Dandy pricks up his ears and wants to neigh, but Ray grips his nostrils like a vice, and Dandy desists.
"Marion's Faith."
Charles King
Thus he thinks and is convinced, when he desists after his vain efforts.
"Four Arthurian Romances "Erec et Enide", "Cliges", "Yvain", and "Lancelot""
Chretien DeTroyes
This evidence of brotherly love stands me off, an' for Tom's sake I desists an' throws Jerry loose.
"Wolfville Nights"
Alfred Lewis