Whan Alla saugh his wyf, faire he hire grette,
And weep that it was routhe for to see;
For at the firste look he on hire sette
He knew wel verraily that it was she.
And she, for sorwe, as doumb stant as a tree,
So was hir herte shet in hir distresse,
Whan she remembred his unkyndenesse.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Man of Law’s Tale. There are tears of joy and sorrow at the great re-union between King Alla and his wife Constance after their years apart. When Alla sees his wife he gently greets her and weeps. But Constance stands as dumb as a tree, stiff with emotion, as she remembers his unkindness at having her banished.