How we cite our quotes: (Line number)
Quote #10
This tresor hath Fortune unto us yeven,
In myrthe and joliftee our lyf to lyven,
And lightly as it comth, so wol we spende.
Ey, Goddes precious dignitee! Who wende
To-day that we sholde han so fair a grace?
But myghte this gold be caried fro this place
Hoom to myn hous or elles unto youres-
For wel ye woot that al this gold is oures –
Thanne were we in heigh felicitee. (493 – 501)
We'll translate: the rioters know the gold doesn't belong to them, so they return it to a magistrate immediately. Right. To the three friends, the discovery of the eight bushels of gold is a treasure Fortune has "given" to them—a choice of words that shows how they never question whether the wealth rightfully belongs to them. All they're thinking about is the leisurely lifestyle it will enable them to live; if their past is any predictor, they'll blow it on alcohol, gambling, and prostitutes. This reaction to their sudden windfall just confirms how undeserving they are of it. Not that they could get any more corrupt, but you can see that the wealth isn't going to make them righteous.
Quote #11
And thanne shal al this gold departed be,
My deere freend, bitwixen me and thee.
Thanne may we bothe oure lustes al fulfille,
And pleye at dees right at oure owene wille. (545 – 548)
The friends' agreement to kill their companion is all the more disgusting given their reason for doing it: so that the two will be able to fulfill all their "lustes," or bodily desires, and "pleye at dees" as much as they want. There's never a good reason to kill your buddy, but gambling has got to be the worst reason ever.