But yet, Manciple, in feith thou art to nyce,
Thus openly repreve hym of his vice.
Another day he wole, peraventure,
Reclayme thee and brynge thee to lure;
I meene, he speke wole of smale thynges,
As for to pynchen at thy rekenynges,
That were nat honest, if it cam to preef.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Manciple’s Prologue. The Host cautions the Manciple that he is foolish to openly reprimand the Cook for his excessive drinking. The Cook could repay his insults by finding fault in the Manciple’s financial accounts, he warns. The Host is raising suspicions about the Manciple’s dishonest dealings here.