And that they may be glad of your coming. If that you enter in any house anywhere, Look that ye salute them, and bid my peace be there; And if that house be worthy and elect, Th'ilk peace there then shall take effect; And if that house be cursed or pervert, Th'ilk peace then shall to yourself revert. And furthermore, if any such there be, Which do deny for to receive ye, And do despise your doctrine and your lore, At such a house tarry ye no more; And from your shoes scrape away the dust To their reprefe; and I, both true and just, Shall vengeance take of their sinful deed. Wherefore, my friends, to this text take ye heed: Beware how ye despise the poor freres, Which are in this world Christ's ministers; But do them with an hearty cheer receive, Lest they happen your houses for to leave; And then God will take vengeance in His ire. Wherefore I now, that am a poor friar, Did inquire where any people were Which were disposed the Word of God to hear; And as I came hither, one did me tell That in this town right good folk did dwell, Which to hear the Word of God would be glad; And as soon as I thereof knowledge had, I hither hied me as fast as I might, Intended by the grace of God Almighty, And by your patience and supportation, Here to make a simple collation; Wherefore I require all ye in this prese[nce] For to abide and give due audience. But, first of all, Now here I shall To God my prayer make, To give ye grace All in this place His doctrine for to take. [_And then kneeleth down the friar saying his prayers, and in the meanwhile entereth the pardoner with all his relics, to declare what each of them been, and the whole power and virtue thereof_. THE PARDONER.