With hym ther rood a gentil Pardoner Of Rouncivale, his freend and his compeer, That streight was comen fro the court of Rome. Ful loude he soong "Com hider, love, to me!" This Somonour bar to hym a stif burdoun; Was nevere trompe of half so greet a soun.

With hym ther rood a gentil Pardoner
Of Rouncivale, his freend and his compeer,
That streight was comen fro the court of Rome.
Ful loude he soong "Com hider, love, to me!"
This Somonour bar to hym a stif burdoun;
Was nevere trompe of half so greet a soun.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, General Prologue. When we are first introduced to the Pardoner, the Church representative has come straight from the court of Rome and is singing a bawdy song about lustful love, "Come hither, love, to me." His friend and companion the corrupt Summoner is harmonizing with him in a strong bass. There was no trumpet half as loud, we are told. This passage gives a hint at the shameless immorality of the Pardoner, which we will learn about later on.

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes