diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old')
426 files changed, 54664 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/old/22421-8.txt b/old/22421-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9fa13ef --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,27332 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hesperides & Noble Numbers: Vol. 1 and 2, +by Robert Herrick + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Hesperides & Noble Numbers: Vol. 1 and 2 + +Author: Robert Herrick + +Release Date: August 28, 2007 [EBook #22421] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HESPERIDES *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + ROBERT HERRICK + + THE HESPERIDES & NOBLE + NUMBERS: EDITED BY + ALFRED POLLARD + WITH A PREFACE BY + A. C. SWINBURNE + + VOL. I. + + _REVISED EDITION_ + + [Illustration] + + LONDON: NEW YORK: + LAWRENCE & BULLEN, LTD., CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, + 16 HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. 153-157 FIFTH AVENUE + 1898. 1898. + + + + + Transcriber's Note + + Original spelling and punctuation has been retained. + + Asterisks and daggers have been used to highlight sections. In this + version of the text, daggers have been rendered as +. + + Greek words have been transliterated and shown between {braces}. + + The oe ligature is shown by [oe], whilst ^ indicates 'superscript'. + + Obvious typesetting errors have been corrected without note, however + additional corrections have been recorded in the Transcriber's + Endnotes at the end of each volume. + + + + +EDITOR'S NOTE. + + +In this edition of Herrick quotation is for the first time facilitated +by the poems being numbered according to their order in the original +edition. This numbering has rendered it possible to print those +Epigrams, which successive editors have joined in deploring, in a +detachable Appendix, their place in the original being indicated by the +numeration. It remains to be added that the footnotes in this edition +are intended to explain, as unobtrusively as possible, difficulties of +phrase or allusion which might conceivably hinder the understanding of +Herrick's meaning. In the longer Notes at the end of each volume earlier +versions of some important poems are printed from manuscripts at the +British Museum, and an endeavour has been made to extend the list of +Herrick's debts to classical sources, and to identify some of his +friends who have hitherto escaped research. An editor is always apt to +mention his predecessors rather for blame than praise, and I therefore +take this opportunity of acknowledging my general indebtedness to the +pioneer work of Mr. Hazlitt and Dr. Grosart, upon whose foundations all +editors of Herrick must necessarily build. + + ALFRED W. POLLARD. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +It is singular that the first great age of English lyric poetry should +have been also the one great age of English dramatic poetry: but it is +hardly less singular that the lyric school should have advanced as +steadily as the dramatic school declined from the promise of its dawn. +Born with Marlowe, it rose at once with Shakespeare to heights +inaccessible before and since and for ever, to sink through bright +gradations of glorious decline to its final and beautiful sunset in +Shirley: but the lyrical record that begins with the author of "Euphues" +and "Endymion" grows fuller if not brighter through a whole chain of +constellations till it culminates in the crowning star of Herrick. +Shakespeare's last song, the exquisite and magnificent overture to "The +Two Noble Kinsmen," is hardly so limpid in its flow, so liquid in its +melody, as the two great songs in "Valentinian": but Herrick, our last +poet of that incomparable age or generation, has matched them again and +again. As a creative and inventive singer, he surpasses all his rivals +in quantity of good work; in quality of spontaneous instinct and +melodious inspiration he reminds us, by frequent and flawless evidence, +who above all others must beyond all doubt have been his first master +and his first model in lyric poetry--the author of "The Passionate +Shepherd to his Love". + +The last of his line, he is and will probably be always the first in +rank and station of English song-writers. We have only to remember how +rare it is to find a perfect song, good to read and good to sing, +combining the merits of Coleridge and Shelley with the capabilities of +Tommy Moore and Haynes Bayly, to appreciate the unique and +unapproachable excellence of Herrick. The lyrist who wished to be a +butterfly, the lyrist who fled or flew to a lone vale at the hour +(whatever hour it may be) "when stars are weeping," have left behind +them such stuff as may be sung, but certainly cannot be read and endured +by any one with an ear for verse. The author of the Ode on France and +the author of the Ode to the West Wind have left us hardly more than a +song a-piece which has been found fit for setting to music: and, lovely +as they are, the fame of their authors does not mainly depend on the +song of Glycine or the song of which Leigh Hunt so justly and so +critically said that Beaumont and Fletcher never wrote anything of the +kind more lovely. Herrick, of course, lives simply by virtue of his +songs; his more ambitious or pretentious lyrics are merely magnified and +prolonged and elaborated songs. Elegy or litany, epicede or +epithalamium, his work is always a song-writer's; nothing more, but +nothing less, than the work of the greatest song-writer--as surely as +Shakespeare is the greatest dramatist--ever born of English race. The +apparent or external variety of his versification is, I should suppose, +incomparable; but by some happy tact or instinct he was too naturally +unambitious to attempt, like Jonson, a flight in the wake of Pindar. He +knew what he could not do: a rare and invaluable gift. Born a blackbird +or a thrush, he did not take himself (or try) to be a nightingale. + +It has often been objected that he did mistake himself for a sacred +poet: and it cannot be denied that his sacred verse at its worst is as +offensive as his secular verse at its worst; nor can it be denied that +no severer sentence of condemnation can be passed upon any poet's work. +But neither Herbert nor Crashaw could have bettered such a divinely +beautiful triplet as this:-- + + "We see Him come, and know Him ours, + Who with His sunshine and His showers + Turns all the patient ground to flowers". + +That is worthy of Miss Rossetti herself: and praise of such work can go +no higher. + +But even such exquisite touches or tones of colour may be too often +repeated in fainter shades or more glaring notes of assiduous and facile +reiteration. The sturdy student who tackles his Herrick as a schoolboy +is expected to tackle his Horace, in a spirit of pertinacious and stolid +straightforwardness, will probably find himself before long so nauseated +by the incessant inhalation of spices and flowers, condiments and +kisses, that if a musk-rat had run over the page it could hardly be less +endurable to the physical than it is to the spiritual stomach. The +fantastic and the brutal blemishes which deform and deface the +loveliness of his incomparable genius are hardly so damaging to his fame +as his general monotony of matter and of manner. It was doubtless in +order to relieve this saccharine and "mellisonant" monotony that he +thought fit to intersperse these interminable droppings of natural or +artificial perfume with others of the rankest and most intolerable +odour: but a diet of alternate sweetmeats and emetics is for the average +of eaters and drinkers no less unpalatable than unwholesome. It is +useless and thankless to enlarge on such faults or such defects, as it +would be useless and senseless to ignore. But how to enlarge, to +expatiate, to insist on the charm of Herrick at his best--a charm so +incomparable and so inimitable that even English poetry can boast of +nothing quite like it or worthy to be named after it--the most +appreciative reader will be the slowest to affirm or imagine that he can +conjecture. This, however, he will hardly fail to remark: that Herrick, +like most if not all other lyric poets, is not best known by his best +work. If we may judge by frequency of quotation or of reference, the +ballad of the ride from Ghent to Aix is a far more popular, more +generally admired and accredited specimen of Mr. Browning's work than +"The Last Ride Together"--and "The Lost Leader" than "The Lost +Mistress". Yet the superiority of the less-popular poem is in either +case beyond all question or comparison: in depth and in glow of spirit +and of harmony, in truth and charm of thought and word, undeniable and +indescribable. No two men of genius were ever more unlike than the +authors of "Paracelsus" and "Hesperides": and yet it is as true of +Herrick as of Browning that his best is not always his best-known work. +Everyone knows the song, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may"; few, I +fear, by comparison, know the yet sweeter and better song, "Ye have been +fresh and green". The general monotony of style and motive which +fatigues and irritates his too-persevering reader is here and there +relieved by a change of key which anticipates the note of a later and +very different lyric school. The brilliant simplicity and pointed grace +of the three stanzas to [OE]none ("What conscience, say, is it in thee") +recall the lyrists of the Restoration in their cleanlier and happier +mood. And in the very fine epigram headed by the words "Devotion makes +the Deity" he has expressed for once a really high and deep thought in +words of really noble and severe propriety. His "Mad Maid's Song," +again, can only be compared with Blake's; which has more of passionate +imagination, if less of pathetic sincerity. + + A. C. SWINBURNE. + + + + +LIFE OF HERRICK. + + +Of the lives of many poets we know too much; of some few too little. +Lovers of Herrick are almost ideally fortunate. Just such a bare outline +of his life has come down to us as is sufficient to explain the +allusions in his poems, and, on the other hand, there is no temptation +to substitute chatter about his relations with Julia and Dianeme for +enjoyment of his delightful verse. The recital of the bare outline need +detain us but a few minutes: only the least imaginative of readers will +have any difficulty in filling it in from the poems themselves. + +From early in the fourteenth century onwards we hear of the family of +Eyrick or Herrick at Stretton, in Leicestershire. At the beginning of +the sixteenth century we find a branch of it settled in Leicester +itself, where John Eyrick, the poet's grandfather, was admitted a +freeman in 1535, and afterwards acted as Mayor. This John's second son, +Nicholas, migrated to London, became a goldsmith in Wood Street, +Cheapside, and, according to a licence issued by the Bishop of London, +December 8, 1582, married Julian, daughter of William Stone, sister of +Anne, wife of Sir Stephen Soame, Lord Mayor of London in 1598. The +marriage was not unfruitful. A William[A] Herrick was baptized at St. +Vedast's, Foster Lane, November 24, 1585; Martha, January 22, 1586; +Mercy, December 22, 1586; Thomas, May 7, 1588; Nicholas, April 22, 1589; +Anne, July 26, 1590; and Robert himself, August 24, 1591. + +[A] A second William is said to have been born, posthumously, in "Harry +Campion's house at Hampton," in 1593. + +Fifteen months after the poet's birth, on November 7, 1592, Nicholas +Herrick made his will, estimating his property as worth £3000, and +devising it, as to one-third to his wife, and as to the other two-thirds +to his children in equal shares. In the will he described himself as "of +perfect memorye in sowle, but sicke in bodye". Two days after its +execution he was buried, having died, not from disease, but from a fall +from an upper window. His death had so much the appearance of +self-destruction that £220 had to be paid to the High Almoner, Dr. +Fletcher, Bishop of Bristol, in satisfaction of his official claim to +the goods and chattels of suicides. Herrick's biographers have not +failed to vituperate the Bishop for his avarice, but dues allowed by law +are hardly to be abandoned because a baby of fifteen months is destined +to become a brilliant poet, and no other exceptional circumstances are +alleged. The estate of Nicholas Herrick could the better afford the fine +inasmuch as it realized £2000 more than was expected. + +By the will Robert and William Herrick were appointed "overseers," or +trustees for the children. The former was the poet's godfather, and in +his will of 1617 left him £5. To William Herrick, then recently knighted +for his services as goldsmith, jeweller, and moneylender to James I., +the young Robert was apprenticed for ten years, September 25, 1607. An +allusion to "beloved Westminster," in his _Tears to Thamesis_, has been +taken to refer to Westminster school, and alleged as proof that he was +educated there. Dr. Grosart even presses the mention of Richmond, +Kingston, and Hampton Court to support a conjecture that Herrick may +have travelled up and down to school from Hampton. If so, one wonders +what his headmaster had to say to the "soft-smooth virgins, for our +chaste disport" by whom he was accompanied. But the references in the +poem are surely to his courtier-life in London, and after his father's +death the apprenticeship to his uncle in 1607 is the first fact in his +life of which we can be sure. + +In 1607, Herrick was fifteen, and, even if we conjecture that he may +have been allowed to remain at school some little time after his +apprenticeship nominally began, he must have served his uncle for five +or six years. Sir William had himself been bound apprentice in a similar +way to the poet's father, and we have no evidence that he exacted any +premium. At any rate, when in 1614, his nephew, then of age, desired to +leave the business and go to Cambridge, the ten years' apprenticeship +did not stand in his way, and he entered as a Fellow Commoner at St. +John's. His uncle plainly still managed his affairs, for an amusing +series of fourteen letters has been preserved at Beaumanor, until lately +the seat of Sir William's descendants, in which the poet asks sometimes +for payment of a quarterly stipend of £10, sometimes for a formal loan, +sometimes for the help of his avuncular Mæcenas. It seems a fair +inference from this variety of requests that, since Herrick's share of +his father's property could hardly have yielded a yearly income of £40, +he was allowed to draw on his capital for this sum, but that his uncle +and Lady Herrick occasionally made him small presents, which may account +for his tone of dependence. + +The quarterly stipend was paid through various booksellers, but +irregularly, so that the poor poet was frequently reduced to great +straits, though £40 a-year (£200 of our money) was no bad allowance. +After two years he migrated from St. John's to Trinity Hall, to study +law and curtail his expenses. He took his Bachelor's degree from there +in January, 1617, and his Master's in 1620. The fourteen letters show +that he had prepared himself for University life by cultivating a very +florid prose style which frequently runs into decasyllabics, perhaps a +result of a study of the dramatists. Sir William Herrick is sometimes +addressed in them as his most "careful" uncle, but at the time of his +migration the poet speaks of his "ebbing estate," and as late as 1629 he +was still £10 16s. 9d. in debt to the College Steward. We can thus +hardly imagine that he was possessed of any considerable private income +when he returned to London, to live practically on his wits, and a study +of his poems suggests that, the influence of the careful uncle removed, +whatever capital he possessed was soon likely to vanish.[B] His verses +to the Earl of Pembroke, to Endymion Porter and to others, show that he +was glad of "pay" as well as "praise," but the system of patronage +brought no discredit with it, and though the absence of any poetical +mention of his uncle suggests that the rich goldsmith was not +well-pleased with his nephew, with the rest of his well-to-do relations +Herrick seems to have remained on excellent terms. + +[B] Yet in his _Farewell to Poetry_ he distinctly says:-- + + "I've more to bear my charge than way to go"; + +the line, however, is a translation from his favourite Seneca, Ep. 77. + +Besides patrons, such as Pembroke, Westmoreland, Newark, Buckingham, +Herrick had less distinguished friends at Court, Edward Norgate, Jack +Crofts and others. He composed the words for two New Year anthems which +were set to music by Henry Lawes, and he was probably personally known +both to the King and Queen. Outside the Court he reckoned himself one of +Ben Jonson's disciples, "Sons of Ben" as they were called, had friends +at the Inns of Court, knew the organist of Westminster Abbey and his +pretty daughters, and had every temptation to live an amusing and +expensive life. His poems were handed about in manuscript after the +fashion of the time, and wherever music and poetry were loved he was +sure to be a welcome guest. + +Mr. Hazlitt's conjecture that Herrick at this time may have held some +small post in the Chapel at Whitehall is not unreasonable, but at what +date he took Holy Orders is not known. In 1627 he obtained the post of +chaplain to the unlucky expedition to the Isle of Rhé, and two years +later (September 30, 1629) he was presented by the King to the Vicarage +of Dean Prior, in Devonshire, which the promotion of its previous +incumbent, Dr. Potter, to the Bishopric of Carlisle, had left in the +royal gift. The annual value of the living was only £50 (£250 present +value), no great prize, but the poem entitled _Mr. Robert Hericke: his +farwell unto Poetrie_ (not printed in _Hesperides_, but extant in more +than one manuscript version) shows that the poet was not unaware of the +responsibilities of his profession. "But unto me," he says to his Muse: + + "But unto me be only hoarse, since now + (Heaven and my soul bear record of my vow) + I my desires screw from thee and direct + Them and my thoughts to that sublime respect + And conscience unto priesthood. 'Tis not need + (The scarecrow unto mankind) that doth breed + Wiser conclusions in me, since I know + I've more to bear my charge than way to go; + Or had I not, I'd stop the spreading itch + Of craving more: so in conceit be rich; + But 'tis the God of nature who intends + And shapes my function for more glorious ends." + +Perhaps it was at this time too that Herrick wrote his _Farewell to +Sack_, and although he returned both to sack and to poetry we should be +wrong in imagining him as a "blind mouth," using his office merely as a +means of gain. He celebrated the births of Charles II and his brother in +verse, perhaps with an eye to future royal favours, but no more than +Chaucer's good parson does he seem to have "run to London unto Seynte +Poules" in search of the seventeenth century equivalent for a chauntry, +and many of his poems show him living the life of a contented country +clergyman, sharing the contents of bin and cruse with his poor +parishioners, and jotting down sermon-notes in verse. + +The great majority of Herrick's poems cannot be dated, and it is idle to +enquire which were written before his ordination and which afterwards. +His conception of religion was medieval in its sensuousness, and he +probably repeated the stages of sin, repentance and renewed assurance +with some facility. He lived with an old servant, Prudence Baldwin, the +"Prew" of many of his poems; kept a spaniel named Tracy, and, so says +tradition, a tame pig. When his parishioners annoyed him he seems to +have comforted himself with epigrams on them; when they slumbered during +one of his sermons the manuscript was suddenly hurled at them with a +curse for their inattention. + +In the same year that Herrick was appointed to his country vicarage his +mother died while living with her daughter, Mercy, the poet's dearest +sister (see 818), then for some time married to John Wingfield of +Brantham in Suffolk (see 590), by whom she had three sons and a +daughter, also called Mercy. His eldest brother, Thomas, had been placed +with a Mr. Massam, a merchant, but as early as 1610 had retired to live +a country life in Leicestershire (see 106). He appears to have married a +wife named Elizabeth, whose loss Herrick laments (see 72). Nicholas, the +next brother was more adventurous. He had become a merchant trading to +the Levant, and in this capacity had visited the Holy Land (see 1100). +To his wife Susanna, daughter of William Salter, Herrick addresses two +poems (522 and 977). There were three sons and four daughters in this +family, and Herrick wrote a poem to one of the daughters, Bridget (562), +and an elegy on another, Elizabeth (376). When Mrs. Herrick died the +bulk of her property was left to the Wingfields, but William Herrick +received a legacy of £100, with ten pounds apiece to his two children, +and a ring of twenty shillings to his wife. Nicholas and Robert were +only left twenty-shilling rings, and the administration of the will was +entrusted to William Herrick and the Wingfields. The will may have been +the result of a family arrangement, and we have no reason to believe +that the unequal division gave rise to any ill-feeling. Herrick's +address to "his dying brother, Master William Herrick" (186), shows +abundant affection, and there is every reason to believe that it was +addressed to the William who administered to Mrs. Herrick's will. + +While little nephews and nieces were springing up around him, Herrick +remained unmarried, and frequently congratulates himself on his freedom +from the yoke matrimonial. He imagined how he would bid farewell to his +wife, if he had one (465), and wrote magnificent epithalamia for his +friends, but lived and died a bachelor. When first civil troubles and +then civil war cast a shadow over the land, it is not very easy to say +how he viewed the contending parties. He was devoted to Charles and +Henrietta Maria and the young Prince of Wales, and rejoiced at every +Royalist success. Many also of his poems breathe the spirit of +unquestioning loyalty, but in others he is less certain of kingly +wisdom. Something, however, must be allowed for his evident habit of +versifying any phrase or epigram which impressed him, and not all his +poems need be regarded as expressions of his personal opinions. But with +whatever doubts his loyalty was qualified, it was sufficiently obvious +to procure his ejection from his living in 1648; and, making the best of +his loss, he bade farewell to Dean Prior, shook the dust of "loathed +Devonshire" off his feet, and returned gaily to London, where he appears +to have discarded his clerical habit and to have been made abundantly +welcome by his friends. + +Free from the cares of his incumbency, and free also from the restraints +it imposed, Herrick's thoughts turned to the publication of his poems. +As we have said, in his old Court-days these had found some circulation +in manuscript, and in 1635 one of his fairy poems was printed, probably +without his leave (see Appendix). In 1639 his poem (575) _The Apparition +of his Mistress calling him to Elysium_ was licensed at Stationers' Hall +under the title of _His Mistress' Shade_, and it was included the next +year in an edition of Shakespeare's Poems (see Notes). On April 29, +1640, "The severall poems written by Master Robert Herrick," were +entered as to be published by Andrew Crook, but no trace of such a +volume has been discovered, and it was only in 1648 that _Hesperides_ at +length appeared. Two years later upwards of eighty of the poems in it +were printed in the 1650 edition of _Witt's Recreations_, but a small +number of these show considerable variations from the _Hesperides_ +versions, and it is probable that they were printed from the poet's +manuscript. Compilers of other miscellanies and song books laid Herrick +under contribution, but, with the one exception of his contribution to +the _Lacrymæ Musarum_ in 1649, no fresh production of his pen has been +preserved, and we know nothing further of his life save that he returned +to Dean Prior after the Restoration (August 24, 1662), and that +according to the parish register "Robert Herrick, Vicker, was buried +y^e 15th day October, 1674." + + ALFRED W. POLLARD + + + + +NOTE TO SECOND EDITION. + + +In this edition some trifling errors, which had crept into the text and +the numeration of the poems, have been corrected, and many fresh +illustrations of Herrick's reading added in the notes, which have +elsewhere been slightly compressed to make room for them. Almost all of +the new notes have been supplied from the manuscript collections of a +veteran student of Herrick who placed himself in correspondence with me +after the publication of my first edition. To my great regret I am not +allowed to make my acknowledgments to him by name. + + A. W. P. + + + + + HESPERIDES: + OR, + THE WORKS + BOTH + HUMANE & DIVINE + OF + ROBERT HERRICK _Esq._ + + + + OVID. + + _Effugient avidos Carmina nostra Rogos._ + + + + _LONDON._ + + Printed for _John Williams_, and _Francis Eglesfield_, + and are to be sold by _Tho: Hunt_, Book-seller + in _Exon._ 1648. + + + + + TO THE + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND MOST HOPEFUL + PRINCE. + CHARLES, + PRINCE OF WALES. + + Well may my book come forth like public day + When such a light as you are leads the way, + Who are my work's creator, and alone + The flame of it, and the expansion. + And look how all those heavenly lamps acquire + Light from the sun, that inexhausted fire, + So all my morn and evening stars from you + Have their existence, and their influence too. + Full is my book of glories; but all these + By you become immortal substances. + + + + +HESPERIDES. + + +1. 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 + By these to sing of cleanly wantonness; + I sing of dews, of rains, and piece by piece + Of balm, of oil, of spice and ambergris; + I sing of times trans-shifting, and I write + How roses first came red and lilies white; + I write of groves, of twilights, and I sing + The Court of Mab, and of the Fairy King; + I write of hell; I sing (and ever shall) + Of heaven, and hope to have it after all. + + _Hock-cart_, the last cart from the harvest-field. + _Wakes_, village festivals, properly on the dedication-day of a church. + _Ambergris_, 'grey amber,' much used in perfumery. + + +2. TO HIS MUSE. + + Whither, mad maiden, wilt thou roam? + Far safer 'twere to stay at home, + Where thou mayst sit and piping please + The poor and private cottages, + Since cotes and hamlets best agree + With this thy meaner minstrelsy. + There with the reed thou mayst express + The shepherd's fleecy happiness, + And with thy eclogues intermix + Some smooth and harmless bucolics. + There on a hillock thou mayst sing + Unto a handsome shepherdling, + Or to a girl, that keeps the neat, + With breath more sweet than violet. + There, there, perhaps, such lines as these + May take the simple villages; + But for the court, the country wit + Is despicable unto it. + Stay, then, at home, and do not go + Or fly abroad to seek for woe. + Contempts in courts and cities dwell, + No critic haunts the poor man's cell, + Where thou mayst hear thine own lines read + By no one tongue there censured. + That man's unwise will search for ill, + And may prevent it, sitting still. + + +3. TO HIS BOOK. + + While thou didst keep thy candour undefil'd, + Dearly I lov'd thee as my first-born child, + But when I saw thee wantonly to roam + From house to house, and never stay at home, + I brake my bonds of love, and bade thee go, + Regardless whether well thou sped'st or no. + On with thy fortunes then, whate'er they be: + If good, I'll smile; if bad, I'll sigh for thee. + + +4. ANOTHER. + + To read my book the virgin shy + May blush while Brutus standeth by, + But when he's gone, read through what's writ, + And never stain a cheek for it. + + _Brutus_, see Martial, xi. 16, quoted in Note at the end of the volume. + + +7. TO HIS BOOK. + + Come thou not near those men who are like bread + O'er-leaven'd, or like cheese o'er-renneted. + + +8. WHEN HE WOULD HAVE HIS VERSES READ. + + In sober mornings, do not thou rehearse + The holy incantation of a verse; + But when that men have both well drunk and fed, + Let my enchantments then be sung or read. + When laurel spirts i'th' fire, and when the hearth + Smiles to itself, and gilds the roof with mirth; + When up the thyrse[C] is rais'd, and when the sound + Of sacred orgies[D] flies, a round, a round. + When the rose reigns, and locks with ointments shine, + Let rigid Cato read these lines of mine. + + _Round_, a rustic dance. + _Cato_, see Martial, x. 17, quoted in Note. + +[C] "A javelin twined with ivy" (Note in the original edition). + +[D] "Songs to Bacchus" (Note in the original edition.) + + +9. UPON JULIA'S RECOVERY. + + Droop, droop no more, or hang the head, + Ye roses almost withered; + Now strength and newer purple get, + Each here declining violet. + O primroses! let this day be + A resurrection unto ye; + And to all flowers ally'd in blood, + Or sworn to that sweet sisterhood: + For health on Julia's cheek hath shed + Claret and cream commingled; + And those her lips do now appear + As beams of coral, but more clear. + + _Beams_, perhaps here = branches: but cp. 440. + + +10. TO SILVIA TO WED. + + Let us, though late, at last, my Silvia, wed, + And loving lie in one devoted bed. + Thy watch may stand, my minutes fly post-haste; + No sound calls back the year that once is past. + Then, sweetest Silvia, let's no longer stay; + _True love, we know, precipitates delay._ + Away with doubts, all scruples hence remove; + _No man at one time can be wise and love._ + + +11. THE PARLIAMENT OF ROSES TO JULIA. + + I dreamt the roses one time went + To meet and sit in parliament; + The place for these, and for the rest + Of flowers, was thy spotless breast, + Over the which a state was drawn + Of tiffanie or cobweb lawn. + Then in that parly all those powers + Voted the rose the queen of flowers; + But so as that herself should be + The maid of honour unto thee. + + _State_, a canopy. + _Tiffanie_, gauze. + _Parly_, a parliament. + + +12. NO BASHFULNESS IN BEGGING. + + To get thine ends, lay bashfulness aside; + _Who fears to ask doth teach to be deny'd._ + + +13. THE FROZEN HEART. + + I freeze, I freeze, and nothing dwells + In me but snow and icicles. + For pity's sake, give your advice, + To melt this snow and thaw this ice. + I'll drink down flames; but if so be + Nothing but love can supple me, + I'll rather keep this frost and snow + Than to be thaw'd or heated so. + + +14. TO PERILLA. + + Ah, my Perilla! dost thou grieve to see + Me, day by day, to steal away from thee? + Age calls me hence, and my grey hairs bid come, + And haste away to mine eternal home; + 'Twill not be long, Perilla, after this, + That I must give thee the supremest kiss. + Dead when I am, first cast in salt, and bring + Part of the cream from that religious spring; + With which, Perilla, wash my hands and feet; + That done, then wind me in that very sheet + Which wrapt thy smooth limbs when thou didst implore + The gods' protection but the night before. + Follow me weeping to my turf, and there + Let fall a primrose, and with it a tear: + Then, lastly, let some weekly-strewings be + Devoted to the memory of me: + Then shall my ghost not walk about, but keep + Still in the cool and silent shades of sleep. + + _Weekly strewings_, _i.e._, of flowers on his grave. + _First cast in salt_, cp. 769. + + +15. A SONG TO THE MASKERS. + + Come down and dance ye in the toil + Of pleasures to a heat; + But if to moisture, let the oil + Of roses be your sweat. + + Not only to yourselves assume + These sweets, but let them fly + From this to that, and so perfume + E'en all the standers by; + + As goddess Isis, when she went + Or glided through the street, + Made all that touched her, with her scent, + And whom she touched, turn sweet. + + +16. TO PERENNA. + + When I thy parts run o'er, I can't espy + In any one the least indecency; + But every line and limb diffused thence + A fair and unfamiliar excellence: + So that the more I look the more I prove + There's still more cause why I the more should love. + + _Indecency_, uncomeliness. + + +17. TREASON. + + The seeds of treason choke up as they spring: + _He acts the crime that gives it cherishing_. + + +18. TWO THINGS ODIOUS. + + Two of a thousand things are disallow'd: + A lying rich man, and a poor man proud. + + +19. TO HIS MISTRESSES. + + Help me! help me! now I call + To my pretty witchcrafts all; + Old I am, and cannot do + That I was accustomed to. + Bring your magics, spells, and charms, + To enflesh my thighs and arms. + Is there no way to beget + In my limbs their former heat? + Æson had, as poets feign, + Baths that made him young again: + Find that medicine, if you can, + For your dry decrepit man + Who would fain his strength renew, + Were it but to pleasure you. + + _Æson_, rejuvenated by Medea; see Ovid, Met. vii. + + +20. THE WOUNDED HEART. + + Come bring your sampler, and with art + Draw in't a wounded heart + And dropping here and there: + Not that I think that any dart + Can make yours bleed a tear, + Or pierce it anywhere; + Yet do it to this end: that I + May by + This secret see, + Though you can make + That heart to bleed, yours ne'er will ache + For me. + + +21. NO LOATHSOMENESS IN LOVE. + + What I fancy I approve, + _No dislike there is in love_. + Be my mistress short or tall, + And distorted therewithal: + Be she likewise one of those + That an acre hath of nose: + Be her forehead and her eyes + Full of incongruities: + Be her cheeks so shallow too + As to show her tongue wag through; + Be her lips ill hung or set, + And her grinders black as jet: + Has she thin hair, hath she none, + She's to me a paragon. + + +22. TO ANTHEA. + + If, dear Anthea, my hard fate it be + To live some few sad hours after thee, + Thy sacred corse with odours I will burn, + And with my laurel crown thy golden urn. + Then holding up there such religious things + As were, time past, thy holy filletings, + Near to thy reverend pitcher I will fall + Down dead for grief, and end my woes withal: + So three in one small plat of ground shall lie-- + Anthea, Herrick, and his poetry. + + +23. THE WEEPING CHERRY. + + I saw a cherry weep, and why? + Why wept it? but for shame + Because my Julia's lip was by, + And did out-red the same. + But, pretty fondling, let not fall + A tear at all for that: + Which rubies, corals, scarlets, all + For tincture wonder at. + + +24. SOFT MUSIC. + + The mellow touch of music most doth wound + The soul when it doth rather sigh than sound. + + +25. THE DIFFERENCE BETWIXT KINGS AND SUBJECTS. + + 'Twixt kings and subjects there's this mighty odds: + Subjects are taught by men; kings by the gods. + + +26. HIS ANSWER TO A QUESTION. + + Some would know + Why I so + Long still do tarry, + And ask why + Here that I + Live and not marry. + Thus I those + Do oppose: + What man would be here + Slave to thrall, + If at all + He could live free here? + + +27. UPON JULIA'S FALL. + + Julia was careless, and withal + She rather took than got a fall, + The wanton ambler chanc'd to see + Part of her legs' sincerity: + And ravish'd thus, it came to pass, + The nag (like to the prophet's ass) + Began to speak, and would have been + A-telling what rare sights he'd seen: + And had told all; but did refrain + Because his tongue was tied again. + + +28. EXPENSES EXHAUST. + + Live with a thrifty, not a needy fate; + _Small shots paid often waste a vast estate_. + + _Shots_, debts. + + +29. LOVE, WHAT IT IS. + + Love is a circle that doth restless move + In the same sweet eternity of love. + + +30. PRESENCE AND ABSENCE. + + When what is lov'd is present, love doth spring; + But being absent, love lies languishing. + + +31. NO SPOUSE BUT A SISTER. + + A bachelor I will + Live as I have liv'd still, + And never take a wife + To crucify my life; + But this I'll tell ye too, + What now I mean to do: + A sister (in the stead + Of wife) about I'll lead; + Which I will keep embrac'd, + And kiss, but yet be chaste. + + +32. THE POMANDER BRACELET. + + To me my Julia lately sent + A bracelet richly redolent: + The beads I kissed, but most lov'd her + That did perfume the pomander. + + _Pomander_, a ball of scent. + + +33. THE SHOE-TYING. + + Anthea bade me tie her shoe; + I did; and kissed the instep too: + And would have kissed unto her knee, + Had not her blush rebuked me. + + +34. THE CARCANET. + + Instead of orient pearls of jet + I sent my love a carcanet; + About her spotless neck she knit + The lace, to honour me or it: + Then think how rapt was I to see + My jet t'enthral such ivory. + + _Carcanet_, necklace. + _Lace_, any kind of girdle; used here for the necklace. + + +35. HIS SAILING FROM JULIA. + + When that day comes, whose evening says I'm gone + Unto that watery desolation, + Devoutly to thy closet-gods then pray + That my wing'd ship may meet no remora. + Those deities which circum-walk the seas, + And look upon our dreadful passages, + Will from all dangers re-deliver me + For one drink-offering poured out by thee. + Mercy and truth live with thee! and forbear + (In my short absence) to unsluice a tear; + But yet for love's sake let thy lips do this, + Give my dead picture one engendering kiss: + Work that to life, and let me ever dwell + In thy remembrance, Julia. So farewell. + + _Closet-gods_, the Roman Lares. + _Remora_, the sea Lamprey or suckstone, believed to check the course of + ships by clinging to their keels. + + +36. HOW THE WALL-FLOWER CAME FIRST, AND WHY SO CALLED. + + Why this flower is now call'd so, + List, sweet maids, and you shall know. + Understand, this firstling was + Once a brisk and bonnie lass, + Kept as close as Danaë was: + Who a sprightly springall lov'd, + And to have it fully prov'd, + Up she got upon a wall, + Tempting down to slide withal: + But the silken twist untied, + So she fell, and, bruis'd, she died. + Love, in pity of the deed, + And her loving-luckless speed, + Turn'd her to this plant we call + Now _the flower of the wall_. + + _Tempting_, trying. + + +37. WHY FLOWERS CHANGE COLOUR. + + These fresh beauties (we can prove) + Once were virgins sick of love. + Turn'd to flowers,--still in some + Colours go and colours come. + + +38. TO HIS MISTRESS OBJECTING TO HIM NEITHER TOYING OR TALKING. + + You say I love not, 'cause I do not play + Still with your curls, and kiss the time away. + You blame me too, because I can't devise + Some sport to please those babies in your eyes: + By love's religion, I must here confess it, + The most I love when I the least express it. + _Small griefs find tongues_: full casks are ever found + To give (if any, yet) but little sound. + _Deep waters noiseless are_; and this we know, + _That chiding streams betray small depth below_. + So, when love speechless is, she doth express + A depth in love and that depth bottomless. + Now, since my love is tongueless, know me such + Who speak but little 'cause I love so much. + + _Babies in your eyes_, see Note. + + +39. UPON THE LOSS OF HIS MISTRESSES. + + I have lost, and lately, these + Many dainty mistresses: + Stately Julia, prime of all: + Sappho next, a principal: + Smooth Anthea for a skin + White, and heaven-like crystalline: + Sweet Electra, and the choice + Myrrha for the lute and voice: + Next Corinna, for her wit, + And the graceful use of it: + With Perilla: all are gone; + Only Herrick's left alone + For to number sorrow by + Their departures hence, and die. + + +40. THE DREAM. + + Methought last night Love in an anger came + And brought a rod, so whipt me with the same; + Myrtle the twigs were, merely to imply + Love strikes, but 'tis with gentle cruelty. + Patient I was: Love pitiful grew then + And strok'd the stripes, and I was whole again. + Thus, like a bee, Love gentle still doth bring + Honey to salve where he before did sting. + + +42. TO LOVE. + + I'm free from thee; and thou no more shalt hear + My puling pipe to beat against thine ear. + Farewell my shackles, though of pearl they be; + Such precious thraldom ne'er shall fetter me. + He loves his bonds who, when the first are broke, + Submits his neck unto a second yoke. + + +43. ON HIMSELF. + + Young I was, but now am old, + But I am not yet grown cold; + I can play, and I can twine + 'Bout a virgin like a vine: + In her lap too I can lie + Melting, and in fancy die; + And return to life if she + Claps my cheek, or kisseth me: + Thus, and thus it now appears + That our love outlasts our years. + + +44. LOVE'S PLAY AT PUSH-PIN. + + Love and myself, believe me, on a day + At childish push-pin, for our sport, did play; + I put, he pushed, and, heedless of my skin, + Love pricked my finger with a golden pin; + Since which it festers so that I can prove + 'Twas but a trick to poison me with love: + Little the wound was, greater was the smart, + The finger bled, but burnt was all my heart. + + _Push-pin_, a game in which pins are pushed with an endeavor to cross + them. + + +45. THE ROSARY. + + One ask'd me where the roses grew: + I bade him not go seek, + But forthwith bade my Julia show + A bud in either cheek. + + +46. UPON CUPID. + + Old wives have often told how they + Saw Cupid bitten by a flea; + And thereupon, in tears half drown'd, + He cried aloud: Help, help the wound! + He wept, he sobb'd, he call'd to some + To bring him lint and balsamum, + To make a tent, and put it in + Where the stiletto pierced the skin; + Which, being done, the fretful pain + Assuaged, and he was well again. + + _Tent_, a roll of lint for probing wounds. + + +47. THE PARCÆ; OR, THREE DAINTY DESTINIES: THE ARMILLET. + + Three lovely sisters working were, + As they were closely set, + Of soft and dainty maidenhair + A curious armillet. + I, smiling, asked them what they did, + Fair Destinies all three, + Who told me they had drawn a thread + Of life, and 'twas for me. + They show'd me then how fine 'twas spun, + And I reply'd thereto,-- + "I care not now how soon 'tis done, + Or cut, if cut by you". + + +48. SORROWS SUCCEED. + + When one is past, another care we have: + _Thus woe succeeds a woe, as wave a wave_. + + +49. CHERRY-PIT. + + Julia and I did lately sit + Playing for sport at cherry-pit: + She threw; I cast; and, having thrown, + I got the pit, and she the stone. + + _Cherry-pit_, a game in which cherry-stones were pitched into a small + hole. + + +50. TO ROBIN REDBREAST. + + Laid out for dead, let thy last kindness be + With leaves and moss-work for to cover me: + And while the wood-nymphs my cold corpse inter, + Sing thou my dirge, sweet-warbling chorister! + For epitaph, in foliage, next write this: + _Here, here the tomb of Robin Herrick is_. + + +51. DISCONTENTS IN DEVON. + + More discontents I never had + Since I was born than here, + Where I have been, and still am sad, + In this dull Devonshire; + Yet, justly too, I must confess + I ne'er invented such + Ennobled numbers for the press, + Than where I loathed so much. + + +52. TO HIS PATERNAL COUNTRY. + + O earth! earth! earth! hear thou my voice, and be + Loving and gentle for to cover me: + Banish'd from thee I live, ne'er to return, + Unless thou giv'st my small remains an urn. + + +53. CHERRY-RIPE. + + Cherry-ripe, ripe, ripe, I cry, + Full and fair ones; come and buy. + If so be you ask me where + They do grow, I answer: There, + Where my Julia's lips do smile; + There's the land, or cherry-isle, + Whose plantations fully show + All the year where cherries grow. + + +54. TO HIS MISTRESSES. + + Put on your silks, and piece by piece + Give them the scent of ambergris; + And for your breaths, too, let them smell + Ambrosia-like, or nectarel; + While other gums their sweets perspire, + By your own jewels set on fire. + + +55. TO ANTHEA. + + Now is the time, when all the lights wax dim; + And thou, Anthea, must withdraw from him + Who was thy servant. Dearest, bury me + Under that Holy-oak or Gospel-tree, + Where, though thou see'st not, thou may'st think upon + Me, when thou yearly go'st procession; + Or, for mine honour, lay me in that tomb + In which thy sacred relics shall have room. + For my embalming, sweetest, there will be + No spices wanting when I'm laid by thee. + + _Holy oak_, the oak under which the minister read the Gospel in the + procession round the parish bounds in Rogation week. + + +56. THE VISION TO ELECTRA. + + I dreamed we both were in a bed + Of roses, almost smothered: + The warmth and sweetness had me there + Made lovingly familiar, + But that I heard thy sweet breath say, + Faults done by night will blush by day. + I kissed thee, panting, and, I call + Night to the record! that was all. + But, ah! if empty dreams so please, + Love give me more such nights as these. + + +57. DREAMS. + + Here we are all by day; by night we're hurl'd + By dreams, each one into a sev'ral world. + + +58. AMBITION. + + In man ambition is the common'st thing; + Each one by nature loves to be a king. + + +59. HIS REQUEST TO JULIA. + + Julia, if I chance to die + Ere I print my poetry, + I most humbly thee desire + To commit it to the fire: + Better 'twere my book were dead + Than to live not perfected. + + +60. MONEY GETS THE MASTERY. + + Fight thou with shafts of silver and o'ercome, + When no force else can get the masterdom. + + +61. THE SCARE-FIRE. + + Water, water I desire, + Here's a house of flesh on fire; + Ope the fountains and the springs, + And come all to bucketings: + What ye cannot quench pull down; + Spoil a house to save a town: + Better 'tis that one should fall, + Than by one to hazard all. + + _Scare-fire_, fire-alarm. + + +62. UPON SILVIA, A MISTRESS. + + When some shall say, Fair once my Silvia was, + Thou wilt complain, False now's thy looking-glass, + Which renders that quite tarnished which was green, + And priceless now what peerless once had been. + Upon thy form more wrinkles yet will fall, + And, coming down, shall make no noise at all. + + _Priceless_, valueless. + + +63. CHEERFULNESS IN CHARITY; OR, THE SWEET SACRIFICE. + + 'Tis not a thousand bullocks' thighs + Can please those heav'nly deities, + If the vower don't express + In his offering cheerfulness. + + +65. SWEETNESS IN SACRIFICE. + + 'Tis not greatness they require + To be offer'd up by fire; + But 'tis sweetness that doth please + Those _Eternal Essences_. + + +66. STEAM IN SACRIFICE. + + If meat the gods give, I the steam + High-towering will devote to them, + Whose easy natures like it well, + If we the roast have, they the smell. + + +67. UPON JULIA'S VOICE. + + So smooth, so sweet, so silv'ry is thy voice, + As, could they hear, the damn'd would make no noise, + But listen to thee, walking in thy chamber, + Melting melodious words to lutes of amber. + + _Amber_, used here merely for any rich material: cp. "Treading on amber + with their silver feet". + + +68. AGAIN. + + When I thy singing next shall hear, + I'll wish I might turn all to ear + To drink in notes and numbers such + As blessed souls can't hear too much; + Then melted down, there let me lie + Entranc'd and lost confusedly, + And, by thy music stricken mute, + Die and be turn'd into a lute. + + +69. ALL THINGS DECAY AND DIE. + + _All things decay with time_: the forest sees + The growth and downfall of her aged trees; + That timber tall, which threescore lusters stood + The proud dictator of the state-like wood,-- + I mean (the sovereign of all plants) the oak-- + Droops, dies, and falls without the cleaver's stroke. + + _Lusters_, the Roman reckoning of five years. + + +70. THE SUCCESSION OF THE FOUR SWEET MONTHS. + + First, April, she with mellow showers + Opens the way for early flowers; + Then after her comes smiling May, + In a more rich and sweet array; + Next enters June, and brings us more + Gems than those two that went before: + Then (lastly) July comes, and she + More wealth brings in than all those three. + + +71. NO SHIPWRECK OF VIRTUE. TO A FRIEND. + + Thou sail'st with others in this Argus here; + Nor wreck or bulging thou hast cause to fear; + But trust to this, my noble passenger; + Who swims with virtue, he shall still be sure + (Ulysses-like) all tempests to endure, + And 'midst a thousand gulfs to be secure. + + _Bulging_, leaking. + + +72. UPON HIS SISTER-IN-LAW, MISTRESS ELIZABETH HERRICK. + + First, for effusions due unto the dead, + My solemn vows have here accomplished: + Next, how I love thee, that my grief must tell, + Wherein thou liv'st for ever. Dear, farewell. + + _Effusions_, drink-offerings. + + +73. OF LOVE. A SONNET. + + How love came in I do not know, + Whether by the eye, or ear, or no; + Or whether with the soul it came + (At first) infused with the same; + Whether in part 'tis here or there, + Or, like the soul, whole everywhere, + This troubles me: but I as well + As any other this can tell: + That when from hence she does depart + The outlet then is from the heart. + + +74. TO ANTHEA. + + Ah, my Anthea! Must my heart still break? + (_Love makes me write, what shame forbids to speak_.) + Give me a kiss, and to that kiss a score; + Then to that twenty add a hundred more: + A thousand to that hundred: so kiss on, + To make that thousand up a million. + Treble that million, and when that is done + Let's kiss afresh, as when we first begun. + But yet, though love likes well such scenes as these, + There is an act that will more fully please: + Kissing and glancing, soothing, all make way + But to the acting of this private play: + Name it I would; but, being blushing red, + The rest I'll speak when we meet both in bed. + + +75. THE ROCK OF RUBIES, AND THE QUARRY OF PEARLS. + + Some ask'd me where the rubies grew, + And nothing I did say: + But with my finger pointed to + The lips of Julia. + Some ask'd how pearls did grow, and where; + Then spoke I to my girl, + To part her lips, and show'd them there + The quarrelets of Pearl. + + _Quarrelets_, little squares. + + +76. CONFORMITY. + + Conformity was ever known + A foe to dissolution: + Nor can we that a ruin call, + Whose crack gives crushing unto all. + + +77. TO THE KING, UPON HIS COMING WITH HIS ARMY INTO THE WEST. + + Welcome, most welcome to our vows and us, + Most great and universal genius! + The drooping West, which hitherto has stood + As one in long-lamented widowhood, + Looks like a bride now, or a bed of flowers + Newly refresh'd both by the sun and showers. + War, which before was horrid, now appears + Lovely in you, brave prince of cavaliers! + A deal of courage in each bosom springs + By your access, O you the best of kings! + Ride on with all white omens; so that where + Your standard's up, we fix a conquest there. + + +78. UPON ROSES. + + Under a lawn, than skies more clear, + Some ruffled roses nestling were: + And, snugging there, they seem'd to lie + As in a flowery nunnery: + They blush'd, and look'd more fresh than flowers + Quicken'd of late by pearly showers, + And all because they were possess'd + But of the heat of Julia's breast: + Which, as a warm and moisten'd spring, + Gave them their ever-flourishing. + + +79. TO THE KING AND QUEEN UPON THEIR UNHAPPY DISTANCES. + + Woe, woe to them, who, by a ball of strife, + Do, and have parted here a man and wife: + CHARLES the best husband, while MARIA strives + To be, and is, the very best of wives, + Like streams, you are divorc'd; but 'twill come when + These eyes of mine shall see you mix again. + Thus speaks the oak here; C. and M. shall meet, + Treading on amber, with their silver-feet, + Nor will't be long ere this accomplish'd be: + The words found true, C. M., remember me. + + _Oak_, the prophetic tree. + + +80. DANGERS WAIT ON KINGS. + + As oft as night is banish'd by the morn, + So oft we'll think we see a king new born. + + +81. THE CHEAT OF CUPID; OR, THE UNGENTLE GUEST. + + One silent night of late, + When every creature rested, + Came one unto my gate + And, knocking, me molested. + + Who's that, said I, beats there, + And troubles thus the sleepy? + Cast off, said he, all fear, + And let not locks thus keep ye. + + For I a boy am, who + By moonless nights have swerved; + And all with show'rs wet through, + And e'en with cold half starved. + + I pitiful arose, + And soon a taper lighted; + And did myself disclose + Unto the lad benighted. + + I saw he had a bow + And wings, too, which did shiver; + And, looking down below, + I spied he had a quiver. + + I to my chimney's shine + Brought him, as Love professes, + And chafed his hands with mine, + And dried his drooping tresses. + + But when he felt him warm'd: + Let's try this bow of ours, + And string, if they be harm'd, + Said he, with these late showers. + + Forthwith his bow he bent, + And wedded string and arrow, + And struck me, that it went + Quite through my heart and marrow. + + Then, laughing loud, he flew + Away, and thus said, flying: + Adieu, mine host, adieu, + I'll leave thy heart a-dying. + + +82. TO THE REVEREND SHADE OF HIS RELIGIOUS FATHER. + + That for seven lusters I did never come + To do the rites to thy religious tomb; + That neither hair was cut, or true tears shed + By me, o'er thee, as justments to the dead, + Forgive, forgive me; since I did not know + Whether thy bones had here their rest or no, + But now 'tis known, behold! behold, I bring + Unto thy ghost th' effused offering: + And look what smallage, night-shade, cypress, yew, + Unto the shades have been, or now are due, + Here I devote; and something more than so; + I come to pay a debt of birth I owe. + Thou gav'st me life, but mortal; for that one + Favour I'll make full satisfaction; + For my life mortal rise from out thy hearse. + And take a life immortal from my verse. + + _Seven lusters_, five and thirty years. + _Hair was cut_, according to the Greek custom. + _Justments_, dues. + _Smallage_, water parsley. + + +83. DELIGHT IN DISORDER. + + A sweet disorder in the dress + Kindles in clothes a wantonness: + A lawn about the shoulders thrown + Into a fine distraction: + An erring lace which here and there + Enthralls the crimson stomacher: + A cuff neglectful, and thereby + Ribbons to flow confusedly: + A winning wave, deserving note, + In the tempestuous petticoat: + A careless shoe-string, in whose tie + I see a wild civility: + Do more bewitch me than when art + Is too precise in every part. + + +84. TO HIS MUSE. + + Were I to give thee baptism, I would choose + To christen thee, the bride, the bashful Muse, + Or Muse of roses: since that name does fit + Best with those virgin-verses thou hast writ: + Which are so clean, so chaste, as none may fear + Cato the censor, should he scan each here. + + +85. UPON LOVE. + + Love scorch'd my finger, but did spare + The burning of my heart; + To signify in love my share + Should be a little part. + + Little I love; but if that he + Would but that heat recall; + That joint to ashes burnt should be,[E] + Ere I would love at all. + +[E] Orig. ed., _should be burnt_. + + +86. TO DEAN BOURN, A RUDE RIVER IN DEVON, BY WHICH SOMETIMES HE LIVED. + + Dean Bourn, farewell; I never look to see + Dean, or thy watery[F] incivility. + Thy rocky bottom, that doth tear thy streams + And makes them frantic even to all extremes, + To my content I never should behold, + Were thy streams silver, or thy rocks all gold. + Rocky thou art, and rocky we discover + Thy men, and rocky are thy ways all over. + O men, O manners, now and ever known + To be a rocky generation! + A people currish, churlish as the seas, + And rude almost as rudest savages, + With whom I did, and may re-sojourn when + Rocks turn to rivers, rivers turn to men. + +[F] Orig. ed., _warty_. + + +87. KISSING USURY. + + Bianca, let + Me pay the debt + I owe thee for a kiss + Thou lend'st to me, + And I to thee + Will render ten for this. + + If thou wilt say + Ten will not pay + For that so rich a one; + I'll clear the sum, + If it will come + Unto a million. + + By this, I guess, + Of happiness + Who has a little measure, + He must of right + To th' utmost mite + Make payment for his pleasure. + + +88. TO JULIA. + + How rich and pleasing thou, my Julia, art + In each thy dainty and peculiar part! + First, for thy queenship, on thy head is set + Of flowers a sweet commingled coronet: + About thy neck a carcanet is bound, + Made of the ruby, pearl and diamond: + A golden ring that shines upon thy thumb: + About thy wrist, the rich dardanium.[G] + Between thy breasts (than down of swans more white) + There plays the sapphire with the chrysolite. + No part besides must of thyself be known, + But by the topaz, opal, chalcedon. + + _Carcanet_, necklace. + +[G] _Dardanium_, a bracelet, from Dardanus so called. (Note in the +original edition.) + + +89. TO LAURELS. + + A funeral stone + Or verse I covet none, + But only crave + Of you that I may have + A sacred laurel springing from my grave: + Which being seen, + Blest with perpetual green, + May grow to be + Not so much call'd a tree + As the eternal monument of me. + + +90. HIS CAVALIER. + + Give me that man that dares bestride + The active sea-horse, and with pride + Through that huge field of waters ride. + + Who with his looks, too, can appease + The ruffling winds and raging seas, + In midst of all their outrages. + + This, this a virtuous man can do, + Sail against rocks, and split them too; + Ay, and a world of pikes pass through. + + +91. ZEAL REQUIRED IN LOVE. + + I'll do my best to win whene'er I woo: + _That man loves not who is not zealous too_. + + +92. THE BAG OF THE BEE. + + About the sweet bag of a bee + Two cupids fell at odds, + And whose the pretty prize should be + They vow'd to ask the gods. + + Which Venus hearing, thither came, + And for their boldness stripp'd them, + And, taking thence from each his flame, + With rods of myrtle whipp'd them. + + Which done, to still their wanton cries, + When quiet grown she'd seen them, + She kiss'd, and wip'd their dove-like eyes, + And gave the bag between them. + + +93. LOVE KILLED BY LACK. + + Let me be warm, let me be fully fed, + _Luxurious love by wealth is nourished_. + Let me be lean, and cold, and once grown poor, + I shall dislike what once I lov'd before. + + +94. TO HIS MISTRESS. + + Choose me your valentine, + Next let us marry-- + Love to the death will pine + If we long tarry. + + Promise, and keep your vows, + Or vow ye never-- + Love's doctrine disallows + Troth-breakers ever. + + You have broke promise twice, + Dear, to undo me, + If you prove faithless thrice + None then will woo ye. + + +95. TO THE GENEROUS READER. + + See and not see, and if thou chance t'espy + Some aberrations in my poetry, + Wink at small faults; the greater, ne'ertheless, + Hide, and with them their father's nakedness. + Let's do our best, our watch and ward to keep; + Homer himself, in a long work, may sleep. + + +96. TO CRITICS. + + I'll write, because I'll give + You critics means to live; + For should I not supply + The cause, th' effect would die. + + +97. DUTY TO TYRANTS. + + Good princes must be pray'd for; for the bad + They must be borne with, and in rev'rence had. + Do they first pill thee, next pluck off thy skin? + _Good children kiss the rods that punish sin_. + Touch not the tyrant; let the gods alone + To strike him dead that but usurps a throne. + + _Pill_, plunder. + + +98. BEING ONCE BLIND, HIS REQUEST TO BIANCA. + + When age or chance has made me blind, + So that the path I cannot find, + And when my falls and stumblings are + More than the stones i' th' street by far, + Go thou afore, and I shall well + Follow thy perfumes by the smell; + Or be my guide, and I shall be + Led by some light that flows from thee. + Thus held or led by thee, I shall + In ways confus'd nor slip or fall. + + +100. NO WANT WHERE THERE'S LITTLE. + + To bread and water none is poor; + And having these, what need of more? + Though much from out the cess be spent, + _Nature with little is content_. + + _Cess_, the parish assessment for church purposes. + + +101. BARLEY-BREAK; OR, LAST IN HELL. + + We two are last in hell; what may we fear + To be tormented or kept pris'ners here? + Alas! if kissing be of plagues the worst, + We'll wish in hell we had been last and first. + + _Barley-break_, a country game resembling prisoners' base. See Note. + _Hell_, the "middle den," the occupants of which had to catch the other + players. + + +102. THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTY. + + Beauty no other thing is than a beam + Flashed out between the middle and extreme. + + +103. TO DIANEME. + + Dear, though to part it be a hell, + Yet, Dianeme, now farewell: + Thy frown last night did bid me go, + But whither only grief does know. + I do beseech thee ere we part, + If merciful as fair thou art, + Or else desir'st that maids should tell + Thy pity by love's chronicle, + O Dianeme, rather kill + Me, than to make me languish still! + 'Tis cruelty in thee to th' height + Thus, thus to wound, not kill outright; + Yet there's a way found, if you please, + By sudden death to give me ease; + And thus devis'd, do thou but this-- + Bequeath to me one parting kiss, + So sup'rabundant joy shall be + The executioner of me. + + +104. TO ANTHEA LYING IN BED. + + So looks Anthea, when in bed she lies + O'ercome or half betray'd by tiffanies, + Like to a twilight, or that simpering dawn + That roses show when misted o'er with lawn. + Twilight is yet, till that her lawns give way; + Which done, that dawn turns then to perfect day. + + _Tiffanies_, gauzes. + _Lawn_, fine linen. + + +105. TO ELECTRA. + + More white than whitest lilies far, + Or snow, or whitest swans you are: + More white than are the whitest creams, + Or moonlight tinselling the streams: + More white than pearls, or Juno's thigh, + Or Pelops' arm of ivory. + True, I confess, such whites as these + May me delight, not fully please; + Till like Ixion's cloud you be + White, warm, and soft to lie with me. + + _Pelops' arm_, which Jove gave him to replace the one eaten by Ceres at + the feast of Tantalus. + _Ixion's cloud_, to which Jove, for his deception, gave the form of Juno. + + +106. A COUNTRY-LIFE: TO HIS BROTHER, MR. THO. HERRICK. + + Thrice, and above, bless'd, my soul's half, art thou + In thy both last and better vow: + Could'st leave the city, for exchange, to see + The country's sweet simplicity: + And it to know and practise, with intent + To grow the sooner innocent + By studying to know virtue, and to aim + More at her nature than her name. + The last is but the least; the first doth tell + Ways less to live than to live well: + And both are known to thee, who now can'st live + Led by thy conscience; to give + Justice to soon-pleased nature; and to show + Wisdom and she together go + And keep one centre: this with that conspires + To teach man to confine desires + And know that riches have their proper stint + In the contented mind, not mint: + And can'st instruct that those who have the itch + Of craving more are never rich. + These things thou know'st to th' height, and dost prevent + That plague; because thou art content + With that heav'n gave thee with a wary hand, + More blessed in thy brass than land, + To keep cheap nature even and upright; + To cool, not cocker appetite. + Thus thou canst tersely live to satisfy + The belly chiefly, not the eye; + Keeping the barking stomach wisely quiet, + Less with a neat than needful diet. + But that which most makes sweet thy country life + Is the fruition of a wife: + Whom, stars consenting with thy fate, thou hast + Got not so beautiful as chaste: + By whose warm side thou dost securely sleep, + While love the sentinel doth keep, + With those deeds done by day, which ne'er affright + Thy silken slumbers in the night. + Nor has the darkness power to usher in + Fear to those sheets that know no sin; + But still thy wife, by chaste intentions led, + Gives thee each night a maidenhead. + The damask'd meadows and the pebbly streams + Sweeten and make soft your dreams: + The purling springs, groves, birds, and well-weav'd bowers, + With fields enamelled with flowers, + Present their shapes; while fantasy discloses + Millions of lilies mix'd with roses. + Then dream ye hear the lamb by many a bleat + Woo'd to come suck the milky teat: + While Faunus in the vision comes to keep + From rav'ning wolves the fleecy sheep. + With thousand such enchanting dreams, that meet + To make sleep not so sound as sweet: + Nor can these figures so thy rest endear + As not to rise when Chanticlere + Warns the last watch; but with the dawn dost rise + To work, but first to sacrifice; + Making thy peace with heav'n, for some late fault, + With holy-meal and spirting-salt. + Which done, thy painful thumb this sentence tells us, + _Jove for our labour all things sells us_. + Nor are thy daily and devout affairs + Attended with those desp'rate cares + Th' industrious merchant has; who, for to find + Gold, runneth to the Western Inde, + And back again, tortured with fears, doth fly, + Untaught to suffer poverty. + But thou at home, bless'd with securest ease, + Sitt'st, and believ'st that there be seas + And watery dangers; while thy whiter hap + But sees these things within thy map. + And viewing them with a more safe survey + Mak'st easy fear unto thee say,-- + _"A heart thrice wall'd with oak and brass that man + Had, first durst plough the ocean"_. + But thou at home, without or tide or gale, + Can'st in thy map securely sail: + Seeing those painted countries, and so guess + By those fine shades their substances: + And, from thy compass taking small advice, + Buy'st travel at the lowest price. + Nor are thine ears so deaf but thou canst hear, + Far more with wonder than with fear, + Fame tell of states, of countries, courts, and kings, + And believe there be such things: + When of these truths thy happier knowledge lies + More in thine ears than in thine eyes. + And when thou hear'st by that too true report + Vice rules the most or all at court, + Thy pious wishes are, though thou not there, + Virtue had, and mov'd her sphere. + But thou liv'st fearless; and thy face ne'er shows + Fortune when she comes or goes, + But with thy equal thoughts prepared dost stand, + To take her by the either hand; + Nor car'st which comes the first, the foul or fair: + _A wise man ev'ry way lies square_, + And, like a surly oak with storms perplex'd, + Grows still the stronger, strongly vex'd. + Be so, bold spirit; stand centre-like, unmov'd; + And be not only thought, but prov'd + To be what I report thee; and inure + Thyself, if want comes to endure: + And so thou dost, for thy desires are + Confin'd to live with private lar: + Not curious whether appetite be fed + Or with the first or second bread, + Who keep'st no proud mouth for delicious cates: + Hunger makes coarse meats delicates. + Canst, and unurg'd, forsake that larded fare, + Which art, not nature, makes so rare, + To taste boil'd nettles, colworts, beets, and eat + These and sour herbs as dainty meat, + While soft opinion makes thy Genius say, + _Content makes all ambrosia_. + Nor is it that thou keep'st this stricter size + So much for want as exercise: + To numb the sense of dearth, which should sin haste it, + Thou might'st but only see't, not taste it. + Yet can thy humble roof maintain a choir + Of singing crickets by the fire: + And the brisk mouse may feast herself with crumbs + Till that the green-eyed kitling comes, + Then to her cabin blest she can escape + The sudden danger of a rape: + And thus thy little well-kept stock doth prove + _Wealth cannot make a life, but love_. + Nor art thou so close-handed but canst spend, + Counsel concurring with the end, + As well as spare, still conning o'er this theme, + To shun the first and last extreme. + Ordaining that thy small stock find no breach, + Or to exceed thy tether's reach: + But to live round, and close, and wisely true + To thine own self, and known to few. + Thus let thy rural sanctuary be + Elysium to thy wife and thee; + There to disport yourselves with golden measure: + _For seldom use commends the pleasure_. + Live, and live blest, thrice happy pair; let breath, + But lost to one, be the other's death. + And as there is one love, one faith, one troth, + Be so one death, one grave to both. + Till when, in such assurance live ye may, + Nor fear or wish your dying day. + + _Brass_, money. + _Cocker_, pamper. + _Neat_, dainty. + _Spirting-salt_, the "saliente mica" of Horace, See Note. + _Lar_, the "closet-gods," or gods of the house. + _Colworts_, cabbages. + _Size_ or _assize_, a fixed allowance of food, a ration. + + +107. DIVINATION BY A DAFFODIL. + + When a daffodil I see, + Hanging down his head towards me, + Guess I may what I must be: + First, I shall decline my head; + Secondly, I shall be dead; + Lastly, safely buried. + + +108. TO THE PAINTER, TO DRAW HIM A PICTURE. + + Come, skilful Lupo, now, and take + Thy bice, thy umber, pink, and lake; + And let it be thy pencil's strife, + To paint a Bridgeman to the life: + Draw him as like too, as you can, + An old, poor, lying, flattering man: + His cheeks bepimpled, red and blue; + His nose and lips of mulberry hue. + Then, for an easy fancy, place + A burling iron for his face: + Next, make his cheeks with breath to swell, + And for to speak, if possible: + But do not so, for fear lest he + Should by his breathing, poison thee. + + _Bice_, properly a brown grey, but by transference from "blue bice" and + "green bice," used for blue and green. + _Burling iron_, pincers for extracting knots. + + +111. A LYRIC TO MIRTH. + + While the milder fates consent, + Let's enjoy our merriment: + Drink, and dance, and pipe, and play; + Kiss our dollies night and day: + Crowned with clusters of the vine, + Let us sit, and quaff our wine. + Call on Bacchus, chant his praise; + Shake the thyrse, and bite the bays: + Rouse Anacreon from the dead, + And return him drunk to bed: + Sing o'er Horace, for ere long + Death will come and mar the song: + Then shall Wilson and Gotiere + Never sing or play more here. + + _Wilson_, Dr. John Wilson, the singer and composer, one of the king's + musicians (1594-1673). + _Gotiere_, Jacques Gaultier, a French lutist at the court of Charles I. + + +112. TO THE EARL OF WESTMORELAND. + + When my date's done, and my grey age must die, + Nurse up, great lord, this my posterity: + Weak though it be, long may it grow and stand, + Shored up by you, brave Earl of Westmoreland. + + +113. AGAINST LOVE. + + Whene'er my heart love's warmth but entertains, + Oh frost! oh snow! oh hail! forbid the banes. + One drop now deads a spark, but if the same + Once gets a force, floods cannot quench the flame. + Rather than love, let me be ever lost, + Or let me 'gender with eternal frost. + + +114. UPON JULIA'S RIBAND. + + As shows the air when with a rainbow grac'd, + So smiles that riband 'bout my Julia's waist: + Or like--nay 'tis that zonulet of love, + Wherein all pleasures of the world are wove. + + +115. THE FROZEN ZONE; OR, JULIA DISDAINFUL. + + Whither? say, whither shall I fly, + To slack these flames wherein I fry? + To the treasures, shall I go, + Of the rain, frost, hail, and snow? + Shall I search the underground, + Where all damps and mists are found? + Shall I seek (for speedy ease) + All the floods and frozen seas? + Or descend into the deep, + Where eternal cold does keep? + These may cool; but there's a zone + Colder yet than anyone: + That's my Julia's breast, where dwells + Such destructive icicles, + As that the congelation will + Me sooner starve than those can kill. + + +116. AN EPITAPH UPON A SOBER MATRON. + + With blameless carriage, I lived here + To the almost seven and fortieth year. + Stout sons I had, and those twice three + One only daughter lent to me: + The which was made a happy bride + But thrice three moons before she died. + My modest wedlock, that was known + Contented with the bed of one. + + +117. TO THE PATRON OF POETS, M. END. PORTER. + + Let there be patrons, patrons like to thee, + Brave Porter! poets ne'er will wanting be: + Fabius and Cotta, Lentulus, all live + In thee, thou man of men! who here do'st give + Not only subject-matter for our wit, + But likewise oil of maintenance to it: + For which, before thy threshold, we'll lay down + Our thyrse for sceptre, and our bays for crown. + For, to say truth, all garlands are thy due: + The laurel, myrtle, oak, and ivy too. + + +118. THE SADNESS OF THINGS FOR SAPPHO'S SICKNESS. + + Lilies will languish; violets look ill; + Sickly the primrose; pale the daffodil; + That gallant tulip will hang down his head, + Like to a virgin newly ravished; + Pansies will weep, and marigolds will wither, + And keep a fast and funeral together; + Sappho droop, daisies will open never, + But bid good-night, and close their lids for ever. + + +119. LEANDER'S OBSEQUIES. + + When as Leander young was drown'd + No heart by Love receiv'd a wound, + But on a rock himself sat by, + There weeping sup'rabundantly. + Sighs numberless he cast about, + And, all his tapers thus put out, + His head upon his hand he laid, + And sobbing deeply, thus he said: + "Ah, cruel sea," and, looking on't, + Wept as he'd drown the Hellespont. + And sure his tongue had more express'd + But that his tears forbade the rest. + + +120. HOPE HEARTENS. + + None goes to warfare but with this intent-- + The gains must dead the fears of detriment. + + +121. FOUR THINGS MAKE US HAPPY HERE. + + Health is the first good lent to men; + A gentle disposition then: + Next, to be rich by no by-ways; + Lastly, with friends t'enjoy our days. + + +122. HIS PARTING FROM MRS. DOROTHY KENNEDY. + + When I did go from thee I felt that smart + Which bodies do when souls from them depart. + Thou did'st not mind it; though thou then might'st see + Me turn'd to tears; yet did'st not weep for me. + 'Tis true, I kiss'd thee; but I could not hear + Thee spend a sigh t'accompany my tear. + Methought 'twas strange that thou so hard should'st prove, + Whose heart, whose hand, whose every part spake love. + Prithee, lest maids should censure thee, but say + Thou shed'st one tear, whenas I went away; + And that will please me somewhat: though I know, + And Love will swear't, my dearest did not so. + + +123. THE TEAR SENT TO HER FROM STAINES. + + Glide, gentle streams, and bear + Along with you my tear + To that coy girl + Who smiles, yet slays + Me with delays, + And strings my tears as pearl. + + See! see, she's yonder set, + Making a carcanet + Of maiden-flowers! + There, there present + This orient + And pendant pearl of ours. + + Then say I've sent one more + Gem to enrich her store; + And that is all + Which I can send, + Or vainly spend, + For tears no more will fall. + + Nor will I seek supply + Of them, the spring's once dry; + But I'll devise, + Among the rest, + A way that's best + How I may save mine eyes. + + Yet say--should she condemn + Me to surrender them + Then say my part + Must be to weep + Out them, to keep + A poor, yet loving heart. + + Say too, she would have this; + She shall: then my hope is, + That when I'm poor + And nothing have + To send or save, + I'm sure she'll ask no more. + + _Carcanet_, necklace. + + +124. UPON ONE LILY, WHO MARRIED WITH A MAID CALLED ROSE. + + What times of sweetness this fair day foreshows, + Whenas the Lily marries with the Rose! + What next is look'd for? but we all should see + To spring from thee a sweet posterity. + + +125. AN EPITAPH UPON A CHILD. + + Virgins promis'd when I died + That they would each primrose-tide + Duly, morn and evening, come, + And with flowers dress my tomb. + Having promis'd, pay your debts, + Maids, and here strew violets. + + +127. THE HOUR-GLASS. + + That hour-glass which there you see + With water fill'd, sirs, credit me, + The humour was, as I have read, + But lovers' tears incrystalled. + Which, as they drop by drop do pass + From th' upper to the under-glass, + Do in a trickling manner tell, + By many a watery syllable, + That lovers' tears in lifetime shed + Do restless run when they are dead. + + _Humour_, moisture. + + +128. HIS FAREWELL TO SACK. + + Farewell thou thing, time past so known, so dear + To me as blood to life and spirit; near, + Nay, thou more near than kindred, friend, man, wife, + Male to the female, soul to body; life + To quick action, or the warm soft side + Of the resigning, yet resisting bride. + The kiss of virgins, first fruits of the bed, + Soft speech, smooth touch, the lips, the maidenhead: + These and a thousand sweets could never be + So near or dear as thou wast once to me. + O thou, the drink of gods and angels! wine + That scatter'st spirit and lust, whose purest shine + More radiant than the summer's sunbeams shows; + Each way illustrious, brave, and like to those + Comets we see by night, whose shagg'd portents + Foretell the coming of some dire events, + Or some full flame which with a pride aspires, + Throwing about his wild and active fires; + 'Tis thou, above nectar, O divinest soul! + Eternal in thyself, that can'st control + That which subverts whole nature, grief and care, + Vexation of the mind, and damn'd despair. + 'Tis thou alone who, with thy mystic fan, + Work'st more than wisdom, art, or nature can + To rouse the sacred madness and awake + The frost-bound blood and spirits, and to make + Them frantic with thy raptures flashing through + The soul like lightning, and as active too. + 'Tis not Apollo can, or those thrice three + Castalian sisters, sing, if wanting thee. + Horace, Anacreon, both had lost their fame, + Had'st thou not fill'd them with thy fire and flame. + Ph[oe]bean splendour! and thou, Thespian spring! + Of which sweet swans must drink before they sing + Their true-pac'd numbers and their holy lays, + Which makes them worthy cedar and the bays. + But why, why longer do I gaze upon + Thee with the eye of admiration? + Since I must leave thee, and enforc'd must say + To all thy witching beauties, Go, away. + But if thy whimpering looks do ask me why, + Then know that nature bids thee go, not I. + 'Tis her erroneous self has made a brain + Uncapable of such a sovereign + As is thy powerful self. Prithee not smile, + Or smile more inly, lest thy looks beguile + My vows denounc'd in zeal, which thus much show thee + That I have sworn but by thy looks to know thee. + Let others drink thee freely, and desire + Thee and their lips espous'd, while I admire + And love thee, but not taste thee. Let my muse + Fail of thy former helps, and only use + Her inadult'rate strength: what's done by me + Hereafter shall smell of the lamp, not thee. + + _Shagg'd_, rough-haired. + _Mystic fan_, the "mystica vannus Iacchi" of Georgic, i. 166. + _Cedar_, _i.e._, cedar oil, used for the preservation of manuscripts. + + +130. UPON MRS. ELIZABETH WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF AMARILLIS. + + Sweet Amarillis by a spring's + Soft and soul-melting murmurings + Slept, and thus sleeping, thither flew + A robin-redbreast, who, at view, + Not seeing her at all to stir, + Brought leaves and moss to cover her; + But while he perking there did pry + About the arch of either eye, + The lid began to let out day, + At which poor robin flew away, + And seeing her not dead, but all disleav'd, + He chirp'd for joy to see himself deceiv'd. + + +132. TO MYRRHA, HARD-HEARTED. + + Fold now thine arms and hang the head, + Like to a lily withered; + Next look thou like a sickly moon, + Or like Jocasta in a swoon; + Then weep and sigh and softly go, + Like to a widow drown'd in woe, + Or like a virgin full of ruth + For the lost sweetheart of her youth; + And all because, fair maid, thou art + Insensible of all my smart, + And of those evil days that be + Now posting on to punish thee. + The gods are easy, and condemn + All such as are not soft like them. + + +133. THE EYE. + + Make me a heaven, and make me there + Many a less and greater sphere: + Make me the straight and oblique lines, + The motions, lations and the signs. + Make me a chariot and a sun, + And let them through a zodiac run; + Next place me zones and tropics there, + With all the seasons of the year. + Make me a sunset and a night, + And then present the morning's light + Cloth'd in her chamlets of delight. + To these make clouds to pour down rain, + With weather foul, then fair again. + And when, wise artist, that thou hast + With all that can be this heaven grac't, + Ah! what is then this curious sky + But only my Corinna's eye? + + _Lations_, astral attractions. + _Chamlets_, _i.e._, camlets, stuffs made from camels' hair. + + +134. UPON THE MUCH-LAMENTED MR. J. WARR. + + What wisdom, learning, wit or worth + Youth or sweet nature could bring forth + Rests here with him who was the fame, + The volume of himself and name. + If, reader, then, thou wilt draw near + And do an honour to thy tear, + Weep then for him for whom laments + Not one, but many monuments. + + +136. THE SUSPICION UPON HIS OVER-MUCH FAMILIARITY WITH A GENTLEWOMAN. + + And must we part, because some say + Loud is our love, and loose our play, + And more than well becomes the day? + Alas for pity! and for us + Most innocent, and injured thus! + Had we kept close, or played within, + Suspicion now had been the sin, + And shame had followed long ere this, + T' have plagued what now unpunished is. + But we, as fearless of the sun, + As faultless, will not wish undone + What now is done, since _where no sin + Unbolts the door, no shame comes in_. + Then, comely and most fragrant maid, + Be you more wary than afraid + Of these reports, because you see + The fairest most suspected be. + The common forms have no one eye + Or ear of burning jealousy + To follow them: but chiefly where + Love makes the cheek and chin a sphere + To dance and play in, trust me, there + Suspicion questions every hair. + Come, you are fair, and should be seen + While you are in your sprightful green: + And what though you had been embraced + By me--were you for that unchaste? + No, no! no more than is yond' moon + Which, shining in her perfect noon, + In all that great and glorious light, + Continues cold as is the night. + Then, beauteous maid, you may retire; + And as for me, my chaste desire + Shall move towards you, although I see + Your face no more. So live you free + From fame's black lips, as you from me. + + +137. SINGLE LIFE MOST SECURE. + + Suspicion, discontent, and strife + Come in for dowry with a wife. + + +138. THE CURSE. A SONG. + + Go, perjured man; and if thou e'er return + To see the small remainders in mine urn, + When thou shalt laugh at my religious dust, + And ask: where's now the colour, form and trust + Of woman's beauty? and with hand more rude + Rifle the flowers which the virgins strewed: + Know I have prayed to Fury that some wind + May blow my ashes up, and strike thee blind. + + +139. THE WOUNDED CUPID. SONG. + + 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! + + +140. TO DEWS. A SONG. + + I burn, I burn; and beg of you + To quench or cool me with your dew. + I fry in fire, and so consume, + Although the pile be all perfume. + Alas! the heat and death's the same, + Whether by choice or common flame, + To be in oil of roses drowned, + Or water; where's the comfort found? + Both bring one death; and I die here + Unless you cool me with a tear: + Alas! I call; but ah! I see + Ye cool and comfort all but me. + + +141. SOME COMFORT IN CALAMITY. + + To conquered men, some comfort 'tis to fall + By the hand of him who is the general. + + +142. THE VISION. + + Sitting alone, as one forsook, + Close by a silver-shedding brook, + With hands held up to love, I wept; + And after sorrows spent I slept: + Then in a vision I did see + A glorious form appear to me: + A virgin's face she had; her dress + Was like a sprightly Spartaness. + A silver bow, with green silk strung, + Down from her comely shoulders hung: + And as she stood, the wanton air + Dangled the ringlets of her hair. + Her legs were such Diana shows + When, tucked up, she a-hunting goes; + With buskins shortened to descry + The happy dawning of her thigh: + Which when I saw, I made access + To kiss that tempting nakedness: + But she forbade me with a wand + Of myrtle she had in her hand: + And, chiding me, said: Hence, remove, + Herrick, thou art too coarse to love. + + +143. LOVE ME LITTLE, LOVE ME LONG. + + You say, to me-wards your affection's strong; + Pray love me little, so you love me long. + Slowly goes far: the mean is best: desire, + Grown violent, does either die or tire. + + +144. UPON A VIRGIN KISSING A ROSE. + + 'Twas but a single rose, + Till you on it did breathe; + But since, methinks, it shows + Not so much rose as wreath. + + +145. UPON A WIFE THAT DIED MAD WITH JEALOUSY. + + In this little vault she lies, + Here, with all her jealousies: + Quiet yet; but if ye make + Any noise they both will wake, + And such spirits raise 'twill then + Trouble death to lay again. + + +146. UPON THE BISHOP OF LINCOLN'S IMPRISONMENT. + + Never was day so over-sick with showers + But that it had some intermitting hours; + Never was night so tedious but it knew + The last watch out, and saw the dawning too; + Never was dungeon so obscurely deep + Wherein or light or day did never peep; + Never did moon so ebb, or seas so wane, + But they left hope-seed to fill up again. + So you, my lord, though you have now your stay, + Your night, your prison, and your ebb, you may + Spring up afresh, when all these mists are spent, + And star-like, once more gild our firmament. + Let but that mighty Cæsar speak, and then + All bolts, all bars, all gates shall cleave; as when + That earthquake shook the house, and gave the stout + Apostles way, unshackled, to go out. + This, as I wish for, so I hope to see; + Though you, my lord, have been unkind to me, + To wound my heart, and never to apply, + When you had power, the meanest remedy. + Well, though my grief by you was gall'd the more, + Yet I bring balm and oil to heal your sore. + + +147. DISSUASIONS FROM IDLENESS. + + Cynthius, pluck ye by the ear, + That ye may good doctrine hear; + Play not with the maiden-hair, + For each ringlet there's a snare. + Cheek, and eye, and lip, and chin-- + These are traps to take fools in. + Arms, and hands, and all parts else, + Are but toils, or manacles, + Set on purpose to enthral + Men, but slothfuls most of all. + Live employed, and so live free + From these fetters; like to me, + Who have found, and still can prove, + _The lazy man the most doth love_. + + +149. AN EPITHALAMY TO SIR THOMAS SOUTHWELL AND HIS LADY. + + + I. + + Now, now's the time, so oft by truth + Promis'd should come to crown your youth. + Then, fair ones, do not wrong + Your joys by staying long; + Or let love's fire go out, + By lingering thus in doubt; + But learn that time once lost + Is ne'er redeem'd by cost. + Then away; come, Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + II. + + Is it, sweet maid, your fault these holy + Bridal rites go on so slowly? + Dear, is it this you dread + The loss of maidenhead? + Believe me, you will most + Esteem it when 'tis lost; + Then it no longer keep, + Lest issue lie asleep. + Then, away; come, Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + III. + + These precious, pearly, purling tears + But spring from ceremonious fears. + And 'tis but native shame + That hides the loving flame, + And may a while control + The soft and am'rous soul; + But yet love's fire will waste + Such bashfulness at last. + Then, away; come, Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + IV. + + Night now hath watch'd herself half blind, + Yet not a maidenhead resign'd! + 'Tis strange, ye will not fly + To love's sweet mystery. + Might yon full moon the sweets + Have, promised to your sheets, + She soon would leave her sphere, + To be admitted there. + Then, away; come, Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + V. + + On, on devoutly, make no stay; + While Domiduca leads the way, + And Genius, who attends + The bed for lucky ends. + With Juno goes the Hours + And Graces strewing flowers. + And the boys with sweet tunes sing: + Hymen, O Hymen, bring + Home the turtles; Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + VI. + + Behold! how Hymen's taper-light + Shows you how much is spent of night. + See, see the bridegroom's torch + Half wasted in the porch. + And now those tapers five, + That show the womb shall thrive, + Their silv'ry flames advance, + To tell all prosp'rous chance + Still shall crown the happy life + Of the goodman and the wife. + + + VII. + + Move forward then your rosy feet, + And make whate'er they touch turn sweet. + May all, like flowery meads, + Smell where your soft foot treads; + And everything assume + To it the like perfume, + As Zephyrus when he 'spires + Through woodbine and sweetbriars. + Then, away; come, Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + VIII. + + And now the yellow veil at last + Over her fragrant cheek is cast. + Now seems she to express + A bashful willingness: + Showing a heart consenting, + As with a will repenting. + Then gently lead her on + With wise suspicion; + For that, matrons say, a measure + Of that passion sweetens pleasure. + + + IX. + + You, you that be of her nearest kin, + Now o'er the threshold force her in. + But to avert the worst + Let her her fillets first + Knit to the posts, this point + Remembering, to anoint + The sides, for 'tis a charm + Strong against future harm; + And the evil deads, the which + There was hidden by the witch. + + + X. + + O Venus! thou to whom is known + The best way how to loose the zone + Of virgins, tell the maid + She need not be afraid, + And bid the youth apply + Close kisses if she cry, + And charge he not forbears + Her though she woo with tears. + Tell them now they must adventure, + Since that love and night bid enter. + + + XI. + + No fatal owl the bedstead keeps, + With direful notes to fright your sleeps; + No furies here about + To put the tapers out, + Watch or did make the bed: + 'Tis omen full of dread; + But all fair signs appear + Within the chamber here. + Juno here far off doth stand, + Cooling sleep with charming wand. + + + XII. + + Virgins, weep not; 'twill come when, + As she, so you'll be ripe for men. + Then grieve her not with saying + She must no more a-maying, + Or by rosebuds divine + Who'll be her valentine. + Nor name those wanton reaks + You've had at barley-breaks, + But now kiss her and thus say, + "Take time, lady, while ye may". + + + XIII. + + Now bar the doors; the bridegroom puts + The eager boys to gather nuts. + And now both love and time + To their full height do climb: + Oh! give them active heat + And moisture both complete: + Fit organs for increase, + To keep and to release + That which may the honour'd stem + Circle with a diadem. + + + XIV. + + And now, behold! the bed or couch + That ne'er knew bride's or bridegroom's touch, + Feels in itself a fire; + And, tickled with desire, + Pants with a downy breast, + As with a heart possesst, + Shrugging as it did move + Ev'n with the soul of love. + And, oh! had it but a tongue, + Doves, 'twould say, ye bill too long. + + + XV. + + O enter then! but see ye shun + A sleep until the act be done. + Let kisses in their close, + Breathe as the damask rose, + Or sweet as is that gum + Doth from Panchaia come. + Teach nature now to know + Lips can make cherries grow + Sooner than she ever yet + In her wisdom could beget. + + + XVI. + + On your minutes, hours, days, months, years, + Drop the fat blessing of the spheres. + That good which heav'n can give + To make you bravely live + Fall like a spangling dew + By day and night on you. + May fortune's lily-hand + Open at your command; + With all lucky birds to side + With the bridegroom and the bride. + + + XVII. + + Let bounteous Fate[s] your spindles full + Fill, and wind up with whitest wool. + Let them not cut the thread + Of life until ye bid. + May death yet come at last, + And not with desp'rate haste, + But when ye both can say + "Come, let us now away," + Be ye to the barn then borne, + Two, like two ripe shocks of corn. + + _Domiduca_, Juno, the goddess of marriage, the "home-bringer". + _Reaks_, pranks. + _Barley-break_, a country game, see 101. + _Panchaia_, the land of spices: _cf_, Virg. G. ii. 139; Æn. iv. 379. + + +150. TEARS ARE TONGUES. + + When Julia chid I stood as mute the while + As is the fish or tongueless crocodile. + Air coin'd to words my Julia could not hear, + But she could see each eye to stamp a tear; + By which mine angry mistress might descry + Tears are the noble language of the eye. + And when true love of words is destitute + The eyes by tears speak, while the tongue is mute. + + +151. UPON A YOUNG MOTHER OF MANY CHILDREN. + + Let all chaste matrons, when they chance to see + My num'rous issue, praise and pity me: + Praise me for having such a fruitful womb, + Pity me, too, who found so soon a tomb. + + +152. TO ELECTRA. + + I'll come to thee in all those shapes + As Jove did when he made his rapes, + Only I'll not appear to thee + As he did once to Semele. + Thunder and lightning I'll lay by, + To talk with thee familiarly. + Which done, then quickly we'll undress + To one and th' other's nakedness, + And, ravish'd, plunge into the bed, + Bodies and souls commingled, + And kissing, so as none may hear, + We'll weary all the fables there. + + _Fables_, _i.e._, of Jove's amours. + + +153. HIS WISH. + + It is sufficient if we pray + To Jove, who gives and takes away: + Let him the land and living find; + Let me alone to fit the mind. + + +154. HIS PROTESTATION TO PERILLA. + + Noonday and midnight shall at once be seen: + Trees, at one time, shall be both sere and green: + Fire and water shall together lie + In one self-sweet-conspiring sympathy: + Summer and winter shall at one time show + Ripe ears of corn, and up to th' ears in snow: + Seas shall be sandless; fields devoid of grass; + Shapeless the world, as when all chaos was, + Before, my dear Perilla, I will be + False to my vow, or fall away from thee. + + +155. LOVE PERFUMES ALL PARTS. + + If I kiss Anthea's breast, + There I smell the ph[oe]nix nest: + If her lip, the most sincere + Altar of incense I smell there-- + Hands, and thighs, and legs are all + Richly aromatical. + Goddess Isis can't transfer + Musks and ambers more from her: + Nor can Juno sweeter be, + When she lies with Jove, than she. + + +156. TO JULIA. + + Permit me, Julia, now to go away; + Or by thy love decree me here to stay. + If thou wilt say that I shall live with thee, + Here shall my endless tabernacle be: + If not, as banish'd, I will live alone + There where no language ever yet was known. + + +157. ON HIMSELF. + + Love-sick I am, and must endure + A desperate grief, that finds no cure. + Ah me! I try; and trying, prove + _No herbs have power to cure love._ + Only one sovereign salve I know, + And that is death, the end of woe. + + +158. VIRTUE IS SENSIBLE OF SUFFERING. + + Though a wise man all pressures can sustain, + His virtue still is sensible of pain: + Large shoulders though he has, and well can bear, + He feels when packs do pinch him, and the where. + + +159. THE CRUEL MAID. + + And cruel maid, because I see + You scornful of my love and me, + I'll trouble you no more; but go + My way where you shall never know + What is become of me: there I + Will find me out a path to die, + Or learn some way how to forget + You and your name for ever: yet, + Ere I go hence, know this from me, + What will, in time, your fortune be: + This to your coyness I will tell, + And, having spoke it once, farewell. + The lily will not long endure, + Nor the snow continue pure; + The rose, the violet, one day, + See, both these lady-flowers decay: + And you must fade as well as they. + And it may chance that Love may turn, + And, like to mine, make your heart burn + And weep to see't; yet this thing do, + That my last vow commends to you: + When you shall see that I am dead, + For pity let a tear be shed; + And, with your mantle o'er me cast, + Give my cold lips a kiss at last: + If twice you kiss you need not fear + That I shall stir or live more here. + Next, hollow out a tomb to cover + Me--me, the most despisèd lover, + And write thereon: _This, reader, know: + Love kill'd this man_. No more, but so. + + +160. TO DIANEME. + + Sweet, be not proud of those two eyes + Which, starlike, sparkle in their skies; + Nor be you proud that you can see + All hearts your captives, yours yet free; + Be you not proud of that rich hair + Which wantons with the love-sick air; + Whenas that ruby which you wear, + Sunk from the tip of your soft ear, + Will last to be a precious stone + When all your world of beauty's gone. + + +161. TO THE KING, TO CURE THE EVIL. + + To find that tree of life whose fruits did feed + And leaves did heal all sick of human seed: + To find Bethesda and an angel there + Stirring the waters, I am come; and here, + At last, I find (after my much to do) + The tree, Bethesda and the angel too: + And all in your blest hand, which has the powers + Of all those suppling-healing herbs and flowers. + To that soft charm, that spell, that magic bough, + That high enchantment, I betake me now, + And to that hand (the branch of heaven's fair tree), + I kneel for help; O! lay that hand on me, + Adored Cæsar! and my faith is such + I shall be heal'd if that my king but touch. + The evil is not yours: my sorrow sings, + "Mine is the evil, but the cure the king's". + + +162. HIS MISERY IN A MISTRESS. + + Water, water I espy; + Come and cool ye, all who fry + In your loves; but none as I. + + Though a thousand showers be + Still a-falling, yet I see + Not one drop to light on me. + + Happy you who can have seas + For to quench ye, or some ease + From your kinder mistresses. + + I have one, and she alone, + Of a thousand thousand known, + Dead to all compassion. + + Such an one as will repeat + Both the cause and make the heat + More by provocation great. + + Gentle friends, though I despair + Of my cure, do you beware + Of those girls which cruel are. + + +164. TO A GENTLEWOMAN OBJECTING TO HIM HIS GRAY HAIRS. + + Am I despised because you say, + And I dare swear, that I am gray? + Know, lady, you have but your day: + And time will come when you shall wear + Such frost and snow upon your hair; + And when (though long, it comes to pass) + You question with your looking-glass; + And in that sincere crystal seek, + But find no rose-bud in your cheek: + Nor any bed to give the show + Where such a rare carnation grew. + Ah! then too late, close in your chamber keeping, + It will be told + That you are old, + By those true tears y'are weeping. + + +165. TO CEDARS. + + If 'mongst my many poems I can see + One only worthy to be wash'd by thee, + I live for ever, let the rest all lie + In dens of darkness or condemn'd to die. + + _Cedars_, oil of cedar was used for preserving manuscripts (carmina + linenda cedro. _Hor._ Ars Poet., 331.) + + +166. UPON CUPID. + + Love like a gipsy lately came, + And did me much importune + To see my hand, that by the same + He might foretell my fortune. + + He saw my palm, and then, said he, + I tell thee by this score here, + That thou within few months shalt be + The youthful Prince d'Amour here. + + I smil'd, and bade him once more prove, + And by some cross-line show it, + That I could ne'er be prince of love, + Though here the princely poet. + + +167. HOW PRIMROSES CAME GREEN. + + Virgins, time-past, known were these, + Troubled with green-sicknesses: + Turn'd to flowers, still the hue, + Sickly girls, they bear of you. + + +168. TO JOS., LORD BISHOP OF EXETER. + + Whom should I fear to write to if I can + Stand before you, my learn'd diocesan? + And never show blood-guiltiness or fear + To see my lines excathedrated here. + Since none so good are but you may condemn, + Or here so bad but you may pardon them. + If then, my lord, to sanctify my muse + One only poem out of all you'll choose, + And mark it for a rapture nobly writ, + 'Tis good confirm'd, for you have bishop'd it. + + _Blood-guiltiness_, guilt betrayed by blushing; cp. 837. + _Excathedrated_, condemned _ex cathedra_. + + +169. UPON A BLACK TWIST ROUNDING THE ARM OF THE COUNTESS OF CARLISLE. + + I saw about her spotless wrist, + Of blackest silk, a curious twist; + Which, circumvolving gently, there + Enthrall'd her arm as prisoner. + Dark was the jail, but as if light + Had met t'engender with the night; + Or so as darkness made a stay + To show at once both night and day. + One fancy more! but if there be + Such freedom in captivity, + I beg of Love that ever I + May in like chains of darkness lie. + + +170. ON HIMSELF. + + I fear no earthly powers, + But care for crowns of flowers; + And love to have my beard + With wine and oil besmear'd. + This day I'll drown all sorrow: + Who knows to live to-morrow? + + +172. A RING PRESENTED TO JULIA. + + Julia, I bring + To thee this ring, + Made for thy finger fit; + To show by this + That our love is + (Or should be) like to it. + + Close though it be + The joint is free; + So, when love's yoke is on, + It must not gall, + Or fret at all + With hard oppression. + + But it must play + Still either way, + And be, too, such a yoke + As not too wide + To overslide, + Or be so strait to choke. + + So we who bear + This beam must rear + Ourselves to such a height + As that the stay + Of either may + Create the burden light. + + And as this round + Is nowhere found + To flaw, or else to sever: + So let our love + As endless prove, + And pure as gold for ever. + + +173. TO THE DETRACTOR. + + Where others love and praise my verses, still + Thy long black thumb-nail marks them out for ill: + A fellon take it, or some whitflaw come + For to unslate or to untile that thumb! + But cry thee mercy: exercise thy nails + To scratch or claw, so that thy tongue not rails: + Some numbers prurient are, and some of these + Are wanton with their itch; scratch, and 'twill please. + + _Fellon_, a sore, especially in the finger. + _Whitflaw_, or whitlow. + + +174. UPON THE SAME. + + I ask'd thee oft what poets thou hast read, + And lik'st the best. Still thou reply'st: The dead. + I shall, ere long, with green turfs cover'd be; + Then sure thou'lt like or thou wilt envy me. + + +175. JULIA'S PETTICOAT. + + Thy azure robe I did behold + As airy as the leaves of gold, + Which, erring here, and wandering there, + Pleas'd with transgression ev'rywhere: + Sometimes 'twould pant, and sigh, and heave, + As if to stir it scarce had leave: + But, having got it, thereupon + 'Twould make a brave expansion. + And pounc'd with stars it showed to me + Like a celestial canopy. + Sometimes 'twould blaze, and then abate, + Like to a flame grown moderate: + Sometimes away 'twould wildly fling, + Then to thy thighs so closely cling + That some conceit did melt me down + As lovers fall into a swoon: + And, all confus'd, I there did lie + Drown'd in delights, but could not die. + That leading cloud I follow'd still, + Hoping t' have seen of it my fill; + But ah! I could not: should it move + To life eternal, I could love. + + _Pounc'd_, sprinkled. + + +176. TO MUSIC. + + Begin to charm, and, as thou strok'st mine ears + With thy enchantment, melt me into tears. + Then let thy active hand scud o'er thy lyre, + And make my spirits frantic with the fire. + That done, sink down into a silvery strain, + And make me smooth as balm and oil again. + + +177. DISTRUST. + + To safeguard man from wrongs, there nothing must + Be truer to him than a wise distrust. + And to thyself be best this sentence known: + _Hear all men speak, but credit few or none_. + + +178. CORINNA'S GOING A-MAYING. + + Get up, get up for shame, the blooming morn + Upon her wings presents the god unshorn. + See how Aurora throws her fair + Fresh-quilted colours through the air: + Get up, sweet slug-a-bed, and see + The dew bespangling herb and tree. + Each flower has wept and bow'd toward the east + Above an hour since: yet you not dress'd; + Nay! not so much as out of bed? + When all the birds have matins said + And sung their thankful hymns, 'tis 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; + 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 + 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 + And open fields and we not see't? + Come, we'll abroad; and let's obey + The proclamation made for May: + And sin no more, as we have done, by staying; + But, my Corinna, come, let's go a-Maying. + + There's not a budding boy or girl this day + But is got up, and gone to bring in May. + A deal of youth, ere this, is come + Back, and with white-thorn laden home. + Some have despatch'd their cakes and cream + Before that we have left to dream: + And some have wept, and woo'd, and plighted troth, + And chose their priest, ere we can cast off sloth: + Many a green-gown has been given; + Many a kiss, both odd and even: + Many a glance too has been sent + From out the eye, love's firmament; + Many a jest told of the keys betraying + This night, and locks pick'd, yet we're not a-Maying. + + Come, let us go while we are in our prime; + And take the harmless folly of the time. + We shall grow old apace, and die + Before we know our liberty. + Our life is short, and our days run + As fast away as does the sun; + And, as a vapour or a drop of rain, + Once lost, can ne'er be found again, + So when or you or I are made + A fable, song, or fleeting shade, + All love, all liking, all delight + Lies drowned with us in endless night. + Then while time serves, and we are but decaying, + Come, my Corinna, come, let's go a-Maying. + + _Beads_, prayers. + _Left to dream_, ceased dreaming. + _Green-gown_, tumble on the grass. + + +179. ON JULIA'S BREATH. + + Breathe, Julia, breathe, and I'll protest, + Nay more, I'll deeply swear, + That all the spices of the east + Are circumfused there. + + _Circumfused_, spread around. + + +180. UPON A CHILD. AN EPITAPH. + + But born, and like a short delight, + I glided by my parents' sight. + That done, the harder fates denied + My longer stay, and so I died. + If, pitying my sad parents' tears, + You'll spill a tear or two with theirs, + And with some flowers my grave bestrew, + Love and they'll thank you for't. Adieu. + + +181. A DIALOGUE BETWIXT HORACE AND LYDIA, TRANSLATED ANNO 1627, AND SET +BY MR. RO. RAMSEY. + + _Hor._ While, Lydia, I was loved of thee, + Nor any was preferred 'fore me + To hug thy whitest neck, than I + The Persian king lived not more happily. + + _Lyd._ While thou no other didst affect, + Nor Chloe was of more respect + Than Lydia, far-famed Lydia, + I flourished more than Roman Ilia. + + _Hor._ Now Thracian Chloe governs me, + Skilful i' th' harp and melody; + For whose affection, Lydia, I + (So fate spares her) am well content to die. + + _Lyd._ My heart now set on fire is + By Ornithes' son, young Calais, + For whose commutual flames here I, + To save his life, twice am content to die. + + _Hor._ Say our first loves we should revoke, + And, severed, join in brazen yoke; + Admit I Chloe put away, + And love again love-cast-off Lydia? + + _Lyd._ Though mine be brighter than the star, + Thou lighter than the cork by far, + Rough as the Adriatic sea, yet I + Will live with thee, or else for thee will die. + + +182. THE CAPTIV'D BEE, OR THE LITTLE FILCHER. + + As Julia once a-slumbering lay + It chanced a bee did fly that way, + After a dew or dew-like shower, + To tipple freely in a flower. + For some rich flower he took the lip + Of Julia, and began to sip; + But when he felt he sucked from thence + Honey, and in the quintessence, + He drank so much he scarce could stir, + So Julia took the pilferer. + And thus surprised, as filchers use, + He thus began himself t' excuse: + Sweet lady-flower, I never brought + Hither the least one thieving thought; + But, taking those rare lips of yours + For some fresh, fragrant, luscious flowers, + I thought I might there take a taste, + Where so much syrup ran at waste. + Besides, know this: I never sting + The flower that gives me nourishing; + But with a kiss, or thanks, do pay + For honey that I bear away. + This said, he laid his little scrip + Of honey 'fore her ladyship: + And told her, as some tears did fall, + That that he took, and that was all. + At which she smiled, and bade him go + And take his bag; but thus much know: + When next he came a-pilfering so, + He should from her full lips derive + Honey enough to fill his hive. + + +185. AN ODE TO MASTER ENDYMION PORTER, UPON HIS BROTHER'S DEATH. + + Not all thy flushing suns are set, + Herrick, as yet; + Nor doth this far-drawn hemisphere + Frown and look sullen ev'rywhere. + Days may conclude in nights, and suns may rest + As dead within the west; + Yet, the next morn, regild the fragrant east. + + Alas! for me, that I have lost + E'en all almost; + Sunk is my sight, set is my sun, + And all the loom of life undone: + The staff, the elm, the prop, the shelt'ring wall + Whereon my vine did crawl, + Now, now blown down; needs must the old stock fall. + + Yet, Porter, while thou keep'st alive, + In death I thrive: + And like a ph[oe]nix re-aspire + From out my nard and fun'ral fire: + And as I prune my feathered youth, so I + Do mar'l how I could die + When I had thee, my chief preserver, by. + + I'm up, I'm up, and bless that hand + Which makes me stand + Now as I do, and but for thee + I must confess I could not be. + The debt is paid; for he who doth resign + Thanks to the gen'rous vine + Invites fresh grapes to fill his press with wine. + + _Mar'l_, marvel. + + +186. TO HIS DYING BROTHER, MASTER WILLIAM HERRICK. + + Life of my life, 'take not so soon thy flight, + But stay the time till we have bade good-night. + Thou hast both wind and tide with thee; thy way + As soon despatch'd is by the night as day. + Let us not then so rudely henceforth go + Till we have wept, kissed, sigh'd, shook hands, or so. + There's pain in parting, and a kind of hell, + When once true lovers take their last farewell. + What! shall we two our endless leaves take here + Without a sad look or a solemn tear? + He knows not love that hath not this truth proved, + _Love is most loth to leave the thing beloved_. + Pay we our vows and go; yet when we part, + Then, even then, I will bequeath my heart + Into thy loving hands; for I'll keep none + To warm my breast when thou, my pulse, art gone. + No, here I'll last, and walk (a harmless shade) + About this urn wherein thy dust is laid, + To guard it so as nothing here shall be + Heavy to hurt those sacred seeds of thee. + + +187. THE OLIVE BRANCH. + + Sadly I walk'd within the field, + To see what comfort it would yield; + And as I went my private way + An olive branch before me lay, + And seeing it I made a stay, + And took it up and view'd it; then + Kissing the omen, said Amen; + Be, be it so, and let this be + A divination unto me; + That in short time my woes shall cease + And Love shall crown my end with peace. + + +189. TO CHERRY-BLOSSOMS. + + Ye may simper, blush and smile, + And perfume the air awhile; + But, sweet things, ye must be gone, + Fruit, ye know, is coming on; + Then, ah! then, where is your grace, + Whenas cherries come in place? + + +190. HOW LILIES CAME WHITE. + + White though ye be, yet, lilies, know, + From the first ye were not so; + But I'll tell ye + What befell ye: + Cupid and his mother lay + In a cloud, while both did play, + He with his pretty finger press'd + The ruby niplet of her breast; + Out of which the cream of light, + Like to a dew, + Fell down on you + And made ye white. + + +191. TO PANSIES. + + Ah, cruel love! must I endure + Thy many scorns and find no cure? + Say, are thy medicines made to be + Helps to all others but to me? + I'll leave thee and to pansies come, + Comforts you'll afford me some; + You can ease my heart and do + What love could ne'er be brought unto. + + +192. ON GILLY-FLOWERS BEGOTTEN. + + What was't that fell but now + From that warm kiss of ours? + Look, look! by love I vow + They were two gilly-flowers. + + Let's kiss and kiss again, + For if so be our closes + Make gilly-flowers, then + I'm sure they'll fashion roses. + + +193. THE LILY IN A CRYSTAL. + + You have beheld a smiling rose + When virgins' hands have drawn + O'er it a cobweb-lawn; + And here you see this lily shows, + Tomb'd in a crystal stone, + More fair in this transparent case + Than when it grew alone + And had but single grace. + + You see how cream but naked is + Nor dances in the eye + Without a strawberry, + Or some fine tincture like to this, + Which draws the sight thereto + More by that wantoning with it + Than when the paler hue + No mixture did admit. + + You see how amber through the streams + More gently strokes the sight + With some conceal'd delight + Than when he darts his radiant beams + Into the boundless air; + Where either too much light his worth + Doth all at once impair, + Or set it little forth. + + Put purple grapes or cherries in- + To glass, and they will send + More beauty to commend + Them from that clean and subtle skin + Than if they naked stood, + And had no other pride at all + But their own flesh and blood + And tinctures natural. + + Thus lily, rose, grape, cherry, cream, + And strawberry do stir + More love when they transfer + A weak, a soft, a broken beam, + Than if they should discover + At full their proper excellence; + Without some scene cast over + To juggle with the sense. + + Thus let this crystal'd lily be + A rule how far to teach + Your nakedness must reach; + And that no further than we see + Those glaring colours laid + By art's wise hand, but to this end + They should obey a shade, + Lest they too far extend. + + So though you're white as swan or snow, + And have the power to move + A world of men to love, + Yet when your lawns and silks shall flow, + And that white cloud divide + Into a doubtful twilight, then, + Then will your hidden pride + Raise greater fires in men. + + _Tincture_, colour, dye. + _Scene_, a covering. + + +194. TO HIS BOOK. + + Like to a bride, come forth, my book, at last, + With all thy richest jewels overcast; + Say, if there be, 'mongst many gems here, one + Deserveless of the name of paragon; + Blush not at all for that, since we have set + Some pearls on queens that have been counterfeit. + + +195. UPON SOME WOMEN. + + Thou who wilt not love, do this, + Learn of me what woman is. + Something made of thread and thrum. + A mere botch of all and some. + Pieces, patches, ropes of hair; + Inlaid garbage everywhere. + Outside silk and outside lawn; + Scenes to cheat us neatly drawn. + False in legs, and false in thighs; + False in breast, teeth, hair, and eyes; + False in head, and false enough; + Only true in shreds and stuff. + + _Thrum_, a small thread. + _All and some_, anything and everything. + + +196. SUPREME FORTUNE FALLS SOONEST. + + While leanest beasts in pastures feed, + _The fattest ox the first must bleed_. + + +197. THE WELCOME TO SACK. + + So soft streams meet, so springs with gladder smiles + Meet after long divorcement by the isles; + When love, the child of likeness, urgeth on + Their crystal natures to a union: + So meet stolen kisses, when the moony nights + Call forth fierce lovers to their wish'd delights; + So kings and queens meet, when desire convinces + All thoughts but such as aim at getting princes, + As I meet thee. Soul of my life and fame! + Eternal lamp of love! whose radiant flame + Out-glares the heaven's Osiris,[H] and thy gleams + Out-shine the splendour of his mid-day beams. + Welcome, O welcome, my illustrious spouse; + Welcome as are the ends unto my vows; + Aye! far more welcome than the happy soil + The sea-scourged merchant, after all his toil, + Salutes with tears of joy, when fires betray + The smoky chimneys of his Ithaca. + Where hast thou been so long from my embraces, + Poor pitied exile? Tell me, did thy graces + Fly discontented hence, and for a time + Did rather choose to bless another clime? + Or went'st thou to this end, the more to move me, + By thy short absence, to desire and love thee? + Why frowns my sweet? Why won't my saint confer + Favours on me, her fierce idolater? + Why are those looks, those looks the which have been + Time-past so fragrant, sickly now drawn in + Like a dull twilight? Tell me, and the fault + I'll expiate with sulphur, hair and salt; + And, with the crystal humour of the spring, + Purge hence the guilt and kill this quarrelling. + Wo't thou not smile or tell me what's amiss? + Have I been cold to hug thee, too remiss, + Too temp'rate in embracing? Tell me, has desire + To thee-ward died i' th' embers, and no fire + Left in this rak'd-up ash-heap as a mark + To testify the glowing of a spark? + Have I divorc'd thee only to combine + In hot adult'ry with another wine? + True, I confess I left thee, and appeal + 'Twas done by me more to confirm my zeal + And double my affection on thee, as do those + Whose love grows more inflam'd by being foes. + But to forsake thee ever, could there be + A thought of such-like possibility? + When thou thyself dar'st say thy isles shall lack + Grapes before Herrick leaves canary sack. + Thou mak'st me airy, active to be borne, + Like Iphiclus, upon the tops of corn. + Thou mak'st me nimble, as the winged hours, + To dance and caper on the heads of flowers, + And ride the sunbeams. Can there be a thing + Under the heavenly Isis[I] that can bring + More love unto my life, or can present + My genius with a fuller blandishment? + Illustrious idol! could th' Egyptians seek + Help from the garlic, onion and the leek + And pay no vows to thee, who wast their best + God, and far more transcendent than the rest? + Had Cassius, that weak water-drinker, known + Thee in thy vine, or had but tasted one + Small chalice of thy frantic liquor, he, + As the wise Cato, had approv'd of thee. + Had not Jove's son,[J] that brave Tirynthian swain, + Invited to the Thesbian banquet, ta'en + Full goblets of thy gen'rous blood, his sprite + Ne'er had kept heat for fifty maids that night. + Come, come and kiss me; love and lust commends + Thee and thy beauties; kiss, we will be friends + Too strong for fate to break us. Look upon + Me with that full pride of complexion + As queens meet queens, or come thou unto me + As Cleopatra came to Anthony, + When her high carriage did at once present + To the triumvir love and wonderment. + Swell up my nerves with spirit; let my blood + Run through my veins like to a hasty flood. + Fill each part full of fire, active to do + What thy commanding soul shall put it to; + And till I turn apostate to thy love, + Which here I vow to serve, do not remove + Thy fires from me, but Apollo's curse + Blast these-like actions, or a thing that's worse. + When these circumstants shall but live to see + The time that I prevaricate from thee. + Call me the son of beer, and then confine + Me to the tap, the toast, the turf; let wine + Ne'er shine upon me; may my numbers all + Run to a sudden death and funeral. + And last, when thee, dear spouse, I disavow, + Ne'er may prophetic Daphne crown my brow. + + _Convinces_, overcomes. + _Ithaca_, the home of the wanderer Ulysses. + _Iphiclus_ won the foot-race at the funeral games of Pelias. + _Circumstants_, surroundings. + +[H] The sun. (Note in the original edition.) + +[I] The moon. (Note in the original edition.) + +[J] Hercules. (Note in the original edition.) + + +198. IMPOSSIBILITIES TO HIS FRIEND. + + My faithful friend, if you can see + The fruit to grow up, or the tree; + If you can see the colour come + Into the blushing pear or plum; + If you can see the water grow + To cakes of ice or flakes of snow; + If you can see that drop of rain + Lost in the wild sea once again; + If you can see how dreams do creep + Into the brain by easy sleep: + Then there is hope that you may see + Her love me once who now hates me. + + +201. TO LIVE MERRILY AND TO TRUST TO GOOD VERSES. + + Now is the time for mirth, + Nor cheek or tongue be dumb; + For, with the flowery earth, + The golden pomp is come. + + The golden pomp is come; + For now each tree does wear. + Made of her pap and gum, + Rich beads of amber here. + + Now reigns the rose, and now + Th' Arabian dew besmears + My uncontrolled brow + And my retorted hairs. + + Homer, this health to thee, + In sack of such a kind + That it would make thee see + Though thou wert ne'er so blind. + + Next, Virgil I'll call forth + To pledge this second health + In wine, whose each cup's worth + An Indian commonwealth. + + A goblet next I'll drink + To Ovid, and suppose, + Made he the pledge, he'd think + The world had all one nose. + + Then this immensive cup + Of aromatic wine, + Catullus, I quaff up + To that terse muse of thine. + + Wild I am now with heat: + O Bacchus, cool thy rays! + Or, frantic, I shall eat + Thy thyrse and bite the bays. + + Round, round the roof does run, + And, being ravish'd thus, + Come, I will drink a tun + To my Propertius. + + Now, to Tibullus, next, + This flood I drink to thee: + But stay, I see a text + That this presents to me. + + Behold, Tibullus lies + Here burnt, whose small return + Of ashes scarce suffice + To fill a little urn. + + Trust to good verses then; + They only will aspire + When pyramids, as men, + Are lost i' th' funeral fire. + + And when all bodies meet + In Lethe to be drown'd, + Then only numbers sweet + With endless life are crown'd. + + _Retorted_, bound back, "retorto crine," _Martial_. + _Immensive_, measureless. + + +202. FAIR DAYS: OR, DAWNS DECEITFUL. + + Fair was the dawn, and but e'en now the skies + Show'd like to cream inspir'd with strawberries, + But on a sudden all was chang'd and gone + That smil'd in that first sweet complexion. + Then thunder-claps and lightning did conspire + To tear the world, or set it all on fire. + What trust to things below, whenas we see, + As men, the heavens have their hypocrisy? + + +203. LIPS TONGUELESS. + + For my part, I never care + For those lips that tongue-tied are: + Tell-tales I would have them be + Of my mistress and of me. + Let them prattle how that I + Sometimes freeze and sometimes fry: + Let them tell how she doth move + Fore or backward in her love: + Let them speak by gentle tones, + One and th' other's passions: + How we watch, and seldom sleep; + How by willows we do weep; + How by stealth we meet, and then + Kiss, and sigh, so part again. + This the lips we will permit + For to tell, not publish it. + + +204. TO THE FEVER, NOT TO TROUBLE JULIA. + + Thou'st dar'd too far; but, fury, now forbear + To give the least disturbance to her hair: + But less presume to lay a plait upon + Her skin's most smooth and clear expansion. + 'Tis like a lawny firmament as yet, + Quite dispossess'd of either fray or fret. + Come thou not near that film so finely spread, + Where no one piece is yet unlevelled. + This if thou dost, woe to thee, fury, woe, + I'll send such frost, such hail, such sleet, and snow, + Such flesh-quakes, palsies, and such fears as shall + Dead thee to th' most, if not destroy thee all. + And thou a thousand thousand times shalt be + More shak'd thyself than she is scorch'd by thee. + + +205. TO VIOLETS. + + Welcome, maids-of-honour! + You do bring + In the spring, + And wait upon her. + + She has virgins many, + Fresh and fair; + Yet you are + More sweet than any. + + You're the maiden posies, + And so grac'd + To be plac'd + 'Fore damask roses. + + Yet, though thus respected, + By-and-by + Ye do lie, + Poor girls, neglected. + + +207. TO CARNATIONS. A SONG. + + Stay while ye will, or go + And leave no scent behind ye: + Yet, trust me, I shall know + The place where I may find ye. + + Within my Lucia's cheek, + Whose livery ye wear, + Play ye at hide or seek, + I'm sure to find ye there. + + +208. TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME. + + Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, + Old time is still a-flying: + And this same flower that smiles to-day + To-morrow will be dying. + + The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, + The higher he's a-getting, + The sooner will his race be run, + And nearer he's to setting. + + 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. + + +209. SAFETY TO LOOK TO ONESELF. + + For my neighbour I'll not know, + Whether high he builds or no: + Only this I'll look upon, + Firm be my foundation. + Sound or unsound, let it be! + 'Tis the lot ordain'd for me. + He who to the ground does fall + _Has not whence to sink at all_. + + +210. TO HIS FRIEND, ON THE UNTUNABLE TIMES. + + Play I could once; but, gentle friend, you see + My harp hung up here on the willow tree. + Sing I could once; and bravely, too, inspire + With luscious numbers my melodious lyre. + Draw I could once, although not stocks or stones, + Amphion-like, men made of flesh and bones, + Whither I would; but ah! I know not how, + I feel in me this transmutation now. + Grief, my dear friend, has first my harp unstrung, + Wither'd my hand, and palsy-struck my tongue. + + +211. HIS POETRY HIS PILLAR. + + Only a little more + I have to write, + Then I'll give o'er, + And bid the world good-night. + + 'Tis but a flying minute + That I must stay, + Or linger in it; + And then I must away. + + O time that cut'st down all + And scarce leav'st here + Memorial + Of any men that were. + + How many lie forgot + In vaults beneath? + And piecemeal rot + Without a fame in death? + + Behold this living stone + I rear for me, + Ne'er to be thrown + Down, envious Time, by thee. + + Pillars let some set up + If so they please: + Here is my hope + And my Pyramides. + + +212. SAFETY ON THE SHORE. + + What though the sea be calm? Trust to the shore, + Ships have been drown'd where late they danc'd before. + + +213. A PASTORAL UPON THE BIRTH OF PRINCE CHARLES. PRESENTED TO THE KING, +AND SET BY MR. NIC. LANIERE. + + _The Speakers_, Mirtillo, Amintas _and_ Amarillis. + + _Amin._ Good-day, Mirtillo. _Mirt._ And to you no less, + And all fair signs lead on our shepherdess. + _Amar._ With all white luck to you. _Mirt._ But say, what news + Stirs in our sheep-walk? _Amin._ None, save that my ewes, + My wethers, lambs, and wanton kids are well, + Smooth, fair and fat! none better I can tell: + Or that this day Menalcas keeps a feast + For his sheep-shearers. _Mirt._ True, these are the least; + But, dear Amintas and sweet Amarillis, + Rest but a while here, by this bank of lilies, + And lend a gentle ear to one report + The country has. _Amin._ From whence? _Amar._ From whence? + _Mirt._ The Court. + Three days before the shutting in of May + (With whitest wool be ever crown'd that day!) + To all our joy a sweet-fac'd child was born, + More tender than the childhood of the morn. + _Chor._ Pan pipe to him, and bleats of lambs and sheep + Let lullaby the pretty prince asleep! + _Mirt._ And that his birth should be more singular + At noon of day was seen a silver star, + Bright as the wise men's torch which guided them + To God's sweet babe, when born at Bethlehem; + While golden angels (some have told to me) + Sung out his birth with heavenly minstrelsy. + _Amin._ O rare! But is't a trespass if we three + Should wend along his babyship to see? + _Mirt._ Not so, not so. + _Chor._ But if it chance to prove + At most a fault, 'tis but a fault of love. + _Amar._ But, dear Mirtillo, I have heard it told + Those learned men brought incense, myrrh and gold + From countries far, with store of spices sweet, + And laid them down for offerings at his feet. + _Mirt._ 'Tis true, indeed; and each of us will bring + Unto our smiling and our blooming king + A neat, though not so great an offering. + _Amar._ A garland for my gift shall be + Of flowers ne'er suck'd by th' thieving bee; + And all most sweet; yet all less sweet than he. + _Amin._ And I will bear, along with you, + Leaves dropping down the honeyed dew, + With oaten pipes as sweet as new. + _Mirt._ And I a sheep-hook will bestow, + To have his little kingship know, + As he is prince, he's shepherd too. + _Chor._ Come, let's away, and quickly let's be dress'd, + And quickly give--_the swiftest grace is best_. + And when before him we have laid our treasures, + We'll bless the babe, then back to country pleasures. + + _White_, favourable. + + +214. TO THE LARK. + + Good speed, for I this day + Betimes my matins say: + Because I do + Begin to woo, + Sweet-singing lark, + Be thou the clerk, + And know thy when + To say, Amen. + And if I prove + Bless'd in my love, + Then thou shalt be + High-priest to me, + At my return, + To incense burn; + And so to solemnise + Love's and my sacrifice. + + +215. THE BUBBLE. A SONG. + + To my revenge and to her desperate fears + Fly, thou made bubble of my sighs and tears. + In the wild air when thou hast rolled about, + And, like a blasting planet, found her out. + Stoop, mount, pass by to take her eye, then glare + Like to a dreadful comet in the air: + Next, when thou dost perceive her fixed sight + For thy revenge to be most opposite, + Then, like a globe or ball of wild-fire, fly, + And break thyself in shivers on her eye. + + +216. A MEDITATION FOR HIS MISTRESS. + + You are a tulip seen to-day, + But, dearest, of so short a stay + That where you grew scarce man can say. + + You are a lovely July-flower, + Yet one rude wind or ruffling shower + Will force you hence, and in an hour. + + You are a sparkling rose i' th' bud, + Yet lost ere that chaste flesh and blood + Can show where you or grew or stood. + + You are a full-spread, fair-set vine, + And can with tendrils love entwine, + Yet dried ere you distil your wine. + + You are like balm enclosed well + In amber, or some crystal shell, + Yet lost ere you transfuse your smell. + + You are a dainty violet, + Yet wither'd ere you can be set + Within the virgin's coronet. + + You are the queen all flowers among, + But die you must, fair maid, ere long, + As he, the maker of this song. + + +217. THE BLEEDING HAND; OR, THE SPRIG OF EGLANTINE GIVEN TO A MAID. + + From this bleeding hand of mine + Take this sprig of eglantine, + Which, though sweet unto your smell, + Yet the fretful briar will tell, + He who plucks the sweets shall prove + Many thorns to be in love. + + +218. LYRIC FOR LEGACIES. + + Gold I've none, for use or show, + Neither silver to bestow + At my death; but this much know; + That each lyric here shall be + Of my love a legacy, + Left to all posterity. + Gentle friends, then do but please + To accept such coins as these + As my last remembrances. + + +219. A DIRGE UPON THE DEATH OF THE RIGHT VALIANT LORD, BERNARD STUART. + + Hence, hence, profane! soft silence let us have + While we this trental sing about thy grave. + + Had wolves or tigers seen but thee, + They would have showed civility; + And, in compassion of thy years, + Washed those thy purple wounds with tears. + But since thou'rt slain, and in thy fall + The drooping kingdom suffers all; + + _Chor._ This we will do, we'll daily come + And offer tears upon thy tomb: + And if that they will not suffice, + Thou shall have souls for sacrifice. + Sleep in thy peace, while we with spice perfume thee, + And cedar wash thee, that no times consume thee. + + Live, live thou dost, and shall; for why? + _Souls do not with their bodies die_: + Ignoble offsprings, they may fall + Into the flames of funeral: + Whenas the chosen seed shall spring + Fresh, and for ever flourishing. + + _Chor._ And times to come shall, weeping, read thy glory + Less in these marble stones than in thy story. + + _Trental_, a dirge; but see Note. + _Cedar_, oil of cedar. + + +220. TO PERENNA, A MISTRESS. + + Dear Perenna, prithee come + And with smallage dress my tomb: + Add a cypress sprig thereto, + With a tear, and so Adieu. + + _Smallage_, water-parsley. + + +223. THE FAIRY TEMPLE; OR, OBERON'S CHAPEL +DEDICATED TO MR. JOHN MERRIFIELD, COUNSELLOR-AT-LAW. + + Rare temples thou hast seen, I know, + And rich for in and outward show: + Survey this chapel, built alone, + Without or lime, or wood, or stone: + Then say if one thou'st seen more fine + Than this, the fairies' once, now thine. + + + THE TEMPLE. + + A way enchased with glass and beads + There is, that to the chapel leads: + Whose structure, for his holy rest, + Is here the halcyon's curious nest: + Into the which who looks shall see + His temple of idolatry, + Where he of godheads has such store, + As Rome's pantheon had not more. + His house of Rimmon this he calls, + Girt with small bones instead of walls. + First, in a niche, more black than jet, + His idol-cricket there is set: + Then in a polished oval by + There stands his idol-beetle-fly: + Next in an arch, akin to this, + His idol-canker seated is: + Then in a round is placed by these + His golden god, Cantharides. + So that, where'er ye look, ye see, + No capital, no cornice free, + Or frieze, from this fine frippery. + Now this the fairies would have known, + Theirs is a mixed religion: + And some have heard the elves it call + Part pagan, part papistical. + If unto me all tongues were granted, + I could not speak the saints here painted. + Saint Tit, Saint Nit, Saint Is, Saint Itis, + Who 'gainst Mab's-state placed here right is; + Saint Will o' th' Wisp, of no great bigness, + But _alias_ called here _Fatuus ignis_; + Saint Frip, Saint Trip, Saint Fill, Saint Fillie + Neither those other saintships will I + Here go about for to recite + Their number, almost infinite, + Which one by one here set down are + In this most curious calendar. + First, at the entrance of the gate + A little puppet-priest doth wait, + Who squeaks to all the comers there: + "_Favour your tongues who enter here; + Pure hands bring hither without stain._" + A second pules: "_Hence, hence, profane!_" + Hard by, i' th' shell of half a nut, + The holy-water there is put: + A little brush of squirrel's hairs + (Composed of odd, not even pairs,) + Stands in the platter, or close by, + To purge the fairy family. + Near to the altar stands the priest, + There off'ring up the Holy Grist, + Ducking in mood and perfect tense, + With (much-good-do-'t him) reverence. + The altar is not here four-square, + Nor in a form triangular, + Nor made of glass, or wood, or stone, + But of a little transverse bone; + Which boys and bruckel'd children call + (Playing for points and pins) cockal. + Whose linen drapery is a thin + Subtile and ductile codlin's skin: + Which o'er the board is smoothly spread + With little seal-work damasked. + The fringe that circumbinds it too + Is spangle-work of trembling dew, + Which, gently gleaming, makes a show + Like frost-work glitt'ring on the snow. + Upon this fetuous board doth stand + Something for show-bread, and at hand, + Just in the middle of the altar, + Upon an end, the fairy-psalter, + Grac'd with the trout-flies' curious wings, + Which serve for watchet ribbonings. + Now, we must know, the elves are led + Right by the rubric which they read. + And, if report of them be true, + They have their text for what they do; + Aye, and their book of canons too. + And, as Sir Thomas Parson tells, + They have their book of articles; + And, if that fairy-knight not lies, + They have their book of homilies; + And other scriptures that design + A short but righteous discipline. + The basin stands the board upon + To take the free oblation: + A little pin-dust, which they hold + More precious than we prize our gold + Which charity they give to many + Poor of the parish, if there's any. + Upon the ends of these neat rails, + Hatch'd with the silver-light of snails, + The elves in formal manner fix + Two pure and holy candlesticks: + In either which a small tall bent + Burns for the altar's ornament. + For sanctity they have to these + Their curious copes and surplices + Of cleanest cobweb hanging by + In their religious vestery. + They have their ash-pans and their brooms + To purge the chapel and the rooms; + Their many mumbling Mass-priests here, + And many a dapper chorister, + Their ush'ring vergers, here likewise + Their canons and their chanteries. + Of cloister-monks they have enow, + Aye, and their abbey-lubbers too; + And, if their legend do not lie, + They much affect the papacy. + And since the last is dead, there's hope + _Elf Boniface shall next be pope_. + They have their cups and chalices; + Their pardons and indulgences; + Their beads of nits, bells, books, and wax + Candles, forsooth, and other knacks; + Their holy oil, their fasting spittle; + Their sacred salt here, not a little; + Dry chips, old shoes, rags, grease and bones; + Beside their fumigations + To drive the devil from the cod-piece + Of the friar (of work an odd piece). + Many a trifle, too, and trinket, + And for what use, scarce man would think it. + Next, then, upon the chanters' side + An apple's core is hung up dri'd, + With rattling kernels, which is rung + To call to morn and even-song. + The saint to which the most he prays + And offers incense nights and days, + The lady of the lobster is, + Whose foot-pace he doth stroke and kiss; + And humbly chives of saffron brings + For his most cheerful offerings. + When, after these, h'as paid his vows + He lowly to the altar bows; + And then he dons the silk-worm's shed, + Like a Turk's turban on his head, + And reverently departeth thence, + Hid in a cloud of frankincense, + And by the glow-worm's light well guided, + Goes to the feast that's now provided. + + _Halcyon_, king-fisher. + _Saint Tit_, etc., see Note. + _Mab's-state_, Mab's chair of state. + _Bruckel'd_, begrimed. + _Cockal_, a game played with four huckle-bones. + _Codlin_, an apple. + _Fetuous_, feat, neat. + _Watchet_, pale blue. + _Hatch'd_, inlaid. + _Bent_, bent grass. + _Nits_, nuts. + _The lady of the lobster_, part of the lobster's apparatus for digestion. + _Foot-pace_, a mat. + _Chives_, shreds. + + +224. TO MISTRESS KATHERINE BRADSHAW, THE LOVELY, THAT CROWNED HIM WITH +LAUREL. + + My muse in meads has spent her many hours, + Sitting, and sorting several sorts of flowers + To make for others garlands, and to set + On many a head here many a coronet; + But, amongst all encircled here, not one + Gave her a day of coronation, + Till you, sweet mistress, came and interwove + A laurel for her, ever young as love-- + You first of all crown'd her: she must of due + Render for that a crown of life to you. + + +225. THE PLAUDITE, OR END OF LIFE. + + If, after rude and boisterous seas, + My wearied pinnace here finds ease; + If so it be I've gained the shore + With safety of a faithful oar; + If, having run my barque on ground, + Ye see the aged vessel crown'd: + What's to be done, but on the sands + Ye dance and sing and now clap hands? + The first act's doubtful, but we say + It is the last commends the play. + + +226. TO THE MOST VIRTUOUS MISTRESS POT, WHO MANY TIMES ENTERTAINED HIM. + + When I through all my many poems look, + And see yourself to beautify my book, + Methinks that only lustre doth appear + A light fulfilling all the region here. + Gild still with flames this firmament, and be + A lamp eternal to my poetry. + Which, if it now or shall hereafter shine, + 'Twas by your splendour, lady, not by mine. + The oil was yours; and that I owe for yet: + _He pays the half who does confess the debt_. + + +227. TO MUSIC, TO BECALM HIS FEVER. + + Charm me asleep and melt me so + With thy delicious numbers, + That, being ravished, hence I go + Away in easy slumbers. + Ease my sick head + And make my bed, + Thou power that canst sever + From me this ill; + And quickly still, + Though thou not kill, + My fever. + + Thou sweetly canst convert the same + From a consuming fire + Into a gentle-licking flame, + And make it thus expire. + Then make me weep + My pains asleep; + And give me such reposes + That I, poor I, + May think thereby + I live and die + 'Mongst roses. + + Fall on me like a silent dew, + Or like those maiden showers + Which, by the peep of day, do strew + A baptism o'er the flowers. + Melt, melt my pains + With thy soft strains; + That, having ease me given, + With full delight + I leave this light, + And take my flight + For heaven. + + +228. UPON A GENTLEWOMAN WITH A SWEET VOICE. + + So long you did not sing or touch your lute, + We knew 'twas flesh and blood that there sat mute. + But when your playing and your voice came in, + 'Twas no more you then, but a cherubin. + + +229. UPON CUPID. + + As lately I a garland bound, + 'Mongst roses I there Cupid found; + I took him, put him in my cup, + And drunk with wine, I drank him up. + Hence then it is that my poor breast + Could never since find any rest. + + +230. UPON JULIA'S BREASTS. + + Display thy breasts, my Julia--there let me + Behold that circummortal purity, + Between whose glories there my lips I'll lay, + Ravish'd in that fair _via lactea_. + + _Circummortal_, more than mortal. + + +231. BEST TO BE MERRY. + + Fools are they who never know + How the times away do go; + But for us, who wisely see + Where the bounds of black death be, + Let's live merrily, and thus + Gratify the Genius. + + +232. THE CHANGES TO CORINNA. + + Be not proud, but now incline + Your soft ear to discipline. + You have changes in your life-- + Sometimes peace and sometimes strife; + You have ebbs of face and flows, + As your health or comes or goes; + You have hopes, and doubts, and fears + Numberless, as are your hairs. + You have pulses that do beat + High, and passions less of heat. + You are young, but must be old, + And, to these, ye must be told + Time ere long will come and plough + Loathed furrows in your brow: + And the dimness of your eye + Will no other thing imply + But you must die + As well as I. + + +234. NEGLECT. + + _Art quickens nature; care will make a face; + Neglected beauty perisheth apace._ + + +235. UPON HIMSELF. + + Mop-eyed I am, as some have said, + Because I've lived so long a maid: + But grant that I should wedded be, + Should I a jot the better see? + No, I should think that marriage might, + Rather than mend, put out the light. + + _Mop-eyed_, shortsighted. + + +236. UPON A PHYSICIAN. + + Thou cam'st to cure me, doctor, of my cold, + And caught'st thyself the more by twenty fold: + Prithee go home; and for thy credit be + First cured thyself, then come and cure me. + + +238. TO THE ROSE. A SONG. + + Go, happy rose, and interwove + With other flowers, bind my love. + Tell her, too, she must not be + Longer flowing, longer free, + That so oft has fetter'd me. + + Say, if she's fretful, I have bands + Of pearl and gold to bind her hands. + Tell her, if she struggle still, + I have myrtle rods (at will) + For to tame, though not to kill. + + Take thou my blessing, thus, and go + And tell her this, but do not so, + Lest a handsome anger fly, + Like a lightning, from her eye, + And burn thee up as well as I. + + +240. TO HIS BOOK. + + Thou art a plant sprung up to wither never, + But like a laurel to grow green for ever. + + +241. UPON A PAINTED GENTLEWOMAN. + + Men say y'are fair, and fair ye are, 'tis true; + But, hark! we praise the painter now, not you. + + +243. DRAW-GLOVES. + + At draw-gloves we'll play, + And prithee let's lay + A wager, and let it be this: + Who first to the sum + Of twenty shall come, + Shall have for his winning a kiss. + + _Draw-gloves_, a game of talking by the fingers. + + +244. TO MUSIC, TO BECALM A SWEET-SICK YOUTH. + + Charms, that call down the moon from out her sphere, + On this sick youth work your enchantments here: + Bind up his senses with your numbers so + As to entrance his pain, or cure his woe. + Fall gently, gently, and a while him keep + Lost in the civil wilderness of sleep: + That done, then let him, dispossessed of pain, + Like to a slumb'ring bride, awake again. + + +245. TO THE HIGH AND NOBLE PRINCE GEORGE, DUKE, MARQUIS, AND EARL OF +BUCKINGHAM. + + Never my book's perfection did appear + Till I had got the name of Villars here: + Now 'tis so full that when therein I look + I see a cloud of glory fills my book. + Here stand it still to dignify our Muse, + Your sober handmaid, who doth wisely choose + Your name to be a laureate wreath to her + Who doth both love and fear you, honoured sir. + + +246. HIS RECANTATION. + + Love, I recant, + And pardon crave + That lately I offended; + But 'twas, + Alas! + To make a brave, + But no disdain intended. + + No more I'll vaunt, + For now I see + Thou only hast the power + To find + And bind + A heart that's free, + And slave it in an hour. + + +247. THE COMING OF GOOD LUCK. + + So good luck came, and on my roof did light, + Like noiseless snow, or as the dew of night: + Not all at once, but gently, as the trees + Are by the sunbeams tickled by degrees. + + +248. THE PRESENT; OR, THE BAG OF THE BEE. + + Fly to my mistress, pretty pilfering bee, + And say thou bring'st this honey bag from me: + When on her lip thou hast thy sweet dew placed, + Mark if her tongue but slyly steal a taste. + If so, we live; if not, with mournful hum + Toll forth my death; next, to my burial come. + + +249. ON LOVE. + + Love bade me ask a gift, + And I no more did move + But this, that I might shift + Still with my clothes my love: + That favour granted was; + Since which, though I love many, + Yet so it comes to pass + That long I love not any. + + +250. THE HOCK-CART OR HARVEST HOME. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MILDMAY, +EARL OF WESTMORELAND. + + Come, sons of summer, by whose toil + We are the lords of wine and oil: + By whose tough labours and rough hands + We rip up first, then reap our lands. + Crowned with the ears of corn, now come, + And to the pipe sing harvest home. + Come forth, my lord, and see the cart + Dressed up with all the country art: + See here a maukin, there a sheet, + As spotless pure as it is sweet: + The horses, mares, and frisking fillies, + Clad all in linen white as lilies. + The harvest swains and wenches bound + For joy, to see the hock-cart crowned. + About the cart, hear how the rout + Of rural younglings raise the shout; + Pressing before, some coming after, + Those with a shout, and these with laughter. + Some bless the cart, some kiss the sheaves, + Some prank them up with oaken leaves: + Some cross the fill-horse, some with great + Devotion stroke the home-borne wheat: + While other rustics, less attent + To prayers than to merriment, + Run after with their breeches rent. + Well, on, brave boys, to your lord's hearth, + Glitt'ring with fire, where, for your mirth, + Ye shall see first the large and chief + Foundation of your feast, fat beef: + With upper stories, mutton, veal + And bacon (which makes full the meal), + With sev'ral dishes standing by, + As here a custard, there a pie, + And here all-tempting frumenty. + And for to make the merry cheer, + If smirking wine be wanting here, + There's that which drowns all care, stout beer; + Which freely drink to your lord's health, + Then to the plough, the commonwealth, + Next to your flails, your fans, your fats, + Then to the maids with wheaten hats: + To the rough sickle, and crook'd scythe, + Drink, frolic boys, till all be blithe. + Feed, and grow fat; and as ye eat + Be mindful that the lab'ring neat, + As you, may have their fill of meat. + And know, besides, ye must revoke + The patient ox unto the yoke, + And all go back unto the plough + And harrow, though they're hanged up now. + And, you must know, your lord's word's true, + Feed him ye must, whose food fills you; + And that this pleasure is like rain, + Not sent ye for to drown your pain, + But for to make it spring again. + + _Maukin_, a cloth. + _Fill-horse_, shaft-horse. + _Frumenty_, wheat boiled in milk. + _Fats_, vats. + + +251. THE PERFUME. + + To-morrow, Julia, I betimes must rise, + For some small fault to offer sacrifice: + The altar's ready: fire to consume + The fat; breathe thou, and there's the rich perfume. + + +252. UPON HER VOICE. + + Let but thy voice engender with the string, + And angels will be born while thou dost sing. + + +253. NOT TO LOVE. + + He that will not love must be + My scholar, and learn this of me: + There be in love as many fears + As the summer's corn has ears: + Sighs, and sobs, and sorrows more + Than the sand that makes the shore: + Freezing cold and fiery heats, + Fainting swoons and deadly sweats; + Now an ague, then a fever, + Both tormenting lovers ever. + Would'st thou know, besides all these, + How hard a woman 'tis to please, + How cross, how sullen, and how soon + She shifts and changes like the moon. + How false, how hollow she's in heart: + And how she is her own least part: + How high she's priz'd, and worth but small; + Little thou'lt love, or not at all. + + +254. TO MUSIC. A SONG. + + Music, thou queen of heaven, care-charming spell, + That strik'st a stillness into hell: + Thou that tam'st tigers, and fierce storms that rise, + With thy soul-melting lullabies, + Fall down, down, down from those thy chiming spheres, + To charm our souls, as thou enchant'st our ears. + + +255. TO THE WESTERN WIND. + + Sweet western wind, whose luck it is, + Made rival with the air, + To give Perenna's lip a kiss, + And fan her wanton hair. + + Bring me but one, I'll promise thee, + Instead of common showers, + Thy wings shall be embalm'd by me, + And all beset with flowers. + + +256. UPON THE DEATH OF HIS SPARROW. AN ELEGY. + + Why do not all fresh maids appear + To work love's sampler only here, + Where spring-time smiles throughout the year? + Are not here rosebuds, pinks, all flowers + Nature begets by th' sun and showers, + Met in one hearse-cloth to o'erspread + The body of the under-dead? + Phil, the late dead, the late dead dear, + O! may no eye distil a tear + For you once lost, who weep not here! + Had Lesbia, too-too kind, but known + This sparrow, she had scorn'd her own: + And for this dead which under lies + Wept out her heart, as well as eyes. + But, endless peace, sit here and keep + My Phil the time he has to sleep; + And thousand virgins come and weep + To make these flowery carpets show + Fresh as their blood, and ever grow, + Till passengers shall spend their doom: + Not Virgil's gnat had such a tomb. + + _Phil_, otherwise Philip or Phip, was a pet name for a sparrow. + _Virgil's gnat_, the _Culex_ attributed to Virgil. + + +257. TO PRIMROSES FILLED WITH MORNING DEW. + + Why do ye weep, sweet babes? can tears + Speak grief in you, + Who were but born + Just as the modest morn + Teem'd her refreshing dew? + Alas! you have not known that shower + That mars a flower, + Nor felt th' unkind + Breath of a blasting wind, + Nor are ye worn with years, + Or warp'd as we, + Who think it strange to see + Such pretty flowers, like to orphans young, + To speak by tears before ye have a tongue. + + Speak, whimp'ring younglings, and make known + The reason why + Ye droop and weep; + Is it for want of sleep? + Or childish lullaby? + Or that ye have not seen as yet + The violet? + Or brought a kiss + From that sweetheart to this? + No, no, this sorrow shown + By your tears shed + Would have this lecture read: + That things of greatest, so of meanest worth, + Conceiv'd with grief are, and with tears brought forth. + + +258. HOW ROSES CAME RED. + + Roses at first were white, + Till they could not agree, + Whether my Sappho's breast + Or they more white should be. + + But, being vanquish'd quite, + A blush their cheeks bespread; + Since which, believe the rest, + The roses first came red. + + +259. COMFORT TO A LADY UPON THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND. + + Dry your sweet cheek, long drown'd with sorrow's rain, + Since, clouds dispers'd, suns gild the air again. + Seas chafe and fret, and beat, and overboil, + But turn soon after calm as balm or oil. + Winds have their time to rage; but when they cease + The leafy trees nod in a still-born peace. + Your storm is over; lady, now appear + Like to the peeping springtime of the year. + Off then with grave clothes; put fresh colours on, + And flow and flame in your vermilion. + Upon your cheek sat icicles awhile; + Now let the rose reign like a queen, and smile. + + +260. HOW VIOLETS CAME BLUE. + + Love on a day, wise poets tell, + Some time in wrangling spent, + Whether the violets should excel, + Or she, in sweetest scent. + + But Venus having lost the day, + Poor girls, she fell on you: + And beat ye so, as some dare say, + Her blows did make ye blue. + + +262. TO THE WILLOW-TREE. + + Thou art to all lost love the best, + The only true plant found, + Wherewith young men and maids distres't, + And left of love, are crown'd. + + When once the lover's rose is dead, + Or laid aside forlorn: + Then willow-garlands 'bout the head + Bedew'd with tears are worn. + + When with neglect, the lovers' bane, + Poor maids rewarded be, + For their love lost, their only gain + Is but a wreath from thee. + + And underneath thy cooling shade, + When weary of the light, + The love-spent youth and love-sick maid + Come to weep out the night. + + +263. MRS. ELIZ. WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF THE LOST SHEPHERDESS. + + Among the myrtles as I walk'd, + Love and my sighs thus intertalk'd: + Tell me, said I, in deep distress, + Where I may find my shepherdess. + Thou fool, said Love, know'st thou not this? + In everything that's sweet she is. + In yond' carnation go and seek, + There thou shalt find her lip and cheek: + In that enamell'd pansy by, + There thou shalt have her curious eye: + In bloom of peach and rose's bud, + There waves the streamer of her blood. + 'Tis true, said I, and thereupon + I went to pluck them one by one, + To make of parts a union: + But on a sudden all were gone. + At which I stopp'd; said Love, these be + The true resemblances of thee; + For, as these flowers, thy joys must die, + And in the turning of an eye: + And all thy hopes of her must wither, + Like those short sweets, ere knit together. + + +264. TO THE KING. + + If when these lyrics, Cæsar, you shall hear, + And that Apollo shall so touch your ear + As for to make this, that, or any one, + Number your own, by free adoption; + That verse, of all the verses here, shall be + The heir to this _great realm of poetry_. + + +265. TO THE QUEEN. + + _Goddess of youth, and lady of the spring, + Most fit to be the consort to a king_, + Be pleas'd to rest you in this sacred grove + Beset with myrtles, whose each leaf drops love. + Many a sweet-fac'd wood-nymph here is seen, + Of which chaste order you are now the queen: + Witness their homage when they come and strew + Your walks with flowers, and give their crowns to you. + Your leafy throne, with lily-work possess, + And be both princess here and poetess. + + +266. THE POET'S GOOD WISHES FOR THE MOST HOPEFUL AND HANDSOME PRINCE, +THE DUKE OF YORK. + + May his pretty dukeship grow + Like t'a rose of Jericho: + Sweeter far than ever yet + Showers or sunshines could beget. + May the Graces and the Hours + Strew his hopes and him with flowers: + And so dress him up with love + As to be the chick of Jove. + May the thrice-three sisters sing + Him the sovereign of their spring: + And entitle none to be + Prince of Helicon but he. + May his soft foot, where it treads, + Gardens thence produce and meads: + And those meadows full be set + With the rose and violet. + May his ample name be known + To the last succession: + And his actions high be told + Through the world, but writ in gold. + + +267. TO ANTHEA, WHO MAY COMMAND HIM ANYTHING. + + Bid me to live, and I will live + Thy Protestant to be, + Or bid me love, and I will give + A loving heart to thee. + + A heart as soft, a heart as kind, + A heart as sound and free + As in the whole world thou canst find, + That heart I'll give to thee. + + Bid that heart stay, and it will stay + To honour thy decree: + Or bid it languish quite away, + And't shall do so for thee. + + Bid me to weep, and I will weep + While I have eyes to see: + And, having none, yet I will keep + A heart to weep for thee. + + Bid me despair, and I'll despair + Under that cypress-tree: + Or bid me die, and I will dare + E'en death to die for thee. + + Thou art my life, my love, my heart, + The very eyes of me: + And hast command of every part + To live and die for thee. + + +268. PREVISION OR PROVISION. + + _That prince takes soon enough the victor's room + Who first provides not to be overcome._ + + +269. OBEDIENCE IN SUBJECTS. + + _The gods to kings the judgment give to sway: + The subjects only glory to obey._ + + +270. MORE POTENT, LESS PECCANT. + + _He that may sin, sins least: leave to transgress + Enfeebles much the seeds of wickedness._ + + +271. UPON A MAID THAT DIED THE DAY SHE WAS MARRIED. + + That morn which saw me made a bride, + The evening witness'd that I died. + Those holy lights, wherewith they guide + Unto the bed the bashful bride, + Serv'd but as tapers for to burn + And light my relics to their urn. + This epitaph, which here you see, + Supplied the epithalamy. + + +274. TO MEADOWS. + + Ye have been fresh and green, + Ye have been fill'd with flowers, + And ye the walks have been + Where maids have spent their hours. + You have beheld how they + With wicker arks did come + To kiss and bear away + The richer cowslips home. + + Y'ave heard them sweetly sing, + And seen them in a round: + Each virgin like a spring, + With honeysuckles crown'd. + + But now we see none here + Whose silvery feet did tread, + And with dishevell'd hair + Adorn'd this smoother mead. + + Like unthrifts, having spent + Your stock and needy grown, + Y'are left here to lament + Your poor estates, alone. + + _Round_, a rustic dance. + + +275. CROSSES. + + Though good things answer many good intents, + _Crosses do still bring forth the best events_. + + +276. MISERIES. + + Though hourly comforts from the gods we see, + _No life is yet life-proof from misery_. + + +278. TO HIS HOUSEHOLD GODS. + + Rise, household gods, and let us go; + But whither I myself not know. + First, let us dwell on rudest seas; + Next, with severest savages; + Last, let us make our best abode + Where human foot as yet ne'er trod: + Search worlds of ice, and rather there + Dwell than in loathed Devonshire. + + +279. TO THE NIGHTINGALE AND ROBIN REDBREAST. + + When I departed am, ring thou my knell, + Thou pitiful and pretty Philomel: + And when I'm laid out for a corse, then be + Thou sexton, redbreast, for to cover me. + + +280. TO THE YEW AND CYPRESS TO GRACE HIS FUNERAL. + + Both you two have + Relation to the grave: + And where + The funeral-trump sounds, you are there, + + I shall be made, + Ere long, a fleeting shade: + Pray, come + And do some honour to my tomb. + + Do not deny + My last request; for I + Will be + Thankful to you, or friends, for me. + + +281. I CALL AND I CALL. + + I call, I call: who do ye call? + The maids to catch this cowslip ball: + But since these cowslips fading be, + Troth, leave the flowers, and, maids, take me. + Yet, if that neither you will do, + Speak but the word and I'll take you. + + +282. ON A PERFUMED LADY. + + You say you're sweet; how should we know + Whether that you be sweet or no? + From powders and perfumes keep free, + Then we shall smell how sweet you be. + + +283. A NUPTIAL SONG OR EPITHALAMY ON SIR CLIPSEBY CREW AND HIS LADY. + + What's that we see from far? the spring of day + Bloom'd from the east, or fair enjewell'd May + Blown out of April, or some new + Star filled with glory to our view, + Reaching at heaven, + To add a nobler planet to the seven? + Say, or do we not descry + Some goddess in a cloud of tiffany + To move, or rather the + Emergent Venus from the sea? + + 'Tis she! 'tis she! or else some more divine + Enlightened substance; mark how from the shrine + Of holy saints she paces on, + Treading upon vermilion + And amber: spic- + ing the chaft air with fumes of Paradise. + Then come on, come on and yield + A savour like unto a blessed field + When the bedabbled morn + Washes the golden ears of corn. + + See where she comes; and smell how all the street + Breathes vineyards and pomegranates: O how sweet! + As a fir'd altar is each stone, + Perspiring pounded cinnamon. + The ph[oe]nix' nest, + Built up of odours, burneth in her breast. + Who, therein, would not consume + His soul to ash-heaps in that rich perfume? + Bestroking fate the while + He burns to embers on the pile. + + Hymen, O Hymen! tread the sacred ground; + Show thy white feet and head with marjoram crown'd: + Mount up thy flames and let thy torch + Display the bridegroom in the porch, + In his desires + More towering, more disparkling than thy fires: + Show her how his eyes do turn + And roll about, and in their motions burn + Their balls to cinders: haste + Or else to ashes he will waste. + + Glide by the banks of virgins, then, and pass + The showers of roses, lucky four-leav'd grass: + The while the cloud of younglings sing + And drown ye with a flowery spring; + While some repeat + Your praise and bless you, sprinkling you with wheat; + While that others do divine, + _Bless'd is the bride on whom the sun doth shine_; + And thousands gladly wish + You multiply as doth a fish. + + And, beauteous bride, we do confess y'are wise + In dealing forth these bashful jealousies: + In love's name do so; and a price + Set on yourself by being nice: + But yet take heed; + What now you seem be not the same indeed, + And turn apostate: love will, + Part of the way be met or sit stone-still. + On, then, and though you slow- + ly go, yet, howsoever, go. + + And now y'are entered; see the coddled cook + Runs from his torrid zone to pry and look + And bless his dainty mistress: see + The aged point out, "This is she + Who now must sway + The house (love shield her) with her yea and nay": + And the smirk butler thinks it + Sin in's napery not to express his wit; + Each striving to devise + Some gin wherewith to catch your eyes. + + To bed, to bed, kind turtles, now, and write + This the short'st day, and this the longest night; + But yet too short for you: 'tis we + Who count this night as long as three, + Lying alone, + Telling the clock strike ten, eleven, twelve, one. + Quickly, quickly then prepare, + And let the young men and the bride-maids share + Your garters; and their joints + Encircle with the bridegroom's points. + + By the bride's eyes, and by the teeming life + Of her green hopes, we charge ye that no strife + (Farther than gentleness tends) gets place + Among ye, striving for her lace: + O do not fall + Foul in these noble pastimes, lest ye call + Discord in, and so divide + The youthful bridegroom and the fragrant bride: + Which love forfend; but spoken + Be't to your praise, no peace was broken. + + Strip her of springtime, tender-whimpering maids, + Now autumn's come, when all these flowery aids + Of her delays must end; dispose + That lady-smock, that pansy, and that rose + Neatly apart, + But for prick-madam and for gentle-heart, + And soft maidens'-blush, the bride + Makes holy these, all others lay aside: + Then strip her, or unto her + Let him come who dares undo her. + + And to enchant ye more, see everywhere + About the roof a siren in a sphere, + As we think, singing to the din + Of many a warbling cherubin. + O mark ye how + The soul of nature melts in numbers: now + See, a thousand Cupids fly + To light their tapers at the bride's bright eye. + To bed, or her they'll tire, + Were she an element of fire. + + And to your more bewitching, see, the proud + Plump bed bear up, and swelling like a cloud, + Tempting the two too modest; can + Ye see it brusle like a swan, + And you be cold + To meet it when it woos and seems to fold + The arms to hug it? Throw, throw + Yourselves into the mighty overflow + Of that white pride, and drown + The night with you in floods of down. + + The bed is ready, and the maze of love + Looks for the treaders; everywhere is wove + Wit and new mystery; read, and + Put in practice, to understand + And know each wile, + Each hieroglyphic of a kiss or smile; + And do it to the full; reach + High in your own conceit, and some way teach + Nature and art one more + Play than they ever knew before. + + If needs we must for ceremony's sake, + Bless a sack-posset, luck go with it, take + The night-charm quickly, you have spells + And magics for to end, and hells + To pass; but such + And of such torture as no one would grutch + To live therein for ever: fry + And consume, and grow again to die + And live, and, in that case, + Love the confusion of the place. + + But since it must be done, despatch, and sew + Up in a sheet your bride, and what if so + It be with rock or walls of brass + Ye tower her up, as Danae was; + Think you that this + Or hell itself a powerful bulwark is? + I tell ye no; but like a + Bold bolt of thunder he will make his way, + And rend the cloud, and throw + The sheet about like flakes of snow. + + All now is hushed in silence: midwife-moon + With all her owl-eyed issue begs a boon, + Which you must grant; that's entrance; with + Which extract, all we can call pith + And quintessence + Of planetary bodies, so commence, + All fair constellations + Looking upon ye, that two nations, + Springing from two such fires + May blaze the virtue of their sires. + + _Tiffany_, gauze. + _More disparkling_, more widespreading. + _Nice_, fastidious. + _Coddled_, lit. boiled. + _Lace_, girdle. + _Brusle_, raise its feathers. + _Grutch_, grumble. + + +284. THE SILKEN SNAKE. + + For sport my Julia threw a lace + Of silk and silver at my face: + Watchet the silk was, and did make + A show as if't had been a snake: + The suddenness did me afright, + But though it scar'd, it did not bite. + + _Lace_, a girdle. + _Watchet_, pale blue. + + +285. UPON HIMSELF. + + I am sieve-like, and can hold + Nothing hot or nothing cold. + Put in love, and put in too + Jealousy, and both will through: + Put in fear, and hope, and doubt; + What comes in runs quickly out: + Put in secrecies withal, + Whate'er enters, out it shall: + But if you can stop the sieve, + For mine own part, I'd as lief + Maids should say or virgins sing, + Herrick keeps, as holds nothing. + + +286. UPON LOVE. + + Love's a thing, as I do hear, + Ever full of pensive fear; + Rather than to which I'll fall, + Trust me, I'll not like at all. + If to love I should intend, + Let my hair then stand an end: + And that terror likewise prove + Fatal to me in my love. + But if horror cannot slake + Flames which would an entrance make + Then the next thing I desire + Is, to love and live i' th' fire. + + _An end_, on end. + + +287. REVERENCE TO RICHES. + + Like to the income must be our expense; + _Man's fortune must be had in reverence_. + + +288. DEVOTION MAKES THE DEITY. + + _Who forms a godhead out of gold or stone + Makes not a god, but he that prays to one._ + + +289. TO ALL YOUNG MEN THAT LOVE. + + I could wish you all who love, + That ye could your thoughts remove + From your mistresses, and be + Wisely wanton, like to me, + I could wish you dispossessed + Of that _fiend that mars your rest_, + And with tapers comes to fright + Your weak senses in the night. + I could wish ye all who fry + Cold as ice, or cool as I; + But if flames best like ye, then, + Much good do 't ye, gentlemen. + I a merry heart will keep, + While you wring your hands and weep. + + +290. THE EYES. + + 'Tis a known principle in war, + The eyes be first that conquered are. + + +291. NO FAULT IN WOMEN. + + No fault in women to refuse + The offer which they most would choose. + No fault in women to confess + How tedious they are in their dress. + No fault in women to lay on + The tincture of vermilion: + And there to give the cheek a dye + Of white, where nature doth deny. + No fault in women to make show + Of largeness when they're nothing so: + (When true it is the outside swells + With inward buckram, little else). + No fault in women, though they be + But seldom from suspicion free. + No fault in womankind at all + If they but slip and never fall. + + +293. OBERON'S FEAST. + + _Shapcot! to thee the fairy state + I, with discretion, dedicate. + Because thou prizest things that are + Curious and unfamiliar. + Take first the feast; these dishes gone, + We'll see the Fairy Court anon._ + + A little mushroom table spread, + After short prayers, they set on bread; + A moon-parch'd grain of purest wheat, + With some small glittering grit to eat + His choice bits with; then in a trice + They make a feast less great than nice. + But all this while his eye is serv'd, + We must not think his ear was sterv'd; + But that there was in place to stir + His spleen, the chirring grasshopper, + The merry cricket, puling fly, + The piping gnat for minstrelsy. + And now we must imagine first, + The elves present, to quench his thirst, + A pure seed-pearl of infant dew + Brought and besweetened in a blue + And pregnant violet, which done, + His kitling eyes begin to run + Quite through the table, where he spies + The horns of papery butterflies: + Of which he eats, and tastes a little + Of that we call the cuckoo's spittle. + A little fuzz-ball pudding stands + By, yet not blessed by his hands; + That was too coarse: but then forthwith + He ventures boldly on the pith + Of sugar'd rush, and eats the sagg + And well-bestrutted bee's sweet bag: + Gladding his palate with some store + Of emmets' eggs; what would he more? + But beards of mice, a newt's stewed thigh, + A bloated earwig and a fly; + With the red-capp'd worm that's shut + Within the concave of a nut, + Brown as his tooth. A little moth + Late fatten'd in a piece of cloth: + With withered cherries, mandrakes' ears, + Moles' eyes; to these the slain stag's tears + The unctuous dewlaps of a snail, + The broke-heart of a nightingale + O'ercome in music; with a wine + Ne'er ravish'd from the flattering vine, + But gently press'd from the soft side + Of the most sweet and dainty bride, + Brought in a dainty daisy, which + He fully quaffs up to bewitch + His blood to height; this done, commended + Grace by his priest; _the feast is ended_. + + _Sagg_, laden. + _Bestrutted_, swollen. + + +294. EVENT OF THINGS NOT IN OUR POWER. + + By time and counsel do the best we can, + Th' event is never in the power of man. + + +295. UPON HER BLUSH. + + When Julia blushes she does show + Cheeks like to roses when they blow. + + +296. MERITS MAKE THE MAN. + + Our honours and our commendations be + Due to the merits, not authority. + + +297. TO VIRGINS. + + Hear, ye virgins, and I'll teach + What the times of old did preach. + Rosamond was in a bower + Kept, as Danae in a tower: + But yet Love, who subtle is, + Crept to that, and came to this. + Be ye lock'd up like to these, + Or the rich Hesperides, + Or those babies in your eyes, + In their crystal nunneries; + Notwithstanding Love will win, + Or else force a passage in: + And as coy be as you can, + Gifts will get ye, or the man. + + _Babies in your eyes_, see Note to p. 17. + + +298. VIRTUE. + + Each must in virtue strive for to excel; + _That man lives twice that lives the first life well_. + + +299. THE BELLMAN. + + From noise of scare-fires rest ye free, + From murders _Benedicite_. + From all mischances that may fright + Your pleasing slumbers in the night, + Mercy secure ye all, and keep + The goblin from ye while ye sleep. + Past one o'clock, and almost two! + My masters all, good-day to you. + + _Scare-fires_, alarms of fire. + + +300. BASHFULNESS. + + Of all our parts, the eyes express + The sweetest kind of bashfulness. + + +301. TO THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED GENTLEMAN, MASTER EDWARD NORGATE, CLERK OF +THE SIGNET TO HIS MAJESTY. EPIG. + + For one so rarely tun'd to fit all parts, + For one to whom espous'd are all the arts, + Long have I sought for, but could never see + Them all concentr'd in one man, but thee. + Thus, thou that man art whom the fates conspir'd + To make but one, and that's thyself, admir'd. + + +302. UPON PRUDENCE BALDWIN: HER SICKNESS. + + Prue, my dearest maid, is sick, + Almost to be lunatic: + Æsculapius! come and bring + Means for her recovering; + And a gallant cock shall be + Offer'd up by her to thee. + + _Cock_, the traditional offering to Æsculapius; cp. the last words of + Socrates; cp. Ben Jonson, Epig. xiii. + + +303. TO APOLLO. A SHORT HYMN. + + Ph[oe]bus! when that I a verse + Or some numbers more rehearse, + Tune my words that they may fall + Each way smoothly musical: + For which favour there shall be + Swans devoted unto thee. + + +304. A HYMN TO BACCHUS. + + Bacchus, let me drink no more; + Wild are seas that want a shore. + When our drinking has no stint, + There is no one pleasure in't. + I have drank up, for to please + Thee, that great cup Hercules: + Urge no more, and there shall be + Daffodils given up to thee. + + +306. ON HIMSELF. + + Here down my wearied limbs I'll lay; + My pilgrim's staff, my weed of gray, + My palmer's hat, my scallop's shell, + My cross, my cord, and all, farewell. + For having now my journey done, + Just at the setting of the sun, + Here I have found a chamber fit, + God and good friends be thanked for it, + Where if I can a lodger be, + A little while from tramplers free, + At my up-rising next I shall, + If not requite, yet thank ye all. + Meanwhile, the holy-rood hence fright + The fouler fiend and evil sprite + From scaring you or yours this night. + + +307. CASUALTIES. + + Good things that come of course, far less do please + Than those which come by sweet contingencies. + + +308. BRIBES AND GIFTS GET ALL. + + Dead falls the cause if once the hand be mute; + But let that speak, the client gets the suit. + + +309. THE END. + + If well thou hast begun, go on fore-right; + _It is the end that crowns us, not the fight_. + + +310. UPON A CHILD THAT DIED. + + Here she lies, a pretty bud, + Lately made of flesh and blood: + Who as soon fell fast asleep + As her little eyes did peep. + Give her strewings, but not stir + The earth that lightly covers her. + + +312. CONTENT, NOT CATES. + + 'Tis not the food, but the content + That makes the table's merriment. + Where trouble serves the board, we eat + The platters there as soon as meat. + A little pipkin with a bit + Of mutton or of veal in it, + Set on my table, trouble-free, + More than a feast contenteth me. + + +313. THE ENTERTAINMENT; OR, PORCH-VERSE, AT THE MARRIAGE OF MR. HENRY +NORTHLY AND THE MOST WITTY MRS. LETTICE YARD. + + Welcome! but yet no entrance, till we bless + First you, then you, and both for white success. + Profane no porch, young man and maid, for fear + Ye wrong the Threshold-god that keeps peace here: + Please him, and then all good-luck will betide + You, the brisk bridegroom, you, the dainty bride. + Do all things sweetly, and in comely wise; + Put on your garlands first, then sacrifice: + That done, when both of you have seemly fed, + We'll call on Night, to bring ye both to bed: + Where, being laid, all fair signs looking on, + Fish-like, increase then to a million; + And millions of spring-times may ye have, + Which spent, one death bring to ye both one grave. + + +314. THE GOOD-NIGHT OR BLESSING. + + Blessings in abundance come + To the bride and to her groom; + May the bed and this short night + Know the fulness of delight! + Pleasures many here attend ye, + And, ere long, a boy Love send ye + Curled and comely, and so trim, + Maids, in time, may ravish him. + Thus a dew of graces fall + On ye both; good-night to all. + + +316. TO DAFFODILS. + + Fair daffodils, we weep to see + You haste away so soon; + As yet the early-rising sun + Has not attain'd his noon. + Stay, stay, + Until the hasting day + Has run + But to the evensong; + And, having prayed together, we + Will go with you along. + + We have short time to stay, as you, + We have as short a spring; + As quick a growth to meet decay, + As you, or anything. + We die, + As your hours do, and dry + Away, + Like to the summer's rain; + Or as the pearls of morning's dew, + Ne'er to be found again. + + +318. UPON A LADY THAT DIED IN CHILD-BED, AND LEFT A DAUGHTER BEHIND HER. + + As gilliflowers do but stay + To blow, and seed, and so away; + So you, sweet lady, sweet as May, + The garden's glory, lived a while + To lend the world your scent and smile. + But when your own fair print was set + Once in a virgin flosculet, + Sweet as yourself, and newly blown, + To give that life, resigned your own: + But so as still the mother's power + Lives in the pretty lady-flower. + + +319. A NEW-YEAR'S GIFT SENT TO SIR SIMON STEWARD. + + No news of navies burnt at seas; + No noise of late-spawn'd tittyries; + No closet plot, or open vent, + That frights men with a parliament; + No new device or late-found trick + To read by the stars the kingdom's sick; + No gin to catch the state, or wring + The freeborn nostril of the king, + We send to you; but here a jolly + Verse, crown'd with ivy and with holly, + That tells of winter's tales and mirth, + That milkmaids make about the hearth, + Of Christmas sports, the wassail-bowl, + That['s] tost up, after fox-i'-th'-hole; + Of blind-man-buff, and of the care + That young men have to shoe the mare; + Of Twelfth-tide cakes, of peas and beans, + Wherewith you make those merry scenes, + Whenas ye choose your king and queen, + And cry out: _Hey, for our town green_; + Of ash-heaps, in the which ye use + Husbands and wives by streaks to choose; + Of crackling laurel, which fore-sounds + A plenteous harvest to your grounds: + Of these and such-like things for shift, + We send instead of New-Year's gift. + Read then, and when your faces shine + With buxom meat and cap'ring wine, + Remember us in cups full crown'd, + And let our city-health go round, + Quite through the young maids and the men, + To the ninth number, if not ten; + Until the fired chesnuts leap + For joy to see the fruits ye reap + From the plump chalice and the cup, + That tempts till it be tossed up; + Then as ye sit about your embers, + Call not to mind those fled Decembers, + But think on these that are t' appear + As daughters to the instant year: + Sit crown'd with rosebuds, and carouse + Till Liber Pater twirls the house + About your ears; and lay upon + The year your cares that's fled and gone. + And let the russet swains the plough + And harrow hang up, resting now; + And to the bagpipe all address, + Till sleep takes place of weariness. + And thus, throughout, with Christmas plays + Frolic the full twelve holidays. + + _Tittyries_, _i.e._, the Tityre-tues; see Note. + _Fox-i'-th'-hole_, a game of hopping. + _To shoe the mare_, or, shoe the wild mare, a Christmas game. + _Buxom_, tender. + _Liber Pater_, Father Bacchus. + + +320. MATINS; OR, MORNING PRAYER. + + When with the virgin morning thou dost rise, + Crossing thyself, come thus to sacrifice; + First wash thy heart in innocence, then bring + Pure hands, pure habits, pure, pure everything. + Next to the altar humbly kneel, and thence + Give up thy soul in clouds of frankincense. + Thy golden censers, fill'd with odours sweet, + Shall make thy actions with their ends to meet. + + +321. EVENSONG. + + Begin with Jove; then is the work half done, + And runs most smoothly when 'tis well begun. + Jove's is the first and last: the morn's his due, + The midst is thine; but Jove's the evening too; + As sure a matins does to him belong, + So sure he lays claim to the evensong. + + +322. THE BRACELET TO JULIA. + + Why I tie about thy wrist, + Julia, this my silken twist; + For what other reason is't, + But to show thee how, in part, + Thou my pretty captive art? + But thy bondslave is my heart; + 'Tis but silk that bindeth thee, + Knap the thread and thou art free: + But 'tis otherwise with me; + I am bound, and fast bound, so + That from thee I cannot go; + If I could, I would not so. + + +323. THE CHRISTIAN MILITANT. + + A man prepar'd against all ills to come, + That dares to dead the fire of martyrdom; + That sleeps at home, and sailing there at ease, + Fears not the fierce sedition of the seas; + That's counter-proof against the farm's mishaps, + Undreadful too of courtly thunderclaps; + That wears one face, like heaven, and never shows + A change when fortune either comes or goes; + That keeps his own strong guard in the despite + Of what can hurt by day or harm by night; + That takes and re-delivers every stroke + Of chance (as made up all of rock and oak); + That sighs at others' death, smiles at his own + Most dire and horrid crucifixion. + Who for true glory suffers thus, we grant + Him to be here our Christian militant. + + +324. A SHORT HYMN TO LAR. + + Though I cannot give thee fires + Glittering to my free desires; + These accept, and I'll be free, + Offering poppy unto thee. + + +325. ANOTHER TO NEPTUNE. + + Mighty Neptune, may it please + Thee, the rector of the seas, + That my barque may safely run + Through thy watery region; + And a tunny-fish shall be + Offered up with thanks to thee. + + +327. HIS EMBALMING TO JULIA. + + For my embalming, Julia, do but this; + Give thou my lips but their supremest kiss, + Or else transfuse thy breath into the chest + Where my small relics must for ever rest; + That breath the balm, the myrrh, the nard shall be, + To give an incorruption unto me. + + +328. GOLD BEFORE GOODNESS. + + How rich a man is all desire to know; + But none inquires if good he be or no. + + +329. THE KISS. A DIALOGUE. + + 1. Among thy fancies tell me this, + What is the thing we call a kiss? + 2. I shall resolve ye what it is. + + It is a creature born and bred + Between the lips (all cherry-red), + By love and warm desires fed. + _Chor._ And makes more soft the bridal bed. + + 2. It is an active flame that flies, + First, to the babies of the eyes; + And charms them there with lullabies. + _Chor._ And stills the bride, too, when she cries. + + 2. Then to the chin, the cheek, the ear, + It frisks and flies, now here, now there, + 'Tis now far off, and then 'tis near. + _Chor._ And here and there and everywhere. + + 1. Has it a speaking virtue? 2. Yes. + 1. How speaks it, say? 2. Do you but this; + Part your joined lips, then speaks your kiss + _Chor._ And this love's sweetest language is. + + 1. Has it a body? 2. Aye, and wings + With thousand rare encolourings; + And, as it flies, it gently sings, + _Chor._ Love honey yields, but never stings. + + +330. THE ADMONITION. + + Seest thou those diamonds which she wears + In that rich carcanet; + Or those, on her dishevell'd hairs, + Fair pearls in order set? + Believe, young man, all those were tears + By wretched wooers sent, + In mournful hyacinths and rue, + That figure discontent; + Which when not warmed by her view, + By cold neglect, each one + Congeal'd to pearl and stone; + Which precious spoils upon her + She wears as trophies of her honour. + Ah then, consider, what all this implies: + She that will wear thy tears would wear thine eyes. + + _Carcanet_, necklace. + + +331. TO HIS HONOURED KINSMAN, SIR WILLIAM SOAME. EPIG. + + I can but name thee, and methinks I call + All that have been, or are canonical + For love and bounty to come near, and see + Their many virtues volum'd up in thee; + In thee, brave man! whose incorrupted fame + Casts forth a light like to a virgin flame; + And as it shines it throws a scent about, + As when a rainbow in perfumes goes out. + So vanish hence, but leave a name as sweet + As benjamin and storax when they meet. + + _Benjamin_, gum benzoin. + _Storax_ or _Styrax_, another resinous gum. + + +332. ON HIMSELF. + + Ask me why I do not sing + To the tension of the string + As I did not long ago, + When my numbers full did flow? + Grief, ay, me! hath struck my lute + And my tongue, at one time, mute. + + +333. TO LAR. + + No more shall I, since I am driven hence, + Devote to thee my grains of frankincense; + No more shall I from mantle-trees hang down, + To honour thee, my little parsley crown; + No more shall I (I fear me) to thee bring + My chives of garlic for an offering; + No more shall I from henceforth hear a choir + Of merry crickets by my country fire. + Go where I will, thou lucky Lar stay here, + Warm by a glitt'ring chimney all the year. + + _Chives_, shreds. + + +334. THE DEPARTURE OF THE GOOD DEMON. + + What can I do in poetry + Now the good spirit's gone from me? + Why, nothing now but lonely sit + And over-read what I have writ. + + +335. CLEMENCY. + + For punishment in war it will suffice + If the chief author of the faction dies; + Let but few smart, but strike a fear through all; + Where the fault springs there let the judgment fall. + + +336. HIS AGE, DEDICATED TO HIS PECULIAR FRIEND, M. JOHN WICKES, UNDER +THE NAME OF POSTHUMUS. + + Ah Posthumus! our years hence fly, + And leave no sound; nor piety, + Or prayers, or vow + Can keep the wrinkle from the brow; + But we must on, + As fate does lead or draw us; none, + None, Posthumus, could ere decline + The doom of cruel Proserpine. + + The pleasing wife, the house, the ground, + Must all be left, no one plant found + To follow thee, + Save only the curs'd cypress tree; + A merry mind + Looks forward, scorns what's left behind; + Let's live, my Wickes, then, while we may, + And here enjoy our holiday. + + W'ave seen the past best times, and these + Will ne'er return; we see the seas + And moons to wane + But they fill up their ebbs again; + But vanish'd man, + Like to a lily lost, ne'er can, + Ne'er can repullulate, or bring + His days to see a second spring. + + But on we must, and thither tend, + Where Anchus and rich Tullus blend + Their sacred seed: + Thus has infernal Jove decreed; + We must be made, + Ere long a song, ere long a shade. + Why then, since life to us is short, + Let's make it full up by our sport. + + Crown we our heads with roses then, + And 'noint with Tyrian balm; for when + We two are dead, + The world with us is buried. + Then live we free + As is the air, and let us be + Our own fair wind, and mark each one + Day with the white and lucky stone. + + We are not poor, although we have + No roofs of cedar, nor our brave + Baiæ, nor keep + Account of such a flock of sheep; + Nor bullocks fed + To lard the shambles: barbels bred + To kiss our hands; nor do we wish + For Pollio's lampreys in our dish. + + If we can meet and so confer + Both by a shining salt-cellar, + And have our roof, + Although not arch'd, yet weather-proof, + And ceiling free + From that cheap candle bawdery; + We'll eat our bean with that full mirth + As we were lords of all the earth. + + Well then, on what seas we are toss'd, + Our comfort is, we can't be lost. + Let the winds drive + Our barque, yet she will keep alive + Amidst the deeps. + 'Tis constancy, my Wickes, which keeps + The pinnace up; which, though she errs + I' th' seas, she saves her passengers. + + Say, we must part (sweet mercy bless + Us both i' th' sea, camp, wilderness), + Can we so far + Stray to become less circular + Than we are now? + No, no, that self-same heart, that vow + Which made us one, shall ne'er undo, + Or ravel so to make us two. + + Live in thy peace; as for myself, + When I am bruised on the shelf + Of time, and show + My locks behung with frost and snow; + When with the rheum, + The cough, the ptisick, I consume + Unto an almost nothing; then + The ages fled I'll call again, + + And with a tear compare these last + Lame and bad times with those are past; + While Baucis by, + My old lean wife, shall kiss it dry. + And so we'll sit + By th' fire, foretelling snow and sleet, + And weather by our aches, grown + Now old enough to be our own + + True calendars, as puss's ear + Washed o'er's, to tell what change is near: + Then to assuage + The gripings of the chine by age, + I'll call my young + Iülus to sing such a song + I made upon my Julia's breast; + And of her blush at such a feast. + + Then shall he read that flower of mine, + Enclos'd within a crystal shrine; + A primrose next; + A piece, then, of a higher text, + For to beget + In me a more transcendent heat + Than that insinuating fire, + Which crept into each aged sire, + + When the fair Helen, from her eyes, + Shot forth her loving sorceries; + At which I'll rear + Mine aged limbs above my chair, + And, hearing it, + Flutter and crow as in a fit + Of fresh concupiscence, and cry: + _No lust there's like to poetry_. + + Thus, frantic-crazy man, God wot, + I'll call to mind things half-forgot, + And oft between + Repeat the times that I have seen! + Thus ripe with tears, + And twisting my Iülus' hairs, + Doting, I'll weep and say, in truth, + Baucis, these were my sins of youth. + + Then next I'll cause my hopeful lad, + If a wild apple can be had, + To crown the hearth, + Lar thus conspiring with our mirth; + Then to infuse + Our browner ale into the cruse, + Which sweetly spic'd, we'll first carouse + Unto the Genius of the house. + + Then the next health to friends of mine, + Loving the brave Burgundian wine, + High sons of pith, + Whose fortunes I have frolicked with; + Such as could well + Bear up the magic bough and spell; + And dancing 'bout the mystic thyrse, + Give up the just applause to verse: + + To those, and then again to thee, + We'll drink, my Wickes, until we be + Plump as the cherry, + Though not so fresh, yet full as merry + As the cricket, + The untam'd heifer, or the pricket, + Until our tongues shall tell our ears + We're younger by a score of years. + + Thus, till we see the fire less shine + From th' embers than the kitling's eyne, + We'll still sit up, + Sphering about the wassail-cup + To all those times + Which gave me honour for my rhymes. + The coal once spent, we'll then to bed, + Far more than night-bewearied. + + _Posthumus_, the name is taken from Horace, Ode ii. 14, from which the + beginning of this lyric is translated. + _Repullulate_, be born again. + _Anchus and rich Tullus._ Herrick is again translating from Horace (Ode + iv. 7, 14). + _Baiæ_, the favourite sea-side resort of the Romans in the time of + Horace. + _Pollio_, Vedius Pollio, who fed his lampreys with human flesh. _Ob_., + B.C. 15. + _Bawdery_, dirt (with no moral meaning). + _Circular_, self-sufficing, the "in se ipso totus teres atque rotundus" + of Horace. Sat. ii. 7, 86. + _Iülus_, the son of Æneas. + _Pith_, marrow. + _Thyrse_, bacchic staff. + _Pricket_, a buck in his second year. + + +337. A SHORT HYMN TO VENUS. + + Goddess, I do love a girl, + Ruby-lipp'd and tooth'd with pearl; + If so be I may but prove + Lucky in this maid I love, + I will promise there shall be + Myrtles offer'd up to thee. + + +338. TO A GENTLEWOMAN ON JUST DEALING. + + True to yourself and sheets, you'll have me swear; + You shall, if righteous dealing I find there. + Do not you fall through frailty; I'll be sure + To keep my bond still free from forfeiture. + + +339. THE HAND AND TONGUE. + + Two parts of us successively command: + The tongue in peace; but then in war the hand. + + +340. UPON A DELAYING LADY. + + Come, come away, + Or let me go; + Must I here stay + Because y'are slow, + And will continue so? + Troth, lady, no. + + I scorn to be + A slave to state: + And, since I'm free, + I will not wait + Henceforth at such a rate + For needy fate. + + If you desire + My spark should glow, + The peeping fire + You must blow, + Or I shall quickly grow + To frost or snow. + + +341. TO THE LADY MARY VILLARS, GOVERNESS TO THE PRINCESS HENRIETTA. + + When I of Villars do but hear the name, + It calls to mind that mighty Buckingham, + Who was your brave exalted uncle here, + Binding the wheel of fortune to his sphere, + Who spurned at envy, and could bring with ease + An end to all his stately purposes. + For his love then, whose sacred relics show + Their resurrection and their growth in you; + And for my sake, who ever did prefer + You above all those sweets of Westminster; + Permit my book to have a free access + To kiss your hand, most dainty governess. + + +342. UPON HIS JULIA. + + Will ye hear what I can say + Briefly of my Julia? + Black and rolling is her eye, + Double-chinn'd and forehead high; + Lips she has all ruby red, + Cheeks like cream enclareted; + And a nose that is the grace + And proscenium of her face. + So that we may guess by these + The other parts will richly please. + + +343. TO FLOWERS. + + In time of life I graced ye with my verse; + Do now your flowery honours to my hearse. + You shall not languish, trust me; virgins here + Weeping shall make ye flourish all the year. + + +344. TO MY ILL READER. + + Thou say'st my lines are hard, + And I the truth will tell-- + They are both hard and marr'd + If thou not read'st them well. + + +345. THE POWER IN THE PEOPLE. + + Let kings command and do the best they may, + The saucy subjects still will bear the sway. + + +346. A HYMN TO VENUS AND CUPID. + + Sea-born goddess, let me be + By thy son thus grac'd and thee; + That whene'er I woo, I find + Virgins coy but not unkind. + Let me when I kiss a maid + Taste her lips so overlaid + With love's syrup, that I may, + In your temple when I pray, + Kiss the altar and confess + There's in love no bitterness. + + +347. ON JULIA'S PICTURE. + + How am I ravish'd! when I do but see + The painter's art in thy sciography? + If so, how much more shall I dote thereon + When once he gives it incarnation? + + _Sciography_, the profile or section of a building. + + +348. HER BED. + + See'st thou that cloud as silver clear, + Plump, soft, and swelling everywhere? + 'Tis Julia's bed, and she sleeps there. + + +349. HER LEGS. + + Fain would I kiss my Julia's dainty leg, + Which is as white and hairless as an egg. + + +350. UPON HER ALMS. + + See how the poor do waiting stand + For the expansion of thy hand. + A wafer dol'd by thee will swell + Thousands to feed by miracle. + + +351. REWARDS. + + Still to our gains our chief respect is had; + Reward it is that makes us good or bad. + + +352. NOTHING NEW. + + Nothing is new; we walk where others went; + There's no vice now but has his precedent. + + +353. THE RAINBOW. + + Look how the rainbow doth appear + But in one only hemisphere; + So likewise after our decease + No more is seen the arch of peace. + That cov'nant's here, the under-bow, + That nothing shoots but war and woe. + + +354. THE MEADOW-VERSE; OR, ANNIVERSARY TO MISTRESS BRIDGET LOWMAN. + + Come with the spring-time forth, fair maid, and be + This year again the meadow's deity. + Yet ere ye enter give us leave to set + Upon your head this flowery coronet; + To make this neat distinction from the rest, + You are the prime and princess of the feast; + To which with silver feet lead you the way, + While sweet-breath nymphs attend on you this day. + This is your hour, and best you may command, + Since you are lady of this fairy land. + Full mirth wait on you, and such mirth as shall + Cherish the cheek but make none blush at all. + + _Meadow-verse_, to be recited at a rustic feast. + + +355. THE PARTING VERSE, THE FEAST THERE ENDED. + + Loth to depart, but yet at last each one + Back must now go to's habitation; + Not knowing thus much when we once do sever, + Whether or no that we shall meet here ever. + As for myself, since time a thousand cares + And griefs hath filed upon my silver hairs, + 'Tis to be doubted whether I next year + Or no shall give ye a re-meeting here. + If die I must, then my last vow shall be, + You'll with a tear or two remember me. + Your sometime poet; but if fates do give + Me longer date and more fresh springs to live, + Oft as your field shall her old age renew, + Herrick shall make the meadow-verse for you. + + +356. UPON JUDITH. EPIG. + + Judith has cast her old skin and got new, + And walks fresh varnish'd to the public view; + Foul Judith was and foul she will be known + For all this fair transfiguration. + + +359. