Ther as a wedded man in his estaat
Lyveth a lyf blisful and ordinaat
Under this yok of mariage ybounde.
Wel may his herte in joy and blisse habounde.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Merchant’s Tale. A married man lives a blissful and orderly life bound under this yoke of marriage, says the Merchant. This is an allusion to the controlling nature of January and is foreshadowing of how will keep a tight rein on May when he marries her.