But trewely, by daye it may nat bee.
Men wolde seyn that we were theves stronge,
And for oure owene tresor doon us honge.
This tresor moste ycaried be by nyghte
As wisely and as slyly as it myghte.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Pardoner’s Tale. The three young scoundrels may be stupidly drunk much of the time, but they are not stupid – even in the midst of their greed. The most vocal cautions against carrying off the gold they have found by day, otherwise they could be caught as thieves and hanged. So the treasure must be moved by night, as wisely and slyly as they can.