Nay, thou art a cursed knave, and that shalt thou see; And all such that to me make interruption, The Pope sends them excommunication By his bulls here ready to be read, By bishops and his cardinals confirmed; And eke if thou disturb me any thing, Thou art also a traitor to the king. For here hath he granted me under his broad seal, That no man, if he love his heal,[173] Should me disturb or let in any wise; And if thou dost the king's commandment despise, I shall make thee be set fast by the feet, And, where thou saidst that thou art more meet Among the people here for to preach, Because thou dost them the very way teach, How to come to heaven above: Therein thou liest, and that shall I prove, And by good reason I shall make thee bow, And know that I am meeter than art thou. For thou, when thou hast taught them once the way, Thou carest not whether they come there, yea or nay; But when that thou hast done altogether, And taught them the way for to come hither, Yet all that thou canst imagine Is but to use virtue, and abstain fro sin. And if they fall once, then thou canst no more: Thou canst not give them a salve for their sore. But these my letters be clean purgation, Although never so many sins they have done. But when thou hast taught them the way and all, Yet, ere they come there, they may have many a fall In the way, ere that they come thither For why the way to heaven is very slidder. But I will teach them after another rate, For I shall bring them to heaven's gate, And be their guides, and conduct all things, And lead them thither by the purse-strings, So that they shall not fall, though that they would. FRIAR. Hold thy peace, knave, thou art very bold: Thou pratest, in faith, even like a Pardoner. PARDONER. Why despisest thou the Pope's minister? Masters, here I curse him openly, And therewith warn all this whole company By the Pope's great auctority, That ye leave him, and harken unto me; For, till he be assoiled, his words take none effect, For out of holy church he is now clean reject. FRIAR. My masters, he doth but jest and rave; It forceth not for the words of a knave; But to the Word of God do reverence, And hear me forth with due audience. Masters, I showed you ere while of alms-deed-- PARDONER. Masters, this pardon which I showed you before-- FRIAR. And how ye should give poor folk at their need-- PARDONER. Is the greatest that ever was, sith God was bore-- FRIAR. And if of your parts that thing once were done-- PARDONER. For why without confession or contrition-- FRIAR. Doubt not but God should give you retribution-- PARDONER. By this shall ye have clean remission-- FRIAR. But now further it ought to be declared-- PARDONER. And forgiven of the sins seven-- FRIAR. Who be these poor folk, that should have your reward-- PARDONER. Come to this pardon, if ye will come to heaven-- FRIAR. Who be those poor folk, of whom I speak and name?-- PARDONER.