But specially I pray thee, hooste deere,
Get us som mete and drynke, and make us cheere,
And we wil payen trewely atte fulle.
With empty hand men may na haukes tulle;
Loo, heere oure silver, redy for to spende.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Reeve’s Tale. Showing him their silver, John tells Symkyn that he and Alan will pay him fully for good food and drink and lodgings. He quotes an old saying: with empty hand men may lure no hawks.