the juge it saugh, as seith the storie, Line 258 He bad to take hym and anhange hym faste; Line 259 But right anon a thousand peple in thraste, Line 260 To save the knyght, for routhe and for pitee, Line 261 For knowen was the false iniquitee. Line 262 The peple anon had suspect in this thyng, Line 263 By manere of the cherles chalangyng, Line 264 That it was by the assent of apius; Line 265 They wisten wel that he was lecherus. Line 266 For which unto this apius they gon, Line 267 And caste hym in prisoun right anon, Line 268 Ther as he slow hymself; and claudius, Line 269 That servant was unto this apius, Line 270 Was demed for to hange upon a tree, Line 271 But that virginius, of his pitee, Line 272 So preyde for hym that he was exiled; Line 273 And elles, certes, he had been bigyled. Line 274 The remenant were anhanged, moore and lesse, Line 275 That were consentant of this cursednesse, Line 276 heere may men seen how synne hath his merite. Line 277 Beth war, for no man woot whom God wol smyte Line 278 In no degree, ne in which manere wyse Line 279 The worm of conscience may agryse Line 280 Of wikked lyf, though it so pryvee be Line 281 That no man woot therof but God and he. Line 282 For be he lewed man, or ellis lered, Line 283 He noot how soone that he shal been afered. Line 284 Therfore I rede yow this conseil take -- Line 285 Forsaketh synne, er synne yow forsake. Line 286

The Introduction to the Pardoner's Tale

Oure hooste gan to swere as he were wood; Line 287 Harrow! quod he, by nayles and by blood! Line 288 This was a fals cherl and a fals justise. Line 289 As shameful deeth as herte may devyse Line 290 Come to thise juges and hire advocatz! Line 291 Algate this sely mayde is slayn, allas! Line 292 Allas, to deere boughte she beautee! Line 293 Wherfore I seye al day that men may see Line 294 That yiftes of fortune and of nature Line 295 Been cause of deeth to many a creature. Line 296 Hire beautee was hire deth, I dar wel sayn. Line 297 Allas, so pitously as she was slayn! Line 298 Of bothe yiftes that I speke of now Line 299 Men han ful ofte moore for harm than prow. Line 300 But trewely, myn owene maister deere, Line 301 This is a pitous tale for to heere. Line 302 But nathelees, passe over, is no fors. Line 303 I pray to God so save thy gentil cors, Line 304 And eek thyne urynals and thy jurdones, Line 305 Thyn ypocras, and eek thy galiones, Line 306 And every boyste ful of the letuarie; Line 307 God blesse hem, and oure lady seinte marie! Line 308 So moot I theen, thou art a propre man, Line 309 And lyk a prelat, by seint ronyan! Line 310 Seyde I nat wel? I kan nat speke in terme; Line 311 But wel I woot thou doost myn herte to erme, Line 312 That I almoost have caught a cardynacle. Line 313 By corpus bones! but I have triacle, Line 314 Or elles a draughte of moyste and corny ale, Line 315 Or but I heere anon a myrie tale, Line 316 Myn herte is lost for pitee of this mayde. Line 317 Thou beel amy, thou pardoner, he sayde, Line 318 Telle us som myrthe or japes right anon. Line 319 it shal be doon, quod he, by seint ronyon! Line 320 But first, quod he, heere at this alestake Line 321 I wol bothe drynke and eten of a cake. Line 322 but right anon thise gentils gonne to crye, Line 323 Nay, lat hym telle us of no ribaudye! Line 324 Telle us som moral thyng, that we may leere Line 325 Som wit, and thanne wol we gladly heere. Line 326 I graunte, ywis, quod he, but I moot thynke Line 327 Upon som honest thyng while that I drynke. Line 328

The Pardoner's Prologue

lordynges, quod he, in chirches whan I preche, Line 329 I peyne me to han an hauteyn speche, Line 330 And rynge it out as round as gooth a belle, Line 331 For I kan al by rote that I telle. Line 332 My theme is alwey oon, and evere was -- Line 333 Radix malorum est cupiditas. Line 334 first I pronounce wheenes that I come, Line 335 And thanne my bulles shewe I, alle and some. Line 336 Oure lige lordes seel on my patente, Line 337 That shewe I first, my body to warente, Line 338 That no man be so boold, ne preest ne clerk, Line 339 Me to destourbe of cristes hooly werk. Line 340 And after that thanne telle I forth my tales; Line 341 Bulles of popes and of cardynales, Line 342 Of patriarkes and bishopes I shewe Line 343 And in latyn I speke a wordes fewe, Line 344 To saffron with my predicacioun, Line 345 And for to stire hem to devocioun. Line 346 Thanne shewe I forth my longe cristal stones, Line 347 Ycrammed ful of cloutes and of bones, -- Line 348 Relikes been they, as wenen they echoon. Line 349 Thanne have I in latoun a sholder-boon Line 350 Which that was of an hooly jewes sheep. Line 351 Goode men, I seye, taak of my wordes keep; Line 352 If that this boon be wasshe in any welle, Line 353 If cow, or calf, or sheep, or oxe swelle Line 354 That any worm hath ete, or worm ystonge, Line 355 Taak water of that welle and wassh his tonge, Line 356 And it is hool anon; and forthermoore, Line 357