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PHILIP, EARL OF PEMBROKE AND MONTGOMERY. + + How dull and dead are books that cannot show + A prince of Pembroke, and that Pembroke you! + You who are high born, and a lord no less + Free by your fate than fortune's mightiness, + Who hug our poems, honour'd sir, and then + The paper gild and laureate the pen. + Nor suffer you the poets to sit cold, + But warm their wits and turn their lines to gold. + Others there be who righteously will swear + Those smooth-paced numbers amble everywhere, + And these brave measures go a stately trot; + Love those, like these, regard, reward them not. + But you, my lord, are one whose hand along + Goes with your mouth or does outrun your tongue; + Paying before you praise, and, cockering wit, + Give both the gold and garland unto it. + + _Cockering_, pampering. + + +360. AN HYMN TO JUNO. + + Stately goddess, do thou please, + Who are chief at marriages, + But to dress the bridal bed + When my love and I shall wed; + And a peacock proud shall be + Offered up by us to thee. + + +362. UPON SAPPHO SWEETLY PLAYING AND SWEETLY SINGING. + + When thou dost play and sweetly sing-- + Whether it be the voice or string + Or both of them that do agree + Thus to entrance and ravish me-- + This, this I know, I'm oft struck mute, + And die away upon thy lute. + + +364. CHOP-CHERRY. + + Thou gav'st me leave to kiss, + Thou gav'st me leave to woo; + Thou mad'st me think, by this + And that, thou lov'dst me too. + + But I shall ne'er forget + How, for to make thee merry, + Thou mad'st me chop, but yet + Another snapp'd the cherry. + + _Chop-cherry_, another name of cherry-bob. + + +365. TO THE MOST LEARNED, WISE, AND ARCH-ANTIQUARY, M. JOHN SELDEN. + + I, who have favour'd many, come to be + Grac'd now, at last, or glorified by thee, + Lo! I, the lyric prophet, who have set + On many a head the delphic coronet, + Come unto thee for laurel, having spent + My wreaths on those who little gave or lent. + Give me the daphne, that the world may know it, + Whom they neglected thou hast crown'd a poet. + A city here of heroes I have made + Upon the rock whose firm foundation laid, + Shall never shrink; where, making thine abode, + Live thou a Selden, that's a demi-god. + + _Daphne_, _i.e._, the laurel + + +366. UPON HIMSELF. + + Thou shalt not all die; for, while love's fire shines + Upon his altar, men shall read thy lines, + And learn'd musicians shall, to honour Herrick's + Fame and his name, both set and sing his lyrics. + + +367. UPON WRINKLES. + + Wrinkles no more are or no less + Than beauty turned to sourness. + + +370. PRAY AND PROSPER. + + First offer incense, then thy field and meads + Shall smile and smell the better by thy beads. + The spangling dew, dredg'd o'er the grass, shall be + Turn'd all to mell and manna there for thee. + Butter of amber, cream, and wine, and oil + Shall run, as rivers, all throughout thy soil. + Would'st thou to sincere silver turn thy mould? + Pray once, twice pray, and turn thy ground to gold. + + _Beads_, prayers. + _Mell_, honey. + _Sincere silver_, pure silver. + + +371. HIS LACHRYMÆ; OR, MIRTH TURNED TO MOURNING. + + Call me no more, + As heretofore, + The music of a feast; + Since now, alas! + The mirth that was + In me is dead or ceas'd. + + Before I went, + To banishment, + Into the loathed west, + I could rehearse + A lyric verse, + And speak it with the best. + + But time, ay me! + Has laid, I see, + My organ fast asleep, + And turn'd my voice + Into the noise + Of those that sit and weep. + + +375. TO THE MOST FAIR AND LOVELY MISTRESS ANNE SOAME, NOW LADY ABDIE. + + So smell those odours that do rise + From out the wealthy spiceries; + So smells the flower of blooming clove, + Or roses smother'd in the stove; + So smells the air of spiced wine, + Or essences of jessamine; + So smells the breath about the hives + When well the work of honey thrives, + And all the busy factors come + Laden with wax and honey home; + So smell those neat and woven bowers + All over-arch'd with orange flowers, + And almond blossoms that do mix + To make rich these aromatics; + So smell those bracelets and those bands + Of amber chaf'd between the hands, + When thus enkindled they transpire + A noble perfume from the fire; + The wine of cherries, and to these + The cooling breath of respasses; + The smell of morning's milk and cream, + Butter of cowslips mix'd with them; + Of roasted warden or bak'd pear, + These are not to be reckon'd here, + Whenas the meanest part of her, + Smells like the maiden pomander. + Thus sweet she smells, or what can be + More lik'd by her or lov'd by me. + + _Factors_, workers. + _Respasses_, raspberries. + _Pomander_, ball of scent. + + +376. UPON HIS KINSWOMAN, MISTRESS ELIZABETH HERRICK. + + Sweet virgin, that I do not set + The pillars up of weeping jet + Or mournful marble, let thy shade + Not wrathful seem, or fright the maid + Who hither at her wonted hours + Shall come to strew thy earth with flowers. + No; know, bless'd maid, when there's not one + Remainder left of brass or stone, + Thy living epitaph shall be, + Though lost in them, yet found in me; + Dear, in thy bed of roses then, + Till this world shall dissolve as men, + Sleep while we hide thee from the light, + Drawing thy curtains round: Good-night. + + +377. A PANEGYRIC TO SIR LEWIS PEMBERTON. + + Till I shall come again let this suffice, + I send my salt, my sacrifice + To thee, thy lady, younglings, and as far + As to thy Genius and thy Lar; + To the worn threshold, porch, hall, parlour, kitchen, + The fat-fed smoking temple, which in + The wholesome savour of thy mighty chines + Invites to supper him who dines, + Where laden spits, warp'd with large ribs of beef, + Not represent but give relief + To the lank stranger and the sour swain, + Where both may feed and come again; + For no black-bearded vigil from thy door + Beats with a button'd-staff the poor; + But from thy warm love-hatching gates each may + Take friendly morsels and there stay + To sun his thin-clad members if he likes, + For thou no porter keep'st who strikes. + No comer to thy roof his guest-rite wants, + Or staying there is scourg'd with taunts + Of some rough groom, who, yirkt with corns, says: "Sir, + Y'ave dipped too long i' th' vinegar; + And with our broth, and bread, and bits, sir friend, + Y'ave fared well: pray make an end; + Two days y'ave larded here; a third, ye know, + Makes guests and fish smell strong; pray go + You to some other chimney, and there take + Essay of other giblets; make + Merry at another's hearth--y'are here + Welcome as thunder to our beer; + Manners know distance, and a man unrude + Would soon recoil and not intrude + His stomach to a second meal". No, no! + Thy house well fed and taught can show + No such crabb'd vizard: thou hast learnt thy train + With heart and hand to entertain, + And by the armsful, with a breast unhid, + As the old race of mankind did, + When either's heart and either's hand did strive + To be the nearer relative. + Thou dost redeem those times, and what was lost + Of ancient honesty may boast + It keeps a growth in thee, and so will run + A course in thy fame's pledge, thy son. + Thus, like a Roman tribune, thou thy gate + Early sets ope to feast and late; + Keeping no currish waiter to affright + With blasting eye the appetite, + Which fain would waste upon thy cates, but that + The trencher-creature marketh what + Best and more suppling piece he cuts, and by + Some private pinch tells danger's nigh + A hand too desp'rate, or a knife that bites + Skin-deep into the pork, or lights + Upon some part of kid, as if mistook, + When checked by the butler's look. + No, no; thy bread, thy wine, thy jocund beer + Is not reserved for Trebius here, + But all who at thy table seated are + Find equal freedom, equal fare; + And thou, like to that hospitable god, + Jove, joy'st when guests make their abode + To eat thy bullock's thighs, thy veals, thy fat + Wethers, and never grudged at. + The _pheasant_, _partridge_, _gotwit_, _reeve_, _ruff_, _rail_, + The _cock_, the _curlew_ and the _quail_, + These and thy choicest viands do extend + Their taste unto the lower end + Of thy glad table: not a dish more known + To thee than unto anyone. + But as thy meat so thy _immortal wine_ + Makes the smirk face of each to shine + And spring fresh rosebuds, while the salt, the wit, + Flows from the wine and graces it; + While reverence, waiting at the bashful board, + Honours my lady and my lord. + No scurril jest; no open scene is laid + Here for to make the face afraid; + But temperate mirth dealt forth, and so discreet- + ly that it makes the meat more sweet; + And adds perfumes unto the wine, which thou + Dost rather pour forth than allow + By cruse and measure; thus devoting wine + As the Canary Isles were thine; + But with that wisdom and that method, as + No one that's there his guilty glass + Drinks of distemper, or has cause to cry + Repentance to his liberty. + No, thou knowest order, ethics, and has read + All economics, know'st to lead + A house-dance neatly, and canst truly show + How far a figure ought to go, + Forward or backward, sideward, and what pace + Can give, and what retract a grace; + What gesture, courtship, comeliness agrees + With those thy primitive decrees, + To give subsistence to thy house, and proof + What Genii support thy roof, + Goodness and Greatness; not the oaken piles; + _For these and marbles have their whiles + To last, but not their ever_; virtue's hand + It is which builds 'gainst fate to stand. + Such is thy house, whose firm foundation's trust + Is more in thee than in her dust + Or depth; these last may yield and yearly shrink + When what is strongly built, no chink + Or yawning rupture can the same devour, + But fix'd it stands, by her own power + And well-laid bottom, on the iron and rock + Which tries and counter-stands the shock + And ram of time, and by vexation grows + The stronger; _virtue dies when foes + Are wanting to her exercise, but great + And large she spreads by dust and sweat_. + Safe stand thy walls and thee, and so both will, + Since neither's height was rais'd by th' ill + Of others; since no stud, no stone, no piece + Was rear'd up by the poor man's fleece; + No widow's tenement was rack'd to gild + Or fret thy ceiling or to build + A sweating-closet to anoint the silk- + soft skin, or bathe in asses' milk; + No orphan's pittance left him serv'd to set + The pillars up of lasting jet, + For which their cries might beat against thine ears, + Or in the damp jet read their tears. + No plank from hallowed altar does appeal + To yond' Star-Chamber, or does seal + A curse to thee or thine; but all things even + Make for thy peace and pace to heaven. + Go on directly so, as just men may + A thousand times more swear than say: + This is that princely Pemberton who can + Teach man to keep a god in man; + And when wise poets shall search out to see + Good men, they find them all in thee. + + _Vigil_, watchman. + _Button'd-staff_, staff with a knob at its end. + _Yirkt_, scourged. + _Redeem_, buy back. + _Suppling_, tender. + _Trebius_, friend of the epicure Lucullus; cp. Juv. v. 19. + + +378. TO HIS VALENTINE ON ST. VALENTINE'S DAY. + + Oft have I heard both youths and virgins say + Birds choose their mates, and couple too this day; + But by their flight I never can divine + When I shall couple with my valentine. + + +382. UPON M. BEN. JONSON. EPIG. + + After the rare arch-poet, Jonson, died, + The sock grew loathsome, and the buskin's pride, + Together with the stage's glory, stood + Each like a poor and pitied widowhood. + The cirque profan'd was, and all postures rack'd; + For men did strut, and stride, and stare, not act. + Then temper flew from words, and men did squeak, + Look red, and blow, and bluster, but not speak; + No holy rage or frantic fires did stir + Or flash about the spacious theatre. + No clap of hands, or shout, or praise's proof + Did crack the play-house sides, or cleave her roof. + Artless the scene was, and that monstrous sin + Of deep and arrant ignorance came in: + Such ignorance as theirs was who once hiss'd + At thy unequall'd play, the _Alchemist_; + Oh, fie upon 'em! Lastly, too, all wit + In utter darkness did, and still will sit, + Sleeping the luckless age out, till that she + Her resurrection has again with thee. + + +383. ANOTHER. + + Thou had'st the wreath before, now take the tree, + That henceforth none be laurel-crown'd but thee. + + +384. TO HIS NEPHEW, TO BE PROSPEROUS IN HIS ART OF PAINTING. + + On, as thou hast begun, brave youth, and get + The palm from Urbin, Titian, Tintoret, + Brugel and Coxu, and the works outdo + Of Holbein and that mighty Rubens too. + So draw and paint as none may do the like, + No, not the glory of the world, Vandyke. + + _Urbin_, Raphael. + _Brugel_, Jan Breughel, Dutch landscape painter (1569-1625), or his + father or brother. + _Coxu_, Michael van Coxcie, Flemish painter (1497-1592). + + +386. A VOW TO MARS. + + Store of courage to me grant, + Now I'm turn'd a combatant; + Help me, so that I my shield, + Fighting, lose not in the field. + That's the greatest shame of all + That in warfare can befall. + Do but this, and there shall be + Offer'd up a wolf to thee. + + +387. TO HIS MAID, PREW. + + These summer-birds did with thy master stay + The times of warmth, but then they flew away, + Leaving their poet, being now grown old, + Expos'd to all the coming winter's cold. + But thou, kind Prew, did'st with my fates abide + As well the winter's as the summer's tide; + For which thy love, live with thy master here, + Not one, but all the seasons of the year. + + +388. A CANTICLE TO APOLLO. + + Play, Ph[oe]bus, on thy lute; + And we will all sit mute, + By listening to thy lyre, + That sets all ears on fire. + + Hark, hark, the god does play! + And as he leads the way + Through heaven the very spheres, + As men, turn all to ears. + + +389. A JUST MAN. + + A just man's like a rock that turns the wrath + Of all the raging waves into a froth. + + +390. UPON A HOARSE SINGER. + + Sing me to death; for till thy voice be clear, + 'Twill never please the palate of mine ear. + + +391. HOW PANSIES OR HEART'S-EASE CAME FIRST. + + Frolic virgins once these were, + Over-loving, living here; + Being here their ends denied, + Ran for sweethearts mad, and died. + Love, in pity of their tears, + And their loss in blooming years, + For their restless here-spent hours, + Gave them heart's-ease turn'd to flowers. + + +392. TO HIS PECULIAR FRIEND, SIR EDWARD FISH, KNIGHT BARONET. + + Since, for thy full deserts, with all the rest + Of these chaste spirits that are here possest + Of life eternal, time has made thee one + For growth in this my rich plantation, + Live here; but know 'twas virtue, and not chance, + That gave thee this so high inheritance. + Keep it for ever, grounded with the good, + Who hold fast here an endless livelihood. + + +393. LAR'S PORTION AND THE POET'S PART. + + At my homely country-seat + I have there a little wheat, + Which I work to meal, and make + Therewithal a holy cake: + Part of which I give to Lar, + Part is my peculiar. + + _Peculiar_, his own property. + + +394. UPON MAN. + + Man is compos'd here of a twofold part: + The first of nature, and the next of art: + Art presupposes nature; nature she + Prepares the way for man's docility. + + +395. LIBERTY. + + Those ills that mortal men endure + So long, are capable of cure, + As they of freedom may be sure; + But, that denied, a grief, though small, + Shakes the whole roof, or ruins all. + + +396. LOTS TO BE LIKED. + + Learn this of me, where'er thy lot doth fall, + Short lot or not, to be content with all. + + +397. GRIEFS. + + Jove may afford us thousands of reliefs, + Since man expos'd is to a world of griefs. + + +399. THE DREAM. + + By dream I saw one of the three + Sisters of fate appear to me; + Close to my bedside she did stand, + Showing me there a firebrand; + She told me too, as that did spend, + So drew my life unto an end. + Three quarters were consum'd of it; + Only remained a little bit, + Which will be burnt up by-and-by; + Then, Julia, weep, for I must die. + + +402. CLOTHES DO BUT CHEAT AND COZEN US. + + Away with silks, away with lawn, + I'll have no scenes or curtains drawn; + Give me my mistress as she is, + Dress'd in her nak'd simplicities; + For as my heart e'en so mine eye + Is won with flesh, not drapery. + + +403. TO DIANEME. + + Show me thy feet; show me thy legs, thy thighs; + Show me those fleshy principalities; + Show me that hill where smiling love doth sit. + Having a living fountain under it; + Show me thy waist, then let me therewithal, + By the assention of thy lawn, see all. + + +404. UPON ELECTRA. + + When out of bed my love doth spring, + 'Tis but as day a-kindling; + But when she's up and fully dress'd, + 'Tis then broad day throughout the east. + + +405. TO HIS BOOK. + + Have I not blest thee? Then go forth, nor fear + Or spice, or fish, or fire, or close-stools here. + But with thy fair fates leading thee, go on + With thy most white predestination. + Nor think these ages that do hoarsely sing + The farting tanner and familiar king, + The dancing friar, tatter'd in the bush; + Those monstrous lies of little Robin Rush, + Tom Chipperfeild, and pretty lisping Ned, + That doted on a maid of gingerbread; + The flying pilchard and the frisking dace, + With all the rabble of Tim Trundell's race + (Bred from the dunghills and adulterous rhymes), + Shall live, and thou not superlast all times. + No, no; thy stars have destin'd thee to see + The whole world die and turn to dust with thee. + _He's greedy of his life who will not fall + Whenas a public ruin bears down all._ + + _The farting tanner_, etc., see Note. + + +406. OF LOVE. + + I do not love, nor can it be + Love will in vain spend shafts on me; + I did this godhead once defy, + Since which I freeze, but cannot fry. + Yet out, alas! the death's the same, + Kill'd by a frost or by a flame. + + +407. UPON HIMSELF. + + I dislik'd but even now; + Now I love I know not how. + Was I idle, and that while + Was I fir'd with a smile? + I'll to work, or pray; and then + I shall quite dislike again. + + +408. ANOTHER. + + Love he that will, it best likes me + To have my neck from love's yoke free. + + +412. THE MAD MAID'S SONG. + + Good-morrow to the day so fair, + Good-morning, sir, to you; + Good-morrow to mine own torn hair, + Bedabbled with the dew. + + Good-morning to this primrose too, + Good-morrow to each maid + That will with flowers the tomb bestrew + Wherein my love is laid. + + Ah! woe is me, woe, woe is me, + Alack and well-a-day! + For pity, sir, find out that bee + Which bore my love away. + + I'll seek him in your bonnet brave, + I'll seek him in your eyes; + Nay, now I think th'ave made his grave + I' th' bed of strawberries. + + I'll seek him there; I know ere this + The cold, cold earth doth shake him; + But I will go or send a kiss + By you, sir, to awake him. + + Pray, hurt him not, though he be dead, + He knows well who do love him, + And who with green turfs rear his head, + And who do rudely move him. + + He's soft and tender (pray take heed); + With bands of cowslips bind him, + And bring him home; but 'tis decreed + That I shall never find him. + + +413. TO SPRINGS AND FOUNTAINS. + + I heard ye could cool heat, and came + With hope you would allay the same; + Thrice I have wash'd but feel no cold, + Nor find that true which was foretold. + Methinks, like mine, your pulses beat + And labour with unequal heat; + Cure, cure yourselves, for I descry + Ye boil with love as well as I. + + +414. UPON JULIA'S UNLACING HERSELF. + + Tell if thou canst, and truly, whence doth come + This camphor, storax, spikenard, galbanum; + These musks, these ambers, and those other smells, + Sweet as the vestry of the oracles. + I'll tell thee: while my Julia did unlace + Her silken bodice but a breathing space, + The passive air such odour then assum'd, + As when to Jove great Juno goes perfum'd, + Whose pure immortal body doth transmit + A scent that fills both heaven and earth with it. + + +415. TO BACCHUS, A CANTICLE. + + Whither dost thou whorry me, + Bacchus, being full of thee? + This way, that way, that way, this, + Here and there a fresh love is. + That doth like me, this doth please, + Thus a thousand mistresses + I have now; yet I alone, + Having all, enjoy not one. + + _Whorry_, carry rapidly. + + +416. THE LAWN. + + Would I see lawn, clear as the heaven, and thin? + It should be only in my Julia's skin, + Which so betrays her blood as we discover + The blush of cherries when a lawn's cast over. + + +417. THE FRANKINCENSE. + + When my off'ring next I make, + Be thy hand the hallowed cake, + And thy breast the altar whence + Love may smell the frankincense. + + +420. TO SYCAMORES. + + I'm sick of love, O let me lie + Under your shades to sleep or die! + Either is welcome, so I have + Or here my bed, or here my grave. + Why do you sigh, and sob, and keep + Time with the tears that I do weep? + Say, have ye sense, or do you prove + What crucifixions are in love? + I know ye do, and that's the why + You sigh for love as well as I. + + +421. A PASTORAL SUNG TO THE KING: MONTANO, SILVIO, AND MIRTILLO, +SHEPHERDS. + + _Mon._ Bad are the times. _Sil._ And worse than they are we. + _Mon._ Troth, bad are both; worse fruit and ill the tree: + The feast of shepherds fail. _Sil._ None crowns the cup + Of wassail now or sets the quintell up; + And he who us'd to lead the country-round, + Youthful Mirtillo, here he comes grief-drown'd. + _Ambo._ Let's cheer him up. _Sil._ Behold him weeping-ripe. + _Mir._ Ah! Amaryllis, farewell mirth and pipe; + Since thou art gone, no more I mean to play + To these smooth lawns my mirthful roundelay. + Dear Amaryllis! _Mon._ Hark! _Sil._ Mark! _Mir._ This earth grew sweet + Where, Amaryllis, thou didst set thy feet. + _Ambo._ Poor pitied youth! _Mir._ And here the breath of kine + And sheep grew more sweet by that breath of thine. + This flock of wool and this rich lock of hair, + This ball of cowslips, these she gave me here. + _Sil._ Words sweet as love itself. Montano, hark! + _Mir._ This way she came, and this way too she went; + How each thing smells divinely redolent! + Like to a field of beans when newly blown, + Or like a meadow being lately mown. + _Mon._ A sweet-sad passion---- + _Mir._ In dewy mornings when she came this way + Sweet bents would bow to give my love the day; + And when at night she folded had her sheep, + Daisies would shut, and, closing, sigh and weep. + Besides (ay me!) since she went hence to dwell, + The voices' daughter ne'er spake syllable. + But she is gone. _Sil._ Mirtillo, tell us whither. + _Mir._ Where she and I shall never meet together. + _Mon._ Forfend it Pan, and, Pales, do thou please + To give an end. _Mir._ To what? _Sil._ Such griefs as these. + _Mir._ Never, O never! Still I may endure + The wound I suffer, never find a cure. + _Mon._ Love for thy sake will bring her to these hills + And dales again. _Mir._ No, I will languish still; + And all the while my part shall be to weep, + And with my sighs, call home my bleating sheep: + And in the rind of every comely tree + I'll carve thy name, and in that name kiss thee. + _Mon._ Set with the sun thy woes. _Sil._ The day grows old, + And time it is our full-fed flocks to fold. + _Chor._ The shades grow great, but greater grows our sorrow; + But let's go steep + Our eyes in sleep, + And meet to weep + To-morrow. + + _Quintell_, quintain or tilting board. + _Bents_, grasses. + _Pales_, the goddess of sheepfolds. + + +422. THE POET LOVES A MISTRESS, BUT NOT TO MARRY. + + I do not love to wed, + Though I do like to woo; + And for a maidenhead + I'll beg and buy it too. + + I'll praise and I'll approve + Those maids that never vary; + And fervently I'll love, + But yet I would not marry. + + I'll hug, I'll kiss, I'll play, + And, cock-like, hens I'll tread, + And sport it any way + But in the bridal bed. + + For why? that man is poor + Who hath but one of many, + But crown'd he is with store + That, single, may have any. + + Why then, say, what is he, + To freedom so unknown, + Who, having two or three, + Will be content with one? + + +425. THE WILLOW GARLAND. + + A willow garland thou did'st send + Perfum'd, last day, to me, + Which did but only this portend-- + I was forsook by thee. + + Since so it is, I'll tell thee what, + To-morrow thou shalt see + Me wear the willow; after that, + To die upon the tree. + + As beasts unto the altars go + With garlands dress'd, so I + Will, with my willow-wreath, also + Come forth and sweetly die. + + +427. A HYMN TO SIR CLIPSEBY CREW. + + 'Twas not love's dart, + Or any blow + Of want, or foe, + Did wound my heart + With an eternal smart; + + But only you, + My sometimes known + Companion, + My dearest Crew, + That me unkindly slew. + + May your fault die, + And have no name + In books of fame; + Or let it lie + Forgotten now, as I. + + We parted are + And now no more, + As heretofore, + By jocund Lar + Shall be familiar. + + But though we sever, + My Crew shall see + That I will be + Here faithless never, + But love my Clipseby ever. + + +430. EMPIRES. + + Empires of kings are now, and ever were, + As Sallust saith, coincident to fear. + + +431. FELICITY QUICK OF FLIGHT. + + Every time seems short to be + That's measured by felicity; + But one half-hour that's made up here + With grief, seems longer than a year. + + +436. THE CROWD AND COMPANY. + + In holy meetings there a man may be + One of the crowd, not of the company. + + +438. POLICY IN PRINCES. + + That princes may possess a surer seat, + 'Tis fit they make no one with them too great. + + +440. UPON THE NIPPLES OF JULIA'S BREAST. + + Have ye beheld (with much delight) + A red rose peeping through a white? + Or else a cherry, double grac'd, + Within a lily centre plac'd? + Or ever mark'd the pretty beam + A strawberry shows half-drown'd in cream? + Or seen rich rubies blushing through + A pure smooth pearl and orient too? + So like to this, nay all the rest, + Is each neat niplet of her breast. + + +441. TO DAISIES, NOT TO SHUT SO SOON. + + Shut not so soon; the dull-ey'd night + Has not as yet begun + To make a seizure on the light, + Or to seal up the sun. + + No marigolds yet closed are, + No shadows great appear; + Nor doth the early shepherd's star + Shine like a spangle here. + + Stay but till my Julia close + Her life-begetting eye, + And let the whole world then dispose + Itself to live or die. + + +442. TO THE LITTLE SPINNERS. + + Ye pretty housewives, would ye know + The work that I would put ye to? + This, this it should be: for to spin + A lawn for me, so fine and thin + As it might serve me for my skin. + For cruel Love has me so whipp'd + That of my skin I all am stripp'd: + And shall despair that any art + Can ease the rawness or the smart, + Unless you skin again each part. + Which mercy if you will but do, + I call all maids to witness to + What here I promise: that no broom + Shall now or ever after come + To wrong a spinner or her loom. + + _Spinners_, spiders. + + +443. OBERON'S PALACE. + + After the feast, my Shapcot, see + The fairy court I give to thee; + Where we'll present our Oberon, led + Half-tipsy to the fairy bed, + Where Mab he finds, who there doth lie, + Not without mickle majesty. + Which done, and thence remov'd the light, + We'll wish both them and thee good-night. + + Full as a bee with thyme, and red + As cherry harvest, now high fed + For lust and action, on he'll go + To lie with Mab, though all say no. + Lust has no ears; he's sharp as thorn, + And fretful, carries hay in's horn, + And lightning in his eyes; and flings + Among the elves, if moved, the stings + Of peltish wasps; well know his guard-- + _Kings, though they're hated, will be fear'd_. + Wine lead[s] him on. Thus to a grove, + Sometimes devoted unto love, + Tinselled with twilight, he and they, + Led by the shine of snails, a way + Beat with their num'rous feet, which, by + Many a neat perplexity, + Many a turn and many a cross- + Track they redeem a bank of moss, + Spongy and swelling, and far more + Soft than the finest Lemster ore, + Mildly disparkling like those fires + Which break from the enjewell'd tyres + Of curious brides; or like those mites + Of candi'd dew in moony nights. + Upon this convex all the flowers + Nature begets by th' sun and showers, + Are to a wild digestion brought, + As if love's sampler here was wrought: + Or Citherea's ceston, which + All with temptation doth bewitch. + Sweet airs move here, and more divine + Made by the breath of great-eyed kine, + Who, as they low, impearl with milk + The four-leaved grass or moss like silk. + The breath of monkeys met to mix + With musk-flies are th' aromatics + Which 'cense this arch; and here and there + And farther off, and everywhere + Throughout that brave mosaic yard, + Those picks or diamonds in the card + With peeps of hearts, of club, and spade + Are here most neatly inter-laid + Many a counter, many a die, + Half-rotten and without an eye + Lies hereabouts; and, for to pave + The excellency of this cave, + Squirrels' and children's teeth late shed + Are neatly here enchequered + With brownest toadstones, and the gum + That shines upon the bluer plum. + The nails fallen off by whitflaws: art's + Wise hand enchasing here those warts + Which we to others, from ourselves, + Sell, and brought hither by the elves. + The tempting mole, stolen from the neck + Of the shy virgin, seems to deck + The holy entrance, where within + The room is hung with the blue skin + Of shifted snake: enfriez'd throughout + With eyes of peacocks' trains and trout- + Flies' curious wings; and these among + Those silver pence that cut the tongue + Of the red infant, neatly hung. + The glow-worm's eyes; the shining scales + Of silv'ry fish; wheat straws, the snail's + Soft candle light; the kitling's eyne; + Corrupted wood; serve here for shine. + No glaring light of bold-fac'd day, + Or other over-radiant ray, + Ransacks this room; but what weak beams + Can make reflected from these gems + And multiply; such is the light, + But ever doubtful day or night. + By this quaint taper light he winds + His errors up; and now he finds + His moon-tann'd Mab, as somewhat sick, + And (love knows) tender as a chick. + Upon six plump dandillions, high- + Rear'd, lies her elvish majesty: + Whose woolly bubbles seem'd to drown + Her Mabship in obedient down. + For either sheet was spread the caul + That doth the infant's face enthral, + When it is born (by some enstyl'd + The lucky omen of the child), + And next to these two blankets o'er- + Cast of the finest gossamore. + And then a rug of carded wool, + Which, sponge-like drinking in the dull + Light of the moon, seemed to comply, + Cloud-like, the dainty deity. + Thus soft she lies: and overhead + A spinner's circle is bespread + With cob-web curtains, from the roof + So neatly sunk as that no proof + Of any tackling can declare + What gives it hanging in the air. + The fringe about this are those threads + Broke at the loss of maidenheads: + And, all behung with these, pure pearls, + Dropp'd from the eyes of ravish'd girls + Or writhing brides; when (panting) they + Give unto love the straiter way. + For music now, he has the cries + Of feigned-lost virginities; + The which the elves make to excite + A more unconquered appetite. + The king's undrest; and now upon + The gnat's watchword the elves are gone. + And now the bed, and Mab possess'd + Of this great little kingly guest; + We'll nobly think, what's to be done, + He'll do no doubt; _this flax is spun_. + + _Mickle_, much. + _Carries hay in's horn_ (f[oe]num habet in cornu), is dangerous. + _Peltish_, angry. + _Redeem_, gain. + _Lemster ore_, Leominster wool. + _Tyres_, head-dresses. + _Picks_, diamonds on playing-cards were so called from their points. + _Peeps_, pips. + _Whitflaws_, whitlows. + _Corrupted_, _i.e._, phosphorescent. + _Winds his errors up_, brings his wanderings to an end. + _Dandillions_, dandelions. + _Comply_, embrace. + _Spinner_, spider. + _Proof_, sign. + + +444. TO HIS PECULIAR FRIEND, MR. THOMAS SHAPCOTT, LAWYER. + + I've paid thee what I promis'd; that's not all; + Besides I give thee here a verse that shall + (When hence thy circummortal part is gone), + Arch-like, hold up thy name's inscription. + Brave men can't die, whose candid actions are + Writ in the poet's endless calendar: + Whose vellum and whose volume is the sky, + And the pure stars the praising poetry. + Farewell + + _Circummortal_, more than mortal. + _Candid_, fair. + + +445. TO JULIA IN THE TEMPLE. + + Besides us two, i' th' temple here's not one + To make up now a congregation. + Let's to the altar of perfumes then go, + And say short prayers; and when we have done so, + Then we shall see, how in a little space + Saints will come in to fill each pew and place. + + +446. TO OENONE. + + What conscience, say, is it in thee, + When I a heart had one, + To take away that heart from me, + And to retain thy own? + + For shame or pity now incline + To play a loving part; + Either to send me kindly thine, + Or give me back my heart. + + Covet not both; but if thou dost + Resolve to part with neither, + Why! yet to show that thou art just, + Take me and mine together. + + +447. HIS WEAKNESS IN WOES. + + I cannot suffer; and in this my part + Of patience wants. _Grief breaks the stoutest heart._ + + +448. FAME MAKES US FORWARD. + + To print our poems, the propulsive cause + Is fame--the breath of popular applause. + + +449. TO GROVES. + + Ye silent shades, whose each tree here + Some relique of a saint doth wear, + Who, for some sweetheart's sake, did prove + The fire and martyrdom of love: + Here is the legend of those saints + That died for love, and their complaints: + Their wounded hearts and names we find + Encarv'd upon the leaves and rind. + Give way, give way to me, who come + Scorch'd with the self-same martyrdom: + And have deserv'd as much (love knows) + As to be canonis'd 'mongst those + Whose deeds and deaths here written are + Within your greeny calendar: + By all those virgins' fillets hung + Upon your boughs, and requiems sung + For saints and souls departed hence + (Here honour'd still with frankincense); + By all those tears that have been shed, + As a drink-offering to the dead; + By all those true love-knots that be + With mottoes carv'd on every tree; + By sweet Saint Phyllis pity me: + By dear Saint Iphis, and the rest + Of all those other saints now blest, + Me, me, forsaken, here admit + Among your myrtles to be writ: + That my poor name may have the glory + To live remembered in your story. + + _Phyllis_, the Thracian princess who hanged herself for love of + Demophoon. + _Iphis_, a Cyprian youth who hanged himself for love of Anaxaretes. + + +450. AN EPITAPH UPON A VIRGIN. + + Here a solemn fast we keep, + While all beauty lies asleep + Hush'd be all things--no noise here-- + But the toning of a tear: + Or a sigh of such as bring + Cowslips for her covering. + + +451. TO THE RIGHT GRACIOUS PRINCE, LODOWICK, DUKE OF RICHMOND AND +LENNOX. + + Of all those three brave brothers fall'n i' th' war + (Not without glory), noble sir, you are, + Despite of all concussions, left the stem + To shoot forth generations like to them. + Which may be done, if, sir, you can beget + Men in their substance, not in counterfeit, + Such essences as those three brothers; known + Eternal by their own production. + Of whom, from fame's white trumpet, this I'll tell, + Worthy their everlasting chronicle: + Never since first Bellona us'd a shield, + _Such three brave brothers fell in Mars his field_. + These were those three Horatii Rome did boast, + Rome's were these three Horatii we have lost. + One C[oe]ur-de-Lion had that age long since; + This, three; which three, you make up four, brave prince. + + +452. TO JEALOUSY. + + O jealousy, that art + The canker of the heart; + And mak'st all hell + Where thou do'st dwell; + For pity be + No fury, or no firebrand to me. + + Far from me I'll remove + All thoughts of irksome love: + And turn to snow, + Or crystal grow, + To keep still free, + O! soul-tormenting jealousy, from thee. + + +453. TO LIVE FREELY. + + Let's live in haste; use pleasures while we may; + Could life return, 'twould never lose a day. + + +455. HIS ALMS. + + Here, here I live, + And somewhat give + Of what I have + To those who crave, + Little or much, + My alms is such; + But if my deal + Of oil and meal + Shall fuller grow, + More I'll bestow; + Meantime be it + E'en but a bit, + Or else a crumb, + The scrip hath some. + + _Deal_, portion. + + +456. UPON HIMSELF. + + Come, leave this loathed country life, and then + Grow up to be a Roman citizen. + Those mites of time, which yet remain unspent, + Waste thou in that most civil government. + Get their comportment and the gliding tongue + Of those mild men thou art to live among; + Then, being seated in that smoother sphere, + Decree thy everlasting topic there; + And to the farm-house ne'er return at all: + Though granges do not love thee, cities shall. + + +457. TO ENJOY THE TIME. + + While Fates permit us let's be merry, + Pass all we must the fatal ferry; + And this our life too whirls away + With the rotation of the day. + + +458. UPON LOVE. + + Love, I have broke + Thy yoke, + The neck is free; + But when I'm next + Love-vexed, + Then shackle me. + + 'Tis better yet + To fret + The feet or hands, + Than to enthral + Or gall + The neck with bands. + + +459. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MILDMAY, EARL OF WESTMORELAND. + + You are a lord, an earl, nay more, a man + Who writes sweet numbers well as any can; + If so, why then are not these verses hurled, + Like Sybil's leaves, throughout the ample world? + What is a jewel if it be not set + Forth by a ring or some rich carcanet? + But being so, then the beholders cry: + See, see a gem as rare as Belus' eye. + Then public praise does run upon the stone, + For a most rich, a rare, a precious one. + Expose your jewels then unto the view, + That we may praise them, or themselves prize you. + _Virtue concealed_, with Horace you'll confess, + _Differs not much from drowsy slothfulness_. + + _Belus' eye_, the eye onyx. "The stone called Belus' eie is white, and + hath within it a black apple." (Holland's _Pliny_.) + + +460. THE PLUNDER. + + I am of all bereft, + Save but some few beans left, + Whereof, at last, to make + For me and mine a cake, + Which eaten, they and I + Will say our grace, and die. + + +461. LITTLENESS NO CAUSE OF LEANNESS. + + One feeds on lard, and yet is lean, + And I but feasting with a bean + Grow fat and smooth. The reason is: + Jove prospers my meat more than his. + + +464. THE JIMMALL RING OR TRUE-LOVE KNOT. + + Thou sent'st to me a true love-knot, but I + Returned a ring of jimmals to imply + Thy love had one knot, mine a triple tie. + + _Jimmal_ or _gimmal_, double or triple ring. + + +465. THE PARTING VERSE OR CHARGE TO HIS SUPPOSED WIFE WHEN HE TRAVELLED. + + Go hence, and with this parting kiss, + Which joins two souls, remember this: + Though thou be'st young, kind, soft, and fair + And may'st draw thousands with a hair; + Yet let these glib temptations be + Furies to others, friends to me. + Look upon all, and though on fire + Thou set their hearts, let chaste desire + Steer thee to me, and think, me gone, + In having all, that thou hast none. + Nor so immured would I have + Thee live, as dead and in thy grave; + But walk abroad, yet wisely well + Stand for my coming, sentinel. + And think, as thou do'st walk the street, + Me or my shadow thou do'st meet. + I know a thousand greedy eyes + Will on thy feature tyrannise + In my short absence, yet behold + Them like some picture, or some mould + Fashion'd like thee, which, though 't have ears + And eyes, it neither sees or hears. + Gifts will be sent, and letters, which + Are the expressions of that itch, + And salt, which frets thy suitors; fly + Both, lest thou lose thy liberty; + For, that once lost, thou't fall to one, + Then prostrate to a million. + But if they woo thee, do thou say, + As that chaste Queen of Ithaca + Did to her suitors, this web done, + (Undone as oft as done), I'm won; + I will not urge thee, for I know, + Though thou art young, thou canst say no, + And no again, and so deny + Those thy lust-burning incubi. + Let them enstyle thee fairest fair, + The pearl of princes, yet despair + That so thou art, because thou must + Believe love speaks it not, but lust; + And this their flattery does commend + Thee chiefly for their pleasure's end. + I am not jealous of thy faith, + Or will be, for the axiom saith: + He that doth suspect does haste + A gentle mind to be unchaste. + No, live thee to thy self, and keep + Thy thoughts as cold as is thy sleep, + And let thy dreams be only fed + With this, that I am in thy bed; + And thou, then turning in that sphere, + Waking shalt find me sleeping there. + But yet if boundless lust must scale + Thy fortress, and will needs prevail, + And wildly force a passage in, + Banish consent, and 'tis no sin + Of thine; so Lucrece fell and the + Chaste Syracusian Cyane. + So Medullina fell; yet none + Of these had imputation + For the least trespass, 'cause the mind + Here was not with the act combin'd. + _The body sins not, 'tis the will + That makes the action, good or ill._ + And if thy fall should this way come, + Triumph in such a martyrdom. + I will not over-long enlarge + To thee this my religious charge. + Take this compression, so by this + Means I shall know what other kiss + Is mixed with mine, and truly know, + Returning, if't be mine or no: + Keep it till then; and now, my spouse, + For my wished safety pay thy vows + And prayers to Venus; if it please + The great blue ruler of the seas, + Not many full-faced moons shall wane, + Lean-horn'd, before I come again + As one triumphant, when I find + In thee all faith of womankind. + Nor would I have thee think that thou + Had'st power thyself to keep this vow, + But, having 'scaped temptation's shelf, + Know virtue taught thee, not thyself. + + _Queen of Ithaca_, Penelope. + _Incubi_, adulterous spirits. + _Cyane_, a nymph of Syracuse, ravished by her father whom (and herself) + she slew. + _Medullina_, a Roman virgin who endured a like fate. + _Compression_, embrace. + + +466. TO HIS KINSMAN, SIR THOS. SOAME. + + Seeing thee, Soame, I see a goodly man, + And in that good a great patrician. + Next to which two, among the city powers + And thrones, thyself one of those senators; + Not wearing purple only for the show, + As many conscripts of the city do, + But for true service, worthy of that gown, + The golden chain, too, and the civic crown. + + _Conscripts_, "patres conscripti," aldermen. + + +467. TO BLOSSOMS. + + Fair pledges of a fruitful tree, + Why do ye fall so fast? + Your date is not so past + But you may stay yet here a while, + To blush and gently smile; + And go at last. + + What! were ye born to be + An hour or half's delight, + And so to bid good-night? + 'Twas pity Nature brought ye forth + Merely to show your worth, + And lose you quite. + + But you are lovely leaves, where we + May read how soon things have + Their end, though ne'er so brave: + And after they have shown their pride + Like you a while, they glide + Into the grave. + + +468. MAN'S DYING-PLACE UNCERTAIN. + + Man knows where first he ships himself, but he + Never can tell where shall his landing be. + + +469. NOTHING FREE-COST. + + Nothing comes free-cost here; Jove will not let + His gifts go from him, if not bought with sweat. + + +470. FEW FORTUNATE. + + Many we are, and yet but few possess + Those fields of everlasting happiness. + + +471. TO PERENNA. + + How long, Perenna, wilt thou see + Me languish for the love of thee? + Consent, and play a friendly part + To save, when thou may'st kill a heart. + + +472. TO THE LADIES. + + Trust me, ladies, I will do + Nothing to distemper you; + If I any fret or vex, + Men they shall be, not your sex. + + +473. THE OLD WIVES' PRAYER. + + Holy rood, come forth and shield + Us i' th' city and the field: + Safely guard us, now and aye, + From the blast that burns by day; + And those sounds that us affright + In the dead of dampish night. + Drive all hurtful fiends us fro, + By the time the cocks first crow. + + +475. UPON HIS DEPARTURE HENCE. + + Thus I + Pass by, + And die: + As one + Unknown + And gone: + I'm made + A shade, + And laid + I' th' grave: + There have + My cave, + Where tell + I dwell. + Farewell. + + +476. THE WASSAIL. + + Give way, give way, ye gates, and win + An easy blessing to your bin + And basket, by our entering in. + + May both with manchet stand replete; + Your larders, too, so hung with meat, + That though a thousand, thousand eat, + + Yet, ere twelve moons shall whirl about + Their silv'ry spheres, there's none may doubt + But more's sent in than was served out. + + Next, may your dairies prosper so + As that your pans no ebb may know; + But if they do, the more to flow, + + Like to a solemn sober stream + Bank'd all with lilies, and the cream + Of sweetest cowslips filling them. + + Then, may your plants be prest with fruit, + Nor bee, or hive you have be mute; + But sweetly sounding like a lute. + + Next, may your duck and teeming hen + Both to the cock's tread say Amen; + And for their two eggs render ten. + + Last, may your harrows, shears, and ploughs, + Your stacks, your stocks, your sweetest mows, + All prosper by our virgin vows. + + Alas! we bless, but see none here + That brings us either ale or beer; + _In a dry house all things are near_. + + Let's leave a longer time to wait, + Where rust and cobwebs bind the gate, + And all live here with needy fate. + + Where chimneys do for ever weep + For want of warmth, and stomachs keep, + With noise, the servants' eyes from sleep. + + It is in vain to sing, or stay + Our free feet here; but we'll away: + Yet to the Lares this we'll say: + + The time will come when you'll be sad + And reckon this for fortune bad, + T'ave lost the good ye might have had. + + _Manchet_, fine white bread. + _Prest_, laden. + _Near_, penurious. + _Leave to wait_, cease waiting. + + +477. UPON A LADY FAIR BUT FRUITLESS. + + Twice has Pudica been a bride, and led + By holy Hymen to the nuptial bed. + Two youths she's known thrice two, and twice three years; + Yet not a lily from the bed appears: + Nor will; for why, Pudica this may know, + _Trees never bear unless they first do blow_. + + +478. HOW SPRINGS CAME FIRST. + + These springs were maidens once that lov'd, + But lost to that they most approv'd: + My story tells by Love they were + Turn'd to these springs which we see here; + The pretty whimpering that they make, + When of the banks their leave they take, + Tells ye but this, they are the same, + In nothing chang'd but in their name. + + +479. TO ROSEMARY AND BAYS. + + My wooing's ended: now my wedding's near + When gloves are giving, gilded be you there. + + +481. UPON A SCAR IN A VIRGIN'S FACE. + + 'Tis heresy in others: in your face + That scar's no schism, but the sign of grace. + + +482. UPON HIS EYESIGHT FAILING HIM. + + I begin to wane in sight; + Shortly I shall bid good-night: + Then no gazing more about, + When the tapers once are out. + + +483. TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND, M. THOS. FALCONBIRGE. + + Stand with thy graces forth, brave man, and rise + High with thine own auspicious destinies: + Nor leave the search, and proof, till thou canst find + These, or those ends, to which thou wast design'd. + Thy lucky genius and thy guiding star + Have made thee prosperous in thy ways thus far: + Nor will they leave thee till they both have shown + Thee to the world a prime and public one. + Then, when thou see'st thine age all turn'd to gold, + Remember what thy Herrick thee foretold, + When at the holy threshold of thine house + _He boded good luck to thy self and spouse_. + Lastly, be mindful, when thou art grown great, + _That towers high rear'd dread most the lightning's threat: + Whenas the humble cottages not fear + The cleaving bolt of Jove the thunderer_. + + +484. UPON JULIA'S HAIR FILL'D WITH DEW. + + Dew sat on Julia's hair + And spangled too, + Like leaves that laden are + With trembling dew: + Or glitter'd to my sight, + As when the beams + Have their reflected light + Danc'd by the streams. + + +485. ANOTHER ON HER. + + How can I choose but love and follow her + Whose shadow smells like milder pomander? + How can I choose but kiss her, whence does come + The storax, spikenard, myrrh, and laudanum? + + _Pomander_, ball of scent. + + +486. LOSS FROM THE LEAST. + + Great men by small means oft are overthrown; + _He's lord of thy life who contemns his own_. + + +487. REWARD AND PUNISHMENTS. + + All things are open to these two events, + Or to rewards, or else to punishments. + + +488. SHAME NO STATIST. + + Shame is a bad attendant to a state: + _He rents his crown that fears the people's hate_. + + +489. TO SIR CLIPSEBY CREW. + + Since to the country first I came + I have lost my former flame: + And, methinks, I not inherit, + As I did, my ravish'd spirit. + If I write a verse or two, + 'Tis with very much ado; + In regard I want that wine + Which should conjure up a line. + Yet, though now of Muse bereft, + I have still the manners left + For to thank you, noble sir, + For those gifts you do confer + Upon him who only can + Be in prose a grateful man. + + +490. UPON HIMSELF. + + I could never love indeed; + Never see mine own heart bleed: + Never crucify my life, + Or for widow, maid, or wife. + + I could never seek to please + One or many mistresses: + Never like their lips to swear + Oil of roses still smelt there. + + I could never break my sleep, + Fold mine arms, sob, sigh, or weep: + Never beg, or humbly woo + With oaths and lies, as others do. + + I could never walk alone; + Put a shirt of sackcloth on: + Never keep a fast, or pray + For good luck in love that day. + + But have hitherto liv'd free + As the air that circles me: + And kept credit with my heart, + Neither broke i' th' whole, or part. + + +491. FRESH CHEESE AND CREAM. + + Would ye have fresh cheese and cream? + Julia's breast can give you them: + And, if more, each nipple cries: + To your cream here's strawberries. + + +492. AN ECLOGUE OR PASTORAL BETWEEN ENDYMION PORTER AND LYCIDAS HERRICK, +SET AND SUNG. + + _End._ Ah! Lycidas, come tell me why + Thy whilom merry oat + By thee doth so neglected lie, + And never purls a note? + + I prithee speak. _Lyc._ I will. _End._ Say on. + _Lyc._ 'Tis thou, and only thou, + That art the cause, Endymion. + _End._ For love's sake, tell me how. + + _Lyc._ In this regard: that thou do'st play + Upon another plain, + And for a rural roundelay + Strik'st now a courtly strain. + + Thou leav'st our hills, our dales, our bowers, + Our finer fleeced sheep, + Unkind to us, to spend thine hours + Where shepherds should not keep. + + I mean the court: Let Latmos be + My lov'd Endymion's court. + _End._ But I the courtly state would see. + _Lyc._ Then see it in report. + + What has the court to do with swains, + Where Phyllis is not known? + Nor does it mind the rustic strains + Of us, or Corydon. + + Break, if thou lov'st us, this delay. + _End._ Dear Lycidas, e're long + I vow, by Pan, to come away + And pipe unto thy song. + + Then Jessamine, with Florabell, + And dainty Amaryllis, + With handsome-handed Drosomell + Shall prank thy hook with lilies. + + _Lyc._ Then Tityrus, and Corydon, + And Thyrsis, they shall follow + With all the rest; while thou alone + Shalt lead like young Apollo. + + And till thou com'st, thy Lycidas, + In every genial cup, + Shall write in spice: Endymion 'twas + That kept his piping up. + + And, my most lucky swain, when I shall live to see + Endymion's moon to fill up full, remember me: + Meantime, let Lycidas have leave to pipe to thee. + + _Oat_, oaten pipe. + _Prank_, bedeck. + _Drosomell_, honey dew. + + +493. TO A BED OF TULIPS. + + Bright tulips, we do know + You had your coming hither, + And fading-time does show + That ye must quickly wither. + + Your sisterhoods may stay, + And smile here for your hour; + But die ye must away, + Even as the meanest flower. + + Come, virgins, then, and see + Your frailties, and bemoan ye; + For, lost like these, 'twill be + As time had never known ye. + + +494. A CAUTION. + + That love last long, let it thy first care be + To find a wife that is most fit for thee. + Be she too wealthy or too poor, be sure + _Love in extremes can never long endure_. + + +495. TO THE WATER NYMPHS DRINKING AT THE FOUNTAIN. + + Reach, with your whiter hands, to me + Some crystal of the spring; + And I about the cup shall see + Fresh lilies flourishing. + + Or else, sweet nymphs, do you but this, + To th' glass your lips incline; + And I shall see by that one kiss + The water turn'd to wine. + + +496. TO HIS HONOURED KINSMAN, SIR RICHARD STONE. + + To this white temple of my heroes here, + Beset with stately figures everywhere + Of such rare saintships, who did here consume + Their lives in sweets, and left in death perfume, + Come, thou brave man! And bring with thee a stone + Unto thine own edification. + High are these statues here, besides no less + Strong than the heavens for everlastingness: + Where build aloft; and, being fix'd by these, + Set up thine own eternal images. + + +497. UPON A FLY. + + A golden fly one show'd to me, + Clos'd in a box of ivory, + Where both seem'd proud: the fly to have + His burial in an ivory grave; + The ivory took state to hold + A corpse as bright as burnish'd gold. + One fate had both, both equal grace; + The buried, and the burying-place. + Not Virgil's gnat, to whom the spring + All flowers sent to's burying; + Not Martial's bee, which in a bead + Of amber quick was buried; + Nor that fine worm that does inter + Herself i' th' silken sepulchre; + Nor my rare Phil,[K] that lately was + With lilies tomb'd up in a glass; + More honour had than this same fly, + Dead, and closed up in ivory. + + _Virgil's gnat_, see 256. + _Martial's bee_, see Note. + +[K] _Sparrow._ (Note in the original edition.) + + +499. TO JULIA. + + Julia, when thy Herrick dies, + Close thou up thy poet's eyes: + And his last breath, let it be + Taken in by none but thee. + + +500. TO MISTRESS DOROTHY PARSONS. + + If thou ask me, dear, wherefore + I do write of thee no more, + I must answer, sweet, thy part + Less is here than in my heart. + + +502. HOW HE WOULD DRINK HIS WINE. + + Fill me my wine in crystal; thus, and thus + I see't in's _puris naturalibus_: + Unmix'd. I love to have it smirk and shine; + _'Tis sin I know, 'tis sin to throttle wine_. + What madman's he, that when it sparkles so, + Will cool his flames or quench his fires with snow? + + +503. HOW MARIGOLDS CAME YELLOW. + + Jealous girls these sometimes were, + While they liv'd or lasted here: + Turn'd to flowers, still they be + Yellow, mark'd for jealousy. + + +504. THE BROKEN CRYSTAL. + + To fetch me wine my Lucia went, + Bearing a crystal continent: + But, making haste, it came to pass + She brake in two the purer glass, + Then smil'd, and sweetly chid her speed; + So with a blush beshrew'd the deed. + + _Continent_, holder. + + +505. PRECEPTS. + + Good precepts we must firmly hold, + By daily learning we wax old. + + +506. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD, EARL OF DORSET. + + If I dare write to you, my lord, who are + Of your own self a public theatre, + And, sitting, see the wiles, ways, walks of wit, + And give a righteous judgment upon it, + What need I care, though some dislike me should, + If Dorset say what Herrick writes is good? + We know y'are learn'd i' th' Muses, and no less + In our state-sanctions, deep or bottomless. + Whose smile can make a poet, and your glance + Dash all bad poems out of countenance; + So that an author needs no other bays + For coronation than your only praise, + And no one mischief greater than your frown + To null his numbers, and to blast his crown. + _Few live the life immortal. He ensures + His fame's long life who strives to set up yours._ + + +507. UPON HIMSELF. + + Thou'rt hence removing (like a shepherd's tent), + And walk thou must the way that others went: + Fall thou must first, then rise to life with these, + Mark'd in thy book for faithful witnesses. + + +508. HOPE WELL AND HAVE WELL: OR, FAIR AFTER FOUL WEATHER. + + What though the heaven be lowering now, + And look with a contracted brow? + We shall discover, by-and-by, + A repurgation of the sky; + And when those clouds away are driven, + Then will appear a cheerful heaven. + + +509. UPON LOVE. + + I held Love's head while it did ache; + But so it chanc'd to be, + The cruel pain did his forsake, + And forthwith came to me. + + Ay me! how shall my grief be still'd? + Or where else shall we find + One like to me, who must be kill'd + For being too-too kind? + + +510. TO HIS KINSWOMAN, MRS. PENELOPE WHEELER. + + Next is your lot, fair, to be number'd one, + Here, in my book's canonisation: + Late you come in; but you a saint shall be, + In chief, in this poetic liturgy. + + +511. ANOTHER UPON HER. + + First, for your shape, the curious cannot show + Any one part that's dissonant in you: + And 'gainst your chaste behaviour there's no plea, + Since you are known to be Penelope. + Thus fair and clean you are, although there be + _A mighty strife 'twixt form and chastity_. + + _Form_, beauty. + + +513. CROSS AND PILE. + + Fair and foul days trip cross and pile; the fair + Far less in number than our foul days are. + + _Trip cross and pile_, come haphazard, like the heads and tails of coins. + + +514. TO THE LADY CREW, UPON THE DEATH OF HER CHILD. + + Why, madam, will ye longer weep, + Whenas your baby's lull'd asleep? + And (pretty child) feels now no more + Those pains it lately felt before. + All now is silent; groans are fled: + Your child lies still, yet is not dead; + But rather like a flower hid here + To spring again another year. + + +515. HIS WINDING-SHEET. + + Come thou, who art the wine and wit + Of all I've writ: + The grace, the glory, and the best + Piece of the rest. + Thou art of what I did intend + The all and end; + And what was made, was made to meet + Thee, thee, my sheet. + Come then, and be to my chaste side + Both bed and bride. + We two, as reliques left, will have + One rest, one grave. + And, hugging close, we will not fear + Lust entering here, + Where all desires are dead or cold + As is the mould; + And all affections are forgot, + Or trouble not. + Here, here the slaves and pris'ners be + From shackles free: + And weeping widows long oppress'd + Do here find rest. + The wronged client ends his laws + Here, and his cause. + Here those long suits of chancery lie + Quiet, or die: + And all Star-Chamber bills do cease, + Or hold their peace. + Here needs no Court for our Request, + Where all are best, + All wise, all equal, and all just + Alike i' th' dust. + Nor need we here to fear the frown + Of court or crown: + _Where fortune bears no sway o'er things, + There all are kings_. + In this securer place we'll keep, + As lull'd asleep; + Or for a little time we'll lie + As robes laid by; + To be another day re-worn, + Turn'd, but not torn: + Or, like old testaments engrost, + Lock'd up, not lost. + And for a while lie here conceal'd, + To be reveal'd + Next at that great Platonick year, + And then meet here. + + _Platonick year_, the 36,000th year, in which all persons and things + return to their original state. + + +516. TO MISTRESS MARY WILLAND. + + One more by thee, love, and desert have sent, + T' enspangle this expansive firmament. + O flame of beauty! come, appear, appear + A virgin taper, ever shining here. + + +517. CHANGE GIVES CONTENT. + + What now we like anon we disapprove: + _The new successor drives away old love_. + + +519. ON HIMSELF. + + Born I was to meet with age, + And to walk life's pilgrimage. + Much I know of time is spent, + Tell I can't what's resident. + Howsoever, cares, adieu! + I'll have nought to say to you: + But I'll spend my coming hours + Drinking wine and crown'd with flowers. + + _Resident_, remaining. + + +520. FORTUNE FAVOURS. + + Fortune did never favour one + Fully, without exception; + Though free she be, there's something yet + Still wanting to her favourite. + + +521. TO PHYLLIS, TO LOVE AND LIVE WITH HIM. + + Live, live with me, and thou shall see + The pleasures I'll prepare for thee; + What sweets the country can afford + Shall bless thy bed and bless thy board. + The soft, sweet moss shall be thy bed + With crawling woodbine over-spread; + By which the silver-shedding streams + Shall gently melt thee into dreams. + Thy clothing, next, shall be a gown + Made of the fleece's purest down. + The tongues of kids shall be thy meat, + Their milk thy drink; and thou shalt eat + The paste of filberts for thy bread, + With cream of cowslips buttered; + Thy feasting-tables shall be hills + With daisies spread and daffodils, + Where thou shalt sit, and red-breast by, + For meat, shall give thee melody. + I'll give thee chains and carcanets + Of primroses and violets. + A bag and bottle thou shalt have, + That richly wrought, and this as brave; + So that as either shall express + The wearer's no mean shepherdess. + At shearing-times, and yearly wakes, + When Themilis his pastime makes, + There thou shalt be; and be the wit, + Nay, more, the feast, and grace of it. + On holidays, when virgins meet + To dance the heyes with nimble feet, + Thou shall come forth, and then appear + The queen of roses for that year; + And having danced, 'bove all the best, + Carry the garland from the rest. + In wicker baskets maids shall bring + To thee, my dearest shepherling, + The blushing apple, bashful pear, + And shame-fac'd plum, all simp'ring there. + Walk in the groves, and thou shalt find + The name of Phyllis in the rind + Of every straight and smooth-skin tree; + Where kissing that, I'll twice kiss thee. + To thee a sheep-hook I will send, + Be-prank'd with ribands to this end; + This, this alluring hook might be + Less for to catch a sheep than me. + Thou shalt have possets, wassails fine, + Not made of ale, but spiced wine, + To make thy maids and self free mirth, + All sitting near the glitt'ring hearth. + Thou shalt have ribands, roses, rings, + Gloves, garters, stockings, shoes, and strings + Of winning colours, that shall move + Others to lust, but me to love. + These, nay, and more, thine own shall be + If thou wilt love, and live with me. + + _Carcanets_, necklaces. + _Wakes_, village feasts on the dedication day of the church. + _The heyes_, a winding, country dance. + _Be-prank'd_, be-decked. + + +522. TO HIS KINSWOMAN, MISTRESS SUSANNA HERRICK. + + When I consider, dearest, thou dost stay + But here a-while, to languish and decay, + Like to these garden-glories, which here be + The flowery-sweet resemblances of thee; + With grief of heart, methinks, I thus do cry: + Would thou hadst ne'er been born, or might'st not die. + + +523. UPON MISTRESS SUSANNA SOUTHWELL, HER CHEEKS. + + Rare are thy cheeks, Susanna, which do show + Ripe cherries smiling, while that others blow. + + +524. UPON HER EYES. + + Clear are her eyes, + Like purest skies, + Discovering from thence + A baby there + That turns each sphere, + Like an Intelligence. + + _A baby_, see Note to 38, "To his mistress objecting to him neither + toying nor talking". + + +525. UPON HER FEET. + + Her pretty feet + Like snails did creep + A little out, and then, + As if they played at Bo-Peep, + Did soon draw in again. + + +526. TO HIS HONOURED FRIEND, SIR JOHN MINCE. + + For civil, clean, and circumcised wit, + And for the comely carriage of it, + Thou art the man, the only man best known, + Mark'd for the true wit of a million: + From whom we'll reckon. Wit came in but since + The calculation of thy birth, brave Mince. + + +527. UPON HIS GREY HAIRS. + + Fly me not, though I be grey: + Lady, this I know you'll say; + Better look the roses red + When with white commingled. + Black your hairs are, mine are white; + This begets the more delight, + When things meet most opposite: + As in pictures we descry + Venus standing Vulcan by. + + +528. ACCUSATION. + + If accusation only can draw blood, + None shall be guiltless, be he ne'er so good. + + +529. PRIDE ALLOWABLE IN POETS. + + As thou deserv'st, be proud; then gladly let + The Muse give thee the Delphic coronet. + + +530. A VOW TO MINERVA. + + Goddess, I begin an art; + Come thou in, with thy best part + For to make the texture lie + Each way smooth and civilly; + And a broad-fac'd owl shall be + Offer'd up with vows to thee. + + _Civilly_, orderly. + _Owl_, the bird sacred to Athene or Minerva. + + +534. TO ELECTRA. + + 'Tis evening, my sweet, + And dark, let us meet; + Long time w'ave here been a-toying, + And never, as yet, + That season could get + Wherein t'ave had an enjoying. + + For pity or shame, + Then let not love's flame + Be ever and ever a-spending; + Since now to the port + The path is but short, + And yet our way has no ending. + + Time flies away fast, + Our hours do waste, + The while we never remember + How soon our life, here, + Grows old with the year + That dies with the next December. + + +535. DISCORD NOT DISADVANTAGEOUS. + + Fortune no higher project can devise + Than to sow discord 'mongst the enemies. + + +536. ILL GOVERNMENT. + + Preposterous is that government, and rude, + When kings obey the wilder multitude. + + _Preposterous_, lit. hind-part before. + + +537. TO MARIGOLDS. + + Give way, and be ye ravish'd by the sun, + And hang the head whenas the act is done, + Spread as he spreads, wax less as he does wane; + And as he shuts, close up to maids again. + + +538. TO DIANEME. + + Give me one kiss + And no more: + If so be this + Makes you poor, + To enrich you, + I'll restore + For that one two + Thousand score. + + +539. TO JULIA, THE FLAMINICA DIALIS OR QUEEN-PRIEST. + + Thou know'st, my Julia, that it is thy turn + This morning's incense to prepare and burn. + The chaplet and Inarculum[L] here be, + With the white vestures, all attending thee. + This day the queen-priest thou art made, t' appease + Love for our very many trespasses. + One chief transgression is, among the rest, + Because with flowers her temple was not dressed; + The next, because her altars did not shine + With daily fires; the last, neglect of wine; + For which her wrath is gone forth to consume + Us all, unless preserved by thy perfume. + Take then thy censer, put in fire, and thus, + O pious priestess! make a peace for us. + For our neglect Love did our death decree; + That we escape. _Redemption comes by thee_. + +[L] A twig of a pomegranate, which the queen-priest did use to wear on +her head at sacrificing. (Note in the original edition.) + + +540. ANACREONTIC. + + Born I was to be old, + And for to die here: + After that, in the mould + Long for to lie here. + But before that day comes + Still I be bousing, + For I know in the tombs + There's no carousing. + + +541. MEAT WITHOUT MIRTH. + + Eaten I have; and though I had good cheer, + I did not sup, because no friends were there. + Where mirth and friends are absent when we dine + Or sup, there wants the incense and the wine. + + +542. LARGE BOUNDS DO BUT BURY US. + + All things o'er-ruled are here by chance: + The greatest man's inheritance, + Where'er the lucky lot doth fall, + Serves but for place of burial. + + +543. UPON URSLEY. + + Ursley, she thinks those velvet patches grace + The candid temples of her comely face; + But he will say, whoe'er those circlets seeth, + They be but signs of Ursley's hollow teeth. + + +544. AN ODE TO SIR CLIPSEBY CREW. + + Here we securely live and eat + The cream of meat, + And keep eternal fires, + By which we sit, and do divine + As wine + And rage inspires. + + If full we charm, then call upon + Anacreon + To grace the frantic thyrse; + And having drunk, we raise a shout + Throughout + To praise his verse. + + Then cause we Horace to be read, + Which sung, or said, + A goblet to the brim + Of lyric wine, both swell'd and crown'd, + Around + We quaff to him. + + Thus, thus we live, and spend the hours + In wine and flowers, + And make the frolic year, + The month, the week, the instant day + To stay + The longer here. + + Come then, brave knight, and see the cell + Wherein I dwell, + And my enchantments too, + Which love and noble freedom is; + And this + Shall fetter you. + + Take horse, and come, or be so kind + To send your mind, + Though but in numbers few, + And I shall think I have the heart, + Or part + Of Clipseby Crew. + + _Securely_, free from care. + _Thyrse_, a Bacchic staff. + _Instant_, oncoming. + _Numbers_, verses. + + +545. TO HIS WORTHY KINSMAN, MR. STEPHEN SOAME. + + Nor is my number full till I inscribe + Thee, sprightly Soame, one of my righteous tribe; + A tribe of one lip, leaven, and of one + Civil behaviour, and religion; + A stock of saints, where ev'ry one doth wear + A stole of white, and canonised here; + Among which holies be thou ever known, + Brave kinsman, mark'd out with the whiter stone + Which seals thy glory, since I do prefer + Thee here in my eternal calender. + + +546. TO HIS TOMB-MAKER. + + Go I must; when I am gone, + Write but this upon my stone: + Chaste I lived, without a wife, + That's the story of my life. + Strewings need none, every flower + Is in this word, bachelour. + + +547. GREAT SPIRITS SUPERVIVE. + + Our mortal parts may wrapp'd in sear-cloths lie: + _Great spirits never with their bodies die_. + + +548. NONE FREE FROM FAULT. + + Out of the world he must, who once comes in. + _No man exempted is from death, or sin._ + + +549. UPON HIMSELF BEING BURIED. + + Let me sleep this night away, + Till the dawning of the day; + Then at th' opening of mine eyes + I, and all the world, shall rise. + + +550. PITY TO THE PROSTRATE. + + 'Tis worse than barbarous cruelty to show + No part of pity on a conquered foe. + + +552. HIS CONTENT IN THE COUNTRY. + + Here, here I live with what my board + Can with the smallest cost afford. + Though ne'er so mean the viands be, + They well content my Prew and me. + Or pea, or bean, or wort, or beet, + Whatever comes, content makes sweet. + Here we rejoice, because no rent + We pay for our poor tenement, + Wherein we rest, and never fear + The landlord or the usurer. + The quarter-day does ne'er affright + Our peaceful slumbers in the night. + We eat our own and batten more, + Because we feed on no man's score; + But pity those whose flanks grow great, + Swell'd with the lard of others' meat. + We bless our fortunes when we see + Our own beloved privacy; + And like our living, where we're known + To very few, or else to none. + + _Prew_, _i.e._, his servant, Prudence Baldwin. + + +553. THE CREDIT OF THE CONQUEROR. + + He who commends the vanquished, speaks the power + And glorifies the worthy conqueror. + + +554. ON HIMSELF. + + Some parts may perish, die thou canst not all: + The most of thee shall 'scape the funeral. + + +556. THE FAIRIES. + + If ye will with Mab find grace, + Set each platter in his place; + Rake the fire up, and get + Water in, ere sun be set. + Wash your pails, and cleanse your dairies; + Sluts are loathsome to the fairies; + Sweep your house, who doth not so, + Mab will pinch her by the toe. + + +557. TO HIS HONOURED FRIEND, M. JOHN WEARE, COUNCILLOR. + + Did I or love, or could I others draw + To the indulgence of the rugged law, + The first foundation of that zeal should be + By reading all her paragraphs in thee, + Who dost so fitly with the laws unite, + As if you two were one hermaphrodite. + Nor courts[t] thou her because she's well attended + With wealth, but for those ends she was intended: + Which were,--and still her offices are known,-- + _Law is to give to ev'ry one his own_; + To shore the feeble up against the strong, + To shield the stranger and the poor from wrong. + This was the founder's grave and good intent: + To keep the outcast in his tenement, + To free the orphan from that wolf-like man, + Who is his butcher more than guardian; + To dry the widow's tears, and stop her swoons, + By pouring balm and oil into her wounds. + This was the old way; and 'tis yet thy course + To keep those pious principles in force. + Modest I will be; but one word I'll say, + Like to a sound that's vanishing away, + Sooner the inside of thy hand shall grow + Hisped and hairy, ere thy palm shall know + A postern-bribe took, or a forked fee, + To fetter Justice, when she might be free. + _Eggs I'll not shave_; but yet, brave man, if I + Was destin'd forth to golden sovereignty, + A prince I'd be, that I might thee prefer + To be my counsel both and chancellor. + + _Hisped_ (_hispidus_), rough with hairs. + _Postern-bribe_, a back-door bribe. + _Forked fee_, a fee from both sides in a case; cp. Ben Jonson's + _Volpone_: "Give forked counsel, take provoking gold on either hand". + _Eggs I'll not shave_, a proverb. + + +560. THE WATCH. + + Man is a watch, wound up at first, but never + Wound up again: once down, he's down for ever. + The watch once down, all motions then do cease; + And man's pulse stop'd, all passions sleep in peace. + + +561. LINES HAVE THEIR LININGS, AND BOOKS THEIR BUCKRAM. + + As in our clothes, so likewise he who looks, + Shall find much farcing buckram in our books. + + _Farcing_, stuffing. + + +562. ART ABOVE NATURE: TO JULIA. + + When I behold a forest spread + With silken trees upon thy head, + And when I see that other dress + Of flowers set in comeliness; + When I behold another grace + In the ascent of curious lace, + Which like a pinnacle doth show + The top, and the top-gallant too. + Then, when I see thy tresses bound + Into an oval, square, or round, + And knit in knots far more than I + Can tell by tongue, or true-love tie; + Next, when those lawny films I see + Play with a wild civility, + And all those airy silks to flow, + Alluring me, and tempting so: + I must confess mine eye and heart + Dotes less on Nature than on Art. + + _Civility_, order. + + +564. UPON HIS KINSWOMAN, MISTRESS BRIDGET HERRICK. + + Sweet Bridget blush'd, and therewithal + Fresh blossoms from her cheeks did fall. + I thought at first 'twas but a dream, + Till after I had handled them + And smelt them, then they smelt to me + As blossoms of the almond tree. + + +565. UPON LOVE. + + I played with Love, as with the fire + The wanton Satyr did; + Nor did I know, or could descry + What under there was hid. + + That Satyr he but burnt his lips; + But mine's the greater smart, + For kissing Love's dissembling chips + The fire scorch'd my heart. + + _The wanton Satyr_, see Note. + + +566. UPON A COMELY AND CURIOUS MAID. + + If men can say that beauty dies, + Marbles will swear that here it lies. + If, reader, then thou canst forbear + In public loss to shed a tear, + The dew of grief upon this stone + Will tell thee pity thou hast none. + + +567. UPON THE LOSS OF HIS FINGER. + + One of the five straight branches of my hand + Is lop'd already, and the rest but stand + Expecting when to fall, which soon will be; + First dies the leaf, the bough next, next the tree. + + +568. UPON IRENE. + + Angry if Irene be + But a minute's life with me: + Such a fire I espy + Walking in and out her eye, + As at once I freeze and fry. + + +569. UPON ELECTRA'S TEARS. + + Upon her cheeks she wept, and from those showers + Sprang up a sweet nativity of flowers. + + + + +NOTES. + + + + +NOTES. + + + + +2. _Whither, mad maiden_, etc. From Martial, I. iv. 11, 12:-- + + Aetherias, lascive, cupis volitare per auras: + I, fuge; sed poteras tutior esse domi. + +_But for the Court._ Cp. Martial, I. iv. 3, 4. + +4. _While Brutus standeth by._ "Brutus and Cato are commonplaces of +examples of severe virtue": Grosart. But Herrick is translating. This is +from Martial, XI. xvi. 9, 10:-- + + Erubuit posuitque meum Lucretia librum, + Sed coram Bruto; Brute, recede, leget. + +8. _When he would have his verses read._ The thought throughout this +poem is taken from Martial, X. xix., beginning:-- + + Nec doctum satis et parum severum, + Sed non rusticulum nimis libellum + Facundo mea Plinio, Thalia, + I perfer: + +where the address to Thalia perhaps explains Herrick's "do not _thou_ +rehearse". The important lines are:-- + + Sed ne tempore non tuo disertam + Pulses ebria januam, videto. + ... ... ... + Seras tutior ibis ad lucernas. + Hæc hora est tua, cum furit Lyæus, + Cum regnat rosa, cum madent capilli: + Tunc me vel rigidi legant Catones. + +_When laurel spirts i' th' fire._ Burning bay leaves was a Christmas +observance. Herrick sings:-- + + "Of crackling laurel, which foresounds + A plenteous harvest to your grounds": + +where compare Tibull. II. v. 81-84. It was also used by maids as a love +omen. + +_Thyrse ... sacred Orgies._ Herrick's glosses show that the passage he +had in mind was Catullus, lxiv. 256-269:-- + + Harum pars tecta quatiebant cuspide thyrsos + ... ... ... ... + Pars obscura cavis celebrabant orgia cistis, + Orgia, quæ frustra cupiunt audire profani. + +10. _No man at one time can be wise and love._ Amare et sapere vix deo +conceditur. (Publius Syrus.) The quotation is found in both Burton and +Montaigne. + +12. _Who fears to ask_, etc. From Seneca, _Hippol._ 594-95. Qui timide +rogat ... docet negare. + +15. _Goddess Isis ... with her scent._ Cp. Plutarch, _De Iside et +Osiride_, 15. + +17. _He acts the crime._ Seneca: Nil interest faveas sceleri an illud +facias. + +18. _Two things odious._ From Ecclus. xxv. 2. + +31. _A Sister ... about I'll lead._ "Have we not power to lead about a +sister, a wife?" 1 Cor. ix. 5. + +35. _Mercy and Truth live with thee._ 2 Sam. xv. 20. + +38. _To please those babies in your eyes._ The phrase "babies [_i.e._, +dolls] in the eyes" is probably only a translation of its metaphor, +involved in the use of the Latin _pupilla_ (a little girl), or "pupil," +for the central spot of the eye. The metaphor doubtless arose from the +small reflections of the inlooker, which appear in the eyes of the +person gazed at; but we meet with it both intensified, as in the phrase +"to look babies in the eyes" (= to peer amorously), and with its origin +disregarded, as in Herrick, where the "babies" are the pupils, and have +an existence independent of any inlooker. + +_Small griefs find tongue._ Seneca, _Hippol._ 608: + + Curæ leves loquuntur, ingentes stupent. + +_Full casks._ So G. Herbert, _Jacula Prudentum_ (1640): Empty vessels +sound most. + +48. _Thus woe succeeds a woe as wave a wave._ Horace, Ep. II. ii. 176: +Velut unda supervenit unda. {Kymata kakôn} and {kakôn trikymia} are +common phrases in Greek tragedy. + +49. _Cherry-pit._ Printed in the 1654 edition of _Witts Recreations_, +where it appears as:-- + + "_Nicholas_ and _Nell_ did lately sit + Playing for sport at cherry-pit; + They both did throw, and, having thrown, + He got the pit and she the stone". + +51. _Ennobled numbers._ This poem is often quoted to prove that +Herrick's country incumbency was good for his verse; but if the +reference be only to his sacred poems or _Noble Numbers_ these would +rather prove the opposite. + +52. _O earth, earth, earth, hear thou my voice._ Jerem. xxii. 29: O +earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord. + +56. _Love give me more such nights as these._ A reminiscence of +Marlowe's version of Ovid, _Amor_. I. v. 26: "Jove send me more such +afternoons as this". + +72. _Upon his Sister-in-law, Mistress Elizabeth Herrick_, wife to his +brother Thomas (see _infra_, 106). + +74. _Love makes me write what shame forbids to speak._ Ovid, _Phædra to +Hippol._: Dicere quæ puduit scribere jussit amor. + +_Give me a kiss._ Herrick is here imitating the well-known lines of +Catullus to Lesbia (_Carm._ v.):-- + + Da mi basia mille, deinde centum, + Dein mille altera, dein secunda centum, + Deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum, + Dein, cum millia multa fecerimus, + Conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus, etc. + +77. _To the King, upon his coming with his army into the west._ Essex +had marched into the west in June, 1644, relieved Lyme, and captured +royal fortresses in Dorset and Devon. Charles followed him into "the +drooping west," and, in September, the Parliamentary infantry were +forced to surrender, while Essex himself escaped by sea. Herrick's +"white omens" were thus fulfilled. + +79. _To the King and Queen upon their unhappy distances._ Henrietta +Maria escaped abroad with the crown jewels in 1642, returned the next +year and rejoined Charles in the west in 1644, whence she escaped again +to France. This poem has been supposed to refer to domestic dissensions; +but the "ball of strife" is surely the Civil War in general, and the +reference to the parting of 1644. + +81. _The Cheat of Cupid._ Herrick is here translating "Anacreon," 31 +[3]:-- + + {Mesonyktiois poth' hôrais + strepheth' hênik' Arktos êdê + kata cheira tên Boôtou, + meropôn de phyla panta + keatai kopô damenta, 5 + tot' Erôs epistatheis meu + thyreôn ekopt' ochêas. + tis, ephên, thyras arassei? + kata meu schizeis oneirous. + ho d' Erôs, anoige, phêsin; 10 + brephos eimi, mê phobêsai; + brechomai de kaselênon + kata nykta peplanêmai. + eleêsa taut' akousas, + ana d' euthy lychnon hapsas 15 + aneôxa, kai brephos men + esorô pheronta toxon + pterygas te kai pharetrên. + para d' histiên kathisa, + palamais te cheiras autou 20 + anethalpon, ek de chaitês + apethlibon hygron hydôr. + ho d', epei kryos methêken, + phere, phêsi, peirasômen + tode toxon, ei ti moi nyn 25 + blabetai bracheisa neurê. + tanyei de kai me typtei + meson hêpar, hôsper oistros; + ana d' halletai kachazôn, + xene d', eipe, syncharêthi; 30 + keras ablabes men hêmin, + sy de kardiên ponêseis.} + +Some of his phrases, however, prove that he was occasionally more +indebted to the Latin version of Stephanus than to the original. + +82. _That for seven lusters I did never come._ The fall of Herrick's +father from a window, fifteen months after the poet's birth, was imputed +at the time to suicide; and it has been reasonably conjectured that some +mystery may have attached to the place of his burial. If "seven +lusters" can be taken literally for thirty-five years, this poem was +written in 1627. + +83. _Delight in Disorder._ Cp. Ben Jonson's "Still to be neat, still to +be drest," in its turn imitated from one of the _Basia_ of Johannes +Bonefonius. + +85. _Upon Love._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654. The only variant +is "To tell me" for "To signifie" in the third line. + +86. _To Dean Bourn._ "We found many persons in the village who could +repeat some of his lines, and none who were not acquainted with his +'Farewell to Dean Bourn,' which they said he uttered as he crossed the +brook upon being ejected by Cromwell from the vicarage, to which he had +been presented by Charles the First. But they added, with an air of +innocent triumph, 'he did see it again,' as was the fact after the +restoration." Barron Field in _Quarterly Review_, August, 1810. Herrick +was ejected in 1648. + +_A rocky generation! a people currish._ Cp. Burton, II. iii. 2: a rude +... uncivil, wild, currish generation. + +91. _That man loves not who is not zealous too._ Augustine, _Adv. +Adimant._ 13: Qui non zelat, non amat. + +92. _The Bag of the Bee._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654, and in +Henry Bold's _Wit a-sporting in a Pleasant Grove of new Fancies_, 1657. +Set to music by Henry Lawes. + +93. _Luxurious love by wealth is nourished._ Ovid, _Remed. Amor._ 746: +Divitiis alitur luxuriosus amor. + +95. _Homer himself._ Indignor quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus. Horace, +_De Art. Poet._ 359. + +100. _To bread and water none is poor._ Seneca, _Excerpt._ ii. 887: +Panem et aquam Natura desiderat; nemo ad haec pauper est. + +_Nature with little is content._ Seneca, _Ep._ xvi.: Exiguum Natura +desiderat. _Ep._ lx.: parvo Natura dimittitur. + +106. _A Country Life: To his brother, M. Tho. Herrick._ "Thomas, +baptized May 12, 1588, was placed by his uncle and guardian, Sir William +Heyrick, with Mr. Massam, a merchant in London; but in 1610 he appears +to have returned into the country and to have settled in a small farm. +It is supposed that this Thomas was the father of Thomas Heyrick, who in +1668 resided at Market Harborough and issued a trader's token there, and +grandfather to the Thomas who was curate of Harborough and published +some sermons and poems." Hill's _Market Harborough_, p. 122. + +A MS. version of this poem is contained in Ashmole 38, from which Dr. +Grosart gives a full collation on pp. cli.-cliii. of his Memorial +Introduction. The MS. appears to follow an unrevised version of the +poem, and contains a few couplets which Herrick afterwards thought fit +to omit. The most important passage comes after line 92: "Virtue had, +and mov'd her sphere". + + "Nor know thy happy and unenvied state + Owes more to virtue than to fate, + Or fortune too; for what the first secures, + That as herself, or heaven, endures. + The two last fail, and by experience make + Known, not they give again, they take." + +_Thrice and above blest._ Felices ter et amplius, Hor. I. _Od._ xiii. 7. + +_My soul's half:_ Animæ dimidium meæ, Hor. I. _Od._ iii. 8. The poem is +full of such reminiscences: "With holy meal and spirting (MS. crackling) +salt" is the "Farre pio et saliente mica" of III. _Od._ xxiii. 20; +"Untaught to suffer poverty" the "Indocilis pauperiem pati" of I. _Od._ +i. 18; "A heart thrice wall'd" comes from I. _Od._ iii. 9: Illi robur et +æs triplex, etc. Similar instances might be multiplied. Note, too, the +use of "Lar" and "Genius". + +_Jove for our labour all things sells us._ Epicharm. apud Xenoph. +_Memor._ II. i. 20, {tôn ponôn Pôlousin hêmin panta tagath' hoi theoi}. +Quoted by Montaigne, II. xx. + +_Wisely true to thine own self._ Possibly a Shakespearian reminiscence +of the "to thine own self be true" in the speech of Polonius to Laertes, +Hamlet, I. iii. 78. + +_A wise man every way lies square._ Cp. Arist. _Eth._ I. x. 11, {hôs +alêthôs agathos kai tetragônos aneu psogou}. + +_For seldom use commends the pleasure._ Voluptates commendat rarior +usus. Juvenal, _Sat._ xi. ad fin. + +_Nor fear or wish your dying day._ Summum nec metuas diem, nec optes. +Mart. X. xlvii. 13. + +112. _To the Earl of Westmoreland._ Mildmay Fane succeeded his father, +Thomas Fane, the first earl, in March, 1628. At the outbreak of the +Civil War he sided with the king, but after a short imprisonment made +his submission to the Parliament, and was relieved of the sequestration +of his estates. He subsequently printed privately a volume of poems, +called _Otia Sacra_, which has been re-edited by Dr. Grosart. + +117. _To the Patron of Poets, M. End. Porter._ Five of Herrick's poems +are addressed to Endymion Porter, who seems to have been looked to as a +patron by all the singers of his day. According to the inscription on a +medal of him executed by Varin in 1635, he was then forty-eight, so that +he was born in 1587, coming into the world at Aston-under-Hill in +Gloucestershire. He went with Charles on his trip to Spain, and after +his accession became groom of his bedchamber, was active in the king's +service during the Civil War, and died in 1649. He was a collector of +works of art both for himself and for the king, and encouraged Rob. +Dover's Cotswold games by presenting him with a suit of the king's +clothes. À Wood tells us this, and mentions also that he was a friend of +Donne, that Gervase Warmsely dedicated his _Virescit Vulnere Virtus_ to +him in 1628, and that in conjunction with the Earl of St. Alban's he +also received the dedication of Davenant's _Madagascar_. + +_Let there be patrons_, etc. Burton, I. ii. 3, § 15. 'Tis an old saying: +"Sint Mæcenates, non deerunt, Flacce, Marones" (Mart. VIII. lvi. 5). + +Fabius, Cotta, and Lentulus are examples of Roman patrons of poetry, +themselves distinguished. Cp. Juvenal, vii. 94. + +119. _His tapers thus put out._ So Ovid, _Am._ iii. 9:-- + + Ecce puer Veneris fert eversamque pharetram + Et fractos arcus, et sine luce facem. + +121. _Four things make us happy here._ From + + {Hygiainein men ariston andri thnatô; + deuteron de phyan kalon genesthai; + to triton de ploutein adolôs; + kai to tetarton, hêban meta tôn philôn.} + (Bergk, _Anth. Lyr._, _Scol._ 8.) + +123. _The Tear sent to her from Staines._ This is printed in _Witts +Recreations_ with no other variation than in the title, which there +runs: "A Teare sent his Mistresse". Dr. Grosart notes that Staines was +at the time a royal residence. + +128. _His Farewell to Sack._ A manuscript version of this poem at the +British Museum omits many lines (7, 8, 11-22, 29-36), and contains few +important variants. "Of the yet chaste and undefiled bride" is a poor +anticipation of line 6, and "To raise the holy madness" for "To rouse +the sacred madness" is also weak. For the line and a half:-- + + "Prithee not smile + Or smile more inly, lest thy looks beguile," + +we have the very inferior passage:-- + + "I prithee draw in + Thy gazing fires, lest at their sight the sin + Of fierce idolatry shoot into me, and + I turn apostate to the strict command + Of nature; bid me now farewell, or smile + More ugly, lest thy tempting looks beguile". + +This MS. version is followed in the first published text in _Witts +Recreations_, 1645. + +130. _Upon Mrs. Eliz. Wheeler._ "The lady complimented in this poem was +probably a relation by marriage. Herrick's first cousin, Martha, the +seventh daughter of his uncle Robert, married Mr. John Wheeler." Nott. + +132. _Fold now thine arms._ A sign of grief. Cp. "His arms in this sad +knot". _Tempest._ + +134. _Mr. J. Warr._ This John Warr is probably the same as the "honoured +friend, Mr. John Weare, Councellour," of a later poem. Dr. Grosart +quotes an "Epitaph upon his honoured friend, Master Warre," by Randolph. +Nothing is known of him, but I find in the Oxford Register that a John +Warr matriculated at Exeter College, 16th May, 1619, and proceeded M.A. +in 1624. He may possibly be Herrick's friend. + +137. _Dowry with a wife._ Cp. Ovid, _Ars Am._ ii. 155: Dos est uxoria +lites. + +139. _The Wounded Cupid._ This is taken from Anacreon, 33 [40]:-- + + {Erôs pot' en rhodoisin + koimômenên melittan + ouk eiden, all' etoôthê + ton daktylon; patachtheis + tas cheiras ôlolyxen; + dramôn de kai petastheis + pros tên kalên Kythêrên + olôla, mater, eipen, + olôla kapothnêskô; + ophis m' etypse mikros + pterôtos, hon kalousin + melittan hoi geôrgoi. + ha d' eipen; ei to kentron + ponei to tas melittas, + poson dokeis ponousin, + Erôs, hosous sy balleis?} + +142. _A Virgin's face she had._ Herrick is imitating a charming passage +from the first Æneid (ll. 315-320), in which Æneas is confronted by +Venus:-- + + Virginis os habitumque gerens et virginis arma, + Spartanae vel qualis equos Threissa fatigat + Harpalyce volucremque fuga praevertitur Eurum. + Namque umeris de more habilem suspenderat arcum + Venatrix, dederatque comam diffundere ventis, + Nuda genu nodoque sinus collecta fluentis. + +_With a wand of myrtle_, etc. Cp. Anacreon, 7 [29]:-- + + {Hyakinthinê me rhabdô + chalepôs, Erôs rhapizôn ... eipe; + Sy gar ou dynê philêsai.} + +146. _Upon the Bishop of Lincoln's Imprisonment._ John Williams +(1582-1650), Bishop of Lincoln, 1621; Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, +1621-1625; suspended and imprisoned, 1637-1640, on a frivolous charge of +having betrayed the king's secrets; Archbishop of York, 1641. Save from +this poem and the _Carol_ printed in the Appendix we know nothing of his +relations with Herrick. He had probably stood in the way of the poet's +obtaining holy orders or preferment. When Herrick was appointed to the +cure of Dean Prior in 1629, Williams had already lost favour at the +Court. + +147. _Cynthius pluck ye by the ear._ Cp. Virg. _Ecl._ vi. 3: Cynthius +aurem Vellit et admonuit; and Milton's _Lycidas_, 77: "Ph[oe]bus replied +and touched my trembling ears". + +_The lazy man the most doth love._ Cp. Ovid, _Remed. Amor._ 144: Cedit +amor rebus: res age, tutus eris. Nott. But Ovid could also write: Qui +nolet fieri desidiosus amet (1 _Am._ ix. 46). + +149. _Sir Thomas Southwell_, of Hangleton, Sussex, knighted 1615, died +before December 16, 1642. + +_Those tapers five._ Mentioned by Plutarch, _Qu. Rom._ 2. For their +significance see Ben Jonson's _Masque of Hymen_. + +_O'er the threshold force her in._ The custom of lifting the bride over +the threshold, probably to avert an ill-omened stumble, has prevailed +among the most diverse races. For the anointing of the doorposts Brand +quotes Langley's translation of Polydore Vergil: "The bryde anoynted the +poostes of the doores with swynes' grease, because she thought by that +meanes to dryve awaye all misfortune, whereof she had her name in Latin +'Uxor ab unguendo'". + +_To gather nuts._ A Roman marriage custom mentioned in Catullus, _Carm._ +lxi. 124-127, the _In Nuptias Juliæ et Manlii_, which Herrick keeps in +mind all through this ode. + +_With all lucky birds to side._ Bona cum bona nubit alite virgo. Cat. +_Carm._ lxi. 18. + +_But when ye both can say Come._ The wish in this case appears to have +been fulfilled, as Lady Southwell administered to her husband's estate, +Dec. 16, 1642, and her own estate was administered on the thirtieth of +the following January. + +_Two ripe shocks of corn._ Cp. Job v. 26. + +153. _His wish._ From Hor. _Epist._ I. xviii. 111, 112:-- + + Sed satis est orare Jovem quæ donat et aufert; + Det vitam, det opes; æquum mî animum ipse parabo: + +where Herrick seems to have read _qui_ for _quæ_. + +157. _No Herbs have power to cure Love._ Ovid, _Met._ i. 523; id. _Her._ +v. 149: Nullis amor est medicabilis herbis. For the 'only one sovereign +salve' cp. Seneca, _Hippol._ 1189: Mors amoris una sedamen. + +159. _The Cruel Maid._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, with no +other variant than the mistaken omission of "how" in l. 7. I do not +think that it has been yet pointed out that the whole poem is a close +imitation of Theocritus, xxiii. 19-47:-- + + {Agrie pai kai stygne, k.t.l.} + +Possibly Herrick meant to translate the whole poem, which would explain +his initial _And_. But cp. Ben Jonson's _Engl. Gram._ ch. viii.: "'And' +in the beginning of a sentence serveth instead of an admiration". + +164. _To a Gentlewoman objecting to him his gray hairs._ Mr. Hazlitt +quotes an early MS. copy headed: "An old man to his younge Mrs.". The +variants, as he observes, are mostly for the worse. The poem may have +been suggested to Herrick by Anacreon, 6 [11]:-- + + {Legousin hai gynaikes, + Anakreôn, gerôn ei; + labôn esoptron athrei + komas men ouket' ousas k.t.l.} + +168. _Jos. Lo. Bishop of Exeter._ Joseph Hall, 1574-1656, author of the +satires. + +169. _The Countess of Carlisle._ Lucy, the second wife of James, first +Earl of Carlisle, the Lady Carlisle of Browning's _Strafford_. + +170. _I fear no earthly powers._ Probably suggested by Anacreon [36], +beginning: {ti me tous nomous didaskeis}; Cp. also 7 [15]: {Ou moi melei +ta Gygeô}. + +172. _A Ring presented to Julia._ Printed without variation in _Witts +Recreations_, 1650, under the title: "With a O to Julia". + +174. _Still thou reply'st: The Dead._ Cp. Martial, VIII. lxix. 1, 2:-- + + Miraris veteres, Vacerra, solos + Nec laudas nisi mortuos poetas. + +178. _Corinna's going a-Maying._ Herrick's poem is a charming expansion +of Chaucer's theme: "For May wol have no slogardye a night". The account +of May-day customs in Brand (vol. i. pp. 212-234) is unusually full, and +all Herrick's allusions can be illustrated from it. Dr. Nott compares +the last stanza to Catullus, _Carm._ v.; but parallels from the classic +poets could be multiplied indefinitely. + +_The God unshorn_ of l. 2 is from Hor. I. _Od_. xxi. 2: Intonsum pueri +dicite Cynthium. + +181. _A dialogue between Horace and Lydia._ Hor. III. _Od._ ix. + +_Ramsey._ Organist of Trinity College, Cambridge, 1628-1634. Some of his +music still exists in MS. + +185. _An Ode to Master Endymion Porter, upon his brother's death._ +Endymion Porter is said to have had an only brother, Giles, who died in +the king's service at Oxford, _i.e._, between 1642 and 1646, and it has +been taken for granted that this ode refers to his death. The +supposition is possibly right, but if so, the ode, despite its beauty, +is so gratingly and extraordinarily selfish that we may wonder if the +dead brother is not the William Herrick of the next poem. The first +verse is, of course, a soliloquy of Herrick's, not, as Dr. Grosart +suggests, addressed to him by Porter. Dr. Nott again parallels Catullus, +_Carm_. v. + +186. _To his dying brother, Master William Herrick._ According to Dr. +Grosart and Mr. Hazlitt the poet had an elder brother, William, +baptized at St. Vedast's, Foster Lane, Nov. 24, 1585 (he must have been +born some months earlier, if this date be right, for his sister Martha +was baptized in the following January), and alive in 1629, when he acted +as one of the executors of his mother's will. But, it is said, there was +also another brother named William, born in 1593, after his father's +death, "at Harry Campion's house at Hampton". I have not been able to +find the authority for this last statement, which, as it asserts the +co-existence of two brothers, of the same name, is certainly surprising. +According to Dr. Grosart, it is the younger William who "died young" and +was addressed in this poem, but I must own to feeling some doubt in the +matter. + +193. _The Lily in a Crystal._ The poem may be taken as an expansion of +Martial, VIII. lxviii. 5-8:-- + + Condita perspicuâ vivit vindemia gemmâ + Et tegitur felix, nec tamen uva latet: + Femineum lucet sic per bombycina corpus, + Calculus in nitidâ sic numeratur aquâ. + +197. _The Welcome to Sack._ Two MSS. at the British Museum (Harl. 6931 +and Add. 19,268) contain copies of this important poem. These copies +differ considerably from the printed version, are proved by small +variations to be independent of each other, and at the same time agree +in all important points. We may conclude, therefore, that they represent +an earlier version of the poem, subsequently revised by Herrick before +the issue of _Hesperides_. In the subjoined copy, in which the two MSS. +are corrected from each other, italics show the variations, asterisks +mark lines omitted in _Hesperides_, and a dagger the absence of lines +subsequently added. + + "So _swift_ streams meet, so springs with gladder smiles + Meet after long divorcement _made by_ isles: + When love (the child of likeness) urgeth on + Their crystal _waters_ to an union. + So meet stol'n kisses when the moonie _night_ + Calls forth fierce lovers to their wisht _delight_: + So kings and queens meet, when desire convinces + All thoughts, _save those that tend to_ getting princes. + As I meet thee, Soul of my life and fame! + Eternal Lamp of Love, whose radiant flame + Out-_darts_ the heaven's Osiris; and thy _gems + Darken_ the splendour of his mid-day beams. + Welcome, O welcome, my illustrious spouse! + Welcome as are the ends unto my vows: + _Nay_, far more welcome than the happy soil + The sea-scourged merchant, after all his toil, + Salutes with tears of joy, when fires _display_ + The _smoking_ chimneys of his Ithaca. + Where hast thou been so long from my embraces, + Poor pitied exile? Tell me, did thy Graces + Fly discontented hence, and for a time + _Choose rather for_ to bless _some_ other clime? + +*_Oh, then, not longer let my sweet defer + *Her buxom smiles from me, her worshipper!_ + Why _have those amber_ looks, the which have been + Time-past so fragrant, sickly now _call'd_ in + Like a dull twilight? Tell me, *_hath my soul + *Prophaned in speech or done an act that is foul + *Against thy purer essence?_ _For that_ fault + I'll expiate with sulphur, hair and salt: + And with the crystal humour of the spring + Purge hence the guilt, and kill _the_ quarrelling. + _Wilt_ thou not smile, _nor_ tell me what's amiss? + Have I been cold to hug thee, too remiss, + Too temperate in embracing? Tell me, has desire + To-thee-ward died in the embers, and no fire + Left in _the_ raked-up _ashes_, as a mark + To testify the glowing of a spark? + +_I must_ confess I left thee, and appeal + 'Twas done by me more to _increase_ my zeal, + And double my affection[+]; as do those + Whose love grows more inflamed by being _froze_. + But to forsake thee, [+] could there _ever_ be + A thought of such-like possibility? + When _all the world may know that vines_ shall lack + Grapes, before Herrick _leave_ Canary sack. + *_Sack is my life, my leaven, salt to all + *My dearest dainties, nay, 'tis the principal + *Fire unto all my functions, gives me blood, + *An active spirit, full marrow, and, what is good,_ + _Sack makes_ me _sprightful, airy_ to be borne, + Like Iphyclus, upon the tops of corn. + _Sack makes_ me nimble, as the wingèd hours, + To dance and caper _o'er the tops_ of flowers, + And ride the sunbeams. Can there be a thing + Under the _cope of heaven_ that can bring + More _joy_ unto my _soul_, or can present + My Genius with a fuller blandishment? + Illustrious Idol! _Can_ the Egyptians seek + Help from the garlick, onion and the leek, + And pay no vows to thee, who _art the_ best + God, and far more _transcending_ than the rest? + Had Cassius, that weak water-drinker, known + Thee in _the_ Vine, or had but tasted one + Small chalice of thy _nectar, he, even_ he + As the wise Cato had approved of thee. + Had not Jove's son, the _rash_ Tyrinthian swain + (Invited to the Thesbian banquet), ta'ne + Full goblets of thy [+] blood; his *_lustful_ sprite + _Had not_ kept heat for fifty maids that night. + +As Queens meet Queens, _so let sack come to_ me + _Or_ as Cleopatra _unto_ Anthonie, + When her high _visage_ did at once present + To the Triumvir love and wonderment. + Swell up my _feeble sinews_, let my blood + +Fill each part full of fire,* _let all my good_ + _Parts be encouraged_, active to do + What thy commanding soul shall put _me_ to, + And till I turn apostate to thy love, + Which here I vow to serve, _never_ remove + Thy _blessing_ from me; but Apollo's curse + Blast _all mine_ actions; or, a thing that's worse, + When these circumstants _have the fate_ to see + The time _when_ I prevaricate from thee, + Call me the Son of Beer, and then confine + Me to the tap, the toast, the turf; let wine + Ne'er shine upon me; _let_ my _verses_ all + _Haste_ to a sudden death and funeral: + And last, _dear Spouse, when I thee_ disavow, + _May ne'er_ prophetic Daphne crown my brow." + +Certainly this manuscript version is in every way inferior to that +printed in the _Hesperides_, and Herrick must be reckoned among the +poets who are able to revise their own work. + +_The smoky chimneys of his Ithaca._ Ovid, I. _de Ponto_, ix. 265:-- + + Non dubia est Ithaci prudentia sed tamen optat + Fumum de patriis posse videre focis. + +_Upon the tops of corn._ Virgil (_Æn._ vii. 808-9) uses the same +comparison of Camilla: Illa vel intactae segetis per summa volaret +Gramina, nec teneras cursu laesisset aristas. + +_Could the Egyptians seek Help from the garlick, onion and the leek._ +Cp. Numbers xi. 5, and Juv., xi. 9-11. + +_Cassius, that weak water-drinker._ Not, as Dr. Grosart queries: +"Cassius Iatrosophista, or Cassius Felix?" but C. Cassius Longinus, the +murderer of Cæsar. Cp. Montaigne, II. 2, and Seneca, _Ep._ 83: "Cassius +totâ vitâ aquam bibit" there quoted. + +201. _To trust to good verses._ Carminibus confide bonis. Ovid, _Am._ +III. ix. 39. + +_The Golden Pomp is come._ Aurea pompa venit, Ovid, _Am._ III. ii. 44. +"Now reigns the rose" (nunc regnat rosa) is a common phrase in Martial +and elsewhere. For the "Arabian dew," cp. Ovid, _Sappho to Phaon_, 98: +Arabo noster rore capillus olet. + +_A text ... Behold Tibullus lies._ Jacet ecce Tibullus: Vix manet e +tanto parva quod urna capit. Ovid, _Am._ III. ix. 39. + +203. _Lips Tongueless._ Dr. Nott parallels Catullus, _Carm._ lii. +(lv.):-- + + Si linguam clauso tenes in ore, + Fructus projicies amoris omnes: + Verbosa gaudet Venus loquela. + +208. _Gather ye rosebuds while ye may._ Set to music by William Lawes in +Playford's second book of "Ayres," 1652. Printed in _Witts Recreations_, +1654, with the variants: "Gather _your_ Rosebuds" in l. 1; l. 4, _may_ +for _will_; l. 6, _he is getting_ for _he's a-getting_; l. 8, _nearer to +his setting_ for _nearer he's to setting_. The opening lines are from +Ausonius, ccclxi. 49, 50 (quoted by Burton, _Anat. Mel._ III. 2, 5 § +5):-- + + Collige, virgo, rosas, dum flos novus, et nova pubes, + Et memor esto aevum sic properare tuum: + +cp. also l. 43:-- + + Quam longa una dies, ætas tam longa rosarum. + +209. _Has not whence to sink at all._ Seneca, _Ep._ xx.: Redige te ad +parva ex quibus cadere non possis. Cp. Alain Delisle: Qui decumbit humi +non habet unde cadat. + +211. _His poetry his pillar._ A variation upon the Horatian theme:-- + + "Exegi monumentum aere perennius + Regalique situ pyramidum altius". + (III. _Od._ xxx.) + +212. _What though the sea be calm._ Almost literally translated from +Seneca, _Ep._ iv.: Noli huic tranquillitati confidere: momento mare +evertitur: eodem die ubi luserunt navigia sorbentur. + +213. _At noon of day was seen a silver star._ "King Charles the First +went to St. Paul's Church the 30th day of May, 1630, to give praise for +the birth of his son, attended with all his Peers and a most royal +Train, where a bright star appeared at High Noon in the sight of all." +(_Stella Meridiana_, 1661.) + +213. _And all most sweet, yet all less sweet than he._ It is +characteristic of Herrick that in his _Noble Numbers_ ("The New-Year's +Gift") he repeats this line, applying it to Christ. + +_The swiftest grace is best._ {Ôkeiai charites glykerôterai.} Anth. Pal. +x. 30. + +214. _Know thy when._ So in _The Star-song_ Herrick sings: "Thou canst +clear All doubts and manifest the where". + +219. _Lord Bernard Stewart_, fourth son of Esme, third Duke of Lennox, +and himself created Earl of Lichfield by Charles I. He commanded the +king's troop of guards, and was killed at the battle of Rowton Heath, +outside Chester, Sept. 24, 1645. + +Clarendon (_History of the Rebellion_, ix. 19) thus records his death +and character: "Here fell many gentlemen and officers of name, with the +brave Earl of Litchfield, who was the third brother of that illustrious +family that sacrificed his life in this quarrel. He was a very faultless +young man, of a most gentle, courteous, and affable nature, and of a +spirit and courage invincible; whose loss all men lamented, and the king +bore it with extraordinary grief." + +_Trentall._ Properly a set of thirty masses for the repose of a dead +man's soul. Here and elsewhere Herrick uses the word as an equivalent +for dirge, but Sidney distinguished them: "Let dirige be sung and +trentalls rightly read. For love is dead," etc. "Hence, hence profane," +is the Latin, _procul o procul este profani_ of Virg. _Æn._ vi. 258, +where "profane" is only equivalent to uninitiated. + +223. _The Fairy Temple._ For a brief note on Herrick's fairy poems, see +Appendix. On the dedication to Mr. John Merrifield, Counsellor-at-Law, +Dr. Grosart remarks: "Nothing seems to be now known of Merrifield. It is +just possible that--as throughout the poem--the name was an invented +one, 'Merry Field'." But the records of the Inner Temple show that the +Merrifields were a legal family from Woolmiston, near Crewkerne, +Somersetshire. John (son of Richard) Merrifield, the father, was +admitted to the Inner Temple in 1581, and John, the son, in 1611. This +latter must be Herrick's Counsellor. He rose to be a Master of the Bench +in 1638 and Sergeant-at-Law in 1660. He died October, 1666, aged 75, at +Crewkerne. On the other hand, it can hardly be doubted that Dr. Grosart +is right in regarding the names of the fairy saints as quite imaginary. +He nevertheless suggests SS. Titus, Neot, Idus, Ida, Fridian or +Fridolin, Trypho, Felan and Felix as the possible prototypes of "Saint +_Tit_, Saint _Nit_, Saint _Is_," etc. It should be noted that "Tit and +Nit" occur with "Wap and Win" and other obviously made-up names, in +Drayton's _Nymphidia_. + +229. _Upon Cupid._ Taken from Anacreon, 5 [59]. + + {Stephos plekôn poth' heuron + en tois rhodois Erôta; + kai tôn pterôn kataschôn + ebaptis' eis ton oinon; + labôn d' epinon auton, + kai nyn esô melôn mou + pteroisi gargalizei.} + +234. _Care will make a face._ Ovid, _Ar. Am._ iii. 105: Cura dabit +faciem, facies neglecta peribit. + +235. _Upon Himself._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654, under the +title: _On an old Batchelor_, and with the variants, _married_ for +_wedded_, l. 3, _one_ for _a_ in l. 4, and _Rather than mend me, blind +me quite_ in l. 6. + +238. _To the Rose._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654, with the +variants _peevish_ for _flowing_ in l. 4, _say, if she frets, that I +have bonds_ in l. 6, _that can tame although not kill_ in l. 10, and +_now_ for _thus_ in l. 11. The opening couplet is from Martial, VII. +lxxxix.:-- + + I, felix rosa, mollibusque sertis + Nostri cinge comas Apollinaris. + +241. _Upon a painted Gentlewoman._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, +under the title, _On a painted madame_. + +250. _Mildmay, Earl of Westmoreland._ See Note to 112. According to the +date of the earl's succession, this poem must have been written after +1628. + +253. _He that will not love_, etc. Ovid, _Rem. Am._ 15, 16:-- + + Si quis male fert indignae regna puellae, + Ne pereat nostrae sentiat artis opem. + +_How she is her own least part._ _Ib._ 344: Pars minima est ipsa puella +sui, quoted by Bacon, Burton, Lyly, and Montaigne. + +Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654, with the variants, '_freezing_ +colds and _fiery_ heats,' and 'and how she is _in every_ part'. + +256. _Had Lesbia_, etc. See Catullus, _Carm_. iii. + +260. _How violets came blue._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654, as +_How the violets came blue_. The first two lines read:-- + + "The violets, as poets tell, + With Venus wrangling went". + +Other variants are _did_ for _sho'd_ in l. 3; _Girl_ for _Girls_; _you_ +for _ye_; _do_ for _dare_. + +264. _That verse_, etc. Herrick repeats this assurance in a different +context in the second of his _Noble Numbers_, _His Prayer for +Absolution_. + +269. _The Gods to Kings the judgment give to sway._ From Tacitus, _Ann._ +vi. 8 (M. Terentius to Tiberius): Tibi summum rerum judicium dii dedere; +nobis obsequi gloria relicta est. + +270. _He that may sin, sins least._ Ovid, _Amor._ III. iv. 9, 10:-- + + Cui peccare licet, peccat minus: ipsa potestas + Semina nequitiae languidiora facit. + +271. _Upon a maid that died the day she was married._ Cp. Meleager, +Anth. Pal. vii. 182: + + {Ou gamon all' Aidan epinymphidion Klearista + dexato parthenias hammata lyomena; + Arti gar hesperioi nymphas epi diklisin acheun + lôtoi, kai thalamôn eplatageunto thyrai; + Êôoi d' ololygmon anekragon, ek d' Hymenaios + sigatheis goeron phthegma metharmosato, + Hai d' autai kai phengos edadouchoun para pastô + peukai kai phthimena nerthen ephainon hodon.} + +278. _To his Household Gods._ Obviously written at the time of his +ejection from his living. + +283. _A Nuptial Song on Sir Clipseby Crew._ Of this Epithalamium +(written in 1625 for the marriage of Sir Clipseby Crew, knighted by +James I. at Theobald's in 1620, with Jane, daughter of Sir John +Pulteney), two manuscript versions, substantially agreeing, are +preserved at the British Museum (Harl. MS. 6917, and Add. 25, 303). +Seven verses are transcribed in these manuscripts which Herrick +afterwards saw fit to omit, and almost every verse contains variants of +importance. It is impossible to convey the effect of the earlier version +by a mere collation, and I therefore transcribe it in full, despite its +length. As before, variants and additions are printed in italics. The +numbers in brackets are those of the later version, as given in +_Hesperides_. The marginal readings are variants of Add. 25, 303, from +the Harleian manuscript. + + +1 [1]. + + "What's that we see from far? the spring of Day + Bloom'd from the East, or fair _enamell'd_ May + Blown out of April; or some new + Star fill'd with glory to our view, + Reaching at Heaven, + To add a nobler Planet to the seven? + Say or do we not descry + Some Goddess in a Cloud of Tiffany + To move, or rather the + Emerg_ing_ Venus from the sea? + + +2 [2]. + + "'Tis she! 'tis she! or else some more Divine + Enlightened substance; mark how from the shrine + Of holy Saints she paces on + _Throwing about_ Vermilion + And Amber: spice- + ing the chafte-air with fumes of Paradise. + Then come on, come on, and yield + A savour like unto a blessed field, + When the bedabbled morn + Washes the golden ears of corn. + + +3. + + "_Lead on fair paranymphs, the while her eyes, + Guilty of somewhat, ripe the strawberries + And cherries in her cheeks, there's cream + Already spilt, her rays must gleam + Gently thereon, + And so beget lust and temptation + To surfeit and to hunger. + Help on her pace; and, though she lag, yet stir + Her homewards; well she knows + Her heart's at home, howe'er she goes._ + + +4 [3]. + + "See where she comes; and smell how all the street + Breathes Vine-yards and Pomegranates: O how sweet, + As a fir'd Altar, is each stone + _Spirting forth_ pounded Cinnamon. + The Ph[oe]nix nest, + Built up of odours, burneth in her breast. + Who _would not then_ consume + His soul to _ashes_ in that rich perfume? [ash-heaps + Bestroking Fate the while + He burns to embers on the Pile. + + +5 [4]. + + "Hymen, O Hymen! tread the sacred _round_ [ground + Shew thy white feet, and head with Marjoram crowned: + Mount up thy flames, and let thy Torch + Display _thy_ Bridegroom in the porch + In his desires + More towering, more _besparkling_ than thy fires: [disparkling + Shew her how his eyes do turn + And roll about, and in their motions burn + Their balls to cinders: haste + Or, _like a firebrand_, he will waste. + + +6. + + "_See how he waves his hand, and through his eyes + Shoots forth his jealous soul, for to surprise + And ravish you his Bride, do you + Not now perceive the soul of C[lipseby] C[rew], + Your mayden knight, + With kisses to inspire + You with his just and holy ire._ + + +7 [5]. + + "_If so, glide through the ranks of Virgins_, pass + The Showers of Roses, lucky four-leaved grass: + The while the cloud of younglings sing, + And drown _you_ with a flowery spring: + While some repeat + Your praise, and bless you, sprinkling you with Wheat, + While that others do divine, + 'Blest is the Bride on whom the Sun doth shine'; + And thousands gladly wish + You multiply as _do the_ fish. + + +8. + + "_Why then go forward, sweet Auspicious Bride, + And come upon your Bridegroom like a Tide + Bearing down Time before you; hye + Swell, mix, and loose your souls; imply + Like streams which flow + Encurled together, and no difference show + In their [most] silver waters; run + Into your selves like wool together spun. + Or blend so as the sight + Of two makes one Hermaphrodite._ + + +9 [6]. + + "And, beauteous Bride, we do confess _you_ are wise + _On drawing_ forth _those_ bashful jealousies [doling + In love's name, do so; and a price + Set on yourself by being nice. + But yet take heed + What now you seem be not the same indeed, + And turn Apostat_a_: Love will + Part of the way be met, or sit stone still; + On them, and though _y'are slow + In going_ yet, howsoever go. + + +10. + + "_How long, soft Bride, shall your dear C[lipseby] make + Love to your welcome with the mystic cake, + How long, oh pardon, shall the house + And the smooth Handmaids pay their vows + With oil and wine + For your approach, yet see their Altars pine? + How long shall the page to please + You stand for to surrender up the keys + Of the glad house? Come, come, + Or Lar will freeze to death at home._ + + +11. + + "_Welcome at last unto the Threshold, Time + Throned in a saffron evening, seems to chime + All in, kiss and so enter. If + A prayer must be said, be brief, + The easy Gods + For such neglect have only myrtle rods + To stroke, not strike; fear you + Not more, mild Nymph, than they would have you do; + But dread that you do more offend + In that you do begin than end._ + + +12 [7]. + + "And now y'are entered, see the coddled cook + Runs from his Torrid Zone to pry and look + And bless his dainty mistress; see + _How_ th' aged point out: 'This is she + Who now must sway + _Us_ (_and God_ shield her) with her yea and nay,' + And the smirk Butler thinks it + Sin in _his_ nap'ry not t' express his wit; + Each striving to devise + Some gin wherewith to catch _her_ eyes. + + +13. + + "_What though your laden Altar now has won + The credit from the table of the Sun + For earth and sea; this cost + On you is altogether lost + Because you feed + Not on the flesh of beasts, but on the seed + Of contemplation: your, + Your eyes are they, wherewith you draw the pure + Elixir to the mind + Which sees the body fed, yet pined._ + + +14 [14]. + + "If _you must needs_ for ceremonie's sake + Bless a sack posset, Luck go with _you_, take + The night charm quickly; you have spells + And magic for to end, and Hells + To pass, but such + And of such torture as no _God_ would grutch + To live therein for ever: fry, + _Aye_ and consume, and grow again to die, + And live, and in that case + Love the _damnation_ of _that_ place. [the + + +15 [8]. + + "To Bed, to Bed, _sweet_ Turtles now, and write + This the shortest day,+ this the longest night + _And_ yet too short for you; 'tis we + Who count this night as long as three, + Lying alone + _Hearing_ the clock _go_ Ten, Eleven, Twelve, One: + Quickly, quickly then prepare. + And let the young men and the Bridemaids share + Your garters, and their joints + Encircle with the Bridegroom's points. + + +16 [9]. + + "By the Bride's eyes, and by the teeming life + Of her green hopes, we charge you that no strife, + _Further_ than _virtue lends_, gets place + Among _you catching at_ her Lace. + Oh, do not fall + Foul in these noble pastimes, lest you call + Discord in, and so divide + The _gentle_ Bridegroom and the _fragrous_ Bride, + Which Love forefend: but spoken + Be't to your praise: 'No peace was broken'. + + +17[10]. + + "Strip her of spring-time, tender whimpering maids, + Now Autumn's come, when all _those_ flowery aids + Of her delays must end, dispose + That Lady-smock, that pansy and that Rose + Neatly apart; + But for prick-madam, and for gentle-heart, + And soft maiden-blush, the Bride + Makes holy these, all others lay aside: + Then strip her, or unto her + Let him come who dares undo her. + + +18 [11]. + + "And to enchant _you_ more, _view_ everywhere [ye + About the roof a Syren in a sphere, + As we think, singing to the din + Of many a warbling cherubin: + _List, oh list!_ how + _Even heaven gives up his soul between you_ now, [ye + _Mark how_ thousand Cupids fly + To light their Tapers at the Bride's bright eye; + To bed, or her they'll tire, + Were she an element of fire. + + +19 [12]. + + "And to your more bewitching, see the proud + Plump bed bear up, and _rising_ like a cloud, + Tempting _thee, too, too_ modest; can + You see it brussle like a swan + And you be cold + To meet it, when it woos and seems to fold + The arms to hug _you_? throw, throw + Yourselves into _that main, in the full_ flow + Of _the_ white pride, and drown + The _stars_ with you in floods of down. + + +20 [13]. + + "_You see 'tis_ ready, and the maze of love + Looks for the treaders; everywhere is wove + Wit and new mystery, read and + Put in practice, to understand + And know each wile, + Each Hieroglyphic of a kiss or smile; + And do it _in_ the full, reach + High in your own conceipts, and _rather_ teach + Nature and Art one more + _Sport_ than they ever knew before. + + +21. + + To the Maidens:] + + "_And now y' have wept enough, depart; yon stars [the + Begin to pink, as weary that the wars + Know so long Treaties; beat the Drum + Aloft, and like two armies, come + And guild the field, + Fight bravely for the flame of mankind, yield + Not to this, or that assault, + For that would prove more Heresy than fault + In combatants to fly + 'Fore this or that hath got the victory._ + + +22 [15]. + + "But since it must be done, despatch and sew + Up in a sheet your Bride, and what if so + It be with _rib of Rock and_ Brass, + _Yea_ tower her up, as Danae was, [ye + Think you that this, + Or Hell itself, a powerful Bulwark is? + I tell _you_ no; but like a [ye + Bold bolt of thunder he will make his way, + And rend the cloud, and throw + The sheet about, like flakes of snow. + + +23 [16]. + + "All now is hushed in silence: Midwife-moon + With all her Owl-ey'd issue begs a boon + Which you must grant; that's entrance with + Which extract, all we + call pith + And quintessence + Of Planetary bodies; so commence, + All fair constellations + Looking upon _you_ that _the_ Nations + Springing from to such Fires + May blaze the virtue of their Sires." + + --R. HERRICK. + +The variants in this version are not very important; one of the most +noteworthy, _round_ for _ground_, in stanza 5 [4], was overlooked by Dr. +Grosart in his collation. Of the seven stanzas subsequently omitted +several are of great beauty. There are few happier images in Herrick +than that of _Time throned in a saffron evening_ in stanza 11. It is +only when the earlier version is read as a whole that Herrick's taste +in omitting is vindicated. Each stanza is good in itself, but in the +MSS. the poem drags from excessive length, and the reduction of its +twenty-three stanzas to sixteen greatly improves it. + +286. _Ever full of pensive fear._ Ovid, _Heroid._ i. 12: Res est +solliciti plena timoris amor. + +287. _Reverence to riches._ Perhaps from Tacit. _Ann._ ii. 33: Neque in +familia et argento quæque ad usum parantur nimium aliquid aut modicum, +nisi ex fortuna possidentis. + +288. _Who forms a godhead._ From Martial, VIII. xxiv. 5:-- + + Qui fingit sacros auro vel marmore vultus + Non facit ille deos: qui rogat, ille facit. + +290. _The eyes be first that conquered are._ From Tacitus, _Germ._ 43: +Primi in omnibus proeliis oculi vincuntur. + +293. _Oberon's Feast._ For a note on Herrick's Fairy Poems and on the +_Description of the King and Queene of the Fayries_ (1635), in which +part of this poem was first printed, see Appendix. Add. MS. 22, 603, at +the British Museum, and Ashmole MS. 38, at the Bodleian, contain early +versions of the poem substantially agreeing. I transcribe the Museum +copy:-- + + "A little mushroom table spread + After _the dance_, they set on bread, + A _yellow corn of hecky_ wheat + With some small _sandy_ grit to eat + His choice bits; with _which_ in a trice + They make a feast less great than nice. + But all _the_ while his eye _was_ served + We _dare_ not think his ear was sterved: + But that there was in place to stir + His _fire_ the _pittering_ Grasshopper; + The merry Cricket, puling Fly, + The piping Gnat for minstralcy. + _The Humming Dor, the dying Swan, + And each a choice Musician._ + And now we must imagine first, + The Elves present to quench his thirst + A pure seed-pearl of infant dew, + Brought and _beswetted_ in a blue + And pregnant violet; which done, + His kitling eyes begin to run + Quite through the table, where he spies + The horns of papery Butterflies: + Of which he eats, _but with_ a little + _Neat cool allay_ of Cuckoo's spittle; + A little Fuz-ball pudding stands + By, yet not blessed by his hands-- + That was too coarse, but _he not spares + To feed upon the candid hairs + Of a dried canker, with a_ sagg + And well _bestuffed_ Bee's sweet bag: + _Stroking_ his pallet with some store + Of Emme_t_ eggs. What would he more, + But Beards of Mice, _an Ewt's_ stew'd thigh, + _A pickled maggot and a dry + Hipp, with a_ Red cap worm, that's shut + Within the concave of a Nut + Brown as his tooth, _and with the fat + And well-boiled inchpin of a Bat. + A bloated Earwig with the Pith + Of sugared rush aglads him with; + But most of all the Glow-worm's fire. + As most betickling his desire + To know his Queen, mixt with the far- + Fetcht binding-jelly of a star. + The silk-worm's seed_, a little moth + _Lately_ fattened in a piece of cloth; + Withered cherries; Mandrake's ears; + Mole's eyes; to these the slain stag's tears; + The unctuous dewlaps of a Snail; + The broke heart of a Nightingale + O'er-come in music; with a wine + Ne'er ravished from the flattering Vine, + But gently pressed from the soft side + Of the most sweet and dainty Bride, + Brought in a _daisy chalice_, which + He fully quaffs _off_ to bewitch + His blood _too high_. This done, commended + Grace by his Priest, the feast is ended." + +The Shapcott to whom this _Oberon's Feast_ and _Oberon's Palace_ are +dedicated is Herrick's "peculiar friend, Master Thomas Shapcott, +Lawyer," of a later poem. Dr. Grosart again suggests that it may have +been a character-name, but, as in the case of John Merrifield, the owner +was a West country-man and a member of the Inner Temple, where he was +admitted in 1632 as the "son and heir of Thomas Shapcott," of Exeter. + +298. _That man lives twice._ From Martial, X. xxiii. 7:-- + + Ampliat aetatis spatium sibi vir bonus: hoc est + Vivere bis vita posse priore frui. + +301. _Master Edward Norgate, Clerk of the Signet of his Majesty:_-- + +Son to Robert Norgate, D.D., Master of Bene't College, Cambridge. He was +employed by the Earl of Arundel to purchase pictures, and on one +occasion found himself at Marseilles without remittances, and had to +tramp through France on foot. According to the Calendars of State Papers +in 1625, it was ordered that, "forasmuch as his Majesty's letters to the +Grand Signior, the King of Persia, the Emperor of Russia, the Great +Mogul, and other remote Princes, had been written, limned, and garnished +with gold and colours by scriveners abroad, thenceforth they should be +so written, limned, and garnished by Edward Norgate, Clerk of the Signet +in reversion". Six years later this order was renewed, the "Kings of +Bantam, Macassar, Barbary, Siam, Achine, Fez, and Sus" being added to +the previous list, and Norgate being now designated as a Clerk of the +Signet Extraordinary. In the same year, having previously been +Bluemantle Pursuivant, he was promoted to be Windsor Herald, in which +capacity he received numerous fees during the next few years, and was +excused ship money. He still, however, retained his clerkship, for he +writes in 1639: "The poor Office of Arms is fain to blazon the Council +books and Signet". The phrase occurs in a series of nineteen letters of +extraordinary interest, which Norgate wrote from the North, chiefly to +his friend, Robert Reade, secretary to Windebank, on the course of +affairs. In Sept., 1641, "Ned Norgate" was ordered personally to attend +the king. "It is his Majesty's pleasure that the master should wait and +not the men, and _that_ they shall find." Henceforth I find no certain +reference to him; according to Fuller he died at the Herald's Office in +1649. It would be interesting if we could be sure that this Edward +Norgate is the same as the one who in 1611 was appointed Tuner of his +Majesty's "virginals, organs, and other instruments," and in 1637 +received a grant of £140 for the repair of the organ at Hampton Court. +Herrick's love of music makes us expect to find a similar trait in his +friends. + +313. _The Entertainment, or Porch Verse._ The words _Ye wrong the +threshold-god_ and the allusion to the porch in the Clipsby Crew +Epithalamium (stanza 4) show that there is no reference here (as Brand +thinks, ii. 135) to the old custom of reading part of the marriage +service at the church door or porch (cp. Chaucer: "Husbands at churchë +door she had had five"). The porch of the house is meant, and the +allusions are to the ceremonies at the threshold (cp. the Southwell +Epithalamium). Dr. Grosart quotes from the Dean Prior register the entry +of the marriage of Henry Northleigh, gentleman, and Mistress Lettice +Yard on September 5, 1639, by licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury. + +319. _No noise of late-spawned Tittyries._ In the Camden Society's +edition of the _Diary of Walter Yonge_, p. 70 (kindly shown me by the +Rev. J. H. Ward), we have a contemporary account of the Club known as +the Tityre Tues, which took its name from the first words of Virgil's +first _Eclogue_. "The beginning of December, 1623, there was a great +number in London, haunting taverns and other debauched places, who swore +themselves in a brotherhood and named themselves _Tityre Tues_. The oath +they gave in this manner: he that was to be sworn did put his dagger +into a pottle of wine, and held his hand upon the pommel thereof, and +then was to make oath that he would aid and assist all other of his +fellowship and not disclose their council. There were divers knights, +some young noblemen and gentlemen of this brotherhood, and they were to +know one the other by a black bugle which they wore, and their followers +to be known by a blue ribbond. There are discovered of them about 80 or +100 persons, and have been examined by the Privy Council, but nothing +discovered of any intent they had. It is said that the king hath given +commandment that they shall be re-examined." In Mennis's _Musarum +Deliciæ_ the brotherhood is celebrated in a poem headed "The Tytre Tues; +or, a Mocke Song. To the tune of Chive Chase. By Mr. George Chambers." +The second verse runs:-- + + "They call themselves the Tytere-tues, + And wore a blue rib-bin; + And when a-drie would not refuse + To drink. O fearful sin! + + "The council, which is thought most wise, + Did sit so long upon it, + That they grew weary and did rise, + And could make nothing on it." + +According to a letter of Chamberlain to Carleton, indexed among the +_State Papers_, the Tityres were a secret society first formed in Lord +Vaux's regiment in the Low Countries, and their "prince" was called +Ottoman. Another entry shows that the "Bugle" mentioned by Yonge was the +badge of a society originally distinct from the Tityres, which +afterwards joined with it. The date of Herrick's poem is thus fixed as +December, 1623/4, and this is confirmed by another sentence in the same +passage in _Yonge's Diary_, in which he says: "The Jesuits and Papists +do wonderfully swarm in the city, and rumours lately have been given out +for firing the Navy and House of Munition, on which are set a double +guard". The Parliament to which Herrick alludes was actually summoned in +January, 1624, to meet on February 12. Sir Simeon Steward, to whom the +poem is addressed, was of the family of the Stewards of Stantney, in the +Isle of Ely. He was knighted with his father, Mark Steward, in 1603, and +afterwards became a fellow-commoner of Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He was +at different times Sheriff and Deputy-Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire, and +while serving in the latter capacity got into some trouble for unlawful +exactions. In 1627 he wrote a poem on the _King of the Fairies Clothes_ +in the same vein as Herrick's fairy pieces. + +321. _Then is the work half done._ As Dr. Grosart suggests, Herrick may +have had in mind the "Dimidium facti qui c[oe]pit habet" of Horace, I. +_Epist._ ii. 40. But here the emphasis is on beginning _well_, there on +_beginning_. + +_Begin with Jove_ is doubtless from the "Ab Jove principium, Musæ," of +Virg. _Ecl._ iii. 60. + +323. _Fears not the fierce sedition of the seas._ A reminiscence of +Horace, III. _Od._ i. 25-32. + +328. _Gold before goodness._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, as _A +Foolish Querie_. The sentiment is from Seneca, _Ep._ cxv.: An dives, +omnes quærimus; nemo, an bonus. Cp. Juvenal, III. 140 sqq.; Plaut. +_Menæchm._ IV. ii. 6. + +331. _To his honoured kinsman, Sir William Soame._ The second son of Sir +Stephen Soame, Lord Mayor of London in 1598. Herrick's father and Sir +Stephen married sisters. + +_As benjamin and storax when they meet._ Instances of the use of +"Benjamin" for gum benzoin will be found in the Dictionaries. Dr. +Grosart's gloss, "_Benjamin_, the favourite youngest son of the +Patriarch," is unfortunate. + +336. _His Age: dedicated to ... M. John Wickes under the name of +Posthumus._ There is an important version of this poem in Egerton MS., +2725, where it is entitled _Mr. Herrick's Old Age to Mr. Weekes_. I do +not think it has been collated before. Stanzas i.-vi. contain few +variants; ii. 6 reads: "Dislikes to care for what's behind"; iii. 6: +"Like a lost maidenhead," for "Like to a lily lost"; v. 8: "With the +best and whitest stone"; vi. 1: "We'll not be poor". After this we have +two stanzas omitted in 1648:-- + + "We have no vineyards which do bear + Their lustful clusters all the year, + Nor odoriferous + Orchards, like to Alcinous; + Nor gall the seas + Our witty appetites to please + With mullet, turbot, gilt-head bought + At a high rate and further brought. + + "Nor can we glory of a great + And stuffed magazine of wheat; + We have no bath + Of oil, but only rich in faith + O'er which the hand + Of fortune can have no command, + But what she gives not, she not takes, + But of her own a spoil she makes." + +Stanza vii., l. 2, has "close" for "both"; l. 3 "see" for "have"; l. 6, +"open" for "that cheap"; l. 7, "full" for "same". Stanzas x.-xvii. have +so many variants that I am obliged to transcribe them in full, though +they show Herrick not at his best, and the poem is not one to linger +over:-- + + +10. + + "Live in thy peace; as for myself, + When I am bruisèd on the shelf + Of Time, and _read + Eternal daylight o'er my head:_ + When with the rheum, + _With_ cough _and_ ptisick, I consume + _Into an heap of cinders:_ then + The Ages fled I'll call again, + + +11. + + "And with a tear compare these last + _And cold times unto_ those are past, + While Baucis by + _With her lean lips_ shall kiss _them dry + Then will we_ sit + By the fire, foretelling snow and sleet + And weather by our aches, grown + +Old enough to be our own + + +12. + + "True Calendar [ ] + _Is for to know_ what change is near, + Then to assuage + The gripings _in_ the chine by age, + I'll call my young + Iülus to sing such a song + I made upon my _mistress'_ breast; + _Or such a_ blush at such a feast. + + +13. + + "Then shall he read _my Lily fine + Entomb'd_ within a crystal shrine: + _My_ Primrose next: + A piece then of a higher text; + For to beget + In me a more transcendent heat + Than that insinuating fire + Which crept into each _reverend_ Sire, + + +14. + + "When the _high_ Helen _her fair cheeks + Showed to the army of the Greeks;_ + At which I'll _rise_ + (_Blind though as midnight in my eyes_), + And hearing it, + Flutter and crow, _and_, in a fit + Of _young_ concupiscence, and _feel + New flames within the aged steal_. + + +15. + + "Thus frantic, crazy man (God wot), + I'll call to mind _the times_ forgot + And oft between + _Sigh out_ the Times that _we_ have seen! + _And shed a tear_, + And twisting my Iülus _hair_, + Doting, I'll weep and say (in truth) + Baucis, these were _the_ sins of youth. + + +16. + + "Then _will I_ cause my hopeful Lad + (If a wild Apple can be had) + To crown the Hearth + (Lar thus conspiring with our mirth); + _Next_ to infuse + Our _better beer_ into the cruse: + Which, neatly spiced, we'll first carouse + Unto the _Vesta_ of the house. + + +17. + + "Then the next health to friends of mine + _In oysters, and_ Burgundian wine, + _Hind, Goderiske, Smith, + And Nansagge_, sons of _clune[M] and_ pith, + Such _who know_ well + _To board_ the magic _bowl_, and _spill + All mighty blood, and can do more + Than Jove and Chaos them before_." + +[M] Clune = "clunis," a haunch. + +This John Wickes or Weekes is spoken of by Anthony à Wood as a "jocular +person" and a popular preacher. He enters Wood's _Fasti_ by right of his +co-optation as a D.D. in 1643, while the court was at Oxford; his +education had been at Cambridge. He was a prebendary of Bristol and Dean +of St. Burian in Cornwall, and suffered some persecution as a royalist. +Herrick later on, when himself shedless and cottageless, addresses +another poem to him as his "peculiar friend," + + To whose glad threshold and free door + I may, a poet, come, though poor. + +A friend suggests that Hind may have been John Hind, an Anacreontic poet +and friend of Greene, and has found references to a Thomas Goodricke of +St. John's Coll., Camb., author of two poems on the accession of James +I., and a Martin Nansogge, B.A. of Trinity Hall, 1614, afterwards vicar +of Cornwood, Devon. Smith is certainly James Smith, who, with Sir John +Mennis, edited the _Musarum Deliciæ_, in which the first poem is +addressed "to Parson Weekes: an invitation to London," and contains a +reference to-- + + "That old sack + Young Herrick took to entertain + The Muses in a sprightly vein". + +The early part of this poem contains, along with the name Posthumus, +many Horatian reminiscences: cp. especially II. _Od._ xiv. 1-8, and IV. +_Od._ vii. 14. It may be noted that in the imitation of the latter +passage in stanza iv. the MS. copy at the Museum corrects the +misplacement of the epithet, reading:-- + + "But we must on and thither tend + Where Tullus and rich Ancus blend," etc., + +for "Where Ancus and rich Tullus". + +Again the variant, "_Open_ candle baudery," in verse 7, is an additional +argument against Dr. Grosart's explanation: "Obscene words and figures +made with candle-smoke," the allusion being merely to the blackened +ceilings produced by cheap candles without a shade. + +337. _A Short Hymn to Venus._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, as +_A vow to Cupid_, with variants: l. 1, _Cupid_ for _Goddess_; l. 2, +_like_ for _with_; l. 3, _that I may_ for _I may but_; l. 5, _do_ for +_will_. + +340. _Upon a delaying lady._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, as _A +Check to her delay_. + +341. _The Lady Mary Villars_, niece of the first Duke of Buckingham, +married successively Charles, son of Philip, Earl of Pembroke, Esme +Stuart, Duke of Richmond and Lennox, and Thomas Howard. Died 1685. + +355. _Hath filed upon my silver hairs._ Cp. Ben Jonson, _The King's +Entertainment_:-- + + "What all the minutes, hours, weeks, months, and years + That hang in file upon these silver hairs + Could not produce," etc. + +359. _Philip, Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery._ Philip Herbert (born +1584, died 1650), despite his foul mouth, ill temper, and devotion to +sport ("He would make an excellent chancellor to the mews were Oxford +turned into a kennel of hounds," wrote the author of _Mercurius +Menippeus_ when Pembroke succeeded Laud as chancellor), was also a +patron of literature. He was one of the "incomparable pair of brethren" +to whom the Shakespeare folio of 1623 was dedicated, and he was a good +friend to Massinger. His fondness for scribbling in the margins of books +may, or may not, be considered as further evidence of a respect for +literature. + +366. _Thou shall not all die._ Horace's "non omnis moriar". + +367. _Upon Wrinkles._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, under the +title _To a Stale Lady_. The first line there reads:-- + + "Thy wrinkles are no more nor less". + +375. _Anne Soame, now Lady Abdie_, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Soame, +and second wife of Sir Thomas Abdy, Bart., of Felix Hall, Essex. +Herrick's poem is modelled on Mart. III. lxv. + +376. _Upon his Kinswoman, Mistress Elizabeth Herrick_, daughter of the +poet's brother Nicholas. + +377. _A Panegyric to Sir Lewis Pemberton_ of Rushden, in +Northamptonshire, sheriff of the county in 1622; married Alice, daughter +of Tho. Bowles. Died 1641. With this poem cp. Ben Jonson's _Epig._ ci. + +_But great and large she spreads by dust and sweat._ Dr. Grosart very +appositely quotes Montaigne: "For it seemeth that the verie name of +vertue presupposeth difficultie and inferreth resistance, and cannot +well exercise it selfe without an enemie" (Florio's tr., p. 233). But I +think the two passages have a common origin in some version of Hesiod's +{tês aretês hidrôta theoi proparoithen ethêkan}, which is twice quoted +by Plato. + +382. _After the rare arch-poet, Jonson, died._ Perhaps suggested by the +Epitaph of Plautus on himself, _ap._ Gell. i. 24:-- + + Postquam est mortem aptus Plautus, comoedia luget; + Scena deserta, dein risus, ludu' jocusque, + Et numeri innumeri simul omnes collacrumarunt. + +384. _To his nephew, to be prosperous in painting._ This artistic nephew +may have been a Wingfield, son of Mercy Herrick, who married John +Wingfield, of Brantham, Suffolk; or one of three sons of Nicholas +Herrick and Susanna Salter, or Thomas, or some unknown son of Thomas +Herrick. There is no record of any painter Herrick's achievements. + +392. _Sir Edward Fish, Knight Baronet_, of Chertsey, in Surrey. Died +1658. + +405. _Nor fear or spice or fish._ Herrick is remembering Persius, i. 43: +Nec scombros metuentia carmina, nec thus. To form the paper jacket or +_tunica_ which wrapt the mackerel in Roman cookery seems to have been +the ultimate employment of many poems. Cp. Mart. III. l. 9; IV. lxxxvii. +8; and Catullus, XCV. 8. + +_The farting Tanner and familiar King._ The ballad here alluded to is +that of _King Edward IV. and the tanner of Tamworth_, printed in Prof. +Child's collection. "The dancing friar tattered in the bush" of the next +line is one of the heroes of the old ballad of _The Fryar and the Boye_, +printed by Wynkyn de Worde, and included in the Appendix to Furnivall +and Hales' edition of the Percy folio. The boy was the possessor of a +"magic flute," and, having got the friar into a bush, made him dance +there. + + "Jack, as he piped, laughed among, + The Friar with briars was vilely stung, + He hopped wondrous high. + At last the Friar held up his hand + And said: I can no longer stand, + Oh! I shall dancing die." + +"Those monstrous lies of little Robin Rush" is explained by Dr. Grosart +as an allusion to "The Historie of Friar Rush, how he came to a House of +Religion to seek a Service, and being entertained by the Prior was made +First Cook, being full of pleasant Mirth and Delight for young people". +Of "Tom Chipperfield and pretty lisping Ned" I can find nothing. "The +flying Pilchard and the frisking Dace" probably belong to the fish +monsters alluded to in the _Tempest_. In "Tim Trundell" Herrick seems +for the sake of alliteration to have taken a liberty with the Christian +name of a well-known ballad publisher. + +_He's greedy of his life._ From Seneca, _Thyestes_, 884-85:-- + + Vitæ est avidus quisquis non vult + Mundo secum pereunte mori. + +407. _Upon Himself._ 408. _Another._ Both printed in _Witts +Recreations_, 1650, the second under the title of _Love and Liberty_. +This last is taken from Corn. Gall. _Eleg._ i. 6, quoted by Montaigne, +iii. 5:-- + + Et mihi dulce magis resoluto vivere collo. + +412. _The Mad Maid's Song._ A manuscript version of this song is +contained in Harleian MS. 6917, fol. 48, ver. 80. The chief variants +are: st. i. l. 2, _morrow_ for _morning_; l. 4, _all dabbled_ for +_bedabbled_; st. ii. l. 1, _cowslip_ for _primrose_; l. 3, _tears_ for +_flowers_; l. 4, _was_ for _is_; st. v. l. 1, _hope_ for _know_; st. +vii. l. 2, _balsam_ for _cowslips_. + +415. _Whither dost thou whorry me._ Quo me, Bacche, rapis tui Plenum? +Hor. III. _Od._ xxv. 1. + +430. _As Sallust saith_, _i.e._, the pseudo-Sallust in the _Epist. ad +Cai. Cæs. de Repub. Ordinanda_. + +431. _Every time seems short._ Epigr. in Farnabii, _Florileg._ [a. +1629]:-- + + {Toisi men eu prattousin hapas ho bios brachys estin; + Tois de kakôs, mia nyx apletos esti chronos.} + +443. _Oberon's Palace.--After the feast (my Shapcott) see._ See 223, +293, from which it is a pity that this poem should have been divorced. +Of the _Palace_ there are as many as three MS. versions, viz., Add. 22, +603 (p. 59), and Add. 25, 303 (p. 157), at the British Museum, both of +which I have collated, and Ashmole MS. 38, which I only know through my +predecessors. The three MSS. appear to agree very harmoniously, and they +unite in increasing our knowledge of Herrick by a passage of +twenty-seven lines, following on the words "And here and there and +farther off," and in lieu of the next four and a half lines in +_Hesperides_. They read as follows:-- + + "Some sort of pear, + Apple or plum, is neatly laid + (As if it was a tribute paid) + By the round urchin; some mixt wheat + The which the ant did taste, not eat; + Deaf nuts, soft Jews'-ears, and some thin + Chippings, the mice filched from the bin + Of the gray farmer, and to these + The scraps of lentils, chitted peas, + Dried honeycombs, brown acorn cups, + Out of the which he sometimes sups + His herby broth, and there close by + Are pucker'd bullace, cankers (?), dry + Kernels, and withered haws; the rest + Are trinkets fal'n from the kite's nest, + As butter'd bread, the which the wild + Bird snatched away from the crying child, + Blue pins, tags, fesenes, beads and things + Of higher price, as half-jet rings, + Ribbons and then some silken shreaks + The virgins lost at barley-breaks. + Many a purse-string, many a thread + Of gold and silver therein spread, + _Many a counter, many a die, + Half rotten and without an eye, + Lies here about_, and, as we guess, + Some bits of thimbles seem to dress + The brave cheap work; _and for to pave + The excellency of this cave, + Squirrels and children's teeth late shed_, + Serve here, both which _enchequered_ + With castors' doucets, which poor they + Bite off themselves to 'scape away: + Brown _toadstones_, ferrets' eyes, _the gum + That shines_," etc. + +The italicised words in the last few lines appear in _Hesperides_; all +the rest are new. Other variants are: "The grass of Lemster ore soberly +sparkling" for "the finest Lemster ore mildly disparkling"; "girdle" for +"ceston"; "The eyes of all doth strait bewitch" for "All with temptation +doth bewitch"; "choicely hung" for "neatly hung"; "silver roach" for +"silvery fish"; "cave" for "room"; "get reflection" for "make +reflected"; "Candlemas" for "taper-light"; "moon-tane" for +"moon-tanned," etc., etc. + +_Kings though they're hated._ The "Oderint dum metuant" of the _Atreus_ +of Accius, quoted by Cicero and Seneca. + +446. _To Oenone._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, under the +title: "The Farewell to Love and to his Mistress," and with the unlucky +misprint "court" for "covet" (also "for" for "but") in the stanza iii. +l. i. + +447. _Grief breaks the stoutest heart._ Frangit fortia corda dolor. +Tibull. III. ii. 6. + +451. _To the right gracious Prince, Lodowick, Duke of Richmond and +Lennox._ There appears to me to be a blunder here which Dr. Grosart and +Mr. Hazlitt do not elucidate, by recording the birth of Lodowick, first +Duke of Richmond, in 1574, his succession to the Lennox title in 1583, +creation as Duke of Richmond in May, 1623, and death in the following +February. For this first duke was no "stem" left "of all those three +brave brothers fallen in the war," and the allusion here is undoubtedly +to his nephews--George, Lord d'Aubigny, who fell at Edgehill; Lord John +Stewart, who fell at Alresford; and Lord Bernard Stewart (Earl of +Lichfield), who fell at Rowton Heath. In elucidation of Herrick's Dirge +(219) over the last of these three brothers, I have already quoted +Clarendon's remark, that he was "the third brother of that illustrious +family that sacrificed his life in this quarrel," and it cannot be +doubted that Herrick is here alluding to the same fact. The poem must +therefore have been written after 1645, _i.e._, more than twenty years +after the death of Duke Lodowick. But the duke then living was James, +who succeeded his father Esme in 1624, was recreated Duke of Richmond in +1641, and did not die till 1655. It is true that there was a brother +named Lodovic, but he was an abbot in France and never succeeded to the +title. Herrick, therefore, seems to have blundered in the Christian +name. + +453. _Let's live in haste._ From Martial, VII. xlvii. 11, 12:-- + + Vive velut rapto: fugitivaque gaudia carpe: + Perdiderit nullum vita reversa diem. + +457. _While Fates permit._ From Seneca, _Herc. Fur._ 177:-- + + Dum Fata sinunt, + Vivite laeti: properat cursu + Vita citato, volucrique die + Rota praecipitis vertitur anni. + +459. _With Horace_ (IV. _Od._ ix. 29):-- + + Paulùm sepultae distat inertiae + Celata virtus. + +465. _The parting Verse or charge to his Supposed Wife when he +travelled._ MS. variants of this poem are found at the British Museum in +Add. 22, 603, and in Ashmole MS. 38. Their title, "Mr. Herrick's charge +to his wife," led Mr. Payne Collier to rashly identify with the poet a +certain Robert Herrick married at St. Clement Danes, 1632, to a Jane +Gibbons. The variants are numerous, but not very important. In l. 4 we +have "draw wooers" for "draw thousands"; ll. 11-16 are transposed to +after l. 28; and "Are the expressions of that itch" is written "As +emblems will express that itch"; ll. 27, 28 appear as:-- + + "For that once lost thou _needst must fall + To one, then prostitute to all:_ + +And we then have the transposed passage:-- + + Nor so immurèd would I have + Thee live, as dead, _or_ in thy grave; + But walk abroad, yet wisely well + _Keep 'gainst_ my coming sentinel. + And think _each man thou seest doth doom + Thy thoughts to say, I back am come._ + +Farther on we have the rather pretty variant:-- + + "Let them _call thee wondrous fair, + Crown of women_, yet despair". + +Eight lines lower "virtuous" is read for "gentle," and the omission of +some small words throws some light on a change in Herrick's metrical +views as he grew older. The words omitted are bracketed:-- + + "[And] Let thy dreams be only fed + With this, that I am in thy bed. + And [thou] then turning in that sphere, + Waking findst [shall find] me sleeping there. + But [yet] if boundless lust must scale + Thy fortress and _must_ needs prevail + _'Gainst thee and_ force a passage in," etc. + +Other variants are: "Creates the action" for "That makes the action"; +"Glory" for "Triumph"; "my last signet" for "this compression"; "turn +again in my full triumph" for "come again, As one triumphant," and "the +height of womankind" for "all faith of womankind". + +_The body sins not, 'tis the will_, etc. A maxim of law Latin: Actus non +facit reum nisi mens sit rea. + +466. _To his Kinsman, Sir Thos. Soame_, son of Sir Stephen Soame, Lord +Mayor of London, 1589, and of Anne Stone, Herrick's aunt. Sir Thomas +was Sheriff of London, 1635, M.P. for the City, 1640, and died Jan., +1670. See Cussan's _Hertfortshire_. (_Hundred of Edwinstree_, p. 100.) + +470. _Few Fortunate._ A variant on the text (Matt. xx. 16): "Many be +called but few chosen". + +479. _To Rosemary and Bays._ The use of rosemary and bays at weddings +forms a section in Brand's chapter on marriage customs (ii. 119). For +the gilding he quotes from a wedding sermon preached in 1607 by Roger +Hacket: "Smell sweet, O ye flowers, in your native sweetness: be not +gilded with the idle art of man". The use of gloves at weddings forms +the subject of another section in Brand (ii. 125). He quotes Ben +Jonson's _Silent Woman_; "We see no ensigns of a wedding here, no +character of a bridal; where be our scarves and our gloves?" + +483. _To his worthy friend, M. Thomas Falconbrige._ As Herrick hints at +his friend's destiny for a public career, it seemed worth while to hunt +through the Calendar of State Papers for a chance reference to this +Falconbridge, who so far has evaded editors. He is apparently the Mr. +Thomas Falconbridge who appears in various papers between 1640 and 1644, +as passing accounts, and in the latter year was "Receiver-General at +Westminster". + +_Towers reared high_, etc. Cp. Horace, _Od._ II. x. 9-12. + + Saepius ventis agitatur ingens + Pinus, et celsae graviore casu + Decidunt turres, feriuntque summos + Fulgura montes. + +486. _He's lord of thy life_, etc. Seneca, _Epist. Mor._ iv.: Quisquis +vitam suam contempsit tuae dominus est. Quoted by Montaigne, I. xxiii. + +488. _Shame is a bad attendant to a state._ From Seneca, _Hippol._ 431: +Malus est minister regii imperii pudor. + +_He rents his crown that fears the people's hate._ Also from Seneca, +_Oedipus_, 701: Odia qui nimium timet regnare nescit. + +496. _To his honoured kinsman, Sir Richard Stone_, son of John Stone, +sergeant-at-law, the brother of Julian Stone, Herrick's mother. He died +in 1660. + +_To this white temple of my heroes._ Ben Jonson's admirers were proud to +call themselves "sealed of the tribe of Ben," and Herrick, a devout +Jonsonite, seems to have imitated the idea so far as to plan sometimes, +as here, a Temple, sometimes a Book (see _infra_, 510), sometimes a City +(365), a Plantation (392), a Calendar (545), a College (983), of his own +favourite friends, to whom his poetry was to give immortality. The +earliest direct reference to this plan is in his address to John Selden, +the antiquary (365), in which he writes:-- + + "A city here of heroes I have made + Upon the rock whose firm foundation laid + Shall never shrink; where, making thine abode, + Live thou a Selden, that's a demi-god". + +It is noteworthy that the poems which contain the clearest reference to +this Temple (or its variants) are mostly addressed to kinsfolk, _e.g._, +this to Sir Richard Stone, to Mrs. Penelope Wheeler, to Mr. Stephen +Soame, and to Susanna and Thomas Herrick. Other recipients of the honour +are Sir Edward Fish and Dr. Alabaster, Jack Crofts, Master J. Jincks, +etc. + +497. _All flowers sent_, etc. See Virgil's--or the Virgilian--_Culex_, +ll. 397-410. + +_Martial's bee._ See _Epig._ IV. xxxii. + + De ape electro inclusa. + Et latet et lucet Phaethontide condita gutta, + Ut videatur apis nectare clausa suo. + Dignum tantorum pretium tulit illa laborum. + Credibile est ipsam sic voluisse mori. + +500. _To Mistress Dorothy Parsons._ This "saint" from Herrick's Temple +may certainly be identified with the second of the three children +(William, Dorothy, and Thomasine) of Mr. John Parsons, organist and +master of the choristers at Westminster Abbey, where he was buried in +1623. Herrick addresses another poem to her sister Thomasine:-- + + "Grow up in beauty, as thou dost begin, + And be of all admired, Thomasine". + +502. _'Tis sin to throttle wine._ Martial, I. xix. 5: Scelus est +jugulare Falernum. + +506. _Edward, Earl of Dorset_, Knight of the Garter, grandson of Thomas +Sackville, author of _Gorboduc_. He succeeded his brother, Richard +Sackville, the third earl, in 1624, and died in 1652. Clarendon +describes a duel which he fought with Lord Bruce in Flanders. + +_Of your own self a public theatre._ Cp. Burton (Democ. to Reader) "Ipse +mihi theatrum". + +510. _To his Kinswoman, Mrs. Penelope Wheeler._ See Note on 130. + +511. _A mighty strife 'twixt form and chastity._ Lis est cum formâ magna +pudicitiæ. Quoted from Ovid by Burton, who translates: "Beauty and +honesty have ever been at odds". + +514. _To the Lady Crew, upon the death of her child._ This must be the +child buried in Westminster Abbey, according to the entry in the +register "1637/8, Feb. 6. Sir Clipsy Crewe's daughter, in the North +aisle of the monuments." Colonel Chester annotates: "She was a younger +daughter, and was born at Crewe, 27th July, 1631. She died on the 4th of +February, and must have been an independent heiress, as her father +administered to her estate on the 24th May following." + +515. _Here needs no Court for our Request._ An allusion to the Court of +Requests, established in the time of Richard II. as a lesser Court of +Equity for the hearing of "all poor men's suits". It was abolished in +1641, at the same time as the Star Chamber. + +517. _The new successor drives away old love._ From Ovid, _Rem. Am._ +462: Successore novo vincitur omnis amor. + +519. _Born I was to meet with age._ Cp. 540. From Anacreon, 38 [24]:-- + + {Epeidê brotos etechthên, + Biotou tribon hodeuein, + Chronon egnôn hon parêlthon, + Hon d' echô dramein ouk oida; + Methete me, phrontides; + Mêden moi kai hymin estô. + Prin eme phthasê to terma, + Paixô, gelasô, choreusô, + Meta tou kalou Lyaiou.} + +520. _Fortune did never favour one._ From Dionys. Halicarn. as quoted by +Burton, II. iii. 1, § 1. + +521. _To Phillis to love and live with him._ A variant on Marlowe's +theme: "Come live with me and be my love". Donne's _The Bait_ (printed +in Grosart's edition, vol. ii. p. 206) is another. + +522. _To his Kinswoman, Mistress Susanna Herrick_, wife of his elder +brother Nicholas. + +523. _Susanna Southwell._ Probably a daughter of Sir Thomas Southwell, +for whom Herrick wrote the Epithalamium (No. 149). + +525. _Her pretty feet_, etc. Cp. Suckling's "Ballad upon a Wedding":-- + + "Her feet beneath her petticoat, + Like little mice stole in and out, + As if they feared the light". + +526. _To his Honoured Friend, Sir John Mynts._ John Mennis, a +Vice-Admiral of the fleet and knighted in 1641, refused to join in the +desertion of the fleet to the Parliament. After the Restoration he was +made Governor of Dover and Chief Comptroller of the Navy. He was one of +the editors of the collection called _Musarum Deliciæ_ (1656), in the +first poem of which there is an allusion to-- + + "That old sack + Young Herrick took to entertain + The Muses in a sprightly vein". + +527. _Fly me not_, etc. From Anacreon, 49 [34]:-- + + {Mê me phygês, horôsa + Tan polian etheiran; ... + Hora kan stephanoisin + Hopôs prepei ta leuka + Rhodois krin' emplakenta.} + +529. _As thou deserv'st be proud._ Cp. Hor. III. _Od._ xxx. 14:-- + + Sume superbiam + Quaesitam meritis et mihi Delphica + Lauro cinge volens, Melpomene, comam. + +534. _To Electra._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, where it is +entitled _To Julia_. + +536. _Ill Government.... When kings obey_, etc. From Seneca, _Octav._ +581:-- + + Male imperatur, cum regit vulgus duces. + +545. _To his Worthy Kinsman, Mr. Stephen Soame_ (the son or, less +probably, the brother of Sir Thomas Soame): _One of my righteous tribe_. +Cp. Note to 496. + +547. _Great spirits never with their bodies die._ Tacit. _Agric._ +46:--"Si quis piorum manibus locus, si, ut sapientibus placet, non cum +corpore extinguuntur magnae animae". + +554. _Die thou canst not all._ Hor. IV. _Od._ xxx. 6,7. + +556. _The Fairies._ Cp. the old ballad of _Robin Goodfellow_:-- + + "When house or hearth doth sluttish lie, + I pinch the maids both black and blue"; + +and Ben Jonson's _Entertainment at Althorpe_, etc. + +557. _M. John Weare, Councellour._ Probably the same as "the +much-lamented Mr. J. Warr" of 134. + +_Law is to give to every one his own._ Cicero, _De Fin._ v.: Animi +affectio suum cuique tribuens Justitia dicitur. + +564. _His Kinswoman, Bridget Herrick_, eldest daughter of his brother +Nicholas. + +565. _The Wanton Satyr._ See Sir E. Dyer's _The Shepherd's Conceit of +Prometheus_:-- + + "Prometheus, when first from heaven high + He brought down fire, ere then on earth not seen, + Fond of delight, a Satyr standing by + Gave it a kiss, as it like sweet had been. + ... ... ... ... + The difference is--the Satyr's lips, my heart, + He for a time, I evermore, have smart." + +So _Euphues_: "Satirus not knowing what fire was would needs embrace it +and was burnt;" and Sir John Davies, _False and True Knowledge_. + + + + +Transcriber's Endnotes + + + Numeration Errors in the Hesperides: + + Errors in the numbering system, despite the corrections mentioned in + the NOTE TO SECOND EDITION, still exist in the text. A clear example + is shown by _569. UPON ELECTRA'S TEARS_ ending Vol. I, whilst Vol. II + begins with _569. A HYMN TO THE GRACES_. When the poems within the + APPENDIX OF EPIGRAMS are considered, more errors in the numeration + system become apparent. + + Without an obvious solution to a discrepancy the numbers remain as + originally printed, however the following alterations have been made + to ensure any details in the NOTES section apply to the relevant + poem. + + Page 204. OBERON'S PALACE. "444" changed to _443_. + "443. OBERON'S PALACE." + + Page 221. FEW FORTUNATE. "472" changed to _470_. + "470. FEW FORTUNATE." + + Page 223. THE WASSAIL. "478" changed to _476_. + "476. THE WASSAIL." + + Page 317. Note to 496. "512" changed to _510_. + "... sometimes a Book (see infra, 510) ..." + + Page 321. Note to 545. "498" changed to _496_. + "... Cp. Note to 496...." + + Page 322. Note to 564. "562" changed to _564_. + "564. _His Kinswoman, Bridget Herrick_, eldest ..." + + Page 322. Note to 565. "563" changed to _565_. + "565. _The Wanton Satyr._ See Sir E. Dyer's ..." + + + Typographical Errors: + + Page 83. 178. CORINNA'S GOING.... "pries" corrected to _priest_. + "And chose their priest, ere we can cast off sloth:" + + Page 137. 275. CROSSES. "goods" corrected to _good_. + "Though good things answer many good intents," + + Page 316. Note to 479. " owers" corrected to _flowers_. + "Smell sweet, O ye flowers, in your native sweetness:" + + + Unresolved Errors: + + The following errors remain as printed: + + In 405. TO HIS BOOK., _Chipperfeild_, has been retained as it is + unclear whether this is a misprint, or intentional. + + In 101. BARLEY-BREAK; OR, LAST IN HELL. No corresponding note can + be found for _Barley-break, a country game resembling prisoners' + base_. + + + + +ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS. + + + + + ROBERT HERRICK + + THE HESPERIDES & NOBLE + NUMBERS: EDITED BY + ALFRED POLLARD + WITH A PREFACE BY + A. C. SWINBURNE + + VOL. II. + + _REVISED EDITION_ + + [Illustration] + + LONDON: NEW YORK: + LAWRENCE & BULLEN, LTD., CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, + 16 HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. 153-157 FIFTH AVENUE + 1898. 1898. + + + + +HESPERIDES. + + +569. A HYMN TO THE GRACES. + + When I love (as some have told, + Love I shall when I am old), + O ye Graces! make me fit + For the welcoming of it. + Clean my rooms, as temples be, + T' entertain that deity. + Give me words wherewith to woo, + Suppling and successful too; + Winning postures, and, withal, + Manners each way musical: + Sweetness to allay my sour + And unsmooth behaviour. + For I know you have the skill + Vines to prune, though not to kill, + And of any wood ye see, + You can make a Mercury. + + _Suppling_, softening. + _Mercury_, god of eloquence and inventor of the lyre. + + +570. TO SILVIA. + + No more, my Silvia, do I mean to pray + For those good days that ne'er will come away. + I want belief; O gentle Silvia, be + The patient saint, and send up vows for me. + + +573. THE POET HATH LOST HIS PIPE. + + I cannot pipe as I was wont to do, + Broke is my reed, hoarse is my singing, too; + My wearied oat I'll hang upon the tree, + And give it to the sylvan deity. + + +574. TRUE FRIENDSHIP. + + Wilt thou my true friend be? + Then love not mine, but me. + + +575. THE APPARITION OF HIS MISTRESS CALLING HIM TO ELYSIUM. + + _Desunt nonnulla ----_ + + Come then, and like two doves with silv'ry wings, + Let our souls fly to th' shades where ever springs + Sit smiling in the meads; where balm and oil, + Roses and cassia crown the untill'd soil. + Where no disease reigns, or infection comes + To blast the air, but ambergris and gums + This, that, and ev'ry thicket doth transpire, + More sweet than storax from the hallowed fire, + Where ev'ry tree a wealthy issue bears + Of fragrant apples, blushing plums, or pears; + And all the shrubs, with sparkling spangles, shew + Like morning sunshine tinselling the dew. + Here in green meadows sits eternal May, + Purfling the margents, while perpetual day + So double gilds the air, as that no night + Can ever rust th' enamel of the light. + Here, naked younglings, handsome striplings, run + Their goals for virgins' kisses; which when done, + Then unto dancing forth the learned round + Commixed they meet, with endless roses crown'd. + And here we'll sit on primrose-banks, and see + Love's chorus led by Cupid; and we'll be + Two loving followers, too, unto the grove + Where poets sing the stories of our love. + There thou shalt hear divine Musæus sing + Of Hero and Leander; then I'll bring + Thee to the stand, where honour'd Homer reads + His Odysseys and his high Iliads; + About whose throne the crowd of poets throng + To hear the incantation of his tongue: + To Linus, then to Pindar; and that done, + I'll bring thee, Herrick, to Anacreon, + Quaffing his full-crown'd bowls of burning wine, + And in his raptures speaking lines of thine, + Like to his subject; and as his frantic + Looks show him truly Bacchanalian-like + Besmear'd with grapes, welcome he shall thee thither, + Where both may rage, both drink and dance together. + Then stately Virgil, witty Ovid, by + Whom fair Corinna sits, and doth comply + With ivory wrists his laureate head, and steeps + His eye in dew of kisses while he sleeps; + Then soft Catullus, sharp-fang'd Martial, + And towering Lucan, Horace, Juvenal, + And snaky Persius, these, and those, whom rage + (Dropt for the jars of heaven) fill'd t' engage + All times unto their frenzies,--thou shalt there + Behold them in a spacious theatre. + Among which glories, crowned with sacred bays + And flatt'ring ivy, two recite their plays-- + Beaumont and Fletcher, swans to whom all ears + Listen, while they, like syrens in their spheres, + Sing their Evadne; and still more for thee + There yet remains to know than thou can'st see + By glim'ring of a fancy. Do but come, + And there I'll show thee that capacious room + In which thy father Jonson now is plac'd, + As in a globe of radiant fire, and grac'd + To be in that orb crown'd, that doth include + Those prophets of the former magnitude, + And he one chief; but hark, I hear the cock + (The bellman of the night) proclaim the clock + Of late struck one, and now I see the prime + Of day break from the pregnant east: 'tis time + I vanish; more I had to say, + But night determines here, away. + + _Purfling_, trimming, embroidering. + _Round_, rustic dance. + _Comply_, encircle. + _Their Evadne_, the sister of Melantius in their play "The Maid's + Tragedy". + + +576. LIFE IS THE BODY'S LIGHT. + + Life is the body's light, which once declining, + Those crimson clouds i' th' cheek and lips leave shining. + Those counter-changed tabbies in the air + (The sun once set) all of one colour are. + So, when Death comes, fresh tinctures lose their place, + And dismal darkness then doth smutch the face. + + _Tabbies_, shot silks. + + +579. LOVE LIGHTLY PLEASED. + + Let fair or foul my mistress be, + Or low, or tall, she pleaseth me; + Or let her walk, or stand, or sit, + The posture hers, I'm pleas'd with it; + Or let her tongue be still, or stir, + Graceful is every thing from her; + Or let her grant, or else deny, + _My love will fit each history_. + + +580. THE PRIMROSE. + + Ask me why I send you here + This sweet Infanta of the year? + Ask me why I send to you + This primrose, thus bepearl'd with dew? + I will whisper to your ears: + The sweets of love are mix'd with tears. + + Ask me why this flower does show + So yellow-green, and sickly too? + Ask me why the stalk is weak + And bending (yet it doth not break)? + I will answer: These discover + What fainting hopes are in a lover. + + +581. THE TITHE. TO THE BRIDE. + + If nine times you your bridegroom kiss, + The tenth you know the parson's is. + Pay then your tithe, and doing thus, + Prove in your bride-bed numerous. + If children you have ten, Sir John + Won't for his tenth part ask you one. + + _Sir John_, the parson. + + +582. A FROLIC. + + Bring me my rosebuds, drawer, come; + So, while I thus sit crown'd, + I'll drink the aged Cæcubum, + Until the roof turn round. + + _Drawer_, waiter. + _Cæcubum_, Cæcuban, an old Roman wine. + + +583. CHANGE COMMON TO ALL. + + All things subjected are to fate; + Whom this morn sees most fortunate, + The evening sees in poor estate. + + +584. TO JULIA. + + The saints'-bell calls, and, Julia, I must read + The proper lessons for the saints now dead: + To grace which service, Julia, there shall be + One holy collect said or sung for thee. + Dead when thou art, dear Julia, thou shalt have + A trentall sung by virgins o'er thy grave: + Meantime we two will sing the dirge of these, + Who dead, deserve our best remembrances. + + _Trentall_, a service for the dead. + + +585. NO LUCK IN LOVE. + + I do love I know not what, + Sometimes this and sometimes that; + All conditions I aim at. + + But, as luckless, I have yet + Many shrewd disasters met + To gain her whom I would get. + + Therefore now I'll love no more + As I've doted heretofore: + He who must be, shall be poor. + + +586. IN THE DARK NONE DAINTY. + + Night hides our thefts, all faults then pardon'd be; + All are alike fair when no spots we see. + Lais and Lucrece in the night-time are + Pleasing alike, alike both singular: + Joan and my lady have at that time one, + One and the self-same priz'd complexion: + Then please alike the pewter and the plate, + The chosen ruby, and the reprobate. + + _Lais and Lucrece_, opposite types of incontinence and purity. Cp. + 665, 885. + + +587. A CHARM, OR AN ALLAY FOR LOVE. + + If so be a toad be laid + In a sheep's-skin newly flay'd, + And that tied to man, 'twill sever + Him and his affections ever. + + +590. TO HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW, MASTER JOHN WINGFIELD. + + For being comely, consonant, and free + To most of men, but most of all to me; + For so decreeing that thy clothes' expense + Keeps still within a just circumference; + Then for contriving so to load thy board + As that the messes ne'er o'erlade the lord; + Next for ordaining that thy words not swell + To any one unsober syllable: + These I could praise thee for beyond another, + Wert thou a Winstfield only, not a brother. + + _Consonant_, harmonious. + + +591. THE HEADACHE. + + My head doth ache, + O Sappho! take + Thy fillet, + And bind the pain, + Or bring some bane + To kill it. + + But less that part + Than my poor heart + Now is sick; + One kiss from thee + Will counsel be + And physic. + + +592. ON HIMSELF. + + Live by thy muse thou shalt, when others die + Leaving no fame to long posterity: + When monarchies trans-shifted are, and gone, + Here shall endure thy vast dominion. + + +593. UPON A MAID. + + Hence a blessed soul is fled, + Leaving here the body dead; + Which since here they can't combine, + For the saint we'll keep the shrine. + + +596. UPON THE TROUBLESOME TIMES. + + O times most bad, + Without the scope + Of hope + Of better to be had! + + Where shall I go, + Or whither run + To shun + This public overthrow? + + No places are, + This I am sure, + Secure + In this our wasting war. + + Some storms we've past, + Yet we must all + Down fall, + And perish at the last. + + +597. CRUELTY BASE IN COMMANDERS. + + Nothing can be more loathsome than to see + Power conjoin'd with Nature's cruelty. + + +599. UPON LUCIA. + + I ask'd my Lucia but a kiss, + And she with scorn denied me this; + Say then, how ill should I have sped, + Had I then ask'd her maidenhead? + + +600. LITTLE AND LOUD. + + Little you are, for woman's sake be proud; + For my sake next, though little, be not loud. + + +601. SHIPWRECK. + + He who has suffered shipwreck fears to sail + Upon the seas, though with a gentle gale. + + +602. PAINS WITHOUT PROFIT. + + A long life's-day I've taken pains + For very little, or no gains; + The evening's come, here now I'll stop, + And work no more, but shut up shop. + + +603. TO HIS BOOK. + + Be bold, my book, nor be abash'd, or fear + The cutting thumb-nail or the brow severe; + But by the Muses swear all here is good + If but well read, or, ill read, understood. + + +604. HIS PRAYER TO BEN JONSON. + + When I a verse shall make, + Know I have pray'd thee, + For old religion's sake, + Saint Ben, to aid me. + + Make the way smooth for me, + When I, thy Herrick, + Honouring thee, on my knee + Offer my lyric. + + Candles I'll give to thee, + And a new altar, + And thou, Saint Ben, shall be + Writ in my Psalter. + + +605. POVERTY AND RICHES. + + Give Want her welcome if she comes; we find + Riches to be but burdens to the mind. + + +606. AGAIN. + + Who with a little cannot be content, + Endures an everlasting punishment. + + +607. THE COVETOUS STILL CAPTIVES. + + Let's live with that small pittance that we have; + _Who covets more, is evermore a slave_. + + +608. LAWS. + + When laws full power have to sway, we see + Little or no part there of tyranny. + + +609. OF LOVE. + + I'll get me hence, + Because no fence + Or fort that I can make here, + But love by charms, + Or else by arms + Will storm, or starving take here. + + +611. TO HIS MUSE. + + Go woo young Charles no more to look + Than but to read this in my book: + How Herrick begs, if that he can- + Not like the muse, to love the man, + Who by the shepherds sung, long since, + The star-led birth of Charles the Prince. + + _Long since_, _i.e._, in the "Pastoral upon the Birth of Prince + Charles" (213), where see Note. + + +612. THE BAD SEASON MAKES THE POET SAD. + + Dull to myself, and almost dead to these + My many fresh and fragrant mistresses; + Lost to all music now, since everything + Puts on the semblance here of sorrowing. + Sick is the land to the heart, and doth endure + More dangerous faintings by her desp'rate cure. + But if that golden age would come again, + And Charles here rule, as he before did reign; + If smooth and unperplexed the seasons were, + As when the sweet Maria lived here: + I should delight to have my curls half drown'd + In Tyrian dews, and head with roses crown'd; + And once more yet, ere I am laid out dead, + _Knock at a star with my exalted head_. + + _Knock at a star_ (sublimi feriam sidera vertice). Horace Ode, i. 1. + + +613. TO VULCAN. + + Thy sooty godhead I desire + Still to be ready with thy fire; + That should my book despised be, + Acceptance it might find of thee. + + +614. LIKE PATTERN, LIKE PEOPLE. + + _This is the height of justice: that to do + Thyself which thou put'st other men unto. + As great men lead, the meaner follow on, + Or to the good, or evil action._ + + +615. PURPOSES. + + No wrath of men or rage of seas + Can shake a just man's purposes: + No threats of tyrants or the grim + Visage of them can alter him; + But what he doth at first intend, + That he holds firmly to the end. + + +616. TO THE MAIDS TO WALK ABROAD. + + Come, sit we under yonder tree, + Where merry as the maids we'll be; + And as on primroses we sit, + We'll venture, if we can, at wit: + If not, at draw-gloves we will play; + So spend some minutes of the day: + Or else spin out the thread of sands, + Playing at Questions and Commands: + Or tell what strange tricks love can do, + By quickly making one of two. + Thus we will sit and talk, but tell + No cruel truths of Philomel, + Or Phyllis, whom hard fate forc'd on + To kill herself for Demophon. + But fables we'll relate: how Jove + Put on all shapes to get a love; + As now a satyr, then a swan; + A bull but then, and now a man. + Next we will act how young men woo, + And sigh, and kiss as lovers do; + And talk of brides, and who shall make + That wedding-smock, this bridal cake, + That dress, this sprig, that leaf, this vine, + That smooth and silken columbine. + This done, we'll draw lots who shall buy + And gild the bays and rosemary; + What posies for our wedding rings; + What gloves we'll give and ribandings: + And smiling at ourselves, decree, + Who then the joining priest shall be. + What short, sweet prayers shall be said; + And how the posset shall be made + With cream of lilies, not of kine, + And maiden's-blush, for spiced wine. + Thus, having talked, we'll next commend + A kiss to each, and so we'll end. + + _Draw-gloves_, talking on the fingers. + _Philomela_, daughter of Pandion, changed into a nightingale. + _Phyllis_, the S. Phyllis of a former lyric (To Groves). + _Gild the bays_, see Note to 479. + + +617. HIS OWN EPITAPH. + + As wearied pilgrims, once possest + Of long'd-for lodging, go to rest, + So I, now having rid my way, + Fix here my button'd staff and stay. + Youth, I confess, hath me misled; + But age hath brought me right to bed. + + _Button'd_, knobbed. + + +618. A NUPTIAL VERSE TO MISTRESS ELIZABETH LEE, NOW LADY TRACY. + + Spring with the lark, most comely bride, and meet + Your eager bridegroom with auspicious feet. + The morn's far spent, and the immortal sun + Corals his cheek to see those rites not done. + Fie, lovely maid! indeed you are too slow, + When to the temple Love should run, not go. + Dispatch your dressing then, and quickly wed; + Then feast, and coy't a little, then to bed. + This day is Love's day, and this busy night + Is yours, in which you challenged are to fight + With such an arm'd, but such an easy foe, + As will, if you yield, lie down conquer'd too. + The field is pitch'd, but such must be your wars, + As that your kisses must outvie the stars. + Fall down together vanquished both, and lie + Drown'd in the blood of rubies there, not die. + + _Corals_, reddens. + + +619. THE NIGHT-PIECE, TO JULIA. + + Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee, + The shooting stars attend thee; + And the elves also, + Whose little eyes glow + Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee. + + No Will-o'-th'-Wisp mislight thee, + Nor snake or slow-worm bite thee; + But on, on thy way + Not making a stay, + Since ghost there's none to affright thee. + + Let not the dark thee cumber: + What though the moon does slumber? + The stars of the night + Will lend thee their light + Like tapers clear without number. + + Then, Julia, let me woo thee, + Thus, thus to come unto me; + And when I shall meet + Thy silv'ry feet + My soul I'll pour into thee. + + +620. TO SIR CLIPSEBY CREW. + + Give me wine, and give me meat, + To create in me a heat, + That my pulses high may beat. + + Cold and hunger never yet + Could a noble verse beget; + But your bowls with sack replete. + + Give me these, my knight, and try + In a minute's space how I + Can run mad and prophesy. + + Then, if any piece prove new + And rare, I'll say, my dearest Crew, + It was full inspired by you. + + +621. GOOD LUCK NOT LASTING. + + If well the dice run, let's applaud the cast: + _The happy fortune will not always last_. + + +622. A KISS. + + What is a kiss? Why this, as some approve: + The sure, sweet cement, glue, and lime of love. + + +623. GLORY. + + I make no haste to have my numbers read: + _Seldom comes glory till a man be dead_. + + +624. POETS. + + Wantons we are, and though our words be such, + Our lives do differ from our lines by much. + + +625. NO DESPITE TO THE DEAD. + + Reproach we may the living, not the dead: + _'Tis cowardice to bite the buried_. + + +626. TO HIS VERSES. + + What will ye, my poor orphans, do + When I must leave the world and you? + Who'll give ye then a sheltering shed, + Or credit ye when I am dead? + Who'll let ye by their fire sit, + Although ye have a stock of wit + Already coin'd to pay for it? + I cannot tell, unless there be + Some race of old humanity + Left, of the large heart and long hand, + Alive, as noble Westmorland, + Or gallant Newark, which brave two + May fost'ring fathers be to you. + If not, expect to be no less + Ill us'd, than babes left fatherless. + + _Westmorland_, _Newark_, see Notes. + + +627. HIS CHARGE TO JULIA AT HIS DEATH. + + Dearest of thousands, now the time draws near + That with my lines my life must full-stop here. + Cut off thy hairs, and let thy tears be shed + Over my turf when I am buried. + Then for effusions, let none wanting be, + Or other rites that do belong to me; + As love shall help thee, when thou dost go hence + Unto thy everlasting residence. + + _Effusions_, the "due drink-offerings" of the lyric "To his lovely + mistresses" (634). + + +628. UPON LOVE. + + In a dream, Love bade me go + To the galleys there to row; + In the vision I ask'd why? + Love as briefly did reply, + 'Twas better there to toil, than prove + The turmoils they endure that love. + I awoke, and then I knew + What Love said was too-too true; + Henceforth therefore I will be, + As from love, from trouble free. + _None pities him that's in the snare, + And, warned before, would not beware._ + + +629. THE COBBLERS' CATCH. + + Come sit we by the fire's side, + And roundly drink we here; + Till that we see our cheeks ale-dy'd + And noses tann'd with beer. + + +633. CONNUBII FLORES, OR THE WELL-WISHES AT WEDDINGS. + + _Chorus Sacerdotum._ From the temple to your home + May a thousand blessings come! + And a sweet concurring stream + Of all joys to join with them. + + _Chorus Juvenum._ Happy Day, + Make no long stay + Here + In thy sphere; + But give thy place to Night, + That she, + As thee, + May be + Partaker of this sight. + And since it was thy care + To see the younglings wed, + 'Tis fit that Night the pair + Should see safe brought to bed. + + _Chorus Senum._ Go to your banquet then, but use delight, + So as to rise still with an appetite. + Love is a thing most nice, and must be fed + To such a height, but never surfeited. + What is beyond the mean is ever ill: + _'Tis best to feed Love, but not overfill_; + Go then discreetly to the bed of pleasure, + And this remember, _virtue keeps the measure_. + + _Chorus Virginum._ Lucky signs we have descri'd + To encourage on the bride, + And to these we have espi'd, + Not a kissing Cupid flies + Here about, but has his eyes + To imply your love is wise. + + _Chorus Pastorum._ Here we present a fleece + To make a piece + Of cloth; + Nor, fair, must you be both + Your finger to apply + To housewifery. + Then, then begin + To spin: + And, sweetling, mark you, what a web will come + Into your chests, drawn by your painful thumb. + + _Chorus Matronarum._ Set you to your wheel, and wax + Rich by the ductile wool and flax. + Yarn is an income, and the housewives' thread + The larder fills with meat, the bin with bread. + + _Chorus Senum._ Let wealth come in by comely thrift + And not by any sordid shift; + 'Tis haste + Makes waste: + Extremes have still their fault: + _The softest fire makes the sweetest malt: + Who grips too hard the dry and slippery sand + Holds none at all, or little in his hand._ + + _Chorus Virginum._ Goddess of pleasure, youth and peace, + Give them the blessing of increase: + And thou, Lucina, that dost hear + The vows of those that children bear: + Whenas her April hour draws near, + Be thou then propitious there. + + _Chorus Juvenum._ Far hence be all speech that may anger move: + _Sweet words must nourish soft and gentle love_. + + _Chorus Omnium._ Live in the love of doves, and having told + The raven's years, go hence more ripe than old. + + _Nice_, dainty. + _Painful_, painstaking; for the passage cp. Catull. _Nupt. Pel. et + Thet._ 311-314. + + +634. TO HIS LOVELY MISTRESSES. + + One night i' th' year, my dearest beauties, come + And bring those due drink-offerings to my tomb. + When thence ye see my reverend ghost to rise, + And there to lick th' effused sacrifice: + Though paleness be the livery that I wear, + Look ye not wan or colourless for fear. + Trust me, I will not hurt ye, or once show + The least grim look, or cast a frown on you: + Nor shall the tapers when I'm there burn blue. + This I may do, perhaps, as I glide by, + Cast on my girls a glance and loving eye, + Or fold mine arms and sigh, because I've lost + The world so soon, and in it you the most. + Than these, no fears more on your fancies fall, + Though then I smile and speak no words at all. + + _Fold mine arms_, cp. "crossing his arms in this sad knot" + (_Tempest_). + + +635. UPON LOVE. + + A crystal vial Cupid brought, + Which had a juice in it; + Of which who drank, he said no thought + Of love he should admit. + + I, greedy of the prize, did drink, + And emptied soon the glass; + Which burnt me so, that I do think + The fire of hell it was. + + Give me my earthen cups again, + The crystal I contemn; + Which, though enchas'd with pearls, contain + A deadly draught in them. + + And thou, O Cupid! come not to + My threshold, since I see, + For all I have, or else can do, + Thou still wilt cozen me. + + +638. THE BEGGAR TO MAB, THE FAIRY QUEEN. + + Please your Grace, from out your store, + Give an alms to one that's poor, + That your mickle may have more. + Black I'm grown for want of meat + Give me then an ant to eat, + Or the cleft ear of a mouse + Over-sour'd in drink of souce; + Or, sweet lady, reach to me + The abdomen of a bee; + Or commend a cricket's hip, + Or his huckson, to my scrip. + Give for bread a little bit + Of a pea that 'gins to chit, + And my full thanks take for it. + Flour of fuzz-balls, that's too good + For a man in needihood; + But the meal of milldust can + Well content a craving man. + Any orts the elves refuse + Well will serve the beggar's use. + But if this may seem too much + For an alms, then give me such + Little bits that nestle there + In the prisoner's panier. + So a blessing light upon + You and mighty Oberon: + That your plenty last till when + I return your alms again. + + _Mickle_, much. + _Souce_, salt-pickle. + _Huckson_, huckle-bone. + _Chit_, sprout. + _Orts_, scraps of food. + _Prisoner's panier_, the basket which poor prisoners used to hang out + of the gaol windows for alms in money or kind. + + +639. AN END DECREED. + + Let's be jocund while we may, + All things have an ending day; + And when once the work is done, + _Fates revolve no flax they've spun_. + + _Revolve_, _i.e._, bring back. + + +640. UPON A CHILD. + + Here a pretty baby lies + Sung asleep with lullabies; + Pray be silent, and not stir + Th' easy earth that covers her. + + +641. PAINTING SOMETIMES PERMITTED. + + If Nature do deny + Colours, let Art supply. + + +642. FAREWELL FROST, OR WELCOME THE SPRING. + + Fled are the frosts, and now the fields appear + Re-cloth'd in fresh and verdant diaper. + Thaw'd are the snows, and now the lusty spring + Gives to each mead a neat enamelling. + The palms put forth their gems, and every tree + Now swaggers in her leafy gallantry. + The while the Daulian minstrel sweetly sings, + With warbling notes, her Terean sufferings. + What gentle winds perspire! As if here + Never had been the northern plunderer + To strip the trees and fields, to their distress, + Leaving them to a pitied nakedness. + And look how when a frantic storm doth tear + A stubborn oak, or holm, long growing there, + But lull'd to calmness, then succeeds a breeze + That scarcely stirs the nodding leaves of trees: + So when this war, which tempest-like doth spoil + Our salt, our corn, our honey, wine and oil, + Falls to a temper, and doth mildly cast + His inconsiderate frenzy off, at last, + The gentle dove may, when these turmoils cease, + Bring in her bill, once more, the branch of peace. + + _Gems_, buds. + _Daulian minstrel_, the nightingale Philomela. + _Terean sufferings_, _i.e._, at the hands of Tereus. + + +643. THE HAG. + + The hag is astride + This night for to ride, + The devil and she together; + Through thick and through thin, + Now out and then in, + Though ne'er so foul be the weather. + + A thorn or a burr + She takes for a spur, + With a lash of a bramble she rides now; + Through brakes and through briars, + O'er ditches and mires, + She follows the spirit that guides now. + + No beast for his food + Dare now range the wood, + But hush'd in his lair he lies lurking; + While mischiefs, by these, + On land and on seas, + At noon of night are a-working. + + The storm will arise + And trouble the skies; + This night, and more for the wonder, + The ghost from the tomb + Affrighted shall come, + Call'd out by the clap of the thunder. + + +644. UPON AN OLD MAN: A RESIDENTIARY. + + Tread, sirs, as lightly as ye can + Upon the grave of this old man. + Twice forty, bating but one year + And thrice three weeks, he lived here. + Whom gentle fate translated hence + To a more happy residence. + Yet, reader, let me tell thee this, + Which from his ghost a promise is, + If here ye will some few tears shed, + He'll never haunt ye now he's dead. + + _Residentiary_, old inhabitant. + + +645. UPON TEARS. + + Tears, though they're here below the sinner's brine, + Above they are the angels' spiced wine. + + +646. PHYSICIANS. + + Physicians fight not against men; but these + Combat for men by conquering the disease. + + +647. THE PRIMITIÆ TO PARENTS. + + Our household-gods our parents be; + And manners good require that we + The first fruits give to them, who gave + Us hands to get what here we have. + + +649. UPON LUCY. EPIG. + + Sound teeth has Lucy, pure as pearl, and small, + With mellow lips, and luscious therewithal. + + +651. TO SILVIA. + + I am holy while I stand + Circum-crost by thy pure hand; + But when that is gone, again + I, as others, am profane. + + _Circum-crost_, marked round with a cross. + + +652. TO HIS CLOSET-GODS. + + When I go hence, ye Closet-Gods, I fear + Never again to have ingression here + Where I have had whatever thing could be + Pleasant and precious to my muse and me. + Besides rare sweets, I had a book which none + Could read the intext but myself alone. + About the cover of this book there went + A curious-comely clean compartlement, + And, in the midst, to grace it more, was set + A blushing, pretty, peeping rubelet. + But now 'tis closed; and being shut and seal'd, + Be it, O be it, never more reveal'd! + Keep here still, Closet-Gods, 'fore whom I've set + Oblations oft of sweetest marmelet. + + _Ingression_, entrance. + _Intext_, contents. + + +653. A BACCHANALIAN VERSE. + + Fill me a mighty bowl + Up to the brim, + That I may drink + Unto my Jonson's soul. + + Crown it again, again; + And thrice repeat + That happy heat, + To drink to thee, my Ben. + + Well I can quaff, I see, + To th' number five + Or nine; but thrive + In frenzy ne'er like thee. + + _To the number five or nine_, see Note. + + +654. LONG-LOOKED-FOR COMES AT LAST. + + Though long it be, years may repay the debt; + _None loseth that which he in time may get_. + + +655. TO YOUTH. + + Drink wine, and live here blitheful, while ye may: + _The morrow's life too late is; live to-day_. + + +656. NEVER TOO LATE TO DIE. + + No man comes late unto that place from whence + Never man yet had a regredience. + + _Regredience_, return. + + +657. A HYMN TO THE MUSES. + + O you the virgins nine! + That do our souls incline + To noble discipline! + Nod to this vow of mine. + Come, then, and now inspire + My viol and my lyre + With your eternal fire, + And make me one entire + Composer in your choir. + Then I'll your altars strew + With roses sweet and new; + And ever live a true + Acknowledger of you. + + +658. ON HIMSELF. + + I'll sing no more, nor will I longer write + Of that sweet lady, or that gallant knight. + I'll sing no more of frosts, snows, dews and showers; + No more of groves, meads, springs and wreaths of flowers. + I'll write no more, nor will I tell or sing + Of Cupid and his witty cozening: + I'll sing no more of death, or shall the grave + No more my dirges and my trentalls have. + + _Trentalls_, service for the dead. + + +660. TO MOMUS. + + Who read'st this book that I have writ, + And can'st not mend but carp at it; + By all the Muses! thou shalt be + Anathema to it and me. + + +661. AMBITION. + + In ways to greatness, think on this, + _That slippery all ambition is_. + + +662. THE COUNTRY LIFE, TO THE HONOURED M. END. PORTER, GROOM OF THE +BEDCHAMBER TO HIS MAJESTY. + + Sweet country life, to such unknown + Whose lives are others', not their own! + But serving courts and cities, be + Less happy, less enjoying thee. + Thou never plough'st the ocean's foam + To seek and bring rough pepper home; + Nor to the Eastern Ind dost rove + To bring from thence the scorched clove; + Nor, with the loss of thy lov'd rest, + Bring'st home the ingot from the West. + No, thy ambition's masterpiece + Flies no thought higher than a fleece; + Or how to pay thy hinds, and clear + All scores, and so to end the year: + But walk'st about thine own dear bounds, + Not envying others larger grounds: + For well thou know'st _'tis not th' extent + Of land makes life, but sweet content_. + When now the cock (the ploughman's horn) + Calls forth the lily-wristed morn, + Then to thy corn-fields thou dost go, + Which though well soil'd, yet thou dost know + That the best compost for the lands + Is the wise master's feet and hands. + There at the plough thou find'st thy team + With a hind whistling there to them; + And cheer'st them up by singing how + The kingdom's portion is the plough. + This done, then to th' enamelled meads + Thou go'st, and as thy foot there treads, + Thou see'st a present God-like power + Imprinted in each herb and flower; + And smell'st the breath of great-ey'd kine, + Sweet as the blossoms of the vine. + Here thou behold'st thy large sleek neat + Unto the dew-laps up in meat; + And, as thou look'st, the wanton steer, + The heifer, cow, and ox draw near + To make a pleasing pastime there. + These seen, thou go'st to view thy flocks + Of sheep, safe from the wolf and fox, + And find'st their bellies there as full + Of short sweet grass as backs with wool, + And leav'st them, as they feed and fill, + A shepherd piping on a hill. + For sports, for pageantry and plays + Thou hast thy eves and holidays; + On which the young men and maids meet + To exercise their dancing feet; + Tripping the comely country round, + With daffodils and daisies crown'd. + Thy wakes, thy quintels here thou hast, + Thy May-poles, too, with garlands grac'd; + Thy morris dance, thy Whitsun ale, + Thy shearing feast which never fail; + Thy harvest-home, thy wassail bowl, + That's toss'd up after fox i' th' hole; + Thy mummeries, thy Twelfth-tide kings + And queens, thy Christmas revellings, + Thy nut-brown mirth, thy russet wit, + And no man pays too dear for it. + To these, thou hast thy times to go + And trace the hare i' th' treacherous snow; + Thy witty wiles to draw, and get + The lark into the trammel net; + Thou hast thy cockrood and thy glade + To take the precious pheasant made; + Thy lime-twigs, snares and pit-falls then + To catch the pilfering birds, not men. + O happy life! if that their good + The husbandmen but understood! + Who all the day themselves do please, + And younglings, with such sports as these, + And lying down have nought t' affright + Sweet sleep, that makes more short the night. + _Cætera desunt ----_ + + _Soil'd_, manured. + _Compost_, preparation. + _Fox i' th' hole_, a hopping game in which boys beat each other with + gloves. + _Cockrood_, a run for snaring woodcocks. + _Glade_, an opening in the wood across which nets were hung to catch + game. (Willoughby, _Ornithologie_, i. 3.) + + +663. TO ELECTRA. + + I dare not ask a kiss, + I dare not beg a smile, + Lest having that, or this, + I might grow proud the while. + + No, no, the utmost share + Of my desire shall be + Only to kiss that air + That lately kissed thee. + + +664. TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND, M. ARTHUR BARTLY. + + When after many lusters thou shalt be + Wrapt up in sear-cloth with thine ancestry; + When of thy ragg'd escutcheons shall be seen + So little left, as if they ne'er had been; + Thou shalt thy name have, and thy fame's best trust, + Here with the generation of my Just. + + _Luster_, a period of five years. + + +665. WHAT KIND OF MISTRESS HE WOULD HAVE. + + Be the mistress of my choice + Clean in manners, clear in voice; + Be she witty more than wise, + Pure enough, though not precise; + Be she showing in her dress + Like a civil wilderness; + That the curious may detect + Order in a sweet neglect; + Be she rolling in her eye, + Tempting all the passers-by; + And each ringlet of her hair + An enchantment, or a snare + For to catch the lookers-on; + But herself held fast by none. + Let her Lucrece all day be, + Thais in the night to me. + Be she such as neither will + _Famish me, nor overfill_. + + +667. THE ROSEMARY BRANCH. + + Grow for two ends, it matters not at all, + Be 't for my bridal or my burial. + + +669. UPON CRAB. EPIG. + + Crab faces gowns with sundry furs; 'tis known + He keeps the fox fur for to face his own. + + +670. A PARANÆTICALL, OR ADVISIVE VERSE, TO HIS FRIEND, M. JOHN WICKS. + + Is this a life, to break thy sleep, + To rise as soon as day doth peep? + To tire thy patient ox or ass + By noon, and let thy good days pass, + Not knowing this, that Jove decrees + Some mirth t' adulce man's miseries? + No; 'tis a life to have thine oil + Without extortion from thy soil; + Thy faithful fields to yield thee grain, + Although with some, yet little, pain; + To have thy mind, and nuptial bed, + With fears and cares uncumbered; + A pleasing wife, that by thy side + Lies softly panting like a bride. + This is to live, and to endear + Those minutes Time has lent us here. + Then, while fates suffer, live thou free + As is that air that circles thee, + And crown thy temples too, and let + Thy servant, not thy own self, sweat, + To strut thy barns with sheafs of wheat. + Time steals away like to a stream, + And we glide hence away with them. + _No sound recalls the hours once fled, + Or roses, being withered_; + Nor us, my friend, when we are lost, + Like to a dew or melted frost. + Then live we mirthful while we should, + And turn the iron age to gold. + Let's feast, and frolic, sing, and play, + And thus less last than live our day. + _Whose life with care is overcast, + That man's not said to live, but last; + Nor is't a life, seven years to tell, + But for to live that half seven well;_ + And that we'll do, as men who know, + Some few sands spent, we hence must go, + Both to be blended in the urn + From whence there's never a return. + + _Adulce_, sweeten. + _Strut_, swell. + + +671. ONCE SEEN AND NO MORE. + + Thousands each day pass by, which we, + Once past and gone, no more shall see. + + +672. LOVE. + + This axiom I have often heard, + _Kings ought to be more lov'd than fear'd_. + + +673. TO M. DENHAM ON HIS PROSPECTIVE POEM. + + Or look'd I back unto the times hence flown + To praise those Muses and dislike our own-- + Or did I walk those Pæan-gardens through, + To kick the flowers and scorn their odours too-- + I might, and justly, be reputed here + One nicely mad or peevishly severe. + But by Apollo! as I worship wit, + Where I have cause to burn perfumes to it; + So, I confess, 'tis somewhat to do well + In our high art, although we can't excel + Like thee, or dare the buskins to unloose + Of thy brave, bold, and sweet Maronian muse. + But since I'm call'd, rare Denham, to be gone, + Take from thy Herrick this conclusion: + 'Tis dignity in others, if they be + Crown'd poets, yet live princes under thee; + The while their wreaths and purple robes do shine + Less by their own gems than those beams of thine. + + _Pæan-gardens_, gardens sacred to Apollo. + _Nicely_, fastidiously. + + +674. A HYMN TO THE LARES. + + It was, and still my care is, + To worship ye, the Lares, + With crowns of greenest parsley + And garlic chives, not scarcely; + For favours here to warm me, + And not by fire to harm me; + For gladding so my hearth here + With inoffensive mirth here; + That while the wassail bowl here + With North-down ale doth troul here, + No syllable doth fall here + To mar the mirth at all here. + For which, O chimney-keepers! + (I dare not call ye sweepers) + So long as I am able + To keep a country table, + Great be my fare, or small cheer, + I'll eat and drink up all here. + + _Troul_, pass round. + + +675. DENIAL IN WOMEN NO DISHEARTENING TO MEN. + + Women, although they ne'er so goodly make it, + Their fashion is, but to say no, to take it. + + +676. ADVERSITY. + + _Love is maintain'd by wealth_; when all is spent, + _Adversity then breeds the discontent_. + + +677. TO FORTUNE. + + Tumble me down, and I will sit + Upon my ruins, smiling yet; + Tear me to tatters, yet I'll be + Patient in my necessity. + Laugh at my scraps of clothes, and shun + Me, as a fear'd infection; + Yet, scare-crow-like, I'll walk as one + Neglecting thy derision. + + +678. TO ANTHEA. + + Come, Anthea, know thou this, + _Love at no time idle is_; + Let's be doing, though we play + But at push-pin half the day; + Chains of sweet bents let us make + Captive one, or both, to take: + In which bondage we will lie, + Souls transfusing thus, and die. + + _Push-pin_, a childish game in which one player placed a pin and the + other pushed it. + _Bents_, grasses. + + +679. CRUELTIES. + + Nero commanded; but withdrew his eyes + From the beholding death and cruelties. + + +680. PERSEVERANCE. + + Hast thou begun an act? ne'er then give o'er: + _No man despairs to do what's done before_. + + +681. UPON HIS VERSES. + + What offspring other men have got, + The how, where, when, I question not. + These are the children I have left, + Adopted some, none got by theft; + But all are touch'd, like lawful plate, + And no verse illegitimate. + + _Touch'd_, tested. + + +682. DISTANCE BETTERS DIGNITIES. + + Kings must not oft be seen by public eyes: + _State at a distance adds to dignities_. + + +683. HEALTH. + + Health is no other, as the learned hold, + But a just measure both of heat and cold. + + +684. TO DIANEME. A CEREMONY IN GLOUCESTER. + + I'll to thee a simnel bring, + 'Gainst thou go'st a-mothering: + So that when she blesseth thee, + Half that blessing thou'lt give me. + + _Simnel_, a cake, originally made of fine flour, eaten at Mid-Lent. + _A-mothering_, visiting relations in Mid-Lent, but see Note. + + +685. TO THE KING. + + Give way, give way! now, now my Charles shines here + A public light, in this immensive sphere; + Some stars were fix'd before, but these are dim + Compar'd, in this my ample orb, to him. + Draw in your feeble fires, while that he + Appears but in his meaner majesty. + Where, if such glory flashes from his name, + Which is his shade, who can abide his flame! + _Princes, and such like public lights as these, + Must not be look'd on but at distances: + For, if we gaze on these brave lamps too near, + Our eyes they'll blind, or if not blind, they'll blear._ + + _Immensive_, immeasurable. + + +686. THE FUNERAL RITES OF THE ROSE. + + The rose was sick, and smiling died; + And, being to be sanctified, + About the bed there sighing stood + The sweet and flowery sisterhood. + Some hung the head, while some did bring, + To wash her, water from the spring. + Some laid her forth, while others wept, + But all a solemn fast there kept. + The holy sisters, some among, + The sacred dirge and trentall sung. + But ah! what sweets smelt everywhere, + As heaven had spent all perfumes there. + At last, when prayers for the dead + And rites were all accomplished, + They, weeping, spread a lawny loom + And clos'd her up, as in a tomb. + + _Trentall_, a service for the dead. + + +687. THE RAINBOW, OR CURIOUS COVENANT. + + Mine eyes, like clouds, were drizzling rain; + And as they thus did entertain + The gentle beams from Julia's sight + To mine eyes levell'd opposite, + O thing admir'd! there did appear + A curious rainbow smiling there; + Which was the covenant that she + No more would drown mine eyes or me. + + +688. THE LAST STROKE STRIKES SURE. + + Though by well warding many blows we've pass'd, + _That stroke most fear'd is which is struck the last_. + + +689. FORTUNE. + + Fortune's a blind profuser of her own, + Too much she gives to some, enough to none. + + +690. STOOL-BALL. + + At stool-ball, Lucia, let us play + For sugar-cakes and wine: + Or for a tansy let us pay, + The loss, or thine, or mine. + + If thou, my dear, a winner be + At trundling of the ball, + The wager thou shall have, and me, + And my misfortunes all. + + But if, my sweetest, I shall get, + Then I desire but this: + That likewise I may pay the bet + And have for all a kiss. + + _Stool-ball_, a game of ball played by girls. + _Tansy_, a cake made of eggs, cream, and herbs. + + +691. TO SAPPHO. + + Let us now take time and play, + Love, and live here while we may; + Drink rich wine, and make good cheer, + While we have our being here; + For once dead and laid i' th' grave, + No return from thence we have. + + +692. ON POET PRAT. EPIG. + + Prat he writes satires, but herein's the fault, + In no one satire there's a mite of salt. + + +693. UPON TUCK. EPIG. + + At post and pair, or slam, Tom Tuck would play + This Christmas, but his want wherewith says nay. + + _Post and pair, or slam_, old games of cards. Ben Jonson calls the + former a "thrifty and right worshipful game". + + +694. BITING OF BEGGARS. + + Who, railing, drives the lazar from his door, + Instead of alms, sets dogs upon the poor. + + +695. THE MAY-POLE. + + The May-pole is up! + Now give me the cup, + I'll drink to the garlands around it; + But first unto those + Whose hands did compose + The glory of flowers that crown'd it. + + A health to my girls, + Whose husbands may earls + Or lords be, granting my wishes, + And when that ye wed + To the bridal bed, + Then multiply all like to fishes. + + +696. MEN MIND NO STATE IN SICKNESS. + + That flow of gallants which approach + To kiss thy hand from out the coach; + That fleet of lackeys which do run + Before thy swift postillion; + Those strong-hoof'd mules which we behold + Rein'd in with purple, pearl, and gold, + And shod with silver, prove to be + The drawers of the axletree. + Thy wife, thy children, and the state + Of Persian looms and antique plate; + All these, and more, shall then afford + No joy to thee, their sickly lord. + + +697. ADVERSITY. + + Adversity hurts none, but only such + Whom whitest fortune dandled has too much. + + +698. WANT. + + Need is no vice at all, though here it be + With men a loathed inconveniency. + + +699. GRIEF. + + Sorrows divided amongst many, less + Discruciate a man in deep distress. + + _Discruciate_, torture. + + +700. LOVE PALPABLE. + + I press'd my Julia's lips, and in the kiss + Her soul and love were palpable in this. + + +701. NO ACTION HARD TO AFFECTION. + + Nothing hard or harsh can prove + Unto those that truly love. + + +702. MEAN THINGS OVERCOME MIGHTY. + + By the weak'st means things mighty are o'erthrown. + _He's lord of thy life who contemns his own_. + + +705. THE BRACELET OF PEARL: TO SILVIA. + + I brake thy bracelet 'gainst my will, + And, wretched, I did see + Thee discomposed then, and still + Art discontent with me. + + One gem was lost, and I will get + A richer pearl for thee, + Than ever, dearest Silvia, yet + Was drunk to Antony. + + Or, for revenge, I'll tell thee what + Thou for the breach shall do; + First crack the strings, and after that + Cleave thou my heart in two. + + +706. HOW ROSES CAME RED. + + 'Tis said, as Cupid danc'd among + The gods he down the nectar flung, + Which on the white rose being shed + Made it for ever after red. + + +707. KINGS. + + Men are not born kings, but are men renown'd; + Chose first, confirm'd next, and at last are crown'd. + + +708. FIRST WORK, AND THEN WAGES. + + Preposterous is that order, when we run + To ask our wages ere our work be done. + + _Preposterous_, lit. hind part before. + + +709. TEARS AND LAUGHTER. + + Knew'st thou one month would take thy life away, + Thou'dst weep; but laugh, should it not last a day. + + +710. GLORY. + + Glory no other thing is, Tully says, + Than a man's frequent fame spoke out with praise. + + +711. POSSESSIONS. + + Those possessions short-liv'd are, + Into the which we come by war. + + +713. HIS RETURN TO LONDON. + + From the dull confines of the drooping West + To see the day spring from the pregnant East, + Ravish'd in spirit I come, nay, more, I fly + To thee, bless'd place of my nativity! + Thus, thus with hallowed foot I touch the ground, + With thousand blessings by thy fortune crown'd. + O fruitful Genius! that bestowest here + An everlasting plenty, year by year. + O place! O people! Manners! fram'd to please + All nations, customs, kindreds, languages! + I am a free-born Roman; suffer, then, + That I amongst you live a citizen. + London my home is: though by hard fate sent + Into a long and irksome banishment; + Yet since call'd back; henceforward let me be, + O native country, repossess'd by thee! + For, rather than I'll to the West return, + I'll beg of thee first here to have mine urn. + Weak I am grown, and must in short time fall; + Give thou my sacred relics burial. + + +714. NOT EVERY DAY FIT FOR VERSE. + + 'Tis not ev'ry day that I + Fitted am to prophesy; + No; but when the spirit fills + The fantastic pannicles + Full of fire, then I write + As the godhead doth indite. + Thus enrag'd, my lines are hurled, + Like the Sybil's, through the world. + Look how next the holy fire + Either slakes, or doth retire; + So the fancy cools, till when + That brave spirit comes again. + + _Fantastic pannicles_, brain cells of the imagination. + _Sybil's_, the oracles of the Cumæan Sybil were written on leaves, + which the wind blew about her cave.--Virg. Æn. iv. + + +715. POVERTY THE GREATEST PACK. + + To mortal men great loads allotted be, + _But of all packs, no pack like poverty_. + + +716. A BUCOLIC, OR DISCOURSE OF NEATHERDS. + + 1. Come, blitheful neatherds, let us lay + A wager who the best shall play, + Of thee or I, the roundelay + That fits the business of the day. + + _Chor._ And Lalage the judge shall be, + To give the prize to thee, or me. + + 2. Content, begin, and I will bet + A heifer smooth, and black as jet, + In every part alike complete, + And wanton as a kid as yet. + + _Chor._ And Lalage, with cow-like eyes, + Shall be disposeress of the prize. + + 1. Against thy heifer, I will here + Lay to thy stake a lusty steer + With gilded horns, and burnish'd clear. + + _Chor._ Why, then, begin, and let us hear + The soft, the sweet, the mellow note + That gently purls from either's oat. + + 2. The stakes are laid: let's now apply + Each one to make his melody. + + _Lal._ The equal umpire shall be I, + Who'll hear, and so judge righteously. + + _Chor._ Much time is spent in prate; begin, + And sooner play, the sooner win. + + [_1 Neatherd plays_ + + 2. That's sweetly touch'd, I must confess, + Thou art a man of worthiness; + But hark how I can now express + My love unto my neatherdess. [_He sings_ + + _Chor._ A sugar'd note! and sound as sweet + As kine when they at milking meet. + + 1. Now for to win thy heifer fair, + I'll strike thee such a nimble air + That thou shalt say thyself 'tis rare, + And title me without compare. + + _Chor._ Lay by a while your pipes, and rest, + Since both have here deserved best. + + 2. To get thy steerling, once again + I'll play thee such another strain + That thou shalt swear my pipe does reign + Over thine oat as sovereign. [_He sings_ + + _Chor._ And Lalage shall tell by this, + Whose now the prize and wager is. + + 1. Give me the prize. 