Conjured against the Highest?
Milton, Paradise Lost, ii. 689.
Contemptible. ‘Adjectives in “able” and “ible,” both positive and negative ones, are frequently used by old writers in an active sense’ (S. Walker, Criticisms on Shakespeare, vol. i. p. 183: whom see). ‘Contemptible’ where we should now use ‘contemptuous’ is one of these; ‘intenible’ (All’s Well that Ends Well, act i. sc. 3) another; ‘discernible’ a third.
Darius wrote to Alexander in a proud and contemptible manner.—Lord Sterling, Darius, 1603 (in the argument prefixed to the Play).
If she should make tender of her love, ’tis very possible he’ll scorn it, for the man, as you know all, hath a contemptible spirit.—Shakespeare, Much Ado about Nothing, act ii. sc. 3.
I do not mock, nor lives there such a villain,
That can do anything contemptible
To you; but I do kneel, because it is
An action very fit and reverent
In presence of so pure a creäture.