Madame, reweth upon my peynes smerte;
For with a word ye may me sleen or save.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Franklin’s Tale. The lusty young squire Aurelius summons courage to approach Dorigen and declare his love for her. Asking her to have pity on his pain, he tells her that with one word she may slay him or save him. The poor boy has it bad.