The Pardoner's Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer PDF

The Pardoner’s Tale 50 With oaths so damnable in blasphemy That it’s a grisly thing to hear them swear. from The Canterbury Tales Our dear Lord’s body they will rend...

The Pardoner’s Tale 50 With oaths so damnable in blasphemy That it’s a grisly thing to hear them swear. from The Canterbury Tales Our dear Lord’s body they will rend and tear.... Geoffrey Chaucer, It’s of three rioters I have to tell translated by Nevill Coghill Who, long before the morning service bell, 55 Were sitting in a tavern for a drink. The Prologue And as they sat, they heard the hand-bell clink Before a coffin going to the grave; “But let me briefly make my purpose plain; One of them called the little tavern-knave I preach for nothing but for greed of gain And said “Go and find out at once—look spry!— And use the same old text, as bold as brass, 60 Whose corpse is in that coffin passing by; Radix malorum est cupiditas. And see you get the name correctly too.” 5 And thus I preach against the very vice “Sir,” said the boy, “no need, I promise you; I make my living out of—avarice. And yet however guilty of that sin Two hours before you came here I was told. He was a friend of yours in days of old, Myself, with others I have power to win 65 And suddenly, last night, the man was slain, Them from it, I can bring them to repent; Upon his bench, face up, dead drunk again. 10 But that is not my principal intent. There came a privy thief, they call him Death, Covetousness is both the root and stuff Who kills us all round here, and in a breath Of all I preach. That ought to be enough. He speared him through the heart, he never stirred. “Well, then I give examples thick and fast 70 And then Death went his way without a word. From bygone times, old stories from the past. He’s killed a thousand in the present plague, 15 A yokel mind loves stories from of old, Being the kind it can repeat and hold. And, sir, it doesn’t do to be too vague If you should meet him; you had best be wary. What! Do you think, as long as I can preach Be on your guard with such an adversary, And get their silver for the things I teach, 75 Be primed to meet him everywhere you go, That I will live in poverty, from choice? That’s what my mother said. It’s all I know.” 20 That’s not the counsel of my inner voice! The publican joined in with, “By St. Mary, No! Let me preach and beg from kirk to kirk What the child says is right; you’d best be wary, And never do an honest job of work, This very year he killed, in a large village No, nor make baskets, like St. Paul, to gain 80 A mile away, man, woman, serf at tillage, A livelihood. I do not preach in vain. Page in the household, children—all there were. 25 There’s no apostle I would counterfeit; Yes, I imagine that he lives round there. I mean to have money, wool and cheese and wheat It’s well to be prepared in these alarms, Though it were given me by the poorest lad He might do you dishonor.” “Huh, God’s arms!” Or poorest village widow, though she had 85 The rioter said, “Is he so fierce to meet? A string of starving children, all agape. I’ll search for him, by Jesus, street by street. 30 No, let me drink the liquor of the grape God’s blessed bones! I’ll register a vow! And keep a jolly wench in every town! Here, chaps! The three of us together now, “But listen, gentlemen; to bring things down To a conclusion, would you like a tale? Hold up your hands, like me, and we’ll be brothers 90 In this affair, and each defend the others, Now as I’ve drunk a draft of corn-ripe ale, And we will kill this traitor Death, I say! 35 By God it stands to reason I can strike Away with him as he has made away On some good story that you all will like. With all our friends. God’s dignity! Tonight!” For though I am a wholly vicious man They made their bargain, swore with appetite, Don’t think I can’t tell moral tales. I can! 95 These three, to live and die for one another Here’s one I often preach when out for winning; As brother-born might swear to his born brother. 40 Now please be quiet. Here is the beginning.” And up they started in their drunken rage And made towards this village which the page The Tale And publican had spoken of before. In Flanders once there was a company 100 Many and grisly were the oaths they swore, Of youngsters haunting vice and ribaldry, Tearing Christ’s blessed body to a shred; Riot and gambling, stews and public-houses “If we can only catch him, Death is dead!” Where each with harp, guitar, or lute carouses, When they had gone not fully half a mile, 45 Dancing and dicing day and night, and bold Just as they were about to cross a stile, To eat and drink far more than they can hold, 105 They came upon a very poor old man Doing thereby the devil sacrifice Who humbly greeted them and thus began, Within that devil’s temple of cursed vice, “God