But, for men speke of syngyng, I wol seye –
So moote I brouke wel myne eyen tweye –
Save yow, I herde nevere man so synge
As dide youre fader in the morwenynge.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Nun’s Priest’s Tale. Posing as his friend but preparing him for the kill, the deceitful Russell the Fox brings Chauntecleer’s family into the conversation. He tells him that except for Chauntecleer he never heard a man to sing so well in the morning as did his father.