2. The day is mine. + 1. Not so; my pipe has silenc'd thine: + And hadst thou wager'd twenty kine, + They were mine own. _Lal._ In love combine. + + _Chor._ And lay ye down your pipes together, + As weary, not o'ercome by either. + + _And lay_ ye _down your pipes_. The original edition reads _And lay_ + we _down_ our _pipes_. + + +717. TRUE SAFETY. + + 'Tis not the walls or purple that defends + A prince from foes, but 'tis his fort of friends. + + +718. A PROGNOSTIC. + + As many laws and lawyers do express + Nought but a kingdom's ill-affectedness; + Even so, those streets and houses do but show + Store of diseases where physicians flow. + + +719. UPON JULIA'S SWEAT. + + Would ye oil of blossoms get? + Take it from my Julia's sweat: + Oil of lilies and of spike? + From her moisture take the like. + Let her breathe, or let her blow, + All rich spices thence will flow. + + _Spike_, lavender. + + +720. PROOF TO NO PURPOSE. + + You see this gentle stream that glides, + Shov'd on by quick-succeeding tides; + Try if this sober stream you can + Follow to th' wilder ocean; + And see if there it keeps unspent + In that congesting element. + Next, from that world of waters, then + By pores and caverns back again + Induct that inadult'rate same + Stream to the spring from whence it came. + This with a wonder when ye do, + As easy, and else easier too, + Then may ye recollect the grains + Of my particular remains, + After a thousand lusters hurl'd + By ruffling winds about the world. + + +721. FAME. + + _'Tis still observ'd that fame ne'er sings + The order, but the sum of things._ + + +722. BY USE COMES EASINESS. + + Oft bend the bow, and thou with ease shalt do + What others can't with all their strength put to. + + +723. TO THE GENIUS OF HIS HOUSE. + + Command the roof, great Genius, and from thence + Into this house pour down thy influence, + That through each room a golden pipe may run + Of living water by thy benison. + Fulfill the larders, and with strengthening bread + Be evermore these bins replenished. + Next, like a bishop consecrate my ground, + That lucky fairies here may dance their round; + And after that, lay down some silver pence + The master's charge and care to recompense. + Charm then the chambers, make the beds for ease, + More than for peevish, pining sicknesses. + Fix the foundation fast, and let the roof + Grow old with time but yet keep weather-proof. + + +724. HIS GRANGE, OR PRIVATE WEALTH. + + Though clock, + To tell how night draws hence, I've none, + A cock + I have to sing how day draws on. + I have + A maid, my Prew, by good luck sent + To save + That little Fates me gave or lent. + A hen + I keep, which creeking day by day, + Tells when + She goes her long white egg to lay. + A goose + I have, which with a jealous ear + Lets loose + Her tongue to tell that danger's near. + A lamb + I keep, tame, with my morsels fed, + Whose dam + An orphan left him, lately dead. + A cat + I keep that plays about my house, + Grown fat + With eating many a miching mouse. + To these + A Tracy[A] I do keep whereby + I please + The more my rural privacy; + Which are + But toys to give my heart some ease; + Where care + None is, slight things do lightly please. + + _My Prew_, Prudence Baldwin. + _Creeking_, clucking. + _Miching_, skulking. + +[A] His spaniel. (Note in the original edition.) + + +725. GOOD PRECEPTS OR COUNSEL. + + In all thy need be thou possess'd + Still with a well-prepared breast; + Nor let the shackles make thee sad; + Thou canst but have what others had. + And this for comfort thou must know + Times that are ill won't still be so. + Clouds will not ever pour down rain; + _A sullen day will clear again_. + First peals of thunder we must hear, + Then lutes and harps shall stroke the ear. + + +726. MONEY MAKES THE MIRTH. + + When all birds else do of their music fail, + Money's the still sweet-singing nightingale. + + +727. UP TAILS ALL. + + Begin with a kiss, + Go on too with this; + And thus, thus, thus let us smother + Our lips for awhile, + But let's not beguile + Our hope of one for the other. + + This play, be assur'd, + Long enough has endur'd, + Since more and more is exacted; + For Love he doth call + For his _uptails all_; + And that's the part to be acted. + + _Uptails all_, the refrain of a song beginning "Fly Merry News": see + Note. + + +729. UPON LUCIA DABBLED IN THE DEW. + + My Lucia in the dew did go, + And prettily bedabbled so, + Her clothes held up, she showed withal + Her decent legs, clean, long, and small. + I follow'd after to descry + Part of the nak'd sincerity; + But still the envious scene between + Denied the mask I would have seen. + + _Decent_, in the Latin sense, comely; _sincerity_, purity. + _Scene_, a curtain or "drop-scene". + _Mask_, a play. + + +730. CHARON AND PHILOMEL; A DIALOGUE SUNG. + + _Ph._ Charon! O gentle Charon! let me woo thee + By tears and pity now to come unto me. + _Ch._ What voice so sweet and charming do I hear? + Say what thou art. _Ph._ I prithee first draw near. + _Ch._ A sound I hear, but nothing yet can see; + Speak, where thou art. _Ph._ O Charon pity me! + I am a bird, and though no name I tell, + My warbling note will say I'm Philomel. + _Ch._ What's that to me? I waft nor fish or fowls, + Nor beasts, fond thing, but only human souls. + _Ph._ Alas for me! _Ch._ Shame on thy witching note + That made me thus hoist sail and bring my boat: + But I'll return; what mischief brought thee hither? + _Ph._ A deal of love and much, much grief together. + _Ch._ What's thy request? _Ph._ That since she's now beneath + Who fed my life, I'll follow her in death. + _Ch._ And is that all? I'm gone. _Ph._ By love I pray thee. + _Ch._ Talk not of love; all pray, but few souls pay me. + _Ph._ I'll give thee vows and tears. _Ch._ Can tears pay scores + For mending sails, for patching boat and oars? + _Ph._ I'll beg a penny, or I'll sing so long + Till thou shalt say I've paid thee with a song. + _Ch._ Why then begin; and all the while we make + Our slothful passage o'er the Stygian Lake, + Thou and I'll sing to make these dull shades merry, + Who else with tears would doubtless drown my ferry. + + _Fond_, foolish. + _She's now beneath_, her mother Zeuxippe? + + +733. A TERNARY OF LITTLES, UPON A PIPKIN OF JELLY SENT TO A LADY. + + A little saint best fits a little shrine, + A little prop best fits a little vine: + As my small cruse best fits my little wine. + + A little seed best fits a little soil, + A little trade best fits a little toil: + As my small jar best fits my little oil. + + A little bin best fits a little bread, + A little garland fits a little head: + As my small stuff best fits my little shed. + + A little hearth best fits a little fire, + A little chapel fits a little choir: + As my small bell best fits my little spire. + + A little stream best fits a little boat, + A little lead best fits a little float: + As my small pipe best fits my little note. + + A little meat best fits a little belly, + As sweetly, lady, give me leave to tell ye, + This little pipkin fits this little jelly. + + +734. UPON THE ROSES IN JULIA'S BOSOM. + + Thrice happy roses, so much grac'd to have + Within the bosom of my love your grave. + Die when ye will, your sepulchre is known, + Your grave her bosom is, the lawn the stone. + + +735. MAIDS' NAYS ARE NOTHING. + + Maids' nays are nothing, they are shy + But to desire what they deny. + + +736. THE SMELL OF THE SACRIFICE. + + The gods require the thighs + Of beeves for sacrifice; + Which roasted, we the steam + Must sacrifice to them, + Who though they do not eat, + Yet love the smell of meat. + + +737. LOVERS: HOW THEY COME AND PART. + + A gyges' ring they bear about them still, + To be, and not seen when and where they will. + They tread on clouds, and though they sometimes fall, + They fall like dew, but make no noise at all. + So silently they one to th' other come, + As colours steal into the pear or plum, + And air-like, leave no pression to be seen + Where'er they met or parting place has been. + + _Gyges' ring_, which made the wearer invisible. + + +738. TO WOMEN, TO HIDE THEIR TEETH IF THEY BE ROTTEN OR RUSTY. + + Close keep your lips, if that you mean + To be accounted inside clean: + For if you cleave them we shall see + There in your teeth much leprosy. + + +739. IN PRAISE OF WOMEN. + + O Jupiter, should I speak ill + Of woman-kind, first die I will; + Since that I know, 'mong all the rest + Of creatures, woman is the best. + + +740. THE APRON OF FLOWERS. + + To gather flowers Sappha went, + And homeward she did bring + Within her lawny continent + The treasure of the spring. + + She smiling blush'd, and blushing smil'd, + And sweetly blushing thus, + She look'd as she'd been got with child + By young Favonius. + + Her apron gave, as she did pass, + An odour more divine, + More pleasing, too, than ever was + The lap of Proserpine. + + _Continent_, anything that holds, here the bosom of her dress. + + +741. THE CANDOUR OF JULIA'S TEETH. + + White as Zenobia's teeth, the which the girls + Of Rome did wear for their most precious pearls. + + _Zenobia_, Queen of Palmyra, conquered by the Romans, A.D. 273. + + +742. UPON HER WEEPING. + + She wept upon her cheeks, and weeping so, + She seem'd to quench love's fire that there did glow. + + +743. ANOTHER UPON HER WEEPING. + + She by the river sat, and sitting there, + She wept, and made it deeper by a tear. + + +744. DELAY. + + Break off delay, since we but read of one + That ever prospered by cunctation. + + _Cunctation_, delay: the word is suggested by the name of Fabius + Cunctator, the conqueror of the Carthaginians, addressed by Virg. + (Æn. vi. 846) as "Unus qui nobis cunctando restituis rem". + + +745. TO SIR JOHN BERKLEY, GOVERNOR OF EXETER. + + Stand forth, brave man, since fate has made thee here + The Hector over aged Exeter, + Who for a long, sad time has weeping stood + Like a poor lady lost in widowhood, + But fears not now to see her safety sold, + As other towns and cities were, for gold + By those ignoble births which shame the stem + That gave progermination unto them: + Whose restless ghosts shall hear their children sing, + "Our sires betrayed their country and their king". + True, if this city seven times rounded was + With rock, and seven times circumflank'd with brass, + Yet if thou wert not, Berkley, loyal proof, + The senators, down tumbling with the roof, + Would into prais'd, but pitied, ruins fall, + Leaving no show where stood the capitol. + But thou art just and itchless, and dost please + Thy Genius with two strengthening buttresses, + Faith and affection, which will never slip + To weaken this thy great dictatorship. + + _Progermination_, budding out. + _Itchless_, _i.e._, with no itch for bribes. + + +746. TO ELECTRA. LOVE LOOKS FOR LOVE. + + Love love begets, then never be + Unsoft to him who's smooth to thee. + Tigers and bears, I've heard some say, + For proffer'd love will love repay: + None are so harsh, but if they find + Softness in others, will be kind; + Affection will affection move, + Then you must like because I love. + + +747. REGRESSION SPOILS RESOLUTION. + + Hast thou attempted greatness? then go on: + Back-turning slackens resolution. + + +748. CONTENTION. + + Discreet and prudent we that discord call + That either profits, or not hurts at all. + + +749. CONSULTATION. + + Consult ere thou begin'st; that done, go on + With all wise speed for execution. + + _Consult_, take counsel. The word and the epigram are suggested by + Sallust's "Nam et, prius quam incipias, consulto, et ubi + consulueris, mature facto opus est," Cat. i. + + +750. LOVE DISLIKES NOTHING. + + Whatsoever thing I see, + Rich or poor although it be; + 'Tis a mistress unto me. + + Be my girl or fair or brown, + Does she smile or does she frown, + Still I write a sweetheart down. + + Be she rough or smooth of skin; + When I touch I then begin + For to let affection in. + + Be she bald, or does she wear + Locks incurl'd of other hair, + I shall find enchantment there. + + Be she whole, or be she rent, + So my fancy be content, + She's to me most excellent. + + Be she fat, or be she lean, + Be she sluttish, be she clean, + I'm a man for ev'ry scene. + + +751. OUR OWN SINS UNSEEN. + + Other men's sins we ever bear in mind; + _None sees the fardell of his faults behind_. + + _Fardell_, bundle. + + +752. NO PAINS, NO GAINS. + + If little labour, little are our gains: + Man's fortunes are according to his pains. + + +754. VIRTUE BEST UNITED. + + By so much, virtue is the less, + By how much, near to singleness. + + +755. THE EYE. + + A wanton and lascivious eye + Betrays the heart's adultery. + + +756. TO PRINCE CHARLES UPON HIS COMING TO EXETER. + + What fate decreed, time now has made us see, + A renovation of the west by thee. + That preternatural fever, which did threat + Death to our country, now hath lost his heat, + And, calms succeeding, we perceive no more + Th' unequal pulse to beat, as heretofore. + Something there yet remains for thee to do; + Then reach those ends that thou wast destin'd to. + Go on with Sylla's fortune; let thy fate + Make thee like him, this, that way fortunate: + Apollo's image side with thee to bless + Thy war (discreetly made) with white success. + Meantime thy prophets watch by watch shall pray, + While young Charles fights, and fighting wins the day: + That done, our smooth-paced poems all shall be + Sung in the high doxology of thee. + Then maids shall strew thee, and thy curls from them + Receive with songs a flowery diadem. + + _Sylla's fortune_, in allusion to Sylla's surname of _Felix_. + _Doxology_, glorifying. + + +757. A SONG. + + Burn, or drown me, choose ye whether, + So I may but die together; + Thus to slay me by degrees + Is the height of cruelties. + What needs twenty stabs, when one + Strikes me dead as any stone? + O show mercy then, and be + Kind at once to murder me. + + +758. PRINCES AND FAVOURITES. + + Princes and fav'rites are most dear, while they + By giving and receiving hold the play; + But the relation then of both grows poor, + When these can ask, and kings can give no more. + + +759. EXAMPLES; OR, LIKE PRINCE, LIKE PEOPLE. + + Examples lead us, and we likely see; + Such as the prince is, will his people be. + + +760. POTENTATES. + + Love and the Graces evermore do wait + Upon the man that is a potentate. + + +761. THE WAKE. + + Come, Anthea, let us two + Go to feast, as others do. + Tarts and custards, creams and cakes, + Are the junkets still at wakes: + Unto which the tribes resort, + Where the business is the sport. + Morris-dancers thou shall see, + Marian, too, in pageantry, + And a mimic to devise + Many grinning properties. + Players there will be, and those + Base in action as in clothes; + Yet with strutting they will please + The incurious villages. + Near the dying of the day + There will be a cudgel-play, + Where a coxcomb will be broke + Ere a good word can be spoke: + But the anger ends all here, + Drenched in ale, or drown'd in beer. + Happy rustics! best content + With the cheapest merriment, + And possess no other fear + Than to want the wake next year. + + _Marian_, Maid Marian of the Robin Hood ballads. + _Action_, _i.e._, dramatic action. + _Incurious_, careless, easily pleased. + _Coxcomb_, to cause blood to flow from the opponent's head was the + test of victory. + + +762. THE PETER-PENNY. + + Fresh strewings allow + To my sepulchre now, + To make my lodging the sweeter; + A staff or a wand + Put then in my hand, + With a penny to pay S. Peter. + + Who has not a cross + Must sit with the loss, + And no whit further must venture; + Since the porter he + Will paid have his fee, + Or else not one there must enter. + + Who at a dead lift + Can't send for a gift + A pig to the priest for a roaster, + Shall hear his clerk say, + By yea and by nay, + _No penny, no paternoster_. + + _S. Peter_, as the gate-ward of heaven. + _Cross_, a coin. + + +763. TO DOCTOR ALABASTER. + + Nor art thou less esteem'd that I have plac'd, + Amongst mine honour'd, thee almost the last: + In great processions many lead the way + To him who is the triumph of the day, + As these have done to thee who art the one, + One only glory of a million: + In whom the spirit of the gods does dwell, + Firing thy soul, by which thou dost foretell + When this or that vast dynasty must fall + Down to a fillet more imperial; + When this or that horn shall be broke, and when + Others shall spring up in their place again; + When times and seasons and all years must lie + Drowned in the sea of wild eternity; + When the black doomsday books, as yet unseal'd, + Shall by the mighty angel be reveal'd; + And when the trumpet which thou late hast found + Shall call to judgment. Tell us when the sound + Of this or that great April day shall be, + And next the Gospel we will credit thee. + Meantime like earth-worms we will crawl below, + And wonder at those things that thou dost know. + + For an account of Alabaster see Notes: the allusions here are to his + apocalyptic writings. + _Horn_, used as a symbol of prosperity. + _The trumpet which thou late hast found_, _i.e._, Alabaster's + "Spiraculum Tubarum seu Fons Spiritualium Expositionum," published + 1633. + _April day_, day of weeping, or perhaps rather of "opening" or + revelation. + + +764. UPON HIS KINSWOMAN, MRS. M. S. + + Here lies a virgin, and as sweet + As e'er was wrapt in winding sheet. + Her name if next you would have known, + The marble speaks it, Mary Stone: + Who dying in her blooming years, + This stone for name's sake melts to tears. + If, fragrant virgins, you'll but keep + A fast, while jets and marbles weep, + And praying, strew some roses on her, + You'll do my niece abundant honour. + + +765. FELICITY KNOWS NO FENCE. + + Of both our fortunes good and bad we find + Prosperity more searching of the mind: + Felicity flies o'er the wall and fence, + While misery keeps in with patience. + + +766. DEATH ENDS ALL WOE. + + Time is the bound of things; where'er we go + _Fate gives a meeting, Death's the end of woe_. + + +767. A CONJURATION TO ELECTRA. + + By those soft tods of wool + With which the air is full; + By all those tinctures there, + That paint the hemisphere; + By dews and drizzling rain + That swell the golden grain; + By all those sweets that be + I' th' flowery nunnery; + By silent nights, and the + Three forms of Hecate; + By all aspects that bless + The sober sorceress, + While juice she strains, and pith + To make her philters with; + By time that hastens on + Things to perfection; + And by yourself, the best + Conjurement of the rest: + O my Electra! be + In love with none, but me. + + _Tods of wool_, literally, tod of wool=twenty-eight pounds, here used + of the fleecy clouds. + _Tinctures_, colours. + _Three forms of Hecate_, the _Diva triformis_ of Hor. Od. iii. 22. + Luna in heaven, Diana on earth, Persephone in the world below. + _Aspects_, _i.e._, of the planets. + + +768. COURAGE COOLED. + + I cannot love as I have lov'd before; + For I'm grown old and, with mine age, grown poor. + _Love must be fed by wealth_: this blood of mine + Must needs wax cold, if wanting bread and wine. + + +769. THE SPELL. + + Holy water come and bring; + Cast in salt, for seasoning: + Set the brush for sprinkling: + Sacred spittle bring ye hither; + Meal and it now mix together, + And a little oil to either. + Give the tapers here their light, + Ring the saints'-bell, to affright + Far from hence the evil sprite. + + +770. HIS WISH TO PRIVACY. + + Give me a cell + To dwell, + Where no foot hath + A path: + There will I spend + And end + My wearied years + In tears. + + +771. A GOOD HUSBAND. + + A Master of a house, as I have read, + Must be the first man up, and last in bed. + With the sun rising he must walk his grounds; + See this, view that, and all the other bounds: + Shut every gate; mend every hedge that's torn, + Either with old, or plant therein new thorn; + Tread o'er his glebe, but with such care, that where + He sets his foot, he leaves rich compost there. + + +772. A HYMN TO BACCHUS. + + I sing thy praise, Iacchus, + Who with thy thyrse dost thwack us: + And yet thou so dost back us + With boldness, that we fear + No Brutus ent'ring here, + Nor Cato the severe. + What though the lictors threat us, + We know they dare not beat us, + So long as thou dost heat us. + When we thy orgies sing, + Each cobbler is a king, + Nor dreads he any thing: + And though he do not rave, + Yet he'll the courage have + To call my Lord Mayor knave; + Besides, too, in a brave, + Although he has no riches, + But walks with dangling breeches + And skirts that want their stitches, + And shows his naked flitches, + Yet he'll be thought or seen + So good as George-a-Green; + And calls his blouze, his queen; + And speaks in language keen. + O Bacchus! let us be + From cares and troubles free; + And thou shalt hear how we + Will chant new hymns to thee. + + _Orgies_, hymns to Bacchus. + _Brave_, boast. + _George-a-Green_, the legendary pinner of Wakefield, renowned for the + use of the quarterstaff. + _Blouze_, a fat wench. + + +773. UPON PUSS AND HER 'PRENTICE. EPIG. + + Puss and her 'prentice both at drawgloves play; + That done, they kiss, and so draw out the day: + At night they draw to supper; then well fed, + They draw their clothes off both, so draw to bed. + + _Drawgloves_, the game of talking on the fingers. + + +774. BLAME THE REWARD OF PRINCES. + + Among disasters that dissension brings, + This not the least is, which belongs to kings: + If wars go well, each for a part lays claim; + If ill, then kings, not soldiers, bear the blame. + + +775. CLEMENCY IN KINGS. + + Kings must not only cherish up the good, + But must be niggards of the meanest blood. + + +776. ANGER. + + Wrongs, if neglected, vanish in short time, + But heard with anger, we confess the crime. + + +777. A PSALM OR HYMN TO THE GRACES. + + Glory be to the Graces! + That do in public places + Drive thence whate'er encumbers + The list'ning to my numbers. + + Honour be to the Graces! + Who do with sweet embraces, + Show they are well contented + With what I have invented. + + Worship be to the Graces! + Who do from sour faces, + And lungs that would infect me, + For evermore protect me. + + +778. A HYMN TO THE MUSES. + + Honour to you who sit + Near to the well of wit, + And drink your fill of it. + + Glory and worship be + To you, sweet maids, thrice three, + Who still inspire me, + + And teach me how to sing + Unto the lyric string + My measures ravishing. + + Then while I sing your praise, + My priesthood crown with bays + Green, to the end of days. + + +779. UPON JULIA'S CLOTHES. + + Whenas in silks my Julia goes, + Then, then, methinks, how sweetly flows + The liquefaction of her clothes. + + Next, when I cast mine eyes and see + That brave vibration each way free; + O how that glittering taketh me! + + +780. MODERATION. + + In things a moderation keep: + _Kings ought to shear, not skin their sheep_. + + +781. TO ANTHEA. + + Let's call for Hymen, if agreed thou art; + _Delays in love but crucify the heart_. + Love's thorny tapers yet neglected lie: + Speak thou the word, they'll kindle by-and-bye. + The nimble hours woo us on to wed, + And Genius waits to have us both to bed. + Behold, for us the naked Graces stay + With maunds of roses for to strew the way: + Besides, the most religious prophet stands + Ready to join, as well our hearts as hands. + Juno yet smiles; but if she chance to chide, + Ill luck 'twill bode to th' bridegroom and the bride. + Tell me, Anthea, dost thou fondly dread + The loss of that we call a maidenhead? + Come, I'll instruct thee. Know, the vestal fire + Is not by marriage quench'd, but flames the higher. + + _Maunds_, baskets. + _Fondly_, foolishly. + + +782. UPON PREW, HIS MAID. + + In this little urn is laid + Prudence Baldwin, once my maid: + From whose happy spark here let + Spring the purple violet. + + +783. THE INVITATION. + + To sup with thee thou did'st me home invite; + And mad'st a promise that mine appetite + Should meet and tire on such lautitious meat, + The like not Heliogabalus did eat: + And richer wine would'st give to me, thy guest, + Than Roman Sylla pour'd out at his feast. + I came, 'tis true, and looked for fowl of price, + The bastard ph[oe]nix, bird of paradise, + And for no less than aromatic wine + Of maiden's-blush, commix'd with jessamine. + Clean was the hearth, the mantel larded jet; + Which wanting Lar, and smoke, hung weeping wet; + At last, i' th' noon of winter, did appear + A ragg'd-soust-neat's-foot with sick vinegar: + And in a burnished flagonet stood by, + Beer small as comfort, dead as charity. + At which amaz'd, and pondering on the food, + How cold it was, and how it chill'd my blood; + I curs'd the master, and I damn'd the souce, + And swore I'd got the ague of the house. + Well, when to eat thou dost me next desire, + I'll bring a fever, since thou keep'st no fire. + + _Tire_, feed on. + _Lautitious_, sumptuous. + _Maiden's-blush_, the pink-rose. + _Larded jet_, _i.e._, blacked. + _Soust_, pickled. + + +784. CEREMONIES FOR CHRISTMAS. + + Come, bring with a noise, + My merry, merry boys, + The Christmas log to the firing; + While my good dame, she + Bids ye all be free, + And drink to your hearts' desiring. + + With the last year's brand + Light the new block, and + For good success in his spending + On your psaltries play, + That sweet luck may + Come while the log is a-teending. + + Drink now the strong beer, + Cut the white loaf here; + The while the meat is a-shredding + For the rare mince-pie, + And the plums stand by + To fill the paste that's a-kneading. + + _Psaltries_, a kind of guitar. + _Teending_, kindling. + + +785. CHRISTMAS-EVE, ANOTHER CEREMONY. + + Come guard this night the Christmas-pie, + That the thief, though ne'er so sly, + With his flesh-hooks, don't come nigh + To catch it + From him, who all alone sits there, + Having his eyes still in his ear, + And a deal of nightly fear, + To watch it. + + +786. ANOTHER TO THE MAIDS. + + Wash your hands, or else the fire + Will not teend to your desire; + Unwash'd hands, ye maidens, know, + Dead the fire, though ye blow. + + _Teend_, kindle. + + +787. ANOTHER. + + Wassail the trees, that they may bear + You many a plum and many a pear: + For more or less fruits they will bring, + As you do give them wassailing. + + +788. POWER AND PEACE. + + _'Tis never, or but seldom known, + Power and peace to keep one throne._ + + +789. TO HIS DEAR VALENTINE, MISTRESS MARGARET FALCONBRIDGE. + + Now is your turn, my dearest, to be set + A gem in this eternal coronet: + 'Twas rich before, but since your name is down + It sparkles now like Ariadne's crown. + Blaze by this sphere for ever: or this do, + Let me and it shine evermore by you. + + +790. TO OENONE. + + Sweet Oenone, do but say + Love thou dost, though love says nay. + Speak me fair; for lovers be + Gently kill'd by flattery. + + +791. VERSES. + + Who will not honour noble numbers, when + Verses out-live the bravest deeds of men? + + +792. HAPPINESS. + + That happiness does still the longest thrive, + Where joys and griefs have turns alternative. + + +793. THINGS OF CHOICE LONG A-COMING. + + We pray 'gainst war, yet we enjoy no peace; + _Desire deferr'd is that it may increase_. + + +794. POETRY PERPETUATES THE POET. + + Here I myself might likewise die, + And utterly forgotten lie, + But that eternal poetry + Repullulation gives me here + Unto the thirtieth thousand year, + When all now dead shall reappear. + + _Repullulation_, rejuvenescence. + _Thirtieth thousand year_, an allusion to the doctrine of the Platonic + year. + + +797. KISSES. + + Give me the food that satisfies a guest: + Kisses are but dry banquets to a feast. + + +798. ORPHEUS. + + Orpheus he went, as poets tell, + To fetch Eurydice from hell; + And had her; but it was upon + This short but strict condition: + Backward he should not look while he + Led her through hell's obscurity: + But ah! it happened, as he made + His passage through that dreadful shade, + Revolve he did his loving eye, + For gentle fear or jealousy; + And looking back, that look did sever + Him and Eurydice for ever. + + +803. TO SAPPHO. + + Sappho, I will choose to go + Where the northern winds do blow + Endless ice and endless snow: + Rather than I once would see + But a winter's face in thee, + To benumb my hopes and me. + + +804. TO HIS FAITHFUL FRIEND, M. JOHN CROFTS, CUP-BEARER TO THE KING. + + For all thy many courtesies to me, + Nothing I have, my Crofts, to send to thee + For the requital, save this only one + Half of my just remuneration. + For since I've travell'd all this realm throughout + To seek and find some few immortals out + To circumspangle this my spacious sphere, + As lamps for everlasting shining here; + And having fix'd thee in mine orb a star, + Amongst the rest, both bright and singular, + The present age will tell the world thou art, + If not to th' whole, yet satisfi'd in part. + As for the rest, being too great a sum + Here to be paid, I'll pay't i' th' world to come. + + +805. THE BRIDE-CAKE. + + This day, my Julia, thou must make + For Mistress Bride the wedding-cake: + Knead but the dough, and it will be + To paste of almonds turn'd by thee: + Or kiss it thou but once or twice, + And for the bride-cake there'll be spice. + + +806. TO BE MERRY. + + Let's now take our time + While w'are in our prime, + And old, old age is afar off: + For the evil, evil days + Will come on apace, + Before we can be aware of. + + +807. BURIAL. + + Man may want land to live in; but for all + Nature finds out some place for burial. + +808. LENITY. + + 'Tis the Chirurgeon's praise, and height of art, + Not to cut off, but cure the vicious part. + + +809. PENITENCE. + + Who after his transgression doth repent, + Is half, or altogether innocent. + + +810. GRIEF. + + Consider sorrows, how they are aright: + _Grief, if't be great, 'tis short; if long, 'tis light_. + + +811. THE MAIDEN-BLUSH. + + So look the mornings when the sun + Paints them with fresh vermilion: + So cherries blush, and Kathern pears, + And apricots in youthful years: + So corals look more lovely red, + And rubies lately polished: + So purest diaper doth shine, + Stain'd by the beams of claret wine: + As Julia looks when she doth dress + Her either cheek with bashfulness. + + _Kathern pears_, _i.e._, Catharine pears. + + +812. THE MEAN. + + _Imparity doth ever discord bring; + The mean the music makes in everything._ + + +813. HASTE HURTFUL. + + _Haste is unhappy; what we rashly do + Is both unlucky, aye, and foolish, too. + Where war with rashness is attempted, there + The soldiers leave the field with equal fear._ + + +814. PURGATORY. + + Readers, we entreat ye pray + For the soul of Lucia; + That in little time she be + From her purgatory free: + In the interim she desires + That your tears may cool her fires. + + +815. THE CLOUD. + + Seest thou that cloud that rides in state, + Part ruby-like, part candidate? + It is no other than the bed + Where Venus sleeps half-smothered. + + _Candidate_, robed in white. + + +817. THE AMBER BEAD. + + I saw a fly within a bead + Of amber cleanly buried; + The urn was little, but the room + More rich than Cleopatra's tomb. + + +818. TO MY DEAREST SISTER, M. MERCY HERRICK. + + Whene'er I go, or whatsoe'er befalls + Me in mine age, or foreign funerals, + This blessing I will leave thee, ere I go: + Prosper thy basket and therein thy dough. + Feed on the paste of filberts, or else knead + And bake the flour of amber for thy bread. + Balm may thy trees drop, and thy springs run oil, + And everlasting harvest crown thy soil! + These I but wish for; but thyself shall see + The blessing fall in mellow times on thee. + + +819. THE TRANSFIGURATION. + + Immortal clothing I put on + So soon as, Julia, I am gone + To mine eternal mansion. + Thou, thou art here, to human sight + Cloth'd all with incorrupted light; + But yet how more admir'dly bright + Wilt thou appear, when thou art set + In thy refulgent thronelet, + That shin'st thus in thy counterfeit! + + +820. SUFFER THAT THOU CANST NOT SHIFT. + + Does fortune rend thee? Bear with thy hard fate: + _Virtuous instructions ne'er are delicate_. + Say, does she frown? still countermand her threats: + _Virtue best loves those children that she beats_. + + +821. TO THE PASSENGER. + + If I lie unburied, sir, + These my relics pray inter: + 'Tis religion's part to see + Stones or turfs to cover me. + One word more I had to say: + But it skills not; go your way; + He that wants a burial room + _For a stone, has Heaven his tomb_. + + _Religion's_, orig. ed. _religious_. + + +823. TO THE KING, UPON HIS TAKING OF LEICESTER. + + This day is yours, great Charles! and in this war + Your fate, and ours, alike victorious are. + In her white stole now Victory does rest + _Ensphered with palm on your triumphant crest_. + Fortune is now your captive; other Kings + _Hold but her hands; you hold both hands and wings_. + + +824. TO JULIA, IN HER DAWN, OR DAYBREAK. + + By the next kindling of the day, + My Julia, thou shalt see, + Ere Ave-Mary thou canst say + I'll come and visit thee. + + Yet ere thou counsel'st with thy glass, + Appear thou to mine eyes + As smooth, and nak'd, as she that was + The prime of paradise. + + If blush thou must, then blush thou through + A lawn, that thou mayst look + As purest pearls, or pebbles do + When peeping through a brook. + + As lilies shrin'd in crystal, so + Do thou to me appear; + Or damask roses when they grow + To sweet acquaintance there. + + +825. COUNSEL. + + 'Twas Cæsar's saying: _Kings no less conquerors are + By their wise counsel, than they be by war._ + + +826. BAD PRINCES PILL THE PEOPLE. + + Like those infernal deities which eat + The best of all the sacrificed meat; + And leave their servants but the smoke and sweat: + So many kings, and primates too there are, + Who claim the fat and fleshy for their share + And leave their subjects but the starved ware. + + +827. MOST WORDS, LESS WORKS. + + In desp'rate cases all, or most, are known + Commanders, few for execution. + + +828. TO DIANEME. + + I could but see thee yesterday + Stung by a fretful bee; + And I the javelin suck'd away, + And heal'd the wound in thee. + + A thousand thorns and briars and stings, + I have in my poor breast; + Yet ne'er can see that salve which brings + My passions any rest. + + As love shall help me, I admire + How thou canst sit, and smile + To see me bleed, and not desire + To staunch the blood the while. + + If thou, compos'd of gentle mould, + Art so unkind to me; + What dismal stories will be told + Of those that cruel be? + + _Admire_, wonder. + + +830. HIS LOSS. + + All has been plundered from me but my wit: + Fortune herself can lay no claim to it. + + +831. DRAW AND DRINK. + + Milk still your fountains and your springs: for why? + The more th'are drawn, the less they will grow dry. + + +833. TO OENONE. + + Thou say'st Love's dart + Hath pricked thy heart; + And thou dost languish too: + If one poor prick + Can make thee sick, + Say, what would many do? + + +836. TO ELECTRA. + + Shall I go to Love and tell, + Thou art all turned icicle? + Shall I say her altars be + Disadorn'd and scorn'd by thee? + O beware! in time submit; + Love has yet no wrathful fit: + If her patience turns to ire, + Love is then consuming fire. + + +837. TO MISTRESS AMY POTTER. + + Ay me! I love; give him your hand to kiss + Who both your wooer and your poet is. + Nature has precompos'd us both to love: + Your part's to grant; my scene must be to move. + Dear, can you like, and liking love your poet? + If you say "Aye," blush-guiltiness will show it. + Mine eyes must woo you, though I sigh the while: + _True love is tongueless as a crocodile_. + And you may find in love these different parts-- + _Wooers have tongues of ice, but burning hearts_. + + +838. UPON A MAID. + + Here she lies, in bed of spice, + Fair as Eve in Paradise: + For her beauty it was such + Poets could not praise too much. + Virgins, come, and in a ring + Her supremest requiem sing; + Then depart, but see ye tread + Lightly, lightly, o'er the dead. + + _Supremest_, last. + + +839. UPON LOVE. + + Love is a circle, and an endless sphere; + From good to good, revolving here and there. + + +840. BEAUTY. + + Beauty's no other but a lovely grace + Of lively colours flowing from the face. + + +841. UPON LOVE. + + Some salve to every sore we may apply; + Only for my wound there's no remedy. + Yet if my Julia kiss me, there will be + A sovereign balm found out to cure me. + + +844. TO HIS BOOK. + + Make haste away, and let one be + A friendly patron unto thee: + Lest, rapt from hence, I see thee lie + Torn for the use of pastery: + Or see thy injur'd leaves serve well, + To make loose gowns for mackerel: + Or see the grocers in a trice, + Make hoods of thee to serve out spice. + + +845. READINESS. + + The readiness of doing doth express + No other but the doer's willingness. + + +846. WRITING. + + When words we want, Love teacheth to indite; + And what we blush to speak, she bids us write. + + +847. SOCIETY. + + Two things do make society to stand: + The first commerce is, and the next command. + + +848. UPON A MAID. + + Gone she is a long, long way, + But she has decreed a day + Back to come, and make no stay: + So we keep, till her return, + Here, her ashes, or her urn. + + +849. SATISFACTION FOR SUFFERINGS. + + For all our works a recompense is sure: + _'Tis sweet to think on what was hard t' endure_. + + +850. THE DELAYING BRIDE. + + Why so slowly do you move + To the centre of your love? + On your niceness though we wait, + Yet the hours say 'tis late: + _Coyness takes us, to a measure; + But o'eracted deads the pleasure._ + Go to bed, and care not when + Cheerful day shall spring again. + One brave captain did command, + By his word, the sun to stand: + One short charm, if you but say, + Will enforce the moon to stay, + Till you warn her hence, away, + T' have your blushes seen by day. + + _Niceness_, delicacy. + + +851. TO M. HENRY LAWES, THE EXCELLENT COMPOSER OF HIS LYRICS. + + Touch but thy lyre, my Harry, and I hear + From thee some raptures of the rare Gotiere; + Then if thy voice commingle with the string, + I hear in thee rare Laniere to sing; + Or curious Wilson: tell me, canst thou be + Less than Apollo, that usurp'st such three? + Three, unto whom the whole world give applause; + Yet their three praises praise but one; that's Lawes. + + _Gotiere_, Wilson, see above, 111. + _Laniere_, Nicholas Laniere (1590?-1670?), musician and painter, + appointed Master of the King's Music in 1626. + + +852. AGE UNFIT FOR LOVE. + + Maidens tell me I am old; + Let me in my glass behold + Whether smooth or not I be, + Or if hair remains to me. + Well, or be't or be't not so, + This for certainty I know, + Ill it fits old men to play, + When that Death bids come away. + + +853. THE BEDMAN, OR GRAVEMAKER. + + Thou hast made many houses for the dead; + When my lot calls me to be buried, + For love or pity, prithee let there be + I' th' churchyard made one tenement for me. + + +854. TO ANTHEA. + + Anthea, I am going hence + With some small stock of innocence: + But yet those blessed gates I see + Withstanding entrance unto me. + To pray for me do thou begin, + The porter then will let me in. + + +855. NEED. + + Who begs to die for fear of human need, + Wisheth his body, not his soul, good speed. + + +856. TO JULIA. + + I am zealless; prithee pray + For my welfare, Julia, + For I think the gods require + Male perfumes, but female fire. + + _Male perfumes_, perfumes of the best kind. + + +857. ON JULIA'S LIPS. + + Sweet are my Julia's lips and clean, + As if o'erwashed in Hippocrene. + + +858. TWILIGHT. + + Twilight no other thing is, poets say, + Than the last part of night and first of day. + + +859. TO HIS FRIEND, MR. J. JINCKS. + + Love, love me now, because I place + Thee here among my righteous race: + The bastard slips may droop and die + Wanting both root and earth; but thy + Immortal self shall boldly trust + To live for ever with my Just. + + _With my Just_, cp. 664. + + +860. ON HIMSELF. + + If that my fate has now fulfill'd my year, + And so soon stopt my longer living here; + What was't, ye gods, a dying man to save, + But while he met with his paternal grave! + Though while we living 'bout the world do roam, + We love to rest in peaceful urns at home, + Where we may snug, and close together lie + By the dead bones of our dear ancestry. + + +861. KINGS AND TYRANTS. + + 'Twixt kings and tyrants there's this difference known: + _Kings seek their subjects' good, tyrants their own_. + + +862. CROSSES. + + Our crosses are no other than the rods, + And our diseases, vultures of the gods: + Each grief we feel, that likewise is a kite + Sent forth by them, our flesh to eat, or bite. + + +863. UPON LOVE. + + Love brought me to a silent grove + And show'd me there a tree, + Where some had hang'd themselves for love, + And gave a twist to me. + + The halter was of silk and gold, + That he reach'd forth unto me; + No otherwise than if he would + By dainty things undo me. + + He bade me then that necklace use; + And told me, too, he maketh + A glorious end by such a noose, + His death for love that taketh. + + 'Twas but a dream; but had I been + There really alone, + My desp'rate fears in love had seen + Mine execution. + + +864. NO DIFFERENCE I' TH' DARK. + + Night makes no difference 'twixt the priest and clerk; + Joan as my lady is as good i' th' dark. + + +865. THE BODY. + + The body is the soul's poor house or home, + Whose ribs the laths are, and whose flesh the loam. + + +866. TO SAPPHO. + + Thou say'st thou lov'st me, Sappho; I say no; + But would to Love I could believe 'twas so! + Pardon my fears, sweet Sappho; I desire + That thou be righteous found, and I the liar. + + +867. OUT OF TIME, OUT OF TUNE. + + We blame, nay, we despise her pains + That wets her garden when it rains: + But when the drought has dried the knot, + Then let her use the wat'ring-pot. + We pray for showers, at our need, + To drench, but not to drown our seed. + + _Knot_, quaintly shaped flower-bed. + + +868. TO HIS BOOK. + + Take mine advice, and go not near + Those faces, sour as vinegar. + For these, and nobler numbers can + Ne'er please the supercilious man. + + +869. TO HIS HONOURED FRIEND, SIR THOMAS HEALE. + + Stand by the magic of my powerful rhymes + 'Gainst all the indignation of the times. + Age shall not wrong thee; or one jot abate + Of thy both great and everlasting fate. + While others perish, here's thy life decreed, + Because begot of my immortal seed. + + +870. THE SACRIFICE, BY WAY OF DISCOURSE BETWIXT HIMSELF AND JULIA. + + _Herr._ Come and let's in solemn wise + Both address to sacrifice: + Old religion first commands + That we wash our hearts, and hands. + Is the beast exempt from stain, + Altar clean, no fire profane? + Are the garlands, is the nard + Ready here? + + _Jul._ All well prepar'd, + With the wine that must be shed, + 'Twixt the horns, upon the head + Of the holy beast we bring + For our trespass-offering. + + _Herr._ All is well; now next to these + Put we on pure surplices; + And with chaplets crown'd, we'll roast + With perfumes the holocaust: + And, while we the gods invoke, + Read acceptance by the smoke. + + +871. TO APOLLO. + + Thou mighty lord and master of the lyre, + Unshorn Apollo, come and re-inspire + My fingers so, the lyric-strings to move, + That I may play and sing a hymn to Love. + + +872. ON LOVE. + + Love is a kind of war: hence those who fear! + No cowards must his royal ensigns bear. + + +873. ANOTHER. + + Where love begins, there dead thy first desire: + _A spark neglected makes a mighty fire_. + + +874. A HYMN TO CUPID. + + Thou, thou that bear'st the sway, + With whom the sea-nymphs play; + And Venus, every way: + When I embrace thy knee, + And make short pray'rs to thee, + In love then prosper me. + This day I go to woo; + Instruct me how to do + This work thou put'st me to. + From shame my face keep free; + From scorn I beg of thee, + Love, to deliver me: + So shall I sing thy praise, + And to thee altars raise, + Unto the end of days. + + +875. TO ELECTRA. + + Let not thy tombstone e'er be laid by me: + Nor let my hearse be wept upon by thee: + But let that instant when thou diest be known + The minute of mine expiration. + One knell be rung for both; and let one grave + To hold us two an endless honour have. + + +876. HOW HIS SOUL CAME ENSNARED. + + My soul would one day go and seek + For roses, and in Julia's cheek + A richesse of those sweets she found, + As in another Rosamond. + But gathering roses as she was, + Not knowing what would come to pass, + It chanc'd a ringlet of her hair + Caught my poor soul, as in a snare: + Which ever since has been in thrall; + Yet freedom she enjoys withal. + + _Richesse_, wealth. + + +877. FACTIONS. + + The factions of the great ones call, + To side with them, the commons all. + + +881. UPON JULIA'S HAIR BUNDLED UP IN A GOLDEN NET. + + Tell me, what needs those rich deceits, + These golden toils, and trammel nets, + To take thine hairs when they are known + Already tame, and all thine own? + 'Tis I am wild, and more than hairs + Deserve these meshes and those snares. + Set free thy tresses, let them flow + As airs do breathe or winds do blow: + And let such curious net-works be + Less set for them than spread for me. + + +883. THE SHOWER OF BLOSSOMS. + + Love in a shower of blossoms came + Down, and half drown'd me with the same: + The blooms that fell were white and red; + But with such sweets comminglèd, + As whether--this I cannot tell-- + My sight was pleas'd more, or my smell: + But true it was, as I roll'd there, + Without a thought of hurt or fear, + Love turn'd himself into a bee, + And with his javelin wounded me: + From which mishap this use I make, + _Where most sweets are, there lies a snake: + Kisses and favours are sweet things; + But those have thorns and these have stings._ + + +885. A DEFENCE FOR WOMEN. + + Naught are all women: I say no, + Since for one bad, one good I know: + For Clytemnestra most unkind, + Loving Alcestis there we find: + For one Medea that was bad, + A good Penelope was had: + For wanton Lais, then we have + Chaste Lucrece, a wife as grave: + And thus through womankind we see + A good and bad. Sirs, credit me. + + +887. SLAVERY. + + 'Tis liberty to serve one lord; but he + Who many serves, serves base servility. + + +888. CHARMS. + + Bring the holy crust of bread, + Lay it underneath the head; + 'Tis a certain charm to keep + Hags away, while children sleep. + + +889. ANOTHER. + + Let the superstitious wife + Near the child's heart lay a knife: + Point be up, and haft be down + (While she gossips in the town); + This, 'mongst other mystic charms, + Keeps the sleeping child from harms. + + +890. ANOTHER TO BRING IN THE WITCH. + + To house the hag, you must do this: + Commix with meal a little piss + Of him bewitch'd; then forthwith make + A little wafer or a cake; + And this rawly bak'd will bring + The old hag in. No surer thing. + + +891. ANOTHER CHARM FOR STABLES. + + Hang up hooks and shears to scare + Hence the hag that rides the mare, + Till they be all over wet + With the mire and the sweat: + This observ'd, the manes shall be + Of your horses all knot-free. + + +892. CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS EVE. + + Down with the rosemary and bays, + Down with the mistletoe; + Instead of holly, now up-raise + The greener box, for show. + + The holly hitherto did sway; + Let box now domineer + Until the dancing Easter day, + Or Easter's eve appear. + + Then youthful box which now hath grace + Your houses to renew; + Grown old, surrender must his place + Unto the crisped yew. + + When yew is out, then birch comes in, + And many flowers beside; + Both of a fresh and fragrant kin + To honour Whitsuntide. + + Green rushes, then, and sweetest bents, + With cooler oaken boughs, + Come in for comely ornaments + To re-adorn the house. + Thus times do shift; each thing his turn does hold: + _New things succeed, as former things grow old_. + + _Bents_, grasses. + + +893. THE CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS DAY. + + Kindle the Christmas brand, and then + Till sunset let it burn; + Which quench'd, then lay it up again + Till Christmas next return. + Part must be kept wherewith to teend + The Christmas log next year, + And where 'tis safely kept, the fiend + Can do no mischief there. + + +894. UPON CANDLEMAS DAY. + + End now the white loaf and the pie, + And let all sports with Christmas die. + + _Teend_, kindle. + + +897. TO BIANCA, TO BLESS HIM. + + Would I woo, and would I win? + Would I well my work begin? + Would I evermore be crowned + With the end that I propound? + Would I frustrate or prevent + All aspects malevolent? + Thwart all wizards, and with these + Dead all black contingencies: + Place my words and all works else + In most happy parallels? + All will prosper, if so be + I be kiss'd or bless'd by thee. + + +898. JULIA'S CHURCHING, OR PURIFICATION. + + Put on thy holy filletings, and so + To th' temple with the sober midwife go. + Attended thus, in a most solemn wise, + By those who serve the child-bed mysteries, + Burn first thine incense; next, whenas thou see'st + The candid stole thrown o'er the pious priest, + With reverend curtsies come, and to him bring + Thy free (and not decurted) offering. + All rites well ended, with fair auspice come + (As to the breaking of a bride-cake) home, + Where ceremonious Hymen shall for thee + Provide a second epithalamy. + _She who keeps chastely to her husband's side + Is not for one, but every night his bride; + And stealing still with love and fear to bed, + Brings him not one, but many a maidenhead._ + + _Candid_, white. + _Decurted_, curtailed. + + +899. TO HIS BOOK. + + Before the press scarce one could see + A little-peeping-part of thee; + But since thou'rt printed, thou dost call + To show thy nakedness to all. + My care for thee is now the less, + Having resign'd thy shamefac'dness. + Go with thy faults and fates; yet stay + And take this sentence, then away: + Whom one belov'd will not suffice, + She'll run to all adulteries. + + +900. TEARS. + + Tears most prevail; with tears, too, thou may'st move + Rocks to relent, and coyest maids to love. + + +901. TO HIS FRIEND TO AVOID CONTENTION OF WORDS. + + Words beget anger; anger brings forth blows; + Blows make of dearest friends immortal foes. + For which prevention, sociate, let there be + Betwixt us two no more logomachy. + Far better 'twere for either to be mute, + Than for to murder friendship by dispute. + + _Logomachy_, contention of words. + + +902. TRUTH. + + Truth is best found out by the time and eyes; + _Falsehood wins credit by uncertainties_. + + +904. THE EYES BEFORE THE EARS. + + We credit most our sight; one eye doth please + Our trust far more than ten ear-witnesses. + + +905. WANT. + + Want is a softer wax, that takes thereon + This, that, and every base impression. + + +906. TO A FRIEND. + + Look in my book, and herein see + Life endless signed to thee and me. + We o'er the tombs and fates shall fly; + While other generations die. + + +907. UPON M. WILLIAM LAWES, THE RARE MUSICIAN. + + Should I not put on blacks, when each one here + Comes with his cypress and devotes a tear? + Should I not grieve, my Lawes, when every lute, + Viol, and voice is by thy loss struck mute? + Thy loss, brave man! whose numbers have been hurl'd, + And no less prais'd than spread throughout the world. + Some have thee call'd Amphion; some of us + Nam'd thee Terpander, or sweet Orpheus: + Some this, some that, but all in this agree, + Music had both her birth and death with thee. + + _Blacks_, mourning garments. + + +908. A SONG UPON SILVIA. + + From me my Silvia ran away, + And running therewithal + A primrose bank did cross her way, + And gave my love a fall. + + But trust me now, I dare not say + What I by chance did see; + But such the drap'ry did betray + That fully ravished me. + + +909. THE HONEYCOMB. + + If thou hast found an honeycomb, + Eat thou not all, but taste on some: + For if thou eat'st it to excess, + That sweetness turns to loathsomeness. + Taste it to temper, then 'twill be + Marrow and manna unto thee. + + +910. UPON BEN JONSON. + + Here lies Jonson with the rest + Of the poets: but the best. + Reader, would'st thou more have known? + Ask his story, not this stone. + That will speak what this can't tell + Of his glory. So farewell. + + +911. AN ODE FOR HIM. + + Ah Ben! + Say how, or when + Shall we thy guests + Meet at those lyric feasts + Made at the Sun, + The Dog, the Triple Tun? + Where we such clusters had, + As made us nobly wild, not mad; + And yet each verse of thine + Out-did the meat, out-did the frolic wine. + + My Ben! + Or come again, + Or send to us + Thy wit's great overplus; + But teach us yet + Wisely to husband it, + Lest we that talent spend: + And having once brought to an end + That precious stock; the store + Of such a wit the world should have no more. + + _The Sun_, _etc._, famous taverns. + + +912. UPON A VIRGIN. + + Spend, harmless shade, thy nightly hours + Selecting here both herbs and flowers; + Of which make garlands here and there + To dress thy silent sepulchre. + Nor do thou fear the want of these + _In everlasting properties_, + Since we fresh strewings will bring hither, + Far faster than the first can wither. + + +913. BLAME. + + In battles what disasters fall, + The king he bears the blame of all. + + +914. A REQUEST TO THE GRACES. + + Ponder my words, if so that any be + Known guilty here of incivility: + Let what is graceless, discompos'd, and rude, + With sweetness, smoothness, softness, be endu'd. + Teach it to blush, to curtsy, lisp, and show + Demure, but yet full of temptation, too. + _Numbers ne'er tickle, or but lightly please, + Unless they have some wanton carriages._ + This if ye do, each piece will here be good, + And graceful made by your neat sisterhood. + + +915. UPON HIMSELF. + + I lately fri'd, but now behold + I freeze as fast, and shake for cold. + And in good faith I'd thought it strange + T' have found in me this sudden change; + But that I understood by dreams + These only were but Love's extremes; + Who fires with hope the lover's heart, + And starves with cold the self-same part. + + +916. MULTITUDE. + + We trust not to the multitude in war, + But to the stout, and those that skilful are. + + +917. FEAR. + + Man must do well out of a good intent; + Not for the servile fear of punishment. + + +918. TO M. KELLAM. + + What! can my Kellam drink his sack + In goblets to the brim, + And see his Robin Herrick lack, + Yet send no bowls to him? + + For love or pity to his muse, + That she may flow in verse, + Contemn to recommend a cruse, + But send to her a tierce. + + +919. HAPPINESS TO HOSPITALITY; OR, A HEARTY WISH TO GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. + + First, may the hand of bounty bring + Into the daily offering + Of full provision such a store, + Till that the cook cries: Bring no more. + Upon your hogsheads never fall + A drought of wine, ale, beer, at all; + But, like full clouds, may they from thence + Diffuse their mighty influence. + Next, let the lord and lady here + Enjoy a Christ'ning year by year; + And this good blessing back them still, + T' have boys, and girls too, as they will. + Then from the porch may many a bride + Unto the holy temple ride: + And thence return, short prayers said, + A wife most richly married. + Last, may the bride and bridegroom be + Untouch'd by cold sterility; + But in their springing blood so play, + As that in lusters few they may, + By laughing too, and lying down, + People a city or a town. + + _Wish_, om. orig. ed. + _Lusters_, quinquenniums. + + +920. CUNCTATION IN CORRECTION. + + The lictors bundled up their rods; beside, + Knit them with knots with much ado unti'd, + That if, unknitting, men would yet repent, + They might escape the lash of punishment. + + +921. PRESENT GOVERNMENT GRIEVOUS. + + _Men are suspicious, prone to discontent: + Subjects still loathe the present government._ + + +922. REST REFRESHES. + + Lay by the good a while; a resting field + Will, after ease, a richer harvest yield; + Trees this year bear: next, they their wealth withhold: + _Continual reaping makes a land wax old_. + + +923. REVENGE. + + _Man's disposition is for to requite + An injury, before a benefit: + Thanksgiving is a burden and a pain; + Revenge is pleasing to us, as our gain._ + + +924. THE FIRST MARS OR MAKES. + + In all our high designments 'twill appear, + _The first event breeds confidence or fear_. + + +925. BEGINNING DIFFICULT. + + _Hard are the two first stairs unto a crown: + Which got, the third bids him a king come down._ + +926. FAITH FOUR-SQUARE. + + Faith is a thing that's four-square; let it fall + This way or that, it not declines at all. + + +927. THE PRESENT TIME BEST PLEASETH. + + Praise they that will times past; I joy to see + Myself now live: _this age best pleaseth me_. + + +928. CLOTHES ARE CONSPIRATORS. + + Though from without no foes at all we fear, + We shall be wounded by the clothes we wear. + + +929. CRUELTY. + + _'Tis but a dog-like madness in bad kings, + For to delight in wounds and murderings: + As some plants prosper best by cuts and blows, + So kings by killing do increase their foes._ + + +930. FAIR AFTER FOUL. + + _Tears quickly dry, griefs will in time decay: + A clear will come after a cloudy day._ + + +931. HUNGER. + + Ask me what hunger is, and I'll reply, + 'Tis but a fierce desire of hot and dry. + + +932. BAD WAGES FOR GOOD SERVICE. + + In this misfortune kings do most excel, + To hear the worst from men when they do well. + + +933. THE END. + + Conquer we shall, but we must first contend; + _'Tis not the fight that crowns us, but the end_. + + +934. THE BONDMAN. + + Bind me but to thee with thine hair, + And quickly I shall be + Made by that fetter or that snare + A bondman unto thee. + Or if thou tak'st that bond away, + Then bore me through the ear, + And by the law I ought to stay + For ever with thee here. + + +935. CHOOSE FOR THE BEST. + + Give house-room to the best; _'tis never known + Virtue and pleasure both to dwell in one_. + + +936. TO SILVIA. + + Pardon my trespass, Silvia; I confess + My kiss out-went the bounds of shamefastness: + None is discreet at all times; no, _not Jove + Himself, at one time, can be wise and love_. + + +937. FAIR SHOWS DECEIVE. + + Smooth was the sea, and seem'd to call + Two pretty girls to play withal: + Who paddling there, the sea soon frown'd, + And on a sudden both were drown'd. + What credit can we give to seas, + Who, kissing, kill such saints as these? + + +938. HIS WISH. + + Fat be my hind; unlearned be my wife; + Peaceful my night; my day devoid of strife: + To these a comely offspring I desire, + Singing about my everlasting fire. + + _Hind_, country servant. + + +939. UPON JULIA WASHING HERSELF IN THE RIVER. + + How fierce was I, when I did see + My Julia wash herself in thee! + So lilies thorough crystal look: + So purest pebbles in the brook: + As in the river Julia did, + Half with a lawn of water hid. + Into thy streams myself I threw, + And struggling there, I kiss'd thee too; + And more had done, it is confess'd, + Had not thy waves forbade the rest. + + +940. A MEAN IN OUR MEANS. + + Though frankincense the deities require, + _We must not give all to the hallowed fire_. + Such be our gifts, and such be our expense, + As for ourselves to leave some frankincense. + + +941. UPON CLUNN. + + A roll of parchment Clunn about him bears, + Charg'd with the arms of all his ancestors: + And seems half ravish'd, when he looks upon + That bar, this bend; that fess, this cheveron; + This manch, that moon; this martlet, and that mound; + This counterchange of pearl and diamond. + What joy can Clunn have in that coat, or this, + Whenas his own still out at elbows is? + + +942. UPON CUPID. + + Love, like a beggar, came to me + With hose and doublet torn: + His shirt bedangling from his knee, + With hat and shoes outworn. + + He ask'd an alms; I gave him bread, + And meat too, for his need: + Of which, when he had fully fed, + He wished me all good speed. + + Away he went, but as he turn'd + (In faith I know not how) + He touch'd me so, as that I burn['d], + And am tormented now. + + Love's silent flames and fires obscure + Then crept into my heart; + And though I saw no bow, I'm sure + His finger was the dart. + + +946. AN HYMN TO LOVE. + + I will confess + With cheerfulness, + Love is a thing so likes me, + That let her lay + On me all day, + I'll kiss the hand that strikes me. + + I will not, I, + Now blubb'ring, cry, + It, ah! too late repents me, + That I did fall + To love at all, + Since love so much contents me. + + No, no, I'll be + In fetters free: + While others they sit wringing + Their hands for pain, + I'll entertain + The wounds of love with singing. + + With flowers and wine, + And cakes divine, + To strike me I will tempt thee: + Which done; no more + I'll come before + Thee and thine altars empty. + + +947. TO HIS HONOURED AND MOST INGENIOUS FRIEND, MR. CHARLES COTTON. + + For brave comportment, wit without offence, + Words fully flowing, yet of influence: + Thou art that man of men, the man alone, + Worthy the public admiration: + Who with thine own eyes read'st what we do write, + And giv'st our numbers euphony and weight; + Tell'st when a verse springs high, how understood + To be, or not, born of the royal blood. + What state above, what symmetry below, + Lines have, or should have, thou the best can'st show. + For which, my Charles, it is my pride to be + Not so much known, as to be lov'd of thee. + Long may I live so, and my wreath of bays + Be less another's laurel than thy praise. + + +948. WOMEN USELESS. + + What need we marry women, when + Without their use we may have men, + And such as will in short time be + For murder fit, or mutiny? + As Cadmus once a new way found, + By throwing teeth into the ground; + From which poor seed, and rudely sown, + Sprung up a war-like nation: + So let us iron, silver, gold, + Brass, lead, or tin throw into th' mould; + And we shall see in little space + Rise up of men a fighting race. + If this can be, say then, what need + Have we of women or their seed? + + +949. LOVE IS A SYRUP. + + Love is a syrup; and whoe'er we see + Sick and surcharg'd with this satiety, + Shall by this pleasing trespass quickly prove + _There's loathsomeness e'en in the sweets of love_. + + +950. LEAVEN. + + Love is a leaven; and a loving kiss + The leaven of a loving sweetheart is. + + +951. REPLETION. + + Physicians say repletion springs + More from the sweet than sour things. + + +952. ON HIMSELF. + + Weep for the dead, for they have lost this light: + And weep for me, lost in an endless night. + Or mourn, or make a marble verse for me, + Who writ for many. Benedicite. + + +953. NO MAN WITHOUT MONEY. + + No man such rare parts hath that he can swim, + If favour or occasion help not him. + + +954. ON HIMSELF. + + Lost to the world; lost to myself; alone + Here now I rest under this marble stone: + In depth of silence, heard and seen of none. + + +955. TO M. LEONARD WILLAN, HIS PECULIAR FRIEND. + + I will be short, and having quickly hurl'd + This line about, live thou throughout the world; + Who art a man for all scenes; unto whom, + What's hard to others, nothing's troublesome. + Can'st write the comic, tragic strain, and fall + From these to pen the pleasing pastoral: + Who fli'st at all heights: prose and verse run'st through; + Find'st here a fault, and mend'st the trespass too: + For which I might extol thee, but speak less, + Because thyself art coming to the press: + And then should I in praising thee be slow, + Posterity will pay thee what I owe. + + +956. TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND, M. JOHN HALL, STUDENT OF GRAY'S INN. + + Tell me, young man, or did the Muses bring + Thee less to taste than to drink up their spring, + That none hereafter should be thought, or be + A poet, or a poet-like but thee? + What was thy birth, thy star that makes thee known, + At twice ten years, a prime and public one? + Tell us thy nation, kindred, or the whence + Thou had'st and hast thy mighty influence, + That makes thee lov'd, and of the men desir'd, + And no less prais'd than of the maids admired. + Put on thy laurel then; and in that trim + Be thou Apollo or the type of him: + Or let the unshorn god lend thee his lyre, + And next to him be master of the choir. + + +957. TO JULIA. + + Offer thy gift; but first the law commands + Thee, Julia, first, to sanctify thy hands: + Do that, my Julia, which the rites require, + Then boldly give thine incense to the fire. + + +958. TO THE MOST COMELY AND PROPER M. ELIZABETH FINCH. + + Handsome you are, and proper you will be + Despite of all your infortunity: + Live long and lovely, but yet grow no less + In that your own prefixed comeliness: + Spend on that stock: and when your life must fall, + Leave others beauty to set up withal. + + _Proper_, well-made. + + +960. TO HIS BOOK. + + If hap it must, that I must see thee lie + Absyrtus-like, all torn confusedly: + With solemn tears, and with much grief of heart, + I'll recollect thee, weeping, part by part; + And having wash'd thee, close thee in a chest + With spice; that done, I'll leave thee to thy rest. + + _Absyrtus-like_, the brother of Medea, cut in pieces by her that his + father might be delayed by gathering his limbs. + + +961. TO THE KING, UPON HIS WELCOME TO HAMPTON COURT. SET AND SUNG. + + Welcome, great Cæsar, welcome now you are + As dearest peace after destructive war: + Welcome as slumbers, or as beds of ease + After our long and peevish sicknesses. + O pomp of glory! Welcome now, and come + To repossess once more your long'd-for home. + A thousand altars smoke: a thousand thighs + Of beeves here ready stand for sacrifice. + Enter and prosper; while our eyes do wait + For an ascendent throughly auspicate: + Under which sign we may the former stone + Lay of our safety's new foundation: + That done, O Cæsar! live and be to us + Our fate, our fortune, and our genius; + To whose free knees we may our temples tie + As to a still protecting deity: + That should you stir, we and our altars too + May, great Augustus, go along with you. + _Chor._ Long live the King! and to accomplish this, + We'll from our own add far more years to his. + + _Ascendent_, the most influential position of a planet in astrology. + _Auspicate_, propitious. + + +962. ULTIMUS HEROUM: OR, TO THE MOST LEARNED, AND TO THE RIGHT +HONOURABLE, HENRY, MARQUIS OF DORCHESTER. + + And as time past when Cato the severe + Enter'd the circumspacious theatre, + In reverence of his person everyone + Stood as he had been turn'd from flesh to stone; + E'en so my numbers will astonished be + If but looked on; struck dead, if scann'd by thee. + + +963. TO HIS MUSE; ANOTHER TO THE SAME. + + Tell that brave man, fain thou would'st have access + To kiss his hands, but that for fearfulness; + Or else because th'art like a modest bride, + Ready to blush to death, should he but chide. + + +966. TO HIS LEARNED FRIEND, M. JO. HARMAR, PHYSICIAN TO THE COLLEGE OF +WESTMINSTER. + + When first I find those numbers thou dost write, + To be most soft, terse, sweet, and perpolite: + Next, when I see thee tow'ring in the sky, + In an expansion no less large than high; + Then, in that compass, sailing here and there, + And with circumgyration everywhere; + Following with love and active heat thy game, + And then at last to truss the epigram; + I must confess, distinction none I see + Between Domitian's Martial then, and thee. + But this I know, should Jupiter again + Descend from heaven to reconverse with men; + The Roman language full, and superfine, + If Jove would speak, he would accept of thine. + + _Perpolite_, well polished. + + +967. UPON HIS SPANIEL TRACY. + + Now thou art dead, no eye shall ever see, + For shape and service, spaniel like to thee. + This shall my love do, give thy sad death one + Tear, that deserves of me a million. + + +968. THE DELUGE. + + Drowning, drowning, I espy + Coming from my Julia's eye: + 'Tis some solace in our smart, + To have friends to bear a part: + I have none; but must be sure + Th' inundation to endure. + Shall not times hereafter tell + This for no mean miracle? + When the waters by their fall + Threaten'd ruin unto all, + Yet the deluge here was known + Of a world to drown but one. + + +971. STRENGTH TO SUPPORT SOVEREIGNTY. + + Let kings and rulers learn this line from me: + _Where power is weak, unsafe is majesty_. + + +973. CRUTCHES. + + Thou see'st me, Lucia, this year droop; + Three zodiacs filled more, I shall stoop; + Let crutches then provided be + To shore up my debility. + Then, while thou laugh'st, I'll sighing cry, + "A ruin, underpropp'd, am I". + Don will I then my beadsman's gown, + And when so feeble I am grown, + As my weak shoulders cannot bear + The burden of a grasshopper, + Yet with the bench of aged sires, + When I and they keep termly fires, + With my weak voice I'll sing, or say, + Some odes I made of Lucia: + Then will I heave my wither'd hand + To Jove the mighty, for to stand + Thy faithful friend, and to pour down + Upon thee many a benison. + + _Zodiacs_, used as symbols of the astronomical year. + _Beadsman's_, almshouseman's. + + +974. TO JULIA. + + Holy waters hither bring + For the sacred sprinkling: + Baptise me and thee, and so + Let us to the altar go, + And, ere we our rites commence, + Wash our hands in innocence. + Then I'll be the Rex Sacrorum, + Thou the Queen of Peace and Quorum. + + _Quorum_, _i.e._, quorum of justices of the peace, sportively added + for the rhyme's sake. + + +975. UPON CASE. + + Case is a lawyer, that ne'er pleads alone, + But when he hears the like confusion, + As when the disagreeing Commons throw + About their House, their clamorous Aye or No: + Then Case, as loud as any serjeant there, + Cries out: My lord, my lord, the case is clear. + But when all's hush'd, Case, than a fish more mute, + Bestirs his hand, but starves in hand the suit. + + +976. TO PERENNA. + + I a dirge will pen to thee; + Thou a trentall make for me: + That the monks and friars together, + Here may sing the rest of either: + Next, I'm sure, the nuns will have + Candlemas to grace the grave. + + _Trentall_, services for the dead. + + +977. TO HIS SISTER-IN-LAW, M. SUSANNA HERRICK. + + The person crowns the place; your lot doth fall + Last, yet to be with these a principal. + Howe'er it fortuned; know for truth, I meant + You a fore-leader in this testament. + + +978. UPON THE LADY CREW. + + This stone can tell the story of my life, + What was my birth, to whom I was a wife: + In teeming years, how soon my sun was set. + Where now I rest, these may be known by jet. + For other things, my many children be + The best and truest chronicles of me. + + +979. ON TOMASIN PARSONS. + + Grow up in beauty, as thou dost begin, + And be of all admired, Tomasin. + + +980. CEREMONY UPON CANDLEMAS EVE. + + Down with the rosemary, and so + Down with the bays and mistletoe; + Down with the holly, ivy, all, + Wherewith ye dressed the Christmas Hall: + That so the superstitious find + No one least branch there left behind: + For look, how many leaves there be + Neglected, there (maids, trust to me) + So many goblins you shall see. + + +981. SUSPICION MAKES SECURE. + + He that will live of all cares dispossess'd, + Must shun the bad, aye, and suspect the best. + + +983. TO HIS KINSMAN, M. THO. HERRICK, WHO DESIRED TO BE IN HIS BOOK. + + Welcome to this my college, and though late + Thou'st got a place here (standing candidate) + It matters not, since thou art chosen one + Here of my great and good foundation. + + +984. A BUCOLIC BETWIXT TWO: LACON AND THYRSIS. + + _Lacon._ For a kiss or two, confess, + What doth cause this pensiveness, + Thou most lovely neat-herdess? + Why so lonely on the hill? + Why thy pipe by thee so still, + That erewhile was heard so shrill? + Tell me, do thy kine now fail + To full fill the milking-pail? + Say, what is't that thou dost ail? + + _Thyr._ None of these; but out, alas! + A mischance is come to pass, + And I'll tell thee what it was: + See, mine eyes are weeping-ripe. + + _Lacon._ Tell, and I'll lay down my pipe. + + _Thyr._ I have lost my lovely steer, + That to me was far more dear + Than these kine which I milk here: + Broad of forehead, large of eye, + Party-colour'd like a pie; + Smooth in each limb as a die; + Clear of hoof, and clear of horn: + Sharply pointed as a thorn, + With a neck by yoke unworn; + From the which hung down by strings, + Balls of cowslips, daisy rings, + Interplac'd with ribbonings: + Faultless every way for shape; + Not a straw could him escape; + Ever gamesome as an ape, + But yet harmless as a sheep. + Pardon, Lacon, if I weep; + _Tears will spring where woes are deep_. + Now, ay me! ay me! Last night + Came a mad dog and did bite, + Aye, and kill'd my dear delight. + + _Lacon._ Alack, for grief! + + _Thyr._ But I'll be brief. + Hence I must, for time doth call + Me, and my sad playmates all, + To his ev'ning funeral. + Live long, Lacon, so adieu! + + _Lacon._ Mournful maid, farewell to you; + _Earth afford ye flowers to strew_. + + _Pie_, _i.e._, a magpie. + + +985. UPON SAPPHO. + + Look upon Sappho's lip, and you will swear + There is a love-like leaven rising there. + + +988. A BACCHANALIAN VERSE. + + Drink up + Your cup, + But not spill wine; + For if you + Do, + 'Tis an ill sign; + + That we + Foresee + You are cloy'd here, + If so, no + Ho, + But avoid here. + + +989. CARE A GOOD KEEPER. + + _Care keeps the conquest; 'tis no less renown + To keep a city than to win a town._ + + +990. RULES FOR OUR REACH. + + Men must have bounds how far to walk; for we + Are made far worse by lawless liberty. + + +991. TO BIANCA. + + Ah, Bianca! now I see + It is noon and past with me: + In a while it will strike one; + Then, Bianca, I am gone. + Some effusions let me have + Offer'd on my holy grave; + Then, Bianca, let me rest + With my face towards the East. + + +992. TO THE HANDSOME MISTRESS GRACE POTTER. + + As is your name, so is your comely face + Touch'd everywhere with such diffused grace, + As that in all that admirable round + There is not one least solecism found; + And as that part, so every portion else + Keeps line for line with beauty's parallels. + + +993. ANACREONTIC. + + I must + Not trust + Here to any; + Bereav'd, + Deceiv'd + By so many: + As one + Undone + By my losses; + Comply + Will I + With my crosses; + Yet still + I will + Not be grieving, + Since thence + And hence + Comes relieving. + But this + Sweet is + In our mourning; + Times bad + And sad + Are a-turning: + And he + Whom we + See dejected, + Next day + We may + See erected. + + +994. MORE MODEST, MORE MANLY. + + 'Tis still observ'd those men most valiant are, + That are most modest ere they come to war. + + +995. NOT TO COVET MUCH WHERE LITTLE IS THE CHARGE. + + Why should we covet much, whenas we know + W'ave more to bear our charge than way to go? + + +996. ANACREONTIC VERSE. + + Brisk methinks I am, and fine + When I drink my cap'ring wine: + Then to love I do incline, + When I drink my wanton wine: + And I wish all maidens mine, + When I drink my sprightly wine: + Well I sup and well I dine, + When I drink my frolic wine; + But I languish, lower, and pine, + When I want my fragrant wine. + + +998. PATIENCE IN PRINCES. + + _Kings must not use the axe for each offence: + Princes cure some faults by their patience._ + + +999. FEAR GETS FORCE. + + _Despair takes heart, when there's no hope to speed: + The coward then takes arms and does the deed._ + + +1000. PARCEL-GILT POETRY. + + Let's strive to be the best; the gods, we know it, + Pillars and men, hate an indifferent poet. + + +1001. UPON LOVE, BY WAY OF QUESTION AND ANSWER. + + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Like and dislike ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Stroke ye to strike ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Love will befool ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + Ans. Heat ye to cool ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Love gifts will send ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Stock ye to spend ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Love will fulfil ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Kiss ye to kill ye. + + +1002. TO THE LORD HOPTON, ON HIS FIGHT IN CORNWALL. + + Go on, brave Hopton, to effectuate that + Which we, and times to come, shall wonder at. + Lift up thy sword; next, suffer it to fall, + And by that one blow set an end to all. + + +1003. HIS GRANGE. + + How well contented in this private grange + Spend I my life, that's subject unto change: + Under whose roof with moss-work wrought, there I + Kiss my brown wife and black posterity. + + _Grange_, a farmstead. + + +1004. LEPROSY IN HOUSES. + + When to a house I come, and see + The Genius wasteful, more than free: + The servants thumbless, yet to eat + With lawless tooth the flour of wheat: + The sons to suck the milk of kine, + More than the teats of discipline: + The daughters wild and loose in dress, + Their cheeks unstained with shamefac'dness: + The husband drunk, the wife to be + A bawd to incivility; + I must confess, I there descry, + A house spread through with leprosy. + + _Thumbless_, lazy: cp. painful thumb, _supra_. + + +1005. GOOD MANNERS AT MEAT. + + This rule of manners I will teach my guests: + To come with their own bellies unto feasts; + Not to eat equal portions, but to rise + Farced with the food that may themselves suffice. + + _Farced_, stuffed. + + +1006. ANTHEA'S RETRACTATION. + + Anthea laugh'd, and fearing lest excess + Might stretch the cords of civil comeliness, + She with a dainty blush rebuk'd her face, + And call'd each line back to his rule and space. + + +1007. COMFORTS IN CROSSES. + + Be not dismayed though crosses cast thee down; + Thy fall is but the rising to a crown. + + +1008. SEEK AND FIND. + + _Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt; + Nothing's so hard but search will find it out._ + + +1009. REST. + + On with thy work, though thou be'st hardly press'd: + _Labour is held up by the hope of rest_. + + +1010. LEPROSY IN CLOTHES. + + When flowing garments I behold + Inspir'd with purple, pearl and gold, + I think no other, but I see + In them a glorious leprosy + That does infect and make the rent + More mortal in the vestiment. + _As flowery vestures do descry + The wearer's rich immodesty: + So plain and simple clothes do show + Where virtue walks, not those that flow._ + + +1012. GREAT MALADIES, LONG MEDICINES. + + _To an old sore a long cure must go on: + Great faults require great satisfaction._ + + +1013. HIS ANSWER TO A FRIEND. + + You ask me what I do, and how I live? + And, noble friend, this answer I must give: + Drooping, I draw on to the vaults of death, + O'er which you'll walk, when I am laid beneath. + + +1014. THE BEGGAR. + + Shall I a daily beggar be, + For love's sake asking alms of thee? + Still shall I crave, and never get + A hope of my desired bit? + Ah, cruel maids! I'll go my way, + Whereas, perchance, my fortunes may + Find out a threshold or a door + That may far sooner speed the poor: + Where thrice we knock, and none will hear, + Cold comfort still I'm sure lives there. + + +1015. BASTARDS. + + Our bastard children are but like to plate + Made by the coiners--illegitimate. + + +1016. HIS CHANGE. + + My many cares and much distress + Has made me like a wilderness; + Or, discompos'd, I'm like a rude + And all confused multitude: + Out of my comely manners worn, + And, as in means, in mind all torn. + + +1017. THE VISION. + + Methought I saw, as I did dream in bed, + A crawling vine about Anacreon's head. + Flushed was his face; his hairs with oil did shine; + And, as he spake, his mouth ran o'er with wine. + Tippled he was, and tippling lisped withal; + And lisping reeled, and reeling like to fall. + A young enchantress close by him did stand, + Tapping his plump thighs with a myrtle wand: + She smil'd; he kiss'd; and kissing, cull'd her too, + And being cup-shot, more he could not do. + For which, methought, in pretty anger she + Snatched off his crown, and gave the wreath to me; + Since when, methinks, my brains about do swim, + And I am wild and wanton like to him. + + _Cull'd_, embraced. + _Cup-shot_, drunk. + + +1018. A VOW TO VENUS. + + Happily I had a sight + Of my dearest dear last night; + Make her this day smile on me, + And I'll roses give to thee. + + +1019. ON HIS BOOK. + + The bound, almost, now of my book I see, + But yet no end of these therein, or me: + Here we begin new life, while thousands quite + Are lost, and theirs, in everlasting night. + + +1020. A SONNET OF PERILLA. + + Then did I live when I did see + Perilla smile on none but me. + But, ah! by stars malignant crossed, + The life I got I quickly lost; + But yet a way there doth remain + For me embalm'd to live again, + And that's to love me; in which state + I'll live as one regenerate. + + +1021. BAD MAY BE BETTER. + + Man may at first transgress, but next do well: + _Vice doth in some but lodge a while, not dwell_. + + +1022. POSTING TO PRINTING. + + Let others to the printing press run fast; + Since after death comes glory, I'll not haste. + + +1023. RAPINE BRINGS RUIN. + + What's got by justice is established sure: + _No kingdoms got by rapine long endure_. + + +1024. COMFORT TO A YOUTH THAT HAD LOST HIS LOVE. + + What needs complaints, + When she a place + Has with the race + Of saints? + In endless mirth, + She thinks not on + What's said or done + In earth. + She sees no tears, + Or any tone + Of thy deep groan + She hears: + Nor does she mind, + Or think on't now, + That ever thou + Wast kind; + But chang'd above, + She likes not there. + As she did here, + Thy love. + Forbear, therefore, + And lull asleep + Thy woes, and weep + No more. + + +1026. SAINT DISTAFF'S DAY, OR THE MORROW AFTER TWELFTH DAY. + + Partly work and partly play + Ye must on S. Distaff's day: + From the plough soon free your team, + Then come home and fodder them. + If the maids a-spinning go, + Burn the flax and fire the tow; + Scorch their plackets, but beware + That ye singe no maidenhair. + Bring in pails of water, then, + Let the maids bewash the men. + Give S. Distaff all the right, + Then bid Christmas sport good-night; + And next morrow everyone + To his own vocation. + + _Plackets_, petticoats. + + +1027. SUFFERANCE. + + In the hope of ease to come, + Let's endure one martyrdom. + + +1028. HIS TEARS TO THAMESIS. + + I send, I send here my supremest kiss + To thee, my silver-footed Thamesis. + No more shall I reiterate thy Strand, + Whereon so many stately structures stand: + Nor in the summer's sweeter evenings go + To bathe in thee, as thousand others do; + No more shall I along thy crystal glide + In barge with boughs and rushes beautifi'd, + With soft-smooth virgins for our chaste disport, + To Richmond, Kingston, and to Hampton Court. + Never again shall I with finny oar + Put from, or draw unto the faithful shore: + And landing here, or safely landing there, + Make way to my beloved Westminster, + Or to the golden Cheapside, where the earth + Of Julia Herrick gave to me my birth. + May all clean nymphs and curious water-dames + With swan-like state float up and down thy streams: + No drought upon thy wanton waters fall + To make them lean and languishing at all. + No ruffling winds come hither to disease + Thy pure and silver-wristed Naiades. + Keep up your state, ye streams; and as ye spring, + Never make sick your banks by surfeiting. + Grow young with tides, and though I see ye never, + Receive this vow, so fare ye well for ever. + + _Reiterate_, retread. + + +1029. PARDONS. + + Those ends in war the best contentment bring, + _Whose peace is made up with a pardoning_. + + +1030. PEACE NOT PERMANENT. + + _Great cities seldom rest; if there be none + T' invade from far, they'll find worse foes at home._ + + +1031. TRUTH AND ERROR. + + _'Twixt truth and error there's this difference known; + Error is fruitful, truth is only one._ + + +1032. THINGS MORTAL STILL MUTABLE. + + _Things are uncertain, and the more we get, + The more on icy pavements we are set._ + + +1033. STUDIES TO BE SUPPORTED. + + _Studies themselves will languish and decay, + When either price or praise is ta'en away._ + + +1034. WIT PUNISHED, PROSPERS MOST. + + Dread not the shackles: on with thine intent; + _Good wits get more fame by their punishment_. + + +1035. TWELFTH NIGHT: OR, KING AND QUEEN. + + Now, now the mirth comes + With the cake full of plums, + Where bean's the king of the sport here; + Beside we must know, + The pea also + Must revel, as queen, in the court here. + + Begin then to choose, + This night as ye use, + Who shall for the present delight here, + Be a king by the lot, + And who shall not + Be Twelfth-day queen for the night here. + + Which known, let us make + Joy-sops with the cake; + And let not a man then be seen here, + Who unurg'd will not drink + To the base from the brink + A health to the king and the queen here. + + Next crown the bowl full + With gentle lamb's wool: + Add sugar, nutmeg, and ginger, + With store of ale too; + And thus ye must do + To make the wassail a swinger. + + Give then to the king + And queen wassailing: + And though with ale ye be whet here, + Yet part ye from hence, + As free from offence + As when ye innocent met here. + + +1036. HIS DESIRE. + + Give me a man that is not dull + When all the world with rifts is full; + But unamaz'd dares clearly sing, + Whenas the roof's a-tottering: + And, though it falls, continues still + Tickling the cittern with his quill. + + _Cittern_, a kind of lute; _quill_, the plectrum for striking it. + + +1037. CAUTION IN COUNSEL. + + Know when to speak; for many times it brings + Danger to give the best advice to kings. + + +1038. MODERATION. + + Let moderation on thy passions wait; + Who loves too much, too much the lov'd will hate. + + +1039. ADVICE THE BEST ACTOR. + + _Still take advice; though counsels, when they fly + At random, sometimes hit most happily._ + + +1040. CONFORMITY IS COMELY. + + _Conformity gives comeliness to things: + And equal shares exclude all murmurings._ + + +1041. LAWS. + + Who violates the customs, hurts the health, + Not of one man, but all the commonwealth. + + +1042. THE MEAN. + + 'Tis much among the filthy to be clean; + _Our heat of youth can hardly keep the mean_. + + +1043. LIKE LOVES HIS LIKE. + + Like will to like, each creature loves his kind; + Chaste words proceed still from a bashful mind. + + +1044. HIS HOPE OR SHEET ANCHOR. + + Among these tempests great and manifold + My ship has here one only anchor-hold; + That is my hope, which if that slip, I'm one + Wildered in this vast wat'ry region. + + +1045. COMFORT IN CALAMITY. + + 'Tis no discomfort in the world to fall, + When the great crack not crushes one, but all. + + +1046. TWILIGHT. + + The twilight is no other thing, we say, + Than night now gone, and yet not sprung the day. + + +1047. FALSE MOURNING. + + He who wears blacks, and mourns not for the dead, + Does but deride the party buried. + + _Blacks_, mourning garments. + + +1048. THE WILL MAKES THE WORK; OR, CONSENT MAKES THE CURE. + + No grief is grown so desperate, but the ill + Is half way cured if the party will. + + +1049. DIET. + + If wholesome diet can recure a man, + What need of physic or physician? + + +1050. SMART. + + Stripes, justly given, yerk us with their fall; + But causeless whipping smarts the most of all. + + +1051. THE TINKER'S SONG. + + Along, come along, + Let's meet in a throng + Here of tinkers; + And quaff up a bowl + As big as a cowl + To beer drinkers. + The pole of the hop + Place in the aleshop + To bethwack us, + If ever we think + So much as to drink + Unto Bacchus. + Who frolic will be + For little cost, he + Must not vary + From beer-broth at all, + So much as to call + For Canary. + + +1052. HIS COMFORT. + + The only comfort of my life + Is, that I never yet had wife; + Nor will hereafter; since I know + Who weds, o'er-buys his weal with woe + + +1053. SINCERITY. + + Wash clean the vessel, lest ye sour + Whatever liquor in ye pour. + + +1054. TO ANTHEA. + + Sick is Anthea, sickly is the spring, + The primrose sick, and sickly everything; + The while my dear Anthea does but droop, + The tulips, lilies, daffodils do stoop: + But when again she's got her healthful hour, + Each bending then will rise a proper flower. + + +1055. NOR BUYING OR SELLING. + + Now, if you love me, tell me, + For as I will not sell ye, + So not one cross to buy thee + I'll give, if thou deny me. + + _Cross_, a coin. + + +1056. TO HIS PECULIAR FRIEND, M. JO. WICKS. + + Since shed or cottage I have none, + I sing the more, that thou hast one + To whose glad threshold, and free door, + I may a poet come, though poor, + And eat with thee a savoury bit, + Paying but common thanks for it. + Yet should I chance, my Wicks, to see + An over-leaven look in thee, + To sour the bread, and turn the beer + To an exalted vinegar: + Or should'st thou prize me as a dish + Of thrice-boiled worts, or third-day's fish; + I'd rather hungry go and come, + Than to thy house be burdensome; + Yet, in my depth of grief, I'd be + One that should drop his beads for thee. + + _Worts_, cabbages. + _Drop his beads_, _i.e._, pray. + + +1057. THE MORE MIGHTY, THE MORE MERCIFUL. + + _Who may do most, does least: the bravest will + Show mercy there, where they have power to kill._ + + +1058. AFTER AUTUMN, WINTER. + + Die ere long, I'm sure, I shall; + After leaves, the tree must fall. + + +1059. A GOOD DEATH. + + For truth I may this sentence tell, + _No man dies ill, that liveth well_. + + +1060. RECOMPENSE. + + Who plants an olive, but to eat the oil? + _Reward, we know, is the chief end of toil_. + + +1061. ON FORTUNE. + + This is my comfort when she's most unkind: + She can but spoil me of my means, not mind. + + +1062. TO SIR GEORGE PARRY, DOCTOR OF THE CIVIL LAW. + + I have my laurel chaplet on my head + If, 'mongst these many numbers to be read, + But one by you be hugg'd and cherished. + + Peruse my measures thoroughly, and where + Your judgment finds a guilty poem, there + Be you a judge; but not a judge severe. + + The mean pass by, or over, none contemn; + The good applaud; the peccant less condemn, + Since absolution you can give to them. + + Stand forth, brave man, here to the public sight; + And in my book now claim a twofold right: + The first as doctor, and the last as knight. + + +1063. CHARMS. + + This I'll tell ye by the way: + Maidens, when ye leavens lay, + Cross your dough, and your dispatch + Will be better for your batch. + + +1064. ANOTHER. + + In the morning when ye rise, + Wash your hands and cleanse your eyes. + Next be sure ye have a care + To disperse the water far; + For as far as that doth light, + So far keeps the evil sprite. + + +1065. ANOTHER. + + If ye fear to be affrighted + When ye are by chance benighted, + In your pocket for a trust + Carry nothing but a crust: + For that holy piece of bread + Charms the danger and the dread. + + +1067. GENTLENESS. + + _That prince must govern with a gentle hand + Who will have love comply with his command._ + + +1068. A DIALOGUE BETWEEN HIMSELF AND MISTRESS ELIZA WHEELER, UNDER THE +NAME OF AMARYLLIS. + + _Her._ My dearest love, since thou wilt go, + And leave me here behind thee, + For love or pity let me know + The place where I may find thee. + + _Ama._ In country meadows pearl'd with dew, + And set about with lilies, + There, filling maunds with cowslips, you + May find your Amaryllis. + + _Her._ What have the meads to do with thee, + Or with thy youthful hours? + Live thou at Court, where thou mayst be + The queen of men, not flowers. + + Let country wenches make 'em fine + With posies, since 'tis fitter + For thee with richest gems to shine, + And like the stars to glitter. + + _Ama._ You set too high a rate upon + A shepherdess so homely. + _Her._ Believe it, dearest, there's not one + I' th' Court that's half so comely. + + I prithee stay. _Ama._ I must away; + Let's kiss first, then we'll sever. + _Ambo._ And though we bid adieu to-day, + We shall not part for ever. + + _Maunds_, baskets. + + +1069. TO JULIA. + + Help me, Julia, for to pray, + Matins sing, or matins say: + This, I know, the fiend will fly + Far away, if thou be'st by. + Bring the holy water hither, + Let us wash and pray together; + When our beads are thus united, + Then the foe will fly affrighted. + + _Beads_, prayers. + + +1070. TO ROSES IN JULIA'S BOSOM. + + Roses, you can never die, + Since the place wherein ye lie, + Heat and moisture mix'd are so + As to make ye ever grow. + + +1071. TO THE HONOURED MASTER ENDYMION PORTER. + + When to thy porch I come and ravish'd see + The state of poets there attending thee, + Those bards and I, all in a chorus sing: + We are thy prophets, Porter, thou our king. + + +1072. SPEAK IN SEASON. + + When times are troubled, then forbear; but speak + When a clear day out of a cloud does break. + + +1073. OBEDIENCE. + + The power of princes rests in the consent + Of only those who are obedient: + Which if away, proud sceptres then will lie + Low, and of thrones the ancient majesty. + + +1074. ANOTHER OF THE SAME. + + _No man so well a kingdom rules as he + Who hath himself obeyed the sovereignty._ + + +1075. OF LOVE. + + 1. Instruct me now what love will do. + 2. 'Twill make a tongueless man to woo. + 1. Inform me next, what love will do. + 2. 'Twill strangely make a one of two. + 1. Teach me besides, what love will do. + 2. 'Twill quickly mar, and make ye too. + 1. Tell me now last, what love will do. + 2. 'Twill hurt and heal a heart pierc'd through. + + +1076. UPON TRAP. + + Trap of a player turn'd a priest now is: + Behold a sudden metamorphosis. + If tithe-pigs fail, then will he shift the scene, + And from a priest turn player once again. + + +1080. THE SCHOOL OR PEARL OF PUTNEY, THE MISTRESS OF ALL SINGULAR +MANNERS, MISTRESS PORTMAN. + + Whether I was myself, or else did see + Out of myself that glorious hierarchy; + Or whether those, in orders rare, or these + Made up one state of sixty Venuses; + Or whether fairies, syrens, nymphs they were, + Or muses on their mountain sitting there; + Or some enchanted place, I do not know, + Or Sharon, where eternal roses grow. + This I am sure: I ravished stood, as one + Confus'd in utter admiration. + Methought I saw them stir, and gently move, + And look as all were capable of love; + And in their motion smelt much like to flowers + Inspir'd by th' sunbeams after dews and showers. + There did I see the reverend rectress stand, + Who with her eye's gleam, or a glance of hand, + Those spirits raised; and with like precepts then, + As with a magic, laid them all again. + _A happy realm! When no compulsive law, + Or fear of it, but love keeps all in awe._ + Live you, great mistress of your arts, and be + A nursing mother so to majesty, + As those your ladies may in time be seen, + For grace and carriage, everyone a queen. + One birth their parents gave them; but their new, + And better being, they receive from you. + _Man's former birth is graceless; but the state + Of life comes in, when he's regenerate._ + + +1081. TO PERENNA. + + Thou say'st I'm dull; if edgeless so I be, + I'll whet my lips, and sharpen love on thee. + + +1082. ON HIMSELF. + + Let me not live if I not love: + Since I as yet did never prove + Where pleasures met, at last do find + All pleasures meet in womankind. + + +1083. ON LOVE. + + That love 'twixt men does ever longest last + Where war and peace the dice by turns do cast. + + +1084. ANOTHER ON LOVE. + + Love's of itself too sweet; the best of all + Is, when love's honey has a dash of gall. + + +1086. UPON CHUB. + + When Chub brings in his harvest, still he cries, + "Aha, my boys! here's meat for Christmas pies!" + Soon after he for beer so scores his wheat, + That at the tide he has not bread to eat. + + +1087. PLEASURES PERNICIOUS. + + Where pleasures rule a kingdom, never there + Is sober virtue seen to move her sphere. + + +1088. ON HIMSELF. + + A wearied pilgrim, I have wandered here + Twice five-and-twenty, bate me but one year; + Long I have lasted in this world, 'tis true, + But yet those years that I have lived, but few. + Who by his grey hairs doth his lusters tell, + Lives not those years, but he that lives them well. + One man has reach'd his sixty years, but he + Of all those threescore, has not liv'd half three. + _He lives, who lives to virtue; men who cast + Their ends for pleasure, do not live, but last._ + + _Luster_, five years. + + +1089. TO M. LAURENCE SWETNAHAM. + + Read thou my lines, my Swetnaham; if there be + A fault, 'tis hid if it be voic'd by thee. + Thy mouth will make the sourest numbers please: + How will it drop pure honey speaking these! + + +1090. HIS COVENANT; OR, PROTESTATION TO JULIA. + + Why dost thou wound and break my heart, + As if we should for ever part? + Hast thou not heard an oath from me, + After a day, or two, or three, + I would come back and live with thee? + Take, if thou dost distrust that vow, + This second protestation now. + Upon thy cheek that spangled tear, + Which sits as dew of roses there, + That tear shall scarce be dried before + I'll kiss the threshold of thy door. + Then weep not, sweet; but thus much know, + I'm half return'd before I go. + + +1091. ON HIMSELF. + + I will no longer kiss, + I can no longer stay; + The way of all flesh is + That I must go this day. + Since longer I can't live, + My frolic youths, adieu; + My lamp to you I'll give, + And all my troubles too. + + +1092. TO THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED GENTLEMAN, M. MICHAEL OULSWORTH. + + Nor think that thou in this my book art worst, + Because not plac'd here with the midst, or first. + Since fame that sides with these, or goes before + Those, that must live with thee for evermore; + That fame, and fame's rear'd pillar, thou shalt see + In the next sheet, brave man, to follow thee. + Fix on that column then, and never fall, + Held up by Fame's eternal pedestal. + + _In the next sheet._ See 1129. + + +1093. TO HIS GIRLS, WHO WOULD HAVE HIM SPORTFUL. + + Alas! I can't, for tell me, how + Can I be gamesome, aged now? + Besides, ye see me daily grow + Here, winter-like, to frost and snow; + And I, ere long, my girls, shall see + Ye quake for cold to look on me. + + +1094. TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD. + + _Truth by her own simplicity is known, + Falsehood by varnish and vermilion._ + + +1095. HIS LAST REQUEST TO JULIA. + + I have been wanton and too bold, I fear, + To chafe o'ermuch the virgin's cheek or ear. + Beg for my pardon, Julia: _he doth win + Grace with the gods who's sorry for his sin_. + That done, my Julia, dearest Julia, come + And go with me to choose my burial room: + My fates are ended; when thy Herrick dies, + Clasp thou his book, then close thou up his eyes. + + +1096. ON HIMSELF. + + One ear tingles; some there be + That are snarling now at me: + Be they those that Homer bit, + I will give them thanks for it. + + +1097. UPON KINGS. + + _Kings must be dauntless; subjects will contemn + Those who want hearts and wear a diadem._ + + +1098. TO HIS GIRLS. + + Wanton wenches, do not bring + For my hairs black colouring: + For my locks, girls, let 'em be + Grey or white, all's one to me. + + +1100. TO HIS BROTHER, NICHOLAS HERRICK. + + What others have with cheapness seen and ease + In varnish'd maps, by th' help of compasses, + Or read in volumes and those books with all + Their large narrations incanonical, + Thou hast beheld those seas and countries far, + And tell'st to us what once they were, and are. + So that with bold truth thou can'st now relate + This kingdom's fortune, and that empire's fate: + Can'st talk to us of Sharon, where a spring + Of roses have an endless flourishing; + Of Sion, Sinai, Nebo, and with them + Make known to us the new Jerusalem; + The Mount of Olives, Calvary, and where + Is, and hast seen, thy Saviour's sepulchre. + So that the man that will but lay his ears + As inapostate to the thing he hears, + Shall by his hearing quickly come to see + The truth of travels less in books than thee. + + _Large_, exaggerated. + _Incanonical_, untrustworthy. + + +1101. THE VOICE AND VIOL. + + Rare is the voice itself: but when we sing + To th' lute or viol, then 'tis ravishing. + + +1102. WAR. + + If kings and kingdoms once distracted be, + The sword of war must try the sovereignty + + +1103. A KING AND NO KING. + + _That prince who may do nothing but what's just, + Rules but by leave, and takes his crown on trust._ + + +1104. PLOTS NOT STILL PROSPEROUS. + + All are not ill plots that do sometimes fail; + Nor those false vows which ofttimes don't prevail. + + +1105. FLATTERY. + + What is't that wastes a prince? example shows, + 'Tis flattery spends a king, more than his foes. + + +1109. EXCESS. + + Excess is sluttish: keep the mean; for why? + Virtue's clean conclave is sobriety. + + _Conclave_, guard. + + +1111. THE SOUL IS THE SALT. + + The body's salt the soul is; which when gone, + The flesh soon sucks in putrefaction. + + +1117. ABSTINENCE. + + Against diseases here the strongest fence + Is the defensive virtue, abstinence. + + +1118. NO DANGER TO MEN DESPERATE. + + When fear admits no hope of safety, then + Necessity makes dastards valiant men. + + +1119. SAUCE FOR SORROWS. + + Although our suffering meet with no relief, + _An equal mind is the best sauce for grief_. + + +1120. TO CUPID. + + I have a leaden, thou a shaft of gold; + Thou kill'st with heat, and I strike dead with cold. + Let's try of us who shall the first expire; + Or thou by frost, or I by quenchless fire: + _Extremes are fatal where they once do strike, + And bring to th' heart destruction both alike_. + + +1121. DISTRUST. + + Whatever men for loyalty pretend, + _'Tis wisdom's part to doubt a faithful friend_. + + +1123. THE MOUNT OF THE MUSES. + + After thy labour take thine ease, + Here with the sweet Pierides. + But if so be that men will not + Give thee the laurel crown for lot; + Be yet assur'd, thou shall have one + Not subject to corruption. + + +1124. ON HIMSELF. + + I'll write no more of love; but now repent + Of all those times that I in it have spent. + I'll write no more of life; but wish 'twas ended, + And that my dust was to the earth commended. + + +1125. TO HIS BOOK. + + Go thou forth, my book, though late: + Yet be timely fortunate. + It may chance good luck may send + Thee a kinsman, or a friend, + That may harbour thee, when I + With my fates neglected lie. + If thou know'st not where to dwell, + See, the fire's by: farewell. + + +1126. THE END OF HIS WORK. + + Part of the work remains; one part is past: + And here my ship rides, having anchor cast. + + +1127. TO CROWN IT. + + My wearied bark, O let it now be crown'd! + The haven reach'd to which I first was bound. + + +1128. ON HIMSELF. + + The work is done: young men and maidens, set + Upon my curls the myrtle coronet + Washed with sweet ointments: thus at last I come + To suffer in the Muses' martyrdom; + But with this comfort, if my blood be shed, + The Muses will wear blacks when I am dead. + + _Blacks_, mourning garments. + + +1129. THE PILLAR OF FAME. + + Fame's pillar here, at last, we set, + Outduring marble, brass, or jet. + Charm'd and enchanted so + As to withstand the blow + Of o v e r t h r o w; + Nor shall the seas, + Or o u t r a g e s + Of storms o'erbear + What we uprear. + Tho' kingdoms fall, + This pillar never shall + Decline or waste at all; + But stand for ever by his own + Firm and well-fix'd foundation. + + + To his book's end this last line he'd have placed: + _Jocund his muse was, but his life was chaste_. + + + + + HIS + + NOBLE NUMBERS: + + _OR_, + + HIS PIOUS PIECES, + + Wherein (amongst other things) + + he sings the Birth of his CHRIST; + and sighes for his _Saviours_ suffering + on the _Crosse_. + + + HESIOD. + + {Idmen pseudea polla legein etymoisin homoia. + Idmen d', eut' ethelômen, alêthea mythêsasthai.} + + [Illustration] + + + LONDON + Printed for _John Williams_, and _Francis Eglesfield_. + 1647. + + + + + HIS NOBLE NUMBERS: + + OR, + + HIS PIOUS PIECES. + + +1. HIS CONFESSION. + + Look how our foul days do exceed our fair; + And as our bad, more than our good works are, + E'en so those lines, pen'd by my wanton wit, + Treble the number of these good I've writ. + Things precious are least numerous: men are prone + To do ten bad for one good action. + + +2. HIS PRAYER FOR ABSOLUTION. + + For those my unbaptised rhymes, + Writ in my wild unhallowed times; + For every sentence, clause, and word, + That's not inlaid with Thee, my Lord, + Forgive me, God, and blot each line + Out of my book that is not Thine. + But if, 'mongst all, thou find'st here one + Worthy Thy benediction; + That one of all the rest shall be + The glory of my work and me. + + +3. TO FIND GOD. + + Weigh me the fire; or canst thou find + A way to measure out the wind; + Distinguish all those floods that are + Mix'd in that watery theatre; + And taste thou them as saltless there + As in their channel first they were. + Tell me the people that do keep + Within the kingdoms of the deep; + Or fetch me back that cloud again + Beshiver'd into seeds of rain; + Tell me the motes, dust, sands, and spears + Of corn, when summer shakes his ears; + Show me that world of stars, and whence + They noiseless spill their influence: + This if thou canst, then show me Him + That rides the glorious cherubim. + + _Keep_, abide. + + +4. WHAT GOD IS. + + God is above the sphere of our esteem, + And is the best known, not defining Him. + + +5. UPON GOD. + + God is not only said to be + An Ens, but Supraentity. + + +6. MERCY AND LOVE. + + God hath two wings which He doth ever move; + The one is mercy, and the next is love: + Under the first the sinners ever trust; + And with the last He still directs the just. + + +7. GOD'S ANGER WITHOUT AFFECTION. + + God when He's angry here with anyone, + His wrath is free from perturbation; + And when we think His looks are sour and grim, + The alteration is in us, not Him. + + +8. GOD NOT TO BE COMPREHENDED. + + 'Tis hard to find God, but to comprehend + Him, as He is, is labour without end. + + +9. GOD'S PART. + + Prayers and praises are those spotless two + Lambs, by the law, which God requires as due. + + +10. AFFLICTION. + + God ne'er afflicts us more than our desert, + Though He may seem to overact His part: + Sometimes He strikes us more than flesh can bear; + But yet still less than grace can suffer here. + + +11. THREE FATAL SISTERS. + + Three fatal sisters wait upon each sin; + First, fear and shame without, then guilt within. + + +12. SILENCE. + + Suffer thy legs, but not thy tongue to walk: + God, the Most Wise, is sparing of His talk. + + +13. MIRTH. + + True mirth resides not in the smiling skin: + The sweetest solace is to act no sin. + + +14. LOADING AND UNLOADING. + + God loads and unloads, thus His work begins, + To load with blessings and unload from sins. + + +15. GOD'S MERCY. + + God's boundless mercy is, to sinful man, + Like to the ever-wealthy ocean: + Which though it sends forth thousand streams, 'tis ne'er + Known, or else seen, to be the emptier; + And though it takes all in, 'tis yet no more + Full, and fill'd full, than when full fill'd before. + + +16. PRAYERS MUST HAVE POISE. + + God, He rejects all prayers that are slight + And want their poise: words ought to have their weight. + + +17. TO GOD: AN ANTHEM SUNG IN THE CHAPEL AT WHITEHALL BEFORE THE KING. + + _Verse._ My God, I'm wounded by my sin, + And sore without, and sick within. + _Ver. Chor._ I come to Thee, in hope to find + Salve for my body and my mind. + _Verse._ In Gilead though no balm be found + To ease this smart or cure this wound, + _Ver. Chor._ Yet, Lord, I know there is with Thee + All saving health, and help for me. + _Verse._ Then reach Thou forth that hand of Thine, + That pours in oil, as well as wine, + _Ver. Chor._ And let it work, for I'll endure + The utmost smart, so Thou wilt cure. + + +18. UPON GOD. + + God is all fore-part; for, we never see + Any part backward in the Deity. + + +19. CALLING AND CORRECTING. + + God is not only merciful to call + Men to repent, but when He strikes withal. + + +20. NO ESCAPING THE SCOURGING. + + God scourgeth some severely, some He spares; + But all in smart have less or greater shares. + + +21. THE ROD. + + God's rod doth watch while men do sleep, and then + The rod doth sleep, while vigilant are men. + + +22. GOD HAS A TWOFOLD PART. + + God, when for sin He makes His children smart, + His own He acts not, but another's part; + But when by stripes He saves them, then 'tis known + He comes to play the part that is His own. + + +23. GOD IS ONE. + + God, as He is most holy known, + So He is said to be most one. + + +24. PERSECUTIONS PROFITABLE. + + Afflictions they most profitable are + To the beholder and the sufferer: + Bettering them both, but by a double strain, + The first by patience, and the last by pain. + + +25. TO GOD. + + Do with me, God, as Thou didst deal with John, + Who writ that heavenly Revelation. + Let me, like him, first cracks of thunder hear, + Then let the harps enchantments stroke mine ear: + Here give me thorns, there, in Thy kingdom, set + Upon my head the golden coronet; + There give me day; but here my dreadful night: + My sackcloth here; but there my stole of white. + + _Stroke_, text _strike_. + + +26. WHIPS. + + God has His whips here to a twofold end: + The bad to punish, and the good t' amend. + +27. GOD'S PROVIDENCE. + + If all transgressions here should have their pay, + What need there then be of a reckoning day? + If God should punish no sin here of men, + His providence who would not question then? + + +28. TEMPTATION. + + Those saints which God loves best, + The devil tempts not least. + + +29. HIS EJACULATION TO GOD. + + My God! look on me with Thine eye + Of pity, not of scrutiny; + For if Thou dost, Thou then shalt see + Nothing but loathsome sores in me. + O then, for mercy's sake, behold + These my eruptions manifold, + And heal me with Thy look or touch; + But if Thou wilt not deign so much, + Because I'm odious in Thy sight, + Speak but the word, and cure me quite. + + +30. GOD'S GIFTS NOT SOON GRANTED. + + God hears us when we pray, but yet defers + His gifts, to exercise petitioners; + And though a while He makes requesters stay, + With princely hand He'll recompense delay. + + +31. PERSECUTIONS PURIFY. + + God strikes His Church, but 'tis to this intent, + To make, not mar her, by this punishment; + So where He gives the bitter pills, be sure + 'Tis not to poison, but to make thee pure. + + +32. PARDON. + + God pardons those who do through frailty sin, + But never those that persevere therein. + + +33. AN ODE OF THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOUR. + + In numbers, and but these few, + I sing Thy birth, O JESU! + Thou pretty baby, born here, + With sup'rabundant scorn here; + Who for Thy princely port here, + Hadst for Thy place + Of birth a base + Out-stable for Thy court here. + + Instead of neat enclosures + Of interwoven osiers, + Instead of fragrant posies + Of daffodils and roses, + Thy cradle, Kingly Stranger, + As Gospel tells, + Was nothing else + But here a homely manger. + + But we with silks, not crewels, + With sundry precious jewels, + And lily-work will dress Thee; + And as we dispossess Thee + Of clouts, we'll make a chamber, + Sweet babe, for Thee + Of ivory, + And plaister'd round with amber. + + The Jews they did disdain Thee, + But we will entertain Thee + With glories to await here, + Upon Thy princely state here; + And more for love than pity, + From year to year, + We'll make Thee, here, + A freeborn of our city. + + _Crewels_, worsteds. + _Clouts_, rags. + + +34. LIP-LABOUR. + + In the old Scripture I have often read, + The calf without meal ne'er was offered; + To figure to us nothing more than this, + Without the heart lip-labour nothing is. + + +35. THE HEART. + + In prayer the lips ne'er act the winning part, + Without the sweet concurrence of the heart. + + +36. EARRINGS. + + Why wore th' Egyptians jewels in the ear? + But for to teach us, all the grace is there, + When we obey, by acting what we hear. + + +37. SIN SEEN. + + When once the sin has fully acted been, + Then is the horror of the trespass seen. + + +38. UPON TIME. + + Time was upon + The wing, to fly away; + And I call'd on + Him but awhile to stay; + But he'd be gone, + For ought that I could say. + + He held out then + A writing, as he went; + And ask'd me, when + False man would be content + To pay again + What God and Nature lent. + + An hour-glass, + In which were sands but few, + As he did pass, + He show'd, and told me, too, + Mine end near was; + And so away he flew. + + +39. HIS PETITION. + + If war or want shall make me grow so poor, + As for to beg my bread from door to door; + Lord! let me never act that beggar's part, + Who hath Thee in his mouth, not in his heart: + He who asks alms in that so sacred Name, + Without due reverence, plays the cheater's game. + + +40. TO GOD. + + Thou hast promis'd, Lord, to be + With me in my misery; + Suffer me to be so bold + As to speak, Lord, say and hold. + + +41. HIS LITANY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. + + In the hour of my distress, + When temptations me oppress, + And when I my sins confess, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When I lie within my bed, + Sick in heart and sick in head, + And with doubts discomforted, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the house doth sigh and weep, + And the world is drown'd in sleep, + Yet mine eyes the watch do keep, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the artless doctor sees + No one hope, but of his fees, + And his skill runs on the lees, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When his potion and his pill + Has, or none, or little skill, + Meet for nothing, but to kill; + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the passing bell doth toll, + And the furies in a shoal + Come to fright a parting soul, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the tapers now burn blue, + And the comforters are few, + And that number more than true, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the priest his last hath prayed, + And I nod to what is said, + 'Cause my speech is now decayed, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When, God knows, I'm toss'd about, + Either with despair, or doubt; + Yet before the glass be out, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the tempter me pursu'th + With the sins of all my youth, + And half damns me with untruth, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the flames and hellish cries + Fright mine ears, and fright mine eyes, + And all terrors me surprise, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the judgment is reveal'd, + And that open'd which was seal'd, + When to Thee I have appeal'd, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + +42. THANKSGIVING. + + Thanksgiving for a former, doth invite + God to bestow a second benefit. + + +43. COCK-CROW. + + Bellman of night, if I about shall go + For to deny my Master, do thou crow. + Thou stop'dst St. Peter in the midst of sin; + Stay me, by crowing, ere I do begin: + Better it is, premonish'd for to shun + A sin, than fall to weeping when 'tis done. + + +44. ALL THINGS RUN WELL FOR THE RIGHTEOUS. + + Adverse and prosperous fortunes both work on + Here, for the righteous man's salvation; + Be he oppos'd, or be he not withstood, + All serve to th' augmentation of his good. + + +45. PAIN ENDS IN PLEASURE. + + Afflictions bring us joy in times to come, + When sins, by stripes, to us grow wearisome. + + +46. TO GOD. + + I'll come, I'll creep, though Thou dost threat, + Humbly unto Thy mercy-seat: + When I am there, this then I'll do, + Give Thee a dart, and dagger too; + Next, when I have my faults confessed, + Naked I'll show a sighing breast; + Which if that can't Thy pity woo, + Then let Thy justice do the rest + And strike it through. + + +47. A THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR HIS HOUSE. + + Lord, Thou hast given me a cell + Wherein to dwell; + A little house, whose humble roof + Is weather-proof; + Under the spars of which I lie + Both soft and dry; + Where Thou my chamber for to ward + Hast set a guard + Of harmless thoughts, to watch and keep + Me, while I sleep. + Low is my porch, as is my fate, + Both void of state; + And yet the threshold of my door + Is worn by th' poor, + Who thither come, and freely get + Good words or meat; + Like as my parlour, so my hall + And kitchen's small; + A little buttery, and therein + A little bin + Which keeps my little loaf of bread + Unclipt, unflead. + Some brittle sticks of thorn or briar + Make me a fire, + Close by whose living coal I sit, + And glow like it. + Lord, I confess, too, when I dine, + The pulse is Thine, + And all those other bits, that be + There placed by Thee; + The worts, the purslain, and the mess + Of water-cress, + Which of Thy kindness Thou hast sent; + And my content + Makes those, and my beloved beet, + To be more sweet. + 'Tis Thou that crown'st my glittering hearth + With guiltless mirth; + And giv'st me wassail bowls to drink, + Spiced to the brink. + Lord, 'tis Thy plenty-dropping hand, + That soils my land; + And giv'st me for my bushel sown, + Twice ten for one. + Thou mak'st my teeming hen to lay + Her egg each day; + Besides my healthful ewes to bear + Me twins each year, + The while the conduits of my kine + Run cream for wine. + All these, and better Thou dost send + Me, to this end, + That I should render, for my part, + A thankful heart; + Which, fired with incense, I resign, + As wholly Thine; + But the acceptance, that must be, + My Christ, by Thee. + + _Unflead_, lit. unflay'd. + _Purslain_, an herb. + + +48. TO GOD. + + Make, make me Thine, my gracious God, + Or with Thy staff, or with Thy rod; + And be the blow, too, what it will, + Lord, I will kiss it, though it kill: + Beat me, bruise me, rack me, rend me, + Yet, in torments, I'll commend Thee; + Examine me with fire, and prove me + To the full, yet I will love Thee; + Nor shall Thou give so deep a wound + But I as patient will be found. + + +49. ANOTHER TO GOD. + + Lord, do not beat me, + Since I do sob and cry, + And swoon away to die, + Ere Thou dost threat me. + Lord, do not scourge me, + If I by lies and oaths + Have soil'd myself or clothes, + But rather purge me. + + +50. NONE TRULY HAPPY HERE. + + Happy's that man to whom God gives + A stock of goods, whereby he lives + Near to the wishes of his heart: + No man is blest through every part. + + +51. TO HIS EVER-LOVING GOD. + + Can I not come to Thee, my God, for these + So very many meeting hindrances, + That slack my pace, but yet not make me stay? + Who slowly goes, rids, in the end, his way. + Clear Thou my paths, or shorten Thou my miles, + Remove the bars, or lift me o'er the stiles; + Since rough the way is, help me when I call, + And take me up; or else prevent the fall. + I ken my home, and it affords some ease + To see far off the smoking villages. + Fain would I rest, yet covet not to die + For fear of future biting penury: + No, no, my God, Thou know'st my wishes be + To leave this life, not loving it, but Thee. + + _Rids way_, gets over the ground. + + +52. ANOTHER. + + Thou bid'st me come; I cannot come; for why? + Thou dwell'st aloft, and I want wings to fly. + To mount my soul, she must have pinions given; + For 'tis no easy way from earth to heaven. + + +53. TO DEATH. + + Thou bid'st me come away, + And I'll no longer stay + Than for to shed some tears + For faults of former years, + And to repent some crimes + Done in the present times: + And next, to take a bit + Of bread, and wine with it: + To don my robes of love, + Fit for the place above; + To gird my loins about + With charity throughout; + And so to travel hence + With feet of innocence: + These done, I'll only cry + God mercy, and so die. + + +54. NEUTRALITY LOATHSOME. + + God will have all, or none; serve Him, or fall + Down before Baal, Bel, or Belial: + Either be hot or cold: God doth despise, + Abhor, and spew out all neutralities. + + +55. WELCOME WHAT COMES. + + Whatever comes, let's be content withal: + Among God's blessings there is no one small. + + +56. TO HIS ANGRY GOD. + + Through all the night + Thou dost me fright, + And hold'st mine eyes from sleeping; + And day by day, + My cup can say + My wine is mix'd with weeping. + + Thou dost my bread + With ashes knead + Each evening and each morrow; + Mine eye and ear + Do see and hear + The coming in of sorrow. + + Thy scourge of steel, + Ah me! I feel + Upon me beating ever: + While my sick heart + With dismal smart + Is disacquainted never. + + Long, long, I'm sure, + This can't endure, + But in short time 'twill please Thee, + My gentle God, + To burn the rod, + Or strike so as to ease me. + + +57. PATIENCE: OR, COMFORTS IN CROSSES. + + Abundant plagues I late have had, + Yet none of these have made me sad: + For why? My Saviour with the sense + Of suff'ring gives me patience. + + +58. ETERNITY. + + O years! and age! farewell: + Behold, I go + Where I do know + Infinity to dwell. + + And these mine eyes shall see + All times, how they + Are lost i' th' sea + Of vast eternity. + + Where never moon shall sway + The stars; but she + And night shall be + Drown'd in one endless day. + + +59. TO HIS SAVIOUR, A CHILD: A PRESENT BY A CHILD. + + Go, pretty child, and bear this flower + Unto thy little Saviour; + And tell Him, by that bud now blown, + He is the Rose of Sharon known. + When thou hast said so, stick it there + Upon His bib or stomacher; + And tell Him, for good handsel too, + That thou hast brought a whistle new, + Made of a clean strait oaten reed, + To charm His cries at time of need. + Tell Him, for coral, thou hast none, + But if thou hadst, He should have one; + But poor thou art, and known to be + Even as moneyless as He. + Lastly, if thou canst win a kiss + From those mellifluous lips of His; + Then never take a second on, + To spoil the first impression. + + _Handsel_, earnest money. + + +60. THE NEW-YEAR'S GIFT. + + Let others look for pearl and gold, + Tissues, or tabbies manifold: + One only lock of that sweet hay + Whereon the blessed baby lay, + Or one poor swaddling-clout, shall be + The richest New-Year's gift to me. + + _Tabbies_, shot silks. + + +61. TO GOD. + + If anything delight me for to print + My book, 'tis this: that Thou, my God, art in't. + + +62. GOD AND THE KING. + + How am I bound to Two! God, who doth give + The mind; the king, the means whereby I live. + + +63. GOD'S MIRTH: MAN'S MOURNING. + + Where God is merry, there write down thy fears: + What He with laughter speaks, hear thou with tears. + + +64. HONOURS ARE HINDRANCES. + + Give me honours! what are these, + But the pleasing hindrances? + Stiles, and stops, and stays that come + In the way 'twixt me and home; + Clear the walk, and then shall I + To my heaven less run than fly. + + +65. THE PARASCEVE, OR PREPARATION. + + To a love-feast we both invited are: + The figur'd damask, or pure diaper, + Over the golden altar now is spread, + With bread, and wine, and vessels furnished; + The sacred towel and the holy ewer + Are ready by, to make the guests all pure: + Let's go, my Alma; yet, ere we receive, + Fit, fit it is we have our parasceve. + Who to that sweet bread unprepar'd doth come, + Better be starv'd, than but to taste one crumb. + + _Parasceve_, preparation. + + +66. TO GOD. + + God gives not only corn for need, + But likewise sup'rabundant seed; + Bread for our service, bread for show, + Meat for our meals, and fragments too: + He gives not poorly, taking some + Between the finger and the thumb; + But for our glut and for our store, + Fine flour press'd down, and running o'er. + + +67. A WILL TO BE WORKING. + + Although we cannot turn the fervent fit + Of sin, we must strive 'gainst the stream of it; + And howsoe'er we have the conquest miss'd, + 'Tis for our glory that we did resist. + + +68. CHRIST'S PART. + + Christ, He requires still, wheresoe'er He comes + To feed or lodge, to have the best of rooms: + Give Him the choice; grant Him the nobler part + Of all the house: the best of all's the heart. + + +69. RICHES AND POVERTY. + + God could have made all rich, or all men poor; + But why He did not, let me tell wherefore: + Had all been rich, where then had patience been? + Had all been poor, who had His bounty seen? + + +70. SOBRIETY IN SEARCH. + + To seek of God more than we well can find, + Argues a strong distemper of the mind. + + +71. ALMS. + + Give, if thou canst, an alms; if not, afford, + Instead of that, a sweet and gentle word: + _God crowns our goodness wheresoe'er He sees, + On our part, wanting all abilities_. + + +72. TO HIS CONSCIENCE. + + Can I not sin, but thou wilt be + My private protonotary? + Can I not woo thee to pass by + A short and sweet iniquity? + I'll cast a mist and cloud upon + My delicate transgression + So utter dark as that no eye + Shall see the hugg'd impiety; + Gifts blind the wise, and bribes do please + And wind all other witnesses; + And wilt not thou with gold be ti'd + To lay thy pen and ink aside? + That in the mirk and tongueless night + Wanton I may, and thou not write? + It will not be. And, therefore, now, + For times to come I'll make this vow, + From aberrations to live free; + So I'll not fear the Judge or thee. + + _Protonotary_, once the title of the chief clerk in the Courts of + Common Pleas and King's Bench. + + +73. TO HIS SAVIOUR. + + Lord, I confess, that Thou alone art able + To purify this my Augean stable: + Be the seas water, and the land all soap, + Yet if Thy blood not wash me, there's no hope. + + +74. TO GOD. + + God is all sufferance here; here He doth show + No arrow nockt, only a stringless bow: + His arrows fly, and all His stones are hurl'd + Against the wicked in another world. + + _Nockt_, placed ready for shooting. + + +75. HIS DREAM. + + I dreamt, last night, Thou didst transfuse + Oil from Thy jar into my cruse; + And pouring still Thy wealthy store, + The vessel full did then run o'er; + Methought I did Thy bounty chide + To see the waste; but 'twas replied + By Thee, dear God, God gives man seed + Ofttimes for waste, as for his need. + Then I could say that house is bare + That has not bread and some to spare. + + +76. GOD'S BOUNTY. + + God's bounty, that ebbs less and less + As men do wane in thankfulness. + + +77. TO HIS SWEET SAVIOUR. + + Night hath no wings to him that cannot sleep, + And time seems then not for to fly, but creep; + Slowly her chariot drives, as if that she + Had broke her wheel, or crack'd her axletree. + Just so it is with me, who, list'ning, pray + The winds to blow the tedious night away, + That I might see the cheerful, peeping day. + Sick is my heart! O Saviour! do Thou please + To make my bed soft in my sicknesses: + Lighten my candle, so that I beneath + Sleep not for ever in the vaults of death; + Let me Thy voice betimes i' th' morning hear: + Call, and I'll come; say Thou the when, and where. + Draw me but first, and after Thee I'll run + And make no one stop till my race be done. + + +78. HIS CREED. + + I do believe that die I must, + And be return'd from out my dust: + I do believe that when I rise, + Christ I shall see, with these same eyes: + I do believe that I must come, + With others, to the dreadful doom: + I do believe the bad must go + From thence, to everlasting woe: + I do believe the good, and I, + Shall live with Him eternally: + I do believe I shall inherit + Heaven, by Christ's mercies, not my merit. + I do believe the One in Three, + And Three in perfect unity: + Lastly, that JESUS is a deed + Of gift from God: and here's my creed. + + +79. TEMPTATIONS. + + Temptations hurt not, though they have access: + Satan o'ercomes none, but by willingness. + + +80. THE LAMP. + + When a man's faith is frozen up, as dead; + Then is the lamp and oil extinguished. + + +81. SORROWS. + + Sorrows our portion are: ere hence we go, + Crosses we must have; or, hereafter woe. + + +82. PENITENCY. + + A man's transgressions God does then remit, + When man He makes a penitent for it. + + +83. THE DIRGE OF JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER: SUNG BY THE VIRGINS. + + O thou, the wonder of all days! + O paragon, and pearl of praise! + O virgin-martyr, ever blest + Above the rest + Of all the maiden train! We come, + And bring fresh strewings to thy tomb. + + Thus, thus, and thus we compass round + Thy harmless and unhaunted ground; + And as we sing thy dirge, we will + The daffodil + And other flowers lay upon + The altar of our love, thy stone. + + Thou wonder of all maids, liest here. + Of daughters all the dearest dear; + The eye of virgins; nay, the queen + Of this smooth green, + And all sweet meads; from whence we get + The primrose and the violet. + + Too soon, too dear did Jephthah buy, + By thy sad loss, our liberty: + His was the bond and cov'nant, yet + Thou paid'st the debt: + Lamented maid! he won the day, + But for the conquest thou didst pay. + + Thy father brought with him along + The olive branch and victor's song: + He slew the Ammonites, we know, + But to thy woe; + And in the purchase of our peace, + The cure was worse than the disease. + + For which obedient zeal of thine, + We offer here, before thy shrine, + Our sighs for storax, tears for wine; + And to make fine + And fresh thy hearse-cloth, we will, here, + Four times bestrew thee ev'ry year. + + Receive, for this thy praise, our tears: + Receive this offering of our hairs: + Receive these crystal vials fill'd + With tears distill'd + From teeming eyes; to these we bring, + Each maid, her silver filleting, + + To gild thy tomb; besides, these cauls, + These laces, ribbons, and these falls, + These veils, wherewith we use to hide + The bashful bride, + When we conduct her to her groom: + And all we lay upon thy tomb. + + No more, no more, since thou art dead, + Shall we e'er bring coy brides to bed; + No more, at yearly festivals + We cowslip balls + Or chains of columbines shall make + For this or that occasion's sake. + + No, no; our maiden pleasures be + Wrapp'd in the winding-sheet with thee: + 'Tis we are dead, though not i' th' grave: + Or, if we have + One seed of life left, 'tis to keep + A Lent for thee, to fast and weep. + + Sleep in thy peace, thy bed of spice, + And make this place all paradise: + May sweets grow here: and smoke from hence + Fat frankincense: + Let balm and cassia send their scent + From out thy maiden-monument. + + May no wolf howl, or screech-owl stir + A wing about thy sepulchre! + No boisterous winds, or storms, come hither + To starve or wither + Thy soft sweet earth! but, like a spring, + Love keep it ever flourishing. + + May all shy maids, at wonted hours, + Come forth to strew thy tomb with flow'rs: + May virgins, when they come to mourn, + Male-incense burn + Upon thine altar! then return, + And leave thee sleeping in thy urn. + + _Cauls_, nets for the hair. + _Falls_, trimmings hanging loosely. + _Male-incense_, incense in globular drops. + + +84. TO GOD: ON HIS SICKNESS. + + What though my harp and viol be + Both hung upon the willow tree? + What though my bed be now my grave, + And for my house I darkness have? + What though my healthful days are fled, + And I lie number'd with the dead? + Yet I have hope, by Thy great power, + To spring; though now a wither'd flower. + + +85. SINS LOATHED, AND YET LOVED. + + _Shame checks our first attempts_; but then 'tis prov'd + _Sins first dislik'd are after that belov'd_. + + +86. SIN. + + Sin leads the way, but as it goes, it feels + The following plague still treading on his heels. + + +87. UPON GOD. + + God, when He takes my goods and chattels hence, + Gives me a portion, giving patience: + What is in God is God; if so it be + He patience gives, He gives Himself to me. + + +88. FAITH. + + What here we hope for, we shall once inherit; + By faith we all walk here, not by the Spirit. + + +89. HUMILITY. + + Humble we must be, if to heaven we go: + High is the roof there; but the gate is low: + Whene'er thou speak'st, look with a lowly eye: + Grace is increased by humility. + + +90. TEARS. + + Our present tears here, not our present laughter, + Are but the handsels of our joys hereafter. + + _Handsels_, earnest money, foretaste. + + +91. SIN AND STRIFE. + + After true sorrow for our sins, our strife + Must last with Satan to the end of life. + + +92. AN ODE, OR PSALM TO GOD. + + Dear God, + If Thy smart rod + Here did not make me sorry, + I should not be + With Thine or Thee + In Thy eternal glory. + + But since + Thou didst convince + My sins by gently striking; + Add still to those + First stripes new blows, + According to Thy liking. + + Fear me, + Or scourging tear me; + That thus from vices driven, + I may from hell + Fly up to dwell + With Thee and Thine in heaven. + + +93. GRACES FOR CHILDREN. + + What God gives, and what we take, + 'Tis a gift for Christ, His sake: + Be the meal of beans and peas, + God be thanked for those and these: + Have we flesh, or have we fish, + All are fragments from His dish. + He His Church save, and the king; + And our peace here, like a spring, + Make it ever flourishing. + + +94. GOD TO BE FIRST SERVED. + + Honour thy parents; but good manners call + Thee to adore thy God the first of all. + + +95. ANOTHER GRACE FOR A CHILD. + + Here a little child I stand + Heaving up my either hand; + Cold as paddocks though they be, + Here I lift them up to Thee, + For a benison to fall + On our meat and on us all. Amen. + + _Paddocks_, frogs. + + +96. A CHRISTMAS CAROL SUNG TO THE KING IN THE PRESENCE AT WHITEHALL. + + _Chor._ What sweeter music can we bring, + Than a carol for to sing + The birth of this our heavenly King? + Awake the voice! awake the string! + Heart, ear, and eye, and everything + Awake! the while the active finger + Runs division with the singer. + + _FROM THE FLOURISH THEY CAME TO THE SONG._ + + 1. Dark and dull night, fly hence away + And give the honour to this day + That sees December turn'd to May. + + 2. If we may ask the reason, say + The why and wherefore all things here + Seem like the spring-time of the year. + + 3. Why does the chilling winter's morn + Smile like a field beset with corn? + Or smell like to a mead new shorn, + Thus, on the sudden? + + 4. Come and see + The cause, why things thus fragrant be: + 'Tis He is born, whose quick'ning birth + Gives life and lustre, public mirth, + To heaven and the under-earth. + + _Chor._ We see Him come, and know Him ours, + Who, with His sunshine and His showers, + Turns all the patient ground to flowers. + + 1. The darling of the world is come, + And fit it is we find a room + To welcome Him. + 2. The nobler part + Of all the house here is the heart, + + _Chor._ Which we will give Him; and bequeath + This holly and this ivy wreath, + To do Him honour; who's our King, + And Lord of all this revelling. + + _The musical part was composed by M. Henry Lawes._ + + _Division_, a rapid passage of music sung in one breath or a single + syllable. + + +97. THE NEW-YEAR'S GIFT: OR, CIRCUMCISION'S SONG. SUNG TO THE KING IN +THE PRESENCE AT WHITEHALL. + + 1. Prepare for songs; He's come, He's come; + And be it sin here to be dumb, + And not with lutes to fill the room. + + 2. Cast holy water all about, + And have a care no fire goes out, + But 'cense the porch and place throughout. + + 3. The altars all on fire be; + The storax fries; and ye may see + How heart and hand do all agree + To make things sweet. _Chor._ Yet all less sweet than He. + + 4. Bring Him along, most pious priest, + And tell us then, whenas thou seest + His gently-gliding, dove-like eyes, + And hear'st His whimpering and His cries; + How can'st thou this Babe circumcise? + + 5. Ye must not be more pitiful than wise; + For, now unless ye see Him bleed, + Which makes the bapti'm, 'tis decreed + The birth is fruitless. _Chor._ Then the work God speed. + + 1. Touch gently, gently touch; and here + Spring tulips up through all the year; + And from His sacred blood, here shed, + May roses grow to crown His own dear head. + + _Chor._ Back, back again; each thing is done + With zeal alike, as 'twas begun; + Now singing, homeward let us carry + The Babe unto His mother Mary; + And when we have the Child commended + To her warm bosom, then our rites are ended. + _Composed by M. Henry Lawes._ + + +98. ANOTHER NEW-YEAR'S GIFT: OR, SONG FOR THE CIRCUMCISION. + + 1. Hence, hence profane, and none appear + With anything unhallowed here; + No jot of leaven must be found + Conceal'd in this most holy ground. + + 2. What is corrupt, or sour'd with sin, + Leave that without, then enter in; + + _Chor._ But let no Christmas mirth begin + Before ye purge and circumcise + Your hearts, and hands, lips, ears, and eyes. + + 3. Then, like a perfum'd altar, see + That all things sweet and clean may be: + For here's a Babe that, like a bride, + Will blush to death if ought be spi'd + Ill-scenting, or unpurifi'd. + + _Chor._ The room is 'cens'd: help, help t' invoke + Heaven to come down, the while we choke + The temple with a cloud of smoke. + + 4. Come then, and gently touch the birth + Of Him, who's Lord of Heaven and Earth: + + 5. And softly handle Him; y'ad need, + Because the pretty Babe does bleed. + Poor pitied Child! who from Thy stall + Bring'st, in Thy blood, a balm that shall + Be the best New-Year's gift to all. + + 1. Let's bless the Babe: and, as we sing + His praise, so let us bless the King. + + _Chor._ Long may He live till He hath told + His New-Years trebled to His old: + And when that's done, to re-aspire + A new-born Ph[oe]nix from His own chaste fire. + + +99. GOD'S PARDON. + + When I shall sin, pardon my trespass here; + For once in hell, none knows remission there. + + +100. SIN. + + Sin once reached up to God's eternal sphere, + And was committed, not remitted there. + + +101. EVIL. + + Evil no nature hath; the loss of good + Is that which gives to sin a livelihood. + + + +102. THE STAR-SONG: A CAROL TO THE KING SUNG AT WHITEHALL. + + _The Flourish of Music; then followed the Song._ + + 1. Tell us, thou clear and heavenly tongue, + Where is the Babe but lately sprung? + Lies he the lily-banks among? + + 2. Or say, if this new Birth of ours + Sleeps, laid within some ark of flowers, + Spangled with dew-light; thou canst clear + All doubts, and manifest the where. + + 3. Declare to us, bright star, if we shall seek + Him in the morning's blushing cheek, + Or search the beds of spices through, + To find him out. + + _Star._ No, this ye need not do; + But only come and see Him rest + A Princely Babe in's mother's breast. + + _Chor._ He's seen, He's seen! why then a round, + Let's kiss the sweet and holy ground; + And all rejoice that we have found + _A King before conception crown'd_. + + 4. Come then, come then, and let us bring + Unto our pretty Twelfth-tide King, + Each one his several offering; + + _Chor._ And when night comes, we'll give Him wassailing; + And that His treble honours may be seen, + We'll choose Him King, and make His mother Queen. + + +103. TO GOD. + + With golden censers, and with incense, here + Before Thy virgin-altar I appear, + To pay Thee that I owe, since what I see + In, or without, all, all belongs to Thee. + Where shall I now begin to make, for one + Least loan of Thine, half restitution? + Alas! I cannot pay a jot; therefore + I'll kiss the tally, and confess the score. + Ten thousand talents lent me, Thou dost write; + 'Tis true, my God, but I can't pay one mite. + + _Tally_, the record of his score or debt. + + +104. TO HIS DEAR GOD. + + I'll hope no more + For things that will not come; + And if they do, they prove but cumbersome. + Wealth brings much woe; + And, since it fortunes so, + 'Tis better to be poor + Than so t' abound + As to be drown'd + Or overwhelm'd with store. + + Pale care, avaunt! + I'll learn to be content + With that small stock Thy bounty gave or lent. + What may conduce + To my most healthful use, + Almighty God, me grant; + But that, or this, + That hurtful is, + Deny Thy suppliant. + + +105. TO GOD: HIS GOOD WILL. + + Gold I have none, but I present my need, + O Thou, that crown'st the will, where wants the deed. + Where rams are wanting, or large bullocks' thighs, + There a poor lamb's a plenteous sacrifice. + Take then his vows, who, if he had it, would + Devote to Thee both incense, myrrh and gold + Upon an altar rear'd by him, and crown'd + Both with the ruby, pearl, and diamond. + + +106. ON HEAVEN. + + Permit mine eyes to see + Part, or the whole of Thee, + O happy place! + Where all have grace, + And garlands shar'd, + For their reward; + Where each chaste soul + In long white stole, + And palms in hand, + Do ravish'd stand; + So in a ring, + The praises sing + Of Three in One + That fill the Throne; + While harps and viols then + To voices say, Amen. + + +107. THE SUM AND THE SATISFACTION. + + Last night I drew up mine account, + And found my debits to amount + To such a height, as for to tell + How I should pay 's impossible. + Well, this I'll do: my mighty score + Thy mercy-seat I'll lay before; + But therewithal I'll bring the band + Which, in full force, did daring stand + Till my Redeemer, on the tree, + Made void for millions, as for me. + Then, if thou bidst me pay, or go + Unto the prison, I'll say, no; + Christ having paid, I nothing owe: + For, this is sure, the debt is dead + By law, the bond once cancelled. + + _Score_, debt or reckoning. + _Band_, bond. + _Daring_, frightening. + + +108. GOOD MEN AFFLICTED MOST. + + God makes not good men wantons, but doth bring + Them to the field, and, there, to skirmishing. + With trials those, with terrors these He proves, + And hazards those most whom the most He loves; + For Sceva, darts; for Cocles, dangers; thus + He finds a fire for mighty Mutius; + Death for stout Cato; and besides all these, + A poison, too, He has for Socrates; + Torments for high Attilius; and, with want, + Brings in Fabricius for a combatant: + But bastard-slips, and such as He dislikes, + He never brings them once to th' push of pikes. + + +109. GOOD CHRISTIANS + + Play their offensive and defensive parts, + Till they be hid o'er with a wood of darts. + + +110. THE WILL THE CAUSE OF WOE. + + When man is punish'd, he is plagued still, + Not for the fault of nature, but of will. + + +111. TO HEAVEN. + + Open thy gates + To him, who weeping waits, + And might come in, + But that held back by sin. + Let mercy be + So kind to set me free, + And I will straight + Come in, or force the gate. + + +112. THE RECOMPENSE. + + All I have lost that could be rapt from me; + And fare it well: yet, Herrick, if so be + Thy dearest Saviour renders thee but one + Smile, that one smile's full restitution. + + +113. TO GOD. + + Pardon me, God, once more I Thee entreat, + That I have placed Thee in so mean a seat + Where round about Thou seest but all things vain, + Uncircumcis'd, unseason'd and profane. + But as Heaven's public and immortal eye + Looks on the filth, but is not soil'd thereby, + So Thou, my God, may'st on this impure look, + But take no tincture from my sinful book: + Let but one beam of glory on it shine, + And that will make me and my work divine. + + +114. TO GOD. + + Lord, I am like to mistletoe, + Which has no root, and cannot grow + Or prosper but by that same tree + It clings about; so I by Thee. + What need I then to fear at all, + So long as I about Thee crawl? + But if that tree should fall and die, + Tumble shall heav'n, and down will I. + + +115. HIS WISH TO GOD. + + I would to God that mine old age might have + Before my last, but here a living grave, + Some one poor almshouse; there to lie, or stir + Ghostlike, as in my meaner sepulchre; + A little piggin and a pipkin by, + To hold things fitting my necessity, + Which rightly used, both in their time and place, + Might me excite to fore and after-grace. + Thy Cross, my Christ, fix'd 'fore mine eyes should be, + Not to adore that, but to worship Thee. + So, here the remnant of my days I'd spend, + Reading Thy Bible, and my Book; so end. + + _Piggin_, a small wooden vessel. + + +116. SATAN. + + When we 'gainst Satan stoutly fight, the more + He tears and tugs us than he did before; + Neglecting once to cast a frown on those + Whom ease makes his without the help of blows. + + +117. HELL. + + Hell is no other but a soundless pit, + Where no one beam of comfort peeps in it. + + +118. THE WAY. + + When I a ship see on the seas, + Cuff'd with those wat'ry savages, + And therewithal behold it hath + In all that way no beaten path, + Then, with a wonder, I confess + Thou art our way i' th' wilderness; + And while we blunder in the dark, + Thou art our candle there, or spark. + + +119. GREAT GRIEF, GREAT GLORY. + + The less our sorrows here and suff'rings cease, + The more our crowns of glory there increase. + + +120. HELL. + + Hell is the place where whipping-cheer abounds, + But no one jailer there to wash the wounds. + + +121. THE BELLMAN. + + Along the dark and silent night, + With my lantern and my light, + And the tinkling of my bell, + Thus I walk, and this I tell: + Death and dreadfulness call on + To the gen'ral session, + To whose dismal bar we there + All accounts must come to clear. + Scores of sins w'ave made here many, + Wip'd out few, God knows, if any. + Rise, ye debtors, then, and fall + To make payment while I call. + Ponder this, when I am gone; + By the clock 'tis almost one. + + +122. THE GOODNESS OF HIS GOD. + + When winds and seas do rage + And threaten to undo me, + Thou dost, their wrath assuage + If I but call unto Thee. + + A mighty storm last night + Did seek my soul to swallow, + But by the peep of light + A gentle calm did follow. + + What need I then despair, + Though ills stand round about me; + Since mischiefs neither dare + To bark or bite without Thee? + + +123. THE WIDOWS' TEARS: OR, DIRGE OF DORCAS. + + Come pity us, all ye who see + Our harps hung on the willow tree: + Come pity us, ye passers-by + Who see or hear poor widows cry: + Come pity us; and bring your ears + And eyes to pity widows' tears. + _Chor._ And when you are come hither + Then we will keep + A fast, and weep + Our eyes out altogether. + + For Tabitha, who dead lies here, + Clean washed, and laid out for the bier, + O modest matrons, weep and wail! + For now the corn and wine must fail: + The basket and the bin of bread, + Wherewith so many souls were fed, + _Chor._ Stand empty here for ever: + And ah! the poor + At thy worn door + Shall be relieved never. + + Woe worth the time, woe worth the day + That 'reaved us of thee, Tabitha! + For we have lost with thee the meal, + The bits, the morsels, and the deal + Of gentle paste and yielding dough + That thou on widows did'st bestow. + _Chor._ All's gone, and death hath taken + Away from us + Our maundy; thus + Thy widows stand forsaken. + + Ah, Dorcas, Dorcas! now adieu + We bid the cruse and pannier too: + Ay, and the flesh, for and the fish + Doled to us in that lordly dish. + We take our leaves now of the loom + From whence the housewives' cloth did come: + _Chor._ The web affords now nothing; + Thou being dead, + The worsted thread + Is cut, that made us clothing. + + Farewell the flax and reaming wool + With which thy house was plentiful; + Farewell the coats, the garments, and + The sheets, the rugs, made by thy hand; + Farewell thy fire and thy light + That ne'er went out by day or night: + _Chor._ No, or thy zeal so speedy, + That found a way + By peep of day, + To feed and cloth the needy. + + But, ah, alas! the almond bough + And olive branch is withered now. + The wine press now is ta'en from us, + The saffron and the calamus. + The spice and spikenard hence is gone, + The storax and the cinnamon. + _Chor._ The carol of our gladness + Has taken wing, + And our late spring + Of mirth is turned to sadness. + + How wise wast thou in all thy ways! + How worthy of respect and praise! + How matron-like didst thou go dressed! + How soberly above the rest + Of those that prank it with their plumes, + And jet it with their choice perfumes! + _Chor._ Thy vestures were not flowing: + Nor did the street + Accuse thy feet + Of mincing in their going. + + And though thou here li'st dead, we see + A deal of beauty yet in thee. + How sweetly shows thy smiling face, + Thy lips with all-diffused grace! + Thy hands, though cold, yet spotless white, + And comely as the chrysolite! + _Chor._ Thy belly like a hill is, + Or as a neat + Clean heap of wheat, + All set about with lilies. + + Sleep with thy beauties here, while we + Will show these garments made by thee; + These were the coats, in these are read + The monuments of Dorcas dead. + These were thy acts, and thou shall have + These hung as honours o'er thy grave; + _Chor._ And after us, distressed, + Should fame be dumb, + Thy very tomb + Would cry out, Thou art blessed. + + _Deal_, portion. + _Maundy_, the alms given on Thursday in Holy Week. + _Reaming_, drawing out into threads. + _Calamus_, a fragrant plant, the sweet flag. + _Chrysolite_, the topaz. + + +124. TO GOD IN TIME OF PLUNDERING. + + Rapine has yet took nought from me; + But if it please my God I be + Brought at the last to th' utmost bit, + God make me thankful still for it. + I have been grateful for my store: + Let me say grace when there's no more. + + +125. TO HIS SAVIOUR. THE NEW-YEAR'S GIFT. + + That little pretty bleeding part + Of foreskin send to me: + And I'll return a bleeding heart + For New-Year's gift to Thee. + + Rich is the gem that Thou did'st send, + Mine's faulty too and small; + But yet this gift Thou wilt commend + Because I send Thee all. + + +126. DOOMSDAY. + + Let not that day God's friends and servants scare; + The bench is then their place, and not the bar. + + +127. THE POOR'S PORTION. + + The sup'rabundance of my store, + That is the portion of the poor: + Wheat, barley, rye, or oats; what is't + But He takes toll of? all the grist. + Two raiments have I: Christ then makes + This law; that He and I part stakes. + Or have I two loaves, then I use + The poor to cut, and I to choose. + + +128. THE WHITE ISLAND: OR, PLACE OF THE BLEST. + + In this world, the isle of dreams, + While we sit by sorrow's streams, + Tears and terrors are our themes + Reciting: + + But when once from hence we fly, + More and more approaching nigh + Unto young Eternity + Uniting: + + In that whiter island, where + Things are evermore sincere; + Candour here, and lustre there + Delighting: + + There no monstrous fancies shall + Out of hell an horror call, + To create, or cause at all, + Affrighting. + + There in calm and cooling sleep + We our eyes shall never steep; + But eternal watch shall keep, + Attending + + Pleasures, such as shall pursue + Me immortalised, and you; + And fresh joys, as never to + Have ending. + + +129. TO CHRIST. + + I crawl, I creep; my Christ, I come + To Thee for curing balsamum: + Thou hast, nay more, Thou art the tree + Affording salve of sovereignty. + My mouth I'll lay unto Thy wound + Bleeding, that no blood touch the ground: + For, rather than one drop shall fall + To waste, my JESU, I'll take all. + + +130. TO GOD. + + God! to my little meal and oil + Add but a bit of flesh to boil: + And Thou my pipkinet shalt see, + Give a wave-off'ring unto Thee. + + +131. FREE WELCOME. + + God He refuseth no man, but makes way + For all that now come or hereafter may. + + +132. GOD'S GRACE. + + God's grace deserves here to be daily fed + That, thus increased, it might be perfected. + + +133. COMING TO CHRIST. + + To him who longs unto his Christ to go, + Celerity even itself is slow. + + +134. CORRECTION. + + God had but one Son free from sin; but none + Of all His sons free from correction. + + +135. GOD'S BOUNTY. + + God, as He's potent, so He's likewise known + To give us more than hope can fix upon. + + +136. KNOWLEDGE. + + Science in God is known to be + A substance, not a quality. + + +137. SALUTATION. + + Christ, I have read, did to His chaplains say, + Sending them forth, Salute no man by th' way: + Not that He taught His ministers to be + Unsmooth or sour to all civility, + But to instruct them to avoid all snares + Of tardidation in the Lord's affairs. + Manners are good; but till His errand ends, + Salute we must nor strangers, kin, or friends. + + _Tardidation_, sloth. + + +138. LASCIVIOUSNESS. + + Lasciviousness is known to be + The sister to saturity. + + +139. TEARS. + + God from our eyes all tears hereafter wipes, + And gives His children kisses then, not stripes. + + +140. GOD'S BLESSING. + + In vain our labours are whatsoe'er they be, + Unless God gives the benedicite. + + +141. GOD, AND LORD. + + God is His name of nature; but that word + Implies His power when He's called the Lord. + + +142. THE JUDGMENT-DAY. + + God hides from man the reck'ning day, that he + May fear it ever for uncertainty; + That being ignorant of that one, he may + Expect the coming of it every day. + + +143. ANGELS. + + Angels are called gods; yet of them, none + Are gods but by participation: + As just men are entitled gods, yet none + Are gods of them but by adoption. + + +144. LONG LIFE. + + The longer thread of life we spin, + The more occasion still to sin. + + +145. TEARS. + + The tears of saints more sweet by far + Than all the songs of sinners are. + + +146. MANNA. + + That manna, which God on His people cast, + Fitted itself to ev'ry feeder's taste. + + +147. REVERENCE. + + True rev'rence is, as Cassiodore doth prove, + The fear of God commix'd with cleanly love. + + _Cassiodore_, Marcus Aurelius Cassiodorus, theologian and statesman + 497-575? + + +148. MERCY. + + Mercy, the wise Athenians held to be + Not an affection, but a deity. + + +149. WAGES. + + After this life, the wages shall + Not shared alike be unto all. + + +150. TEMPTATION. + + God tempteth no one, as St. Austin saith, + For any ill, but for the proof of faith; + Unto temptation God exposeth some, + But none of purpose to be overcome. + + +151. GOD'S HANDS. + + God's hands are round and smooth, that gifts may fall + Freely from them and hold none back at all. + + +152. LABOUR. + + Labour we must, and labour hard + I' th' forum here, or vineyard. + + +153. MORA SPONSI, THE STAY OF THE BRIDEGROOM. + + The time the bridegroom stays from hence + Is but the time of penitence. + + +154. ROARING. + + Roaring is nothing but a weeping part + Forced from the mighty dolour of the heart. + + +155. THE EUCHARIST. + + _He that is hurt seeks help_: sin is the wound; + The salve for this i' th' Eucharist is found. + + +156. SIN SEVERELY PUNISHED. + + God in His own day will be then severe + To punish great sins, who small faults whipt here. + + +157. MONTES SCRIPTURARUM: THE MOUNTS OF THE SCRIPTURES. + + The mountains of the Scriptures are, some say, + Moses, and Jesus, called Joshua: + The prophets, mountains of the Old are meant, + Th' apostles, mounts of the New Testament. + + +158. PRAYER. + + A prayer that is said alone + Starves, having no companion. + Great things ask for when thou dost pray, + And those great are which ne'er decay. + Pray not for silver, rust eats this; + Ask not for gold, which metal is; + Nor yet for houses, which are here + But earth: _such vows ne'er reach God's ear_. + + +159. CHRIST'S SADNESS. + + Christ was not sad, i' th' garden, for His own + Passion, but for His sheep's dispersion. + + +160. GOD HEARS US. + + God, who's in heaven, will hear from thence; + If not to th' sound, yet to the sense. + + +161. GOD. + + God, as the learned Damascene doth write, + A sea of substance is, indefinite. + + _The learned Damascene_, _i.e._, St. John of Damascus. + + +162. CLOUDS. + + He that ascended in a cloud, shall come + In clouds descending to the public doom. + + +163. COMFORTS IN CONTENTIONS. + + The same who crowns the conqueror, will be + A coadjutor in the agony. + + +164. HEAVEN. + + Heaven is most fair; but fairer He + That made that fairest canopy. + + +165. GOD. + + In God there's nothing, but 'tis known to be + Even God Himself, in perfect entity. + + +166. HIS POWER. + + God can do all things, save but what are known + For to imply a contradiction. + + +167. CHRIST'S WORDS ON THE CROSS: MY GOD, MY GOD. + + Christ, when He hung the dreadful cross upon, + Had, as it were, a dereliction + In this regard, in those great terrors He + Had no one beam from God's sweet majesty. + + _Dereliction_, abandonment. + + +168. JEHOVAH. + + Jehovah, as Boëtius saith, + No number of the plural hath. + + +169. CONFUSION OF FACE. + + God then confounds man's face when He not bears + The vows of those who are petitioners. + + +170. ANOTHER. + + The shame of man's face is no more + Than prayers repell'd, says Cassiodore. + + +171. BEGGARS. + + Jacob God's beggar was; and so we wait, + Though ne'er so rich, all beggars at His gate. + + +172. GOOD AND BAD. + + The bad among the good are here mix'd ever; + The good without the bad are here plac'd never. + + +173. SIN. + + _Sin no existence; nature none it hath, + Or good at all_, as learned Aquinas saith. + + +174. MARTHA, MARTHA. + + The repetition of the name made known + No other than Christ's full affection. + + +175. YOUTH AND AGE. + + God on our youth bestows but little ease; + But on our age most sweet indulgences. + + +176. GOD'S POWER. + + God is so potent, as His power can + Draw out of bad a sovereign good to man. + + +177. PARADISE. + + Paradise is, as from the learn'd I gather, + _A choir of bless'd souls circling in the Father_. + + +178. OBSERVATION. + + The Jews, when they built houses, I have read, + One part thereof left still unfinished, + To make them thereby mindful of their own + City's most sad and dire destruction. + + +179. THE ASS. + + God did forbid the Israelites to bring + An ass unto Him for an offering, + Only, by this dull creature, to express + His detestation to all slothfulness. + + +180. OBSERVATION. + + The Virgin Mother stood at distance, there, + From her Son's cross, not shedding once a tear, + Because the law forbad to sit and cry + For those who did as malefactors die. + So she, to keep her mighty woes in awe, + Tortured her love not to transgress the law. + Observe we may, how Mary Joses then, + And th' other Mary, Mary Magdalen, + Sat by the grave; and sadly sitting there, + Shed for their Master many a bitter tear; + But 'twas not till their dearest Lord was dead + And then to weep they both were licensed. + + +181. TAPERS. + + Those tapers which we set upon the grave + In fun'ral pomp, but this importance have: + That souls departed are not put out quite; + But as they walked here in their vestures white, + So live in heaven in everlasting light. + + +182. CHRIST'S BIRTH. + + One birth our Saviour had; the like none yet + Was, or will be a second like to it. + + +183. THE VIRGIN MARY. + + To work a wonder, God would have her shown + At once a bud and yet a rose full-blown. + + +184. ANOTHER. + + As sunbeams pierce the glass, and streaming in, + No crack or schism leave i' th' subtle skin: + So the Divine Hand worked and brake no thread, + But, in a mother, kept a maidenhead. + + +185. GOD. + + God, in the holy tongue, they call + The place that filleth all in all. + + +186. ANOTHER OF GOD. + + God's said to leave this place, and for to come + Nearer to that place than to other some, + Of local motion, in no least respect, + But only by impression of effect. + + +187. ANOTHER. + + God is Jehovah call'd: which name of His + Implies or Essence, or the He that Is. + + +188. GOD'S PRESENCE. + + God's evident, and may be said to be + Present with just men, to the verity; + But with the wicked if He doth comply, + 'Tis, as St. Bernard saith, but seemingly. + + +189. GOD'S DWELLING. + + God's said to dwell there, wheresoever He + Puts down some prints of His high Majesty; + As when to man He comes, and there doth place + His Holy Spirit, or doth plant His Grace. + + +190. THE VIRGIN MARY. + + The Virgin Mary was, as I have read, + The House of God, by Christ inhabited; + Into the which He entered, but, the door + Once shut, was never to be open'd more. + + +191. TO GOD. + + God's undivided, One in Persons Three, + And Three in inconfused unity. + Original of Essence there is none, + 'Twixt God the Father, Holy Ghost, and Son: + And though the Father be the first of Three, + 'Tis but by order, not by entity. + + +192. UPON WOMAN AND MARY. + + So long, it seem'd, as Mary's faith was small, + Christ did her woman, not her Mary call; + But no more woman, being strong in faith, + But Mary call'd then, as St. Ambrose saith. + + +193. NORTH AND SOUTH. + + The Jews their beds and offices of ease, + Placed north and south for these clean purposes; + That man's uncomely froth might not molest + God's ways and walks, which lie still east and west. + + +194. SABBATHS. + + Sabbaths are threefold, as St. Austin says: + The first of time, or Sabbath here of days; + The second is a conscience trespass-free; + The last the Sabbath of Eternity. + + +195. THE FAST, OR LENT. + + Noah the first was, as tradition says, + That did ordain the fast of forty days. + + +196. SIN. + + There is no evil that we do commit, + But hath th' extraction of some good from it: + As when we sin, God, the great Chemist, thence + Draws out th' elixir of true penitence. + + +197. GOD. + + God is more here than in another place, + Not by His essence, but commerce of grace. + + +198. THIS, AND THE NEXT WORLD. + + God hath this world for many made, 'tis true: + But He hath made the World to Come for few. + + +199. EASE. + + God gives to none so absolute an ease + As not to know or feel some grievances. + + +200. BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS. + + Paul, he began ill, but he ended well; + Judas began well, but he foully fell: + In godliness not the beginnings so + Much as the ends are to be look'd unto. + + +201. TEMPORAL GOODS. + + These temporal goods God, the most wise, commends + To th' good and bad in common for two ends: + First, that these goods none here may o'er-esteem + Because the wicked do partake of them; + Next, that these ills none cowardly may shun, + Being, oft here, the just man's portion. + + +202. HELL FIRE. + + The fire of hell this strange condition hath, + To burn, not shine, as learned Basil saith. + + +203. ABEL'S BLOOD. + + Speak, did the blood of Abel cry + To God for vengeance? Yes, say I, + Ev'n as the sprinkled blood called on + God for an expiation. + + +204. ANOTHER. + + The blood of Abel was a thing + Of such a rev'rend reckoning, + As that the old world thought it fit + Especially to swear by it. + + +205. A POSITION IN THE HEBREW DIVINITY. + + One man repentant is of more esteem + With God, than one that never sinned 'gainst Him. + + +206. PENITENCE. + + The doctors, in the Talmud, say, + That in this world one only day + In true repentance spent will be + More worth than heaven's eternity. + + +207. GOD'S PRESENCE. + + God's present everywhere, but most of all + Present by union hypostatical: + God, He is there, where's nothing else, schools say, + And nothing else is there where He's away. + + _Hypostatical_, personal. + + +208. THE RESURRECTION POSSIBLE AND PROBABLE. + + For each one body that i' th' earth is sown, + There's an uprising but of one for one; + But for each grain that in the ground is thrown, + Threescore or fourscore spring up thence for one: + So that the wonder is not half so great + Of ours as is the rising of the wheat. + + +209. CHRIST'S SUFFERING. + + Justly our dearest Saviour may abhor us, + Who hath more suffered by us far, than for us. + + +210. SINNERS. + + Sinners confounded are a twofold way, + Either as when, the learned schoolmen say, + Men's sins destroyed are when they repent, + Or when, for sins, men suffer punishment. + + +211. TEMPTATIONS. + + No man is tempted so but may o'ercome, + If that he has a will to masterdom. + + +212. PITY AND PUNISHMENT. + + God doth embrace the good with love; and gains + The good by mercy, as the bad by pains. + + +213. GOD'S PRICE AND MAN'S PRICE. + + God bought man here with His heart's blood expense; + And man sold God here for base thirty pence. + + +214. CHRIST'S ACTION. + + Christ never did so great a work but there + His human nature did in part appear; + Or ne'er so mean a piece but men might see + Therein some beams of His Divinity: + So that in all He did there did combine + His human nature and His part divine. + + +215. PREDESTINATION. + + Predestination is the cause alone + Of many standing, but of fall to none. + + +216. ANOTHER. + + Art thou not destin'd? then with haste go on + To make thy fair predestination: + If thou can'st change thy life, God then will please + To change, or call back, His past sentences. + + +217. SIN. + + Sin never slew a soul unless there went + Along with it some tempting blandishment. + + +218. ANOTHER. + + Sin is an act so free, that if we shall + Say 'tis not free, 'tis then no sin at all. + + +219. ANOTHER. + + Sin is the cause of death; and sin's alone + The cause of God's predestination: + And from God's prescience of man's sin doth flow + Our destination to eternal woe. + + +220. PRESCIENCE. + + God's prescience makes none sinful; but th' offence + Of man's the chief cause of God's prescience. + + +221. CHRIST. + + To all our wounds here, whatsoe'er they be, + Christ is the one sufficient remedy. + + +222. CHRIST'S INCARNATION. + + Christ took our nature on Him, not that He + 'Bove all things loved it for the purity: + No, but He dress'd Him with our human trim, + Because our flesh stood most in need of Him. + + +223. HEAVEN. + + Heaven is not given for our good works here; + Yet it is given to the labourer. + + +224. GOD'S KEYS + + God has four keys, which He reserves alone: + The first of rain; the key of hell next known; + With the third key He opes and shuts the womb; + And with the fourth key he unlocks the tomb. + + +225. SIN. + + There's no constraint to do amiss, + Whereas but one enforcement is. + + +226. ALMS. + + Give unto all, lest he, whom thou deni'st, + May chance to be no other man but Christ. + + +227. HELL FIRE. + + One only fire has hell; but yet it shall + Not after one sort there excruciate all: + But look, how each transgressor onward went + Boldly in sin, shall feel more punishment. + + +228. TO KEEP A TRUE LENT. + + Is this a fast, to keep + The larder lean? + And clean + From fat of veals and sheep? + + Is it to quit the dish + Of flesh, yet still + To fill + The platter high with fish? + + Is it to fast an hour, + Or ragg'd to go, + Or show + A downcast look and sour? + + No; 'tis a fast to dole + Thy sheaf of wheat, + And meat, + Unto the hungry soul. + + It is to fast from strife, + From old debate + And hate; + To circumcise thy life. + + To show a heart grief-rent; + To starve thy sin, + Not bin; + And that's to keep thy Lent. + + +229. NO TIME IN ETERNITY. + + By hours we all live here; in Heaven is known + No spring of time, or time's succession. + + +230. HIS MEDITATION UPON DEATH. + + Be those few hours, which I have yet to spend, + Blest with the meditation of my end: + Though they be few in number, I'm content: + If otherwise, I stand indifferent. + Nor makes it matter Nestor's years to tell, + If man lives long and if he live not well. + A multitude of days still heaped on, + Seldom brings order, but confusion. + Might I make choice, long life should be withstood; + Nor would I care how short it were, if good: + Which to effect, let ev'ry passing-bell + Possess my thoughts, "Next comes my doleful knell": + And when the night persuades me to my bed, + I'll think I'm going to be buried. + So shall the blankets which come over me + Present those turfs which once must cover me: + And with as firm behaviour I will meet + The sheet I sleep in as my winding-sheet. + When sleep shall bathe his body in mine eyes, + I will believe that then my body dies: + And if I chance to wake and rise thereon, + I'll have in mind my resurrection, + Which must produce me to that General Doom, + To which the peasant, so the prince, must come, + To hear the Judge give sentence on the throne, + Without the least hope of affection. + Tears, at that day, shall make but weak defence, + When hell and horror fright the conscience. + Let me, though late, yet at the last, begin + To shun the least temptation to a sin; + Though to be tempted be no sin, until + Man to th' alluring object gives his will. + Such let my life assure me, when my breath + Goes thieving from me, I am safe in death; + Which is the height of comfort: when I fall, + I rise triumphant in my funeral. + + _Affection_, partiality. + + +231. CLOTHES FOR CONTINUANCE. + + Those garments lasting evermore, + Are works of mercy to the poor, + Which neither tettar, time, or moth + Shall fray that silk or fret this cloth. + + _Tettar_, scab. + + +232. TO GOD. + + Come to me, God; but do not come + To me as to the General Doom + In power; or come Thou in that state + When Thou Thy laws did'st promulgate, + Whenas the mountain quaked for dread, + And sullen clouds bound up his head. + No; lay Thy stately terrors by + To talk with me familiarly; + For if Thy thunder-claps I hear, + I shall less swoon than die for fear. + Speak Thou of love and I'll reply + By way of Epithalamy, + Or sing of mercy and I'll suit + To it my viol and my lute; + Thus let Thy lips but love distil, + Then come, my God, and hap what will. + + _Mountain_, orig. ed. _mountains_. + + +233. THE SOUL. + + When once the soul has lost her way, + O then how restless does she stray! + And having not her God for light, + How does she err in endless night! + + +234. THE JUDGMENT-DAY. + + In doing justice God shall then be known, + Who showing mercy here, few prized, or none. + + +235. SUFFERINGS. + + We merit all we suffer, and by far + More stripes than God lays on the sufferer. + + +236. PAIN AND PLEASURE. + + God suffers not His saints and servants dear + To have continual pain or pleasure here; + But look how night succeeds the day, so He + Gives them by turns their grief and jollity. + + +237. GOD'S PRESENCE. + + God is all-present to whate'er we do, + And as all-present, so all-filling too. + + +238. ANOTHER. + + That there's a God we all do know, + But what God is we cannot show. + + +239. THE POOR MAN'S PART. + + Tell me, rich man, for what intent + Thou load'st with gold thy vestiment? + Whenas the poor cry out: To us + Belongs all gold superfluous. + + +240. THE RIGHT HAND. + + God has a right hand, but is quite bereft + Of that which we do nominate the left. + + +241. THE STAFF AND ROD. + + Two instruments belong unto our God: + The one a staff is and the next a rod; + That if the twig should chance too much to smart, + The staff might come to play the friendly part. + + +242. GOD SPARING IN SCOURGING. + + God still rewards us more than our desert; + But when He strikes, He quarter-acts His part. + + +243. CONFESSION. + + Confession twofold is, as Austin says, + The first of sin is, and the next of praise. + If ill it goes with thee, thy faults confess: + If well, then chant God's praise with cheerfulness. + + +244. GOD'S DESCENT. + + God is then said for to descend, when He + Doth here on earth some thing of novity; + As when in human nature He works more + Than ever yet the like was done before. + + +245. NO COMING TO GOD WITHOUT CHRIST. + + Good and great God! how should I fear + To come to Thee if Christ not there! + Could I but think He would not be + Present to plead my cause for me, + To hell I'd rather run than I + Would see Thy face and He not by. + + +246. ANOTHER TO GOD. + + Though Thou be'st all that active love + Which heats those ravished souls above; + And though all joys spring from the glance + Of Thy most winning countenance; + Yet sour and grim Thou'dst seem to me + If through my Christ I saw not Thee. + + +247. THE RESURRECTION. + + That Christ did die, the pagan saith; + But that He rose, that's Christians' faith. + + +248. CO-HEIRS. + + We are co-heirs with Christ; nor shall His own + Heirship be less by our adoption. + The number here of heirs shall from the state + Of His great birthright nothing derogate. + + +249. THE NUMBER OF TWO. + + God hates the dual number, being known + The luckless number of division; + And when He bless'd each sev'ral day whereon + He did His curious operation, + 'Tis never read there, as the fathers say, + God bless'd His work done on the second day; + Wherefore two prayers ought not to be said, + Or by ourselves, or from the pulpit read. + + +250. HARDENING OF HEARTS. + + God's said our hearts to harden then, + Whenas His grace not supples men. + + +251. THE ROSE. + + Before man's fall the rose was born, + St. Ambrose says, without the thorn; + But for man's fault then was the thorn + Without the fragrant rose-bud born; + But ne'er the rose without the thorn. + + +252. GOD'S TIME MUST END OUR TROUBLE. + + God doth not promise here to man that He + Will free him quickly from his misery; + But in His own time, and when He thinks fit, + Then He will give a happy end to it. + + +253. BAPTISM. + + The strength of baptism that's within, + It saves the soul by drowning sin. + + +254. GOLD AND FRANKINCENSE. + + Gold serves for tribute to the king, + The frankincense for God's off'ring. + + +255. TO GOD. + + God, who me gives a will for to repent, + Will add a power to keep me innocent; + That I shall ne'er that trespass recommit + When I have done true penance here for it. + + +256. THE CHEWING THE CUD. + + When well we speak and nothing do that's good, + We not divide the hoof, but chew the cud; + But when good words by good works have their proof, + We then both chew the cud and cleave the hoof. + + +257. CHRIST'S TWOFOLD COMING. + + Thy former coming was to cure + My soul's most desp'rate calenture; + Thy second advent, that must be + To heal my earth's infirmity. + + _Calenture_, delirium caused by excessive heat. + + +258. TO GOD, HIS GIFT. + + As my little pot doth boil, + We will keep this level-coil, + That a wave and I will bring + To my God a heave-offering. + + _Level-coil_, the old Christmas game of changing chairs; to "keep + level-coil" means to change about. + + +259. GOD'S ANGER. + + God can't be wrathful: but we may conclude + Wrathful He may be by similitude: + God's wrathful said to be, when He doth do + That without wrath which wrath doth force us to. + + +260. GOD'S COMMANDS. + + In God's commands ne'er ask the reason why; + Let thy obedience be the best reply. + + +261. TO GOD. + + If I have played the truant, or have here + Failed in my part, oh! Thou that art my dear, + My mild, my loving tutor, Lord and God! + Correct my errors gently with Thy rod. + I know that faults will many here be found, + But where sin swells there let Thy grace abound. + + +262. TO GOD. + + The work is done; now let my laurel be + Given by none but by Thyself to me: + That done, with honour Thou dost me create + Thy poet, and Thy prophet Laureate. + + +263. GOOD FRIDAY: REX TRAGICUS; OR, CHRIST GOING TO HIS CROSS. + + Put off Thy robe of purple, then go on + To the sad place of execution: + Thine hour is come, and the tormentor stands + Ready to pierce Thy tender feet and hands. + Long before this, the base, the dull, the rude, + Th' inconstant and unpurged multitude + Yawn for Thy coming; some ere this time cry, + How He defers, how loath He is to die! + Amongst this scum, the soldier with his spear + And that sour fellow with his vinegar, + His sponge, and stick, do ask why Thou dost stay; + So do the scurf and bran too. Go Thy way, + Thy way, Thou guiltless man, and satisfy + By Thine approach each their beholding eye. + Not as a thief shalt Thou ascend the mount, + But like a person of some high account; + The Cross shall be Thy stage, and Thou shalt there + The spacious field have for Thy theatre. + Thou art that Roscius and that marked-out man + That must this day act the tragedian + To wonder and affrightment: Thou art He + Whom all the flux of nations comes to see, + Not those poor thieves that act their parts with Thee; + Those act without regard, when once a king + And God, as Thou art, comes to suffering. + No, no; this scene from Thee takes life, and sense, + And soul, and spirit, plot and excellence. + Why then, begin, great King! ascend Thy throne, + And thence proceed to act Thy Passion + To such an height, to such a period raised, + As hell, and earth, and heav'n may stand amazed. + God and good angels guide Thee; and so bless + Thee in Thy several parts of bitterness, + That those who see Thee nail'd unto the tree + May, though they scorn Thee, praise and pity Thee. + And we, Thy lovers, while we see Thee keep + The laws of action, will both sigh and weep, + And bring our spices to embalm Thee dead; + That done, we'll see Thee sweetly buried. + + _Scurf and bran_, the rabble. + + +264. HIS WORDS TO CHRIST GOING TO THE CROSS. + + When Thou wast taken, Lord, I oft have read, + All Thy disciples Thee forsook and fled. + Let their example not a pattern be + For me to fly, but now to follow Thee. + + +265. ANOTHER TO HIS SAVIOUR. + + If Thou be'st taken, God forbid + I fly from Thee, as others did: + But if Thou wilt so honour me + As to accept my company, + I'll follow Thee, hap hap what shall, + Both to the judge and judgment hall: + And, if I see Thee posted there, + To be all-flayed with whipping-cheer, + I'll take my share; or else, my God, + Thy stripes I'll kiss, or burn the rod. + + +266. HIS SAVIOUR'S WORDS GOING TO THE CROSS. + + Have, have ye no regard, all ye + Who pass this way, to pity Me, + Who am a man of misery! + + A man both bruis'd, and broke, and one + Who suffers not here for Mine own, + But for My friends' transgression! + + Ah! Sion's daughters, do not fear + The cross, the cords, the nails, the spear, + The myrrh, the gall, the vinegar; + + For Christ, your loving Saviour, hath + Drunk up the wine of God's fierce wrath; + Only there's left a little froth, + + Less for to taste than for to show + What bitter cups had been your due, + Had He not drank them up for you. + + +267. HIS ANTHEM TO CHRIST ON THE CROSS. + + When I behold Thee, almost slain, + With one and all parts full of pain: + When I Thy gentle heart do see + Pierced through and dropping blood for me, + I'll call, and cry out, thanks to Thee. + + _Vers._ But yet it wounds my soul to think + That for my sin Thou, Thou must drink, + Even Thou alone, the bitter cup + Of fury and of vengeance up. + + _Chor._ Lord, I'll not see Thee to drink all + The vinegar, the myrrh, the gall: + + _Vers. Chor._ But I will sip a little wine; + Which done, Lord, say: The rest is Mine. + + +268. + + This crosstree here + Doth Jesus bear, + Who sweet'ned first + The death accurs'd. + Here all things ready are, make haste, make haste away; + For long this work will be, and very short this day. + Why then, go on to act: here's wonders to be done + Before the last least sand of Thy ninth hour be run; + Or ere dark clouds do dull or dead the mid-day's sun. + Act when Thou wilt, + Blood will be spilt; + Pure balm, that shall + Bring health to all. + Why then, begin + To pour first in + Some drops of wine, + Instead of brine, + To search the wound + So long unsound: + And, when that's done, + Let oil next run + To cure the sore + Sin made before. + And O! dear Christ, + E'en as Thou di'st, + Look down, and see + Us weep for Thee. + And tho', love knows, + Thy dreadful woes + We cannot ease, + Yet do Thou please, + Who mercy art, + T' accept each heart + That gladly would + Help if it could. + Meanwhile let me, + Beneath this tree, + This honour have, + To make my grave. + + +269. TO HIS SAVIOUR'S SEPULCHRE: HIS DEVOTION. + + Hail, holy and all-honour'd tomb, + By no ill haunted; here I come, + With shoes put off, to tread thy room. + I'll not profane by soil of sin + Thy door as I do enter in; + For I have washed both hand and heart, + This, that, and every other part, + So that I dare, with far less fear + Than full affection, enter here. + Thus, thus I come to kiss Thy stone + With a warm lip and solemn one: + And as I kiss I'll here and there + Dress Thee with flow'ry diaper. + How sweet this place is! as from hence + Flowed all Panchaia's frankincense; + Or rich Arabia did commix, + Here, all her rare aromatics. + Let me live ever here, and stir + No one step from this sepulchre. + Ravish'd I am! and down I lie + Confused in this brave ecstasy. + Here let me rest; and let me have + This for my heaven that was Thy grave: + And, coveting no higher sphere, + I'll my eternity spend here. + + _Panchaia_, a fabulous spice island in the Erythrean Sea. + + +270. HIS OFFERING, WITH THE REST, AT THE SEPULCHRE. + + To join with them who here confer + Gifts to my Saviour's sepulchre, + Devotion bids me hither bring + Somewhat for my thank-offering. + Lo! thus I bring a virgin flower, + To dress my Maiden Saviour. + + +271. HIS COMING TO THE SEPULCHRE. + + Hence they have borne my Lord; behold! the stone + Is rolled away and my sweet Saviour's gone. + Tell me, white angel, what is now become + Of Him we lately sealed up in this tomb? + Is He, from hence, gone to the shades beneath, + To vanquish hell as here He conquered death? + If so, I'll thither follow without fear, + And live in hell if that my Christ stays there. + + Of all the good things whatsoe'er we do, + God is the {ARCHÊ}, and the {TELOS} too. + + + + +POEMS + +NOT INCLUDED IN _HESPERIDES_. + + +THE DESCRIPTION OF A WOMAN. + + Whose head, befringed with bescattered tresses, + Shows like Apollo's when the morn he dresses,[B] + Or like Aurora when with pearl she sets + Her long, dishevell'd, rose-crown'd trammelets: + Her forehead smooth, full, polish'd, bright and high + Bears in itself a graceful majesty, + Under the which two crawling eyebrows twine + Like to the tendrils of a flatt'ring vine, + Under whose shade two starry sparkling eyes + Are beautifi'd with fair fring'd canopies. + Her comely nose, with uniformal grace, + Like purest white, stands in the middle place, + Parting the pair, as we may well suppose. + Each cheek resembling still a damask rose, + Which like a garden manifestly show + How roses, lilies, and carnations grow, + Which sweetly mixed both with white and red, + Like rose leaves, white and red, seem[C] mingled. + Then nature for a sweet allurement sets + Two smelling, swelling, bashful cherrylets, + The which with ruby redness being tipp'd, + Do speak a virgin, merry, cherry-lipp'd. + Over the which a neat, sweet skin is drawn, + Which makes them show like roses under lawn: + These be the ruby portals, and divine, + Which ope themselves to show a holy shrine + Whose breath is rich perfume, that to the sense + Smells like the burn'd Sabean frankincense: + In which the tongue, though but a member small, + Stands guarded with a rosy-hilly wall; + And her white teeth, which in the gums are set + Like pearl and gold, make one rich cabinet. + Next doth her chin with dimpled beauty strive + For his white, plump, and smooth prerogative; + At whose fair top, to please the sight, there grows + The fairest[D] image of a blushing rose, + Mov'd by the chin, whose motion causeth this, + That both her lips do part, do meet, do kiss; + Her ears, which like two labyrinths are plac'd + On either side, with rich rare jewels grac'd, + Moving a question whether that by them + The gem is grac'd, or they grac'd by the gem. + But the foundation of the architect + Is the swan-staining, fair, rare, stately neck + Which with ambitious humbleness stands under, + Bearing aloft this rich, round world of wonder. + Her breast, a place for beauty's throne most fit, + Bears up two globes where love and pleasure sit, + Which, headed with two rich, round rubies, show + Like wanton rosebuds growing out of snow; + And in the milky valley that's between + Sits Cupid, kissing of his mother queen, + Fingering the paps that feel like sieved silk, + And press'd a little they will weep pure milk. + Then comes the belly, seated next below, + Like a fair mountain in Riphean snow, + Where Nature, in a whiteness without spot, + Hath in the middle tied a Gordian knot. + Now love invites me to survey her thighs, + Swelling in likeness like two crystal skies, + Which to the knees by Nature fastened on, + Derive their ever well 'greed motion. + Her legs with two clear calves, like silver tri'd, + Kindly swell up with little pretty pride, + Leaving a distance for the comely[E] small + To beautify the leg and foot withal. + Then lowly, yet most lovely stand the feet, + Round, short and clear, like pounded spices sweet, + And whatsoever thing they tread upon + They make it scent like bruised cinnamon. + The lovely shoulders now allure the eye + To see two tablets of pure ivory + From which two arms like branches seem to spread + With tender rind[F] and silver coloured, + With little hands and fingers long and small + To grace a lute, a viol, virginal. + In length each finger doth his next excel, + Each richly headed with a pearly shell. + Thus every part in contrariety + Meet in the whole and make a harmony, + As divers strings do singly disagree, + But form'd by number make sweet melody. + +[B] MS. blesses. + +[C] MS. lye. + +[D] MS. blessed. + +[E] MS. beauteous. + +[F] W.R. vein'd. + + +MR. HERRICK: HIS DAUGHTER'S DOWRY. + + Ere I go hence and be no more + Seen to the world, I'll give the score + I owe unto a female child, + And that is this, a verse enstyled + My daughter's dowry; having which, + I'll leave thee then completely rich. + Instead of gold, pearl, rubies, bonds + Long forfeit, pawned diamonds + Or antique pledges, house or land, + I give thee this that shall withstand + The blow of ruin and of chance. + These hurt not thine inheritance, + For 'tis fee simple and no rent + Thou fortune ow'st for tenement. + However after times will praise, + This portion, my prophetic bays, + Cannot deliver up to th' rust, + Yet I keep peaceful in my dust. + As for thy birth and better seeds + (Those which must grow to virtuous deeds), + Thou didst derive from that old stem + (Love and mercy cherish them), + Which like a vestal virgin ply + With holy fire lest that it die. + Grow up with milder laws to know + At what time to say aye or no; + Let manners teach thee where to be + More comely flowing, where less free. + These bring thy husband, like to those + Old coins and medals we expose + To th' show, but never part with. Next, + As in a more conspicuous text, + Thy forehead, let therein be sign'd + The maiden candour of thy mind; + And under it two chaste-born spies + To bar out bold adulteries, + For through these optics fly the darts + Of lust which set on fire our hearts. + On either side of these quick ears + There must be plac'd, for seasoned fears + Which sweeten love, yet ne'er come nigh + The plague of wilder jealousy. + Then let each cheek of thine entice + His soul as to a bed of spice + Where he may roll and lose his sense, + As in a bed of frankincense. + A lip enkindled with that coal + With which love chafes and warms the soul, + Bring to him next, and in it show + Love's cherries from such fires grow + And have their harvest, which must stand + The gathering of the lip, not hand; + Then unto these be it thy care + To clothe thy words in gentle air, + That smooth as oil, sweet, soft and clean + As is the childish bloom of bean, + They may fall down and stroke, as the + Beams of the sun the peaceful sea. + With hands as smooth as mercy's bring + Him for his better cherishing, + That when thou dost his neck ensnare, + Or with thy wrist, or flattering hair, + He may, a prisoner, there descry + Bondage more loved than liberty. + A nature so well formed, so wrought + To calm and tempest, let be brought + With thee, that should he but incline + To roughness, clasp him like a vine, + Or like as wool meets steel, give way + Unto the passion, not to stay; + Wrath, if resisted, over-boils, + If not, it dies or else recoils. + And lastly, see you bring to him + Somewhat peculiar to each limb; + And I charge thee to be known + By n'other face but by thine own. + Let it in love's name be kept sleek, + Yet to be found when he shall seek + It, and not instead of saint + Give up his worth unto the paint; + For, trust me, girl, she over-does + Who by a double proxy woos. + But lest I should forget his bed, + Be sure thou bring a maidenhead. + That is a margarite, which lost, + Thou bring'st unto his bed a frost + Or a cold poison, which his blood + Benumbs like the forgetful flood. + Now for some jewels to supply + The want of earrings' bravery + For public eyes; take only these + Ne'er travelled for beyond the seas; + They're nobly home-bred, yet have price + Beyond the far-fet merchandise: + Obedience, wise distrust, peace, shy + Distance and sweet urbanity; + Safe modesty, lov'd patience, fear + Of offending, temperance, dear + Constancy, bashfulness and all + The virtues less or cardinal, + Take with my blessing, and go forth + Enjewelled with thy native worth. + And now if there a man be found + That looks for such prepared ground, + Let him, but with indifferent skill, + So good a soil bestock and till; + He may ere long have such a wife + Nourish in's breast a tree of life. + + +MR. ROBERT HERRICK: HIS FAREWELL UNTO POETRY. + + I have beheld two lovers in a night + Hatched o'er with moonshine from their stolen delight + (When this to that, and that to this, had given + A kiss to such a jewel of the heaven, + Or while that each from other's breath did drink + Health to the rose, the violet, or pink), + Call'd on the sudden by the jealous mother, + Some stricter mistress or suspicious other, + Urging divorcement (worse than death to these) + By the soon jingling of some sleepy keys, + Part with a hasty kiss; and in that show + How stay they would, yet forced they are to go. + Even such are we, and in our parting do + No otherwise than as those former two + Natures like ours, we who have spent our time + Both from the morning to the evening chime. + Nay, till the bellman of the night had tolled + Past noon of night, yet wear the hours not old + Nor dulled with iron sleep, but have outworn + The fresh and fairest nourish of the morn + With flame and rapture; drinking to the odd + Number of nine which makes us full with God, + And in that mystic frenzy we have hurled, + As with a tempest, nature through the world, + And in a whirlwind twirl'd her home, aghast + At that which in her ecstasy had past; + Thus crowned with rosebuds, sack, thou mad'st me fly + Like fire-drakes, yet didst me no harm thereby. + O thou almighty nature, who didst give + True heat wherewith humanity doth live + Beyond its stinted circle, giving food, + White fame and resurrection to the good; + Shoring them up 'bove ruin till the doom, + The general April of the world doth come + That makes all equal. Many thousands should, + Were't not for thee, have crumbled into mould, + And with their serecloths rotted, not to show + Whether the world such spirits had or no, + Whereas by thee those and a million since, + Nor fate, nor envy, can their fames convince. + Homer, Musæus, Ovid, Maro, more + Of those godful prophets long before + Held their eternal fires, and ours of late + (Thy mercy helping) shall resist strong fate, + Nor stoop to the centre, but survive as long + As fame or rumour hath or trump or tongue; + But unto me be only hoarse, since now + (Heaven and my soul bear record of my vow) + I my desires screw from thee, and direct + Them and my thoughts to that sublim'd respect + And conscience unto priesthood; 'tis not need + (The scarecrow unto mankind) that doth breed + Wiser conclusions in me, since I know + I've more to bear my charge than way to go, + Or had I not, I'd stop the spreading itch + Of craving more, so in conceit be rich; + But 'tis the God of Nature who intends + And shapes my function for more glorious ends. + Kiss, so depart, yet stay a while to see + The lines of sorrow that lie drawn in me + In speech, in picture; no otherwise than when, + Judgment and death denounced 'gainst guilty men, + Each takes a weeping farewell, racked in mind + With joys before and pleasures left behind; + Shaking the head, whilst each to each doth mourn, + With thought they go whence they must ne'er return. + So with like looks, as once the ministrel + Cast, leading his Eurydice through hell, + I strike thy love, and greedily pursue + Thee with mine eyes or in or out of view. + So looked the Grecian orator when sent + From's native country into banishment, + Throwing his eyeballs backward to survey + The smoke of his beloved Attica; + So Tully looked when from the breasts of Rome + The sad soul went, not with his love, but doom, + Shooting his eyedarts 'gainst it to surprise + It, or to draw the city to his eyes. + Such is my parting with thee, and to prove + There was not varnish only in my love, + But substance, lo! receive this pearly tear + Frozen with grief and place it in thine ear. + Then part in name of peace, and softly on + With numerous feet to hoofy Helicon; + And when thou art upon that forked hill + Amongst the thrice three sacred virgins, fill + A full-brimm'd bowl of fury and of rage, + And quaff it to the prophets of our age; + When drunk with rapture curse the blind and lame, + Base ballad-mongers who usurp thy name + And foul thy altar; charm some into frogs, + Some to be rats, and others to be hogs; + Into the loathsom'st shapes thou canst devise + To make fools hate them, only by disguise; + Thus with a kiss of warmth and love I part + Not so, but that some relic in my heart + Shall stand for ever, though I do address + Chiefly myself to what I must profess. + Know yet, rare soul, when my diviner muse + Shall want a handmaid (as she oft will use), + Be ready, thou for me, to wait upon her, + Though as a servant, yet a maid of honour. + The crown of duty is our duty: well + Doing's the fruit of doing well. Farewell. + + _Shoring_, copies _soaring_. + + +A CAROL PRESENTED TO DR. WILLIAMS, BISHOP OF LINCOLN AS A NEW-YEAR'S +GIFT. + + Fly hence, pale care, no more remember + Past sorrows with the fled December, + But let each pleasant cheek appear + Smooth as the childhood of the year, + And sing a carol here. + 'Twas brave, 'twas brave, could we command the hand + Of youth's swift watch to stand + As you have done your day; + Then should we not decay. + But all we wither, and our light + Is spilt in everlasting night, + Whenas your sight + Shows like the heavens above the moon, + Like an eternal noon + That sees no setting sun. + + Keep up those flames, and though you shroud + Awhile your forehead in a cloud, + Do it like the sun to write + In the air a greater text of light; + Welcome to all our vows, + And since you pay + To us this day + So long desir'd, + See we have fir'd + Our holy spikenard, and there's none + But brings his stick of cinnamon, + His eager eye or smoother smile, + And lays it gently on the pile, + Which thus enkindled, we invoke + Your name amidst the sacred smoke. + + _Chorus._ Come then, great Lord. + And see our altar burn + With love of your return, + And not a man here but consumes + His soul to glad you in perfumes. + + +SONG. HIS MISTRESS TO HIM AT HIS FAREWELL. + + You may vow I'll not forget + To pay the debt + Which to thy memory stands as due + As faith can seal it you; + Take then tribute of my tears, + So long as I have fears + To prompt me I shall ever + Languish and look, but thy return see never. + Oh then to lessen my despair + Print thy lips into the air, + So by this + Means I may kiss thy kiss + Whenas some kind + Wind + Shall hither waft it, and in lieu + My lips shall send a 1000 back to you. + + +UPON PARTING. + + Go hence away, and in thy parting know + 'Tis not my voice but Heaven's that bids thee go; + Spring hence thy faith, nor think it ill desert + I find in thee that makes me thus to part. + But voice of fame, and voice of Heaven have thundered + We both were lost, if both of us not sundered. + Fold now thine arms, and in thy last look rear + One sigh of love, and cool it with a tear. + Since part we must, let's kiss; that done, retire + With as cold frost as erst we met with fire; + With such white vows as fate can ne'er dissever, + But truth knit fast; and so, farewell for ever. + + +UPON MASTER FLETCHER'S INCOMPARABLE PLAYS. + + Apollo sings, his harp resounds: give room, + For now behold the golden pomp is come, + Thy pomp of plays which thousands come to see + With admiration both of them and thee. + O volume! worthy, leaf by leaf and cover, + To be with juice of cedar wash'd all over; + Here words with lines and lines with scenes consent + To raise an act to full astonishment; + Here melting numbers, words of power to move + Young men to swoon and maids to die for love. + _Love lies a-bleeding_ here, _Evadne_, there + Swells with brave rage, yet comely everywhere; + Here's _A mad lover_, there that high design + Of _King and no King_, and the rare plot thine. + So that whene'er we circumvolve our eyes, + Such rich, such fresh, such sweet varieties + Ravish our spirits, that entranc'd we see + None writes love's passion in the world like thee. + + +_THE NEW CHARON:_ + +UPON THE DEATH OF HENRY, LORD HASTINGS. + +_The musical part being set by Mr. Henry Lawes._ + +THE SPEAKERS, + +CHARON AND EUCOSMIA. + + _Euc._ Charon, O Charon, draw thy boat to th' shore, + And to thy many take in one soul more. + _Cha._ Who calls? who calls? _Euc._ One overwhelm'd with ruth; + Have pity either on my tears or youth, + And take me in who am in deep distress; + But first cast off thy wonted churlishness. + _Cha._ I will be gentle as that air which yields + A breath of balm along the Elysian fields. + Speak, what art thou? _Euc_. One once that had a lover, + Than which thyself ne'er wafted sweeter over. + He was---- _Cha._ Say what? _Euc._ Ah me, my woes are deep. + _Cha._ Prithee relate, while I give ear and weep. + _Euc._ He was a Hastings; and that one name has + In it all good that is, and ever was. + He was my life, my love, my joy, but died + Some hours before I should have been his bride. + _Chorus._ Thus, thus the gods celestial still decree, + For human joy contingent misery. + _Euc._ The hallowed tapers all prepared were, + And Hymen call'd to bless the rites. _Cha._ Stop there. + _Euc._ Great are my woes. _Cha._ And great must that grief be + That makes grim Charon thus to pity thee. + But now come in. _Euc._ More let me yet relate. + _Cha._ I cannot stay; more souls for waftage wait + And I must hence. _Euc._ Yet let me thus much know, + Departing hence, where good and bad souls go? + _Cha._ Those souls which ne'er were drench'd in pleasure's stream, + The fields of Pluto are reserv'd for them; + Where, dress'd with garlands, there they walk the ground + Whose blessed youth with endless flowers is crown'd. + But such as have been drown'd in this wild sea, + For those is kept the Gulf of Hecate, + Where with their own contagion they are fed, + And there do punish and are punished. + This known, the rest of thy sad story tell + When on the flood that nine times circles hell. + _Chorus._ We sail along to visit mortals never; + But there to live where love shall last for ever. + + +EPITAPH ON THE TOMB OF SIR EDWARD GILES AND HIS WIFE IN THE SOUTH AISLE +OF DEAN PRIOR CHURCH, DEVON. + + No trust to metals nor to marbles, when + These have their fate and wear away as men; + Times, titles, trophies may be lost and spent, + But virtue rears the eternal monument. + What more than these can tombs or tombstones pay? + But here's the sunset of a tedious day: + These two asleep are: I'll but be undress'd + And so to bed: pray wish us all good rest. + + + + +NOTES. + + + + +NOTES. + + +569. _And of any wood ye see, You can make a Mercury._ Pythagoras +allegorically said that Mercury's statue could not be made of every sort +of wood: cp. Rabelais, iv. 62. + +575. _The Apparition of his Mistress calling him to Elysium._ An earlier +version of this poem was printed in the 1640 edition of Shakespeare's +poems under the title, _His Mistris Shade_, having been licensed for +separate publication at Stationers' Hall the previous year. The variants +are numerous, and some of them important. l. 1, _of silver_ for _with +silv'rie_; l. 3, on the Banks for _in the Meads_; l. 8, _Spikenard +through_ for _Storax from_; l. 10 reads: "_Of mellow_ Apples, _ripened_ +Plums _and_ Pears": l. 17, the order of "naked younglings, handsome +striplings" is reversed; in place of l. 20 we have:-- + + "So soon as each his dangling locks hath crown'd + With Rosie Chaplets, Lilies, Pansies red, + Soft Saffron Circles to perfume the head"; + +l. 23, _to_ for _too unto_; l. 24, _their_ for _our_; ll. 29, 30:-- + + "Unto the Prince of Shades, whom once his Pen + Entituled the Grecian Prince of Men"; + +l. 31, _thereupon_ for _and that done_; l. 36, _render him true_ for +_show him truly_; l. 37, _will_ for _shall_; l. 38, "Where both may +_laugh_, both drink, _both_ rage together"; l. 48, _Amphitheatre_ for +_spacious theatre_; l. 49, _synod_ for _glories_, followed by:-- + + "crown'd with sacred Bays + And flatt'ring _joy, we'll have to_ recite their plays, + _Shakespeare and Beamond_, Swans to whom _the Spheres_ + Listen while they _call back the former year[s] + To teach the truth of scenes_, and more for thee, + There yet remains, _brave soul_, than thou can'st see," + etc.; + +l. 56, _illustrious for capacious_; l. 57, _shall be_ for _now is_ +[Jonson died 1637]; ll. 59-61:-- + + "To be of that high Hierarchy where none + But brave souls take illumination + Immediately from heaven; but hark the cock," etc.; + +l. 62, _feel_ for _see_; l. 63, _through_ for _from_. + +579. _My love will fit each history._ Cp. Ovid, _Amor._ II. iv. 44: +Omnibus historiis se meus aptat amor. + +580. _The sweets of love are mixed with tears._ Cp. Propert. I. xii. 16: +Nonnihil adspersis gaudet Amor lacrimis. + +583. _Whom this morn sees most fortunate_, etc. Seneca, _Thyest._ 613: +Quem dies vidit veniens superbum Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem. + +586. _Night hides our thefts_, etc. Ovid, _Ars Am._ i. 249:-- + + Nocte latent mendæ vitioque ignoscitur omni, + Horaque formosam quamlibet illa facit. + +590. _To his brother-in-law, Master John Wingfield._ Of Brantham, +Suffolk, husband of the poet's sister, Mercy. See 818, and Sketch of +Herrick's Life in vol. i. + +599. _Upon Lucia._ Cp. "The Resolution" in _Speculum Amantis_, ed. A. H. +Bullen. + +604. _Old Religion._ Certainly not Roman Catholicism, though Jonson was +a Catholic. Herrick uses the noun and its adjective rather curiously of +the dead: cp. 82, "To the reverend shade of his religious Father," and +138, "When thou shalt laugh at my religious dust". There may be +something of this use here, or we may refer to his ancient cult of +Jonson. But the use of the phrase in 870 makes the exact shade of +meaning difficult to fix. + +605. _Riches to be but burdens to the mind._ Seneca _De Provid._ 6: +Democritus divitias projecit, onus illas bonae mentis existimans. + +607. _Who covets more is evermore a slave._ Hor. I. _Ep._ x. 41: Serviet +aeternum qui parvo nesciet uti. + +615. _No Wrath of Men._ Cp. Hor. _Od._ III. iii. 1-8. + +616. _To the Maids to walk abroad._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, +1650, under the title: _Abroad with the Maids_. + +618. _Mistress Elizabeth Lee, now Lady Tracy._ Elizabeth, daughter of +Thomas, first Lord Leigh of Stoneleigh, in Warwickshire, married John, +third Viscount Tracy. She survived her husband two years, and died in +1688. + +624. _Poets._ _Wantons we are_, etc. From Ovid, _Trist._ ii. 353-4:-- + + Crede mihi, mores distant a carmine nostri: + Vita verecunda est, Musa jocosa, mihi. + +625. _'Tis cowardice to bite the buried._ Cp. Ben Jonson, _The +Poetaster_, I. 1: "Envy the living, not the dead, doth bite"; perhaps +from Ovid, _Am._ I. xv. 39: Pascitur in vivis livor; post fata quiescit. + +626. _Noble Westmoreland._ See Note to 112. + +_Gallant Newark._ Robert Pierrepoint was created Viscount Newark in 1627 +and Earl of Kingston in the following year. But Herrick is perhaps +addressing his son, Henry Pierrepoint, afterwards Marquis of Dorchester +(see 962 and Note), who during the first Earl of Kingston's life would +presumably have borne his second title. + +633. _Sweet words must nourish soft and gentle love._ Ovid, _Ars Am._ +ii. 152: Dulcibus est verbis mollis alendus amor. + +639. _Fates revolve no flax they've spun._ Seneca, _Herc. Fur._ 1812: +Duræ peragunt pensa sorores, Nec sua retro fila revolvunt. + +642. _Palms ... gems._ A Latinism. Cp. Ovid, _Fasti_, i. 152: Et nova de +gravido palmite gemma tumet. + +645. _Upon Tears._ Cp. S. Bernard: P[oe]nitentium lacrimæ vinum +angelorum. + +649. _Upon Lucy._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, under the title, +_On Betty_. + +653. _To th' number five or nine._ Probably Herrick is mistaking the +references in Greek and Latin poets to the mixing of their wine and +water (_e.g._, Hor. _Od._ III. xix. 11-17) for the drinking of so many +cups. + +654. _Long-looked-for comes at last._ Cp. G. Herbert, preface to Sibbes' +Funeral Sermon on Sir Thomas Crew (1638): "That ancient adage, 'Quod +differtur non aufertur' for 'Long-looked-for comes at last'". + +655. _The morrow's life too late is_, etc. Mart. I. xvi. 12: Sera nimis +vita est crastina: vive hodie. + +662. _O happy life_, etc. From Virg. _Georg._ ii. 458-9:-- + + O fortunatos nimium sua si bona norint + Agricolas. + +It is not uncharacteristic that these fervid praises of country life +were left unfinished. + +664. _Arthur Bartly._ Not yet identified. + +665. _Let her Lucrece all day be._ From Martial XI. civ. 21, 22:-- + + Lucretia toto + Sis licet usque die: Laida nocte volo. + +_Neither will Famish me, nor overfill._ Mart. I. lviii. 