look to you, my lords, and give you quiet!” Abominable in superfluity, To which the proudest of these men of riot  Gave back the answer, “What, old fool? Give place! The florins were so beautiful and bright, 110 Why are you all wrapped up except your face? That down they sat beside the precious pile. Why live so long? Isn’t it time to die?” 170 The wickedest spoke first after a while. The old, old fellow looked him in the eye “Brothers,” he said, “you listen to what I say. And said, “Because I never yet have found, I’m pretty sharp although I joke away. Though I have walked to India, searching round It’s clear that Fortune has bestowed this treasure 115 Village and city on my pilgrimage, To let us live in jollity and pleasure. One who would change his youth to have my age. 175 Light come, light go! We’ll spend it as we ought. And so my age is mine and must be still God’s precious dignity! Who would have thought Upon me, for such time as God may will. This morning was to be our lucky day? “Not even Death, alas, will take my life; “If one could only get the gold away, 120 So, like a wretched prisoner at strife Back to my house, or else to yours, perhaps— Within himself, I walk alone and wait 180 For as you know, the gold is ours, chaps— About the earth, which is my mother’s gate, We’d all be at the top of fortune, hey? Knock-knocking with my staff from night to noon But certainly it can’t be done by day. And crying, ‘Mother, open to me soon! People would call us robbers—a strong gang, 125 Look at me, mother, won’t you let me in? So our own property would make us hang. See how I wither, flesh and blood and skin! 185 No, we must bring this treasure back by night Alas! When will these bones be laid to rest? Some prudent way, and keep it out of sight. Mother, I would exchange—for that were best— And so as a solution I propose The wardrobe in my chamber, standing there We draw for lots and see the way it goes; 130 So long, for yours! Aye, for a shirt of hair The one who draws the longest, lucky man, To wrap me in!’ She has refused her grace, 190 Shall run to town as quickly as he can Whence comes the pallor of my withered face. To fetch us bread and wine—but keep things dark— “But it dishonored you when you began While two remain in hiding here to mark To speak so roughly, sir, to an old man, Our heap of treasure. If there’s no delay, 135 Unless he had injured you in word or deed. When night comes down we’ll carry it away, It says in holy writ, as you may read, 195 All three of us, wherever we have planned.” ‘Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head He gathered lots and hid them in his hand And honor it.’ And therefore be it said, Bidding them draw for where the luck should fall. ‘Do no more harm to an old man than you, It fell upon the youngest of them all, 140 Being now young, would have another do And off he ran at once towards the town. When you are old’—if you should live till then. 200 As soon as he had gone the first sat down And so may God be with you, gentlemen, And thus began a parley with the other: For I must go whither I have to go.” “You know that you can trust me as a brother; “By God,” the gambler said, “you shan’t do so, Now let me tell you where your profit lies; 145 You don’t get off so easy, by St. John! You know our friend has gone to get supplies I heard you mention, just a moment gone, 205 And here’s a lot of gold that is to be A certain traitor Death who singles out Divided equally among us three. And kills the fine young fellows hereabout. Nevertheless, if I could shape things thus And you’re his spy, by God! You wait a bit. So that we shared it out—the two of us— 150 Say where he is or you shall pay for it, Wouldn’t you take it as a friendly act?” By God and by the Holy Sacrament! 210 “But how?” the other said. “He knows the fact I say you’ve joined together by consent That all the gold was left with me and you; To kill us younger folk, you thieving swine!” What can we tell him? What are we to do?” “Well, sirs,” he said, “if it be your design “Is it a bargain,” said the first, “or no? 155 To find out Death, turn up this crooked way For I can tell you in a word or so Towards that grove, I left him there today 215 What’s to be done to bring the thing about.” Under a tree, and there you’ll find him waiting. “Trust me,” the other said, “you needn’t doubt He isn’t one to hide for all your prating. My word. I won’t betray you, I’ll be true.” You see that oak? He won’t be far to find. “Well,” said his friend, “you see that we are two, 160 And God protect you that redeemed mankind, And two are twice as powerful as one. Aye, and amend you!” Thus that ancient man. 220 Now look; when he comes back, get up in fun At once the three young rioters began To have a wrestle; then, as you attack, To run, and reached the tree, and there they found I’ll up and put my dagger through his back A pile of golden florins on the ground, While you and he are struggling, as in game; 165 New-coined, eight bushels of them as they thought. Then draw your dagger too and do the same. No longer was it Death those fellows sought, 225 Then all this money will be ours to spend, For they were all so thrilled to see the sight, Divided equally of course, dear friend.  