Geoffrey Chaucer

“ Than that ye shoulde fall in such mischief."
"For your good will, Sir, have ye right good prefe,"
Quoth the canon; "and farewell, grand mercy."
He went his way, and never the priest him sey
After that day; and when that this priest should
Maken assay, at such time as he would,
Of this receipt, farewell! it would not be.
Lo, thus bejaped and beguil'd was he;
Thus made he his introduction
To bringe folk to their destruction.
Consider, Sirs, how that in each estate
Betwixte men and gold there is debate,
So farforth that unnethes is there none. ”

“ Let no man busy him this art to seech,
But if that he th'intention and speech
Of philosophers understande can;
And if he do, he is a lewed man.
For this science and this conning," quoth he,
"Is of the secret of secrets pardie." ”

“ He is too wise, in faith, as I believe.
Thing that is overdone, it will not preve
Aright, as clerkes say; it is a vice;
Wherefore in that I hold him lewd and nice."
For when a man hath over great a wit,
Full oft him happens to misusen it;
So doth my lord, and that me grieveth sore.
God it amend; I can say now no more."
"Thereof no force, good Yeoman, "quoth our Host;
"Since of the conning of thy lord, thou know'st,
Tell how he doth, I pray thee heartily,
Since that be is so crafty and so sly. ”