Line 357 Of pokkes and of scabbe, and every soore Line 358 Shal every sheep be hool that of this welle Line 359 Drynketh a draughte. Taak kep eek what I telle -- Line 360 If that the good-man that the beestes oweth Line 361 Wol every wyke, er that the cok hym croweth, Line 362 Fastynge, drynken of this welle a draughte, Line 363 As thilke hooly jew oure eldres taughte, Line 364 His beestes and his stoor shal multiplie. Line 365 and, sires, also it heeleth jalousie; Line 366 For though a man be falle in jalous rage, Line 367 Lat maken with this water his potage, Line 368 And nevere shal he moore his wyf mystriste, Line 369 Though he the soothe of hir defaute wiste, Line 370 Al had she taken prestes two or thre. Line 371 heere is a miteyn eek, that ye may se. Line 372 He that his hand wol putte in this mitayn, Line 373 He shal have multipliyng of his grayn, Line 374 Whan he hath sowen, be it whete or otes, Line 375 So that he offre pens, or elles grotes. Line 376 goode men and wommen, o thyng warne I yow -- Line 377 If any wight be in this chirche now Line 378 That hath doon synne horrible, that he Line 379 Dar nat, for shame, of it yshryven be, Line 380 Or any womman, be she yong or old, Line 381 That hath ymaad hir housbonde cokewold, Line 382 Swich folk shal have no power ne no grace Line 383 To offren to my relikes in this place. Line 384 And whoso fyndeth hym out of swich blame, Line 385 He wol come up and offre in goddes name, Line 386 And I assoille him by the auctoritee Line 387 Which that by bulle ygraunted was to me. Line 388 by this gaude have I wonne, yeer by yeer, Line 389 An hundred mark sith I was pardoner. Line 390 I stonde lyk a clerk in my pulpet, Line 391 And whan the lewed peple is doun yset, Line 392 I preche so as ye han herd bifoore, Line 393 And telle an hundred false japes moore. Line 394 Thanne peyne I me to strecche forth the nekke, Line 395 And est and west upon the peple I bekke, Line 396 As dooth a dowve sittynge on a berne. Line 397 Myne handes and my tonge goon so yerne Line 398 That it is joye to se my bisynesse. Line 399 Of avarice and of swich cursednesse Line 400 Is al my prechyng, for to make hem free Line 401 To yeven hir pens, and namely unto me. Line 402 For myn entente is nat but for to wynne, Line 403 And nothyng for correccioun of synne. Line 404 I rekke nevere, whan that they been beryed, Line 405 Though that hir soules goon a-blakeberyed! Line 406 For certes, many a predicacioun Line 407 Comth ofte tyme of yvel entencioun; Line 408 Som for plesance of folk and flaterye, Line 409 To been avaunced by ypocrisye, Line 410 And som for veyne glorie, and som for hate. Line 411 For whan I dar noon oother weyes debate, Line 412 Thanne wol I stynge hym with my tonge smerte Line 413 In prechyng, so that he shal nat asterte Line 414 To been defamed falsly, if that he Line 415 Hath trespased to my bretheren or to me. Line 416 For though I telle noght his propre name, Line 417 Men shal wel knowe that it is the same, Line 418 By signes, and by othere circumstances. Line 419 Thus quyte I folk that doon us displesances; Line 420 Thus spitte I out my venym under hewe Line 421 Of hoolynesse, to semen hooly and trewe. Line 422 but shortly myn entente I wol devyse -- Line 423 I preche of no thyng but for coveityse. Line 424 Therfore my theme is yet, and evere was, Line 425 Radix malorum est cupiditas. Line 426 Thus kan I preche agayn that same vice Line 427 Which that I use, and that is avarice. Line 428 But though myself be gilty in that synne, Line 429 Yet kan I maken oother folk to twynne Line 430 From avarice, and soore to repente. Line 431 But that is nat my principal entente; Line 432 I preche nothyng but for coveitise. Line 433 Of this mateere it oghte ynogh suffise. Line 434 thanne telle I hem ensamples many oon Line 435 Of olde stories longe tyme agoon. Line 436 For lewed peple loven tales