"[They are like] the mistletoe and the dodder." closeness, but also a suggestion of parasitism?

"Those in the leather caps" court wear?

"When there is going to be a fall of snow,
There is first the descent of sleet." what's this doing?

"Death and ruin may come any day,
It is not long that you will see one another." is this specific to anything, or just about the inevitable brevity of life?