A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume I Part 45

PARDONER.

Which to remit this pardon is not able--

FRIAR.

Look that ye distribute it wisely--

PARDONER.

As well declareth the sentence of this letter--

FRIAR.

Not to every man that for it will cry--

PARDONER.

Ye cannot, therefore, bestow your money better--

FRIAR.

For if ye give your alms in that wise--

PARDONER.

Let us not here stand idle all the day--

FRIAR.

It shall not both to them and us suffice--

PARDONER.

Give us some money, ere that we go our way--

FRIAR.

But I say, thou lewd fellow thou, Haddest none other time to show thy bulls but now?

Canst not tarry and abide till soon, And read them then, when preaching is done?

PARDONER.

I will read them now, what sayest thou thereto?

Hast thou anything therewith to do?

Thinkest that I will stand and tarry for thy leisure?

Am I bound to do so much for thy pleasure?

FRIAR.

For my pleasure? nay I would thou knowest it well: It becometh the knave never a deal To prate thus boldly in my presence, And let the Word of G.o.d of audience.

PARDONER

Let the Word of G.o.d, quod a? nay let a wh.o.r.eson drivel Prate here all day, with a foul evil, And all thy sermon goeth on covetise, And biddest men beware of avarice; And yet in thy sermon dost thou none other thing, But for alms stand all the day begging!

FRIAR.

Leave thy railing, I would thee advise--

PARDONER.

Nay, leave thou thy babbling, if thou be wise--

FRIAR.

I would thou knowest it, knave, I will not leave a whit--

PARDONER.

No more will I, I do thee well to wit--

FRIAR.

It is not thou shall make me hold my peace--

PARDONER.

Then speak on hardly, if thou thinkest it for thy ease--