Dispeire yow noght, but have in youre memorie,
Paraunter she may be youre purgatorie!
She may be Goddes meene and Goddes whippe;
Thanne shal youre soule up to hevene skippe
Swifter than dooth an arwe out of a bowe.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Merchant’s Tale. Justinus to brother January after the old knight expresses fears that marriage will be such a heaven on earth it will supersede the rewards of the afterlife. Justinus, who is against January marrying a woman so much younger than himself, warns him that she may turn out to be his purgatory on earth!