Then we can gratify our lusts and fill Concerning poison and its operation, The day with dicing at our own sweet will.” Trust me, no ghastlier section to transcend Thus these two miscreants agreed to slay What these two wretches suffered at their end. 230 The third and youngest, as you heard me say. Thus these two murderers received their due, The youngest, as he ran towards the town, 290 So did the treacherous young poisoner too.... Kept turning over, rolling up and down “One thing I should have mentioned in my tale, Within his heart the beauty of those bright Dear people. I’ve some relics in my bale New florins, saying, “Lord, to think I might And pardons too, as full and fine, I hope, 235 Have all that treasure to myself alone! As any in England, given me by the Pope. Could there be anyone beneath the throne 295 If there be one among you that is willing Of God so happy as I then should be?” To have my absolution for a shilling And so the Fiend, our common enemy, Devoutly given, come! and do not harden Was given power to put it in his thought Your hearts but kneel in humbleness for pardon; 240 That there was always poison to be bought, Or else, receive my pardon as we go. And that with poison he could kill his friends. 300 You can renew it every town or so To men in such a state the Devil sends Always provided that you still renew Thoughts of this kind, and has a full permission Each time, and in good money, what is due. To lure them on to sorrow and perdition; It is an honor to you to have found 245 For this young man was utterly content A pardoner with his credentials sound To kill them both and never to repent. 305 Who can absolve you as you ply the spur And on he ran, he had no thought to tarry, In any accident that may occur. Came to the town, found an apothecary For instance—we are all at Fortune’s beck— And said, “Sell me some poison if you will, Your horse may throw you down and break your neck. 250 I have a lot of rats I want to kill What a security it is to all And there’s a polecat too about my yard 310 To have me here among you and at call That takes my chickens and it hits me hard; With pardon for the lowly and the great But I’ll get even, as is only right, When soul leaves body for the future state! With vermin that destroy a man by night.” And I advise our Host here to begin, 255 The chemist answered, “I’ve a preparation The most enveloped of you all in sin. Which you shall have, and by my soul’s salvation 315 Come forward, Host, you shall be the first to pay, If any living creature eat or drink And kiss my holy relics right away. A mouthful, ere he has the time to think, Only a groat. Come on, unbuckle your purse!” Though he took less than makes a grain of wheat, “No, no,” said he, “not I, and may the curse 260 You’ll see him fall down dying at your feet; Of Christ descend upon me if I do!...” Yes, die he must, and in so short a while 320 The Pardoner said nothing, not a word; You’d hardly have the time to walk a mile, He was so angry that he couldn’t speak. The poison is so strong, you understand.” “Well,” said our Host, “if you’re for showing pique, This cursed fellow grabbed into his hand I’ll joke no more, not with an angry man.” 265 The box of poison and away he ran The worthy Knight immediately began, Into a neighboring street, and found a man 325 Seeing the fun was getting rather rough, Who lent him three large bottles. He withdrew And said, “No more, we’ve all had quite enough. And deftly poured the poison into two. Now, Master Pardoner, perk up, look cheerly! He kept the third one clean, as well he might, And you, Sir Host, whom I esteem so dearly, 270 For his own drink, meaning to work all night I beg of you to kiss the Pardoner. Stacking the gold and carrying it away. 330 “Come, Pardoner, draw nearer, my dear sir. And when this rioter, this devil’s clay, Let’s laugh again and keep the ball in play.” Had filled his bottles up with wine, all three, They kissed, and we continued on our way. Back to rejoin his comrades sauntered he. 275 Why make a sermon of it? Why waste breath? Exactly in the way they’d planned his death   They fell on him and slew him, two to one. Then said the first of them when this was done, “Now for a drink. Sit down and let’s be merry, 280 For later on there’ll be the corpse to bury.” And, as it happened, reaching for a sup, He took a bottle full of poison up And drank; and his companion, nothing loth, Drank from it also, and they perished both. 285 There is, in Avicenna’s long relation