And therfore wol I maken yow disport,
As I seyde erst, and doon yow som confort.
And if yow liketh alle by oon assent
For to stonden at my juggement,
And for to werken as I shal yow seye,
Tomorwe, whan ye riden by the weye,
Now, by my fader soule that is deed,
But ye be myrie, I wol yeve yow myn heed!
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, General Prologue. Host Harry Bailly announces to the pilgrims that he is going to make a game for them to provide them some pleasure. He would like them to accept his judgment and he promises by his father’s soul that if they are not merry he will give them his head.