And in a lettre wroot he al his sorwe, In manere of a compleynt or a lay, Unto his faire, fresshe lady May; And in a purs of sylk heng on his sherte He hath it put, and leyde it at his herte.

And in a lettre wroot he al his sorwe,
In manere of a compleynt or a lay,
Unto his faire, fresshe lady May;
And in a purs of sylk heng on his sherte
He hath it put, and leyde it at his herte.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Merchant’s Tale. Initiating his seduction plan, the lovelorn Damian writes a love letter setting out his desire for January’s wife May. He puts the yet undelivered letter in a silk purse which he hangs on his shirt next to his heart.

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes