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THE ANTIPATHY by JOHN HALL (1627-1656)

First Line: SOONER THE OLIVE SHALL PROVOKE
Last Line: LET LOOSE AGAIN DO STAND MORE WIDE.

TETRICEZZA

SOONER the olive shall provoke
To amorous clasps this sturdy oak,
And doves in league with eagles be,
Ere I will glance a smile on thee.

AMELIUS

Sooner yon dustish mulberry
In her old white shall clothed be,
And lizards with fierce asps combine,
Ere I will twist my soul with thine.

TETRICEZZA

Yet art thou in my judgement far
Fairer than a rising star,
And might deserve e'en Dian's love,
But shalt not Tetricezza move.

AMELIUS

And thou art sweeter than the down
Of damask roses yet unblown,
And Phoebus might thy bridegroom be,
Yet shalt thou never conquer me.

TETRICEZZA

Why meet we, then, when either's mind
Or comes compell'd, or stays behind?

AMELIUS

Just as two boughs together tied,
Let loose again do stand more wide.



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