On every point where cavillers like this

Oppugn my life: he tries one kind of fence,

I close, he's worsted, that's enough for him.

He's on the ground: if ground should break away

I take my stand on, there's a firmer yet

Beneath it, both of us may sink and reach.

His ground was over mine and broke the first:

So, let him sit with me this many a year!"

He did not sit five minutes. Just a week

Sufficed his sudden healthy vehemence.