4: Nec volo quod +cruciat, nec volo quod satiat. + +667. _Be't for my Bridal or my Burial._ Cp. Brand, vol. ii., and Coles' +_Introduction to the Knowledge of Plants_: "Rosemary and bayes are used +by the commons both at funerals and weddings". + +672. _Kings ought to be more lov'd than fear'd._ Seneca, _Octavia_, 459: +Decet timeri Cæsarem. At plus diligi. + +673. _To Mr. Denham, on his prospective poem._ Sir John Denham +published in 1642 his _Cooper's Hill_, a poem on the view over the +Thames towards London, from a hill near Windsor. + +675. _Their fashion is, but to say no_, etc. Cp. Montaigne's _Essais_, +II. 3, p. 51; Florio's tr. p. 207: "Let it suffice that in doing it they +say no and take it". + +676. _Love is maintained by wealth._ Ovid, _Rem. Am._ 746: Divitiis +alitur luxuriosus amor. + +679. _Nero commanded, but withdrew his eyes._ Tacit. _Agric._ 45: Nero +subtraxit oculos, jussitque scelera, non spectavit. + +683. _But a just measure both of Heat and Cold._ This is a version of +the medieval doctrine of the four humours. So Chaucer says of his Doctor +of Physic:-- + + "He knew the cause of every maladye, + Were it of hoot or cold, or moyste, or drye, + And where engendered and of what humour". + +684. _'Gainst thou go'st a-mothering._ The Epistle for Mid-Lent Sunday +was from Galat. iv. 21, etc., and contained the words: "Jerusalem, quæ +est Mater nostra". On that Sunday people made offerings at their Mother +Church. After the Reformation the natural mother was substituted for the +spiritual, and the day was set apart for visiting relations. Excellent +simnel cakes (Low Lat., _siminellus_, fine flour) are still made in the +North, where the current derivation of the word is from _Sim_ and +_Nell_! + +685. _To the King._ Probably written in 1645, when Charles was for a +short time in the West. + +689. _Too much she gives to some, enough to none._ Mart. XII. x.; +Fortuna multis dat nimis, satis nulli. + +696. _Men mind no state in sickness._ There is a general resemblance in +this poem to the latter part of Hor. III. _Od._ i., but I have an uneasy +sense that Herrick is translating. + +697. _Adversity._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650. + +702. _Mean things overcome mighty._ Cp. 486 and Note. + +706. _How roses came red._ Cp. Burton, _Anat. Mel._ III. ii. 3: +"Constantine (_Agricult._ xi. 18) makes Cupid himself to be a great +dancer: by the same token that he was capering among the gods, he flung +down a bowl of nectar, which, distilling upon the white rose, ever since +made it red". + +709. _Tears and Laughter._ Bishop Jebb quotes a Latin couplet inscribed +on an old inn at Four Crosses, Staffordshire:-- + + Fleres si scires unum tua tempora mensem: + Rides, cum non sit forsitan una dies. + +710. _Tully says._ Cic. _Tusc. Disp._ III. ii. 3: Gloria est frequens de +aliquo, fama cum laude. + +713. _His return to London._ Written at the same time as his _Farewell +to Dean Bourn_, _i.e._, after his ejection in 1648, the year of the +publication of the _Hesperides_. + +715. _No pack like poverty._ Burton, _Anat. Mel._ iii. 3: {Ouden penias +baryteron esti phortion}. "No burden, saith Menander, is so intolerable +as poverty." + +718. _As many laws_, etc. Tacit. _Ann._ iii. 27: Corruptissima in +republica plurimæ leges. + +723. _Lay down some silver pence._ Cp. Bishop Corbet's _The Faeryes +Farewell_:-- + + "And though they sweep their hearths no less + Than maids were wont to do, + Yet who of late for cleanliness + Finds sixpence in her shoe?" + +725. _Times that are ill ... Clouds will not ever_, etc., two +reminiscences of Horace, II. _Od._ x. 17, and ix. + +727. _Up tails all._ This tune will be found in Chappell's _Popular +Music of the Olden Time_, vol. i. p. 196. He notes that it was a +favourite with Herrick, who wrote four other poems in the metre, viz.: +_The Hag is Astride_, _The Maypole is up_, _The Peter-penny_, and +_Twelfth Night: or, King and Queen_. The tune is found in Queen +Elizabeth's Virginal Book, and in the _Dancing Master_ (1650-1690). It +is alluded to by Ben Jonson, and was a favourite with the Cavaliers. + +730. _Charon and Philomel._ This dialogue is found with some slight +variations of text in Rawlinson's MS. poet. 65. fol. 32. The following +variants may be noted: l. 5, _voice_ for _sound_; l. 7, _shade_ for +_bird_; l. 11, _warbling_ for _watching_; l. 12, _hoist up_ for _thus +hoist_; l. 13, _be gone_ for _return_; l. 18, _praise_ for _pray_; l. +19, _sighs_ for _vows_; l. 24, omit _slothful_. The dialogue is +succeeded in the MS. by an old catch (probably written before Herrick +was born):-- + + "A boat! a boat! haste to the ferry! + For we go over to be merry, + To laugh and quaff, and drink old sherry". + +After the catch comes the following dialogue, written (it would seem) in +imitation of Herrick's _Charon and Philomel_: the speakers' names are +not marked:-- + + "Charon! O Charon! the wafter of all souls to bliss or bane! + Who calls the ferryman of Hell? + Come near and say who lives in bliss and who in pain. + Those that die well eternal bliss shall follow. + Those that die ill their own black deeds shall swallow. + Shall thy black barge those guilty spirits row + That kill themselves for love? Oh, no! oh, no! + My cordage cracks when such foul sins draw near, + No wind blows fair, nor I my boat can steer. + What spirits pass and in Elysium reign? + Those harmless souls that love and are beloved again. + That soul that lives in love and fain would die to win, + Shall he go free? Oh, no! it is too foul a sin. + He must not come aboard, I dare not row, + Storms of despair my boat will overblow. + But when thy mistress (?) shall close up thine eyes then come aboard, + Then come aboard and pass; till then be wise and sing." + +"Then come aboard" from the penultimate line and "and sing" from the +last should clearly be struck out. + +739. _O Jupiter_, etc. Eubulus in Athenaeus, xiii. 559: {Ô Zeu +polytimêt', eit' egô kakôs pote | erô gynaikas? nê Di' apoloimên ara; | +pantôn ariston ktêmatôn}. Comp. 885. + +743. _Another upon her Weeping._ Printed in Witts _Recreations_, 1650, +under the title: _On Julia's Weeping_. + +745. _To Sir John Berkeley, Governour of Exeter._ Youngest son of Sir +Maurice Berkeley, of Bruton, in Somersetshire; knighted in Berwick in +1638; commander-in-chief of all the Royalist forces in Devonshire, 1643; +captured Exeter Sept. 4 of that year, and held it till April 13, 1646. +Created Baron Berkeley of Stratton, in Cornwall, 1658; died 1678. + +749. _Consultation._ As noted in the text, this is from Sallust, _Cat._ +i. + +751. _None sees the fardell of his faults behind._ Cp. Catullus, xxii. +20, 21:-- + + Suus cuique attributus est error, + Sed non videmus manticae quod in tergo est, + +or, perhaps more probably from Seneca, _de Irá_, ii. 28: Aliena vitia in +oculis habemus; à tergo nostra sunt. + +755. _The Eye._ Æschyl. _Fragm._ in Plutarch, _Amat._ 21: {Neas gynaikos +ou me mê lathê phlegôn Ophthalmos, hêtis andros ê gegeumenê}. + +756. _To Prince Charles upon his coming to Exeter._ In August, 1645. + +761. _The Wake._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, under the title: +_Alvar and Anthea_. + +763. _To Doctor Alabaster._ William Alabaster, or Alablaster, born at +Hadleigh, Suffolk (1567); educated at Westminster and Trinity College, +Cambridge; a friend of Spencer; was converted to Roman Catholicism while +chaplain to the Earl of Essex in Spain, 1596. In 1607 he began his +series of apocalyptic writings by an _Apparatus in Revelationem Jesu +Christi_. On visiting Rome he was imprisoned by the Inquisition, +escaped, and returned to Protestantism. Besides his theological works, +he published (in 1637) a Lexicon Pentaglotton. Died April, 1640. + +766. _Time is the bound of things_, etc. From Seneca, _Consol. ad Marc._ +xix.: Excessit filius tuus terminos intra quos servitur ... mors omnium +dolorum solutio est et finis. + +771. _As I have read must be the first man up_, etc. Hor. I. _Ep._ vi. +48: Hoc primus repetas opus, hoc postremus omittas. + +_Rich compost._ Cp. the same thought in 662. + +772. _A Hymn to Bacchus._ Printed, with the misprint _Bacchus for +Iacchus_ in l. 1, in _Witts Recreations_, 1650. + +_Brutus ... Cato._ Cp. Note to 4 and 8. + +774. _If wars go well_, etc. Tacitus, _Ann._ iii. 53: cùm rectè factorum +sibi quisque gratiam trahant, unius [Principis scil.] invidiâ ab omnibus +peccatur. + +775. _Niggards of the meanest blood._ Seneca, _de Clem._ i. 1: Summa +parsimonia etiam vilissimi sanguinis. + +776. _Wrongs, if neglected_, etc. Tacit. _Ann._ iv. 34: [Probra] spreta +exolescunt, si irascare agnita videntur. + +780. _Kings ought to shear_, etc. A saying of Tiberius quoted by +Suetonius: Boni pastoris est tondere oves, non deglubere. Herrick +probably took it from Ben Jonson's _Discoveries_. + +784-7. _Ceremonies for Christmas._ More will be found about the Yule-log +in _Ceremonies for Candlemas Day_ (893); cp. also _The Wassail_ (476). + +788. _Power and Peace._ From Tacitus, _Ann._ iv. 4: Quanquam arduum sit +eodem loci potentiam et concordiam esse. + +789. _Mistress Margaret Falconbridge._ A daughter, probably, of the +Thomas Falconbridge of number 483. + +797. _Kisses._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, with omission of me +in l. 1. + +804. _John Crofts, Cup-bearer to the King._ Third son of Sir John +Crofts, of Saxham, Suffolk. We hear of him in the king's service as +early as 1628, and two years later Lord Conway, in thanking Wm. Weld for +some verses sent him, hopes "the lines are strong enough to bind Robert +Maule and Jack Crofts from ever more using the phrase". So Jack was +probably a bit of a poet himself. He may be the Mr. Crofts for +assaulting whom George, Lord Digby, was imprisoned a month and more, in +1634. + +807. _Man may want land to live in._ Tacitus, _Ann._ xiii. 56: Addidit +[Boiocalus] Deësse nobis terra in quâ vivamus, in quâ moriamur non +potest, quoted by Montaigne, II. 3. + +809. _Who after his transgression doth repent._ Seneca, _Agam._ 243: +Quem poenitet peccasse paene est innocens. + +810. _Grief, if't be great 'tis short._ Seneca, quoted by Burton (II. +iii. 1, § 1): "Si longa est, levis est; si gravis est, brevis est. If it +be long, 'tis light; if grievous, it cannot last." + +817. _The Amber Bead._ Cp. Martial's epigram quoted in Note to 497. The +comparison to Cleopatra is from Mart. IV. xxxii. + +818. _To my dearest sister, M. Mercy Herrick._ Not quite five years his +senior. She married John Wingfield, of Brantham, Suffolk, to whom also +Herrick addresses a poem. + +820. _Suffer that thou canst not shift._ From Seneca; the title from +_Ep._ cvii.: Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis, the epigram from +_De Provid._ 4, as translated by Thomas Lodge, 1614, "Vertuous +instructions are never delicate. Doth fortune beat and rend us? Let us +suffer it"--whence Herrick reproduces the printer's error, _Vertuous_ +for Vertues (Virtue's). + +821. _For a stone has Heaven his tomb._ Cp. Sir T. Browne, _Relig. Med._ +§ 40: "Nor doe I altogether follow that rodomontado of Lucan (_Phars._ +vii. 819): Coelo tegitur qui non habet urnam, + + He that unburied lies wants not his hearse, + For unto him a tomb's the universe". + +823. _To the King upon his taking of Leicester._ May 31, 1645, a brief +success before Naseby. + +825. _'Twas Cæsar's saying._ Tiberius ap. Tacit. _Ann._ ii. 26: Se +novies a divo Augusto in Germaniam missum plura consilio quam vi +perfecisse. + +830. _His Loss._ A reference to his ejection from Dean Prior. + +837. _Mistress Amy Potter._ Daughter of Barnabas Potter, Bishop of +Carlisle, Herrick's predecessor at Dean Prior. + +839. _Love is a circle ... from good to good._ So Burton, III. i. 1, § +2: Circulus a bono in bonum. + +844. TO HIS BOOK. _Make haste away._ Martial, III. ii. Ad Librum +suum--Festina tibi vindicem parare, Ne nigram cito raptus in culinam +Cordyllas madidâ tegas papyro, Vel thuris piperisque sis cucullus. _To +make loose gowns for mackerel._ From Catullus, xcv. 1:-- + + At Volusi annales Paduam morientur ad ipsam, + Et laxas scombris saepe dabunt tunicas. + +846. _And what we blush to speak_, etc. Ovid, _Phaedra to Hipp._ 10: +Dicere quae puduit scribere jussit amor. + +849. _'Tis sweet to think_, etc. Seneca, _Herc. Fur._ 657-58: Quae fuit +durum pati Meminisse dulce est. + +851. _To Mr. Henry Lawes, the excellent composer of his lyrics._ Henry +Lawes (1595-1662), the friend of Milton, admitted a Gentleman of the +Chapel Royal, 1625. In the _Noble Numbers_ he is mentioned as the +composer of Herrick's _Christmas Carol_ and the first of his two +_New-Year's Gifts_. Lawes also set to music Herrick's _Not to Love_, _To +Mrs. Eliz. Wheeler_ (Among the Myrtles as I walked), _The Kiss_, _The +Primrose_, _To a Gentlewoman objecting to him his Grey Hairs_, and +doubtless others. + +852. _Maidens tell me I am old._ From Anacreon: + + {Legousin hai gynaikes + Anakreôn gerôn ei k.t.l.} + +With a significant variation--"Ill it fits"--for {mallon prepei}. + +859. _Master J. Jincks._ Not identified. + +861. _Kings seek their subjects' good, tyrants their own._ Aristot. +_Politics_, iii. 7: {kalein eiôthamen tôn men monarchiôn tên pros to +koinon apoblepousan sympheron basileian ... hê tyrannis esti monarchia +pros to sympheron to tou monarchountos}. + +869. _Sir Thomas Heale._ Probably a son of the Sir Thomas Hele, of +Fleet, Co. Devon, who died in 1624. This Sir Thomas was created a +baronet in 1627, and according to Dr. Grosart was one of the Royalist +commanders at the siege of Plymouth. He died 1670. + +872. _Love is a kind of war._ Ovid, _Ars Am._ II. 233, 34:-- + + Militiae species amor est: discedite segnes! + Non sunt haec timidis signa tuenda viris. + +873. _A spark neglected_, etc. Ovid, _Rem. Am._ 732-34:-- + + E minimo maximus ignis erit. + Sic nisi vitaris quicquid renovabit amorem, + Flamma redardescet quae modo nulla fuit. + +874. _An Hymn to Cupid._ From Anacreon:-- + + {Ônax, hô damalês Erôs + kai Nymphai kyanôpides + porphyreê t' Aphroditê + sympaizousin ... gounoumai se, k.t.l.} + +885. _Naught are all women._ Burton, III. ii. 5. § 5. + +907. _Upon Mr. William Lawes, the rare musician._ Elder brother of the +more famous Henry Lawes; appointed a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, +1602, and also one of Charles I.'s musicians-in-ordinary. When the Civil +War broke out he joined the king's army and was killed by a stray shot +during the siege of Chester, 1645. He set Herrick's _Gather ye rosebuds_ +to music. + +914. _Numbers ne'er tickle_, etc. Martial, I. xxxvi.:-- + + Lex haec carminibus data est jocosis, + Ne possint, nisi pruriant, juvare. + +918. _M. Kellam._ As yet unidentified. Dr. Grosart suggests that he may +have been one of Herrick's parishioners, and the name sounds as of the +west country. + +920. _Cunctation in correction._ Is Herrick translating? According to a +relief at Rome the lictors' rods were bound together not only by a red +thong twisted from top to bottom, but by six straps as well. + +922. _Continual reaping makes a land wax old._ Ovid, _Ars Am._ iii. 82: +Continua messe senescit ager. + +923. _Revenge._ Tacitus, _Hist._ iv. 3: Tanto proclivius est injuriae +quàm beneficio vicem exsolvere; quia gratia oneri, ultio in quaestu +habetur. + +927. _Praise they that will times past._ Ovid, _Ars Am._ iii. 121:-- + + Prisca juvent alios: ego me nunc denique natum + Gratulor; haec aetas moribus apta meis. + +928. _Clothes are conspirators._ I can suggest no better explanation of +this oracular epigram than that the tailor's bill is an enemy of a +slender purse. + +929. _Cruelty_. Seneca _de Clem._ i. 24: Ferina ista rabies est, +sanguine gaudere et vulneribus; (i. 8), Quemadmodum praecisae arbores +plurimis ramis repullulant [H. uses repullulate, -tion, 336, 794], et +multa satorum genera, ut densiora surgant, reciduntur; ita regia +crudelitas auget inimicorum numerum tollendo. Ben Jonson, _Discoveries_ +(_Clementia_): "The lopping of trees makes the boughs shoot out quicker; +and the taking away of some kind of enemies increaseth the number". + +931. _A fierce desire of hot and dry._ Cp. note on 683. + +932. _To hear the worst_, etc. Antisthenes ap. _Diog. Laert._ VI. i. 4, +§ 3: {Akousas pote hoti Platôn auton kakôs legei Basilikon ephê kalôs +poiounta kakôs akouein}, quoted by Burton, II. iii. 7. + +934. _The Bondman._ Cp. Exodus xxi. 5, 6: "And if the servant shall +plainly say: I love my master, my wife, and my children: I will not go +out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also +bring him to the door, or unto the doorpost; and his master shall bore +his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him for ever". + +936. _My kiss outwent the bonds of shamefastness._ Cp. Sidney's +_Astrophel and Stella_, sonnet 82. For _not Jove himself_, etc., cp. 10, +and note. + +938. _His wish._ From Martial, II. xc. 7-10:-- + + Sit mihi verna satur: sit non doctissima conjux: + Sit nox cum somno, sit sine lite dies, etc. + +939. _Upon Julia washing herself in the river._ Imitated from Martial, +IV. xxii.:-- + + Primos passa toros et adhuc placanda marito + Merserat in nitidos se Cleopatra lacus, + Dum fugit amplexus: sed prodidit unda latentem, + Lucebat, totis cum tegeretur aquis. + Condita sic puro numerantur lilia vitro, + Sic prohibet tenuis gemma latere rosas, + Insilui mersusque vadis luctantia carpsi + Basia: perspicuae plus vetuistis aquae. + +940. _Though frankincense_, etc. Ovid, _de Medic. Fac._ 83, 84:-- + + Quamvis thura deos irataque numina placent, + Non tamen accensis omnia danda focis. + +947. _To his honoured and most ingenious friend, Mr. Charles Cotton._ +Dr. Grosart annotates: "The translator of Montaigne, and associate of +Izaak Walton"; but as the younger Cotton was only eighteen when +_Hesperides_ was printed, it is perhaps more probable that the father is +meant, though we may note that Herrick and the younger Cotton were +joint-contributors in 1649 to the _Lacrymæ Musarum_, published in memory +of Lord Hastings. For a tribute to the brilliant abilities of the elder +Cotton, see Clarendon's _Life_ (i. 36; ed. 1827). + +948. _Women Useless._ A variation on a theme as old as Euripides. Cp. +_Medea_, 573-5:-- + + {chrên gar allothen pothen brotous + paidas teknousthai, thêly d' ouk einai genos; + choutôs an ouk ên ouden anthrôpois kakon.} + +952. _Weep for the dead, for they have lost the light_, cp. Ecclus. +xxii. 11. + +955. _To M. Leonard Willan, his peculiar friend._ A wretched poet; +author of "The Phrygian Fabulist; or the Fables of Æsop" (1650), +"Astraea; or True Love's Mirror" (1651), etc. + +956. _Mr. John Hall, Student of Gray's Inn._ Hall remained at Cambridge +till 1647, and this poem, which addresses him as a "Student of Gray's +Inn," must therefore have been written almost while _Hesperides_ was +passing through the press. Hall's _Horæ Vacivæ, or Essays_, published in +1646, had at once given him high rank among the wits. + +958. _To the most comely and proper M. Elizabeth Finch._ No certain +identification has been proposed. + +961. _To the King, upon his welcome to Hampton Court, set and sung._ The +allusion can only be to the king's stay at Hampton Court in 1647. Good +hope was then entertained of a peaceful settlement, and Herrick's ode, +enthusiastic as it is, expresses little more than this. + +_For an ascendent_, etc.: This and the next seven lines are taken from +phrases on pp. 29-33 of the _Notes and Observations on some passages of +Scripture_, by John Gregory (see note on N. N. 178). According to +Gregory, "The Ascendent of a City is that sign which riseth in the +Heavens at the laying of the first stone". + +962. _Henry, Marquis of Dorchester._ Henry Pierrepoint, second Earl of +Kingston, succeeded his father (Herrick's Newark) July 30, 1643, and was +created Marquis of Dorchester, March, 1645. "He was a very studious +nobleman and very learned, particularly in law and physics." (See +Burke's _Extinct Peerages_, iii. 435.) + +_When Cato, the severe, entered the circumspacious theatre._ The +allusion is to the visit of Cato to the games of Flora, given by +Messius. When his presence in the theatre was known, the dancing-women +were not allowed to perform in their accustomed lack of costume, +whereupon the moralist obligingly retired, amidst applause. + +966. _M. Jo. Harmar, physician to the College of Westminster._ John +Harmar, born at Churchdown, near Gloucester, about 1594, was educated at +Winchester and Magdalen College, Oxford; was a master at Magdalen +School, the Free School at St. Albans, and at Westminster, and Professor +of Greek at Oxford under the Commonwealth. He died 1670. Wood +characterises him as a butt for the wits and a flatterer of great men, +and notes that he was always called by the name of Doctor Harmar, though +he took no higher degree than M.A. But in 1632 he supplicated for the +degree of M.B., and Dr. Grosart's note--"Herrick, no doubt, playfully +transmuted 'Doctor' into 'Physician'"--is misleading. He may have cared +for the minds and bodies of the Westminster boys at one and the same +time. + +_The Roman language.... If Jove would speak_, etc. Cp. Ben Jonson's +_Discoveries_: "that testimony given by L. Aelius Stilo upon Plautus who +affirmed, "Musas si latine loqui voluissent Plautino sermone fuisse +loquuturas". And Cicero [in Plutarch, § 24] "said of the Dialogues of +Plato, that Jupiter, if it were his nature to use language, would speak +like him". + +967. _Upon his spaniel, Tracy._ Cp. _supra_, 724. + +971. _Strength_, etc. Tacitus, _Ann._ xiii. 19: Nihil rerum mortalium +tam instabile ac fluxum est, quàm fama potentiae, non suâ vi nixa. + +975. _Case is a lawyer_, etc. Martial, I. xcviii. Ad Naevolum +Causidicum. Cùm clamant omnes, loqueris tu, Naevole, tantùm.... Ecce, +tacent omnes; Naevole, dic aliquid. + +977. _To his sister-in-law, M. Susanna Herrick._ Cp. _supra_, 522. The +subject is again the making up of the book of the poet's elect. + +978. _Upon the Lady Crew._ Cp. Herrick's Epithalamium for her marriage +with Sir Clipsby Crew, 283. She died 1639, and was buried in Westminster +Abbey. + +979. _On Tomasin Parsons._ Daughter of the organist of Westminster +Abbey: cp. 500 and Note. + +983. _To his kinsman, M. Thomas Herrick, who desired to be in his book._ +Cp. 106 and Note. + +989. _Care keeps the conquest._ Perhaps jotted down with reference to +the Governorship of Exeter by Sir John Berkeley: see Note to 745. + +992. _To the handsome Mistress Grace Potter._ Probably sister to the +Mistress Amy Potter celebrated in 837, where see Note. + +995. _We've more to bear our charge than way to go._ Seneca, Ep. 77: +quantulumcunque haberem, tamen plus superesset viatici quam viae, quoted +by Montaigne, II. xxviii. + +1000. _The Gods, pillars, and men._ Horace's Mediocribus esse poetis +Non homines, non di, non concessere columnae (_Ars Poet._ 373). Latin +poets hung up their epigrams in public places. + +1002. _To the Lord Hopton on his fight in Cornwall._ Sir Ralph Hopton +won two brilliant victories for the Royalists, at Bradock Down and +Stratton, January and May, 1643, and was created Baron Hopton in the +following September. Originally a Parliamentarian, he was one of the +king's ablest and most loyal servants. + +1008. _Nothing's so hard but search will find it out._ Terence, _Haut._ +IV. ii. 8: Nihil tam difficile est quin quaerendo investigari posset. + +1009. _Labour is held up by the hope of rest._ Ps. Sallust, _Epist. ad +C. Caes._: Sapientes laborem spe otii sustentant. + +1022. _Posting to Printing._ Mart. V. x. 11, 12:-- + + Vos, tamen, o nostri, ne festinate, libelli: + Si post fata venit gloria, non propero. + +1023. _No kingdoms got by rapine long endure._ Seneca, _Troad._ 264: +Violenta nemo imperia continuit dies. + +1026. _Saint Distaff's Day._ "Saint Distaff is perhaps only a coinage of +our poet's to designate the day when, the Christmas vacation being over, +good housewives, with others, resumed their usual employment." (Nott.) +The phrase is explained in dictionaries and handbooks, but no other use +of it is quoted than this. Herrick's poem was pilfered by Henry Bold (a +notorious plagiarist) in _Wit a-sporting in a pleasant Grove of New +Fancies_, 1657. + +1028. _My beloved Westminster._ As mentioned in the brief "Life" of +Herrick prefixed to vol. i., all the references in this poem seem to +refer to Herrick's courtier-days, between leaving Cambridge and going to +Devonshire. He then, doubtless, resided in Westminster for the sake of +proximity to Whitehall. It has been suggested, however, that the +reference is to Westminster School, but we have no evidence that Herrick +was educated there. + +_Golden Cheapside._ My friend, Mr. Herbert Horne, in his +admirably-chosen selection from the _Hesperides_, suggests that the +allusion here is to the great gilt cross at the end of Wood Street. The +suggestion is ingenious; but as Cheapside was the goldsmiths' quarter +this would amply justify the epithet, which may indeed only refer to +Cheapside as a money-winning street, as we might say Golden Lombard +Street. + +1032. _Things are uncertain._ Tiberius, in Tacitus, _Annal._ i. 72: +Cuncta mortalium incerta; quantoque plus adeptus foret, tanto se magis +in lubrico. + +1034. _Good wits get more fame by their punishment._ Cp. Tacit. _Ann._ +iv. 35, sub fin.: Punitis ingeniis gliscit auctoritas, etc., quoted by +Bacon and Milton. + +1035. _Twelfth Night: or King and Queen._ Herrick alludes to these +"Twelfth-Tide Kings and Queens" in writing to Endymion Porter (662), and +earlier still, in the "New-Year's Gift to Sir Simeon Steward" (319) he +speaks-- + + "Of Twelfth-Tide cakes, of Peas and Beans, + Wherewith ye make those merry scenes, + Whenas ye choose your King and Queen". + +Brand (i. 27) illustrates well from "Speeches to the Queen at Sudley" in +Nichols' _Progresses of Queen Elizabeth_. + +"_Melib[oe]us._ Cut the cake: who hath the bean shall be king, and where +the pea is, she shall be queen. + +_Nisa._ I have the pea and must be queen. + +_Mel._ I the bean, and king. I must command." + +1045. _Comfort in Calamity._ An allusion to the ejection from their +benefices which befel most of the loyal clergy at the same time as +Herrick. It is perhaps worth noting that in the second volume of this +edition, and in the last hundred poems printed in the first, wherever a +date can be fixed it is always in the forties. Equally late poems occur, +though much less frequently, among the first five hundred, but there the +dated poems belong, for the most part, to the years 1623-1640. Now, in +April 29, 1640, as stated in the brief "Life" prefixed to vol. i., there +was entered at Stationers' Hall, "The severall poems written by Master +Robert Herrick," a book which, as far as is known, never saw the light. +It was probably, however, to this book that Herrick addressed the poem +(405) beginning:-- + + "Have I not blest thee? Then go forth, nor fear + Or spice, or fish, or fire, or close-stools here"; + +and we may fairly regard the first five hundred poems of _Hesperides_ +as representing the intended collection of 1640, with a few additions, +and the last six hundred as for the most part later, and I must add, +inferior work. This is borne out by the absence of any manuscript +versions of poems in the second half of the book. Herrick's verses would +only be passed from hand to hand when he was living among the wits in +London. + +1046. _Twilight._ Ovid, _Amores_, I. v. 5, 6: Crepuscula ... ubi nox +abiit, nec tamen orta dies. + +1048. _Consent makes the cure._ Seneca, _Hippol._ 250: Pars sanitatis +velle sanari fuit. + +1050. _Causeless whipping._ Ovid, _Heroid._ v. 7, 8: Leniter ex merito +quicquid patiare, ferendum est; Quae venit indignae poena, dolenda +venit. Quoted by Montaigne, III. xiii. + +1052. _His comfort._ Terence, _Adelph._ I. i. 18: Ego ... quod +fortunatum isti putant, Uxorem nunquam habui. + +1053. _Sincerity._ From Hor. _Ep._ I. ii. 54: Sincerum est nisi vas, +quodcunque infundis acescit. Quoted by Montaigne, III. xiii. + +1056. _To his peculiar friend, M. Jo. Wicks._ See 336 and Note. Written +after Herrick's ejection. We know that the poet's uncle, Sir William +Herrick, suffered greatly in estate during the Civil War, and it may +have been the same with other friends and relatives. But there can be +little doubt that the poet found abundant hospitality on his return to +London. + +1059. _A good Death._ August. _de Disciplin. Christ._ 13: Non potest +malè mori, qui benè vixerit. + +1061. _On Fortune._ Seneca, _Medea_, 176: Fortuna opes auferre non +animum potest. + +1062. _To Sir George Parry, Doctor of the Civil Law._ According to Dr. +Grosart, Parry "was admitted to the College of Advocates, London, 3rd +Nov., 1628; but almost nothing has been transmitted concerning him save +that he married the daughter and heir of Sir Giles Sweet, Dean of +Arches". I can hardly doubt that he must be identified with the Dr. +George Parry, Chancellor to the Bishop of Exeter, who in 1630 was +accused of excommunicating persons for the sake of fees, but was highly +praised in 1635 and soon after appointed a Judge Marshal. If so, his +wife was a widow when she came to him, as she is spoken of in 1638 as +"Lady Dorothy Smith, wife of Sir Nicholas Smith, deceased". She brought +him a rich dower, and her death greatly confused his affairs. + +1067. _Gentleness._ Seneca, _Phoen._ 659: Qui vult amari, languidâ +regnet manu. And Ben Jonson, _Panegyre_ (1603): "He knew that those who +would with love command, Must with a tender yet a steadfast hand, +Sustain the reins". + +1068. _Mrs. Eliza Wheeler._ See 130 and Note. + +1071. _To the Honoured Master Endymion Porter._ For Porter's patronage +of poetry see 117 and Note. + +1080. _The Mistress of all singular Manners, Mistress Portman._ Dr. +Grosart notes that a Mrs. Mary Portman was buried at Putney Parish +Church, June 27, 1671, and this was perhaps Herrick's schoolmistress, +the "pearl of Putney". + +1087. _Where pleasures rule a kingdom._ Cicero, _De Senect._ xii. 41: +Neque omnino in voluptatis regno virtutem posse consistere. _He lives +who lives to virtue._ Comp. Sallust, _Catil._ 2, s. fin. + +1088. _Twice five-and-twenty (bate me but one year)._ As Herrick was +born in 1591, this poem must have been written in 1640. + +1089. _To M. Laurence Swetnaham._ Unless the various entries in the +parish registers of St. Margaret's, Westminster, refer to different men, +this Lawrence Swetnaham was the third son of Thomas Swettenham of +Swettenham in Cheshire, married in 1602 to Mary Birtles. Lawrence +himself had children as early as 1629, and ten years later was +church-warden. He was buried in the Abbey, 1673. + +1091. _My lamp to you I give._ Allusion to the {Lampadêphoria} which +Plato (_Legg._ 776B) uses to illustrate the succession of generations. +So Lucretius (ii. 77): Et quasi cursores vitaï lampada tradunt. + +1092. _Michael Oulsworth._ Michael Oulsworth, Oldsworth or Oldisworth, +graduated M.A. from Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1614. According to +Wood, "he was afterwards Fellow of his College, Secretary to Earl of +Pembroke, elected a burgess to serve in several Parliaments for Sarum +and Old Sarum, and though in the Grand Rebellion he was no Colonel, yet +he was Governor of Old Pembroke, and Montgomery led him by the nose as +he pleased, to serve both their turns". The partnership, however, was +not eternal, for between 1648 and 1650 Oldisworth published at least +eight virulent satires against his former master. + +1094. _Truth--her own simplicity._ Seneca, _Ep._ 49: (Ut ille tragicus), +Veritatis simplex oratio est. + +1097. _Kings must be dauntless._ Seneca, _Thyest._ 388: Rex est qui +metuit nihil. + +1100. _To his brother, Nicholas Herrick._ Baptized April 22, 1589; a +merchant trading to the Levant. He married Susanna Salter, to whom +Herrick addresses two poems (522, 977). + +1103. _A King and no King._ Seneca, _Thyest._ 214: Ubicunque tantùm +honestè dominanti licet, Precario regnatur. + +1118. _Necessity makes dastards valiant men._ Sallust, _Catil._ 58: +Necessitudo ... timidos fortes facit. + +1119. _Sauce for Sorrows._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650. _An +equal mind._ Plautus, _Rudens_, II. iii. 71: Animus aequus optimum est +aerumnae condimentum. + +1126. _The End of his Work._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, under +the title: _Of this Book._ From Ovid, _Ars Am._ i. 773, 774:-- + + Pars superest caepti, pars est exhausta laboris: + Hic teneat nostras anchora jacta rates. + +1127. _My wearied bark_, etc. Ovid, _Rem. Am._ 811, 812:-- + + fessae date serta carinæ: + Contigimus portum, quo mihi cursus erat. + +1128. _The work is done._ Ovid, _Ars Am._ ii. 733, 734:-- + + Finis adest operi: palmam date, grata juventus, + Sertaque odoratae myrtea ferte comae. + +1130. _His Muse._ Cp. Note on 624. + + + + +NOBLE NUMBERS. + + +3. _Weigh me the Fire._ _2 Esdras_, iv. 5, 7; v. 9, 36: "Weigh me ... +the fire, or measure me ... the wind," etc. + +4. _God ... is the best known, not...._ _August. de Ord._ ii. 16: [Deus] +scitur melius nesciendo. + +5. _Supraentity_, {to hyperontôs on}, Plotinus. + +7. _His wrath is free from perturbation._ August. _de Civ. Dei_, ix. 5: +Ipse Deus secundum Scripturas irascitur, nec tamen ullâ passione +turbatur. _Enchir. ad Laurent._ 33: Cum irasci dicitur Deus, non +significatur perturbatio, qualis est in animo irascentis hominis. + +9. _Those Spotless two Lambs._ "This is the offering made by fire which +ye shall offer unto the Lord: two lambs of the first year without spot, +day by day, for a continual burnt-offering." (Numb. xxviii. 3.) + +17. _An Anthem sung in the Chapel of Whitehall._ This may be added to +Nos. 96-98, and 102, the poems on which Mr. Hazlitt bases his conjecture +that Herrick may have held some subordinate post in the Chapel Royal. + +37. _When once the sin has fully acted been._ Tacitus, _Ann._ xiv. 10: +Perfecto demum scelere, magnitudo ejus intellecta est. + +38. _Upon Time._ Were this poem anonymous it would probably be +attributed rather to George Herbert than to Herrick. + +41. _His Litany to the Holy Spirit._ We may quote again from Barron +Field's account in the _Quarterly Review_ (1810) of his +cross-examination of the Dean Prior villagers for Reminiscences of +Herrick: "The person, however, who knows more of Herrick than all the +rest of the neighbourhood we found to be a poor woman in the 99th year +of her age, named Dorothy King. She repeated to us, with great +exactness, five of his _Noble Numbers_, among which was his beautiful +'Litany'. These she had learnt from her mother, who was apprenticed to +Herrick's successor at the vicarage. She called them her prayers, which +she said she was in the habit of putting up in bed, whenever she could +not sleep; and she therefore began the 'Litany' at the second stanza:-- + + 'When I lie within my bed,' etc." + +Another of her midnight orisons was the poem beginning:-- + + "Every night Thou dost me fright, + And keep mine eyes from sleeping," etc. + +The last couplet, it should be noted, is misquoted from No. 56. + +54. _Spew out all neutralities._ From the message to the Church of the +Laodiceans, Rev. iii. 16. + +59. _A Present by a Child._ Cp. "A pastoral upon the Birth of Prince +Charles" (_Hesperides_ 213), and Note. + +63. _God's mirth: man's mourning._ Perhaps founded on Prov. i. 26: "I +also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh". + +65. _My Alma._ The name is probably suggested by its meaning "soul". Cp. +Prior's _Alma_. + +72. _I'll cast a mist and cloud._ Cp. Hor. I. _Ep._ xvi. 62: Noctem +peccatis et fraudibus objice nubem. + +75. _That house is bare._ Horace, _Ep._ I. vi. 45: Exilis domus est, ubi +non et multa supersunt. + +77. _Lighten my candle_, etc. The phraseology of the next five lines is +almost entirely from the Psalms and the Song of Solomon. + +86. _Sin leads the way._ Hor. _Odes_, III. ii. 32: Raro antecedentem +scelestum Deseruit pede Poena claudo. + +88. _By Faith we ... walk ..., not by the Spirit._ 2 Cor. v. 7: "We walk +by faith, not by sight". 'By the Spirit' perhaps means, 'in spiritual +bodies'. + +96. _Sung to the King._ See Note on 17. + +_Composed by M. Henry Lawes._ See _Hesperides_ 851, and Note. + +102. _The Star-Song._ This may have been composed partly with reference +to the noonday star during the Thanksgiving for Charles II.'s birth. See +_Hesperides_ 213, and Note. + +_We'll choose him King._ A reference to the Twelfth Night games. See +_Hesperides_ 1035, and Note. + +108. _Good men afflicted most._ Taken almost entirely from Seneca, _de +Provid._ 3, 4: Ignem experitur [Fortuna] in Mucio, paupertatem in +Fabricio, ... tormenta in Regulo, venenum in Socrate, mortem in Catone. +The allusions may be briefly explained for the unclassical. At the siege +of Dyrrachium, Marcus Cassius Scæva caught 120 darts on his shield; +Horatius Cocles is the hero of the bridge (see Macaulay's _Lays_); C. +Mucius Scævola held his hand in the fire to illustrate to Porsenna Roman +fearlessness; Cato is Cato Uticensis, the philosophic suicide; "high +Atilius" will be more easily recognised as the M. Atilius Regulus who +defied the Carthaginians; Fabricius Luscinus refused not only the +presents of Pyrrhus, but all reward of the State, and lived in poverty +on his own farm. + +109. _A wood of darts._ Cp. Virg. _Æn._ x. 886: Ter secum Troius heros +Immanem aerato circumfert tegmine silvam. + +112. _The Recompense._ Herrick is said to have assumed the lay habit on +his return to London after his ejection, perhaps as a protection against +further persecution. This quatrain may be taken as evidence that he did +not throw off his religion with his cassock. Compare also 124. + +_All I have lost that could be rapt from me._ From Ovid, III. _Trist._ +vii. 414: Raptaque sint adimi quae potuere mihi. + +123. _Thy light that ne'er went out._ Prov. xxxi. 18 (of 'the Excellent +Woman'): "Her candle goeth not out by night". _All set about with +lilies._ Cp. _Cant. Canticorum_, vii. 2: Venter tuus sicut acervus +tritici, vallatus liliis. + +_Will show these garments._ So Acts ix. 39. + +134. _God had but one son free from sin._ Augustin. _Confess._ vi.: +Deus unicum habet filium sine peccato, nullum sine flagello, quoted in +Burton, II. iii. 1. + +136. _Science in God._ Bp. Davenant, _on Colossians_, 166, _ed._ 1639; +speaking of Omniscience: Proprietates Divinitatis non sunt accidentia, +sed ipsa Dei essentia. + +145. _Tears._ Augustin. _Enarr. Ps._ cxxvii.: Dulciores sunt lacrymae +orantium quàm gaudia theatorum. + +146. _Manna._ Wisdom xvi. 20, 21: "Angels' food ... agreeing to every +taste". + +147. _As Cassiodore doth prove._ Reverentia est enim Domini timor cum +amore permixtus. Cassiodor. _Expos. in Psalt._ xxxiv. 30; quoted by Dr. +Grosart. My clerical predecessor has also hunted down with much industry +the possible sources of most of the other patristic references in _Noble +Numbers_, though I have been able to add a few. We may note that Herrick +quotes Cassiodorus (twice), John of Damascus, Boethius, Thomas Aquinas, +St. Bernard, St. Augustine (thrice), St. Basil, and St. Ambrose--a +goodly list of Fathers, if we had any reason to suppose that the +quotations were made at first hand. + +148. _Mercy ... a Deity._ Pausanias, _Attic._ I. xvii. 1. + +153. _Mora Sponsi, the stay of the bridegroom._ Maldonatus, _Comm. in +Matth._ xxv.: Hieronymus et Hilarius moram sponsi p[oe]nitentiae tempus +esse dicunt. + +157. _Montes Scripturarum._ See August. _Enarr. in Ps._ xxxix., and +passim. + +167. _A dereliction._ The word is from Ps. xxii. 1: Quare me +dereliquisti? "Why hast Thou forsaken me?" Herrick took it from +Gregory's _Notes and Observations_ (see infra), p. 5: 'Our Saviour ... +in that great case of dereliction'. + +174. _Martha, Martha._ See Luke x. 41, and August. _Serm._ cii. 3: +Repetitio nominis indicium est dilectionis. + +177. _Paradise._ Gregory, p. 75, on "the reverend Say of Zoroaster, Seek +Paradise," quotes from the Scholiast Psellus: "The Chaldæan Paradise +(saith he) is a Quire of divine powers incircling the Father". + +178. _The Jews when they built houses._ Herrick's rabbinical lore (cp. +180, 181, 193, 207, 224), like his patristic, was probably derived at +second hand through some biblical commentary. Much of it certainly comes +from the _Notes and Observations upon some Passages of Scripture_ +(Oxford, 1646) of John Gregory, chaplain of Christ Church, a prodigy of +oriental learning, who died in his 39th year, March 13, 1646. Thus in +his Address to the Reader (3rd page from end) Gregory remarks: "The +Jews, when they build a house, are bound to leave some part of it +unfinished in memory of the destruction of Jerusalem," giving a +reference to Leo of Modena, _Degli Riti Hebraici_, Part I. + +180. _Observation. The Virgin Mother_, etc. Gregory, pp. 24-27, shows +that Sitting, the usual posture of mourners, was forbidden by both Roman +and Jewish Law "in capital causes". "This was the reason why ... she +stood up still in a resolute and almost impossible compliance with the +Law.... They sat ... after leave obtained ... to bury the body." + +181. _Tapers._ Cp. Gregory's _Notes_, p. 111: "The funeral tapers +(however thought of by some) are of the same harmless import. Their +meaning is to show that the departed souls are not quite put out, but +having walked here as the children of the Light are now gone to walk +before God in the light of the living." + +185. _God in the holy tongue._ J. G., p. 135: "God is called in the Holy +Tongue ... the Place; or that Fulness which filleth All in All". + +186, 187, 188, 189, 197. _God's Presence, Dwelling_, etc. J. G., pp. +135-9: "Shecinah, or God's Dwelling Presence". "God is said to be nearer +to this man than to that, more in one place than in another. Thus he is +said to depart from some and come to others, to leave this place and to +abide in that, not by essential application of Himself, much less by +local motion, but by impression of effect." "With just men (saith St. +Bernard) God is present, _in veritate_, in deed, but with the wicked, +dissemblingly." "He is called in the Holy Tongue, Jehovah, He that is, +or Essence." "He is said to dwell there (saith Maimon) where He putteth +the marks ... of His Majesty; and He doth this by His Grace and Holy +Spirit." + +190. _The Virgin Mary._ J. G., p. 86: "St. Ephrem upon those words of +Jacob, This is the House of God, and this is the Gate of Heaven. This +saying (saith he) is to be meant of the Virgin Mary ... truly to be +called the House of God, as wherein the Son of God ... inhabited, and as +truly the Gate of Heaven, for the Lord of heaven and earth entered +thereat; and it shall not be set open the second time, according to that +of Ezekiel (xliv. 2): I saw (saith he) a gate in the East; the glorious +Lord entered thereat; thenceforth that gate was shut, and is not any +more to be opened (_Catena Arab._ c. 58)." + +192. _Upon Woman and Mary._ The reference is to Christ's appearance to +St. Mary Magdalene in the Garden after the Resurrection, John xx. 15, +16. + +193. _North and South._ Comp. _Hesper._ 429. _Observation_. J. G., pp. +92, 93: "Whosoever (say the Doctors in Berachoth) shall set his bed N. +and S., shall beget male children. Therefore the Jews hold this rite of +collocation ... to this day.... They are bound to place their ... house +of office in the very same situation ... that the uncomely necessities +... might not fall into the Walk and Ways of God, whose Shecinah or +dwelling presence lieth W. and E." + +195. _Noah the first was_, etc. Cp. Gregory, _Notes_, p. 28. + +201. _Temporal goods._ August., quoted by Burton, II. iii. 3: Dantur +quidem bonis, saith Austin, ne quis mala aestimet, malis autem ne quis +nimis bona. + +203. _Speak, did the blood of Abel cry_, etc. Cp. Gregory's _Notes_, pp. +118: "But did the blood of Abel speak? saith Theophylact. Yes, it cried +unto God for vengeance, as that of sprinkling for propitiation and +mercy." + +204. _A thing of such a reverend reckoning._ Cp. Gregory, 118-9: "The +blood of Abel was so holy and reverend a thing, in the sense and +reputation of the old world, that the men of that time used to swear by +it". + +205. _A Position in the Hebrew Divinity._ From Gregory's _Notes_, pp. +134, 5: "That old position in the Hebrew Divinity ... that a repenting +man is of more esteem in the sight of God than one that never fell +away". + +206. _The Doctors in the Talmud._ From Gregory's _Notes_, _l.c._: "The +Doctors in the Talmud say, that one day spent here in true Repentance is +more worth than eternity itself, or all the days of heaven in the other +world". + +207. _God's Presence._ Again from Gregory's Notes, pp. 136 sq. + +208. _The Resurrection._ Gregory's _Notes_, pp. 128-29, translating from +a Greek MS. of Mathæus Blastares in the Bodleian: "The wonder of this is +far above that of the resurrection of our bodies; for then the earth +giveth up her dead but one for one, but in the case of the corn she +giveth up many living ones for one dead one". + +243. _Confession twofold is._ August, in Ps. xxix. _Enarr._ ii. 19: +Confessio gemina est, aut peccati, aut laudis. + +254. _Gold and frankincense._ St. Matt. ii. 11. St. Ambrose. Aurum Regi, +thus Deo. + +256. _The Chewing the Cud._ Cp. Lev. xi. 6. + +258. _As my little pot doth boil_, etc. This far-fetched little poem +is an instance of Herrick's habit of jotting down his thoughts in verse. +In cooking some food for a charitable purpose he seems to have noticed +that the boiling pot tossed the meat to and fro, or "waved" it (the +priest's work), and that he himself was giving away the meat he lifted +off the fire, the "heave-offering," which was the priest's perquisite. +This is the confusion or "level-coil" to which he alludes. + + + + +NOTES TO ADDITIONAL POEMS. + + +_The Description of a Woman_. Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1645, and +contained also in Ashmole MS. 38, where it is signed: "Finis. Robert +Herrick." Our version is taken from _Witts Recreations_, with the +exception of the readings _show_ and _grow_ (for _shown_ and _grown_, in +ll. 15 and 16). The Ashmole MS. contains in all thirty additional lines, +which may or may not be by Herrick, but which, as not improving the +poem, have been omitted in our text in accordance with the precedent set +by the editor of _Witts Recreations_. + +_Mr. Herrick: his Daughter's Dowry._ From Ashmole MS. 38, where it is +signed: "Finis. Robt. Hericke." + +_Mr. Robert Herrick: his Farewell unto Poetry._ Printed by Dr. Grosart +and Mr. Hazlitt from Ashmole MS. 38. I add a few readings from Brit. +Mus. Add. MS. 22, 603, where it is entitled: _Herrick's Farewell to +Poetry_. The importance of the poem for Herrick's biography is alluded +to in the brief "Life" prefixed to vol. i. + +For _some sleepy keys_ the Museum MS. reads, _the sleeping keys_; for +_yet forc't they are to go_ it has _and yet are forc't to go_; _drinking +to the odd Number of Nine_ for _Number of Wine_, as to which see below; +_turned her home_ for _twirled her home_; _dear soul_ for _rare soul_. +All these are possible, but _beloved Africa_, and the omission of the +two half lines, "'tis not need The scarecrow unto mankind," are pure +blunders. + +_Drinking to the odd Number of Nine_. I introduce this into the text +from the Museum manuscript as agreeing with the + + "Well, I can quaff, I see, + To th' number five + Or nine" + +of _A Bacchanalian Verse_ (_Hesperides_ 653), on which see Note. Dr. +Grosart explains the Ashmole reading _Wine_ by the Note "_{oinos}_ and +_vinum_ both give five, the number of perfection"; but this seems too +far-fetched for Herrick. + +_Kiss, so depart._ By a strange freak Ashmole MS. writes _Guesse_, and +the Museum MS. _Ghesse_; but the emendation _Kiss_ (adopted both by Dr. +Grosart and Mr. Hazlitt) cannot be doubted. + +_Well doing's the fruit of doing well._ Seneca, _de Clem._ i. 1: Rectè +factorum verus fructus [est] fecisse. Also _Ep._ 81: Recte facti fecisse +merces est. The latter, and Cicero, _de Finib._ II. xxii. 72, are quoted +by Montaigne, _Ess._ II. xvi. + +_A Carol presented to Dr. Williams._ From Ashmole MS. 36, 298. For Dr. +Williams, see Note to _Hesperides_ 146. This poem was apparently written +in 1640, after the removal of the bishop's suspension. + +_His Mistress to him at his Farewell._ From Add. MS. 11, 811, at the +British Museum, where it is signed "Ro. Herrick". + +_Upon Parting._ From Harleian MS. 6917, at the British Museum. + +_Upon Master Fletcher's Incomparable Plays._ Printed in Beaumont and +Fletcher's Works, 1647, and Beaumont's Poems, 1653. + +_The Golden Pomp is come._ Ovid, "Aurea Pompa venit" (as in _Hesperides_ +201). + +_To be with juice of cedar washed all over._ Horace's "linenda cedro," +as in _Hesperides_. + +_Evadne._ See Note to _Hesperides_ 575. + +_The New Charon._ First printed in "Lachrymae Musarum. The tears of the +Muses: exprest in Elegies written by divers persons of Nobility and +Worth, upon the death of the most hopefull Henry, Lord Hastings.... +Collected and set forth by R[ichard] B[rome]. _London_, 1649." This is +the only poem which we know of Herrick's, written after 1648, and even +in this Herrick uses materials already employed in "Charon and the +Nightingale" in _Hesperides_. + +_Epitaph on the Tomb of Sir Edward Giles._ First printed by Dr. Grosart +from the monument in Dean Prior Church. Sir Edward Giles was the +occupant of Dean Court and the magnate of the parish. + + + + +APPENDIX I. + +HERRICK'S POEMS IN WITTS RECREATIONS. + + +Both Mr. Hazlitt and Dr. Grosart have slightly misrepresented the +relation of _Hesperides_ to the anthology known as _Witts Recreations_: +Mr. Hazlitt by mistakes as to their respective contents; Dr. Grosart +(after a much more careful collation) by taking down the date of the +wrong edition. To put matters straight four editions have to be +examined:-- + + I. "Witts Recreations. Selected from the finest Fancies of Moderne + Muses, With a Thousand out Landish Proverbs. _London. Printed for + Humph. Blunden at ye Castle in Cornhill, 1640._ 8vo." + +This general title-page is engraved by W. Marshall. The Outlandish +Proverbs were selected by George Herbert, and, like the first part, have +a printed title-page of their own. + + II. "Witts Recreations. Augmented with Ingenious Conceites for the + wittie and Merrie Medicines for the Melancholie. _London. Printed + for Humph. Blunden: at ye Castle in Cornhill, 1641._ 8vo." + +In this, and subsequent editions, Marshall's title-page is re-engraved +and the Outlandish Proverbs are omitted. The printed title-page reads: +"Wit's Recreations. Containing 630 Epigrams, 160 Epitaphs. Variety of +Fancies and Fantasticks, Good for Melancholly humours. _London. Printed +by Thomas Cotes_," etc. The epigrams vary considerably from the +selection in the previous edition. + + III. "Witts Recreations refined. Augmented, with Ingenious Conceites + for the wittie, and Merrie Medicines for the Melancholie...." + +In the Museum copy of this edition the imprint to the engraved title has +been cropped away. The printed title-page reads: "Recreation for +Ingenious Head-peeces. Or, A Pleasant Grove for their Wits to walke in. +Of Epigrams, 630: Epitaphs, 180: Fancies, a number: Fantasticks, +abundance, Good for melancholy Humors. _Printed by R. Cotes for H. B. +London, 1645._ 8vo." Two poems of Herrick's occur in the additional +"Fancies and Fantasticks," first printed in this edition, viz.: _The +Description of a Woman_ (not contained in _Hesperides_), and the +_Farewell to Sack_. + + IV. "Witts Recreations refined. Augmented, with Ingenious Conceites + for the wittie and Merrie Medicines for the Melancholie. _Printed by + M. S. sould by I. Hancock in Popes head Alley, 1650._ 8vo." + +The printed title-page reads: "Recreations for Ingenious Head-peeces. +Or, A Pleasant Grove for their Wits to Walke in. Of Epigrams, 700: +Epitaphs, 200: Fancies, a number: Fantasticks, abundance. With their +Addition, Multiplication, and Division. _London, Printed by M. +Simmons_," etc. In this edition many of the Epigrams are omitted and +more than one hundred fresh ones added. Additions are also made to the +Epitaphs and Fancies and Fantasticks. Of the new Epigrams and Poems no +less than seventy-two had been printed two years earlier in Herrick's +_Hesperides_, and ten others were added in 1654 from the same source. + +_Witts Recreations_ was again reprinted in 1663, 1667, and perhaps +oftener. In 1817 it was issued as vol. ii. of a collection of _Facetiæ_, +of which Mennis and Smith's _Musarum Deliciæ_ and _Wit Restor'd_ formed +vol. i. On the title-page _Witts Recreations_ is said to be printed from +edition 1640, with all the wood engravings and improvements of +subsequent editions, and in the preface it is explained to be "reprinted +after a collation of the four editions, 1640, 41, 54, and 63, for the +purpose of bringing together in one body all the various articles spread +throughout, and not to be found in any one edition". This 1817 reprint +was re-issued by Hotten in 1874, and this re-issue, as his references to +pagination show, was the one used by Dr. Grosart. The date 1640 on the +title-page may have caught his eye and led to his mistaken allusion to +the "prior publication" of the Herrick poems in 1640, whereas +_Hesperides_ was published in 1648, and the editions of _Witts +Recreations_ which contain anything of his besides the _Description of a +Woman_ and _A Farewell to Sack_, in 1650, 1654, etc. + +In the Notes to the present edition I have drawn attention to all +variations in the text of the poems as printed by Herrick and the later +editors, and now subjoin a complete list of the poems under the titles +which they take in _Witts Recreations_, with their numbers in this +edition. + +1645 Edition. + + 128. A Farewell to Sack. + [Not in _Hesp._] The Description of a Woman. + +1650 Edition Adds:-- + + 123. A Tear sent to his M^is. + 159. The Cruel Maid. + 162. His Misery. + 172. With a Ring to Julia. + 200. On Gubbs. + 206. On Bunce. + 239. On Guesse. + 241. On a Painted Madam. + 310. On a Child. + 311. On Sneape. + 328. A Foolish Querie. + 340. A Check to her Delay. + 352. Nothing New. + 357. Long and Lazy. + 367. To a Stale Lady. + 374. Gain and Gettings. + 379. On Doll. + 380. On Skrew. + 381. On Linnit. + 400. On Raspe. + 407. On Himself. + 408. Love and Liberty. + 409. On Skinns. + 428. On Craw. + 434. On Jack and Jill. + 517. Change. + 534. To Julia. + 572. On Umber. + 600. Little and Loud. + 616. Abroad with the Maids. + 637. On Lungs. + 640. On a Child. + 644. On an Old Man, a Residentiary. + 648. On Cob. + 649. On Betty. + 650. On Skoles. + 661. Ambition. + 666. On Zelot. + 669. On Crab. + 675. On Women's Denial. + 676. Adversity. + 693. On Tuck. + 697. Adversity. + 703. On Trigg. + 711. Possessions. + 735. Maids' Nays. + 743. On Julia's Weeping. + 752. No Pains No Gains. + 761. Alvar and Anthea. + 772. A Hymn to Bacchus. + 776. Anger. + 791. Verses. + 795. On Bice. + 796. On Trencherman. + 797. Kisses. + 832. On Punchin. + 838. On a Maid. + 840. Beauty. + 846. Writing. + 849. Satisfaction. + 873. On Love. + 881. ll. 13, 14, Sharp Sauce. + 886. On Lulls. + 902. Truth. + 910. On Ben Jonson. + 946. An Hymn to Love. + 950. Leaven. + 1025. On Boreman. + 1084. On Love. + 1085. On Gut. + 1106. On Rump. + 1119. Sauce for Sorrows. + 1126. Of this Book. + +1654 Edition Adds:-- + + 49. Cherry Pit. + 85. On Love. + 92. The Bag of a Bee. + 208. To make much of Time. + 235. On an Old Batchelor. + 238. Another. (On the Rose.) + 253. Counsel not to Love. + 260. How the Violets came blue. + 337. A Vow to Cupid. + 446. The Farewell to Love and to his Mistress. + + + + +APPENDIX II. + +HERRICK'S FAIRY POEMS AND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE KING AND QUEENE OF +FAYRIES PUBLISHED 1635. + + +The publisher's freak, by which Herrick's three chief Fairy poems ("The +Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel," "Oberon's Feast," and "Oberon's +Palace") are separated from each other, is greatly to be regretted. The +last two, both dedicated to Shapcott, are distinctly connected by their +opening lines, and "Oberon's Chapel," dedicated to Mr. John Merrifield, +Herrick's other fairy-loving lawyer, of course belongs to the same +group. All three were probably first written in 1626 and cannot be +dissociated from Drayton's _Nymphidia_, published in 1627, and Sir +Simeon Steward's "A Description of the King of Fayries clothes, brought +to him on New-yeares day in the morning, 1626 [O. S.], by his Queenes +Chambermaids". In 1635 there was published a little book of a dozen +leaves, most kindly transcribed for this edition by Mr. E. Gordon Duff, +from the unique copy at the Bodleian Library. It is entitled:-- + + "A | Description | of the King and Queene of | Fayries, their habit, + fare, their | abode pompe and state. | Beeing very delightfull to + the sense, and | full of mirth. | [Wood-cut.] London. | _Printed + for Richard Harper, and are to be sold | at his shop, at the + Hospitall gate._ 1635." + +Fol. 1 is blank; fol. 2 occupied by the title-page; ff. 3, 4 (verso +blank) by a letter "To the Reader," signed: "Yours hereafter, If now +approved on, R. S.," beginning: "Courteous Reader, I present thee here +with the Description of the King of the Fayries, of his Attendants, +Apparel, Gesture, and Victuals, which though comprehended in the brevity +of so short a volume, yet as the Proverbe truely averres, it hath as +mellifluous and pleasing discourse, as that whose amplitude contains the +fulnesse of a bigger composition"; on fol. 5 (verso blank) occurs the +following poem [spelling here modernised]:-- + + "Deep-skilled Geographers, whose art and skill + Do traverse all the world, and with their quill + Declare the strangeness of each several clime, + The nature, situation, and the time + Of being inhabited, yet all their art + And deep informèd skill could not impart + In what set climate of this Orb or Isle, + The King of Fairies kept, whose honoured style + Is here inclosed, with the sincere description + Of his abode, his nature, and the region + In which he rules: read, and thou shalt find + Delightful mirth, fit to content thy mind. + May the contents thereof thy palate suit, + With its mellifluous and pleasing fruit: + For nought can more be sweetened to my mind + Than that this Pamphlet thy contentment find; + Which if it shall, my labour is sufficed, + In being by your liking highly prized. + "Yours to his power, + "R. S." + +This is followed (pp. 1-3) by: "A Description of the Kings [sic] of +Fayries Clothes, brought to him on New-Yeares day in the morning, 1626, +by his Queenes Chambermaids:-- + + "First a cobweb shirt, more thin + Than ever spider since could spin. + Changed to the whiteness of the snow, + By the stormy winds that blow + In the vast and frozen air, + No shirt half so fine, so fair; + A rich waistcoat they did bring, + Made of the Trout-fly's gilded wing: + At which his Elveship 'gan to fret + The wearing it would make him sweat + Even with its weight: he needs would wear + A waistcoat made of downy hair + New shaven off an Eunuch's chin, + That pleased him well, 'twas wondrous thin. + The outside of his doublet was + Made of the four-leaved, true-loved grass, + Changed into so fine a gloss, + With the oil of crispy moss: + It made a rainbow in the night + Which gave a lustre passing light. + On every seam there was a lace + Drawn by the unctuous snail's slow pace, + To which the finest, purest, silver thread + Compared, did look like dull pale lead. + His breeches of the Fleece was wrought, + Which from Colchos Jason brought: + Spun into so fine a yarn + No mortal wight might it discern, + Weaved by Arachne on her loom, + Just before she had her doom. + A rich Mantle he did wear, + Made of tinsel gossamer. + Beflowered over with a few + Diamond stars of morning dew: + Dyed crimson in a maiden's blush, + Lined with humble-bees' lost plush. + His cap was all of ladies' love, + So wondrous light, that it did move + If any humming gnat or fly + Buzzed the air in passing by, + About his neck a wreath of pearl, + Dropped from the eyes of some poor girl, + Pinched, because she had forgot + To leave clean water in the pot." + +The next page is occupied by a woodcut, and then (pp. 5, misnumbered 4, +and 6) comes the variation on Herrick's "Oberon's Feast":-- + +"A DESCRIPTION OF HIS DIET. + + "Now they, the Elves, within a trice, + Prepared a feast less great than nice, + Where you may imagine first, + The Elves prepare to quench his thirst, + In pure seed pearl of infant dew + Brought and sweetened with a blue + And pregnant violet; which done, + His killing eyes begin to run + Quite o'er the table, where he spies + The horns of watered butterflies, + Of which he eats, but with a little + Neat cool allay of cuckoo's spittle. + Next this the red-cap worm that's shut + Within the concave of a nut. + Moles' eyes he tastes, then adders' ears; + To these for sauce the slain stags' tears, + A bloated earwig, and the pith + Of sugared rush he glads him with. + Then he takes a little moth, + Late fatted in a scarlet cloth, + A spinner's ham, the beards of mice, + Nits carbonadoed, a device + Before unknown; the blood of fleas, + Which gave his Elveship's stomach ease. + The unctuous dew-laps of a snail, + The broke heart of a nightingale + O'ercome in music, with the sag + And well-bestrutted bee's sweet bag. + Conserves of atoms, and the mites, + The silk-worm's sperm, and the delights + Of all that ever yet hath blest + Fairy-land: so ends his feast." + +On the next page is printed: "Orpheus. Thrice excelling, for the +finishment of this Feast, thou must music it so that the Deities may +descend to grace it." This is succeeded by a page bearing a woodcut, +then we have "The Fairies Fegaries," a poem occupying three more pages +followed by another woodcut, and then "The Melancholly Lover's Song," +and a third woodcut. The occurrence of the _Melancholy Lover's Song_ +(the well-known lines beginning: "Hence all you vain delights") in print +in 1635 is interesting, as I believe that _The Nice Valour_, the play in +which they occur, was not printed till 1647, and Milton's _Il +Penseroso_, which they suggested, appeared in 1645. But the verses are +rather out of place in the little Fairy-Book. + + + + +APPENDIX III. + +POOR ROBIN'S ALMANACK. + + +Herrick's name has been so persistently connected with _Poor Robert's +Almanack_ that a few words must be said on the subject. There is, we are +told, a Devonshire tradition ascribing the _Almanack_ to him, and this +is accepted by Nichols in his _Leicestershire_, and "accredited" by Dr. +Grosart. The tradition apparently rests on no better basis than +Herrick's Christian name, and of the poems in the issues of the +_Almanack_ which I have seen, it may be said, that, while the worst of +them, save for some lack of neatness of turn, might conceivably have +been by Herrick--on the principle that if Herrick could write some of +his epigrams, he could write anything--the more ambitious poems it is +quite impossible to attribute to the author of the _Hesperides_. But +apart from opinion, the negative evidence is overwhelming. Of the three +earliest issues in the British Museum, 1664, 1667 and 1669 (all in the +annual collections of Almanacs, issued by the Stationers' Company, and +all, it may be noted, bound for Charles II.), I transcribe the +title-page of the first. "Poor Robin. 1664. An Almanack After a New +Fashion wherein the Reader may see (if he be not blinde) many remarkable +things worthy of Observation. Containing a two-fold Kalendar, viz. the +Iulian or English, and the Roundheads or Fanaticks: with their several +Saints daies and Observations, upon every month. Written by Poor Robin, +Knight of the burnt Island and a well-willer to the Mathematicks. +Calculated for the Meridian of Saffron Walden, where the Pole is +elevated 52 degrees and 6 minutes above the Horizon. London: Printed for +the Company of Stationers." + +In the 1667 issue the paragraph about the Pole runs: "Where the +Maypole is elevated (with a plumm cake on the top of it) 5 yards 3/4 +above the Market Cross". The mention of Saffron Walden had apparently +been ridiculed, and the author in this year joins in the laugh, and in +1669 omits the paragraph altogether. But what had Herrick at any time to +do with Saffron Walden, and why should the poet, whose politics, apart +from some personal devotion to Charles I., were distinctly moderate, mix +himself up with an ultra-Cavalier publication? Also, if Herrick be "Poor +Robin" we must attribute to him, at least, the greater part of the +twenty-one "Poor Robin" publications, of which Mr. H. Ecroyd Smith gave +a list in _Notes and Queries_, 6th series, vii. 321-3, _e.g._, "Poor +Robin's Perambulation from the Town of Saffron Walden to London" (1678), +"The Merrie Exploits of Poor Robin, the Merrie Saddler of Walden," etc. +These have been generally assigned to William Winstanley, the +barber-poet, on the ground of a supposed similarity of style, and from +"Poor Robin" having been written under a portrait of him. Mr. Ecroyd +Smith, however, attributes them to Robert Winstanley (born, 1646, at +Saffron Walden), younger brother of Henry Winstanley, the projector of +the Eddystone Lighthouse. He assigns the credit of the "identification" +to Mr. Joseph Clark, F.S.A., of the Roos, Saffron Walden, but does not +state the grounds which led Mr. Clark to his conclusion, in itself +probable enough. In any case there is no valid ground for connecting +Herrick either with the _Almanack_ or with any of the other "Poor Robin" +publications. + + + + +INDEX TO PERSONS MENTIONED. + + + + Abdie, Lady. [_See_ Soame, Anne.] + + Alabaster, Doctor, II. 70. + + + Baldwin, Prudence, + I. 152, 189, 251 + II. 78. + + Bartly, Arthur, II. 36. + + Beaumont, Francis, II. 4, 276. + + Berkley, Sir John, II. 63. + + Bradshaw, Katharine, I. 116. + + Bridgeman, I. 46. + + Buckingham, Duke of, I. 123. + + + Carlisle, Countess of, I. 78. + + Charles I., + I. 28, 29, 74, 133, 198; + II. 43, 87, 123, 202, 204, 207. + + Charles II., + I. 1, 105; + II. 13, 66. + + Cotton, Charles, the elder, II. 119. + + Crew, Lady, + I. 237; + II. 128. + + Crew, Sir Clipseby, + I. 139, 201, 228, 248; + II. 18. + + Crofts, John, II. 83. + + + Denham, Sir John, II. 39. + + Dorchester, Marquis of, II. 124, 125. + + Dorset, Earl of, I. 235. + + + Falconbridge, Margaret, II. 81. + + Falconbridge, Thomas, I. 226. + + Finch, Elizabeth, II. 123. + + Fish, Sir Edward, I. 191. + + Fletcher, John, II. 4, 269. + + + Giles, Sir Edward, II. 272. + + Gotiere [Gouter, Jacques], I. 47. + + + Hall, John, II. 122. + + Hall, Joseph, Bishop of Exeter, I. 77. + + Harmar, Joseph, II. 125. + + Hastings, Henry, Lord, II. 270. + + Heale, Sir Thomas, II. 98. + + Henrietta Maria, I. 133. + + Herrick, Bridget, I. 255. + + Herrick, Elizabeth, I. 26, 182. + + Herrick, Julia, II. 143. + + Herrick, Mercy, II. 86. + + Herrick, Nicholas, II. 161. + + Herrick, Robert, Poem on his Father, I. 31. + + Herrick, Robert, Poem to his Nephew, I. 188. + + Herrick, Robert, + I. 229; + II. 153, 157, 159, 160, 164. + + Herrick, Susanna, + I. 243; + II. 128. + + Herrick, Thomas, + I. 40; + II. 129. + + Herrick, William, I. 88. + + Hopton, Lord, II. 136. + + + Jincks, J., II. 96. + + Jonson, Ben, + I. 188; + II. 4, 11, 30, 109, 110. + + + Kellam, II. 112. + + Kennedy, Dorothy, I. 50. + + + Lamiere, Nicholas, I. 105. + + Lawes, Henry, II. 94, 270. + + Lawes, William, II. 108. + + Lee, Elizabeth, II. 16. + + Lowman, Bridget, I. 176. + + + Merrifield, John, I. 111. + + Mince [Mennis], Sir John, I. 244. + + + Norgate, Edward, I. 152. + + Northly, Henry, I. 155. + + + Oulsworth, Michael, II. 159. + + + Parry, Sir George, II. 151. + + Parsons, Dorothy, I. 234. + + Parsons, Tomasin, II. 129. + + Pemberton, Sir Lewis, I. 183. + + Pembroke, Earl of, I. 177. + + Porter, Endymion, + I. 49, 87, 229; + II. 33, 154. + + Portman, Mrs., II. 156. + + Potter, Amy, II. 91. + + Potter, Grace, II. 133. + + Prat, II. 46. + + + Ramsay, Robert, I. 85. + + Richmond and Lennox, Duke of, I. 212. + + + Selden, John, I. 179. + + Shakespeare, William, II. 276. + + Shapcott, Thomas, I. 148, 204, 209. + + Soame, Anne, I. 181. + + Soame, Stephen, I. 250. + + Soame, Sir Thomas, I. 220. + + Soame, Sir William, I. 163. + + Southwell, Sir Thomas, I. 63. + + Southwell, Susanna, I. 243. + + Steward, Sir Simeon, I. 157. + + Stone, Mary, II. 71. + + Stone, Sir Richard, I. 232. + + Stuart, Lord Bernard, I. 109. + + Swetnaham, Lawrence, II. 158. + + + Tracy, Lady. [_See_ Lee, Elizabeth.] + + + Villars [Villiers], Lady Mary, I. 172. + + + Warr [_or_ Weare], John, I. 57, 253. + + Westmoreland, Earl of, I. 47, 125, 215. + + Wheeler, Elizabeth, + I. 55, 132; + II. 153. + + Wheeler, Penelope, I. 236. + + Wickes, John, + I. 165; + II. 37, 150. + + Willan, Leonard, II. 121. + + Willand, Mary, I. 239. + + Williams, John, Bishop of Lincoln, + I. 62; + II. 267. + + Wilson, Dr. John, I. 47. + + Wingfield, John, II. 8. + + + Yard, Lettice, I. 155. + + York, Duke of, I. 134. + + + + +INDEX OF FIRST LINES. + + + A Bachelor I will, I. 14. + + A crystal vial Cupid brought, II. 24. + + A funeral stone, I. 35. + + A golden fly one show'd to me, I. 233. + + A gyges ring they bear about them still, II. 61. + + A just man's like a rock that turns the wrath, I. 190. + + A little mushroom table spread, I. 148. + + A little saint best fits a little shrine, II. 59. + + A long life's-day I've taken pains, II. 11. + + A man prepar'd against all ills to come, I. 160. + + A man's transgressions God does then remit, II. 196. + + A master of a house, as I have read, II. 73. + + A prayer that is said alone, II. 226. + + A roll of parchment Clunn about him bears, II. 117. + + A sweet disorder in the dress, I. 32. + + A wanton and lascivious eye, II. 66. + + A way enchased with glass and beads, I. 111. + + A wearied pilgrim, I have wandered here, II. 157. + + A willow garland thou didst send, I. 201. + + About the sweet bag of a bee, I. 36. + + Abundant plagues I late have had, II. 188. + + Adverse and prosperous fortunes both work on, II. 182. + + Adversity hurts none but only such, II. 47. + + Afflictions bring us joy in time to come, II. 182. + + Afflictions they most profitable are, II. 174. + + After the feast, my Shapcot, see, I. 204. + + After the rare arch-poet, Jonson, died, I. 188. + + After this life, the wages shall, II. 225. + + After thy labour take thine ease, II. 163. + + After true sorrow for our sins, our strife, II. 201. + + Against diseases here the strongest fence, II. 162. + + Ah, Ben! II. 110. + + Ah, Bianca! now I see, II. 132. + + Ah, cruel love! must I endure, I. 90. + + Ah! Lycidas, come tell me why, I. 229. + + Ah, me! I love; give him your hand to kiss, II. 91. + + Ah, my Anthea! Must my heart still break, I. 27. + + Ah, my Perilla! dost thou grieve to see, I. 8. + + Ah, Posthumus! our years hence fly, I. 165. + + Alas! I can't, for tell me how, II. 159. + + All are not ill plots that do sometimes fail, II. 162. + + All has been plundered from me but my wit, II. 90. + + All I have lost that could be rapt from me, II. 212. + + All things are open to these two events, I. 227. + + All things decay with time: the forest sees, I. 25. + + All things o'er-ruled are here, by chance, I. 248. + + All things subjected are to fate, II. 7. + + Along, come along, II. 148. + + Along the dark and silent night, II. 214. + + Although our sufferings meet with no relief, II. 163. + + Although we cannot turn the fervent fit, II. 192. + + Am I despised because you say, I. 75. + + Among disasters that dissension brings, II. 75. + + Among the myrtles as I walk'd, I. 132. + + Among these tempests great and manifold, II. 147. + + Among thy fancies tell me this, I. 162. + + And as time past when Cato, the severe, II. 124. + + And, cruel maid, because I see, I. 72. + + And must we part, because some say, I. 57. + + Angels are called gods; yet of them none, II. 224. + + Angry if Irene be, I. 256. + + Anthea bade me tie her shoe, I. 14. + + Anthea, I am going hence, II. 95. + + Anthea laugh'd, and fearing lest excess, II. 137. + + Apollo sings, his harp resounds: give room, II. 269. + + Art quickens nature; care will make a face, I. 120. + + Art thou not destin'd? then with haste go on, II. 237. + + As gilliflowers do but stay, I. 156. + + As in our clothes, so likewise he who looks, I. 254. + + As is your name, so is your comely face, II. 133. + + As Julia once a-slumbering lay, I. 86. + + As lately I a garland bound, I. 119. + + As many laws and lawyers do express, II. 53. + + As my little pot doth boil, II. 248. + + As oft as night is banish'd by the morn, I. 29. + + As shows the air when with a rainbow grac'd, I. 47. + + As sunbeams pierce the glass, and streaming in, II. 231. + + As thou deserv'st, be proud; then gladly let, I. 244. + + As wearied pilgrims, once possessed, II. 16. + + Ask me what hunger is, and I'll reply, II. 115. + + Ask me why I do not sing, I. 164. + + Ask me why I send you here, II. 6. + + At draw-gloves we'll play, I. 122. + + At my homely country seat, I. 191. + + At post and pair, or slam, Tom Tuck would play, II. 46. + + At stool-ball, Lucia, let us play, II. 45. + + Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt, II. 137. + + Away enchased with glass and beads, I. 111. + + Away with silks, away with lawn, I. 193. + + + Bacchus, let me drink no more, I. 153. + + Bad are the times. And worse than they are we, I. 198. + + Be bold, my book, nor be abash'd, or fear, II. 11. + + Be not dismayed, though crosses cast thee down. II. 137. + + Be not proud, but now incline, I. 120. + + Be the mistress of my choice, II. 36. + + Be those few hours, which I have yet to spend, II. 241. + + Beauty no other thing is than a beam, I. 39. + + Beauty's no other but a lovely grace, II. 92. + + Before man's fall the rose was born, II. 246. + + Before the press scarce one could see, II. 107. + + Begin to charm, and as thou strok'st mine ears, I. 81. + + Begin with a kiss, II. 57. + + Begin with Jove; then is the work half-done, I. 159. + + Bellman of night if I about shall go, II. 182. + + Besides us two, i' th' temple here's not one, I. 210. + + Biancha let, I. 34. + + Bid me to live, and I will live, I. 135. + + Bind me but to thee with thine hair, II. 115. + + Blessings in abundance come, I. 155. + + Born I was to be old, I. 247. + + Born I was to meet with age, I. 240. + + Both you two have, I. 138. + + Break off delay, since we but read of one, II. 63. + + Breathe, Julia, breathe, and I'll protest, I. 84. + + Bright tulips, we do know, I. 231. + + Bring me my rosebuds, drawer, come, II. 6. + + Bring the holy crust of bread, II. 103. + + Brisk methinks I am, and fine, II. 134. + + Burn or drown me, choose ye whether, II. 67. + + But born, and like a short delight, I. 84. + + By dream I saw one of the three, I. 192. + + By hours we all live here; in Heaven is known, II. 240. + + By so much virtue is the less, II. 66. + + By the next kindling of the day, II. 88. + + By the weak'st means things mighty are o'erthrown, II. 48. + + By those soft tods of wool, II. 71. + + By time and counsel do the best we can, I. 150. + + + Call me no more, I. 180. + + Can I not come to Thee, my God, for these, II. 186. + + Can I not sin, but thou wilt be, II. 193. + + Care keeps the conquest; 'tis no less renown, II. 132. + + Case is a lawyer that ne'er pleads alone, II. 127. + + Charm me asleep, and melt me so, I. 117. + + Charms that call down the moon from out her sphere, I. 122. + + Charon, O Charon, draw thy boat to th' shore, II. 270. + + Charon! O gentle Charon! let me woo thee, II. 58. + + Cherry-ripe, ripe, ripe, I cry, I. 21. + + Choose me your valentine, I. 36. + + Christ, He requires still, wheresoe'er He comes, II. 192. + + Christ, I have read, did to His chaplains say, II. 223. + + Christ never did so great a work but there, II. 237. + + Christ took our nature on Him, not that He, II. 238. + + Christ was not sad, i' the garden, for His own, II. 227. + + Christ, when He hung the dreadful cross upon, II. 228. + + Clear are her eyes, I. 243. + + Close keep your lips, if that you mean, II. 61. + + Come, and let's in solemn wise, II. 99. + + Come, Anthea, know thou this, II. 41. + + Come, Anthea, let us two, II. 68. + + Come, blitheful neat-herds, let us lay, II. 51. + + Come, bring with a noise, II. 79. + + Come, bring your sampler, and with art, I. 10. + + Come, come away, I. 172. + + Come down and dance ye in the toil, I. 9. + + Come, guard this night the Christmas-pie, II. 80. + + Come, leave this loathed country life, and then, I. 214. + + Come, pity us, all ye who see, II., 216. + + Come, sit we by the fire's side, II. 20. + + Come, sit we under yonder tree, II. 15. + + Come, skilful Lupo, now, and take, I. 46. + + Come, sons of summer, by whose toil, I. 125. + + Come, then, and like two doves with silv'ry wings, II. 2. + + Come thou not near those men who are like bread, I. 5. + + Come thou, who art the wine and wit, I. 238. + + Come to me God; but do not come, II. 242. + + Come with the spring-time forth, fair maid, and be, I. 176. + + Command the roof, great Genius, and from thence, II. 55. + + Confession twofold is, as Austine says, II. 244. + + Conformity gives comeliness to things, II. 147. + + Conformity was ever known, I. 28. + + Conquer we shall, but we must first contend, II. 115. + + Consider sorrows, how they are aright, II. 84. + + Consult ere thou begin'st, that done, go on, II. 65. + + Crab faces gowns with sundry furs; 'tis known, II. 37. + + Cupid, as he lay among, I. 59. + + Cynthius, pluck ye by the ear, I. 62. + + + Dark and dull night, fly hence away, II. 203. + + Dead falls the cause if once the hand be mute, I. 154. + + Dean Bourne, farewell; I never look to see, I. 33. + + Dear God, II. 201. + + Dear Perenna, prithee come, I. 110. + + Dear, though to part it be a hell, I. 39. + + Dearest of thousands, now the time draws near, II. 20. + + Despair takes heart, when there's no hope to speed, II. 135. + + Dew sat on Julia's hair, I. 226. + + Did I or love, or could I others draw, I. 253. + + Die ere long, I'm sure I shall, II. 151. + + Discreet and prudent we that discord call, II. 64. + + Display thy breasts my Julia--Here let me, I. 119. + + Do with me, God, as Thou didst deal with John, II. 174. + + Does fortune rend thee? Bear with thy hard fate, II. 87. + + Down with the rosemary and bays, II. 104. + + Down with the rosemary, and so, II. 129. + + Dread not the shackles: on with thine intent, II. 144. + + Drink up, II. 131. + + Drink wine, and live here blitheful while ye may, II. 31. + + Droop, droop no more, or hang the head, I. 6. + + Drowning, drowning, I espy, II. 126. + + Dry your sweet cheek, long drown'd with sorrow's rain, I. 131. + + Dull to myself, and almost dead to these, II. 13. + + + Each must in virtue strive for to excel, I. 151. + + Eaten I have; and though I had good cheer, I. 248. + + Empires of kings are now, and ever were, I. 202. + + End now the white loaf and the pie, II. 105. + + Ere I go hence, and be no more, II. 260. + + Every time seems short to be, I. 202. + + Evil no nature hath; the loss of good, II. 207. + + Examples lead us, and we likely see, II. 68. + + Excess is sluttish: keep the mean; for why? II. 162. + + + Fain would I kiss my Julia's dainty leg, I. 175. + + Fair and foul days trip cross and pile; the fair, I. 237. + + Fair daffodils, we weep to see, I. 156. + + Fair pledges of a fruitful tree, I. 220. + + Fair was the dawn; and but e'en now the skies, I. 99. + + Faith is a thing that's four-square; let it fall, II. 114. + + Fame's pillar here, at last, we set, II. 165. + + Farewell, thou thing, time past so known, so dear, I. 53. + + Fat be my hind; unlearned be my wife, II. 116. + + Fight thou with shafts of silver and o'ercome, I. 23. + + Fill me a mighty bowl, II. 30. + + Fill me my wine in crystal; thus, and thus, I. 234. + + First, April, she with mellow showers, I. 26. + + First, for effusions due unto the dead, I. 26. + + First, for your shape, the curious cannot show, I. 237. + + First, may the hand of bounty bring, II. 112. + + First offer incense, then thy field and meads, I. 180. + + Fled are the frosts, and now the fields appear, II. 27. + + Fly hence, pale care, no more remember, II. 267. + + Fly me not, though I be grey, I. 244. + + Fly to my mistress, pretty pilfering bee, I. 124. + + Fold now thine arms and hang the head, I. 56. + + Fools are they who never know, I. 119. + + For a kiss or two, confess, II. 130. + + For all our works a recompense is sure, II. 93. + + For all thy many courtesies to me, II. 83. + + For being comely, consonant, and free, II. 8. + + For brave comportment, wit without offence, II. 119 + + For civil, clean, and circumcised wit, I. 244. + + For each one body that i' th' earth is sown, II. 236. + + For my embalming, Julia, do but this, I. 161. + + For my neighbour, I'll not know, I. 103. + + For my part, I never care, I. 100. + + For one so rarely tun'd to fit all parts, I. 152. + + For punishment in war it will suffice, I. 165. + + For sport my Julia threw a lace, I. 145. + + For those, my unbaptised rhymes, II. 169. + + For truth I may this sentence tell, II. 151. + + Fortune did never favour one, I. 240. + + Fortune no higher project can devise, I. 246. + + Fortune's a blind profuser of her own, II. 45. + + Fresh strewings allow, II. 69. + + Frolic virgins once these were, I. 190. + + From me my Sylvia ran away, II. 109. + + From noise of scare-fires rest ye free, I. 151. + + From the dull confines of the drooping West, II. 150. + + From the temple to your home, II. 21. + + From this bleeding hand of mine, I. 108. + + + Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, I. 102. + + Get up, get up for shame, the blooming morn, I. 82. + + Give house-room to the best; 'tis never known, II. 116. + + Give if thou canst an alms; if not, afford, II. 193. + + Give me a cell, II. 73. + + Give me a man that is not dull, II. 146. + + Give me honours! what are these, II. 191. + + Give me one kiss, I. 246. + + Give me that man that dares bestride, I. 35. + + Give me the food that satisfies a guest, II. 82. + + Give me wine, and give me meat, II. 18. + + Give unto all, lest he, whom thou deni'st, II. 239. + + Give Want her welcome if she comes; we find. II. 12. + + Give way, and be ye ravish'd by the sun, I. 246. + + Give way, give way now; now my Charles shines here, II. 43. + + Give way, give way, ye gates and win, I. 223. + + Glide, gentle streams, and bear, I. 51. + + Glory be to the graces! II. 76. + + Glory no other thing is, Tullie says, II. 50. + + Go, happy rose, and interwove, I. 121. + + Go hence, and with this parting kiss, I. 217. + + Go hence away, and in thy parting know, II. 269. + + Go I must; when I am gone, I. 250. + + Go, perjured man; and if thou e'er return, I. 59. + + Go on, brave Hopton, to effectuate that, II. 136. + + Go, pretty child, and bear this flower, II. 189. + + Go thou forth, my book, though late, II. 164. + + Go, woo young Charles no more to look, II. 13. + + God as He is most holy known, II. 174. + + God, as He's potent, so He's likewise known, II. 222. + + God, as the learned Damascene doth write, II. 227. + + God bought man here with His heart's blood expense, II. 237. + + God can do all things, save but what are known, II. 228. + + God can't be wrathful; but we may conclude, II. 248. + + God could have made all rich, or all men poor, II. 192. + + God did forbid the Israelites to bring, II. 230. + + God doth embrace the good with love, and gains, II. 237 + + God doth not promise here to man that He, II. 247. + + God from our eyes, all tears hereafter wipes, II. 223. + + God gives not only corn for need, II. 191. + + God gives to none so absolute an ease, II. 234. + + God had but one Son free from sin; but none, II. 222. + + God has a right hand, but is quite bereft, II. 244. + + God has four keys, which He reserves alone, II. 239. + + God has His whips here to a twofold end, II. 175. + + God hates the dual numbers, being known, II. 246. + + God hath this world for many made, 'tis true, II. 234. + + God hath two wings which He doth ever move, II. 171. + + God, He refuseth no man, but makes way, II. 222. + + God, He rejects all prayers that are slight, II. 173. + + God hears us when we pray, but yet defers, II. 176. + + God hides from man the reck'ning day, that he, II. 224. + + God in His own day will be then severe, II. 226. + + God, in the holy tongue, they call, II. 231. + + God is above the sphere of our esteem, II. 170. + + God is all forepart; for, we never see, II. 173. + + God is all present to whate'er we do, II. 243. + + God is all sufferance here, here He doth show, II. 194. + + God is His name of nature; but that word, II. 223. + + God is Jehovah called: which name of His, II. 232. + + God is more here than in another place, II. 234. + + God is not only merciful to call, II. 173. + + God is not only said to be, II. 170. + + God is so potent, as His power can, II. 229. + + God is then said for to descend, when He, II. 245. + + God loads and unloads, thus His work begins, II. 172. + + God makes not good men wantons, but doth bring, II. 211. + + God ne'er afflicts us more than our desert, II. 171. + + God on our youth bestows but little ease, II. 229. + + God pardons those who do through frailty sin, II. 176. + + God scourgeth some severely, some He spares, II. 174. + + God still rewards us more than our desert, II. 244. + + God strikes His Church, but 'tis to this intent, II. 176. + + God suffers not His saints and servants dear, II. 243. + + God tempteth no one, as St. Aug'stine saith, II. 225. + + God then confounds man's face when He not hears, II. 228. + + God! to my little meal and oil, II. 221. + + God, when for sin He makes His children smart, II. 174. + + God, when He's angry here with anyone, II. 171. + + God, when He takes my goods and chattels hence, II. 200. + + God, who me gives a will for to repent, II. 247. + + God, who's in heaven, will hear from thence, II. 227. + + God will have all or none; serve Him, or fall, II. 187. + + God's boundless mercy is, to sinful man, II. 172. + + God's bounty, that ebbs less and less, II. 194. + + God's evident, and may be said to be, II. 232. + + God's grace deserves here to be daily fed, II. 222. + + God's hands are round and smooth, that gifts may fall, II. 225. + + God's prescience makes none sinful; but th' offence, II. 238. + + God's present everywhere, but most of all, II. 236. + + God's rod doth watch while men do sleep, and then, II. 74. + + God's said our hearts to harden then, II. 246. + + God's said to dwell there, wheresoever He, II. 232. + + God's said to leave this place, and for to come, II. 231. + + God's undivided, One in Persons Three, II. 232. + + Goddess, I begin an art, I. 245. + + Goddess, I do love a girl, I. 171. + + Goddess of youth, and lady of the spring, I. 133. + + Gold I have none, but I present my need, II. 209. + + Gold I've none, for use or show, I. 109. + + Gold serves for tribute to the king, II. 247. + + Gone she is a long, long way, II. 93. + + Good and great God! how should I fear, II. 245. + + Good-day, Mirtello. And to you no less, I. 105. + + Good morrow to the day so fair, I. 195. + + Good precepts we must firmly hold, I. 235. + + Good princes must be pray'd for; for the bad, I. 37. + + Good speed, for I this day, I. 107. + + Good things that come, of course, for less do please. I. 154. + + Great cities seldom rest; if there be none, II. 144. + + Great men by small means oft are overthrown, I. 227. + + Grow for two ends, it matters not at all, II. 37. + + Grow up in beauty, as thou dost begin, II. 129. + + + Hail holy and all-honoured tomb, II. 254. + + Handsome you are, and proper you will be, II. 123. + + Hang up hooks and shears to scare, II. 104. + + Happily I had a sight, II. 140. + + Happy's that man to whom God gives, II. 185. + + Hard are the two first stairs unto a crown, II. 114. + + Hast thou attempted greatness? then go on, II. 64. + + Hast thou begun an act? ne'er then give o'er, II. 42. + + Haste is unhappy: what we rashly do, II. 85. + + Have, have ye no regard, all ye, II. 251. + + Have I not blest thee? Then go forth, nor fear, I. 193. + + Have ye beheld (with much delight), I. 203. + + He that ascended in a cloud shall come, II. 227. + + He that is hurt seeks help: sin is the wound, II. 226. + + He that may sin, sins least: leave to transgress, I. 136. + + He that will live of all cares dispossess'd, II. 129. + + He that will not love must be, I. 127. + + He who commends the vanquished, speaks the power, I. 252. + + He who has suffered shipwreck fears to sail, II. 11. + + He who wears blacks and mourns not for the dead, II. 148. + + Health is no other, as the learned hold, II. 42. + + Health is the first good lent to men, I. 50. + + Hear, ye virgins, and I'll teach, I. 151. + + Heaven is most fair; but fairer He, II. 227. + + Heaven is not given for our good works here, II. 239. + + Hell is no other but a soundless pit, II. 214. + + Hell is the place where whipping-cheer abounds, II. 214. + + Help me! help me! now I call, I. 10. + + Help me, Julia, for to pray, II. 154. + + Hence a blessed soul is fled, II. 9. + + Hence, hence, profane, and none appear, II. 205. + + Hence, hence, profane! soft silence let us have, I. 109. + + Hence they have borne my Lord; behold! the stone, II. 255. + + Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee, II. 17. + + Her pretty feet, I. 243. + + Here a little child I stand, II. 202. + + Here a pretty baby lies, II. 26. + + Here a solemn fast we keep, I. 212. + + Here, here, I live, I. 214. + + Here down my wearied limbs I'll lay, I. 153. + + Here, here I live with what my board, I. 251. + + Here I myself might likewise die, II. 82. + + Here lies a virgin, and as sweet, II. 71. + + Here lies Jonson with the rest, II. 109. + + Here she lies, a pretty bud, I. 154. + + Here she lies in bed of spice, II. 91. + + Here we are all by day; by night we're hurl'd, I. 23. + + Here we securely live and eat, I. 248. + + Holyrood, come forth and shield, I. 222. + + Holy water come and bring, II. 73. + + Holy waters hither bring, II. 127. + + Honour thy parents; but good manners call, II. 202. + + Honour to you who sit, II. 76. + + How am I bound to Two! God who doth give, II. 190. + + How am I ravish'd! when I do but see, I. 174. + + How can I choose but love and follow her, I. 227. + + How dull and dead are books that cannot show, I. 177. + + How fierce was I, when I did see, II. 117. + + How long, Perenna, wilt thou see, I. 222. + + How love came in I do not know, I. 27. + + How rich a man is all desire to know, I. 161. + + How rich and pleasing thou, my Julia, art, I. 34. + + How well contented in this private grange, II. 136. + + Humble we must be, if to heaven we go, II. 200. + + + I a dirge will pen to thee, II. 128. + + I am holy while I stand, II. 30. + + I am of all bereft, I. 216. + + I am sieve-like, and can hold, I. 146. + + I am zealless; prithee pray, II. 95. + + I ask'd my Lucia but a kiss, II. 10. + + I asked thee oft what poets thou hast read, I. 80. + + I begin to wane in sight, I. 226. + + I brake thy bracelet 'gainst my will, II. 48. + + I bring ye love. What will love do? II. 135. + + I burn, I burn; and beg of you, I. 60. + + I call, I call: who do ye call? I. 139. + + I can but name thee, and methinks I call, I. 163. + + I cannot love as I have lov'd before, II. 72. + + I cannot pipe as I was wont to do, II. 2. + + I cannot suffer; and in this my part, I. 210. + + I could but see thee yesterday, II. 89. + + I could never love indeed, I. 228. + + I could wish you all who love, I. 147. + + I crawl, I creep; my Christ, I come, II. 221. + + I dare not ask a kiss, II. 35. + + I dislik'd but even now, I. 194. + + I do believe that die I must, II. 195. + + I do love I know not what, II. 7. + + I do not love, nor can it be, I. 194. + + I do not love to wed, I. 200. + + I dreamed we both were in a bed, I. 22. + + I dreamt the roses one time went, I. 7. + + I dreamt, last night, Thou didst transfuse, II. 194. + + I fear no earthly powers, I. 78. + + I freeze, I freeze, and nothing dwells, I. 8. + + I have a leaden, thou a shaft of gold, II. 163. + + I have been wanton and too bold, I fear, II. 160. + + I have beheld two lovers in a night, II. 263. + + I have lost, and lately, these, I. 17. + + I have my laurel chaplet on my head, II. 151. + + I heard ye could cool heat, and came, I. 196. + + I held Love's head while it did ache, I. 236. + + I lately fri'd, but now behold, II. 111. + + I make no haste to have my numbers read, II. 19. + + I must, II. 133. + + I played with Love, as with the foe, I. 255. + + I press'd my Julia's lips, and in the kiss, II. 48. + + I saw a fly within a bead, II. 86. + + I saw about her spotless wrist, I. 78. + + I saw a cherry weep, and why? I. 12. + + I send, I send here my supremest kiss, II. 143. + + I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers, I. 3. + + I sing thy praise, Iacchus, II. 74. + + I, who have favour'd many, come to be, I. 179. + + I will be short, and having quickly hurl'd, II. 121. + + I will confess, II. 118. + + I will no longer kiss, II. 159. + + I would to God that mine old age might have, II. 213. + + I'll come, I'll creep, though Thou dost threat, II. 182. + + I'll come to thee in all those shapes, I. 70. + + I'll do my best to win when e'er I woo, I. 36. + + I'll get me hence, II. 13. + + I'll hope no more, II. 209. + + I'll sing no more, nor will I longer write, II. 32. + + I'll to thee a simnel bring, II. 43. + + I'll write, because I'll give, I. 37. + + I'll write no more of love; but now repent, II. 164. + + I'm free from thee; and thou no more shalt bear, I. 18. + + I'm sick of love, O let me lie, I. 197. + + I've paid thee what I promis'd; that's not all, I. 209. + + If accusation only can draw blood, I. 244. + + If after rude and boisterous seas, I. 117. + + If all transgressions here should have their pay, II. 175. + + If anything delight me for to print, II. 190. + + If, dear Anthea, my hard fate it be, I. 11. + + If hap it must, that I must see thee lie, II. 123. + + If I dare write to you, my lord, who are, I. 235. + + If I have played the truant, or have here, II. 249. + + If I kiss Anthea's breast, I. 71. + + If I lie unburied, sir, II. 87. + + If kings and kingdoms once distracted be, II. 161. + + If little labour, little are our gains, II. 66. + + If meat the gods give, I the steam, I. 24. + + If men can say that beauty dies, I. 256. + + If 'mongst my many poems I can see, I. 76. + + If nature do deny, II. 26. + + If nine times you your bridegroom kiss, II. 6. + + If so be a toad be laid, II. 8. + + If that my fate has now fulfil'd my year, II. 96. + + If thou ask me, dear, wherefore, I. 234. + + If thou be'st taken, God forbid, II. 251. + + If thou hast found a honey comb, II. 109. + + If war or want shall make me grow so poor, II. 179. + + If well the dice run, let's applaud the cast, II. 18. + + If well thou hast begun, go on fore-right, I. 154. + + If when these lyrics, Cæsar, you shall hear, I. 133. + + If wholesome diet can re-cure a man, II. 148. + + If ye fear to be affrighted, II. 152. + + If ye will with Mab find grace, I. 252. + + Immortal clothing I put on, II. 86. + + Imparity doth ever discord bring, II. 85. + + In a dream, Love bade me go, II. 20. + + In all our high designments 'twill appear, II. 114. + + In all thy need be thou possess'd, II. 57. + + In battles what disasters fall, II. 111. + + In desp'rate cases all, or most, are known, II. 89. + + In doing justice God shall then be known, II. 243. + + In God's commands ne'er ask the reason why, II. 248. + + In God there's nothing, but 'tis known to be, II. 227. + + In holy meetings there a man may be, I. 203. + + In man ambition is the common'st thing, I. 23. + + In numbers, and but these a few, II. 176. + + In prayer the lips ne'er act the winning part, II. 178. + + In sober mornings, do not thou rehearse, I. 5. + + In the hope of ease to come, II. 143. + + In the hour of my distress, II. 180. + + In the morning when ye rise, II. 152. + + In the old Scripture I have often read, II. 178. + + In things a moderation keep, II. 77. + + In this little urn is laid, II. 78. + + In this little vault she lies, I. 61. + + In this misfortune kings do most excel, II. 115. + + In this world, the isle of dreams, II. 220. + + In time of life I graced ye with my verse, I. 173. + + In vain our labours are whatsoe'er they be, II. 223. + + In ways to greatness, think on this, II. 33. + + Instead of orient pearls of jet, I. 15. + + Instruct me now what love will do, II. 155. + + Is this a fast, to keep, II. 240. + + Is this a life, to break thy sleep, II. 37. + + It is sufficient if we pray, I. 71. + + It was, and still my care is, II. 40. + + + Jacob God's beggar was; and so we wait, II. 228. + + Jealous girls these sometimes were, I. 234. + + Jehovah, as Boëtius saith, II. 228. + + Jove may afford us thousands of reliefs, I. 192. + + Judith has cast her old skin and got new, I. 177. + + Julia and I did lately sit, I. 20. + + Julia, I bring, I. 78. + + Julia, if I chance to die, I. 23. + + Julia was careless, and withal, I. 13. + + Julia, when thy Herrick dies, I. 233. + + Justly our dearest Saviour may abhor us, II. 236. + + + Kindle the Christmas brand, and then, II. 105. + + Kings must be dauntless; subjects will contemn, II. 160. + + Kings must not oft be seen by public eyes, II. 42. + + Kings must not only cherish up the good, II. 75. + + Kings must not use the axe for each offence, II. 135. + + Knew'st thou one month would take thy life away, II. 49. + + Know when to speak for many times it brings, II. 146. + + + Labour we must, and labour hard, II. 225. + + Laid out for dead, let thy last kindness be, I. 20. + + Lasciviousness is known to be, II. 223. + + Last night I drew up mine account, II. 210. + + Lay by the good a while; a resting field, II. 113. + + Learn this of me, where'er thy lot doth fall, I. 192. + + Let all chaste matrons when they chance to see, I. 70. + + Let but thy voice engender with the string, I. 127. + + Let fair or foul my mistress be, II. 5. + + Let kings and rulers learn this line from me, II. 126. + + Let kings command and do the best they may, I. 174. + + Let me be warm, let me be fully fed, I. 36. + + Let me not live if I do not love, II. 157. + + Let me sleep this night away, I. 251. + + Let moderation on thy passions wait, II. 146. + + Let not that day God's friends and servants scare, II. 220. + + Let not thy tombstone e'er be lain by me, II. 101. + + Let others look for pearl or gold, II. 190. + + Let others to the printing press run fast, II. 141. + + Let the superstitious wife, II. 103. + + Let there be patrons, patrons like to thee, I. 49. + + Let us now take time and play, II. 46. + + Let us, though late, at last, my Silvia, wed, I. 6. + + Let's be jocund while we may, II. 26. + + Let's call for Hymen if agreed thou art, II. 77. + + Let's live in haste; use pleasures while we may, I. 213. + + Let's live with that small pittance that we have, II. 12. + + Let's now take our time, II. 84. + + Let's strive to be the best: the gods, we know it, II. 135. + + Life of my life, take not so soon thy flight, I. 88. + + Life is the body's light, which once declining, II. 5. + + Like those infernal deities which eat, II. 88. + + Like to a bride, come forth my book, at last, I. 92. + + Like to the income must be our expense, I. 147. + + Like will to like, each creature loves his kind, II. 147. + + Lilies will languish; violets look ill, I. 49. + + Little you are, for woman's sake be proud, II. 11. + + Live by thy muse thou shalt, when others die, II. 9. + + Live, live with me, and thou shalt see, I. 240. + + Live with a thrifty, not a needy fate, I. 13. + + Look how our foul days do exceed our fair, II. 169. + + Look how the rainbow doth appear, I. 175. + + Look in my book, and herein see, II. 108. + + Look upon Sappho's lip, and you will swear, II. 131. + + Lord do not beat me, II. 185. + + Lord, I am like to mistletoe, II. 213. + + Lord, I confess that Thou alone art able, II. 194. + + Lord, Thou hast given me a cell, II. 183. + + Lost to the world; lost to myself alone, II. 121. + + Loth to depart, but yet at last each one, I. 176. + + Love and myself, believe me, on a day, I. 19. + + Love and the graces evermore do wait, II. 68. + + Love bade me ask a gift, I. 124. + + Love brought me to a silent grove, II. 97. + + Love he that will, it best likes me, I. 195. + + Love, I have broke, I. 215. + + Love, I recant, I. 123. + + Love in a shower of blossoms came, II. 102. + + Love is a circle, and an endless sphere, II. 91. + + Love is a circle that doth restless move, I. 13. + + Love is a kind of war: hence those who fear, II. 100. + + Love is a leaven; and a loving kiss, II. 120. + + Love is a syrup, and whoe'er we see, II. 120. + + Love is maintain'd by wealth; when all is spent, II. 41. + + Love like a beggar came to me, II. 118. + + Love like a gipsy lately came, I. 76. + + Love, love begets, then never be, II. 64. + + Love, love me now, because I place, II. 96. + + Love on a day, wise poets tell, I. 131. + + Love scorch'd my finger, but did spare, I. 33. + + Love's a thing, as I do hear, I. 146. + + Love's of itself too sweet; the best of all, II. 157. + + Love-sick I am, and must endure, I. 72. + + + Maidens tell me I am old, II. 94. + + Maids' nays are nothing, they are shy, II. 60. + + Make haste away, and let one be, II. 92. + + Make, make me Thine, my gracious God, II. 185. + + Make me a heaven and make me there, I. 56. + + Man is a watch, wound up at first, but never, I. 254. + + Man is compos'd here of a twofold part, I. 191. + + Man knows where first he ships himself, but he, I. 221. + + Man may at first transgress, but next do well, II. 141. + + Man may want land to live in, but for all, II. 84. + + Man must do well out of a good intent, II. 112. + + Man's disposition is for to requite, II. 114. + + Many we are, and yet but few possess, I. 221. + + May his pretty dukeship grow, I. 134. + + Men are not born kings, but are men renown'd, II. 49. + + Men are suspicious, prone to discontent, II. 113. + + Men must have bounds how far to walk; for we, II. 132. + + Men say y'are fair, and fair ye are, 'tis true, I. 122. + + Mercy, the wise Athenians held to be, II. 225. + + Methought I saw, as I did dream in bed, II. 139. + + Methought last night love in an anger came, I. 18. + + Mighty Neptune, may it please, I. 161. + + Milk still your fountains and your springs, for why? II. 90. + + Mine eyes, like clouds, were drizzling rain, II. 44. + + Mop-eyed I am, as some have said, I. 120. + + More discontents I never had, I. 21. + + More white than whitest lilies far, I. 40. + + Music, thou queen of heaven, care-charming spell, I. 128. + + My dearest love, since thou wilt go, II. 153. + + My faithful friend, if you can see, I. 97. + + My God, I'm wounded by my sin, II. 173. + + My God! look on me with thine eye, II. 175 + + My head doth ache, II. 9. + + My Lucia in the dew did go, II. 58. + + My many cares and much distress, II. 139. + + My muse in meads has spent her many hours, I. 116. + + My soul would one day go and seek, II. 101. + + My wearied bark, O let it now be crown'd, II. 164. + + My wooing's ended: now my wedding's near, I. 225. + + + Naught are all women: I say no, II. 102. + + Need is no vice at all, though here it be, II. 48. + + Nero commanded; but withdrew his eyes, II. 42. + + Never my book's perfection did appear, I. 123. + + Never was day so over-sick with showers, I. 62. + + Next is your lot, fair, to be numbered one, I. 236. + + Night hath no wings to him that cannot sleep, II. 195. + + Night hides our thefts, all faults then pardon'd be, II. 8. + + Night makes no difference 'twixt priest and clerk, II. 97. + + No fault in women to refuse, I. 148. + + No grief is grown so desperate, but the ill, II. 148. + + No man comes late unto that place from whence, II. 31. + + No man is tempted so but may o'ercome, II. 236. + + No man so well a kingdom rules, as he, II. 155. + + No man such rare parts hath, that he can swim, II. 121. + + No more, my Sylvia, do I mean to pray, II. 2. + + No more shall I, since I am driven hence, I. 164. + + No news of navies burnt at seas, I. 157. + + No trust to metals, nor to marbles, when, II. 272. + + No wrath of men or rage of seas, II. 14. + + Noah the first was, as tradition says, II. 233. + + None goes to warfare but with this intent, I. 50. + + Noonday and midnight shall at once be seen, I. 71. + + Nor art thou less esteem'd that I have plac'd, II. 70. + + Nor is my number full till I inscribe, I. 250. + + Nor think that thou in this my book art worst, II. 159. + + Not all thy flushing suns are set, I. 87. + + Nothing can be more loathsome than to see, II. 10. + + Nothing comes free-cost here; Jove will not let, I. 221. + + Nothing hard or harsh can prove, II. 48. + + Nothing is new, we walk where others went, I. 175. + + Now if you love me, tell me, II. 150. + + Now is the time for mirth, I. 97. + + Now is the time, when all the lights wax dim, I. 22. + + Now is your turn, my dearest, to be set, II. 81. + + Now, now's the time, so oft by truth, I. 63. + + Now, now the mirth comes, II. 145. + + Now thou art dead, no eye shall ever see, II. 125. + + + O earth! earth! earth! hear thou my voice, and be, I. 21. + + O Jealousy, that art, I. 213. + + O Jupiter, should I speak ill, II. 61. + + O Times most bad, II. 10. + + O Thou, the wonder of all days! II. 196. + + O years! and age! farewell, II. 189. + + O you the virgins nine! II. 31. + + Of all our parts, the eyes express, I. 152. + + Of all the good things whatsoe'er we do, II. 255. + + Of all those three brave brothers fall'n i' th' war, I. 212. + + Of both our fortunes good and bad we find, II. 71. + + Offer thy gift; but first the law commands, II. 122. + + Oft bend the bow, and thou with ease shalt do, II. 55. + + Oft have I heard both youths and virgins say, I. 187. + + Old wives have often told how they, I. 19. + + On, as thou hast begun, brave youth, and get, I. 188. + + On with thy work, though thou be'st hardly press'd, II. 137. + + One ask'd me where the roses grew, I. 19. + + One birth our Saviour had; the like none yet, II. 231. + + One ear tingles, some there be, II. 160. + + One feeds on lard, and yet is lean, I. 216. + + One man repentant is of more esteem, II. 235. + + One more by thee, love, and desert have sent, I. 239. + + One night i' th' year, my dearest beauties, come, II. 23. + + One of the five straight branches of my hand, I. 256. + + One only fire has hell; but yet it shall, II. 239. + + One silent night of late, I. 30. + + Only a little more, I. 103. + + Open thy gates, II. 212. + + Or look'd I back unto the time hence flown, II. 39. + + Orpheus he went, as poets tell, II. 82. + + Other men's sins we ever bear in mind, II. 66. + + Our bastard children are but like to plate, II. 139. + + Our crosses are no other than the rods, II. 97. + + Our honours and our commendations be, I. 150. + + Our household gods our parents be, II. 29. + + Our mortal parts may wrapp'd in sear-clothes lie, I. 251. + + Our present tears here, not our present laughter, II. 201. + + Out of the world he must, who once comes in, I. 251. + + + Paradise is, as from the learn'd I gather, II. 229. + + Pardon me, God, once more I Thee entreat, II. 212. + + Pardon my trespass, Silvia, I confess, II. 116. + + Part of the work remains; one part is past, II. 164. + + Partly work and partly play, II. 142. + + Paul, he began ill, but he ended well, II. 234. + + Permit me, Julia, now to go away, I. 72. + + Permit mine eyes to see, II. 210. + + Ph[oe]bus! when that I a verse, I. 152. + + Physicians fight not against men; but these, II. 29. + + Physicians say repletion springs, II. 121. + + Play I could once; but gentle friend, you see, I. 103. + + Play, Ph[oe]bus, on thy lute, I. 190. + + Play their offensive and defensive parts, II. 211. + + Please your grace, from out your store, II. 25. + + Ponder my words, if so that any be, II. 111. + + Praise they that will times past; I joy to see, II. 114. + + Prat, he writes satires, but herein's the fault, II. 46. + + Prayers and praises are those spotless two, II. 171. + + Predestination is the cause alone, II. 237. + + Prepare for songs; He's come, He's come, II. 204. + + Preposterous is that government, and rude, I. 246. + + Preposterous is that order, when we run, II. 49. + + Princes and fav'rites are most dear, while they, II. 67. + + Prue, my dearest maid, is sick, I. 152. + + Puss and her 'prentice both at drawgloves play, II. 75. + + Put off thy robe of purple, then go on, II. 249. + + Put on thy holy filletings, and so, II. 106. + + Put on your silks, and piece by piece, I. 22. + + + Rapine has yet took nought from me, II. 219. + + Rare are thy cheeks, Susanna, which do show, I. 243. + + Rare is the voice itself: but when we sing, II. 161. + + Rare temples thou hast seen, I know, I. 111. + + Reach with your whiter hands, to me, I. 232. + + Read thou my lines, my Swetnaham; if there be, II. 158. + + Readers, we entreat ye pray, II. 85. + + Reproach we may the living, not the dead, II. 19. + + Rise, household gods, and let us go, I. 138. + + Roaring is nothing but a weeping part, II. 226. + + Roses at first were white, I. 130. + + Roses, you can never die, II. 154. + + + Sabbaths are threefold, as St. Austine says, II. 233. + + Sadly I walk'd within the field, I. 88. + + Sappho, I will choose to go, II. 83. + + Science in God is known to be, II. 222. + + Sea-born goddess, let me be, I. 174. + + See and not see, and if thou chance t'espy, I. 37. + + See how the poor do waiting stand, I. 175. + + Seeing thee, Soame, I see a goodly man, I. 220. + + See'st thou that cloud as silver clear, I. 174. + + See'st thou that cloud that rides in state, II. 86. + + See'st thou those diamonds which she wears, I. 163. + + Shall I a daily beggar be, II. 138. + + Shall I go to Love and tell, II. 90. + + Shame checks our first attempts; but when 'tis prov'd, II. 200. + + Shame is a bad attendant to a state, I. 227. + + Shapcot! to thee the fairy state, I. 148. + + She by the river sat, and sitting there, II. 63. + + She wept upon her cheeks, and weeping so, II. 62. + + Should I not put on blacks when each one here, II. 108. + + Show me thy feet, show me thy legs, thy thighs, I. 193. + + Shut not so soon; the dull-ey'd night, I. 203. + + Sick is Anthea, sickly is the spring, II. 149. + + Sin is an act so free, that if we shall, II. 238. + + Sin is the cause of death; and sin's alone, II. 238. + + Sin leads the way, but as it goes it feels, II. 200. + + Sin never slew a soul unless there went, II. 238. + + Sin no existence; nature none it hath, II. 229. + + Sin once reached up to God's eternal sphere, II. 207. + + Since, for thy full deserts, with all the rest, I. 191. + + Since shed or cottage I have none, II. 150. + + Since to the country first I came, I. 228. + + Sing me to death; for till thy voice be clear, I. 190. + + Sinners confounded are a twofold way, II. 236. + + Sitting alone, as one forsook, I. 60. + + Smooth was the sea, and seem'd to call, II. 116, + + So good luck came, and on my roof did light, I. 124. + + So long it seem'd, as Mary's faith was small, II. 233. + + So long you did not sing or touch your hue, I. 119. + + So look the mornings when the sun, II. 85. + + So looks Anthea, when in bed she lies, I. 39. + + So smell those odours that do rise, I. 181. + + So smooth, so sweet, so silv'ry is thy voice, I. 25. + + So soft streams meet, so springs with gladder smiles, I. 93. + + Some ask'd me where the rubies grew, I. 28. + + Some parts may perish, die thou canst not all, I. 252. + + Some salve to every sore we may apply, II. 92. + + Some would know, I. 12. + + Sorrows divided amongst many, less, II. 48. + + Sorrows our portion are: ere hence we go, II. 196. + + Sound teeth has Lucy, pure as pearl, and small, II. 29. + + Speak, did the blood of Abel cry, II. 235. + + Spend, harmless shade, thy nightly hours, II. 110. + + Spring with the lark, most comely bride, and meet, II. 16. + + Stand by the magic of my powerful rhymes, II. 98. + + Stand forth, brave man, since fate has made thee here, II. 63. + + Stand with thy graces forth, brave man, and rise, I. 226. + + Stately goddess, do thou please, I. 178. + + Stay while ye will, or go, I. 102. + + Still take advice; though counsels, when they fly, II. 146. + + Still to our gains our chief respect is had, I. 175. + + Store of courage to me grant, I. 189. + + Stripes justly given yerk us with their fall, II. 148. + + Studies themselves will languish and decay, II. 144. + + Suffer thy legs but not thy tongue to walk, II. 172. + + Suspicion, discontent, and strife, I. 58. + + Sweet Amarillis, by a spring's, I. 55. + + Sweet are my Julia's lips, and clean, II. 95. + + Sweet, be not proud of those two eyes, I. 74. + + Sweet Bridget blush'd, and therewithal, I. 255. + + Sweet country life, to such unknown, II. 33. + + Sweet [OE]none, do but say, II. 81. + + Sweet virgin, that I do not set, I. 182. + + Sweet western wind, whose luck it is, I. 128. + + + Take mine advice, and go not near, II. 98. + + Tears most prevail; with tears, too, thou mayst move, II. 107. + + Tears quickly dry, griefs will in time decay, II. 115. + + Tears, though they're here below the sinner's brine, II. 29. + + Tell if thou canst, and truly, whence doth come, I. 196. + + Tell me, rich man, for what intent. II. 244. + + Tell me, what needs those rich deceits, II. 101. + + Tell me, young man, or did the muses bring, II. 122. + + Tell that brave man, fain thou wouldst have access, II. 125. + + Tell us, thou clear and heavenly tongue, II. 207. + + Temptations hurt not, though they have access II. 196. + + Thanksgiving for a former, doth invite, II. 181 + + Th' art hence removing (like a shepherd's tent), I. 235. + + Th' 'ast dar'd too far; but, fury, now forbear, I. 100. + + That Christ did die, the pagan saith, II. 245. + + That flow of gallants which approach, II. 47. + + That for seven lusters I did never come, I. 31. + + That happiness does still the longest thrive, II. 81. + + That hour-glass which there you see, I. 52. + + That little, pretty, bleeding part, II. 279. + + That love last long, let it thy first care be, I. 232. + + That love 'twixt men does ever longest last, II. 157. + + That manna, which God on His people cast, II. 224. + + That morn which saw me made a bride, I. 136. + + That prince must govern with a gentle hand, II. 153. + + That prince takes soon enough the victor's room, I. 136. + + That prince who may do nothing but what's just, II. 162. + + That princes may possess a surer seat, I. 203. + + That there's a God we all do know, II. 243. + + The bad among the good are here mixed ever, II. 229. + + The blood of Abel was a thing, II. 235. + + The body is the soul's poor house or home, II. 98. + + The body's salt, the soul is; which when gone, II. 162. + + The bound almost now of my book I see, II. 140. + + The doctors in the Talmud, say, II. 235. + + The factions of the great ones call, II. 101. + + The fire of hell this strange condition hath, II. 235. + + The gods require the thighs, II. 60. + + The gods to kings the judgment give to sway, I. 136. + + The hag is astride, II. 27. + + The Jews their beds and offices of ease, II. 233. + + The Jews, when they built houses, I have read, II. 230. + + The less our sorrows here and suff'rings cease, II. 214. + + The lictors bundled up their rods; beside, II. 113. + + The longer thread of life we spin, II. 224. + + The May-pole is up, II. 46. + + The mellow touch of music most doth wound, I. 12. + + The mountains of the Scriptures are, some say, II. 226. + + The only comfort of my life, II. 149. + + The person crowns the place; your lot doth fall, II. 128. + + The power of princes rest in the consent, II. 155. + + The readiness of doing doth express, II. 92. + + The repetition of the name made known, II. 229. + + The rose was sick, and smiling died, II. 44. + + The saints-bell calls, and, Julia, I must read, II. 7. + + The same who crowns the conquerer, will be, II. 227. + + The seeds of treason choke up as they spring, I. 9. + + The shame of man's face is no more, II. 228. + + The strength of baptism that's within, II. 247. + + The sup'rabundance of my store, II. 220. + + The tears of saints more sweet by far, II. 224. + + The time the bridegroom stays from hence, II. 225. + + The twilight is no other thing, we say, II. 148. + + The Virgin Mary was, as I have read, II. 232. + + The Virgin Mother stood at a distance, there, II. 230. + + The work is done, now let my laurel be, II. 249. + + The work is done: young men and maidens, set, II. 164. + + Then did I live when I did see, II. 140. + + There is no evil that we do commit, II. 233. + + There's no constraint to do amiss, II. 239. + + These fresh beauties (we can prove), I. 16. + + These springs were maidens once that lov'd, I. 225. + + These summer-birds did with thy master stay, I. 189. + + These temporal goods God, the most wise, commends, II. 234. + + Things are uncertain, and the more we get, II. 144. + + This axiom I have often heard, II. 39. + + This crosstree here, II. 253. + + This day is yours, great Charles! and in this war, II. 87. + + This day, my Julia, thou must make, II. 83. + + This I'll tell ye by the way, II. 152. + + This is my comfort when she's most unkind, II. 151. + + This is the height of justice: that to do, II. 14. + + This rule of manners I will teach my guests, II. 137. + + This stone can tell the story of my life, II. 128. + + Those ends in war the best contentment bring, II. 144. + + Those garments lasting evermore, II. 242. + + Those ills that mortal men endure, I. 192. + + Those possessions short-liv'd are, II. 50. + + Those saints which God loves best, II. 175. + + Those tapers which we set upon the grave, II. 230. + + Thou art a plant sprung up to wither never, I. 122. + + Thou art to all lost love the best, I. 132. + + Thou bid'st me come away, II. 186. + + Thou bid'st me come; I cannot come; for why? II. 186. + + Thou cam'st to cure me, doctor, of my cold, I. 121. + + Thou gav'st me leave to kiss, I. 178. + + Thou had'st the wreath before, now take the tree, I. 188. + + Thou hast made many houses for the dead, II. 95. + + Thou hast promis'd, Lord, to be, II. 179. + + Thou knowest, my Julia, that it is thy turn, I. 247. + + Thou mighty lord and master of the lyre, II. 100. + + Thou sail'st with others in this Argus here, I. 26. + + Thou say'st I'm dull; if edgeless so I be, II. 157. + + Thou sayest Love's dart, II. 90. + + Thou say'st my lines are hard, I. 173. + + Thou say'st thou lov'st me, Sappho; I say no, II. 98. + + Thou see'st me, Lucia, this year droop, II. 126. + + Thou sent'st to me a true love-knot, but I, I. 217. + + Thou shall not all die; for while love's fire shines, I. 179. + + Thou, thou that bear'st the sway, II. 100. + + Thou who wilt not love, do this, I. 93. + + Though a wise man all pressures can sustain, I. 72. + + Though by well warding many blows we've pass'd, II. 45. + + Though clock, II. 55. + + Though frankincense the deities require, II. 117. + + Though from without no foes at all we fear, II. 114. + + Though good things answer many good intents, I. 137. + + Though hourly comforts from the gods we see, I. 137. + + Though I cannot give thee fires, I. 161. + + Though long it be, years may repay the debt, II. 31. + + Though thou be'st all that active love, II. 245. + + Thousands each day pass by, which we, II. 39. + + Three fatal sisters wait upon each sin, II. 172. + + Three lovely sisters working were, I. 20. + + Thrice, and above, bless'd, my soul's half, art thou, I. 40. + + Thrice happy roses, so much grac'd to have, II. 60. + + Through all the night, II. 187. + + Thus I, I. 222. + + Thy azure robe I did behold, I. 80. + + Thy former coming was to cure, II. 248. + + Thy sooty godhead, I desire, II. 14. + + Till I shall come again let this suffice, I. 183. + + Time is the bound of things where e'er we go, II. 71. + + Time was upon, II. 178. + + 'Tis a known principle in war, I. 147. + + 'Tis but a dog-like madness in bad kings, II. 115. + + 'Tis evening, my sweet, I. 245. + + 'Tis hard to find God, but to comprehend, II. 171. + + 'Tis heresy in others: in your face, I. 225. + + 'Tis liberty to serve one lord; but he, II. 103. + + 'Tis much among the filthy to be clean, II. 147. + + 'Tis never, or but seldom known, II. 80. + + 'Tis no discomfort in the world to fall, II. 147. + + 'Tis not a thousand bullocks' thighs, I. 24. + + 'Tis not every day that I, II. 51. + + 'Tis not greatness they require, I. 24. + + 'Tis not the food but the content, I. 154. + + 'Tis not the walls or purple that defends, II. 53. + + 'Tis said as Cupid danc'd among, II. 49. + + 'Tis still observ'd that fame ne'er sings, II. 55. + + 'Tis still observ'd those men most valiant are, II. 134. + + 'Tis the chyrurgeon's praise and height of art, II. 84. + + 'Tis worse than barbarous cruelty to show, I. 251. + + To a love feast we both invited are, II. 191. + + To all our wounds here, whatsoe'er they be, II. 238. + + To an old sore a long cure must go on, II. 138. + + To bread and water none is poor, I. 38. + + To conquered men, some comfort 'tis to fall, I. 60. + + To fetch me wine my Lucia went, I. 234. + + To find that tree of life whose fruits did feed, I. 74. + + To gather flowers Sappha went, II. 62. + + To get thine ends lay bashfulness aside, I. 7. + + To him who longs unto his Christ to go, II. 222. + + To his book's end this last line he'd have placed, II. 165. + + To house the hag, you must do this, II. 104. + + To join with them who here confer, II. 255. + + To me my Julia lately sent, I. 14. + + To-morrow, Julia, I betimes must rise, I. 127. + + To mortal men great loads allotted be, II. 51. + + To my revenge, and to her desperate fears, I. 107. + + To print our poems, the propulsive cause, I. 211. + + To read my book the virgin shy, I. 5. + + To safeguard man from wrongs, there nothing must, I. 81. + + To seek of God more than we well can find, II. 192. + + To sup with thee thou did'st me home invite, II. 78. + + To this white temple of my heroes, here, I. 232. + + To work a wonder, God would have her shown, II. 231. + + Touch but thy lyre, my Harry, and I hear, II. 94. + + Trap of a player turn'd a priest now is, II. 155. + + Tread, sirs, as lightly as you can, II. 28. + + True mirth resides not in the smiling skin, II. 172. + + True rev'rence is, as Cassiodore doth prove, II. 224. + + True to yourself and sheets, you'll have me swear, I. 171. + + Trust me, ladies, I will do, I. 222. + + Truth, by her own simplicity is known, II. 160. + + Truth is best found out by the time and eyes, II. 108. + + Tumble me down, and I will sit, II. 41. + + 'Twas but a single rose, I. 61. + + 'Twas Cæsar's saying: kings no less conquerors are, II. 88. + + 'Twas not love's dart, I. 201. + + Twice has Pudica been a bride, and led, I. 225. + + Twilight, no other thing is, poets say, II. 96. + + 'Twixt kings and subjects there's this mighty odds, I. 12. + + 'Twixt kings and tyrants there's this difference known, II. 96. + + 'Twixt truth and error there's this difference known, II. 144. + + Two instruments belong unto our God, II. 244. + + Two of a thousand things are disallow'd, I. 10. + + Two parts of us successively command, I. 171. + + Two things do make society to stand, II. 93. + + + Under a lawn, than skies more clear, I. 29. + + Upon her cheeks she wept, and from those showers, I. 256. + + Ursley, she thinks those velvet patches grace, I. 248. + + + Virgins promis'd when I died, I. 52. + + Virgins, time past, known were these, I. 77. + + + Want is a softer wax, that takes thereon, II. 108. + + Wantons we are, and though our words be such, II. 19. + + Wanton wenches do not bring, II. 160. + + Wash clean the vessel, lest ye sour, II. 149. + + Wash your hands, or else the fire, II. 80. + + Wassail the trees, that they may bear, II. 80. + + Water, water I desire, I. 23. + + Water, water I espy, I. 75. + + We are co-heirs with Christ; nor shall His own, II. 246. + + We blame, nay we despise her pains, II. 98. + + We credit most our sight; one eye doth please, II. 108. + + We merit all we suffer, and by far, II. 243. + + We pray 'gainst war, yet we enjoy no peace, II. 81. + + We trust not to the multitude in war, II. 112. + + We two are last in hell; what may we fear, I. 38. + + Weep for the dead, for they have lost this light, II. 121. + + Weigh me the fire; or canst thou find, II. 170. + + Welcome! but yet no entrance, till we bless, I. 155. + + Welcome, great Cæsar, welcome now you are, II. 123. + + Welcome, maids-of-honour, I. 101. + + Welcome, most welcome to our vows and us, I. 28. + + Welcome to this my college, and though late, II. 129. + + Well may my book come forth like public day, _Dedication_. + + Were I to give the baptism, I would choose, I. 32. + + What can I do in poetry, I. 164. + + What! can my Kellam drink his sack, II. 112. + + What, conscience, say, is it in thee, I. 210. + + What fate decreed, time now has made us see, II. 66. + + What God gives, and what we take, II. 202. + + What here we hope for, we shall once inherit, II. 200. + + What I fancy I approve, I. 11. + + What is a kiss? Why this, as some approve, II. 18. + + What is't that wastes a prince? example shows, II. 162. + + What need we marry women, when, II. 120. + + What needs complaints, II. 141. + + What now we like, anon we disapprove, I. 240. + + What offspring other men have got, II. 42. + + What others have with cheapness seen and ease, II. 161. + + What sweeter music can we bring, II. 202. + + What though my harp and viol be, II. 199. + + What though the heaven be lowering now, I. 236. + + What though the sea be calm? Trust to the shore, I. 104. + + What times of sweetness this fair day foreshows, I. 52. + + What was't that fell but now, I. 90. + + What will ye, my poor orphans, do, II. 19. + + What wisdom, learning, wit or wrath, I. 57. + + What's got by justice is established sure, II. 141. + + What's that we see from far? the spring of day, I. 139. + + Whatever comes, let's be content withal, II. 187. + + Whatever men for loyalty pretend, II. 163. + + Whatsoever thing I see, II. 65. + + When a daffodil I see, I. 45. + + When a man's faith is frozen up, as dead, II. 196. + + When after many lusters thou shalt be, II. 36. + + When age or chance has made me blind, I. 38. + + When all birds else do of their music fail, II. 57. + + When as in silks my Julia goes, II. 77. + + When as Leander young was drown'd, I. 49. + + When Chub brings in his harvest, still he cries, II. 157. + + When fear admits no hope of safety, then, II. 163. + + When first I find those numbers thou dost write, II. 125. + + When flowing garments I behold, II. 138. + + When I a ship see on the seas, II. 214. + + When I a verse shall make, II. 11. + + When I behold a forest spread, I. 254. + + When I behold Thee, almost slain, II. 252. + + When I consider, dearest, thou dost stay, I. 243. + + When I departed am, ring thou my knell, I. 138. + + When I did go from thee, I felt that smart, I. 50. + + When I go hence, ye closet-gods, I fear, II. 30. + + When I love (as some have told), II. 1. + + When I of Villars do but hear the name, I. 172. + + When I shall sin, pardon my trespass here, II. 206. + + When I through all my many poems look, I. 117. + + When I thy parts run o'er, I can't espy, I. 9. + + When I thy singing next shall hear, I. 25. + + When Julia blushes she does show, I. 150. + + When Julia chid, I stood as mute the while, I. 70. + + When laws full powers have to sway, we see, II. 12. + + When man is punished, he is plagued still, II. 211. + + When my date's done, and my grey age must die, I. 47. + + When my off'ring next I make, I. 197. + + When one is past, another care we have, I. 20. + + When once the sin has fully acted been, II. 178. + + When once the soul has lost her way, II. 243. + + When out of bed my love doth spring, I. 193. + + When some shall say, Fair once my Silvia was, I. 24. + + When that day comes, whose evening says I'm gone, I. 15. + + When thou dost play and sweetly sing, I. 178. + + When Thou wast taken, Lord, I oft have read, II. 251. + + When times are troubled then forbear; but speak, II. 155. + + When to a house I come and see, II. 136. + + When to thy porch I come, and ravish'd see, II. 154. + + When we 'gainst Satan stoutly fight, the more, II. 213. + + When well we speak and nothing do that's good, II. 247. + + When what is lov'd is present, love doth spring, I. 13. + + When winds and seas do rage, II. 215. + + When with the virgin morning thou dost rise, I. 159. + + When words we want, Love teacheth to indite, II. 92. + + Whene'er I go, or whatsoe'er befalls, II. 86. + + Whene'er my heart love's warmth but entertains, I. 47. + + Where God is merry, there write down thy fears, II. 191. + + Where love begins, there dead thy first desire, II. 100. + + Where others love and praise my verses, still, I. 80. + + Where pleasures rule a kingdom, never there, II. 157. + + Whether I was myself, or else did see, II. 156. + + While Fates permit us let's be merry, I. 215. + + While leanest beasts in pastures feed, I. 93. + + While, Lydia, I was loved of thee, I. 85. + + While the milder fates consent, I. 46. + + While thou didst keep thy candour undefil'd, I. 5. + + White as Zenobia's teeth, the which the girls, II. 62. + + White though ye be, yet, lilies, know, I. 89. + + Whither dost thou whorry me, I. 197. + + Whither, mad maiden, wilt thou roam? I. 4. + + Whither? say, whither shall I fly, I. 48. + + Who after his transgression doth repent, II. 84. + + Who begs to die for fear of human need, II. 95. + + Who forms a godhead out of gold or stone, I. 147. + + Who may do most, does least; the bravest will, II. 150. + + Who plants an olive but to eat the oil? II. 151. + + Who, railing, drives the lazar from his door, II. 46. + + Who read'st this book that I have writ, II. 32. + + Who violates the customs, hurts the health, II. 147. + + Who will not honour noble numbers when, II. 81. + + Who with a little cannot be content, II. 12. + + Whom should I fear to write to if I can, I. 77. + + Whose head befringed with bescattered tresses, II. 257. + + Why do not all fresh maids appear, I. 128. + + Why do ye weep, sweet babes? Can tears, I. 129. + + Why dost thou wound and break my heart, II. 158. + + Why I tie about thy wrist, I. 159. + + Why, madam, will ye longer weep, I. 237. + + Why should we covet much, when as we know, II. 134. + + Why so slowly do you move, II. 93. + + Why this flower is now call'd so, I. 16. + + Why wore th' Egyptians jewels in the ear? II. 178. + + Will ye hear what I can say, I. 173. + + Wilt thou my true friend be? II. 2. + + With blameless carriage, I lived here, I. 48. + + With golden censors and with incense here, II. 208. + + Woe, woe to them, who by a ball of strife, I. 29. + + Women, although they ne'er so goodly make it, II. 41. + + Words beget anger; anger brings forth blows, II. 107. + + Would I see lawn, clear as the heaven and thin? I. 197. + + Would I woo, and would I win, II. 106. + + Would ye have fresh cheese and cream? I. 229. + + Would ye oil of blossoms get? II. 54. + + Wrinkles no more are or no less, I. 179. + + Wrongs, if neglected, vanish in short time, II. 75. + + + Ye have been fresh and green, I. 136. + + Ye may simper, blush, and smile, I. 89. + + Ye pretty housewives, would ye know, I. 204. + + Ye silent shades, whose each tree here, I. 211. + + You are a lord, an earl; nay more, a man, I. 215. + + You are a tulip seen to-day, I. 108. + + You ask me what I do, and how I live, II. 138. + + You have beheld a smiling rose, I. 90. + + You may vow I'll not forget, II. 268. + + You say I love not 'cause I do not play, I. 16. + + You say to me-wards your affection's strong, I. 61. + + You say you're sweet; how should we know, I. 139. + + You see this gentle stream that glides, II. 54. + + Young I was, but now am old, I. 18. + + + + + +APPENDIX OF EPIGRAMS, etc. + + + + +_NOTE._ + +_Herrick's coarser epigrams and poems are included in this_ Appendix. +_A few decent, but somewhat pointless, epigrams have been added._ + + + + +APPENDIX OF EPIGRAMS. + + +5. [TO HIS BOOK.] ANOTHER. + + Who with thy leaves shall wipe, at need, + The place where swelling piles do breed; + May every ill that bites or smarts + Perplex him in his hinder parts. + + +6. TO THE SOUR READER. + + If thou dislik'st the piece thou light'st on first, + Think that of all, that I have writ, the worst: + But if thou read'st my book unto the end, + And still do'st this and that verse, reprehend; + O perverse man! if all disgustful be, + The extreme scab take thee, and thine, for me. + + +41. THE VINE. + + I dreamt this mortal part of mine + Was metamorphos'd to a vine; + Which crawling one and every way + Enthrall'd my dainty Lucia. + Methought, her long small legs and thighs + I with my tendrils did surprise; + Her belly, buttocks, and her waist + By my soft nerv'lets were embrac'd; + About her head I writhing hung, } + And with rich clusters, hid among } + The leaves, her temples I behung: } + So that my Lucia seem'd to me + Young Bacchus ravish'd by his tree. + My curls about her neck did crawl, + And arms and hands they did enthrall: + So that she could not freely stir, + All parts there made one prisoner. + But when I crept with leaves to hide + Those parts, which maids keep unespy'd, + Such fleeting pleasures there I took, + That with the fancy I awoke; + And found, ah me! this flesh of mine + More like a stock than like a vine. + + +64. ONCE POOR, STILL PENURIOUS. + + Goes the world now, it will with thee go hard: + The fattest hogs we grease the more with lard. + To him that has, there shall be added more; + Who is penurious, he shall still be poor. + + +99. UPON BLANCH. + + Blanch swears her husband's lovely; when a scald + Has blear'd his eyes: besides, his head is bald + Next, his wild ears, like leathern wings full spread, + Flutter to fly, and bear away his head. + + +109. UPON CUFFE. EPIG. + + Cuffe comes to church much: but he keeps his bed + Those Sundays only whenas briefs are read. + This makes Cuffe dull; and troubles him the most, + Because he cannot sleep i' th' church free cost. + + _Briefs._--Letters recommending the collection of alms. + + +110. UPON FONE A SCHOOLMASTER. EPIG. + + Fone says, those mighty whiskers he does wear + Are twigs of birch, and willow, growing there: + If so, we'll think too, when he does condemn + Boys to the lash, that he does whip with them. + + +126. UPON SCOBBLE. EPIG. + + Scobble for whoredom whips his wife; and cries + He'll slit her nose; but blubb'ring, she replies, + Good sir, make no more cuts i' th' outward skin, + One slit's enough to let adultry in. + + +129. UPON GLASCO. EPIG. + + Glasco had none, but now some teeth has got; + Which though they fur, will neither ache or rot. + Six teeth he has, whereof twice two are known + Made of a haft that was a mutton bone. + Which not for use, but merely for the sight, + He wears all day, and draws those teeth at night. + + +131. THE CUSTARD. + + For second course, last night, a custard came + To th' board, so hot as none could touch the same: + Furze three or four times with his cheeks did blow + Upon the custard, and thus cooled so; + It seem'd by this time to admit the touch, + But none could eat it, 'cause it stunk so much. + + +135. UPON GRYLL. + + Gryll eats, but ne'er says grace; to speak the truth, + Gryll either keeps his breath to cool his broth, + Or else, because Gryll's roast does burn his spit, + Gryll will not therefore say a grace for it. + + +148. UPON STRUT. + + Strut, once a foreman of a shop we knew; + But turn'd a ladies' usher now, 'tis true: + Tell me, has Strut got e're a title more? + No; he's but foreman, as he was before. + + +163. UPON JOLLY'S WIFE. + + First, Jolly's wife is lame; then next loose-hipp'd: + Squint-ey'd, hook-nos'd; and lastly, kidney-lipp'd. + + +171. UPON PAGGET. + + Pagget, a schoolboy, got a sword, and then + He vow'd destruction both to birch and men: + Who would not think this younker fierce to fight? + Yet coming home, but somewhat late (last night), + Untruss, his master bade him; and that word + Made him take up his shirt, lay down his sword. + + +183. UPON PRIG. + + Prig now drinks water, who before drank beer; + What's now the cause? we know the case is clear; + Look in Prig's purse, the chev'ril there tells you + Prig money wants, either to buy or brew. + + _Chevril_, kid. + + +184. UPON BATT. + + Batt he gets children, not for love to rear 'em; + But out of hope his wife might die to bear 'em. + + +188. UPON MUCH-MORE. EPIG. + + Much-more provides and hoards up like an ant, + Yet Much-more still complains he is in want. + Let Much-more justly pay his tithes; then try + How both his meal and oil will multiply. + + +199. UPON LUGGS. EPIG. + + Luggs, by the condemnation of the Bench, + Was lately whipt for lying with a wench. + Thus pains and pleasures turn by turn succeed: + He smarts at last who does not first take heed. + + +200. UPON GUBBS. EPIG. + + Gubbs calls his children kitlings: and would bound, + Some say, for joy, to see those kitlings drown'd. + + +206. UPON BUNCE. EPIG. + + Money thou ow'st me; prethee fix a day + For payment promis'd, though thou never pay: + Let it be Dooms-day; nay, take longer scope; + Pay when th'art honest; let me have some hope. + + +221. GREAT BOAST SMALL ROAST. + + Of flanks and chines of beef doth Gorrell boast + He has at home; but who tastes boil'd or roast? + Look in his brine-tub, and you shall find there + Two stiff blue pigs'-feet and a sow's cleft ear. + + +222. UPON A BLEAR-EY'D WOMAN. + + Wither'd with years, and bed-rid Mumma lies; + Dry-roasted all, but raw yet in her eyes. + + +233. NO LOCK AGAINST LETCHERY. + + Bar close as you can, and bolt fast too your door, + To keep out the letcher, and keep in the whore; + Yet quickly you'll see by the turn of a pin, + The whore to come out, or the letcher come in. + + +237. UPON SUDDS, A LAUNDRESS. + + Sudds launders bands in piss, and starches them + Both with her husband's and her own tough fleam. + + +239. UPON GUESS. EPIG. + + Guess cuts his shoes, and limping, goes about + To have men think he's troubled with the gout; + But 'tis no gout, believe it, but hard beer, + Whose acrimonious humour bites him here. + + +242. UPON A CROOKED MAID. + + Crooked you are, but that dislikes not me: + So you be straight where virgins straight should be. + + +261. UPON GROYNES. EPIG. + + Groynes, for his fleshly burglary of late, + Stood in the holy forum candidate; + The word is Roman; but in English known: + Penance, and standing so, are both but one. + + _Candidate_, clothed in white. + + +272. UPON PINK, AN ILL-FAC'D PAINTER. EPIG. + + To paint the fiend, Pink would the devil see; + And so he may, if he'll be rul'd by me; + Let but Pink's face i' th' looking-glass be shown, + And Pink may paint the devil's by his own. + + +273. UPON BROCK. EPIG. + + To cleanse his eyes, Tom Brock makes much ado, + But not his mouth, the fouler of the two. + A clammy rheum makes loathsome both his eyes: + His mouth, worse furr'd with oaths and blasphemies. + + +277. LAUGH AND LIE DOWN. + + Y'ave laughed enough, sweet, vary now your text! + And laugh no more; or laugh, and lie down next. + + +292. UPON SHARK. EPIG. + + Shark, when he goes to any public feast, + Eats to one's thinking, of all there, the least. + What saves the master of the house thereby + When if the servants search, they may descry + In his wide codpiece, dinner being done, + Two napkins cramm'd up, and a silver spoon? + + +305. UPON BUNGY. + + Bungy does fast; looks pale; puts sackcloth on; + Not out of conscience, or religion: + Or that this younker keeps so strict a Lent, + Fearing to break the king's commandement: + But being poor, and knowing flesh is dear, + He keeps not one, but many Lents i' th' year. + + +311. UPON SNEAPE. EPIG. + + Sneape has a face so brittle, that it breaks + Forth into blushes whensoe'er he speaks. + + +315. UPON LEECH. + + Leech boasts, he has a pill, that can alone + With speed give sick men their salvation: + 'Tis strange, his father long time has been ill, + And credits physic, yet not trusts his pill: + And why? he knows he must of cure despair, + Who makes the sly physician his heir. + + +317. TO A MAID. + + You say, you love me! that I thus must prove: + It that you lie, then I will swear you love. + + +326. UPON GREEDY. EPIG. + + An old, old widow Greedy needs would wed, + Not for affection to her or her bed; + But in regard, 'twas often said, this old + Woman would bring him more than could be told. + He took her; now the jest in this appears, + So old she was, that none could tell her years. + + +357. LONG AND LAZY. + + That was the proverb. Let my mistress be + Lazy to others, but be long to me. + + +358. UPON RALPH. EPIG. + + Curse not the mice, no grist of thine they eat; + But curse thy children, they consume thy wheat. + + +361. UPON MEASE. EPIG. + + Mease brags of pullets which he eats: but Mease + Ne'er yet set tooth in stump or rump of these. + + +363. UPON PASKE, A DRAPER. + + Paske, though his debt be due upon the day + Demands no money by a craving way; + For why, says he, all debts and their arrears + Have reference to the shoulders, not the ears. + + +368. UPON PRIGG. + + Prigg, when he comes to houses, oft doth use, + Rather than fail, to steal from thence old shoes: + Sound or unsound be they, or rent or whole, + Prigg bears away the body and the sole. + + +369. UPON MOON. + + Moon is a usurer, whose gain, + Seldom or never knows a wain, + Only Moon's conscience, we confess, + That ebbs from pity less and less. + + +372. UPON SHIFT. + + Shift now has cast his clothes: got all things new; + Save but his hat, and that he cannot mew. + + _Mew_, change feathers. + + +373. UPON CUTS. + + If wounds in clothes Cuts calls his rags, 'tis clear + His linings are the matter running there. + + +374. GAIN AND GETTINGS. + + When others gain much by the present cast, + The cobblers' getting time is at the last. + + +379. UPON DOLL. EPIG. + + Doll, she so soon began the wanton trade, + She ne'er remembers that she was a maid. + + +380. UPON SKREW. EPIG. + + Skrew lives by shifts; yet swears by no small oaths + For all his shifts he cannot shift his clothes. + + +381. UPON LINNET. EPIG. + + Linnet plays rarely on the lute, we know; + And sweetly sings, but yet his breath says no. + + +385. UPON GLASS. EPIG. + + Glass, out of deep, and out of desp'rate want, + Turn'd from a Papist here a Predicant. + A vicarage at last Tom Glass got here, + Just upon five and thirty pounds a year. + Add to that thirty-five but five pounds more, + He'll turn a Papist, ranker than before. + + +398. UPON EELES. EPIG. + + Eeles winds and turns, and cheats and steals; yet Eeles + Driving these sharking trades, is out at heels. + + +400. UPON RASP. EPIG. + + Rasp plays at nine-holes; and 'tis known he gets + Many a tester by his game and bets: + But of his gettings there's but little sign; + When one hole wastes more than he gets by nine. + + +401. UPON CENTER, A SPECTACLE-MAKER WITH A FLAT NOSE. + + Center is known weak-sighted, and he sells + To others store of helpful spectacles. + Why wears he none? Because we may suppose, + Where leaven wants, there level lies the nose. + + +410. UPON SKINNS. EPIG. + + Skinns, he dined well to-day: how do you think? + His nails they were his meat, his rheum the drink. + + +411. UPON PIEVISH. EPIG. + + Pievish doth boast that he's the very first + Of English poets, and 'tis thought the worst. + + +412. UPON JOLLY AND JILLY. EPIG. + + Jolly and Jilly bite and scratch all day, + But yet get children (as the neighbours say). + The reason is: though all the day they fight, + They cling and close some minutes of the night. + + +419. UPON PATRICK, A FOOTMAN. EPIG. + + Now Patrick with his footmanship has done, + His eyes and ears strive which should fastest run. + + +420. UPON BRIDGET. EPIG. + + Of four teeth only Bridget was possest; + Two she spat out, a cough forced out the rest. + + +424. UPON FLIMSEY. EPIG. + + Why walks Nick Flimsey like a malcontent! + Is it because his money all is spent? + No, but because the dingthrift now is poor, + And knows not where i' th' world to borrow more. + + +425. UPON SHEWBREAD. EPIG. + + Last night thou didst invite me home to eat; + And showed me there much plate, but little meat. + Prithee, when next thou do'st invite, bar state, + And give me meat, or give me else thy plate. + + +428. UPON ROOTS. EPIG. + + Roots had no money; yet he went o' the score, + For a wrought purse; can any tell wherefore? + Say, what should Roots do with a purse in print, + That had not gold nor silver to put in't? + + +429. UPON CRAW. + + Craw cracks in sirrop; and does stinking say, + Who can hold that, my friends, that will away? + + +430. OBSERVATION. + + Who to the north, or south, doth set + His bed, male children shall beget. + + +433. PUTREFACTION. + + Putrefaction is the end + Of all that nature doth intend. + + +434. PASSION. + + Were there not a matter known, + There would be no passion. + + +435. JACK AND JILL. + + Since Jack and Jill both wicked be; + It seems a wonder unto me, + That they, no better do agree. + + +436. UPON PARSON BEANES. + + Old Parson Beanes hunts six days of the week, + And on the seventh, he has his notes to seek. + Six days he hollows so much breath away, + That on the seventh, he can nor preach or pray. + + +438. SHORT AND LONG BOTH LIKES. + + This lady's short, that mistress she is tall; + But long or short, I'm well content with all. + + +440. UPON ROOK. EPIG. + + Rook he sells feathers, yet he still doth cry + Fie on this pride, this female vanity. + Thus, though the Rook does rail against the sin, + He loves the gain that vanity brings in. + + +456. UPON SPUNGE. EPIG. + + Spunge makes his boasts that he's the only man + Can hold of beer and ale an ocean; + Is this his glory? then his triumph's poor; + I know the tun of Heidleberg holds more. + + +464. UPON ONE WHO SAID SHE WAS ALWAYS YOUNG. + + You say you're young; but when your teeth are told + To be but three, black-ey'd, we'll think you old. + + +465. UPON HUNCKS. EPIG. + + Huncks has no money, he does swear or say, + About him, when the tavern's shot's to pay. + If he has none in 's pockets, trust me, Huncks + Has none at home in coffers, desks, or trunks. + + +476. UPON A CHEAP LAUNDRESS. EPIG. + + Feacie, some say, doth wash her clothes i' th' lie + That sharply trickles from her either eye. + The laundresses, they envy her good-luck, + Who can with so small charges drive the buck. + What needs she fire and ashes to consume, + Who can scour linens with her own salt rheum? + + _Drive the buck_, wash clothes. + + +482. UPON SKURF. + + Skurf by his nine-bones swears, and well he may: + All know a fellon eat the tenth away. + + _Fellon_, whitlow. + + +500. UPON JACK AND JILL. EPIG. + + When Jill complains to Jack for want of meat, + Jack kisses Jill and bids her freely eat: + Jill says, Of what? says Jack, On that sweet kiss, + Which full of nectar and ambrosia is, + The food of poets. So I thought, says Jill, + That makes them look so lank, so ghost-like still. + Let poets feed on air, or what they will; + Let me feed full, till that I fart, says Jill. + + +503. UPON PARRAT. + + Parrat protests 'tis he, and only he + Can teach a man the art of memory: + Believe him not; for he forgot it quite, + Being drunk, who 'twas that can'd his ribs last night. + + +514. KISSING AND BUSSING. + + Kissing and bussing differ both in this; + We buss our wantons, but our wives we kiss. + + +520. UPON MAGGOT, A FREQUENTER OF ORDINARIES. + + Maggot frequents those houses of good-cheer, + Talks most, eats most, of all the feeders there. + He raves through lean, he rages through the fat, + (What gets the master of the meal by that?) + He who with talking can devour so much, + How would he eat, were not his hindrance such? + + +533. ON JOAN. + + Joan would go tell her hairs; and well she might, + Having but seven in all: three black, four white. + + +534. UPON LETCHER. EPIG. + + Letcher was carted first about the streets, + For false position in his neighbour's sheets: + Next, hanged for thieving: now the people say, + His carting was the prologue to this play. + + +535. UPON DUNDRIGE. + + Dundrige his issue hath; but is not styl'd, + For all his issue, father of one child. + + +553. WAY IN A CROWD. + + Once on a Lord Mayor's Day, in Cheapside, when + Skulls could not well pass through that scum of men, + For quick despatch Skulls made no longer stay + Than but to breathe, and everyone gave way; + For, as he breathed, the people swore from thence + A fart flew out, or a sir-reverence. + + _Sir-reverence_, "save-reverence," the word of apology used for the + indecency itself. + + +557. UPON ONE-EY'D BROOMSTED. EPIG. + + Broomsted a lameness got by cold and beer: + And to the bath went, to be cured there: + His feet were helped, and left his crutch behind; + But home returned, as he went forth, half blind. + + +563. UPON SIBILLA. + + With paste of almonds, Syb her hands doth scour; + Then gives it to the children to devour. + In cream she bathes her thighs, more soft than silk; + Then to the poor she freely gives the milk. + + +570. UPON TOOLY. + + The eggs of pheasants wry-nosed Tooly sells, + But ne'er so much as licks the speckled shells: + Only, if one prove addled, that he eats + With superstition, as the cream of meats. + The cock and hen he feeds; but not a bone + He ever picked, as yet, of anyone. + + _Superstition_, reverence. + + +573. UPON BLANCH. EPIG. + + I have seen many maidens to have hair, + Both for their comely need and some to spare; + But Blanch has not so much upon her head + As to bind up her chaps when she is dead. + + +574. UPON UMBER. + + Umber was painting of a lion fierce, + And, working it, by chance from Umber's erse + Flew out a crack, so mighty, that the fart, + As Umber states, did make his lion start. + + +579. UPON URLES. + + Urles had the gout so, that he could not stand; + Then from his feet it shifted to his hand: + When 'twas in's feet, his charity was small; + Now 'tis in's hand, he gives no alms at all. + + +580. UPON FRANCK. + + Franck ne'er wore silk she swears; but I reply, + She now wears silk to hide her blood-shot eye. + + +590. UPON A FREE MAID, WITH A FOUL BREATH. + + You say you'll kiss me, and I thank you for it; + But stinking breath, I do as hell abhor it. + + +591. UPON COONE. EPIG. + + What is the reason Coone so dully smells? + His nose is over-cool'd with icicles. + + +596. UPON SPALT. + + Of pushes Spalt has such a knotty race, + He needs a tucker for to burl his face. + + _Pushes_, pimples. + _Tucker_, a fuller. + _Burl_, to remove knots from cloth. + + +597. OF HORNE, A COMBMAKER. + + Horne sells to others teeth; but has not one + To grace his own gums, or of box, or bone. + + +600. UPON A SOUR-BREATH LADY. EPIG. + + Fie, quoth my lady, what a stink is here? + When 'twas her breath that was the carrionere. + + _Carrionere_, carrion-carrier. + + +612. UPON COCK. + + Cock calls his wife his Hen: when Cock goes to't, + Cock treads his Hen, but treads her underfoot. + + +632. UPON BRAN. EPIG. + + What made that mirth last night? the neighbours say, + That Bran the baker did his breech beray: + I rather think, though they may speak the worst, + 'Twas to his batch, but leaven laid there first. + + _Beray_, befoul. + + +633. UPON SNARE, AN USURER. + + Snare, ten i' th' hundred calls his wife; and why? + She brings in much by carnal usury. + He by extortion brings in three times more: + Say, who's the worst, th' exactor or the whore? + + +634. UPON GRUDGINGS. + + Grudgings turns bread to stones, when to the poor + He gives an alms, and chides them from his door. + + +638. UPON GANDER. EPIG. + + Since Gander did his pretty youngling wed, + Gander, they say, doth each night piss a-bed: + What is the cause? Why, Gander will reply, + No goose lays good eggs that is trodden dry. + + +639. UPON LUNGS. EPIG. + + Lungs, as some say, ne'er sets him down to eat + But that his breath does fly-blow all the meat. + + +650. UPON COB. EPIG. + + Cob clouts his shoes, and, as the story tells, + His thumb nails par'd afford him sparrables. + + _Sparrables_, "sparrow-bills," headless nails. + + +652. UPON SKOLES. EPIG. + + Skoles stinks so deadly, that his breeches loath + His dampish buttocks furthermore to clothe; + Cloy'd they are up with arse; but hope, one blast + Will whirl about, and blow them thence at last. + + +661. UPON JONE AND JANE. + + Jone is a wench that's painted; + Jone is a girl that's tainted; + Yet Jone she goes + Like one of those + Whom purity had sainted. + + Jane is a girl that's pretty; + Jane is a wench that's witty; + Yet who would think, + Her breath does stink, + As so it doth? that's pity. + + +668. UPON ZELOT. + + Is Zelot pure? he is: yet! see he wears + The sign of circumcision in his ears. + + +670. UPON MADAM URSLY. EPIG. + + For ropes of pearl, first Madam Ursly shows + A chain of corns picked from her ears and toes; + Then, next, to match Tradescant's curious shells, + Nails from her fingers mew'd she shows: what else? + Why then, forsooth, a carcanet is shown + Of teeth, as deaf as nuts, and all her own. + + _Tradescant_, a collector of curiosities. See Note. + _Mew'd_, moulted. + _Deaf as nuts._ _Cf._ De Quincey, "a deaf nut offering no kernel." + + +705. UPON TRIGG. EPIG. + + Trigg having turn'd his suit, he struts in state, + And tells the world he's now regenerate. + + +706. UPON SMEATON. + + How could Luke Smeaton wear a shoe, or boot, + Who two-and-thirty corns had on a foot. + + +714. LAXARE FIBULAM. + + To loose the button is no less, + Than to cast off all bashfulness. + + +730. UPON FRANCK. + + Franck would go scour her teeth; and setting to 't + Twice two fell out, all rotten at the root. + + +733. UPON PAUL. EPIG. + + Paul's hands do give; what give they, bread or meat, + Or money? no, but only dew and sweat. + As stones and salt gloves use to give, even so + Paul's hands do give, nought else for ought we know. + + +734. UPON SIBB. EPIG. + + Sibb, when she saw her face how hard it was, + For anger spat on thee, her looking-glass: + But weep not, crystal; for the same was meant + Not unto thee, but that thou didst present. + + +755. UPON SLOUCH. + + Slouch he packs up, and goes to several fairs, + And weekly markets for to sell his wares: + Meantime that he from place to place does roam, + His wife her own ware sells as fast at home. + + +797. UPON BICE. + + Bice laughs, when no man speaks; and doth protest. + It is his own breech there that breaks the jest. + + +798. UPON TRENCHERMAN. + + Tom shifts the trenchers; yet he never can + Endure that lukewarm name of serving-man: + Serve or not serve, let Tom do what he can, + He is a serving, who's a trencher-man. + + +801. UPON COMELY, A GOOD SPEAKER BUT AN ILL SINGER. EPIG. + + Comely acts well; and when he speaks his part, + He doth it with the sweetest tones of art: + But when he sings a psalm, there's none can be + More curs'd for singing out of tune than he. + + +802. ANY WAY FOR WEALTH. + + E'en all religious courses to be rich + Hath been rehers'd by Joel Michelditch: + But now perceiving that it still does please + The sterner fates, to cross his purposes; + He tacks about, and now he doth profess + Rich he will be by all unrighteousness; + Thus if our ship fails of her anchor hold + We'll love the divel, so he lands the gold. + + +803. UPON AN OLD WOMAN. + + Old Widow Prouse, to do her neighbours evil, + Would give, some say, her soul unto the devil. + Well, when she's kill'd that pig, goose, cock, or hen, + What would she give to get that soul again? + + +804. UPON PEARCH. EPIG. + + Thou writes in prose how sweet all virgins be; + But there's not one, doth praise the smell of thee. + + +818. UPON LOACH. + + Seal'd up with night-gum, Loach each morning lies, + Till his wife licking, so unglues his eyes. + No question then, but such a lick is sweet, + When a warm tongue does with such ambers meet. + + +824. UPON NODES. + + Wherever Nodes does in the summer come, + He prays his harvest may be well brought home. + What store of corn has careful Nodes, think you, + Whose field his foot is, and whose barn his shoe? + + +831. UPON TAP. + + Tap, better known than trusted, as we hear, + Sold his old mother's spectacles for beer: + And not unlikely; rather too than fail, + He'll sell her eyes, and nose, for beer and ale. + + +834. UPON PUNCHIN. EPIG. + + Give me a reason why men call + Punchin a dry plant-animal. + Because as plants by water grow, + Punchin by beer and ale spreads so. + + +836. UPON BLINKS. EPIG. + + Tom Blinks his nose is full of weals, and these + Tom calls not pimples, but pimpleides; + Sometimes, in mirth, he says each whelk's a spark, + When drunk with beer, to light him home i' th' dark. + + +837. UPON ADAM PEAPES. EPIG. + + Peapes he does strut, and pick his teeth, as if + His jaws had tir'd on some large chine of beef. + But nothing so: the dinner Adam had, + Was cheese full ripe with tears, with bread as sad. + + _Sad_, heavy: "watery cheese and ill-baked bread". + + +844. HANCH, A SCHOOLMASTER. EPIG. + + Hanch, since he lately did inter his wife, + He weeps and sighs, as weary of his life. + Say, is't for real grief he mourns? not so; + Tears have their springs from joy, as well as woe. + + +845. UPON PEASON. EPIG. + + Long locks of late our zealot Peason wears, + Not for to hide his high and mighty ears; + No, but because he would not have it seen + That stubble stands where once large ears have been. + + +880. KISSES LOATHSOME. + + I abhor the slimy kiss, + Which to me most loathsome is. + Those lips please me which are placed + Close, but not too strictly laced: + Yielding I would have them; yet + Not a wimbling tongue admit: + What should poking-sticks make there, + When the ruffe is set elswhere? + + +881. UPON REAPE. + + Reape's eyes so raw are that, it seems, the flies + Mistake the flesh, and fly-blow both his eyes; + So that an angler, for a day's expense, + May bait his hook with maggots taken thence. + + +882. UPON TEAGE. + + Teage has told lies so long that when Teage tells + Truth, yet Teage's truths are untruths, nothing else. + + +884. UPON TRUGGIN. + + Truggin a footman was; but now, grown lame, + Truggin now lives but to belie his name. + + +886. UPON SPENKE. + + Spenke has a strong breath, yet short prayers saith; + Not out of want of breath, but want of faith. + + +888. UPON LULLS. + + Lulls swears he is all heart; but you'll suppose + By his proboscis that he is all nose. + + +897. SURFEITS. + + Bad are all surfeits; but physicians call + That surfeit took by bread the worst of all. + + +898. UPON NIS. + + Nis he makes verses; but the lines he writes + Serve but for matter to make paper kites. + + +905. UPON PRICKLES. EPIG. + + Prickles is waspish, and puts forth his sting + For bread, drink, butter, cheese; for everything + That Prickles buys puts Prickles out of frame; + How well his nature's fitted to his name! + + +945. UPON BLISSE. + + Blisse, last night drunk, did kiss his mother's knee; + Where will he kiss, next drunk, conjecture ye. + + +946. UPON BURR. + + Burr is a smell-feast, and a man alone, + That, where meat is, will be a hanger on. + + +947. UPON MEG. + + Meg yesterday was troubled with a pose, + Which, this night harden'd, sodders up her nose. + + _Pose_, rheum, cold in the head. + + +961. UPON RALPH. + + Ralph pares his nails, his warts, his corns, and Ralph + In sev'rall tills and boxes, keeps 'em safe; + Instead of hartshorn, if he speaks the troth, + To make a lusty-jelly for his broth. + + +966. UPON VINEGAR. + + Vinegar is no other, I define, + Than the dead corps, or carcase of the wine. + + +967. UPON MUDGE. + + Mudge every morning to the postern comes, + His teeth all out, to rinse and wash his gums. + + +971. UPON LUPES. + + Lupes for the outside of his suit has paid; + But for his heart, he cannot have it made; + The reason is, his credit cannot get + The inward garbage for his clothes as yet. + + +972. RAGS. + + What are our patches, tatters, rags, and rents, + But the base dregs and lees of vestiments? + + +974. UPON TUBBS. + + For thirty years Tubbs has been proud and poor; + 'Tis now his habit, which he can't give o'er. + + +984. UPON SPOKES. + + Spokes, when he sees a roasted pig, he swears + Nothing he loves on't but the chaps and ears: + But carve to him the fat flanks, and he shall + Rid these, and those, and part by part eat all. + + +988. UPON FAUNUS. + + We read how Faunus, he the shepherds' god, + His wife to death whipped with a myrtle rod. + The rod, perhaps, was better'd by the name; + But had it been of birch, the death's the same. + + +989. THE QUINTELL. + + Up with the quintell, that the rout, + May fart for joy, as well as shout: + Either's welcome, stink or civit, + If we take it, as they give it. + + +999. UPON PENNY. + + Brown bread Tom Penny eats, and must of right, + Because his stock will not hold out for white. + + +1013. UPON BUGGINS. + + Buggins is drunk all night, all day he sleeps; + This is the level-coil that Buggins keeps. + + +1027. UPON BOREMAN. EPIG. + + Boreman takes toll, cheats, natters, lies; yet Boreman, + For all the devil helps, will be a poor man. + + +1068. UPON GORGONIUS. + + Unto Pastillus rank Gorgonius came + To have a tooth twitched out of's native frame; + Drawn was his tooth, but stank so, that some say, + The barber stopped his nose, and ran away. + + +1079. UPON GRUBS. + + Grubs loves his wife and children, while that they + Can live by love, or else grow fat by play; + But when they call or cry on Grubs for meat, + Instead of bread Grubs gives them stones to eat. + He raves, he rends, and while he thus doth tear, + His wife and children fast to death for fear. + + +1080. UPON DOLL. + + No question but Doll's cheeks would soon roast dry, + Were they not basted by her either eye. + + +1081. UPON HOG. + + Hog has a place i' the' kitchen, and his share, + The flimsy livers and blue gizzards are. + + +1087. UPON GUT. + + Science puffs up, says Gut, when either pease + Make him thus swell, or windy cabbages. + + +1101. UPON SPUR. + + Spur jingles now, and swears by no mean oaths, + He's double honour'd, since he's got gay clothes: + Most like his suit, and all commend the trim; + And thus they praise the sumpter, but not him: + As to the goddess, people did confer + Worship, and not to th' ass that carried her. + + +1108. UPON RUMP. + + Rump is a turn-broach, yet he seldom can + Steal a swoln sop out of a dripping-pan. + + +1109. UPON SHOPTER. + + Old Widow Shopter, whensoe'er she cries, + Lets drip a certain gravy from her eyes. + + +1110. UPON DEB. + + If felt and heard, unseen, thou dost me please; + If seen, thou lik'st me, Deb, in none of these. + + +1112. UPON CROOT. + + One silver spoon shines in the house of Croot; + Who cannot buy or steal a second to't. + + +1114. UPON FLOOD OR A THANKFUL MAN. + + Flood, if he has for him and his a bit, + He says his fore and after grace for it: + If meat he wants, then grace he says to see + His hungry belly borne on legs jail-free. + Thus have, or have not, all alike is good + To this our poor yet ever patient Flood. + + +1115. UPON PIMP. + + When Pimp's feet sweat, as they do often use, + There springs a soap-like lather in his shoes. + + +1116. UPON LUSK. + + In Den'shire Kersey Lusk, when he was dead, + Would shrouded be and therewith buried. + When his assigns asked him the reason why, + He said, because he got his wealth thereby. + + +1117. FOOLISHNESS. + + In's Tusc'lans, Tully doth confess, + No plague there's like to foolishness. + + +1118. UPON RUSH. + + Rush saves his shoes in wet and snowy weather; + And fears in summer to wear out the leather; + This is strong thrift that wary Rush doth use + Summer and winter still to save his shoes. + + +1124. THE HAG. + + The staff is now greas'd; + And very well pleas'd, + She cocks out her arse at the parting, + To an old ram goat + That rattles i' th' throat, + Half-choked with the stink of her farting. + + In a dirty hair-lace + She leads on a brace + Of black boar-cats to attend her: + Who scratch at the moon, + And threaten at noon + Of night from heaven for to rend her. + + A-hunting she goes, + A cracked horn she blows, + At which the hounds fall a-bounding; + While th' moon in her sphere + Peeps trembling for fear, + And night's afraid of the sounding. + + _Lace_, leash. + _Boar-cat_, tom-cat. + + + + +NOTES TO APPENDIX. + + +64. _To him that has, etc._ The quotation is not from the Bible, but +from Martial, v. 81:-- + + "Semper pauper eris, si pauper es, Aemiliane. + Dantur opes nulli nunc nisi divitibus." + +Cp. also Davison's Poet. Rhap., i. 95. Ed. Bullen. + +126. _Upon Scobble._ Dr. Grosart quotes an Ellis Scobble [_i.e._, +Scobell], baptised at Dean Priory in 1632, and Jeffery Scobble buried in +1654. + +200. _Upon Gubbs._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, without +alteration. To save repetition we may give here a list of the other +Epigrams in this Appendix which are printed in _Witt's Recreations_, +reserving variations of reading for special notes:--206, _Upon Bounce_; +239, _Upon Guess_; 311, _Upon Sneap_; 357, _Long and Lazy_; 379, _Upon +Doll_; 380, _Upon Screw_; 381, _Upon Linnit_; 400, _Upon Rasp_; 410, +_Upon Skinns_; 429, _Upon Craw_; 435, _Jack and Jill_; 574, _Upon +Umber_; 639, _Upon Lungs_; 650, _Upon Cob_; 652, _Upon Skoles_; 668, +_Upon Zelot_; 705, _Upon Trigg_; 797, _Upon Bice_; 798, _Upon +Trencherman_; 834, _Upon Punchin_; 888, _Upon Lulls_; 1027, _Upon +Boreman_; 1087, _Upon Gut_; 1108, _Upon Rump_. + +305. _Fearing to break the king's commandement._ In 1608 there was +issued a proclamation containing "Orders conceived by the Lords of his +Maiestie's Privie Counsell and by his Highnesse speciall direction, +commanded to be put in execution for the restraint of killing and eating +of flesh the next Lent". This was re-issued ten years later (there is no +intermediate issue at the British Museum), and from 1619 onwards became +annual under James and Charles in the form of "A proclamation for +restraint of killing, dressing, and eating of Flesh in Lent, or on Fish +dayes, appointed by the Law, to be hereafter strictly observed by all +sorts of people". + +420. _Upon Bridget_. Loss of teeth is the occasion of more than one of +Martial's epigrams. + +456. _The tun of Heidelberg_: in the cellar under the castle at +Heidelberg is a great cask supposed to be able to hold 50,000 gallons. + +574. _As Umber states_: "as Umber _swears_".--W. R. + +639. _His breath does fly-blow_: "doth" for "does".--W. R. + +652. _One blast_: "and" for "one".--W. R. + +668. _Yet! see_: "ye see".--W. R. + +670. _Tradescant's curious shells_: John Tradescant was a Dutchman, +born towards the close of the sixteenth century. He was appointed +gardener to Charles II. in 1629, and he and his son naturalised many +rare plants in England. Besides botanical specimens he collected all +sorts of curiosities, and opened a museum which he called "Tradescant's +Ark". In 1656, four years after his death, his son published a catalogue +of the collection under the title, "Museum Tradescantianum: or, a +collection of rarities preserved at South Lambeth, near London, by John +Tradescant". After the son's death the collection passed into the hands +of Ashmole, and became the nucleus of the present Ashmolean Museum at +Oxford. + +802. _Any way for Wealth._ A variation on Horace's theme: "Rem facias, +rem, si possis, recte, si non quocunque modo, rem". 1 Epist. i. 66. + +_The Portrait of a Woman_: I subjoin here the four passages found in +manuscript versions of this poem, alluded to in the previous note. As +said before, they do not improve the poem. After l. 45, "Bearing aloft +this rich round world of wonder," we have these four lines: + + In which the veins implanted seem to lie + Like loving vines hid under ivory, + So full of claret, that whoso pricks this vine + May see it spout forth streams like muscadine. + +Twelve lines later, after "Riphean snow," comes a longer passage: + + Or else that she in that white waxen hill + Hath seal'd the primrose of her utmost skill. + But now my muse hath spied a dark descent + From this so precious, pearly, permanent, + A milky highway that direction yields + Unto the port-mouth of the Elysian fields: + A place desired of all, but got by these + Whom love admits to the Hesperides; + Here's golden fruit, that doth exceed all price, + Growing in this love-guarded paradise; + Above the entrance there is written this: + This is the portal to the bower of bliss, + Through midst whereof a crystal stream there flows + Passing the sweet sweet of a musky rose. + With plump, soft flesh, of metal pure and fine, + Resembling shields, both pure and crystalline. + Hence rise those two ambitious hills that look + Into th' middle, sweet, sight-stealing crook, + Which for the better beautifying shrouds + Its humble self 'twixt two aspiring clouds + +The third addition is four lines from the end, after "with a pearly +shell": + + Richer than that fair, precious, virtuous horn + That arms the forehead of the unicorn. + +The last four lines are joined on at the end of all: + + Unto the idol of the work divine + I consecrate this loving life of mine, + Bowing my lips unto that stately root + Where beauty springs; and thus I kiss her foot. + + + + +INDEX OF FIRST LINES. + + + An old, old widow, Greedy needs would wed, 383. + + + Bad are all surfeits; but physicians call, 403. + + Bar close as you can, and bolt fast too your door, 380. + + Batt he gets children, not for love to rear 'em, 379. + + Bice laughs, when no man speaks; and doth protest, 399. + + Blanch swears her husband's lovely; when a scald, 376. + + Blisse, last night drunk, did kiss his mother's knee, 404. + + Boreman takes toll, cheats, flatters, lies! yet Boreman, 406. + + Broomsted a lameness got by cold and beer, 392. + + Brown bread Tom Pennie eats, and must of right, 406. + + Buggins is drunk all night, all day he sleeps, 406. + + Bungy does fast; looks pale; puts sackcloth on, 382. + + Burr is a smell-feast, and a man alone, 404. + + + Center is known weak sighted, and he sells, 386. + + Cob clouts his shoes, and as the story tells, 396. + + Cock calls his wife his hen; when cock goes to 't, 395. + + Comely acts well; and when he speaks his part, 399. + + Craw cracks in sirrop; and does stinking say, 388. + + Crooked you are, but that dislikes not me, 381. + + Cuffe comes to church much; but he keeps his bed, 377. + + Curse not the mice, no grist of thine they eat, 384. + + + Dunridge his issue hath; but is not styl'd, 392. + + Doll, she so soon began the wanton trade, 385. + + + E'en all religious courses to be rich, 399. + + Eeles winds and turns, and cheats and steals; yet Eeles, 386. + + + Feacie, some say, doth wash her clothes i' th' lie, 390. + + Fie, quoth my lady, what a stink is here, 395. + + First, Jolly's wife is lame; then next loose-hip'd, 378. + + Flood, if he has for him and his a bit, 409. + + Fone says, those mighty whiskers he does wear, 377. + + For ropes of pearl, first Madam Ursly shows, 397. + + For second course, last night a custard came, 378. + + For thirty years Tubbs has been proud and poor, 405. + + Franck ne'er wore silk she swears; but I reply, 394. + + Franck would go scour her teeth; and setting to 't, 398. + + + Give me a reason why men call, 401. + + Goes the world now, it will with thee go hard, 376. + + Glasco had none, but now some teeth has got, 377. + + Glass, out of deep, and out of desp'rate want, 386. + + Groynes, for his fleshly burglary of late, 381. + + Grubs loves his wife and children, while that they, 407. + + Grudgings turns bread to stones, when to the poor, 395. + + Gryll eats, but ne'er says grace: to speak the truth, 378. + + Gubbs calls his children kitlings: and would bound, 380. + + Guess cuts his shoes, and limping, goes about, 381. + + + Hanch, since he lately did inter his wife, 402. + + Hog has a place i' th' kitchen, and his share, 407. + + Horne sells to others teeth; but has not one, 394. + + How could Luke Smeaton wear a shoe or boot, 398. + + Huncks has no money, he does swear or say, 390. + + + I abhor the slimy kiss, 402. + + I dream't this mortal part of mine, 375. + + If felt and heard, unseen, thou dost me please, 408. + + If thou dislik'st the piece thou light'st on first, 375. + + If wounds in clothes, Cuts calls his rags, 'tis clear, 385. + + I have seen many maidens to have hair, 393. + + In Den'shire Kersey Lusk when he was dead, 409. + + In's Tusc'lans, Tully doth confess, 409. + + Is Zelot pure? he is: yet, see he wears, 397. + + + Jone is a wench that's painted, 396. + + Joan would go tell her hairs; and well she might, 392. + + Jolly and Jilly bite and scratch all day, 387. + + + Kissing and bussing differ both in this, 391. + + + Last night thou didst invite me home to eat, 388. + + Letcher was carted first about the streets, 392. + + Linnet plays rarely on the lute, we know, 385. + + Long locks of late our zealot Peason wears, 402. + + Leech boasts he has a pill, that can alone, 383. + + Luggs, by the condemnation of the bench, 378. + + Lulls swears he is all heart; but you'll suppose, 403. + + Lungs, as some say, ne'er sets him down to eat, 396. + + Lupes for the outside of his suit has paid, 405. + + + Maggot frequents those houses of good cheer, 391. + + Mease brags of pullets which he eats; but Mease, 384. + + Meg yesterday was troubled with a pose, 404. + + Money thou ow'st me; prethee fix a day, 380. + + Moon is a usurer, whose gain, 384. + + Much-more provides and hoards up like an ant, 379. + + Mudge every morning to the postern comes, 405. + + + Nis he makes verses; but the lines he writes, 403. + + No question but Doll's cheeks would soon roast dry, 407. + + Now Patrick with his footmanship has done, 387. + + + Of flanks and chines of beef doth Gorrell boast, 380. + + Of four teeth only Bridget was possest, 387. + + Of pushes Spalt has such a knotty race, 394. + + Old Parson Beanes hunts six days of the week, 389. + + Old Widow Prouse, to do her neighbours evil, 400. + + Old Widow Shopter, whensoe'er she cries, 408. + + Once on a Lord Mayor's day, in Cheapside, when, 392. + + One silver spoon shines in the house of Croot, 408. + + + Pagget, a schoolboy, got a sword, and then, 378. + + Parrat protests, 'tis he, and only he, 401. + + Paske, though his debt be one upon the day, 384. + + Paul's hands do give; what give they, bread or meat, 398. + + Peapes, he does strut, and pick his teeth, as if, 401. + + Pievish doth boast that he's the very first, 387. + + Prickles is waspish, and puts forth his sting, 404. + + Prigg, when he comes to houses oft doth use, 384. + + Prig now drinks water, who before drank beer, 379. + + Putrefaction is the end, 388. + + + Ralph pares his nails, his warts, his corns, and Ralph, 404. + + Rasp plays at nine-holes; and 'tis known he gets, 386. + + Reape's eyes so raw are that, it seems, the flies, 402. + + Rook he sells feathers, yet he still doth cry, 389. + + Root's had no money; yet he went o' the score, 388. + + Rump is a turn-broach, yet he seldom can, 408. + + Rush saves his shoes in wet and snowy weather, 409. + + + Science puffs up, says Gut, when either pease, 407. + + Scobble for whoredom whips his wife and cries, 377. + + Seal'd up with night-gum Loach, each morning lies, 400. + + Shark when he goes to any public feast, 382. + + Shift now has cast his clothes: got all things new, 385. + + Sibb, when she saw her face how hard it was, 398. + + Since Gander did his pretty youngling wed, 396. + + Since Jack and Jill both wicked be, 389. + + Skinns, he dined well to-day; how do you think, 386. + + Skoles stinks so deadly, that his breeches loath, 396. + + Skrew lives by shifts; yet swears by no small oaths, 385. + + Skurf by his nine-bones swears, and well he may, 390. + + Slouch he packs up, and goes to several fairs, 399. + + Snare, ten i' th' hundred calls his wife; and why? 395. + + Sneape has a face so brittle that it breaks, 383. + + Spenke has a strong breath, yet short prayers saith, 403. + + Spokes, when he sees a roasted pig, he swears, 405. + + Spunge makes his boasts that he's the only man, 389. + + Spur jingles now, and swears by no mean oaths, 408. + + Strutt, once a foreman of a shop we knew, 378. + + Sudds launders bands in piss, and starches them, 381. + + + Tap, better known than trusted as we hear, 401. + + Teage has told lies so long that when Teage tells, 403. + + That was the proverb. Let my mistress be, 383. + + The eggs of pheasants wry-nosed Tooly sells, 393. + + The staff is now greas'd, 410. + + This lady's short, that mistress she is tall, 389. + + To cleanse his eyes, Tom Brock makes much ado, 382. + + To loose the button is no less, 398. + + To paint the fiend, Pink would the devil see, 381. + + Thou writes in prose how sweet all virgins be, 400. + + Tom Blinks his nose is full of weals, and these, 401. + + Tom shifts the trenchers; yet he never can, 399. + + Trigg, having turn'd his suit, he struts in state, 397. + + Truggin a footman was; but now, grown lame, 403. + + + Umber was painting of a lion fierce, 393. + + Unto Pastillus rank Gorgonius came, 407. + + Up with the quintell, that the rout, 406. + + Urles had the gout so, that he could not stand, 394. + + + Vinegar is no other, I define, 405. + + + We read how Faunus, he the shepherds' god, 406. + + Were there not a matter known, 388. + + What are our patches, tatters, rags, and rents, 405. + + What is the reason Coone so dully smells, 394. + + What made that mirth last night, the neighbours say, 395. + + When Jill complains to Jack for want of meat, 391. + + When others gain much by the present cast, 385. + + When Pimp's feet sweat, as they do often use, 409. + + Wherever Nodes does in the summer come, 400. + + Who to the north, or south, doth set, 388. + + Who with thy leaves shall wipe, at need, 375. + + Why walks Nick Flimsey like a malcontent! 387. + + Wither'd with years, bed-rid Mamma lies, 380. + + With paste of almonds, Syb her hands doth scour, 393. + + + Y'ave laughed enough, sweet, vary now your text, 382. + + You say, you love me; that I thus must prove, 383. + + You say you're young; but when your teeth are told, 390. + + You say you'll kiss me, and I thank you for it, 394. + + + + +Transcriber's Endnotes + + + Numeration Errors in the Hesperides: + + Without an obvious solution to a discrepancy the numbers remain as + originally printed, however the following alterations have been made + to ensure any details in the NOTES section apply to the relevant + poem. + + Page 290. Note to 923. "924" changed to _923_. + "923. _Revenge_. Tacitus, _Hist_. iv." + + Page 295. Note to 967. "726" changed to _724_. + "967. _Upon his spaniel, Tracy._ Cp. _supra_, 724." + + Page 297. Note to 1035. "664" changed to _662_. + "... writing to Endymion Porter (662), and earlier ..." + + Page 298. Note to 1045. "406" changed to _405_. + "... Herrick addressed the poem (405) ..." + + + Typographical Errors: + + Page 177. 33. AN ODE OF.... "disposses" corrected to _dispossess_. + "And as we dispossess Thee ..." + + Page 318. Appendix I. "arious" corrected to _various_. + "... all the various articles spread throughout ..." + + Page 379. 199. UPON LUGG. "LUGG" corrected to _LUGGS_. + "199. UPON LUGGS." + + Page 382. 277. LAUGH AND DIE DOWN. "DIE" corrected to _LIE_. + "277. LAUGH AND LIE DOWN." + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hesperides & Noble Numbers: Vol. 1 and 2, +by Robert Herrick + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HESPERIDES *** + +***** This file should be named 22421-8.txt or 22421-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/4/2/22421/ + +Produced by Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/22421-8.zip b/old/22421-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cc91a6e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-8.zip diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/f001.png b/old/22421-page-images/f001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..852ca36 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/f001.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/f002.png b/old/22421-page-images/f002.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6803f44 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/f002.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p001.png b/old/22421-page-images/p001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ae6816 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p001.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p002.png b/old/22421-page-images/p002.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b085102 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p002.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p003.png b/old/22421-page-images/p003.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..24fabdb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p003.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p004.png b/old/22421-page-images/p004.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d24cffe --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p004.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p005.png b/old/22421-page-images/p005.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e7a69ce --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p005.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p006.png b/old/22421-page-images/p006.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..57343b0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p006.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p007.png b/old/22421-page-images/p007.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..46748ec --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p007.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p008.png b/old/22421-page-images/p008.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..596c47c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p008.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p009.png b/old/22421-page-images/p009.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9cb80d8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p009.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p010.png b/old/22421-page-images/p010.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b13585b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p010.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p011.png b/old/22421-page-images/p011.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..72e63c1 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p011.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p012.png b/old/22421-page-images/p012.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6448f3d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p012.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p013.png b/old/22421-page-images/p013.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fddfcb8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p013.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p014.png b/old/22421-page-images/p014.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..341b923 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p014.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p015.png b/old/22421-page-images/p015.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4c579c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p015.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p016.png b/old/22421-page-images/p016.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fce1629 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p016.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p017.png b/old/22421-page-images/p017.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..309db47 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p017.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p018.png b/old/22421-page-images/p018.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f8d210d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p018.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p019.png b/old/22421-page-images/p019.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ceb5d43 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p019.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p020.png b/old/22421-page-images/p020.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ca8d0d3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p020.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p021.png b/old/22421-page-images/p021.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..55bd3b4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p021.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p022.png b/old/22421-page-images/p022.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a681316 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p022.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p023.png b/old/22421-page-images/p023.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c0f6796 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p023.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p024.png b/old/22421-page-images/p024.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bc35d25 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p024.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p025.png b/old/22421-page-images/p025.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..00c7e28 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p025.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p026.png b/old/22421-page-images/p026.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ed7160f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p026.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p027.png b/old/22421-page-images/p027.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..84e3ac4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p027.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p028.png b/old/22421-page-images/p028.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b17a879 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p028.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p029.png b/old/22421-page-images/p029.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..171da98 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p029.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p030.png b/old/22421-page-images/p030.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..104d917 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p030.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p031.png b/old/22421-page-images/p031.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..924907f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p031.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p032.png b/old/22421-page-images/p032.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4121697 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p032.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p033.png b/old/22421-page-images/p033.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0084cd9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p033.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p034.png b/old/22421-page-images/p034.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d1152f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p034.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p035.png b/old/22421-page-images/p035.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fb1a158 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p035.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p036.png b/old/22421-page-images/p036.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e9d5090 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p036.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p037.png b/old/22421-page-images/p037.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6a6af98 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p037.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p038.png b/old/22421-page-images/p038.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c440dd3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p038.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p039.png b/old/22421-page-images/p039.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1a7bf95 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p039.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p040.png b/old/22421-page-images/p040.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4b6755c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p040.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p041.png b/old/22421-page-images/p041.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cbca8f5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p041.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p042.png b/old/22421-page-images/p042.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7c3db5b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p042.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p043.png b/old/22421-page-images/p043.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fdae2f8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p043.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p044.png b/old/22421-page-images/p044.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7f22264 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p044.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p045.png b/old/22421-page-images/p045.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fa7c31d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p045.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p046.png b/old/22421-page-images/p046.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6085aa7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p046.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p047.png b/old/22421-page-images/p047.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..68ababf --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p047.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p048.png b/old/22421-page-images/p048.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..971cb08 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p048.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p049.png b/old/22421-page-images/p049.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c236eb8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p049.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p050.png b/old/22421-page-images/p050.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..be1db31 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p050.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p051.png b/old/22421-page-images/p051.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2be3889 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p051.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p052.png b/old/22421-page-images/p052.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e9e0874 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p052.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p053.png b/old/22421-page-images/p053.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..00daf9c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p053.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p054.png b/old/22421-page-images/p054.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2065e59 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p054.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p055.png b/old/22421-page-images/p055.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c023826 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p055.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p056.png b/old/22421-page-images/p056.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0689503 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p056.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p057.png b/old/22421-page-images/p057.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3f0b73b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p057.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p058.png b/old/22421-page-images/p058.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5f448ae --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p058.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p059.png b/old/22421-page-images/p059.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1616441 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p059.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p060.png b/old/22421-page-images/p060.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9d7b233 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p060.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p061.png b/old/22421-page-images/p061.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b938a28 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p061.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p062.png b/old/22421-page-images/p062.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2e9ec95 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p062.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p063.png b/old/22421-page-images/p063.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f2475c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p063.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p064.png b/old/22421-page-images/p064.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9810f67 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p064.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p065.png b/old/22421-page-images/p065.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..83e2ed0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p065.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p066.png b/old/22421-page-images/p066.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a49cbe --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p066.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p067.png b/old/22421-page-images/p067.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..501cc25 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p067.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p068.png b/old/22421-page-images/p068.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ccab40a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p068.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p069.png b/old/22421-page-images/p069.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a797655 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p069.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p070.png b/old/22421-page-images/p070.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..270e35a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p070.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p071.png b/old/22421-page-images/p071.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..61e09ab --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p071.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p072.png b/old/22421-page-images/p072.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..431d222 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p072.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p073.png b/old/22421-page-images/p073.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..919fc1f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p073.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p074.png b/old/22421-page-images/p074.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..96b1443 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p074.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p075.png b/old/22421-page-images/p075.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4ddeb46 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p075.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p076.png b/old/22421-page-images/p076.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6cf1959 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p076.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p077.png b/old/22421-page-images/p077.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6678f42 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p077.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p078.png b/old/22421-page-images/p078.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea95807 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p078.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p079.png b/old/22421-page-images/p079.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eef328c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p079.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p080.png b/old/22421-page-images/p080.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bcf8050 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p080.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p081.png b/old/22421-page-images/p081.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9de4531 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p081.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p082.png b/old/22421-page-images/p082.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bcc9ad6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p082.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p083.png b/old/22421-page-images/p083.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..924f627 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p083.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p084.png b/old/22421-page-images/p084.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..77e150f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p084.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p085.png b/old/22421-page-images/p085.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b247ef5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p085.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p086.png b/old/22421-page-images/p086.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..34cadbd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p086.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p087.png b/old/22421-page-images/p087.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7c36e27 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p087.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p088.png b/old/22421-page-images/p088.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b1fe968 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p088.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p089.png b/old/22421-page-images/p089.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6f40381 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p089.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p090.png b/old/22421-page-images/p090.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c8c9e3f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p090.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p091.png b/old/22421-page-images/p091.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..122cb77 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p091.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p092.png b/old/22421-page-images/p092.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1415b2f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p092.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p093.png b/old/22421-page-images/p093.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b7c431e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p093.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p094.png b/old/22421-page-images/p094.