nor this nor that

Surely not Prussia, not Swabia, nor this nor that, but all side by side comprise the German brotherhood of race and language.

Both are fouled with foulest blight, One urban being, Formian t'other wight, 5And deeply printed with indelible stain: Morbose is either, and the twin-like twain Share single Couchlet; peers in shallow lore, Nor this nor that for lechery hungers more, As rival wenchers who the maidens claim 10Right well are paired these Cinaedes sans shame.

O differing Pair, yet sweetly thus agreeing, What music from your happy discord rises, While your companion hearing each, and seeing, Nor this nor that, but both together, prizes; This lesson teaching, which our souls may strike, That harmonies may be in things unlike!

The sundry postures of thy copious Muse Who would express, a thousand tongues must use; Whose fate's no less peculiar than thy art; For as thou couldst all characters impart, So none could render thine, which still escapes, Like Proteus, in variety of shapes; 30 Who was nor this nor that; but all we find, And all we can imagine, in mankind.

Nor this, nor that, nor any such small cause— But only for this worthy knight durst prove To lose his crown, rather than fail his love.