THE SCENE: In an introductions to one of her works, the famous medieval writer Marie de France takes the opportunity to spare a few words for her critics.
THE TEXT: Hear, my lords, the words of Marie, who, when she has the opportunity, does not squander her talents. Those who gain a good reputation should be commended, but when there exists in a country a man or woman of great renown, people who are envious of their abilities frequently speak insultingly of them in order to damage this reputation. Thus they start acting like a vicious, cowardly, treacherous dog which will bite others out of malice. But just because spiteful tittle-tattlers attempt to find fault with me, I do not intend to give up. They have a right to make slanderous remarks.
– Guigemar, Marie de France, 12th Century AD
