|
Oure conseil was nat longe for to seche. |
| Us thoughte it was noght worth to make it wys, |
| And graunted hym, withouten moore avys, |
| And bad him seye his voirdit, as hym leste. |
| 790 | "Lordynges," quod he, "now herkneth for the beste; |
| But taak it nought, I prey yow, in desdeyn. |
| This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn, |
| That ech of yow, to shorte with oure weye, |
| In this viage shal telle tales tweye |
| 795 | To Caunterbury-ward I mene it so, |
| And homward he shal tellen othere two, |
| Of aventures that whilom han bifalle. |
| And which of yow that bereth hym best of alle, |
| That is to seyn, that telleth in this caas |
| 800 | Tales of best sentence and moost solaas, |
| Shal have a soper at oure aller cost |
| Heere in this place, sittynge by this post, |
| Whan that we come agayn fro Caunterbury. |
| And for to make yow the moore mury, |
| 805 | I wol myselven goodly with yow ryde |
| Right at myn owene cost, and be youre gyde; |
| And who so wole my juggement withseye |
| Shal paye al that we spenden by the weye. |
| And if ye vouche sauf that it be so, |
| 810 | Tel me anon, withouten wordes mo, |
| And I wol erly shape me therfore." |
|
|
Our decision was not so far to seek; |
| We thought there was no reason to debate, |
| And granted him his way at any rate, |
| And asked him tell his verdict just and wise, |
| 790 | "Masters," said he, "listen to my advice; |
| But take it not, I pray you, in disdain; |
| This is the point, to put it short and plain, |
| That each of you, as if to shorten the day, |
| Shall tell two stories as you wend your way |
| 795 | To Canterbury town; and each of you |
| On coming home, shall tell another two, |
| About adventures that happened in the past. |
| And he who plays his part of all the best, |
| That is to say, who tells upon the road |
| 800 | Tales of best sense, in most amusing mode, |
| Shall have a supper at all others' cost |
| Here in this room and sitting by this post, |
| When we come back again from Canterbury. |
| And now, the more to make sure you'll be merry, |
| 805 | I will myself, and gladly, with you ride |
| At my own cost, and I will be your guide. |
| But whosoever will and tries to disobey |
| Shall pay for all that's bought along the way. |
| And if you grant, agree it will be so, |
| 810 | Tell me at once, or if not, tell me no, |
| And I will get ready early. No more." |
|
