Right in hir haukes ledene thus she seyde:
"That pitee renneth soone in gentil herte,
Feelynge his similitude in peynes smerte,
Is preved alday, as men may it see,
As wel by werk as by auctoritee;
For gentil herte kitheth gentillesse.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Squire’s Tale. With the aid of the magic ring Canace is able to understand the injured falcon when she speaks. She tells the compassionate Canace that pity runs soon in a gentle heart and a gentle heart makes known its noble character.