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0bf38e4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p094.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p095.png b/old/22421-page-images/p095.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..562d332 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p095.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p096.png b/old/22421-page-images/p096.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cfa1b13 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p096.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p097.png b/old/22421-page-images/p097.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f6161fd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p097.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p098.png b/old/22421-page-images/p098.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d2ee3ec --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p098.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p099.png b/old/22421-page-images/p099.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bf74c0f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p099.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p100.png b/old/22421-page-images/p100.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5a89233 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p100.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p101.png b/old/22421-page-images/p101.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c0945df --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p101.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p102.png b/old/22421-page-images/p102.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f5dada0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p102.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p103.png b/old/22421-page-images/p103.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..de76188 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p103.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p104.png b/old/22421-page-images/p104.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cc31290 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p104.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p105.png b/old/22421-page-images/p105.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1fa746e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p105.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p106.png b/old/22421-page-images/p106.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3345f97 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p106.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p107.png b/old/22421-page-images/p107.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c6b60aa --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p107.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p108.png b/old/22421-page-images/p108.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8421d7c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p108.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p109.png b/old/22421-page-images/p109.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..43f6783 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p109.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p110.png b/old/22421-page-images/p110.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..aaaad7d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p110.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p111.png b/old/22421-page-images/p111.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..248f5a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p111.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p112.png b/old/22421-page-images/p112.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a31d961 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p112.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p113.png b/old/22421-page-images/p113.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d874969 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p113.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p114.png b/old/22421-page-images/p114.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6075681 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p114.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p115.png b/old/22421-page-images/p115.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..acf11b4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p115.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p116.png b/old/22421-page-images/p116.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f682106 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p116.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p117.png b/old/22421-page-images/p117.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..616e44e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p117.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p118.png b/old/22421-page-images/p118.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d51818b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p118.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p119.png b/old/22421-page-images/p119.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..87a64fd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p119.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p120.png b/old/22421-page-images/p120.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..365e2fa --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p120.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p121.png b/old/22421-page-images/p121.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c0ce1c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p121.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p122.png b/old/22421-page-images/p122.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef663c8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p122.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p123.png b/old/22421-page-images/p123.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f5b2e9f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p123.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p124.png b/old/22421-page-images/p124.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1aca6bf --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p124.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p125.png b/old/22421-page-images/p125.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..275f9b6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p125.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p126.png b/old/22421-page-images/p126.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0335bce --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p126.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p127.png b/old/22421-page-images/p127.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4a8c174 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p127.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p128.png b/old/22421-page-images/p128.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..da8b398 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p128.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p129.png b/old/22421-page-images/p129.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2b61a49 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p129.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p130.png b/old/22421-page-images/p130.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4d587ca --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p130.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p131.png b/old/22421-page-images/p131.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..193bafc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p131.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p132.png b/old/22421-page-images/p132.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..598da2d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p132.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p133.png b/old/22421-page-images/p133.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e746d3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p133.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p134.png b/old/22421-page-images/p134.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4a53b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p134.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p135.png b/old/22421-page-images/p135.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0cc517b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p135.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p136.png b/old/22421-page-images/p136.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4a0b81 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p136.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p137.png b/old/22421-page-images/p137.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..98587a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p137.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p138.png b/old/22421-page-images/p138.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..05222bd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p138.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p139.png b/old/22421-page-images/p139.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b1aadc2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p139.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p140.png b/old/22421-page-images/p140.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fa919e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p140.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p141.png b/old/22421-page-images/p141.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e6a3d9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p141.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p142.png b/old/22421-page-images/p142.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..87da5ec --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p142.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p143.png b/old/22421-page-images/p143.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..461f307 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p143.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p144.png b/old/22421-page-images/p144.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7ee61dd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p144.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p145.png b/old/22421-page-images/p145.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..369ee8c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p145.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p146.png b/old/22421-page-images/p146.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8ba2d96 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p146.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p147.png b/old/22421-page-images/p147.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3bfcf3b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p147.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p148.png b/old/22421-page-images/p148.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eba4fd4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p148.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p149.png b/old/22421-page-images/p149.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1005a52 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p149.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p150.png b/old/22421-page-images/p150.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ed096a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p150.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p151.png b/old/22421-page-images/p151.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..49afbfd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p151.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p152.png b/old/22421-page-images/p152.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e33461a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p152.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p153.png b/old/22421-page-images/p153.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2d7537b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p153.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p154.png b/old/22421-page-images/p154.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef2be98 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p154.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p155.png b/old/22421-page-images/p155.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2dd40e7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p155.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p156.png b/old/22421-page-images/p156.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ced4e9a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p156.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p157.png b/old/22421-page-images/p157.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d84251a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p157.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p158.png b/old/22421-page-images/p158.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f6cb58e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p158.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p159.png b/old/22421-page-images/p159.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7557e55 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p159.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p160.png b/old/22421-page-images/p160.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0aa479e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p160.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p161.png b/old/22421-page-images/p161.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf763ed --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p161.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p162.png b/old/22421-page-images/p162.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f0e88d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p162.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p163.png b/old/22421-page-images/p163.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..26e8a8b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p163.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p164.png b/old/22421-page-images/p164.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..de9fb49 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p164.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p165.png b/old/22421-page-images/p165.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b6eb543 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p165.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p166.png b/old/22421-page-images/p166.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..65b1d03 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p166.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p167.png b/old/22421-page-images/p167.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ae4aec8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p167.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p168.png b/old/22421-page-images/p168.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9b825bb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p168.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p169.png b/old/22421-page-images/p169.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4d241da --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p169.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p170.png b/old/22421-page-images/p170.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..63b092c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p170.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p171.png b/old/22421-page-images/p171.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4cbdde2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p171.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p172.png b/old/22421-page-images/p172.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4dd11a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p172.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p173.png b/old/22421-page-images/p173.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1546fac --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p173.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p174.png b/old/22421-page-images/p174.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..03ea22e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p174.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p175.png b/old/22421-page-images/p175.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fc34984 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p175.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p176.png b/old/22421-page-images/p176.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..24db221 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p176.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p177.png b/old/22421-page-images/p177.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d47e1f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p177.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p178.png b/old/22421-page-images/p178.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e635642 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p178.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p179.png b/old/22421-page-images/p179.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6252658 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p179.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p180.png b/old/22421-page-images/p180.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..09a625c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p180.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p181.png b/old/22421-page-images/p181.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bfe1ce2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p181.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p182.png b/old/22421-page-images/p182.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..22131c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p182.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p183.png b/old/22421-page-images/p183.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9e9a3cb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p183.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p184.png b/old/22421-page-images/p184.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..672034c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p184.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p185.png b/old/22421-page-images/p185.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..455b474 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p185.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p186.png b/old/22421-page-images/p186.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3dc559c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p186.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p187.png b/old/22421-page-images/p187.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..73e7375 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p187.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p188.png b/old/22421-page-images/p188.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1e6df49 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p188.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p189.png b/old/22421-page-images/p189.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..31e0464 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p189.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p190.png b/old/22421-page-images/p190.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ad7b804 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p190.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p191.png b/old/22421-page-images/p191.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..73391fd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p191.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p192.png b/old/22421-page-images/p192.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eb2fc9b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p192.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p193.png b/old/22421-page-images/p193.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4243811 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p193.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p194.png b/old/22421-page-images/p194.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..41f6218 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p194.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p195.png b/old/22421-page-images/p195.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..21cdec4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p195.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p196.png b/old/22421-page-images/p196.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..858c569 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p196.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p197.png b/old/22421-page-images/p197.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..19e9f79 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p197.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p198.png b/old/22421-page-images/p198.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a633536 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p198.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p199.png b/old/22421-page-images/p199.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fbe0f79 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p199.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p200.png b/old/22421-page-images/p200.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a033879 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p200.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p201.png b/old/22421-page-images/p201.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8fcc45 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p201.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p202.png b/old/22421-page-images/p202.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..326a55c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p202.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p203.png b/old/22421-page-images/p203.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c31086e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p203.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p204.png b/old/22421-page-images/p204.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9395e33 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p204.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p205.png b/old/22421-page-images/p205.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..70e1cff --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p205.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p206.png b/old/22421-page-images/p206.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2549b9f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p206.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p207.png b/old/22421-page-images/p207.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7046c0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p207.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p208.png b/old/22421-page-images/p208.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..98a77e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p208.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p209.png b/old/22421-page-images/p209.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cd02b9d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p209.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p210.png b/old/22421-page-images/p210.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a17bead --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p210.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p211.png b/old/22421-page-images/p211.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..52db87b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p211.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p212.png b/old/22421-page-images/p212.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1702401 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p212.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p213.png b/old/22421-page-images/p213.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4bbbc56 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p213.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p214.png b/old/22421-page-images/p214.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f449696 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p214.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p215.png b/old/22421-page-images/p215.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..106683d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p215.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p216.png b/old/22421-page-images/p216.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2ad546a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p216.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p217.png b/old/22421-page-images/p217.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..941faf2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p217.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p218.png b/old/22421-page-images/p218.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..91b9ad5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p218.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p219.png b/old/22421-page-images/p219.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c4a1606 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p219.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p220.png b/old/22421-page-images/p220.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..97613e2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p220.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p221.png b/old/22421-page-images/p221.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5f011e8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p221.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p222.png b/old/22421-page-images/p222.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..08b51b1 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p222.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p223.png b/old/22421-page-images/p223.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5f7c770 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p223.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p224.png b/old/22421-page-images/p224.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a26c0d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p224.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p225.png b/old/22421-page-images/p225.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fe156e4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p225.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p226.png b/old/22421-page-images/p226.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d030158 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p226.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p227.png b/old/22421-page-images/p227.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..28e2427 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p227.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p228.png b/old/22421-page-images/p228.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2144853 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p228.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p229.png b/old/22421-page-images/p229.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7272c7d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p229.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p230.png b/old/22421-page-images/p230.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..293af4d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p230.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p231.png b/old/22421-page-images/p231.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d63191 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p231.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p232.png b/old/22421-page-images/p232.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..281db57 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p232.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p233.png b/old/22421-page-images/p233.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eedf4b8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p233.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p234.png b/old/22421-page-images/p234.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f38fa1f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p234.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p235.png b/old/22421-page-images/p235.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9964c0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p235.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p236.png b/old/22421-page-images/p236.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5dc64d2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p236.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p237.png b/old/22421-page-images/p237.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4000dba --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p237.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p238.png b/old/22421-page-images/p238.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a826880 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p238.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p239.png b/old/22421-page-images/p239.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b591c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p239.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p240.png b/old/22421-page-images/p240.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e09cf33 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p240.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p241.png b/old/22421-page-images/p241.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c05eb1d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p241.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p242.png b/old/22421-page-images/p242.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a247063 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p242.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p243.png b/old/22421-page-images/p243.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7f82d2e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p243.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p244.png b/old/22421-page-images/p244.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0952846 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p244.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p245.png b/old/22421-page-images/p245.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4dadfd0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p245.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p246.png b/old/22421-page-images/p246.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..13af792 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p246.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p247.png b/old/22421-page-images/p247.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8415b1 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p247.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p248.png b/old/22421-page-images/p248.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..75efc43 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p248.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p249.png b/old/22421-page-images/p249.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bad560e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p249.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p250.png b/old/22421-page-images/p250.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d1d01d8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p250.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p251.png b/old/22421-page-images/p251.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7e4845 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p251.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p252.png b/old/22421-page-images/p252.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..77d3d66 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p252.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p253.png b/old/22421-page-images/p253.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1cfc4b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p253.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p254.png b/old/22421-page-images/p254.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8da068b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p254.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p255.png b/old/22421-page-images/p255.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..25c24e1 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p255.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p256.png b/old/22421-page-images/p256.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f953a5e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p256.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p257.png b/old/22421-page-images/p257.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3565478 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p257.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p258.png b/old/22421-page-images/p258.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d61c6e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p258.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p259.png b/old/22421-page-images/p259.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c625c87 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p259.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p260.png b/old/22421-page-images/p260.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9c3c88f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p260.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p261.png b/old/22421-page-images/p261.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2aa2492 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p261.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p262.png b/old/22421-page-images/p262.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..89df4b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p262.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p263.png b/old/22421-page-images/p263.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1746aa1 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p263.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p264.png b/old/22421-page-images/p264.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..571fa69 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p264.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p265.png b/old/22421-page-images/p265.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a0a9b34 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p265.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p266.png b/old/22421-page-images/p266.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1db96cf --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p266.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p267.png b/old/22421-page-images/p267.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2e27be6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p267.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p268.png b/old/22421-page-images/p268.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4c13d48 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p268.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p269.png b/old/22421-page-images/p269.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eb11026 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p269.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p270.png b/old/22421-page-images/p270.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a79cc20 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p270.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p271.png b/old/22421-page-images/p271.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e97dd86 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p271.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p272.png b/old/22421-page-images/p272.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..54b3ca5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p272.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p273.png b/old/22421-page-images/p273.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..da99d3f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p273.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p274.png b/old/22421-page-images/p274.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..683c4a3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p274.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p275.png b/old/22421-page-images/p275.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a79d50e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p275.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p276.png b/old/22421-page-images/p276.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5f0fc43 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p276.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p277.png b/old/22421-page-images/p277.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..aa2911b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p277.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p278.png b/old/22421-page-images/p278.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..87b1730 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p278.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p279.png b/old/22421-page-images/p279.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..37f0263 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p279.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p280.png b/old/22421-page-images/p280.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6572272 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p280.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p281.png b/old/22421-page-images/p281.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c694e2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p281.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p282.png b/old/22421-page-images/p282.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bac2e64 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p282.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p283.png b/old/22421-page-images/p283.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..42c520a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p283.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p284.png b/old/22421-page-images/p284.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9d66ad0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p284.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p285.png b/old/22421-page-images/p285.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c4e4c87 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p285.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p286.png b/old/22421-page-images/p286.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b07e9d0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p286.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p287.png b/old/22421-page-images/p287.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3a8e57b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p287.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p288.png b/old/22421-page-images/p288.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9288c1a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p288.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p289.png b/old/22421-page-images/p289.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dc63c4f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p289.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p290.png b/old/22421-page-images/p290.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..035a890 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p290.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p291.png b/old/22421-page-images/p291.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..006e941 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p291.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p292.png b/old/22421-page-images/p292.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1ea9f6b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p292.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p293.png b/old/22421-page-images/p293.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8ef9a2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p293.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p294.png b/old/22421-page-images/p294.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5cd15a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p294.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p295.png b/old/22421-page-images/p295.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fbc9d72 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p295.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p296.png b/old/22421-page-images/p296.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1b27b37 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p296.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p297.png b/old/22421-page-images/p297.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c0f70a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p297.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p298.png b/old/22421-page-images/p298.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dff4769 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p298.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p299.png b/old/22421-page-images/p299.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a3c1e22 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p299.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p300.png b/old/22421-page-images/p300.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a926eb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p300.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p301.png b/old/22421-page-images/p301.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..22aed0e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p301.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p302.png b/old/22421-page-images/p302.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c9176e2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p302.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p303.png b/old/22421-page-images/p303.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..41889f6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p303.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p304.png b/old/22421-page-images/p304.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d96853 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p304.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p305.png b/old/22421-page-images/p305.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..620ed97 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p305.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p306.png b/old/22421-page-images/p306.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9674ec5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p306.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p307.png b/old/22421-page-images/p307.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..34b970c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p307.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p308.png b/old/22421-page-images/p308.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb1978d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p308.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p309.png b/old/22421-page-images/p309.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2e54657 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p309.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p310.png b/old/22421-page-images/p310.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c67bc0b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p310.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p311.png b/old/22421-page-images/p311.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..60dcdfe --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p311.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p312.png b/old/22421-page-images/p312.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7904041 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p312.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p313.png b/old/22421-page-images/p313.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..735a388 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p313.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p314.png b/old/22421-page-images/p314.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4d50f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p314.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p315.png b/old/22421-page-images/p315.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5103a83 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p315.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p316.png b/old/22421-page-images/p316.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ed227d1 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p316.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p317.png b/old/22421-page-images/p317.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4190706 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p317.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p318.png b/old/22421-page-images/p318.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f42522a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p318.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p319.png b/old/22421-page-images/p319.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..65bcdd6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p319.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p320.png b/old/22421-page-images/p320.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..79b7ffa --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p320.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p321.png b/old/22421-page-images/p321.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c85dfd5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p321.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p322.png b/old/22421-page-images/p322.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2d92f56 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p322.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p323.png b/old/22421-page-images/p323.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f931d9c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p323.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p324.png b/old/22421-page-images/p324.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3ba614a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p324.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p325.png b/old/22421-page-images/p325.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..36b331e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p325.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p326.png b/old/22421-page-images/p326.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a9d04e4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p326.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p327.png b/old/22421-page-images/p327.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5c7aafe --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p327.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p328.png b/old/22421-page-images/p328.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..30d6c2d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p328.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p329.png b/old/22421-page-images/p329.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ae4aa14 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p329.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p330.png b/old/22421-page-images/p330.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5836f1c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p330.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p331.png b/old/22421-page-images/p331.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d4b50e7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p331.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p332.png b/old/22421-page-images/p332.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0be4fbe --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p332.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p333.png b/old/22421-page-images/p333.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8bd7605 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p333.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p334.png b/old/22421-page-images/p334.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e47d17c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p334.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p335.png b/old/22421-page-images/p335.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8bd2c7b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p335.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p336.png b/old/22421-page-images/p336.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..37a1664 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p336.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p337.png b/old/22421-page-images/p337.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f9a9e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p337.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p338.png b/old/22421-page-images/p338.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0bfc82e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p338.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p339.png b/old/22421-page-images/p339.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f216ae6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p339.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p340.png b/old/22421-page-images/p340.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f138cec --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p340.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p341.png b/old/22421-page-images/p341.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..482b1f6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p341.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p342.png b/old/22421-page-images/p342.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d0a35b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p342.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p343.png b/old/22421-page-images/p343.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ab105a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p343.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p344.png b/old/22421-page-images/p344.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..62505c2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p344.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p345.png b/old/22421-page-images/p345.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1e0f740 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p345.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p346.png b/old/22421-page-images/p346.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..06784e0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p346.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p347.png b/old/22421-page-images/p347.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ee61789 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p347.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p348.png b/old/22421-page-images/p348.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..12de322 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p348.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p349.png b/old/22421-page-images/p349.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..297c335 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p349.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p350.png b/old/22421-page-images/p350.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4c2b715 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p350.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p351.png b/old/22421-page-images/p351.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f736a7a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p351.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p352.png b/old/22421-page-images/p352.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9ed48a2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p352.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p353.png b/old/22421-page-images/p353.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ab756eb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p353.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p354.png b/old/22421-page-images/p354.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..29fac93 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p354.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p355.png b/old/22421-page-images/p355.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6bb340c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p355.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p356.png b/old/22421-page-images/p356.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4658345 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p356.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p357.png b/old/22421-page-images/p357.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..36ad518 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p357.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p358.png b/old/22421-page-images/p358.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..da8b47f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p358.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p359.png b/old/22421-page-images/p359.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..592c57d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p359.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p360.png b/old/22421-page-images/p360.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..14875f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p360.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p361.png b/old/22421-page-images/p361.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4035451 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p361.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p362.png b/old/22421-page-images/p362.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0263233 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p362.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p363.png b/old/22421-page-images/p363.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6b49d17 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p363.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p364.png b/old/22421-page-images/p364.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e361f04 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p364.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p365.png b/old/22421-page-images/p365.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e473db5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p365.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p366.png b/old/22421-page-images/p366.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..64aa978 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p366.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p367.png b/old/22421-page-images/p367.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..63922c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p367.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p368.png b/old/22421-page-images/p368.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..75a0ec7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p368.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p369.png b/old/22421-page-images/p369.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ec3dafc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p369.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p370.png b/old/22421-page-images/p370.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5117322 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p370.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p371.png b/old/22421-page-images/p371.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..97c78d7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p371.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p372.png b/old/22421-page-images/p372.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..13d6bf7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p372.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p373.png b/old/22421-page-images/p373.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..29ad012 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p373.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p374.png b/old/22421-page-images/p374.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c88fc54 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p374.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p375.png b/old/22421-page-images/p375.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e9c8632 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p375.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p376.png b/old/22421-page-images/p376.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..daa6574 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p376.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p377.png b/old/22421-page-images/p377.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dbdd16b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p377.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p378.png b/old/22421-page-images/p378.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..147e22e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p378.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p379.png b/old/22421-page-images/p379.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9616649 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p379.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p380.png b/old/22421-page-images/p380.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d3c6bf --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p380.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p381.png b/old/22421-page-images/p381.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..764c0d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p381.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p382.png b/old/22421-page-images/p382.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..16cfee4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p382.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p383.png b/old/22421-page-images/p383.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dc7bcd9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p383.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p384.png b/old/22421-page-images/p384.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d5043a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p384.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p385.png b/old/22421-page-images/p385.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8e93051 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p385.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p386.png b/old/22421-page-images/p386.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b4fdb7e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p386.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p387.png b/old/22421-page-images/p387.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cd20b02 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p387.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p388.png b/old/22421-page-images/p388.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1b27f0e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p388.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p389.png b/old/22421-page-images/p389.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f93c564 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p389.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p390.png b/old/22421-page-images/p390.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8b24544 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p390.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p391.png b/old/22421-page-images/p391.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..55f3986 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p391.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p392.png b/old/22421-page-images/p392.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a3d9fd9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p392.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p393.png b/old/22421-page-images/p393.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c6bf6c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p393.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p394.png b/old/22421-page-images/p394.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e11c11 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p394.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p395.png b/old/22421-page-images/p395.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8dfc07f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p395.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p396.png b/old/22421-page-images/p396.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..16a72e5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p396.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p397.png b/old/22421-page-images/p397.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5fadc91 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p397.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p398.png b/old/22421-page-images/p398.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..326de3a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p398.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p399.png b/old/22421-page-images/p399.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cc78b26 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p399.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p400.png b/old/22421-page-images/p400.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..11a946c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p400.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p401.png b/old/22421-page-images/p401.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9dc2572 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p401.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p402.png b/old/22421-page-images/p402.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4902ea7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p402.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p403.png b/old/22421-page-images/p403.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4fbbd08 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p403.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p404.png b/old/22421-page-images/p404.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7fd76d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p404.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p405.png b/old/22421-page-images/p405.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b0e9e26 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p405.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p406.png b/old/22421-page-images/p406.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..95cdcf8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p406.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p407.png b/old/22421-page-images/p407.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d647f43 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p407.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p408.png b/old/22421-page-images/p408.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6328986 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p408.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p409.png b/old/22421-page-images/p409.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..da1fd6d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p409.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p410.png b/old/22421-page-images/p410.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..44801eb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p410.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p411.png b/old/22421-page-images/p411.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..44f4770 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p411.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p412.png b/old/22421-page-images/p412.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ca94302 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p412.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p413.png b/old/22421-page-images/p413.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..478f7f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p413.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p414.png b/old/22421-page-images/p414.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..38f1d36 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p414.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p415.png b/old/22421-page-images/p415.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..082d8ae --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p415.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p416.png b/old/22421-page-images/p416.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9a20d59 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p416.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p417.png b/old/22421-page-images/p417.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b56f4ef --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p417.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p418.png b/old/22421-page-images/p418.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c20e5ee --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p418.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p419.png b/old/22421-page-images/p419.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e057a73 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p419.png diff --git a/old/22421-page-images/p420.png b/old/22421-page-images/p420.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5cea78b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421-page-images/p420.png diff --git a/old/22421.txt b/old/22421.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3423d8e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421.txt @@ -0,0 +1,27332 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hesperides & Noble Numbers: Vol. 1 and 2, +by Robert Herrick + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Hesperides & Noble Numbers: Vol. 1 and 2 + +Author: Robert Herrick + +Release Date: August 28, 2007 [EBook #22421] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HESPERIDES *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + ROBERT HERRICK + + THE HESPERIDES & NOBLE + NUMBERS: EDITED BY + ALFRED POLLARD + WITH A PREFACE BY + A. C. SWINBURNE + + VOL. I. + + _REVISED EDITION_ + + [Illustration] + + LONDON: NEW YORK: + LAWRENCE & BULLEN, LTD., CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, + 16 HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. 153-157 FIFTH AVENUE + 1898. 1898. + + + + + Transcriber's Note + + Original spelling and punctuation has been retained. + + Asterisks and daggers have been used to highlight sections. In this + version of the text, daggers have been rendered as +. + + Greek words have been transliterated and shown between {braces}. + + The oe ligature is shown by [oe], whilst ^ indicates 'superscript'. + + Obvious typesetting errors have been corrected without note, however + additional corrections have been recorded in the Transcriber's + Endnotes at the end of each volume. + + + + +EDITOR'S NOTE. + + +In this edition of Herrick quotation is for the first time facilitated +by the poems being numbered according to their order in the original +edition. This numbering has rendered it possible to print those +Epigrams, which successive editors have joined in deploring, in a +detachable Appendix, their place in the original being indicated by the +numeration. It remains to be added that the footnotes in this edition +are intended to explain, as unobtrusively as possible, difficulties of +phrase or allusion which might conceivably hinder the understanding of +Herrick's meaning. In the longer Notes at the end of each volume earlier +versions of some important poems are printed from manuscripts at the +British Museum, and an endeavour has been made to extend the list of +Herrick's debts to classical sources, and to identify some of his +friends who have hitherto escaped research. An editor is always apt to +mention his predecessors rather for blame than praise, and I therefore +take this opportunity of acknowledging my general indebtedness to the +pioneer work of Mr. Hazlitt and Dr. Grosart, upon whose foundations all +editors of Herrick must necessarily build. + + ALFRED W. POLLARD. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +It is singular that the first great age of English lyric poetry should +have been also the one great age of English dramatic poetry: but it is +hardly less singular that the lyric school should have advanced as +steadily as the dramatic school declined from the promise of its dawn. +Born with Marlowe, it rose at once with Shakespeare to heights +inaccessible before and since and for ever, to sink through bright +gradations of glorious decline to its final and beautiful sunset in +Shirley: but the lyrical record that begins with the author of "Euphues" +and "Endymion" grows fuller if not brighter through a whole chain of +constellations till it culminates in the crowning star of Herrick. +Shakespeare's last song, the exquisite and magnificent overture to "The +Two Noble Kinsmen," is hardly so limpid in its flow, so liquid in its +melody, as the two great songs in "Valentinian": but Herrick, our last +poet of that incomparable age or generation, has matched them again and +again. As a creative and inventive singer, he surpasses all his rivals +in quantity of good work; in quality of spontaneous instinct and +melodious inspiration he reminds us, by frequent and flawless evidence, +who above all others must beyond all doubt have been his first master +and his first model in lyric poetry--the author of "The Passionate +Shepherd to his Love". + +The last of his line, he is and will probably be always the first in +rank and station of English song-writers. We have only to remember how +rare it is to find a perfect song, good to read and good to sing, +combining the merits of Coleridge and Shelley with the capabilities of +Tommy Moore and Haynes Bayly, to appreciate the unique and +unapproachable excellence of Herrick. The lyrist who wished to be a +butterfly, the lyrist who fled or flew to a lone vale at the hour +(whatever hour it may be) "when stars are weeping," have left behind +them such stuff as may be sung, but certainly cannot be read and endured +by any one with an ear for verse. The author of the Ode on France and +the author of the Ode to the West Wind have left us hardly more than a +song a-piece which has been found fit for setting to music: and, lovely +as they are, the fame of their authors does not mainly depend on the +song of Glycine or the song of which Leigh Hunt so justly and so +critically said that Beaumont and Fletcher never wrote anything of the +kind more lovely. Herrick, of course, lives simply by virtue of his +songs; his more ambitious or pretentious lyrics are merely magnified and +prolonged and elaborated songs. Elegy or litany, epicede or +epithalamium, his work is always a song-writer's; nothing more, but +nothing less, than the work of the greatest song-writer--as surely as +Shakespeare is the greatest dramatist--ever born of English race. The +apparent or external variety of his versification is, I should suppose, +incomparable; but by some happy tact or instinct he was too naturally +unambitious to attempt, like Jonson, a flight in the wake of Pindar. He +knew what he could not do: a rare and invaluable gift. Born a blackbird +or a thrush, he did not take himself (or try) to be a nightingale. + +It has often been objected that he did mistake himself for a sacred +poet: and it cannot be denied that his sacred verse at its worst is as +offensive as his secular verse at its worst; nor can it be denied that +no severer sentence of condemnation can be passed upon any poet's work. +But neither Herbert nor Crashaw could have bettered such a divinely +beautiful triplet as this:-- + + "We see Him come, and know Him ours, + Who with His sunshine and His showers + Turns all the patient ground to flowers". + +That is worthy of Miss Rossetti herself: and praise of such work can go +no higher. + +But even such exquisite touches or tones of colour may be too often +repeated in fainter shades or more glaring notes of assiduous and facile +reiteration. The sturdy student who tackles his Herrick as a schoolboy +is expected to tackle his Horace, in a spirit of pertinacious and stolid +straightforwardness, will probably find himself before long so nauseated +by the incessant inhalation of spices and flowers, condiments and +kisses, that if a musk-rat had run over the page it could hardly be less +endurable to the physical than it is to the spiritual stomach. The +fantastic and the brutal blemishes which deform and deface the +loveliness of his incomparable genius are hardly so damaging to his fame +as his general monotony of matter and of manner. It was doubtless in +order to relieve this saccharine and "mellisonant" monotony that he +thought fit to intersperse these interminable droppings of natural or +artificial perfume with others of the rankest and most intolerable +odour: but a diet of alternate sweetmeats and emetics is for the average +of eaters and drinkers no less unpalatable than unwholesome. It is +useless and thankless to enlarge on such faults or such defects, as it +would be useless and senseless to ignore. But how to enlarge, to +expatiate, to insist on the charm of Herrick at his best--a charm so +incomparable and so inimitable that even English poetry can boast of +nothing quite like it or worthy to be named after it--the most +appreciative reader will be the slowest to affirm or imagine that he can +conjecture. This, however, he will hardly fail to remark: that Herrick, +like most if not all other lyric poets, is not best known by his best +work. If we may judge by frequency of quotation or of reference, the +ballad of the ride from Ghent to Aix is a far more popular, more +generally admired and accredited specimen of Mr. Browning's work than +"The Last Ride Together"--and "The Lost Leader" than "The Lost +Mistress". Yet the superiority of the less-popular poem is in either +case beyond all question or comparison: in depth and in glow of spirit +and of harmony, in truth and charm of thought and word, undeniable and +indescribable. No two men of genius were ever more unlike than the +authors of "Paracelsus" and "Hesperides": and yet it is as true of +Herrick as of Browning that his best is not always his best-known work. +Everyone knows the song, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may"; few, I +fear, by comparison, know the yet sweeter and better song, "Ye have been +fresh and green". The general monotony of style and motive which +fatigues and irritates his too-persevering reader is here and there +relieved by a change of key which anticipates the note of a later and +very different lyric school. The brilliant simplicity and pointed grace +of the three stanzas to [OE]none ("What conscience, say, is it in thee") +recall the lyrists of the Restoration in their cleanlier and happier +mood. And in the very fine epigram headed by the words "Devotion makes +the Deity" he has expressed for once a really high and deep thought in +words of really noble and severe propriety. His "Mad Maid's Song," +again, can only be compared with Blake's; which has more of passionate +imagination, if less of pathetic sincerity. + + A. C. SWINBURNE. + + + + +LIFE OF HERRICK. + + +Of the lives of many poets we know too much; of some few too little. +Lovers of Herrick are almost ideally fortunate. Just such a bare outline +of his life has come down to us as is sufficient to explain the +allusions in his poems, and, on the other hand, there is no temptation +to substitute chatter about his relations with Julia and Dianeme for +enjoyment of his delightful verse. The recital of the bare outline need +detain us but a few minutes: only the least imaginative of readers will +have any difficulty in filling it in from the poems themselves. + +From early in the fourteenth century onwards we hear of the family of +Eyrick or Herrick at Stretton, in Leicestershire. At the beginning of +the sixteenth century we find a branch of it settled in Leicester +itself, where John Eyrick, the poet's grandfather, was admitted a +freeman in 1535, and afterwards acted as Mayor. This John's second son, +Nicholas, migrated to London, became a goldsmith in Wood Street, +Cheapside, and, according to a licence issued by the Bishop of London, +December 8, 1582, married Julian, daughter of William Stone, sister of +Anne, wife of Sir Stephen Soame, Lord Mayor of London in 1598. The +marriage was not unfruitful. A William[A] Herrick was baptized at St. +Vedast's, Foster Lane, November 24, 1585; Martha, January 22, 1586; +Mercy, December 22, 1586; Thomas, May 7, 1588; Nicholas, April 22, 1589; +Anne, July 26, 1590; and Robert himself, August 24, 1591. + +[A] A second William is said to have been born, posthumously, in "Harry +Campion's house at Hampton," in 1593. + +Fifteen months after the poet's birth, on November 7, 1592, Nicholas +Herrick made his will, estimating his property as worth L3000, and +devising it, as to one-third to his wife, and as to the other two-thirds +to his children in equal shares. In the will he described himself as "of +perfect memorye in sowle, but sicke in bodye". Two days after its +execution he was buried, having died, not from disease, but from a fall +from an upper window. His death had so much the appearance of +self-destruction that L220 had to be paid to the High Almoner, Dr. +Fletcher, Bishop of Bristol, in satisfaction of his official claim to +the goods and chattels of suicides. Herrick's biographers have not +failed to vituperate the Bishop for his avarice, but dues allowed by law +are hardly to be abandoned because a baby of fifteen months is destined +to become a brilliant poet, and no other exceptional circumstances are +alleged. The estate of Nicholas Herrick could the better afford the fine +inasmuch as it realized L2000 more than was expected. + +By the will Robert and William Herrick were appointed "overseers," or +trustees for the children. The former was the poet's godfather, and in +his will of 1617 left him L5. To William Herrick, then recently knighted +for his services as goldsmith, jeweller, and moneylender to James I., +the young Robert was apprenticed for ten years, September 25, 1607. An +allusion to "beloved Westminster," in his _Tears to Thamesis_, has been +taken to refer to Westminster school, and alleged as proof that he was +educated there. Dr. Grosart even presses the mention of Richmond, +Kingston, and Hampton Court to support a conjecture that Herrick may +have travelled up and down to school from Hampton. If so, one wonders +what his headmaster had to say to the "soft-smooth virgins, for our +chaste disport" by whom he was accompanied. But the references in the +poem are surely to his courtier-life in London, and after his father's +death the apprenticeship to his uncle in 1607 is the first fact in his +life of which we can be sure. + +In 1607, Herrick was fifteen, and, even if we conjecture that he may +have been allowed to remain at school some little time after his +apprenticeship nominally began, he must have served his uncle for five +or six years. Sir William had himself been bound apprentice in a similar +way to the poet's father, and we have no evidence that he exacted any +premium. At any rate, when in 1614, his nephew, then of age, desired to +leave the business and go to Cambridge, the ten years' apprenticeship +did not stand in his way, and he entered as a Fellow Commoner at St. +John's. His uncle plainly still managed his affairs, for an amusing +series of fourteen letters has been preserved at Beaumanor, until lately +the seat of Sir William's descendants, in which the poet asks sometimes +for payment of a quarterly stipend of L10, sometimes for a formal loan, +sometimes for the help of his avuncular Maecenas. It seems a fair +inference from this variety of requests that, since Herrick's share of +his father's property could hardly have yielded a yearly income of L40, +he was allowed to draw on his capital for this sum, but that his uncle +and Lady Herrick occasionally made him small presents, which may account +for his tone of dependence. + +The quarterly stipend was paid through various booksellers, but +irregularly, so that the poor poet was frequently reduced to great +straits, though L40 a-year (L200 of our money) was no bad allowance. +After two years he migrated from St. John's to Trinity Hall, to study +law and curtail his expenses. He took his Bachelor's degree from there +in January, 1617, and his Master's in 1620. The fourteen letters show +that he had prepared himself for University life by cultivating a very +florid prose style which frequently runs into decasyllabics, perhaps a +result of a study of the dramatists. Sir William Herrick is sometimes +addressed in them as his most "careful" uncle, but at the time of his +migration the poet speaks of his "ebbing estate," and as late as 1629 he +was still L10 16s. 9d. in debt to the College Steward. We can thus +hardly imagine that he was possessed of any considerable private income +when he returned to London, to live practically on his wits, and a study +of his poems suggests that, the influence of the careful uncle removed, +whatever capital he possessed was soon likely to vanish.[B] His verses +to the Earl of Pembroke, to Endymion Porter and to others, show that he +was glad of "pay" as well as "praise," but the system of patronage +brought no discredit with it, and though the absence of any poetical +mention of his uncle suggests that the rich goldsmith was not +well-pleased with his nephew, with the rest of his well-to-do relations +Herrick seems to have remained on excellent terms. + +[B] Yet in his _Farewell to Poetry_ he distinctly says:-- + + "I've more to bear my charge than way to go"; + +the line, however, is a translation from his favourite Seneca, Ep. 77. + +Besides patrons, such as Pembroke, Westmoreland, Newark, Buckingham, +Herrick had less distinguished friends at Court, Edward Norgate, Jack +Crofts and others. He composed the words for two New Year anthems which +were set to music by Henry Lawes, and he was probably personally known +both to the King and Queen. Outside the Court he reckoned himself one of +Ben Jonson's disciples, "Sons of Ben" as they were called, had friends +at the Inns of Court, knew the organist of Westminster Abbey and his +pretty daughters, and had every temptation to live an amusing and +expensive life. His poems were handed about in manuscript after the +fashion of the time, and wherever music and poetry were loved he was +sure to be a welcome guest. + +Mr. Hazlitt's conjecture that Herrick at this time may have held some +small post in the Chapel at Whitehall is not unreasonable, but at what +date he took Holy Orders is not known. In 1627 he obtained the post of +chaplain to the unlucky expedition to the Isle of Rhe, and two years +later (September 30, 1629) he was presented by the King to the Vicarage +of Dean Prior, in Devonshire, which the promotion of its previous +incumbent, Dr. Potter, to the Bishopric of Carlisle, had left in the +royal gift. The annual value of the living was only L50 (L250 present +value), no great prize, but the poem entitled _Mr. Robert Hericke: his +farwell unto Poetrie_ (not printed in _Hesperides_, but extant in more +than one manuscript version) shows that the poet was not unaware of the +responsibilities of his profession. "But unto me," he says to his Muse: + + "But unto me be only hoarse, since now + (Heaven and my soul bear record of my vow) + I my desires screw from thee and direct + Them and my thoughts to that sublime respect + And conscience unto priesthood. 'Tis not need + (The scarecrow unto mankind) that doth breed + Wiser conclusions in me, since I know + I've more to bear my charge than way to go; + Or had I not, I'd stop the spreading itch + Of craving more: so in conceit be rich; + But 'tis the God of nature who intends + And shapes my function for more glorious ends." + +Perhaps it was at this time too that Herrick wrote his _Farewell to +Sack_, and although he returned both to sack and to poetry we should be +wrong in imagining him as a "blind mouth," using his office merely as a +means of gain. He celebrated the births of Charles II and his brother in +verse, perhaps with an eye to future royal favours, but no more than +Chaucer's good parson does he seem to have "run to London unto Seynte +Poules" in search of the seventeenth century equivalent for a chauntry, +and many of his poems show him living the life of a contented country +clergyman, sharing the contents of bin and cruse with his poor +parishioners, and jotting down sermon-notes in verse. + +The great majority of Herrick's poems cannot be dated, and it is idle to +enquire which were written before his ordination and which afterwards. +His conception of religion was medieval in its sensuousness, and he +probably repeated the stages of sin, repentance and renewed assurance +with some facility. He lived with an old servant, Prudence Baldwin, the +"Prew" of many of his poems; kept a spaniel named Tracy, and, so says +tradition, a tame pig. When his parishioners annoyed him he seems to +have comforted himself with epigrams on them; when they slumbered during +one of his sermons the manuscript was suddenly hurled at them with a +curse for their inattention. + +In the same year that Herrick was appointed to his country vicarage his +mother died while living with her daughter, Mercy, the poet's dearest +sister (see 818), then for some time married to John Wingfield of +Brantham in Suffolk (see 590), by whom she had three sons and a +daughter, also called Mercy. His eldest brother, Thomas, had been placed +with a Mr. Massam, a merchant, but as early as 1610 had retired to live +a country life in Leicestershire (see 106). He appears to have married a +wife named Elizabeth, whose loss Herrick laments (see 72). Nicholas, the +next brother was more adventurous. He had become a merchant trading to +the Levant, and in this capacity had visited the Holy Land (see 1100). +To his wife Susanna, daughter of William Salter, Herrick addresses two +poems (522 and 977). There were three sons and four daughters in this +family, and Herrick wrote a poem to one of the daughters, Bridget (562), +and an elegy on another, Elizabeth (376). When Mrs. Herrick died the +bulk of her property was left to the Wingfields, but William Herrick +received a legacy of L100, with ten pounds apiece to his two children, +and a ring of twenty shillings to his wife. Nicholas and Robert were +only left twenty-shilling rings, and the administration of the will was +entrusted to William Herrick and the Wingfields. The will may have been +the result of a family arrangement, and we have no reason to believe +that the unequal division gave rise to any ill-feeling. Herrick's +address to "his dying brother, Master William Herrick" (186), shows +abundant affection, and there is every reason to believe that it was +addressed to the William who administered to Mrs. Herrick's will. + +While little nephews and nieces were springing up around him, Herrick +remained unmarried, and frequently congratulates himself on his freedom +from the yoke matrimonial. He imagined how he would bid farewell to his +wife, if he had one (465), and wrote magnificent epithalamia for his +friends, but lived and died a bachelor. When first civil troubles and +then civil war cast a shadow over the land, it is not very easy to say +how he viewed the contending parties. He was devoted to Charles and +Henrietta Maria and the young Prince of Wales, and rejoiced at every +Royalist success. Many also of his poems breathe the spirit of +unquestioning loyalty, but in others he is less certain of kingly +wisdom. Something, however, must be allowed for his evident habit of +versifying any phrase or epigram which impressed him, and not all his +poems need be regarded as expressions of his personal opinions. But with +whatever doubts his loyalty was qualified, it was sufficiently obvious +to procure his ejection from his living in 1648; and, making the best of +his loss, he bade farewell to Dean Prior, shook the dust of "loathed +Devonshire" off his feet, and returned gaily to London, where he appears +to have discarded his clerical habit and to have been made abundantly +welcome by his friends. + +Free from the cares of his incumbency, and free also from the restraints +it imposed, Herrick's thoughts turned to the publication of his poems. +As we have said, in his old Court-days these had found some circulation +in manuscript, and in 1635 one of his fairy poems was printed, probably +without his leave (see Appendix). In 1639 his poem (575) _The Apparition +of his Mistress calling him to Elysium_ was licensed at Stationers' Hall +under the title of _His Mistress' Shade_, and it was included the next +year in an edition of Shakespeare's Poems (see Notes). On April 29, +1640, "The severall poems written by Master Robert Herrick," were +entered as to be published by Andrew Crook, but no trace of such a +volume has been discovered, and it was only in 1648 that _Hesperides_ at +length appeared. Two years later upwards of eighty of the poems in it +were printed in the 1650 edition of _Witt's Recreations_, but a small +number of these show considerable variations from the _Hesperides_ +versions, and it is probable that they were printed from the poet's +manuscript. Compilers of other miscellanies and song books laid Herrick +under contribution, but, with the one exception of his contribution to +the _Lacrymae Musarum_ in 1649, no fresh production of his pen has been +preserved, and we know nothing further of his life save that he returned +to Dean Prior after the Restoration (August 24, 1662), and that +according to the parish register "Robert Herrick, Vicker, was buried +y^e 15th day October, 1674." + + ALFRED W. POLLARD + + + + +NOTE TO SECOND EDITION. + + +In this edition some trifling errors, which had crept into the text and +the numeration of the poems, have been corrected, and many fresh +illustrations of Herrick's reading added in the notes, which have +elsewhere been slightly compressed to make room for them. Almost all of +the new notes have been supplied from the manuscript collections of a +veteran student of Herrick who placed himself in correspondence with me +after the publication of my first edition. To my great regret I am not +allowed to make my acknowledgments to him by name. + + A. W. P. + + + + + HESPERIDES: + OR, + THE WORKS + BOTH + HUMANE & DIVINE + OF + ROBERT HERRICK _Esq._ + + + + OVID. + + _Effugient avidos Carmina nostra Rogos._ + + + + _LONDON._ + + Printed for _John Williams_, and _Francis Eglesfield_, + and are to be sold by _Tho: Hunt_, Book-seller + in _Exon._ 1648. + + + + + TO THE + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND MOST HOPEFUL + PRINCE. + CHARLES, + PRINCE OF WALES. + + Well may my book come forth like public day + When such a light as you are leads the way, + Who are my work's creator, and alone + The flame of it, and the expansion. + And look how all those heavenly lamps acquire + Light from the sun, that inexhausted fire, + So all my morn and evening stars from you + Have their existence, and their influence too. + Full is my book of glories; but all these + By you become immortal substances. + + + + +HESPERIDES. + + +1. 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 + By these to sing of cleanly wantonness; + I sing of dews, of rains, and piece by piece + Of balm, of oil, of spice and ambergris; + I sing of times trans-shifting, and I write + How roses first came red and lilies white; + I write of groves, of twilights, and I sing + The Court of Mab, and of the Fairy King; + I write of hell; I sing (and ever shall) + Of heaven, and hope to have it after all. + + _Hock-cart_, the last cart from the harvest-field. + _Wakes_, village festivals, properly on the dedication-day of a church. + _Ambergris_, 'grey amber,' much used in perfumery. + + +2. TO HIS MUSE. + + Whither, mad maiden, wilt thou roam? + Far safer 'twere to stay at home, + Where thou mayst sit and piping please + The poor and private cottages, + Since cotes and hamlets best agree + With this thy meaner minstrelsy. + There with the reed thou mayst express + The shepherd's fleecy happiness, + And with thy eclogues intermix + Some smooth and harmless bucolics. + There on a hillock thou mayst sing + Unto a handsome shepherdling, + Or to a girl, that keeps the neat, + With breath more sweet than violet. + There, there, perhaps, such lines as these + May take the simple villages; + But for the court, the country wit + Is despicable unto it. + Stay, then, at home, and do not go + Or fly abroad to seek for woe. + Contempts in courts and cities dwell, + No critic haunts the poor man's cell, + Where thou mayst hear thine own lines read + By no one tongue there censured. + That man's unwise will search for ill, + And may prevent it, sitting still. + + +3. TO HIS BOOK. + + While thou didst keep thy candour undefil'd, + Dearly I lov'd thee as my first-born child, + But when I saw thee wantonly to roam + From house to house, and never stay at home, + I brake my bonds of love, and bade thee go, + Regardless whether well thou sped'st or no. + On with thy fortunes then, whate'er they be: + If good, I'll smile; if bad, I'll sigh for thee. + + +4. ANOTHER. + + To read my book the virgin shy + May blush while Brutus standeth by, + But when he's gone, read through what's writ, + And never stain a cheek for it. + + _Brutus_, see Martial, xi. 16, quoted in Note at the end of the volume. + + +7. TO HIS BOOK. + + Come thou not near those men who are like bread + O'er-leaven'd, or like cheese o'er-renneted. + + +8. WHEN HE WOULD HAVE HIS VERSES READ. + + In sober mornings, do not thou rehearse + The holy incantation of a verse; + But when that men have both well drunk and fed, + Let my enchantments then be sung or read. + When laurel spirts i'th' fire, and when the hearth + Smiles to itself, and gilds the roof with mirth; + When up the thyrse[C] is rais'd, and when the sound + Of sacred orgies[D] flies, a round, a round. + When the rose reigns, and locks with ointments shine, + Let rigid Cato read these lines of mine. + + _Round_, a rustic dance. + _Cato_, see Martial, x. 17, quoted in Note. + +[C] "A javelin twined with ivy" (Note in the original edition). + +[D] "Songs to Bacchus" (Note in the original edition.) + + +9. UPON JULIA'S RECOVERY. + + Droop, droop no more, or hang the head, + Ye roses almost withered; + Now strength and newer purple get, + Each here declining violet. + O primroses! let this day be + A resurrection unto ye; + And to all flowers ally'd in blood, + Or sworn to that sweet sisterhood: + For health on Julia's cheek hath shed + Claret and cream commingled; + And those her lips do now appear + As beams of coral, but more clear. + + _Beams_, perhaps here = branches: but cp. 440. + + +10. TO SILVIA TO WED. + + Let us, though late, at last, my Silvia, wed, + And loving lie in one devoted bed. + Thy watch may stand, my minutes fly post-haste; + No sound calls back the year that once is past. + Then, sweetest Silvia, let's no longer stay; + _True love, we know, precipitates delay._ + Away with doubts, all scruples hence remove; + _No man at one time can be wise and love._ + + +11. THE PARLIAMENT OF ROSES TO JULIA. + + I dreamt the roses one time went + To meet and sit in parliament; + The place for these, and for the rest + Of flowers, was thy spotless breast, + Over the which a state was drawn + Of tiffanie or cobweb lawn. + Then in that parly all those powers + Voted the rose the queen of flowers; + But so as that herself should be + The maid of honour unto thee. + + _State_, a canopy. + _Tiffanie_, gauze. + _Parly_, a parliament. + + +12. NO BASHFULNESS IN BEGGING. + + To get thine ends, lay bashfulness aside; + _Who fears to ask doth teach to be deny'd._ + + +13. THE FROZEN HEART. + + I freeze, I freeze, and nothing dwells + In me but snow and icicles. + For pity's sake, give your advice, + To melt this snow and thaw this ice. + I'll drink down flames; but if so be + Nothing but love can supple me, + I'll rather keep this frost and snow + Than to be thaw'd or heated so. + + +14. TO PERILLA. + + Ah, my Perilla! dost thou grieve to see + Me, day by day, to steal away from thee? + Age calls me hence, and my grey hairs bid come, + And haste away to mine eternal home; + 'Twill not be long, Perilla, after this, + That I must give thee the supremest kiss. + Dead when I am, first cast in salt, and bring + Part of the cream from that religious spring; + With which, Perilla, wash my hands and feet; + That done, then wind me in that very sheet + Which wrapt thy smooth limbs when thou didst implore + The gods' protection but the night before. + Follow me weeping to my turf, and there + Let fall a primrose, and with it a tear: + Then, lastly, let some weekly-strewings be + Devoted to the memory of me: + Then shall my ghost not walk about, but keep + Still in the cool and silent shades of sleep. + + _Weekly strewings_, _i.e._, of flowers on his grave. + _First cast in salt_, cp. 769. + + +15. A SONG TO THE MASKERS. + + Come down and dance ye in the toil + Of pleasures to a heat; + But if to moisture, let the oil + Of roses be your sweat. + + Not only to yourselves assume + These sweets, but let them fly + From this to that, and so perfume + E'en all the standers by; + + As goddess Isis, when she went + Or glided through the street, + Made all that touched her, with her scent, + And whom she touched, turn sweet. + + +16. TO PERENNA. + + When I thy parts run o'er, I can't espy + In any one the least indecency; + But every line and limb diffused thence + A fair and unfamiliar excellence: + So that the more I look the more I prove + There's still more cause why I the more should love. + + _Indecency_, uncomeliness. + + +17. TREASON. + + The seeds of treason choke up as they spring: + _He acts the crime that gives it cherishing_. + + +18. TWO THINGS ODIOUS. + + Two of a thousand things are disallow'd: + A lying rich man, and a poor man proud. + + +19. TO HIS MISTRESSES. + + Help me! help me! now I call + To my pretty witchcrafts all; + Old I am, and cannot do + That I was accustomed to. + Bring your magics, spells, and charms, + To enflesh my thighs and arms. + Is there no way to beget + In my limbs their former heat? + AEson had, as poets feign, + Baths that made him young again: + Find that medicine, if you can, + For your dry decrepit man + Who would fain his strength renew, + Were it but to pleasure you. + + _AEson_, rejuvenated by Medea; see Ovid, Met. vii. + + +20. THE WOUNDED HEART. + + Come bring your sampler, and with art + Draw in't a wounded heart + And dropping here and there: + Not that I think that any dart + Can make yours bleed a tear, + Or pierce it anywhere; + Yet do it to this end: that I + May by + This secret see, + Though you can make + That heart to bleed, yours ne'er will ache + For me. + + +21. NO LOATHSOMENESS IN LOVE. + + What I fancy I approve, + _No dislike there is in love_. + Be my mistress short or tall, + And distorted therewithal: + Be she likewise one of those + That an acre hath of nose: + Be her forehead and her eyes + Full of incongruities: + Be her cheeks so shallow too + As to show her tongue wag through; + Be her lips ill hung or set, + And her grinders black as jet: + Has she thin hair, hath she none, + She's to me a paragon. + + +22. TO ANTHEA. + + If, dear Anthea, my hard fate it be + To live some few sad hours after thee, + Thy sacred corse with odours I will burn, + And with my laurel crown thy golden urn. + Then holding up there such religious things + As were, time past, thy holy filletings, + Near to thy reverend pitcher I will fall + Down dead for grief, and end my woes withal: + So three in one small plat of ground shall lie-- + Anthea, Herrick, and his poetry. + + +23. THE WEEPING CHERRY. + + I saw a cherry weep, and why? + Why wept it? but for shame + Because my Julia's lip was by, + And did out-red the same. + But, pretty fondling, let not fall + A tear at all for that: + Which rubies, corals, scarlets, all + For tincture wonder at. + + +24. SOFT MUSIC. + + The mellow touch of music most doth wound + The soul when it doth rather sigh than sound. + + +25. THE DIFFERENCE BETWIXT KINGS AND SUBJECTS. + + 'Twixt kings and subjects there's this mighty odds: + Subjects are taught by men; kings by the gods. + + +26. HIS ANSWER TO A QUESTION. + + Some would know + Why I so + Long still do tarry, + And ask why + Here that I + Live and not marry. + Thus I those + Do oppose: + What man would be here + Slave to thrall, + If at all + He could live free here? + + +27. UPON JULIA'S FALL. + + Julia was careless, and withal + She rather took than got a fall, + The wanton ambler chanc'd to see + Part of her legs' sincerity: + And ravish'd thus, it came to pass, + The nag (like to the prophet's ass) + Began to speak, and would have been + A-telling what rare sights he'd seen: + And had told all; but did refrain + Because his tongue was tied again. + + +28. EXPENSES EXHAUST. + + Live with a thrifty, not a needy fate; + _Small shots paid often waste a vast estate_. + + _Shots_, debts. + + +29. LOVE, WHAT IT IS. + + Love is a circle that doth restless move + In the same sweet eternity of love. + + +30. PRESENCE AND ABSENCE. + + When what is lov'd is present, love doth spring; + But being absent, love lies languishing. + + +31. NO SPOUSE BUT A SISTER. + + A bachelor I will + Live as I have liv'd still, + And never take a wife + To crucify my life; + But this I'll tell ye too, + What now I mean to do: + A sister (in the stead + Of wife) about I'll lead; + Which I will keep embrac'd, + And kiss, but yet be chaste. + + +32. THE POMANDER BRACELET. + + To me my Julia lately sent + A bracelet richly redolent: + The beads I kissed, but most lov'd her + That did perfume the pomander. + + _Pomander_, a ball of scent. + + +33. THE SHOE-TYING. + + Anthea bade me tie her shoe; + I did; and kissed the instep too: + And would have kissed unto her knee, + Had not her blush rebuked me. + + +34. THE CARCANET. + + Instead of orient pearls of jet + I sent my love a carcanet; + About her spotless neck she knit + The lace, to honour me or it: + Then think how rapt was I to see + My jet t'enthral such ivory. + + _Carcanet_, necklace. + _Lace_, any kind of girdle; used here for the necklace. + + +35. HIS SAILING FROM JULIA. + + When that day comes, whose evening says I'm gone + Unto that watery desolation, + Devoutly to thy closet-gods then pray + That my wing'd ship may meet no remora. + Those deities which circum-walk the seas, + And look upon our dreadful passages, + Will from all dangers re-deliver me + For one drink-offering poured out by thee. + Mercy and truth live with thee! and forbear + (In my short absence) to unsluice a tear; + But yet for love's sake let thy lips do this, + Give my dead picture one engendering kiss: + Work that to life, and let me ever dwell + In thy remembrance, Julia. So farewell. + + _Closet-gods_, the Roman Lares. + _Remora_, the sea Lamprey or suckstone, believed to check the course of + ships by clinging to their keels. + + +36. HOW THE WALL-FLOWER CAME FIRST, AND WHY SO CALLED. + + Why this flower is now call'd so, + List, sweet maids, and you shall know. + Understand, this firstling was + Once a brisk and bonnie lass, + Kept as close as Danae was: + Who a sprightly springall lov'd, + And to have it fully prov'd, + Up she got upon a wall, + Tempting down to slide withal: + But the silken twist untied, + So she fell, and, bruis'd, she died. + Love, in pity of the deed, + And her loving-luckless speed, + Turn'd her to this plant we call + Now _the flower of the wall_. + + _Tempting_, trying. + + +37. WHY FLOWERS CHANGE COLOUR. + + These fresh beauties (we can prove) + Once were virgins sick of love. + Turn'd to flowers,--still in some + Colours go and colours come. + + +38. TO HIS MISTRESS OBJECTING TO HIM NEITHER TOYING OR TALKING. + + You say I love not, 'cause I do not play + Still with your curls, and kiss the time away. + You blame me too, because I can't devise + Some sport to please those babies in your eyes: + By love's religion, I must here confess it, + The most I love when I the least express it. + _Small griefs find tongues_: full casks are ever found + To give (if any, yet) but little sound. + _Deep waters noiseless are_; and this we know, + _That chiding streams betray small depth below_. + So, when love speechless is, she doth express + A depth in love and that depth bottomless. + Now, since my love is tongueless, know me such + Who speak but little 'cause I love so much. + + _Babies in your eyes_, see Note. + + +39. UPON THE LOSS OF HIS MISTRESSES. + + I have lost, and lately, these + Many dainty mistresses: + Stately Julia, prime of all: + Sappho next, a principal: + Smooth Anthea for a skin + White, and heaven-like crystalline: + Sweet Electra, and the choice + Myrrha for the lute and voice: + Next Corinna, for her wit, + And the graceful use of it: + With Perilla: all are gone; + Only Herrick's left alone + For to number sorrow by + Their departures hence, and die. + + +40. THE DREAM. + + Methought last night Love in an anger came + And brought a rod, so whipt me with the same; + Myrtle the twigs were, merely to imply + Love strikes, but 'tis with gentle cruelty. + Patient I was: Love pitiful grew then + And strok'd the stripes, and I was whole again. + Thus, like a bee, Love gentle still doth bring + Honey to salve where he before did sting. + + +42. TO LOVE. + + I'm free from thee; and thou no more shalt hear + My puling pipe to beat against thine ear. + Farewell my shackles, though of pearl they be; + Such precious thraldom ne'er shall fetter me. + He loves his bonds who, when the first are broke, + Submits his neck unto a second yoke. + + +43. ON HIMSELF. + + Young I was, but now am old, + But I am not yet grown cold; + I can play, and I can twine + 'Bout a virgin like a vine: + In her lap too I can lie + Melting, and in fancy die; + And return to life if she + Claps my cheek, or kisseth me: + Thus, and thus it now appears + That our love outlasts our years. + + +44. LOVE'S PLAY AT PUSH-PIN. + + Love and myself, believe me, on a day + At childish push-pin, for our sport, did play; + I put, he pushed, and, heedless of my skin, + Love pricked my finger with a golden pin; + Since which it festers so that I can prove + 'Twas but a trick to poison me with love: + Little the wound was, greater was the smart, + The finger bled, but burnt was all my heart. + + _Push-pin_, a game in which pins are pushed with an endeavor to cross + them. + + +45. THE ROSARY. + + One ask'd me where the roses grew: + I bade him not go seek, + But forthwith bade my Julia show + A bud in either cheek. + + +46. UPON CUPID. + + Old wives have often told how they + Saw Cupid bitten by a flea; + And thereupon, in tears half drown'd, + He cried aloud: Help, help the wound! + He wept, he sobb'd, he call'd to some + To bring him lint and balsamum, + To make a tent, and put it in + Where the stiletto pierced the skin; + Which, being done, the fretful pain + Assuaged, and he was well again. + + _Tent_, a roll of lint for probing wounds. + + +47. THE PARCAE; OR, THREE DAINTY DESTINIES: THE ARMILLET. + + Three lovely sisters working were, + As they were closely set, + Of soft and dainty maidenhair + A curious armillet. + I, smiling, asked them what they did, + Fair Destinies all three, + Who told me they had drawn a thread + Of life, and 'twas for me. + They show'd me then how fine 'twas spun, + And I reply'd thereto,-- + "I care not now how soon 'tis done, + Or cut, if cut by you". + + +48. SORROWS SUCCEED. + + When one is past, another care we have: + _Thus woe succeeds a woe, as wave a wave_. + + +49. CHERRY-PIT. + + Julia and I did lately sit + Playing for sport at cherry-pit: + She threw; I cast; and, having thrown, + I got the pit, and she the stone. + + _Cherry-pit_, a game in which cherry-stones were pitched into a small + hole. + + +50. TO ROBIN REDBREAST. + + Laid out for dead, let thy last kindness be + With leaves and moss-work for to cover me: + And while the wood-nymphs my cold corpse inter, + Sing thou my dirge, sweet-warbling chorister! + For epitaph, in foliage, next write this: + _Here, here the tomb of Robin Herrick is_. + + +51. DISCONTENTS IN DEVON. + + More discontents I never had + Since I was born than here, + Where I have been, and still am sad, + In this dull Devonshire; + Yet, justly too, I must confess + I ne'er invented such + Ennobled numbers for the press, + Than where I loathed so much. + + +52. TO HIS PATERNAL COUNTRY. + + O earth! earth! earth! hear thou my voice, and be + Loving and gentle for to cover me: + Banish'd from thee I live, ne'er to return, + Unless thou giv'st my small remains an urn. + + +53. CHERRY-RIPE. + + Cherry-ripe, ripe, ripe, I cry, + Full and fair ones; come and buy. + If so be you ask me where + They do grow, I answer: There, + Where my Julia's lips do smile; + There's the land, or cherry-isle, + Whose plantations fully show + All the year where cherries grow. + + +54. TO HIS MISTRESSES. + + Put on your silks, and piece by piece + Give them the scent of ambergris; + And for your breaths, too, let them smell + Ambrosia-like, or nectarel; + While other gums their sweets perspire, + By your own jewels set on fire. + + +55. TO ANTHEA. + + Now is the time, when all the lights wax dim; + And thou, Anthea, must withdraw from him + Who was thy servant. Dearest, bury me + Under that Holy-oak or Gospel-tree, + Where, though thou see'st not, thou may'st think upon + Me, when thou yearly go'st procession; + Or, for mine honour, lay me in that tomb + In which thy sacred relics shall have room. + For my embalming, sweetest, there will be + No spices wanting when I'm laid by thee. + + _Holy oak_, the oak under which the minister read the Gospel in the + procession round the parish bounds in Rogation week. + + +56. THE VISION TO ELECTRA. + + I dreamed we both were in a bed + Of roses, almost smothered: + The warmth and sweetness had me there + Made lovingly familiar, + But that I heard thy sweet breath say, + Faults done by night will blush by day. + I kissed thee, panting, and, I call + Night to the record! that was all. + But, ah! if empty dreams so please, + Love give me more such nights as these. + + +57. DREAMS. + + Here we are all by day; by night we're hurl'd + By dreams, each one into a sev'ral world. + + +58. AMBITION. + + In man ambition is the common'st thing; + Each one by nature loves to be a king. + + +59. HIS REQUEST TO JULIA. + + Julia, if I chance to die + Ere I print my poetry, + I most humbly thee desire + To commit it to the fire: + Better 'twere my book were dead + Than to live not perfected. + + +60. MONEY GETS THE MASTERY. + + Fight thou with shafts of silver and o'ercome, + When no force else can get the masterdom. + + +61. THE SCARE-FIRE. + + Water, water I desire, + Here's a house of flesh on fire; + Ope the fountains and the springs, + And come all to bucketings: + What ye cannot quench pull down; + Spoil a house to save a town: + Better 'tis that one should fall, + Than by one to hazard all. + + _Scare-fire_, fire-alarm. + + +62. UPON SILVIA, A MISTRESS. + + When some shall say, Fair once my Silvia was, + Thou wilt complain, False now's thy looking-glass, + Which renders that quite tarnished which was green, + And priceless now what peerless once had been. + Upon thy form more wrinkles yet will fall, + And, coming down, shall make no noise at all. + + _Priceless_, valueless. + + +63. CHEERFULNESS IN CHARITY; OR, THE SWEET SACRIFICE. + + 'Tis not a thousand bullocks' thighs + Can please those heav'nly deities, + If the vower don't express + In his offering cheerfulness. + + +65. SWEETNESS IN SACRIFICE. + + 'Tis not greatness they require + To be offer'd up by fire; + But 'tis sweetness that doth please + Those _Eternal Essences_. + + +66. STEAM IN SACRIFICE. + + If meat the gods give, I the steam + High-towering will devote to them, + Whose easy natures like it well, + If we the roast have, they the smell. + + +67. UPON JULIA'S VOICE. + + So smooth, so sweet, so silv'ry is thy voice, + As, could they hear, the damn'd would make no noise, + But listen to thee, walking in thy chamber, + Melting melodious words to lutes of amber. + + _Amber_, used here merely for any rich material: cp. "Treading on amber + with their silver feet". + + +68. AGAIN. + + When I thy singing next shall hear, + I'll wish I might turn all to ear + To drink in notes and numbers such + As blessed souls can't hear too much; + Then melted down, there let me lie + Entranc'd and lost confusedly, + And, by thy music stricken mute, + Die and be turn'd into a lute. + + +69. ALL THINGS DECAY AND DIE. + + _All things decay with time_: the forest sees + The growth and downfall of her aged trees; + That timber tall, which threescore lusters stood + The proud dictator of the state-like wood,-- + I mean (the sovereign of all plants) the oak-- + Droops, dies, and falls without the cleaver's stroke. + + _Lusters_, the Roman reckoning of five years. + + +70. THE SUCCESSION OF THE FOUR SWEET MONTHS. + + First, April, she with mellow showers + Opens the way for early flowers; + Then after her comes smiling May, + In a more rich and sweet array; + Next enters June, and brings us more + Gems than those two that went before: + Then (lastly) July comes, and she + More wealth brings in than all those three. + + +71. NO SHIPWRECK OF VIRTUE. TO A FRIEND. + + Thou sail'st with others in this Argus here; + Nor wreck or bulging thou hast cause to fear; + But trust to this, my noble passenger; + Who swims with virtue, he shall still be sure + (Ulysses-like) all tempests to endure, + And 'midst a thousand gulfs to be secure. + + _Bulging_, leaking. + + +72. UPON HIS SISTER-IN-LAW, MISTRESS ELIZABETH HERRICK. + + First, for effusions due unto the dead, + My solemn vows have here accomplished: + Next, how I love thee, that my grief must tell, + Wherein thou liv'st for ever. Dear, farewell. + + _Effusions_, drink-offerings. + + +73. OF LOVE. A SONNET. + + How love came in I do not know, + Whether by the eye, or ear, or no; + Or whether with the soul it came + (At first) infused with the same; + Whether in part 'tis here or there, + Or, like the soul, whole everywhere, + This troubles me: but I as well + As any other this can tell: + That when from hence she does depart + The outlet then is from the heart. + + +74. TO ANTHEA. + + Ah, my Anthea! Must my heart still break? + (_Love makes me write, what shame forbids to speak_.) + Give me a kiss, and to that kiss a score; + Then to that twenty add a hundred more: + A thousand to that hundred: so kiss on, + To make that thousand up a million. + Treble that million, and when that is done + Let's kiss afresh, as when we first begun. + But yet, though love likes well such scenes as these, + There is an act that will more fully please: + Kissing and glancing, soothing, all make way + But to the acting of this private play: + Name it I would; but, being blushing red, + The rest I'll speak when we meet both in bed. + + +75. THE ROCK OF RUBIES, AND THE QUARRY OF PEARLS. + + Some ask'd me where the rubies grew, + And nothing I did say: + But with my finger pointed to + The lips of Julia. + Some ask'd how pearls did grow, and where; + Then spoke I to my girl, + To part her lips, and show'd them there + The quarrelets of Pearl. + + _Quarrelets_, little squares. + + +76. CONFORMITY. + + Conformity was ever known + A foe to dissolution: + Nor can we that a ruin call, + Whose crack gives crushing unto all. + + +77. TO THE KING, UPON HIS COMING WITH HIS ARMY INTO THE WEST. + + Welcome, most welcome to our vows and us, + Most great and universal genius! + The drooping West, which hitherto has stood + As one in long-lamented widowhood, + Looks like a bride now, or a bed of flowers + Newly refresh'd both by the sun and showers. + War, which before was horrid, now appears + Lovely in you, brave prince of cavaliers! + A deal of courage in each bosom springs + By your access, O you the best of kings! + Ride on with all white omens; so that where + Your standard's up, we fix a conquest there. + + +78. UPON ROSES. + + Under a lawn, than skies more clear, + Some ruffled roses nestling were: + And, snugging there, they seem'd to lie + As in a flowery nunnery: + They blush'd, and look'd more fresh than flowers + Quicken'd of late by pearly showers, + And all because they were possess'd + But of the heat of Julia's breast: + Which, as a warm and moisten'd spring, + Gave them their ever-flourishing. + + +79. TO THE KING AND QUEEN UPON THEIR UNHAPPY DISTANCES. + + Woe, woe to them, who, by a ball of strife, + Do, and have parted here a man and wife: + CHARLES the best husband, while MARIA strives + To be, and is, the very best of wives, + Like streams, you are divorc'd; but 'twill come when + These eyes of mine shall see you mix again. + Thus speaks the oak here; C. and M. shall meet, + Treading on amber, with their silver-feet, + Nor will't be long ere this accomplish'd be: + The words found true, C. M., remember me. + + _Oak_, the prophetic tree. + + +80. DANGERS WAIT ON KINGS. + + As oft as night is banish'd by the morn, + So oft we'll think we see a king new born. + + +81. THE CHEAT OF CUPID; OR, THE UNGENTLE GUEST. + + One silent night of late, + When every creature rested, + Came one unto my gate + And, knocking, me molested. + + Who's that, said I, beats there, + And troubles thus the sleepy? + Cast off, said he, all fear, + And let not locks thus keep ye. + + For I a boy am, who + By moonless nights have swerved; + And all with show'rs wet through, + And e'en with cold half starved. + + I pitiful arose, + And soon a taper lighted; + And did myself disclose + Unto the lad benighted. + + I saw he had a bow + And wings, too, which did shiver; + And, looking down below, + I spied he had a quiver. + + I to my chimney's shine + Brought him, as Love professes, + And chafed his hands with mine, + And dried his drooping tresses. + + But when he felt him warm'd: + Let's try this bow of ours, + And string, if they be harm'd, + Said he, with these late showers. + + Forthwith his bow he bent, + And wedded string and arrow, + And struck me, that it went + Quite through my heart and marrow. + + Then, laughing loud, he flew + Away, and thus said, flying: + Adieu, mine host, adieu, + I'll leave thy heart a-dying. + + +82. TO THE REVEREND SHADE OF HIS RELIGIOUS FATHER. + + That for seven lusters I did never come + To do the rites to thy religious tomb; + That neither hair was cut, or true tears shed + By me, o'er thee, as justments to the dead, + Forgive, forgive me; since I did not know + Whether thy bones had here their rest or no, + But now 'tis known, behold! behold, I bring + Unto thy ghost th' effused offering: + And look what smallage, night-shade, cypress, yew, + Unto the shades have been, or now are due, + Here I devote; and something more than so; + I come to pay a debt of birth I owe. + Thou gav'st me life, but mortal; for that one + Favour I'll make full satisfaction; + For my life mortal rise from out thy hearse. + And take a life immortal from my verse. + + _Seven lusters_, five and thirty years. + _Hair was cut_, according to the Greek custom. + _Justments_, dues. + _Smallage_, water parsley. + + +83. DELIGHT IN DISORDER. + + A sweet disorder in the dress + Kindles in clothes a wantonness: + A lawn about the shoulders thrown + Into a fine distraction: + An erring lace which here and there + Enthralls the crimson stomacher: + A cuff neglectful, and thereby + Ribbons to flow confusedly: + A winning wave, deserving note, + In the tempestuous petticoat: + A careless shoe-string, in whose tie + I see a wild civility: + Do more bewitch me than when art + Is too precise in every part. + + +84. TO HIS MUSE. + + Were I to give thee baptism, I would choose + To christen thee, the bride, the bashful Muse, + Or Muse of roses: since that name does fit + Best with those virgin-verses thou hast writ: + Which are so clean, so chaste, as none may fear + Cato the censor, should he scan each here. + + +85. UPON LOVE. + + Love scorch'd my finger, but did spare + The burning of my heart; + To signify in love my share + Should be a little part. + + Little I love; but if that he + Would but that heat recall; + That joint to ashes burnt should be,[E] + Ere I would love at all. + +[E] Orig. ed., _should be burnt_. + + +86. TO DEAN BOURN, A RUDE RIVER IN DEVON, BY WHICH SOMETIMES HE LIVED. + + Dean Bourn, farewell; I never look to see + Dean, or thy watery[F] incivility. + Thy rocky bottom, that doth tear thy streams + And makes them frantic even to all extremes, + To my content I never should behold, + Were thy streams silver, or thy rocks all gold. + Rocky thou art, and rocky we discover + Thy men, and rocky are thy ways all over. + O men, O manners, now and ever known + To be a rocky generation! + A people currish, churlish as the seas, + And rude almost as rudest savages, + With whom I did, and may re-sojourn when + Rocks turn to rivers, rivers turn to men. + +[F] Orig. ed., _warty_. + + +87. KISSING USURY. + + Bianca, let + Me pay the debt + I owe thee for a kiss + Thou lend'st to me, + And I to thee + Will render ten for this. + + If thou wilt say + Ten will not pay + For that so rich a one; + I'll clear the sum, + If it will come + Unto a million. + + By this, I guess, + Of happiness + Who has a little measure, + He must of right + To th' utmost mite + Make payment for his pleasure. + + +88. TO JULIA. + + How rich and pleasing thou, my Julia, art + In each thy dainty and peculiar part! + First, for thy queenship, on thy head is set + Of flowers a sweet commingled coronet: + About thy neck a carcanet is bound, + Made of the ruby, pearl and diamond: + A golden ring that shines upon thy thumb: + About thy wrist, the rich dardanium.[G] + Between thy breasts (than down of swans more white) + There plays the sapphire with the chrysolite. + No part besides must of thyself be known, + But by the topaz, opal, chalcedon. + + _Carcanet_, necklace. + +[G] _Dardanium_, a bracelet, from Dardanus so called. (Note in the +original edition.) + + +89. TO LAURELS. + + A funeral stone + Or verse I covet none, + But only crave + Of you that I may have + A sacred laurel springing from my grave: + Which being seen, + Blest with perpetual green, + May grow to be + Not so much call'd a tree + As the eternal monument of me. + + +90. HIS CAVALIER. + + Give me that man that dares bestride + The active sea-horse, and with pride + Through that huge field of waters ride. + + Who with his looks, too, can appease + The ruffling winds and raging seas, + In midst of all their outrages. + + This, this a virtuous man can do, + Sail against rocks, and split them too; + Ay, and a world of pikes pass through. + + +91. ZEAL REQUIRED IN LOVE. + + I'll do my best to win whene'er I woo: + _That man loves not who is not zealous too_. + + +92. THE BAG OF THE BEE. + + About the sweet bag of a bee + Two cupids fell at odds, + And whose the pretty prize should be + They vow'd to ask the gods. + + Which Venus hearing, thither came, + And for their boldness stripp'd them, + And, taking thence from each his flame, + With rods of myrtle whipp'd them. + + Which done, to still their wanton cries, + When quiet grown she'd seen them, + She kiss'd, and wip'd their dove-like eyes, + And gave the bag between them. + + +93. LOVE KILLED BY LACK. + + Let me be warm, let me be fully fed, + _Luxurious love by wealth is nourished_. + Let me be lean, and cold, and once grown poor, + I shall dislike what once I lov'd before. + + +94. TO HIS MISTRESS. + + Choose me your valentine, + Next let us marry-- + Love to the death will pine + If we long tarry. + + Promise, and keep your vows, + Or vow ye never-- + Love's doctrine disallows + Troth-breakers ever. + + You have broke promise twice, + Dear, to undo me, + If you prove faithless thrice + None then will woo ye. + + +95. TO THE GENEROUS READER. + + See and not see, and if thou chance t'espy + Some aberrations in my poetry, + Wink at small faults; the greater, ne'ertheless, + Hide, and with them their father's nakedness. + Let's do our best, our watch and ward to keep; + Homer himself, in a long work, may sleep. + + +96. TO CRITICS. + + I'll write, because I'll give + You critics means to live; + For should I not supply + The cause, th' effect would die. + + +97. DUTY TO TYRANTS. + + Good princes must be pray'd for; for the bad + They must be borne with, and in rev'rence had. + Do they first pill thee, next pluck off thy skin? + _Good children kiss the rods that punish sin_. + Touch not the tyrant; let the gods alone + To strike him dead that but usurps a throne. + + _Pill_, plunder. + + +98. BEING ONCE BLIND, HIS REQUEST TO BIANCA. + + When age or chance has made me blind, + So that the path I cannot find, + And when my falls and stumblings are + More than the stones i' th' street by far, + Go thou afore, and I shall well + Follow thy perfumes by the smell; + Or be my guide, and I shall be + Led by some light that flows from thee. + Thus held or led by thee, I shall + In ways confus'd nor slip or fall. + + +100. NO WANT WHERE THERE'S LITTLE. + + To bread and water none is poor; + And having these, what need of more? + Though much from out the cess be spent, + _Nature with little is content_. + + _Cess_, the parish assessment for church purposes. + + +101. BARLEY-BREAK; OR, LAST IN HELL. + + We two are last in hell; what may we fear + To be tormented or kept pris'ners here? + Alas! if kissing be of plagues the worst, + We'll wish in hell we had been last and first. + + _Barley-break_, a country game resembling prisoners' base. See Note. + _Hell_, the "middle den," the occupants of which had to catch the other + players. + + +102. THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTY. + + Beauty no other thing is than a beam + Flashed out between the middle and extreme. + + +103. TO DIANEME. + + Dear, though to part it be a hell, + Yet, Dianeme, now farewell: + Thy frown last night did bid me go, + But whither only grief does know. + I do beseech thee ere we part, + If merciful as fair thou art, + Or else desir'st that maids should tell + Thy pity by love's chronicle, + O Dianeme, rather kill + Me, than to make me languish still! + 'Tis cruelty in thee to th' height + Thus, thus to wound, not kill outright; + Yet there's a way found, if you please, + By sudden death to give me ease; + And thus devis'd, do thou but this-- + Bequeath to me one parting kiss, + So sup'rabundant joy shall be + The executioner of me. + + +104. TO ANTHEA LYING IN BED. + + So looks Anthea, when in bed she lies + O'ercome or half betray'd by tiffanies, + Like to a twilight, or that simpering dawn + That roses show when misted o'er with lawn. + Twilight is yet, till that her lawns give way; + Which done, that dawn turns then to perfect day. + + _Tiffanies_, gauzes. + _Lawn_, fine linen. + + +105. TO ELECTRA. + + More white than whitest lilies far, + Or snow, or whitest swans you are: + More white than are the whitest creams, + Or moonlight tinselling the streams: + More white than pearls, or Juno's thigh, + Or Pelops' arm of ivory. + True, I confess, such whites as these + May me delight, not fully please; + Till like Ixion's cloud you be + White, warm, and soft to lie with me. + + _Pelops' arm_, which Jove gave him to replace the one eaten by Ceres at + the feast of Tantalus. + _Ixion's cloud_, to which Jove, for his deception, gave the form of Juno. + + +106. A COUNTRY-LIFE: TO HIS BROTHER, MR. THO. HERRICK. + + Thrice, and above, bless'd, my soul's half, art thou + In thy both last and better vow: + Could'st leave the city, for exchange, to see + The country's sweet simplicity: + And it to know and practise, with intent + To grow the sooner innocent + By studying to know virtue, and to aim + More at her nature than her name. + The last is but the least; the first doth tell + Ways less to live than to live well: + And both are known to thee, who now can'st live + Led by thy conscience; to give + Justice to soon-pleased nature; and to show + Wisdom and she together go + And keep one centre: this with that conspires + To teach man to confine desires + And know that riches have their proper stint + In the contented mind, not mint: + And can'st instruct that those who have the itch + Of craving more are never rich. + These things thou know'st to th' height, and dost prevent + That plague; because thou art content + With that heav'n gave thee with a wary hand, + More blessed in thy brass than land, + To keep cheap nature even and upright; + To cool, not cocker appetite. + Thus thou canst tersely live to satisfy + The belly chiefly, not the eye; + Keeping the barking stomach wisely quiet, + Less with a neat than needful diet. + But that which most makes sweet thy country life + Is the fruition of a wife: + Whom, stars consenting with thy fate, thou hast + Got not so beautiful as chaste: + By whose warm side thou dost securely sleep, + While love the sentinel doth keep, + With those deeds done by day, which ne'er affright + Thy silken slumbers in the night. + Nor has the darkness power to usher in + Fear to those sheets that know no sin; + But still thy wife, by chaste intentions led, + Gives thee each night a maidenhead. + The damask'd meadows and the pebbly streams + Sweeten and make soft your dreams: + The purling springs, groves, birds, and well-weav'd bowers, + With fields enamelled with flowers, + Present their shapes; while fantasy discloses + Millions of lilies mix'd with roses. + Then dream ye hear the lamb by many a bleat + Woo'd to come suck the milky teat: + While Faunus in the vision comes to keep + From rav'ning wolves the fleecy sheep. + With thousand such enchanting dreams, that meet + To make sleep not so sound as sweet: + Nor can these figures so thy rest endear + As not to rise when Chanticlere + Warns the last watch; but with the dawn dost rise + To work, but first to sacrifice; + Making thy peace with heav'n, for some late fault, + With holy-meal and spirting-salt. + Which done, thy painful thumb this sentence tells us, + _Jove for our labour all things sells us_. + Nor are thy daily and devout affairs + Attended with those desp'rate cares + Th' industrious merchant has; who, for to find + Gold, runneth to the Western Inde, + And back again, tortured with fears, doth fly, + Untaught to suffer poverty. + But thou at home, bless'd with securest ease, + Sitt'st, and believ'st that there be seas + And watery dangers; while thy whiter hap + But sees these things within thy map. + And viewing them with a more safe survey + Mak'st easy fear unto thee say,-- + _"A heart thrice wall'd with oak and brass that man + Had, first durst plough the ocean"_. + But thou at home, without or tide or gale, + Can'st in thy map securely sail: + Seeing those painted countries, and so guess + By those fine shades their substances: + And, from thy compass taking small advice, + Buy'st travel at the lowest price. + Nor are thine ears so deaf but thou canst hear, + Far more with wonder than with fear, + Fame tell of states, of countries, courts, and kings, + And believe there be such things: + When of these truths thy happier knowledge lies + More in thine ears than in thine eyes. + And when thou hear'st by that too true report + Vice rules the most or all at court, + Thy pious wishes are, though thou not there, + Virtue had, and mov'd her sphere. + But thou liv'st fearless; and thy face ne'er shows + Fortune when she comes or goes, + But with thy equal thoughts prepared dost stand, + To take her by the either hand; + Nor car'st which comes the first, the foul or fair: + _A wise man ev'ry way lies square_, + And, like a surly oak with storms perplex'd, + Grows still the stronger, strongly vex'd. + Be so, bold spirit; stand centre-like, unmov'd; + And be not only thought, but prov'd + To be what I report thee; and inure + Thyself, if want comes to endure: + And so thou dost, for thy desires are + Confin'd to live with private lar: + Not curious whether appetite be fed + Or with the first or second bread, + Who keep'st no proud mouth for delicious cates: + Hunger makes coarse meats delicates. + Canst, and unurg'd, forsake that larded fare, + Which art, not nature, makes so rare, + To taste boil'd nettles, colworts, beets, and eat + These and sour herbs as dainty meat, + While soft opinion makes thy Genius say, + _Content makes all ambrosia_. + Nor is it that thou keep'st this stricter size + So much for want as exercise: + To numb the sense of dearth, which should sin haste it, + Thou might'st but only see't, not taste it. + Yet can thy humble roof maintain a choir + Of singing crickets by the fire: + And the brisk mouse may feast herself with crumbs + Till that the green-eyed kitling comes, + Then to her cabin blest she can escape + The sudden danger of a rape: + And thus thy little well-kept stock doth prove + _Wealth cannot make a life, but love_. + Nor art thou so close-handed but canst spend, + Counsel concurring with the end, + As well as spare, still conning o'er this theme, + To shun the first and last extreme. + Ordaining that thy small stock find no breach, + Or to exceed thy tether's reach: + But to live round, and close, and wisely true + To thine own self, and known to few. + Thus let thy rural sanctuary be + Elysium to thy wife and thee; + There to disport yourselves with golden measure: + _For seldom use commends the pleasure_. + Live, and live blest, thrice happy pair; let breath, + But lost to one, be the other's death. + And as there is one love, one faith, one troth, + Be so one death, one grave to both. + Till when, in such assurance live ye may, + Nor fear or wish your dying day. + + _Brass_, money. + _Cocker_, pamper. + _Neat_, dainty. + _Spirting-salt_, the "saliente mica" of Horace, See Note. + _Lar_, the "closet-gods," or gods of the house. + _Colworts_, cabbages. + _Size_ or _assize_, a fixed allowance of food, a ration. + + +107. DIVINATION BY A DAFFODIL. + + When a daffodil I see, + Hanging down his head towards me, + Guess I may what I must be: + First, I shall decline my head; + Secondly, I shall be dead; + Lastly, safely buried. + + +108. TO THE PAINTER, TO DRAW HIM A PICTURE. + + Come, skilful Lupo, now, and take + Thy bice, thy umber, pink, and lake; + And let it be thy pencil's strife, + To paint a Bridgeman to the life: + Draw him as like too, as you can, + An old, poor, lying, flattering man: + His cheeks bepimpled, red and blue; + His nose and lips of mulberry hue. + Then, for an easy fancy, place + A burling iron for his face: + Next, make his cheeks with breath to swell, + And for to speak, if possible: + But do not so, for fear lest he + Should by his breathing, poison thee. + + _Bice_, properly a brown grey, but by transference from "blue bice" and + "green bice," used for blue and green. + _Burling iron_, pincers for extracting knots. + + +111. A LYRIC TO MIRTH. + + While the milder fates consent, + Let's enjoy our merriment: + Drink, and dance, and pipe, and play; + Kiss our dollies night and day: + Crowned with clusters of the vine, + Let us sit, and quaff our wine. + Call on Bacchus, chant his praise; + Shake the thyrse, and bite the bays: + Rouse Anacreon from the dead, + And return him drunk to bed: + Sing o'er Horace, for ere long + Death will come and mar the song: + Then shall Wilson and Gotiere + Never sing or play more here. + + _Wilson_, Dr. John Wilson, the singer and composer, one of the king's + musicians (1594-1673). + _Gotiere_, Jacques Gaultier, a French lutist at the court of Charles I. + + +112. TO THE EARL OF WESTMORELAND. + + When my date's done, and my grey age must die, + Nurse up, great lord, this my posterity: + Weak though it be, long may it grow and stand, + Shored up by you, brave Earl of Westmoreland. + + +113. AGAINST LOVE. + + Whene'er my heart love's warmth but entertains, + Oh frost! oh snow! oh hail! forbid the banes. + One drop now deads a spark, but if the same + Once gets a force, floods cannot quench the flame. + Rather than love, let me be ever lost, + Or let me 'gender with eternal frost. + + +114. UPON JULIA'S RIBAND. + + As shows the air when with a rainbow grac'd, + So smiles that riband 'bout my Julia's waist: + Or like--nay 'tis that zonulet of love, + Wherein all pleasures of the world are wove. + + +115. THE FROZEN ZONE; OR, JULIA DISDAINFUL. + + Whither? say, whither shall I fly, + To slack these flames wherein I fry? + To the treasures, shall I go, + Of the rain, frost, hail, and snow? + Shall I search the underground, + Where all damps and mists are found? + Shall I seek (for speedy ease) + All the floods and frozen seas? + Or descend into the deep, + Where eternal cold does keep? + These may cool; but there's a zone + Colder yet than anyone: + That's my Julia's breast, where dwells + Such destructive icicles, + As that the congelation will + Me sooner starve than those can kill. + + +116. AN EPITAPH UPON A SOBER MATRON. + + With blameless carriage, I lived here + To the almost seven and fortieth year. + Stout sons I had, and those twice three + One only daughter lent to me: + The which was made a happy bride + But thrice three moons before she died. + My modest wedlock, that was known + Contented with the bed of one. + + +117. TO THE PATRON OF POETS, M. END. PORTER. + + Let there be patrons, patrons like to thee, + Brave Porter! poets ne'er will wanting be: + Fabius and Cotta, Lentulus, all live + In thee, thou man of men! who here do'st give + Not only subject-matter for our wit, + But likewise oil of maintenance to it: + For which, before thy threshold, we'll lay down + Our thyrse for sceptre, and our bays for crown. + For, to say truth, all garlands are thy due: + The laurel, myrtle, oak, and ivy too. + + +118. THE SADNESS OF THINGS FOR SAPPHO'S SICKNESS. + + Lilies will languish; violets look ill; + Sickly the primrose; pale the daffodil; + That gallant tulip will hang down his head, + Like to a virgin newly ravished; + Pansies will weep, and marigolds will wither, + And keep a fast and funeral together; + Sappho droop, daisies will open never, + But bid good-night, and close their lids for ever. + + +119. LEANDER'S OBSEQUIES. + + When as Leander young was drown'd + No heart by Love receiv'd a wound, + But on a rock himself sat by, + There weeping sup'rabundantly. + Sighs numberless he cast about, + And, all his tapers thus put out, + His head upon his hand he laid, + And sobbing deeply, thus he said: + "Ah, cruel sea," and, looking on't, + Wept as he'd drown the Hellespont. + And sure his tongue had more express'd + But that his tears forbade the rest. + + +120. HOPE HEARTENS. + + None goes to warfare but with this intent-- + The gains must dead the fears of detriment. + + +121. FOUR THINGS MAKE US HAPPY HERE. + + Health is the first good lent to men; + A gentle disposition then: + Next, to be rich by no by-ways; + Lastly, with friends t'enjoy our days. + + +122. HIS PARTING FROM MRS. DOROTHY KENNEDY. + + When I did go from thee I felt that smart + Which bodies do when souls from them depart. + Thou did'st not mind it; though thou then might'st see + Me turn'd to tears; yet did'st not weep for me. + 'Tis true, I kiss'd thee; but I could not hear + Thee spend a sigh t'accompany my tear. + Methought 'twas strange that thou so hard should'st prove, + Whose heart, whose hand, whose every part spake love. + Prithee, lest maids should censure thee, but say + Thou shed'st one tear, whenas I went away; + And that will please me somewhat: though I know, + And Love will swear't, my dearest did not so. + + +123. THE TEAR SENT TO HER FROM STAINES. + + Glide, gentle streams, and bear + Along with you my tear + To that coy girl + Who smiles, yet slays + Me with delays, + And strings my tears as pearl. + + See! see, she's yonder set, + Making a carcanet + Of maiden-flowers! + There, there present + This orient + And pendant pearl of ours. + + Then say I've sent one more + Gem to enrich her store; + And that is all + Which I can send, + Or vainly spend, + For tears no more will fall. + + Nor will I seek supply + Of them, the spring's once dry; + But I'll devise, + Among the rest, + A way that's best + How I may save mine eyes. + + Yet say--should she condemn + Me to surrender them + Then say my part + Must be to weep + Out them, to keep + A poor, yet loving heart. + + Say too, she would have this; + She shall: then my hope is, + That when I'm poor + And nothing have + To send or save, + I'm sure she'll ask no more. + + _Carcanet_, necklace. + + +124. UPON ONE LILY, WHO MARRIED WITH A MAID CALLED ROSE. + + What times of sweetness this fair day foreshows, + Whenas the Lily marries with the Rose! + What next is look'd for? but we all should see + To spring from thee a sweet posterity. + + +125. AN EPITAPH UPON A CHILD. + + Virgins promis'd when I died + That they would each primrose-tide + Duly, morn and evening, come, + And with flowers dress my tomb. + Having promis'd, pay your debts, + Maids, and here strew violets. + + +127. THE HOUR-GLASS. + + That hour-glass which there you see + With water fill'd, sirs, credit me, + The humour was, as I have read, + But lovers' tears incrystalled. + Which, as they drop by drop do pass + From th' upper to the under-glass, + Do in a trickling manner tell, + By many a watery syllable, + That lovers' tears in lifetime shed + Do restless run when they are dead. + + _Humour_, moisture. + + +128. HIS FAREWELL TO SACK. + + Farewell thou thing, time past so known, so dear + To me as blood to life and spirit; near, + Nay, thou more near than kindred, friend, man, wife, + Male to the female, soul to body; life + To quick action, or the warm soft side + Of the resigning, yet resisting bride. + The kiss of virgins, first fruits of the bed, + Soft speech, smooth touch, the lips, the maidenhead: + These and a thousand sweets could never be + So near or dear as thou wast once to me. + O thou, the drink of gods and angels! wine + That scatter'st spirit and lust, whose purest shine + More radiant than the summer's sunbeams shows; + Each way illustrious, brave, and like to those + Comets we see by night, whose shagg'd portents + Foretell the coming of some dire events, + Or some full flame which with a pride aspires, + Throwing about his wild and active fires; + 'Tis thou, above nectar, O divinest soul! + Eternal in thyself, that can'st control + That which subverts whole nature, grief and care, + Vexation of the mind, and damn'd despair. + 'Tis thou alone who, with thy mystic fan, + Work'st more than wisdom, art, or nature can + To rouse the sacred madness and awake + The frost-bound blood and spirits, and to make + Them frantic with thy raptures flashing through + The soul like lightning, and as active too. + 'Tis not Apollo can, or those thrice three + Castalian sisters, sing, if wanting thee. + Horace, Anacreon, both had lost their fame, + Had'st thou not fill'd them with thy fire and flame. + Ph[oe]bean splendour! and thou, Thespian spring! + Of which sweet swans must drink before they sing + Their true-pac'd numbers and their holy lays, + Which makes them worthy cedar and the bays. + But why, why longer do I gaze upon + Thee with the eye of admiration? + Since I must leave thee, and enforc'd must say + To all thy witching beauties, Go, away. + But if thy whimpering looks do ask me why, + Then know that nature bids thee go, not I. + 'Tis her erroneous self has made a brain + Uncapable of such a sovereign + As is thy powerful self. Prithee not smile, + Or smile more inly, lest thy looks beguile + My vows denounc'd in zeal, which thus much show thee + That I have sworn but by thy looks to know thee. + Let others drink thee freely, and desire + Thee and their lips espous'd, while I admire + And love thee, but not taste thee. Let my muse + Fail of thy former helps, and only use + Her inadult'rate strength: what's done by me + Hereafter shall smell of the lamp, not thee. + + _Shagg'd_, rough-haired. + _Mystic fan_, the "mystica vannus Iacchi" of Georgic, i. 166. + _Cedar_, _i.e._, cedar oil, used for the preservation of manuscripts. + + +130. UPON MRS. ELIZABETH WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF AMARILLIS. + + Sweet Amarillis by a spring's + Soft and soul-melting murmurings + Slept, and thus sleeping, thither flew + A robin-redbreast, who, at view, + Not seeing her at all to stir, + Brought leaves and moss to cover her; + But while he perking there did pry + About the arch of either eye, + The lid began to let out day, + At which poor robin flew away, + And seeing her not dead, but all disleav'd, + He chirp'd for joy to see himself deceiv'd. + + +132. TO MYRRHA, HARD-HEARTED. + + Fold now thine arms and hang the head, + Like to a lily withered; + Next look thou like a sickly moon, + Or like Jocasta in a swoon; + Then weep and sigh and softly go, + Like to a widow drown'd in woe, + Or like a virgin full of ruth + For the lost sweetheart of her youth; + And all because, fair maid, thou art + Insensible of all my smart, + And of those evil days that be + Now posting on to punish thee. + The gods are easy, and condemn + All such as are not soft like them. + + +133. THE EYE. + + Make me a heaven, and make me there + Many a less and greater sphere: + Make me the straight and oblique lines, + The motions, lations and the signs. + Make me a chariot and a sun, + And let them through a zodiac run; + Next place me zones and tropics there, + With all the seasons of the year. + Make me a sunset and a night, + And then present the morning's light + Cloth'd in her chamlets of delight. + To these make clouds to pour down rain, + With weather foul, then fair again. + And when, wise artist, that thou hast + With all that can be this heaven grac't, + Ah! what is then this curious sky + But only my Corinna's eye? + + _Lations_, astral attractions. + _Chamlets_, _i.e._, camlets, stuffs made from camels' hair. + + +134. UPON THE MUCH-LAMENTED MR. J. WARR. + + What wisdom, learning, wit or worth + Youth or sweet nature could bring forth + Rests here with him who was the fame, + The volume of himself and name. + If, reader, then, thou wilt draw near + And do an honour to thy tear, + Weep then for him for whom laments + Not one, but many monuments. + + +136. THE SUSPICION UPON HIS OVER-MUCH FAMILIARITY WITH A GENTLEWOMAN. + + And must we part, because some say + Loud is our love, and loose our play, + And more than well becomes the day? + Alas for pity! and for us + Most innocent, and injured thus! + Had we kept close, or played within, + Suspicion now had been the sin, + And shame had followed long ere this, + T' have plagued what now unpunished is. + But we, as fearless of the sun, + As faultless, will not wish undone + What now is done, since _where no sin + Unbolts the door, no shame comes in_. + Then, comely and most fragrant maid, + Be you more wary than afraid + Of these reports, because you see + The fairest most suspected be. + The common forms have no one eye + Or ear of burning jealousy + To follow them: but chiefly where + Love makes the cheek and chin a sphere + To dance and play in, trust me, there + Suspicion questions every hair. + Come, you are fair, and should be seen + While you are in your sprightful green: + And what though you had been embraced + By me--were you for that unchaste? + No, no! no more than is yond' moon + Which, shining in her perfect noon, + In all that great and glorious light, + Continues cold as is the night. + Then, beauteous maid, you may retire; + And as for me, my chaste desire + Shall move towards you, although I see + Your face no more. So live you free + From fame's black lips, as you from me. + + +137. SINGLE LIFE MOST SECURE. + + Suspicion, discontent, and strife + Come in for dowry with a wife. + + +138. THE CURSE. A SONG. + + Go, perjured man; and if thou e'er return + To see the small remainders in mine urn, + When thou shalt laugh at my religious dust, + And ask: where's now the colour, form and trust + Of woman's beauty? and with hand more rude + Rifle the flowers which the virgins strewed: + Know I have prayed to Fury that some wind + May blow my ashes up, and strike thee blind. + + +139. THE WOUNDED CUPID. SONG. + + 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! + + +140. TO DEWS. A SONG. + + I burn, I burn; and beg of you + To quench or cool me with your dew. + I fry in fire, and so consume, + Although the pile be all perfume. + Alas! the heat and death's the same, + Whether by choice or common flame, + To be in oil of roses drowned, + Or water; where's the comfort found? + Both bring one death; and I die here + Unless you cool me with a tear: + Alas! I call; but ah! I see + Ye cool and comfort all but me. + + +141. SOME COMFORT IN CALAMITY. + + To conquered men, some comfort 'tis to fall + By the hand of him who is the general. + + +142. THE VISION. + + Sitting alone, as one forsook, + Close by a silver-shedding brook, + With hands held up to love, I wept; + And after sorrows spent I slept: + Then in a vision I did see + A glorious form appear to me: + A virgin's face she had; her dress + Was like a sprightly Spartaness. + A silver bow, with green silk strung, + Down from her comely shoulders hung: + And as she stood, the wanton air + Dangled the ringlets of her hair. + Her legs were such Diana shows + When, tucked up, she a-hunting goes; + With buskins shortened to descry + The happy dawning of her thigh: + Which when I saw, I made access + To kiss that tempting nakedness: + But she forbade me with a wand + Of myrtle she had in her hand: + And, chiding me, said: Hence, remove, + Herrick, thou art too coarse to love. + + +143. LOVE ME LITTLE, LOVE ME LONG. + + You say, to me-wards your affection's strong; + Pray love me little, so you love me long. + Slowly goes far: the mean is best: desire, + Grown violent, does either die or tire. + + +144. UPON A VIRGIN KISSING A ROSE. + + 'Twas but a single rose, + Till you on it did breathe; + But since, methinks, it shows + Not so much rose as wreath. + + +145. UPON A WIFE THAT DIED MAD WITH JEALOUSY. + + In this little vault she lies, + Here, with all her jealousies: + Quiet yet; but if ye make + Any noise they both will wake, + And such spirits raise 'twill then + Trouble death to lay again. + + +146. UPON THE BISHOP OF LINCOLN'S IMPRISONMENT. + + Never was day so over-sick with showers + But that it had some intermitting hours; + Never was night so tedious but it knew + The last watch out, and saw the dawning too; + Never was dungeon so obscurely deep + Wherein or light or day did never peep; + Never did moon so ebb, or seas so wane, + But they left hope-seed to fill up again. + So you, my lord, though you have now your stay, + Your night, your prison, and your ebb, you may + Spring up afresh, when all these mists are spent, + And star-like, once more gild our firmament. + Let but that mighty Caesar speak, and then + All bolts, all bars, all gates shall cleave; as when + That earthquake shook the house, and gave the stout + Apostles way, unshackled, to go out. + This, as I wish for, so I hope to see; + Though you, my lord, have been unkind to me, + To wound my heart, and never to apply, + When you had power, the meanest remedy. + Well, though my grief by you was gall'd the more, + Yet I bring balm and oil to heal your sore. + + +147. DISSUASIONS FROM IDLENESS. + + Cynthius, pluck ye by the ear, + That ye may good doctrine hear; + Play not with the maiden-hair, + For each ringlet there's a snare. + Cheek, and eye, and lip, and chin-- + These are traps to take fools in. + Arms, and hands, and all parts else, + Are but toils, or manacles, + Set on purpose to enthral + Men, but slothfuls most of all. + Live employed, and so live free + From these fetters; like to me, + Who have found, and still can prove, + _The lazy man the most doth love_. + + +149. AN EPITHALAMY TO SIR THOMAS SOUTHWELL AND HIS LADY. + + + I. + + Now, now's the time, so oft by truth + Promis'd should come to crown your youth. + Then, fair ones, do not wrong + Your joys by staying long; + Or let love's fire go out, + By lingering thus in doubt; + But learn that time once lost + Is ne'er redeem'd by cost. + Then away; come, Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + II. + + Is it, sweet maid, your fault these holy + Bridal rites go on so slowly? + Dear, is it this you dread + The loss of maidenhead? + Believe me, you will most + Esteem it when 'tis lost; + Then it no longer keep, + Lest issue lie asleep. + Then, away; come, Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + III. + + These precious, pearly, purling tears + But spring from ceremonious fears. + And 'tis but native shame + That hides the loving flame, + And may a while control + The soft and am'rous soul; + But yet love's fire will waste + Such bashfulness at last. + Then, away; come, Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + IV. + + Night now hath watch'd herself half blind, + Yet not a maidenhead resign'd! + 'Tis strange, ye will not fly + To love's sweet mystery. + Might yon full moon the sweets + Have, promised to your sheets, + She soon would leave her sphere, + To be admitted there. + Then, away; come, Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + V. + + On, on devoutly, make no stay; + While Domiduca leads the way, + And Genius, who attends + The bed for lucky ends. + With Juno goes the Hours + And Graces strewing flowers. + And the boys with sweet tunes sing: + Hymen, O Hymen, bring + Home the turtles; Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + VI. + + Behold! how Hymen's taper-light + Shows you how much is spent of night. + See, see the bridegroom's torch + Half wasted in the porch. + And now those tapers five, + That show the womb shall thrive, + Their silv'ry flames advance, + To tell all prosp'rous chance + Still shall crown the happy life + Of the goodman and the wife. + + + VII. + + Move forward then your rosy feet, + And make whate'er they touch turn sweet. + May all, like flowery meads, + Smell where your soft foot treads; + And everything assume + To it the like perfume, + As Zephyrus when he 'spires + Through woodbine and sweetbriars. + Then, away; come, Hymen, guide + To the bed the bashful bride. + + + VIII. + + And now the yellow veil at last + Over her fragrant cheek is cast. + Now seems she to express + A bashful willingness: + Showing a heart consenting, + As with a will repenting. + Then gently lead her on + With wise suspicion; + For that, matrons say, a measure + Of that passion sweetens pleasure. + + + IX. + + You, you that be of her nearest kin, + Now o'er the threshold force her in. + But to avert the worst + Let her her fillets first + Knit to the posts, this point + Remembering, to anoint + The sides, for 'tis a charm + Strong against future harm; + And the evil deads, the which + There was hidden by the witch. + + + X. + + O Venus! thou to whom is known + The best way how to loose the zone + Of virgins, tell the maid + She need not be afraid, + And bid the youth apply + Close kisses if she cry, + And charge he not forbears + Her though she woo with tears. + Tell them now they must adventure, + Since that love and night bid enter. + + + XI. + + No fatal owl the bedstead keeps, + With direful notes to fright your sleeps; + No furies here about + To put the tapers out, + Watch or did make the bed: + 'Tis omen full of dread; + But all fair signs appear + Within the chamber here. + Juno here far off doth stand, + Cooling sleep with charming wand. + + + XII. + + Virgins, weep not; 'twill come when, + As she, so you'll be ripe for men. + Then grieve her not with saying + She must no more a-maying, + Or by rosebuds divine + Who'll be her valentine. + Nor name those wanton reaks + You've had at barley-breaks, + But now kiss her and thus say, + "Take time, lady, while ye may". + + + XIII. + + Now bar the doors; the bridegroom puts + The eager boys to gather nuts. + And now both love and time + To their full height do climb: + Oh! give them active heat + And moisture both complete: + Fit organs for increase, + To keep and to release + That which may the honour'd stem + Circle with a diadem. + + + XIV. + + And now, behold! the bed or couch + That ne'er knew bride's or bridegroom's touch, + Feels in itself a fire; + And, tickled with desire, + Pants with a downy breast, + As with a heart possesst, + Shrugging as it did move + Ev'n with the soul of love. + And, oh! had it but a tongue, + Doves, 'twould say, ye bill too long. + + + XV. + + O enter then! but see ye shun + A sleep until the act be done. + Let kisses in their close, + Breathe as the damask rose, + Or sweet as is that gum + Doth from Panchaia come. + Teach nature now to know + Lips can make cherries grow + Sooner than she ever yet + In her wisdom could beget. + + + XVI. + + On your minutes, hours, days, months, years, + Drop the fat blessing of the spheres. + That good which heav'n can give + To make you bravely live + Fall like a spangling dew + By day and night on you. + May fortune's lily-hand + Open at your command; + With all lucky birds to side + With the bridegroom and the bride. + + + XVII. + + Let bounteous Fate[s] your spindles full + Fill, and wind up with whitest wool. + Let them not cut the thread + Of life until ye bid. + May death yet come at last, + And not with desp'rate haste, + But when ye both can say + "Come, let us now away," + Be ye to the barn then borne, + Two, like two ripe shocks of corn. + + _Domiduca_, Juno, the goddess of marriage, the "home-bringer". + _Reaks_, pranks. + _Barley-break_, a country game, see 101. + _Panchaia_, the land of spices: _cf_, Virg. G. ii. 139; AEn. iv. 379. + + +150. TEARS ARE TONGUES. + + When Julia chid I stood as mute the while + As is the fish or tongueless crocodile. + Air coin'd to words my Julia could not hear, + But she could see each eye to stamp a tear; + By which mine angry mistress might descry + Tears are the noble language of the eye. + And when true love of words is destitute + The eyes by tears speak, while the tongue is mute. + + +151. UPON A YOUNG MOTHER OF MANY CHILDREN. + + Let all chaste matrons, when they chance to see + My num'rous issue, praise and pity me: + Praise me for having such a fruitful womb, + Pity me, too, who found so soon a tomb. + + +152. TO ELECTRA. + + I'll come to thee in all those shapes + As Jove did when he made his rapes, + Only I'll not appear to thee + As he did once to Semele. + Thunder and lightning I'll lay by, + To talk with thee familiarly. + Which done, then quickly we'll undress + To one and th' other's nakedness, + And, ravish'd, plunge into the bed, + Bodies and souls commingled, + And kissing, so as none may hear, + We'll weary all the fables there. + + _Fables_, _i.e._, of Jove's amours. + + +153. HIS WISH. + + It is sufficient if we pray + To Jove, who gives and takes away: + Let him the land and living find; + Let me alone to fit the mind. + + +154. HIS PROTESTATION TO PERILLA. + + Noonday and midnight shall at once be seen: + Trees, at one time, shall be both sere and green: + Fire and water shall together lie + In one self-sweet-conspiring sympathy: + Summer and winter shall at one time show + Ripe ears of corn, and up to th' ears in snow: + Seas shall be sandless; fields devoid of grass; + Shapeless the world, as when all chaos was, + Before, my dear Perilla, I will be + False to my vow, or fall away from thee. + + +155. LOVE PERFUMES ALL PARTS. + + If I kiss Anthea's breast, + There I smell the ph[oe]nix nest: + If her lip, the most sincere + Altar of incense I smell there-- + Hands, and thighs, and legs are all + Richly aromatical. + Goddess Isis can't transfer + Musks and ambers more from her: + Nor can Juno sweeter be, + When she lies with Jove, than she. + + +156. TO JULIA. + + Permit me, Julia, now to go away; + Or by thy love decree me here to stay. + If thou wilt say that I shall live with thee, + Here shall my endless tabernacle be: + If not, as banish'd, I will live alone + There where no language ever yet was known. + + +157. ON HIMSELF. + + Love-sick I am, and must endure + A desperate grief, that finds no cure. + Ah me! I try; and trying, prove + _No herbs have power to cure love._ + Only one sovereign salve I know, + And that is death, the end of woe. + + +158. VIRTUE IS SENSIBLE OF SUFFERING. + + Though a wise man all pressures can sustain, + His virtue still is sensible of pain: + Large shoulders though he has, and well can bear, + He feels when packs do pinch him, and the where. + + +159. THE CRUEL MAID. + + And cruel maid, because I see + You scornful of my love and me, + I'll trouble you no more; but go + My way where you shall never know + What is become of me: there I + Will find me out a path to die, + Or learn some way how to forget + You and your name for ever: yet, + Ere I go hence, know this from me, + What will, in time, your fortune be: + This to your coyness I will tell, + And, having spoke it once, farewell. + The lily will not long endure, + Nor the snow continue pure; + The rose, the violet, one day, + See, both these lady-flowers decay: + And you must fade as well as they. + And it may chance that Love may turn, + And, like to mine, make your heart burn + And weep to see't; yet this thing do, + That my last vow commends to you: + When you shall see that I am dead, + For pity let a tear be shed; + And, with your mantle o'er me cast, + Give my cold lips a kiss at last: + If twice you kiss you need not fear + That I shall stir or live more here. + Next, hollow out a tomb to cover + Me--me, the most despised lover, + And write thereon: _This, reader, know: + Love kill'd this man_. No more, but so. + + +160. TO DIANEME. + + Sweet, be not proud of those two eyes + Which, starlike, sparkle in their skies; + Nor be you proud that you can see + All hearts your captives, yours yet free; + Be you not proud of that rich hair + Which wantons with the love-sick air; + Whenas that ruby which you wear, + Sunk from the tip of your soft ear, + Will last to be a precious stone + When all your world of beauty's gone. + + +161. TO THE KING, TO CURE THE EVIL. + + To find that tree of life whose fruits did feed + And leaves did heal all sick of human seed: + To find Bethesda and an angel there + Stirring the waters, I am come; and here, + At last, I find (after my much to do) + The tree, Bethesda and the angel too: + And all in your blest hand, which has the powers + Of all those suppling-healing herbs and flowers. + To that soft charm, that spell, that magic bough, + That high enchantment, I betake me now, + And to that hand (the branch of heaven's fair tree), + I kneel for help; O! lay that hand on me, + Adored Caesar! and my faith is such + I shall be heal'd if that my king but touch. + The evil is not yours: my sorrow sings, + "Mine is the evil, but the cure the king's". + + +162. HIS MISERY IN A MISTRESS. + + Water, water I espy; + Come and cool ye, all who fry + In your loves; but none as I. + + Though a thousand showers be + Still a-falling, yet I see + Not one drop to light on me. + + Happy you who can have seas + For to quench ye, or some ease + From your kinder mistresses. + + I have one, and she alone, + Of a thousand thousand known, + Dead to all compassion. + + Such an one as will repeat + Both the cause and make the heat + More by provocation great. + + Gentle friends, though I despair + Of my cure, do you beware + Of those girls which cruel are. + + +164. TO A GENTLEWOMAN OBJECTING TO HIM HIS GRAY HAIRS. + + Am I despised because you say, + And I dare swear, that I am gray? + Know, lady, you have but your day: + And time will come when you shall wear + Such frost and snow upon your hair; + And when (though long, it comes to pass) + You question with your looking-glass; + And in that sincere crystal seek, + But find no rose-bud in your cheek: + Nor any bed to give the show + Where such a rare carnation grew. + Ah! then too late, close in your chamber keeping, + It will be told + That you are old, + By those true tears y'are weeping. + + +165. TO CEDARS. + + If 'mongst my many poems I can see + One only worthy to be wash'd by thee, + I live for ever, let the rest all lie + In dens of darkness or condemn'd to die. + + _Cedars_, oil of cedar was used for preserving manuscripts (carmina + linenda cedro. _Hor._ Ars Poet., 331.) + + +166. UPON CUPID. + + Love like a gipsy lately came, + And did me much importune + To see my hand, that by the same + He might foretell my fortune. + + He saw my palm, and then, said he, + I tell thee by this score here, + That thou within few months shalt be + The youthful Prince d'Amour here. + + I smil'd, and bade him once more prove, + And by some cross-line show it, + That I could ne'er be prince of love, + Though here the princely poet. + + +167. HOW PRIMROSES CAME GREEN. + + Virgins, time-past, known were these, + Troubled with green-sicknesses: + Turn'd to flowers, still the hue, + Sickly girls, they bear of you. + + +168. TO JOS., LORD BISHOP OF EXETER. + + Whom should I fear to write to if I can + Stand before you, my learn'd diocesan? + And never show blood-guiltiness or fear + To see my lines excathedrated here. + Since none so good are but you may condemn, + Or here so bad but you may pardon them. + If then, my lord, to sanctify my muse + One only poem out of all you'll choose, + And mark it for a rapture nobly writ, + 'Tis good confirm'd, for you have bishop'd it. + + _Blood-guiltiness_, guilt betrayed by blushing; cp. 837. + _Excathedrated_, condemned _ex cathedra_. + + +169. UPON A BLACK TWIST ROUNDING THE ARM OF THE COUNTESS OF CARLISLE. + + I saw about her spotless wrist, + Of blackest silk, a curious twist; + Which, circumvolving gently, there + Enthrall'd her arm as prisoner. + Dark was the jail, but as if light + Had met t'engender with the night; + Or so as darkness made a stay + To show at once both night and day. + One fancy more! but if there be + Such freedom in captivity, + I beg of Love that ever I + May in like chains of darkness lie. + + +170. ON HIMSELF. + + I fear no earthly powers, + But care for crowns of flowers; + And love to have my beard + With wine and oil besmear'd. + This day I'll drown all sorrow: + Who knows to live to-morrow? + + +172. A RING PRESENTED TO JULIA. + + Julia, I bring + To thee this ring, + Made for thy finger fit; + To show by this + That our love is + (Or should be) like to it. + + Close though it be + The joint is free; + So, when love's yoke is on, + It must not gall, + Or fret at all + With hard oppression. + + But it must play + Still either way, + And be, too, such a yoke + As not too wide + To overslide, + Or be so strait to choke. + + So we who bear + This beam must rear + Ourselves to such a height + As that the stay + Of either may + Create the burden light. + + And as this round + Is nowhere found + To flaw, or else to sever: + So let our love + As endless prove, + And pure as gold for ever. + + +173. TO THE DETRACTOR. + + Where others love and praise my verses, still + Thy long black thumb-nail marks them out for ill: + A fellon take it, or some whitflaw come + For to unslate or to untile that thumb! + But cry thee mercy: exercise thy nails + To scratch or claw, so that thy tongue not rails: + Some numbers prurient are, and some of these + Are wanton with their itch; scratch, and 'twill please. + + _Fellon_, a sore, especially in the finger. + _Whitflaw_, or whitlow. + + +174. UPON THE SAME. + + I ask'd thee oft what poets thou hast read, + And lik'st the best. Still thou reply'st: The dead. + I shall, ere long, with green turfs cover'd be; + Then sure thou'lt like or thou wilt envy me. + + +175. JULIA'S PETTICOAT. + + Thy azure robe I did behold + As airy as the leaves of gold, + Which, erring here, and wandering there, + Pleas'd with transgression ev'rywhere: + Sometimes 'twould pant, and sigh, and heave, + As if to stir it scarce had leave: + But, having got it, thereupon + 'Twould make a brave expansion. + And pounc'd with stars it showed to me + Like a celestial canopy. + Sometimes 'twould blaze, and then abate, + Like to a flame grown moderate: + Sometimes away 'twould wildly fling, + Then to thy thighs so closely cling + That some conceit did melt me down + As lovers fall into a swoon: + And, all confus'd, I there did lie + Drown'd in delights, but could not die. + That leading cloud I follow'd still, + Hoping t' have seen of it my fill; + But ah! I could not: should it move + To life eternal, I could love. + + _Pounc'd_, sprinkled. + + +176. TO MUSIC. + + Begin to charm, and, as thou strok'st mine ears + With thy enchantment, melt me into tears. + Then let thy active hand scud o'er thy lyre, + And make my spirits frantic with the fire. + That done, sink down into a silvery strain, + And make me smooth as balm and oil again. + + +177. DISTRUST. + + To safeguard man from wrongs, there nothing must + Be truer to him than a wise distrust. + And to thyself be best this sentence known: + _Hear all men speak, but credit few or none_. + + +178. CORINNA'S GOING A-MAYING. + + Get up, get up for shame, the blooming morn + Upon her wings presents the god unshorn. + See how Aurora throws her fair + Fresh-quilted colours through the air: + Get up, sweet slug-a-bed, and see + The dew bespangling herb and tree. + Each flower has wept and bow'd toward the east + Above an hour since: yet you not dress'd; + Nay! not so much as out of bed? + When all the birds have matins said + And sung their thankful hymns, 'tis 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; + 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 + 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 + And open fields and we not see't? + Come, we'll abroad; and let's obey + The proclamation made for May: + And sin no more, as we have done, by staying; + But, my Corinna, come, let's go a-Maying. + + There's not a budding boy or girl this day + But is got up, and gone to bring in May. + A deal of youth, ere this, is come + Back, and with white-thorn laden home. + Some have despatch'd their cakes and cream + Before that we have left to dream: + And some have wept, and woo'd, and plighted troth, + And chose their priest, ere we can cast off sloth: + Many a green-gown has been given; + Many a kiss, both odd and even: + Many a glance too has been sent + From out the eye, love's firmament; + Many a jest told of the keys betraying + This night, and locks pick'd, yet we're not a-Maying. + + Come, let us go while we are in our prime; + And take the harmless folly of the time. + We shall grow old apace, and die + Before we know our liberty. + Our life is short, and our days run + As fast away as does the sun; + And, as a vapour or a drop of rain, + Once lost, can ne'er be found again, + So when or you or I are made + A fable, song, or fleeting shade, + All love, all liking, all delight + Lies drowned with us in endless night. + Then while time serves, and we are but decaying, + Come, my Corinna, come, let's go a-Maying. + + _Beads_, prayers. + _Left to dream_, ceased dreaming. + _Green-gown_, tumble on the grass. + + +179. ON JULIA'S BREATH. + + Breathe, Julia, breathe, and I'll protest, + Nay more, I'll deeply swear, + That all the spices of the east + Are circumfused there. + + _Circumfused_, spread around. + + +180. UPON A CHILD. AN EPITAPH. + + But born, and like a short delight, + I glided by my parents' sight. + That done, the harder fates denied + My longer stay, and so I died. + If, pitying my sad parents' tears, + You'll spill a tear or two with theirs, + And with some flowers my grave bestrew, + Love and they'll thank you for't. Adieu. + + +181. A DIALOGUE BETWIXT HORACE AND LYDIA, TRANSLATED ANNO 1627, AND SET +BY MR. RO. RAMSEY. + + _Hor._ While, Lydia, I was loved of thee, + Nor any was preferred 'fore me + To hug thy whitest neck, than I + The Persian king lived not more happily. + + _Lyd._ While thou no other didst affect, + Nor Chloe was of more respect + Than Lydia, far-famed Lydia, + I flourished more than Roman Ilia. + + _Hor._ Now Thracian Chloe governs me, + Skilful i' th' harp and melody; + For whose affection, Lydia, I + (So fate spares her) am well content to die. + + _Lyd._ My heart now set on fire is + By Ornithes' son, young Calais, + For whose commutual flames here I, + To save his life, twice am content to die. + + _Hor._ Say our first loves we should revoke, + And, severed, join in brazen yoke; + Admit I Chloe put away, + And love again love-cast-off Lydia? + + _Lyd._ Though mine be brighter than the star, + Thou lighter than the cork by far, + Rough as the Adriatic sea, yet I + Will live with thee, or else for thee will die. + + +182. THE CAPTIV'D BEE, OR THE LITTLE FILCHER. + + As Julia once a-slumbering lay + It chanced a bee did fly that way, + After a dew or dew-like shower, + To tipple freely in a flower. + For some rich flower he took the lip + Of Julia, and began to sip; + But when he felt he sucked from thence + Honey, and in the quintessence, + He drank so much he scarce could stir, + So Julia took the pilferer. + And thus surprised, as filchers use, + He thus began himself t' excuse: + Sweet lady-flower, I never brought + Hither the least one thieving thought; + But, taking those rare lips of yours + For some fresh, fragrant, luscious flowers, + I thought I might there take a taste, + Where so much syrup ran at waste. + Besides, know this: I never sting + The flower that gives me nourishing; + But with a kiss, or thanks, do pay + For honey that I bear away. + This said, he laid his little scrip + Of honey 'fore her ladyship: + And told her, as some tears did fall, + That that he took, and that was all. + At which she smiled, and bade him go + And take his bag; but thus much know: + When next he came a-pilfering so, + He should from her full lips derive + Honey enough to fill his hive. + + +185. AN ODE TO MASTER ENDYMION PORTER, UPON HIS BROTHER'S DEATH. + + Not all thy flushing suns are set, + Herrick, as yet; + Nor doth this far-drawn hemisphere + Frown and look sullen ev'rywhere. + Days may conclude in nights, and suns may rest + As dead within the west; + Yet, the next morn, regild the fragrant east. + + Alas! for me, that I have lost + E'en all almost; + Sunk is my sight, set is my sun, + And all the loom of life undone: + The staff, the elm, the prop, the shelt'ring wall + Whereon my vine did crawl, + Now, now blown down; needs must the old stock fall. + + Yet, Porter, while thou keep'st alive, + In death I thrive: + And like a ph[oe]nix re-aspire + From out my nard and fun'ral fire: + And as I prune my feathered youth, so I + Do mar'l how I could die + When I had thee, my chief preserver, by. + + I'm up, I'm up, and bless that hand + Which makes me stand + Now as I do, and but for thee + I must confess I could not be. + The debt is paid; for he who doth resign + Thanks to the gen'rous vine + Invites fresh grapes to fill his press with wine. + + _Mar'l_, marvel. + + +186. TO HIS DYING BROTHER, MASTER WILLIAM HERRICK. + + Life of my life, 'take not so soon thy flight, + But stay the time till we have bade good-night. + Thou hast both wind and tide with thee; thy way + As soon despatch'd is by the night as day. + Let us not then so rudely henceforth go + Till we have wept, kissed, sigh'd, shook hands, or so. + There's pain in parting, and a kind of hell, + When once true lovers take their last farewell. + What! shall we two our endless leaves take here + Without a sad look or a solemn tear? + He knows not love that hath not this truth proved, + _Love is most loth to leave the thing beloved_. + Pay we our vows and go; yet when we part, + Then, even then, I will bequeath my heart + Into thy loving hands; for I'll keep none + To warm my breast when thou, my pulse, art gone. + No, here I'll last, and walk (a harmless shade) + About this urn wherein thy dust is laid, + To guard it so as nothing here shall be + Heavy to hurt those sacred seeds of thee. + + +187. THE OLIVE BRANCH. + + Sadly I walk'd within the field, + To see what comfort it would yield; + And as I went my private way + An olive branch before me lay, + And seeing it I made a stay, + And took it up and view'd it; then + Kissing the omen, said Amen; + Be, be it so, and let this be + A divination unto me; + That in short time my woes shall cease + And Love shall crown my end with peace. + + +189. TO CHERRY-BLOSSOMS. + + Ye may simper, blush and smile, + And perfume the air awhile; + But, sweet things, ye must be gone, + Fruit, ye know, is coming on; + Then, ah! then, where is your grace, + Whenas cherries come in place? + + +190. HOW LILIES CAME WHITE. + + White though ye be, yet, lilies, know, + From the first ye were not so; + But I'll tell ye + What befell ye: + Cupid and his mother lay + In a cloud, while both did play, + He with his pretty finger press'd + The ruby niplet of her breast; + Out of which the cream of light, + Like to a dew, + Fell down on you + And made ye white. + + +191. TO PANSIES. + + Ah, cruel love! must I endure + Thy many scorns and find no cure? + Say, are thy medicines made to be + Helps to all others but to me? + I'll leave thee and to pansies come, + Comforts you'll afford me some; + You can ease my heart and do + What love could ne'er be brought unto. + + +192. ON GILLY-FLOWERS BEGOTTEN. + + What was't that fell but now + From that warm kiss of ours? + Look, look! by love I vow + They were two gilly-flowers. + + Let's kiss and kiss again, + For if so be our closes + Make gilly-flowers, then + I'm sure they'll fashion roses. + + +193. THE LILY IN A CRYSTAL. + + You have beheld a smiling rose + When virgins' hands have drawn + O'er it a cobweb-lawn; + And here you see this lily shows, + Tomb'd in a crystal stone, + More fair in this transparent case + Than when it grew alone + And had but single grace. + + You see how cream but naked is + Nor dances in the eye + Without a strawberry, + Or some fine tincture like to this, + Which draws the sight thereto + More by that wantoning with it + Than when the paler hue + No mixture did admit. + + You see how amber through the streams + More gently strokes the sight + With some conceal'd delight + Than when he darts his radiant beams + Into the boundless air; + Where either too much light his worth + Doth all at once impair, + Or set it little forth. + + Put purple grapes or cherries in- + To glass, and they will send + More beauty to commend + Them from that clean and subtle skin + Than if they naked stood, + And had no other pride at all + But their own flesh and blood + And tinctures natural. + + Thus lily, rose, grape, cherry, cream, + And strawberry do stir + More love when they transfer + A weak, a soft, a broken beam, + Than if they should discover + At full their proper excellence; + Without some scene cast over + To juggle with the sense. + + Thus let this crystal'd lily be + A rule how far to teach + Your nakedness must reach; + And that no further than we see + Those glaring colours laid + By art's wise hand, but to this end + They should obey a shade, + Lest they too far extend. + + So though you're white as swan or snow, + And have the power to move + A world of men to love, + Yet when your lawns and silks shall flow, + And that white cloud divide + Into a doubtful twilight, then, + Then will your hidden pride + Raise greater fires in men. + + _Tincture_, colour, dye. + _Scene_, a covering. + + +194. TO HIS BOOK. + + Like to a bride, come forth, my book, at last, + With all thy richest jewels overcast; + Say, if there be, 'mongst many gems here, one + Deserveless of the name of paragon; + Blush not at all for that, since we have set + Some pearls on queens that have been counterfeit. + + +195. UPON SOME WOMEN. + + Thou who wilt not love, do this, + Learn of me what woman is. + Something made of thread and thrum. + A mere botch of all and some. + Pieces, patches, ropes of hair; + Inlaid garbage everywhere. + Outside silk and outside lawn; + Scenes to cheat us neatly drawn. + False in legs, and false in thighs; + False in breast, teeth, hair, and eyes; + False in head, and false enough; + Only true in shreds and stuff. + + _Thrum_, a small thread. + _All and some_, anything and everything. + + +196. SUPREME FORTUNE FALLS SOONEST. + + While leanest beasts in pastures feed, + _The fattest ox the first must bleed_. + + +197. THE WELCOME TO SACK. + + So soft streams meet, so springs with gladder smiles + Meet after long divorcement by the isles; + When love, the child of likeness, urgeth on + Their crystal natures to a union: + So meet stolen kisses, when the moony nights + Call forth fierce lovers to their wish'd delights; + So kings and queens meet, when desire convinces + All thoughts but such as aim at getting princes, + As I meet thee. Soul of my life and fame! + Eternal lamp of love! whose radiant flame + Out-glares the heaven's Osiris,[H] and thy gleams + Out-shine the splendour of his mid-day beams. + Welcome, O welcome, my illustrious spouse; + Welcome as are the ends unto my vows; + Aye! far more welcome than the happy soil + The sea-scourged merchant, after all his toil, + Salutes with tears of joy, when fires betray + The smoky chimneys of his Ithaca. + Where hast thou been so long from my embraces, + Poor pitied exile? Tell me, did thy graces + Fly discontented hence, and for a time + Did rather choose to bless another clime? + Or went'st thou to this end, the more to move me, + By thy short absence, to desire and love thee? + Why frowns my sweet? Why won't my saint confer + Favours on me, her fierce idolater? + Why are those looks, those looks the which have been + Time-past so fragrant, sickly now drawn in + Like a dull twilight? Tell me, and the fault + I'll expiate with sulphur, hair and salt; + And, with the crystal humour of the spring, + Purge hence the guilt and kill this quarrelling. + Wo't thou not smile or tell me what's amiss? + Have I been cold to hug thee, too remiss, + Too temp'rate in embracing? Tell me, has desire + To thee-ward died i' th' embers, and no fire + Left in this rak'd-up ash-heap as a mark + To testify the glowing of a spark? + Have I divorc'd thee only to combine + In hot adult'ry with another wine? + True, I confess I left thee, and appeal + 'Twas done by me more to confirm my zeal + And double my affection on thee, as do those + Whose love grows more inflam'd by being foes. + But to forsake thee ever, could there be + A thought of such-like possibility? + When thou thyself dar'st say thy isles shall lack + Grapes before Herrick leaves canary sack. + Thou mak'st me airy, active to be borne, + Like Iphiclus, upon the tops of corn. + Thou mak'st me nimble, as the winged hours, + To dance and caper on the heads of flowers, + And ride the sunbeams. Can there be a thing + Under the heavenly Isis[I] that can bring + More love unto my life, or can present + My genius with a fuller blandishment? + Illustrious idol! could th' Egyptians seek + Help from the garlic, onion and the leek + And pay no vows to thee, who wast their best + God, and far more transcendent than the rest? + Had Cassius, that weak water-drinker, known + Thee in thy vine, or had but tasted one + Small chalice of thy frantic liquor, he, + As the wise Cato, had approv'd of thee. + Had not Jove's son,[J] that brave Tirynthian swain, + Invited to the Thesbian banquet, ta'en + Full goblets of thy gen'rous blood, his sprite + Ne'er had kept heat for fifty maids that night. + Come, come and kiss me; love and lust commends + Thee and thy beauties; kiss, we will be friends + Too strong for fate to break us. Look upon + Me with that full pride of complexion + As queens meet queens, or come thou unto me + As Cleopatra came to Anthony, + When her high carriage did at once present + To the triumvir love and wonderment. + Swell up my nerves with spirit; let my blood + Run through my veins like to a hasty flood. + Fill each part full of fire, active to do + What thy commanding soul shall put it to; + And till I turn apostate to thy love, + Which here I vow to serve, do not remove + Thy fires from me, but Apollo's curse + Blast these-like actions, or a thing that's worse. + When these circumstants shall but live to see + The time that I prevaricate from thee. + Call me the son of beer, and then confine + Me to the tap, the toast, the turf; let wine + Ne'er shine upon me; may my numbers all + Run to a sudden death and funeral. + And last, when thee, dear spouse, I disavow, + Ne'er may prophetic Daphne crown my brow. + + _Convinces_, overcomes. + _Ithaca_, the home of the wanderer Ulysses. + _Iphiclus_ won the foot-race at the funeral games of Pelias. + _Circumstants_, surroundings. + +[H] The sun. (Note in the original edition.) + +[I] The moon. (Note in the original edition.) + +[J] Hercules. (Note in the original edition.) + + +198. IMPOSSIBILITIES TO HIS FRIEND. + + My faithful friend, if you can see + The fruit to grow up, or the tree; + If you can see the colour come + Into the blushing pear or plum; + If you can see the water grow + To cakes of ice or flakes of snow; + If you can see that drop of rain + Lost in the wild sea once again; + If you can see how dreams do creep + Into the brain by easy sleep: + Then there is hope that you may see + Her love me once who now hates me. + + +201. TO LIVE MERRILY AND TO TRUST TO GOOD VERSES. + + Now is the time for mirth, + Nor cheek or tongue be dumb; + For, with the flowery earth, + The golden pomp is come. + + The golden pomp is come; + For now each tree does wear. + Made of her pap and gum, + Rich beads of amber here. + + Now reigns the rose, and now + Th' Arabian dew besmears + My uncontrolled brow + And my retorted hairs. + + Homer, this health to thee, + In sack of such a kind + That it would make thee see + Though thou wert ne'er so blind. + + Next, Virgil I'll call forth + To pledge this second health + In wine, whose each cup's worth + An Indian commonwealth. + + A goblet next I'll drink + To Ovid, and suppose, + Made he the pledge, he'd think + The world had all one nose. + + Then this immensive cup + Of aromatic wine, + Catullus, I quaff up + To that terse muse of thine. + + Wild I am now with heat: + O Bacchus, cool thy rays! + Or, frantic, I shall eat + Thy thyrse and bite the bays. + + Round, round the roof does run, + And, being ravish'd thus, + Come, I will drink a tun + To my Propertius. + + Now, to Tibullus, next, + This flood I drink to thee: + But stay, I see a text + That this presents to me. + + Behold, Tibullus lies + Here burnt, whose small return + Of ashes scarce suffice + To fill a little urn. + + Trust to good verses then; + They only will aspire + When pyramids, as men, + Are lost i' th' funeral fire. + + And when all bodies meet + In Lethe to be drown'd, + Then only numbers sweet + With endless life are crown'd. + + _Retorted_, bound back, "retorto crine," _Martial_. + _Immensive_, measureless. + + +202. FAIR DAYS: OR, DAWNS DECEITFUL. + + Fair was the dawn, and but e'en now the skies + Show'd like to cream inspir'd with strawberries, + But on a sudden all was chang'd and gone + That smil'd in that first sweet complexion. + Then thunder-claps and lightning did conspire + To tear the world, or set it all on fire. + What trust to things below, whenas we see, + As men, the heavens have their hypocrisy? + + +203. LIPS TONGUELESS. + + For my part, I never care + For those lips that tongue-tied are: + Tell-tales I would have them be + Of my mistress and of me. + Let them prattle how that I + Sometimes freeze and sometimes fry: + Let them tell how she doth move + Fore or backward in her love: + Let them speak by gentle tones, + One and th' other's passions: + How we watch, and seldom sleep; + How by willows we do weep; + How by stealth we meet, and then + Kiss, and sigh, so part again. + This the lips we will permit + For to tell, not publish it. + + +204. TO THE FEVER, NOT TO TROUBLE JULIA. + + Thou'st dar'd too far; but, fury, now forbear + To give the least disturbance to her hair: + But less presume to lay a plait upon + Her skin's most smooth and clear expansion. + 'Tis like a lawny firmament as yet, + Quite dispossess'd of either fray or fret. + Come thou not near that film so finely spread, + Where no one piece is yet unlevelled. + This if thou dost, woe to thee, fury, woe, + I'll send such frost, such hail, such sleet, and snow, + Such flesh-quakes, palsies, and such fears as shall + Dead thee to th' most, if not destroy thee all. + And thou a thousand thousand times shalt be + More shak'd thyself than she is scorch'd by thee. + + +205. TO VIOLETS. + + Welcome, maids-of-honour! + You do bring + In the spring, + And wait upon her. + + She has virgins many, + Fresh and fair; + Yet you are + More sweet than any. + + You're the maiden posies, + And so grac'd + To be plac'd + 'Fore damask roses. + + Yet, though thus respected, + By-and-by + Ye do lie, + Poor girls, neglected. + + +207. TO CARNATIONS. A SONG. + + Stay while ye will, or go + And leave no scent behind ye: + Yet, trust me, I shall know + The place where I may find ye. + + Within my Lucia's cheek, + Whose livery ye wear, + Play ye at hide or seek, + I'm sure to find ye there. + + +208. TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME. + + Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, + Old time is still a-flying: + And this same flower that smiles to-day + To-morrow will be dying. + + The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, + The higher he's a-getting, + The sooner will his race be run, + And nearer he's to setting. + + 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. + + +209. SAFETY TO LOOK TO ONESELF. + + For my neighbour I'll not know, + Whether high he builds or no: + Only this I'll look upon, + Firm be my foundation. + Sound or unsound, let it be! + 'Tis the lot ordain'd for me. + He who to the ground does fall + _Has not whence to sink at all_. + + +210. TO HIS FRIEND, ON THE UNTUNABLE TIMES. + + Play I could once; but, gentle friend, you see + My harp hung up here on the willow tree. + Sing I could once; and bravely, too, inspire + With luscious numbers my melodious lyre. + Draw I could once, although not stocks or stones, + Amphion-like, men made of flesh and bones, + Whither I would; but ah! I know not how, + I feel in me this transmutation now. + Grief, my dear friend, has first my harp unstrung, + Wither'd my hand, and palsy-struck my tongue. + + +211. HIS POETRY HIS PILLAR. + + Only a little more + I have to write, + Then I'll give o'er, + And bid the world good-night. + + 'Tis but a flying minute + That I must stay, + Or linger in it; + And then I must away. + + O time that cut'st down all + And scarce leav'st here + Memorial + Of any men that were. + + How many lie forgot + In vaults beneath? + And piecemeal rot + Without a fame in death? + + Behold this living stone + I rear for me, + Ne'er to be thrown + Down, envious Time, by thee. + + Pillars let some set up + If so they please: + Here is my hope + And my Pyramides. + + +212. SAFETY ON THE SHORE. + + What though the sea be calm? Trust to the shore, + Ships have been drown'd where late they danc'd before. + + +213. A PASTORAL UPON THE BIRTH OF PRINCE CHARLES. PRESENTED TO THE KING, +AND SET BY MR. NIC. LANIERE. + + _The Speakers_, Mirtillo, Amintas _and_ Amarillis. + + _Amin._ Good-day, Mirtillo. _Mirt._ And to you no less, + And all fair signs lead on our shepherdess. + _Amar._ With all white luck to you. _Mirt._ But say, what news + Stirs in our sheep-walk? _Amin._ None, save that my ewes, + My wethers, lambs, and wanton kids are well, + Smooth, fair and fat! none better I can tell: + Or that this day Menalcas keeps a feast + For his sheep-shearers. _Mirt._ True, these are the least; + But, dear Amintas and sweet Amarillis, + Rest but a while here, by this bank of lilies, + And lend a gentle ear to one report + The country has. _Amin._ From whence? _Amar._ From whence? + _Mirt._ The Court. + Three days before the shutting in of May + (With whitest wool be ever crown'd that day!) + To all our joy a sweet-fac'd child was born, + More tender than the childhood of the morn. + _Chor._ Pan pipe to him, and bleats of lambs and sheep + Let lullaby the pretty prince asleep! + _Mirt._ And that his birth should be more singular + At noon of day was seen a silver star, + Bright as the wise men's torch which guided them + To God's sweet babe, when born at Bethlehem; + While golden angels (some have told to me) + Sung out his birth with heavenly minstrelsy. + _Amin._ O rare! But is't a trespass if we three + Should wend along his babyship to see? + _Mirt._ Not so, not so. + _Chor._ But if it chance to prove + At most a fault, 'tis but a fault of love. + _Amar._ But, dear Mirtillo, I have heard it told + Those learned men brought incense, myrrh and gold + From countries far, with store of spices sweet, + And laid them down for offerings at his feet. + _Mirt._ 'Tis true, indeed; and each of us will bring + Unto our smiling and our blooming king + A neat, though not so great an offering. + _Amar._ A garland for my gift shall be + Of flowers ne'er suck'd by th' thieving bee; + And all most sweet; yet all less sweet than he. + _Amin._ And I will bear, along with you, + Leaves dropping down the honeyed dew, + With oaten pipes as sweet as new. + _Mirt._ And I a sheep-hook will bestow, + To have his little kingship know, + As he is prince, he's shepherd too. + _Chor._ Come, let's away, and quickly let's be dress'd, + And quickly give--_the swiftest grace is best_. + And when before him we have laid our treasures, + We'll bless the babe, then back to country pleasures. + + _White_, favourable. + + +214. TO THE LARK. + + Good speed, for I this day + Betimes my matins say: + Because I do + Begin to woo, + Sweet-singing lark, + Be thou the clerk, + And know thy when + To say, Amen. + And if I prove + Bless'd in my love, + Then thou shalt be + High-priest to me, + At my return, + To incense burn; + And so to solemnise + Love's and my sacrifice. + + +215. THE BUBBLE. A SONG. + + To my revenge and to her desperate fears + Fly, thou made bubble of my sighs and tears. + In the wild air when thou hast rolled about, + And, like a blasting planet, found her out. + Stoop, mount, pass by to take her eye, then glare + Like to a dreadful comet in the air: + Next, when thou dost perceive her fixed sight + For thy revenge to be most opposite, + Then, like a globe or ball of wild-fire, fly, + And break thyself in shivers on her eye. + + +216. A MEDITATION FOR HIS MISTRESS. + + You are a tulip seen to-day, + But, dearest, of so short a stay + That where you grew scarce man can say. + + You are a lovely July-flower, + Yet one rude wind or ruffling shower + Will force you hence, and in an hour. + + You are a sparkling rose i' th' bud, + Yet lost ere that chaste flesh and blood + Can show where you or grew or stood. + + You are a full-spread, fair-set vine, + And can with tendrils love entwine, + Yet dried ere you distil your wine. + + You are like balm enclosed well + In amber, or some crystal shell, + Yet lost ere you transfuse your smell. + + You are a dainty violet, + Yet wither'd ere you can be set + Within the virgin's coronet. + + You are the queen all flowers among, + But die you must, fair maid, ere long, + As he, the maker of this song. + + +217. THE BLEEDING HAND; OR, THE SPRIG OF EGLANTINE GIVEN TO A MAID. + + From this bleeding hand of mine + Take this sprig of eglantine, + Which, though sweet unto your smell, + Yet the fretful briar will tell, + He who plucks the sweets shall prove + Many thorns to be in love. + + +218. LYRIC FOR LEGACIES. + + Gold I've none, for use or show, + Neither silver to bestow + At my death; but this much know; + That each lyric here shall be + Of my love a legacy, + Left to all posterity. + Gentle friends, then do but please + To accept such coins as these + As my last remembrances. + + +219. A DIRGE UPON THE DEATH OF THE RIGHT VALIANT LORD, BERNARD STUART. + + Hence, hence, profane! soft silence let us have + While we this trental sing about thy grave. + + Had wolves or tigers seen but thee, + They would have showed civility; + And, in compassion of thy years, + Washed those thy purple wounds with tears. + But since thou'rt slain, and in thy fall + The drooping kingdom suffers all; + + _Chor._ This we will do, we'll daily come + And offer tears upon thy tomb: + And if that they will not suffice, + Thou shall have souls for sacrifice. + Sleep in thy peace, while we with spice perfume thee, + And cedar wash thee, that no times consume thee. + + Live, live thou dost, and shall; for why? + _Souls do not with their bodies die_: + Ignoble offsprings, they may fall + Into the flames of funeral: + Whenas the chosen seed shall spring + Fresh, and for ever flourishing. + + _Chor._ And times to come shall, weeping, read thy glory + Less in these marble stones than in thy story. + + _Trental_, a dirge; but see Note. + _Cedar_, oil of cedar. + + +220. TO PERENNA, A MISTRESS. + + Dear Perenna, prithee come + And with smallage dress my tomb: + Add a cypress sprig thereto, + With a tear, and so Adieu. + + _Smallage_, water-parsley. + + +223. THE FAIRY TEMPLE; OR, OBERON'S CHAPEL +DEDICATED TO MR. JOHN MERRIFIELD, COUNSELLOR-AT-LAW. + + Rare temples thou hast seen, I know, + And rich for in and outward show: + Survey this chapel, built alone, + Without or lime, or wood, or stone: + Then say if one thou'st seen more fine + Than this, the fairies' once, now thine. + + + THE TEMPLE. + + A way enchased with glass and beads + There is, that to the chapel leads: + Whose structure, for his holy rest, + Is here the halcyon's curious nest: + Into the which who looks shall see + His temple of idolatry, + Where he of godheads has such store, + As Rome's pantheon had not more. + His house of Rimmon this he calls, + Girt with small bones instead of walls. + First, in a niche, more black than jet, + His idol-cricket there is set: + Then in a polished oval by + There stands his idol-beetle-fly: + Next in an arch, akin to this, + His idol-canker seated is: + Then in a round is placed by these + His golden god, Cantharides. + So that, where'er ye look, ye see, + No capital, no cornice free, + Or frieze, from this fine frippery. + Now this the fairies would have known, + Theirs is a mixed religion: + And some have heard the elves it call + Part pagan, part papistical. + If unto me all tongues were granted, + I could not speak the saints here painted. + Saint Tit, Saint Nit, Saint Is, Saint Itis, + Who 'gainst Mab's-state placed here right is; + Saint Will o' th' Wisp, of no great bigness, + But _alias_ called here _Fatuus ignis_; + Saint Frip, Saint Trip, Saint Fill, Saint Fillie + Neither those other saintships will I + Here go about for to recite + Their number, almost infinite, + Which one by one here set down are + In this most curious calendar. + First, at the entrance of the gate + A little puppet-priest doth wait, + Who squeaks to all the comers there: + "_Favour your tongues who enter here; + Pure hands bring hither without stain._" + A second pules: "_Hence, hence, profane!