For I defye the seurete and the bond
Which that thou seist that I have maad to thee.
What! Verray fool, thynk wel that love is free,
And I wol love hire maugree al thy myght!
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Knight’s Tale. Arcite repudiates the pledge of brotherhood between himself and Palamon, all for the love of the lady. Love is free, he tells Palamon, so he is free to love Emily despite his rival’s might.