A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume I Part 43

PARDONER.

This is the pardon, that to heaven shall ye bring--

FRIAR.

But I say, thou Pardoner, thou wilt keep silence soon!--

PARDONER.

Yea, it is like to be, when I have done!--

FRIAR.

Marry, therefore the more knave art thou, I say, That perturbest the Word of G.o.d, I say; For neither thyself wilt hear G.o.d's doctrine, Ne suffer other their ears to incline, Wherefore our Saviour, in His holy Scripture, Giveth thee thy judgment, thou cursed creature, Speaking to thee after this manner: "Maledictus qui audit verb.u.m Dei negligenter"-- Woe be that man, saith our Lord, that giveth no audience, Or heareth the Word of G.o.d with negligence.

PARDONER.

Now thou hast spoken all, sir daw, I care not for thee an old straw; I had liever thou were hanged up with a rope, Than I, that am come from the Pope, And thereby G.o.d's minister, while thou standest and prate, Should be fain to knock without the gate.

Therefore preach hardly thy bellyful, But I nevertheless will declare the Pope's bull.

FRIAR.

Now, my friends, I have afore showed ye--

PARDONER.

Now, my masters, as I have afore declared--

FRIAR.

That good it is to give your charity--

PARDONER.

That pardoners from you may not be spared--

FRIAR.

And further I have at length to you told--

PARDONER.

Now hereafter shall follow and ensue--

FRIAR.

Who be these people that ye receive should--

PARDONER.

That followeth of pardons the great virtue--

FRIAR.

That is to say us friars poor--

PARDONER.

We pardoners for your souls be as necessary--

FRIAR.

That for our living must beg fro door to door--

PARDONER.

As is the meat for our bodies hungry--

FRIAR.

For of our own proper we have no proper thing--

PARDONER.

For pardons is the thing that bringeth men to heaven--

FRIAR.

But that we get of devout people's giving--