olde; Line 437 Swiche thynges kan they wel reporte and holde. Line 438 What, trowe ye, that whiles I may preche, Line 439 And wynne gold and silver for I teche, Line 440 That I wol lyve in poverte wilfully? Line 441 Nay, nay, I thoghte it nevere, trewwly! Line 442 For I wol preche and begge in sondry landes; Line 443 I wol nat do no labour with myne handes, Line 444 Ne make baskettes, and lyve therby, Line 445 By cause I wol nat beggen ydelly. Line 446 I wol noon of the apostles countrefete; Line 447 I wol have moneie, wolle, chese, and whete, Line 448 Al were it yeven of the povereste page, Line 449 Or of the povereste wydwe in a village, Line 450 Al sholde hir children sterve for famyne. Line 451 Nay, I wol drynke licour of the vyne, Line 452 And have a joly wenche in every toun. Line 453 But herkneth, lordynges, in conclusioun -- Line 454 Youre likyng is that I shal telle a tale. Line 455 Now have I dronke a draughte of corny ale, Line 456 By god, I hope I shal yow telle a thyng Line 457 That shal be reson been at youre likyng. Line 458 For though myself be a ful vicious man, Line 459 A moral tale yet I yow telle kan, Line 460 Which I am wont to preche for to wynne. Line 461 Now hoold youre pees! my tale I wol bigynne. Line 462

The Pardoner's Tale

in flaundres whilom was a compaignye Line 463 Of yonge folk that haunteden folye, Line 464 As riot, hasard, stywes, and tavernes, Line 465 Where as with harpes, lutes, and gyternes, Line 466 They daunce and pleyen at dees bothe day and nyght, Line 467 And eten also and drynken over hir myght, Line 468 Thurgh which they doon the devel sacrifise Line 469 Withinne that develes temple, in cursed wise, Line 470 By superfluytee abhomynable. Line 471 Hir othes been so grete and so dampnable Line 472 That it is grisly for to heere hem swere. Line 473 Oure blissed lordes body they totere, -- Line 474 Hem thoughte that jewes rente hym noght ynough; Line 475 And ech of hem at otheres synne lough. Line 476 And right anon thanne comen tombesteres Line 477 Fetys and smale, and yonge frutesteres, Line 478 Syngeres with harpes, baudes, wafereres, Line 479 Whiche been the verray develes officeres Line 480 To kyndle and blowe the fyr of lecherye, Line 481 That is annexed unto glotonye. Line 482 The hooly writ take I to my witnesse Line 483 That luxurie is in wyn and dronkenesse. Line 484 lo, how that dronken looth, unkyndely, Line 485 Lay by his doghtres two, unwityngly; Line 486 So dronke he was, he nyste what he wroughte. Line 487 herodes, whoso wel the stories soghte, Line 488 Whan he of wyn was repleet at his feeste, Line 489 Right at his owene table he yaf his heeste Line 490 To sleen the baptist john, ful giltelees. Line 491 senec seith a good word doutelees; Line 492 He seith he kan no difference fynde Line 493 Bitwix a man that is out of his mynde Line 494 And a man which that is dronkelewe, Line 495 But that woodnessse, yfallen in a shrewe, Line 496 Persevereth lenger than doth dronkenesse. Line 497 O glotonye, ful of cursednesse! Line 498 O cause first of oure confusioun! Line 499 O original of oure dampnacioun, Line 500 Til crist hadde boght us with his blood agayn! Line 501 Lo, how deere, shortly for to sayn, Line 502 Aboght was thilke cursed vileynye Line 503 Corrupt was al this world for glotonye. Line 504 adam oure fader, and his wyf also, Line 505 Fro paradys to labour and to wo Line 506 Were dryven for that vice, it is no drede. Line 507 For whil that adam fasted, as I rede, Line 508 He was in paradys; and whan that he Line 509 Eet of the fruyt deffended on the tree, Line 510 Anon he was out cast to wo and peyne. Line 511 O glotonye, on thee wel oghte us pleyne! Line 512 O, wiste a man how manye maladyes Line 513 Folwen of excesse and of glotonyes, Line 514 He wolde been the moore mesurable Line 515 Of his diete, sittynge at his table. Line 516 Allas! the shorte throte, the tendre mouth, Line 517 Maketh that est and west and north and south, Line 518 In erthe, in eir, in water, men to swynke Line 519 To gete a glotoun deyntee mete and drynke! Line 520 Of this matiere, o paul, wel kanstow trete -- Line 521 Mete unto wombe, and wombe eek unto mete, Line 522 Shal God destroyen bothe, as paulus seith. Line 523 Allas! a foul thyng is it, by my feith, Line 524 To seye this word, and fouler is the dede, Line 525 Whan man so drynketh of the white and rede Line 526 That of his throte be maketh his