The Prologue + 

Our Hostë gan to swear as he were wood; + 

“Harow!” quoth he, “by nailës and by blood, + 

This was a cursed thief, a false justíce. + 

As shameful death as heartë can devise + 

Come to these judges and their advoca’s. + 

Algate this sely maid is slain, alas! + 

Alas! too dearë bought she her beautý. + 

Wherefore I say, that all day man may see + 

That giftës of fortúne and of natúre + 

Be cause of death to many a creatúre. + 

Her beauty was her death, I dare well sayn; + 

Alas! so piteously as she was slain. + 

[Of bothë giftës, that I speak of now, + 

Men have full often morë harm than prow.] + 

But truëly, mine owen master dear, + 

This was a piteous talë for to hear; + 

But natheless, pass over; ’tis no force. + 

I pray to God to save thy gentle corse, + 

And eke thine urinals, and thy jordans, + 

Thine Hippocras, and eke thy Galliens, + 

And every boist full of thy lectuary, + 

God bless them, and our lady Saintë Mary. + 

So may I thé, thou art a proper man, + 

And like a prelate, by Saint Ronian; + 

Said I not well? Can I not speak in term? + 

But well I wot thou dost mine heart to erme, + 

That I have almost caught a cardiácle: + 

By corpus Domini, but I have triácle, + 

Or else a draught of moist and corny ale, + 

Or but I hear anon a merry tale, + 

Mine heart is brost for pity of this maid. + 

Thou bel ami, thou Pardoner,” he said, + 

“Tell us some mirth of japës right anon.” + 

“It shall be done,” quoth he, “by Saint Ronion. + 

But first,” quoth he, “here at this alëstake + 

I will both drink, and biten on a cake.” + 

But right anon the gentles gan to cry, + 

“Nay, let him tell us of no ribaldry. + 

Tell us some moral thing, that we may lear + 

Some wit, and thennë will we gladly hear.” + 

“I grant y-wis,” quoth he; “but I must think + 

Upon some honest thing while that I drink.” + 