But, sire, I dide it in no wikke entente.
Com doun, and I shal telle yow what I mente.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Nun’s Priest’s Tale. Russell the Fox again tries flattery on Chauntecleer, who has escaped the jaws of death by flying up a tree. He tries to persuade him that he had no wicked intent and if the rooster comes down from the tree he will explain.