doublenesse

Middle English

Noun

doublenesse

1. deception; double-dealing
   • 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “(please specify the story)”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC, lines 746-750:

     Al to symple is my tonge to pronounce,
     As ministre of my wit, the doublenesse
     Of this chanoun, roote of alle cursednesse!
     He semed freendly to hem that knewe hym noght,
     But he was feendly bothe in werk and thoght.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)