pryvee, Line 527 Thurgh thilke cursed superfluitee. Line 528 the apostel wepyng seith ful pitously, Line 529 Ther walken manye of whiche yow toold have I -- Line 530 I seye it now wepyng, with pitous voys -- Line 531 That they been enemys of cristes croys, Line 532 Of whiche the ende is deeth, wombe is hir god! Line 533 O wombe! o bely! o stynkyng cod, Line 534 Fulfilled of dong and of corrupcioun! Line 535 At either ende of thee foul is the soun. Line 536 How greet labour and cost is thee to fynde! Line 537 Thise cookes, how they stampe, and streyne, and grynde, Line 538 And turnen substaunce into accident, Line 539 To fulfille al thy likerous talent! Line 540 Out of the harde bones knokke they Line 541 The mary, for they caste noght awey Line 542 That may go thurgh the golet softe and swoote. Line 543 Of spicerie of leef, and bark, and roote Line 544 Shal been his sauce ymaked by delit, Line 545 To make hym yet a newer appetit. Line 546 But, certes, he that haunteth swiche delices Line 547 Is deed, whil that he lyveth in tho vices. Line 548 a lecherous thyng is wyn, and dronkenesse Line 549 Is ful of stryvyng and of wrecchednesse. Line 550 O dronke man, disfigured is thy face, Line 551 Sour is thy breeth, foul artow to embrace, Line 552 And thurgh thy dronke nose semeth the soun Line 553

Line 553 As though thou seydest as sampsoun, sampsoun! Line 554 And yet, God woot, sampsoun drank nevere no wyn. Line 555 Thou fallest as it were a styked swyn; Line 556 Thy tonge is lost, and al thyn honeste cure; Line 557 For dronkenesse is verray sepulture Line 558 Of mannes wit and his discrecioun. Line 559 In whom that drynke hath dominacioun Line 560 He kan no conseil kepe, it is no drede. Line 561 Now kepe yow fro the white and fro the rede, Line 562 And namely fro the white wyn of lepe, Line 563 That is to selle in fysshstrete or in chepe. Line 564 This wyn of spaigne crepeth subtilly Line 565 In othere wynes, growynge faste by, Line 566 Of which ther ryseth swich fumositee Line 567 That whan a man hath dronken draughtes thre, Line 568 And weneth that he be at hoom in chepe, Line 569 He is in spaigne, right at the toune of lepe, -- Line 570 Nat at the rochele, ne at burdeux toun; Line 571 And thanne wol he seye sampsoun, sampsoun! Line 572 but herkneth, lordynges, o word, I yow preye, Line 573 That alle the sovereyn actes,dar I seye, Line 574 Of victories in the olde testament, Line 575 Thurgh verray god, that is omnipotent, Line 576 Were doon in abstinence and in preyere. Line 577 Looketh the bible, and ther ye may it leere. Line 578 looke, attila, the grete conquerour, Line 579 Deyde in his sleep, with shame and dishonour, Line 580 Bledynge ay at his nose in dronkenesse. Line 581 A capitayn sholde lyve in sobrenesse. Line 582 And over al this, avyseth yow right wel Line 583 What was comaunded unto lamuel -- Line 584 Nat samuel, but lamuel, seye I; Line 585 Redeth the bible, and fynde it expresly Line 586 Of wyn-yevyng to hem that han justise. Line 587 Namoore of this, for it may wel suffise. Line 588 and now that I have spoken of glotonye, Line 589 Now wol I yow deffenden hasardrye. Line 590 Hasard is verray mooder of lesynges, Line 591 And of deceite, and cursed forswerynges, Line 592 Blaspheme of crist, manslaughtre, and wast also Line 593 Of catel and of tyme; and forthermo, Line 594 It is repreeve and contrarie of honour Line 595 For to ben holde a commune hasardour. Line 596 And ever the hyer he is of estaat. Line 597 The moore is he yholden desolaat. Line 598 If that a prynce useth hasardrye. Line 599 In alle governaunce and policye Line 600 He is, as by commune opinioun, Line 601 Yholde the lasse in reputacioun. Line 602 stilboun, that was a wys embassadour, Line 603 Was sent to corynthe, in ful greet honour, Line 604 Fro lacidomye, to make hire alliaunce. Line 605 And whan he cam, hym happede, par chaunce, Line 606 That alle the gretteste that were of that lond, Line 607 Pleyynge atte hasard he hem fond. Line 608 For which, as soone as it myghte be, Line 609 He stal hym hoom agayn to his contree, Line 610 And seyde, ther wol I nat lese my name, Line 611 Ne I wol nat take on me so greet defame, Line 612 Yow for to allie unto none hasardours. Line 613 Sendeth othere wise embassadours; Line 614 For, by my trouthe, me were levere dye Line 615 That I yow sholde to hasardours allye. Line 616 For ye, that been so glorious in honours, Line 617 Shul