O flessh they been, and o fleesh, as I gesse,
Hath but oon herte, in wele and in distresse.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Merchant’s Tale. The Merchant speaking about the benefits for January of taking on a wife paints a picture of unity – one flesh, one heart, in prosperity and in distress. The reference to "distresse" is foreshadowing of the suffering that January will suffer by his decision to marry.