不久

Ere \Ere\ ([=a]r or [^a]r; 277), prep. & adv. [AS. [=ae]r,
prep., adv., & conj.; akin to OS., OFries., & OHG. [=e]r, G.
eher, D. eer, Icel. [=a]r, Goth. air. [root]204. Cf. {Early},
{Erst}, {Or}, adv.]
1. Before; sooner than. [Archaic or Poetic]

Myself was stirring ere the break of day. --Shak.

Ere sails were spread new oceans to explore.
--Dryden.

Sir, come down ere my child die. --John iv. 49.

2. Rather than.

I will be thrown into Etna, . . . ere I will leave
her. --Shak.

{Ere long}, before, shortly. --Shak.

{Ere now}, formerly, heretofore. --Shak.

{Ere that}, & {Or are}. Same as {Ere}. --Shak.