absolutión, Come forth anon, and kneelë here adown, And meekëly receivë my pardoún. Or ellës takë pardon, as ye wend, All new and fresh at every townë’s end, So that ye offer, always new and new, Nobles or pence which that be good and true. ’Tis an honoúr to evereach that is here, That ye have a suffisant pardonére T’ assoilë you in country as ye ride, For áventúrës which that may betide. Paráventure there may fall one or two Down of his horse, and break his neck in two. Look, what a surety is it to you all, That I am in your fellowship y-fall, That may assoil you bothë more and lass, When that the soul shall from the body pass. I redë that our Hostë shall begin, For he is most enveloped in sin. Come forth, Sir Host, and offer first anon, And thou shalt kiss; the relics every one, Yea, for a groat; unbuckle anon thy purse.
“Nay, nay,” quoth he, “then have I Christë’s curse! Let be,” quoth he, “it shall not be, so thé ’ch. Thou wouldest make me kiss thine oldë breech, And swear it were a relic of a saint, Though it were with thy fundament depaint’. But, by the cross which that Saint Helen fand, I would I had thy coilons in mine hand, Instead of relics, or of sanctuary. Let cut them off, I will thee help them carry; They shall be shrined in a hoggë’s tord.” The Pardoner answered not one word; So wroth he was, no wordë would he say.
“Now,” quoth our Host, “I will no longer play With thee, nor with none other angry man.” But right anon the worthy Knight began (When that he saw that all the people lough ), “No more of this, for it is right enough. Sir Pardoner, be merry and glad of cheer; And ye, Sir Host, that be to me so dear, I pray you that ye kiss the Pardoner; And, Pardoner, I pray thee draw thee ner, And as we diddë, let us laugh and play.” Anon they kiss’d, and rodë forth their way.