Twixt

There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip.

Then, tired of toiling, from the ships they bear / the sea-spoiled corn, and Ceres' tools prepare, / and 'twixt the millstones grind the rescued grain / and roast the pounded morsels for their fare.

" 'twixt whom a feud took fire. / He, reckless of a sister's love, and blind / with lust of gold, Sychaeus unaware / slew by the altar, and with impious mind / long hid the deed, and flattering hopes and fair / devised, to cheat the lover of her care."

At once, 'twixt joy and terror rent in twain, / amazed, AEneas and Achates stand, / and long to greet old friends and clasp a comrade's hand. / Yet wildering wonder at so strange a scene / still holds them mute, while anxious thoughts divide / their doubtful minds.

So wailed Creusa, and in wild despair / filled all the palace with her sobs and cries, / when lo! a portent, wondrous to declare. / For while, 'twixt sorrowing parents' hands and eyes, / stood young Iulus, wildered with surprise, / up from the summit of his fair, young head / a tuft was seen of flickering flame to rise. / Gently and harmless to the touch it spread / around his tender brows, and on his temples fed.

The two-fold race Anchises understands, / the double sires, and owns himself misled / by modern error 'twixt two ancient lands.

"These lands, 'tis said, one continent of yore / (such change can ages work) an earthquake tore / asunder; in with havoc rushed the main, / and far Sicilia from Hesperia bore, / and now, where leapt the parted land in twain, / the narrow tide pours through, 'twixt severed town and plain."

There's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip.

O! thou thrice happy Shire, confined so to bee / Twixt two so famous Floods, as Mersey is, and Dee.

I then took a strait That gave myself, and some few more, receipt 'Twixt Scylla and Charybdis.

From all the dangers he foresees or fears; Yet every hour 'twixt Scylla and Charybdis steers.

The host is rushing 'twixt night and day, Caoilte tossing his burning hair, And Niamh calling Away, come away.