If that this boon be wasshe in any welle, If cow, or calf, or sheep, or oxe swelle That any worm hath ete, or worm ystonge, Taak water of that welle and wassh his tonge, Of pokkes and of scabbe, and every soore Shal every sheep be hool that of this welle Drynketh a draughte.

If that this boon be wasshe in any welle,
If cow, or calf, or sheep, or oxe swelle
That any worm hath ete, or worm ystonge,
Taak water of that welle and wassh his tonge,
Of pokkes and of scabbe, and every soore
Shal every sheep be hool that of this welle
Drynketh a draughte.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Pardoner’s Prologue. As part of his con, the Pardoner admits selling people on the miraculous healing powers of a shoulder bone from a holy Jew’s sheep. He spins them a tale that if it is washed in any well, the water from that well will cure any animal sick from parasites, pox, scabs and sores. No doubt the fast-talking, licensed seller of papal pardons won plenty of unsuspecting customers for his "magic" bones.

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes