A Select Collection of Old English Plays
Chapter 176 : FRIAR. We friars be they that should your alms take-- PARDONER. Nigh unto our foresaid

FRIAR.

We friars be they that should your alms take--

PARDONER.

Nigh unto our foresaid holy place--

FRIAR.

Which for your soul's health do both watch and wake--

PARDONER.

Ye shall there tarry for a month's s.p.a.ce--

FRIAR.

We friars pray, G.o.d wot, when ye do sleep--

PARDONER.

And be there found of the place's cost--[175]

FRIAR.

We for your sins do both sob and weep--

PARDONER.

Wherefore now, in the name of the Holy Ghost--

FRIAR.

To pray to G.o.d for mercy and for grace--

PARDONER.

I advise you all, that now here be--

FRIAR.

And thus do we daily with all our whole place--

PARDONER.

For to be of our fraternity--

FRIAR.

Wherefore distribute of your temporal wealth--

PARDONER.

Fie on covetise! stick not for a penny:--

FRIAR.

By which ye may preserve your souls' health--

PARDONER.

For which ye may have benefits so many--

FRIAR.

I say, wilt thou not yet stint thy clap?

Pull me down the Pardoner with an evil hap!

PARDONER.

Master Friar, I hold it best To keep your tongue, while ye be in rest--

FRIAR.

I say, one pull the knave off his stool!

PARDONER.

Nay, one pull the friar down like a fool!