This Chauntecleer, whan he gan hym espye,
He wolde han fled, but that the fox anon
Seyde, "Gentil sire, allas, wher wol ye gon?
Be ye affrayed of me that am youre freend?
Now, certes, I were worse than a feend,
If I to yow wolde harm or vileynye!
I am nat come youre conseil for t’ espye,
But trewely, the cause of my comynge
Was oonly for to herkne how that ye synge.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Nun’s Priest’s Tale. Pretending to be his friend, sneaky Russell the Fox lies and smooth talks the rooster. He tells him he is not there to do him harm or villany, but to hear him sing. The smart Fox employs a simile to overstate the quality of Chauntecleer’s voice in a bid to dupe the easily flattered rooster. As merry as has any angel in heaven, he describes his voice. He appeals to Chauntecleer’s ego and pride. The rooster’s vanity and gullibility ensures that he doesn’t flee, as he should, and instead falls into the Fox’s trap.
