It
lies not in our power to love, or hate,
For
will in us is over-ruled by fate.
When
two are stript, long ere the course begin,
We
wish that one should lose, the other win.
And
one especially do we affect,
Of
two gold ingots, like in each respect,
The
reason no man knows, let it suffice,
What
we behold is censur’d by our eyes.
Where
both deliberate, the love is slight,
Who
ever lov’d, that lov’d not at first sight?
(From
Hero and Leander)
Vocabulary:
1) stript: undressed completely
She stripped to (=took off all her clothes except) her bathing suit.
They stripped off and jumped into the pool.
The customs men stripped him and searched him.
2) ere: (poet or old use) before
I shall be gone ere morning.
I shall be gone ere you return.
3) ingots: a lump of metal in a regular shape, often brick-shaped
4) suffice: to be enough; provided what is needed
Her income suffices for her needs.
Some bread and soup will suffice me.
I could mention other examples of your bad work, but suffice it to say that your performance has been unsatisfactory.
5) behold: (lit. or old use) to see, look at
They beheld the great city of Babylon.
