Comparison of Geoffrey Chaucer Pardoner's Tale to William Shakespeare

By east, west, north, and south, I spread my conquering might.

From east, west, north, and south. Be it concluded,

East, west, north, south, or, like a school broke up,

We have been call’d so of many, not that our heads are some brown, some black, some abram, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely color’d; and truly I think if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south, and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points a’ th’ compass.

And that I might for ransom, if I would, [continues next]

That shows thou art unconfirm’d. Thou knowest that the fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a cloak, is nothing to a man. [continues next]

Thou must tell that knowest. [continues next]

[continues previous] Villiers, thou knowest, thou art my prisoner,

[continues previous] That shows thou art unconfirm’d. Thou knowest that the fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a cloak, is nothing to a man.

[continues previous] Thy knower, Patroclus. Then tell me, Patroclus, what art thou?

[continues previous] Thou must tell that knowest.

Good fool, help me to some light and some paper. I tell thee I am as well in my wits as any man in Illyria. [continues next]

[continues previous] Good fool, help me to some light and some paper. I tell thee I am as well in my wits as any man in Illyria.