Take but degree away, untune that string, 113 And hark what discord follows.
But when the planets 98
In evil mixture to disorder wander, 99
What plagues and what portents, what mutiny, 100
What raging of the sea, shaking of Earth, 101
Commotion in the winds, frights, changes, horrors 102
Divert and crack, rend and deracinate 103
The unity and married calm of states 104
Quite from their fixture! O, when degree is shaked, 105
Which is the ladder of all high designs, 106
The enterprise is sick. How could communities, 107
Degrees in schools and brotherhoods in cities, 108
Peaceful commerce from dividable shores, 109
The primogeneity and due of birth, 110
Prerogative of age, crowns, scepters, laurels, 111
But by degree stand in authentic place? 112
Take but degree away, untune that string, 113
And hark what discord follows.
