witherward

1. adjective

a) Adverse, contrary.

[...] then appeared to me along the way by which I formerly came amid the darkness, as it were the brightness of a shining star, and the light was waxing more and more, and quickly hastening to me, and as soon as it came nigh me, then were scattered and away fled all the witherward ghosts, which formerly threatened me with their tongs, [...]

b) Opposite, opposing; hostile.

2. adverb

Contrary to, against.

3. noun

Opposite; adversity, opposition; hostility

Nor, although be sung the "mighty stream of tendency" of this wondrous age, did he ever launch his poetic craft upon it, nor seem to see the witherward of its swift and awful stress.