nat allyen yow with hasadours Line 618 As by my wyl, ne as by my tretee. Line 619 This wise philosophre, thus seyde hee. Line 620 looke eek that to the kyng demetrius, Line 621 The kyng of parthes, as the book seith us, Line 622 Sente him a paire of dees of gold in scorn, Line 623 For he hadde used hasard ther-biforn; Line 624 For which he heeld his glorie or his renoun Line 625 At no value or reputacioun. Line 626 Lordes nay fynden oother maner pley Line 627 Honest ynough to dryve the day awey. Line 628 now wol I speke of othes false and grete Line 629 A word or two, as olde bookes trete. Line 630 Gret sweryng is a thyng abhominable, Line 631 And fals sweryng is yet moore reprevable. Line 632 The heighe God forbad sweryng at al, Line 633 Witnesse on mathew; but in special Line 634 Of sweryng seith the hooly jeremye, Line 635 Thou shalt swere sooth thyne othes, and nat lye, Line 636 And swere in doom, and eek in rightwisnesse; Line 637 But ydel sweryng is a cursednesse. Line 638 Bihoold and se that in the firste table Line 639 Of heighe goddes heestes honurable, Line 640 Hou that the seconde heeste of hym is this -- Line 641 Take nat my name in ydel or amys. Line 642 Lo, rather be forbedeth swich sweryng Line 643 Than homycide or many a cursed thyng; Line 644 I seye that, as by ordre, thus it stondeth; Line 645 This knoweth, that his heestes understondeth, Line 646 How that the seconde heeste of God is that. Line 647 And forther over, I wol thee telle al plat, Line 648 That vengeance shal nat parten from his hous Line 649 That of his othes is to outrageous. Line 650 By goddes precious herte, and by his nayles, Line 651 And by the blood of crist that is in hayles, Line 652 Sevene is my chaunce, and thyn is cynk and treye! Line 653

Line 653 By goddes armes, if thou falsly pleye, Line 654 This daggere shal thurghout thyn herte go! -- Line 655 This fruyt cometh of the bicched bones two, Line 656 Forsweryng, ire, falsnesse, homycide. Line 657 Now, for the love of crist, that for us dyde, Line 658 Lete youre othes, bothe grete and smale. Line 659 But, sires, now wol I telle forth my tale. Line 660 thise riotoures thre of which I telle, Line 661 Longe erst er prime rong of any belle, Line 662 Were set hem in a taverne for to drynke, Line 663 And as they sat, they herde a belle clynke Line 664 Biforn a cors, was caried to his grave. Line 665 That oon of hem gan callen to his knave -- Line 666 Go bet, quod he, and axe redily Line 667 What cors is this that passeth heer forby; Line 668 And looke that thou reporte his name weel. Line 669 sire, quod this boy, it nedeth never-a-deel; Line 670 It was me toold er ye cam heer two houres. Line 671 He was, pardee, an old felawe of youres; Line 672 And sodeynly he was yslayn to-nyght, Line 673 Fordronke, as he sat on his bench upright. Line 674 Ther can a privee theef men clepeth deeth, Line 675 That in this contree al the peple sleth, Line 676 And with his spere he smoot his herte atwo, Line 677 And wente his wey withouten wordes mo. Line 678 He hath a thousand slayn this pestilence. Line 679 And, maister, er ye come in his presence. Line 680 Me thynketh that it were necessarie Line 681 For to be war of swich an adversarie. Line 682 Beth redy for to meete hym everemoore; Line 683 Thus taughte me my dame; I sey namoore. Line 684 By seinte marie! seyde this taverner, Line 685 The child seith sooth, for he hath slayn this yeer, Line 686 Henne over a mile, withinne a greet village, Line 687 Bothe man and womman, child, and hyne, and page; Line 688 I trowe his habitacioun be there. Line 689 To been avysed greet wysdom it were, Line 690 Er that he dide a man a dishonour. Line 691 ye, goddes armes! quod this riotour, Line 692 Is it swich peril with hym for to meete? Line 693 I shal hym seke by wey and eek by strete, Line 694 I make avow to goddes digne bones! Line 695 Herkneth, felawes, we thre been al ones; Line 696 Lat ech of us holde up his hand til oother, Line 697 And ech of us bicomen otheres brother. Line 698 And we wol sleen this false traytour deeth. Line 699 He shal be slayn, he that so manye sleeth, Line 700 By goddes dignitee, er it be nyght! Line 701 togidres han thise thre hir trouthes plight Line 702 To lyve and dyen ech of hem for oother, Line 703 As though he were his owene ybore brother. Line 704 And up they stirte, al dronken in this rage, Line 705 And forth they goon towardes that village Line 706 