<Dl> <Dd> He that his hand wol putte in this mitayn, </Dd> <Dd> He shal have multipliyng of his greyn, (lines 373--374) </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> He that his hand wol putte in this mitayn, </Dd> <Dd> He shal have multipliyng of his greyn, (lines 373--374) </Dd> <P> But he will warn that any person that "hath doon synne horrible" will not be able to benefit from these relics . The Pardoner says to the pilgrims that by these tricks he has acquired a considerable sum of money . He goes on to relate how he stands like a clergy at the pulpit, and preaches against avarice but to gain the congregation's money; he doesn't care for the correction of sin or for their souls . Against anyone that offends either him or other pardoners, he will "stynge hym with my tonge smerte". Although he is guilty of avarice himself, he reiterates that his theme is always Radix malorum...and that he can nonetheless preach so that others turn away from the vice and repent--though his "principal entente" is for personal gain . The Pardoner explains that he then offers many anecdotes to the "lewed (ignorant, unlearned) people". He scorns the thought of living in poverty while he preaches; he desires "moneie, wolle (wool), chese, and whete" and doesn't care whether it were from the poorest widow in the village, even should her children starve for famine . Yet, he concludes to the pilgrims, though he may be a "ful vicious man", he can tell a moral tale and proceeds . </P>

What is the theme of the pardoners tale