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From The Introduction to the Pardoner's Tale, lines 34-42:
The Pardoner shows some reluctance when asked to tell a tale		 Previous
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From The Canterbury Tales:
The Pardoner's Prologue
lines 43-48: The theme of the Pardoner


Heere folweth the Prologe of the Pardoners Tale

Radix malorum est Cupiditas. Ad Thimotheum


       "Lordynges," quod he, "in chirches whan I preche,
I peyne me to han an hauteyn speche,
45And rynge it out as round as gooth a belle,
For I kan al by rote that I telle.
My theme is alwey oon and evere was -
'Radix malorum est Cupiditas.'
       "Dear lords," said he, "in churches, when I preach,
I am at pains that all shall hear my speech,
45And ring it out as roundly as a bell,
For I know all by heart the thing I tell.
My theme is always one, and ever was:
'Radix malorum est cupiditas.'




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From The Pardoner's Prologue, lines 49-79:
The Pardoner explains his tools and trade		 Next