Introduction to the Pardoner's Tale
Folio 195r
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But trewely myn owne mayst er deere
This is a pitous tale for to heere
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But naþeles passe ouer is no fors
I pray to god so saue þin gentil cors
And þin vrynals and þin Iurdanes
Thyn ypocras and þin Galianes
And euery box ful of þin letuarie
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God blesse hem and oure lady seinte marie
So mote I þe þou art a propre man
And ylike a prelat by seint Rimyan
Sayde I nouȝt wel can I nouȝt speke in terme
But wel I woot þou dost mȳ herte to erme
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That I almost haue caugħt a Cardyacle /
By Corpus bones but if I haue triacle
Oþer elles a draugħt of moyxte and corny ale /
Or but I heere anoon a merye tale /
Myn herte is lost for pite of þis mayde
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Þou belamy Ioħn Pardoner he sayde
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þise gentils bygonne to crye
ortal þing þat we may leere
þenne wol we gladly heere
wys quod he but I moot þynke
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honest þing whil þat I drinke