_" + Hard by, i' th' shell of half a nut, + The holy-water there is put: + A little brush of squirrel's hairs + (Composed of odd, not even pairs,) + Stands in the platter, or close by, + To purge the fairy family. + Near to the altar stands the priest, + There off'ring up the Holy Grist, + Ducking in mood and perfect tense, + With (much-good-do-'t him) reverence. + The altar is not here four-square, + Nor in a form triangular, + Nor made of glass, or wood, or stone, + But of a little transverse bone; + Which boys and bruckel'd children call + (Playing for points and pins) cockal. + Whose linen drapery is a thin + Subtile and ductile codlin's skin: + Which o'er the board is smoothly spread + With little seal-work damasked. + The fringe that circumbinds it too + Is spangle-work of trembling dew, + Which, gently gleaming, makes a show + Like frost-work glitt'ring on the snow. + Upon this fetuous board doth stand + Something for show-bread, and at hand, + Just in the middle of the altar, + Upon an end, the fairy-psalter, + Grac'd with the trout-flies' curious wings, + Which serve for watchet ribbonings. + Now, we must know, the elves are led + Right by the rubric which they read. + And, if report of them be true, + They have their text for what they do; + Aye, and their book of canons too. + And, as Sir Thomas Parson tells, + They have their book of articles; + And, if that fairy-knight not lies, + They have their book of homilies; + And other scriptures that design + A short but righteous discipline. + The basin stands the board upon + To take the free oblation: + A little pin-dust, which they hold + More precious than we prize our gold + Which charity they give to many + Poor of the parish, if there's any. + Upon the ends of these neat rails, + Hatch'd with the silver-light of snails, + The elves in formal manner fix + Two pure and holy candlesticks: + In either which a small tall bent + Burns for the altar's ornament. + For sanctity they have to these + Their curious copes and surplices + Of cleanest cobweb hanging by + In their religious vestery. + They have their ash-pans and their brooms + To purge the chapel and the rooms; + Their many mumbling Mass-priests here, + And many a dapper chorister, + Their ush'ring vergers, here likewise + Their canons and their chanteries. + Of cloister-monks they have enow, + Aye, and their abbey-lubbers too; + And, if their legend do not lie, + They much affect the papacy. + And since the last is dead, there's hope + _Elf Boniface shall next be pope_. + They have their cups and chalices; + Their pardons and indulgences; + Their beads of nits, bells, books, and wax + Candles, forsooth, and other knacks; + Their holy oil, their fasting spittle; + Their sacred salt here, not a little; + Dry chips, old shoes, rags, grease and bones; + Beside their fumigations + To drive the devil from the cod-piece + Of the friar (of work an odd piece). + Many a trifle, too, and trinket, + And for what use, scarce man would think it. + Next, then, upon the chanters' side + An apple's core is hung up dri'd, + With rattling kernels, which is rung + To call to morn and even-song. + The saint to which the most he prays + And offers incense nights and days, + The lady of the lobster is, + Whose foot-pace he doth stroke and kiss; + And humbly chives of saffron brings + For his most cheerful offerings. + When, after these, h'as paid his vows + He lowly to the altar bows; + And then he dons the silk-worm's shed, + Like a Turk's turban on his head, + And reverently departeth thence, + Hid in a cloud of frankincense, + And by the glow-worm's light well guided, + Goes to the feast that's now provided. + + _Halcyon_, king-fisher. + _Saint Tit_, etc., see Note. + _Mab's-state_, Mab's chair of state. + _Bruckel'd_, begrimed. + _Cockal_, a game played with four huckle-bones. + _Codlin_, an apple. + _Fetuous_, feat, neat. + _Watchet_, pale blue. + _Hatch'd_, inlaid. + _Bent_, bent grass. + _Nits_, nuts. + _The lady of the lobster_, part of the lobster's apparatus for digestion. + _Foot-pace_, a mat. + _Chives_, shreds. + + +224. TO MISTRESS KATHERINE BRADSHAW, THE LOVELY, THAT CROWNED HIM WITH +LAUREL. + + My muse in meads has spent her many hours, + Sitting, and sorting several sorts of flowers + To make for others garlands, and to set + On many a head here many a coronet; + But, amongst all encircled here, not one + Gave her a day of coronation, + Till you, sweet mistress, came and interwove + A laurel for her, ever young as love-- + You first of all crown'd her: she must of due + Render for that a crown of life to you. + + +225. THE PLAUDITE, OR END OF LIFE. + + If, after rude and boisterous seas, + My wearied pinnace here finds ease; + If so it be I've gained the shore + With safety of a faithful oar; + If, having run my barque on ground, + Ye see the aged vessel crown'd: + What's to be done, but on the sands + Ye dance and sing and now clap hands? + The first act's doubtful, but we say + It is the last commends the play. + + +226. TO THE MOST VIRTUOUS MISTRESS POT, WHO MANY TIMES ENTERTAINED HIM. + + When I through all my many poems look, + And see yourself to beautify my book, + Methinks that only lustre doth appear + A light fulfilling all the region here. + Gild still with flames this firmament, and be + A lamp eternal to my poetry. + Which, if it now or shall hereafter shine, + 'Twas by your splendour, lady, not by mine. + The oil was yours; and that I owe for yet: + _He pays the half who does confess the debt_. + + +227. TO MUSIC, TO BECALM HIS FEVER. + + Charm me asleep and melt me so + With thy delicious numbers, + That, being ravished, hence I go + Away in easy slumbers. + Ease my sick head + And make my bed, + Thou power that canst sever + From me this ill; + And quickly still, + Though thou not kill, + My fever. + + Thou sweetly canst convert the same + From a consuming fire + Into a gentle-licking flame, + And make it thus expire. + Then make me weep + My pains asleep; + And give me such reposes + That I, poor I, + May think thereby + I live and die + 'Mongst roses. + + Fall on me like a silent dew, + Or like those maiden showers + Which, by the peep of day, do strew + A baptism o'er the flowers. + Melt, melt my pains + With thy soft strains; + That, having ease me given, + With full delight + I leave this light, + And take my flight + For heaven. + + +228. UPON A GENTLEWOMAN WITH A SWEET VOICE. + + So long you did not sing or touch your lute, + We knew 'twas flesh and blood that there sat mute. + But when your playing and your voice came in, + 'Twas no more you then, but a cherubin. + + +229. UPON CUPID. + + As lately I a garland bound, + 'Mongst roses I there Cupid found; + I took him, put him in my cup, + And drunk with wine, I drank him up. + Hence then it is that my poor breast + Could never since find any rest. + + +230. UPON JULIA'S BREASTS. + + Display thy breasts, my Julia--there let me + Behold that circummortal purity, + Between whose glories there my lips I'll lay, + Ravish'd in that fair _via lactea_. + + _Circummortal_, more than mortal. + + +231. BEST TO BE MERRY. + + Fools are they who never know + How the times away do go; + But for us, who wisely see + Where the bounds of black death be, + Let's live merrily, and thus + Gratify the Genius. + + +232. THE CHANGES TO CORINNA. + + Be not proud, but now incline + Your soft ear to discipline. + You have changes in your life-- + Sometimes peace and sometimes strife; + You have ebbs of face and flows, + As your health or comes or goes; + You have hopes, and doubts, and fears + Numberless, as are your hairs. + You have pulses that do beat + High, and passions less of heat. + You are young, but must be old, + And, to these, ye must be told + Time ere long will come and plough + Loathed furrows in your brow: + And the dimness of your eye + Will no other thing imply + But you must die + As well as I. + + +234. NEGLECT. + + _Art quickens nature; care will make a face; + Neglected beauty perisheth apace._ + + +235. UPON HIMSELF. + + Mop-eyed I am, as some have said, + Because I've lived so long a maid: + But grant that I should wedded be, + Should I a jot the better see? + No, I should think that marriage might, + Rather than mend, put out the light. + + _Mop-eyed_, shortsighted. + + +236. UPON A PHYSICIAN. + + Thou cam'st to cure me, doctor, of my cold, + And caught'st thyself the more by twenty fold: + Prithee go home; and for thy credit be + First cured thyself, then come and cure me. + + +238. TO THE ROSE. A SONG. + + Go, happy rose, and interwove + With other flowers, bind my love. + Tell her, too, she must not be + Longer flowing, longer free, + That so oft has fetter'd me. + + Say, if she's fretful, I have bands + Of pearl and gold to bind her hands. + Tell her, if she struggle still, + I have myrtle rods (at will) + For to tame, though not to kill. + + Take thou my blessing, thus, and go + And tell her this, but do not so, + Lest a handsome anger fly, + Like a lightning, from her eye, + And burn thee up as well as I. + + +240. TO HIS BOOK. + + Thou art a plant sprung up to wither never, + But like a laurel to grow green for ever. + + +241. UPON A PAINTED GENTLEWOMAN. + + Men say y'are fair, and fair ye are, 'tis true; + But, hark! we praise the painter now, not you. + + +243. DRAW-GLOVES. + + At draw-gloves we'll play, + And prithee let's lay + A wager, and let it be this: + Who first to the sum + Of twenty shall come, + Shall have for his winning a kiss. + + _Draw-gloves_, a game of talking by the fingers. + + +244. TO MUSIC, TO BECALM A SWEET-SICK YOUTH. + + Charms, that call down the moon from out her sphere, + On this sick youth work your enchantments here: + Bind up his senses with your numbers so + As to entrance his pain, or cure his woe. + Fall gently, gently, and a while him keep + Lost in the civil wilderness of sleep: + That done, then let him, dispossessed of pain, + Like to a slumb'ring bride, awake again. + + +245. TO THE HIGH AND NOBLE PRINCE GEORGE, DUKE, MARQUIS, AND EARL OF +BUCKINGHAM. + + Never my book's perfection did appear + Till I had got the name of Villars here: + Now 'tis so full that when therein I look + I see a cloud of glory fills my book. + Here stand it still to dignify our Muse, + Your sober handmaid, who doth wisely choose + Your name to be a laureate wreath to her + Who doth both love and fear you, honoured sir. + + +246. HIS RECANTATION. + + Love, I recant, + And pardon crave + That lately I offended; + But 'twas, + Alas! + To make a brave, + But no disdain intended. + + No more I'll vaunt, + For now I see + Thou only hast the power + To find + And bind + A heart that's free, + And slave it in an hour. + + +247. THE COMING OF GOOD LUCK. + + So good luck came, and on my roof did light, + Like noiseless snow, or as the dew of night: + Not all at once, but gently, as the trees + Are by the sunbeams tickled by degrees. + + +248. THE PRESENT; OR, THE BAG OF THE BEE. + + Fly to my mistress, pretty pilfering bee, + And say thou bring'st this honey bag from me: + When on her lip thou hast thy sweet dew placed, + Mark if her tongue but slyly steal a taste. + If so, we live; if not, with mournful hum + Toll forth my death; next, to my burial come. + + +249. ON LOVE. + + Love bade me ask a gift, + And I no more did move + But this, that I might shift + Still with my clothes my love: + That favour granted was; + Since which, though I love many, + Yet so it comes to pass + That long I love not any. + + +250. THE HOCK-CART OR HARVEST HOME. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MILDMAY, +EARL OF WESTMORELAND. + + Come, sons of summer, by whose toil + We are the lords of wine and oil: + By whose tough labours and rough hands + We rip up first, then reap our lands. + Crowned with the ears of corn, now come, + And to the pipe sing harvest home. + Come forth, my lord, and see the cart + Dressed up with all the country art: + See here a maukin, there a sheet, + As spotless pure as it is sweet: + The horses, mares, and frisking fillies, + Clad all in linen white as lilies. + The harvest swains and wenches bound + For joy, to see the hock-cart crowned. + About the cart, hear how the rout + Of rural younglings raise the shout; + Pressing before, some coming after, + Those with a shout, and these with laughter. + Some bless the cart, some kiss the sheaves, + Some prank them up with oaken leaves: + Some cross the fill-horse, some with great + Devotion stroke the home-borne wheat: + While other rustics, less attent + To prayers than to merriment, + Run after with their breeches rent. + Well, on, brave boys, to your lord's hearth, + Glitt'ring with fire, where, for your mirth, + Ye shall see first the large and chief + Foundation of your feast, fat beef: + With upper stories, mutton, veal + And bacon (which makes full the meal), + With sev'ral dishes standing by, + As here a custard, there a pie, + And here all-tempting frumenty. + And for to make the merry cheer, + If smirking wine be wanting here, + There's that which drowns all care, stout beer; + Which freely drink to your lord's health, + Then to the plough, the commonwealth, + Next to your flails, your fans, your fats, + Then to the maids with wheaten hats: + To the rough sickle, and crook'd scythe, + Drink, frolic boys, till all be blithe. + Feed, and grow fat; and as ye eat + Be mindful that the lab'ring neat, + As you, may have their fill of meat. + And know, besides, ye must revoke + The patient ox unto the yoke, + And all go back unto the plough + And harrow, though they're hanged up now. + And, you must know, your lord's word's true, + Feed him ye must, whose food fills you; + And that this pleasure is like rain, + Not sent ye for to drown your pain, + But for to make it spring again. + + _Maukin_, a cloth. + _Fill-horse_, shaft-horse. + _Frumenty_, wheat boiled in milk. + _Fats_, vats. + + +251. THE PERFUME. + + To-morrow, Julia, I betimes must rise, + For some small fault to offer sacrifice: + The altar's ready: fire to consume + The fat; breathe thou, and there's the rich perfume. + + +252. UPON HER VOICE. + + Let but thy voice engender with the string, + And angels will be born while thou dost sing. + + +253. NOT TO LOVE. + + He that will not love must be + My scholar, and learn this of me: + There be in love as many fears + As the summer's corn has ears: + Sighs, and sobs, and sorrows more + Than the sand that makes the shore: + Freezing cold and fiery heats, + Fainting swoons and deadly sweats; + Now an ague, then a fever, + Both tormenting lovers ever. + Would'st thou know, besides all these, + How hard a woman 'tis to please, + How cross, how sullen, and how soon + She shifts and changes like the moon. + How false, how hollow she's in heart: + And how she is her own least part: + How high she's priz'd, and worth but small; + Little thou'lt love, or not at all. + + +254. TO MUSIC. A SONG. + + Music, thou queen of heaven, care-charming spell, + That strik'st a stillness into hell: + Thou that tam'st tigers, and fierce storms that rise, + With thy soul-melting lullabies, + Fall down, down, down from those thy chiming spheres, + To charm our souls, as thou enchant'st our ears. + + +255. TO THE WESTERN WIND. + + Sweet western wind, whose luck it is, + Made rival with the air, + To give Perenna's lip a kiss, + And fan her wanton hair. + + Bring me but one, I'll promise thee, + Instead of common showers, + Thy wings shall be embalm'd by me, + And all beset with flowers. + + +256. UPON THE DEATH OF HIS SPARROW. AN ELEGY. + + Why do not all fresh maids appear + To work love's sampler only here, + Where spring-time smiles throughout the year? + Are not here rosebuds, pinks, all flowers + Nature begets by th' sun and showers, + Met in one hearse-cloth to o'erspread + The body of the under-dead? + Phil, the late dead, the late dead dear, + O! may no eye distil a tear + For you once lost, who weep not here! + Had Lesbia, too-too kind, but known + This sparrow, she had scorn'd her own: + And for this dead which under lies + Wept out her heart, as well as eyes. + But, endless peace, sit here and keep + My Phil the time he has to sleep; + And thousand virgins come and weep + To make these flowery carpets show + Fresh as their blood, and ever grow, + Till passengers shall spend their doom: + Not Virgil's gnat had such a tomb. + + _Phil_, otherwise Philip or Phip, was a pet name for a sparrow. + _Virgil's gnat_, the _Culex_ attributed to Virgil. + + +257. TO PRIMROSES FILLED WITH MORNING DEW. + + Why do ye weep, sweet babes? can tears + Speak grief in you, + Who were but born + Just as the modest morn + Teem'd her refreshing dew? + Alas! you have not known that shower + That mars a flower, + Nor felt th' unkind + Breath of a blasting wind, + Nor are ye worn with years, + Or warp'd as we, + Who think it strange to see + Such pretty flowers, like to orphans young, + To speak by tears before ye have a tongue. + + Speak, whimp'ring younglings, and make known + The reason why + Ye droop and weep; + Is it for want of sleep? + Or childish lullaby? + Or that ye have not seen as yet + The violet? + Or brought a kiss + From that sweetheart to this? + No, no, this sorrow shown + By your tears shed + Would have this lecture read: + That things of greatest, so of meanest worth, + Conceiv'd with grief are, and with tears brought forth. + + +258. HOW ROSES CAME RED. + + Roses at first were white, + Till they could not agree, + Whether my Sappho's breast + Or they more white should be. + + But, being vanquish'd quite, + A blush their cheeks bespread; + Since which, believe the rest, + The roses first came red. + + +259. COMFORT TO A LADY UPON THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND. + + Dry your sweet cheek, long drown'd with sorrow's rain, + Since, clouds dispers'd, suns gild the air again. + Seas chafe and fret, and beat, and overboil, + But turn soon after calm as balm or oil. + Winds have their time to rage; but when they cease + The leafy trees nod in a still-born peace. + Your storm is over; lady, now appear + Like to the peeping springtime of the year. + Off then with grave clothes; put fresh colours on, + And flow and flame in your vermilion. + Upon your cheek sat icicles awhile; + Now let the rose reign like a queen, and smile. + + +260. HOW VIOLETS CAME BLUE. + + Love on a day, wise poets tell, + Some time in wrangling spent, + Whether the violets should excel, + Or she, in sweetest scent. + + But Venus having lost the day, + Poor girls, she fell on you: + And beat ye so, as some dare say, + Her blows did make ye blue. + + +262. TO THE WILLOW-TREE. + + Thou art to all lost love the best, + The only true plant found, + Wherewith young men and maids distres't, + And left of love, are crown'd. + + When once the lover's rose is dead, + Or laid aside forlorn: + Then willow-garlands 'bout the head + Bedew'd with tears are worn. + + When with neglect, the lovers' bane, + Poor maids rewarded be, + For their love lost, their only gain + Is but a wreath from thee. + + And underneath thy cooling shade, + When weary of the light, + The love-spent youth and love-sick maid + Come to weep out the night. + + +263. MRS. ELIZ. WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF THE LOST SHEPHERDESS. + + Among the myrtles as I walk'd, + Love and my sighs thus intertalk'd: + Tell me, said I, in deep distress, + Where I may find my shepherdess. + Thou fool, said Love, know'st thou not this? + In everything that's sweet she is. + In yond' carnation go and seek, + There thou shalt find her lip and cheek: + In that enamell'd pansy by, + There thou shalt have her curious eye: + In bloom of peach and rose's bud, + There waves the streamer of her blood. + 'Tis true, said I, and thereupon + I went to pluck them one by one, + To make of parts a union: + But on a sudden all were gone. + At which I stopp'd; said Love, these be + The true resemblances of thee; + For, as these flowers, thy joys must die, + And in the turning of an eye: + And all thy hopes of her must wither, + Like those short sweets, ere knit together. + + +264. TO THE KING. + + If when these lyrics, Caesar, you shall hear, + And that Apollo shall so touch your ear + As for to make this, that, or any one, + Number your own, by free adoption; + That verse, of all the verses here, shall be + The heir to this _great realm of poetry_. + + +265. TO THE QUEEN. + + _Goddess of youth, and lady of the spring, + Most fit to be the consort to a king_, + Be pleas'd to rest you in this sacred grove + Beset with myrtles, whose each leaf drops love. + Many a sweet-fac'd wood-nymph here is seen, + Of which chaste order you are now the queen: + Witness their homage when they come and strew + Your walks with flowers, and give their crowns to you. + Your leafy throne, with lily-work possess, + And be both princess here and poetess. + + +266. THE POET'S GOOD WISHES FOR THE MOST HOPEFUL AND HANDSOME PRINCE, +THE DUKE OF YORK. + + May his pretty dukeship grow + Like t'a rose of Jericho: + Sweeter far than ever yet + Showers or sunshines could beget. + May the Graces and the Hours + Strew his hopes and him with flowers: + And so dress him up with love + As to be the chick of Jove. + May the thrice-three sisters sing + Him the sovereign of their spring: + And entitle none to be + Prince of Helicon but he. + May his soft foot, where it treads, + Gardens thence produce and meads: + And those meadows full be set + With the rose and violet. + May his ample name be known + To the last succession: + And his actions high be told + Through the world, but writ in gold. + + +267. TO ANTHEA, WHO MAY COMMAND HIM ANYTHING. + + Bid me to live, and I will live + Thy Protestant to be, + Or bid me love, and I will give + A loving heart to thee. + + A heart as soft, a heart as kind, + A heart as sound and free + As in the whole world thou canst find, + That heart I'll give to thee. + + Bid that heart stay, and it will stay + To honour thy decree: + Or bid it languish quite away, + And't shall do so for thee. + + Bid me to weep, and I will weep + While I have eyes to see: + And, having none, yet I will keep + A heart to weep for thee. + + Bid me despair, and I'll despair + Under that cypress-tree: + Or bid me die, and I will dare + E'en death to die for thee. + + Thou art my life, my love, my heart, + The very eyes of me: + And hast command of every part + To live and die for thee. + + +268. PREVISION OR PROVISION. + + _That prince takes soon enough the victor's room + Who first provides not to be overcome._ + + +269. OBEDIENCE IN SUBJECTS. + + _The gods to kings the judgment give to sway: + The subjects only glory to obey._ + + +270. MORE POTENT, LESS PECCANT. + + _He that may sin, sins least: leave to transgress + Enfeebles much the seeds of wickedness._ + + +271. UPON A MAID THAT DIED THE DAY SHE WAS MARRIED. + + That morn which saw me made a bride, + The evening witness'd that I died. + Those holy lights, wherewith they guide + Unto the bed the bashful bride, + Serv'd but as tapers for to burn + And light my relics to their urn. + This epitaph, which here you see, + Supplied the epithalamy. + + +274. TO MEADOWS. + + Ye have been fresh and green, + Ye have been fill'd with flowers, + And ye the walks have been + Where maids have spent their hours. + You have beheld how they + With wicker arks did come + To kiss and bear away + The richer cowslips home. + + Y'ave heard them sweetly sing, + And seen them in a round: + Each virgin like a spring, + With honeysuckles crown'd. + + But now we see none here + Whose silvery feet did tread, + And with dishevell'd hair + Adorn'd this smoother mead. + + Like unthrifts, having spent + Your stock and needy grown, + Y'are left here to lament + Your poor estates, alone. + + _Round_, a rustic dance. + + +275. CROSSES. + + Though good things answer many good intents, + _Crosses do still bring forth the best events_. + + +276. MISERIES. + + Though hourly comforts from the gods we see, + _No life is yet life-proof from misery_. + + +278. TO HIS HOUSEHOLD GODS. + + Rise, household gods, and let us go; + But whither I myself not know. + First, let us dwell on rudest seas; + Next, with severest savages; + Last, let us make our best abode + Where human foot as yet ne'er trod: + Search worlds of ice, and rather there + Dwell than in loathed Devonshire. + + +279. TO THE NIGHTINGALE AND ROBIN REDBREAST. + + When I departed am, ring thou my knell, + Thou pitiful and pretty Philomel: + And when I'm laid out for a corse, then be + Thou sexton, redbreast, for to cover me. + + +280. TO THE YEW AND CYPRESS TO GRACE HIS FUNERAL. + + Both you two have + Relation to the grave: + And where + The funeral-trump sounds, you are there, + + I shall be made, + Ere long, a fleeting shade: + Pray, come + And do some honour to my tomb. + + Do not deny + My last request; for I + Will be + Thankful to you, or friends, for me. + + +281. I CALL AND I CALL. + + I call, I call: who do ye call? + The maids to catch this cowslip ball: + But since these cowslips fading be, + Troth, leave the flowers, and, maids, take me. + Yet, if that neither you will do, + Speak but the word and I'll take you. + + +282. ON A PERFUMED LADY. + + You say you're sweet; how should we know + Whether that you be sweet or no? + From powders and perfumes keep free, + Then we shall smell how sweet you be. + + +283. A NUPTIAL SONG OR EPITHALAMY ON SIR CLIPSEBY CREW AND HIS LADY. + + What's that we see from far? the spring of day + Bloom'd from the east, or fair enjewell'd May + Blown out of April, or some new + Star filled with glory to our view, + Reaching at heaven, + To add a nobler planet to the seven? + Say, or do we not descry + Some goddess in a cloud of tiffany + To move, or rather the + Emergent Venus from the sea? + + 'Tis she! 'tis she! or else some more divine + Enlightened substance; mark how from the shrine + Of holy saints she paces on, + Treading upon vermilion + And amber: spic- + ing the chaft air with fumes of Paradise. + Then come on, come on and yield + A savour like unto a blessed field + When the bedabbled morn + Washes the golden ears of corn. + + See where she comes; and smell how all the street + Breathes vineyards and pomegranates: O how sweet! + As a fir'd altar is each stone, + Perspiring pounded cinnamon. + The ph[oe]nix' nest, + Built up of odours, burneth in her breast. + Who, therein, would not consume + His soul to ash-heaps in that rich perfume? + Bestroking fate the while + He burns to embers on the pile. + + Hymen, O Hymen! tread the sacred ground; + Show thy white feet and head with marjoram crown'd: + Mount up thy flames and let thy torch + Display the bridegroom in the porch, + In his desires + More towering, more disparkling than thy fires: + Show her how his eyes do turn + And roll about, and in their motions burn + Their balls to cinders: haste + Or else to ashes he will waste. + + Glide by the banks of virgins, then, and pass + The showers of roses, lucky four-leav'd grass: + The while the cloud of younglings sing + And drown ye with a flowery spring; + While some repeat + Your praise and bless you, sprinkling you with wheat; + While that others do divine, + _Bless'd is the bride on whom the sun doth shine_; + And thousands gladly wish + You multiply as doth a fish. + + And, beauteous bride, we do confess y'are wise + In dealing forth these bashful jealousies: + In love's name do so; and a price + Set on yourself by being nice: + But yet take heed; + What now you seem be not the same indeed, + And turn apostate: love will, + Part of the way be met or sit stone-still. + On, then, and though you slow- + ly go, yet, howsoever, go. + + And now y'are entered; see the coddled cook + Runs from his torrid zone to pry and look + And bless his dainty mistress: see + The aged point out, "This is she + Who now must sway + The house (love shield her) with her yea and nay": + And the smirk butler thinks it + Sin in's napery not to express his wit; + Each striving to devise + Some gin wherewith to catch your eyes. + + To bed, to bed, kind turtles, now, and write + This the short'st day, and this the longest night; + But yet too short for you: 'tis we + Who count this night as long as three, + Lying alone, + Telling the clock strike ten, eleven, twelve, one. + Quickly, quickly then prepare, + And let the young men and the bride-maids share + Your garters; and their joints + Encircle with the bridegroom's points. + + By the bride's eyes, and by the teeming life + Of her green hopes, we charge ye that no strife + (Farther than gentleness tends) gets place + Among ye, striving for her lace: + O do not fall + Foul in these noble pastimes, lest ye call + Discord in, and so divide + The youthful bridegroom and the fragrant bride: + Which love forfend; but spoken + Be't to your praise, no peace was broken. + + Strip her of springtime, tender-whimpering maids, + Now autumn's come, when all these flowery aids + Of her delays must end; dispose + That lady-smock, that pansy, and that rose + Neatly apart, + But for prick-madam and for gentle-heart, + And soft maidens'-blush, the bride + Makes holy these, all others lay aside: + Then strip her, or unto her + Let him come who dares undo her. + + And to enchant ye more, see everywhere + About the roof a siren in a sphere, + As we think, singing to the din + Of many a warbling cherubin. + O mark ye how + The soul of nature melts in numbers: now + See, a thousand Cupids fly + To light their tapers at the bride's bright eye. + To bed, or her they'll tire, + Were she an element of fire. + + And to your more bewitching, see, the proud + Plump bed bear up, and swelling like a cloud, + Tempting the two too modest; can + Ye see it brusle like a swan, + And you be cold + To meet it when it woos and seems to fold + The arms to hug it? Throw, throw + Yourselves into the mighty overflow + Of that white pride, and drown + The night with you in floods of down. + + The bed is ready, and the maze of love + Looks for the treaders; everywhere is wove + Wit and new mystery; read, and + Put in practice, to understand + And know each wile, + Each hieroglyphic of a kiss or smile; + And do it to the full; reach + High in your own conceit, and some way teach + Nature and art one more + Play than they ever knew before. + + If needs we must for ceremony's sake, + Bless a sack-posset, luck go with it, take + The night-charm quickly, you have spells + And magics for to end, and hells + To pass; but such + And of such torture as no one would grutch + To live therein for ever: fry + And consume, and grow again to die + And live, and, in that case, + Love the confusion of the place. + + But since it must be done, despatch, and sew + Up in a sheet your bride, and what if so + It be with rock or walls of brass + Ye tower her up, as Danae was; + Think you that this + Or hell itself a powerful bulwark is? + I tell ye no; but like a + Bold bolt of thunder he will make his way, + And rend the cloud, and throw + The sheet about like flakes of snow. + + All now is hushed in silence: midwife-moon + With all her owl-eyed issue begs a boon, + Which you must grant; that's entrance; with + Which extract, all we can call pith + And quintessence + Of planetary bodies, so commence, + All fair constellations + Looking upon ye, that two nations, + Springing from two such fires + May blaze the virtue of their sires. + + _Tiffany_, gauze. + _More disparkling_, more widespreading. + _Nice_, fastidious. + _Coddled_, lit. boiled. + _Lace_, girdle. + _Brusle_, raise its feathers. + _Grutch_, grumble. + + +284. THE SILKEN SNAKE. + + For sport my Julia threw a lace + Of silk and silver at my face: + Watchet the silk was, and did make + A show as if't had been a snake: + The suddenness did me afright, + But though it scar'd, it did not bite. + + _Lace_, a girdle. + _Watchet_, pale blue. + + +285. UPON HIMSELF. + + I am sieve-like, and can hold + Nothing hot or nothing cold. + Put in love, and put in too + Jealousy, and both will through: + Put in fear, and hope, and doubt; + What comes in runs quickly out: + Put in secrecies withal, + Whate'er enters, out it shall: + But if you can stop the sieve, + For mine own part, I'd as lief + Maids should say or virgins sing, + Herrick keeps, as holds nothing. + + +286. UPON LOVE. + + Love's a thing, as I do hear, + Ever full of pensive fear; + Rather than to which I'll fall, + Trust me, I'll not like at all. + If to love I should intend, + Let my hair then stand an end: + And that terror likewise prove + Fatal to me in my love. + But if horror cannot slake + Flames which would an entrance make + Then the next thing I desire + Is, to love and live i' th' fire. + + _An end_, on end. + + +287. REVERENCE TO RICHES. + + Like to the income must be our expense; + _Man's fortune must be had in reverence_. + + +288. DEVOTION MAKES THE DEITY. + + _Who forms a godhead out of gold or stone + Makes not a god, but he that prays to one._ + + +289. TO ALL YOUNG MEN THAT LOVE. + + I could wish you all who love, + That ye could your thoughts remove + From your mistresses, and be + Wisely wanton, like to me, + I could wish you dispossessed + Of that _fiend that mars your rest_, + And with tapers comes to fright + Your weak senses in the night. + I could wish ye all who fry + Cold as ice, or cool as I; + But if flames best like ye, then, + Much good do 't ye, gentlemen. + I a merry heart will keep, + While you wring your hands and weep. + + +290. THE EYES. + + 'Tis a known principle in war, + The eyes be first that conquered are. + + +291. NO FAULT IN WOMEN. + + No fault in women to refuse + The offer which they most would choose. + No fault in women to confess + How tedious they are in their dress. + No fault in women to lay on + The tincture of vermilion: + And there to give the cheek a dye + Of white, where nature doth deny. + No fault in women to make show + Of largeness when they're nothing so: + (When true it is the outside swells + With inward buckram, little else). + No fault in women, though they be + But seldom from suspicion free. + No fault in womankind at all + If they but slip and never fall. + + +293. OBERON'S FEAST. + + _Shapcot! to thee the fairy state + I, with discretion, dedicate. + Because thou prizest things that are + Curious and unfamiliar. + Take first the feast; these dishes gone, + We'll see the Fairy Court anon._ + + A little mushroom table spread, + After short prayers, they set on bread; + A moon-parch'd grain of purest wheat, + With some small glittering grit to eat + His choice bits with; then in a trice + They make a feast less great than nice. + But all this while his eye is serv'd, + We must not think his ear was sterv'd; + But that there was in place to stir + His spleen, the chirring grasshopper, + The merry cricket, puling fly, + The piping gnat for minstrelsy. + And now we must imagine first, + The elves present, to quench his thirst, + A pure seed-pearl of infant dew + Brought and besweetened in a blue + And pregnant violet, which done, + His kitling eyes begin to run + Quite through the table, where he spies + The horns of papery butterflies: + Of which he eats, and tastes a little + Of that we call the cuckoo's spittle. + A little fuzz-ball pudding stands + By, yet not blessed by his hands; + That was too coarse: but then forthwith + He ventures boldly on the pith + Of sugar'd rush, and eats the sagg + And well-bestrutted bee's sweet bag: + Gladding his palate with some store + Of emmets' eggs; what would he more? + But beards of mice, a newt's stewed thigh, + A bloated earwig and a fly; + With the red-capp'd worm that's shut + Within the concave of a nut, + Brown as his tooth. A little moth + Late fatten'd in a piece of cloth: + With withered cherries, mandrakes' ears, + Moles' eyes; to these the slain stag's tears + The unctuous dewlaps of a snail, + The broke-heart of a nightingale + O'ercome in music; with a wine + Ne'er ravish'd from the flattering vine, + But gently press'd from the soft side + Of the most sweet and dainty bride, + Brought in a dainty daisy, which + He fully quaffs up to bewitch + His blood to height; this done, commended + Grace by his priest; _the feast is ended_. + + _Sagg_, laden. + _Bestrutted_, swollen. + + +294. EVENT OF THINGS NOT IN OUR POWER. + + By time and counsel do the best we can, + Th' event is never in the power of man. + + +295. UPON HER BLUSH. + + When Julia blushes she does show + Cheeks like to roses when they blow. + + +296. MERITS MAKE THE MAN. + + Our honours and our commendations be + Due to the merits, not authority. + + +297. TO VIRGINS. + + Hear, ye virgins, and I'll teach + What the times of old did preach. + Rosamond was in a bower + Kept, as Danae in a tower: + But yet Love, who subtle is, + Crept to that, and came to this. + Be ye lock'd up like to these, + Or the rich Hesperides, + Or those babies in your eyes, + In their crystal nunneries; + Notwithstanding Love will win, + Or else force a passage in: + And as coy be as you can, + Gifts will get ye, or the man. + + _Babies in your eyes_, see Note to p. 17. + + +298. VIRTUE. + + Each must in virtue strive for to excel; + _That man lives twice that lives the first life well_. + + +299. THE BELLMAN. + + From noise of scare-fires rest ye free, + From murders _Benedicite_. + From all mischances that may fright + Your pleasing slumbers in the night, + Mercy secure ye all, and keep + The goblin from ye while ye sleep. + Past one o'clock, and almost two! + My masters all, good-day to you. + + _Scare-fires_, alarms of fire. + + +300. BASHFULNESS. + + Of all our parts, the eyes express + The sweetest kind of bashfulness. + + +301. TO THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED GENTLEMAN, MASTER EDWARD NORGATE, CLERK OF +THE SIGNET TO HIS MAJESTY. EPIG. + + For one so rarely tun'd to fit all parts, + For one to whom espous'd are all the arts, + Long have I sought for, but could never see + Them all concentr'd in one man, but thee. + Thus, thou that man art whom the fates conspir'd + To make but one, and that's thyself, admir'd. + + +302. UPON PRUDENCE BALDWIN: HER SICKNESS. + + Prue, my dearest maid, is sick, + Almost to be lunatic: + AEsculapius! come and bring + Means for her recovering; + And a gallant cock shall be + Offer'd up by her to thee. + + _Cock_, the traditional offering to AEsculapius; cp. the last words of + Socrates; cp. Ben Jonson, Epig. xiii. + + +303. TO APOLLO. A SHORT HYMN. + + Ph[oe]bus! when that I a verse + Or some numbers more rehearse, + Tune my words that they may fall + Each way smoothly musical: + For which favour there shall be + Swans devoted unto thee. + + +304. A HYMN TO BACCHUS. + + Bacchus, let me drink no more; + Wild are seas that want a shore. + When our drinking has no stint, + There is no one pleasure in't. + I have drank up, for to please + Thee, that great cup Hercules: + Urge no more, and there shall be + Daffodils given up to thee. + + +306. ON HIMSELF. + + Here down my wearied limbs I'll lay; + My pilgrim's staff, my weed of gray, + My palmer's hat, my scallop's shell, + My cross, my cord, and all, farewell. + For having now my journey done, + Just at the setting of the sun, + Here I have found a chamber fit, + God and good friends be thanked for it, + Where if I can a lodger be, + A little while from tramplers free, + At my up-rising next I shall, + If not requite, yet thank ye all. + Meanwhile, the holy-rood hence fright + The fouler fiend and evil sprite + From scaring you or yours this night. + + +307. CASUALTIES. + + Good things that come of course, far less do please + Than those which come by sweet contingencies. + + +308. BRIBES AND GIFTS GET ALL. + + Dead falls the cause if once the hand be mute; + But let that speak, the client gets the suit. + + +309. THE END. + + If well thou hast begun, go on fore-right; + _It is the end that crowns us, not the fight_. + + +310. UPON A CHILD THAT DIED. + + Here she lies, a pretty bud, + Lately made of flesh and blood: + Who as soon fell fast asleep + As her little eyes did peep. + Give her strewings, but not stir + The earth that lightly covers her. + + +312. CONTENT, NOT CATES. + + 'Tis not the food, but the content + That makes the table's merriment. + Where trouble serves the board, we eat + The platters there as soon as meat. + A little pipkin with a bit + Of mutton or of veal in it, + Set on my table, trouble-free, + More than a feast contenteth me. + + +313. THE ENTERTAINMENT; OR, PORCH-VERSE, AT THE MARRIAGE OF MR. HENRY +NORTHLY AND THE MOST WITTY MRS. LETTICE YARD. + + Welcome! but yet no entrance, till we bless + First you, then you, and both for white success. + Profane no porch, young man and maid, for fear + Ye wrong the Threshold-god that keeps peace here: + Please him, and then all good-luck will betide + You, the brisk bridegroom, you, the dainty bride. + Do all things sweetly, and in comely wise; + Put on your garlands first, then sacrifice: + That done, when both of you have seemly fed, + We'll call on Night, to bring ye both to bed: + Where, being laid, all fair signs looking on, + Fish-like, increase then to a million; + And millions of spring-times may ye have, + Which spent, one death bring to ye both one grave. + + +314. THE GOOD-NIGHT OR BLESSING. + + Blessings in abundance come + To the bride and to her groom; + May the bed and this short night + Know the fulness of delight! + Pleasures many here attend ye, + And, ere long, a boy Love send ye + Curled and comely, and so trim, + Maids, in time, may ravish him. + Thus a dew of graces fall + On ye both; good-night to all. + + +316. TO DAFFODILS. + + Fair daffodils, we weep to see + You haste away so soon; + As yet the early-rising sun + Has not attain'd his noon. + Stay, stay, + Until the hasting day + Has run + But to the evensong; + And, having prayed together, we + Will go with you along. + + We have short time to stay, as you, + We have as short a spring; + As quick a growth to meet decay, + As you, or anything. + We die, + As your hours do, and dry + Away, + Like to the summer's rain; + Or as the pearls of morning's dew, + Ne'er to be found again. + + +318. UPON A LADY THAT DIED IN CHILD-BED, AND LEFT A DAUGHTER BEHIND HER. + + As gilliflowers do but stay + To blow, and seed, and so away; + So you, sweet lady, sweet as May, + The garden's glory, lived a while + To lend the world your scent and smile. + But when your own fair print was set + Once in a virgin flosculet, + Sweet as yourself, and newly blown, + To give that life, resigned your own: + But so as still the mother's power + Lives in the pretty lady-flower. + + +319. A NEW-YEAR'S GIFT SENT TO SIR SIMON STEWARD. + + No news of navies burnt at seas; + No noise of late-spawn'd tittyries; + No closet plot, or open vent, + That frights men with a parliament; + No new device or late-found trick + To read by the stars the kingdom's sick; + No gin to catch the state, or wring + The freeborn nostril of the king, + We send to you; but here a jolly + Verse, crown'd with ivy and with holly, + That tells of winter's tales and mirth, + That milkmaids make about the hearth, + Of Christmas sports, the wassail-bowl, + That['s] tost up, after fox-i'-th'-hole; + Of blind-man-buff, and of the care + That young men have to shoe the mare; + Of Twelfth-tide cakes, of peas and beans, + Wherewith you make those merry scenes, + Whenas ye choose your king and queen, + And cry out: _Hey, for our town green_; + Of ash-heaps, in the which ye use + Husbands and wives by streaks to choose; + Of crackling laurel, which fore-sounds + A plenteous harvest to your grounds: + Of these and such-like things for shift, + We send instead of New-Year's gift. + Read then, and when your faces shine + With buxom meat and cap'ring wine, + Remember us in cups full crown'd, + And let our city-health go round, + Quite through the young maids and the men, + To the ninth number, if not ten; + Until the fired chesnuts leap + For joy to see the fruits ye reap + From the plump chalice and the cup, + That tempts till it be tossed up; + Then as ye sit about your embers, + Call not to mind those fled Decembers, + But think on these that are t' appear + As daughters to the instant year: + Sit crown'd with rosebuds, and carouse + Till Liber Pater twirls the house + About your ears; and lay upon + The year your cares that's fled and gone. + And let the russet swains the plough + And harrow hang up, resting now; + And to the bagpipe all address, + Till sleep takes place of weariness. + And thus, throughout, with Christmas plays + Frolic the full twelve holidays. + + _Tittyries_, _i.e._, the Tityre-tues; see Note. + _Fox-i'-th'-hole_, a game of hopping. + _To shoe the mare_, or, shoe the wild mare, a Christmas game. + _Buxom_, tender. + _Liber Pater_, Father Bacchus. + + +320. MATINS; OR, MORNING PRAYER. + + When with the virgin morning thou dost rise, + Crossing thyself, come thus to sacrifice; + First wash thy heart in innocence, then bring + Pure hands, pure habits, pure, pure everything. + Next to the altar humbly kneel, and thence + Give up thy soul in clouds of frankincense. + Thy golden censers, fill'd with odours sweet, + Shall make thy actions with their ends to meet. + + +321. EVENSONG. + + Begin with Jove; then is the work half done, + And runs most smoothly when 'tis well begun. + Jove's is the first and last: the morn's his due, + The midst is thine; but Jove's the evening too; + As sure a matins does to him belong, + So sure he lays claim to the evensong. + + +322. THE BRACELET TO JULIA. + + Why I tie about thy wrist, + Julia, this my silken twist; + For what other reason is't, + But to show thee how, in part, + Thou my pretty captive art? + But thy bondslave is my heart; + 'Tis but silk that bindeth thee, + Knap the thread and thou art free: + But 'tis otherwise with me; + I am bound, and fast bound, so + That from thee I cannot go; + If I could, I would not so. + + +323. THE CHRISTIAN MILITANT. + + A man prepar'd against all ills to come, + That dares to dead the fire of martyrdom; + That sleeps at home, and sailing there at ease, + Fears not the fierce sedition of the seas; + That's counter-proof against the farm's mishaps, + Undreadful too of courtly thunderclaps; + That wears one face, like heaven, and never shows + A change when fortune either comes or goes; + That keeps his own strong guard in the despite + Of what can hurt by day or harm by night; + That takes and re-delivers every stroke + Of chance (as made up all of rock and oak); + That sighs at others' death, smiles at his own + Most dire and horrid crucifixion. + Who for true glory suffers thus, we grant + Him to be here our Christian militant. + + +324. A SHORT HYMN TO LAR. + + Though I cannot give thee fires + Glittering to my free desires; + These accept, and I'll be free, + Offering poppy unto thee. + + +325. ANOTHER TO NEPTUNE. + + Mighty Neptune, may it please + Thee, the rector of the seas, + That my barque may safely run + Through thy watery region; + And a tunny-fish shall be + Offered up with thanks to thee. + + +327. HIS EMBALMING TO JULIA. + + For my embalming, Julia, do but this; + Give thou my lips but their supremest kiss, + Or else transfuse thy breath into the chest + Where my small relics must for ever rest; + That breath the balm, the myrrh, the nard shall be, + To give an incorruption unto me. + + +328. GOLD BEFORE GOODNESS. + + How rich a man is all desire to know; + But none inquires if good he be or no. + + +329. THE KISS. A DIALOGUE. + + 1. Among thy fancies tell me this, + What is the thing we call a kiss? + 2. I shall resolve ye what it is. + + It is a creature born and bred + Between the lips (all cherry-red), + By love and warm desires fed. + _Chor._ And makes more soft the bridal bed. + + 2. It is an active flame that flies, + First, to the babies of the eyes; + And charms them there with lullabies. + _Chor._ And stills the bride, too, when she cries. + + 2. Then to the chin, the cheek, the ear, + It frisks and flies, now here, now there, + 'Tis now far off, and then 'tis near. + _Chor._ And here and there and everywhere. + + 1. Has it a speaking virtue? 2. Yes. + 1. How speaks it, say? 2. Do you but this; + Part your joined lips, then speaks your kiss + _Chor._ And this love's sweetest language is. + + 1. Has it a body? 2. Aye, and wings + With thousand rare encolourings; + And, as it flies, it gently sings, + _Chor._ Love honey yields, but never stings. + + +330. THE ADMONITION. + + Seest thou those diamonds which she wears + In that rich carcanet; + Or those, on her dishevell'd hairs, + Fair pearls in order set? + Believe, young man, all those were tears + By wretched wooers sent, + In mournful hyacinths and rue, + That figure discontent; + Which when not warmed by her view, + By cold neglect, each one + Congeal'd to pearl and stone; + Which precious spoils upon her + She wears as trophies of her honour. + Ah then, consider, what all this implies: + She that will wear thy tears would wear thine eyes. + + _Carcanet_, necklace. + + +331. TO HIS HONOURED KINSMAN, SIR WILLIAM SOAME. EPIG. + + I can but name thee, and methinks I call + All that have been, or are canonical + For love and bounty to come near, and see + Their many virtues volum'd up in thee; + In thee, brave man! whose incorrupted fame + Casts forth a light like to a virgin flame; + And as it shines it throws a scent about, + As when a rainbow in perfumes goes out. + So vanish hence, but leave a name as sweet + As benjamin and storax when they meet. + + _Benjamin_, gum benzoin. + _Storax_ or _Styrax_, another resinous gum. + + +332. ON HIMSELF. + + Ask me why I do not sing + To the tension of the string + As I did not long ago, + When my numbers full did flow? + Grief, ay, me! hath struck my lute + And my tongue, at one time, mute. + + +333. TO LAR. + + No more shall I, since I am driven hence, + Devote to thee my grains of frankincense; + No more shall I from mantle-trees hang down, + To honour thee, my little parsley crown; + No more shall I (I fear me) to thee bring + My chives of garlic for an offering; + No more shall I from henceforth hear a choir + Of merry crickets by my country fire. + Go where I will, thou lucky Lar stay here, + Warm by a glitt'ring chimney all the year. + + _Chives_, shreds. + + +334. THE DEPARTURE OF THE GOOD DEMON. + + What can I do in poetry + Now the good spirit's gone from me? + Why, nothing now but lonely sit + And over-read what I have writ. + + +335. CLEMENCY. + + For punishment in war it will suffice + If the chief author of the faction dies; + Let but few smart, but strike a fear through all; + Where the fault springs there let the judgment fall. + + +336. HIS AGE, DEDICATED TO HIS PECULIAR FRIEND, M. JOHN WICKES, UNDER +THE NAME OF POSTHUMUS. + + Ah Posthumus! our years hence fly, + And leave no sound; nor piety, + Or prayers, or vow + Can keep the wrinkle from the brow; + But we must on, + As fate does lead or draw us; none, + None, Posthumus, could ere decline + The doom of cruel Proserpine. + + The pleasing wife, the house, the ground, + Must all be left, no one plant found + To follow thee, + Save only the curs'd cypress tree; + A merry mind + Looks forward, scorns what's left behind; + Let's live, my Wickes, then, while we may, + And here enjoy our holiday. + + W'ave seen the past best times, and these + Will ne'er return; we see the seas + And moons to wane + But they fill up their ebbs again; + But vanish'd man, + Like to a lily lost, ne'er can, + Ne'er can repullulate, or bring + His days to see a second spring. + + But on we must, and thither tend, + Where Anchus and rich Tullus blend + Their sacred seed: + Thus has infernal Jove decreed; + We must be made, + Ere long a song, ere long a shade. + Why then, since life to us is short, + Let's make it full up by our sport. + + Crown we our heads with roses then, + And 'noint with Tyrian balm; for when + We two are dead, + The world with us is buried. + Then live we free + As is the air, and let us be + Our own fair wind, and mark each one + Day with the white and lucky stone. + + We are not poor, although we have + No roofs of cedar, nor our brave + Baiae, nor keep + Account of such a flock of sheep; + Nor bullocks fed + To lard the shambles: barbels bred + To kiss our hands; nor do we wish + For Pollio's lampreys in our dish. + + If we can meet and so confer + Both by a shining salt-cellar, + And have our roof, + Although not arch'd, yet weather-proof, + And ceiling free + From that cheap candle bawdery; + We'll eat our bean with that full mirth + As we were lords of all the earth. + + Well then, on what seas we are toss'd, + Our comfort is, we can't be lost. + Let the winds drive + Our barque, yet she will keep alive + Amidst the deeps. + 'Tis constancy, my Wickes, which keeps + The pinnace up; which, though she errs + I' th' seas, she saves her passengers. + + Say, we must part (sweet mercy bless + Us both i' th' sea, camp, wilderness), + Can we so far + Stray to become less circular + Than we are now? + No, no, that self-same heart, that vow + Which made us one, shall ne'er undo, + Or ravel so to make us two. + + Live in thy peace; as for myself, + When I am bruised on the shelf + Of time, and show + My locks behung with frost and snow; + When with the rheum, + The cough, the ptisick, I consume + Unto an almost nothing; then + The ages fled I'll call again, + + And with a tear compare these last + Lame and bad times with those are past; + While Baucis by, + My old lean wife, shall kiss it dry. + And so we'll sit + By th' fire, foretelling snow and sleet, + And weather by our aches, grown + Now old enough to be our own + + True calendars, as puss's ear + Washed o'er's, to tell what change is near: + Then to assuage + The gripings of the chine by age, + I'll call my young + Iuelus to sing such a song + I made upon my Julia's breast; + And of her blush at such a feast. + + Then shall he read that flower of mine, + Enclos'd within a crystal shrine; + A primrose next; + A piece, then, of a higher text, + For to beget + In me a more transcendent heat + Than that insinuating fire, + Which crept into each aged sire, + + When the fair Helen, from her eyes, + Shot forth her loving sorceries; + At which I'll rear + Mine aged limbs above my chair, + And, hearing it, + Flutter and crow as in a fit + Of fresh concupiscence, and cry: + _No lust there's like to poetry_. + + Thus, frantic-crazy man, God wot, + I'll call to mind things half-forgot, + And oft between + Repeat the times that I have seen! + Thus ripe with tears, + And twisting my Iuelus' hairs, + Doting, I'll weep and say, in truth, + Baucis, these were my sins of youth. + + Then next I'll cause my hopeful lad, + If a wild apple can be had, + To crown the hearth, + Lar thus conspiring with our mirth; + Then to infuse + Our browner ale into the cruse, + Which sweetly spic'd, we'll first carouse + Unto the Genius of the house. + + Then the next health to friends of mine, + Loving the brave Burgundian wine, + High sons of pith, + Whose fortunes I have frolicked with; + Such as could well + Bear up the magic bough and spell; + And dancing 'bout the mystic thyrse, + Give up the just applause to verse: + + To those, and then again to thee, + We'll drink, my Wickes, until we be + Plump as the cherry, + Though not so fresh, yet full as merry + As the cricket, + The untam'd heifer, or the pricket, + Until our tongues shall tell our ears + We're younger by a score of years. + + Thus, till we see the fire less shine + From th' embers than the kitling's eyne, + We'll still sit up, + Sphering about the wassail-cup + To all those times + Which gave me honour for my rhymes. + The coal once spent, we'll then to bed, + Far more than night-bewearied. + + _Posthumus_, the name is taken from Horace, Ode ii. 14, from which the + beginning of this lyric is translated. + _Repullulate_, be born again. + _Anchus and rich Tullus._ Herrick is again translating from Horace (Ode + iv. 7, 14). + _Baiae_, the favourite sea-side resort of the Romans in the time of + Horace. + _Pollio_, Vedius Pollio, who fed his lampreys with human flesh. _Ob_., + B.C. 15. + _Bawdery_, dirt (with no moral meaning). + _Circular_, self-sufficing, the "in se ipso totus teres atque rotundus" + of Horace. Sat. ii. 7, 86. + _Iuelus_, the son of AEneas. + _Pith_, marrow. + _Thyrse_, bacchic staff. + _Pricket_, a buck in his second year. + + +337. A SHORT HYMN TO VENUS. + + Goddess, I do love a girl, + Ruby-lipp'd and tooth'd with pearl; + If so be I may but prove + Lucky in this maid I love, + I will promise there shall be + Myrtles offer'd up to thee. + + +338. TO A GENTLEWOMAN ON JUST DEALING. + + True to yourself and sheets, you'll have me swear; + You shall, if righteous dealing I find there. + Do not you fall through frailty; I'll be sure + To keep my bond still free from forfeiture. + + +339. THE HAND AND TONGUE. + + Two parts of us successively command: + The tongue in peace; but then in war the hand. + + +340. UPON A DELAYING LADY. + + Come, come away, + Or let me go; + Must I here stay + Because y'are slow, + And will continue so? + Troth, lady, no. + + I scorn to be + A slave to state: + And, since I'm free, + I will not wait + Henceforth at such a rate + For needy fate. + + If you desire + My spark should glow, + The peeping fire + You must blow, + Or I shall quickly grow + To frost or snow. + + +341. TO THE LADY MARY VILLARS, GOVERNESS TO THE PRINCESS HENRIETTA. + + When I of Villars do but hear the name, + It calls to mind that mighty Buckingham, + Who was your brave exalted uncle here, + Binding the wheel of fortune to his sphere, + Who spurned at envy, and could bring with ease + An end to all his stately purposes. + For his love then, whose sacred relics show + Their resurrection and their growth in you; + And for my sake, who ever did prefer + You above all those sweets of Westminster; + Permit my book to have a free access + To kiss your hand, most dainty governess. + + +342. UPON HIS JULIA. + + Will ye hear what I can say + Briefly of my Julia? + Black and rolling is her eye, + Double-chinn'd and forehead high; + Lips she has all ruby red, + Cheeks like cream enclareted; + And a nose that is the grace + And proscenium of her face. + So that we may guess by these + The other parts will richly please. + + +343. TO FLOWERS. + + In time of life I graced ye with my verse; + Do now your flowery honours to my hearse. + You shall not languish, trust me; virgins here + Weeping shall make ye flourish all the year. + + +344. TO MY ILL READER. + + Thou say'st my lines are hard, + And I the truth will tell-- + They are both hard and marr'd + If thou not read'st them well. + + +345. THE POWER IN THE PEOPLE. + + Let kings command and do the best they may, + The saucy subjects still will bear the sway. + + +346. A HYMN TO VENUS AND CUPID. + + Sea-born goddess, let me be + By thy son thus grac'd and thee; + That whene'er I woo, I find + Virgins coy but not unkind. + Let me when I kiss a maid + Taste her lips so overlaid + With love's syrup, that I may, + In your temple when I pray, + Kiss the altar and confess + There's in love no bitterness. + + +347. ON JULIA'S PICTURE. + + How am I ravish'd! when I do but see + The painter's art in thy sciography? + If so, how much more shall I dote thereon + When once he gives it incarnation? + + _Sciography_, the profile or section of a building. + + +348. HER BED. + + See'st thou that cloud as silver clear, + Plump, soft, and swelling everywhere? + 'Tis Julia's bed, and she sleeps there. + + +349. HER LEGS. + + Fain would I kiss my Julia's dainty leg, + Which is as white and hairless as an egg. + + +350. UPON HER ALMS. + + See how the poor do waiting stand + For the expansion of thy hand. + A wafer dol'd by thee will swell + Thousands to feed by miracle. + + +351. REWARDS. + + Still to our gains our chief respect is had; + Reward it is that makes us good or bad. + + +352. NOTHING NEW. + + Nothing is new; we walk where others went; + There's no vice now but has his precedent. + + +353. THE RAINBOW. + + Look how the rainbow doth appear + But in one only hemisphere; + So likewise after our decease + No more is seen the arch of peace. + That cov'nant's here, the under-bow, + That nothing shoots but war and woe. + + +354. THE MEADOW-VERSE; OR, ANNIVERSARY TO MISTRESS BRIDGET LOWMAN. + + Come with the spring-time forth, fair maid, and be + This year again the meadow's deity. + Yet ere ye enter give us leave to set + Upon your head this flowery coronet; + To make this neat distinction from the rest, + You are the prime and princess of the feast; + To which with silver feet lead you the way, + While sweet-breath nymphs attend on you this day. + This is your hour, and best you may command, + Since you are lady of this fairy land. + Full mirth wait on you, and such mirth as shall + Cherish the cheek but make none blush at all. + + _Meadow-verse_, to be recited at a rustic feast. + + +355. THE PARTING VERSE, THE FEAST THERE ENDED. + + Loth to depart, but yet at last each one + Back must now go to's habitation; + Not knowing thus much when we once do sever, + Whether or no that we shall meet here ever. + As for myself, since time a thousand cares + And griefs hath filed upon my silver hairs, + 'Tis to be doubted whether I next year + Or no shall give ye a re-meeting here. + If die I must, then my last vow shall be, + You'll with a tear or two remember me. + Your sometime poet; but if fates do give + Me longer date and more fresh springs to live, + Oft as your field shall her old age renew, + Herrick shall make the meadow-verse for you. + + +356. UPON JUDITH. EPIG. + + Judith has cast her old skin and got new, + And walks fresh varnish'd to the public view; + Foul Judith was and foul she will be known + For all this fair transfiguration. + + +359. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PHILIP, EARL OF PEMBROKE AND MONTGOMERY. + + How dull and dead are books that cannot show + A prince of Pembroke, and that Pembroke you! + You who are high born, and a lord no less + Free by your fate than fortune's mightiness, + Who hug our poems, honour'd sir, and then + The paper gild and laureate the pen. + Nor suffer you the poets to sit cold, + But warm their wits and turn their lines to gold. + Others there be who righteously will swear + Those smooth-paced numbers amble everywhere, + And these brave measures go a stately trot; + Love those, like these, regard, reward them not. + But you, my lord, are one whose hand along + Goes with your mouth or does outrun your tongue; + Paying before you praise, and, cockering wit, + Give both the gold and garland unto it. + + _Cockering_, pampering. + + +360. AN HYMN TO JUNO. + + Stately goddess, do thou please, + Who are chief at marriages, + But to dress the bridal bed + When my love and I shall wed; + And a peacock proud shall be + Offered up by us to thee. + + +362. UPON SAPPHO SWEETLY PLAYING AND SWEETLY SINGING. + + When thou dost play and sweetly sing-- + Whether it be the voice or string + Or both of them that do agree + Thus to entrance and ravish me-- + This, this I know, I'm oft struck mute, + And die away upon thy lute. + + +364. CHOP-CHERRY. + + Thou gav'st me leave to kiss, + Thou gav'st me leave to woo; + Thou mad'st me think, by this + And that, thou lov'dst me too. + + But I shall ne'er forget + How, for to make thee merry, + Thou mad'st me chop, but yet + Another snapp'd the cherry. + + _Chop-cherry_, another name of cherry-bob. + + +365. TO THE MOST LEARNED, WISE, AND ARCH-ANTIQUARY, M. JOHN SELDEN. + + I, who have favour'd many, come to be + Grac'd now, at last, or glorified by thee, + Lo! I, the lyric prophet, who have set + On many a head the delphic coronet, + Come unto thee for laurel, having spent + My wreaths on those who little gave or lent. + Give me the daphne, that the world may know it, + Whom they neglected thou hast crown'd a poet. + A city here of heroes I have made + Upon the rock whose firm foundation laid, + Shall never shrink; where, making thine abode, + Live thou a Selden, that's a demi-god. + + _Daphne_, _i.e._, the laurel + + +366. UPON HIMSELF. + + Thou shalt not all die; for, while love's fire shines + Upon his altar, men shall read thy lines, + And learn'd musicians shall, to honour Herrick's + Fame and his name, both set and sing his lyrics. + + +367. UPON WRINKLES. + + Wrinkles no more are or no less + Than beauty turned to sourness. + + +370. PRAY AND PROSPER. + + First offer incense, then thy field and meads + Shall smile and smell the better by thy beads. + The spangling dew, dredg'd o'er the grass, shall be + Turn'd all to mell and manna there for thee. + Butter of amber, cream, and wine, and oil + Shall run, as rivers, all throughout thy soil. + Would'st thou to sincere silver turn thy mould? + Pray once, twice pray, and turn thy ground to gold. + + _Beads_, prayers. + _Mell_, honey. + _Sincere silver_, pure silver. + + +371. HIS LACHRYMAE; OR, MIRTH TURNED TO MOURNING. + + Call me no more, + As heretofore, + The music of a feast; + Since now, alas! + The mirth that was + In me is dead or ceas'd. + + Before I went, + To banishment, + Into the loathed west, + I could rehearse + A lyric verse, + And speak it with the best. + + But time, ay me! + Has laid, I see, + My organ fast asleep, + And turn'd my voice + Into the noise + Of those that sit and weep. + + +375. TO THE MOST FAIR AND LOVELY MISTRESS ANNE SOAME, NOW LADY ABDIE. + + So smell those odours that do rise + From out the wealthy spiceries; + So smells the flower of blooming clove, + Or roses smother'd in the stove; + So smells the air of spiced wine, + Or essences of jessamine; + So smells the breath about the hives + When well the work of honey thrives, + And all the busy factors come + Laden with wax and honey home; + So smell those neat and woven bowers + All over-arch'd with orange flowers, + And almond blossoms that do mix + To make rich these aromatics; + So smell those bracelets and those bands + Of amber chaf'd between the hands, + When thus enkindled they transpire + A noble perfume from the fire; + The wine of cherries, and to these + The cooling breath of respasses; + The smell of morning's milk and cream, + Butter of cowslips mix'd with them; + Of roasted warden or bak'd pear, + These are not to be reckon'd here, + Whenas the meanest part of her, + Smells like the maiden pomander. + Thus sweet she smells, or what can be + More lik'd by her or lov'd by me. + + _Factors_, workers. + _Respasses_, raspberries. + _Pomander_, ball of scent. + + +376. UPON HIS KINSWOMAN, MISTRESS ELIZABETH HERRICK. + + Sweet virgin, that I do not set + The pillars up of weeping jet + Or mournful marble, let thy shade + Not wrathful seem, or fright the maid + Who hither at her wonted hours + Shall come to strew thy earth with flowers. + No; know, bless'd maid, when there's not one + Remainder left of brass or stone, + Thy living epitaph shall be, + Though lost in them, yet found in me; + Dear, in thy bed of roses then, + Till this world shall dissolve as men, + Sleep while we hide thee from the light, + Drawing thy curtains round: Good-night. + + +377. A PANEGYRIC TO SIR LEWIS PEMBERTON. + + Till I shall come again let this suffice, + I send my salt, my sacrifice + To thee, thy lady, younglings, and as far + As to thy Genius and thy Lar; + To the worn threshold, porch, hall, parlour, kitchen, + The fat-fed smoking temple, which in + The wholesome savour of thy mighty chines + Invites to supper him who dines, + Where laden spits, warp'd with large ribs of beef, + Not represent but give relief + To the lank stranger and the sour swain, + Where both may feed and come again; + For no black-bearded vigil from thy door + Beats with a button'd-staff the poor; + But from thy warm love-hatching gates each may + Take friendly morsels and there stay + To sun his thin-clad members if he likes, + For thou no porter keep'st who strikes. + No comer to thy roof his guest-rite wants, + Or staying there is scourg'd with taunts + Of some rough groom, who, yirkt with corns, says: "Sir, + Y'ave dipped too long i' th' vinegar; + And with our broth, and bread, and bits, sir friend, + Y'ave fared well: pray make an end; + Two days y'ave larded here; a third, ye know, + Makes guests and fish smell strong; pray go + You to some other chimney, and there take + Essay of other giblets; make + Merry at another's hearth--y'are here + Welcome as thunder to our beer; + Manners know distance, and a man unrude + Would soon recoil and not intrude + His stomach to a second meal". No, no! + Thy house well fed and taught can show + No such crabb'd vizard: thou hast learnt thy train + With heart and hand to entertain, + And by the armsful, with a breast unhid, + As the old race of mankind did, + When either's heart and either's hand did strive + To be the nearer relative. + Thou dost redeem those times, and what was lost + Of ancient honesty may boast + It keeps a growth in thee, and so will run + A course in thy fame's pledge, thy son. + Thus, like a Roman tribune, thou thy gate + Early sets ope to feast and late; + Keeping no currish waiter to affright + With blasting eye the appetite, + Which fain would waste upon thy cates, but that + The trencher-creature marketh what + Best and more suppling piece he cuts, and by + Some private pinch tells danger's nigh + A hand too desp'rate, or a knife that bites + Skin-deep into the pork, or lights + Upon some part of kid, as if mistook, + When checked by the butler's look. + No, no; thy bread, thy wine, thy jocund beer + Is not reserved for Trebius here, + But all who at thy table seated are + Find equal freedom, equal fare; + And thou, like to that hospitable god, + Jove, joy'st when guests make their abode + To eat thy bullock's thighs, thy veals, thy fat + Wethers, and never grudged at. + The _pheasant_, _partridge_, _gotwit_, _reeve_, _ruff_, _rail_, + The _cock_, the _curlew_ and the _quail_, + These and thy choicest viands do extend + Their taste unto the lower end + Of thy glad table: not a dish more known + To thee than unto anyone. + But as thy meat so thy _immortal wine_ + Makes the smirk face of each to shine + And spring fresh rosebuds, while the salt, the wit, + Flows from the wine and graces it; + While reverence, waiting at the bashful board, + Honours my lady and my lord. + No scurril jest; no open scene is laid + Here for to make the face afraid; + But temperate mirth dealt forth, and so discreet- + ly that it makes the meat more sweet; + And adds perfumes unto the wine, which thou + Dost rather pour forth than allow + By cruse and measure; thus devoting wine + As the Canary Isles were thine; + But with that wisdom and that method, as + No one that's there his guilty glass + Drinks of distemper, or has cause to cry + Repentance to his liberty. + No, thou knowest order, ethics, and has read + All economics, know'st to lead + A house-dance neatly, and canst truly show + How far a figure ought to go, + Forward or backward, sideward, and what pace + Can give, and what retract a grace; + What gesture, courtship, comeliness agrees + With those thy primitive decrees, + To give subsistence to thy house, and proof + What Genii support thy roof, + Goodness and Greatness; not the oaken piles; + _For these and marbles have their whiles + To last, but not their ever_; virtue's hand + It is which builds 'gainst fate to stand. + Such is thy house, whose firm foundation's trust + Is more in thee than in her dust + Or depth; these last may yield and yearly shrink + When what is strongly built, no chink + Or yawning rupture can the same devour, + But fix'd it stands, by her own power + And well-laid bottom, on the iron and rock + Which tries and counter-stands the shock + And ram of time, and by vexation grows + The stronger; _virtue dies when foes + Are wanting to her exercise, but great + And large she spreads by dust and sweat_. + Safe stand thy walls and thee, and so both will, + Since neither's height was rais'd by th' ill + Of others; since no stud, no stone, no piece + Was rear'd up by the poor man's fleece; + No widow's tenement was rack'd to gild + Or fret thy ceiling or to build + A sweating-closet to anoint the silk- + soft skin, or bathe in asses' milk; + No orphan's pittance left him serv'd to set + The pillars up of lasting jet, + For which their cries might beat against thine ears, + Or in the damp jet read their tears. + No plank from hallowed altar does appeal + To yond' Star-Chamber, or does seal + A curse to thee or thine; but all things even + Make for thy peace and pace to heaven. + Go on directly so, as just men may + A thousand times more swear than say: + This is that princely Pemberton who can + Teach man to keep a god in man; + And when wise poets shall search out to see + Good men, they find them all in thee. + + _Vigil_, watchman. + _Button'd-staff_, staff with a knob at its end. + _Yirkt_, scourged. + _Redeem_, buy back. + _Suppling_, tender. + _Trebius_, friend of the epicure Lucullus; cp. Juv. v. 19. + + +378. TO HIS VALENTINE ON ST. VALENTINE'S DAY. + + Oft have I heard both youths and virgins say + Birds choose their mates, and couple too this day; + But by their flight I never can divine + When I shall couple with my valentine. + + +382. UPON M. BEN. JONSON. EPIG. + + After the rare arch-poet, Jonson, died, + The sock grew loathsome, and the buskin's pride, + Together with the stage's glory, stood + Each like a poor and pitied widowhood. + The cirque profan'd was, and all postures rack'd; + For men did strut, and stride, and stare, not act. + Then temper flew from words, and men did squeak, + Look red, and blow, and bluster, but not speak; + No holy rage or frantic fires did stir + Or flash about the spacious theatre. + No clap of hands, or shout, or praise's proof + Did crack the play-house sides, or cleave her roof. + Artless the scene was, and that monstrous sin + Of deep and arrant ignorance came in: + Such ignorance as theirs was who once hiss'd + At thy unequall'd play, the _Alchemist_; + Oh, fie upon 'em! Lastly, too, all wit + In utter darkness did, and still will sit, + Sleeping the luckless age out, till that she + Her resurrection has again with thee. + + +383. ANOTHER. + + Thou had'st the wreath before, now take the tree, + That henceforth none be laurel-crown'd but thee. + + +384. TO HIS NEPHEW, TO BE PROSPEROUS IN HIS ART OF PAINTING. + + On, as thou hast begun, brave youth, and get + The palm from Urbin, Titian, Tintoret, + Brugel and Coxu, and the works outdo + Of Holbein and that mighty Rubens too. + So draw and paint as none may do the like, + No, not the glory of the world, Vandyke. + + _Urbin_, Raphael. + _Brugel_, Jan Breughel, Dutch landscape painter (1569-1625), or his + father or brother. + _Coxu_, Michael van Coxcie, Flemish painter (1497-1592). + + +386. A VOW TO MARS. + + Store of courage to me grant, + Now I'm turn'd a combatant; + Help me, so that I my shield, + Fighting, lose not in the field. + That's the greatest shame of all + That in warfare can befall. + Do but this, and there shall be + Offer'd up a wolf to thee. + + +387. TO HIS MAID, PREW. + + These summer-birds did with thy master stay + The times of warmth, but then they flew away, + Leaving their poet, being now grown old, + Expos'd to all the coming winter's cold. + But thou, kind Prew, did'st with my fates abide + As well the winter's as the summer's tide; + For which thy love, live with thy master here, + Not one, but all the seasons of the year. + + +388. A CANTICLE TO APOLLO. + + Play, Ph[oe]bus, on thy lute; + And we will all sit mute, + By listening to thy lyre, + That sets all ears on fire. + + Hark, hark, the god does play! + And as he leads the way + Through heaven the very spheres, + As men, turn all to ears. + + +389. A JUST MAN. + + A just man's like a rock that turns the wrath + Of all the raging waves into a froth. + + +390. UPON A HOARSE SINGER. + + Sing me to death; for till thy voice be clear, + 'Twill never please the palate of mine ear. + + +391. HOW PANSIES OR HEART'S-EASE CAME FIRST. + + Frolic virgins once these were, + Over-loving, living here; + Being here their ends denied, + Ran for sweethearts mad, and died. + Love, in pity of their tears, + And their loss in blooming years, + For their restless here-spent hours, + Gave them heart's-ease turn'd to flowers. + + +392. TO HIS PECULIAR FRIEND, SIR EDWARD FISH, KNIGHT BARONET. + + Since, for thy full deserts, with all the rest + Of these chaste spirits that are here possest + Of life eternal, time has made thee one + For growth in this my rich plantation, + Live here; but know 'twas virtue, and not chance, + That gave thee this so high inheritance. + Keep it for ever, grounded with the good, + Who hold fast here an endless livelihood. + + +393. LAR'S PORTION AND THE POET'S PART. + + At my homely country-seat + I have there a little wheat, + Which I work to meal, and make + Therewithal a holy cake: + Part of which I give to Lar, + Part is my peculiar. + + _Peculiar_, his own property. + + +394. UPON MAN. + + Man is compos'd here of a twofold part: + The first of nature, and the next of art: + Art presupposes nature; nature she + Prepares the way for man's docility. + + +395. LIBERTY. + + Those ills that mortal men endure + So long, are capable of cure, + As they of freedom may be sure; + But, that denied, a grief, though small, + Shakes the whole roof, or ruins all. + + +396. LOTS TO BE LIKED. + + Learn this of me, where'er thy lot doth fall, + Short lot or not, to be content with all. + + +397. GRIEFS. + + Jove may afford us thousands of reliefs, + Since man expos'd is to a world of griefs. + + +399. THE DREAM. + + By dream I saw one of the three + Sisters of fate appear to me; + Close to my bedside she did stand, + Showing me there a firebrand; + She told me too, as that did spend, + So drew my life unto an end. + Three quarters were consum'd of it; + Only remained a little bit, + Which will be burnt up by-and-by; + Then, Julia, weep, for I must die. + + +402. CLOTHES DO BUT CHEAT AND COZEN US. + + Away with silks, away with lawn, + I'll have no scenes or curtains drawn; + Give me my mistress as she is, + Dress'd in her nak'd simplicities; + For as my heart e'en so mine eye + Is won with flesh, not drapery. + + +403. TO DIANEME. + + Show me thy feet; show me thy legs, thy thighs; + Show me those fleshy principalities; + Show me that hill where smiling love doth sit. + Having a living fountain under it; + Show me thy waist, then let me therewithal, + By the assention of thy lawn, see all. + + +404. UPON ELECTRA. + + When out of bed my love doth spring, + 'Tis but as day a-kindling; + But when she's up and fully dress'd, + 'Tis then broad day throughout the east. + + +405. TO HIS BOOK. + + Have I not blest thee? Then go forth, nor fear + Or spice, or fish, or fire, or close-stools here. + But with thy fair fates leading thee, go on + With thy most white predestination. + Nor think these ages that do hoarsely sing + The farting tanner and familiar king, + The dancing friar, tatter'd in the bush; + Those monstrous lies of little Robin Rush, + Tom Chipperfeild, and pretty lisping Ned, + That doted on a maid of gingerbread; + The flying pilchard and the frisking dace, + With all the rabble of Tim Trundell's race + (Bred from the dunghills and adulterous rhymes), + Shall live, and thou not superlast all times. + No, no; thy stars have destin'd thee to see + The whole world die and turn to dust with thee. + _He's greedy of his life who will not fall + Whenas a public ruin bears down all._ + + _The farting tanner_, etc., see Note. + + +406. OF LOVE. + + I do not love, nor can it be + Love will in vain spend shafts on me; + I did this godhead once defy, + Since which I freeze, but cannot fry. + Yet out, alas! the death's the same, + Kill'd by a frost or by a flame. + + +407. UPON HIMSELF. + + I dislik'd but even now; + Now I love I know not how. + Was I idle, and that while + Was I fir'd with a smile? + I'll to work, or pray; and then + I shall quite dislike again. + + +408. ANOTHER. + + Love he that will, it best likes me + To have my neck from love's yoke free. + + +412. THE MAD MAID'S SONG. + + Good-morrow to the day so fair, + Good-morning, sir, to you; + Good-morrow to mine own torn hair, + Bedabbled with the dew. + + Good-morning to this primrose too, + Good-morrow to each maid + That will with flowers the tomb bestrew + Wherein my love is laid. + + Ah! woe is me, woe, woe is me, + Alack and well-a-day! + For pity, sir, find out that bee + Which bore my love away. + + I'll seek him in your bonnet brave, + I'll seek him in your eyes; + Nay, now I think th'ave made his grave + I' th' bed of strawberries. + + I'll seek him there; I know ere this + The cold, cold earth doth shake him; + But I will go or send a kiss + By you, sir, to awake him. + + Pray, hurt him not, though he be dead, + He knows well who do love him, + And who with green turfs rear his head, + And who do rudely move him. + + He's soft and tender (pray take heed); + With bands of cowslips bind him, + And bring him home; but 'tis decreed + That I shall never find him. + + +413. TO SPRINGS AND FOUNTAINS. + + I heard ye could cool heat, and came + With hope you would allay the same; + Thrice I have wash'd but feel no cold, + Nor find that true which was foretold. + Methinks, like mine, your pulses beat + And labour with unequal heat; + Cure, cure yourselves, for I descry + Ye boil with love as well as I. + + +414. UPON JULIA'S UNLACING HERSELF. + + Tell if thou canst, and truly, whence doth come + This camphor, storax, spikenard, galbanum; + These musks, these ambers, and those other smells, + Sweet as the vestry of the oracles. + I'll tell thee: while my Julia did unlace + Her silken bodice but a breathing space, + The passive air such odour then assum'd, + As when to Jove great Juno goes perfum'd, + Whose pure immortal body doth transmit + A scent that fills both heaven and earth with it. + + +415. TO BACCHUS, A CANTICLE. + + Whither dost thou whorry me, + Bacchus, being full of thee? + This way, that way, that way, this, + Here and there a fresh love is. + That doth like me, this doth please, + Thus a thousand mistresses + I have now; yet I alone, + Having all, enjoy not one. + + _Whorry_, carry rapidly. + + +416. THE LAWN. + + Would I see lawn, clear as the heaven, and thin? + It should be only in my Julia's skin, + Which so betrays her blood as we discover + The blush of cherries when a lawn's cast over. + + +417. THE FRANKINCENSE. + + When my off'ring next I make, + Be thy hand the hallowed cake, + And thy breast the altar whence + Love may smell the frankincense. + + +420. TO SYCAMORES. + + I'm sick of love, O let me lie + Under your shades to sleep or die! + Either is welcome, so I have + Or here my bed, or here my grave. + Why do you sigh, and sob, and keep + Time with the tears that I do weep? + Say, have ye sense, or do you prove + What crucifixions are in love? + I know ye do, and that's the why + You sigh for love as well as I. + + +421. A PASTORAL SUNG TO THE KING: MONTANO, SILVIO, AND MIRTILLO, +SHEPHERDS. + + _Mon._ Bad are the times. _Sil._ And worse than they are we. + _Mon._ Troth, bad are both; worse fruit and ill the tree: + The feast of shepherds fail. _Sil._ None crowns the cup + Of wassail now or sets the quintell up; + And he who us'd to lead the country-round, + Youthful Mirtillo, here he comes grief-drown'd. + _Ambo._ Let's cheer him up. _Sil._ Behold him weeping-ripe. + _Mir._ Ah! Amaryllis, farewell mirth and pipe; + Since thou art gone, no more I mean to play + To these smooth lawns my mirthful roundelay. + Dear Amaryllis! _Mon._ Hark! _Sil._ Mark! _Mir._ This earth grew sweet + Where, Amaryllis, thou didst set thy feet. + _Ambo._ Poor pitied youth! _Mir._ And here the breath of kine + And sheep grew more sweet by that breath of thine. + This flock of wool and this rich lock of hair, + This ball of cowslips, these she gave me here. + _Sil._ Words sweet as love itself. Montano, hark! + _Mir._ This way she came, and this way too she went; + How each thing smells divinely redolent! + Like to a field of beans when newly blown, + Or like a meadow being lately mown. + _Mon._ A sweet-sad passion---- + _Mir._ In dewy mornings when she came this way + Sweet bents would bow to give my love the day; + And when at night she folded had her sheep, + Daisies would shut, and, closing, sigh and weep. + Besides (ay me!) since she went hence to dwell, + The voices' daughter ne'er spake syllable. + But she is gone. _Sil._ Mirtillo, tell us whither. + _Mir._ Where she and I shall never meet together. + _Mon._ Forfend it Pan, and, Pales, do thou please + To give an end. _Mir._ To what? _Sil._ Such griefs as these. + _Mir._ Never, O never! Still I may endure + The wound I suffer, never find a cure. + _Mon._ Love for thy sake will bring her to these hills + And dales again. _Mir._ No, I will languish still; + And all the while my part shall be to weep, + And with my sighs, call home my bleating sheep: + And in the rind of every comely tree + I'll carve thy name, and in that name kiss thee. + _Mon._ Set with the sun thy woes. _Sil._ The day grows old, + And time it is our full-fed flocks to fold. + _Chor._ The shades grow great, but greater grows our sorrow; + But let's go steep + Our eyes in sleep, + And meet to weep + To-morrow. + + _Quintell_, quintain or tilting board. + _Bents_, grasses. + _Pales_, the goddess of sheepfolds. + + +422. THE POET LOVES A MISTRESS, BUT NOT TO MARRY. + + I do not love to wed, + Though I do like to woo; + And for a maidenhead + I'll beg and buy it too. + + I'll praise and I'll approve + Those maids that never vary; + And fervently I'll love, + But yet I would not marry. + + I'll hug, I'll kiss, I'll play, + And, cock-like, hens I'll tread, + And sport it any way + But in the bridal bed. + + For why? that man is poor + Who hath but one of many, + But crown'd he is with store + That, single, may have any. + + Why then, say, what is he, + To freedom so unknown, + Who, having two or three, + Will be content with one? + + +425. THE WILLOW GARLAND. + + A willow garland thou did'st send + Perfum'd, last day, to me, + Which did but only this portend-- + I was forsook by thee. + + Since so it is, I'll tell thee what, + To-morrow thou shalt see + Me wear the willow; after that, + To die upon the tree. + + As beasts unto the altars go + With garlands dress'd, so I + Will, with my willow-wreath, also + Come forth and sweetly die. + + +427. A HYMN TO SIR CLIPSEBY CREW. + + 'Twas not love's dart, + Or any blow + Of want, or foe, + Did wound my heart + With an eternal smart; + + But only you, + My sometimes known + Companion, + My dearest Crew, + That me unkindly slew. + + May your fault die, + And have no name + In books of fame; + Or let it lie + Forgotten now, as I. + + We parted are + And now no more, + As heretofore, + By jocund Lar + Shall be familiar. + + But though we sever, + My Crew shall see + That I will be + Here faithless never, + But love my Clipseby ever. + + +430. EMPIRES. + + Empires of kings are now, and ever were, + As Sallust saith, coincident to fear. + + +431. FELICITY QUICK OF FLIGHT. + + Every time seems short to be + That's measured by felicity; + But one half-hour that's made up here + With grief, seems longer than a year. + + +436. THE CROWD AND COMPANY. + + In holy meetings there a man may be + One of the crowd, not of the company. + + +438. POLICY IN PRINCES. + + That princes may possess a surer seat, + 'Tis fit they make no one with them too great. + + +440. UPON THE NIPPLES OF JULIA'S BREAST. + + Have ye beheld (with much delight) + A red rose peeping through a white? + Or else a cherry, double grac'd, + Within a lily centre plac'd? + Or ever mark'd the pretty beam + A strawberry shows half-drown'd in cream? + Or seen rich rubies blushing through + A pure smooth pearl and orient too? + So like to this, nay all the rest, + Is each neat niplet of her breast. + + +441. TO DAISIES, NOT TO SHUT SO SOON. + + Shut not so soon; the dull-ey'd night + Has not as yet begun + To make a seizure on the light, + Or to seal up the sun. + + No marigolds yet closed are, + No shadows great appear; + Nor doth the early shepherd's star + Shine like a spangle here. + + Stay but till my Julia close + Her life-begetting eye, + And let the whole world then dispose + Itself to live or die. + + +442. TO THE LITTLE SPINNERS. + + Ye pretty housewives, would ye know + The work that I would put ye to? + This, this it should be: for to spin + A lawn for me, so fine and thin + As it might serve me for my skin. + For cruel Love has me so whipp'd + That of my skin I all am stripp'd: + And shall despair that any art + Can ease the rawness or the smart, + Unless you skin again each part. + Which mercy if you will but do, + I call all maids to witness to + What here I promise: that no broom + Shall now or ever after come + To wrong a spinner or her loom. + + _Spinners_, spiders. + + +443. OBERON'S PALACE. + + After the feast, my Shapcot, see + The fairy court I give to thee; + Where we'll present our Oberon, led + Half-tipsy to the fairy bed, + Where Mab he finds, who there doth lie, + Not without mickle majesty. + Which done, and thence remov'd the light, + We'll wish both them and thee good-night. + + Full as a bee with thyme, and red + As cherry harvest, now high fed + For lust and action, on he'll go + To lie with Mab, though all say no. + Lust has no ears; he's sharp as thorn, + And fretful, carries hay in's horn, + And lightning in his eyes; and flings + Among the elves, if moved, the stings + Of peltish wasps; well know his guard-- + _Kings, though they're hated, will be fear'd_. + Wine lead[s] him on. Thus to a grove, + Sometimes devoted unto love, + Tinselled with twilight, he and they, + Led by the shine of snails, a way + Beat with their num'rous feet, which, by + Many a neat perplexity, + Many a turn and many a cross- + Track they redeem a bank of moss, + Spongy and swelling, and far more + Soft than the finest Lemster ore, + Mildly disparkling like those fires + Which break from the enjewell'd tyres + Of curious brides; or like those mites + Of candi'd dew in moony nights. + Upon this convex all the flowers + Nature begets by th' sun and showers, + Are to a wild digestion brought, + As if love's sampler here was wrought: + Or Citherea's ceston, which + All with temptation doth bewitch. + Sweet airs move here, and more divine + Made by the breath of great-eyed kine, + Who, as they low, impearl with milk + The four-leaved grass or moss like silk. + The breath of monkeys met to mix + With musk-flies are th' aromatics + Which 'cense this arch; and here and there + And farther off, and everywhere + Throughout that brave mosaic yard, + Those picks or diamonds in the card + With peeps of hearts, of club, and spade + Are here most neatly inter-laid + Many a counter, many a die, + Half-rotten and without an eye + Lies hereabouts; and, for to pave + The excellency of this cave, + Squirrels' and children's teeth late shed + Are neatly here enchequered + With brownest toadstones, and the gum + That shines upon the bluer plum. + The nails fallen off by whitflaws: art's + Wise hand enchasing here those warts + Which we to others, from ourselves, + Sell, and brought hither by the elves. + The tempting mole, stolen from the neck + Of the shy virgin, seems to deck + The holy entrance, where within + The room is hung with the blue skin + Of shifted snake: enfriez'd throughout + With eyes of peacocks' trains and trout- + Flies' curious wings; and these among + Those silver pence that cut the tongue + Of the red infant, neatly hung. + The glow-worm's eyes; the shining scales + Of silv'ry fish; wheat straws, the snail's + Soft candle light; the kitling's eyne; + Corrupted wood; serve here for shine. + No glaring light of bold-fac'd day, + Or other over-radiant ray, + Ransacks this room; but what weak beams + Can make reflected from these gems + And multiply; such is the light, + But ever doubtful day or night. + By this quaint taper light he winds + His errors up; and now he finds + His moon-tann'd Mab, as somewhat sick, + And (love knows) tender as a chick. + Upon six plump dandillions, high- + Rear'd, lies her elvish majesty: + Whose woolly bubbles seem'd to drown + Her Mabship in obedient down. + For either sheet was spread the caul + That doth the infant's face enthral, + When it is born (by some enstyl'd + The lucky omen of the child), + And next to these two blankets o'er- + Cast of the finest gossamore. + And then a rug of carded wool, + Which, sponge-like drinking in the dull + Light of the moon, seemed to comply, + Cloud-like, the dainty deity. + Thus soft she lies: and overhead + A spinner's circle is bespread + With cob-web curtains, from the roof + So neatly sunk as that no proof + Of any tackling can declare + What gives it hanging in the air. + The fringe about this are those threads + Broke at the loss of maidenheads: + And, all behung with these, pure pearls, + Dropp'd from the eyes of ravish'd girls + Or writhing brides; when (panting) they + Give unto love the straiter way. + For music now, he has the cries + Of feigned-lost virginities; + The which the elves make to excite + A more unconquered appetite. + The king's undrest; and now upon + The gnat's watchword the elves are gone. + And now the bed, and Mab possess'd + Of this great little kingly guest; + We'll nobly think, what's to be done, + He'll do no doubt; _this flax is spun_. + + _Mickle_, much. + _Carries hay in's horn_ (f[oe]num habet in cornu), is dangerous. + _Peltish_, angry. + _Redeem_, gain. + _Lemster ore_, Leominster wool. + _Tyres_, head-dresses. + _Picks_, diamonds on playing-cards were so called from their points. + _Peeps_, pips. + _Whitflaws_, whitlows. + _Corrupted_, _i.e._, phosphorescent. + _Winds his errors up_, brings his wanderings to an end. + _Dandillions_, dandelions. + _Comply_, embrace. + _Spinner_, spider. + _Proof_, sign. + + +444. TO HIS PECULIAR FRIEND, MR. THOMAS SHAPCOTT, LAWYER. + + I've paid thee what I promis'd; that's not all; + Besides I give thee here a verse that shall + (When hence thy circummortal part is gone), + Arch-like, hold up thy name's inscription. + Brave men can't die, whose candid actions are + Writ in the poet's endless calendar: + Whose vellum and whose volume is the sky, + And the pure stars the praising poetry. + Farewell + + _Circummortal_, more than mortal. + _Candid_, fair. + + +445. TO JULIA IN THE TEMPLE. + + Besides us two, i' th' temple here's not one + To make up now a congregation. + Let's to the altar of perfumes then go, + And say short prayers; and when we have done so, + Then we shall see, how in a little space + Saints will come in to fill each pew and place. + + +446. TO OENONE. + + What conscience, say, is it in thee, + When I a heart had one, + To take away that heart from me, + And to retain thy own? + + For shame or pity now incline + To play a loving part; + Either to send me kindly thine, + Or give me back my heart. + + Covet not both; but if thou dost + Resolve to part with neither, + Why! yet to show that thou art just, + Take me and mine together. + + +447. HIS WEAKNESS IN WOES. + + I cannot suffer; and in this my part + Of patience wants. _Grief breaks the stoutest heart._ + + +448. FAME MAKES US FORWARD. + + To print our poems, the propulsive cause + Is fame--the breath of popular applause. + + +449. TO GROVES. + + Ye silent shades, whose each tree here + Some relique of a saint doth wear, + Who, for some sweetheart's sake, did prove + The fire and martyrdom of love: + Here is the legend of those saints + That died for love, and their complaints: + Their wounded hearts and names we find + Encarv'd upon the leaves and rind. + Give way, give way to me, who come + Scorch'd with the self-same martyrdom: + And have deserv'd as much (love knows) + As to be canonis'd 'mongst those + Whose deeds and deaths here written are + Within your greeny calendar: + By all those virgins' fillets hung + Upon your boughs, and requiems sung + For saints and souls departed hence + (Here honour'd still with frankincense); + By all those tears that have been shed, + As a drink-offering to the dead; + By all those true love-knots that be + With mottoes carv'd on every tree; + By sweet Saint Phyllis pity me: + By dear Saint Iphis, and the rest + Of all those other saints now blest, + Me, me, forsaken, here admit + Among your myrtles to be writ: + That my poor name may have the glory + To live remembered in your story. + + _Phyllis_, the Thracian princess who hanged herself for love of + Demophoon. + _Iphis_, a Cyprian youth who hanged himself for love of Anaxaretes. + + +450. AN EPITAPH UPON A VIRGIN. + + Here a solemn fast we keep, + While all beauty lies asleep + Hush'd be all things--no noise here-- + But the toning of a tear: + Or a sigh of such as bring + Cowslips for her covering. + + +451. TO THE RIGHT GRACIOUS PRINCE, LODOWICK, DUKE OF RICHMOND AND +LENNOX. + + Of all those three brave brothers fall'n i' th' war + (Not without glory), noble sir, you are, + Despite of all concussions, left the stem + To shoot forth generations like to them. + Which may be done, if, sir, you can beget + Men in their substance, not in counterfeit, + Such essences as those three brothers; known + Eternal by their own production. + Of whom, from fame's white trumpet, this I'll tell, + Worthy their everlasting chronicle: + Never since first Bellona us'd a shield, + _Such three brave brothers fell in Mars his field_. + These were those three Horatii Rome did boast, + Rome's were these three Horatii we have lost. + One C[oe]ur-de-Lion had that age long since; + This, three; which three, you make up four, brave prince. + + +452. TO JEALOUSY. + + O jealousy, that art + The canker of the heart; + And mak'st all hell + Where thou do'st dwell; + For pity be + No fury, or no firebrand to me. + + Far from me I'll remove + All thoughts of irksome love: + And turn to snow, + Or crystal grow, + To keep still free, + O! soul-tormenting jealousy, from thee. + + +453. TO LIVE FREELY. + + Let's live in haste; use pleasures while we may; + Could life return, 'twould never lose a day. + + +455. HIS ALMS. + + Here, here I live, + And somewhat give + Of what I have + To those who crave, + Little or much, + My alms is such; + But if my deal + Of oil and meal + Shall fuller grow, + More I'll bestow; + Meantime be it + E'en but a bit, + Or else a crumb, + The scrip hath some. + + _Deal_, portion. + + +456. UPON HIMSELF. + + Come, leave this loathed country life, and then + Grow up to be a Roman citizen. + Those mites of time, which yet remain unspent, + Waste thou in that most civil government. + Get their comportment and the gliding tongue + Of those mild men thou art to live among; + Then, being seated in that smoother sphere, + Decree thy everlasting topic there; + And to the farm-house ne'er return at all: + Though granges do not love thee, cities shall. + + +457. TO ENJOY THE TIME. + + While Fates permit us let's be merry, + Pass all we must the fatal ferry; + And this our life too whirls away + With the rotation of the day. + + +458. UPON LOVE. + + Love, I have broke + Thy yoke, + The neck is free; + But when I'm next + Love-vexed, + Then shackle me. + + 'Tis better yet + To fret + The feet or hands, + Than to enthral + Or gall + The neck with bands. + + +459. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MILDMAY, EARL OF WESTMORELAND. + + You are a lord, an earl, nay more, a man + Who writes sweet numbers well as any can; + If so, why then are not these verses hurled, + Like Sybil's leaves, throughout the ample world? + What is a jewel if it be not set + Forth by a ring or some rich carcanet? + But being so, then the beholders cry: + See, see a gem as rare as Belus' eye. + Then public praise does run upon the stone, + For a most rich, a rare, a precious one. + Expose your jewels then unto the view, + That we may praise them, or themselves prize you. + _Virtue concealed_, with Horace you'll confess, + _Differs not much from drowsy slothfulness_. + + _Belus' eye_, the eye onyx. "The stone called Belus' eie is white, and + hath within it a black apple." (Holland's _Pliny_.) + + +460. THE PLUNDER. + + I am of all bereft, + Save but some few beans left, + Whereof, at last, to make + For me and mine a cake, + Which eaten, they and I + Will say our grace, and die. + + +461. LITTLENESS NO CAUSE OF LEANNESS. + + One feeds on lard, and yet is lean, + And I but feasting with a bean + Grow fat and smooth. The reason is: + Jove prospers my meat more than his. + + +464. THE JIMMALL RING OR TRUE-LOVE KNOT. + + Thou sent'st to me a true love-knot, but I + Returned a ring of jimmals to imply + Thy love had one knot, mine a triple tie. + + _Jimmal_ or _gimmal_, double or triple ring. + + +465. THE PARTING VERSE OR CHARGE TO HIS SUPPOSED WIFE WHEN HE TRAVELLED. + + Go hence, and with this parting kiss, + Which joins two souls, remember this: + Though thou be'st young, kind, soft, and fair + And may'st draw thousands with a hair; + Yet let these glib temptations be + Furies to others, friends to me. + Look upon all, and though on fire + Thou set their hearts, let chaste desire + Steer thee to me, and think, me gone, + In having all, that thou hast none. + Nor so immured would I have + Thee live, as dead and in thy grave; + But walk abroad, yet wisely well + Stand for my coming, sentinel. + And think, as thou do'st walk the street, + Me or my shadow thou do'st meet. + I know a thousand greedy eyes + Will on thy feature tyrannise + In my short absence, yet behold + Them like some picture, or some mould + Fashion'd like thee, which, though 't have ears + And eyes, it neither sees or hears. + Gifts will be sent, and letters, which + Are the expressions of that itch, + And salt, which frets thy suitors; fly + Both, lest thou lose thy liberty; + For, that once lost, thou't fall to one, + Then prostrate to a million. + But if they woo thee, do thou say, + As that chaste Queen of Ithaca + Did to her suitors, this web done, + (Undone as oft as done), I'm won; + I will not urge thee, for I know, + Though thou art young, thou canst say no, + And no again, and so deny + Those thy lust-burning incubi. + Let them enstyle thee fairest fair, + The pearl of princes, yet despair + That so thou art, because thou must + Believe love speaks it not, but lust; + And this their flattery does commend + Thee chiefly for their pleasure's end. + I am not jealous of thy faith, + Or will be, for the axiom saith: + He that doth suspect does haste + A gentle mind to be unchaste. + No, live thee to thy self, and keep + Thy thoughts as cold as is thy sleep, + And let thy dreams be only fed + With this, that I am in thy bed; + And thou, then turning in that sphere, + Waking shalt find me sleeping there. + But yet if boundless lust must scale + Thy fortress, and will needs prevail, + And wildly force a passage in, + Banish consent, and 'tis no sin + Of thine; so Lucrece fell and the + Chaste Syracusian Cyane. + So Medullina fell; yet none + Of these had imputation + For the least trespass, 'cause the mind + Here was not with the act combin'd. + _The body sins not, 'tis the will + That makes the action, good or ill._ + And if thy fall should this way come, + Triumph in such a martyrdom. + I will not over-long enlarge + To thee this my religious charge. + Take this compression, so by this + Means I shall know what other kiss + Is mixed with mine, and truly know, + Returning, if't be mine or no: + Keep it till then; and now, my spouse, + For my wished safety pay thy vows + And prayers to Venus; if it please + The great blue ruler of the seas, + Not many full-faced moons shall wane, + Lean-horn'd, before I come again + As one triumphant, when I find + In thee all faith of womankind. + Nor would I have thee think that thou + Had'st power thyself to keep this vow, + But, having 'scaped temptation's shelf, + Know virtue taught thee, not thyself. + + _Queen of Ithaca_, Penelope. + _Incubi_, adulterous spirits. + _Cyane_, a nymph of Syracuse, ravished by her father whom (and herself) + she slew. + _Medullina_, a Roman virgin who endured a like fate. + _Compression_, embrace. + + +466. TO HIS KINSMAN, SIR THOS. SOAME. + + Seeing thee, Soame, I see a goodly man, + And in that good a great patrician. + Next to which two, among the city powers + And thrones, thyself one of those senators; + Not wearing purple only for the show, + As many conscripts of the city do, + But for true service, worthy of that gown, + The golden chain, too, and the civic crown. + + _Conscripts_, "patres conscripti," aldermen. + + +467. TO BLOSSOMS. + + Fair pledges of a fruitful tree, + Why do ye fall so fast? + Your date is not so past + But you may stay yet here a while, + To blush and gently smile; + And go at last. + + What! were ye born to be + An hour or half's delight, + And so to bid good-night? + 'Twas pity Nature brought ye forth + Merely to show your worth, + And lose you quite. + + But you are lovely leaves, where we + May read how soon things have + Their end, though ne'er so brave: + And after they have shown their pride + Like you a while, they glide + Into the grave. + + +468. MAN'S DYING-PLACE UNCERTAIN. + + Man knows where first he ships himself, but he + Never can tell where shall his landing be. + + +469. NOTHING FREE-COST. + + Nothing comes free-cost here; Jove will not let + His gifts go from him, if not bought with sweat. + + +470. FEW FORTUNATE. + + Many we are, and yet but few possess + Those fields of everlasting happiness. + + +471. TO PERENNA. + + How long, Perenna, wilt thou see + Me languish for the love of thee? + Consent, and play a friendly part + To save, when thou may'st kill a heart. + + +472. TO THE LADIES. + + Trust me, ladies, I will do + Nothing to distemper you; + If I any fret or vex, + Men they shall be, not your sex. + + +473. THE OLD WIVES' PRAYER. + + Holy rood, come forth and shield + Us i' th' city and the field: + Safely guard us, now and aye, + From the blast that burns by day; + And those sounds that us affright + In the dead of dampish night. + Drive all hurtful fiends us fro, + By the time the cocks first crow. + + +475. UPON HIS DEPARTURE HENCE. + + Thus I + Pass by, + And die: + As one + Unknown + And gone: + I'm made + A shade, + And laid + I' th' grave: + There have + My cave, + Where tell + I dwell. + Farewell. + + +476. THE WASSAIL. + + Give way, give way, ye gates, and win + An easy blessing to your bin + And basket, by our entering in. + + May both with manchet stand replete; + Your larders, too, so hung with meat, + That though a thousand, thousand eat, + + Yet, ere twelve moons shall whirl about + Their silv'ry spheres, there's none may doubt + But more's sent in than was served out. + + Next, may your dairies prosper so + As that your pans no ebb may know; + But if they do, the more to flow, + + Like to a solemn sober stream + Bank'd all with lilies, and the cream + Of sweetest cowslips filling them. + + Then, may your plants be prest with fruit, + Nor bee, or hive you have be mute; + But sweetly sounding like a lute. + + Next, may your duck and teeming hen + Both to the cock's tread say Amen; + And for their two eggs render ten. + + Last, may your harrows, shears, and ploughs, + Your stacks, your stocks, your sweetest mows, + All prosper by our virgin vows. + + Alas! we bless, but see none here + That brings us either ale or beer; + _In a dry house all things are near_. + + Let's leave a longer time to wait, + Where rust and cobwebs bind the gate, + And all live here with needy fate. + + Where chimneys do for ever weep + For want of warmth, and stomachs keep, + With noise, the servants' eyes from sleep. + + It is in vain to sing, or stay + Our free feet here; but we'll away: + Yet to the Lares this we'll say: + + The time will come when you'll be sad + And reckon this for fortune bad, + T'ave lost the good ye might have had. + + _Manchet_, fine white bread. + _Prest_, laden. + _Near_, penurious. + _Leave to wait_, cease waiting. + + +477. UPON A LADY FAIR BUT FRUITLESS. + + Twice has Pudica been a bride, and led + By holy Hymen to the nuptial bed. + Two youths she's known thrice two, and twice three years; + Yet not a lily from the bed appears: + Nor will; for why, Pudica this may know, + _Trees never bear unless they first do blow_. + + +478. HOW SPRINGS CAME FIRST. + + These springs were maidens once that lov'd, + But lost to that they most approv'd: + My story tells by Love they were + Turn'd to these springs which we see here; + The pretty whimpering that they make, + When of the banks their leave they take, + Tells ye but this, they are the same, + In nothing chang'd but in their name. + + +479. TO ROSEMARY AND BAYS. + + My wooing's ended: now my wedding's near + When gloves are giving, gilded be you there. + + +481. UPON A SCAR IN A VIRGIN'S FACE. + + 'Tis heresy in others: in your face + That scar's no schism, but the sign of grace. + + +482. UPON HIS EYESIGHT FAILING HIM. + + I begin to wane in sight; + Shortly I shall bid good-night: + Then no gazing more about, + When the tapers once are out. + + +483. TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND, M. THOS. FALCONBIRGE. + + Stand with thy graces forth, brave man, and rise + High with thine own auspicious destinies: + Nor leave the search, and proof, till thou canst find + These, or those ends, to which thou wast design'd. + Thy lucky genius and thy guiding star + Have made thee prosperous in thy ways thus far: + Nor will they leave thee till they both have shown + Thee to the world a prime and public one. + Then, when thou see'st thine age all turn'd to gold, + Remember what thy Herrick thee foretold, + When at the holy threshold of thine house + _He boded good luck to thy self and spouse_. + Lastly, be mindful, when thou art grown great, + _That towers high rear'd dread most the lightning's threat: + Whenas the humble cottages not fear + The cleaving bolt of Jove the thunderer_. + + +484. UPON JULIA'S HAIR FILL'D WITH DEW. + + Dew sat on Julia's hair + And spangled too, + Like leaves that laden are + With trembling dew: + Or glitter'd to my sight, + As when the beams + Have their reflected light + Danc'd by the streams. + + +485. ANOTHER ON HER. + + How can I choose but love and follow her + Whose shadow smells like milder pomander? + How can I choose but kiss her, whence does come + The storax, spikenard, myrrh, and laudanum? + + _Pomander_, ball of scent. + + +486. LOSS FROM THE LEAST. + + Great men by small means oft are overthrown; + _He's lord of thy life who contemns his own_. + + +487. REWARD AND PUNISHMENTS. + + All things are open to these two events, + Or to rewards, or else to punishments. + + +488. SHAME NO STATIST. + + Shame is a bad attendant to a state: + _He rents his crown that fears the people's hate_. + + +489. TO SIR CLIPSEBY CREW. + + Since to the country first I came + I have lost my former flame: + And, methinks, I not inherit, + As I did, my ravish'd spirit. + If I write a verse or two, + 'Tis with very much ado; + In regard I want that wine + Which should conjure up a line. + Yet, though now of Muse bereft, + I have still the manners left + For to thank you, noble sir, + For those gifts you do confer + Upon him who only can + Be in prose a grateful man. + + +490. UPON HIMSELF. + + I could never love indeed; + Never see mine own heart bleed: + Never crucify my life, + Or for widow, maid, or wife. + + I could never seek to please + One or many mistresses: + Never like their lips to swear + Oil of roses still smelt there. + + I could never break my sleep, + Fold mine arms, sob, sigh, or weep: + Never beg, or humbly woo + With oaths and lies, as others do. + + I could never walk alone; + Put a shirt of sackcloth on: + Never keep a fast, or pray + For good luck in love that day. + + But have hitherto liv'd free + As the air that circles me: + And kept credit with my heart, + Neither broke i' th' whole, or part. + + +491. FRESH CHEESE AND CREAM. + + Would ye have fresh cheese and cream? + Julia's breast can give you them: + And, if more, each nipple cries: + To your cream here's strawberries. + + +492. AN ECLOGUE OR PASTORAL BETWEEN ENDYMION PORTER AND LYCIDAS HERRICK, +SET AND SUNG. + + _End._ Ah! Lycidas, come tell me why + Thy whilom merry oat + By thee doth so neglected lie, + And never purls a note? + + I prithee speak. _Lyc._ I will. _End._ Say on. + _Lyc._ 'Tis thou, and only thou, + That art the cause, Endymion. + _End._ For love's sake, tell me how. + + _Lyc._ In this regard: that thou do'st play + Upon another plain, + And for a rural roundelay + Strik'st now a courtly strain. + + Thou leav'st our hills, our dales, our bowers, + Our finer fleeced sheep, + Unkind to us, to spend thine hours + Where shepherds should not keep. + + I mean the court: Let Latmos be + My lov'd Endymion's court. + _End._ But I the courtly state would see. + _Lyc._ Then see it in report. + + What has the court to do with swains, + Where Phyllis is not known? + Nor does it mind the rustic strains + Of us, or Corydon. + + Break, if thou lov'st us, this delay. + _End._ Dear Lycidas, e're long + I vow, by Pan, to come away + And pipe unto thy song. + + Then Jessamine, with Florabell, + And dainty Amaryllis, + With handsome-handed Drosomell + Shall prank thy hook with lilies. + + _Lyc._ Then Tityrus, and Corydon, + And Thyrsis, they shall follow + With all the rest; while thou alone + Shalt lead like young Apollo. + + And till thou com'st, thy Lycidas, + In every genial cup, + Shall write in spice: Endymion 'twas + That kept his piping up. + + And, my most lucky swain, when I shall live to see + Endymion's moon to fill up full, remember me: + Meantime, let Lycidas have leave to pipe to thee. + + _Oat_, oaten pipe. + _Prank_, bedeck. + _Drosomell_, honey dew. + + +493. TO A BED OF TULIPS. + + Bright tulips, we do know + You had your coming hither, + And fading-time does show + That ye must quickly wither. + + Your sisterhoods may stay, + And smile here for your hour; + But die ye must away, + Even as the meanest flower. + + Come, virgins, then, and see + Your frailties, and bemoan ye; + For, lost like these, 'twill be + As time had never known ye. + + +494. A CAUTION. + + That love last long, let it thy first care be + To find a wife that is most fit for thee. + Be she too wealthy or too poor, be sure + _Love in extremes can never long endure_. + + +495. TO THE WATER NYMPHS DRINKING AT THE FOUNTAIN. + + Reach, with your whiter hands, to me + Some crystal of the spring; + And I about the cup shall see + Fresh lilies flourishing. + + Or else, sweet nymphs, do you but this, + To th' glass your lips incline; + And I shall see by that one kiss + The water turn'd to wine. + + +496. TO HIS HONOURED KINSMAN, SIR RICHARD STONE. + + To this white temple of my heroes here, + Beset with stately figures everywhere + Of such rare saintships, who did here consume + Their lives in sweets, and left in death perfume, + Come, thou brave man! And bring with thee a stone + Unto thine own edification. + High are these statues here, besides no less + Strong than the heavens for everlastingness: + Where build aloft; and, being fix'd by these, + Set up thine own eternal images. + + +497. UPON A FLY. + + A golden fly one show'd to me, + Clos'd in a box of ivory, + Where both seem'd proud: the fly to have + His burial in an ivory grave; + The ivory took state to hold + A corpse as bright as burnish'd gold. + One fate had both, both equal grace; + The buried, and the burying-place. + Not Virgil's gnat, to whom the spring + All flowers sent to's burying; + Not Martial's bee, which in a bead + Of amber quick was buried; + Nor that fine worm that does inter + Herself i' th' silken sepulchre; + Nor my rare Phil,[K] that lately was + With lilies tomb'd up in a glass; + More honour had than this same fly, + Dead, and closed up in ivory. + + _Virgil's gnat_, see 256. + _Martial's bee_, see Note. + +[K] _Sparrow._ (Note in the original edition.) + + +499. TO JULIA. + + Julia, when thy Herrick dies, + Close thou up thy poet's eyes: + And his last breath, let it be + Taken in by none but thee. + + +500. TO MISTRESS DOROTHY PARSONS. + + If thou ask me, dear, wherefore + I do write of thee no more, + I must answer, sweet, thy part + Less is here than in my heart. + + +502. HOW HE WOULD DRINK HIS WINE. + + Fill me my wine in crystal; thus, and thus + I see't in's _puris naturalibus_: + Unmix'd. I love to have it smirk and shine; + _'Tis sin I know, 'tis sin to throttle wine_. + What madman's he, that when it sparkles so, + Will cool his flames or quench his fires with snow? + + +503. HOW MARIGOLDS CAME YELLOW. + + Jealous girls these sometimes were, + While they liv'd or lasted here: + Turn'd to flowers, still they be + Yellow, mark'd for jealousy. + + +504. THE BROKEN CRYSTAL. + + To fetch me wine my Lucia went, + Bearing a crystal continent: + But, making haste, it came to pass + She brake in two the purer glass, + Then smil'd, and sweetly chid her speed; + So with a blush beshrew'd the deed. + + _Continent_, holder. + + +505. PRECEPTS. + + Good precepts we must firmly hold, + By daily learning we wax old. + + +506. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD, EARL OF DORSET. + + If I dare write to you, my lord, who are + Of your own self a public theatre, + And, sitting, see the wiles, ways, walks of wit, + And give a righteous judgment upon it, + What need I care, though some dislike me should, + If Dorset say what Herrick writes is good? + We know y'are learn'd i' th' Muses, and no less + In our state-sanctions, deep or bottomless. + Whose smile can make a poet, and your glance + Dash all bad poems out of countenance; + So that an author needs no other bays + For coronation than your only praise, + And no one mischief greater than your frown + To null his numbers, and to blast his crown. + _Few live the life immortal. He ensures + His fame's long life who strives to set up yours._ + + +507. UPON HIMSELF. + + Thou'rt hence removing (like a shepherd's tent), + And walk thou must the way that others went: + Fall thou must first, then rise to life with these, + Mark'd in thy book for faithful witnesses. + + +508. HOPE WELL AND HAVE WELL: OR, FAIR AFTER FOUL WEATHER. + + What though the heaven be lowering now, + And look with a contracted brow? + We shall discover, by-and-by, + A repurgation of the sky; + And when those clouds away are driven, + Then will appear a cheerful heaven. + + +509. UPON LOVE. + + I held Love's head while it did ache; + But so it chanc'd to be, + The cruel pain did his forsake, + And forthwith came to me. + + Ay me! how shall my grief be still'd? + Or where else shall we find + One like to me, who must be kill'd + For being too-too kind? + + +510. TO HIS KINSWOMAN, MRS. PENELOPE WHEELER. + + Next is your lot, fair, to be number'd one, + Here, in my book's canonisation: + Late you come in; but you a saint shall be, + In chief, in this poetic liturgy. + + +511. ANOTHER UPON HER. + + First, for your shape, the curious cannot show + Any one part that's dissonant in you: + And 'gainst your chaste behaviour there's no plea, + Since you are known to be Penelope. + Thus fair and clean you are, although there be + _A mighty strife 'twixt form and chastity_. + + _Form_, beauty. + + +513. CROSS AND PILE. + + Fair and foul days trip cross and pile; the fair + Far less in number than our foul days are. + + _Trip cross and pile_, come haphazard, like the heads and tails of coins. + + +514. TO THE LADY CREW, UPON THE DEATH OF HER CHILD. + + Why, madam, will ye longer weep, + Whenas your baby's lull'd asleep? + And (pretty child) feels now no more + Those pains it lately felt before. + All now is silent; groans are fled: + Your child lies still, yet is not dead; + But rather like a flower hid here + To spring again another year. + + +515. HIS WINDING-SHEET. + + Come thou, who art the wine and wit + Of all I've writ: + The grace, the glory, and the best + Piece of the rest. + Thou art of what I did intend + The all and end; + And what was made, was made to meet + Thee, thee, my sheet. + Come then, and be to my chaste side + Both bed and bride. + We two, as reliques left, will have + One rest, one grave. + And, hugging close, we will not fear + Lust entering here, + Where all desires are dead or cold + As is the mould; + And all affections are forgot, + Or trouble not. + Here, here the slaves and pris'ners be + From shackles free: + And weeping widows long oppress'd + Do here find rest. + The wronged client ends his laws + Here, and his cause. + Here those long suits of chancery lie + Quiet, or die: + And all Star-Chamber bills do cease, + Or hold their peace. + Here needs no Court for our Request, + Where all are best, + All wise, all equal, and all just + Alike i' th' dust. + Nor need we here to fear the frown + Of court or crown: + _Where fortune bears no sway o'er things, + There all are kings_. + In this securer place we'll keep, + As lull'd asleep; + Or for a little time we'll lie + As robes laid by; + To be another day re-worn, + Turn'd, but not torn: + Or, like old testaments engrost, + Lock'd up, not lost. + And for a while lie here conceal'd, + To be reveal'd + Next at that great Platonick year, + And then meet here. + + _Platonick year_, the 36,000th year, in which all persons and things + return to their original state. + + +516. TO MISTRESS MARY WILLAND. + + One more by thee, love, and desert have sent, + T' enspangle this expansive firmament. + O flame of beauty! come, appear, appear + A virgin taper, ever shining here. + + +517. CHANGE GIVES CONTENT. + + What now we like anon we disapprove: + _The new successor drives away old love_. + + +519. ON HIMSELF. + + Born I was to meet with age, + And to walk life's pilgrimage. + Much I know of time is spent, + Tell I can't what's resident. + Howsoever, cares, adieu! + I'll have nought to say to you: + But I'll spend my coming hours + Drinking wine and crown'd with flowers. + + _Resident_, remaining. + + +520. FORTUNE FAVOURS. + + Fortune did never favour one + Fully, without exception; + Though free she be, there's something yet + Still wanting to her favourite. + + +521. TO PHYLLIS, TO LOVE AND LIVE WITH HIM. + + Live, live with me, and thou shall see + The pleasures I'll prepare for thee; + What sweets the country can afford + Shall bless thy bed and bless thy board. + The soft, sweet moss shall be thy bed + With crawling woodbine over-spread; + By which the silver-shedding streams + Shall gently melt thee into dreams. + Thy clothing, next, shall be a gown + Made of the fleece's purest down. + The tongues of kids shall be thy meat, + Their milk thy drink; and thou shalt eat + The paste of filberts for thy bread, + With cream of cowslips buttered; + Thy feasting-tables shall be hills + With daisies spread and daffodils, + Where thou shalt sit, and red-breast by, + For meat, shall give thee melody. + I'll give thee chains and carcanets + Of primroses and violets. + A bag and bottle thou shalt have, + That richly wrought, and this as brave; + So that as either shall express + The wearer's no mean shepherdess. + At shearing-times, and yearly wakes, + When Themilis his pastime makes, + There thou shalt be; and be the wit, + Nay, more, the feast, and grace of it. + On holidays, when virgins meet + To dance the heyes with nimble feet, + Thou shall come forth, and then appear + The queen of roses for that year; + And having danced, 'bove all the best, + Carry the garland from the rest. + In wicker baskets maids shall bring + To thee, my dearest shepherling, + The blushing apple, bashful pear, + And shame-fac'd plum, all simp'ring there. + Walk in the groves, and thou shalt find + The name of Phyllis in the rind + Of every straight and smooth-skin tree; + Where kissing that, I'll twice kiss thee. + To thee a sheep-hook I will send, + Be-prank'd with ribands to this end; + This, this alluring hook might be + Less for to catch a sheep than me. + Thou shalt have possets, wassails fine, + Not made of ale, but spiced wine, + To make thy maids and self free mirth, + All sitting near the glitt'ring hearth. + Thou shalt have ribands, roses, rings, + Gloves, garters, stockings, shoes, and strings + Of winning colours, that shall move + Others to lust, but me to love. + These, nay, and more, thine own shall be + If thou wilt love, and live with me. + + _Carcanets_, necklaces. + _Wakes_, village feasts on the dedication day of the church. + _The heyes_, a winding, country dance. + _Be-prank'd_, be-decked. + + +522. TO HIS KINSWOMAN, MISTRESS SUSANNA HERRICK. + + When I consider, dearest, thou dost stay + But here a-while, to languish and decay, + Like to these garden-glories, which here be + The flowery-sweet resemblances of thee; + With grief of heart, methinks, I thus do cry: + Would thou hadst ne'er been born, or might'st not die. + + +523. UPON MISTRESS SUSANNA SOUTHWELL, HER CHEEKS. + + Rare are thy cheeks, Susanna, which do show + Ripe cherries smiling, while that others blow. + + +524. UPON HER EYES. + + Clear are her eyes, + Like purest skies, + Discovering from thence + A baby there + That turns each sphere, + Like an Intelligence. + + _A baby_, see Note to 38, "To his mistress objecting to him neither + toying nor talking". + + +525. UPON HER FEET. + + Her pretty feet + Like snails did creep + A little out, and then, + As if they played at Bo-Peep, + Did soon draw in again. + + +526. TO HIS HONOURED FRIEND, SIR JOHN MINCE. + + For civil, clean, and circumcised wit, + And for the comely carriage of it, + Thou art the man, the only man best known, + Mark'd for the true wit of a million: + From whom we'll reckon. Wit came in but since + The calculation of thy birth, brave Mince. + + +527. UPON HIS GREY HAIRS. + + Fly me not, though I be grey: + Lady, this I know you'll say; + Better look the roses red + When with white commingled. + Black your hairs are, mine are white; + This begets the more delight, + When things meet most opposite: + As in pictures we descry + Venus standing Vulcan by. + + +528. ACCUSATION. + + If accusation only can draw blood, + None shall be guiltless, be he ne'er so good. + + +529. PRIDE ALLOWABLE IN POETS. + + As thou deserv'st, be proud; then gladly let + The Muse give thee the Delphic coronet. + + +530. A VOW TO MINERVA. + + Goddess, I begin an art; + Come thou in, with thy best part + For to make the texture lie + Each way smooth and civilly; + And a broad-fac'd owl shall be + Offer'd up with vows to thee. + + _Civilly_, orderly. + _Owl_, the bird sacred to Athene or Minerva. + + +534. TO ELECTRA. + + 'Tis evening, my sweet, + And dark, let us meet; + Long time w'ave here been a-toying, + And never, as yet, + That season could get + Wherein t'ave had an enjoying. + + For pity or shame, + Then let not love's flame + Be ever and ever a-spending; + Since now to the port + The path is but short, + And yet our way has no ending. + + Time flies away fast, + Our hours do waste, + The while we never remember + How soon our life, here, + Grows old with the year + That dies with the next December. + + +535. DISCORD NOT DISADVANTAGEOUS. + + Fortune no higher project can devise + Than to sow discord 'mongst the enemies. + + +536. ILL GOVERNMENT. + + Preposterous is that government, and rude, + When kings obey the wilder multitude. + + _Preposterous_, lit. hind-part before. + + +537. TO MARIGOLDS. + + Give way, and be ye ravish'd by the sun, + And hang the head whenas the act is done, + Spread as he spreads, wax less as he does wane; + And as he shuts, close up to maids again. + + +538. TO DIANEME. + + Give me one kiss + And no more: + If so be this + Makes you poor, + To enrich you, + I'll restore + For that one two + Thousand score. + + +539. TO JULIA, THE FLAMINICA DIALIS OR QUEEN-PRIEST. + + Thou know'st, my Julia, that it is thy turn + This morning's incense to prepare and burn. + The chaplet and Inarculum[L] here be, + With the white vestures, all attending thee. + This day the queen-priest thou art made, t' appease + Love for our very many trespasses. + One chief transgression is, among the rest, + Because with flowers her temple was not dressed; + The next, because her altars did not shine + With daily fires; the last, neglect of wine; + For which her wrath is gone forth to consume + Us all, unless preserved by thy perfume. + Take then thy censer, put in fire, and thus, + O pious priestess! make a peace for us. + For our neglect Love did our death decree; + That we escape. _Redemption comes by thee_. + +[L] A twig of a pomegranate, which the queen-priest did use to wear on +her head at sacrificing. (Note in the original edition.) + + +540. ANACREONTIC. + + Born I was to be old, + And for to die here: + After that, in the mould + Long for to lie here. + But before that day comes + Still I be bousing, + For I know in the tombs + There's no carousing. + + +541. MEAT WITHOUT MIRTH. + + Eaten I have; and though I had good cheer, + I did not sup, because no friends were there. + Where mirth and friends are absent when we dine + Or sup, there wants the incense and the wine. + + +542. LARGE BOUNDS DO BUT BURY US. + + All things o'er-ruled are here by chance: + The greatest man's inheritance, + Where'er the lucky lot doth fall, + Serves but for place of burial. + + +543. UPON URSLEY. + + Ursley, she thinks those velvet patches grace + The candid temples of her comely face; + But he will say, whoe'er those circlets seeth, + They be but signs of Ursley's hollow teeth. + + +544. AN ODE TO SIR CLIPSEBY CREW. + + Here we securely live and eat + The cream of meat, + And keep eternal fires, + By which we sit, and do divine + As wine + And rage inspires. + + If full we charm, then call upon + Anacreon + To grace the frantic thyrse; + And having drunk, we raise a shout + Throughout + To praise his verse. + + Then cause we Horace to be read, + Which sung, or said, + A goblet to the brim + Of lyric wine, both swell'd and crown'd, + Around + We quaff to him. + + Thus, thus we live, and spend the hours + In wine and flowers, + And make the frolic year, + The month, the week, the instant day + To stay + The longer here. + + Come then, brave knight, and see the cell + Wherein I dwell, + And my enchantments too, + Which love and noble freedom is; + And this + Shall fetter you. + + Take horse, and come, or be so kind + To send your mind, + Though but in numbers few, + And I shall think I have the heart, + Or part + Of Clipseby Crew. + + _Securely_, free from care. + _Thyrse_, a Bacchic staff. + _Instant_, oncoming. + _Numbers_, verses. + + +545. TO HIS WORTHY KINSMAN, MR. STEPHEN SOAME. + + Nor is my number full till I inscribe + Thee, sprightly Soame, one of my righteous tribe; + A tribe of one lip, leaven, and of one + Civil behaviour, and religion; + A stock of saints, where ev'ry one doth wear + A stole of white, and canonised here; + Among which holies be thou ever known, + Brave kinsman, mark'd out with the whiter stone + Which seals thy glory, since I do prefer + Thee here in my eternal calender. + + +546. TO HIS TOMB-MAKER. + + Go I must; when I am gone, + Write but this upon my stone: + Chaste I lived, without a wife, + That's the story of my life. + Strewings need none, every flower + Is in this word, bachelour. + + +547. GREAT SPIRITS SUPERVIVE. + + Our mortal parts may wrapp'd in sear-cloths lie: + _Great spirits never with their bodies die_. + + +548. NONE FREE FROM FAULT. + + Out of the world he must, who once comes in. + _No man exempted is from death, or sin._ + + +549. UPON HIMSELF BEING BURIED. + + Let me sleep this night away, + Till the dawning of the day; + Then at th' opening of mine eyes + I, and all the world, shall rise. + + +550. PITY TO THE PROSTRATE. + + 'Tis worse than barbarous cruelty to show + No part of pity on a conquered foe. + + +552. HIS CONTENT IN THE COUNTRY. + + Here, here I live with what my board + Can with the smallest cost afford. + Though ne'er so mean the viands be, + They well content my Prew and me. + Or pea, or bean, or wort, or beet, + Whatever comes, content makes sweet. + Here we rejoice, because no rent + We pay for our poor tenement, + Wherein we rest, and never fear + The landlord or the usurer. + The quarter-day does ne'er affright + Our peaceful slumbers in the night. + We eat our own and batten more, + Because we feed on no man's score; + But pity those whose flanks grow great, + Swell'd with the lard of others' meat. + We bless our fortunes when we see + Our own beloved privacy; + And like our living, where we're known + To very few, or else to none. + + _Prew_, _i.e._, his servant, Prudence Baldwin. + + +553. THE CREDIT OF THE CONQUEROR. + + He who commends the vanquished, speaks the power + And glorifies the worthy conqueror. + + +554. ON HIMSELF. + + Some parts may perish, die thou canst not all: + The most of thee shall 'scape the funeral. + + +556. THE FAIRIES. + + If ye will with Mab find grace, + Set each platter in his place; + Rake the fire up, and get + Water in, ere sun be set. + Wash your pails, and cleanse your dairies; + Sluts are loathsome to the fairies; + Sweep your house, who doth not so, + Mab will pinch her by the toe. + + +557. TO HIS HONOURED FRIEND, M. JOHN WEARE, COUNCILLOR. + + Did I or love, or could I others draw + To the indulgence of the rugged law, + The first foundation of that zeal should be + By reading all her paragraphs in thee, + Who dost so fitly with the laws unite, + As if you two were one hermaphrodite. + Nor courts[t] thou her because she's well attended + With wealth, but for those ends she was intended: + Which were,--and still her offices are known,-- + _Law is to give to ev'ry one his own_; + To shore the feeble up against the strong, + To shield the stranger and the poor from wrong. + This was the founder's grave and good intent: + To keep the outcast in his tenement, + To free the orphan from that wolf-like man, + Who is his butcher more than guardian; + To dry the widow's tears, and stop her swoons, + By pouring balm and oil into her wounds. + This was the old way; and 'tis yet thy course + To keep those pious principles in force. + Modest I will be; but one word I'll say, + Like to a sound that's vanishing away, + Sooner the inside of thy hand shall grow + Hisped and hairy, ere thy palm shall know + A postern-bribe took, or a forked fee, + To fetter Justice, when she might be free. + _Eggs I'll not shave_; but yet, brave man, if I + Was destin'd forth to golden sovereignty, + A prince I'd be, that I might thee prefer + To be my counsel both and chancellor. + + _Hisped_ (_hispidus_), rough with hairs. + _Postern-bribe_, a back-door bribe. + _Forked fee_, a fee from both sides in a case; cp. Ben Jonson's + _Volpone_: "Give forked counsel, take provoking gold on either hand". + _Eggs I'll not shave_, a proverb. + + +560. THE WATCH. + + Man is a watch, wound up at first, but never + Wound up again: once down, he's down for ever. + The watch once down, all motions then do cease; + And man's pulse stop'd, all passions sleep in peace. + + +561. LINES HAVE THEIR LININGS, AND BOOKS THEIR BUCKRAM. + + As in our clothes, so likewise he who looks, + Shall find much farcing buckram in our books. + + _Farcing_, stuffing. + + +562. ART ABOVE NATURE: TO JULIA. + + When I behold a forest spread + With silken trees upon thy head, + And when I see that other dress + Of flowers set in comeliness; + When I behold another grace + In the ascent of curious lace, + Which like a pinnacle doth show + The top, and the top-gallant too. + Then, when I see thy tresses bound + Into an oval, square, or round, + And knit in knots far more than I + Can tell by tongue, or true-love tie; + Next, when those lawny films I see + Play with a wild civility, + And all those airy silks to flow, + Alluring me, and tempting so: + I must confess mine eye and heart + Dotes less on Nature than on Art. + + _Civility_, order. + + +564. UPON HIS KINSWOMAN, MISTRESS BRIDGET HERRICK. + + Sweet Bridget blush'd, and therewithal + Fresh blossoms from her cheeks did fall. + I thought at first 'twas but a dream, + Till after I had handled them + And smelt them, then they smelt to me + As blossoms of the almond tree. + + +565. UPON LOVE. + + I played with Love, as with the fire + The wanton Satyr did; + Nor did I know, or could descry + What under there was hid. + + That Satyr he but burnt his lips; + But mine's the greater smart, + For kissing Love's dissembling chips + The fire scorch'd my heart. + + _The wanton Satyr_, see Note. + + +566. UPON A COMELY AND CURIOUS MAID. + + If men can say that beauty dies, + Marbles will swear that here it lies. + If, reader, then thou canst forbear + In public loss to shed a tear, + The dew of grief upon this stone + Will tell thee pity thou hast none. + + +567. UPON THE LOSS OF HIS FINGER. + + One of the five straight branches of my hand + Is lop'd already, and the rest but stand + Expecting when to fall, which soon will be; + First dies the leaf, the bough next, next the tree. + + +568. UPON IRENE. + + Angry if Irene be + But a minute's life with me: + Such a fire I espy + Walking in and out her eye, + As at once I freeze and fry. + + +569. UPON ELECTRA'S TEARS. + + Upon her cheeks she wept, and from those showers + Sprang up a sweet nativity of flowers. + + + + +NOTES. + + + + +NOTES. + + + + +2. _Whither, mad maiden_, etc. From Martial, I. iv. 11, 12:-- + + Aetherias, lascive, cupis volitare per auras: + I, fuge; sed poteras tutior esse domi. + +_But for the Court._ Cp. Martial, I. iv. 3, 4. + +4. _While Brutus standeth by._ "Brutus and Cato are commonplaces of +examples of severe virtue": Grosart. But Herrick is translating. This is +from Martial, XI. xvi. 9, 10:-- + + Erubuit posuitque meum Lucretia librum, + Sed coram Bruto; Brute, recede, leget. + +8. _When he would have his verses read._ The thought throughout this +poem is taken from Martial, X. xix., beginning:-- + + Nec doctum satis et parum severum, + Sed non rusticulum nimis libellum + Facundo mea Plinio, Thalia, + I perfer: + +where the address to Thalia perhaps explains Herrick's "do not _thou_ +rehearse". The important lines are:-- + + Sed ne tempore non tuo disertam + Pulses ebria januam, videto. + ... ... ... + Seras tutior ibis ad lucernas. + Haec hora est tua, cum furit Lyaeus, + Cum regnat rosa, cum madent capilli: + Tunc me vel rigidi legant Catones. + +_When laurel spirts i' th' fire._ Burning bay leaves was a Christmas +observance. Herrick sings:-- + + "Of crackling laurel, which foresounds + A plenteous harvest to your grounds": + +where compare Tibull. II. v. 81-84. It was also used by maids as a love +omen. + +_Thyrse ... sacred Orgies._ Herrick's glosses show that the passage he +had in mind was Catullus, lxiv. 256-269:-- + + Harum pars tecta quatiebant cuspide thyrsos + ... ... ... ... + Pars obscura cavis celebrabant orgia cistis, + Orgia, quae frustra cupiunt audire profani. + +10. _No man at one time can be wise and love._ Amare et sapere vix deo +conceditur. (Publius Syrus.) The quotation is found in both Burton and +Montaigne. + +12. _Who fears to ask_, etc. From Seneca, _Hippol._ 594-95. Qui timide +rogat ... docet negare. + +15. _Goddess Isis ... with her scent._ Cp. Plutarch, _De Iside et +Osiride_, 15. + +17. _He acts the crime._ Seneca: Nil interest faveas sceleri an illud +facias. + +18. _Two things odious._ From Ecclus. xxv. 2. + +31. _A Sister ... about I'll lead._ "Have we not power to lead about a +sister, a wife?" 1 Cor. ix. 5. + +35. _Mercy and Truth live with thee._ 2 Sam. xv. 20. + +38. _To please those babies in your eyes._ The phrase "babies [_i.e._, +dolls] in the eyes" is probably only a translation of its metaphor, +involved in the use of the Latin _pupilla_ (a little girl), or "pupil," +for the central spot of the eye. The metaphor doubtless arose from the +small reflections of the inlooker, which appear in the eyes of the +person gazed at; but we meet with it both intensified, as in the phrase +"to look babies in the eyes" (= to peer amorously), and with its origin +disregarded, as in Herrick, where the "babies" are the pupils, and have +an existence independent of any inlooker. + +_Small griefs find tongue._ Seneca, _Hippol._ 608: + + Curae leves loquuntur, ingentes stupent. + +_Full casks._ So G. Herbert, _Jacula Prudentum_ (1640): Empty vessels +sound most. + +48. _Thus woe succeeds a woe as wave a wave._ Horace, Ep. II. ii. 176: +Velut unda supervenit unda. {Kymata kakon} and {kakon trikymia} are +common phrases in Greek tragedy. + +49. _Cherry-pit._ Printed in the 1654 edition of _Witts Recreations_, +where it appears as:-- + + "_Nicholas_ and _Nell_ did lately sit + Playing for sport at cherry-pit; + They both did throw, and, having thrown, + He got the pit and she the stone". + +51. _Ennobled numbers._ This poem is often quoted to prove that +Herrick's country incumbency was good for his verse; but if the +reference be only to his sacred poems or _Noble Numbers_ these would +rather prove the opposite. + +52. _O earth, earth, earth, hear thou my voice._ Jerem. xxii. 29: O +earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord. + +56. _Love give me more such nights as these._ A reminiscence of +Marlowe's version of Ovid, _Amor_. I. v. 26: "Jove send me more such +afternoons as this". + +72. _Upon his Sister-in-law, Mistress Elizabeth Herrick_, wife to his +brother Thomas (see _infra_, 106). + +74. _Love makes me write what shame forbids to speak._ Ovid, _Phaedra to +Hippol._: Dicere quae puduit scribere jussit amor. + +_Give me a kiss._ Herrick is here imitating the well-known lines of +Catullus to Lesbia (_Carm._ v.):-- + + Da mi basia mille, deinde centum, + Dein mille altera, dein secunda centum, + Deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum, + Dein, cum millia multa fecerimus, + Conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus, etc. + +77. _To the King, upon his coming with his army into the west._ Essex +had marched into the west in June, 1644, relieved Lyme, and captured +royal fortresses in Dorset and Devon. Charles followed him into "the +drooping west," and, in September, the Parliamentary infantry were +forced to surrender, while Essex himself escaped by sea. Herrick's +"white omens" were thus fulfilled. + +79. _To the King and Queen upon their unhappy distances._ Henrietta +Maria escaped abroad with the crown jewels in 1642, returned the next +year and rejoined Charles in the west in 1644, whence she escaped again +to France. This poem has been supposed to refer to domestic dissensions; +but the "ball of strife" is surely the Civil War in general, and the +reference to the parting of 1644. + +81. _The Cheat of Cupid._ Herrick is here translating "Anacreon," 31 +[3]:-- + + {Mesonyktiois poth' horais + strepheth' henik' Arktos ede + kata cheira ten Bootou, + meropon de phyla panta + keatai kopo damenta, 5 + tot' Eros epistatheis meu + thyreon ekopt' ocheas. + tis, ephen, thyras arassei? + kata meu schizeis oneirous. + ho d' Eros, anoige, phesin; 10 + brephos eimi, me phobesai; + brechomai de kaselenon + kata nykta peplanemai. + eleesa taut' akousas, + ana d' euthy lychnon hapsas 15 + aneoxa, kai brephos men + esoro pheronta toxon + pterygas te kai pharetren. + para d' histien kathisa, + palamais te cheiras autou 20 + anethalpon, ek de chaites + apethlibon hygron hydor. + ho d', epei kryos metheken, + phere, phesi, peirasomen + tode toxon, ei ti moi nyn 25 + blabetai bracheisa neure. + tanyei de kai me typtei + meson hepar, hosper oistros; + ana d' halletai kachazon, + xene d', eipe, syncharethi; 30 + keras ablabes men hemin, + sy de kardien poneseis.} + +Some of his phrases, however, prove that he was occasionally more +indebted to the Latin version of Stephanus than to the original. + +82. _That for seven lusters I did never come._ The fall of Herrick's +father from a window, fifteen months after the poet's birth, was imputed +at the time to suicide; and it has been reasonably conjectured that some +mystery may have attached to the place of his burial. If "seven +lusters" can be taken literally for thirty-five years, this poem was +written in 1627. + +83. _Delight in Disorder._ Cp. Ben Jonson's "Still to be neat, still to +be drest," in its turn imitated from one of the _Basia_ of Johannes +Bonefonius. + +85. _Upon Love._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654. The only variant +is "To tell me" for "To signifie" in the third line. + +86. _To Dean Bourn._ "We found many persons in the village who could +repeat some of his lines, and none who were not acquainted with his +'Farewell to Dean Bourn,' which they said he uttered as he crossed the +brook upon being ejected by Cromwell from the vicarage, to which he had +been presented by Charles the First. But they added, with an air of +innocent triumph, 'he did see it again,' as was the fact after the +restoration." Barron Field in _Quarterly Review_, August, 1810. Herrick +was ejected in 1648. + +_A rocky generation! a people currish._ Cp. Burton, II. iii. 2: a rude +... uncivil, wild, currish generation. + +91. _That man loves not who is not zealous too._ Augustine, _Adv. +Adimant._ 13: Qui non zelat, non amat. + +92. _The Bag of the Bee._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654, and in +Henry Bold's _Wit a-sporting in a Pleasant Grove of new Fancies_, 1657. +Set to music by Henry Lawes. + +93. _Luxurious love by wealth is nourished._ Ovid, _Remed. Amor._ 746: +Divitiis alitur luxuriosus amor. + +95. _Homer himself._ Indignor quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus. Horace, +_De Art. Poet._ 359. + +100. _To bread and water none is poor._ Seneca, _Excerpt._ ii. 887: +Panem et aquam Natura desiderat; nemo ad haec pauper est. + +_Nature with little is content._ Seneca, _Ep._ xvi.: Exiguum Natura +desiderat. _Ep._ lx.: parvo Natura dimittitur. + +106. _A Country Life: To his brother, M. Tho. Herrick._ "Thomas, +baptized May 12, 1588, was placed by his uncle and guardian, Sir William +Heyrick, with Mr. Massam, a merchant in London; but in 1610 he appears +to have returned into the country and to have settled in a small farm. +It is supposed that this Thomas was the father of Thomas Heyrick, who in +1668 resided at Market Harborough and issued a trader's token there, and +grandfather to the Thomas who was curate of Harborough and published +some sermons and poems." Hill's _Market Harborough_, p. 122. + +A MS. version of this poem is contained in Ashmole 38, from which Dr. +Grosart gives a full collation on pp. cli.-cliii. of his Memorial +Introduction. The MS. appears to follow an unrevised version of the +poem, and contains a few couplets which Herrick afterwards thought fit +to omit. The most important passage comes after line 92: "Virtue had, +and mov'd her sphere". + + "Nor know thy happy and unenvied state + Owes more to virtue than to fate, + Or fortune too; for what the first secures, + That as herself, or heaven, endures. + The two last fail, and by experience make + Known, not they give again, they take." + +_Thrice and above blest._ Felices ter et amplius, Hor. I. _Od._ xiii. 7. + +_My soul's half:_ Animae dimidium meae, Hor. I. _Od._ iii. 8. The poem is +full of such reminiscences: "With holy meal and spirting (MS. crackling) +salt" is the "Farre pio et saliente mica" of III. _Od._ xxiii. 20; +"Untaught to suffer poverty" the "Indocilis pauperiem pati" of I. _Od._ +i. 18; "A heart thrice wall'd" comes from I. _Od._ iii. 9: Illi robur et +aes triplex, etc. Similar instances might be multiplied. Note, too, the +use of "Lar" and "Genius". + +_Jove for our labour all things sells us._ Epicharm. apud Xenoph. +_Memor._ II. i. 20, {ton ponon Polousin hemin panta tagath' hoi theoi}. +Quoted by Montaigne, II. xx. + +_Wisely true to thine own self._ Possibly a Shakespearian reminiscence +of the "to thine own self be true" in the speech of Polonius to Laertes, +Hamlet, I. iii. 78. + +_A wise man every way lies square._ Cp. Arist. _Eth._ I. x. 11, {hos +alethos agathos kai tetragonos aneu psogou}. + +_For seldom use commends the pleasure._ Voluptates commendat rarior +usus. Juvenal, _Sat._ xi. ad fin. + +_Nor fear or wish your dying day._ Summum nec metuas diem, nec optes. +Mart. X. xlvii. 13. + +112. _To the Earl of Westmoreland._ Mildmay Fane succeeded his father, +Thomas Fane, the first earl, in March, 1628. At the outbreak of the +Civil War he sided with the king, but after a short imprisonment made +his submission to the Parliament, and was relieved of the sequestration +of his estates. He subsequently printed privately a volume of poems, +called _Otia Sacra_, which has been re-edited by Dr. Grosart. + +117. _To the Patron of Poets, M. End. Porter._ Five of Herrick's poems +are addressed to Endymion Porter, who seems to have been looked to as a +patron by all the singers of his day. According to the inscription on a +medal of him executed by Varin in 1635, he was then forty-eight, so that +he was born in 1587, coming into the world at Aston-under-Hill in +Gloucestershire. He went with Charles on his trip to Spain, and after +his accession became groom of his bedchamber, was active in the king's +service during the Civil War, and died in 1649. He was a collector of +works of art both for himself and for the king, and encouraged Rob. +Dover's Cotswold games by presenting him with a suit of the king's +clothes. A Wood tells us this, and mentions also that he was a friend of +Donne, that Gervase Warmsely dedicated his _Virescit Vulnere Virtus_ to +him in 1628, and that in conjunction with the Earl of St. Alban's he +also received the dedication of Davenant's _Madagascar_. + +_Let there be patrons_, etc. Burton, I. ii. 3, Sec. 15. 'Tis an old saying: +"Sint Maecenates, non deerunt, Flacce, Marones" (Mart. VIII. lvi. 5). + +Fabius, Cotta, and Lentulus are examples of Roman patrons of poetry, +themselves distinguished. Cp. Juvenal, vii. 94. + +119. _His tapers thus put out._ So Ovid, _Am._ iii. 9:-- + + Ecce puer Veneris fert eversamque pharetram + Et fractos arcus, et sine luce facem. + +121. _Four things make us happy here._ From + + {Hygiainein men ariston andri thnato; + deuteron de phyan kalon genesthai; + to triton de ploutein adolos; + kai to tetarton, heban meta ton philon.} + (Bergk, _Anth. Lyr._, _Scol._ 8.) + +123. _The Tear sent to her from Staines._ This is printed in _Witts +Recreations_ with no other variation than in the title, which there +runs: "A Teare sent his Mistresse". Dr. Grosart notes that Staines was +at the time a royal residence. + +128. _His Farewell to Sack._ A manuscript version of this poem at the +British Museum omits many lines (7, 8, 11-22, 29-36), and contains few +important variants. "Of the yet chaste and undefiled bride" is a poor +anticipation of line 6, and "To raise the holy madness" for "To rouse +the sacred madness" is also weak. For the line and a half:-- + + "Prithee not smile + Or smile more inly, lest thy looks beguile," + +we have the very inferior passage:-- + + "I prithee draw in + Thy gazing fires, lest at their sight the sin + Of fierce idolatry shoot into me, and + I turn apostate to the strict command + Of nature; bid me now farewell, or smile + More ugly, lest thy tempting looks beguile". + +This MS. version is followed in the first published text in _Witts +Recreations_, 1645. + +130. _Upon Mrs. Eliz. Wheeler._ "The lady complimented in this poem was +probably a relation by marriage. Herrick's first cousin, Martha, the +seventh daughter of his uncle Robert, married Mr. John Wheeler." Nott. + +132. _Fold now thine arms._ A sign of grief. Cp. "His arms in this sad +knot". _Tempest._ + +134. _Mr. J. Warr._ This John Warr is probably the same as the "honoured +friend, Mr. John Weare, Councellour," of a later poem. Dr. Grosart +quotes an "Epitaph upon his honoured friend, Master Warre," by Randolph. +Nothing is known of him, but I find in the Oxford Register that a John +Warr matriculated at Exeter College, 16th May, 1619, and proceeded M.A. +in 1624. He may possibly be Herrick's friend. + +137. _Dowry with a wife._ Cp. Ovid, _Ars Am._ ii. 155: Dos est uxoria +lites. + +139. _The Wounded Cupid._ This is taken from Anacreon, 33 [40]:-- + + {Eros pot' en rhodoisin + koimomenen melittan + ouk eiden, all' etoothe + ton daktylon; patachtheis + tas cheiras ololyxen; + dramon de kai petastheis + pros ten kalen Kytheren + olola, mater, eipen, + olola kapothnesko; + ophis m' etypse mikros + pterotos, hon kalousin + melittan hoi georgoi. + ha d' eipen; ei to kentron + ponei to tas melittas, + poson dokeis ponousin, + Eros, hosous sy balleis?} + +142. _A Virgin's face she had._ Herrick is imitating a charming passage +from the first AEneid (ll. 315-320), in which AEneas is confronted by +Venus:-- + + Virginis os habitumque gerens et virginis arma, + Spartanae vel qualis equos Threissa fatigat + Harpalyce volucremque fuga praevertitur Eurum. + Namque umeris de more habilem suspenderat arcum + Venatrix, dederatque comam diffundere ventis, + Nuda genu nodoque sinus collecta fluentis. + +_With a wand of myrtle_, etc. Cp. Anacreon, 7 [29]:-- + + {Hyakinthine me rhabdo + chalepos, Eros rhapizon ... eipe; + Sy gar ou dyne philesai.} + +146. _Upon the Bishop of Lincoln's Imprisonment._ John Williams +(1582-1650), Bishop of Lincoln, 1621; Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, +1621-1625; suspended and imprisoned, 1637-1640, on a frivolous charge of +having betrayed the king's secrets; Archbishop of York, 1641. Save from +this poem and the _Carol_ printed in the Appendix we know nothing of his +relations with Herrick. He had probably stood in the way of the poet's +obtaining holy orders or preferment. When Herrick was appointed to the +cure of Dean Prior in 1629, Williams had already lost favour at the +Court. + +147. _Cynthius pluck ye by the ear._ Cp. Virg. _Ecl._ vi. 3: Cynthius +aurem Vellit et admonuit; and Milton's _Lycidas_, 77: "Ph[oe]bus replied +and touched my trembling ears". + +_The lazy man the most doth love._ Cp. Ovid, _Remed. Amor._ 144: Cedit +amor rebus: res age, tutus eris. Nott. But Ovid could also write: Qui +nolet fieri desidiosus amet (1 _Am._ ix. 46). + +149. _Sir Thomas Southwell_, of Hangleton, Sussex, knighted 1615, died +before December 16, 1642. + +_Those tapers five._ Mentioned by Plutarch, _Qu. Rom._ 2. For their +significance see Ben Jonson's _Masque of Hymen_. + +_O'er the threshold force her in._ The custom of lifting the bride over +the threshold, probably to avert an ill-omened stumble, has prevailed +among the most diverse races. For the anointing of the doorposts Brand +quotes Langley's translation of Polydore Vergil: "The bryde anoynted the +poostes of the doores with swynes' grease, because she thought by that +meanes to dryve awaye all misfortune, whereof she had her name in Latin +'Uxor ab unguendo'". + +_To gather nuts._ A Roman marriage custom mentioned in Catullus, _Carm._ +lxi. 124-127, the _In Nuptias Juliae et Manlii_, which Herrick keeps in +mind all through this ode. + +_With all lucky birds to side._ Bona cum bona nubit alite virgo. Cat. +_Carm._ lxi. 18. + +_But when ye both can say Come._ The wish in this case appears to have +been fulfilled, as Lady Southwell administered to her husband's estate, +Dec. 16, 1642, and her own estate was administered on the thirtieth of +the following January. + +_Two ripe shocks of corn._ Cp. Job v. 26. + +153. _His wish._ From Hor. _Epist._ I. xviii. 111, 112:-- + + Sed satis est orare Jovem quae donat et aufert; + Det vitam, det opes; aequum mi animum ipse parabo: + +where Herrick seems to have read _qui_ for _quae_. + +157. _No Herbs have power to cure Love._ Ovid, _Met._ i. 523; id. _Her._ +v. 149: Nullis amor est medicabilis herbis. For the 'only one sovereign +salve' cp. Seneca, _Hippol._ 1189: Mors amoris una sedamen. + +159. _The Cruel Maid._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, with no +other variant than the mistaken omission of "how" in l. 7. I do not +think that it has been yet pointed out that the whole poem is a close +imitation of Theocritus, xxiii. 19-47:-- + + {Agrie pai kai stygne, k.t.l.} + +Possibly Herrick meant to translate the whole poem, which would explain +his initial _And_. But cp. Ben Jonson's _Engl. Gram._ ch. viii.: "'And' +in the beginning of a sentence serveth instead of an admiration". + +164. _To a Gentlewoman objecting to him his gray hairs._ Mr. Hazlitt +quotes an early MS. copy headed: "An old man to his younge Mrs.". The +variants, as he observes, are mostly for the worse. The poem may have +been suggested to Herrick by Anacreon, 6 [11]:-- + + {Legousin hai gynaikes, + Anakreon, geron ei; + labon esoptron athrei + komas men ouket' ousas k.t.l.} + +168. _Jos. Lo. Bishop of Exeter._ Joseph Hall, 1574-1656, author of the +satires. + +169. _The Countess of Carlisle._ Lucy, the second wife of James, first +Earl of Carlisle, the Lady Carlisle of Browning's _Strafford_. + +170. _I fear no earthly powers._ Probably suggested by Anacreon [36], +beginning: {ti me tous nomous didaskeis}; Cp. also 7 [15]: {Ou moi melei +ta Gygeo}. + +172. _A Ring presented to Julia._ Printed without variation in _Witts +Recreations_, 1650, under the title: "With a O to Julia". + +174. _Still thou reply'st: The Dead._ Cp. Martial, VIII. lxix. 1, 2:-- + + Miraris veteres, Vacerra, solos + Nec laudas nisi mortuos poetas. + +178. _Corinna's going a-Maying._ Herrick's poem is a charming expansion +of Chaucer's theme: "For May wol have no slogardye a night". The account +of May-day customs in Brand (vol. i. pp. 212-234) is unusually full, and +all Herrick's allusions can be illustrated from it. Dr. Nott compares +the last stanza to Catullus, _Carm._ v.; but parallels from the classic +poets could be multiplied indefinitely. + +_The God unshorn_ of l. 2 is from Hor. I. _Od_. xxi. 2: Intonsum pueri +dicite Cynthium. + +181. _A dialogue between Horace and Lydia._ Hor. III. _Od._ ix. + +_Ramsey._ Organist of Trinity College, Cambridge, 1628-1634. Some of his +music still exists in MS. + +185. _An Ode to Master Endymion Porter, upon his brother's death._ +Endymion Porter is said to have had an only brother, Giles, who died in +the king's service at Oxford, _i.e._, between 1642 and 1646, and it has +been taken for granted that this ode refers to his death. The +supposition is possibly right, but if so, the ode, despite its beauty, +is so gratingly and extraordinarily selfish that we may wonder if the +dead brother is not the William Herrick of the next poem. The first +verse is, of course, a soliloquy of Herrick's, not, as Dr. Grosart +suggests, addressed to him by Porter. Dr. Nott again parallels Catullus, +_Carm_. v. + +186. _To his dying brother, Master William Herrick._ According to Dr. +Grosart and Mr. Hazlitt the poet had an elder brother, William, +baptized at St. Vedast's, Foster Lane, Nov. 24, 1585 (he must have been +born some months earlier, if this date be right, for his sister Martha +was baptized in the following January), and alive in 1629, when he acted +as one of the executors of his mother's will. But, it is said, there was +also another brother named William, born in 1593, after his father's +death, "at Harry Campion's house at Hampton". I have not been able to +find the authority for this last statement, which, as it asserts the +co-existence of two brothers, of the same name, is certainly surprising. +According to Dr. Grosart, it is the younger William who "died young" and +was addressed in this poem, but I must own to feeling some doubt in the +matter. + +193. _The Lily in a Crystal._ The poem may be taken as an expansion of +Martial, VIII. lxviii. 5-8:-- + + Condita perspicua vivit vindemia gemma + Et tegitur felix, nec tamen uva latet: + Femineum lucet sic per bombycina corpus, + Calculus in nitida sic numeratur aqua. + +197. _The Welcome to Sack._ Two MSS. at the British Museum (Harl. 6931 +and Add. 19,268) contain copies of this important poem. These copies +differ considerably from the printed version, are proved by small +variations to be independent of each other, and at the same time agree +in all important points. We may conclude, therefore, that they represent +an earlier version of the poem, subsequently revised by Herrick before +the issue of _Hesperides_. In the subjoined copy, in which the two MSS. +are corrected from each other, italics show the variations, asterisks +mark lines omitted in _Hesperides_, and a dagger the absence of lines +subsequently added. + + "So _swift_ streams meet, so springs with gladder smiles + Meet after long divorcement _made by_ isles: + When love (the child of likeness) urgeth on + Their crystal _waters_ to an union. + So meet stol'n kisses when the moonie _night_ + Calls forth fierce lovers to their wisht _delight_: + So kings and queens meet, when desire convinces + All thoughts, _save those that tend to_ getting princes. + As I meet thee, Soul of my life and fame! + Eternal Lamp of Love, whose radiant flame + Out-_darts_ the heaven's Osiris; and thy _gems + Darken_ the splendour of his mid-day beams. + Welcome, O welcome, my illustrious spouse! + Welcome as are the ends unto my vows: + _Nay_, far more welcome than the happy soil + The sea-scourged merchant, after all his toil, + Salutes with tears of joy, when fires _display_ + The _smoking_ chimneys of his Ithaca. + Where hast thou been so long from my embraces, + Poor pitied exile? Tell me, did thy Graces + Fly discontented hence, and for a time + _Choose rather for_ to bless _some_ other clime? + +*_Oh, then, not longer let my sweet defer + *Her buxom smiles from me, her worshipper!_ + Why _have those amber_ looks, the which have been + Time-past so fragrant, sickly now _call'd_ in + Like a dull twilight? Tell me, *_hath my soul + *Prophaned in speech or done an act that is foul + *Against thy purer essence?_ _For that_ fault + I'll expiate with sulphur, hair and salt: + And with the crystal humour of the spring + Purge hence the guilt, and kill _the_ quarrelling. + _Wilt_ thou not smile, _nor_ tell me what's amiss? + Have I been cold to hug thee, too remiss, + Too temperate in embracing? Tell me, has desire + To-thee-ward died in the embers, and no fire + Left in _the_ raked-up _ashes_, as a mark + To testify the glowing of a spark? + +_I must_ confess I left thee, and appeal + 'Twas done by me more to _increase_ my zeal, + And double my affection[+]; as do those + Whose love grows more inflamed by being _froze_. + But to forsake thee, [+] could there _ever_ be + A thought of such-like possibility? + When _all the world may know that vines_ shall lack + Grapes, before Herrick _leave_ Canary sack. + *_Sack is my life, my leaven, salt to all + *My dearest dainties, nay, 'tis the principal + *Fire unto all my functions, gives me blood, + *An active spirit, full marrow, and, what is good,_ + _Sack makes_ me _sprightful, airy_ to be borne, + Like Iphyclus, upon the tops of corn. + _Sack makes_ me nimble, as the winged hours, + To dance and caper _o'er the tops_ of flowers, + And ride the sunbeams. Can there be a thing + Under the _cope of heaven_ that can bring + More _joy_ unto my _soul_, or can present + My Genius with a fuller blandishment? + Illustrious Idol! _Can_ the Egyptians seek + Help from the garlick, onion and the leek, + And pay no vows to thee, who _art the_ best + God, and far more _transcending_ than the rest? + Had Cassius, that weak water-drinker, known + Thee in _the_ Vine, or had but tasted one + Small chalice of thy _nectar, he, even_ he + As the wise Cato had approved of thee. + Had not Jove's son, the _rash_ Tyrinthian swain + (Invited to the Thesbian banquet), ta'ne + Full goblets of thy [+] blood; his *_lustful_ sprite + _Had not_ kept heat for fifty maids that night. + +As Queens meet Queens, _so let sack come to_ me + _Or_ as Cleopatra _unto_ Anthonie, + When her high _visage_ did at once present + To the Triumvir love and wonderment. + Swell up my _feeble sinews_, let my blood + +Fill each part full of fire,* _let all my good_ + _Parts be encouraged_, active to do + What thy commanding soul shall put _me_ to, + And till I turn apostate to thy love, + Which here I vow to serve, _never_ remove + Thy _blessing_ from me; but Apollo's curse + Blast _all mine_ actions; or, a thing that's worse, + When these circumstants _have the fate_ to see + The time _when_ I prevaricate from thee, + Call me the Son of Beer, and then confine + Me to the tap, the toast, the turf; let wine + Ne'er shine upon me; _let_ my _verses_ all + _Haste_ to a sudden death and funeral: + And last, _dear Spouse, when I thee_ disavow, + _May ne'er_ prophetic Daphne crown my brow." + +Certainly this manuscript version is in every way inferior to that +printed in the _Hesperides_, and Herrick must be reckoned among the +poets who are able to revise their own work. + +_The smoky chimneys of his Ithaca._ Ovid, I. _de Ponto_, ix. 265:-- + + Non dubia est Ithaci prudentia sed tamen optat + Fumum de patriis posse videre focis. + +_Upon the tops of corn._ Virgil (_AEn._ vii. 808-9) uses the same +comparison of Camilla: Illa vel intactae segetis per summa volaret +Gramina, nec teneras cursu laesisset aristas. + +_Could the Egyptians seek Help from the garlick, onion and the leek._ +Cp. Numbers xi. 5, and Juv., xi. 9-11. + +_Cassius, that weak water-drinker._ Not, as Dr. Grosart queries: +"Cassius Iatrosophista, or Cassius Felix?" but C. Cassius Longinus, the +murderer of Caesar. Cp. Montaigne, II. 2, and Seneca, _Ep._ 83: "Cassius +tota vita aquam bibit" there quoted. + +201. _To trust to good verses._ Carminibus confide bonis. Ovid, _Am._ +III. ix. 39. + +_The Golden Pomp is come._ Aurea pompa venit, Ovid, _Am._ III. ii. 44. +"Now reigns the rose" (nunc regnat rosa) is a common phrase in Martial +and elsewhere. For the "Arabian dew," cp. Ovid, _Sappho to Phaon_, 98: +Arabo noster rore capillus olet. + +_A text ... Behold Tibullus lies._ Jacet ecce Tibullus: Vix manet e +tanto parva quod urna capit. Ovid, _Am._ III. ix. 39. + +203. _Lips Tongueless._ Dr. Nott parallels Catullus, _Carm._ lii. +(lv.):-- + + Si linguam clauso tenes in ore, + Fructus projicies amoris omnes: + Verbosa gaudet Venus loquela. + +208. _Gather ye rosebuds while ye may._ Set to music by William Lawes in +Playford's second book of "Ayres," 1652. Printed in _Witts Recreations_, +1654, with the variants: "Gather _your_ Rosebuds" in l. 1; l. 4, _may_ +for _will_; l. 6, _he is getting_ for _he's a-getting_; l. 8, _nearer to +his setting_ for _nearer he's to setting_. The opening lines are from +Ausonius, ccclxi. 49, 50 (quoted by Burton, _Anat. Mel._ III. 2, 5 Sec. +5):-- + + Collige, virgo, rosas, dum flos novus, et nova pubes, + Et memor esto aevum sic properare tuum: + +cp. also l. 43:-- + + Quam longa una dies, aetas tam longa rosarum. + +209. _Has not whence to sink at all._ Seneca, _Ep._ xx.: Redige te ad +parva ex quibus cadere non possis. Cp. Alain Delisle: Qui decumbit humi +non habet unde cadat. + +211. _His poetry his pillar._ A variation upon the Horatian theme:-- + + "Exegi monumentum aere perennius + Regalique situ pyramidum altius". + (III. _Od._ xxx.) + +212. _What though the sea be calm._ Almost literally translated from +Seneca, _Ep._ iv.: Noli huic tranquillitati confidere: momento mare +evertitur: eodem die ubi luserunt navigia sorbentur. + +213. _At noon of day was seen a silver star._ "King Charles the First +went to St. Paul's Church the 30th day of May, 1630, to give praise for +the birth of his son, attended with all his Peers and a most royal +Train, where a bright star appeared at High Noon in the sight of all." +(_Stella Meridiana_, 1661.) + +213. _And all most sweet, yet all less sweet than he._ It is +characteristic of Herrick that in his _Noble Numbers_ ("The New-Year's +Gift") he repeats this line, applying it to Christ. + +_The swiftest grace is best._ {Okeiai charites glykeroterai.} Anth. Pal. +x. 30. + +214. _Know thy when._ So in _The Star-song_ Herrick sings: "Thou canst +clear All doubts and manifest the where". + +219. _Lord Bernard Stewart_, fourth son of Esme, third Duke of Lennox, +and himself created Earl of Lichfield by Charles I. He commanded the +king's troop of guards, and was killed at the battle of Rowton Heath, +outside Chester, Sept. 24, 1645. + +Clarendon (_History of the Rebellion_, ix. 19) thus records his death +and character: "Here fell many gentlemen and officers of name, with the +brave Earl of Litchfield, who was the third brother of that illustrious +family that sacrificed his life in this quarrel. He was a very faultless +young man, of a most gentle, courteous, and affable nature, and of a +spirit and courage invincible; whose loss all men lamented, and the king +bore it with extraordinary grief." + +_Trentall._ Properly a set of thirty masses for the repose of a dead +man's soul. Here and elsewhere Herrick uses the word as an equivalent +for dirge, but Sidney distinguished them: "Let dirige be sung and +trentalls rightly read. For love is dead," etc. "Hence, hence profane," +is the Latin, _procul o procul este profani_ of Virg. _AEn._ vi. 258, +where "profane" is only equivalent to uninitiated. + +223. _The Fairy Temple._ For a brief note on Herrick's fairy poems, see +Appendix. On the dedication to Mr. John Merrifield, Counsellor-at-Law, +Dr. Grosart remarks: "Nothing seems to be now known of Merrifield. It is +just possible that--as throughout the poem--the name was an invented +one, 'Merry Field'." But the records of the Inner Temple show that the +Merrifields were a legal family from Woolmiston, near Crewkerne, +Somersetshire. John (son of Richard) Merrifield, the father, was +admitted to the Inner Temple in 1581, and John, the son, in 1611. This +latter must be Herrick's Counsellor. He rose to be a Master of the Bench +in 1638 and Sergeant-at-Law in 1660. He died October, 1666, aged 75, at +Crewkerne. On the other hand, it can hardly be doubted that Dr. Grosart +is right in regarding the names of the fairy saints as quite imaginary. +He nevertheless suggests SS. Titus, Neot, Idus, Ida, Fridian or +Fridolin, Trypho, Felan and Felix as the possible prototypes of "Saint +_Tit_, Saint _Nit_, Saint _Is_," etc. It should be noted that "Tit and +Nit" occur with "Wap and Win" and other obviously made-up names, in +Drayton's _Nymphidia_. + +229. _Upon Cupid._ Taken from Anacreon, 5 [59]. + + {Stephos plekon poth' heuron + en tois rhodois Erota; + kai ton pteron kataschon + ebaptis' eis ton oinon; + labon d' epinon auton, + kai nyn eso melon mou + pteroisi gargalizei.} + +234. _Care will make a face._ Ovid, _Ar. Am._ iii. 105: Cura dabit +faciem, facies neglecta peribit. + +235. _Upon Himself._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654, under the +title: _On an old Batchelor_, and with the variants, _married_ for +_wedded_, l. 3, _one_ for _a_ in l. 4, and _Rather than mend me, blind +me quite_ in l. 6. + +238. _To the Rose._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654, with the +variants _peevish_ for _flowing_ in l. 4, _say, if she frets, that I +have bonds_ in l. 6, _that can tame although not kill_ in l. 10, and +_now_ for _thus_ in l. 11. The opening couplet is from Martial, VII. +lxxxix.:-- + + I, felix rosa, mollibusque sertis + Nostri cinge comas Apollinaris. + +241. _Upon a painted Gentlewoman._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, +under the title, _On a painted madame_. + +250. _Mildmay, Earl of Westmoreland._ See Note to 112. According to the +date of the earl's succession, this poem must have been written after +1628. + +253. _He that will not love_, etc. Ovid, _Rem. Am._ 15, 16:-- + + Si quis male fert indignae regna puellae, + Ne pereat nostrae sentiat artis opem. + +_How she is her own least part._ _Ib._ 344: Pars minima est ipsa puella +sui, quoted by Bacon, Burton, Lyly, and Montaigne. + +Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654, with the variants, '_freezing_ +colds and _fiery_ heats,' and 'and how she is _in every_ part'. + +256. _Had Lesbia_, etc. See Catullus, _Carm_. iii. + +260. _How violets came blue._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1654, as +_How the violets came blue_. The first two lines read:-- + + "The violets, as poets tell, + With Venus wrangling went". + +Other variants are _did_ for _sho'd_ in l. 3; _Girl_ for _Girls_; _you_ +for _ye_; _do_ for _dare_. + +264. _That verse_, etc. Herrick repeats this assurance in a different +context in the second of his _Noble Numbers_, _His Prayer for +Absolution_. + +269. _The Gods to Kings the judgment give to sway._ From Tacitus, _Ann._ +vi. 8 (M. Terentius to Tiberius): Tibi summum rerum judicium dii dedere; +nobis obsequi gloria relicta est. + +270. _He that may sin, sins least._ Ovid, _Amor._ III. iv. 9, 10:-- + + Cui peccare licet, peccat minus: ipsa potestas + Semina nequitiae languidiora facit. + +271. _Upon a maid that died the day she was married._ Cp. Meleager, +Anth. Pal. vii. 182: + + {Ou gamon all' Aidan epinymphidion Klearista + dexato parthenias hammata lyomena; + Arti gar hesperioi nymphas epi diklisin acheun + lotoi, kai thalamon eplatageunto thyrai; + Eooi d' ololygmon anekragon, ek d' Hymenaios + sigatheis goeron phthegma metharmosato, + Hai d' autai kai phengos edadouchoun para pasto + peukai kai phthimena nerthen ephainon hodon.} + +278. _To his Household Gods._ Obviously written at the time of his +ejection from his living. + +283. _A Nuptial Song on Sir Clipseby Crew._ Of this Epithalamium +(written in 1625 for the marriage of Sir Clipseby Crew, knighted by +James I. at Theobald's in 1620, with Jane, daughter of Sir John +Pulteney), two manuscript versions, substantially agreeing, are +preserved at the British Museum (Harl. MS. 6917, and Add. 25, 303). +Seven verses are transcribed in these manuscripts which Herrick +afterwards saw fit to omit, and almost every verse contains variants of +importance. It is impossible to convey the effect of the earlier version +by a mere collation, and I therefore transcribe it in full, despite its +length. As before, variants and additions are printed in italics. The +numbers in brackets are those of the later version, as given in +_Hesperides_. The marginal readings are variants of Add. 25, 303, from +the Harleian manuscript. + + +1 [1]. + + "What's that we see from far? the spring of Day + Bloom'd from the East, or fair _enamell'd_ May + Blown out of April; or some new + Star fill'd with glory to our view, + Reaching at Heaven, + To add a nobler Planet to the seven? + Say or do we not descry + Some Goddess in a Cloud of Tiffany + To move, or rather the + Emerg_ing_ Venus from the sea? + + +2 [2]. + + "'Tis she! 'tis she! or else some more Divine + Enlightened substance; mark how from the shrine + Of holy Saints she paces on + _Throwing about_ Vermilion + And Amber: spice- + ing the chafte-air with fumes of Paradise. + Then come on, come on, and yield + A savour like unto a blessed field, + When the bedabbled morn + Washes the golden ears of corn. + + +3. + + "_Lead on fair paranymphs, the while her eyes, + Guilty of somewhat, ripe the strawberries + And cherries in her cheeks, there's cream + Already spilt, her rays must gleam + Gently thereon, + And so beget lust and temptation + To surfeit and to hunger. + Help on her pace; and, though she lag, yet stir + Her homewards; well she knows + Her heart's at home, howe'er she goes._ + + +4 [3]. + + "See where she comes; and smell how all the street + Breathes Vine-yards and Pomegranates: O how sweet, + As a fir'd Altar, is each stone + _Spirting forth_ pounded Cinnamon. + The Ph[oe]nix nest, + Built up of odours, burneth in her breast. + Who _would not then_ consume + His soul to _ashes_ in that rich perfume? [ash-heaps + Bestroking Fate the while + He burns to embers on the Pile. + + +5 [4]. + + "Hymen, O Hymen! tread the sacred _round_ [ground + Shew thy white feet, and head with Marjoram crowned: + Mount up thy flames, and let thy Torch + Display _thy_ Bridegroom in the porch + In his desires + More towering, more _besparkling_ than thy fires: [disparkling + Shew her how his eyes do turn + And roll about, and in their motions burn + Their balls to cinders: haste + Or, _like a firebrand_, he will waste. + + +6. + + "_See how he waves his hand, and through his eyes + Shoots forth his jealous soul, for to surprise + And ravish you his Bride, do you + Not now perceive the soul of C[lipseby] C[rew], + Your mayden knight, + With kisses to inspire + You with his just and holy ire._ + + +7 [5]. + + "_If so, glide through the ranks of Virgins_, pass + The Showers of Roses, lucky four-leaved grass: + The while the cloud of younglings sing, + And drown _you_ with a flowery spring: + While some repeat + Your praise, and bless you, sprinkling you with Wheat, + While that others do divine, + 'Blest is the Bride on whom the Sun doth shine'; + And thousands gladly wish + You multiply as _do the_ fish. + + +8. + + "_Why then go forward, sweet Auspicious Bride, + And come upon your Bridegroom like a Tide + Bearing down Time before you; hye + Swell, mix, and loose your souls; imply + Like streams which flow + Encurled together, and no difference show + In their [most] silver waters; run + Into your selves like wool together spun. + Or blend so as the sight + Of two makes one Hermaphrodite._ + + +9 [6]. + + "And, beauteous Bride, we do confess _you_ are wise + _On drawing_ forth _those_ bashful jealousies [doling + In love's name, do so; and a price + Set on yourself by being nice. + But yet take heed + What now you seem be not the same indeed, + And turn Apostat_a_: Love will + Part of the way be met, or sit stone still; + On them, and though _y'are slow + In going_ yet, howsoever go. + + +10. + + "_How long, soft Bride, shall your dear C[lipseby] make + Love to your welcome with the mystic cake, + How long, oh pardon, shall the house + And the smooth Handmaids pay their vows + With oil and wine + For your approach, yet see their Altars pine? + How long shall the page to please + You stand for to surrender up the keys + Of the glad house? Come, come, + Or Lar will freeze to death at home._ + + +11. + + "_Welcome at last unto the Threshold, Time + Throned in a saffron evening, seems to chime + All in, kiss and so enter. If + A prayer must be said, be brief, + The easy Gods + For such neglect have only myrtle rods + To stroke, not strike; fear you + Not more, mild Nymph, than they would have you do; + But dread that you do more offend + In that you do begin than end._ + + +12 [7]. + + "And now y'are entered, see the coddled cook + Runs from his Torrid Zone to pry and look + And bless his dainty mistress; see + _How_ th' aged point out: 'This is she + Who now must sway + _Us_ (_and God_ shield her) with her yea and nay,' + And the smirk Butler thinks it + Sin in _his_ nap'ry not t' express his wit; + Each striving to devise + Some gin wherewith to catch _her_ eyes. + + +13. + + "_What though your laden Altar now has won + The credit from the table of the Sun + For earth and sea; this cost + On you is altogether lost + Because you feed + Not on the flesh of beasts, but on the seed + Of contemplation: your, + Your eyes are they, wherewith you draw the pure + Elixir to the mind + Which sees the body fed, yet pined._ + + +14 [14]. + + "If _you must needs_ for ceremonie's sake + Bless a sack posset, Luck go with _you_, take + The night charm quickly; you have spells + And magic for to end, and Hells + To pass, but such + And of such torture as no _God_ would grutch + To live therein for ever: fry, + _Aye_ and consume, and grow again to die, + And live, and in that case + Love the _damnation_ of _that_ place. [the + + +15 [8]. + + "To Bed, to Bed, _sweet_ Turtles now, and write + This the shortest day,+ this the longest night + _And_ yet too short for you; 'tis we + Who count this night as long as three, + Lying alone + _Hearing_ the clock _go_ Ten, Eleven, Twelve, One: + Quickly, quickly then prepare. + And let the young men and the Bridemaids share + Your garters, and their joints + Encircle with the Bridegroom's points. + + +16 [9]. + + "By the Bride's eyes, and by the teeming life + Of her green hopes, we charge you that no strife, + _Further_ than _virtue lends_, gets place + Among _you catching at_ her Lace. + Oh, do not fall + Foul in these noble pastimes, lest you call + Discord in, and so divide + The _gentle_ Bridegroom and the _fragrous_ Bride, + Which Love forefend: but spoken + Be't to your praise: 'No peace was broken'. + + +17[10]. + + "Strip her of spring-time, tender whimpering maids, + Now Autumn's come, when all _those_ flowery aids + Of her delays must end, dispose + That Lady-smock, that pansy and that Rose + Neatly apart; + But for prick-madam, and for gentle-heart, + And soft maiden-blush, the Bride + Makes holy these, all others lay aside: + Then strip her, or unto her + Let him come who dares undo her. + + +18 [11]. + + "And to enchant _you_ more, _view_ everywhere [ye + About the roof a Syren in a sphere, + As we think, singing to the din + Of many a warbling cherubin: + _List, oh list!_ how + _Even heaven gives up his soul between you_ now, [ye + _Mark how_ thousand Cupids fly + To light their Tapers at the Bride's bright eye; + To bed, or her they'll tire, + Were she an element of fire. + + +19 [12]. + + "And to your more bewitching, see the proud + Plump bed bear up, and _rising_ like a cloud, + Tempting _thee, too, too_ modest; can + You see it brussle like a swan + And you be cold + To meet it, when it woos and seems to fold + The arms to hug _you_? throw, throw + Yourselves into _that main, in the full_ flow + Of _the_ white pride, and drown + The _stars_ with you in floods of down. + + +20 [13]. + + "_You see 'tis_ ready, and the maze of love + Looks for the treaders; everywhere is wove + Wit and new mystery, read and + Put in practice, to understand + And know each wile, + Each Hieroglyphic of a kiss or smile; + And do it _in_ the full, reach + High in your own conceipts, and _rather_ teach + Nature and Art one more + _Sport_ than they ever knew before. + + +21. + + To the Maidens:] + + "_And now y' have wept enough, depart; yon stars [the + Begin to pink, as weary that the wars + Know so long Treaties; beat the Drum + Aloft, and like two armies, come + And guild the field, + Fight bravely for the flame of mankind, yield + Not to this, or that assault, + For that would prove more Heresy than fault + In combatants to fly + 'Fore this or that hath got the victory._ + + +22 [15]. + + "But since it must be done, despatch and sew + Up in a sheet your Bride, and what if so + It be with _rib of Rock and_ Brass, + _Yea_ tower her up, as Danae was, [ye + Think you that this, + Or Hell itself, a powerful Bulwark is? + I tell _you_ no; but like a [ye + Bold bolt of thunder he will make his way, + And rend the cloud, and throw + The sheet about, like flakes of snow. + + +23 [16]. + + "All now is hushed in silence: Midwife-moon + With all her Owl-ey'd issue begs a boon + Which you must grant; that's entrance with + Which extract, all we + call pith + And quintessence + Of Planetary bodies; so commence, + All fair constellations + Looking upon _you_ that _the_ Nations + Springing from to such Fires + May blaze the virtue of their Sires." + + --R. HERRICK. + +The variants in this version are not very important; one of the most +noteworthy, _round_ for _ground_, in stanza 5 [4], was overlooked by Dr. +Grosart in his collation. Of the seven stanzas subsequently omitted +several are of great beauty. There are few happier images in Herrick +than that of _Time throned in a saffron evening_ in stanza 11. It is +only when the earlier version is read as a whole that Herrick's taste +in omitting is vindicated. Each stanza is good in itself, but in the +MSS. the poem drags from excessive length, and the reduction of its +twenty-three stanzas to sixteen greatly improves it. + +286. _Ever full of pensive fear._ Ovid, _Heroid._ i. 12: Res est +solliciti plena timoris amor. + +287. _Reverence to riches._ Perhaps from Tacit. _Ann._ ii. 33: Neque in +familia et argento quaeque ad usum parantur nimium aliquid aut modicum, +nisi ex fortuna possidentis. + +288. _Who forms a godhead._ From Martial, VIII. xxiv. 5:-- + + Qui fingit sacros auro vel marmore vultus + Non facit ille deos: qui rogat, ille facit. + +290. _The eyes be first that conquered are._ From Tacitus, _Germ._ 43: +Primi in omnibus proeliis oculi vincuntur. + +293. _Oberon's Feast._ For a note on Herrick's Fairy Poems and on the +_Description of the King and Queene of the Fayries_ (1635), in which +part of this poem was first printed, see Appendix. Add. MS. 22, 603, at +the British Museum, and Ashmole MS. 38, at the Bodleian, contain early +versions of the poem substantially agreeing. I transcribe the Museum +copy:-- + + "A little mushroom table spread + After _the dance_, they set on bread, + A _yellow corn of hecky_ wheat + With some small _sandy_ grit to eat + His choice bits; with _which_ in a trice + They make a feast less great than nice. + But all _the_ while his eye _was_ served + We _dare_ not think his ear was sterved: + But that there was in place to stir + His _fire_ the _pittering_ Grasshopper; + The merry Cricket, puling Fly, + The piping Gnat for minstralcy. + _The Humming Dor, the dying Swan, + And each a choice Musician._ + And now we must imagine first, + The Elves present to quench his thirst + A pure seed-pearl of infant dew, + Brought and _beswetted_ in a blue + And pregnant violet; which done, + His kitling eyes begin to run + Quite through the table, where he spies + The horns of papery Butterflies: + Of which he eats, _but with_ a little + _Neat cool allay_ of Cuckoo's spittle; + A little Fuz-ball pudding stands + By, yet not blessed by his hands-- + That was too coarse, but _he not spares + To feed upon the candid hairs + Of a dried canker, with a_ sagg + And well _bestuffed_ Bee's sweet bag: + _Stroking_ his pallet with some store + Of Emme_t_ eggs. What would he more, + But Beards of Mice, _an Ewt's_ stew'd thigh, + _A pickled maggot and a dry + Hipp, with a_ Red cap worm, that's shut + Within the concave of a Nut + Brown as his tooth, _and with the fat + And well-boiled inchpin of a Bat. + A bloated Earwig with the Pith + Of sugared rush aglads him with; + But most of all the Glow-worm's fire. + As most betickling his desire + To know his Queen, mixt with the far- + Fetcht binding-jelly of a star. + The silk-worm's seed_, a little moth + _Lately_ fattened in a piece of cloth; + Withered cherries; Mandrake's ears; + Mole's eyes; to these the slain stag's tears; + The unctuous dewlaps of a Snail; + The broke heart of a Nightingale + O'er-come in music; with a wine + Ne'er ravished from the flattering Vine, + But gently pressed from the soft side + Of the most sweet and dainty Bride, + Brought in a _daisy chalice_, which + He fully quaffs _off_ to bewitch + His blood _too high_. This done, commended + Grace by his Priest, the feast is ended." + +The Shapcott to whom this _Oberon's Feast_ and _Oberon's Palace_ are +dedicated is Herrick's "peculiar friend, Master Thomas Shapcott, +Lawyer," of a later poem. Dr. Grosart again suggests that it may have +been a character-name, but, as in the case of John Merrifield, the owner +was a West country-man and a member of the Inner Temple, where he was +admitted in 1632 as the "son and heir of Thomas Shapcott," of Exeter. + +298. _That man lives twice._ From Martial, X. xxiii. 7:-- + + Ampliat aetatis spatium sibi vir bonus: hoc est + Vivere bis vita posse priore frui. + +301. _Master Edward Norgate, Clerk of the Signet of his Majesty:_-- + +Son to Robert Norgate, D.D., Master of Bene't College, Cambridge. He was +employed by the Earl of Arundel to purchase pictures, and on one +occasion found himself at Marseilles without remittances, and had to +tramp through France on foot. According to the Calendars of State Papers +in 1625, it was ordered that, "forasmuch as his Majesty's letters to the +Grand Signior, the King of Persia, the Emperor of Russia, the Great +Mogul, and other remote Princes, had been written, limned, and garnished +with gold and colours by scriveners abroad, thenceforth they should be +so written, limned, and garnished by Edward Norgate, Clerk of the Signet +in reversion". Six years later this order was renewed, the "Kings of +Bantam, Macassar, Barbary, Siam, Achine, Fez, and Sus" being added to +the previous list, and Norgate being now designated as a Clerk of the +Signet Extraordinary. In the same year, having previously been +Bluemantle Pursuivant, he was promoted to be Windsor Herald, in which +capacity he received numerous fees during the next few years, and was +excused ship money. He still, however, retained his clerkship, for he +writes in 1639: "The poor Office of Arms is fain to blazon the Council +books and Signet". The phrase occurs in a series of nineteen letters of +extraordinary interest, which Norgate wrote from the North, chiefly to +his friend, Robert Reade, secretary to Windebank, on the course of +affairs. In Sept., 1641, "Ned Norgate" was ordered personally to attend +the king. "It is his Majesty's pleasure that the master should wait and +not the men, and _that_ they shall find." Henceforth I find no certain +reference to him; according to Fuller he died at the Herald's Office in +1649. It would be interesting if we could be sure that this Edward +Norgate is the same as the one who in 1611 was appointed Tuner of his +Majesty's "virginals, organs, and other instruments," and in 1637 +received a grant of L140 for the repair of the organ at Hampton Court. +Herrick's love of music makes us expect to find a similar trait in his +friends. + +313. _The Entertainment, or Porch Verse._ The words _Ye wrong the +threshold-god_ and the allusion to the porch in the Clipsby Crew +Epithalamium (stanza 4) show that there is no reference here (as Brand +thinks, ii. 135) to the old custom of reading part of the marriage +service at the church door or porch (cp. Chaucer: "Husbands at churche +door she had had five"). The porch of the house is meant, and the +allusions are to the ceremonies at the threshold (cp. the Southwell +Epithalamium). Dr. Grosart quotes from the Dean Prior register the entry +of the marriage of Henry Northleigh, gentleman, and Mistress Lettice +Yard on September 5, 1639, by licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury. + +319. _No noise of late-spawned Tittyries._ In the Camden Society's +edition of the _Diary of Walter Yonge_, p. 70 (kindly shown me by the +Rev. J. H. Ward), we have a contemporary account of the Club known as +the Tityre Tues, which took its name from the first words of Virgil's +first _Eclogue_. "The beginning of December, 1623, there was a great +number in London, haunting taverns and other debauched places, who swore +themselves in a brotherhood and named themselves _Tityre Tues_. The oath +they gave in this manner: he that was to be sworn did put his dagger +into a pottle of wine, and held his hand upon the pommel thereof, and +then was to make oath that he would aid and assist all other of his +fellowship and not disclose their council. There were divers knights, +some young noblemen and gentlemen of this brotherhood, and they were to +know one the other by a black bugle which they wore, and their followers +to be known by a blue ribbond. There are discovered of them about 80 or +100 persons, and have been examined by the Privy Council, but nothing +discovered of any intent they had. It is said that the king hath given +commandment that they shall be re-examined." In Mennis's _Musarum +Deliciae_ the brotherhood is celebrated in a poem headed "The Tytre Tues; +or, a Mocke Song. To the tune of Chive Chase. By Mr. George Chambers." +The second verse runs:-- + + "They call themselves the Tytere-tues, + And wore a blue rib-bin; + And when a-drie would not refuse + To drink. O fearful sin! + + "The council, which is thought most wise, + Did sit so long upon it, + That they grew weary and did rise, + And could make nothing on it." + +According to a letter of Chamberlain to Carleton, indexed among the +_State Papers_, the Tityres were a secret society first formed in Lord +Vaux's regiment in the Low Countries, and their "prince" was called +Ottoman. Another entry shows that the "Bugle" mentioned by Yonge was the +badge of a society originally distinct from the Tityres, which +afterwards joined with it. The date of Herrick's poem is thus fixed as +December, 1623/4, and this is confirmed by another sentence in the same +passage in _Yonge's Diary_, in which he says: "The Jesuits and Papists +do wonderfully swarm in the city, and rumours lately have been given out +for firing the Navy and House of Munition, on which are set a double +guard". The Parliament to which Herrick alludes was actually summoned in +January, 1624, to meet on February 12. Sir Simeon Steward, to whom the +poem is addressed, was of the family of the Stewards of Stantney, in the +Isle of Ely. He was knighted with his father, Mark Steward, in 1603, and +afterwards became a fellow-commoner of Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He was +at different times Sheriff and Deputy-Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire, and +while serving in the latter capacity got into some trouble for unlawful +exactions. In 1627 he wrote a poem on the _King of the Fairies Clothes_ +in the same vein as Herrick's fairy pieces. + +321. _Then is the work half done._ As Dr. Grosart suggests, Herrick may +have had in mind the "Dimidium facti qui c[oe]pit habet" of Horace, I. +_Epist._ ii. 40. But here the emphasis is on beginning _well_, there on +_beginning_. + +_Begin with Jove_ is doubtless from the "Ab Jove principium, Musae," of +Virg. _Ecl._ iii. 60. + +323. _Fears not the fierce sedition of the seas._ A reminiscence of +Horace, III. _Od._ i. 25-32. + +328. _Gold before goodness._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, as _A +Foolish Querie_. The sentiment is from Seneca, _Ep._ cxv.: An dives, +omnes quaerimus; nemo, an bonus. Cp. Juvenal, III. 140 sqq.; Plaut. +_Menaechm._ IV. ii. 6. + +331. _To his honoured kinsman, Sir William Soame._ The second son of Sir +Stephen Soame, Lord Mayor of London in 1598. Herrick's father and Sir +Stephen married sisters. + +_As benjamin and storax when they meet._ Instances of the use of +"Benjamin" for gum benzoin will be found in the Dictionaries. Dr. +Grosart's gloss, "_Benjamin_, the favourite youngest son of the +Patriarch," is unfortunate. + +336. _His Age: dedicated to ... M. John Wickes under the name of +Posthumus._ There is an important version of this poem in Egerton MS., +2725, where it is entitled _Mr. Herrick's Old Age to Mr. Weekes_. I do +not think it has been collated before. Stanzas i.-vi. contain few +variants; ii. 6 reads: "Dislikes to care for what's behind"; iii. 6: +"Like a lost maidenhead," for "Like to a lily lost"; v. 8: "With the +best and whitest stone"; vi. 1: "We'll not be poor". After this we have +two stanzas omitted in 1648:-- + + "We have no vineyards which do bear + Their lustful clusters all the year, + Nor odoriferous + Orchards, like to Alcinous; + Nor gall the seas + Our witty appetites to please + With mullet, turbot, gilt-head bought + At a high rate and further brought. + + "Nor can we glory of a great + And stuffed magazine of wheat; + We have no bath + Of oil, but only rich in faith + O'er which the hand + Of fortune can have no command, + But what she gives not, she not takes, + But of her own a spoil she makes." + +Stanza vii., l. 2, has "close" for "both"; l. 3 "see" for "have"; l. 6, +"open" for "that cheap"; l. 7, "full" for "same". Stanzas x.-xvii. have +so many variants that I am obliged to transcribe them in full, though +they show Herrick not at his best, and the poem is not one to linger +over:-- + + +10. + + "Live in thy peace; as for myself, + When I am bruised on the shelf + Of Time, and _read + Eternal daylight o'er my head:_ + When with the rheum, + _With_ cough _and_ ptisick, I consume + _Into an heap of cinders:_ then + The Ages fled I'll call again, + + +11. + + "And with a tear compare these last + _And cold times unto_ those are past, + While Baucis by + _With her lean lips_ shall kiss _them dry + Then will we_ sit + By the fire, foretelling snow and sleet + And weather by our aches, grown + +Old enough to be our own + + +12. + + "True Calendar [ ] + _Is for to know_ what change is near, + Then to assuage + The gripings _in_ the chine by age, + I'll call my young + Iuelus to sing such a song + I made upon my _mistress'_ breast; + _Or such a_ blush at such a feast. + + +13. + + "Then shall he read _my Lily fine + Entomb'd_ within a crystal shrine: + _My_ Primrose next: + A piece then of a higher text; + For to beget + In me a more transcendent heat + Than that insinuating fire + Which crept into each _reverend_ Sire, + + +14. + + "When the _high_ Helen _her fair cheeks + Showed to the army of the Greeks;_ + At which I'll _rise_ + (_Blind though as midnight in my eyes_), + And hearing it, + Flutter and crow, _and_, in a fit + Of _young_ concupiscence, and _feel + New flames within the aged steal_. + + +15. + + "Thus frantic, crazy man (God wot), + I'll call to mind _the times_ forgot + And oft between + _Sigh out_ the Times that _we_ have seen! + _And shed a tear_, + And twisting my Iuelus _hair_, + Doting, I'll weep and say (in truth) + Baucis, these were _the_ sins of youth. + + +16. + + "Then _will I_ cause my hopeful Lad + (If a wild Apple can be had) + To crown the Hearth + (Lar thus conspiring with our mirth); + _Next_ to infuse + Our _better beer_ into the cruse: + Which, neatly spiced, we'll first carouse + Unto the _Vesta_ of the house. + + +17. + + "Then the next health to friends of mine + _In oysters, and_ Burgundian wine, + _Hind, Goderiske, Smith, + And Nansagge_, sons of _clune[M] and_ pith, + Such _who know_ well + _To board_ the magic _bowl_, and _spill + All mighty blood, and can do more + Than Jove and Chaos them before_." + +[M] Clune = "clunis," a haunch. + +This John Wickes or Weekes is spoken of by Anthony a Wood as a "jocular +person" and a popular preacher. He enters Wood's _Fasti_ by right of his +co-optation as a D.D. in 1643, while the court was at Oxford; his +education had been at Cambridge. He was a prebendary of Bristol and Dean +of St. Burian in Cornwall, and suffered some persecution as a royalist. +Herrick later on, when himself shedless and cottageless, addresses +another poem to him as his "peculiar friend," + + To whose glad threshold and free door + I may, a poet, come, though poor. + +A friend suggests that Hind may have been John Hind, an Anacreontic poet +and friend of Greene, and has found references to a Thomas Goodricke of +St. John's Coll., Camb., author of two poems on the accession of James +I., and a Martin Nansogge, B.A. of Trinity Hall, 1614, afterwards vicar +of Cornwood, Devon. Smith is certainly James Smith, who, with Sir John +Mennis, edited the _Musarum Deliciae_, in which the first poem is +addressed "to Parson Weekes: an invitation to London," and contains a +reference to-- + + "That old sack + Young Herrick took to entertain + The Muses in a sprightly vein". + +The early part of this poem contains, along with the name Posthumus, +many Horatian reminiscences: cp. especially II. _Od._ xiv. 1-8, and IV. +_Od._ vii. 14. It may be noted that in the imitation of the latter +passage in stanza iv. the MS. copy at the Museum corrects the +misplacement of the epithet, reading:-- + + "But we must on and thither tend + Where Tullus and rich Ancus blend," etc., + +for "Where Ancus and rich Tullus". + +Again the variant, "_Open_ candle baudery," in verse 7, is an additional +argument against Dr. Grosart's explanation: "Obscene words and figures +made with candle-smoke," the allusion being merely to the blackened +ceilings produced by cheap candles without a shade. + +337. _A Short Hymn to Venus._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, as +_A vow to Cupid_, with variants: l. 1, _Cupid_ for _Goddess_; l. 2, +_like_ for _with_; l. 3, _that I may_ for _I may but_; l. 5, _do_ for +_will_. + +340. _Upon a delaying lady._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, as _A +Check to her delay_. + +341. _The Lady Mary Villars_, niece of the first Duke of Buckingham, +married successively Charles, son of Philip, Earl of Pembroke, Esme +Stuart, Duke of Richmond and Lennox, and Thomas Howard. Died 1685. + +355. _Hath filed upon my silver hairs._ Cp. Ben Jonson, _The King's +Entertainment_:-- + + "What all the minutes, hours, weeks, months, and years + That hang in file upon these silver hairs + Could not produce," etc. + +359. _Philip, Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery._ Philip Herbert (born +1584, died 1650), despite his foul mouth, ill temper, and devotion to +sport ("He would make an excellent chancellor to the mews were Oxford +turned into a kennel of hounds," wrote the author of _Mercurius +Menippeus_ when Pembroke succeeded Laud as chancellor), was also a +patron of literature. He was one of the "incomparable pair of brethren" +to whom the Shakespeare folio of 1623 was dedicated, and he was a good +friend to Massinger. His fondness for scribbling in the margins of books +may, or may not, be considered as further evidence of a respect for +literature. + +366. _Thou shall not all die._ Horace's "non omnis moriar". + +367. _Upon Wrinkles._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, under the +title _To a Stale Lady_. The first line there reads:-- + + "Thy wrinkles are no more nor less". + +375. _Anne Soame, now Lady Abdie_, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Soame, +and second wife of Sir Thomas Abdy, Bart., of Felix Hall, Essex. +Herrick's poem is modelled on Mart. III. lxv. + +376. _Upon his Kinswoman, Mistress Elizabeth Herrick_, daughter of the +poet's brother Nicholas. + +377. _A Panegyric to Sir Lewis Pemberton_ of Rushden, in +Northamptonshire, sheriff of the county in 1622; married Alice, daughter +of Tho. Bowles. Died 1641. With this poem cp. Ben Jonson's _Epig._ ci. + +_But great and large she spreads by dust and sweat._ Dr. Grosart very +appositely quotes Montaigne: "For it seemeth that the verie name of +vertue presupposeth difficultie and inferreth resistance, and cannot +well exercise it selfe without an enemie" (Florio's tr., p. 233). But I +think the two passages have a common origin in some version of Hesiod's +{tes aretes hidrota theoi proparoithen ethekan}, which is twice quoted +by Plato. + +382. _After the rare arch-poet, Jonson, died._ Perhaps suggested by the +Epitaph of Plautus on himself, _ap._ Gell. i. 24:-- + + Postquam est mortem aptus Plautus, comoedia luget; + Scena deserta, dein risus, ludu' jocusque, + Et numeri innumeri simul omnes collacrumarunt. + +384. _To his nephew, to be prosperous in painting._ This artistic nephew +may have been a Wingfield, son of Mercy Herrick, who married John +Wingfield, of Brantham, Suffolk; or one of three sons of Nicholas +Herrick and Susanna Salter, or Thomas, or some unknown son of Thomas +Herrick. There is no record of any painter Herrick's achievements. + +392. _Sir Edward Fish, Knight Baronet_, of Chertsey, in Surrey. Died +1658. + +405. _Nor fear or spice or fish._ Herrick is remembering Persius, i. 43: +Nec scombros metuentia carmina, nec thus. To form the paper jacket or +_tunica_ which wrapt the mackerel in Roman cookery seems to have been +the ultimate employment of many poems. Cp. Mart. III. l. 9; IV. lxxxvii. +8; and Catullus, XCV. 8. + +_The farting Tanner and familiar King._ The ballad here alluded to is +that of _King Edward IV. and the tanner of Tamworth_, printed in Prof. +Child's collection. "The dancing friar tattered in the bush" of the next +line is one of the heroes of the old ballad of _The Fryar and the Boye_, +printed by Wynkyn de Worde, and included in the Appendix to Furnivall +and Hales' edition of the Percy folio. The boy was the possessor of a +"magic flute," and, having got the friar into a bush, made him dance +there. + + "Jack, as he piped, laughed among, + The Friar with briars was vilely stung, + He hopped wondrous high. + At last the Friar held up his hand + And said: I can no longer stand, + Oh! I shall dancing die." + +"Those monstrous lies of little Robin Rush" is explained by Dr. Grosart +as an allusion to "The Historie of Friar Rush, how he came to a House of +Religion to seek a Service, and being entertained by the Prior was made +First Cook, being full of pleasant Mirth and Delight for young people". +Of "Tom Chipperfield and pretty lisping Ned" I can find nothing. "The +flying Pilchard and the frisking Dace" probably belong to the fish +monsters alluded to in the _Tempest_. In "Tim Trundell" Herrick seems +for the sake of alliteration to have taken a liberty with the Christian +name of a well-known ballad publisher. + +_He's greedy of his life._ From Seneca, _Thyestes_, 884-85:-- + + Vitae est avidus quisquis non vult + Mundo secum pereunte mori. + +407. _Upon Himself._ 408. _Another._ Both printed in _Witts +Recreations_, 1650, the second under the title of _Love and Liberty_. +This last is taken from Corn. Gall. _Eleg._ i. 6, quoted by Montaigne, +iii. 5:-- + + Et mihi dulce magis resoluto vivere collo. + +412. _The Mad Maid's Song._ A manuscript version of this song is +contained in Harleian MS. 6917, fol. 48, ver. 80. The chief variants +are: st. i. l. 2, _morrow_ for _morning_; l. 4, _all dabbled_ for +_bedabbled_; st. ii. l. 1, _cowslip_ for _primrose_; l. 3, _tears_ for +_flowers_; l. 4, _was_ for _is_; st. v. l. 1, _hope_ for _know_; st. +vii. l. 2, _balsam_ for _cowslips_. + +415. _Whither dost thou whorry me._ Quo me, Bacche, rapis tui Plenum? +Hor. III. _Od._ xxv. 1. + +430. _As Sallust saith_, _i.e._, the pseudo-Sallust in the _Epist. ad +Cai. Caes. de Repub. Ordinanda_. + +431. _Every time seems short._ Epigr. in Farnabii, _Florileg._ [a. +1629]:-- + + {Toisi men eu prattousin hapas ho bios brachys estin; + Tois de kakos, mia nyx apletos esti chronos.