Notandum,A rat had gnawn my spur-leathers; notwithstanding,I put on new, and did go forth: but firstI threw three beans over the threshold. Item,I went and bought two tooth-picks, whereof oneI burst immediately... and at St. Mark’s I urined.
I've had a rat similarly chewing on my conveyance-related items: the wires of our Mercedes-Benz. I think I'll throw three beans.
Quote from Ben Jonson’s 1606 play Volpone and an entry in Sir Politic's diary/journal - the first appearance of a journal in a work of English drama/fiction.