“Lordings (quoth he), now hearken for the best; But take it not, I pray you, in disdain; This is the point, to speak it plat 267 and plain. That each of you, to shorten with your way In this voyáge, shall tellen talës tway, To Canterbury-ward, I mean it so, And homeward he shall tellen other two, Of aventúres that whilom have befall. And which of you that bear’th him best of all, That is to say, that telleth in this case Talës of best senténce and most solace, Shall have a supper at your allër cost 268 Here in this placë, sitting by this post, When that ye come again from Canterbury. And for to makë you the morë merry, I will myselfë gladly with you ride, Right at mine owen cost, and be your guide. And whoso will my judgëment withsay, Shall pay for all we spenden by the way. And if ye vouchësafe that it be so, Tell me anon withoutë wordës mo’,