} + +443. _Oberon's Palace.--After the feast (my Shapcott) see._ See 223, +293, from which it is a pity that this poem should have been divorced. +Of the _Palace_ there are as many as three MS. versions, viz., Add. 22, +603 (p. 59), and Add. 25, 303 (p. 157), at the British Museum, both of +which I have collated, and Ashmole MS. 38, which I only know through my +predecessors. The three MSS. appear to agree very harmoniously, and they +unite in increasing our knowledge of Herrick by a passage of +twenty-seven lines, following on the words "And here and there and +farther off," and in lieu of the next four and a half lines in +_Hesperides_. They read as follows:-- + + "Some sort of pear, + Apple or plum, is neatly laid + (As if it was a tribute paid) + By the round urchin; some mixt wheat + The which the ant did taste, not eat; + Deaf nuts, soft Jews'-ears, and some thin + Chippings, the mice filched from the bin + Of the gray farmer, and to these + The scraps of lentils, chitted peas, + Dried honeycombs, brown acorn cups, + Out of the which he sometimes sups + His herby broth, and there close by + Are pucker'd bullace, cankers (?), dry + Kernels, and withered haws; the rest + Are trinkets fal'n from the kite's nest, + As butter'd bread, the which the wild + Bird snatched away from the crying child, + Blue pins, tags, fesenes, beads and things + Of higher price, as half-jet rings, + Ribbons and then some silken shreaks + The virgins lost at barley-breaks. + Many a purse-string, many a thread + Of gold and silver therein spread, + _Many a counter, many a die, + Half rotten and without an eye, + Lies here about_, and, as we guess, + Some bits of thimbles seem to dress + The brave cheap work; _and for to pave + The excellency of this cave, + Squirrels and children's teeth late shed_, + Serve here, both which _enchequered_ + With castors' doucets, which poor they + Bite off themselves to 'scape away: + Brown _toadstones_, ferrets' eyes, _the gum + That shines_," etc. + +The italicised words in the last few lines appear in _Hesperides_; all +the rest are new. Other variants are: "The grass of Lemster ore soberly +sparkling" for "the finest Lemster ore mildly disparkling"; "girdle" for +"ceston"; "The eyes of all doth strait bewitch" for "All with temptation +doth bewitch"; "choicely hung" for "neatly hung"; "silver roach" for +"silvery fish"; "cave" for "room"; "get reflection" for "make +reflected"; "Candlemas" for "taper-light"; "moon-tane" for +"moon-tanned," etc., etc. + +_Kings though they're hated._ The "Oderint dum metuant" of the _Atreus_ +of Accius, quoted by Cicero and Seneca. + +446. _To Oenone._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, under the +title: "The Farewell to Love and to his Mistress," and with the unlucky +misprint "court" for "covet" (also "for" for "but") in the stanza iii. +l. i. + +447. _Grief breaks the stoutest heart._ Frangit fortia corda dolor. +Tibull. III. ii. 6. + +451. _To the right gracious Prince, Lodowick, Duke of Richmond and +Lennox._ There appears to me to be a blunder here which Dr. Grosart and +Mr. Hazlitt do not elucidate, by recording the birth of Lodowick, first +Duke of Richmond, in 1574, his succession to the Lennox title in 1583, +creation as Duke of Richmond in May, 1623, and death in the following +February. For this first duke was no "stem" left "of all those three +brave brothers fallen in the war," and the allusion here is undoubtedly +to his nephews--George, Lord d'Aubigny, who fell at Edgehill; Lord John +Stewart, who fell at Alresford; and Lord Bernard Stewart (Earl of +Lichfield), who fell at Rowton Heath. In elucidation of Herrick's Dirge +(219) over the last of these three brothers, I have already quoted +Clarendon's remark, that he was "the third brother of that illustrious +family that sacrificed his life in this quarrel," and it cannot be +doubted that Herrick is here alluding to the same fact. The poem must +therefore have been written after 1645, _i.e._, more than twenty years +after the death of Duke Lodowick. But the duke then living was James, +who succeeded his father Esme in 1624, was recreated Duke of Richmond in +1641, and did not die till 1655. It is true that there was a brother +named Lodovic, but he was an abbot in France and never succeeded to the +title. Herrick, therefore, seems to have blundered in the Christian +name. + +453. _Let's live in haste._ From Martial, VII. xlvii. 11, 12:-- + + Vive velut rapto: fugitivaque gaudia carpe: + Perdiderit nullum vita reversa diem. + +457. _While Fates permit._ From Seneca, _Herc. Fur._ 177:-- + + Dum Fata sinunt, + Vivite laeti: properat cursu + Vita citato, volucrique die + Rota praecipitis vertitur anni. + +459. _With Horace_ (IV. _Od._ ix. 29):-- + + Paulum sepultae distat inertiae + Celata virtus. + +465. _The parting Verse or charge to his Supposed Wife when he +travelled._ MS. variants of this poem are found at the British Museum in +Add. 22, 603, and in Ashmole MS. 38. Their title, "Mr. Herrick's charge +to his wife," led Mr. Payne Collier to rashly identify with the poet a +certain Robert Herrick married at St. Clement Danes, 1632, to a Jane +Gibbons. The variants are numerous, but not very important. In l. 4 we +have "draw wooers" for "draw thousands"; ll. 11-16 are transposed to +after l. 28; and "Are the expressions of that itch" is written "As +emblems will express that itch"; ll. 27, 28 appear as:-- + + "For that once lost thou _needst must fall + To one, then prostitute to all:_ + +And we then have the transposed passage:-- + + Nor so immured would I have + Thee live, as dead, _or_ in thy grave; + But walk abroad, yet wisely well + _Keep 'gainst_ my coming sentinel. + And think _each man thou seest doth doom + Thy thoughts to say, I back am come._ + +Farther on we have the rather pretty variant:-- + + "Let them _call thee wondrous fair, + Crown of women_, yet despair". + +Eight lines lower "virtuous" is read for "gentle," and the omission of +some small words throws some light on a change in Herrick's metrical +views as he grew older. The words omitted are bracketed:-- + + "[And] Let thy dreams be only fed + With this, that I am in thy bed. + And [thou] then turning in that sphere, + Waking findst [shall find] me sleeping there. + But [yet] if boundless lust must scale + Thy fortress and _must_ needs prevail + _'Gainst thee and_ force a passage in," etc. + +Other variants are: "Creates the action" for "That makes the action"; +"Glory" for "Triumph"; "my last signet" for "this compression"; "turn +again in my full triumph" for "come again, As one triumphant," and "the +height of womankind" for "all faith of womankind". + +_The body sins not, 'tis the will_, etc. A maxim of law Latin: Actus non +facit reum nisi mens sit rea. + +466. _To his Kinsman, Sir Thos. Soame_, son of Sir Stephen Soame, Lord +Mayor of London, 1589, and of Anne Stone, Herrick's aunt. Sir Thomas +was Sheriff of London, 1635, M.P. for the City, 1640, and died Jan., +1670. See Cussan's _Hertfortshire_. (_Hundred of Edwinstree_, p. 100.) + +470. _Few Fortunate._ A variant on the text (Matt. xx. 16): "Many be +called but few chosen". + +479. _To Rosemary and Bays._ The use of rosemary and bays at weddings +forms a section in Brand's chapter on marriage customs (ii. 119). For +the gilding he quotes from a wedding sermon preached in 1607 by Roger +Hacket: "Smell sweet, O ye flowers, in your native sweetness: be not +gilded with the idle art of man". The use of gloves at weddings forms +the subject of another section in Brand (ii. 125). He quotes Ben +Jonson's _Silent Woman_; "We see no ensigns of a wedding here, no +character of a bridal; where be our scarves and our gloves?" + +483. _To his worthy friend, M. Thomas Falconbrige._ As Herrick hints at +his friend's destiny for a public career, it seemed worth while to hunt +through the Calendar of State Papers for a chance reference to this +Falconbridge, who so far has evaded editors. He is apparently the Mr. +Thomas Falconbridge who appears in various papers between 1640 and 1644, +as passing accounts, and in the latter year was "Receiver-General at +Westminster". + +_Towers reared high_, etc. Cp. Horace, _Od._ II. x. 9-12. + + Saepius ventis agitatur ingens + Pinus, et celsae graviore casu + Decidunt turres, feriuntque summos + Fulgura montes. + +486. _He's lord of thy life_, etc. Seneca, _Epist. Mor._ iv.: Quisquis +vitam suam contempsit tuae dominus est. Quoted by Montaigne, I. xxiii. + +488. _Shame is a bad attendant to a state._ From Seneca, _Hippol._ 431: +Malus est minister regii imperii pudor. + +_He rents his crown that fears the people's hate._ Also from Seneca, +_Oedipus_, 701: Odia qui nimium timet regnare nescit. + +496. _To his honoured kinsman, Sir Richard Stone_, son of John Stone, +sergeant-at-law, the brother of Julian Stone, Herrick's mother. He died +in 1660. + +_To this white temple of my heroes._ Ben Jonson's admirers were proud to +call themselves "sealed of the tribe of Ben," and Herrick, a devout +Jonsonite, seems to have imitated the idea so far as to plan sometimes, +as here, a Temple, sometimes a Book (see _infra_, 510), sometimes a City +(365), a Plantation (392), a Calendar (545), a College (983), of his own +favourite friends, to whom his poetry was to give immortality. The +earliest direct reference to this plan is in his address to John Selden, +the antiquary (365), in which he writes:-- + + "A city here of heroes I have made + Upon the rock whose firm foundation laid + Shall never shrink; where, making thine abode, + Live thou a Selden, that's a demi-god". + +It is noteworthy that the poems which contain the clearest reference to +this Temple (or its variants) are mostly addressed to kinsfolk, _e.g._, +this to Sir Richard Stone, to Mrs. Penelope Wheeler, to Mr. Stephen +Soame, and to Susanna and Thomas Herrick. Other recipients of the honour +are Sir Edward Fish and Dr. Alabaster, Jack Crofts, Master J. Jincks, +etc. + +497. _All flowers sent_, etc. See Virgil's--or the Virgilian--_Culex_, +ll. 397-410. + +_Martial's bee._ See _Epig._ IV. xxxii. + + De ape electro inclusa. + Et latet et lucet Phaethontide condita gutta, + Ut videatur apis nectare clausa suo. + Dignum tantorum pretium tulit illa laborum. + Credibile est ipsam sic voluisse mori. + +500. _To Mistress Dorothy Parsons._ This "saint" from Herrick's Temple +may certainly be identified with the second of the three children +(William, Dorothy, and Thomasine) of Mr. John Parsons, organist and +master of the choristers at Westminster Abbey, where he was buried in +1623. Herrick addresses another poem to her sister Thomasine:-- + + "Grow up in beauty, as thou dost begin, + And be of all admired, Thomasine". + +502. _'Tis sin to throttle wine._ Martial, I. xix. 5: Scelus est +jugulare Falernum. + +506. _Edward, Earl of Dorset_, Knight of the Garter, grandson of Thomas +Sackville, author of _Gorboduc_. He succeeded his brother, Richard +Sackville, the third earl, in 1624, and died in 1652. Clarendon +describes a duel which he fought with Lord Bruce in Flanders. + +_Of your own self a public theatre._ Cp. Burton (Democ. to Reader) "Ipse +mihi theatrum". + +510. _To his Kinswoman, Mrs. Penelope Wheeler._ See Note on 130. + +511. _A mighty strife 'twixt form and chastity._ Lis est cum forma magna +pudicitiae. Quoted from Ovid by Burton, who translates: "Beauty and +honesty have ever been at odds". + +514. _To the Lady Crew, upon the death of her child._ This must be the +child buried in Westminster Abbey, according to the entry in the +register "1637/8, Feb. 6. Sir Clipsy Crewe's daughter, in the North +aisle of the monuments." Colonel Chester annotates: "She was a younger +daughter, and was born at Crewe, 27th July, 1631. She died on the 4th of +February, and must have been an independent heiress, as her father +administered to her estate on the 24th May following." + +515. _Here needs no Court for our Request._ An allusion to the Court of +Requests, established in the time of Richard II. as a lesser Court of +Equity for the hearing of "all poor men's suits". It was abolished in +1641, at the same time as the Star Chamber. + +517. _The new successor drives away old love._ From Ovid, _Rem. Am._ +462: Successore novo vincitur omnis amor. + +519. _Born I was to meet with age._ Cp. 540. From Anacreon, 38 [24]:-- + + {Epeide brotos etechthen, + Biotou tribon hodeuein, + Chronon egnon hon parelthon, + Hon d' echo dramein ouk oida; + Methete me, phrontides; + Meden moi kai hymin esto. + Prin eme phthase to terma, + Paixo, gelaso, choreuso, + Meta tou kalou Lyaiou.} + +520. _Fortune did never favour one._ From Dionys. Halicarn. as quoted by +Burton, II. iii. 1, Sec. 1. + +521. _To Phillis to love and live with him._ A variant on Marlowe's +theme: "Come live with me and be my love". Donne's _The Bait_ (printed +in Grosart's edition, vol. ii. p. 206) is another. + +522. _To his Kinswoman, Mistress Susanna Herrick_, wife of his elder +brother Nicholas. + +523. _Susanna Southwell._ Probably a daughter of Sir Thomas Southwell, +for whom Herrick wrote the Epithalamium (No. 149). + +525. _Her pretty feet_, etc. Cp. Suckling's "Ballad upon a Wedding":-- + + "Her feet beneath her petticoat, + Like little mice stole in and out, + As if they feared the light". + +526. _To his Honoured Friend, Sir John Mynts._ John Mennis, a +Vice-Admiral of the fleet and knighted in 1641, refused to join in the +desertion of the fleet to the Parliament. After the Restoration he was +made Governor of Dover and Chief Comptroller of the Navy. He was one of +the editors of the collection called _Musarum Deliciae_ (1656), in the +first poem of which there is an allusion to-- + + "That old sack + Young Herrick took to entertain + The Muses in a sprightly vein". + +527. _Fly me not_, etc. From Anacreon, 49 [34]:-- + + {Me me phyges, horosa + Tan polian etheiran; ... + Hora kan stephanoisin + Hopos prepei ta leuka + Rhodois krin' emplakenta.} + +529. _As thou deserv'st be proud._ Cp. Hor. III. _Od._ xxx. 14:-- + + Sume superbiam + Quaesitam meritis et mihi Delphica + Lauro cinge volens, Melpomene, comam. + +534. _To Electra._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, where it is +entitled _To Julia_. + +536. _Ill Government.... When kings obey_, etc. From Seneca, _Octav._ +581:-- + + Male imperatur, cum regit vulgus duces. + +545. _To his Worthy Kinsman, Mr. Stephen Soame_ (the son or, less +probably, the brother of Sir Thomas Soame): _One of my righteous tribe_. +Cp. Note to 496. + +547. _Great spirits never with their bodies die._ Tacit. _Agric._ +46:--"Si quis piorum manibus locus, si, ut sapientibus placet, non cum +corpore extinguuntur magnae animae". + +554. _Die thou canst not all._ Hor. IV. _Od._ xxx. 6,7. + +556. _The Fairies._ Cp. the old ballad of _Robin Goodfellow_:-- + + "When house or hearth doth sluttish lie, + I pinch the maids both black and blue"; + +and Ben Jonson's _Entertainment at Althorpe_, etc. + +557. _M. John Weare, Councellour._ Probably the same as "the +much-lamented Mr. J. Warr" of 134. + +_Law is to give to every one his own._ Cicero, _De Fin._ v.: Animi +affectio suum cuique tribuens Justitia dicitur. + +564. _His Kinswoman, Bridget Herrick_, eldest daughter of his brother +Nicholas. + +565. _The Wanton Satyr._ See Sir E. Dyer's _The Shepherd's Conceit of +Prometheus_:-- + + "Prometheus, when first from heaven high + He brought down fire, ere then on earth not seen, + Fond of delight, a Satyr standing by + Gave it a kiss, as it like sweet had been. + ... ... ... ... + The difference is--the Satyr's lips, my heart, + He for a time, I evermore, have smart." + +So _Euphues_: "Satirus not knowing what fire was would needs embrace it +and was burnt;" and Sir John Davies, _False and True Knowledge_. + + + + +Transcriber's Endnotes + + + Numeration Errors in the Hesperides: + + Errors in the numbering system, despite the corrections mentioned in + the NOTE TO SECOND EDITION, still exist in the text. A clear example + is shown by _569. UPON ELECTRA'S TEARS_ ending Vol. I, whilst Vol. II + begins with _569. A HYMN TO THE GRACES_. When the poems within the + APPENDIX OF EPIGRAMS are considered, more errors in the numeration + system become apparent. + + Without an obvious solution to a discrepancy the numbers remain as + originally printed, however the following alterations have been made + to ensure any details in the NOTES section apply to the relevant + poem. + + Page 204. OBERON'S PALACE. "444" changed to _443_. + "443. OBERON'S PALACE." + + Page 221. FEW FORTUNATE. "472" changed to _470_. + "470. FEW FORTUNATE." + + Page 223. THE WASSAIL. "478" changed to _476_. + "476. THE WASSAIL." + + Page 317. Note to 496. "512" changed to _510_. + "... sometimes a Book (see infra, 510) ..." + + Page 321. Note to 545. "498" changed to _496_. + "... Cp. Note to 496...." + + Page 322. Note to 564. "562" changed to _564_. + "564. _His Kinswoman, Bridget Herrick_, eldest ..." + + Page 322. Note to 565. "563" changed to _565_. + "565. _The Wanton Satyr._ See Sir E. Dyer's ..." + + + Typographical Errors: + + Page 83. 178. CORINNA'S GOING.... "pries" corrected to _priest_. + "And chose their priest, ere we can cast off sloth:" + + Page 137. 275. CROSSES. "goods" corrected to _good_. + "Though good things answer many good intents," + + Page 316. Note to 479. " owers" corrected to _flowers_. + "Smell sweet, O ye flowers, in your native sweetness:" + + + Unresolved Errors: + + The following errors remain as printed: + + In 405. TO HIS BOOK., _Chipperfeild_, has been retained as it is + unclear whether this is a misprint, or intentional. + + In 101. BARLEY-BREAK; OR, LAST IN HELL. No corresponding note can + be found for _Barley-break, a country game resembling prisoners' + base_. + + + + +ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS. + + + + + ROBERT HERRICK + + THE HESPERIDES & NOBLE + NUMBERS: EDITED BY + ALFRED POLLARD + WITH A PREFACE BY + A. C. SWINBURNE + + VOL. II. + + _REVISED EDITION_ + + [Illustration] + + LONDON: NEW YORK: + LAWRENCE & BULLEN, LTD., CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, + 16 HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. 153-157 FIFTH AVENUE + 1898. 1898. + + + + +HESPERIDES. + + +569. A HYMN TO THE GRACES. + + When I love (as some have told, + Love I shall when I am old), + O ye Graces! make me fit + For the welcoming of it. + Clean my rooms, as temples be, + T' entertain that deity. + Give me words wherewith to woo, + Suppling and successful too; + Winning postures, and, withal, + Manners each way musical: + Sweetness to allay my sour + And unsmooth behaviour. + For I know you have the skill + Vines to prune, though not to kill, + And of any wood ye see, + You can make a Mercury. + + _Suppling_, softening. + _Mercury_, god of eloquence and inventor of the lyre. + + +570. TO SILVIA. + + No more, my Silvia, do I mean to pray + For those good days that ne'er will come away. + I want belief; O gentle Silvia, be + The patient saint, and send up vows for me. + + +573. THE POET HATH LOST HIS PIPE. + + I cannot pipe as I was wont to do, + Broke is my reed, hoarse is my singing, too; + My wearied oat I'll hang upon the tree, + And give it to the sylvan deity. + + +574. TRUE FRIENDSHIP. + + Wilt thou my true friend be? + Then love not mine, but me. + + +575. THE APPARITION OF HIS MISTRESS CALLING HIM TO ELYSIUM. + + _Desunt nonnulla ----_ + + Come then, and like two doves with silv'ry wings, + Let our souls fly to th' shades where ever springs + Sit smiling in the meads; where balm and oil, + Roses and cassia crown the untill'd soil. + Where no disease reigns, or infection comes + To blast the air, but ambergris and gums + This, that, and ev'ry thicket doth transpire, + More sweet than storax from the hallowed fire, + Where ev'ry tree a wealthy issue bears + Of fragrant apples, blushing plums, or pears; + And all the shrubs, with sparkling spangles, shew + Like morning sunshine tinselling the dew. + Here in green meadows sits eternal May, + Purfling the margents, while perpetual day + So double gilds the air, as that no night + Can ever rust th' enamel of the light. + Here, naked younglings, handsome striplings, run + Their goals for virgins' kisses; which when done, + Then unto dancing forth the learned round + Commixed they meet, with endless roses crown'd. + And here we'll sit on primrose-banks, and see + Love's chorus led by Cupid; and we'll be + Two loving followers, too, unto the grove + Where poets sing the stories of our love. + There thou shalt hear divine Musaeus sing + Of Hero and Leander; then I'll bring + Thee to the stand, where honour'd Homer reads + His Odysseys and his high Iliads; + About whose throne the crowd of poets throng + To hear the incantation of his tongue: + To Linus, then to Pindar; and that done, + I'll bring thee, Herrick, to Anacreon, + Quaffing his full-crown'd bowls of burning wine, + And in his raptures speaking lines of thine, + Like to his subject; and as his frantic + Looks show him truly Bacchanalian-like + Besmear'd with grapes, welcome he shall thee thither, + Where both may rage, both drink and dance together. + Then stately Virgil, witty Ovid, by + Whom fair Corinna sits, and doth comply + With ivory wrists his laureate head, and steeps + His eye in dew of kisses while he sleeps; + Then soft Catullus, sharp-fang'd Martial, + And towering Lucan, Horace, Juvenal, + And snaky Persius, these, and those, whom rage + (Dropt for the jars of heaven) fill'd t' engage + All times unto their frenzies,--thou shalt there + Behold them in a spacious theatre. + Among which glories, crowned with sacred bays + And flatt'ring ivy, two recite their plays-- + Beaumont and Fletcher, swans to whom all ears + Listen, while they, like syrens in their spheres, + Sing their Evadne; and still more for thee + There yet remains to know than thou can'st see + By glim'ring of a fancy. Do but come, + And there I'll show thee that capacious room + In which thy father Jonson now is plac'd, + As in a globe of radiant fire, and grac'd + To be in that orb crown'd, that doth include + Those prophets of the former magnitude, + And he one chief; but hark, I hear the cock + (The bellman of the night) proclaim the clock + Of late struck one, and now I see the prime + Of day break from the pregnant east: 'tis time + I vanish; more I had to say, + But night determines here, away. + + _Purfling_, trimming, embroidering. + _Round_, rustic dance. + _Comply_, encircle. + _Their Evadne_, the sister of Melantius in their play "The Maid's + Tragedy". + + +576. LIFE IS THE BODY'S LIGHT. + + Life is the body's light, which once declining, + Those crimson clouds i' th' cheek and lips leave shining. + Those counter-changed tabbies in the air + (The sun once set) all of one colour are. + So, when Death comes, fresh tinctures lose their place, + And dismal darkness then doth smutch the face. + + _Tabbies_, shot silks. + + +579. LOVE LIGHTLY PLEASED. + + Let fair or foul my mistress be, + Or low, or tall, she pleaseth me; + Or let her walk, or stand, or sit, + The posture hers, I'm pleas'd with it; + Or let her tongue be still, or stir, + Graceful is every thing from her; + Or let her grant, or else deny, + _My love will fit each history_. + + +580. THE PRIMROSE. + + Ask me why I send you here + This sweet Infanta of the year? + Ask me why I send to you + This primrose, thus bepearl'd with dew? + I will whisper to your ears: + The sweets of love are mix'd with tears. + + Ask me why this flower does show + So yellow-green, and sickly too? + Ask me why the stalk is weak + And bending (yet it doth not break)? + I will answer: These discover + What fainting hopes are in a lover. + + +581. THE TITHE. TO THE BRIDE. + + If nine times you your bridegroom kiss, + The tenth you know the parson's is. + Pay then your tithe, and doing thus, + Prove in your bride-bed numerous. + If children you have ten, Sir John + Won't for his tenth part ask you one. + + _Sir John_, the parson. + + +582. A FROLIC. + + Bring me my rosebuds, drawer, come; + So, while I thus sit crown'd, + I'll drink the aged Caecubum, + Until the roof turn round. + + _Drawer_, waiter. + _Caecubum_, Caecuban, an old Roman wine. + + +583. CHANGE COMMON TO ALL. + + All things subjected are to fate; + Whom this morn sees most fortunate, + The evening sees in poor estate. + + +584. TO JULIA. + + The saints'-bell calls, and, Julia, I must read + The proper lessons for the saints now dead: + To grace which service, Julia, there shall be + One holy collect said or sung for thee. + Dead when thou art, dear Julia, thou shalt have + A trentall sung by virgins o'er thy grave: + Meantime we two will sing the dirge of these, + Who dead, deserve our best remembrances. + + _Trentall_, a service for the dead. + + +585. NO LUCK IN LOVE. + + I do love I know not what, + Sometimes this and sometimes that; + All conditions I aim at. + + But, as luckless, I have yet + Many shrewd disasters met + To gain her whom I would get. + + Therefore now I'll love no more + As I've doted heretofore: + He who must be, shall be poor. + + +586. IN THE DARK NONE DAINTY. + + Night hides our thefts, all faults then pardon'd be; + All are alike fair when no spots we see. + Lais and Lucrece in the night-time are + Pleasing alike, alike both singular: + Joan and my lady have at that time one, + One and the self-same priz'd complexion: + Then please alike the pewter and the plate, + The chosen ruby, and the reprobate. + + _Lais and Lucrece_, opposite types of incontinence and purity. Cp. + 665, 885. + + +587. A CHARM, OR AN ALLAY FOR LOVE. + + If so be a toad be laid + In a sheep's-skin newly flay'd, + And that tied to man, 'twill sever + Him and his affections ever. + + +590. TO HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW, MASTER JOHN WINGFIELD. + + For being comely, consonant, and free + To most of men, but most of all to me; + For so decreeing that thy clothes' expense + Keeps still within a just circumference; + Then for contriving so to load thy board + As that the messes ne'er o'erlade the lord; + Next for ordaining that thy words not swell + To any one unsober syllable: + These I could praise thee for beyond another, + Wert thou a Winstfield only, not a brother. + + _Consonant_, harmonious. + + +591. THE HEADACHE. + + My head doth ache, + O Sappho! take + Thy fillet, + And bind the pain, + Or bring some bane + To kill it. + + But less that part + Than my poor heart + Now is sick; + One kiss from thee + Will counsel be + And physic. + + +592. ON HIMSELF. + + Live by thy muse thou shalt, when others die + Leaving no fame to long posterity: + When monarchies trans-shifted are, and gone, + Here shall endure thy vast dominion. + + +593. UPON A MAID. + + Hence a blessed soul is fled, + Leaving here the body dead; + Which since here they can't combine, + For the saint we'll keep the shrine. + + +596. UPON THE TROUBLESOME TIMES. + + O times most bad, + Without the scope + Of hope + Of better to be had! + + Where shall I go, + Or whither run + To shun + This public overthrow? + + No places are, + This I am sure, + Secure + In this our wasting war. + + Some storms we've past, + Yet we must all + Down fall, + And perish at the last. + + +597. CRUELTY BASE IN COMMANDERS. + + Nothing can be more loathsome than to see + Power conjoin'd with Nature's cruelty. + + +599. UPON LUCIA. + + I ask'd my Lucia but a kiss, + And she with scorn denied me this; + Say then, how ill should I have sped, + Had I then ask'd her maidenhead? + + +600. LITTLE AND LOUD. + + Little you are, for woman's sake be proud; + For my sake next, though little, be not loud. + + +601. SHIPWRECK. + + He who has suffered shipwreck fears to sail + Upon the seas, though with a gentle gale. + + +602. PAINS WITHOUT PROFIT. + + A long life's-day I've taken pains + For very little, or no gains; + The evening's come, here now I'll stop, + And work no more, but shut up shop. + + +603. TO HIS BOOK. + + Be bold, my book, nor be abash'd, or fear + The cutting thumb-nail or the brow severe; + But by the Muses swear all here is good + If but well read, or, ill read, understood. + + +604. HIS PRAYER TO BEN JONSON. + + When I a verse shall make, + Know I have pray'd thee, + For old religion's sake, + Saint Ben, to aid me. + + Make the way smooth for me, + When I, thy Herrick, + Honouring thee, on my knee + Offer my lyric. + + Candles I'll give to thee, + And a new altar, + And thou, Saint Ben, shall be + Writ in my Psalter. + + +605. POVERTY AND RICHES. + + Give Want her welcome if she comes; we find + Riches to be but burdens to the mind. + + +606. AGAIN. + + Who with a little cannot be content, + Endures an everlasting punishment. + + +607. THE COVETOUS STILL CAPTIVES. + + Let's live with that small pittance that we have; + _Who covets more, is evermore a slave_. + + +608. LAWS. + + When laws full power have to sway, we see + Little or no part there of tyranny. + + +609. OF LOVE. + + I'll get me hence, + Because no fence + Or fort that I can make here, + But love by charms, + Or else by arms + Will storm, or starving take here. + + +611. TO HIS MUSE. + + Go woo young Charles no more to look + Than but to read this in my book: + How Herrick begs, if that he can- + Not like the muse, to love the man, + Who by the shepherds sung, long since, + The star-led birth of Charles the Prince. + + _Long since_, _i.e._, in the "Pastoral upon the Birth of Prince + Charles" (213), where see Note. + + +612. THE BAD SEASON MAKES THE POET SAD. + + Dull to myself, and almost dead to these + My many fresh and fragrant mistresses; + Lost to all music now, since everything + Puts on the semblance here of sorrowing. + Sick is the land to the heart, and doth endure + More dangerous faintings by her desp'rate cure. + But if that golden age would come again, + And Charles here rule, as he before did reign; + If smooth and unperplexed the seasons were, + As when the sweet Maria lived here: + I should delight to have my curls half drown'd + In Tyrian dews, and head with roses crown'd; + And once more yet, ere I am laid out dead, + _Knock at a star with my exalted head_. + + _Knock at a star_ (sublimi feriam sidera vertice). Horace Ode, i. 1. + + +613. TO VULCAN. + + Thy sooty godhead I desire + Still to be ready with thy fire; + That should my book despised be, + Acceptance it might find of thee. + + +614. LIKE PATTERN, LIKE PEOPLE. + + _This is the height of justice: that to do + Thyself which thou put'st other men unto. + As great men lead, the meaner follow on, + Or to the good, or evil action._ + + +615. PURPOSES. + + No wrath of men or rage of seas + Can shake a just man's purposes: + No threats of tyrants or the grim + Visage of them can alter him; + But what he doth at first intend, + That he holds firmly to the end. + + +616. TO THE MAIDS TO WALK ABROAD. + + Come, sit we under yonder tree, + Where merry as the maids we'll be; + And as on primroses we sit, + We'll venture, if we can, at wit: + If not, at draw-gloves we will play; + So spend some minutes of the day: + Or else spin out the thread of sands, + Playing at Questions and Commands: + Or tell what strange tricks love can do, + By quickly making one of two. + Thus we will sit and talk, but tell + No cruel truths of Philomel, + Or Phyllis, whom hard fate forc'd on + To kill herself for Demophon. + But fables we'll relate: how Jove + Put on all shapes to get a love; + As now a satyr, then a swan; + A bull but then, and now a man. + Next we will act how young men woo, + And sigh, and kiss as lovers do; + And talk of brides, and who shall make + That wedding-smock, this bridal cake, + That dress, this sprig, that leaf, this vine, + That smooth and silken columbine. + This done, we'll draw lots who shall buy + And gild the bays and rosemary; + What posies for our wedding rings; + What gloves we'll give and ribandings: + And smiling at ourselves, decree, + Who then the joining priest shall be. + What short, sweet prayers shall be said; + And how the posset shall be made + With cream of lilies, not of kine, + And maiden's-blush, for spiced wine. + Thus, having talked, we'll next commend + A kiss to each, and so we'll end. + + _Draw-gloves_, talking on the fingers. + _Philomela_, daughter of Pandion, changed into a nightingale. + _Phyllis_, the S. Phyllis of a former lyric (To Groves). + _Gild the bays_, see Note to 479. + + +617. HIS OWN EPITAPH. + + As wearied pilgrims, once possest + Of long'd-for lodging, go to rest, + So I, now having rid my way, + Fix here my button'd staff and stay. + Youth, I confess, hath me misled; + But age hath brought me right to bed. + + _Button'd_, knobbed. + + +618. A NUPTIAL VERSE TO MISTRESS ELIZABETH LEE, NOW LADY TRACY. + + Spring with the lark, most comely bride, and meet + Your eager bridegroom with auspicious feet. + The morn's far spent, and the immortal sun + Corals his cheek to see those rites not done. + Fie, lovely maid! indeed you are too slow, + When to the temple Love should run, not go. + Dispatch your dressing then, and quickly wed; + Then feast, and coy't a little, then to bed. + This day is Love's day, and this busy night + Is yours, in which you challenged are to fight + With such an arm'd, but such an easy foe, + As will, if you yield, lie down conquer'd too. + The field is pitch'd, but such must be your wars, + As that your kisses must outvie the stars. + Fall down together vanquished both, and lie + Drown'd in the blood of rubies there, not die. + + _Corals_, reddens. + + +619. THE NIGHT-PIECE, TO JULIA. + + Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee, + The shooting stars attend thee; + And the elves also, + Whose little eyes glow + Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee. + + No Will-o'-th'-Wisp mislight thee, + Nor snake or slow-worm bite thee; + But on, on thy way + Not making a stay, + Since ghost there's none to affright thee. + + Let not the dark thee cumber: + What though the moon does slumber? + The stars of the night + Will lend thee their light + Like tapers clear without number. + + Then, Julia, let me woo thee, + Thus, thus to come unto me; + And when I shall meet + Thy silv'ry feet + My soul I'll pour into thee. + + +620. TO SIR CLIPSEBY CREW. + + Give me wine, and give me meat, + To create in me a heat, + That my pulses high may beat. + + Cold and hunger never yet + Could a noble verse beget; + But your bowls with sack replete. + + Give me these, my knight, and try + In a minute's space how I + Can run mad and prophesy. + + Then, if any piece prove new + And rare, I'll say, my dearest Crew, + It was full inspired by you. + + +621. GOOD LUCK NOT LASTING. + + If well the dice run, let's applaud the cast: + _The happy fortune will not always last_. + + +622. A KISS. + + What is a kiss? Why this, as some approve: + The sure, sweet cement, glue, and lime of love. + + +623. GLORY. + + I make no haste to have my numbers read: + _Seldom comes glory till a man be dead_. + + +624. POETS. + + Wantons we are, and though our words be such, + Our lives do differ from our lines by much. + + +625. NO DESPITE TO THE DEAD. + + Reproach we may the living, not the dead: + _'Tis cowardice to bite the buried_. + + +626. TO HIS VERSES. + + What will ye, my poor orphans, do + When I must leave the world and you? + Who'll give ye then a sheltering shed, + Or credit ye when I am dead? + Who'll let ye by their fire sit, + Although ye have a stock of wit + Already coin'd to pay for it? + I cannot tell, unless there be + Some race of old humanity + Left, of the large heart and long hand, + Alive, as noble Westmorland, + Or gallant Newark, which brave two + May fost'ring fathers be to you. + If not, expect to be no less + Ill us'd, than babes left fatherless. + + _Westmorland_, _Newark_, see Notes. + + +627. HIS CHARGE TO JULIA AT HIS DEATH. + + Dearest of thousands, now the time draws near + That with my lines my life must full-stop here. + Cut off thy hairs, and let thy tears be shed + Over my turf when I am buried. + Then for effusions, let none wanting be, + Or other rites that do belong to me; + As love shall help thee, when thou dost go hence + Unto thy everlasting residence. + + _Effusions_, the "due drink-offerings" of the lyric "To his lovely + mistresses" (634). + + +628. UPON LOVE. + + In a dream, Love bade me go + To the galleys there to row; + In the vision I ask'd why? + Love as briefly did reply, + 'Twas better there to toil, than prove + The turmoils they endure that love. + I awoke, and then I knew + What Love said was too-too true; + Henceforth therefore I will be, + As from love, from trouble free. + _None pities him that's in the snare, + And, warned before, would not beware._ + + +629. THE COBBLERS' CATCH. + + Come sit we by the fire's side, + And roundly drink we here; + Till that we see our cheeks ale-dy'd + And noses tann'd with beer. + + +633. CONNUBII FLORES, OR THE WELL-WISHES AT WEDDINGS. + + _Chorus Sacerdotum._ From the temple to your home + May a thousand blessings come! + And a sweet concurring stream + Of all joys to join with them. + + _Chorus Juvenum._ Happy Day, + Make no long stay + Here + In thy sphere; + But give thy place to Night, + That she, + As thee, + May be + Partaker of this sight. + And since it was thy care + To see the younglings wed, + 'Tis fit that Night the pair + Should see safe brought to bed. + + _Chorus Senum._ Go to your banquet then, but use delight, + So as to rise still with an appetite. + Love is a thing most nice, and must be fed + To such a height, but never surfeited. + What is beyond the mean is ever ill: + _'Tis best to feed Love, but not overfill_; + Go then discreetly to the bed of pleasure, + And this remember, _virtue keeps the measure_. + + _Chorus Virginum._ Lucky signs we have descri'd + To encourage on the bride, + And to these we have espi'd, + Not a kissing Cupid flies + Here about, but has his eyes + To imply your love is wise. + + _Chorus Pastorum._ Here we present a fleece + To make a piece + Of cloth; + Nor, fair, must you be both + Your finger to apply + To housewifery. + Then, then begin + To spin: + And, sweetling, mark you, what a web will come + Into your chests, drawn by your painful thumb. + + _Chorus Matronarum._ Set you to your wheel, and wax + Rich by the ductile wool and flax. + Yarn is an income, and the housewives' thread + The larder fills with meat, the bin with bread. + + _Chorus Senum._ Let wealth come in by comely thrift + And not by any sordid shift; + 'Tis haste + Makes waste: + Extremes have still their fault: + _The softest fire makes the sweetest malt: + Who grips too hard the dry and slippery sand + Holds none at all, or little in his hand._ + + _Chorus Virginum._ Goddess of pleasure, youth and peace, + Give them the blessing of increase: + And thou, Lucina, that dost hear + The vows of those that children bear: + Whenas her April hour draws near, + Be thou then propitious there. + + _Chorus Juvenum._ Far hence be all speech that may anger move: + _Sweet words must nourish soft and gentle love_. + + _Chorus Omnium._ Live in the love of doves, and having told + The raven's years, go hence more ripe than old. + + _Nice_, dainty. + _Painful_, painstaking; for the passage cp. Catull. _Nupt. Pel. et + Thet._ 311-314. + + +634. TO HIS LOVELY MISTRESSES. + + One night i' th' year, my dearest beauties, come + And bring those due drink-offerings to my tomb. + When thence ye see my reverend ghost to rise, + And there to lick th' effused sacrifice: + Though paleness be the livery that I wear, + Look ye not wan or colourless for fear. + Trust me, I will not hurt ye, or once show + The least grim look, or cast a frown on you: + Nor shall the tapers when I'm there burn blue. + This I may do, perhaps, as I glide by, + Cast on my girls a glance and loving eye, + Or fold mine arms and sigh, because I've lost + The world so soon, and in it you the most. + Than these, no fears more on your fancies fall, + Though then I smile and speak no words at all. + + _Fold mine arms_, cp. "crossing his arms in this sad knot" + (_Tempest_). + + +635. UPON LOVE. + + A crystal vial Cupid brought, + Which had a juice in it; + Of which who drank, he said no thought + Of love he should admit. + + I, greedy of the prize, did drink, + And emptied soon the glass; + Which burnt me so, that I do think + The fire of hell it was. + + Give me my earthen cups again, + The crystal I contemn; + Which, though enchas'd with pearls, contain + A deadly draught in them. + + And thou, O Cupid! come not to + My threshold, since I see, + For all I have, or else can do, + Thou still wilt cozen me. + + +638. THE BEGGAR TO MAB, THE FAIRY QUEEN. + + Please your Grace, from out your store, + Give an alms to one that's poor, + That your mickle may have more. + Black I'm grown for want of meat + Give me then an ant to eat, + Or the cleft ear of a mouse + Over-sour'd in drink of souce; + Or, sweet lady, reach to me + The abdomen of a bee; + Or commend a cricket's hip, + Or his huckson, to my scrip. + Give for bread a little bit + Of a pea that 'gins to chit, + And my full thanks take for it. + Flour of fuzz-balls, that's too good + For a man in needihood; + But the meal of milldust can + Well content a craving man. + Any orts the elves refuse + Well will serve the beggar's use. + But if this may seem too much + For an alms, then give me such + Little bits that nestle there + In the prisoner's panier. + So a blessing light upon + You and mighty Oberon: + That your plenty last till when + I return your alms again. + + _Mickle_, much. + _Souce_, salt-pickle. + _Huckson_, huckle-bone. + _Chit_, sprout. + _Orts_, scraps of food. + _Prisoner's panier_, the basket which poor prisoners used to hang out + of the gaol windows for alms in money or kind. + + +639. AN END DECREED. + + Let's be jocund while we may, + All things have an ending day; + And when once the work is done, + _Fates revolve no flax they've spun_. + + _Revolve_, _i.e._, bring back. + + +640. UPON A CHILD. + + Here a pretty baby lies + Sung asleep with lullabies; + Pray be silent, and not stir + Th' easy earth that covers her. + + +641. PAINTING SOMETIMES PERMITTED. + + If Nature do deny + Colours, let Art supply. + + +642. FAREWELL FROST, OR WELCOME THE SPRING. + + Fled are the frosts, and now the fields appear + Re-cloth'd in fresh and verdant diaper. + Thaw'd are the snows, and now the lusty spring + Gives to each mead a neat enamelling. + The palms put forth their gems, and every tree + Now swaggers in her leafy gallantry. + The while the Daulian minstrel sweetly sings, + With warbling notes, her Terean sufferings. + What gentle winds perspire! As if here + Never had been the northern plunderer + To strip the trees and fields, to their distress, + Leaving them to a pitied nakedness. + And look how when a frantic storm doth tear + A stubborn oak, or holm, long growing there, + But lull'd to calmness, then succeeds a breeze + That scarcely stirs the nodding leaves of trees: + So when this war, which tempest-like doth spoil + Our salt, our corn, our honey, wine and oil, + Falls to a temper, and doth mildly cast + His inconsiderate frenzy off, at last, + The gentle dove may, when these turmoils cease, + Bring in her bill, once more, the branch of peace. + + _Gems_, buds. + _Daulian minstrel_, the nightingale Philomela. + _Terean sufferings_, _i.e._, at the hands of Tereus. + + +643. THE HAG. + + The hag is astride + This night for to ride, + The devil and she together; + Through thick and through thin, + Now out and then in, + Though ne'er so foul be the weather. + + A thorn or a burr + She takes for a spur, + With a lash of a bramble she rides now; + Through brakes and through briars, + O'er ditches and mires, + She follows the spirit that guides now. + + No beast for his food + Dare now range the wood, + But hush'd in his lair he lies lurking; + While mischiefs, by these, + On land and on seas, + At noon of night are a-working. + + The storm will arise + And trouble the skies; + This night, and more for the wonder, + The ghost from the tomb + Affrighted shall come, + Call'd out by the clap of the thunder. + + +644. UPON AN OLD MAN: A RESIDENTIARY. + + Tread, sirs, as lightly as ye can + Upon the grave of this old man. + Twice forty, bating but one year + And thrice three weeks, he lived here. + Whom gentle fate translated hence + To a more happy residence. + Yet, reader, let me tell thee this, + Which from his ghost a promise is, + If here ye will some few tears shed, + He'll never haunt ye now he's dead. + + _Residentiary_, old inhabitant. + + +645. UPON TEARS. + + Tears, though they're here below the sinner's brine, + Above they are the angels' spiced wine. + + +646. PHYSICIANS. + + Physicians fight not against men; but these + Combat for men by conquering the disease. + + +647. THE PRIMITIAE TO PARENTS. + + Our household-gods our parents be; + And manners good require that we + The first fruits give to them, who gave + Us hands to get what here we have. + + +649. UPON LUCY. EPIG. + + Sound teeth has Lucy, pure as pearl, and small, + With mellow lips, and luscious therewithal. + + +651. TO SILVIA. + + I am holy while I stand + Circum-crost by thy pure hand; + But when that is gone, again + I, as others, am profane. + + _Circum-crost_, marked round with a cross. + + +652. TO HIS CLOSET-GODS. + + When I go hence, ye Closet-Gods, I fear + Never again to have ingression here + Where I have had whatever thing could be + Pleasant and precious to my muse and me. + Besides rare sweets, I had a book which none + Could read the intext but myself alone. + About the cover of this book there went + A curious-comely clean compartlement, + And, in the midst, to grace it more, was set + A blushing, pretty, peeping rubelet. + But now 'tis closed; and being shut and seal'd, + Be it, O be it, never more reveal'd! + Keep here still, Closet-Gods, 'fore whom I've set + Oblations oft of sweetest marmelet. + + _Ingression_, entrance. + _Intext_, contents. + + +653. A BACCHANALIAN VERSE. + + Fill me a mighty bowl + Up to the brim, + That I may drink + Unto my Jonson's soul. + + Crown it again, again; + And thrice repeat + That happy heat, + To drink to thee, my Ben. + + Well I can quaff, I see, + To th' number five + Or nine; but thrive + In frenzy ne'er like thee. + + _To the number five or nine_, see Note. + + +654. LONG-LOOKED-FOR COMES AT LAST. + + Though long it be, years may repay the debt; + _None loseth that which he in time may get_. + + +655. TO YOUTH. + + Drink wine, and live here blitheful, while ye may: + _The morrow's life too late is; live to-day_. + + +656. NEVER TOO LATE TO DIE. + + No man comes late unto that place from whence + Never man yet had a regredience. + + _Regredience_, return. + + +657. A HYMN TO THE MUSES. + + O you the virgins nine! + That do our souls incline + To noble discipline! + Nod to this vow of mine. + Come, then, and now inspire + My viol and my lyre + With your eternal fire, + And make me one entire + Composer in your choir. + Then I'll your altars strew + With roses sweet and new; + And ever live a true + Acknowledger of you. + + +658. ON HIMSELF. + + I'll sing no more, nor will I longer write + Of that sweet lady, or that gallant knight. + I'll sing no more of frosts, snows, dews and showers; + No more of groves, meads, springs and wreaths of flowers. + I'll write no more, nor will I tell or sing + Of Cupid and his witty cozening: + I'll sing no more of death, or shall the grave + No more my dirges and my trentalls have. + + _Trentalls_, service for the dead. + + +660. TO MOMUS. + + Who read'st this book that I have writ, + And can'st not mend but carp at it; + By all the Muses! thou shalt be + Anathema to it and me. + + +661. AMBITION. + + In ways to greatness, think on this, + _That slippery all ambition is_. + + +662. THE COUNTRY LIFE, TO THE HONOURED M. END. PORTER, GROOM OF THE +BEDCHAMBER TO HIS MAJESTY. + + Sweet country life, to such unknown + Whose lives are others', not their own! + But serving courts and cities, be + Less happy, less enjoying thee. + Thou never plough'st the ocean's foam + To seek and bring rough pepper home; + Nor to the Eastern Ind dost rove + To bring from thence the scorched clove; + Nor, with the loss of thy lov'd rest, + Bring'st home the ingot from the West. + No, thy ambition's masterpiece + Flies no thought higher than a fleece; + Or how to pay thy hinds, and clear + All scores, and so to end the year: + But walk'st about thine own dear bounds, + Not envying others larger grounds: + For well thou know'st _'tis not th' extent + Of land makes life, but sweet content_. + When now the cock (the ploughman's horn) + Calls forth the lily-wristed morn, + Then to thy corn-fields thou dost go, + Which though well soil'd, yet thou dost know + That the best compost for the lands + Is the wise master's feet and hands. + There at the plough thou find'st thy team + With a hind whistling there to them; + And cheer'st them up by singing how + The kingdom's portion is the plough. + This done, then to th' enamelled meads + Thou go'st, and as thy foot there treads, + Thou see'st a present God-like power + Imprinted in each herb and flower; + And smell'st the breath of great-ey'd kine, + Sweet as the blossoms of the vine. + Here thou behold'st thy large sleek neat + Unto the dew-laps up in meat; + And, as thou look'st, the wanton steer, + The heifer, cow, and ox draw near + To make a pleasing pastime there. + These seen, thou go'st to view thy flocks + Of sheep, safe from the wolf and fox, + And find'st their bellies there as full + Of short sweet grass as backs with wool, + And leav'st them, as they feed and fill, + A shepherd piping on a hill. + For sports, for pageantry and plays + Thou hast thy eves and holidays; + On which the young men and maids meet + To exercise their dancing feet; + Tripping the comely country round, + With daffodils and daisies crown'd. + Thy wakes, thy quintels here thou hast, + Thy May-poles, too, with garlands grac'd; + Thy morris dance, thy Whitsun ale, + Thy shearing feast which never fail; + Thy harvest-home, thy wassail bowl, + That's toss'd up after fox i' th' hole; + Thy mummeries, thy Twelfth-tide kings + And queens, thy Christmas revellings, + Thy nut-brown mirth, thy russet wit, + And no man pays too dear for it. + To these, thou hast thy times to go + And trace the hare i' th' treacherous snow; + Thy witty wiles to draw, and get + The lark into the trammel net; + Thou hast thy cockrood and thy glade + To take the precious pheasant made; + Thy lime-twigs, snares and pit-falls then + To catch the pilfering birds, not men. + O happy life! if that their good + The husbandmen but understood! + Who all the day themselves do please, + And younglings, with such sports as these, + And lying down have nought t' affright + Sweet sleep, that makes more short the night. + _Caetera desunt ----_ + + _Soil'd_, manured. + _Compost_, preparation. + _Fox i' th' hole_, a hopping game in which boys beat each other with + gloves. + _Cockrood_, a run for snaring woodcocks. + _Glade_, an opening in the wood across which nets were hung to catch + game. (Willoughby, _Ornithologie_, i. 3.) + + +663. TO ELECTRA. + + I dare not ask a kiss, + I dare not beg a smile, + Lest having that, or this, + I might grow proud the while. + + No, no, the utmost share + Of my desire shall be + Only to kiss that air + That lately kissed thee. + + +664. TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND, M. ARTHUR BARTLY. + + When after many lusters thou shalt be + Wrapt up in sear-cloth with thine ancestry; + When of thy ragg'd escutcheons shall be seen + So little left, as if they ne'er had been; + Thou shalt thy name have, and thy fame's best trust, + Here with the generation of my Just. + + _Luster_, a period of five years. + + +665. WHAT KIND OF MISTRESS HE WOULD HAVE. + + Be the mistress of my choice + Clean in manners, clear in voice; + Be she witty more than wise, + Pure enough, though not precise; + Be she showing in her dress + Like a civil wilderness; + That the curious may detect + Order in a sweet neglect; + Be she rolling in her eye, + Tempting all the passers-by; + And each ringlet of her hair + An enchantment, or a snare + For to catch the lookers-on; + But herself held fast by none. + Let her Lucrece all day be, + Thais in the night to me. + Be she such as neither will + _Famish me, nor overfill_. + + +667. THE ROSEMARY BRANCH. + + Grow for two ends, it matters not at all, + Be 't for my bridal or my burial. + + +669. UPON CRAB. EPIG. + + Crab faces gowns with sundry furs; 'tis known + He keeps the fox fur for to face his own. + + +670. A PARANAETICALL, OR ADVISIVE VERSE, TO HIS FRIEND, M. JOHN WICKS. + + Is this a life, to break thy sleep, + To rise as soon as day doth peep? + To tire thy patient ox or ass + By noon, and let thy good days pass, + Not knowing this, that Jove decrees + Some mirth t' adulce man's miseries? + No; 'tis a life to have thine oil + Without extortion from thy soil; + Thy faithful fields to yield thee grain, + Although with some, yet little, pain; + To have thy mind, and nuptial bed, + With fears and cares uncumbered; + A pleasing wife, that by thy side + Lies softly panting like a bride. + This is to live, and to endear + Those minutes Time has lent us here. + Then, while fates suffer, live thou free + As is that air that circles thee, + And crown thy temples too, and let + Thy servant, not thy own self, sweat, + To strut thy barns with sheafs of wheat. + Time steals away like to a stream, + And we glide hence away with them. + _No sound recalls the hours once fled, + Or roses, being withered_; + Nor us, my friend, when we are lost, + Like to a dew or melted frost. + Then live we mirthful while we should, + And turn the iron age to gold. + Let's feast, and frolic, sing, and play, + And thus less last than live our day. + _Whose life with care is overcast, + That man's not said to live, but last; + Nor is't a life, seven years to tell, + But for to live that half seven well;_ + And that we'll do, as men who know, + Some few sands spent, we hence must go, + Both to be blended in the urn + From whence there's never a return. + + _Adulce_, sweeten. + _Strut_, swell. + + +671. ONCE SEEN AND NO MORE. + + Thousands each day pass by, which we, + Once past and gone, no more shall see. + + +672. LOVE. + + This axiom I have often heard, + _Kings ought to be more lov'd than fear'd_. + + +673. TO M. DENHAM ON HIS PROSPECTIVE POEM. + + Or look'd I back unto the times hence flown + To praise those Muses and dislike our own-- + Or did I walk those Paean-gardens through, + To kick the flowers and scorn their odours too-- + I might, and justly, be reputed here + One nicely mad or peevishly severe. + But by Apollo! as I worship wit, + Where I have cause to burn perfumes to it; + So, I confess, 'tis somewhat to do well + In our high art, although we can't excel + Like thee, or dare the buskins to unloose + Of thy brave, bold, and sweet Maronian muse. + But since I'm call'd, rare Denham, to be gone, + Take from thy Herrick this conclusion: + 'Tis dignity in others, if they be + Crown'd poets, yet live princes under thee; + The while their wreaths and purple robes do shine + Less by their own gems than those beams of thine. + + _Paean-gardens_, gardens sacred to Apollo. + _Nicely_, fastidiously. + + +674. A HYMN TO THE LARES. + + It was, and still my care is, + To worship ye, the Lares, + With crowns of greenest parsley + And garlic chives, not scarcely; + For favours here to warm me, + And not by fire to harm me; + For gladding so my hearth here + With inoffensive mirth here; + That while the wassail bowl here + With North-down ale doth troul here, + No syllable doth fall here + To mar the mirth at all here. + For which, O chimney-keepers! + (I dare not call ye sweepers) + So long as I am able + To keep a country table, + Great be my fare, or small cheer, + I'll eat and drink up all here. + + _Troul_, pass round. + + +675. DENIAL IN WOMEN NO DISHEARTENING TO MEN. + + Women, although they ne'er so goodly make it, + Their fashion is, but to say no, to take it. + + +676. ADVERSITY. + + _Love is maintain'd by wealth_; when all is spent, + _Adversity then breeds the discontent_. + + +677. TO FORTUNE. + + Tumble me down, and I will sit + Upon my ruins, smiling yet; + Tear me to tatters, yet I'll be + Patient in my necessity. + Laugh at my scraps of clothes, and shun + Me, as a fear'd infection; + Yet, scare-crow-like, I'll walk as one + Neglecting thy derision. + + +678. TO ANTHEA. + + Come, Anthea, know thou this, + _Love at no time idle is_; + Let's be doing, though we play + But at push-pin half the day; + Chains of sweet bents let us make + Captive one, or both, to take: + In which bondage we will lie, + Souls transfusing thus, and die. + + _Push-pin_, a childish game in which one player placed a pin and the + other pushed it. + _Bents_, grasses. + + +679. CRUELTIES. + + Nero commanded; but withdrew his eyes + From the beholding death and cruelties. + + +680. PERSEVERANCE. + + Hast thou begun an act? ne'er then give o'er: + _No man despairs to do what's done before_. + + +681. UPON HIS VERSES. + + What offspring other men have got, + The how, where, when, I question not. + These are the children I have left, + Adopted some, none got by theft; + But all are touch'd, like lawful plate, + And no verse illegitimate. + + _Touch'd_, tested. + + +682. DISTANCE BETTERS DIGNITIES. + + Kings must not oft be seen by public eyes: + _State at a distance adds to dignities_. + + +683. HEALTH. + + Health is no other, as the learned hold, + But a just measure both of heat and cold. + + +684. TO DIANEME. A CEREMONY IN GLOUCESTER. + + I'll to thee a simnel bring, + 'Gainst thou go'st a-mothering: + So that when she blesseth thee, + Half that blessing thou'lt give me. + + _Simnel_, a cake, originally made of fine flour, eaten at Mid-Lent. + _A-mothering_, visiting relations in Mid-Lent, but see Note. + + +685. TO THE KING. + + Give way, give way! now, now my Charles shines here + A public light, in this immensive sphere; + Some stars were fix'd before, but these are dim + Compar'd, in this my ample orb, to him. + Draw in your feeble fires, while that he + Appears but in his meaner majesty. + Where, if such glory flashes from his name, + Which is his shade, who can abide his flame! + _Princes, and such like public lights as these, + Must not be look'd on but at distances: + For, if we gaze on these brave lamps too near, + Our eyes they'll blind, or if not blind, they'll blear._ + + _Immensive_, immeasurable. + + +686. THE FUNERAL RITES OF THE ROSE. + + The rose was sick, and smiling died; + And, being to be sanctified, + About the bed there sighing stood + The sweet and flowery sisterhood. + Some hung the head, while some did bring, + To wash her, water from the spring. + Some laid her forth, while others wept, + But all a solemn fast there kept. + The holy sisters, some among, + The sacred dirge and trentall sung. + But ah! what sweets smelt everywhere, + As heaven had spent all perfumes there. + At last, when prayers for the dead + And rites were all accomplished, + They, weeping, spread a lawny loom + And clos'd her up, as in a tomb. + + _Trentall_, a service for the dead. + + +687. THE RAINBOW, OR CURIOUS COVENANT. + + Mine eyes, like clouds, were drizzling rain; + And as they thus did entertain + The gentle beams from Julia's sight + To mine eyes levell'd opposite, + O thing admir'd! there did appear + A curious rainbow smiling there; + Which was the covenant that she + No more would drown mine eyes or me. + + +688. THE LAST STROKE STRIKES SURE. + + Though by well warding many blows we've pass'd, + _That stroke most fear'd is which is struck the last_. + + +689. FORTUNE. + + Fortune's a blind profuser of her own, + Too much she gives to some, enough to none. + + +690. STOOL-BALL. + + At stool-ball, Lucia, let us play + For sugar-cakes and wine: + Or for a tansy let us pay, + The loss, or thine, or mine. + + If thou, my dear, a winner be + At trundling of the ball, + The wager thou shall have, and me, + And my misfortunes all. + + But if, my sweetest, I shall get, + Then I desire but this: + That likewise I may pay the bet + And have for all a kiss. + + _Stool-ball_, a game of ball played by girls. + _Tansy_, a cake made of eggs, cream, and herbs. + + +691. TO SAPPHO. + + Let us now take time and play, + Love, and live here while we may; + Drink rich wine, and make good cheer, + While we have our being here; + For once dead and laid i' th' grave, + No return from thence we have. + + +692. ON POET PRAT. EPIG. + + Prat he writes satires, but herein's the fault, + In no one satire there's a mite of salt. + + +693. UPON TUCK. EPIG. + + At post and pair, or slam, Tom Tuck would play + This Christmas, but his want wherewith says nay. + + _Post and pair, or slam_, old games of cards. Ben Jonson calls the + former a "thrifty and right worshipful game". + + +694. BITING OF BEGGARS. + + Who, railing, drives the lazar from his door, + Instead of alms, sets dogs upon the poor. + + +695. THE MAY-POLE. + + The May-pole is up! + Now give me the cup, + I'll drink to the garlands around it; + But first unto those + Whose hands did compose + The glory of flowers that crown'd it. + + A health to my girls, + Whose husbands may earls + Or lords be, granting my wishes, + And when that ye wed + To the bridal bed, + Then multiply all like to fishes. + + +696. MEN MIND NO STATE IN SICKNESS. + + That flow of gallants which approach + To kiss thy hand from out the coach; + That fleet of lackeys which do run + Before thy swift postillion; + Those strong-hoof'd mules which we behold + Rein'd in with purple, pearl, and gold, + And shod with silver, prove to be + The drawers of the axletree. + Thy wife, thy children, and the state + Of Persian looms and antique plate; + All these, and more, shall then afford + No joy to thee, their sickly lord. + + +697. ADVERSITY. + + Adversity hurts none, but only such + Whom whitest fortune dandled has too much. + + +698. WANT. + + Need is no vice at all, though here it be + With men a loathed inconveniency. + + +699. GRIEF. + + Sorrows divided amongst many, less + Discruciate a man in deep distress. + + _Discruciate_, torture. + + +700. LOVE PALPABLE. + + I press'd my Julia's lips, and in the kiss + Her soul and love were palpable in this. + + +701. NO ACTION HARD TO AFFECTION. + + Nothing hard or harsh can prove + Unto those that truly love. + + +702. MEAN THINGS OVERCOME MIGHTY. + + By the weak'st means things mighty are o'erthrown. + _He's lord of thy life who contemns his own_. + + +705. THE BRACELET OF PEARL: TO SILVIA. + + I brake thy bracelet 'gainst my will, + And, wretched, I did see + Thee discomposed then, and still + Art discontent with me. + + One gem was lost, and I will get + A richer pearl for thee, + Than ever, dearest Silvia, yet + Was drunk to Antony. + + Or, for revenge, I'll tell thee what + Thou for the breach shall do; + First crack the strings, and after that + Cleave thou my heart in two. + + +706. HOW ROSES CAME RED. + + 'Tis said, as Cupid danc'd among + The gods he down the nectar flung, + Which on the white rose being shed + Made it for ever after red. + + +707. KINGS. + + Men are not born kings, but are men renown'd; + Chose first, confirm'd next, and at last are crown'd. + + +708. FIRST WORK, AND THEN WAGES. + + Preposterous is that order, when we run + To ask our wages ere our work be done. + + _Preposterous_, lit. hind part before. + + +709. TEARS AND LAUGHTER. + + Knew'st thou one month would take thy life away, + Thou'dst weep; but laugh, should it not last a day. + + +710. GLORY. + + Glory no other thing is, Tully says, + Than a man's frequent fame spoke out with praise. + + +711. POSSESSIONS. + + Those possessions short-liv'd are, + Into the which we come by war. + + +713. HIS RETURN TO LONDON. + + From the dull confines of the drooping West + To see the day spring from the pregnant East, + Ravish'd in spirit I come, nay, more, I fly + To thee, bless'd place of my nativity! + Thus, thus with hallowed foot I touch the ground, + With thousand blessings by thy fortune crown'd. + O fruitful Genius! that bestowest here + An everlasting plenty, year by year. + O place! O people! Manners! fram'd to please + All nations, customs, kindreds, languages! + I am a free-born Roman; suffer, then, + That I amongst you live a citizen. + London my home is: though by hard fate sent + Into a long and irksome banishment; + Yet since call'd back; henceforward let me be, + O native country, repossess'd by thee! + For, rather than I'll to the West return, + I'll beg of thee first here to have mine urn. + Weak I am grown, and must in short time fall; + Give thou my sacred relics burial. + + +714. NOT EVERY DAY FIT FOR VERSE. + + 'Tis not ev'ry day that I + Fitted am to prophesy; + No; but when the spirit fills + The fantastic pannicles + Full of fire, then I write + As the godhead doth indite. + Thus enrag'd, my lines are hurled, + Like the Sybil's, through the world. + Look how next the holy fire + Either slakes, or doth retire; + So the fancy cools, till when + That brave spirit comes again. + + _Fantastic pannicles_, brain cells of the imagination. + _Sybil's_, the oracles of the Cumaean Sybil were written on leaves, + which the wind blew about her cave.--Virg. AEn. iv. + + +715. POVERTY THE GREATEST PACK. + + To mortal men great loads allotted be, + _But of all packs, no pack like poverty_. + + +716. A BUCOLIC, OR DISCOURSE OF NEATHERDS. + + 1. Come, blitheful neatherds, let us lay + A wager who the best shall play, + Of thee or I, the roundelay + That fits the business of the day. + + _Chor._ And Lalage the judge shall be, + To give the prize to thee, or me. + + 2. Content, begin, and I will bet + A heifer smooth, and black as jet, + In every part alike complete, + And wanton as a kid as yet. + + _Chor._ And Lalage, with cow-like eyes, + Shall be disposeress of the prize. + + 1. Against thy heifer, I will here + Lay to thy stake a lusty steer + With gilded horns, and burnish'd clear. + + _Chor._ Why, then, begin, and let us hear + The soft, the sweet, the mellow note + That gently purls from either's oat. + + 2. The stakes are laid: let's now apply + Each one to make his melody. + + _Lal._ The equal umpire shall be I, + Who'll hear, and so judge righteously. + + _Chor._ Much time is spent in prate; begin, + And sooner play, the sooner win. + + [_1 Neatherd plays_ + + 2. That's sweetly touch'd, I must confess, + Thou art a man of worthiness; + But hark how I can now express + My love unto my neatherdess. [_He sings_ + + _Chor._ A sugar'd note! and sound as sweet + As kine when they at milking meet. + + 1. Now for to win thy heifer fair, + I'll strike thee such a nimble air + That thou shalt say thyself 'tis rare, + And title me without compare. + + _Chor._ Lay by a while your pipes, and rest, + Since both have here deserved best. + + 2. To get thy steerling, once again + I'll play thee such another strain + That thou shalt swear my pipe does reign + Over thine oat as sovereign. [_He sings_ + + _Chor._ And Lalage shall tell by this, + Whose now the prize and wager is. + + 1. Give me the prize. 2. The day is mine. + 1. Not so; my pipe has silenc'd thine: + And hadst thou wager'd twenty kine, + They were mine own. _Lal._ In love combine. + + _Chor._ And lay ye down your pipes together, + As weary, not o'ercome by either. + + _And lay_ ye _down your pipes_. The original edition reads _And lay_ + we _down_ our _pipes_. + + +717. TRUE SAFETY. + + 'Tis not the walls or purple that defends + A prince from foes, but 'tis his fort of friends. + + +718. A PROGNOSTIC. + + As many laws and lawyers do express + Nought but a kingdom's ill-affectedness; + Even so, those streets and houses do but show + Store of diseases where physicians flow. + + +719. UPON JULIA'S SWEAT. + + Would ye oil of blossoms get? + Take it from my Julia's sweat: + Oil of lilies and of spike? + From her moisture take the like. + Let her breathe, or let her blow, + All rich spices thence will flow. + + _Spike_, lavender. + + +720. PROOF TO NO PURPOSE. + + You see this gentle stream that glides, + Shov'd on by quick-succeeding tides; + Try if this sober stream you can + Follow to th' wilder ocean; + And see if there it keeps unspent + In that congesting element. + Next, from that world of waters, then + By pores and caverns back again + Induct that inadult'rate same + Stream to the spring from whence it came. + This with a wonder when ye do, + As easy, and else easier too, + Then may ye recollect the grains + Of my particular remains, + After a thousand lusters hurl'd + By ruffling winds about the world. + + +721. FAME. + + _'Tis still observ'd that fame ne'er sings + The order, but the sum of things._ + + +722. BY USE COMES EASINESS. + + Oft bend the bow, and thou with ease shalt do + What others can't with all their strength put to. + + +723. TO THE GENIUS OF HIS HOUSE. + + Command the roof, great Genius, and from thence + Into this house pour down thy influence, + That through each room a golden pipe may run + Of living water by thy benison. + Fulfill the larders, and with strengthening bread + Be evermore these bins replenished. + Next, like a bishop consecrate my ground, + That lucky fairies here may dance their round; + And after that, lay down some silver pence + The master's charge and care to recompense. + Charm then the chambers, make the beds for ease, + More than for peevish, pining sicknesses. + Fix the foundation fast, and let the roof + Grow old with time but yet keep weather-proof. + + +724. HIS GRANGE, OR PRIVATE WEALTH. + + Though clock, + To tell how night draws hence, I've none, + A cock + I have to sing how day draws on. + I have + A maid, my Prew, by good luck sent + To save + That little Fates me gave or lent. + A hen + I keep, which creeking day by day, + Tells when + She goes her long white egg to lay. + A goose + I have, which with a jealous ear + Lets loose + Her tongue to tell that danger's near. + A lamb + I keep, tame, with my morsels fed, + Whose dam + An orphan left him, lately dead. + A cat + I keep that plays about my house, + Grown fat + With eating many a miching mouse. + To these + A Tracy[A] I do keep whereby + I please + The more my rural privacy; + Which are + But toys to give my heart some ease; + Where care + None is, slight things do lightly please. + + _My Prew_, Prudence Baldwin. + _Creeking_, clucking. + _Miching_, skulking. + +[A] His spaniel. (Note in the original edition.) + + +725. GOOD PRECEPTS OR COUNSEL. + + In all thy need be thou possess'd + Still with a well-prepared breast; + Nor let the shackles make thee sad; + Thou canst but have what others had. + And this for comfort thou must know + Times that are ill won't still be so. + Clouds will not ever pour down rain; + _A sullen day will clear again_. + First peals of thunder we must hear, + Then lutes and harps shall stroke the ear. + + +726. MONEY MAKES THE MIRTH. + + When all birds else do of their music fail, + Money's the still sweet-singing nightingale. + + +727. UP TAILS ALL. + + Begin with a kiss, + Go on too with this; + And thus, thus, thus let us smother + Our lips for awhile, + But let's not beguile + Our hope of one for the other. + + This play, be assur'd, + Long enough has endur'd, + Since more and more is exacted; + For Love he doth call + For his _uptails all_; + And that's the part to be acted. + + _Uptails all_, the refrain of a song beginning "Fly Merry News": see + Note. + + +729. UPON LUCIA DABBLED IN THE DEW. + + My Lucia in the dew did go, + And prettily bedabbled so, + Her clothes held up, she showed withal + Her decent legs, clean, long, and small. + I follow'd after to descry + Part of the nak'd sincerity; + But still the envious scene between + Denied the mask I would have seen. + + _Decent_, in the Latin sense, comely; _sincerity_, purity. + _Scene_, a curtain or "drop-scene". + _Mask_, a play. + + +730. CHARON AND PHILOMEL; A DIALOGUE SUNG. + + _Ph._ Charon! O gentle Charon! let me woo thee + By tears and pity now to come unto me. + _Ch._ What voice so sweet and charming do I hear? + Say what thou art. _Ph._ I prithee first draw near. + _Ch._ A sound I hear, but nothing yet can see; + Speak, where thou art. _Ph._ O Charon pity me! + I am a bird, and though no name I tell, + My warbling note will say I'm Philomel. + _Ch._ What's that to me? I waft nor fish or fowls, + Nor beasts, fond thing, but only human souls. + _Ph._ Alas for me! _Ch._ Shame on thy witching note + That made me thus hoist sail and bring my boat: + But I'll return; what mischief brought thee hither? + _Ph._ A deal of love and much, much grief together. + _Ch._ What's thy request? _Ph._ That since she's now beneath + Who fed my life, I'll follow her in death. + _Ch._ And is that all? I'm gone. _Ph._ By love I pray thee. + _Ch._ Talk not of love; all pray, but few souls pay me. + _Ph._ I'll give thee vows and tears. _Ch._ Can tears pay scores + For mending sails, for patching boat and oars? + _Ph._ I'll beg a penny, or I'll sing so long + Till thou shalt say I've paid thee with a song. + _Ch._ Why then begin; and all the while we make + Our slothful passage o'er the Stygian Lake, + Thou and I'll sing to make these dull shades merry, + Who else with tears would doubtless drown my ferry. + + _Fond_, foolish. + _She's now beneath_, her mother Zeuxippe? + + +733. A TERNARY OF LITTLES, UPON A PIPKIN OF JELLY SENT TO A LADY. + + A little saint best fits a little shrine, + A little prop best fits a little vine: + As my small cruse best fits my little wine. + + A little seed best fits a little soil, + A little trade best fits a little toil: + As my small jar best fits my little oil. + + A little bin best fits a little bread, + A little garland fits a little head: + As my small stuff best fits my little shed. + + A little hearth best fits a little fire, + A little chapel fits a little choir: + As my small bell best fits my little spire. + + A little stream best fits a little boat, + A little lead best fits a little float: + As my small pipe best fits my little note. + + A little meat best fits a little belly, + As sweetly, lady, give me leave to tell ye, + This little pipkin fits this little jelly. + + +734. UPON THE ROSES IN JULIA'S BOSOM. + + Thrice happy roses, so much grac'd to have + Within the bosom of my love your grave. + Die when ye will, your sepulchre is known, + Your grave her bosom is, the lawn the stone. + + +735. MAIDS' NAYS ARE NOTHING. + + Maids' nays are nothing, they are shy + But to desire what they deny. + + +736. THE SMELL OF THE SACRIFICE. + + The gods require the thighs + Of beeves for sacrifice; + Which roasted, we the steam + Must sacrifice to them, + Who though they do not eat, + Yet love the smell of meat. + + +737. LOVERS: HOW THEY COME AND PART. + + A gyges' ring they bear about them still, + To be, and not seen when and where they will. + They tread on clouds, and though they sometimes fall, + They fall like dew, but make no noise at all. + So silently they one to th' other come, + As colours steal into the pear or plum, + And air-like, leave no pression to be seen + Where'er they met or parting place has been. + + _Gyges' ring_, which made the wearer invisible. + + +738. TO WOMEN, TO HIDE THEIR TEETH IF THEY BE ROTTEN OR RUSTY. + + Close keep your lips, if that you mean + To be accounted inside clean: + For if you cleave them we shall see + There in your teeth much leprosy. + + +739. IN PRAISE OF WOMEN. + + O Jupiter, should I speak ill + Of woman-kind, first die I will; + Since that I know, 'mong all the rest + Of creatures, woman is the best. + + +740. THE APRON OF FLOWERS. + + To gather flowers Sappha went, + And homeward she did bring + Within her lawny continent + The treasure of the spring. + + She smiling blush'd, and blushing smil'd, + And sweetly blushing thus, + She look'd as she'd been got with child + By young Favonius. + + Her apron gave, as she did pass, + An odour more divine, + More pleasing, too, than ever was + The lap of Proserpine. + + _Continent_, anything that holds, here the bosom of her dress. + + +741. THE CANDOUR OF JULIA'S TEETH. + + White as Zenobia's teeth, the which the girls + Of Rome did wear for their most precious pearls. + + _Zenobia_, Queen of Palmyra, conquered by the Romans, A.D. 273. + + +742. UPON HER WEEPING. + + She wept upon her cheeks, and weeping so, + She seem'd to quench love's fire that there did glow. + + +743. ANOTHER UPON HER WEEPING. + + She by the river sat, and sitting there, + She wept, and made it deeper by a tear. + + +744. DELAY. + + Break off delay, since we but read of one + That ever prospered by cunctation. + + _Cunctation_, delay: the word is suggested by the name of Fabius + Cunctator, the conqueror of the Carthaginians, addressed by Virg. + (AEn. vi. 846) as "Unus qui nobis cunctando restituis rem". + + +745. TO SIR JOHN BERKLEY, GOVERNOR OF EXETER. + + Stand forth, brave man, since fate has made thee here + The Hector over aged Exeter, + Who for a long, sad time has weeping stood + Like a poor lady lost in widowhood, + But fears not now to see her safety sold, + As other towns and cities were, for gold + By those ignoble births which shame the stem + That gave progermination unto them: + Whose restless ghosts shall hear their children sing, + "Our sires betrayed their country and their king". + True, if this city seven times rounded was + With rock, and seven times circumflank'd with brass, + Yet if thou wert not, Berkley, loyal proof, + The senators, down tumbling with the roof, + Would into prais'd, but pitied, ruins fall, + Leaving no show where stood the capitol. + But thou art just and itchless, and dost please + Thy Genius with two strengthening buttresses, + Faith and affection, which will never slip + To weaken this thy great dictatorship. + + _Progermination_, budding out. + _Itchless_, _i.e._, with no itch for bribes. + + +746. TO ELECTRA. LOVE LOOKS FOR LOVE. + + Love love begets, then never be + Unsoft to him who's smooth to thee. + Tigers and bears, I've heard some say, + For proffer'd love will love repay: + None are so harsh, but if they find + Softness in others, will be kind; + Affection will affection move, + Then you must like because I love. + + +747. REGRESSION SPOILS RESOLUTION. + + Hast thou attempted greatness? then go on: + Back-turning slackens resolution. + + +748. CONTENTION. + + Discreet and prudent we that discord call + That either profits, or not hurts at all. + + +749. CONSULTATION. + + Consult ere thou begin'st; that done, go on + With all wise speed for execution. + + _Consult_, take counsel. The word and the epigram are suggested by + Sallust's "Nam et, prius quam incipias, consulto, et ubi + consulueris, mature facto opus est," Cat. i. + + +750. LOVE DISLIKES NOTHING. + + Whatsoever thing I see, + Rich or poor although it be; + 'Tis a mistress unto me. + + Be my girl or fair or brown, + Does she smile or does she frown, + Still I write a sweetheart down. + + Be she rough or smooth of skin; + When I touch I then begin + For to let affection in. + + Be she bald, or does she wear + Locks incurl'd of other hair, + I shall find enchantment there. + + Be she whole, or be she rent, + So my fancy be content, + She's to me most excellent. + + Be she fat, or be she lean, + Be she sluttish, be she clean, + I'm a man for ev'ry scene. + + +751. OUR OWN SINS UNSEEN. + + Other men's sins we ever bear in mind; + _None sees the fardell of his faults behind_. + + _Fardell_, bundle. + + +752. NO PAINS, NO GAINS. + + If little labour, little are our gains: + Man's fortunes are according to his pains. + + +754. VIRTUE BEST UNITED. + + By so much, virtue is the less, + By how much, near to singleness. + + +755. THE EYE. + + A wanton and lascivious eye + Betrays the heart's adultery. + + +756. TO PRINCE CHARLES UPON HIS COMING TO EXETER. + + What fate decreed, time now has made us see, + A renovation of the west by thee. + That preternatural fever, which did threat + Death to our country, now hath lost his heat, + And, calms succeeding, we perceive no more + Th' unequal pulse to beat, as heretofore. + Something there yet remains for thee to do; + Then reach those ends that thou wast destin'd to. + Go on with Sylla's fortune; let thy fate + Make thee like him, this, that way fortunate: + Apollo's image side with thee to bless + Thy war (discreetly made) with white success. + Meantime thy prophets watch by watch shall pray, + While young Charles fights, and fighting wins the day: + That done, our smooth-paced poems all shall be + Sung in the high doxology of thee. + Then maids shall strew thee, and thy curls from them + Receive with songs a flowery diadem. + + _Sylla's fortune_, in allusion to Sylla's surname of _Felix_. + _Doxology_, glorifying. + + +757. A SONG. + + Burn, or drown me, choose ye whether, + So I may but die together; + Thus to slay me by degrees + Is the height of cruelties. + What needs twenty stabs, when one + Strikes me dead as any stone? + O show mercy then, and be + Kind at once to murder me. + + +758. PRINCES AND FAVOURITES. + + Princes and fav'rites are most dear, while they + By giving and receiving hold the play; + But the relation then of both grows poor, + When these can ask, and kings can give no more. + + +759. EXAMPLES; OR, LIKE PRINCE, LIKE PEOPLE. + + Examples lead us, and we likely see; + Such as the prince is, will his people be. + + +760. POTENTATES. + + Love and the Graces evermore do wait + Upon the man that is a potentate. + + +761. THE WAKE. + + Come, Anthea, let us two + Go to feast, as others do. + Tarts and custards, creams and cakes, + Are the junkets still at wakes: + Unto which the tribes resort, + Where the business is the sport. + Morris-dancers thou shall see, + Marian, too, in pageantry, + And a mimic to devise + Many grinning properties. + Players there will be, and those + Base in action as in clothes; + Yet with strutting they will please + The incurious villages. + Near the dying of the day + There will be a cudgel-play, + Where a coxcomb will be broke + Ere a good word can be spoke: + But the anger ends all here, + Drenched in ale, or drown'd in beer. + Happy rustics! best content + With the cheapest merriment, + And possess no other fear + Than to want the wake next year. + + _Marian_, Maid Marian of the Robin Hood ballads. + _Action_, _i.e._, dramatic action. + _Incurious_, careless, easily pleased. + _Coxcomb_, to cause blood to flow from the opponent's head was the + test of victory. + + +762. THE PETER-PENNY. + + Fresh strewings allow + To my sepulchre now, + To make my lodging the sweeter; + A staff or a wand + Put then in my hand, + With a penny to pay S. Peter. + + Who has not a cross + Must sit with the loss, + And no whit further must venture; + Since the porter he + Will paid have his fee, + Or else not one there must enter. + + Who at a dead lift + Can't send for a gift + A pig to the priest for a roaster, + Shall hear his clerk say, + By yea and by nay, + _No penny, no paternoster_. + + _S. Peter_, as the gate-ward of heaven. + _Cross_, a coin. + + +763. TO DOCTOR ALABASTER. + + Nor art thou less esteem'd that I have plac'd, + Amongst mine honour'd, thee almost the last: + In great processions many lead the way + To him who is the triumph of the day, + As these have done to thee who art the one, + One only glory of a million: + In whom the spirit of the gods does dwell, + Firing thy soul, by which thou dost foretell + When this or that vast dynasty must fall + Down to a fillet more imperial; + When this or that horn shall be broke, and when + Others shall spring up in their place again; + When times and seasons and all years must lie + Drowned in the sea of wild eternity; + When the black doomsday books, as yet unseal'd, + Shall by the mighty angel be reveal'd; + And when the trumpet which thou late hast found + Shall call to judgment. Tell us when the sound + Of this or that great April day shall be, + And next the Gospel we will credit thee. + Meantime like earth-worms we will crawl below, + And wonder at those things that thou dost know. + + For an account of Alabaster see Notes: the allusions here are to his + apocalyptic writings. + _Horn_, used as a symbol of prosperity. + _The trumpet which thou late hast found_, _i.e._, Alabaster's + "Spiraculum Tubarum seu Fons Spiritualium Expositionum," published + 1633. + _April day_, day of weeping, or perhaps rather of "opening" or + revelation. + + +764. UPON HIS KINSWOMAN, MRS. M. S. + + Here lies a virgin, and as sweet + As e'er was wrapt in winding sheet. + Her name if next you would have known, + The marble speaks it, Mary Stone: + Who dying in her blooming years, + This stone for name's sake melts to tears. + If, fragrant virgins, you'll but keep + A fast, while jets and marbles weep, + And praying, strew some roses on her, + You'll do my niece abundant honour. + + +765. FELICITY KNOWS NO FENCE. + + Of both our fortunes good and bad we find + Prosperity more searching of the mind: + Felicity flies o'er the wall and fence, + While misery keeps in with patience. + + +766. DEATH ENDS ALL WOE. + + Time is the bound of things; where'er we go + _Fate gives a meeting, Death's the end of woe_. + + +767. A CONJURATION TO ELECTRA. + + By those soft tods of wool + With which the air is full; + By all those tinctures there, + That paint the hemisphere; + By dews and drizzling rain + That swell the golden grain; + By all those sweets that be + I' th' flowery nunnery; + By silent nights, and the + Three forms of Hecate; + By all aspects that bless + The sober sorceress, + While juice she strains, and pith + To make her philters with; + By time that hastens on + Things to perfection; + And by yourself, the best + Conjurement of the rest: + O my Electra! be + In love with none, but me. + + _Tods of wool_, literally, tod of wool=twenty-eight pounds, here used + of the fleecy clouds. + _Tinctures_, colours. + _Three forms of Hecate_, the _Diva triformis_ of Hor. Od. iii. 22. + Luna in heaven, Diana on earth, Persephone in the world below. + _Aspects_, _i.e._, of the planets. + + +768. COURAGE COOLED. + + I cannot love as I have lov'd before; + For I'm grown old and, with mine age, grown poor. + _Love must be fed by wealth_: this blood of mine + Must needs wax cold, if wanting bread and wine. + + +769. THE SPELL. + + Holy water come and bring; + Cast in salt, for seasoning: + Set the brush for sprinkling: + Sacred spittle bring ye hither; + Meal and it now mix together, + And a little oil to either. + Give the tapers here their light, + Ring the saints'-bell, to affright + Far from hence the evil sprite. + + +770. HIS WISH TO PRIVACY. + + Give me a cell + To dwell, + Where no foot hath + A path: + There will I spend + And end + My wearied years + In tears. + + +771. A GOOD HUSBAND. + + A Master of a house, as I have read, + Must be the first man up, and last in bed. + With the sun rising he must walk his grounds; + See this, view that, and all the other bounds: + Shut every gate; mend every hedge that's torn, + Either with old, or plant therein new thorn; + Tread o'er his glebe, but with such care, that where + He sets his foot, he leaves rich compost there. + + +772. A HYMN TO BACCHUS. + + I sing thy praise, Iacchus, + Who with thy thyrse dost thwack us: + And yet thou so dost back us + With boldness, that we fear + No Brutus ent'ring here, + Nor Cato the severe. + What though the lictors threat us, + We know they dare not beat us, + So long as thou dost heat us. + When we thy orgies sing, + Each cobbler is a king, + Nor dreads he any thing: + And though he do not rave, + Yet he'll the courage have + To call my Lord Mayor knave; + Besides, too, in a brave, + Although he has no riches, + But walks with dangling breeches + And skirts that want their stitches, + And shows his naked flitches, + Yet he'll be thought or seen + So good as George-a-Green; + And calls his blouze, his queen; + And speaks in language keen. + O Bacchus! let us be + From cares and troubles free; + And thou shalt hear how we + Will chant new hymns to thee. + + _Orgies_, hymns to Bacchus. + _Brave_, boast. + _George-a-Green_, the legendary pinner of Wakefield, renowned for the + use of the quarterstaff. + _Blouze_, a fat wench. + + +773. UPON PUSS AND HER 'PRENTICE. EPIG. + + Puss and her 'prentice both at drawgloves play; + That done, they kiss, and so draw out the day: + At night they draw to supper; then well fed, + They draw their clothes off both, so draw to bed. + + _Drawgloves_, the game of talking on the fingers. + + +774. BLAME THE REWARD OF PRINCES. + + Among disasters that dissension brings, + This not the least is, which belongs to kings: + If wars go well, each for a part lays claim; + If ill, then kings, not soldiers, bear the blame. + + +775. CLEMENCY IN KINGS. + + Kings must not only cherish up the good, + But must be niggards of the meanest blood. + + +776. ANGER. + + Wrongs, if neglected, vanish in short time, + But heard with anger, we confess the crime. + + +777. A PSALM OR HYMN TO THE GRACES. + + Glory be to the Graces! + That do in public places + Drive thence whate'er encumbers + The list'ning to my numbers. + + Honour be to the Graces! + Who do with sweet embraces, + Show they are well contented + With what I have invented. + + Worship be to the Graces! + Who do from sour faces, + And lungs that would infect me, + For evermore protect me. + + +778. A HYMN TO THE MUSES. + + Honour to you who sit + Near to the well of wit, + And drink your fill of it. + + Glory and worship be + To you, sweet maids, thrice three, + Who still inspire me, + + And teach me how to sing + Unto the lyric string + My measures ravishing. + + Then while I sing your praise, + My priesthood crown with bays + Green, to the end of days. + + +779. UPON JULIA'S CLOTHES. + + Whenas in silks my Julia goes, + Then, then, methinks, how sweetly flows + The liquefaction of her clothes. + + Next, when I cast mine eyes and see + That brave vibration each way free; + O how that glittering taketh me! + + +780. MODERATION. + + In things a moderation keep: + _Kings ought to shear, not skin their sheep_. + + +781. TO ANTHEA. + + Let's call for Hymen, if agreed thou art; + _Delays in love but crucify the heart_. + Love's thorny tapers yet neglected lie: + Speak thou the word, they'll kindle by-and-bye. + The nimble hours woo us on to wed, + And Genius waits to have us both to bed. + Behold, for us the naked Graces stay + With maunds of roses for to strew the way: + Besides, the most religious prophet stands + Ready to join, as well our hearts as hands. + Juno yet smiles; but if she chance to chide, + Ill luck 'twill bode to th' bridegroom and the bride. + Tell me, Anthea, dost thou fondly dread + The loss of that we call a maidenhead? + Come, I'll instruct thee. Know, the vestal fire + Is not by marriage quench'd, but flames the higher. + + _Maunds_, baskets. + _Fondly_, foolishly. + + +782. UPON PREW, HIS MAID. + + In this little urn is laid + Prudence Baldwin, once my maid: + From whose happy spark here let + Spring the purple violet. + + +783. THE INVITATION. + + To sup with thee thou did'st me home invite; + And mad'st a promise that mine appetite + Should meet and tire on such lautitious meat, + The like not Heliogabalus did eat: + And richer wine would'st give to me, thy guest, + Than Roman Sylla pour'd out at his feast. + I came, 'tis true, and looked for fowl of price, + The bastard ph[oe]nix, bird of paradise, + And for no less than aromatic wine + Of maiden's-blush, commix'd with jessamine. + Clean was the hearth, the mantel larded jet; + Which wanting Lar, and smoke, hung weeping wet; + At last, i' th' noon of winter, did appear + A ragg'd-soust-neat's-foot with sick vinegar: + And in a burnished flagonet stood by, + Beer small as comfort, dead as charity. + At which amaz'd, and pondering on the food, + How cold it was, and how it chill'd my blood; + I curs'd the master, and I damn'd the souce, + And swore I'd got the ague of the house. + Well, when to eat thou dost me next desire, + I'll bring a fever, since thou keep'st no fire. + + _Tire_, feed on. + _Lautitious_, sumptuous. + _Maiden's-blush_, the pink-rose. + _Larded jet_, _i.e._, blacked. + _Soust_, pickled. + + +784. CEREMONIES FOR CHRISTMAS. + + Come, bring with a noise, + My merry, merry boys, + The Christmas log to the firing; + While my good dame, she + Bids ye all be free, + And drink to your hearts' desiring. + + With the last year's brand + Light the new block, and + For good success in his spending + On your psaltries play, + That sweet luck may + Come while the log is a-teending. + + Drink now the strong beer, + Cut the white loaf here; + The while the meat is a-shredding + For the rare mince-pie, + And the plums stand by + To fill the paste that's a-kneading. + + _Psaltries_, a kind of guitar. + _Teending_, kindling. + + +785. CHRISTMAS-EVE, ANOTHER CEREMONY. + + Come guard this night the Christmas-pie, + That the thief, though ne'er so sly, + With his flesh-hooks, don't come nigh + To catch it + From him, who all alone sits there, + Having his eyes still in his ear, + And a deal of nightly fear, + To watch it. + + +786. ANOTHER TO THE MAIDS. + + Wash your hands, or else the fire + Will not teend to your desire; + Unwash'd hands, ye maidens, know, + Dead the fire, though ye blow. + + _Teend_, kindle. + + +787. ANOTHER. + + Wassail the trees, that they may bear + You many a plum and many a pear: + For more or less fruits they will bring, + As you do give them wassailing. + + +788. POWER AND PEACE. + + _'Tis never, or but seldom known, + Power and peace to keep one throne._ + + +789. TO HIS DEAR VALENTINE, MISTRESS MARGARET FALCONBRIDGE. + + Now is your turn, my dearest, to be set + A gem in this eternal coronet: + 'Twas rich before, but since your name is down + It sparkles now like Ariadne's crown. + Blaze by this sphere for ever: or this do, + Let me and it shine evermore by you. + + +790. TO OENONE. + + Sweet Oenone, do but say + Love thou dost, though love says nay. + Speak me fair; for lovers be + Gently kill'd by flattery. + + +791. VERSES. + + Who will not honour noble numbers, when + Verses out-live the bravest deeds of men? + + +792. HAPPINESS. + + That happiness does still the longest thrive, + Where joys and griefs have turns alternative. + + +793. THINGS OF CHOICE LONG A-COMING. + + We pray 'gainst war, yet we enjoy no peace; + _Desire deferr'd is that it may increase_. + + +794. POETRY PERPETUATES THE POET. + + Here I myself might likewise die, + And utterly forgotten lie, + But that eternal poetry + Repullulation gives me here + Unto the thirtieth thousand year, + When all now dead shall reappear. + + _Repullulation_, rejuvenescence. + _Thirtieth thousand year_, an allusion to the doctrine of the Platonic + year. + + +797. KISSES. + + Give me the food that satisfies a guest: + Kisses are but dry banquets to a feast. + + +798. ORPHEUS. + + Orpheus he went, as poets tell, + To fetch Eurydice from hell; + And had her; but it was upon + This short but strict condition: + Backward he should not look while he + Led her through hell's obscurity: + But ah! it happened, as he made + His passage through that dreadful shade, + Revolve he did his loving eye, + For gentle fear or jealousy; + And looking back, that look did sever + Him and Eurydice for ever. + + +803. TO SAPPHO. + + Sappho, I will choose to go + Where the northern winds do blow + Endless ice and endless snow: + Rather than I once would see + But a winter's face in thee, + To benumb my hopes and me. + + +804. TO HIS FAITHFUL FRIEND, M. JOHN CROFTS, CUP-BEARER TO THE KING. + + For all thy many courtesies to me, + Nothing I have, my Crofts, to send to thee + For the requital, save this only one + Half of my just remuneration. + For since I've travell'd all this realm throughout + To seek and find some few immortals out + To circumspangle this my spacious sphere, + As lamps for everlasting shining here; + And having fix'd thee in mine orb a star, + Amongst the rest, both bright and singular, + The present age will tell the world thou art, + If not to th' whole, yet satisfi'd in part. + As for the rest, being too great a sum + Here to be paid, I'll pay't i' th' world to come. + + +805. THE BRIDE-CAKE. + + This day, my Julia, thou must make + For Mistress Bride the wedding-cake: + Knead but the dough, and it will be + To paste of almonds turn'd by thee: + Or kiss it thou but once or twice, + And for the bride-cake there'll be spice. + + +806. TO BE MERRY. + + Let's now take our time + While w'are in our prime, + And old, old age is afar off: + For the evil, evil days + Will come on apace, + Before we can be aware of. + + +807. BURIAL. + + Man may want land to live in; but for all + Nature finds out some place for burial. + +808. LENITY. + + 'Tis the Chirurgeon's praise, and height of art, + Not to cut off, but cure the vicious part. + + +809. PENITENCE. + + Who after his transgression doth repent, + Is half, or altogether innocent. + + +810. GRIEF. + + Consider sorrows, how they are aright: + _Grief, if't be great, 'tis short; if long, 'tis light_. + + +811. THE MAIDEN-BLUSH. + + So look the mornings when the sun + Paints them with fresh vermilion: + So cherries blush, and Kathern pears, + And apricots in youthful years: + So corals look more lovely red, + And rubies lately polished: + So purest diaper doth shine, + Stain'd by the beams of claret wine: + As Julia looks when she doth dress + Her either cheek with bashfulness. + + _Kathern pears_, _i.e._, Catharine pears. + + +812. THE MEAN. + + _Imparity doth ever discord bring; + The mean the music makes in everything._ + + +813. HASTE HURTFUL. + + _Haste is unhappy; what we rashly do + Is both unlucky, aye, and foolish, too. + Where war with rashness is attempted, there + The soldiers leave the field with equal fear._ + + +814. PURGATORY. + + Readers, we entreat ye pray + For the soul of Lucia; + That in little time she be + From her purgatory free: + In the interim she desires + That your tears may cool her fires. + + +815. THE CLOUD. + + Seest thou that cloud that rides in state, + Part ruby-like, part candidate? + It is no other than the bed + Where Venus sleeps half-smothered. + + _Candidate_, robed in white. + + +817. THE AMBER BEAD. + + I saw a fly within a bead + Of amber cleanly buried; + The urn was little, but the room + More rich than Cleopatra's tomb. + + +818. TO MY DEAREST SISTER, M. MERCY HERRICK. + + Whene'er I go, or whatsoe'er befalls + Me in mine age, or foreign funerals, + This blessing I will leave thee, ere I go: + Prosper thy basket and therein thy dough. + Feed on the paste of filberts, or else knead + And bake the flour of amber for thy bread. + Balm may thy trees drop, and thy springs run oil, + And everlasting harvest crown thy soil! + These I but wish for; but thyself shall see + The blessing fall in mellow times on thee. + + +819. THE TRANSFIGURATION. + + Immortal clothing I put on + So soon as, Julia, I am gone + To mine eternal mansion. + Thou, thou art here, to human sight + Cloth'd all with incorrupted light; + But yet how more admir'dly bright + Wilt thou appear, when thou art set + In thy refulgent thronelet, + That shin'st thus in thy counterfeit! + + +820. SUFFER THAT THOU CANST NOT SHIFT. + + Does fortune rend thee? Bear with thy hard fate: + _Virtuous instructions ne'er are delicate_. + Say, does she frown? still countermand her threats: + _Virtue best loves those children that she beats_. + + +821. TO THE PASSENGER. + + If I lie unburied, sir, + These my relics pray inter: + 'Tis religion's part to see + Stones or turfs to cover me. + One word more I had to say: + But it skills not; go your way; + He that wants a burial room + _For a stone, has Heaven his tomb_. + + _Religion's_, orig. ed. _religious_. + + +823. TO THE KING, UPON HIS TAKING OF LEICESTER. + + This day is yours, great Charles! and in this war + Your fate, and ours, alike victorious are. + In her white stole now Victory does rest + _Ensphered with palm on your triumphant crest_. + Fortune is now your captive; other Kings + _Hold but her hands; you hold both hands and wings_. + + +824. TO JULIA, IN HER DAWN, OR DAYBREAK. + + By the next kindling of the day, + My Julia, thou shalt see, + Ere Ave-Mary thou canst say + I'll come and visit thee. + + Yet ere thou counsel'st with thy glass, + Appear thou to mine eyes + As smooth, and nak'd, as she that was + The prime of paradise. + + If blush thou must, then blush thou through + A lawn, that thou mayst look + As purest pearls, or pebbles do + When peeping through a brook. + + As lilies shrin'd in crystal, so + Do thou to me appear; + Or damask roses when they grow + To sweet acquaintance there. + + +825. COUNSEL. + + 'Twas Caesar's saying: _Kings no less conquerors are + By their wise counsel, than they be by war._ + + +826. BAD PRINCES PILL THE PEOPLE. + + Like those infernal deities which eat + The best of all the sacrificed meat; + And leave their servants but the smoke and sweat: + So many kings, and primates too there are, + Who claim the fat and fleshy for their share + And leave their subjects but the starved ware. + + +827. MOST WORDS, LESS WORKS. + + In desp'rate cases all, or most, are known + Commanders, few for execution. + + +828. TO DIANEME. + + I could but see thee yesterday + Stung by a fretful bee; + And I the javelin suck'd away, + And heal'd the wound in thee. + + A thousand thorns and briars and stings, + I have in my poor breast; + Yet ne'er can see that salve which brings + My passions any rest. + + As love shall help me, I admire + How thou canst sit, and smile + To see me bleed, and not desire + To staunch the blood the while. + + If thou, compos'd of gentle mould, + Art so unkind to me; + What dismal stories will be told + Of those that cruel be? + + _Admire_, wonder. + + +830. HIS LOSS. + + All has been plundered from me but my wit: + Fortune herself can lay no claim to it. + + +831. DRAW AND DRINK. + + Milk still your fountains and your springs: for why? + The more th'are drawn, the less they will grow dry. + + +833. TO OENONE. + + Thou say'st Love's dart + Hath pricked thy heart; + And thou dost languish too: + If one poor prick + Can make thee sick, + Say, what would many do? + + +836. TO ELECTRA. + + Shall I go to Love and tell, + Thou art all turned icicle? + Shall I say her altars be + Disadorn'd and scorn'd by thee? + O beware! in time submit; + Love has yet no wrathful fit: + If her patience turns to ire, + Love is then consuming fire. + + +837. TO MISTRESS AMY POTTER. + + Ay me! I love; give him your hand to kiss + Who both your wooer and your poet is. + Nature has precompos'd us both to love: + Your part's to grant; my scene must be to move. + Dear, can you like, and liking love your poet? + If you say "Aye," blush-guiltiness will show it. + Mine eyes must woo you, though I sigh the while: + _True love is tongueless as a crocodile_. + And you may find in love these different parts-- + _Wooers have tongues of ice, but burning hearts_. + + +838. UPON A MAID. + + Here she lies, in bed of spice, + Fair as Eve in Paradise: + For her beauty it was such + Poets could not praise too much. + Virgins, come, and in a ring + Her supremest requiem sing; + Then depart, but see ye tread + Lightly, lightly, o'er the dead. + + _Supremest_, last. + + +839. UPON LOVE. + + Love is a circle, and an endless sphere; + From good to good, revolving here and there. + + +840. BEAUTY. + + Beauty's no other but a lovely grace + Of lively colours flowing from the face. + + +841. UPON LOVE. + + Some salve to every sore we may apply; + Only for my wound there's no remedy. + Yet if my Julia kiss me, there will be + A sovereign balm found out to cure me. + + +844. TO HIS BOOK. + + Make haste away, and let one be + A friendly patron unto thee: + Lest, rapt from hence, I see thee lie + Torn for the use of pastery: + Or see thy injur'd leaves serve well, + To make loose gowns for mackerel: + Or see the grocers in a trice, + Make hoods of thee to serve out spice. + + +845. READINESS. + + The readiness of doing doth express + No other but the doer's willingness. + + +846. WRITING. + + When words we want, Love teacheth to indite; + And what we blush to speak, she bids us write. + + +847. SOCIETY. + + Two things do make society to stand: + The first commerce is, and the next command. + + +848. UPON A MAID. + + Gone she is a long, long way, + But she has decreed a day + Back to come, and make no stay: + So we keep, till her return, + Here, her ashes, or her urn. + + +849. SATISFACTION FOR SUFFERINGS. + + For all our works a recompense is sure: + _'Tis sweet to think on what was hard t' endure_. + + +850. THE DELAYING BRIDE. + + Why so slowly do you move + To the centre of your love? + On your niceness though we wait, + Yet the hours say 'tis late: + _Coyness takes us, to a measure; + But o'eracted deads the pleasure._ + Go to bed, and care not when + Cheerful day shall spring again. + One brave captain did command, + By his word, the sun to stand: + One short charm, if you but say, + Will enforce the moon to stay, + Till you warn her hence, away, + T' have your blushes seen by day. + + _Niceness_, delicacy. + + +851. TO M. HENRY LAWES, THE EXCELLENT COMPOSER OF HIS LYRICS. + + Touch but thy lyre, my Harry, and I hear + From thee some raptures of the rare Gotiere; + Then if thy voice commingle with the string, + I hear in thee rare Laniere to sing; + Or curious Wilson: tell me, canst thou be + Less than Apollo, that usurp'st such three? + Three, unto whom the whole world give applause; + Yet their three praises praise but one; that's Lawes. + + _Gotiere_, Wilson, see above, 111. + _Laniere_, Nicholas Laniere (1590?-1670?), musician and painter, + appointed Master of the King's Music in 1626. + + +852. AGE UNFIT FOR LOVE. + + Maidens tell me I am old; + Let me in my glass behold + Whether smooth or not I be, + Or if hair remains to me. + Well, or be't or be't not so, + This for certainty I know, + Ill it fits old men to play, + When that Death bids come away. + + +853. THE BEDMAN, OR GRAVEMAKER. + + Thou hast made many houses for the dead; + When my lot calls me to be buried, + For love or pity, prithee let there be + I' th' churchyard made one tenement for me. + + +854. TO ANTHEA. + + Anthea, I am going hence + With some small stock of innocence: + But yet those blessed gates I see + Withstanding entrance unto me. + To pray for me do thou begin, + The porter then will let me in. + + +855. NEED. + + Who begs to die for fear of human need, + Wisheth his body, not his soul, good speed. + + +856. TO JULIA. + + I am zealless; prithee pray + For my welfare, Julia, + For I think the gods require + Male perfumes, but female fire. + + _Male perfumes_, perfumes of the best kind. + + +857. ON JULIA'S LIPS. + + Sweet are my Julia's lips and clean, + As if o'erwashed in Hippocrene. + + +858. TWILIGHT. + + Twilight no other thing is, poets say, + Than the last part of night and first of day. + + +859. TO HIS FRIEND, MR. J. JINCKS. + + Love, love me now, because I place + Thee here among my righteous race: + The bastard slips may droop and die + Wanting both root and earth; but thy + Immortal self shall boldly trust + To live for ever with my Just. + + _With my Just_, cp. 664. + + +860. ON HIMSELF. + + If that my fate has now fulfill'd my year, + And so soon stopt my longer living here; + What was't, ye gods, a dying man to save, + But while he met with his paternal grave! + Though while we living 'bout the world do roam, + We love to rest in peaceful urns at home, + Where we may snug, and close together lie + By the dead bones of our dear ancestry. + + +861. KINGS AND TYRANTS. + + 'Twixt kings and tyrants there's this difference known: + _Kings seek their subjects' good, tyrants their own_. + + +862. CROSSES. + + Our crosses are no other than the rods, + And our diseases, vultures of the gods: + Each grief we feel, that likewise is a kite + Sent forth by them, our flesh to eat, or bite. + + +863. UPON LOVE. + + Love brought me to a silent grove + And show'd me there a tree, + Where some had hang'd themselves for love, + And gave a twist to me. + + The halter was of silk and gold, + That he reach'd forth unto me; + No otherwise than if he would + By dainty things undo me. + + He bade me then that necklace use; + And told me, too, he maketh + A glorious end by such a noose, + His death for love that taketh. + + 'Twas but a dream; but had I been + There really alone, + My desp'rate fears in love had seen + Mine execution. + + +864. NO DIFFERENCE I' TH' DARK. + + Night makes no difference 'twixt the priest and clerk; + Joan as my lady is as good i' th' dark. + + +865. THE BODY. + + The body is the soul's poor house or home, + Whose ribs the laths are, and whose flesh the loam. + + +866. TO SAPPHO. + + Thou say'st thou lov'st me, Sappho; I say no; + But would to Love I could believe 'twas so! + Pardon my fears, sweet Sappho; I desire + That thou be righteous found, and I the liar. + + +867. OUT OF TIME, OUT OF TUNE. + + We blame, nay, we despise her pains + That wets her garden when it rains: + But when the drought has dried the knot, + Then let her use the wat'ring-pot. + We pray for showers, at our need, + To drench, but not to drown our seed. + + _Knot_, quaintly shaped flower-bed. + + +868. TO HIS BOOK. + + Take mine advice, and go not near + Those faces, sour as vinegar. + For these, and nobler numbers can + Ne'er please the supercilious man. + + +869. TO HIS HONOURED FRIEND, SIR THOMAS HEALE. + + Stand by the magic of my powerful rhymes + 'Gainst all the indignation of the times. + Age shall not wrong thee; or one jot abate + Of thy both great and everlasting fate. + While others perish, here's thy life decreed, + Because begot of my immortal seed. + + +870. THE SACRIFICE, BY WAY OF DISCOURSE BETWIXT HIMSELF AND JULIA. + + _Herr._ Come and let's in solemn wise + Both address to sacrifice: + Old religion first commands + That we wash our hearts, and hands. + Is the beast exempt from stain, + Altar clean, no fire profane? + Are the garlands, is the nard + Ready here? + + _Jul._ All well prepar'd, + With the wine that must be shed, + 'Twixt the horns, upon the head + Of the holy beast we bring + For our trespass-offering. + + _Herr._ All is well; now next to these + Put we on pure surplices; + And with chaplets crown'd, we'll roast + With perfumes the holocaust: + And, while we the gods invoke, + Read acceptance by the smoke. + + +871. TO APOLLO. + + Thou mighty lord and master of the lyre, + Unshorn Apollo, come and re-inspire + My fingers so, the lyric-strings to move, + That I may play and sing a hymn to Love. + + +872. ON LOVE. + + Love is a kind of war: hence those who fear! + No cowards must his royal ensigns bear. + + +873. ANOTHER. + + Where love begins, there dead thy first desire: + _A spark neglected makes a mighty fire_. + + +874. A HYMN TO CUPID. + + Thou, thou that bear'st the sway, + With whom the sea-nymphs play; + And Venus, every way: + When I embrace thy knee, + And make short pray'rs to thee, + In love then prosper me. + This day I go to woo; + Instruct me how to do + This work thou put'st me to. + From shame my face keep free; + From scorn I beg of thee, + Love, to deliver me: + So shall I sing thy praise, + And to thee altars raise, + Unto the end of days. + + +875. TO ELECTRA. + + Let not thy tombstone e'er be laid by me: + Nor let my hearse be wept upon by thee: + But let that instant when thou diest be known + The minute of mine expiration. + One knell be rung for both; and let one grave + To hold us two an endless honour have. + + +876. HOW HIS SOUL CAME ENSNARED. + + My soul would one day go and seek + For roses, and in Julia's cheek + A richesse of those sweets she found, + As in another Rosamond. + But gathering roses as she was, + Not knowing what would come to pass, + It chanc'd a ringlet of her hair + Caught my poor soul, as in a snare: + Which ever since has been in thrall; + Yet freedom she enjoys withal. + + _Richesse_, wealth. + + +877. FACTIONS. + + The factions of the great ones call, + To side with them, the commons all. + + +881. UPON JULIA'S HAIR BUNDLED UP IN A GOLDEN NET. + + Tell me, what needs those rich deceits, + These golden toils, and trammel nets, + To take thine hairs when they are known + Already tame, and all thine own? + 'Tis I am wild, and more than hairs + Deserve these meshes and those snares. + Set free thy tresses, let them flow + As airs do breathe or winds do blow: + And let such curious net-works be + Less set for them than spread for me. + + +883. THE SHOWER OF BLOSSOMS. + + Love in a shower of blossoms came + Down, and half drown'd me with the same: + The blooms that fell were white and red; + But with such sweets commingled, + As whether--this I cannot tell-- + My sight was pleas'd more, or my smell: + But true it was, as I roll'd there, + Without a thought of hurt or fear, + Love turn'd himself into a bee, + And with his javelin wounded me: + From which mishap this use I make, + _Where most sweets are, there lies a snake: + Kisses and favours are sweet things; + But those have thorns and these have stings._ + + +885. A DEFENCE FOR WOMEN. + + Naught are all women: I say no, + Since for one bad, one good I know: + For Clytemnestra most unkind, + Loving Alcestis there we find: + For one Medea that was bad, + A good Penelope was had: + For wanton Lais, then we have + Chaste Lucrece, a wife as grave: + And thus through womankind we see + A good and bad. Sirs, credit me. + + +887. SLAVERY. + + 'Tis liberty to serve one lord; but he + Who many serves, serves base servility. + + +888. CHARMS. + + Bring the holy crust of bread, + Lay it underneath the head; + 'Tis a certain charm to keep + Hags away, while children sleep. + + +889. ANOTHER. + + Let the superstitious wife + Near the child's heart lay a knife: + Point be up, and haft be down + (While she gossips in the town); + This, 'mongst other mystic charms, + Keeps the sleeping child from harms. + + +890. ANOTHER TO BRING IN THE WITCH. + + To house the hag, you must do this: + Commix with meal a little piss + Of him bewitch'd; then forthwith make + A little wafer or a cake; + And this rawly bak'd will bring + The old hag in. No surer thing. + + +891. ANOTHER CHARM FOR STABLES. + + Hang up hooks and shears to scare + Hence the hag that rides the mare, + Till they be all over wet + With the mire and the sweat: + This observ'd, the manes shall be + Of your horses all knot-free. + + +892. CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS EVE. + + Down with the rosemary and bays, + Down with the mistletoe; + Instead of holly, now up-raise + The greener box, for show. + + The holly hitherto did sway; + Let box now domineer + Until the dancing Easter day, + Or Easter's eve appear. + + Then youthful box which now hath grace + Your houses to renew; + Grown old, surrender must his place + Unto the crisped yew. + + When yew is out, then birch comes in, + And many flowers beside; + Both of a fresh and fragrant kin + To honour Whitsuntide. + + Green rushes, then, and sweetest bents, + With cooler oaken boughs, + Come in for comely ornaments + To re-adorn the house. + Thus times do shift; each thing his turn does hold: + _New things succeed, as former things grow old_. + + _Bents_, grasses. + + +893. THE CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS DAY. + + Kindle the Christmas brand, and then + Till sunset let it burn; + Which quench'd, then lay it up again + Till Christmas next return. + Part must be kept wherewith to teend + The Christmas log next year, + And where 'tis safely kept, the fiend + Can do no mischief there. + + +894. UPON CANDLEMAS DAY. + + End now the white loaf and the pie, + And let all sports with Christmas die. + + _Teend_, kindle. + + +897. TO BIANCA, TO BLESS HIM. + + Would I woo, and would I win? + Would I well my work begin? + Would I evermore be crowned + With the end that I propound? + Would I frustrate or prevent + All aspects malevolent? + Thwart all wizards, and with these + Dead all black contingencies: + Place my words and all works else + In most happy parallels? + All will prosper, if so be + I be kiss'd or bless'd by thee. + + +898. JULIA'S CHURCHING, OR PURIFICATION. + + Put on thy holy filletings, and so + To th' temple with the sober midwife go. + Attended thus, in a most solemn wise, + By those who serve the child-bed mysteries, + Burn first thine incense; next, whenas thou see'st + The candid stole thrown o'er the pious priest, + With reverend curtsies come, and to him bring + Thy free (and not decurted) offering. + All rites well ended, with fair auspice come + (As to the breaking of a bride-cake) home, + Where ceremonious Hymen shall for thee + Provide a second epithalamy. + _She who keeps chastely to her husband's side + Is not for one, but every night his bride; + And stealing still with love and fear to bed, + Brings him not one, but many a maidenhead._ + + _Candid_, white. + _Decurted_, curtailed. + + +899. TO HIS BOOK. + + Before the press scarce one could see + A little-peeping-part of thee; + But since thou'rt printed, thou dost call + To show thy nakedness to all. + My care for thee is now the less, + Having resign'd thy shamefac'dness. + Go with thy faults and fates; yet stay + And take this sentence, then away: + Whom one belov'd will not suffice, + She'll run to all adulteries. + + +900. TEARS. + + Tears most prevail; with tears, too, thou may'st move + Rocks to relent, and coyest maids to love. + + +901. TO HIS FRIEND TO AVOID CONTENTION OF WORDS. + + Words beget anger; anger brings forth blows; + Blows make of dearest friends immortal foes. + For which prevention, sociate, let there be + Betwixt us two no more logomachy. + Far better 'twere for either to be mute, + Than for to murder friendship by dispute. + + _Logomachy_, contention of words. + + +902. TRUTH. + + Truth is best found out by the time and eyes; + _Falsehood wins credit by uncertainties_. + + +904. THE EYES BEFORE THE EARS. + + We credit most our sight; one eye doth please + Our trust far more than ten ear-witnesses. + + +905. WANT. + + Want is a softer wax, that takes thereon + This, that, and every base impression. + + +906. TO A FRIEND. + + Look in my book, and herein see + Life endless signed to thee and me. + We o'er the tombs and fates shall fly; + While other generations die. + + +907. UPON M. WILLIAM LAWES, THE RARE MUSICIAN. + + Should I not put on blacks, when each one here + Comes with his cypress and devotes a tear? + Should I not grieve, my Lawes, when every lute, + Viol, and voice is by thy loss struck mute? + Thy loss, brave man! whose numbers have been hurl'd, + And no less prais'd than spread throughout the world. + Some have thee call'd Amphion; some of us + Nam'd thee Terpander, or sweet Orpheus: + Some this, some that, but all in this agree, + Music had both her birth and death with thee. + + _Blacks_, mourning garments. + + +908. A SONG UPON SILVIA. + + From me my Silvia ran away, + And running therewithal + A primrose bank did cross her way, + And gave my love a fall. + + But trust me now, I dare not say + What I by chance did see; + But such the drap'ry did betray + That fully ravished me. + + +909. THE HONEYCOMB. + + If thou hast found an honeycomb, + Eat thou not all, but taste on some: + For if thou eat'st it to excess, + That sweetness turns to loathsomeness. + Taste it to temper, then 'twill be + Marrow and manna unto thee. + + +910. UPON BEN JONSON. + + Here lies Jonson with the rest + Of the poets: but the best. + Reader, would'st thou more have known? + Ask his story, not this stone. + That will speak what this can't tell + Of his glory. So farewell. + + +911. AN ODE FOR HIM. + + Ah Ben! + Say how, or when + Shall we thy guests + Meet at those lyric feasts + Made at the Sun, + The Dog, the Triple Tun? + Where we such clusters had, + As made us nobly wild, not mad; + And yet each verse of thine + Out-did the meat, out-did the frolic wine. + + My Ben! + Or come again, + Or send to us + Thy wit's great overplus; + But teach us yet + Wisely to husband it, + Lest we that talent spend: + And having once brought to an end + That precious stock; the store + Of such a wit the world should have no more. + + _The Sun_, _etc._, famous taverns. + + +912. UPON A VIRGIN. + + Spend, harmless shade, thy nightly hours + Selecting here both herbs and flowers; + Of which make garlands here and there + To dress thy silent sepulchre. + Nor do thou fear the want of these + _In everlasting properties_, + Since we fresh strewings will bring hither, + Far faster than the first can wither. + + +913. BLAME. + + In battles what disasters fall, + The king he bears the blame of all. + + +914. A REQUEST TO THE GRACES. + + Ponder my words, if so that any be + Known guilty here of incivility: + Let what is graceless, discompos'd, and rude, + With sweetness, smoothness, softness, be endu'd. + Teach it to blush, to curtsy, lisp, and show + Demure, but yet full of temptation, too. + _Numbers ne'er tickle, or but lightly please, + Unless they have some wanton carriages._ + This if ye do, each piece will here be good, + And graceful made by your neat sisterhood. + + +915. UPON HIMSELF. + + I lately fri'd, but now behold + I freeze as fast, and shake for cold. + And in good faith I'd thought it strange + T' have found in me this sudden change; + But that I understood by dreams + These only were but Love's extremes; + Who fires with hope the lover's heart, + And starves with cold the self-same part. + + +916. MULTITUDE. + + We trust not to the multitude in war, + But to the stout, and those that skilful are. + + +917. FEAR. + + Man must do well out of a good intent; + Not for the servile fear of punishment. + + +918. TO M. KELLAM. + + What! can my Kellam drink his sack + In goblets to the brim, + And see his Robin Herrick lack, + Yet send no bowls to him? + + For love or pity to his muse, + That she may flow in verse, + Contemn to recommend a cruse, + But send to her a tierce. + + +919. HAPPINESS TO HOSPITALITY; OR, A HEARTY WISH TO GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. + + First, may the hand of bounty bring + Into the daily offering + Of full provision such a store, + Till that the cook cries: Bring no more. + Upon your hogsheads never fall + A drought of wine, ale, beer, at all; + But, like full clouds, may they from thence + Diffuse their mighty influence. + Next, let the lord and lady here + Enjoy a Christ'ning year by year; + And this good blessing back them still, + T' have boys, and girls too, as they will. + Then from the porch may many a bride + Unto the holy temple ride: + And thence return, short prayers said, + A wife most richly married. + Last, may the bride and bridegroom be + Untouch'd by cold sterility; + But in their springing blood so play, + As that in lusters few they may, + By laughing too, and lying down, + People a city or a town. + + _Wish_, om. orig. ed. + _Lusters_, quinquenniums. + + +920. CUNCTATION IN CORRECTION. + + The lictors bundled up their rods; beside, + Knit them with knots with much ado unti'd, + That if, unknitting, men would yet repent, + They might escape the lash of punishment. + + +921. PRESENT GOVERNMENT GRIEVOUS. + + _Men are suspicious, prone to discontent: + Subjects still loathe the present government._ + + +922. REST REFRESHES. + + Lay by the good a while; a resting field + Will, after ease, a richer harvest yield; + Trees this year bear: next, they their wealth withhold: + _Continual reaping makes a land wax old_. + + +923. REVENGE. + + _Man's disposition is for to requite + An injury, before a benefit: + Thanksgiving is a burden and a pain; + Revenge is pleasing to us, as our gain._ + + +924. THE FIRST MARS OR MAKES. + + In all our high designments 'twill appear, + _The first event breeds confidence or fear_. + + +925. BEGINNING DIFFICULT. + + _Hard are the two first stairs unto a crown: + Which got, the third bids him a king come down._ + +926. FAITH FOUR-SQUARE. + + Faith is a thing that's four-square; let it fall + This way or that, it not declines at all. + + +927. THE PRESENT TIME BEST PLEASETH. + + Praise they that will times past; I joy to see + Myself now live: _this age best pleaseth me_. + + +928. CLOTHES ARE CONSPIRATORS. + + Though from without no foes at all we fear, + We shall be wounded by the clothes we wear. + + +929. CRUELTY. + + _'Tis but a dog-like madness in bad kings, + For to delight in wounds and murderings: + As some plants prosper best by cuts and blows, + So kings by killing do increase their foes._ + + +930. FAIR AFTER FOUL. + + _Tears quickly dry, griefs will in time decay: + A clear will come after a cloudy day._ + + +931. HUNGER. + + Ask me what hunger is, and I'll reply, + 'Tis but a fierce desire of hot and dry. + + +932. BAD WAGES FOR GOOD SERVICE. + + In this misfortune kings do most excel, + To hear the worst from men when they do well. + + +933. THE END. + + Conquer we shall, but we must first contend; + _'Tis not the fight that crowns us, but the end_. + + +934. THE BONDMAN. + + Bind me but to thee with thine hair, + And quickly I shall be + Made by that fetter or that snare + A bondman unto thee. + Or if thou tak'st that bond away, + Then bore me through the ear, + And by the law I ought to stay + For ever with thee here. + + +935. CHOOSE FOR THE BEST. + + Give house-room to the best; _'tis never known + Virtue and pleasure both to dwell in one_. + + +936. TO SILVIA. + + Pardon my trespass, Silvia; I confess + My kiss out-went the bounds of shamefastness: + None is discreet at all times; no, _not Jove + Himself, at one time, can be wise and love_. + + +937. FAIR SHOWS DECEIVE. + + Smooth was the sea, and seem'd to call + Two pretty girls to play withal: + Who paddling there, the sea soon frown'd, + And on a sudden both were drown'd. + What credit can we give to seas, + Who, kissing, kill such saints as these? + + +938. HIS WISH. + + Fat be my hind; unlearned be my wife; + Peaceful my night; my day devoid of strife: + To these a comely offspring I desire, + Singing about my everlasting fire. + + _Hind_, country servant. + + +939. UPON JULIA WASHING HERSELF IN THE RIVER. + + How fierce was I, when I did see + My Julia wash herself in thee! + So lilies thorough crystal look: + So purest pebbles in the brook: + As in the river Julia did, + Half with a lawn of water hid. + Into thy streams myself I threw, + And struggling there, I kiss'd thee too; + And more had done, it is confess'd, + Had not thy waves forbade the rest. + + +940. A MEAN IN OUR MEANS. + + Though frankincense the deities require, + _We must not give all to the hallowed fire_. + Such be our gifts, and such be our expense, + As for ourselves to leave some frankincense. + + +941. UPON CLUNN. + + A roll of parchment Clunn about him bears, + Charg'd with the arms of all his ancestors: + And seems half ravish'd, when he looks upon + That bar, this bend; that fess, this cheveron; + This manch, that moon; this martlet, and that mound; + This counterchange of pearl and diamond. + What joy can Clunn have in that coat, or this, + Whenas his own still out at elbows is? + + +942. UPON CUPID. + + Love, like a beggar, came to me + With hose and doublet torn: + His shirt bedangling from his knee, + With hat and shoes outworn. + + He ask'd an alms; I gave him bread, + And meat too, for his need: + Of which, when he had fully fed, + He wished me all good speed. + + Away he went, but as he turn'd + (In faith I know not how) + He touch'd me so, as that I burn['d], + And am tormented now. + + Love's silent flames and fires obscure + Then crept into my heart; + And though I saw no bow, I'm sure + His finger was the dart. + + +946. AN HYMN TO LOVE. + + I will confess + With cheerfulness, + Love is a thing so likes me, + That let her lay + On me all day, + I'll kiss the hand that strikes me. + + I will not, I, + Now blubb'ring, cry, + It, ah! too late repents me, + That I did fall + To love at all, + Since love so much contents me. + + No, no, I'll be + In fetters free: + While others they sit wringing + Their hands for pain, + I'll entertain + The wounds of love with singing. + + With flowers and wine, + And cakes divine, + To strike me I will tempt thee: + Which done; no more + I'll come before + Thee and thine altars empty. + + +947. TO HIS HONOURED AND MOST INGENIOUS FRIEND, MR. CHARLES COTTON. + + For brave comportment, wit without offence, + Words fully flowing, yet of influence: + Thou art that man of men, the man alone, + Worthy the public admiration: + Who with thine own eyes read'st what we do write, + And giv'st our numbers euphony and weight; + Tell'st when a verse springs high, how understood + To be, or not, born of the royal blood. + What state above, what symmetry below, + Lines have, or should have, thou the best can'st show. + For which, my Charles, it is my pride to be + Not so much known, as to be lov'd of thee. + Long may I live so, and my wreath of bays + Be less another's laurel than thy praise. + + +948. WOMEN USELESS. + + What need we marry women, when + Without their use we may have men, + And such as will in short time be + For murder fit, or mutiny? + As Cadmus once a new way found, + By throwing teeth into the ground; + From which poor seed, and rudely sown, + Sprung up a war-like nation: + So let us iron, silver, gold, + Brass, lead, or tin throw into th' mould; + And we shall see in little space + Rise up of men a fighting race. + If this can be, say then, what need + Have we of women or their seed? + + +949. LOVE IS A SYRUP. + + Love is a syrup; and whoe'er we see + Sick and surcharg'd with this satiety, + Shall by this pleasing trespass quickly prove + _There's loathsomeness e'en in the sweets of love_. + + +950. LEAVEN. + + Love is a leaven; and a loving kiss + The leaven of a loving sweetheart is. + + +951. REPLETION. + + Physicians say repletion springs + More from the sweet than sour things. + + +952. ON HIMSELF. + + Weep for the dead, for they have lost this light: + And weep for me, lost in an endless night. + Or mourn, or make a marble verse for me, + Who writ for many. Benedicite. + + +953. NO MAN WITHOUT MONEY. + + No man such rare parts hath that he can swim, + If favour or occasion help not him. + + +954. ON HIMSELF. + + Lost to the world; lost to myself; alone + Here now I rest under this marble stone: + In depth of silence, heard and seen of none. + + +955. TO M. LEONARD WILLAN, HIS PECULIAR FRIEND. + + I will be short, and having quickly hurl'd + This line about, live thou throughout the world; + Who art a man for all scenes; unto whom, + What's hard to others, nothing's troublesome. + Can'st write the comic, tragic strain, and fall + From these to pen the pleasing pastoral: + Who fli'st at all heights: prose and verse run'st through; + Find'st here a fault, and mend'st the trespass too: + For which I might extol thee, but speak less, + Because thyself art coming to the press: + And then should I in praising thee be slow, + Posterity will pay thee what I owe. + + +956. TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND, M. JOHN HALL, STUDENT OF GRAY'S INN. + + Tell me, young man, or did the Muses bring + Thee less to taste than to drink up their spring, + That none hereafter should be thought, or be + A poet, or a poet-like but thee? + What was thy birth, thy star that makes thee known, + At twice ten years, a prime and public one? + Tell us thy nation, kindred, or the whence + Thou had'st and hast thy mighty influence, + That makes thee lov'd, and of the men desir'd, + And no less prais'd than of the maids admired. + Put on thy laurel then; and in that trim + Be thou Apollo or the type of him: + Or let the unshorn god lend thee his lyre, + And next to him be master of the choir. + + +957. TO JULIA. + + Offer thy gift; but first the law commands + Thee, Julia, first, to sanctify thy hands: + Do that, my Julia, which the rites require, + Then boldly give thine incense to the fire. + + +958. TO THE MOST COMELY AND PROPER M. ELIZABETH FINCH. + + Handsome you are, and proper you will be + Despite of all your infortunity: + Live long and lovely, but yet grow no less + In that your own prefixed comeliness: + Spend on that stock: and when your life must fall, + Leave others beauty to set up withal. + + _Proper_, well-made. + + +960. TO HIS BOOK. + + If hap it must, that I must see thee lie + Absyrtus-like, all torn confusedly: + With solemn tears, and with much grief of heart, + I'll recollect thee, weeping, part by part; + And having wash'd thee, close thee in a chest + With spice; that done, I'll leave thee to thy rest. + + _Absyrtus-like_, the brother of Medea, cut in pieces by her that his + father might be delayed by gathering his limbs. + + +961. TO THE KING, UPON HIS WELCOME TO HAMPTON COURT. SET AND SUNG. + + Welcome, great Caesar, welcome now you are + As dearest peace after destructive war: + Welcome as slumbers, or as beds of ease + After our long and peevish sicknesses. + O pomp of glory! Welcome now, and come + To repossess once more your long'd-for home. + A thousand altars smoke: a thousand thighs + Of beeves here ready stand for sacrifice. + Enter and prosper; while our eyes do wait + For an ascendent throughly auspicate: + Under which sign we may the former stone + Lay of our safety's new foundation: + That done, O Caesar! live and be to us + Our fate, our fortune, and our genius; + To whose free knees we may our temples tie + As to a still protecting deity: + That should you stir, we and our altars too + May, great Augustus, go along with you. + _Chor._ Long live the King! and to accomplish this, + We'll from our own add far more years to his. + + _Ascendent_, the most influential position of a planet in astrology. + _Auspicate_, propitious. + + +962. ULTIMUS HEROUM: OR, TO THE MOST LEARNED, AND TO THE RIGHT +HONOURABLE, HENRY, MARQUIS OF DORCHESTER. + + And as time past when Cato the severe + Enter'd the circumspacious theatre, + In reverence of his person everyone + Stood as he had been turn'd from flesh to stone; + E'en so my numbers will astonished be + If but looked on; struck dead, if scann'd by thee. + + +963. TO HIS MUSE; ANOTHER TO THE SAME. + + Tell that brave man, fain thou would'st have access + To kiss his hands, but that for fearfulness; + Or else because th'art like a modest bride, + Ready to blush to death, should he but chide. + + +966. TO HIS LEARNED FRIEND, M. JO. HARMAR, PHYSICIAN TO THE COLLEGE OF +WESTMINSTER. + + When first I find those numbers thou dost write, + To be most soft, terse, sweet, and perpolite: + Next, when I see thee tow'ring in the sky, + In an expansion no less large than high; + Then, in that compass, sailing here and there, + And with circumgyration everywhere; + Following with love and active heat thy game, + And then at last to truss the epigram; + I must confess, distinction none I see + Between Domitian's Martial then, and thee. + But this I know, should Jupiter again + Descend from heaven to reconverse with men; + The Roman language full, and superfine, + If Jove would speak, he would accept of thine. + + _Perpolite_, well polished. + + +967. UPON HIS SPANIEL TRACY. + + Now thou art dead, no eye shall ever see, + For shape and service, spaniel like to thee. + This shall my love do, give thy sad death one + Tear, that deserves of me a million. + + +968. THE DELUGE. + + Drowning, drowning, I espy + Coming from my Julia's eye: + 'Tis some solace in our smart, + To have friends to bear a part: + I have none; but must be sure + Th' inundation to endure. + Shall not times hereafter tell + This for no mean miracle? + When the waters by their fall + Threaten'd ruin unto all, + Yet the deluge here was known + Of a world to drown but one. + + +971. STRENGTH TO SUPPORT SOVEREIGNTY. + + Let kings and rulers learn this line from me: + _Where power is weak, unsafe is majesty_. + + +973. CRUTCHES. + + Thou see'st me, Lucia, this year droop; + Three zodiacs filled more, I shall stoop; + Let crutches then provided be + To shore up my debility. + Then, while thou laugh'st, I'll sighing cry, + "A ruin, underpropp'd, am I". + Don will I then my beadsman's gown, + And when so feeble I am grown, + As my weak shoulders cannot bear + The burden of a grasshopper, + Yet with the bench of aged sires, + When I and they keep termly fires, + With my weak voice I'll sing, or say, + Some odes I made of Lucia: + Then will I heave my wither'd hand + To Jove the mighty, for to stand + Thy faithful friend, and to pour down + Upon thee many a benison. + + _Zodiacs_, used as symbols of the astronomical year. + _Beadsman's_, almshouseman's. + + +974. TO JULIA. + + Holy waters hither bring + For the sacred sprinkling: + Baptise me and thee, and so + Let us to the altar go, + And, ere we our rites commence, + Wash our hands in innocence. + Then I'll be the Rex Sacrorum, + Thou the Queen of Peace and Quorum. + + _Quorum_, _i.e._, quorum of justices of the peace, sportively added + for the rhyme's sake. + + +975. UPON CASE. + + Case is a lawyer, that ne'er pleads alone, + But when he hears the like confusion, + As when the disagreeing Commons throw + About their House, their clamorous Aye or No: + Then Case, as loud as any serjeant there, + Cries out: My lord, my lord, the case is clear. + But when all's hush'd, Case, than a fish more mute, + Bestirs his hand, but starves in hand the suit. + + +976. TO PERENNA. + + I a dirge will pen to thee; + Thou a trentall make for me: + That the monks and friars together, + Here may sing the rest of either: + Next, I'm sure, the nuns will have + Candlemas to grace the grave. + + _Trentall_, services for the dead. + + +977. TO HIS SISTER-IN-LAW, M. SUSANNA HERRICK. + + The person crowns the place; your lot doth fall + Last, yet to be with these a principal. + Howe'er it fortuned; know for truth, I meant + You a fore-leader in this testament. + + +978. UPON THE LADY CREW. + + This stone can tell the story of my life, + What was my birth, to whom I was a wife: + In teeming years, how soon my sun was set. + Where now I rest, these may be known by jet. + For other things, my many children be + The best and truest chronicles of me. + + +979. ON TOMASIN PARSONS. + + Grow up in beauty, as thou dost begin, + And be of all admired, Tomasin. + + +980. CEREMONY UPON CANDLEMAS EVE. + + Down with the rosemary, and so + Down with the bays and mistletoe; + Down with the holly, ivy, all, + Wherewith ye dressed the Christmas Hall: + That so the superstitious find + No one least branch there left behind: + For look, how many leaves there be + Neglected, there (maids, trust to me) + So many goblins you shall see. + + +981. SUSPICION MAKES SECURE. + + He that will live of all cares dispossess'd, + Must shun the bad, aye, and suspect the best. + + +983. TO HIS KINSMAN, M. THO. HERRICK, WHO DESIRED TO BE IN HIS BOOK. + + Welcome to this my college, and though late + Thou'st got a place here (standing candidate) + It matters not, since thou art chosen one + Here of my great and good foundation. + + +984. A BUCOLIC BETWIXT TWO: LACON AND THYRSIS. + + _Lacon._ For a kiss or two, confess, + What doth cause this pensiveness, + Thou most lovely neat-herdess? + Why so lonely on the hill? + Why thy pipe by thee so still, + That erewhile was heard so shrill? + Tell me, do thy kine now fail + To full fill the milking-pail? + Say, what is't that thou dost ail? + + _Thyr._ None of these; but out, alas! + A mischance is come to pass, + And I'll tell thee what it was: + See, mine eyes are weeping-ripe. + + _Lacon._ Tell, and I'll lay down my pipe. + + _Thyr._ I have lost my lovely steer, + That to me was far more dear + Than these kine which I milk here: + Broad of forehead, large of eye, + Party-colour'd like a pie; + Smooth in each limb as a die; + Clear of hoof, and clear of horn: + Sharply pointed as a thorn, + With a neck by yoke unworn; + From the which hung down by strings, + Balls of cowslips, daisy rings, + Interplac'd with ribbonings: + Faultless every way for shape; + Not a straw could him escape; + Ever gamesome as an ape, + But yet harmless as a sheep. + Pardon, Lacon, if I weep; + _Tears will spring where woes are deep_. + Now, ay me! ay me! Last night + Came a mad dog and did bite, + Aye, and kill'd my dear delight. + + _Lacon._ Alack, for grief! + + _Thyr._ But I'll be brief. + Hence I must, for time doth call + Me, and my sad playmates all, + To his ev'ning funeral. + Live long, Lacon, so adieu! + + _Lacon._ Mournful maid, farewell to you; + _Earth afford ye flowers to strew_. + + _Pie_, _i.e._, a magpie. + + +985. UPON SAPPHO. + + Look upon Sappho's lip, and you will swear + There is a love-like leaven rising there. + + +988. A BACCHANALIAN VERSE. + + Drink up + Your cup, + But not spill wine; + For if you + Do, + 'Tis an ill sign; + + That we + Foresee + You are cloy'd here, + If so, no + Ho, + But avoid here. + + +989. CARE A GOOD KEEPER. + + _Care keeps the conquest; 'tis no less renown + To keep a city than to win a town._ + + +990. RULES FOR OUR REACH. + + Men must have bounds how far to walk; for we + Are made far worse by lawless liberty. + + +991. TO BIANCA. + + Ah, Bianca! now I see + It is noon and past with me: + In a while it will strike one; + Then, Bianca, I am gone. + Some effusions let me have + Offer'd on my holy grave; + Then, Bianca, let me rest + With my face towards the East. + + +992. TO THE HANDSOME MISTRESS GRACE POTTER. + + As is your name, so is your comely face + Touch'd everywhere with such diffused grace, + As that in all that admirable round + There is not one least solecism found; + And as that part, so every portion else + Keeps line for line with beauty's parallels. + + +993. ANACREONTIC. + + I must + Not trust + Here to any; + Bereav'd, + Deceiv'd + By so many: + As one + Undone + By my losses; + Comply + Will I + With my crosses; + Yet still + I will + Not be grieving, + Since thence + And hence + Comes relieving. + But this + Sweet is + In our mourning; + Times bad + And sad + Are a-turning: + And he + Whom we + See dejected, + Next day + We may + See erected. + + +994. MORE MODEST, MORE MANLY. + + 'Tis still observ'd those men most valiant are, + That are most modest ere they come to war. + + +995. NOT TO COVET MUCH WHERE LITTLE IS THE CHARGE. + + Why should we covet much, whenas we know + W'ave more to bear our charge than way to go? + + +996. ANACREONTIC VERSE. + + Brisk methinks I am, and fine + When I drink my cap'ring wine: + Then to love I do incline, + When I drink my wanton wine: + And I wish all maidens mine, + When I drink my sprightly wine: + Well I sup and well I dine, + When I drink my frolic wine; + But I languish, lower, and pine, + When I want my fragrant wine. + + +998. PATIENCE IN PRINCES. + + _Kings must not use the axe for each offence: + Princes cure some faults by their patience._ + + +999. FEAR GETS FORCE. + + _Despair takes heart, when there's no hope to speed: + The coward then takes arms and does the deed._ + + +1000. PARCEL-GILT POETRY. + + Let's strive to be the best; the gods, we know it, + Pillars and men, hate an indifferent poet. + + +1001. UPON LOVE, BY WAY OF QUESTION AND ANSWER. + + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Like and dislike ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Stroke ye to strike ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Love will befool ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + Ans. Heat ye to cool ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Love gifts will send ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Stock ye to spend ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Love will fulfil ye. + I bring ye love: _Quest._ What will love do? + _Ans._ Kiss ye to kill ye. + + +1002. TO THE LORD HOPTON, ON HIS FIGHT IN CORNWALL. + + Go on, brave Hopton, to effectuate that + Which we, and times to come, shall wonder at. + Lift up thy sword; next, suffer it to fall, + And by that one blow set an end to all. + + +1003. HIS GRANGE. + + How well contented in this private grange + Spend I my life, that's subject unto change: + Under whose roof with moss-work wrought, there I + Kiss my brown wife and black posterity. + + _Grange_, a farmstead. + + +1004. LEPROSY IN HOUSES. + + When to a house I come, and see + The Genius wasteful, more than free: + The servants thumbless, yet to eat + With lawless tooth the flour of wheat: + The sons to suck the milk of kine, + More than the teats of discipline: + The daughters wild and loose in dress, + Their cheeks unstained with shamefac'dness: + The husband drunk, the wife to be + A bawd to incivility; + I must confess, I there descry, + A house spread through with leprosy. + + _Thumbless_, lazy: cp. painful thumb, _supra_. + + +1005. GOOD MANNERS AT MEAT. + + This rule of manners I will teach my guests: + To come with their own bellies unto feasts; + Not to eat equal portions, but to rise + Farced with the food that may themselves suffice. + + _Farced_, stuffed. + + +1006. ANTHEA'S RETRACTATION. + + Anthea laugh'd, and fearing lest excess + Might stretch the cords of civil comeliness, + She with a dainty blush rebuk'd her face, + And call'd each line back to his rule and space. + + +1007. COMFORTS IN CROSSES. + + Be not dismayed though crosses cast thee down; + Thy fall is but the rising to a crown. + + +1008. SEEK AND FIND. + + _Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt; + Nothing's so hard but search will find it out._ + + +1009. REST. + + On with thy work, though thou be'st hardly press'd: + _Labour is held up by the hope of rest_. + + +1010. LEPROSY IN CLOTHES. + + When flowing garments I behold + Inspir'd with purple, pearl and gold, + I think no other, but I see + In them a glorious leprosy + That does infect and make the rent + More mortal in the vestiment. + _As flowery vestures do descry + The wearer's rich immodesty: + So plain and simple clothes do show + Where virtue walks, not those that flow._ + + +1012. GREAT MALADIES, LONG MEDICINES. + + _To an old sore a long cure must go on: + Great faults require great satisfaction._ + + +1013. HIS ANSWER TO A FRIEND. + + You ask me what I do, and how I live? + And, noble friend, this answer I must give: + Drooping, I draw on to the vaults of death, + O'er which you'll walk, when I am laid beneath. + + +1014. THE BEGGAR. + + Shall I a daily beggar be, + For love's sake asking alms of thee? + Still shall I crave, and never get + A hope of my desired bit? + Ah, cruel maids! I'll go my way, + Whereas, perchance, my fortunes may + Find out a threshold or a door + That may far sooner speed the poor: + Where thrice we knock, and none will hear, + Cold comfort still I'm sure lives there. + + +1015. BASTARDS. + + Our bastard children are but like to plate + Made by the coiners--illegitimate. + + +1016. HIS CHANGE. + + My many cares and much distress + Has made me like a wilderness; + Or, discompos'd, I'm like a rude + And all confused multitude: + Out of my comely manners worn, + And, as in means, in mind all torn. + + +1017. THE VISION. + + Methought I saw, as I did dream in bed, + A crawling vine about Anacreon's head. + Flushed was his face; his hairs with oil did shine; + And, as he spake, his mouth ran o'er with wine. + Tippled he was, and tippling lisped withal; + And lisping reeled, and reeling like to fall. + A young enchantress close by him did stand, + Tapping his plump thighs with a myrtle wand: + She smil'd; he kiss'd; and kissing, cull'd her too, + And being cup-shot, more he could not do. + For which, methought, in pretty anger she + Snatched off his crown, and gave the wreath to me; + Since when, methinks, my brains about do swim, + And I am wild and wanton like to him. + + _Cull'd_, embraced. + _Cup-shot_, drunk. + + +1018. A VOW TO VENUS. + + Happily I had a sight + Of my dearest dear last night; + Make her this day smile on me, + And I'll roses give to thee. + + +1019. ON HIS BOOK. + + The bound, almost, now of my book I see, + But yet no end of these therein, or me: + Here we begin new life, while thousands quite + Are lost, and theirs, in everlasting night. + + +1020. A SONNET OF PERILLA. + + Then did I live when I did see + Perilla smile on none but me. + But, ah! by stars malignant crossed, + The life I got I quickly lost; + But yet a way there doth remain + For me embalm'd to live again, + And that's to love me; in which state + I'll live as one regenerate. + + +1021. BAD MAY BE BETTER. + + Man may at first transgress, but next do well: + _Vice doth in some but lodge a while, not dwell_. + + +1022. POSTING TO PRINTING. + + Let others to the printing press run fast; + Since after death comes glory, I'll not haste. + + +1023. RAPINE BRINGS RUIN. + + What's got by justice is established sure: + _No kingdoms got by rapine long endure_. + + +1024. COMFORT TO A YOUTH THAT HAD LOST HIS LOVE. + + What needs complaints, + When she a place + Has with the race + Of saints? + In endless mirth, + She thinks not on + What's said or done + In earth. + She sees no tears, + Or any tone + Of thy deep groan + She hears: + Nor does she mind, + Or think on't now, + That ever thou + Wast kind; + But chang'd above, + She likes not there. + As she did here, + Thy love. + Forbear, therefore, + And lull asleep + Thy woes, and weep + No more. + + +1026. SAINT DISTAFF'S DAY, OR THE MORROW AFTER TWELFTH DAY. + + Partly work and partly play + Ye must on S. Distaff's day: + From the plough soon free your team, + Then come home and fodder them. + If the maids a-spinning go, + Burn the flax and fire the tow; + Scorch their plackets, but beware + That ye singe no maidenhair. + Bring in pails of water, then, + Let the maids bewash the men. + Give S. Distaff all the right, + Then bid Christmas sport good-night; + And next morrow everyone + To his own vocation. + + _Plackets_, petticoats. + + +1027. SUFFERANCE. + + In the hope of ease to come, + Let's endure one martyrdom. + + +1028. HIS TEARS TO THAMESIS. + + I send, I send here my supremest kiss + To thee, my silver-footed Thamesis. + No more shall I reiterate thy Strand, + Whereon so many stately structures stand: + Nor in the summer's sweeter evenings go + To bathe in thee, as thousand others do; + No more shall I along thy crystal glide + In barge with boughs and rushes beautifi'd, + With soft-smooth virgins for our chaste disport, + To Richmond, Kingston, and to Hampton Court. + Never again shall I with finny oar + Put from, or draw unto the faithful shore: + And landing here, or safely landing there, + Make way to my beloved Westminster, + Or to the golden Cheapside, where the earth + Of Julia Herrick gave to me my birth. + May all clean nymphs and curious water-dames + With swan-like state float up and down thy streams: + No drought upon thy wanton waters fall + To make them lean and languishing at all. + No ruffling winds come hither to disease + Thy pure and silver-wristed Naiades. + Keep up your state, ye streams; and as ye spring, + Never make sick your banks by surfeiting. + Grow young with tides, and though I see ye never, + Receive this vow, so fare ye well for ever. + + _Reiterate_, retread. + + +1029. PARDONS. + + Those ends in war the best contentment bring, + _Whose peace is made up with a pardoning_. + + +1030. PEACE NOT PERMANENT. + + _Great cities seldom rest; if there be none + T' invade from far, they'll find worse foes at home._ + + +1031. TRUTH AND ERROR. + + _'Twixt truth and error there's this difference known; + Error is fruitful, truth is only one._ + + +1032. THINGS MORTAL STILL MUTABLE. + + _Things are uncertain, and the more we get, + The more on icy pavements we are set._ + + +1033. STUDIES TO BE SUPPORTED. + + _Studies themselves will languish and decay, + When either price or praise is ta'en away._ + + +1034. WIT PUNISHED, PROSPERS MOST. + + Dread not the shackles: on with thine intent; + _Good wits get more fame by their punishment_. + + +1035. TWELFTH NIGHT: OR, KING AND QUEEN. + + Now, now the mirth comes + With the cake full of plums, + Where bean's the king of the sport here; + Beside we must know, + The pea also + Must revel, as queen, in the court here. + + Begin then to choose, + This night as ye use, + Who shall for the present delight here, + Be a king by the lot, + And who shall not + Be Twelfth-day queen for the night here. + + Which known, let us make + Joy-sops with the cake; + And let not a man then be seen here, + Who unurg'd will not drink + To the base from the brink + A health to the king and the queen here. + + Next crown the bowl full + With gentle lamb's wool: + Add sugar, nutmeg, and ginger, + With store of ale too; + And thus ye must do + To make the wassail a swinger. + + Give then to the king + And queen wassailing: + And though with ale ye be whet here, + Yet part ye from hence, + As free from offence + As when ye innocent met here. + + +1036. HIS DESIRE. + + Give me a man that is not dull + When all the world with rifts is full; + But unamaz'd dares clearly sing, + Whenas the roof's a-tottering: + And, though it falls, continues still + Tickling the cittern with his quill. + + _Cittern_, a kind of lute; _quill_, the plectrum for striking it. + + +1037. CAUTION IN COUNSEL. + + Know when to speak; for many times it brings + Danger to give the best advice to kings. + + +1038. MODERATION. + + Let moderation on thy passions wait; + Who loves too much, too much the lov'd will hate. + + +1039. ADVICE THE BEST ACTOR. + + _Still take advice; though counsels, when they fly + At random, sometimes hit most happily._ + + +1040. CONFORMITY IS COMELY. + + _Conformity gives comeliness to things: + And equal shares exclude all murmurings._ + + +1041. LAWS. + + Who violates the customs, hurts the health, + Not of one man, but all the commonwealth. + + +1042. THE MEAN. + + 'Tis much among the filthy to be clean; + _Our heat of youth can hardly keep the mean_. + + +1043. LIKE LOVES HIS LIKE. + + Like will to like, each creature loves his kind; + Chaste words proceed still from a bashful mind. + + +1044. HIS HOPE OR SHEET ANCHOR. + + Among these tempests great and manifold + My ship has here one only anchor-hold; + That is my hope, which if that slip, I'm one + Wildered in this vast wat'ry region. + + +1045. COMFORT IN CALAMITY. + + 'Tis no discomfort in the world to fall, + When the great crack not crushes one, but all. + + +1046. TWILIGHT. + + The twilight is no other thing, we say, + Than night now gone, and yet not sprung the day. + + +1047. FALSE MOURNING. + + He who wears blacks, and mourns not for the dead, + Does but deride the party buried. + + _Blacks_, mourning garments. + + +1048. THE WILL MAKES THE WORK; OR, CONSENT MAKES THE CURE. + + No grief is grown so desperate, but the ill + Is half way cured if the party will. + + +1049. DIET. + + If wholesome diet can recure a man, + What need of physic or physician? + + +1050. SMART. + + Stripes, justly given, yerk us with their fall; + But causeless whipping smarts the most of all. + + +1051. THE TINKER'S SONG. + + Along, come along, + Let's meet in a throng + Here of tinkers; + And quaff up a bowl + As big as a cowl + To beer drinkers. + The pole of the hop + Place in the aleshop + To bethwack us, + If ever we think + So much as to drink + Unto Bacchus. + Who frolic will be + For little cost, he + Must not vary + From beer-broth at all, + So much as to call + For Canary. + + +1052. HIS COMFORT. + + The only comfort of my life + Is, that I never yet had wife; + Nor will hereafter; since I know + Who weds, o'er-buys his weal with woe + + +1053. SINCERITY. + + Wash clean the vessel, lest ye sour + Whatever liquor in ye pour. + + +1054. TO ANTHEA. + + Sick is Anthea, sickly is the spring, + The primrose sick, and sickly everything; + The while my dear Anthea does but droop, + The tulips, lilies, daffodils do stoop: + But when again she's got her healthful hour, + Each bending then will rise a proper flower. + + +1055. NOR BUYING OR SELLING. + + Now, if you love me, tell me, + For as I will not sell ye, + So not one cross to buy thee + I'll give, if thou deny me. + + _Cross_, a coin. + + +1056. TO HIS PECULIAR FRIEND, M. JO. WICKS. + + Since shed or cottage I have none, + I sing the more, that thou hast one + To whose glad threshold, and free door, + I may a poet come, though poor, + And eat with thee a savoury bit, + Paying but common thanks for it. + Yet should I chance, my Wicks, to see + An over-leaven look in thee, + To sour the bread, and turn the beer + To an exalted vinegar: + Or should'st thou prize me as a dish + Of thrice-boiled worts, or third-day's fish; + I'd rather hungry go and come, + Than to thy house be burdensome; + Yet, in my depth of grief, I'd be + One that should drop his beads for thee. + + _Worts_, cabbages. + _Drop his beads_, _i.e._, pray. + + +1057. THE MORE MIGHTY, THE MORE MERCIFUL. + + _Who may do most, does least: the bravest will + Show mercy there, where they have power to kill._ + + +1058. AFTER AUTUMN, WINTER. + + Die ere long, I'm sure, I shall; + After leaves, the tree must fall. + + +1059. A GOOD DEATH. + + For truth I may this sentence tell, + _No man dies ill, that liveth well_. + + +1060. RECOMPENSE. + + Who plants an olive, but to eat the oil? + _Reward, we know, is the chief end of toil_. + + +1061. ON FORTUNE. + + This is my comfort when she's most unkind: + She can but spoil me of my means, not mind. + + +1062. TO SIR GEORGE PARRY, DOCTOR OF THE CIVIL LAW. + + I have my laurel chaplet on my head + If, 'mongst these many numbers to be read, + But one by you be hugg'd and cherished. + + Peruse my measures thoroughly, and where + Your judgment finds a guilty poem, there + Be you a judge; but not a judge severe. + + The mean pass by, or over, none contemn; + The good applaud; the peccant less condemn, + Since absolution you can give to them. + + Stand forth, brave man, here to the public sight; + And in my book now claim a twofold right: + The first as doctor, and the last as knight. + + +1063. CHARMS. + + This I'll tell ye by the way: + Maidens, when ye leavens lay, + Cross your dough, and your dispatch + Will be better for your batch. + + +1064. ANOTHER. + + In the morning when ye rise, + Wash your hands and cleanse your eyes. + Next be sure ye have a care + To disperse the water far; + For as far as that doth light, + So far keeps the evil sprite. + + +1065. ANOTHER. + + If ye fear to be affrighted + When ye are by chance benighted, + In your pocket for a trust + Carry nothing but a crust: + For that holy piece of bread + Charms the danger and the dread. + + +1067. GENTLENESS. + + _That prince must govern with a gentle hand + Who will have love comply with his command._ + + +1068. A DIALOGUE BETWEEN HIMSELF AND MISTRESS ELIZA WHEELER, UNDER THE +NAME OF AMARYLLIS. + + _Her._ My dearest love, since thou wilt go, + And leave me here behind thee, + For love or pity let me know + The place where I may find thee. + + _Ama._ In country meadows pearl'd with dew, + And set about with lilies, + There, filling maunds with cowslips, you + May find your Amaryllis. + + _Her._ What have the meads to do with thee, + Or with thy youthful hours? + Live thou at Court, where thou mayst be + The queen of men, not flowers. + + Let country wenches make 'em fine + With posies, since 'tis fitter + For thee with richest gems to shine, + And like the stars to glitter. + + _Ama._ You set too high a rate upon + A shepherdess so homely. + _Her._ Believe it, dearest, there's not one + I' th' Court that's half so comely. + + I prithee stay. _Ama._ I must away; + Let's kiss first, then we'll sever. + _Ambo._ And though we bid adieu to-day, + We shall not part for ever. + + _Maunds_, baskets. + + +1069. TO JULIA. + + Help me, Julia, for to pray, + Matins sing, or matins say: + This, I know, the fiend will fly + Far away, if thou be'st by. + Bring the holy water hither, + Let us wash and pray together; + When our beads are thus united, + Then the foe will fly affrighted. + + _Beads_, prayers. + + +1070. TO ROSES IN JULIA'S BOSOM. + + Roses, you can never die, + Since the place wherein ye lie, + Heat and moisture mix'd are so + As to make ye ever grow. + + +1071. TO THE HONOURED MASTER ENDYMION PORTER. + + When to thy porch I come and ravish'd see + The state of poets there attending thee, + Those bards and I, all in a chorus sing: + We are thy prophets, Porter, thou our king. + + +1072. SPEAK IN SEASON. + + When times are troubled, then forbear; but speak + When a clear day out of a cloud does break. + + +1073. OBEDIENCE. + + The power of princes rests in the consent + Of only those who are obedient: + Which if away, proud sceptres then will lie + Low, and of thrones the ancient majesty. + + +1074. ANOTHER OF THE SAME. + + _No man so well a kingdom rules as he + Who hath himself obeyed the sovereignty._ + + +1075. OF LOVE. + + 1. Instruct me now what love will do. + 2. 'Twill make a tongueless man to woo. + 1. Inform me next, what love will do. + 2. 'Twill strangely make a one of two. + 1. Teach me besides, what love will do. + 2. 'Twill quickly mar, and make ye too. + 1. Tell me now last, what love will do. + 2. 'Twill hurt and heal a heart pierc'd through. + + +1076. UPON TRAP. + + Trap of a player turn'd a priest now is: + Behold a sudden metamorphosis. + If tithe-pigs fail, then will he shift the scene, + And from a priest turn player once again. + + +1080. THE SCHOOL OR PEARL OF PUTNEY, THE MISTRESS OF ALL SINGULAR +MANNERS, MISTRESS PORTMAN. + + Whether I was myself, or else did see + Out of myself that glorious hierarchy; + Or whether those, in orders rare, or these + Made up one state of sixty Venuses; + Or whether fairies, syrens, nymphs they were, + Or muses on their mountain sitting there; + Or some enchanted place, I do not know, + Or Sharon, where eternal roses grow. + This I am sure: I ravished stood, as one + Confus'd in utter admiration. + Methought I saw them stir, and gently move, + And look as all were capable of love; + And in their motion smelt much like to flowers + Inspir'd by th' sunbeams after dews and showers. + There did I see the reverend rectress stand, + Who with her eye's gleam, or a glance of hand, + Those spirits raised; and with like precepts then, + As with a magic, laid them all again. + _A happy realm! When no compulsive law, + Or fear of it, but love keeps all in awe._ + Live you, great mistress of your arts, and be + A nursing mother so to majesty, + As those your ladies may in time be seen, + For grace and carriage, everyone a queen. + One birth their parents gave them; but their new, + And better being, they receive from you. + _Man's former birth is graceless; but the state + Of life comes in, when he's regenerate._ + + +1081. TO PERENNA. + + Thou say'st I'm dull; if edgeless so I be, + I'll whet my lips, and sharpen love on thee. + + +1082. ON HIMSELF. + + Let me not live if I not love: + Since I as yet did never prove + Where pleasures met, at last do find + All pleasures meet in womankind. + + +1083. ON LOVE. + + That love 'twixt men does ever longest last + Where war and peace the dice by turns do cast. + + +1084. ANOTHER ON LOVE. + + Love's of itself too sweet; the best of all + Is, when love's honey has a dash of gall. + + +1086. UPON CHUB. + + When Chub brings in his harvest, still he cries, + "Aha, my boys! here's meat for Christmas pies!" + Soon after he for beer so scores his wheat, + That at the tide he has not bread to eat. + + +1087. PLEASURES PERNICIOUS. + + Where pleasures rule a kingdom, never there + Is sober virtue seen to move her sphere. + + +1088. ON HIMSELF. + + A wearied pilgrim, I have wandered here + Twice five-and-twenty, bate me but one year; + Long I have lasted in this world, 'tis true, + But yet those years that I have lived, but few. + Who by his grey hairs doth his lusters tell, + Lives not those years, but he that lives them well. + One man has reach'd his sixty years, but he + Of all those threescore, has not liv'd half three. + _He lives, who lives to virtue; men who cast + Their ends for pleasure, do not live, but last._ + + _Luster_, five years. + + +1089. TO M. LAURENCE SWETNAHAM. + + Read thou my lines, my Swetnaham; if there be + A fault, 'tis hid if it be voic'd by thee. + Thy mouth will make the sourest numbers please: + How will it drop pure honey speaking these! + + +1090. HIS COVENANT; OR, PROTESTATION TO JULIA. + + Why dost thou wound and break my heart, + As if we should for ever part? + Hast thou not heard an oath from me, + After a day, or two, or three, + I would come back and live with thee? + Take, if thou dost distrust that vow, + This second protestation now. + Upon thy cheek that spangled tear, + Which sits as dew of roses there, + That tear shall scarce be dried before + I'll kiss the threshold of thy door. + Then weep not, sweet; but thus much know, + I'm half return'd before I go. + + +1091. ON HIMSELF. + + I will no longer kiss, + I can no longer stay; + The way of all flesh is + That I must go this day. + Since longer I can't live, + My frolic youths, adieu; + My lamp to you I'll give, + And all my troubles too. + + +1092. TO THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED GENTLEMAN, M. MICHAEL OULSWORTH. + + Nor think that thou in this my book art worst, + Because not plac'd here with the midst, or first. + Since fame that sides with these, or goes before + Those, that must live with thee for evermore; + That fame, and fame's rear'd pillar, thou shalt see + In the next sheet, brave man, to follow thee. + Fix on that column then, and never fall, + Held up by Fame's eternal pedestal. + + _In the next sheet._ See 1129. + + +1093. TO HIS GIRLS, WHO WOULD HAVE HIM SPORTFUL. + + Alas! I can't, for tell me, how + Can I be gamesome, aged now? + Besides, ye see me daily grow + Here, winter-like, to frost and snow; + And I, ere long, my girls, shall see + Ye quake for cold to look on me. + + +1094. TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD. + + _Truth by her own simplicity is known, + Falsehood by varnish and vermilion._ + + +1095. HIS LAST REQUEST TO JULIA. + + I have been wanton and too bold, I fear, + To chafe o'ermuch the virgin's cheek or ear. + Beg for my pardon, Julia: _he doth win + Grace with the gods who's sorry for his sin_. + That done, my Julia, dearest Julia, come + And go with me to choose my burial room: + My fates are ended; when thy Herrick dies, + Clasp thou his book, then close thou up his eyes. + + +1096. ON HIMSELF. + + One ear tingles; some there be + That are snarling now at me: + Be they those that Homer bit, + I will give them thanks for it. + + +1097. UPON KINGS. + + _Kings must be dauntless; subjects will contemn + Those who want hearts and wear a diadem._ + + +1098. TO HIS GIRLS. + + Wanton wenches, do not bring + For my hairs black colouring: + For my locks, girls, let 'em be + Grey or white, all's one to me. + + +1100. TO HIS BROTHER, NICHOLAS HERRICK. + + What others have with cheapness seen and ease + In varnish'd maps, by th' help of compasses, + Or read in volumes and those books with all + Their large narrations incanonical, + Thou hast beheld those seas and countries far, + And tell'st to us what once they were, and are. + So that with bold truth thou can'st now relate + This kingdom's fortune, and that empire's fate: + Can'st talk to us of Sharon, where a spring + Of roses have an endless flourishing; + Of Sion, Sinai, Nebo, and with them + Make known to us the new Jerusalem; + The Mount of Olives, Calvary, and where + Is, and hast seen, thy Saviour's sepulchre. + So that the man that will but lay his ears + As inapostate to the thing he hears, + Shall by his hearing quickly come to see + The truth of travels less in books than thee. + + _Large_, exaggerated. + _Incanonical_, untrustworthy. + + +1101. THE VOICE AND VIOL. + + Rare is the voice itself: but when we sing + To th' lute or viol, then 'tis ravishing. + + +1102. WAR. + + If kings and kingdoms once distracted be, + The sword of war must try the sovereignty + + +1103. A KING AND NO KING. + + _That prince who may do nothing but what's just, + Rules but by leave, and takes his crown on trust._ + + +1104. PLOTS NOT STILL PROSPEROUS. + + All are not ill plots that do sometimes fail; + Nor those false vows which ofttimes don't prevail. + + +1105. FLATTERY. + + What is't that wastes a prince? example shows, + 'Tis flattery spends a king, more than his foes. + + +1109. EXCESS. + + Excess is sluttish: keep the mean; for why? + Virtue's clean conclave is sobriety. + + _Conclave_, guard. + + +1111. THE SOUL IS THE SALT. + + The body's salt the soul is; which when gone, + The flesh soon sucks in putrefaction. + + +1117. ABSTINENCE. + + Against diseases here the strongest fence + Is the defensive virtue, abstinence. + + +1118. NO DANGER TO MEN DESPERATE. + + When fear admits no hope of safety, then + Necessity makes dastards valiant men. + + +1119. SAUCE FOR SORROWS. + + Although our suffering meet with no relief, + _An equal mind is the best sauce for grief_. + + +1120. TO CUPID. + + I have a leaden, thou a shaft of gold; + Thou kill'st with heat, and I strike dead with cold. + Let's try of us who shall the first expire; + Or thou by frost, or I by quenchless fire: + _Extremes are fatal where they once do strike, + And bring to th' heart destruction both alike_. + + +1121. DISTRUST. + + Whatever men for loyalty pretend, + _'Tis wisdom's part to doubt a faithful friend_. + + +1123. THE MOUNT OF THE MUSES. + + After thy labour take thine ease, + Here with the sweet Pierides. + But if so be that men will not + Give thee the laurel crown for lot; + Be yet assur'd, thou shall have one + Not subject to corruption. + + +1124. ON HIMSELF. + + I'll write no more of love; but now repent + Of all those times that I in it have spent. + I'll write no more of life; but wish 'twas ended, + And that my dust was to the earth commended. + + +1125. TO HIS BOOK. + + Go thou forth, my book, though late: + Yet be timely fortunate. + It may chance good luck may send + Thee a kinsman, or a friend, + That may harbour thee, when I + With my fates neglected lie. + If thou know'st not where to dwell, + See, the fire's by: farewell. + + +1126. THE END OF HIS WORK. + + Part of the work remains; one part is past: + And here my ship rides, having anchor cast. + + +1127. TO CROWN IT. + + My wearied bark, O let it now be crown'd! + The haven reach'd to which I first was bound. + + +1128. ON HIMSELF. + + The work is done: young men and maidens, set + Upon my curls the myrtle coronet + Washed with sweet ointments: thus at last I come + To suffer in the Muses' martyrdom; + But with this comfort, if my blood be shed, + The Muses will wear blacks when I am dead. + + _Blacks_, mourning garments. + + +1129. THE PILLAR OF FAME. + + Fame's pillar here, at last, we set, + Outduring marble, brass, or jet. + Charm'd and enchanted so + As to withstand the blow + Of o v e r t h r o w; + Nor shall the seas, + Or o u t r a g e s + Of storms o'erbear + What we uprear. + Tho' kingdoms fall, + This pillar never shall + Decline or waste at all; + But stand for ever by his own + Firm and well-fix'd foundation. + + + To his book's end this last line he'd have placed: + _Jocund his muse was, but his life was chaste_. + + + + + HIS + + NOBLE NUMBERS: + + _OR_, + + HIS PIOUS PIECES, + + Wherein (amongst other things) + + he sings the Birth of his CHRIST; + and sighes for his _Saviours_ suffering + on the _Crosse_. + + + HESIOD. + + {Idmen pseudea polla legein etymoisin homoia. + Idmen d', eut' ethelomen, alethea mythesasthai.} + + [Illustration] + + + LONDON + Printed for _John Williams_, and _Francis Eglesfield_. + 1647. + + + + + HIS NOBLE NUMBERS: + + OR, + + HIS PIOUS PIECES. + + +1. HIS CONFESSION. + + Look how our foul days do exceed our fair; + And as our bad, more than our good works are, + E'en so those lines, pen'd by my wanton wit, + Treble the number of these good I've writ. + Things precious are least numerous: men are prone + To do ten bad for one good action. + + +2. HIS PRAYER FOR ABSOLUTION. + + For those my unbaptised rhymes, + Writ in my wild unhallowed times; + For every sentence, clause, and word, + That's not inlaid with Thee, my Lord, + Forgive me, God, and blot each line + Out of my book that is not Thine. + But if, 'mongst all, thou find'st here one + Worthy Thy benediction; + That one of all the rest shall be + The glory of my work and me. + + +3. TO FIND GOD. + + Weigh me the fire; or canst thou find + A way to measure out the wind; + Distinguish all those floods that are + Mix'd in that watery theatre; + And taste thou them as saltless there + As in their channel first they were. + Tell me the people that do keep + Within the kingdoms of the deep; + Or fetch me back that cloud again + Beshiver'd into seeds of rain; + Tell me the motes, dust, sands, and spears + Of corn, when summer shakes his ears; + Show me that world of stars, and whence + They noiseless spill their influence: + This if thou canst, then show me Him + That rides the glorious cherubim. + + _Keep_, abide. + + +4. WHAT GOD IS. + + God is above the sphere of our esteem, + And is the best known, not defining Him. + + +5. UPON GOD. + + God is not only said to be + An Ens, but Supraentity. + + +6. MERCY AND LOVE. + + God hath two wings which He doth ever move; + The one is mercy, and the next is love: + Under the first the sinners ever trust; + And with the last He still directs the just. + + +7. GOD'S ANGER WITHOUT AFFECTION. + + God when He's angry here with anyone, + His wrath is free from perturbation; + And when we think His looks are sour and grim, + The alteration is in us, not Him. + + +8. GOD NOT TO BE COMPREHENDED. + + 'Tis hard to find God, but to comprehend + Him, as He is, is labour without end. + + +9. GOD'S PART. + + Prayers and praises are those spotless two + Lambs, by the law, which God requires as due. + + +10. AFFLICTION. + + God ne'er afflicts us more than our desert, + Though He may seem to overact His part: + Sometimes He strikes us more than flesh can bear; + But yet still less than grace can suffer here. + + +11. THREE FATAL SISTERS. + + Three fatal sisters wait upon each sin; + First, fear and shame without, then guilt within. + + +12. SILENCE. + + Suffer thy legs, but not thy tongue to walk: + God, the Most Wise, is sparing of His talk. + + +13. MIRTH. + + True mirth resides not in the smiling skin: + The sweetest solace is to act no sin. + + +14. LOADING AND UNLOADING. + + God loads and unloads, thus His work begins, + To load with blessings and unload from sins. + + +15. GOD'S MERCY. + + God's boundless mercy is, to sinful man, + Like to the ever-wealthy ocean: + Which though it sends forth thousand streams, 'tis ne'er + Known, or else seen, to be the emptier; + And though it takes all in, 'tis yet no more + Full, and fill'd full, than when full fill'd before. + + +16. PRAYERS MUST HAVE POISE. + + God, He rejects all prayers that are slight + And want their poise: words ought to have their weight. + + +17. TO GOD: AN ANTHEM SUNG IN THE CHAPEL AT WHITEHALL BEFORE THE KING. + + _Verse._ My God, I'm wounded by my sin, + And sore without, and sick within. + _Ver. Chor._ I come to Thee, in hope to find + Salve for my body and my mind. + _Verse._ In Gilead though no balm be found + To ease this smart or cure this wound, + _Ver. Chor._ Yet, Lord, I know there is with Thee + All saving health, and help for me. + _Verse._ Then reach Thou forth that hand of Thine, + That pours in oil, as well as wine, + _Ver. Chor._ And let it work, for I'll endure + The utmost smart, so Thou wilt cure. + + +18. UPON GOD. + + God is all fore-part; for, we never see + Any part backward in the Deity. + + +19. CALLING AND CORRECTING. + + God is not only merciful to call + Men to repent, but when He strikes withal. + + +20. NO ESCAPING THE SCOURGING. + + God scourgeth some severely, some He spares; + But all in smart have less or greater shares. + + +21. THE ROD. + + God's rod doth watch while men do sleep, and then + The rod doth sleep, while vigilant are men. + + +22. GOD HAS A TWOFOLD PART. + + God, when for sin He makes His children smart, + His own He acts not, but another's part; + But when by stripes He saves them, then 'tis known + He comes to play the part that is His own. + + +23. GOD IS ONE. + + God, as He is most holy known, + So He is said to be most one. + + +24. PERSECUTIONS PROFITABLE. + + Afflictions they most profitable are + To the beholder and the sufferer: + Bettering them both, but by a double strain, + The first by patience, and the last by pain. + + +25. TO GOD. + + Do with me, God, as Thou didst deal with John, + Who writ that heavenly Revelation. + Let me, like him, first cracks of thunder hear, + Then let the harps enchantments stroke mine ear: + Here give me thorns, there, in Thy kingdom, set + Upon my head the golden coronet; + There give me day; but here my dreadful night: + My sackcloth here; but there my stole of white. + + _Stroke_, text _strike_. + + +26. WHIPS. + + God has His whips here to a twofold end: + The bad to punish, and the good t' amend. + +27. GOD'S PROVIDENCE. + + If all transgressions here should have their pay, + What need there then be of a reckoning day? + If God should punish no sin here of men, + His providence who would not question then? + + +28. TEMPTATION. + + Those saints which God loves best, + The devil tempts not least. + + +29. HIS EJACULATION TO GOD. + + My God! look on me with Thine eye + Of pity, not of scrutiny; + For if Thou dost, Thou then shalt see + Nothing but loathsome sores in me. + O then, for mercy's sake, behold + These my eruptions manifold, + And heal me with Thy look or touch; + But if Thou wilt not deign so much, + Because I'm odious in Thy sight, + Speak but the word, and cure me quite. + + +30. GOD'S GIFTS NOT SOON GRANTED. + + God hears us when we pray, but yet defers + His gifts, to exercise petitioners; + And though a while He makes requesters stay, + With princely hand He'll recompense delay. + + +31. PERSECUTIONS PURIFY. + + God strikes His Church, but 'tis to this intent, + To make, not mar her, by this punishment; + So where He gives the bitter pills, be sure + 'Tis not to poison, but to make thee pure. + + +32. PARDON. + + God pardons those who do through frailty sin, + But never those that persevere therein. + + +33. AN ODE OF THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOUR. + + In numbers, and but these few, + I sing Thy birth, O JESU! + Thou pretty baby, born here, + With sup'rabundant scorn here; + Who for Thy princely port here, + Hadst for Thy place + Of birth a base + Out-stable for Thy court here. + + Instead of neat enclosures + Of interwoven osiers, + Instead of fragrant posies + Of daffodils and roses, + Thy cradle, Kingly Stranger, + As Gospel tells, + Was nothing else + But here a homely manger. + + But we with silks, not crewels, + With sundry precious jewels, + And lily-work will dress Thee; + And as we dispossess Thee + Of clouts, we'll make a chamber, + Sweet babe, for Thee + Of ivory, + And plaister'd round with amber. + + The Jews they did disdain Thee, + But we will entertain Thee + With glories to await here, + Upon Thy princely state here; + And more for love than pity, + From year to year, + We'll make Thee, here, + A freeborn of our city. + + _Crewels_, worsteds. + _Clouts_, rags. + + +34. LIP-LABOUR. + + In the old Scripture I have often read, + The calf without meal ne'er was offered; + To figure to us nothing more than this, + Without the heart lip-labour nothing is. + + +35. THE HEART. + + In prayer the lips ne'er act the winning part, + Without the sweet concurrence of the heart. + + +36. EARRINGS. + + Why wore th' Egyptians jewels in the ear? + But for to teach us, all the grace is there, + When we obey, by acting what we hear. + + +37. SIN SEEN. + + When once the sin has fully acted been, + Then is the horror of the trespass seen. + + +38. UPON TIME. + + Time was upon + The wing, to fly away; + And I call'd on + Him but awhile to stay; + But he'd be gone, + For ought that I could say. + + He held out then + A writing, as he went; + And ask'd me, when + False man would be content + To pay again + What God and Nature lent. + + An hour-glass, + In which were sands but few, + As he did pass, + He show'd, and told me, too, + Mine end near was; + And so away he flew. + + +39. HIS PETITION. + + If war or want shall make me grow so poor, + As for to beg my bread from door to door; + Lord! let me never act that beggar's part, + Who hath Thee in his mouth, not in his heart: + He who asks alms in that so sacred Name, + Without due reverence, plays the cheater's game. + + +40. TO GOD. + + Thou hast promis'd, Lord, to be + With me in my misery; + Suffer me to be so bold + As to speak, Lord, say and hold. + + +41. HIS LITANY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. + + In the hour of my distress, + When temptations me oppress, + And when I my sins confess, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When I lie within my bed, + Sick in heart and sick in head, + And with doubts discomforted, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the house doth sigh and weep, + And the world is drown'd in sleep, + Yet mine eyes the watch do keep, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the artless doctor sees + No one hope, but of his fees, + And his skill runs on the lees, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When his potion and his pill + Has, or none, or little skill, + Meet for nothing, but to kill; + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the passing bell doth toll, + And the furies in a shoal + Come to fright a parting soul, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the tapers now burn blue, + And the comforters are few, + And that number more than true, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the priest his last hath prayed, + And I nod to what is said, + 'Cause my speech is now decayed, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When, God knows, I'm toss'd about, + Either with despair, or doubt; + Yet before the glass be out, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the tempter me pursu'th + With the sins of all my youth, + And half damns me with untruth, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the flames and hellish cries + Fright mine ears, and fright mine eyes, + And all terrors me surprise, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + When the judgment is reveal'd, + And that open'd which was seal'd, + When to Thee I have appeal'd, + Sweet Spirit, comfort me! + + +42. THANKSGIVING. + + Thanksgiving for a former, doth invite + God to bestow a second benefit. + + +43. COCK-CROW. + + Bellman of night, if I about shall go + For to deny my Master, do thou crow. + Thou stop'dst St. Peter in the midst of sin; + Stay me, by crowing, ere I do begin: + Better it is, premonish'd for to shun + A sin, than fall to weeping when 'tis done. + + +44. ALL THINGS RUN WELL FOR THE RIGHTEOUS. + + Adverse and prosperous fortunes both work on + Here, for the righteous man's salvation; + Be he oppos'd, or be he not withstood, + All serve to th' augmentation of his good. + + +45. PAIN ENDS IN PLEASURE. + + Afflictions bring us joy in times to come, + When sins, by stripes, to us grow wearisome. + + +46. TO GOD. + + I'll come, I'll creep, though Thou dost threat, + Humbly unto Thy mercy-seat: + When I am there, this then I'll do, + Give Thee a dart, and dagger too; + Next, when I have my faults confessed, + Naked I'll show a sighing breast; + Which if that can't Thy pity woo, + Then let Thy justice do the rest + And strike it through. + + +47. A THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR HIS HOUSE. + + Lord, Thou hast given me a cell + Wherein to dwell; + A little house, whose humble roof + Is weather-proof; + Under the spars of which I lie + Both soft and dry; + Where Thou my chamber for to ward + Hast set a guard + Of harmless thoughts, to watch and keep + Me, while I sleep. + Low is my porch, as is my fate, + Both void of state; + And yet the threshold of my door + Is worn by th' poor, + Who thither come, and freely get + Good words or meat; + Like as my parlour, so my hall + And kitchen's small; + A little buttery, and therein + A little bin + Which keeps my little loaf of bread + Unclipt, unflead. + Some brittle sticks of thorn or briar + Make me a fire, + Close by whose living coal I sit, + And glow like it. + Lord, I confess, too, when I dine, + The pulse is Thine, + And all those other bits, that be + There placed by Thee; + The worts, the purslain, and the mess + Of water-cress, + Which of Thy kindness Thou hast sent; + And my content + Makes those, and my beloved beet, + To be more sweet. + 'Tis Thou that crown'st my glittering hearth + With guiltless mirth; + And giv'st me wassail bowls to drink, + Spiced to the brink. + Lord, 'tis Thy plenty-dropping hand, + That soils my land; + And giv'st me for my bushel sown, + Twice ten for one. + Thou mak'st my teeming hen to lay + Her egg each day; + Besides my healthful ewes to bear + Me twins each year, + The while the conduits of my kine + Run cream for wine. + All these, and better Thou dost send + Me, to this end, + That I should render, for my part, + A thankful heart; + Which, fired with incense, I resign, + As wholly Thine; + But the acceptance, that must be, + My Christ, by Thee. + + _Unflead_, lit. unflay'd. + _Purslain_, an herb. + + +48. TO GOD. + + Make, make me Thine, my gracious God, + Or with Thy staff, or with Thy rod; + And be the blow, too, what it will, + Lord, I will kiss it, though it kill: + Beat me, bruise me, rack me, rend me, + Yet, in torments, I'll commend Thee; + Examine me with fire, and prove me + To the full, yet I will love Thee; + Nor shall Thou give so deep a wound + But I as patient will be found. + + +49. ANOTHER TO GOD. + + Lord, do not beat me, + Since I do sob and cry, + And swoon away to die, + Ere Thou dost threat me. + Lord, do not scourge me, + If I by lies and oaths + Have soil'd myself or clothes, + But rather purge me. + + +50. NONE TRULY HAPPY HERE. + + Happy's that man to whom God gives + A stock of goods, whereby he lives + Near to the wishes of his heart: + No man is blest through every part. + + +51. TO HIS EVER-LOVING GOD. + + Can I not come to Thee, my God, for these + So very many meeting hindrances, + That slack my pace, but yet not make me stay? + Who slowly goes, rids, in the end, his way. + Clear Thou my paths, or shorten Thou my miles, + Remove the bars, or lift me o'er the stiles; + Since rough the way is, help me when I call, + And take me up; or else prevent the fall. + I ken my home, and it affords some ease + To see far off the smoking villages. + Fain would I rest, yet covet not to die + For fear of future biting penury: + No, no, my God, Thou know'st my wishes be + To leave this life, not loving it, but Thee. + + _Rids way_, gets over the ground. + + +52. ANOTHER. + + Thou bid'st me come; I cannot come; for why? + Thou dwell'st aloft, and I want wings to fly. + To mount my soul, she must have pinions given; + For 'tis no easy way from earth to heaven. + + +53. TO DEATH. + + Thou bid'st me come away, + And I'll no longer stay + Than for to shed some tears + For faults of former years, + And to repent some crimes + Done in the present times: + And next, to take a bit + Of bread, and wine with it: + To don my robes of love, + Fit for the place above; + To gird my loins about + With charity throughout; + And so to travel hence + With feet of innocence: + These done, I'll only cry + God mercy, and so die. + + +54. NEUTRALITY LOATHSOME. + + God will have all, or none; serve Him, or fall + Down before Baal, Bel, or Belial: + Either be hot or cold: God doth despise, + Abhor, and spew out all neutralities. + + +55. WELCOME WHAT COMES. + + Whatever comes, let's be content withal: + Among God's blessings there is no one small. + + +56. TO HIS ANGRY GOD. + + Through all the night + Thou dost me fright, + And hold'st mine eyes from sleeping; + And day by day, + My cup can say + My wine is mix'd with weeping. + + Thou dost my bread + With ashes knead + Each evening and each morrow; + Mine eye and ear + Do see and hear + The coming in of sorrow. + + Thy scourge of steel, + Ah me! I feel + Upon me beating ever: + While my sick heart + With dismal smart + Is disacquainted never. + + Long, long, I'm sure, + This can't endure, + But in short time 'twill please Thee, + My gentle God, + To burn the rod, + Or strike so as to ease me. + + +57. PATIENCE: OR, COMFORTS IN CROSSES. + + Abundant plagues I late have had, + Yet none of these have made me sad: + For why? My Saviour with the sense + Of suff'ring gives me patience. + + +58. ETERNITY. + + O years! and age! farewell: + Behold, I go + Where I do know + Infinity to dwell. + + And these mine eyes shall see + All times, how they + Are lost i' th' sea + Of vast eternity. + + Where never moon shall sway + The stars; but she + And night shall be + Drown'd in one endless day. + + +59. TO HIS SAVIOUR, A CHILD: A PRESENT BY A CHILD. + + Go, pretty child, and bear this flower + Unto thy little Saviour; + And tell Him, by that bud now blown, + He is the Rose of Sharon known. + When thou hast said so, stick it there + Upon His bib or stomacher; + And tell Him, for good handsel too, + That thou hast brought a whistle new, + Made of a clean strait oaten reed, + To charm His cries at time of need. + Tell Him, for coral, thou hast none, + But if thou hadst, He should have one; + But poor thou art, and known to be + Even as moneyless as He. + Lastly, if thou canst win a kiss + From those mellifluous lips of His; + Then never take a second on, + To spoil the first impression. + + _Handsel_, earnest money. + + +60. THE NEW-YEAR'S GIFT. + + Let others look for pearl and gold, + Tissues, or tabbies manifold: + One only lock of that sweet hay + Whereon the blessed baby lay, + Or one poor swaddling-clout, shall be + The richest New-Year's gift to me. + + _Tabbies_, shot silks. + + +61. TO GOD. + + If anything delight me for to print + My book, 'tis this: that Thou, my God, art in't. + + +62. GOD AND THE KING. + + How am I bound to Two! God, who doth give + The mind; the king, the means whereby I live. + + +63. GOD'S MIRTH: MAN'S MOURNING. + + Where God is merry, there write down thy fears: + What He with laughter speaks, hear thou with tears. + + +64. HONOURS ARE HINDRANCES. + + Give me honours! what are these, + But the pleasing hindrances? + Stiles, and stops, and stays that come + In the way 'twixt me and home; + Clear the walk, and then shall I + To my heaven less run than fly. + + +65. THE PARASCEVE, OR PREPARATION. + + To a love-feast we both invited are: + The figur'd damask, or pure diaper, + Over the golden altar now is spread, + With bread, and wine, and vessels furnished; + The sacred towel and the holy ewer + Are ready by, to make the guests all pure: + Let's go, my Alma; yet, ere we receive, + Fit, fit it is we have our parasceve. + Who to that sweet bread unprepar'd doth come, + Better be starv'd, than but to taste one crumb. + + _Parasceve_, preparation. + + +66. TO GOD. + + God gives not only corn for need, + But likewise sup'rabundant seed; + Bread for our service, bread for show, + Meat for our meals, and fragments too: + He gives not poorly, taking some + Between the finger and the thumb; + But for our glut and for our store, + Fine flour press'd down, and running o'er. + + +67. A WILL TO BE WORKING. + + Although we cannot turn the fervent fit + Of sin, we must strive 'gainst the stream of it; + And howsoe'er we have the conquest miss'd, + 'Tis for our glory that we did resist. + + +68. CHRIST'S PART. + + Christ, He requires still, wheresoe'er He comes + To feed or lodge, to have the best of rooms: + Give Him the choice; grant Him the nobler part + Of all the house: the best of all's the heart. + + +69. RICHES AND POVERTY. + + God could have made all rich, or all men poor; + But why He did not, let me tell wherefore: + Had all been rich, where then had patience been? + Had all been poor, who had His bounty seen? + + +70. SOBRIETY IN SEARCH. + + To seek of God more than we well can find, + Argues a strong distemper of the mind. + + +71. ALMS. + + Give, if thou canst, an alms; if not, afford, + Instead of that, a sweet and gentle word: + _God crowns our goodness wheresoe'er He sees, + On our part, wanting all abilities_. + + +72. TO HIS CONSCIENCE. + + Can I not sin, but thou wilt be + My private protonotary? + Can I not woo thee to pass by + A short and sweet iniquity? + I'll cast a mist and cloud upon + My delicate transgression + So utter dark as that no eye + Shall see the hugg'd impiety; + Gifts blind the wise, and bribes do please + And wind all other witnesses; + And wilt not thou with gold be ti'd + To lay thy pen and ink aside? + That in the mirk and tongueless night + Wanton I may, and thou not write? + It will not be. And, therefore, now, + For times to come I'll make this vow, + From aberrations to live free; + So I'll not fear the Judge or thee. + + _Protonotary_, once the title of the chief clerk in the Courts of + Common Pleas and King's Bench. + + +73. TO HIS SAVIOUR. + + Lord, I confess, that Thou alone art able + To purify this my Augean stable: + Be the seas water, and the land all soap, + Yet if Thy blood not wash me, there's no hope. + + +74. TO GOD. + + God is all sufferance here; here He doth show + No arrow nockt, only a stringless bow: + His arrows fly, and all His stones are hurl'd + Against the wicked in another world. + + _Nockt_, placed ready for shooting. + + +75. HIS DREAM. + + I dreamt, last night, Thou didst transfuse + Oil from Thy jar into my cruse; + And pouring still Thy wealthy store, + The vessel full did then run o'er; + Methought I did Thy bounty chide + To see the waste; but 'twas replied + By Thee, dear God, God gives man seed + Ofttimes for waste, as for his need. + Then I could say that house is bare + That has not bread and some to spare. + + +76. GOD'S BOUNTY. + + God's bounty, that ebbs less and less + As men do wane in thankfulness. + + +77. TO HIS SWEET SAVIOUR. + + Night hath no wings to him that cannot sleep, + And time seems then not for to fly, but creep; + Slowly her chariot drives, as if that she + Had broke her wheel, or crack'd her axletree. + Just so it is with me, who, list'ning, pray + The winds to blow the tedious night away, + That I might see the cheerful, peeping day. + Sick is my heart! O Saviour! do Thou please + To make my bed soft in my sicknesses: + Lighten my candle, so that I beneath + Sleep not for ever in the vaults of death; + Let me Thy voice betimes i' th' morning hear: + Call, and I'll come; say Thou the when, and where. + Draw me but first, and after Thee I'll run + And make no one stop till my race be done. + + +78. HIS CREED. + + I do believe that die I must, + And be return'd from out my dust: + I do believe that when I rise, + Christ I shall see, with these same eyes: + I do believe that I must come, + With others, to the dreadful doom: + I do believe the bad must go + From thence, to everlasting woe: + I do believe the good, and I, + Shall live with Him eternally: + I do believe I shall inherit + Heaven, by Christ's mercies, not my merit. + I do believe the One in Three, + And Three in perfect unity: + Lastly, that JESUS is a deed + Of gift from God: and here's my creed. + + +79. TEMPTATIONS. + + Temptations hurt not, though they have access: + Satan o'ercomes none, but by willingness. + + +80. THE LAMP. + + When a man's faith is frozen up, as dead; + Then is the lamp and oil extinguished. + + +81. SORROWS. + + Sorrows our portion are: ere hence we go, + Crosses we must have; or, hereafter woe. + + +82. PENITENCY. + + A man's transgressions God does then remit, + When man He makes a penitent for it. + + +83. THE DIRGE OF JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER: SUNG BY THE VIRGINS. + + O thou, the wonder of all days! + O paragon, and pearl of praise! + O virgin-martyr, ever blest + Above the rest + Of all the maiden train! We come, + And bring fresh strewings to thy tomb. + + Thus, thus, and thus we compass round + Thy harmless and unhaunted ground; + And as we sing thy dirge, we will + The daffodil + And other flowers lay upon + The altar of our love, thy stone. + + Thou wonder of all maids, liest here. + Of daughters all the dearest dear; + The eye of virgins; nay, the queen + Of this smooth green, + And all sweet meads; from whence we get + The primrose and the violet. + + Too soon, too dear did Jephthah buy, + By thy sad loss, our liberty: + His was the bond and cov'nant, yet + Thou paid'st the debt: + Lamented maid! he won the day, + But for the conquest thou didst pay. + + Thy father brought with him along + The olive branch and victor's song: + He slew the Ammonites, we know, + But to thy woe; + And in the purchase of our peace, + The cure was worse than the disease. + + For which obedient zeal of thine, + We offer here, before thy shrine, + Our sighs for storax, tears for wine; + And to make fine + And fresh thy hearse-cloth, we will, here, + Four times bestrew thee ev'ry year. + + Receive, for this thy praise, our tears: + Receive this offering of our hairs: + Receive these crystal vials fill'd + With tears distill'd + From teeming eyes; to these we bring, + Each maid, her silver filleting, + + To gild thy tomb; besides, these cauls, + These laces, ribbons, and these falls, + These veils, wherewith we use to hide + The bashful bride, + When we conduct her to her groom: + And all we lay upon thy tomb. + + No more, no more, since thou art dead, + Shall we e'er bring coy brides to bed; + No more, at yearly festivals + We cowslip balls + Or chains of columbines shall make + For this or that occasion's sake. + + No, no; our maiden pleasures be + Wrapp'd in the winding-sheet with thee: + 'Tis we are dead, though not i' th' grave: + Or, if we have + One seed of life left, 'tis to keep + A Lent for thee, to fast and weep. + + Sleep in thy peace, thy bed of spice, + And make this place all paradise: + May sweets grow here: and smoke from hence + Fat frankincense: + Let balm and cassia send their scent + From out thy maiden-monument. + + May no wolf howl, or screech-owl stir + A wing about thy sepulchre! + No boisterous winds, or storms, come hither + To starve or wither + Thy soft sweet earth! but, like a spring, + Love keep it ever flourishing. + + May all shy maids, at wonted hours, + Come forth to strew thy tomb with flow'rs: + May virgins, when they come to mourn, + Male-incense burn + Upon thine altar! then return, + And leave thee sleeping in thy urn. + + _Cauls_, nets for the hair. + _Falls_, trimmings hanging loosely. + _Male-incense_, incense in globular drops. + + +84. TO GOD: ON HIS SICKNESS. + + What though my harp and viol be + Both hung upon the willow tree? + What though my bed be now my grave, + And for my house I darkness have? + What though my healthful days are fled, + And I lie number'd with the dead? + Yet I have hope, by Thy great power, + To spring; though now a wither'd flower. + + +85. SINS LOATHED, AND YET LOVED. + + _Shame checks our first attempts_; but then 'tis prov'd + _Sins first dislik'd are after that belov'd_. + + +86. SIN. + + Sin leads the way, but as it goes, it feels + The following plague still treading on his heels. + + +87. UPON GOD. + + God, when He takes my goods and chattels hence, + Gives me a portion, giving patience: + What is in God is God; if so it be + He patience gives, He gives Himself to me. + + +88. FAITH. + + What here we hope for, we shall once inherit; + By faith we all walk here, not by the Spirit. + + +89. HUMILITY. + + Humble we must be, if to heaven we go: + High is the roof there; but the gate is low: + Whene'er thou speak'st, look with a lowly eye: + Grace is increased by humility. + + +90. TEARS. + + Our present tears here, not our present laughter, + Are but the handsels of our joys hereafter. + + _Handsels_, earnest money, foretaste. + + +91. SIN AND STRIFE. + + After true sorrow for our sins, our strife + Must last with Satan to the end of life. + + +92. AN ODE, OR PSALM TO GOD. + + Dear God, + If Thy smart rod + Here did not make me sorry, + I should not be + With Thine or Thee + In Thy eternal glory. + + But since + Thou didst convince + My sins by gently striking; + Add still to those + First stripes new blows, + According to Thy liking. + + Fear me, + Or scourging tear me; + That thus from vices driven, + I may from hell + Fly up to dwell + With Thee and Thine in heaven. + + +93. GRACES FOR CHILDREN. + + What God gives, and what we take, + 'Tis a gift for Christ, His sake: + Be the meal of beans and peas, + God be thanked for those and these: + Have we flesh, or have we fish, + All are fragments from His dish. + He His Church save, and the king; + And our peace here, like a spring, + Make it ever flourishing. + + +94. GOD TO BE FIRST SERVED. + + Honour thy parents; but good manners call + Thee to adore thy God the first of all. + + +95. ANOTHER GRACE FOR A CHILD. + + Here a little child I stand + Heaving up my either hand; + Cold as paddocks though they be, + Here I lift them up to Thee, + For a benison to fall + On our meat and on us all. Amen. + + _Paddocks_, frogs. + + +96. A CHRISTMAS CAROL SUNG TO THE KING IN THE PRESENCE AT WHITEHALL. + + _Chor._ What sweeter music can we bring, + Than a carol for to sing + The birth of this our heavenly King? + Awake the voice! awake the string! + Heart, ear, and eye, and everything + Awake! the while the active finger + Runs division with the singer. + + _FROM THE FLOURISH THEY CAME TO THE SONG._ + + 1. Dark and dull night, fly hence away + And give the honour to this day + That sees December turn'd to May. + + 2. If we may ask the reason, say + The why and wherefore all things here + Seem like the spring-time of the year. + + 3. Why does the chilling winter's morn + Smile like a field beset with corn? + Or smell like to a mead new shorn, + Thus, on the sudden? + + 4. Come and see + The cause, why things thus fragrant be: + 'Tis He is born, whose quick'ning birth + Gives life and lustre, public mirth, + To heaven and the under-earth. + + _Chor._ We see Him come, and know Him ours, + Who, with His sunshine and His showers, + Turns all the patient ground to flowers. + + 1. The darling of the world is come, + And fit