Of which the taverner hadde spoke biforn. Line 707 And many a grisly ooth thanne han they sworn, Line 708 And cristes blessed body al torente -- Line 709 Deeth shal be deed, if that they may hym hente! Line 710 whan they han goon nat fully half a mile, Line 711 Right as they wolde han troden over a stile, Line 712 An oold man and a povre with hem mette. Line 713 This olde man ful mekely hem grette, Line 714 And seyde thus, now, lordes, God yow see! Line 715 the proudeste of thise riotoures three Line 716 Answerde agayn, what, carl, with sory grace! Line 717 Why artow al forwrapped save thy face? Line 718 Why lyvestow so longe in so greet age? Line 719 this olde man gan looke in his visage, Line 720 And seyde thus -- for I ne kan nat fynde Line 721 A man, though that I walked into ynde, Line 722 Neither in citee ne in no village, Line 723 That wolde chaunge his youthe for myn age; Line 724 And therfore moot I han myn age stille, Line 725 As longe tyme as it is goddes wille. Line 726 Ne deeth, allas! ne wol nat han my lyf Line 727 Thus walke I, lyk a restelees kaitif, Line 728 And on the ground, which is my moodres gate, Line 729 I knokke with my staf, bothe erly and late, Line 730 And seye leeve mooder, leet me in! Line 731 Lo how I vanysshe, flessh, and blood, and skyn! Line 732 Allas! whan shul my bones been at reste? Line 733 Mooder, with yow wolde I chaunge my cheste Line 734 That in my chambre longe tyme hath be, Line 735 Ye, for an heyre clowt to wrappe in me! Line 736 But yet to me she wol nat do that grace, Line 737 For which ful pale and welked is my face. Line 738 but, sires, to yow it is no curteisye Line 739 To speken to an old man vileynye, Line 740 But he trespasse in word, or elles in dede. Line 741 In hooly writ ye may yourself wel rede -- Line 742 Agayns an oold man, hoor upon his heed, Line 743 Ye sholde arise; wherfore I yeve yow reed, Line 744 Ne dooth unto an oold man noon harm now, Line 745 Namoore than that ye wolde men did to yow Line 746 In age, if that ye so longe abyde. Line 747 And God be with yow, where ye go or ryde! Line 748 I moot go thider as I have to go. Line 749 nay, olde cherl, by god, thou shalt not so, Line 750 Seyde this oother hasardour anon; Line 751 Thou partest nat so lightly, by seint john! Line 752 Thou spak right now of thilke traytour deeth, Line 753 That in this contree alle oure freendes sleeth. Line 754 Have heer my trouthe, as thou art his espye, Line 755 Telle where he is, or thou shalt it abye, Line 756 By god, and by the hooly sacrement! Line 757

Line 757 For soothly thou art oon of his assent Line 758 To sleen us yonge folk, thou false theef! Line 759 now, sires, quod he, if that yow be so leef Line 760 To fynde deeth, turne up this croked wey, Line 761 For in that grove I lafte hym, by my fey, Line 762 Under a tree, and there he wole abyde; Line 763 Noght for youre boost he wole him no thyng hyde. Line 764 Se ye that ook? right there ye shal hym fynde. Line 765 God save yow, that boghte agayn mankynde, Line 766 And yow amende! thus seyde this olde man; Line 767 And everich of thise riotoures ran Line 768 Til he cam to that tree, and ther they founde Line 769 Of floryns fyne of gold ycoyned rounde Line 770 Wel ny an eighte busshels, as hem thoughte. Line 771 No lenger thanne after deeth they soughte, Line 772 But ech of hem so glad was of that sighte, Line 773 For that the floryns been so faire and brighte, Line 774 That doun they sette hem by this precious hoord. Line 775 The worste of hem, he spak the firste word. Line 776 bretheren, quod he, taak kep what that I seye; Line 777 My wit is greet, though that I bourde and pleye. Line 778 This tresor hath fortune unto us yiven, Line 779 In myrthe and joliftee oure lyf to lyven, Line 780 And lightly as it comth, so wol we spende. Line 781 Ey! goddes precious dignitee! who wende Line 782 To-day that we sholde han so fair a grace? Line 783 But myghte this gold be caried fro this place Line 784 Hoom to myn hous, or elles unto youres -- Line 785 For wel ye woot that al this gold is oures -- Line 786 Thanne were we in heigh felicitee. Line 787 But trewely, by daye it may nat bee. Line 788 Men wolde seyn that we were theves stronge, Line 789 And for oure owene tresor doon us honge. Line 790 This tresor moste ycaried be by nyghte Line 791 As wisely and as slyly as it myghte. Line 792 Wherfore I rede that cut among us alle Line 793 Be drawe, and