This kind of life degrades every one. Gluttony was the first cause of our confusion: Adam and Eve were driven from Paradise for that vice. And drunkenness leads to many other sins, as is shown in Holy Writ. Three of these bad young men were sitting in a tavern one morning very early, drinking, when they heard the clinking of a bell[176] before a corpse that was being carried to the grave. One of them called to his boy, “Go out, and ask who that dead man is who passes by; and mind you bring his name back right!” “Master,” said the boy, “there is no need to go and ask, for I heard who the dead man was two hours before you came into this tavern. He was one of your own companions, and he was slain last night as he sat in his chair drinking, by a privy thief named Death, who kills everybody in this country. With his spear he smote his heart in two, and went away without speaking. About a thousand has he killed this pestilence.[177] And, master, it seems to me, that before he comes to you too, it were as well to be prepared. Beware of him, be ready for him! my dame ever taught me that.” By seinte Mary, sayde this taverner, innkeeper The child saith soth, for he hath slayn this yeer, true Hens over a myle, withinne a gret village, Bothe man and womman, child, and hyne, and page. labourer “By holy Mary,” said the innkeeper, “The child says true, for he hath slain this year, Within a mile hence, in a large village, Both man and woman, servant, child, and page. “I should think he lived there, this Death, so many have died. It were wise to be warned before he came suddenly on a man!” “Good lack,” cried one of the rioters with an oath, “is it then such danger to meet him? I’ll seek him out by street and stile. Herkneth, felaws, we thre ben all oones, hearken, be Let ech of us hold up his hond[178] to other, hand And ech of us bycome otheres brother; And we wil slee this false traitour Deth; He shall be slayne, that so many sleeth. slain, slayeth “Now listen, mates, for all we three are one, Let each hold up his hand unto the other, And each of us become the others’ brother. And we will slay this sneaking traitor Death, He shall be slain, he that so many slay’th.” So these three men, half drunk as they were, plighted faith to live and die for each other, as though they were brothers born. And up they started, and went forth to this village, of which the innkeeper had spoken, where they thought Death lived. And much bad language they used, and many wicked things they said, resolving to catch Death before night fell.