I wol noon oold wyf han right for this cause.
For if so were I hadde swich myschaunce
That I in hire ne koude han no plesaunce,
Thanne sholde I lede my lyf in avoutrye
And go streight to the devel whan I dye.
Ne children sholde I none upon hire geten;
Yet were me levere houndes had me eten
Than that myn heritage sholde falle
In straunge hand, and this I telle yow alle.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Merchant’s Tale. January sets out his criteria for a wife: she must be able to give him sexual pleasure and provide him with an heir. An old wife is out, because he would end up leading a life of adultery and go straight to the devil in hell. Also she could give him no children and he would rather that hounds ate him than his wealth and heritage should fall into a stranger’s hand.