The Hesperides & Noble Numbers/Hesperides/Barley-break; or, Last in Hell

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Robert Herrick (1591-1674)2651790The Hesperides & Noble NumbersHesperides
Barley-break; or, Last in Hell
1898Alfred Pollard

101. BARLEY-BREAK; OR, LAST IN HELL.

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' base. See Note. Hell, the "middle den," the occupants of which had to catch the other players.