straiten

Chicane in furs, and Casuistry in lawn, Gasps, as they straiten at each end the cord, And dies, when Dulness gives her page the word.

From The Poetical Works of Alexander Pope, Volume 2 by George Gilfillan

They said, "O Sir, it is long betwixt meals, and we are in a starving condition; all is good, sweet and wholesome that you deliver; but why do you so straiten us?"

From Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies) A Brief Historical Account of the Lives, Characters, and Memorable Transactions of the Most Eminent Scots Worthies by John Howie

His most celebrated saying was, " Be constant in meditation on death: if thou bein straitened case 'twill enlarge it, and if in affluence 'twill straiten it upon thee."

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 02 by Sir Richard Francis Burton

Las Torres therefore determined to seize these places, which were distant about fifteen miles from his camp, and so to straiten the town for provisions.

From The Bravest of the Brave — or, with Peterborough in Spain by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty

For indeed, Fate full of marvel is: If      fortune straiten thee one day, the next relief is nigh.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume I by John Payne