lat se wher the cut wol falle; Line 794 And he that hath the cut with herte blithe Line 795 Shal renne to the toun, and that ful swithe, Line 796 And brynge us breed and wyn ful prively. Line 797 And two of us shul kepen subtilly Line 798 This tresor wel; and if he wol nat tarie, Line 799 Whan it is nyght, we wol this tresor carie, Line 800 By oon assent, where as us thynketh best. Line 801 That oon of hem the cut broghte in his fest, Line 802 And bad hem drawe, and looke where it wol falle; Line 803 And if fil on the yongeste of hem alle, Line 804 And forth toward the toun he wente anon. Line 805 And also soone as that he was gon, Line 806 That oon of hem spak thus unto that oother -- Line 807 Thou knowest wel tho art my sworen brother; Line 808 Thy profit wol I telle thee anon. Line 809 Thou woost wel that oure felawe is agon. Line 810 And heere is gold, and that ful greet plentee, Line 811 That shal departed been among us thre. Line 812 But nathelees, if I kan shape it so Line 813 That it departed were among us two, Line 814 Hadde I nat doon a freendes torn to thee? Line 815 that oother answerde, I noot hou that may be. Line 816 He woot wel that the gold is with us tweye; Line 817 What shal we doon? what shal we to hym seye? Line 818 shal it be conseil? seyde the firste shrewe, Line 819 And I shal tellen in a wordes fewe Line 820 What we shal doon, and brynge it wel aboute. Line 821 I graunte, quod that oother, out of doute, Line 822 That, by my trouthe, I wol thee nat biwreye. Line 823 now, quod the firste, thou woost wel we be tweye; Line 824 And two of us shul strenger be than oon. Line 825 Looke whan that he is set, that right anoon Line 826 Arys as though thou woldest with hym pleye, Line 827 And I shal ryve hym thurgh the sydes tweye Line 828 Whil that thou strogelest with hym as in game, Line 829 And with thy daggere looke thou do the same; Line 830 And thanne shal al this gold departed be, Line 831 My deere freend, bitwixen me and thee. Line 832 Thanne may we bothe oure lustes all fulfille, Line 833 And pleye at dees right at oure owene wille. Line 834 And thus acorded been thise shrewes tweye Line 835 To sleen the thridde, as ye han herd me seye. Line 836 this yongeste, which that wente to the toun, Line 837 Ful ofte in herte he rolleth up and doun Line 838 The beautee of thise floryns newe and brighte. Line 839 O lord! quod he, if so were that I myghte Line 840 Have al this tresor to myself allone, Line 841 Ther is no man that lyveth under the trone Line 842 Of God that sholde lyve so murye as i! Line 843 And atte laste the feend, oure enemy, Line 844 Putte in his thought that he sholde poysen beye, Line 845 With which he myghte sleen his felawes tweye; Line 846 For-why the feend foond hym in swich lyvynge Line 847 That he hadde leve him to sorwe brynge. Line 848 For this was outrely his fulle entente, Line 849 To sleen hem bothe, and nevere to repente. Line 850 And forth he gooth, no lenger wolde he tarie, Line 851 Into the toun, unto a pothecarie, Line 852 And preyde hym that he hym wolde selle Line 853 Som poyson, that he myghte his rattes quelle; Line 854 And eek ther was a polcat in his hawe, Line 855

Line 855 That, as he seyde, his capouns hadde yslawe, Line 856 And fayn he wolde wreke hym, if he myghte, Line 857 On vermyn that destroyed hym by nyghte. Line 858 the pothecarie answerde, and thou shalt have Line 859 A thyng that, also God my soule save, Line 860 In al this world ther is no creature, Line 861 That eten or dronken hath of this confiture Line 862 Noght but the montance of a corn of whete, Line 863 That he ne shal his lif anon forlete; Line 864 Ye, sterve he shal, and that in lasse while Line 865 Than thou wolt goon a paas nat but a mile, Line 866 This poysoun is so strong and violent. Line 867 this cursed man hath in his hond yhent Line 868 This poysoun in a box, and sith he ran Line 869 Into the nexte strete unto a man, Line 870 And borwed of hym large botelles thre; Line 871 And in the two his poyson poured he; Line 872 The thridde he kepte clene for his drynke. Line 873 For al the nyght he shoop hym for to swynke Line 874 In cariynge of the gold out of that place. Line 875 And whan this riotour, with sory grace, Line 876 Hadde filled with wyn his grete botels thre, Line 877 To his felawes agayn repaireth he. Line 878 what nedeth it to sermone of it moore? Line 879 For right as they hadde cast his deeth