Dissension

Have always been at daggers-drawing,
And one another clapper-clawing.

Have always been at daggers-drawing,
And one another clapper-clawing.

That each pull'd different ways with many an oath,
"Arcades ambo," id est--blackguards both.

That each pull'd different ways with many an oath,
"Arcades ambo," id est--blackguards both.

And Doubt and Discord step 'twixt thine and thee.

And Doubt and Discord step 'twixt thine and thee.

Dissensions, like small streams, are first begun,
Scarce seen they rise, but gather as they run:
So read more

Dissensions, like small streams, are first begun,
Scarce seen they rise, but gather as they run:
So lines that from their parallel decline,
More they proceed the more they still disjoin.

And bitter waxed the fray;
Brother with brother spake no word
When they met in the way.

And bitter waxed the fray;
Brother with brother spake no word
When they met in the way.

And old affront will stir the heart
Through years of rankling pain.

And old affront will stir the heart
Through years of rankling pain.

Alas! how light a cause may move
Dissension between hearts that love!
Hearts that the world in read more

Alas! how light a cause may move
Dissension between hearts that love!
Hearts that the world in vain had tried,
And sorrow but more closely tied;
That stood the storm when waves were rough,
Yet in a sunny hour fall off.

Believe me, lords, my tender years can tell
Civil dissension is a viperous worm
That gnaws the read more

Believe me, lords, my tender years can tell
Civil dissension is a viperous worm
That gnaws the bowels of the commonwealth.

If they perceive dissension in our looks
And that within ourselves we disagree,
How will their grudging read more

If they perceive dissension in our looks
And that within ourselves we disagree,
How will their grudging stomachs be provoked
To willfull disobedience, and rebel!

Discord, a sleepless hag who never dies,
With Snipe-like nose, and Ferret-glowing eyes,
Lean sallow cheeks, long read more

Discord, a sleepless hag who never dies,
With Snipe-like nose, and Ferret-glowing eyes,
Lean sallow cheeks, long chin with beard supplied,
Poor crackling joints, and wither'd parchment hide,
As if old Drums, worn out with martial din,
Had clubb'd their yellow Heads to form her Skin.