beshrew

verb

1. (archaic, transitive)To invoke or wish evil upon; to curse.

   “Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit.”

   “I had expected to freeze her young – or, rather, middle-aged – blood and have her perm stand on end like quills upon the fretful porpentine, and she hadn't moved a muscle. “Beshrew me,” I said, “you take it pretty calmly.””

2. (transitive)An imperative uttered as a mildly imprecatory or merely expletive introductory exclamation.

   “Beshrew your heart, fair daughter!”

   “R[oderico] D[’Avolos]. Beſhrevv my heart, but that’s not ſo good. / Duke [Phillippo Caraffa, Duke of Pavy]. Ha, vvhat’s that thou miſlik’ſt D'auolos?”

   “"Now, beshrew his heart," quoth jolly Robin, "that would deny a butcher. And, moreover, I will go dine with you all, my sweet lads, and that as fast as I can hie." Whereupon, having sold all his meat, he closed his stall and went with them to the great Guild Hall.”