What needeth it thereof to sermon more? For, right as they had cast his death before, Right so they have him slain, and that anon. And when that this was done, thus spake the one; “Now let us sit and drink, and make us merry, And afterward we will his body bury.” And with that word it happen’d him par cas To take the bottle where the poison was, And drank, and gave his fellow drink also, For which anon they sterved both the two. But certes I suppose that Avicen Wrote never in no canon, nor no fen, More wondrous signës of empoisoníng, Than had these wretches two ere their endíng. Thus ended be these homicidës two, And eke the false empoisoner also. O cursed sin, full of all cursedness! O trait’rous homicide! O wickedness! O glutt’ny, luxury, and hazardry! Thou blasphemer of Christ with villany, And oathës great, of usage and of pride! Alas! mankindë, how may it betide, That to thy Creatór, which that thee wrought, And with his precious heartë-blood thee bought, Thou art so false and so unkind, alas!
Now, good men, God forgive you your trespáss, And ware you from the sin of avaríce. Mine holy pardon may you all waríce, So that ye offer nobles or sterlings, Or ellës silver brooches, spoons, or rings. Bowë your head under this holy bull. Come up, ye wives, and offer of your will; Your names I enter in my roll anon; Into the bliss of heaven shall ye gon; I you assoil by minë high powére, You that will offer, as clean and eke as clear As ye were born. Lo, Sirës, thus I preach; And Jesus Christ, that is our soulës’ leech, So grantë you his pardon to receive; For that is best, I will not deceive.
But, Sirs, one word forgot I in my tale; I have relícs and pardon in my mail, As fair as any man in Engleland, Which were me given by the Popë’s hand. If any of you will of devotión Offer, and have mine