English poem
Next AVARICE came: but how he look'd, to say
by William Langland (1332–1386)
"Next AVARICE came: but how he look'd, to say, Words do I want that rightly shall portray: Like leathern purse his shrivell'd cheeks did shew, Thick lipp'd, with two blear eyes and beetle brow: In a torn threadbare tabard was he clad, Which twelve whole winters now in wear he had; French scarlet 'twas, its colour well it kept, So smooth that louse upon its surface crept."