BARLEY-BREAK ; OR, LAST IN HELL.
by Robert Herrick


WE two are last in hell ; what may we fear
To be tormented or kept pris'ners here?
Alas! if kissing be of plagues the worst,
We'll wish in hell we had been last and first.


Barley-break, a country game resembling
prisoners' bass.
Hell, the "middle den," the occupants of which
had to catch the other players.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 38.
Backto Works of Robert Herrick

Created by Anniina Jokinen on October 19, 1998.
Copyright ©1998 Anniina Jokinen. All Rights Reserved.
Violators will be prosecuted.