This was a false churl and a false judge. Come to these judges and their advocates! At any rate, this innocent maid is slain, alas! Alas, too dearly she paid for her beauty! Are cause of death to many a creature. Her beauty was her death, I dare well say. Alas, so pitifully as she was slain! Men have very often more harm than benefit. This is a pitiful tale to hear. But nonetheless, pass over; is does not matter. God bless them, and our lady Saint Mary! And like a prelate, by Saint Ronyan!
I kan nat speke in terme; Said I not well? I can not speak in technical terms; But wel I woot thou doost myn herte to erme, But well I know thou makes mine heart to grieve so, That I almoost have caught a cardynacle. That I almost have caught a palpitation of the heart. My heart is lost for pity of this maid.
For I know all by rote that I tell. And then my papal bulls I show, each and every one. To hinder me from doing Christ's holy work. And to stir them to devotion.
Relics they are, as suppose they each one. Which was of a holy Jew's sheep. Taak kep eek what I telle: Drinks a draft. Take heed also what I say: If that the good-man that the beestes oweth If the householder who owns the beasts Wol every wyke, er that the cok hym croweth, Will every week, before the cock crows, Fastynge, drynken of this welle a draughte, Fasting, drink of this well a draft, As thilke hooly Jew oure eldres taughte, As that same holy Jew taught our elders, His beestes and his stoor shal multiplie.
His beasts and his possessions shall multiply. Although she had taken two or three priests. Providing that he offer pennies, or else fourpences. To offer to my relics in this place. An hundred marks since I was pardoner. And tell a hundred more false tales. As does a dove sitting on a barn. That it is joy to see my business.