bifoore, Line 880 Right so they han hym slayn, and that anon. Line 881 And whan that this was doon, thus spak that oon -- Line 882 Now lat us sitte and drynke, and make us merie, Line 883 And afterward we wol his body berie. Line 884 And with that word it happed hym, par cas, Line 885 To take the botel ther the poyson was, Line 886 And drank, and yaf his felawe drynke also, Line 887 For which anon they storven bothe two. Line 888 but certes, I suppose that avycen Line 889 Wroot nevere in no canon, ne in no fen, Line 890 Mo wonder signes of empoisonyng Line 891 Than hadde thise wrecches two, er hir endyng. Line 892 Thus ended been thise homycides two, Line 893 And eek the false empoysonere also. Line 894 o cursed synne of alle cursednesse! Line 895 O traytours homycide, o wikkednesse! Line 896 O gloronye, luxurie, and hasardrye! Line 897 Thou blasphemour of crist with vileynye Line 898 And othes grete, of usage and of pride! Line 899 Allas! mankynde, how may it bitide Line 900 That to thy creatour, which that the wroghte, Line 901 And with his precious herte-blood thee boghte, Line 902 Thou art so fals and so unkynde, allas? Line 903 now goode men, God foryeve yow youre trespas, Line 904 And ware yow fro the synne of avarice! Line 905 Myn hooly pardoun may yow alle warice, Line 906 So that ye offre nobles or sterlynges, Line 907 Or elles silver broches, spoones, rynges. Line 908 Boweth youre heed under this hooly bulle! Line 909 Cometh up, ye wyves, offreth of youre wolle! Line 910 Youre names I entre heer in my rolle anon; Line 911 Into the blisse of hevene shul ye gon. Line 912 I yow assoile, by myn heigh power, Line 913 Yow that wol offre, as clene and eek as cleer Line 914 As ye were born. -- and lo, sires, thus I preche. Line 915 And jhesu crist, that is oure soules leche, Line 916 So graunte yow his pardoun to receyve, Line 917 For that is best; I wol yow nat deceyve. Line 918 but, sires, o word forgat I in my tale -- Line 919 I have relikes and pardoun in my male, Line 920 As faire as any man in engelond. Line 921 Whiche were me yeven by the popes hond. Line 922 If any of yow wole, of devocion, Line 923 Offren, and han myn absolucion, Line 924 Com forth anon, and kneleth heere adoun, Line 925 And mekely receyveth my pardoun; Line 926 Or elles taketh pardoun as ye wende, Line 927 Al newe and fressh at every miles ende, Line 928 So that ye offren, alwey newe and newe, Line 929 Nobles or pens, whiche that be goode and trewe. Line 930 It is an honour to everich that is heer Line 931 That ye mowe have a suffisant pardoneer Line 932 T'assoile yow, in contree as ye ryde, Line 933 For aventures whiche that may bityde. Line 934 Paraventure ther may fallen oon or two Line 935 Doun of his hors, and breke his nekke atwo. Line 936 Looke which a seuretee is it to yow alle Line 937 That I am in youre felaweshipe yfalle, Line 938 That may assoille yow, bothe moore and lasse, Line 939 Whan that the soule shal fro the body passe. Line 940 I rede that oure hoost heere shal bigynne, Line 941 For he is moost envoluped in synne. Line 942 Com forth, sire hoost, and offre first anon, Line 943 And thou shalt kisse the relikes everychon, Line 944 Ye, for a grote! unbokele anon thy purs. Line 945 nay, nay! quod he, thanne have I cristes curs! Line 946 Lat be, quod he, it shal nat be, so theech! Line 947 Thou woldest make me kisse thyn olde breech, Line 948 And swere it were a relyk of a seint, Line 949 Though it were with thy fundement depeint! Line 950 But, by the croys which that seint eleyne fond, Line 951 I wolde I hadde thy coillons in myn hond Line 952 In stide of relikes or os seintuarie. Line 953 Lat kutte hem of, I wol thee helpe hem carie; Line 954 They shul be shryned in an hogges toord! Line 955 this pardoner answerde nat a word; Line 956 So wrooth he was, no word ne wolde he seye. Line 957

Line 957 now, quod oure hoost, I wol no lenger pleye Line 958 With thee, ne with noon oother angry man. Line 959 But right anon the worthy knyght bigan, Line 960 Whan that he saugh that al the peple lough, Line 961 Namoore of this, for it is right ynough! Line 962 Sire pardoner, be glad and myrie of cheere; Line 963 And ye, sire hoost, that been to me so deere, Line 964 I prey yow that ye kisse the pardoner. Line 965 And pardoner, I prey thee, drawe thee neer, Line 966 And, as we diden, lat us laughe and pleye. Line 967 Anon they kiste, and ryden forth hir weye. Line 968