Introduction to the Pardoner's Tale
Folio 185v
2 of 2 folios
Wherfore I say þat alle men may se
That ȝiftes of fortune or of nature /
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Ben cause of deth of many a creature /
Hir beaute was hir deþ I dar wel sayn
Allas so pitously as he was slayn
But trewely myn owne maister deere
This was a pitous tale for to heere
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But naþeles pas ouer þis is no fors
I pray to god so saue þi gentil corps
And euery boist ful of þi letuarie
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God blesse hem and oure lady seinte marie /
So mot I þen þou art a propre man
And ylik a perlat by seint Rimyan
Sayde I wel can I not speke in terme
But wel I woot þou dost myn herte erme
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I haue almost y caugħt a cardiacle
By corpus boones but I haue triacle
Oþer elles a draugħt of moyst and corny ale
Oþer but I hiere anoon a mery tale
Myn hert is brost . for pite of þat mayde
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Thow pardoner þou belamy he sayde /
Tel vs a tale for þou canst many oon
It schal be doon quod he and þat anoon
But first quod he her at þis ale stake /
I wil first drynke and byt on a cake
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But rigħt anoon þe gentils gan to crie
Nay let him tellen vs no ribaudye
Tel vs som moral þing þat we may leere /
Gladly quod he and sayde as ȝe schal heere
But in þe cuppe wil I me beþinke
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Vpon som honest tale whil I drinke /