I governed hem so wel, after my lawe,
That ech of hem ful blisful was and fawe
To brynge me gaye thynges fro the fayre.
They were ful glad whan I spak to hem faire,
For, God it woot, I chidde hem spitously.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Wife of Bath’s Prologue. In describing her manipulation of her first three old and rich husbands, the Wife of Bath says she controlled them according to her law, so that each was happy to purchase fine things for her at the fair. They were also glad when she spoke to them pleasantly, because she admits she cruelly scolded them. She is being very ironic saying that they were happy to follow her rules and be nagged mercilessly.