But of o thyng I warne thee ful right: Be wel avysed on that ilke nyght That we ben entred into shippes bord, That noon of us ne speke nat a word, Ne clepe, ne crie, but be in his preyere; For it is Goddes owene heeste deere.

But of o thyng I warne thee ful right:
Be wel avysed on that ilke nyght
That we ben entred into shippes bord,
That noon of us ne speke nat a word,
Ne clepe, ne crie, but be in his preyere;
For it is Goddes owene heeste deere.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Miller’s Tale. Nicholas, keeping up his elaborate deception, warns John and says it is God’s own command that when they are in their tubs on the night before the flood the are not to speak a word except to pray.

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes