"Now, my sons, doth this ordinance please you? For if so be it
doth not, then may ye all abide at home, and eat of my meat,
and drink of my cup, but little chided either for sloth or misdoing,
even as it hath been aforetime."

The young men looked at one another, and Blaise answered and said:
"Sir, as for me I say we will do after your commandment,
to take what road luck may show us, or to turn back home again."
They all yeasaid this one after the other; and then King Peter said:
"Now before I draw the cuts, I shall tell you that I have appointed
the squires to go with each one of you. Richard the Red shall
go with Blaise; for though he be somewhat stricken in years,
and wise, yet is he a fierce carle and a doughty, and knoweth
well all feats of arms.

"Lancelot Longtongue shall be squire to Hugh; for he is good
of seeming and can compass all courtesy, and knoweth logic
(though it be of the law and not of the schools), yet is he a
proper man of his hands; as needs must he be who followeth Hugh;
for where is Hugh, there is trouble and debate.

"Clement the Black shall serve Gregory: for he is a careful carle,
and speaketh one word to every ten deeds that he doeth;
whether they be done with point and edge, or with the hammer
in the smithy.

"Lastly, I have none left to follow thee, Ralph, save Nicholas Longshanks;
but though he hath more words than I have, yet hath he more wisdom,
and is a man lettered and far-travelled, and loveth our house right well.