"If you would take me, whistle up your dogs and make an end. Some of them will taste steel ere I die.”

-The Grey God Passes

Along with quoth, ere is one of Howard's most used archaic terms. There is something about ere that goes better as a grinding threat, a snarled challenge or a grumbled note of defiance than having a man in extremis, sword in hand, use the word "before." Ere is a case of an archaic word that fit Howard's direct action style better than the more considered equivalent that the reader would find rolling of his tongue. Perhaps this has occurred over time, as English-speakers have devolved into less action-oriented creatures. From my interviewing of violence survivors and my experience with violent criminals and prize fighters, I can confidently say that the remaining people of our time capable of dynamic, physical defiance, finding themselves under threat like Conn, would not use "before" but rather omit it or use "'fore."

ere.

[er]

PREPOSITION

1. literary

archaic

before (in time):

"we hope you will return ere long" ·