And to the hors he goth hym faire and wel; He strepeth of the brydel right anon. And whan the hors was laus, he gynneth gon Toward the fen, ther wilde mares renne.

And to the hors he goth hym faire and wel;
He strepeth of the brydel right anon.
And whan the hors was laus, he gynneth gon
Toward the fen, ther wilde mares renne.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Reeve’s Tale. The devious Symkyn sets John and Alan’s horse loose, so that they will have to chase after it while he is grinding their corn. He hopes this will give him the opportunity to steal from them.

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes