Chapter XII · Love in the Toils

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

any thing at all

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

moderate or restrain; lessen the force of

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

propose a payment

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

talk whiningly

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

Australian physician and bacteriologist who described the bacterium that causes undulant fever or brucellosis (1855-1931)

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

a stick that people can lean on to help them walk

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

a commissioned naval officer who ranks above a captain and below a rear admiral; the lowest grade of admiral

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

a member of a people living in southern Benin and Togo and southeastern Ghana

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

comparative of “firm” — marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

having frets

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

plural of “gust” — a strong current of air

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

an old form of “has”

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “Oh, it is you, uncle!

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Oh, it is you, uncle!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

young sheep

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

most important element

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

engage in

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading You quite startled me.

used to form the superlative

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

not any; not one

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading “Oh, it is you, uncle!

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading You quite startled me.

try to get or reach

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)

From this reading SHAKESPEARE.

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

be standing; be upright

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading You quite startled me.

not in physical motion

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

of the highest quality

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading “Oh, it is you, uncle!

a formal word for “on”

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

the act of using

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

at the time that

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

which person or people

From this reading The speaker was Commodore Bruce, who stood in the doorway, with one hand leaning on his ivory-headed cane and the other against the frame of the door.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

in the company of; together with

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well go bid the mountain pines Still their high tops and make no further noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to alter that (than which, what’s firmer?)— His stubborn heart.