It would rather burst atwo than plye.
Chaucer.
The willow plied, and gave way to the gust.
L'Estrange.
2. To act, go, or work diligently and steadily; especially, to do
something by repeated actions; to go back and forth; as, a steamer
plies between certain ports.
Ere half these authors be read (which will soon be with plying hard
and daily).
Milton.
He was forced to ply in the streets as a porter.
Addison.
The heavy hammers and mallets plied.
Longfellow.