Have from the forests shook three summers' pride, Three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turn'd In process of the seasons have I seen. Three April perfumes in three hot Junes burn'd, Since first I saw you fresh, which yet are green. Ah! yet doth beauty, like a dial-hand, Steal from his figure and no pace perceiv'd; So your sweet hue, which methinks still doth stand, Hath motion, and mine eye may be deceiv'd: For fear of which, hear this, thou age unbred; Ere you were born was beauty's summer dead. 106 WHEN in the chronicle of wasted time Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise. 116 LET me not to the marriage of true minds That looks on tempests and is never shaken; Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come; Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. ROBERT HERRICK HESPERIDES [Publ. 1648] THE ARGUMENT OF HIS BOOK I SING of brooks, of blossoms, birds and bowers, Of April, May, of June and July-flowers; I sing of May-poles, hock-carts, wassails, wakes, Of bridegrooms, brides, and of their bridal cakes; I write of youth, of love, and have access Thy frown last night did bid me go, Or else desir'st that maids should tell Me, than to make me languish still! THE WOUNDED CUPID CUPID, as he lay among Roses, by a bee was stung; Whereupon, in anger flying To his mother, said thus, crying: Help! oh help! your boy's a-dying. And why, my pretty lad, said she? Then, blubbering, replied he: A winged snake has bitten me, Which country people call a bee. At which she smiled; then, with her hairs And kisses drying up his tears: Alas! said she, my wag, if this Such a pernicious torment is, Come tell me then, how great's the smart Of those thou woundest with thy dart ! TO DIANEME SWEET, be not proud of those two eyes 10 II Above an hour since: yet you not dress'd; Nay! not so much as out of bed? When all the birds have matins said to And sung their thankful hymns, 't is sin, Nay, profanation to keep in, Whereas a thousand virgins on this day Spring, sooner than the lark, to fetch in May. Rise and put on your foliage, and be seen To come forth, like the spring-time, fresh and green, And sweet as Flora. Take no care For jewels for your gown or hair: Fear not; the leaves will strew Gems in abundance upon you: Besides, the childhood of the day has kept, Against you come, some orient pearls unwept; 20 Come and receive them while the light Hangs on the dew-locks of the night : And Titan on the eastern hill Retires himself, or else stands still Till you come forth. Wash, dress, be brief in praying: Few beads are best when once we go a-Maying. Come, my Corinna, come; and, coming, mark How each field turns a street, each street a park 30 Made green and trimm'd with trees: see how Devotion gives each house a bough Or branch: each porch, each door ere this An ark, a tabernacle is, Made up of white-thorn neatly interwove; As if here were those cooler shades of love. Can such delights be in the street 60 Come, let us go while we are in our prime; Come, my Corinna, come, let's go a-Maying. And thus surprised, as filchers use, And told her, as some tears did fall, TO CHERRY-BLOSSOMS YE may simper, blush and smile, TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may, Old time is still a-flying: 30 And this same flower that smiles to-day To-morrow will be dying. The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, That age is best which is the first, When youth and blood are warmer; But being spent, the worse, and worst Times still succeed the former. Then be not coy, but use your time, And while ye may go marry: For having lost but once your prime You may for ever tarry. Like unthrifts, having spent OBERON'S FEAST Shapcot! to thee the fairy state Take first the feast; these dishes gone, A LITTLE mushroom table spread, The elves present, to quench his thirst, Quite through the table, where he spies 20 10 20 Of emmets' eggs; what would he more? 30 With the red-capp'd worm that's shut Brown as his tooth. A little moth TO DAISIES, NOT TO SHUT SO SOON SHUT not so soon; the dull-ey'd night Has not as yet begun ΤΟ 20 ΤΟ |