The Pardoner's Tale

In a village far and wide,
Three young men of sinful pride,
To the tavern they did ride,
With gold and ale their hearts confide.

"Death, oh Death, where dost thou hide?
We seek thee out, we shall not bide.
With a curse and a pledge, by dawn's early tide,
We’ll conquer thee, we’ll turn the tide."

An old man they did espy,
Wrinkled face, and hollow eye,
“Why do you live when all must die?”
Said he, “Find Death where shadows lie.”

To an ancient oak they roam,
Found a treasure, bright as foam,
Gold so bright it shone like dome,
“We are rich!” they cried, “This wealth we own.”

One went off to fetch their bread,
Greed and envy filled their head,
Two conspired when he returned,
His life they'd take, their hearts had turned.

The one returned with poisoned wine,
Plans to claim all gold as mine,
The two did strike, their friend lay dead,
Then drank the wine, by poison led.

They drank and died, the gold untouched,
In greed’s cruel grasp, their fate was clutched,
For Death had come, by greed dispatched,
Their souls to Hell, forever snatched.

So heed this tale of folly's cost,
Greed and pride, all lives are lost,
In shadows deep where souls are tossed,
The wages of sin are cold and frost.