it is we find a room + To welcome Him. + 2. The nobler part + Of all the house here is the heart, + + _Chor._ Which we will give Him; and bequeath + This holly and this ivy wreath, + To do Him honour; who's our King, + And Lord of all this revelling. + + _The musical part was composed by M. Henry Lawes._ + + _Division_, a rapid passage of music sung in one breath or a single + syllable. + + +97. THE NEW-YEAR'S GIFT: OR, CIRCUMCISION'S SONG. SUNG TO THE KING IN +THE PRESENCE AT WHITEHALL. + + 1. Prepare for songs; He's come, He's come; + And be it sin here to be dumb, + And not with lutes to fill the room. + + 2. Cast holy water all about, + And have a care no fire goes out, + But 'cense the porch and place throughout. + + 3. The altars all on fire be; + The storax fries; and ye may see + How heart and hand do all agree + To make things sweet. _Chor._ Yet all less sweet than He. + + 4. Bring Him along, most pious priest, + And tell us then, whenas thou seest + His gently-gliding, dove-like eyes, + And hear'st His whimpering and His cries; + How can'st thou this Babe circumcise? + + 5. Ye must not be more pitiful than wise; + For, now unless ye see Him bleed, + Which makes the bapti'm, 'tis decreed + The birth is fruitless. _Chor._ Then the work God speed. + + 1. Touch gently, gently touch; and here + Spring tulips up through all the year; + And from His sacred blood, here shed, + May roses grow to crown His own dear head. + + _Chor._ Back, back again; each thing is done + With zeal alike, as 'twas begun; + Now singing, homeward let us carry + The Babe unto His mother Mary; + And when we have the Child commended + To her warm bosom, then our rites are ended. + _Composed by M. Henry Lawes._ + + +98. ANOTHER NEW-YEAR'S GIFT: OR, SONG FOR THE CIRCUMCISION. + + 1. Hence, hence profane, and none appear + With anything unhallowed here; + No jot of leaven must be found + Conceal'd in this most holy ground. + + 2. What is corrupt, or sour'd with sin, + Leave that without, then enter in; + + _Chor._ But let no Christmas mirth begin + Before ye purge and circumcise + Your hearts, and hands, lips, ears, and eyes. + + 3. Then, like a perfum'd altar, see + That all things sweet and clean may be: + For here's a Babe that, like a bride, + Will blush to death if ought be spi'd + Ill-scenting, or unpurifi'd. + + _Chor._ The room is 'cens'd: help, help t' invoke + Heaven to come down, the while we choke + The temple with a cloud of smoke. + + 4. Come then, and gently touch the birth + Of Him, who's Lord of Heaven and Earth: + + 5. And softly handle Him; y'ad need, + Because the pretty Babe does bleed. + Poor pitied Child! who from Thy stall + Bring'st, in Thy blood, a balm that shall + Be the best New-Year's gift to all. + + 1. Let's bless the Babe: and, as we sing + His praise, so let us bless the King. + + _Chor._ Long may He live till He hath told + His New-Years trebled to His old: + And when that's done, to re-aspire + A new-born Ph[oe]nix from His own chaste fire. + + +99. GOD'S PARDON. + + When I shall sin, pardon my trespass here; + For once in hell, none knows remission there. + + +100. SIN. + + Sin once reached up to God's eternal sphere, + And was committed, not remitted there. + + +101. EVIL. + + Evil no nature hath; the loss of good + Is that which gives to sin a livelihood. + + + +102. THE STAR-SONG: A CAROL TO THE KING SUNG AT WHITEHALL. + + _The Flourish of Music; then followed the Song._ + + 1. Tell us, thou clear and heavenly tongue, + Where is the Babe but lately sprung? + Lies he the lily-banks among? + + 2. Or say, if this new Birth of ours + Sleeps, laid within some ark of flowers, + Spangled with dew-light; thou canst clear + All doubts, and manifest the where. + + 3. Declare to us, bright star, if we shall seek + Him in the morning's blushing cheek, + Or search the beds of spices through, + To find him out. + + _Star._ No, this ye need not do; + But only come and see Him rest + A Princely Babe in's mother's breast. + + _Chor._ He's seen, He's seen! why then a round, + Let's kiss the sweet and holy ground; + And all rejoice that we have found + _A King before conception crown'd_. + + 4. Come then, come then, and let us bring + Unto our pretty Twelfth-tide King, + Each one his several offering; + + _Chor._ And when night comes, we'll give Him wassailing; + And that His treble honours may be seen, + We'll choose Him King, and make His mother Queen. + + +103. TO GOD. + + With golden censers, and with incense, here + Before Thy virgin-altar I appear, + To pay Thee that I owe, since what I see + In, or without, all, all belongs to Thee. + Where shall I now begin to make, for one + Least loan of Thine, half restitution? + Alas! I cannot pay a jot; therefore + I'll kiss the tally, and confess the score. + Ten thousand talents lent me, Thou dost write; + 'Tis true, my God, but I can't pay one mite. + + _Tally_, the record of his score or debt. + + +104. TO HIS DEAR GOD. + + I'll hope no more + For things that will not come; + And if they do, they prove but cumbersome. + Wealth brings much woe; + And, since it fortunes so, + 'Tis better to be poor + Than so t' abound + As to be drown'd + Or overwhelm'd with store. + + Pale care, avaunt! + I'll learn to be content + With that small stock Thy bounty gave or lent. + What may conduce + To my most healthful use, + Almighty God, me grant; + But that, or this, + That hurtful is, + Deny Thy suppliant. + + +105. TO GOD: HIS GOOD WILL. + + Gold I have none, but I present my need, + O Thou, that crown'st the will, where wants the deed. + Where rams are wanting, or large bullocks' thighs, + There a poor lamb's a plenteous sacrifice. + Take then his vows, who, if he had it, would + Devote to Thee both incense, myrrh and gold + Upon an altar rear'd by him, and crown'd + Both with the ruby, pearl, and diamond. + + +106. ON HEAVEN. + + Permit mine eyes to see + Part, or the whole of Thee, + O happy place! + Where all have grace, + And garlands shar'd, + For their reward; + Where each chaste soul + In long white stole, + And palms in hand, + Do ravish'd stand; + So in a ring, + The praises sing + Of Three in One + That fill the Throne; + While harps and viols then + To voices say, Amen. + + +107. THE SUM AND THE SATISFACTION. + + Last night I drew up mine account, + And found my debits to amount + To such a height, as for to tell + How I should pay 's impossible. + Well, this I'll do: my mighty score + Thy mercy-seat I'll lay before; + But therewithal I'll bring the band + Which, in full force, did daring stand + Till my Redeemer, on the tree, + Made void for millions, as for me. + Then, if thou bidst me pay, or go + Unto the prison, I'll say, no; + Christ having paid, I nothing owe: + For, this is sure, the debt is dead + By law, the bond once cancelled. + + _Score_, debt or reckoning. + _Band_, bond. + _Daring_, frightening. + + +108. GOOD MEN AFFLICTED MOST. + + God makes not good men wantons, but doth bring + Them to the field, and, there, to skirmishing. + With trials those, with terrors these He proves, + And hazards those most whom the most He loves; + For Sceva, darts; for Cocles, dangers; thus + He finds a fire for mighty Mutius; + Death for stout Cato; and besides all these, + A poison, too, He has for Socrates; + Torments for high Attilius; and, with want, + Brings in Fabricius for a combatant: + But bastard-slips, and such as He dislikes, + He never brings them once to th' push of pikes. + + +109. GOOD CHRISTIANS + + Play their offensive and defensive parts, + Till they be hid o'er with a wood of darts. + + +110. THE WILL THE CAUSE OF WOE. + + When man is punish'd, he is plagued still, + Not for the fault of nature, but of will. + + +111. TO HEAVEN. + + Open thy gates + To him, who weeping waits, + And might come in, + But that held back by sin. + Let mercy be + So kind to set me free, + And I will straight + Come in, or force the gate. + + +112. THE RECOMPENSE. + + All I have lost that could be rapt from me; + And fare it well: yet, Herrick, if so be + Thy dearest Saviour renders thee but one + Smile, that one smile's full restitution. + + +113. TO GOD. + + Pardon me, God, once more I Thee entreat, + That I have placed Thee in so mean a seat + Where round about Thou seest but all things vain, + Uncircumcis'd, unseason'd and profane. + But as Heaven's public and immortal eye + Looks on the filth, but is not soil'd thereby, + So Thou, my God, may'st on this impure look, + But take no tincture from my sinful book: + Let but one beam of glory on it shine, + And that will make me and my work divine. + + +114. TO GOD. + + Lord, I am like to mistletoe, + Which has no root, and cannot grow + Or prosper but by that same tree + It clings about; so I by Thee. + What need I then to fear at all, + So long as I about Thee crawl? + But if that tree should fall and die, + Tumble shall heav'n, and down will I. + + +115. HIS WISH TO GOD. + + I would to God that mine old age might have + Before my last, but here a living grave, + Some one poor almshouse; there to lie, or stir + Ghostlike, as in my meaner sepulchre; + A little piggin and a pipkin by, + To hold things fitting my necessity, + Which rightly used, both in their time and place, + Might me excite to fore and after-grace. + Thy Cross, my Christ, fix'd 'fore mine eyes should be, + Not to adore that, but to worship Thee. + So, here the remnant of my days I'd spend, + Reading Thy Bible, and my Book; so end. + + _Piggin_, a small wooden vessel. + + +116. SATAN. + + When we 'gainst Satan stoutly fight, the more + He tears and tugs us than he did before; + Neglecting once to cast a frown on those + Whom ease makes his without the help of blows. + + +117. HELL. + + Hell is no other but a soundless pit, + Where no one beam of comfort peeps in it. + + +118. THE WAY. + + When I a ship see on the seas, + Cuff'd with those wat'ry savages, + And therewithal behold it hath + In all that way no beaten path, + Then, with a wonder, I confess + Thou art our way i' th' wilderness; + And while we blunder in the dark, + Thou art our candle there, or spark. + + +119. GREAT GRIEF, GREAT GLORY. + + The less our sorrows here and suff'rings cease, + The more our crowns of glory there increase. + + +120. HELL. + + Hell is the place where whipping-cheer abounds, + But no one jailer there to wash the wounds. + + +121. THE BELLMAN. + + Along the dark and silent night, + With my lantern and my light, + And the tinkling of my bell, + Thus I walk, and this I tell: + Death and dreadfulness call on + To the gen'ral session, + To whose dismal bar we there + All accounts must come to clear. + Scores of sins w'ave made here many, + Wip'd out few, God knows, if any. + Rise, ye debtors, then, and fall + To make payment while I call. + Ponder this, when I am gone; + By the clock 'tis almost one. + + +122. THE GOODNESS OF HIS GOD. + + When winds and seas do rage + And threaten to undo me, + Thou dost, their wrath assuage + If I but call unto Thee. + + A mighty storm last night + Did seek my soul to swallow, + But by the peep of light + A gentle calm did follow. + + What need I then despair, + Though ills stand round about me; + Since mischiefs neither dare + To bark or bite without Thee? + + +123. THE WIDOWS' TEARS: OR, DIRGE OF DORCAS. + + Come pity us, all ye who see + Our harps hung on the willow tree: + Come pity us, ye passers-by + Who see or hear poor widows cry: + Come pity us; and bring your ears + And eyes to pity widows' tears. + _Chor._ And when you are come hither + Then we will keep + A fast, and weep + Our eyes out altogether. + + For Tabitha, who dead lies here, + Clean washed, and laid out for the bier, + O modest matrons, weep and wail! + For now the corn and wine must fail: + The basket and the bin of bread, + Wherewith so many souls were fed, + _Chor._ Stand empty here for ever: + And ah! the poor + At thy worn door + Shall be relieved never. + + Woe worth the time, woe worth the day + That 'reaved us of thee, Tabitha! + For we have lost with thee the meal, + The bits, the morsels, and the deal + Of gentle paste and yielding dough + That thou on widows did'st bestow. + _Chor._ All's gone, and death hath taken + Away from us + Our maundy; thus + Thy widows stand forsaken. + + Ah, Dorcas, Dorcas! now adieu + We bid the cruse and pannier too: + Ay, and the flesh, for and the fish + Doled to us in that lordly dish. + We take our leaves now of the loom + From whence the housewives' cloth did come: + _Chor._ The web affords now nothing; + Thou being dead, + The worsted thread + Is cut, that made us clothing. + + Farewell the flax and reaming wool + With which thy house was plentiful; + Farewell the coats, the garments, and + The sheets, the rugs, made by thy hand; + Farewell thy fire and thy light + That ne'er went out by day or night: + _Chor._ No, or thy zeal so speedy, + That found a way + By peep of day, + To feed and cloth the needy. + + But, ah, alas! the almond bough + And olive branch is withered now. + The wine press now is ta'en from us, + The saffron and the calamus. + The spice and spikenard hence is gone, + The storax and the cinnamon. + _Chor._ The carol of our gladness + Has taken wing, + And our late spring + Of mirth is turned to sadness. + + How wise wast thou in all thy ways! + How worthy of respect and praise! + How matron-like didst thou go dressed! + How soberly above the rest + Of those that prank it with their plumes, + And jet it with their choice perfumes! + _Chor._ Thy vestures were not flowing: + Nor did the street + Accuse thy feet + Of mincing in their going. + + And though thou here li'st dead, we see + A deal of beauty yet in thee. + How sweetly shows thy smiling face, + Thy lips with all-diffused grace! + Thy hands, though cold, yet spotless white, + And comely as the chrysolite! + _Chor._ Thy belly like a hill is, + Or as a neat + Clean heap of wheat, + All set about with lilies. + + Sleep with thy beauties here, while we + Will show these garments made by thee; + These were the coats, in these are read + The monuments of Dorcas dead. + These were thy acts, and thou shall have + These hung as honours o'er thy grave; + _Chor._ And after us, distressed, + Should fame be dumb, + Thy very tomb + Would cry out, Thou art blessed. + + _Deal_, portion. + _Maundy_, the alms given on Thursday in Holy Week. + _Reaming_, drawing out into threads. + _Calamus_, a fragrant plant, the sweet flag. + _Chrysolite_, the topaz. + + +124. TO GOD IN TIME OF PLUNDERING. + + Rapine has yet took nought from me; + But if it please my God I be + Brought at the last to th' utmost bit, + God make me thankful still for it. + I have been grateful for my store: + Let me say grace when there's no more. + + +125. TO HIS SAVIOUR. THE NEW-YEAR'S GIFT. + + That little pretty bleeding part + Of foreskin send to me: + And I'll return a bleeding heart + For New-Year's gift to Thee. + + Rich is the gem that Thou did'st send, + Mine's faulty too and small; + But yet this gift Thou wilt commend + Because I send Thee all. + + +126. DOOMSDAY. + + Let not that day God's friends and servants scare; + The bench is then their place, and not the bar. + + +127. THE POOR'S PORTION. + + The sup'rabundance of my store, + That is the portion of the poor: + Wheat, barley, rye, or oats; what is't + But He takes toll of? all the grist. + Two raiments have I: Christ then makes + This law; that He and I part stakes. + Or have I two loaves, then I use + The poor to cut, and I to choose. + + +128. THE WHITE ISLAND: OR, PLACE OF THE BLEST. + + In this world, the isle of dreams, + While we sit by sorrow's streams, + Tears and terrors are our themes + Reciting: + + But when once from hence we fly, + More and more approaching nigh + Unto young Eternity + Uniting: + + In that whiter island, where + Things are evermore sincere; + Candour here, and lustre there + Delighting: + + There no monstrous fancies shall + Out of hell an horror call, + To create, or cause at all, + Affrighting. + + There in calm and cooling sleep + We our eyes shall never steep; + But eternal watch shall keep, + Attending + + Pleasures, such as shall pursue + Me immortalised, and you; + And fresh joys, as never to + Have ending. + + +129. TO CHRIST. + + I crawl, I creep; my Christ, I come + To Thee for curing balsamum: + Thou hast, nay more, Thou art the tree + Affording salve of sovereignty. + My mouth I'll lay unto Thy wound + Bleeding, that no blood touch the ground: + For, rather than one drop shall fall + To waste, my JESU, I'll take all. + + +130. TO GOD. + + God! to my little meal and oil + Add but a bit of flesh to boil: + And Thou my pipkinet shalt see, + Give a wave-off'ring unto Thee. + + +131. FREE WELCOME. + + God He refuseth no man, but makes way + For all that now come or hereafter may. + + +132. GOD'S GRACE. + + God's grace deserves here to be daily fed + That, thus increased, it might be perfected. + + +133. COMING TO CHRIST. + + To him who longs unto his Christ to go, + Celerity even itself is slow. + + +134. CORRECTION. + + God had but one Son free from sin; but none + Of all His sons free from correction. + + +135. GOD'S BOUNTY. + + God, as He's potent, so He's likewise known + To give us more than hope can fix upon. + + +136. KNOWLEDGE. + + Science in God is known to be + A substance, not a quality. + + +137. SALUTATION. + + Christ, I have read, did to His chaplains say, + Sending them forth, Salute no man by th' way: + Not that He taught His ministers to be + Unsmooth or sour to all civility, + But to instruct them to avoid all snares + Of tardidation in the Lord's affairs. + Manners are good; but till His errand ends, + Salute we must nor strangers, kin, or friends. + + _Tardidation_, sloth. + + +138. LASCIVIOUSNESS. + + Lasciviousness is known to be + The sister to saturity. + + +139. TEARS. + + God from our eyes all tears hereafter wipes, + And gives His children kisses then, not stripes. + + +140. GOD'S BLESSING. + + In vain our labours are whatsoe'er they be, + Unless God gives the benedicite. + + +141. GOD, AND LORD. + + God is His name of nature; but that word + Implies His power when He's called the Lord. + + +142. THE JUDGMENT-DAY. + + God hides from man the reck'ning day, that he + May fear it ever for uncertainty; + That being ignorant of that one, he may + Expect the coming of it every day. + + +143. ANGELS. + + Angels are called gods; yet of them, none + Are gods but by participation: + As just men are entitled gods, yet none + Are gods of them but by adoption. + + +144. LONG LIFE. + + The longer thread of life we spin, + The more occasion still to sin. + + +145. TEARS. + + The tears of saints more sweet by far + Than all the songs of sinners are. + + +146. MANNA. + + That manna, which God on His people cast, + Fitted itself to ev'ry feeder's taste. + + +147. REVERENCE. + + True rev'rence is, as Cassiodore doth prove, + The fear of God commix'd with cleanly love. + + _Cassiodore_, Marcus Aurelius Cassiodorus, theologian and statesman + 497-575? + + +148. MERCY. + + Mercy, the wise Athenians held to be + Not an affection, but a deity. + + +149. WAGES. + + After this life, the wages shall + Not shared alike be unto all. + + +150. TEMPTATION. + + God tempteth no one, as St. Austin saith, + For any ill, but for the proof of faith; + Unto temptation God exposeth some, + But none of purpose to be overcome. + + +151. GOD'S HANDS. + + God's hands are round and smooth, that gifts may fall + Freely from them and hold none back at all. + + +152. LABOUR. + + Labour we must, and labour hard + I' th' forum here, or vineyard. + + +153. MORA SPONSI, THE STAY OF THE BRIDEGROOM. + + The time the bridegroom stays from hence + Is but the time of penitence. + + +154. ROARING. + + Roaring is nothing but a weeping part + Forced from the mighty dolour of the heart. + + +155. THE EUCHARIST. + + _He that is hurt seeks help_: sin is the wound; + The salve for this i' th' Eucharist is found. + + +156. SIN SEVERELY PUNISHED. + + God in His own day will be then severe + To punish great sins, who small faults whipt here. + + +157. MONTES SCRIPTURARUM: THE MOUNTS OF THE SCRIPTURES. + + The mountains of the Scriptures are, some say, + Moses, and Jesus, called Joshua: + The prophets, mountains of the Old are meant, + Th' apostles, mounts of the New Testament. + + +158. PRAYER. + + A prayer that is said alone + Starves, having no companion. + Great things ask for when thou dost pray, + And those great are which ne'er decay. + Pray not for silver, rust eats this; + Ask not for gold, which metal is; + Nor yet for houses, which are here + But earth: _such vows ne'er reach God's ear_. + + +159. CHRIST'S SADNESS. + + Christ was not sad, i' th' garden, for His own + Passion, but for His sheep's dispersion. + + +160. GOD HEARS US. + + God, who's in heaven, will hear from thence; + If not to th' sound, yet to the sense. + + +161. GOD. + + God, as the learned Damascene doth write, + A sea of substance is, indefinite. + + _The learned Damascene_, _i.e._, St. John of Damascus. + + +162. CLOUDS. + + He that ascended in a cloud, shall come + In clouds descending to the public doom. + + +163. COMFORTS IN CONTENTIONS. + + The same who crowns the conqueror, will be + A coadjutor in the agony. + + +164. HEAVEN. + + Heaven is most fair; but fairer He + That made that fairest canopy. + + +165. GOD. + + In God there's nothing, but 'tis known to be + Even God Himself, in perfect entity. + + +166. HIS POWER. + + God can do all things, save but what are known + For to imply a contradiction. + + +167. CHRIST'S WORDS ON THE CROSS: MY GOD, MY GOD. + + Christ, when He hung the dreadful cross upon, + Had, as it were, a dereliction + In this regard, in those great terrors He + Had no one beam from God's sweet majesty. + + _Dereliction_, abandonment. + + +168. JEHOVAH. + + Jehovah, as Boetius saith, + No number of the plural hath. + + +169. CONFUSION OF FACE. + + God then confounds man's face when He not bears + The vows of those who are petitioners. + + +170. ANOTHER. + + The shame of man's face is no more + Than prayers repell'd, says Cassiodore. + + +171. BEGGARS. + + Jacob God's beggar was; and so we wait, + Though ne'er so rich, all beggars at His gate. + + +172. GOOD AND BAD. + + The bad among the good are here mix'd ever; + The good without the bad are here plac'd never. + + +173. SIN. + + _Sin no existence; nature none it hath, + Or good at all_, as learned Aquinas saith. + + +174. MARTHA, MARTHA. + + The repetition of the name made known + No other than Christ's full affection. + + +175. YOUTH AND AGE. + + God on our youth bestows but little ease; + But on our age most sweet indulgences. + + +176. GOD'S POWER. + + God is so potent, as His power can + Draw out of bad a sovereign good to man. + + +177. PARADISE. + + Paradise is, as from the learn'd I gather, + _A choir of bless'd souls circling in the Father_. + + +178. OBSERVATION. + + The Jews, when they built houses, I have read, + One part thereof left still unfinished, + To make them thereby mindful of their own + City's most sad and dire destruction. + + +179. THE ASS. + + God did forbid the Israelites to bring + An ass unto Him for an offering, + Only, by this dull creature, to express + His detestation to all slothfulness. + + +180. OBSERVATION. + + The Virgin Mother stood at distance, there, + From her Son's cross, not shedding once a tear, + Because the law forbad to sit and cry + For those who did as malefactors die. + So she, to keep her mighty woes in awe, + Tortured her love not to transgress the law. + Observe we may, how Mary Joses then, + And th' other Mary, Mary Magdalen, + Sat by the grave; and sadly sitting there, + Shed for their Master many a bitter tear; + But 'twas not till their dearest Lord was dead + And then to weep they both were licensed. + + +181. TAPERS. + + Those tapers which we set upon the grave + In fun'ral pomp, but this importance have: + That souls departed are not put out quite; + But as they walked here in their vestures white, + So live in heaven in everlasting light. + + +182. CHRIST'S BIRTH. + + One birth our Saviour had; the like none yet + Was, or will be a second like to it. + + +183. THE VIRGIN MARY. + + To work a wonder, God would have her shown + At once a bud and yet a rose full-blown. + + +184. ANOTHER. + + As sunbeams pierce the glass, and streaming in, + No crack or schism leave i' th' subtle skin: + So the Divine Hand worked and brake no thread, + But, in a mother, kept a maidenhead. + + +185. GOD. + + God, in the holy tongue, they call + The place that filleth all in all. + + +186. ANOTHER OF GOD. + + God's said to leave this place, and for to come + Nearer to that place than to other some, + Of local motion, in no least respect, + But only by impression of effect. + + +187. ANOTHER. + + God is Jehovah call'd: which name of His + Implies or Essence, or the He that Is. + + +188. GOD'S PRESENCE. + + God's evident, and may be said to be + Present with just men, to the verity; + But with the wicked if He doth comply, + 'Tis, as St. Bernard saith, but seemingly. + + +189. GOD'S DWELLING. + + God's said to dwell there, wheresoever He + Puts down some prints of His high Majesty; + As when to man He comes, and there doth place + His Holy Spirit, or doth plant His Grace. + + +190. THE VIRGIN MARY. + + The Virgin Mary was, as I have read, + The House of God, by Christ inhabited; + Into the which He entered, but, the door + Once shut, was never to be open'd more. + + +191. TO GOD. + + God's undivided, One in Persons Three, + And Three in inconfused unity. + Original of Essence there is none, + 'Twixt God the Father, Holy Ghost, and Son: + And though the Father be the first of Three, + 'Tis but by order, not by entity. + + +192. UPON WOMAN AND MARY. + + So long, it seem'd, as Mary's faith was small, + Christ did her woman, not her Mary call; + But no more woman, being strong in faith, + But Mary call'd then, as St. Ambrose saith. + + +193. NORTH AND SOUTH. + + The Jews their beds and offices of ease, + Placed north and south for these clean purposes; + That man's uncomely froth might not molest + God's ways and walks, which lie still east and west. + + +194. SABBATHS. + + Sabbaths are threefold, as St. Austin says: + The first of time, or Sabbath here of days; + The second is a conscience trespass-free; + The last the Sabbath of Eternity. + + +195. THE FAST, OR LENT. + + Noah the first was, as tradition says, + That did ordain the fast of forty days. + + +196. SIN. + + There is no evil that we do commit, + But hath th' extraction of some good from it: + As when we sin, God, the great Chemist, thence + Draws out th' elixir of true penitence. + + +197. GOD. + + God is more here than in another place, + Not by His essence, but commerce of grace. + + +198. THIS, AND THE NEXT WORLD. + + God hath this world for many made, 'tis true: + But He hath made the World to Come for few. + + +199. EASE. + + God gives to none so absolute an ease + As not to know or feel some grievances. + + +200. BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS. + + Paul, he began ill, but he ended well; + Judas began well, but he foully fell: + In godliness not the beginnings so + Much as the ends are to be look'd unto. + + +201. TEMPORAL GOODS. + + These temporal goods God, the most wise, commends + To th' good and bad in common for two ends: + First, that these goods none here may o'er-esteem + Because the wicked do partake of them; + Next, that these ills none cowardly may shun, + Being, oft here, the just man's portion. + + +202. HELL FIRE. + + The fire of hell this strange condition hath, + To burn, not shine, as learned Basil saith. + + +203. ABEL'S BLOOD. + + Speak, did the blood of Abel cry + To God for vengeance? Yes, say I, + Ev'n as the sprinkled blood called on + God for an expiation. + + +204. ANOTHER. + + The blood of Abel was a thing + Of such a rev'rend reckoning, + As that the old world thought it fit + Especially to swear by it. + + +205. A POSITION IN THE HEBREW DIVINITY. + + One man repentant is of more esteem + With God, than one that never sinned 'gainst Him. + + +206. PENITENCE. + + The doctors, in the Talmud, say, + That in this world one only day + In true repentance spent will be + More worth than heaven's eternity. + + +207. GOD'S PRESENCE. + + God's present everywhere, but most of all + Present by union hypostatical: + God, He is there, where's nothing else, schools say, + And nothing else is there where He's away. + + _Hypostatical_, personal. + + +208. THE RESURRECTION POSSIBLE AND PROBABLE. + + For each one body that i' th' earth is sown, + There's an uprising but of one for one; + But for each grain that in the ground is thrown, + Threescore or fourscore spring up thence for one: + So that the wonder is not half so great + Of ours as is the rising of the wheat. + + +209. CHRIST'S SUFFERING. + + Justly our dearest Saviour may abhor us, + Who hath more suffered by us far, than for us. + + +210. SINNERS. + + Sinners confounded are a twofold way, + Either as when, the learned schoolmen say, + Men's sins destroyed are when they repent, + Or when, for sins, men suffer punishment. + + +211. TEMPTATIONS. + + No man is tempted so but may o'ercome, + If that he has a will to masterdom. + + +212. PITY AND PUNISHMENT. + + God doth embrace the good with love; and gains + The good by mercy, as the bad by pains. + + +213. GOD'S PRICE AND MAN'S PRICE. + + God bought man here with His heart's blood expense; + And man sold God here for base thirty pence. + + +214. CHRIST'S ACTION. + + Christ never did so great a work but there + His human nature did in part appear; + Or ne'er so mean a piece but men might see + Therein some beams of His Divinity: + So that in all He did there did combine + His human nature and His part divine. + + +215. PREDESTINATION. + + Predestination is the cause alone + Of many standing, but of fall to none. + + +216. ANOTHER. + + Art thou not destin'd? then with haste go on + To make thy fair predestination: + If thou can'st change thy life, God then will please + To change, or call back, His past sentences. + + +217. SIN. + + Sin never slew a soul unless there went + Along with it some tempting blandishment. + + +218. ANOTHER. + + Sin is an act so free, that if we shall + Say 'tis not free, 'tis then no sin at all. + + +219. ANOTHER. + + Sin is the cause of death; and sin's alone + The cause of God's predestination: + And from God's prescience of man's sin doth flow + Our destination to eternal woe. + + +220. PRESCIENCE. + + God's prescience makes none sinful; but th' offence + Of man's the chief cause of God's prescience. + + +221. CHRIST. + + To all our wounds here, whatsoe'er they be, + Christ is the one sufficient remedy. + + +222. CHRIST'S INCARNATION. + + Christ took our nature on Him, not that He + 'Bove all things loved it for the purity: + No, but He dress'd Him with our human trim, + Because our flesh stood most in need of Him. + + +223. HEAVEN. + + Heaven is not given for our good works here; + Yet it is given to the labourer. + + +224. GOD'S KEYS + + God has four keys, which He reserves alone: + The first of rain; the key of hell next known; + With the third key He opes and shuts the womb; + And with the fourth key he unlocks the tomb. + + +225. SIN. + + There's no constraint to do amiss, + Whereas but one enforcement is. + + +226. ALMS. + + Give unto all, lest he, whom thou deni'st, + May chance to be no other man but Christ. + + +227. HELL FIRE. + + One only fire has hell; but yet it shall + Not after one sort there excruciate all: + But look, how each transgressor onward went + Boldly in sin, shall feel more punishment. + + +228. TO KEEP A TRUE LENT. + + Is this a fast, to keep + The larder lean? + And clean + From fat of veals and sheep? + + Is it to quit the dish + Of flesh, yet still + To fill + The platter high with fish? + + Is it to fast an hour, + Or ragg'd to go, + Or show + A downcast look and sour? + + No; 'tis a fast to dole + Thy sheaf of wheat, + And meat, + Unto the hungry soul. + + It is to fast from strife, + From old debate + And hate; + To circumcise thy life. + + To show a heart grief-rent; + To starve thy sin, + Not bin; + And that's to keep thy Lent. + + +229. NO TIME IN ETERNITY. + + By hours we all live here; in Heaven is known + No spring of time, or time's succession. + + +230. HIS MEDITATION UPON DEATH. + + Be those few hours, which I have yet to spend, + Blest with the meditation of my end: + Though they be few in number, I'm content: + If otherwise, I stand indifferent. + Nor makes it matter Nestor's years to tell, + If man lives long and if he live not well. + A multitude of days still heaped on, + Seldom brings order, but confusion. + Might I make choice, long life should be withstood; + Nor would I care how short it were, if good: + Which to effect, let ev'ry passing-bell + Possess my thoughts, "Next comes my doleful knell": + And when the night persuades me to my bed, + I'll think I'm going to be buried. + So shall the blankets which come over me + Present those turfs which once must cover me: + And with as firm behaviour I will meet + The sheet I sleep in as my winding-sheet. + When sleep shall bathe his body in mine eyes, + I will believe that then my body dies: + And if I chance to wake and rise thereon, + I'll have in mind my resurrection, + Which must produce me to that General Doom, + To which the peasant, so the prince, must come, + To hear the Judge give sentence on the throne, + Without the least hope of affection. + Tears, at that day, shall make but weak defence, + When hell and horror fright the conscience. + Let me, though late, yet at the last, begin + To shun the least temptation to a sin; + Though to be tempted be no sin, until + Man to th' alluring object gives his will. + Such let my life assure me, when my breath + Goes thieving from me, I am safe in death; + Which is the height of comfort: when I fall, + I rise triumphant in my funeral. + + _Affection_, partiality. + + +231. CLOTHES FOR CONTINUANCE. + + Those garments lasting evermore, + Are works of mercy to the poor, + Which neither tettar, time, or moth + Shall fray that silk or fret this cloth. + + _Tettar_, scab. + + +232. TO GOD. + + Come to me, God; but do not come + To me as to the General Doom + In power; or come Thou in that state + When Thou Thy laws did'st promulgate, + Whenas the mountain quaked for dread, + And sullen clouds bound up his head. + No; lay Thy stately terrors by + To talk with me familiarly; + For if Thy thunder-claps I hear, + I shall less swoon than die for fear. + Speak Thou of love and I'll reply + By way of Epithalamy, + Or sing of mercy and I'll suit + To it my viol and my lute; + Thus let Thy lips but love distil, + Then come, my God, and hap what will. + + _Mountain_, orig. ed. _mountains_. + + +233. THE SOUL. + + When once the soul has lost her way, + O then how restless does she stray! + And having not her God for light, + How does she err in endless night! + + +234. THE JUDGMENT-DAY. + + In doing justice God shall then be known, + Who showing mercy here, few prized, or none. + + +235. SUFFERINGS. + + We merit all we suffer, and by far + More stripes than God lays on the sufferer. + + +236. PAIN AND PLEASURE. + + God suffers not His saints and servants dear + To have continual pain or pleasure here; + But look how night succeeds the day, so He + Gives them by turns their grief and jollity. + + +237. GOD'S PRESENCE. + + God is all-present to whate'er we do, + And as all-present, so all-filling too. + + +238. ANOTHER. + + That there's a God we all do know, + But what God is we cannot show. + + +239. THE POOR MAN'S PART. + + Tell me, rich man, for what intent + Thou load'st with gold thy vestiment? + Whenas the poor cry out: To us + Belongs all gold superfluous. + + +240. THE RIGHT HAND. + + God has a right hand, but is quite bereft + Of that which we do nominate the left. + + +241. THE STAFF AND ROD. + + Two instruments belong unto our God: + The one a staff is and the next a rod; + That if the twig should chance too much to smart, + The staff might come to play the friendly part. + + +242. GOD SPARING IN SCOURGING. + + God still rewards us more than our desert; + But when He strikes, He quarter-acts His part. + + +243. CONFESSION. + + Confession twofold is, as Austin says, + The first of sin is, and the next of praise. + If ill it goes with thee, thy faults confess: + If well, then chant God's praise with cheerfulness. + + +244. GOD'S DESCENT. + + God is then said for to descend, when He + Doth here on earth some thing of novity; + As when in human nature He works more + Than ever yet the like was done before. + + +245. NO COMING TO GOD WITHOUT CHRIST. + + Good and great God! how should I fear + To come to Thee if Christ not there! + Could I but think He would not be + Present to plead my cause for me, + To hell I'd rather run than I + Would see Thy face and He not by. + + +246. ANOTHER TO GOD. + + Though Thou be'st all that active love + Which heats those ravished souls above; + And though all joys spring from the glance + Of Thy most winning countenance; + Yet sour and grim Thou'dst seem to me + If through my Christ I saw not Thee. + + +247. THE RESURRECTION. + + That Christ did die, the pagan saith; + But that He rose, that's Christians' faith. + + +248. CO-HEIRS. + + We are co-heirs with Christ; nor shall His own + Heirship be less by our adoption. + The number here of heirs shall from the state + Of His great birthright nothing derogate. + + +249. THE NUMBER OF TWO. + + God hates the dual number, being known + The luckless number of division; + And when He bless'd each sev'ral day whereon + He did His curious operation, + 'Tis never read there, as the fathers say, + God bless'd His work done on the second day; + Wherefore two prayers ought not to be said, + Or by ourselves, or from the pulpit read. + + +250. HARDENING OF HEARTS. + + God's said our hearts to harden then, + Whenas His grace not supples men. + + +251. THE ROSE. + + Before man's fall the rose was born, + St. Ambrose says, without the thorn; + But for man's fault then was the thorn + Without the fragrant rose-bud born; + But ne'er the rose without the thorn. + + +252. GOD'S TIME MUST END OUR TROUBLE. + + God doth not promise here to man that He + Will free him quickly from his misery; + But in His own time, and when He thinks fit, + Then He will give a happy end to it. + + +253. BAPTISM. + + The strength of baptism that's within, + It saves the soul by drowning sin. + + +254. GOLD AND FRANKINCENSE. + + Gold serves for tribute to the king, + The frankincense for God's off'ring. + + +255. TO GOD. + + God, who me gives a will for to repent, + Will add a power to keep me innocent; + That I shall ne'er that trespass recommit + When I have done true penance here for it. + + +256. THE CHEWING THE CUD. + + When well we speak and nothing do that's good, + We not divide the hoof, but chew the cud; + But when good words by good works have their proof, + We then both chew the cud and cleave the hoof. + + +257. CHRIST'S TWOFOLD COMING. + + Thy former coming was to cure + My soul's most desp'rate calenture; + Thy second advent, that must be + To heal my earth's infirmity. + + _Calenture_, delirium caused by excessive heat. + + +258. TO GOD, HIS GIFT. + + As my little pot doth boil, + We will keep this level-coil, + That a wave and I will bring + To my God a heave-offering. + + _Level-coil_, the old Christmas game of changing chairs; to "keep + level-coil" means to change about. + + +259. GOD'S ANGER. + + God can't be wrathful: but we may conclude + Wrathful He may be by similitude: + God's wrathful said to be, when He doth do + That without wrath which wrath doth force us to. + + +260. GOD'S COMMANDS. + + In God's commands ne'er ask the reason why; + Let thy obedience be the best reply. + + +261. TO GOD. + + If I have played the truant, or have here + Failed in my part, oh! Thou that art my dear, + My mild, my loving tutor, Lord and God! + Correct my errors gently with Thy rod. + I know that faults will many here be found, + But where sin swells there let Thy grace abound. + + +262. TO GOD. + + The work is done; now let my laurel be + Given by none but by Thyself to me: + That done, with honour Thou dost me create + Thy poet, and Thy prophet Laureate. + + +263. GOOD FRIDAY: REX TRAGICUS; OR, CHRIST GOING TO HIS CROSS. + + Put off Thy robe of purple, then go on + To the sad place of execution: + Thine hour is come, and the tormentor stands + Ready to pierce Thy tender feet and hands. + Long before this, the base, the dull, the rude, + Th' inconstant and unpurged multitude + Yawn for Thy coming; some ere this time cry, + How He defers, how loath He is to die! + Amongst this scum, the soldier with his spear + And that sour fellow with his vinegar, + His sponge, and stick, do ask why Thou dost stay; + So do the scurf and bran too. Go Thy way, + Thy way, Thou guiltless man, and satisfy + By Thine approach each their beholding eye. + Not as a thief shalt Thou ascend the mount, + But like a person of some high account; + The Cross shall be Thy stage, and Thou shalt there + The spacious field have for Thy theatre. + Thou art that Roscius and that marked-out man + That must this day act the tragedian + To wonder and affrightment: Thou art He + Whom all the flux of nations comes to see, + Not those poor thieves that act their parts with Thee; + Those act without regard, when once a king + And God, as Thou art, comes to suffering. + No, no; this scene from Thee takes life, and sense, + And soul, and spirit, plot and excellence. + Why then, begin, great King! ascend Thy throne, + And thence proceed to act Thy Passion + To such an height, to such a period raised, + As hell, and earth, and heav'n may stand amazed. + God and good angels guide Thee; and so bless + Thee in Thy several parts of bitterness, + That those who see Thee nail'd unto the tree + May, though they scorn Thee, praise and pity Thee. + And we, Thy lovers, while we see Thee keep + The laws of action, will both sigh and weep, + And bring our spices to embalm Thee dead; + That done, we'll see Thee sweetly buried. + + _Scurf and bran_, the rabble. + + +264. HIS WORDS TO CHRIST GOING TO THE CROSS. + + When Thou wast taken, Lord, I oft have read, + All Thy disciples Thee forsook and fled. + Let their example not a pattern be + For me to fly, but now to follow Thee. + + +265. ANOTHER TO HIS SAVIOUR. + + If Thou be'st taken, God forbid + I fly from Thee, as others did: + But if Thou wilt so honour me + As to accept my company, + I'll follow Thee, hap hap what shall, + Both to the judge and judgment hall: + And, if I see Thee posted there, + To be all-flayed with whipping-cheer, + I'll take my share; or else, my God, + Thy stripes I'll kiss, or burn the rod. + + +266. HIS SAVIOUR'S WORDS GOING TO THE CROSS. + + Have, have ye no regard, all ye + Who pass this way, to pity Me, + Who am a man of misery! + + A man both bruis'd, and broke, and one + Who suffers not here for Mine own, + But for My friends' transgression! + + Ah! Sion's daughters, do not fear + The cross, the cords, the nails, the spear, + The myrrh, the gall, the vinegar; + + For Christ, your loving Saviour, hath + Drunk up the wine of God's fierce wrath; + Only there's left a little froth, + + Less for to taste than for to show + What bitter cups had been your due, + Had He not drank them up for you. + + +267. HIS ANTHEM TO CHRIST ON THE CROSS. + + When I behold Thee, almost slain, + With one and all parts full of pain: + When I Thy gentle heart do see + Pierced through and dropping blood for me, + I'll call, and cry out, thanks to Thee. + + _Vers._ But yet it wounds my soul to think + That for my sin Thou, Thou must drink, + Even Thou alone, the bitter cup + Of fury and of vengeance up. + + _Chor._ Lord, I'll not see Thee to drink all + The vinegar, the myrrh, the gall: + + _Vers. Chor._ But I will sip a little wine; + Which done, Lord, say: The rest is Mine. + + +268. + + This crosstree here + Doth Jesus bear, + Who sweet'ned first + The death accurs'd. + Here all things ready are, make haste, make haste away; + For long this work will be, and very short this day. + Why then, go on to act: here's wonders to be done + Before the last least sand of Thy ninth hour be run; + Or ere dark clouds do dull or dead the mid-day's sun. + Act when Thou wilt, + Blood will be spilt; + Pure balm, that shall + Bring health to all. + Why then, begin + To pour first in + Some drops of wine, + Instead of brine, + To search the wound + So long unsound: + And, when that's done, + Let oil next run + To cure the sore + Sin made before. + And O! dear Christ, + E'en as Thou di'st, + Look down, and see + Us weep for Thee. + And tho', love knows, + Thy dreadful woes + We cannot ease, + Yet do Thou please, + Who mercy art, + T' accept each heart + That gladly would + Help if it could. + Meanwhile let me, + Beneath this tree, + This honour have, + To make my grave. + + +269. TO HIS SAVIOUR'S SEPULCHRE: HIS DEVOTION. + + Hail, holy and all-honour'd tomb, + By no ill haunted; here I come, + With shoes put off, to tread thy room. + I'll not profane by soil of sin + Thy door as I do enter in; + For I have washed both hand and heart, + This, that, and every other part, + So that I dare, with far less fear + Than full affection, enter here. + Thus, thus I come to kiss Thy stone + With a warm lip and solemn one: + And as I kiss I'll here and there + Dress Thee with flow'ry diaper. + How sweet this place is! as from hence + Flowed all Panchaia's frankincense; + Or rich Arabia did commix, + Here, all her rare aromatics. + Let me live ever here, and stir + No one step from this sepulchre. + Ravish'd I am! and down I lie + Confused in this brave ecstasy. + Here let me rest; and let me have + This for my heaven that was Thy grave: + And, coveting no higher sphere, + I'll my eternity spend here. + + _Panchaia_, a fabulous spice island in the Erythrean Sea. + + +270. HIS OFFERING, WITH THE REST, AT THE SEPULCHRE. + + To join with them who here confer + Gifts to my Saviour's sepulchre, + Devotion bids me hither bring + Somewhat for my thank-offering. + Lo! thus I bring a virgin flower, + To dress my Maiden Saviour. + + +271. HIS COMING TO THE SEPULCHRE. + + Hence they have borne my Lord; behold! the stone + Is rolled away and my sweet Saviour's gone. + Tell me, white angel, what is now become + Of Him we lately sealed up in this tomb? + Is He, from hence, gone to the shades beneath, + To vanquish hell as here He conquered death? + If so, I'll thither follow without fear, + And live in hell if that my Christ stays there. + + Of all the good things whatsoe'er we do, + God is the {ARCHE}, and the {TELOS} too. + + + + +POEMS + +NOT INCLUDED IN _HESPERIDES_. + + +THE DESCRIPTION OF A WOMAN. + + Whose head, befringed with bescattered tresses, + Shows like Apollo's when the morn he dresses,[B] + Or like Aurora when with pearl she sets + Her long, dishevell'd, rose-crown'd trammelets: + Her forehead smooth, full, polish'd, bright and high + Bears in itself a graceful majesty, + Under the which two crawling eyebrows twine + Like to the tendrils of a flatt'ring vine, + Under whose shade two starry sparkling eyes + Are beautifi'd with fair fring'd canopies. + Her comely nose, with uniformal grace, + Like purest white, stands in the middle place, + Parting the pair, as we may well suppose. + Each cheek resembling still a damask rose, + Which like a garden manifestly show + How roses, lilies, and carnations grow, + Which sweetly mixed both with white and red, + Like rose leaves, white and red, seem[C] mingled. + Then nature for a sweet allurement sets + Two smelling, swelling, bashful cherrylets, + The which with ruby redness being tipp'd, + Do speak a virgin, merry, cherry-lipp'd. + Over the which a neat, sweet skin is drawn, + Which makes them show like roses under lawn: + These be the ruby portals, and divine, + Which ope themselves to show a holy shrine + Whose breath is rich perfume, that to the sense + Smells like the burn'd Sabean frankincense: + In which the tongue, though but a member small, + Stands guarded with a rosy-hilly wall; + And her white teeth, which in the gums are set + Like pearl and gold, make one rich cabinet. + Next doth her chin with dimpled beauty strive + For his white, plump, and smooth prerogative; + At whose fair top, to please the sight, there grows + The fairest[D] image of a blushing rose, + Mov'd by the chin, whose motion causeth this, + That both her lips do part, do meet, do kiss; + Her ears, which like two labyrinths are plac'd + On either side, with rich rare jewels grac'd, + Moving a question whether that by them + The gem is grac'd, or they grac'd by the gem. + But the foundation of the architect + Is the swan-staining, fair, rare, stately neck + Which with ambitious humbleness stands under, + Bearing aloft this rich, round world of wonder. + Her breast, a place for beauty's throne most fit, + Bears up two globes where love and pleasure sit, + Which, headed with two rich, round rubies, show + Like wanton rosebuds growing out of snow; + And in the milky valley that's between + Sits Cupid, kissing of his mother queen, + Fingering the paps that feel like sieved silk, + And press'd a little they will weep pure milk. + Then comes the belly, seated next below, + Like a fair mountain in Riphean snow, + Where Nature, in a whiteness without spot, + Hath in the middle tied a Gordian knot. + Now love invites me to survey her thighs, + Swelling in likeness like two crystal skies, + Which to the knees by Nature fastened on, + Derive their ever well 'greed motion. + Her legs with two clear calves, like silver tri'd, + Kindly swell up with little pretty pride, + Leaving a distance for the comely[E] small + To beautify the leg and foot withal. + Then lowly, yet most lovely stand the feet, + Round, short and clear, like pounded spices sweet, + And whatsoever thing they tread upon + They make it scent like bruised cinnamon. + The lovely shoulders now allure the eye + To see two tablets of pure ivory + From which two arms like branches seem to spread + With tender rind[F] and silver coloured, + With little hands and fingers long and small + To grace a lute, a viol, virginal. + In length each finger doth his next excel, + Each richly headed with a pearly shell. + Thus every part in contrariety + Meet in the whole and make a harmony, + As divers strings do singly disagree, + But form'd by number make sweet melody. + +[B] MS. blesses. + +[C] MS. lye. + +[D] MS. blessed. + +[E] MS. beauteous. + +[F] W.R. vein'd. + + +MR. HERRICK: HIS DAUGHTER'S DOWRY. + + Ere I go hence and be no more + Seen to the world, I'll give the score + I owe unto a female child, + And that is this, a verse enstyled + My daughter's dowry; having which, + I'll leave thee then completely rich. + Instead of gold, pearl, rubies, bonds + Long forfeit, pawned diamonds + Or antique pledges, house or land, + I give thee this that shall withstand + The blow of ruin and of chance. + These hurt not thine inheritance, + For 'tis fee simple and no rent + Thou fortune ow'st for tenement. + However after times will praise, + This portion, my prophetic bays, + Cannot deliver up to th' rust, + Yet I keep peaceful in my dust. + As for thy birth and better seeds + (Those which must grow to virtuous deeds), + Thou didst derive from that old stem + (Love and mercy cherish them), + Which like a vestal virgin ply + With holy fire lest that it die. + Grow up with milder laws to know + At what time to say aye or no; + Let manners teach thee where to be + More comely flowing, where less free. + These bring thy husband, like to those + Old coins and medals we expose + To th' show, but never part with. Next, + As in a more conspicuous text, + Thy forehead, let therein be sign'd + The maiden candour of thy mind; + And under it two chaste-born spies + To bar out bold adulteries, + For through these optics fly the darts + Of lust which set on fire our hearts. + On either side of these quick ears + There must be plac'd, for seasoned fears + Which sweeten love, yet ne'er come nigh + The plague of wilder jealousy. + Then let each cheek of thine entice + His soul as to a bed of spice + Where he may roll and lose his sense, + As in a bed of frankincense. + A lip enkindled with that coal + With which love chafes and warms the soul, + Bring to him next, and in it show + Love's cherries from such fires grow + And have their harvest, which must stand + The gathering of the lip, not hand; + Then unto these be it thy care + To clothe thy words in gentle air, + That smooth as oil, sweet, soft and clean + As is the childish bloom of bean, + They may fall down and stroke, as the + Beams of the sun the peaceful sea. + With hands as smooth as mercy's bring + Him for his better cherishing, + That when thou dost his neck ensnare, + Or with thy wrist, or flattering hair, + He may, a prisoner, there descry + Bondage more loved than liberty. + A nature so well formed, so wrought + To calm and tempest, let be brought + With thee, that should he but incline + To roughness, clasp him like a vine, + Or like as wool meets steel, give way + Unto the passion, not to stay; + Wrath, if resisted, over-boils, + If not, it dies or else recoils. + And lastly, see you bring to him + Somewhat peculiar to each limb; + And I charge thee to be known + By n'other face but by thine own. + Let it in love's name be kept sleek, + Yet to be found when he shall seek + It, and not instead of saint + Give up his worth unto the paint; + For, trust me, girl, she over-does + Who by a double proxy woos. + But lest I should forget his bed, + Be sure thou bring a maidenhead. + That is a margarite, which lost, + Thou bring'st unto his bed a frost + Or a cold poison, which his blood + Benumbs like the forgetful flood. + Now for some jewels to supply + The want of earrings' bravery + For public eyes; take only these + Ne'er travelled for beyond the seas; + They're nobly home-bred, yet have price + Beyond the far-fet merchandise: + Obedience, wise distrust, peace, shy + Distance and sweet urbanity; + Safe modesty, lov'd patience, fear + Of offending, temperance, dear + Constancy, bashfulness and all + The virtues less or cardinal, + Take with my blessing, and go forth + Enjewelled with thy native worth. + And now if there a man be found + That looks for such prepared ground, + Let him, but with indifferent skill, + So good a soil bestock and till; + He may ere long have such a wife + Nourish in's breast a tree of life. + + +MR. ROBERT HERRICK: HIS FAREWELL UNTO POETRY. + + I have beheld two lovers in a night + Hatched o'er with moonshine from their stolen delight + (When this to that, and that to this, had given + A kiss to such a jewel of the heaven, + Or while that each from other's breath did drink + Health to the rose, the violet, or pink), + Call'd on the sudden by the jealous mother, + Some stricter mistress or suspicious other, + Urging divorcement (worse than death to these) + By the soon jingling of some sleepy keys, + Part with a hasty kiss; and in that show + How stay they would, yet forced they are to go. + Even such are we, and in our parting do + No otherwise than as those former two + Natures like ours, we who have spent our time + Both from the morning to the evening chime. + Nay, till the bellman of the night had tolled + Past noon of night, yet wear the hours not old + Nor dulled with iron sleep, but have outworn + The fresh and fairest nourish of the morn + With flame and rapture; drinking to the odd + Number of nine which makes us full with God, + And in that mystic frenzy we have hurled, + As with a tempest, nature through the world, + And in a whirlwind twirl'd her home, aghast + At that which in her ecstasy had past; + Thus crowned with rosebuds, sack, thou mad'st me fly + Like fire-drakes, yet didst me no harm thereby. + O thou almighty nature, who didst give + True heat wherewith humanity doth live + Beyond its stinted circle, giving food, + White fame and resurrection to the good; + Shoring them up 'bove ruin till the doom, + The general April of the world doth come + That makes all equal. Many thousands should, + Were't not for thee, have crumbled into mould, + And with their serecloths rotted, not to show + Whether the world such spirits had or no, + Whereas by thee those and a million since, + Nor fate, nor envy, can their fames convince. + Homer, Musaeus, Ovid, Maro, more + Of those godful prophets long before + Held their eternal fires, and ours of late + (Thy mercy helping) shall resist strong fate, + Nor stoop to the centre, but survive as long + As fame or rumour hath or trump or tongue; + But unto me be only hoarse, since now + (Heaven and my soul bear record of my vow) + I my desires screw from thee, and direct + Them and my thoughts to that sublim'd respect + And conscience unto priesthood; 'tis not need + (The scarecrow unto mankind) that doth breed + Wiser conclusions in me, since I know + I've more to bear my charge than way to go, + Or had I not, I'd stop the spreading itch + Of craving more, so in conceit be rich; + But 'tis the God of Nature who intends + And shapes my function for more glorious ends. + Kiss, so depart, yet stay a while to see + The lines of sorrow that lie drawn in me + In speech, in picture; no otherwise than when, + Judgment and death denounced 'gainst guilty men, + Each takes a weeping farewell, racked in mind + With joys before and pleasures left behind; + Shaking the head, whilst each to each doth mourn, + With thought they go whence they must ne'er return. + So with like looks, as once the ministrel + Cast, leading his Eurydice through hell, + I strike thy love, and greedily pursue + Thee with mine eyes or in or out of view. + So looked the Grecian orator when sent + From's native country into banishment, + Throwing his eyeballs backward to survey + The smoke of his beloved Attica; + So Tully looked when from the breasts of Rome + The sad soul went, not with his love, but doom, + Shooting his eyedarts 'gainst it to surprise + It, or to draw the city to his eyes. + Such is my parting with thee, and to prove + There was not varnish only in my love, + But substance, lo! receive this pearly tear + Frozen with grief and place it in thine ear. + Then part in name of peace, and softly on + With numerous feet to hoofy Helicon; + And when thou art upon that forked hill + Amongst the thrice three sacred virgins, fill + A full-brimm'd bowl of fury and of rage, + And quaff it to the prophets of our age; + When drunk with rapture curse the blind and lame, + Base ballad-mongers who usurp thy name + And foul thy altar; charm some into frogs, + Some to be rats, and others to be hogs; + Into the loathsom'st shapes thou canst devise + To make fools hate them, only by disguise; + Thus with a kiss of warmth and love I part + Not so, but that some relic in my heart + Shall stand for ever, though I do address + Chiefly myself to what I must profess. + Know yet, rare soul, when my diviner muse + Shall want a handmaid (as she oft will use), + Be ready, thou for me, to wait upon her, + Though as a servant, yet a maid of honour. + The crown of duty is our duty: well + Doing's the fruit of doing well. Farewell. + + _Shoring_, copies _soaring_. + + +A CAROL PRESENTED TO DR. WILLIAMS, BISHOP OF LINCOLN AS A NEW-YEAR'S +GIFT. + + Fly hence, pale care, no more remember + Past sorrows with the fled December, + But let each pleasant cheek appear + Smooth as the childhood of the year, + And sing a carol here. + 'Twas brave, 'twas brave, could we command the hand + Of youth's swift watch to stand + As you have done your day; + Then should we not decay. + But all we wither, and our light + Is spilt in everlasting night, + Whenas your sight + Shows like the heavens above the moon, + Like an eternal noon + That sees no setting sun. + + Keep up those flames, and though you shroud + Awhile your forehead in a cloud, + Do it like the sun to write + In the air a greater text of light; + Welcome to all our vows, + And since you pay + To us this day + So long desir'd, + See we have fir'd + Our holy spikenard, and there's none + But brings his stick of cinnamon, + His eager eye or smoother smile, + And lays it gently on the pile, + Which thus enkindled, we invoke + Your name amidst the sacred smoke. + + _Chorus._ Come then, great Lord. + And see our altar burn + With love of your return, + And not a man here but consumes + His soul to glad you in perfumes. + + +SONG. HIS MISTRESS TO HIM AT HIS FAREWELL. + + You may vow I'll not forget + To pay the debt + Which to thy memory stands as due + As faith can seal it you; + Take then tribute of my tears, + So long as I have fears + To prompt me I shall ever + Languish and look, but thy return see never. + Oh then to lessen my despair + Print thy lips into the air, + So by this + Means I may kiss thy kiss + Whenas some kind + Wind + Shall hither waft it, and in lieu + My lips shall send a 1000 back to you. + + +UPON PARTING. + + Go hence away, and in thy parting know + 'Tis not my voice but Heaven's that bids thee go; + Spring hence thy faith, nor think it ill desert + I find in thee that makes me thus to part. + But voice of fame, and voice of Heaven have thundered + We both were lost, if both of us not sundered. + Fold now thine arms, and in thy last look rear + One sigh of love, and cool it with a tear. + Since part we must, let's kiss; that done, retire + With as cold frost as erst we met with fire; + With such white vows as fate can ne'er dissever, + But truth knit fast; and so, farewell for ever. + + +UPON MASTER FLETCHER'S INCOMPARABLE PLAYS. + + Apollo sings, his harp resounds: give room, + For now behold the golden pomp is come, + Thy pomp of plays which thousands come to see + With admiration both of them and thee. + O volume! worthy, leaf by leaf and cover, + To be with juice of cedar wash'd all over; + Here words with lines and lines with scenes consent + To raise an act to full astonishment; + Here melting numbers, words of power to move + Young men to swoon and maids to die for love. + _Love lies a-bleeding_ here, _Evadne_, there + Swells with brave rage, yet comely everywhere; + Here's _A mad lover_, there that high design + Of _King and no King_, and the rare plot thine. + So that whene'er we circumvolve our eyes, + Such rich, such fresh, such sweet varieties + Ravish our spirits, that entranc'd we see + None writes love's passion in the world like thee. + + +_THE NEW CHARON:_ + +UPON THE DEATH OF HENRY, LORD HASTINGS. + +_The musical part being set by Mr. Henry Lawes._ + +THE SPEAKERS, + +CHARON AND EUCOSMIA. + + _Euc._ Charon, O Charon, draw thy boat to th' shore, + And to thy many take in one soul more. + _Cha._ Who calls? who calls? _Euc._ One overwhelm'd with ruth; + Have pity either on my tears or youth, + And take me in who am in deep distress; + But first cast off thy wonted churlishness. + _Cha._ I will be gentle as that air which yields + A breath of balm along the Elysian fields. + Speak, what art thou? _Euc_. One once that had a lover, + Than which thyself ne'er wafted sweeter over. + He was---- _Cha._ Say what? _Euc._ Ah me, my woes are deep. + _Cha._ Prithee relate, while I give ear and weep. + _Euc._ He was a Hastings; and that one name has + In it all good that is, and ever was. + He was my life, my love, my joy, but died + Some hours before I should have been his bride. + _Chorus._ Thus, thus the gods celestial still decree, + For human joy contingent misery. + _Euc._ The hallowed tapers all prepared were, + And Hymen call'd to bless the rites. _Cha._ Stop there. + _Euc._ Great are my woes. _Cha._ And great must that grief be + That makes grim Charon thus to pity thee. + But now come in. _Euc._ More let me yet relate. + _Cha._ I cannot stay; more souls for waftage wait + And I must hence. _Euc._ Yet let me thus much know, + Departing hence, where good and bad souls go? + _Cha._ Those souls which ne'er were drench'd in pleasure's stream, + The fields of Pluto are reserv'd for them; + Where, dress'd with garlands, there they walk the ground + Whose blessed youth with endless flowers is crown'd. + But such as have been drown'd in this wild sea, + For those is kept the Gulf of Hecate, + Where with their own contagion they are fed, + And there do punish and are punished. + This known, the rest of thy sad story tell + When on the flood that nine times circles hell. + _Chorus._ We sail along to visit mortals never; + But there to live where love shall last for ever. + + +EPITAPH ON THE TOMB OF SIR EDWARD GILES AND HIS WIFE IN THE SOUTH AISLE +OF DEAN PRIOR CHURCH, DEVON. + + No trust to metals nor to marbles, when + These have their fate and wear away as men; + Times, titles, trophies may be lost and spent, + But virtue rears the eternal monument. + What more than these can tombs or tombstones pay? + But here's the sunset of a tedious day: + These two asleep are: I'll but be undress'd + And so to bed: pray wish us all good rest. + + + + +NOTES. + + + + +NOTES. + + +569. _And of any wood ye see, You can make a Mercury._ Pythagoras +allegorically said that Mercury's statue could not be made of every sort +of wood: cp. Rabelais, iv. 62. + +575. _The Apparition of his Mistress calling him to Elysium._ An earlier +version of this poem was printed in the 1640 edition of Shakespeare's +poems under the title, _His Mistris Shade_, having been licensed for +separate publication at Stationers' Hall the previous year. The variants +are numerous, and some of them important. l. 1, _of silver_ for _with +silv'rie_; l. 3, on the Banks for _in the Meads_; l. 8, _Spikenard +through_ for _Storax from_; l. 10 reads: "_Of mellow_ Apples, _ripened_ +Plums _and_ Pears": l. 17, the order of "naked younglings, handsome +striplings" is reversed; in place of l. 20 we have:-- + + "So soon as each his dangling locks hath crown'd + With Rosie Chaplets, Lilies, Pansies red, + Soft Saffron Circles to perfume the head"; + +l. 23, _to_ for _too unto_; l. 24, _their_ for _our_; ll. 29, 30:-- + + "Unto the Prince of Shades, whom once his Pen + Entituled the Grecian Prince of Men"; + +l. 31, _thereupon_ for _and that done_; l. 36, _render him true_ for +_show him truly_; l. 37, _will_ for _shall_; l. 38, "Where both may +_laugh_, both drink, _both_ rage together"; l. 48, _Amphitheatre_ for +_spacious theatre_; l. 49, _synod_ for _glories_, followed by:-- + + "crown'd with sacred Bays + And flatt'ring _joy, we'll have to_ recite their plays, + _Shakespeare and Beamond_, Swans to whom _the Spheres_ + Listen while they _call back the former year[s] + To teach the truth of scenes_, and more for thee, + There yet remains, _brave soul_, than thou can'st see," + etc.; + +l. 56, _illustrious for capacious_; l. 57, _shall be_ for _now is_ +[Jonson died 1637]; ll. 59-61:-- + + "To be of that high Hierarchy where none + But brave souls take illumination + Immediately from heaven; but hark the cock," etc.; + +l. 62, _feel_ for _see_; l. 63, _through_ for _from_. + +579. _My love will fit each history._ Cp. Ovid, _Amor._ II. iv. 44: +Omnibus historiis se meus aptat amor. + +580. _The sweets of love are mixed with tears._ Cp. Propert. I. xii. 16: +Nonnihil adspersis gaudet Amor lacrimis. + +583. _Whom this morn sees most fortunate_, etc. Seneca, _Thyest._ 613: +Quem dies vidit veniens superbum Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem. + +586. _Night hides our thefts_, etc. Ovid, _Ars Am._ i. 249:-- + + Nocte latent mendae vitioque ignoscitur omni, + Horaque formosam quamlibet illa facit. + +590. _To his brother-in-law, Master John Wingfield._ Of Brantham, +Suffolk, husband of the poet's sister, Mercy. See 818, and Sketch of +Herrick's Life in vol. i. + +599. _Upon Lucia._ Cp. "The Resolution" in _Speculum Amantis_, ed. A. H. +Bullen. + +604. _Old Religion._ Certainly not Roman Catholicism, though Jonson was +a Catholic. Herrick uses the noun and its adjective rather curiously of +the dead: cp. 82, "To the reverend shade of his religious Father," and +138, "When thou shalt laugh at my religious dust". There may be +something of this use here, or we may refer to his ancient cult of +Jonson. But the use of the phrase in 870 makes the exact shade of +meaning difficult to fix. + +605. _Riches to be but burdens to the mind._ Seneca _De Provid._ 6: +Democritus divitias projecit, onus illas bonae mentis existimans. + +607. _Who covets more is evermore a slave._ Hor. I. _Ep._ x. 41: Serviet +aeternum qui parvo nesciet uti. + +615. _No Wrath of Men._ Cp. Hor. _Od._ III. iii. 1-8. + +616. _To the Maids to walk abroad._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, +1650, under the title: _Abroad with the Maids_. + +618. _Mistress Elizabeth Lee, now Lady Tracy._ Elizabeth, daughter of +Thomas, first Lord Leigh of Stoneleigh, in Warwickshire, married John, +third Viscount Tracy. She survived her husband two years, and died in +1688. + +624. _Poets._ _Wantons we are_, etc. From Ovid, _Trist._ ii. 353-4:-- + + Crede mihi, mores distant a carmine nostri: + Vita verecunda est, Musa jocosa, mihi. + +625. _'Tis cowardice to bite the buried._ Cp. Ben Jonson, _The +Poetaster_, I. 1: "Envy the living, not the dead, doth bite"; perhaps +from Ovid, _Am._ I. xv. 39: Pascitur in vivis livor; post fata quiescit. + +626. _Noble Westmoreland._ See Note to 112. + +_Gallant Newark._ Robert Pierrepoint was created Viscount Newark in 1627 +and Earl of Kingston in the following year. But Herrick is perhaps +addressing his son, Henry Pierrepoint, afterwards Marquis of Dorchester +(see 962 and Note), who during the first Earl of Kingston's life would +presumably have borne his second title. + +633. _Sweet words must nourish soft and gentle love._ Ovid, _Ars Am._ +ii. 152: Dulcibus est verbis mollis alendus amor. + +639. _Fates revolve no flax they've spun._ Seneca, _Herc. Fur._ 1812: +Durae peragunt pensa sorores, Nec sua retro fila revolvunt. + +642. _Palms ... gems._ A Latinism. Cp. Ovid, _Fasti_, i. 152: Et nova de +gravido palmite gemma tumet. + +645. _Upon Tears._ Cp. S. Bernard: P[oe]nitentium lacrimae vinum +angelorum. + +649. _Upon Lucy._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, under the title, +_On Betty_. + +653. _To th' number five or nine._ Probably Herrick is mistaking the +references in Greek and Latin poets to the mixing of their wine and +water (_e.g._, Hor. _Od._ III. xix. 11-17) for the drinking of so many +cups. + +654. _Long-looked-for comes at last._ Cp. G. Herbert, preface to Sibbes' +Funeral Sermon on Sir Thomas Crew (1638): "That ancient adage, 'Quod +differtur non aufertur' for 'Long-looked-for comes at last'". + +655. _The morrow's life too late is_, etc. Mart. I. xvi. 12: Sera nimis +vita est crastina: vive hodie. + +662. _O happy life_, etc. From Virg. _Georg._ ii. 458-9:-- + + O fortunatos nimium sua si bona norint + Agricolas. + +It is not uncharacteristic that these fervid praises of country life +were left unfinished. + +664. _Arthur Bartly._ Not yet identified. + +665. _Let her Lucrece all day be._ From Martial XI. civ. 21, 22:-- + + Lucretia toto + Sis licet usque die: Laida nocte volo. + +_Neither will Famish me, nor overfill._ Mart. I. lviii. 4: Nec volo quod +cruciat, nec volo quod satiat. + +667. _Be't for my Bridal or my Burial._ Cp. Brand, vol. ii., and Coles' +_Introduction to the Knowledge of Plants_: "Rosemary and bayes are used +by the commons both at funerals and weddings". + +672. _Kings ought to be more lov'd than fear'd._ Seneca, _Octavia_, 459: +Decet timeri Caesarem. At plus diligi. + +673. _To Mr. Denham, on his prospective poem._ Sir John Denham +published in 1642 his _Cooper's Hill_, a poem on the view over the +Thames towards London, from a hill near Windsor. + +675. _Their fashion is, but to say no_, etc. Cp. Montaigne's _Essais_, +II. 3, p. 51; Florio's tr. p. 207: "Let it suffice that in doing it they +say no and take it". + +676. _Love is maintained by wealth._ Ovid, _Rem. Am._ 746: Divitiis +alitur luxuriosus amor. + +679. _Nero commanded, but withdrew his eyes._ Tacit. _Agric._ 45: Nero +subtraxit oculos, jussitque scelera, non spectavit. + +683. _But a just measure both of Heat and Cold._ This is a version of +the medieval doctrine of the four humours. So Chaucer says of his Doctor +of Physic:-- + + "He knew the cause of every maladye, + Were it of hoot or cold, or moyste, or drye, + And where engendered and of what humour". + +684. _'Gainst thou go'st a-mothering._ The Epistle for Mid-Lent Sunday +was from Galat. iv. 21, etc., and contained the words: "Jerusalem, quae +est Mater nostra". On that Sunday people made offerings at their Mother +Church. After the Reformation the natural mother was substituted for the +spiritual, and the day was set apart for visiting relations. Excellent +simnel cakes (Low Lat., _siminellus_, fine flour) are still made in the +North, where the current derivation of the word is from _Sim_ and +_Nell_! + +685. _To the King._ Probably written in 1645, when Charles was for a +short time in the West. + +689. _Too much she gives to some, enough to none._ Mart. XII. x.; +Fortuna multis dat nimis, satis nulli. + +696. _Men mind no state in sickness._ There is a general resemblance in +this poem to the latter part of Hor. III. _Od._ i., but I have an uneasy +sense that Herrick is translating. + +697. _Adversity._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650. + +702. _Mean things overcome mighty._ Cp. 486 and Note. + +706. _How roses came red._ Cp. Burton, _Anat. Mel._ III. ii. 3: +"Constantine (_Agricult._ xi. 18) makes Cupid himself to be a great +dancer: by the same token that he was capering among the gods, he flung +down a bowl of nectar, which, distilling upon the white rose, ever since +made it red". + +709. _Tears and Laughter._ Bishop Jebb quotes a Latin couplet inscribed +on an old inn at Four Crosses, Staffordshire:-- + + Fleres si scires unum tua tempora mensem: + Rides, cum non sit forsitan una dies. + +710. _Tully says._ Cic. _Tusc. Disp._ III. ii. 3: Gloria est frequens de +aliquo, fama cum laude. + +713. _His return to London._ Written at the same time as his _Farewell +to Dean Bourn_, _i.e._, after his ejection in 1648, the year of the +publication of the _Hesperides_. + +715. _No pack like poverty._ Burton, _Anat. Mel._ iii. 3: {Ouden penias +baryteron esti phortion}. "No burden, saith Menander, is so intolerable +as poverty." + +718. _As many laws_, etc. Tacit. _Ann._ iii. 27: Corruptissima in +republica plurimae leges. + +723. _Lay down some silver pence._ Cp. Bishop Corbet's _The Faeryes +Farewell_:-- + + "And though they sweep their hearths no less + Than maids were wont to do, + Yet who of late for cleanliness + Finds sixpence in her shoe?" + +725. _Times that are ill ... Clouds will not ever_, etc., two +reminiscences of Horace, II. _Od._ x. 17, and ix. + +727. _Up tails all._ This tune will be found in Chappell's _Popular +Music of the Olden Time_, vol. i. p. 196. He notes that it was a +favourite with Herrick, who wrote four other poems in the metre, viz.: +_The Hag is Astride_, _The Maypole is up_, _The Peter-penny_, and +_Twelfth Night: or, King and Queen_. The tune is found in Queen +Elizabeth's Virginal Book, and in the _Dancing Master_ (1650-1690). It +is alluded to by Ben Jonson, and was a favourite with the Cavaliers. + +730. _Charon and Philomel._ This dialogue is found with some slight +variations of text in Rawlinson's MS. poet. 65. fol. 32. The following +variants may be noted: l. 5, _voice_ for _sound_; l. 7, _shade_ for +_bird_; l. 11, _warbling_ for _watching_; l. 12, _hoist up_ for _thus +hoist_; l. 13, _be gone_ for _return_; l. 18, _praise_ for _pray_; l. +19, _sighs_ for _vows_; l. 24, omit _slothful_. The dialogue is +succeeded in the MS. by an old catch (probably written before Herrick +was born):-- + + "A boat! a boat! haste to the ferry! + For we go over to be merry, + To laugh and quaff, and drink old sherry". + +After the catch comes the following dialogue, written (it would seem) in +imitation of Herrick's _Charon and Philomel_: the speakers' names are +not marked:-- + + "Charon! O Charon! the wafter of all souls to bliss or bane! + Who calls the ferryman of Hell? + Come near and say who lives in bliss and who in pain. + Those that die well eternal bliss shall follow. + Those that die ill their own black deeds shall swallow. + Shall thy black barge those guilty spirits row + That kill themselves for love? Oh, no! oh, no! + My cordage cracks when such foul sins draw near, + No wind blows fair, nor I my boat can steer. + What spirits pass and in Elysium reign? + Those harmless souls that love and are beloved again. + That soul that lives in love and fain would die to win, + Shall he go free? Oh, no! it is too foul a sin. + He must not come aboard, I dare not row, + Storms of despair my boat will overblow. + But when thy mistress (?) shall close up thine eyes then come aboard, + Then come aboard and pass; till then be wise and sing." + +"Then come aboard" from the penultimate line and "and sing" from the +last should clearly be struck out. + +739. _O Jupiter_, etc. Eubulus in Athenaeus, xiii. 559: {O Zeu +polytimet', eit' ego kakos pote | ero gynaikas? ne Di' apoloimen ara; | +panton ariston ktematon}. Comp. 885. + +743. _Another upon her Weeping._ Printed in Witts _Recreations_, 1650, +under the title: _On Julia's Weeping_. + +745. _To Sir John Berkeley, Governour of Exeter._ Youngest son of Sir +Maurice Berkeley, of Bruton, in Somersetshire; knighted in Berwick in +1638; commander-in-chief of all the Royalist forces in Devonshire, 1643; +captured Exeter Sept. 4 of that year, and held it till April 13, 1646. +Created Baron Berkeley of Stratton, in Cornwall, 1658; died 1678. + +749. _Consultation._ As noted in the text, this is from Sallust, _Cat._ +i. + +751. _None sees the fardell of his faults behind._ Cp. Catullus, xxii. +20, 21:-- + + Suus cuique attributus est error, + Sed non videmus manticae quod in tergo est, + +or, perhaps more probably from Seneca, _de Ira_, ii. 28: Aliena vitia in +oculis habemus; a tergo nostra sunt. + +755. _The Eye._ AEschyl. _Fragm._ in Plutarch, _Amat._ 21: {Neas gynaikos +ou me me lathe phlegon Ophthalmos, hetis andros e gegeumene}. + +756. _To Prince Charles upon his coming to Exeter._ In August, 1645. + +761. _The Wake._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, under the title: +_Alvar and Anthea_. + +763. _To Doctor Alabaster._ William Alabaster, or Alablaster, born at +Hadleigh, Suffolk (1567); educated at Westminster and Trinity College, +Cambridge; a friend of Spencer; was converted to Roman Catholicism while +chaplain to the Earl of Essex in Spain, 1596. In 1607 he began his +series of apocalyptic writings by an _Apparatus in Revelationem Jesu +Christi_. On visiting Rome he was imprisoned by the Inquisition, +escaped, and returned to Protestantism. Besides his theological works, +he published (in 1637) a Lexicon Pentaglotton. Died April, 1640. + +766. _Time is the bound of things_, etc. From Seneca, _Consol. ad Marc._ +xix.: Excessit filius tuus terminos intra quos servitur ... mors omnium +dolorum solutio est et finis. + +771. _As I have read must be the first man up_, etc. Hor. I. _Ep._ vi. +48: Hoc primus repetas opus, hoc postremus omittas. + +_Rich compost._ Cp. the same thought in 662. + +772. _A Hymn to Bacchus._ Printed, with the misprint _Bacchus for +Iacchus_ in l. 1, in _Witts Recreations_, 1650. + +_Brutus ... Cato._ Cp. Note to 4 and 8. + +774. _If wars go well_, etc. Tacitus, _Ann._ iii. 53: cum recte factorum +sibi quisque gratiam trahant, unius [Principis scil.] invidia ab omnibus +peccatur. + +775. _Niggards of the meanest blood._ Seneca, _de Clem._ i. 1: Summa +parsimonia etiam vilissimi sanguinis. + +776. _Wrongs, if neglected_, etc. Tacit. _Ann._ iv. 34: [Probra] spreta +exolescunt, si irascare agnita videntur. + +780. _Kings ought to shear_, etc. A saying of Tiberius quoted by +Suetonius: Boni pastoris est tondere oves, non deglubere. Herrick +probably took it from Ben Jonson's _Discoveries_. + +784-7. _Ceremonies for Christmas._ More will be found about the Yule-log +in _Ceremonies for Candlemas Day_ (893); cp. also _The Wassail_ (476). + +788. _Power and Peace._ From Tacitus, _Ann._ iv. 4: Quanquam arduum sit +eodem loci potentiam et concordiam esse. + +789. _Mistress Margaret Falconbridge._ A daughter, probably, of the +Thomas Falconbridge of number 483. + +797. _Kisses._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, with omission of me +in l. 1. + +804. _John Crofts, Cup-bearer to the King._ Third son of Sir John +Crofts, of Saxham, Suffolk. We hear of him in the king's service as +early as 1628, and two years later Lord Conway, in thanking Wm. Weld for +some verses sent him, hopes "the lines are strong enough to bind Robert +Maule and Jack Crofts from ever more using the phrase". So Jack was +probably a bit of a poet himself. He may be the Mr. Crofts for +assaulting whom George, Lord Digby, was imprisoned a month and more, in +1634. + +807. _Man may want land to live in._ Tacitus, _Ann._ xiii. 56: Addidit +[Boiocalus] Deesse nobis terra in qua vivamus, in qua moriamur non +potest, quoted by Montaigne, II. 3. + +809. _Who after his transgression doth repent._ Seneca, _Agam._ 243: +Quem poenitet peccasse paene est innocens. + +810. _Grief, if't be great 'tis short._ Seneca, quoted by Burton (II. +iii. 1, Sec. 1): "Si longa est, levis est; si gravis est, brevis est. If it +be long, 'tis light; if grievous, it cannot last." + +817. _The Amber Bead._ Cp. Martial's epigram quoted in Note to 497. The +comparison to Cleopatra is from Mart. IV. xxxii. + +818. _To my dearest sister, M. Mercy Herrick._ Not quite five years his +senior. She married John Wingfield, of Brantham, Suffolk, to whom also +Herrick addresses a poem. + +820. _Suffer that thou canst not shift._ From Seneca; the title from +_Ep._ cvii.: Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis, the epigram from +_De Provid._ 4, as translated by Thomas Lodge, 1614, "Vertuous +instructions are never delicate. Doth fortune beat and rend us? Let us +suffer it"--whence Herrick reproduces the printer's error, _Vertuous_ +for Vertues (Virtue's). + +821. _For a stone has Heaven his tomb._ Cp. Sir T. Browne, _Relig. Med._ +Sec. 40: "Nor doe I altogether follow that rodomontado of Lucan (_Phars._ +vii. 819): Coelo tegitur qui non habet urnam, + + He that unburied lies wants not his hearse, + For unto him a tomb's the universe". + +823. _To the King upon his taking of Leicester._ May 31, 1645, a brief +success before Naseby. + +825. _'Twas Caesar's saying._ Tiberius ap. Tacit. _Ann._ ii. 26: Se +novies a divo Augusto in Germaniam missum plura consilio quam vi +perfecisse. + +830. _His Loss._ A reference to his ejection from Dean Prior. + +837. _Mistress Amy Potter._ Daughter of Barnabas Potter, Bishop of +Carlisle, Herrick's predecessor at Dean Prior. + +839. _Love is a circle ... from good to good._ So Burton, III. i. 1, Sec. +2: Circulus a bono in bonum. + +844. TO HIS BOOK. _Make haste away._ Martial, III. ii. Ad Librum +suum--Festina tibi vindicem parare, Ne nigram cito raptus in culinam +Cordyllas madida tegas papyro, Vel thuris piperisque sis cucullus. _To +make loose gowns for mackerel._ From Catullus, xcv. 1:-- + + At Volusi annales Paduam morientur ad ipsam, + Et laxas scombris saepe dabunt tunicas. + +846. _And what we blush to speak_, etc. Ovid, _Phaedra to Hipp._ 10: +Dicere quae puduit scribere jussit amor. + +849. _'Tis sweet to think_, etc. Seneca, _Herc. Fur._ 657-58: Quae fuit +durum pati Meminisse dulce est. + +851. _To Mr. Henry Lawes, the excellent composer of his lyrics._ Henry +Lawes (1595-1662), the friend of Milton, admitted a Gentleman of the +Chapel Royal, 1625. In the _Noble Numbers_ he is mentioned as the +composer of Herrick's _Christmas Carol_ and the first of his two +_New-Year's Gifts_. Lawes also set to music Herrick's _Not to Love_, _To +Mrs. Eliz. Wheeler_ (Among the Myrtles as I walked), _The Kiss_, _The +Primrose_, _To a Gentlewoman objecting to him his Grey Hairs_, and +doubtless others. + +852. _Maidens tell me I am old._ From Anacreon: + + {Legousin hai gynaikes + Anakreon geron ei k.t.l.} + +With a significant variation--"Ill it fits"--for {mallon prepei}. + +859. _Master J. Jincks._ Not identified. + +861. _Kings seek their subjects' good, tyrants their own._ Aristot. +_Politics_, iii. 7: {kalein eiothamen ton men monarchion ten pros to +koinon apoblepousan sympheron basileian ... he tyrannis esti monarchia +pros to sympheron to tou monarchountos}. + +869. _Sir Thomas Heale._ Probably a son of the Sir Thomas Hele, of +Fleet, Co. Devon, who died in 1624. This Sir Thomas was created a +baronet in 1627, and according to Dr. Grosart was one of the Royalist +commanders at the siege of Plymouth. He died 1670. + +872. _Love is a kind of war._ Ovid, _Ars Am._ II. 233, 34:-- + + Militiae species amor est: discedite segnes! + Non sunt haec timidis signa tuenda viris. + +873. _A spark neglected_, etc. Ovid, _Rem. Am._ 732-34:-- + + E minimo maximus ignis erit. + Sic nisi vitaris quicquid renovabit amorem, + Flamma redardescet quae modo nulla fuit. + +874. _An Hymn to Cupid._ From Anacreon:-- + + {Onax, ho damales Eros + kai Nymphai kyanopides + porphyree t' Aphrodite + sympaizousin ... gounoumai se, k.t.l.} + +885. _Naught are all women._ Burton, III. ii. 5. Sec. 5. + +907. _Upon Mr. William Lawes, the rare musician._ Elder brother of the +more famous Henry Lawes; appointed a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, +1602, and also one of Charles I.'s musicians-in-ordinary. When the Civil +War broke out he joined the king's army and was killed by a stray shot +during the siege of Chester, 1645. He set Herrick's _Gather ye rosebuds_ +to music. + +914. _Numbers ne'er tickle_, etc. Martial, I. xxxvi.:-- + + Lex haec carminibus data est jocosis, + Ne possint, nisi pruriant, juvare. + +918. _M. Kellam._ As yet unidentified. Dr. Grosart suggests that he may +have been one of Herrick's parishioners, and the name sounds as of the +west country. + +920. _Cunctation in correction._ Is Herrick translating? According to a +relief at Rome the lictors' rods were bound together not only by a red +thong twisted from top to bottom, but by six straps as well. + +922. _Continual reaping makes a land wax old._ Ovid, _Ars Am._ iii. 82: +Continua messe senescit ager. + +923. _Revenge._ Tacitus, _Hist._ iv. 3: Tanto proclivius est injuriae +quam beneficio vicem exsolvere; quia gratia oneri, ultio in quaestu +habetur. + +927. _Praise they that will times past._ Ovid, _Ars Am._ iii. 121:-- + + Prisca juvent alios: ego me nunc denique natum + Gratulor; haec aetas moribus apta meis. + +928. _Clothes are conspirators._ I can suggest no better explanation of +this oracular epigram than that the tailor's bill is an enemy of a +slender purse. + +929. _Cruelty_. Seneca _de Clem._ i. 24: Ferina ista rabies est, +sanguine gaudere et vulneribus; (i. 8), Quemadmodum praecisae arbores +plurimis ramis repullulant [H. uses repullulate, -tion, 336, 794], et +multa satorum genera, ut densiora surgant, reciduntur; ita regia +crudelitas auget inimicorum numerum tollendo. Ben Jonson, _Discoveries_ +(_Clementia_): "The lopping of trees makes the boughs shoot out quicker; +and the taking away of some kind of enemies increaseth the number". + +931. _A fierce desire of hot and dry._ Cp. note on 683. + +932. _To hear the worst_, etc. Antisthenes ap. _Diog. Laert._ VI. i. 4, +Sec. 3: {Akousas pote hoti Platon auton kakos legei Basilikon ephe kalos +poiounta kakos akouein}, quoted by Burton, II. iii. 7. + +934. _The Bondman._ Cp. Exodus xxi. 5, 6: "And if the servant shall +plainly say: I love my master, my wife, and my children: I will not go +out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also +bring him to the door, or unto the doorpost; and his master shall bore +his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him for ever". + +936. _My kiss outwent the bonds of shamefastness._ Cp. Sidney's +_Astrophel and Stella_, sonnet 82. For _not Jove himself_, etc., cp. 10, +and note. + +938. _His wish._ From Martial, II. xc. 7-10:-- + + Sit mihi verna satur: sit non doctissima conjux: + Sit nox cum somno, sit sine lite dies, etc. + +939. _Upon Julia washing herself in the river._ Imitated from Martial, +IV. xxii.:-- + + Primos passa toros et adhuc placanda marito + Merserat in nitidos se Cleopatra lacus, + Dum fugit amplexus: sed prodidit unda latentem, + Lucebat, totis cum tegeretur aquis. + Condita sic puro numerantur lilia vitro, + Sic prohibet tenuis gemma latere rosas, + Insilui mersusque vadis luctantia carpsi + Basia: perspicuae plus vetuistis aquae. + +940. _Though frankincense_, etc. Ovid, _de Medic. Fac._ 83, 84:-- + + Quamvis thura deos irataque numina placent, + Non tamen accensis omnia danda focis. + +947. _To his honoured and most ingenious friend, Mr. Charles Cotton._ +Dr. Grosart annotates: "The translator of Montaigne, and associate of +Izaak Walton"; but as the younger Cotton was only eighteen when +_Hesperides_ was printed, it is perhaps more probable that the father is +meant, though we may note that Herrick and the younger Cotton were +joint-contributors in 1649 to the _Lacrymae Musarum_, published in memory +of Lord Hastings. For a tribute to the brilliant abilities of the elder +Cotton, see Clarendon's _Life_ (i. 36; ed. 1827). + +948. _Women Useless._ A variation on a theme as old as Euripides. Cp. +_Medea_, 573-5:-- + + {chren gar allothen pothen brotous + paidas teknousthai, thely d' ouk einai genos; + choutos an ouk en ouden anthropois kakon.} + +952. _Weep for the dead, for they have lost the light_, cp. Ecclus. +xxii. 11. + +955. _To M. Leonard Willan, his peculiar friend._ A wretched poet; +author of "The Phrygian Fabulist; or the Fables of AEsop" (1650), +"Astraea; or True Love's Mirror" (1651), etc. + +956. _Mr. John Hall, Student of Gray's Inn._ Hall remained at Cambridge +till 1647, and this poem, which addresses him as a "Student of Gray's +Inn," must therefore have been written almost while _Hesperides_ was +passing through the press. Hall's _Horae Vacivae, or Essays_, published in +1646, had at once given him high rank among the wits. + +958. _To the most comely and proper M. Elizabeth Finch._ No certain +identification has been proposed. + +961. _To the King, upon his welcome to Hampton Court, set and sung._ The +allusion can only be to the king's stay at Hampton Court in 1647. Good +hope was then entertained of a peaceful settlement, and Herrick's ode, +enthusiastic as it is, expresses little more than this. + +_For an ascendent_, etc.: This and the next seven lines are taken from +phrases on pp. 29-33 of the _Notes and Observations on some passages of +Scripture_, by John Gregory (see note on N. N. 178). According to +Gregory, "The Ascendent of a City is that sign which riseth in the +Heavens at the laying of the first stone". + +962. _Henry, Marquis of Dorchester._ Henry Pierrepoint, second Earl of +Kingston, succeeded his father (Herrick's Newark) July 30, 1643, and was +created Marquis of Dorchester, March, 1645. "He was a very studious +nobleman and very learned, particularly in law and physics." (See +Burke's _Extinct Peerages_, iii. 435.) + +_When Cato, the severe, entered the circumspacious theatre._ The +allusion is to the visit of Cato to the games of Flora, given by +Messius. When his presence in the theatre was known, the dancing-women +were not allowed to perform in their accustomed lack of costume, +whereupon the moralist obligingly retired, amidst applause. + +966. _M. Jo. Harmar, physician to the College of Westminster._ John +Harmar, born at Churchdown, near Gloucester, about 1594, was educated at +Winchester and Magdalen College, Oxford; was a master at Magdalen +School, the Free School at St. Albans, and at Westminster, and Professor +of Greek at Oxford under the Commonwealth. He died 1670. Wood +characterises him as a butt for the wits and a flatterer of great men, +and notes that he was always called by the name of Doctor Harmar, though +he took no higher degree than M.A. But in 1632 he supplicated for the +degree of M.B., and Dr. Grosart's note--"Herrick, no doubt, playfully +transmuted 'Doctor' into 'Physician'"--is misleading. He may have cared +for the minds and bodies of the Westminster boys at one and the same +time. + +_The Roman language.... If Jove would speak_, etc. Cp. Ben Jonson's +_Discoveries_: "that testimony given by L. Aelius Stilo upon Plautus who +affirmed, "Musas si latine loqui voluissent Plautino sermone fuisse +loquuturas". And Cicero [in Plutarch, Sec. 24] "said of the Dialogues of +Plato, that Jupiter, if it were his nature to use language, would speak +like him". + +967. _Upon his spaniel, Tracy._ Cp. _supra_, 724. + +971. _Strength_, etc. Tacitus, _Ann._ xiii. 19: Nihil rerum mortalium +tam instabile ac fluxum est, quam fama potentiae, non sua vi nixa. + +975. _Case is a lawyer_, etc. Martial, I. xcviii. Ad Naevolum +Causidicum. Cum clamant omnes, loqueris tu, Naevole, tantum.... Ecce, +tacent omnes; Naevole, dic aliquid. + +977. _To his sister-in-law, M. Susanna Herrick._ Cp. _supra_, 522. The +subject is again the making up of the book of the poet's elect. + +978. _Upon the Lady Crew._ Cp. Herrick's Epithalamium for her marriage +with Sir Clipsby Crew, 283. She died 1639, and was buried in Westminster +Abbey. + +979. _On Tomasin Parsons._ Daughter of the organist of Westminster +Abbey: cp. 500 and Note. + +983. _To his kinsman, M. Thomas Herrick, who desired to be in his book._ +Cp. 106 and Note. + +989. _Care keeps the conquest._ Perhaps jotted down with reference to +the Governorship of Exeter by Sir John Berkeley: see Note to 745. + +992. _To the handsome Mistress Grace Potter._ Probably sister to the +Mistress Amy Potter celebrated in 837, where see Note. + +995. _We've more to bear our charge than way to go._ Seneca, Ep. 77: +quantulumcunque haberem, tamen plus superesset viatici quam viae, quoted +by Montaigne, II. xxviii. + +1000. _The Gods, pillars, and men._ Horace's Mediocribus esse poetis +Non homines, non di, non concessere columnae (_Ars Poet._ 373). Latin +poets hung up their epigrams in public places. + +1002. _To the Lord Hopton on his fight in Cornwall._ Sir Ralph Hopton +won two brilliant victories for the Royalists, at Bradock Down and +Stratton, January and May, 1643, and was created Baron Hopton in the +following September. Originally a Parliamentarian, he was one of the +king's ablest and most loyal servants. + +1008. _Nothing's so hard but search will find it out._ Terence, _Haut._ +IV. ii. 8: Nihil tam difficile est quin quaerendo investigari posset. + +1009. _Labour is held up by the hope of rest._ Ps. Sallust, _Epist. ad +C. Caes._: Sapientes laborem spe otii sustentant. + +1022. _Posting to Printing._ Mart. V. x. 11, 12:-- + + Vos, tamen, o nostri, ne festinate, libelli: + Si post fata venit gloria, non propero. + +1023. _No kingdoms got by rapine long endure._ Seneca, _Troad._ 264: +Violenta nemo imperia continuit dies. + +1026. _Saint Distaff's Day._ "Saint Distaff is perhaps only a coinage of +our poet's to designate the day when, the Christmas vacation being over, +good housewives, with others, resumed their usual employment." (Nott.) +The phrase is explained in dictionaries and handbooks, but no other use +of it is quoted than this. Herrick's poem was pilfered by Henry Bold (a +notorious plagiarist) in _Wit a-sporting in a pleasant Grove of New +Fancies_, 1657. + +1028. _My beloved Westminster._ As mentioned in the brief "Life" of +Herrick prefixed to vol. i., all the references in this poem seem to +refer to Herrick's courtier-days, between leaving Cambridge and going to +Devonshire. He then, doubtless, resided in Westminster for the sake of +proximity to Whitehall. It has been suggested, however, that the +reference is to Westminster School, but we have no evidence that Herrick +was educated there. + +_Golden Cheapside._ My friend, Mr. Herbert Horne, in his +admirably-chosen selection from the _Hesperides_, suggests that the +allusion here is to the great gilt cross at the end of Wood Street. The +suggestion is ingenious; but as Cheapside was the goldsmiths' quarter +this would amply justify the epithet, which may indeed only refer to +Cheapside as a money-winning street, as we might say Golden Lombard +Street. + +1032. _Things are uncertain._ Tiberius, in Tacitus, _Annal._ i. 72: +Cuncta mortalium incerta; quantoque plus adeptus foret, tanto se magis +in lubrico. + +1034. _Good wits get more fame by their punishment._ Cp. Tacit. _Ann._ +iv. 35, sub fin.: Punitis ingeniis gliscit auctoritas, etc., quoted by +Bacon and Milton. + +1035. _Twelfth Night: or King and Queen._ Herrick alludes to these +"Twelfth-Tide Kings and Queens" in writing to Endymion Porter (662), and +earlier still, in the "New-Year's Gift to Sir Simeon Steward" (319) he +speaks-- + + "Of Twelfth-Tide cakes, of Peas and Beans, + Wherewith ye make those merry scenes, + Whenas ye choose your King and Queen". + +Brand (i. 27) illustrates well from "Speeches to the Queen at Sudley" in +Nichols' _Progresses of Queen Elizabeth_. + +"_Melib[oe]us._ Cut the cake: who hath the bean shall be king, and where +the pea is, she shall be queen. + +_Nisa._ I have the pea and must be queen. + +_Mel._ I the bean, and king. I must command." + +1045. _Comfort in Calamity._ An allusion to the ejection from their +benefices which befel most of the loyal clergy at the same time as +Herrick. It is perhaps worth noting that in the second volume of this +edition, and in the last hundred poems printed in the first, wherever a +date can be fixed it is always in the forties. Equally late poems occur, +though much less frequently, among the first five hundred, but there the +dated poems belong, for the most part, to the years 1623-1640. Now, in +April 29, 1640, as stated in the brief "Life" prefixed to vol. i., there +was entered at Stationers' Hall, "The severall poems written by Master +Robert Herrick," a book which, as far as is known, never saw the light. +It was probably, however, to this book that Herrick addressed the poem +(405) beginning:-- + + "Have I not blest thee? Then go forth, nor fear + Or spice, or fish, or fire, or close-stools here"; + +and we may fairly regard the first five hundred poems of _Hesperides_ +as representing the intended collection of 1640, with a few additions, +and the last six hundred as for the most part later, and I must add, +inferior work. This is borne out by the absence of any manuscript +versions of poems in the second half of the book. Herrick's verses would +only be passed from hand to hand when he was living among the wits in +London. + +1046. _Twilight._ Ovid, _Amores_, I. v. 5, 6: Crepuscula ... ubi nox +abiit, nec tamen orta dies. + +1048. _Consent makes the cure._ Seneca, _Hippol._ 250: Pars sanitatis +velle sanari fuit. + +1050. _Causeless whipping._ Ovid, _Heroid._ v. 7, 8: Leniter ex merito +quicquid patiare, ferendum est; Quae venit indignae poena, dolenda +venit. Quoted by Montaigne, III. xiii. + +1052. _His comfort._ Terence, _Adelph._ I. i. 18: Ego ... quod +fortunatum isti putant, Uxorem nunquam habui. + +1053. _Sincerity._ From Hor. _Ep._ I. ii. 54: Sincerum est nisi vas, +quodcunque infundis acescit. Quoted by Montaigne, III. xiii. + +1056. _To his peculiar friend, M. Jo. Wicks._ See 336 and Note. Written +after Herrick's ejection. We know that the poet's uncle, Sir William +Herrick, suffered greatly in estate during the Civil War, and it may +have been the same with other friends and relatives. But there can be +little doubt that the poet found abundant hospitality on his return to +London. + +1059. _A good Death._ August. _de Disciplin. Christ._ 13: Non potest +male mori, qui bene vixerit. + +1061. _On Fortune._ Seneca, _Medea_, 176: Fortuna opes auferre non +animum potest. + +1062. _To Sir George Parry, Doctor of the Civil Law._ According to Dr. +Grosart, Parry "was admitted to the College of Advocates, London, 3rd +Nov., 1628; but almost nothing has been transmitted concerning him save +that he married the daughter and heir of Sir Giles Sweet, Dean of +Arches". I can hardly doubt that he must be identified with the Dr. +George Parry, Chancellor to the Bishop of Exeter, who in 1630 was +accused of excommunicating persons for the sake of fees, but was highly +praised in 1635 and soon after appointed a Judge Marshal. If so, his +wife was a widow when she came to him, as she is spoken of in 1638 as +"Lady Dorothy Smith, wife of Sir Nicholas Smith, deceased". She brought +him a rich dower, and her death greatly confused his affairs. + +1067. _Gentleness._ Seneca, _Phoen._ 659: Qui vult amari, languida +regnet manu. And Ben Jonson, _Panegyre_ (1603): "He knew that those who +would with love command, Must with a tender yet a steadfast hand, +Sustain the reins". + +1068. _Mrs. Eliza Wheeler._ See 130 and Note. + +1071. _To the Honoured Master Endymion Porter._ For Porter's patronage +of poetry see 117 and Note. + +1080. _The Mistress of all singular Manners, Mistress Portman._ Dr. +Grosart notes that a Mrs. Mary Portman was buried at Putney Parish +Church, June 27, 1671, and this was perhaps Herrick's schoolmistress, +the "pearl of Putney". + +1087. _Where pleasures rule a kingdom._ Cicero, _De Senect._ xii. 41: +Neque omnino in voluptatis regno virtutem posse consistere. _He lives +who lives to virtue._ Comp. Sallust, _Catil._ 2, s. fin. + +1088. _Twice five-and-twenty (bate me but one year)._ As Herrick was +born in 1591, this poem must have been written in 1640. + +1089. _To M. Laurence Swetnaham._ Unless the various entries in the +parish registers of St. Margaret's, Westminster, refer to different men, +this Lawrence Swetnaham was the third son of Thomas Swettenham of +Swettenham in Cheshire, married in 1602 to Mary Birtles. Lawrence +himself had children as early as 1629, and ten years later was +church-warden. He was buried in the Abbey, 1673. + +1091. _My lamp to you I give._ Allusion to the {Lampadephoria} which +Plato (_Legg._ 776B) uses to illustrate the succession of generations. +So Lucretius (ii. 77): Et quasi cursores vitai lampada tradunt. + +1092. _Michael Oulsworth._ Michael Oulsworth, Oldsworth or Oldisworth, +graduated M.A. from Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1614. According to +Wood, "he was afterwards Fellow of his College, Secretary to Earl of +Pembroke, elected a burgess to serve in several Parliaments for Sarum +and Old Sarum, and though in the Grand Rebellion he was no Colonel, yet +he was Governor of Old Pembroke, and Montgomery led him by the nose as +he pleased, to serve both their turns". The partnership, however, was +not eternal, for between 1648 and 1650 Oldisworth published at least +eight virulent satires against his former master. + +1094. _Truth--her own simplicity._ Seneca, _Ep._ 49: (Ut ille tragicus), +Veritatis simplex oratio est. + +1097. _Kings must be dauntless._ Seneca, _Thyest._ 388: Rex est qui +metuit nihil. + +1100. _To his brother, Nicholas Herrick._ Baptized April 22, 1589; a +merchant trading to the Levant. He married Susanna Salter, to whom +Herrick addresses two poems (522, 977). + +1103. _A King and no King._ Seneca, _Thyest._ 214: Ubicunque tantum +honeste dominanti licet, Precario regnatur. + +1118. _Necessity makes dastards valiant men._ Sallust, _Catil._ 58: +Necessitudo ... timidos fortes facit. + +1119. _Sauce for Sorrows._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650. _An +equal mind._ Plautus, _Rudens_, II. iii. 71: Animus aequus optimum est +aerumnae condimentum. + +1126. _The End of his Work._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, under +the title: _Of this Book._ From Ovid, _Ars Am._ i. 773, 774:-- + + Pars superest caepti, pars est exhausta laboris: + Hic teneat nostras anchora jacta rates. + +1127. _My wearied bark_, etc. Ovid, _Rem. Am._ 811, 812:-- + + fessae date serta carinae: + Contigimus portum, quo mihi cursus erat. + +1128. _The work is done._ Ovid, _Ars Am._ ii. 733, 734:-- + + Finis adest operi: palmam date, grata juventus, + Sertaque odoratae myrtea ferte comae. + +1130. _His Muse._ Cp. Note on 624. + + + + +NOBLE NUMBERS. + + +3. _Weigh me the Fire._ _2 Esdras_, iv. 5, 7; v. 9, 36: "Weigh me ... +the fire, or measure me ... the wind," etc. + +4. _God ... is the best known, not...._ _August. de Ord._ ii. 16: [Deus] +scitur melius nesciendo. + +5. _Supraentity_, {to hyperontos on}, Plotinus. + +7. _His wrath is free from perturbation._ August. _de Civ. Dei_, ix. 5: +Ipse Deus secundum Scripturas irascitur, nec tamen ulla passione +turbatur. _Enchir. ad Laurent._ 33: Cum irasci dicitur Deus, non +significatur perturbatio, qualis est in animo irascentis hominis. + +9. _Those Spotless two Lambs._ "This is the offering made by fire which +ye shall offer unto the Lord: two lambs of the first year without spot, +day by day, for a continual burnt-offering." (Numb. xxviii. 3.) + +17. _An Anthem sung in the Chapel of Whitehall._ This may be added to +Nos. 96-98, and 102, the poems on which Mr. Hazlitt bases his conjecture +that Herrick may have held some subordinate post in the Chapel Royal. + +37. _When once the sin has fully acted been._ Tacitus, _Ann._ xiv. 10: +Perfecto demum scelere, magnitudo ejus intellecta est. + +38. _Upon Time._ Were this poem anonymous it would probably be +attributed rather to George Herbert than to Herrick. + +41. _His Litany to the Holy Spirit._ We may quote again from Barron +Field's account in the _Quarterly Review_ (1810) of his +cross-examination of the Dean Prior villagers for Reminiscences of +Herrick: "The person, however, who knows more of Herrick than all the +rest of the neighbourhood we found to be a poor woman in the 99th year +of her age, named Dorothy King. She repeated to us, with great +exactness, five of his _Noble Numbers_, among which was his beautiful +'Litany'. These she had learnt from her mother, who was apprenticed to +Herrick's successor at the vicarage. She called them her prayers, which +she said she was in the habit of putting up in bed, whenever she could +not sleep; and she therefore began the 'Litany' at the second stanza:-- + + 'When I lie within my bed,' etc." + +Another of her midnight orisons was the poem beginning:-- + + "Every night Thou dost me fright, + And keep mine eyes from sleeping," etc. + +The last couplet, it should be noted, is misquoted from No. 56. + +54. _Spew out all neutralities._ From the message to the Church of the +Laodiceans, Rev. iii. 16. + +59. _A Present by a Child._ Cp. "A pastoral upon the Birth of Prince +Charles" (_Hesperides_ 213), and Note. + +63. _God's mirth: man's mourning._ Perhaps founded on Prov. i. 26: "I +also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh". + +65. _My Alma._ The name is probably suggested by its meaning "soul". Cp. +Prior's _Alma_. + +72. _I'll cast a mist and cloud._ Cp. Hor. I. _Ep._ xvi. 62: Noctem +peccatis et fraudibus objice nubem. + +75. _That house is bare._ Horace, _Ep._ I. vi. 45: Exilis domus est, ubi +non et multa supersunt. + +77. _Lighten my candle_, etc. The phraseology of the next five lines is +almost entirely from the Psalms and the Song of Solomon. + +86. _Sin leads the way._ Hor. _Odes_, III. ii. 32: Raro antecedentem +scelestum Deseruit pede Poena claudo. + +88. _By Faith we ... walk ..., not by the Spirit._ 2 Cor. v. 7: "We walk +by faith, not by sight". 'By the Spirit' perhaps means, 'in spiritual +bodies'. + +96. _Sung to the King._ See Note on 17. + +_Composed by M. Henry Lawes._ See _Hesperides_ 851, and Note. + +102. _The Star-Song._ This may have been composed partly with reference +to the noonday star during the Thanksgiving for Charles II.'s birth. See +_Hesperides_ 213, and Note. + +_We'll choose him King._ A reference to the Twelfth Night games. See +_Hesperides_ 1035, and Note. + +108. _Good men afflicted most._ Taken almost entirely from Seneca, _de +Provid._ 3, 4: Ignem experitur [Fortuna] in Mucio, paupertatem in +Fabricio, ... tormenta in Regulo, venenum in Socrate, mortem in Catone. +The allusions may be briefly explained for the unclassical. At the siege +of Dyrrachium, Marcus Cassius Scaeva caught 120 darts on his shield; +Horatius Cocles is the hero of the bridge (see Macaulay's _Lays_); C. +Mucius Scaevola held his hand in the fire to illustrate to Porsenna Roman +fearlessness; Cato is Cato Uticensis, the philosophic suicide; "high +Atilius" will be more easily recognised as the M. Atilius Regulus who +defied the Carthaginians; Fabricius Luscinus refused not only the +presents of Pyrrhus, but all reward of the State, and lived in poverty +on his own farm. + +109. _A wood of darts._ Cp. Virg. _AEn._ x. 886: Ter secum Troius heros +Immanem aerato circumfert tegmine silvam. + +112. _The Recompense._ Herrick is said to have assumed the lay habit on +his return to London after his ejection, perhaps as a protection against +further persecution. This quatrain may be taken as evidence that he did +not throw off his religion with his cassock. Compare also 124. + +_All I have lost that could be rapt from me._ From Ovid, III. _Trist._ +vii. 414: Raptaque sint adimi quae potuere mihi. + +123. _Thy light that ne'er went out._ Prov. xxxi. 18 (of 'the Excellent +Woman'): "Her candle goeth not out by night". _All set about with +lilies._ Cp. _Cant. Canticorum_, vii. 2: Venter tuus sicut acervus +tritici, vallatus liliis. + +_Will show these garments._ So Acts ix. 39. + +134. _God had but one son free from sin._ Augustin. _Confess._ vi.: +Deus unicum habet filium sine peccato, nullum sine flagello, quoted in +Burton, II. iii. 1. + +136. _Science in God._ Bp. Davenant, _on Colossians_, 166, _ed._ 1639; +speaking of Omniscience: Proprietates Divinitatis non sunt accidentia, +sed ipsa Dei essentia. + +145. _Tears._ Augustin. _Enarr. Ps._ cxxvii.: Dulciores sunt lacrymae +orantium quam gaudia theatorum. + +146. _Manna._ Wisdom xvi. 20, 21: "Angels' food ... agreeing to every +taste". + +147. _As Cassiodore doth prove._ Reverentia est enim Domini timor cum +amore permixtus. Cassiodor. _Expos. in Psalt._ xxxiv. 30; quoted by Dr. +Grosart. My clerical predecessor has also hunted down with much industry +the possible sources of most of the other patristic references in _Noble +Numbers_, though I have been able to add a few. We may note that Herrick +quotes Cassiodorus (twice), John of Damascus, Boethius, Thomas Aquinas, +St. Bernard, St. Augustine (thrice), St. Basil, and St. Ambrose--a +goodly list of Fathers, if we had any reason to suppose that the +quotations were made at first hand. + +148. _Mercy ... a Deity._ Pausanias, _Attic._ I. xvii. 1. + +153. _Mora Sponsi, the stay of the bridegroom._ Maldonatus, _Comm. in +Matth._ xxv.: Hieronymus et Hilarius moram sponsi p[oe]nitentiae tempus +esse dicunt. + +157. _Montes Scripturarum._ See August. _Enarr. in Ps._ xxxix., and +passim. + +167. _A dereliction._ The word is from Ps. xxii. 1: Quare me +dereliquisti? "Why hast Thou forsaken me?" Herrick took it from +Gregory's _Notes and Observations_ (see infra), p. 5: 'Our Saviour ... +in that great case of dereliction'. + +174. _Martha, Martha._ See Luke x. 41, and August. _Serm._ cii. 3: +Repetitio nominis indicium est dilectionis. + +177. _Paradise._ Gregory, p. 75, on "the reverend Say of Zoroaster, Seek +Paradise," quotes from the Scholiast Psellus: "The Chaldaean Paradise +(saith he) is a Quire of divine powers incircling the Father". + +178. _The Jews when they built houses._ Herrick's rabbinical lore (cp. +180, 181, 193, 207, 224), like his patristic, was probably derived at +second hand through some biblical commentary. Much of it certainly comes +from the _Notes and Observations upon some Passages of Scripture_ +(Oxford, 1646) of John Gregory, chaplain of Christ Church, a prodigy of +oriental learning, who died in his 39th year, March 13, 1646. Thus in +his Address to the Reader (3rd page from end) Gregory remarks: "The +Jews, when they build a house, are bound to leave some part of it +unfinished in memory of the destruction of Jerusalem," giving a +reference to Leo of Modena, _Degli Riti Hebraici_, Part I. + +180. _Observation. The Virgin Mother_, etc. Gregory, pp. 24-27, shows +that Sitting, the usual posture of mourners, was forbidden by both Roman +and Jewish Law "in capital causes". "This was the reason why ... she +stood up still in a resolute and almost impossible compliance with the +Law.... They sat ... after leave obtained ... to bury the body." + +181. _Tapers._ Cp. Gregory's _Notes_, p. 111: "The funeral tapers +(however thought of by some) are of the same harmless import. Their +meaning is to show that the departed souls are not quite put out, but +having walked here as the children of the Light are now gone to walk +before God in the light of the living." + +185. _God in the holy tongue._ J. G., p. 135: "God is called in the Holy +Tongue ... the Place; or that Fulness which filleth All in All". + +186, 187, 188, 189, 197. _God's Presence, Dwelling_, etc. J. G., pp. +135-9: "Shecinah, or God's Dwelling Presence". "God is said to be nearer +to this man than to that, more in one place than in another. Thus he is +said to depart from some and come to others, to leave this place and to +abide in that, not by essential application of Himself, much less by +local motion, but by impression of effect." "With just men (saith St. +Bernard) God is present, _in veritate_, in deed, but with the wicked, +dissemblingly." "He is called in the Holy Tongue, Jehovah, He that is, +or Essence." "He is said to dwell there (saith Maimon) where He putteth +the marks ... of His Majesty; and He doth this by His Grace and Holy +Spirit." + +190. _The Virgin Mary._ J. G., p. 86: "St. Ephrem upon those words of +Jacob, This is the House of God, and this is the Gate of Heaven. This +saying (saith he) is to be meant of the Virgin Mary ... truly to be +called the House of God, as wherein the Son of God ... inhabited, and as +truly the Gate of Heaven, for the Lord of heaven and earth entered +thereat; and it shall not be set open the second time, according to that +of Ezekiel (xliv. 2): I saw (saith he) a gate in the East; the glorious +Lord entered thereat; thenceforth that gate was shut, and is not any +more to be opened (_Catena Arab._ c. 58)." + +192. _Upon Woman and Mary._ The reference is to Christ's appearance to +St. Mary Magdalene in the Garden after the Resurrection, John xx. 15, +16. + +193. _North and South._ Comp. _Hesper._ 429. _Observation_. J. G., pp. +92, 93: "Whosoever (say the Doctors in Berachoth) shall set his bed N. +and S., shall beget male children. Therefore the Jews hold this rite of +collocation ... to this day.... They are bound to place their ... house +of office in the very same situation ... that the uncomely necessities +... might not fall into the Walk and Ways of God, whose Shecinah or +dwelling presence lieth W. and E." + +195. _Noah the first was_, etc. Cp. Gregory, _Notes_, p. 28. + +201. _Temporal goods._ August., quoted by Burton, II. iii. 3: Dantur +quidem bonis, saith Austin, ne quis mala aestimet, malis autem ne quis +nimis bona. + +203. _Speak, did the blood of Abel cry_, etc. Cp. Gregory's _Notes_, pp. +118: "But did the blood of Abel speak? saith Theophylact. Yes, it cried +unto God for vengeance, as that of sprinkling for propitiation and +mercy." + +204. _A thing of such a reverend reckoning._ Cp. Gregory, 118-9: "The +blood of Abel was so holy and reverend a thing, in the sense and +reputation of the old world, that the men of that time used to swear by +it". + +205. _A Position in the Hebrew Divinity._ From Gregory's _Notes_, pp. +134, 5: "That old position in the Hebrew Divinity ... that a repenting +man is of more esteem in the sight of God than one that never fell +away". + +206. _The Doctors in the Talmud._ From Gregory's _Notes_, _l.c._: "The +Doctors in the Talmud say, that one day spent here in true Repentance is +more worth than eternity itself, or all the days of heaven in the other +world". + +207. _God's Presence._ Again from Gregory's Notes, pp. 136 sq. + +208. _The Resurrection._ Gregory's _Notes_, pp. 128-29, translating from +a Greek MS. of Mathaeus Blastares in the Bodleian: "The wonder of this is +far above that of the resurrection of our bodies; for then the earth +giveth up her dead but one for one, but in the case of the corn she +giveth up many living ones for one dead one". + +243. _Confession twofold is._ August, in Ps. xxix. _Enarr._ ii. 19: +Confessio gemina est, aut peccati, aut laudis. + +254. _Gold and frankincense._ St. Matt. ii. 11. St. Ambrose. Aurum Regi, +thus Deo. + +256. _The Chewing the Cud._ Cp. Lev. xi. 6. + +258. _As my little pot doth boil_, etc. This far-fetched little poem +is an instance of Herrick's habit of jotting down his thoughts in verse. +In cooking some food for a charitable purpose he seems to have noticed +that the boiling pot tossed the meat to and fro, or "waved" it (the +priest's work), and that he himself was giving away the meat he lifted +off the fire, the "heave-offering," which was the priest's perquisite. +This is the confusion or "level-coil" to which he alludes. + + + + +NOTES TO ADDITIONAL POEMS. + + +_The Description of a Woman_. Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1645, and +contained also in Ashmole MS. 38, where it is signed: "Finis. Robert +Herrick." Our version is taken from _Witts Recreations_, with the +exception of the readings _show_ and _grow_ (for _shown_ and _grown_, in +ll. 15 and 16). The Ashmole MS. contains in all thirty additional lines, +which may or may not be by Herrick, but which, as not improving the +poem, have been omitted in our text in accordance with the precedent set +by the editor of _Witts Recreations_. + +_Mr. Herrick: his Daughter's Dowry._ From Ashmole MS. 38, where it is +signed: "Finis. Robt. Hericke." + +_Mr. Robert Herrick: his Farewell unto Poetry._ Printed by Dr. Grosart +and Mr. Hazlitt from Ashmole MS. 38. I add a few readings from Brit. +Mus. Add. MS. 22, 603, where it is entitled: _Herrick's Farewell to +Poetry_. The importance of the poem for Herrick's biography is alluded +to in the brief "Life" prefixed to vol. i. + +For _some sleepy keys_ the Museum MS. reads, _the sleeping keys_; for +_yet forc't they are to go_ it has _and yet are forc't to go_; _drinking +to the odd Number of Nine_ for _Number of Wine_, as to which see below; +_turned her home_ for _twirled her home_; _dear soul_ for _rare soul_. +All these are possible, but _beloved Africa_, and the omission of the +two half lines, "'tis not need The scarecrow unto mankind," are pure +blunders. + +_Drinking to the odd Number of Nine_. I introduce this into the text +from the Museum manuscript as agreeing with the + + "Well, I can quaff, I see, + To th' number five + Or nine" + +of _A Bacchanalian Verse_ (_Hesperides_ 653), on which see Note. Dr. +Grosart explains the Ashmole reading _Wine_ by the Note "_{oinos}_ and +_vinum_ both give five, the number of perfection"; but this seems too +far-fetched for Herrick. + +_Kiss, so depart._ By a strange freak Ashmole MS. writes _Guesse_, and +the Museum MS. _Ghesse_; but the emendation _Kiss_ (adopted both by Dr. +Grosart and Mr. Hazlitt) cannot be doubted. + +_Well doing's the fruit of doing well._ Seneca, _de Clem._ i. 1: Recte +factorum verus fructus [est] fecisse. Also _Ep._ 81: Recte facti fecisse +merces est. The latter, and Cicero, _de Finib._ II. xxii. 72, are quoted +by Montaigne, _Ess._ II. xvi. + +_A Carol presented to Dr. Williams._ From Ashmole MS. 36, 298. For Dr. +Williams, see Note to _Hesperides_ 146. This poem was apparently written +in 1640, after the removal of the bishop's suspension. + +_His Mistress to him at his Farewell._ From Add. MS. 11, 811, at the +British Museum, where it is signed "Ro. Herrick". + +_Upon Parting._ From Harleian MS. 6917, at the British Museum. + +_Upon Master Fletcher's Incomparable Plays._ Printed in Beaumont and +Fletcher's Works, 1647, and Beaumont's Poems, 1653. + +_The Golden Pomp is come._ Ovid, "Aurea Pompa venit" (as in _Hesperides_ +201). + +_To be with juice of cedar washed all over._ Horace's "linenda cedro," +as in _Hesperides_. + +_Evadne._ See Note to _Hesperides_ 575. + +_The New Charon._ First printed in "Lachrymae Musarum. The tears of the +Muses: exprest in Elegies written by divers persons of Nobility and +Worth, upon the death of the most hopefull Henry, Lord Hastings.... +Collected and set forth by R[ichard] B[rome]. _London_, 1649." This is +the only poem which we know of Herrick's, written after 1648, and even +in this Herrick uses materials already employed in "Charon and the +Nightingale" in _Hesperides_. + +_Epitaph on the Tomb of Sir Edward Giles._ First printed by Dr. Grosart +from the monument in Dean Prior Church. Sir Edward Giles was the +occupant of Dean Court and the magnate of the parish. + + + + +APPENDIX I. + +HERRICK'S POEMS IN WITTS RECREATIONS. + + +Both Mr. Hazlitt and Dr. Grosart have slightly misrepresented the +relation of _Hesperides_ to the anthology known as _Witts Recreations_: +Mr. Hazlitt by mistakes as to their respective contents; Dr. Grosart +(after a much more careful collation) by taking down the date of the +wrong edition. To put matters straight four editions have to be +examined:-- + + I. "Witts Recreations. Selected from the finest Fancies of Moderne + Muses, With a Thousand out Landish Proverbs. _London. Printed for + Humph. Blunden at ye Castle in Cornhill, 1640._ 8vo." + +This general title-page is engraved by W. Marshall. The Outlandish +Proverbs were selected by George Herbert, and, like the first part, have +a printed title-page of their own. + + II. "Witts Recreations. Augmented with Ingenious Conceites for the + wittie and Merrie Medicines for the Melancholie. _London. Printed + for Humph. Blunden: at ye Castle in Cornhill, 1641._ 8vo." + +In this, and subsequent editions, Marshall's title-page is re-engraved +and the Outlandish Proverbs are omitted. The printed title-page reads: +"Wit's Recreations. Containing 630 Epigrams, 160 Epitaphs. Variety of +Fancies and Fantasticks, Good for Melancholly humours. _London. Printed +by Thomas Cotes_," etc. The epigrams vary considerably from the +selection in the previous edition. + + III. "Witts Recreations refined. Augmented, with Ingenious Conceites + for the wittie, and Merrie Medicines for the Melancholie...." + +In the Museum copy of this edition the imprint to the engraved title has +been cropped away. The printed title-page reads: "Recreation for +Ingenious Head-peeces. Or, A Pleasant Grove for their Wits to walke in. +Of Epigrams, 630: Epitaphs, 180: Fancies, a number: Fantasticks, +abundance, Good for melancholy Humors. _Printed by R. Cotes for H. B. +London, 1645._ 8vo." Two poems of Herrick's occur in the additional +"Fancies and Fantasticks," first printed in this edition, viz.: _The +Description of a Woman_ (not contained in _Hesperides_), and the +_Farewell to Sack_. + + IV. "Witts Recreations refined. Augmented, with Ingenious Conceites + for the wittie and Merrie Medicines for the Melancholie. _Printed by + M. S. sould by I. Hancock in Popes head Alley, 1650._ 8vo." + +The printed title-page reads: "Recreations for Ingenious Head-peeces. +Or, A Pleasant Grove for their Wits to Walke in. Of Epigrams, 700: +Epitaphs, 200: Fancies, a number: Fantasticks, abundance. With their +Addition, Multiplication, and Division. _London, Printed by M. +Simmons_," etc. In this edition many of the Epigrams are omitted and +more than one hundred fresh ones added. Additions are also made to the +Epitaphs and Fancies and Fantasticks. Of the new Epigrams and Poems no +less than seventy-two had been printed two years earlier in Herrick's +_Hesperides_, and ten others were added in 1654 from the same source. + +_Witts Recreations_ was again reprinted in 1663, 1667, and perhaps +oftener. In 1817 it was issued as vol. ii. of a collection of _Facetiae_, +of which Mennis and Smith's _Musarum Deliciae_ and _Wit Restor'd_ formed +vol. i. On the title-page _Witts Recreations_ is said to be printed from +edition 1640, with all the wood engravings and improvements of +subsequent editions, and in the preface it is explained to be "reprinted +after a collation of the four editions, 1640, 41, 54, and 63, for the +purpose of bringing together in one body all the various articles spread +throughout, and not to be found in any one edition". This 1817 reprint +was re-issued by Hotten in 1874, and this re-issue, as his references to +pagination show, was the one used by Dr. Grosart. The date 1640 on the +title-page may have caught his eye and led to his mistaken allusion to +the "prior publication" of the Herrick poems in 1640, whereas +_Hesperides_ was published in 1648, and the editions of _Witts +Recreations_ which contain anything of his besides the _Description of a +Woman_ and _A Farewell to Sack_, in 1650, 1654, etc. + +In the Notes to the present edition I have drawn attention to all +variations in the text of the poems as printed by Herrick and the later +editors, and now subjoin a complete list of the poems under the titles +which they take in _Witts Recreations_, with their numbers in this +edition. + +1645 Edition. + + 128. A Farewell to Sack. + [Not in _Hesp._] The Description of a Woman. + +1650 Edition Adds:-- + + 123. A Tear sent to his M^is. + 159. The Cruel Maid. + 162. His Misery. + 172. With a Ring to Julia. + 200. On Gubbs. + 206. On Bunce. + 239. On Guesse. + 241. On a Painted Madam. + 310. On a Child. + 311. On Sneape. + 328. A Foolish Querie. + 340. A Check to her Delay. + 352. Nothing New. + 357. Long and Lazy. + 367. To a Stale Lady. + 374. Gain and Gettings. + 379. On Doll. + 380. On Skrew. + 381. On Linnit. + 400. On Raspe. + 407. On Himself. + 408. Love and Liberty. + 409. On Skinns. + 428. On Craw. + 434. On Jack and Jill. + 517. Change. + 534. To Julia. + 572. On Umber. + 600. Little and Loud. + 616. Abroad with the Maids. + 637. On Lungs. + 640. On a Child. + 644. On an Old Man, a Residentiary. + 648. On Cob. + 649. On Betty. + 650. On Skoles. + 661. Ambition. + 666. On Zelot. + 669. On Crab. + 675. On Women's Denial. + 676. Adversity. + 693. On Tuck. + 697. Adversity. + 703. On Trigg. + 711. Possessions. + 735. Maids' Nays. + 743. On Julia's Weeping. + 752. No Pains No Gains. + 761. Alvar and Anthea. + 772. A Hymn to Bacchus. + 776. Anger. + 791. Verses. + 795. On Bice. + 796. On Trencherman. + 797. Kisses. + 832. On Punchin. + 838. On a Maid. + 840. Beauty. + 846. Writing. + 849. Satisfaction. + 873. On Love. + 881. ll. 13, 14, Sharp Sauce. + 886. On Lulls. + 902. Truth. + 910. On Ben Jonson. + 946. An Hymn to Love. + 950. Leaven. + 1025. On Boreman. + 1084. On Love. + 1085. On Gut. + 1106. On Rump. + 1119. Sauce for Sorrows. + 1126. Of this Book. + +1654 Edition Adds:-- + + 49. Cherry Pit. + 85. On Love. + 92. The Bag of a Bee. + 208. To make much of Time. + 235. On an Old Batchelor. + 238. Another. (On the Rose.) + 253. Counsel not to Love. + 260. How the Violets came blue. + 337. A Vow to Cupid. + 446. The Farewell to Love and to his Mistress. + + + + +APPENDIX II. + +HERRICK'S FAIRY POEMS AND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE KING AND QUEENE OF +FAYRIES PUBLISHED 1635. + + +The publisher's freak, by which Herrick's three chief Fairy poems ("The +Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel," "Oberon's Feast," and "Oberon's +Palace") are separated from each other, is greatly to be regretted. The +last two, both dedicated to Shapcott, are distinctly connected by their +opening lines, and "Oberon's Chapel," dedicated to Mr. John Merrifield, +Herrick's other fairy-loving lawyer, of course belongs to the same +group. All three were probably first written in 1626 and cannot be +dissociated from Drayton's _Nymphidia_, published in 1627, and Sir +Simeon Steward's "A Description of the King of Fayries clothes, brought +to him on New-yeares day in the morning, 1626 [O. S.], by his Queenes +Chambermaids". In 1635 there was published a little book of a dozen +leaves, most kindly transcribed for this edition by Mr. E. Gordon Duff, +from the unique copy at the Bodleian Library. It is entitled:-- + + "A | Description | of the King and Queene of | Fayries, their habit, + fare, their | abode pompe and state. | Beeing very delightfull to + the sense, and | full of mirth. | [Wood-cut.] London. | _Printed + for Richard Harper, and are to be sold | at his shop, at the + Hospitall gate._ 1635." + +Fol. 1 is blank; fol. 2 occupied by the title-page; ff. 3, 4 (verso +blank) by a letter "To the Reader," signed: "Yours hereafter, If now +approved on, R. S.," beginning: "Courteous Reader, I present thee here +with the Description of the King of the Fayries, of his Attendants, +Apparel, Gesture, and Victuals, which though comprehended in the brevity +of so short a volume, yet as the Proverbe truely averres, it hath as +mellifluous and pleasing discourse, as that whose amplitude contains the +fulnesse of a bigger composition"; on fol. 5 (verso blank) occurs the +following poem [spelling here modernised]:-- + + "Deep-skilled Geographers, whose art and skill + Do traverse all the world, and with their quill + Declare the strangeness of each several clime, + The nature, situation, and the time + Of being inhabited, yet all their art + And deep informed skill could not impart + In what set climate of this Orb or Isle, + The King of Fairies kept, whose honoured style + Is here inclosed, with the sincere description + Of his abode, his nature, and the region + In which he rules: read, and thou shalt find + Delightful mirth, fit to content thy mind. + May the contents thereof thy palate suit, + With its mellifluous and pleasing fruit: + For nought can more be sweetened to my mind + Than that this Pamphlet thy contentment find; + Which if it shall, my labour is sufficed, + In being by your liking highly prized. + "Yours to his power, + "R. S." + +This is followed (pp. 1-3) by: "A Description of the Kings [sic] of +Fayries Clothes, brought to him on New-Yeares day in the morning, 1626, +by his Queenes Chambermaids:-- + + "First a cobweb shirt, more thin + Than ever spider since could spin. + Changed to the whiteness of the snow, + By the stormy winds that blow + In the vast and frozen air, + No shirt half so fine, so fair; + A rich waistcoat they did bring, + Made of the Trout-fly's gilded wing: + At which his Elveship 'gan to fret + The wearing it would make him sweat + Even with its weight: he needs would wear + A waistcoat made of downy hair + New shaven off an Eunuch's chin, + That pleased him well, 'twas wondrous thin. + The outside of his doublet was + Made of the four-leaved, true-loved grass, + Changed into so fine a gloss, + With the oil of crispy moss: + It made a rainbow in the night + Which gave a lustre passing light. + On every seam there was a lace + Drawn by the unctuous snail's slow pace, + To which the finest, purest, silver thread + Compared, did look like dull pale lead. + His breeches of the Fleece was wrought, + Which from Colchos Jason brought: + Spun into so fine a yarn + No mortal wight might it discern, + Weaved by Arachne on her loom, + Just before she had her doom. + A rich Mantle he did wear, + Made of tinsel gossamer. + Beflowered over with a few + Diamond stars of morning dew: + Dyed crimson in a maiden's blush, + Lined with humble-bees' lost plush. + His cap was all of ladies' love, + So wondrous light, that it did move + If any humming gnat or fly + Buzzed the air in passing by, + About his neck a wreath of pearl, + Dropped from the eyes of some poor girl, + Pinched, because she had forgot + To leave clean water in the pot." + +The next page is occupied by a woodcut, and then (pp. 5, misnumbered 4, +and 6) comes the variation on Herrick's "Oberon's Feast":-- + +"A DESCRIPTION OF HIS DIET. + + "Now they, the Elves, within a trice, + Prepared a feast less great than nice, + Where you may imagine first, + The Elves prepare to quench his thirst, + In pure seed pearl of infant dew + Brought and sweetened with a blue + And pregnant violet; which done, + His killing eyes begin to run + Quite o'er the table, where he spies + The horns of watered butterflies, + Of which he eats, but with a little + Neat cool allay of cuckoo's spittle. + Next this the red-cap worm that's shut + Within the concave of a nut. + Moles' eyes he tastes, then adders' ears; + To these for sauce the slain stags' tears, + A bloated earwig, and the pith + Of sugared rush he glads him with. + Then he takes a little moth, + Late fatted in a scarlet cloth, + A spinner's ham, the beards of mice, + Nits carbonadoed, a device + Before unknown; the blood of fleas, + Which gave his Elveship's stomach ease. + The unctuous dew-laps of a snail, + The broke heart of a nightingale + O'ercome in music, with the sag + And well-bestrutted bee's sweet bag. + Conserves of atoms, and the mites, + The silk-worm's sperm, and the delights + Of all that ever yet hath blest + Fairy-land: so ends his feast." + +On the next page is printed: "Orpheus. Thrice excelling, for the +finishment of this Feast, thou must music it so that the Deities may +descend to grace it." This is succeeded by a page bearing a woodcut, +then we have "The Fairies Fegaries," a poem occupying three more pages +followed by another woodcut, and then "The Melancholly Lover's Song," +and a third woodcut. The occurrence of the _Melancholy Lover's Song_ +(the well-known lines beginning: "Hence all you vain delights") in print +in 1635 is interesting, as I believe that _The Nice Valour_, the play in +which they occur, was not printed till 1647, and Milton's _Il +Penseroso_, which they suggested, appeared in 1645. But the verses are +rather out of place in the little Fairy-Book. + + + + +APPENDIX III. + +POOR ROBIN'S ALMANACK. + + +Herrick's name has been so persistently connected with _Poor Robert's +Almanack_ that a few words must be said on the subject. There is, we are +told, a Devonshire tradition ascribing the _Almanack_ to him, and this +is accepted by Nichols in his _Leicestershire_, and "accredited" by Dr. +Grosart. The tradition apparently rests on no better basis than +Herrick's Christian name, and of the poems in the issues of the +_Almanack_ which I have seen, it may be said, that, while the worst of +them, save for some lack of neatness of turn, might conceivably have +been by Herrick--on the principle that if Herrick could write some of +his epigrams, he could write anything--the more ambitious poems it is +quite impossible to attribute to the author of the _Hesperides_. But +apart from opinion, the negative evidence is overwhelming. Of the three +earliest issues in the British Museum, 1664, 1667 and 1669 (all in the +annual collections of Almanacs, issued by the Stationers' Company, and +all, it may be noted, bound for Charles II.), I transcribe the +title-page of the first. "Poor Robin. 1664. An Almanack After a New +Fashion wherein the Reader may see (if he be not blinde) many remarkable +things worthy of Observation. Containing a two-fold Kalendar, viz. the +Iulian or English, and the Roundheads or Fanaticks: with their several +Saints daies and Observations, upon every month. Written by Poor Robin, +Knight of the burnt Island and a well-willer to the Mathematicks. +Calculated for the Meridian of Saffron Walden, where the Pole is +elevated 52 degrees and 6 minutes above the Horizon. London: Printed for +the Company of Stationers." + +In the 1667 issue the paragraph about the Pole runs: "Where the +Maypole is elevated (with a plumm cake on the top of it) 5 yards 3/4 +above the Market Cross". The mention of Saffron Walden had apparently +been ridiculed, and the author in this year joins in the laugh, and in +1669 omits the paragraph altogether. But what had Herrick at any time to +do with Saffron Walden, and why should the poet, whose politics, apart +from some personal devotion to Charles I., were distinctly moderate, mix +himself up with an ultra-Cavalier publication? Also, if Herrick be "Poor +Robin" we must attribute to him, at least, the greater part of the +twenty-one "Poor Robin" publications, of which Mr. H. Ecroyd Smith gave +a list in _Notes and Queries_, 6th series, vii. 321-3, _e.g._, "Poor +Robin's Perambulation from the Town of Saffron Walden to London" (1678), +"The Merrie Exploits of Poor Robin, the Merrie Saddler of Walden," etc. +These have been generally assigned to William Winstanley, the +barber-poet, on the ground of a supposed similarity of style, and from +"Poor Robin" having been written under a portrait of him. Mr. Ecroyd +Smith, however, attributes them to Robert Winstanley (born, 1646, at +Saffron Walden), younger brother of Henry Winstanley, the projector of +the Eddystone Lighthouse. He assigns the credit of the "identification" +to Mr. Joseph Clark, F.S.A., of the Roos, Saffron Walden, but does not +state the grounds which led Mr. Clark to his conclusion, in itself +probable enough. In any case there is no valid ground for connecting +Herrick either with the _Almanack_ or with any of the other "Poor Robin" +publications. + + + + +INDEX TO PERSONS MENTIONED. + + + + Abdie, Lady. [_See_ Soame, Anne.] + + Alabaster, Doctor, II. 70. + + + Baldwin, Prudence, + I. 152, 189, 251 + II. 78. + + Bartly, Arthur, II. 36. + + Beaumont, Francis, II. 4, 276. + + Berkley, Sir John, II. 63. + + Bradshaw, Katharine, I. 116. + + Bridgeman, I. 46. + + Buckingham, Duke of, I. 123. + + + Carlisle, Countess of, I. 78. + + Charles I., + I. 28, 29, 74, 133, 198; + II. 43, 87, 123, 202, 204, 207. + + Charles II., + I. 1, 105; + II. 13, 66. + + Cotton, Charles, the elder, II. 119. + + Crew, Lady, + I. 237; + II. 128. + + Crew, Sir Clipseby, + I. 139, 201, 228, 248; + II. 18. + + Crofts, John, II. 83. + + + Denham, Sir John, II. 39. + + Dorchester, Marquis of, II. 124, 125. + + Dorset, Earl of, I. 235. + + + Falconbridge, Margaret, II. 81. + + Falconbridge, Thomas, I. 226. + + Finch, Elizabeth, II. 123. + + Fish, Sir Edward, I. 191. + + Fletcher, John, II. 4, 269. + + + Giles, Sir Edward, II. 272. + + Gotiere [Gouter, Jacques], I. 47. + + + Hall, John, II. 122. + + Hall, Joseph, Bishop of Exeter, I. 77. + + Harmar, Joseph, II. 125. + + Hastings, Henry, Lord, II. 270. + + Heale, Sir Thomas, II. 98. + + Henrietta Maria, I. 133. + + Herrick, Bridget, I. 255. + + Herrick, Elizabeth, I. 26, 182. + + Herrick, Julia, II. 143. + + Herrick, Mercy, II. 86. + + Herrick, Nicholas, II. 161. + + Herrick, Robert, Poem on his Father, I. 31. + + Herrick, Robert, Poem to his Nephew, I. 188. + + Herrick, Robert, + I. 229; + II. 153, 157, 159, 160, 164. + + Herrick, Susanna, + I. 243; + II. 128. + + Herrick, Thomas, + I. 40; + II. 129. + + Herrick, William, I. 88. + + Hopton, Lord, II. 136. + + + Jincks, J., II. 96. + + Jonson, Ben, + I. 188; + II. 4, 11, 30, 109, 110. + + + Kellam, II. 112. + + Kennedy, Dorothy, I. 50. + + + Lamiere, Nicholas, I. 105. + + Lawes, Henry, II. 94, 270. + + Lawes, William, II. 108. + + Lee, Elizabeth, II. 16. + + Lowman, Bridget, I. 176. + + + Merrifield, John, I. 111. + + Mince [Mennis], Sir John, I. 244. + + + Norgate, Edward, I. 152. + + Northly, Henry, I. 155. + + + Oulsworth, Michael, II. 159. + + + Parry, Sir George, II. 151. + + Parsons, Dorothy, I. 234. + + Parsons, Tomasin, II. 129. + + Pemberton, Sir Lewis, I. 183. + + Pembroke, Earl of, I. 177. + + Porter, Endymion, + I. 49, 87, 229; + II. 33, 154. + + Portman, Mrs., II. 156. + + Potter, Amy, II. 91. + + Potter, Grace, II. 133. + + Prat, II. 46. + + + Ramsay, Robert, I. 85. + + Richmond and Lennox, Duke of, I. 212. + + + Selden, John, I. 179. + + Shakespeare, William, II. 276. + + Shapcott, Thomas, I. 148, 204, 209. + + Soame, Anne, I. 181. + + Soame, Stephen, I. 250. + + Soame, Sir Thomas, I. 220. + + Soame, Sir William, I. 163. + + Southwell, Sir Thomas, I. 63. + + Southwell, Susanna, I. 243. + + Steward, Sir Simeon, I. 157. + + Stone, Mary, II. 71. + + Stone, Sir Richard, I. 232. + + Stuart, Lord Bernard, I. 109. + + Swetnaham, Lawrence, II. 158. + + + Tracy, Lady. [_See_ Lee, Elizabeth.] + + + Villars [Villiers], Lady Mary, I. 172. + + + Warr [_or_ Weare], John, I. 57, 253. + + Westmoreland, Earl of, I. 47, 125, 215. + + Wheeler, Elizabeth, + I. 55, 132; + II. 153. + + Wheeler, Penelope, I. 236. + + Wickes, John, + I. 165; + II. 37, 150. + + Willan, Leonard, II. 121. + + Willand, Mary, I. 239. + + Williams, John, Bishop of Lincoln, + I. 62; + II. 267. + + Wilson, Dr. John, I. 47. + + Wingfield, John, II. 8. + + + Yard, Lettice, I. 155. + + York, Duke of, I. 134. + + + + +INDEX OF FIRST LINES. + + + A Bachelor I will, I. 14. + + A crystal vial Cupid brought, II. 24. + + A funeral stone, I. 35. + + A golden fly one show'd to me, I. 233. + + A gyges ring they bear about them still, II. 61. + + A just man's like a rock that turns the wrath, I. 190. + + A little mushroom table spread, I. 148. + + A little saint best fits a little shrine, II. 59. + + A long life's-day I've taken pains, II. 11. + + A man prepar'd against all ills to come, I. 160. + + A man's transgressions God does then remit, II. 196. + + A master of a house, as I have read, II. 73. + + A prayer that is said alone, II. 226. + + A roll of parchment Clunn about him bears, II. 117. + + A sweet disorder in the dress, I. 32. + + A wanton and lascivious eye, II. 66. + + A way enchased with glass and beads, I. 111. + + A wearied pilgrim, I have wandered here, II. 157. + + A willow garland thou didst send, I. 201. + + About the sweet bag of a bee, I. 36. + + Abundant plagues I late have had, II. 188. + + Adverse and prosperous fortunes both work on, II. 182. + + Adversity hurts none but only such, II. 47. + + Afflictions bring us joy in time to come, II. 182. + + Afflictions they most profitable are, II. 174. + + After the feast, my Shapcot, see, I. 204. + + After the rare arch-poet, Jonson, died, I. 188. + + After this life, the wages shall, II. 225. + + After thy labour take thine ease, II. 163. + + After true sorrow for our sins, our strife, II. 201. + + Against diseases here the strongest fence, II. 162. + + Ah, Ben! II. 110. + + Ah, Bianca! now I see, II. 132. + + Ah, cruel love! must I endure, I. 90. + + Ah! Lycidas, come tell me why, I. 229. + + Ah, me! I love; give him your hand to kiss, II. 91. + + Ah, my Anthea! Must my heart still break, I. 27. + + Ah, my Perilla! dost thou grieve to see, I. 8. + + Ah, Posthumus! our years hence fly, I. 165. + + Alas! I can't, for tell me how, II. 159. + + All are not ill plots that do sometimes fail, II. 162. + + All has been plundered from me but my wit, II. 90. + + All I have lost that could be rapt from me, II. 212. + + All things are open to these two events, I. 227. + + All things decay with time: the forest sees, I. 25. + + All things o'er-ruled are here, by chance, I. 248. + + All things subjected are to fate, II. 7. + + Along, come along, II. 148. + + Along the dark and silent night, II. 214. + + Although our sufferings meet with no relief, II. 163. + + Although we cannot turn the fervent fit, II. 192. + + Am I despised because you say, I. 75. + + Among disasters that dissension brings, II. 75. + + Among the myrtles as I walk'd, I. 132. + + Among these tempests great and manifold, II. 147. + + Among thy fancies tell me this, I. 162. + + And as time past when Cato, the severe, II. 124. + + And, cruel maid, because I see, I. 72. + + And must we part, because some say, I. 57. + + Angels are called gods; yet of them none, II. 224. + + Angry if Irene be, I. 256. + + Anthea bade me tie her shoe, I. 14. + + Anthea, I am going hence, II. 95. + + Anthea laugh'd, and fearing lest excess, II. 137. + + Apollo sings, his harp resounds: give room, II. 269. + + Art quickens nature; care will make a face, I. 120. + + Art thou not destin'd? then with haste go on, II. 237. + + As gilliflowers do but stay, I. 156. + + As in our clothes, so likewise he who looks, I. 254. + + As is your name, so is your comely face, II. 133. + + As Julia once a-slumbering lay, I. 86. + + As lately I a garland bound, I. 119. + + As many laws and lawyers do express, II. 53. + + As my little pot doth boil, II. 248. + + As oft as night is banish'd by the morn, I. 29. + + As shows the air when with a rainbow grac'd, I. 47. + + As sunbeams pierce the glass, and streaming in, II. 231. + + As thou deserv'st, be proud; then gladly let, I. 244. + + As wearied pilgrims, once possessed, II. 16. + + Ask me what hunger is, and I'll reply, II. 115. + + Ask me why I do not sing, I. 164. + + Ask me why I send you here, II. 6. + + At draw-gloves we'll play, I. 122. + + At my homely country seat, I. 191. + + At post and pair, or slam, Tom Tuck would play, II. 46. + + At stool-ball, Lucia, let us play, II. 45. + + Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt, II. 137. + + Away enchased with glass and beads, I. 111. + + Away with silks, away with lawn, I. 193. + + + Bacchus, let me drink no more, I. 153. + + Bad are the times. And worse than they are we, I. 198. + + Be bold, my book, nor be abash'd, or fear, II. 11. + + Be not dismayed, though crosses cast thee down. II. 137. + + Be not proud, but now incline, I. 120. + + Be the mistress of my choice, II. 36. + + Be those few hours, which I have yet to spend, II. 241. + + Beauty no other thing is than a beam, I. 39. + + Beauty's no other but a lovely grace, II. 92. + + Before man's fall the rose was born, II. 246. + + Before the press scarce one could see, II. 107. + + Begin to charm, and as thou strok'st mine ears, I. 81. + + Begin with a kiss, II. 57. + + Begin with Jove; then is the work half-done, I. 159. + + Bellman of night if I about shall go, II. 182. + + Besides us two, i' th' temple here's not one, I. 210. + + Biancha let, I. 34. + + Bid me to live, and I will live, I. 135. + + Bind me but to thee with thine hair, II. 115. + + Blessings in abundance come, I. 155. + + Born I was to be old, I. 247. + + Born I was to meet with age, I. 240. + + Both you two have, I. 138. + + Break off delay, since we but read of one, II. 63. + + Breathe, Julia, breathe, and I'll protest, I. 84. + + Bright tulips, we do know, I. 231. + + Bring me my rosebuds, drawer, come, II. 6. + + Bring the holy crust of bread, II. 103. + + Brisk methinks I am, and fine, II. 134. + + Burn or drown me, choose ye whether, II. 67. + + But born, and like a short delight, I. 84. + + By dream I saw one of the three, I. 192. + + By hours we all live here; in Heaven is known, II. 240. + + By so much virtue is the less, II. 66. + + By the next kindling of the day, II. 88. + + By the weak'st means things mighty are o'erthrown, II. 48. + + By those soft tods of wool, II. 71. + + By time and counsel do the best we can, I. 150. + + + Call me no more, I. 180. + + Can I not come to Thee, my God, for these, II. 186. + + Can I not sin, but thou wilt be, II. 193. + + Care keeps the conquest; 'tis no less renown, II. 132. + + Case is a lawyer that ne'er pleads alone, II. 127. + + Charm me asleep, and melt me so, I. 117. + + Charms that call down the moon from out her sphere, I. 122. + + Charon, O Charon, draw thy boat to th' shore, II. 270. + + Charon! O gentle Charon! let me woo thee, II. 58. + + Cherry-ripe, ripe, ripe, I cry, I. 21. + + Choose me your valentine, I. 36. + + Christ, He requires still, wheresoe'er He comes, II. 192. + + Christ, I have read, did to His chaplains say, II. 223. + + Christ never did so great a work but there, II. 237. + + Christ took our nature on Him, not that He, II. 238. + + Christ was not sad, i' the garden, for His own, II. 227. + + Christ, when He hung the dreadful cross upon, II. 228. + + Clear are her eyes, I. 243. + + Close keep your lips, if that you mean, II. 61. + + Come, and let's in solemn wise, II. 99. + + Come, Anthea, know thou this, II. 41. + + Come, Anthea, let us two, II. 68. + + Come, blitheful neat-herds, let us lay, II. 51. + + Come, bring with a noise, II. 79. + + Come, bring your sampler, and with art, I. 10. + + Come, come away, I. 172. + + Come down and dance ye in the toil, I. 9. + + Come, guard this night the Christmas-pie, II. 80. + + Come, leave this loathed country life, and then, I. 214. + + Come, pity us, all ye who see, II., 216. + + Come, sit we by the fire's side, II. 20. + + Come, sit we under yonder tree, II. 15. + + Come, skilful Lupo, now, and take, I. 46. + + Come, sons of summer, by whose toil, I. 125. + + Come, then, and like two doves with silv'ry wings, II. 2. + + Come thou not near those men who are like bread, I. 5. + + Come thou, who art the wine and wit, I. 238. + + Come to me God; but do not come, II. 242. + + Come with the spring-time forth, fair maid, and be, I. 176. + + Command the roof, great Genius, and from thence, II. 55. + + Confession twofold is, as Austine says, II. 244. + + Conformity gives comeliness to things, II. 147. + + Conformity was ever known, I. 28. + + Conquer we shall, but we must first contend, II. 115. + + Consider sorrows, how they are aright, II. 84. + + Consult ere thou begin'st, that done, go on, II. 65. + + Crab faces gowns with sundry furs; 'tis known, II. 37. + + Cupid, as he lay among, I. 59. + + Cynthius, pluck ye by the ear, I. 62. + + + Dark and dull night, fly hence away, II. 203. + + Dead falls the cause if once the hand be mute, I. 154. + + Dean Bourne, farewell; I never look to see, I. 33. + + Dear God, II. 201. + + Dear Perenna, prithee come, I. 110. + + Dear, though to part it be a hell, I. 39. + + Dearest of thousands, now the time draws near, II. 20. + + Despair takes heart, when there's no hope to speed, II. 135. + + Dew sat on Julia's hair, I. 226. + + Did I or love, or could I others draw, I. 253. + + Die ere long, I'm sure I shall, II. 151. + + Discreet and prudent we that discord call, II. 64. + + Display thy breasts my Julia--Here let me, I. 119. + + Do with me, God, as Thou didst deal with John, II. 174. + + Does fortune rend thee? Bear with thy hard fate, II. 87. + + Down with the rosemary and bays, II. 104. + + Down with the rosemary, and so, II. 129. + + Dread not the shackles: on with thine intent, II. 144. + + Drink up, II. 131. + + Drink wine, and live here blitheful while ye may, II. 31. + + Droop, droop no more, or hang the head, I. 6. + + Drowning, drowning, I espy, II. 126. + + Dry your sweet cheek, long drown'd with sorrow's rain, I. 131. + + Dull to myself, and almost dead to these, II. 13. + + + Each must in virtue strive for to excel, I. 151. + + Eaten I have; and though I had good cheer, I. 248. + + Empires of kings are now, and ever were, I. 202. + + End now the white loaf and the pie, II. 105. + + Ere I go hence, and be no more, II. 260. + + Every time seems short to be, I. 202. + + Evil no nature hath; the loss of good, II. 207. + + Examples lead us, and we likely see, II. 68. + + Excess is sluttish: keep the mean; for why? II. 162. + + + Fain would I kiss my Julia's dainty leg, I. 175. + + Fair and foul days trip cross and pile; the fair, I. 237. + + Fair daffodils, we weep to see, I. 156. + + Fair pledges of a fruitful tree, I. 220. + + Fair was the dawn; and but e'en now the skies, I. 99. + + Faith is a thing that's four-square; let it fall, II. 114. + + Fame's pillar here, at last, we set, II. 165. + + Farewell, thou thing, time past so known, so dear, I. 53. + + Fat be my hind; unlearned be my wife, II. 116. + + Fight thou with shafts of silver and o'ercome, I. 23. + + Fill me a mighty bowl, II. 30. + + Fill me my wine in crystal; thus, and thus, I. 234. + + First, April, she with mellow showers, I. 26. + + First, for effusions due unto the dead, I. 26. + + First, for your shape, the curious cannot show, I. 237. + + First, may the hand of bounty bring, II. 112. + + First offer incense, then thy field and meads, I. 180. + + Fled are the frosts, and now the fields appear, II. 27. + + Fly hence, pale care, no more remember, II. 267. + + Fly me not, though I be grey, I. 244. + + Fly to my mistress, pretty pilfering bee, I. 124. + + Fold now thine arms and hang the head, I. 56. + + Fools are they who never know, I. 119. + + For a kiss or two, confess, II. 130. + + For all our works a recompense is sure, II. 93. + + For all thy many courtesies to me, II. 83. + + For being comely, consonant, and free, II. 8. + + For brave comportment, wit without offence, II. 119 + + For civil, clean, and circumcised wit, I. 244. + + For each one body that i' th' earth is sown, II. 236. + + For my embalming, Julia, do but this, I. 161. + + For my neighbour, I'll not know, I. 103. + + For my part, I never care, I. 100. + + For one so rarely tun'd to fit all parts, I. 152. + + For punishment in war it will suffice, I. 165. + + For sport my Julia threw a lace, I. 145. + + For those, my unbaptised rhymes, II. 169. + + For truth I may this sentence tell, II. 151. + + Fortune did never favour one, I. 240. + + Fortune no higher project can devise, I. 246. + + Fortune's a blind profuser of her own, II. 45. + + Fresh strewings allow, II. 69. + + Frolic virgins once these were, I. 190. + + From me my Sylvia ran away, II. 109. + + From noise of scare-fires rest ye free, I. 151. + + From the dull confines of the drooping West, II. 150. + + From the temple to your home, II. 21. + + From this bleeding hand of mine, I. 108. + + + Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, I. 102. + + Get up, get up for shame, the blooming morn, I. 82. + + Give house-room to the best; 'tis never known, II. 116. + + Give if thou canst an alms; if not, afford, II. 193. + + Give me a cell, II. 73. + + Give me a man that is not dull, II. 146. + + Give me honours! what are these, II. 191. + + Give me one kiss, I. 246. + + Give me that man that dares bestride, I. 35. + + Give me the food that satisfies a guest, II. 82. + + Give me wine, and give me meat, II. 18. + + Give unto all, lest he, whom thou deni'st, II. 239. + + Give Want her welcome if she comes; we find. II. 12. + + Give way, and be ye ravish'd by the sun, I. 246. + + Give way, give way now; now my Charles shines here, II. 43. + + Give way, give way, ye gates and win, I. 223. + + Glide, gentle streams, and bear, I. 51. + + Glory be to the graces! II. 76. + + Glory no other thing is, Tullie says, II. 50. + + Go, happy rose, and interwove, I. 121. + + Go hence, and with this parting kiss, I. 217. + + Go hence away, and in thy parting know, II. 269. + + Go I must; when I am gone, I. 250. + + Go, perjured man; and if thou e'er return, I. 59. + + Go on, brave Hopton, to effectuate that, II. 136. + + Go, pretty child, and bear this flower, II. 189. + + Go thou forth, my book, though late, II. 164. + + Go, woo young Charles no more to look, II. 13. + + God as He is most holy known, II. 174. + + God, as He's potent, so He's likewise known, II. 222. + + God, as the learned Damascene doth write, II. 227. + + God bought man here with His heart's blood expense, II. 237. + + God can do all things, save but what are known, II. 228. + + God can't be wrathful; but we may conclude, II. 248. + + God could have made all rich, or all men poor, II. 192. + + God did forbid the Israelites to bring, II. 230. + + God doth embrace the good with love, and gains, II. 237 + + God doth not promise here to man that He, II. 247. + + God from our eyes, all tears hereafter wipes, II. 223. + + God gives not only corn for need, II. 191. + + God gives to none so absolute an ease, II. 234. + + God had but one Son free from sin; but none, II. 222. + + God has a right hand, but is quite bereft, II. 244. + + God has four keys, which He reserves alone, II. 239. + + God has His whips here to a twofold end, II. 175. + + God hates the dual numbers, being known, II. 246. + + God hath this world for many made, 'tis true, II. 234. + + God hath two wings which He doth ever move, II. 171. + + God, He refuseth no man, but makes way, II. 222. + + God, He rejects all prayers that are slight, II. 173. + + God hears us when we pray, but yet defers, II. 176. + + God hides from man the reck'ning day, that he, II. 224. + + God in His own day will be then severe, II. 226. + + God, in the holy tongue, they call, II. 231. + + God is above the sphere of our esteem, II. 170. + + God is all forepart; for, we never see, II. 173. + + God is all present to whate'er we do, II. 243. + + God is all sufferance here, here He doth show, II. 194. + + God is His name of nature; but that word, II. 223. + + God is Jehovah called: which name of His, II. 232. + + God is more here than in another place, II. 234. + + God is not only merciful to call, II. 173. + + God is not only said to be, II. 170. + + God is so potent, as His power can, II. 229. + + God is then said for to descend, when He, II. 245. + + God loads and unloads, thus His work begins, II. 172. + + God makes not good men wantons, but doth bring, II. 211. + + God ne'er afflicts us more than our desert, II. 171. + + God on our youth bestows but little ease, II. 229. + + God pardons those who do through frailty sin, II. 176. + + God scourgeth some severely, some He spares, II. 174. + + God still rewards us more than our desert, II. 244. + + God strikes His Church, but 'tis to this intent, II. 176. + + God suffers not His saints and servants dear, II. 243. + + God tempteth no one, as St. Aug'stine saith, II. 225. + + God then confounds man's face when He not hears, II. 228. + + God! to my little meal and oil, II. 221. + + God, when for sin He makes His children smart, II. 174. + + God, when He's angry here with anyone, II. 171. + + God, when He takes my goods and chattels hence, II. 200. + + God, who me gives a will for to repent, II. 247. + + God, who's in heaven, will hear from thence, II. 227. + + God will have all or none; serve Him, or fall, II. 187. + + God's boundless mercy is, to sinful man, II. 172. + + God's bounty, that ebbs less and less, II. 194. + + God's evident, and may be said to be, II. 232. + + God's grace deserves here to be daily fed, II. 222. + + God's hands are round and smooth, that gifts may fall, II. 225. + + God's prescience makes none sinful; but th' offence, II. 238. + + God's present everywhere, but most of all, II. 236. + + God's rod doth watch while men do sleep, and then, II. 74. + + God's said our hearts to harden then, II. 246. + + God's said to dwell there, wheresoever He, II. 232. + + God's said to leave this place, and for to come, II. 231. + + God's undivided, One in Persons Three, II. 232. + + Goddess, I begin an art, I. 245. + + Goddess, I do love a girl, I. 171. + + Goddess of youth, and lady of the spring, I. 133. + + Gold I have none, but I present my need, II. 209. + + Gold I've none, for use or show, I. 109. + + Gold serves for tribute to the king, II. 247. + + Gone she is a long, long way, II. 93. + + Good and great God! how should I fear, II. 245. + + Good-day, Mirtello. And to you no less, I. 105. + + Good morrow to the day so fair, I. 195. + + Good precepts we must firmly hold, I. 235. + + Good princes must be pray'd for; for the bad, I. 37. + + Good speed, for I this day, I. 107. + + Good things that come, of course, for less do please. I. 154. + + Great cities seldom rest; if there be none, II. 144. + + Great men by small means oft are overthrown, I. 227. + + Grow for two ends, it matters not at all, II. 37. + + Grow up in beauty, as thou dost begin, II. 129. + + + Hail holy and all-honoured tomb, II. 254. + + Handsome you are, and proper you will be, II. 123. + + Hang up hooks and shears to scare, II. 104. + + Happily I had a sight, II. 140. + + Happy's that man to whom God gives, II. 185. + + Hard are the two first stairs unto a crown, II. 114. + + Hast thou attempted greatness? then go on, II. 64. + + Hast thou begun an act? ne'er then give o'er, II. 42. + + Haste is unhappy: what we rashly do, II. 85. + + Have, have ye no regard, all ye, II. 251. + + Have I not blest thee? Then go forth, nor fear, I. 193. + + Have ye beheld (with much delight), I. 203. + + He that ascended in a cloud shall come, II. 227. + + He that is hurt seeks help: sin is the wound, II. 226. + + He that may sin, sins least: leave to transgress, I. 136. + + He that will live of all cares dispossess'd, II. 129. + + He that will not love must be, I. 127. + + He who commends the vanquished, speaks the power, I. 252. + + He who has suffered shipwreck fears to sail, II. 11. + + He who wears blacks and mourns not for the dead, II. 148. + + Health is no other, as the learned hold, II. 42. + + Health is the first good lent to men, I. 50. + + Hear, ye virgins, and I'll teach, I. 151. + + Heaven is most fair; but fairer He, II. 227. + + Heaven is not given for our good works here, II. 239. + + Hell is no other but a soundless pit, II. 214. + + Hell is the place where whipping-cheer abounds, II. 214. + + Help me! help me! now I call, I. 10. + + Help me, Julia, for to pray, II. 154. + + Hence a blessed soul is fled, II. 9. + + Hence, hence, profane, and none appear, II. 205. + + Hence, hence, profane! soft silence let us have, I. 109. + + Hence they have borne my Lord; behold! the stone, II. 255. + + Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee, II. 17. + + Her pretty feet, I. 243. + + Here a little child I stand, II. 202. + + Here a pretty baby lies, II. 26. + + Here a solemn fast we keep, I. 212. + + Here, here, I live, I. 214. + + Here down my wearied limbs I'll lay, I. 153. + + Here, here I live with what my board, I. 251. + + Here I myself might likewise die, II. 82. + + Here lies a virgin, and as sweet, II. 71. + + Here lies Jonson with the rest, II. 109. + + Here she lies, a pretty bud, I. 154. + + Here she lies in bed of spice, II. 91. + + Here we are all by day; by night we're hurl'd, I. 23. + + Here we securely live and eat, I. 248. + + Holyrood, come forth and shield, I. 222. + + Holy water come and bring, II. 73. + + Holy waters hither bring, II. 127. + + Honour thy parents; but good manners call, II. 202. + + Honour to you who sit, II. 76. + + How am I bound to Two! God who doth give, II. 190. + + How am I ravish'd! when I do but see, I. 174. + + How can I choose but love and follow her, I. 227. + + How dull and dead are books that cannot show, I. 177. + + How fierce was I, when I did see, II. 117. + + How long, Perenna, wilt thou see, I. 222. + + How love came in I do not know, I. 27. + + How rich a man is all desire to know, I. 161. + + How rich and pleasing thou, my Julia, art, I. 34. + + How well contented in this private grange, II. 136. + + Humble we must be, if to heaven we go, II. 200. + + + I a dirge will pen to thee, II. 128. + + I am holy while I stand, II. 30. + + I am of all bereft, I. 216. + + I am sieve-like, and can hold, I. 146. + + I am zealless; prithee pray, II. 95. + + I ask'd my Lucia but a kiss, II. 10. + + I asked thee oft what poets thou hast read, I. 80. + + I begin to wane in sight, I. 226. + + I brake thy bracelet 'gainst my will, II. 48. + + I bring ye love. What will love do? II. 135. + + I burn, I burn; and beg of you, I. 60. + + I call, I call: who do ye call? I. 139. + + I can but name thee, and methinks I call, I. 163. + + I cannot love as I have lov'd before, II. 72. + + I cannot pipe as I was wont to do, II. 2. + + I cannot suffer; and in this my part, I. 210. + + I could but see thee yesterday, II. 89. + + I could never love indeed, I. 228. + + I could wish you all who love, I. 147. + + I crawl, I creep; my Christ, I come, II. 221. + + I dare not ask a kiss, II. 35. + + I dislik'd but even now, I. 194. + + I do believe that die I must, II. 195. + + I do love I know not what, II. 7. + + I do not love, nor can it be, I. 194. + + I do not love to wed, I. 200. + + I dreamed we both were in a bed, I. 22. + + I dreamt the roses one time went, I. 7. + + I dreamt, last night, Thou didst transfuse, II. 194. + + I fear no earthly powers, I. 78. + + I freeze, I freeze, and nothing dwells, I. 8. + + I have a leaden, thou a shaft of gold, II. 163. + + I have been wanton and too bold, I fear, II. 160. + + I have beheld two lovers in a night, II. 263. + + I have lost, and lately, these, I. 17. + + I have my laurel chaplet on my head, II. 151. + + I heard ye could cool heat, and came, I. 196. + + I held Love's head while it did ache, I. 236. + + I lately fri'd, but now behold, II. 111. + + I make no haste to have my numbers read, II. 19. + + I must, II. 133. + + I played with Love, as with the foe, I. 255. + + I press'd my Julia's lips, and in the kiss, II. 48. + + I saw a fly within a bead, II. 86. + + I saw about her spotless wrist, I. 78. + + I saw a cherry weep, and why? I. 12. + + I send, I send here my supremest kiss, II. 143. + + I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers, I. 3. + + I sing thy praise, Iacchus, II. 74. + + I, who have favour'd many, come to be, I. 179. + + I will be short, and having quickly hurl'd, II. 121. + + I will confess, II. 118. + + I will no longer kiss, II. 159. + + I would to God that mine old age might have, II. 213. + + I'll come, I'll creep, though Thou dost threat, II. 182. + + I'll come to thee in all those shapes, I. 70. + + I'll do my best to win when e'er I woo, I. 36. + + I'll get me hence, II. 13. + + I'll hope no more, II. 209. + + I'll sing no more, nor will I longer write, II. 32. + + I'll to thee a simnel bring, II. 43. + + I'll write, because I'll give, I. 37. + + I'll write no more of love; but now repent, II. 164. + + I'm free from thee; and thou no more shalt bear, I. 18. + + I'm sick of love, O let me lie, I. 197. + + I've paid thee what I promis'd; that's not all, I. 209. + + If accusation only can draw blood, I. 244. + + If after rude and boisterous seas, I. 117. + + If all transgressions here should have their pay, II. 175. + + If anything delight me for to print, II. 190. + + If, dear Anthea, my hard fate it be, I. 11. + + If hap it must, that I must see thee lie, II. 123. + + If I dare write to you, my lord, who are, I. 235. + + If I have played the truant, or have here, II. 249. + + If I kiss Anthea's breast, I. 71. + + If I lie unburied, sir, II. 87. + + If kings and kingdoms once distracted be, II. 161. + + If little labour, little are our gains, II. 66. + + If meat the gods give, I the steam, I. 24. + + If men can say that beauty dies, I. 256. + + If 'mongst my many poems I can see, I. 76. + + If nature do deny, II. 26. + + If nine times you your bridegroom kiss, II. 6. + + If so be a toad be laid, II. 8. + + If that my fate has now fulfil'd my year, II. 96. + + If thou ask me, dear, wherefore, I. 234. + + If thou be'st taken, God forbid, II. 251. + + If thou hast found a honey comb, II. 109. + + If war or want shall make me grow so poor, II. 179. + + If well the dice run, let's applaud the cast, II. 18. + + If well thou hast begun, go on fore-right, I. 154. + + If when these lyrics, Caesar, you shall hear, I. 133. + + If wholesome diet can re-cure a man, II. 148. + + If ye fear to be affrighted, II. 152. + + If ye will with Mab find grace, I. 252. + + Immortal clothing I put on, II. 86. + + Imparity doth ever discord bring, II. 85. + + In a dream, Love bade me go, II. 20. + + In all our high designments 'twill appear, II. 114. + + In all thy need be thou possess'd, II. 57. + + In battles what disasters fall, II. 111. + + In desp'rate cases all, or most, are known, II. 89. + + In doing justice God shall then be known, II. 243. + + In God's commands ne'er ask the reason why, II. 248. + + In God there's nothing, but 'tis known to be, II. 227. + + In holy meetings there a man may be, I. 203. + + In man ambition is the common'st thing, I. 23. + + In numbers, and but these a few, II. 176. + + In prayer the lips ne'er act the winning part, II. 178. + + In sober mornings, do not thou rehearse, I. 5. + + In the hope of ease to come, II. 143. + + In the hour of my distress, II. 180. + + In the morning when ye rise, II. 152. + + In the old Scripture I have often read, II. 178. + + In things a moderation keep, II. 77. + + In this little urn is laid, II. 78. + + In this little vault she lies, I. 61. + + In this misfortune kings do most excel, II. 115. + + In this world, the isle of dreams, II. 220. + + In time of life I graced ye with my verse, I. 173. + + In vain our labours are whatsoe'er they be, II. 223. + + In ways to greatness, think on this, II. 33. + + Instead of orient pearls of jet, I. 15. + + Instruct me now what love will do, II. 155. + + Is this a fast, to keep, II. 240. + + Is this a life, to break thy sleep, II. 37. + + It is sufficient if we pray, I. 71. + + It was, and still my care is, II. 40. + + + Jacob God's beggar was; and so we wait, II. 228. + + Jealous girls these sometimes were, I. 234. + + Jehovah, as Boetius saith, II. 228. + + Jove may afford us thousands of reliefs, I. 192. + + Judith has cast her old skin and got new, I. 177. + + Julia and I did lately sit, I. 20. + + Julia, I bring, I. 78. + + Julia, if I chance to die, I. 23. + + Julia was careless, and withal, I. 13. + + Julia, when thy Herrick dies, I. 233. + + Justly our dearest Saviour may abhor us, II. 236. + + + Kindle the Christmas brand, and then, II. 105. + + Kings must be dauntless; subjects will contemn, II. 160. + + Kings must not oft be seen by public eyes, II. 42. + + Kings must not only cherish up the good, II. 75. + + Kings must not use the axe for each offence, II. 135. + + Knew'st thou one month would take thy life away, II. 49. + + Know when to speak for many times it brings, II. 146. + + + Labour we must, and labour hard, II. 225. + + Laid out for dead, let thy last kindness be, I. 20. + + Lasciviousness is known to be, II. 223. + + Last night I drew up mine account, II. 210. + + Lay by the good a while; a resting field, II. 113. + + Learn this of me, where'er thy lot doth fall, I. 192. + + Let all chaste matrons when they chance to see, I. 70. + + Let but thy voice engender with the string, I. 127. + + Let fair or foul my mistress be, II. 5. + + Let kings and rulers learn this line from me, II. 126. + + Let kings command and do the best they may, I. 174. + + Let me be warm, let me be fully fed, I. 36. + + Let me not live if I do not love, II. 157. + + Let me sleep this night away, I. 251. + + Let moderation on thy passions wait, II. 146. + + Let not that day God's friends and servants scare, II. 220. + + Let not thy tombstone e'er be lain by me, II. 101. + + Let others look for pearl or gold, II. 190. + + Let others to the printing press run fast, II. 141. + + Let the superstitious wife, II. 103. + + Let there be patrons, patrons like to thee, I. 49. + + Let us now take time and play, II. 46. + + Let us, though late, at last, my Silvia, wed, I. 6. + + Let's be jocund while we may, II. 26. + + Let's call for Hymen if agreed thou art, II. 77. + + Let's live in haste; use pleasures while we may, I. 213. + + Let's live with that small pittance that we have, II. 12. + + Let's now take our time, II. 84. + + Let's strive to be the best: the gods, we know it, II. 135. + + Life of my life, take not so soon thy flight, I. 88. + + Life is the body's light, which once declining, II. 5. + + Like those infernal deities which eat, II. 88. + + Like to a bride, come forth my book, at last, I. 92. + + Like to the income must be our expense, I. 147. + + Like will to like, each creature loves his kind, II. 147. + + Lilies will languish; violets look ill, I. 49. + + Little you are, for woman's sake be proud, II. 11. + + Live by thy muse thou shalt, when others die, II. 9. + + Live, live with me, and thou shalt see, I. 240. + + Live with a thrifty, not a needy fate, I. 13. + + Look how our foul days do exceed our fair, II. 169. + + Look how the rainbow doth appear, I. 175. + + Look in my book, and herein see, II. 108. + + Look upon Sappho's lip, and you will swear, II. 131. + + Lord do not beat me, II. 185. + + Lord, I am like to mistletoe, II. 213. + + Lord, I confess that Thou alone art able, II. 194. + + Lord, Thou hast given me a cell, II. 183. + + Lost to the world; lost to myself alone, II. 121. + + Loth to depart, but yet at last each one, I. 176. + + Love and myself, believe me, on a day, I. 19. + + Love and the graces evermore do wait, II. 68. + + Love bade me ask a gift, I. 124. + + Love brought me to a silent grove, II. 97. + + Love he that will, it best likes me, I. 195. + + Love, I have broke, I. 215. + + Love, I recant, I. 123. + + Love in a shower of blossoms came, II. 102. + + Love is a circle, and an endless sphere, II. 91. + + Love is a circle that doth restless move, I. 13. + + Love is a kind of war: hence those who fear, II. 100. + + Love is a leaven; and a loving kiss, II. 120. + + Love is a syrup, and whoe'er we see, II. 120. + + Love is maintain'd by wealth; when all is spent, II. 41. + + Love like a beggar came to me, II. 118. + + Love like a gipsy lately came, I. 76. + + Love, love begets, then never be, II. 64. + + Love, love me now, because I place, II. 96. + + Love on a day, wise poets tell, I. 131. + + Love scorch'd my finger, but did spare, I. 33. + + Love's a thing, as I do hear, I. 146. + + Love's of itself too sweet; the best of all, II. 157. + + Love-sick I am, and must endure, I. 72. + + + Maidens tell me I am old, II. 94. + + Maids' nays are nothing, they are shy, II. 60. + + Make haste away, and let one be, II. 92. + + Make, make me Thine, my gracious God, II. 185. + + Make me a heaven and make me there, I. 56. + + Man is a watch, wound up at first, but never, I. 254. + + Man is compos'd here of a twofold part, I. 191. + + Man knows where first he ships himself, but he, I. 221. + + Man may at first transgress, but next do well, II. 141. + + Man may want land to live in, but for all, II. 84. + + Man must do well out of a good intent, II. 112. + + Man's disposition is for to requite, II. 114. + + Many we are, and yet but few possess, I. 221. + + May his pretty dukeship grow, I. 134. + + Men are not born kings, but are men renown'd, II. 49. + + Men are suspicious, prone to discontent, II. 113. + + Men must have bounds how far to walk; for we, II. 132. + + Men say y'are fair, and fair ye are, 'tis true, I. 122. + + Mercy, the wise Athenians held to be, II. 225. + + Methought I saw, as I did dream in bed, II. 139. + + Methought last night love in an anger came, I. 18. + + Mighty Neptune, may it please, I. 161. + + Milk still your fountains and your springs, for why? II. 90. + + Mine eyes, like clouds, were drizzling rain, II. 44. + + Mop-eyed I am, as some have said, I. 120. + + More discontents I never had, I. 21. + + More white than whitest lilies far, I. 40. + + Music, thou queen of heaven, care-charming spell, I. 128. + + My dearest love, since thou wilt go, II. 153. + + My faithful friend, if you can see, I. 97. + + My God, I'm wounded by my sin, II. 173. + + My God! look on me with thine eye, II. 175 + + My head doth ache, II. 9. + + My Lucia in the dew did go, II. 58. + + My many cares and much distress, II. 139. + + My muse in meads has spent her many hours, I. 116. + + My soul would one day go and seek, II. 101. + + My wearied bark, O let it now be crown'd, II. 164. + + My wooing's ended: now my wedding's near, I. 225. + + + Naught are all women: I say no, II. 102. + + Need is no vice at all, though here it be, II. 48. + + Nero commanded; but withdrew his eyes, II. 42. + + Never my book's perfection did appear, I. 123. + + Never was day so over-sick with showers, I. 62. + + Next is your lot, fair, to be numbered one, I. 236. + + Night hath no wings to him that cannot sleep, II. 195. + + Night hides our thefts, all faults then pardon'd be, II. 8. + + Night makes no difference 'twixt priest and clerk, II. 97. + + No fault in women to refuse, I. 148. + + No grief is grown so desperate, but the ill, II. 148. + + No man comes late unto that place from whence, II. 31. + + No man is tempted so but may o'ercome, II. 236. + + No man so well a kingdom rules, as he, II. 155. + + No man such rare parts hath, that he can swim, II. 121. + + No more, my Sylvia, do I mean to pray, II. 2. + + No more shall I, since I am driven hence, I. 164. + + No news of navies burnt at seas, I. 157. + + No trust to metals, nor to marbles, when, II. 272. + + No wrath of men or rage of seas, II. 14. + + Noah the first was, as tradition says, II. 233. + + None goes to warfare but with this intent, I. 50. + + Noonday and midnight shall at once be seen, I. 71. + + Nor art thou less esteem'd that I have plac'd, II. 70. + + Nor is my number full till I inscribe, I. 250. + + Nor think that thou in this my book art worst, II. 159. + + Not all thy flushing suns are set, I. 87. + + Nothing can be more loathsome than to see, II. 10. + + Nothing comes free-cost here; Jove will not let, I. 221. + + Nothing hard or harsh can prove, II. 48. + + Nothing is new, we walk where others went, I. 175. + + Now if you love me, tell me, II. 150. + + Now is the time for mirth, I. 97. + + Now is the time, when all the lights wax dim, I. 22. + + Now is your turn, my dearest, to be set, II. 81. + + Now, now's the time, so oft by truth, I. 63. + + Now, now the mirth comes, II. 145. + + Now thou art dead, no eye shall ever see, II. 125. + + + O earth! earth! earth! hear thou my voice, and be, I. 21. + + O Jealousy, that art, I. 213. + + O Jupiter, should I speak ill, II. 61. + + O Times most bad, II. 10. + + O Thou, the wonder of all days! II. 196. + + O years! and age! farewell, II. 189. + + O you the virgins nine! II. 31. + + Of all our parts, the eyes express, I. 152. + + Of all the good things whatsoe'er we do, II. 255. + + Of all those three brave brothers fall'n i' th' war, I. 212. + + Of both our fortunes good and bad we find, II. 71. + + Offer thy gift; but first the law commands, II. 122. + + Oft bend the bow, and thou with ease shalt do, II. 55. + + Oft have I heard both youths and virgins say, I. 187. + + Old wives have often told how they, I. 19. + + On, as thou hast begun, brave youth, and get, I. 188. + + On with thy work, though thou be'st hardly press'd, II. 137. + + One ask'd me where the roses grew, I. 19. + + One birth our Saviour had; the like none yet, II. 231. + + One ear tingles, some there be, II. 160. + + One feeds on lard, and yet is lean, I. 216. + + One man repentant is of more esteem, II. 235. + + One more by thee, love, and desert have sent, I. 239. + + One night i' th' year, my dearest beauties, come, II. 23. + + One of the five straight branches of my hand, I. 256. + + One only fire has hell; but yet it shall, II. 239. + + One silent night of late, I. 30. + + Only a little more, I. 103. + + Open thy gates, II. 212. + + Or look'd I back unto the time hence flown, II. 39. + + Orpheus he went, as poets tell, II. 82. + + Other men's sins we ever bear in mind, II. 66. + + Our bastard children are but like to plate, II. 139. + + Our crosses are no other than the rods, II. 97. + + Our honours and our commendations be, I. 150. + + Our household gods our parents be, II. 29. + + Our mortal parts may wrapp'd in sear-clothes lie, I. 251. + + Our present tears here, not our present laughter, II. 201. + + Out of the world he must, who once comes in, I. 251. + + + Paradise is, as from the learn'd I gather, II. 229. + + Pardon me, God, once more I Thee entreat, II. 212. + + Pardon my trespass, Silvia, I confess, II. 116. + + Part of the work remains; one part is past, II. 164. + + Partly work and partly play, II. 142. + + Paul, he began ill, but he ended well, II. 234. + + Permit me, Julia, now to go away, I. 72. + + Permit mine eyes to see, II. 210. + + Ph[oe]bus! when that I a verse, I. 152. + + Physicians fight not against men; but these, II. 29. + + Physicians say repletion springs, II. 121. + + Play I could once; but gentle friend, you see, I. 103. + + Play, Ph[oe]bus, on thy lute, I. 190. + + Play their offensive and defensive parts, II. 211. + + Please your grace, from out your store, II. 25. + + Ponder my words, if so that any be, II. 111. + + Praise they that will times past; I joy to see, II. 114. + + Prat, he writes satires, but herein's the fault, II. 46. + + Prayers and praises are those spotless two, II. 171. + + Predestination is the cause alone, II. 237. + + Prepare for songs; He's come, He's come, II. 204. + + Preposterous is that government, and rude, I. 246. + + Preposterous is that order, when we run, II. 49. + + Princes and fav'rites are most dear, while they, II. 67. + + Prue, my dearest maid, is sick, I. 152. + + Puss and her 'prentice both at drawgloves play, II. 75. + + Put off thy robe of purple, then go on, II. 249. + + Put on thy holy filletings, and so, II. 106. + + Put on your silks, and piece by piece, I. 22. + + + Rapine has yet took nought from me, II. 219. + + Rare are thy cheeks, Susanna, which do show, I. 243. + + Rare is the voice itself: but when we sing, II. 161. + + Rare temples thou hast seen, I know, I. 111. + + Reach with your whiter hands, to me, I. 232. + + Read thou my lines, my Swetnaham; if there be, II. 158. + + Readers, we entreat ye pray, II. 85. + + Reproach we may the living, not the dead, II. 19. + + Rise, household gods, and let us go, I. 138. + + Roaring is nothing but a weeping part, II. 226. + + Roses at first were white, I. 130. + + Roses, you can never die, II. 154. + + + Sabbaths are threefold, as St. Austine says, II. 233. + + Sadly I walk'd within the field, I. 88. + + Sappho, I will choose to go, II. 83. + + Science in God is known to be, II. 222. + + Sea-born goddess, let me be, I. 174. + + See and not see, and if thou chance t'espy, I. 37. + + See how the poor do waiting stand, I. 175. + + Seeing thee, Soame, I see a goodly man, I. 220. + + See'st thou that cloud as silver clear, I. 174. + + See'st thou that cloud that rides in state, II. 86. + + See'st thou those diamonds which she wears, I. 163. + + Shall I a daily beggar be, II. 138. + + Shall I go to Love and tell, II. 90. + + Shame checks our first attempts; but when 'tis prov'd, II. 200. + + Shame is a bad attendant to a state, I. 227. + + Shapcot! to thee the fairy state, I. 148. + + She by the river sat, and sitting there, II. 63. + + She wept upon her cheeks, and weeping so, II. 62. + + Should I not put on blacks when each one here, II. 108. + + Show me thy feet, show me thy legs, thy thighs, I. 193. + + Shut not so soon; the dull-ey'd night, I. 203. + + Sick is Anthea, sickly is the spring, II. 149. + + Sin is an act so free, that if we shall, II. 238. + + Sin is the cause of death; and sin's alone, II. 238. + + Sin leads the way, but as it goes it feels, II. 200. + + Sin never slew a soul unless there went, II. 238. + + Sin no existence; nature none it hath, II. 229. + + Sin once reached up to God's eternal sphere, II. 207. + + Since, for thy full deserts, with all the rest, I. 191. + + Since shed or cottage I have none, II. 150. + + Since to the country first I came, I. 228. + + Sing me to death; for till thy voice be clear, I. 190. + + Sinners confounded are a twofold way, II. 236. + + Sitting alone, as one forsook, I. 60. + + Smooth was the sea, and seem'd to call, II. 116, + + So good luck came, and on my roof did light, I. 124. + + So long it seem'd, as Mary's faith was small, II. 233. + + So long you did not sing or touch your hue, I. 119. + + So look the mornings when the sun, II. 85. + + So looks Anthea, when in bed she lies, I. 39. + + So smell those odours that do rise, I. 181. + + So smooth, so sweet, so silv'ry is thy voice, I. 25. + + So soft streams meet, so springs with gladder smiles, I. 93. + + Some ask'd me where the rubies grew, I. 28. + + Some parts may perish, die thou canst not all, I. 252. + + Some salve to every sore we may apply, II. 92. + + Some would know, I. 12. + + Sorrows divided amongst many, less, II. 48. + + Sorrows our portion are: ere hence we go, II. 196. + + Sound teeth has Lucy, pure as pearl, and small, II. 29. + + Speak, did the blood of Abel cry, II. 235. + + Spend, harmless shade, thy nightly hours, II. 110. + + Spring with the lark, most comely bride, and meet, II. 16. + + Stand by the magic of my powerful rhymes, II. 98. + + Stand forth, brave man, since fate has made thee here, II. 63. + + Stand with thy graces forth, brave man, and rise, I. 226. + + Stately goddess, do thou please, I. 178. + + Stay while ye will, or go, I. 102. + + Still take advice; though counsels, when they fly, II. 146. + + Still to our gains our chief respect is had, I. 175. + + Store of courage to me grant, I. 189. + + Stripes justly given yerk us with their fall, II. 148. + + Studies themselves will languish and decay, II. 144. + + Suffer thy legs but not thy tongue to walk, II. 172. + + Suspicion, discontent, and strife, I. 58. + + Sweet Amarillis, by a spring's, I. 55. + + Sweet are my Julia's lips, and clean, II. 95. + + Sweet, be not proud of those two eyes, I. 74. + + Sweet Bridget blush'd, and therewithal, I. 255. + + Sweet country life, to such unknown, II. 33. + + Sweet [OE]none, do but say, II. 81. + + Sweet virgin, that I do not set, I. 182. + + Sweet western wind, whose luck it is, I. 128. + + + Take mine advice, and go not near, II. 98. + + Tears most prevail; with tears, too, thou mayst move, II. 107. + + Tears quickly dry, griefs will in time decay, II. 115. + + Tears, though they're here below the sinner's brine, II. 29. + + Tell if thou canst, and truly, whence doth come, I. 196. + + Tell me, rich man, for what intent. II. 244. + + Tell me, what needs those rich deceits, II. 101. + + Tell me, young man, or did the muses bring, II. 122. + + Tell that brave man, fain thou wouldst have access, II. 125. + + Tell us, thou clear and heavenly tongue, II. 207. + + Temptations hurt not, though they have access II. 196. + + Thanksgiving for a former, doth invite, II. 181 + + Th' art hence removing (like a shepherd's tent), I. 235. + + Th' 'ast dar'd too far; but, fury, now forbear, I. 100. + + That Christ did die, the pagan saith, II. 245. + + That flow of gallants which approach, II. 47. + + That for seven lusters I did never come, I. 31. + + That happiness does still the longest thrive, II. 81. + + That hour-glass which there you see, I. 52. + + That little, pretty, bleeding part, II. 279. + + That love last long, let it thy first care be, I. 232. + + That love 'twixt men does ever longest last, II. 157. + + That manna, which God on His people cast, II. 224. + + That morn which saw me made a bride, I. 136. + + That prince must govern with a gentle hand, II. 153. + + That prince takes soon enough the victor's room, I. 136. + + That prince who may do nothing but what's just, II. 162. + + That princes may possess a surer seat, I. 203. + + That there's a God we all do know, II. 243. + + The bad among the good are here mixed ever, II. 229. + + The blood of Abel was a thing, II. 235. + + The body is the soul's poor house or home, II. 98. + + The body's salt, the soul is; which when gone, II. 162. + + The bound almost now of my book I see, II. 140. + + The doctors in the Talmud, say, II. 235. + + The factions of the great ones call, II. 101. + + The fire of hell this strange condition hath, II. 235. + + The gods require the thighs, II. 60. + + The gods to kings the judgment give to sway, I. 136. + + The hag is astride, II. 27. + + The Jews their beds and offices of ease, II. 233. + + The Jews, when they built houses, I have read, II. 230. + + The less our sorrows here and suff'rings cease, II. 214. + + The lictors bundled up their rods; beside, II. 113. + + The longer thread of life we spin, II. 224. + + The May-pole is up, II. 46. + + The mellow touch of music most doth wound, I. 12. + + The mountains of the Scriptures are, some say, II. 226. + + The only comfort of my life, II. 149. + + The person crowns the place; your lot doth fall, II. 128. + + The power of princes rest in the consent, II. 155. + + The readiness of doing doth express, II. 92. + + The repetition of the name made known, II. 229. + + The rose was sick, and smiling died, II. 44. + + The saints-bell calls, and, Julia, I must read, II. 7. + + The same who crowns the conquerer, will be, II. 227. + + The seeds of treason choke up as they spring, I. 9. + + The shame of man's face is no more, II. 228. + + The strength of baptism that's within, II. 247. + + The sup'rabundance of my store, II. 220. + + The tears of saints more sweet by far, II. 224. + + The time the bridegroom stays from hence, II. 225. + + The twilight is no other thing, we say, II. 148. + + The Virgin Mary was, as I have read, II. 232. + + The Virgin Mother stood at a distance, there, II. 230. + + The work is done, now let my laurel be, II. 249. + + The work is done: young men and maidens, set, II. 164. + + Then did I live when I did see, II. 140. + + There is no evil that we do commit, II. 233. + + There's no constraint to do amiss, II. 239. + + These fresh beauties (we can prove), I. 16. + + These springs were maidens once that lov'd, I. 225. + + These summer-birds did with thy master stay, I. 189. + + These temporal goods God, the most wise, commends, II. 234. + + Things are uncertain, and the more we get, II. 144. + + This axiom I have often heard, II. 39. + + This crosstree here, II. 253. + + This day is yours, great Charles! and in this war, II. 87. + + This day, my Julia, thou must make, II. 83. + + This I'll tell ye by the way, II. 152. + + This is my comfort when she's most unkind, II. 151. + + This is the height of justice: that to do, II. 14. + + This rule of manners I will teach my guests, II. 137. + + This stone can tell the story of my life, II. 128. + + Those ends in war the best contentment bring, II. 144. + + Those garments lasting evermore, II. 242. + + Those ills that mortal men endure, I. 192. + + Those possessions short-liv'd are, II. 50. + + Those saints which God loves best, II. 175. + + Those tapers which we set upon the grave, II. 230. + + Thou art a plant sprung up to wither never, I. 122. + + Thou art to all lost love the best, I. 132. + + Thou bid'st me come away, II. 186. + + Thou bid'st me come; I cannot come; for why? II. 186. + + Thou cam'st to cure me, doctor, of my cold, I. 121. + + Thou gav'st me leave to kiss, I. 178. + + Thou had'st the wreath before, now take the tree, I. 188. + + Thou hast made many houses for the dead, II. 95. + + Thou hast promis'd, Lord, to be, II. 179. + + Thou knowest, my Julia, that it is thy turn, I. 247. + + Thou mighty lord and master of the lyre, II. 100. + + Thou sail'st with others in this Argus here, I. 26. + + Thou say'st I'm dull; if edgeless so I be, II. 157. + + Thou sayest Love's dart, II. 90. + + Thou say'st my lines are hard, I. 173. + + Thou say'st thou lov'st me, Sappho; I say no, II. 98. + + Thou see'st me, Lucia, this year droop, II. 126. + + Thou sent'st to me a true love-knot, but I, I. 217. + + Thou shall not all die; for while love's fire shines, I. 179. + + Thou, thou that bear'st the sway, II. 100. + + Thou who wilt not love, do this, I. 93. + + Though a wise man all pressures can sustain, I. 72. + + Though by well warding many blows we've pass'd, II. 45. + + Though clock, II. 55. + + Though frankincense the deities require, II. 117. + + Though from without no foes at all we fear, II. 114. + + Though good things answer many good intents, I. 137. + + Though hourly comforts from the gods we see, I. 137. + + Though I cannot give thee fires, I. 161. + + Though long it be, years may repay the debt, II. 31. + + Though thou be'st all that active love, II. 245. + + Thousands each day pass by, which we, II. 39. + + Three fatal sisters wait upon each sin, II. 172. + + Three lovely sisters working were, I. 20. + + Thrice, and above, bless'd, my soul's half, art thou, I. 40. + + Thrice happy roses, so much grac'd to have, II. 60. + + Through all the night, II. 187. + + Thus I, I. 222. + + Thy azure robe I did behold, I. 80. + + Thy former coming was to cure, II. 248. + + Thy sooty godhead, I desire, II. 14. + + Till I shall come again let this suffice, I. 183. + + Time is the bound of things where e'er we go, II. 71. + + Time was upon, II. 178. + + 'Tis a known principle in war, I. 147. + + 'Tis but a dog-like madness in bad kings, II. 115. + + 'Tis evening, my sweet, I. 245. + + 'Tis hard to find God, but to comprehend, II. 171. + + 'Tis heresy in others: in your face, I. 225. + + 'Tis liberty to serve one lord; but he, II. 103. + + 'Tis much among the filthy to be clean, II. 147. + + 'Tis never, or but seldom known, II. 80. + + 'Tis no discomfort in the world to fall, II. 147. + + 'Tis not a thousand bullocks' thighs, I. 24. + + 'Tis not every day that I, II. 51. + + 'Tis not greatness they require, I. 24. + + 'Tis not the food but the content, I. 154. + + 'Tis not the walls or purple that defends, II. 53. + + 'Tis said as Cupid danc'd among, II. 49. + + 'Tis still observ'd that fame ne'er sings, II. 55. + + 'Tis still observ'd those men most valiant are, II. 134. + + 'Tis the chyrurgeon's praise and height of art, II. 84. + + 'Tis worse than barbarous cruelty to show, I. 251. + + To a love feast we both invited are, II. 191. + + To all our wounds here, whatsoe'er they be, II. 238. + + To an old sore a long cure must go on, II. 138. + + To bread and water none is poor, I. 38. + + To conquered men, some comfort 'tis to fall, I. 60. + + To fetch me wine my Lucia went, I. 234. + + To find that tree of life whose fruits did feed, I. 74. + + To gather flowers Sappha went, II. 62. + + To get thine ends lay bashfulness aside, I. 7. + + To him who longs unto his Christ to go, II. 222. + + To his book's end this last line he'd have placed, II. 165. + + To house the hag, you must do this, II. 104. + + To join with them who here confer, II. 255. + + To me my Julia lately sent, I. 14. + + To-morrow, Julia, I betimes must rise, I. 127. + + To mortal men great loads allotted be, II. 51. + + To my revenge, and to her desperate fears, I. 107. + + To print our poems, the propulsive cause, I. 211. + + To read my book the virgin shy, I. 5. + + To safeguard man from wrongs, there nothing must, I. 81. + + To seek of God more than we well can find, II. 192. + + To sup with thee thou did'st me home invite, II. 78. + + To this white temple of my heroes, here, I. 232. + + To work a wonder, God would have her shown, II. 231. + + Touch but thy lyre, my Harry, and I hear, II. 94. + + Trap of a player turn'd a priest now is, II. 155. + + Tread, sirs, as lightly as you can, II. 28. + + True mirth resides not in the smiling skin, II. 172. + + True rev'rence is, as Cassiodore doth prove, II. 224. + + True to yourself and sheets, you'll have me swear, I. 171. + + Trust me, ladies, I will do, I. 222. + + Truth, by her own simplicity is known, II. 160. + + Truth is best found out by the time and eyes, II. 108. + + Tumble me down, and I will sit, II. 41. + + 'Twas but a single rose, I. 61. + + 'Twas Caesar's saying: kings no less conquerors are, II. 88. + + 'Twas not love's dart, I. 201. + + Twice has Pudica been a bride, and led, I. 225. + + Twilight, no other thing is, poets say, II. 96. + + 'Twixt kings and subjects there's this mighty odds, I. 12. + + 'Twixt kings and tyrants there's this difference known, II. 96. + + 'Twixt truth and error there's this difference known, II. 144. + + Two instruments belong unto our God, II. 244. + + Two of a thousand things are disallow'd, I. 10. + + Two parts of us successively command, I. 171. + + Two things do make society to stand, II. 93. + + + Under a lawn, than skies more clear, I. 29. + + Upon her cheeks she wept, and from those showers, I. 256. + + Ursley, she thinks those velvet patches grace, I. 248. + + + Virgins promis'd when I died, I. 52. + + Virgins, time past, known were these, I. 77. + + + Want is a softer wax, that takes thereon, II. 108. + + Wantons we are, and though our words be such, II. 19. + + Wanton wenches do not bring, II. 160. + + Wash clean the vessel, lest ye sour, II. 149. + + Wash your hands, or else the fire, II. 80. + + Wassail the trees, that they may bear, II. 80. + + Water, water I desire, I. 23. + + Water, water I espy, I. 75. + + We are co-heirs with Christ; nor shall His own, II. 246. + + We blame, nay we despise her pains, II. 98. + + We credit most our sight; one eye doth please, II. 108. + + We merit all we suffer, and by far, II. 243. + + We pray 'gainst war, yet we enjoy no peace, II. 81. + + We trust not to the multitude in war, II. 112. + + We two are last in hell; what may we fear, I. 38. + + Weep for the dead, for they have lost this light, II. 121. + + Weigh me the fire; or canst thou find, II. 170. + + Welcome! but yet no entrance, till we bless, I. 155. + + Welcome, great Caesar, welcome now you are, II. 123. + + Welcome, maids-of-honour, I. 101. + + Welcome, most welcome to our vows and us, I. 28. + + Welcome to this my college, and though late, II. 129. + + Well may my book come forth like public day, _Dedication_. + + Were I to give the baptism, I would choose, I. 32. + + What can I do in poetry, I. 164. + + What! can my Kellam drink his sack, II. 112. + + What, conscience, say, is it in thee, I. 210. + + What fate decreed, time now has made us see, II. 66. + + What God gives, and what we take, II. 202. + + What here we hope for, we shall once inherit, II. 200. + + What I fancy I approve, I. 11. + + What is a kiss? Why this, as some approve, II. 18. + + What is't that wastes a prince? example shows, II. 162. + + What need we marry women, when, II. 120. + + What needs complaints, II. 141. + + What now we like, anon we disapprove, I. 240. + + What offspring other men have got, II. 42. + + What others have with cheapness seen and ease, II. 161. + + What sweeter music can we bring, II. 202. + + What though my harp and viol be, II. 199. + + What though the heaven be lowering now, I. 236. + + What though the sea be calm? Trust to the shore, I. 104. + + What times of sweetness this fair day foreshows, I. 52. + + What was't that fell but now, I. 90. + + What will ye, my poor orphans, do, II. 19. + + What wisdom, learning, wit or wrath, I. 57. + + What's got by justice is established sure, II. 141. + + What's that we see from far? the spring of day, I. 139. + + Whatever comes, let's be content withal, II. 187. + + Whatever men for loyalty pretend, II. 163. + + Whatsoever thing I see, II. 65. + + When a daffodil I see, I. 45. + + When a man's faith is frozen up, as dead, II. 196. + + When after many lusters thou shalt be, II. 36. + + When age or chance has made me blind, I. 38. + + When all birds else do of their music fail, II. 57. + + When as in silks my Julia goes, II. 77. + + When as Leander young was drown'd, I. 49. + + When Chub brings in his harvest, still he cries, II. 157. + + When fear admits no hope of safety, then, II. 163. + + When first I find those numbers thou dost write, II. 125. + + When flowing garments I behold, II. 138. + + When I a ship see on the seas, II. 214. + + When I a verse shall make, II. 11. + + When I behold a forest spread, I. 254. + + When I behold Thee, almost slain, II. 252. + + When I consider, dearest, thou dost stay, I. 243. + + When I departed am, ring thou my knell, I. 138. + + When I did go from thee, I felt that smart, I. 50. + + When I go hence, ye closet-gods, I fear, II. 30. + + When I love (as some have told), II. 1. + + When I of Villars do but hear the name, I. 172. + + When I shall sin, pardon my trespass here, II. 206. + + When I through all my many poems look, I. 117. + + When I thy parts run o'er, I can't espy, I. 9. + + When I thy singing next shall hear, I. 25. + + When Julia blushes she does show, I. 150. + + When Julia chid, I stood as mute the while, I. 70. + + When laws full powers have to sway, we see, II. 12. + + When man is punished, he is plagued still, II. 211. + + When my date's done, and my grey age must die, I. 47. + + When my off'ring next I make, I. 197. + + When one is past, another care we have, I. 20. + + When once the sin has fully acted been, II. 178. + + When once the soul has lost her way, II. 243. + + When out of bed my love doth spring, I. 193. + + When some shall say, Fair once my Silvia was, I. 24. + + When that day comes, whose evening says I'm gone, I. 15. + + When thou dost play and sweetly sing, I. 178. + + When Thou wast taken, Lord, I oft have read, II. 251. + + When times are troubled then forbear; but speak, II. 155. + + When to a house I come and see, II. 136. + + When to thy porch I come, and ravish'd see, II. 154. + + When we 'gainst Satan stoutly fight, the more, II. 213. + + When well we speak and nothing do that's good, II. 247. + + When what is lov'd is present, love doth spring, I. 13. + + When winds and seas do rage, II. 215. + + When with the virgin morning thou dost rise, I. 159. + + When words we want, Love teacheth to indite, II. 92. + + Whene'er I go, or whatsoe'er befalls, II. 86. + + Whene'er my heart love's warmth but entertains, I. 47. + + Where God is merry, there write down thy fears, II. 191. + + Where love begins, there dead thy first desire, II. 100. + + Where others love and praise my verses, still, I. 80. + + Where pleasures rule a kingdom, never there, II. 157. + + Whether I was myself, or else did see, II. 156. + + While Fates permit us let's be merry, I. 215. + + While leanest beasts in pastures feed, I. 93. + + While, Lydia, I was loved of thee, I. 85. + + While the milder fates consent, I. 46. + + While thou didst keep thy candour undefil'd, I. 5. + + White as Zenobia's teeth, the which the girls, II. 62. + + White though ye be, yet, lilies, know, I. 89. + + Whither dost thou whorry me, I. 197. + + Whither, mad maiden, wilt thou roam? I. 4. + + Whither? say, whither shall I fly, I. 48. + + Who after his transgression doth repent, II. 84. + + Who begs to die for fear of human need, II. 95. + + Who forms a godhead out of gold or stone, I. 147. + + Who may do most, does least; the bravest will, II. 150. + + Who plants an olive but to eat the oil? II. 151. + + Who, railing, drives the lazar from his door, II. 46. + + Who read'st this book that I have writ, II. 32. + + Who violates the customs, hurts the health, II. 147. + + Who will not honour noble numbers when, II. 81. + + Who with a little cannot be content, II. 12. + + Whom should I fear to write to if I can, I. 77. + + Whose head befringed with bescattered tresses, II. 257. + + Why do not all fresh maids appear, I. 128. + + Why do ye weep, sweet babes? Can tears, I. 129. + + Why dost thou wound and break my heart, II. 158. + + Why I tie about thy wrist, I. 159. + + Why, madam, will ye longer weep, I. 237. + + Why should we covet much, when as we know, II. 134. + + Why so slowly do you move, II. 93. + + Why this flower is now call'd so, I. 16. + + Why wore th' Egyptians jewels in the ear? II. 178. + + Will ye hear what I can say, I. 173. + + Wilt thou my true friend be? II. 2. + + With blameless carriage, I lived here, I. 48. + + With golden censors and with incense here, II. 208. + + Woe, woe to them, who by a ball of strife, I. 29. + + Women, although they ne'er so goodly make it, II. 41. + + Words beget anger; anger brings forth blows, II. 107. + + Would I see lawn, clear as the heaven and thin? I. 197. + + Would I woo, and would I win, II. 106. + + Would ye have fresh cheese and cream? I. 229. + + Would ye oil of blossoms get? II. 54. + + Wrinkles no more are or no less, I. 179. + + Wrongs, if neglected, vanish in short time, II. 75. + + + Ye have been fresh and green, I. 136. + + Ye may simper, blush, and smile, I. 89. + + Ye pretty housewives, would ye know, I. 204. + + Ye silent shades, whose each tree here, I. 211. + + You are a lord, an earl; nay more, a man, I. 215. + + You are a tulip seen to-day, I. 108. + + You ask me what I do, and how I live, II. 138. + + You have beheld a smiling rose, I. 90. + + You may vow I'll not forget, II. 268. + + You say I love not 'cause I do not play, I. 16. + + You say to me-wards your affection's strong, I. 61. + + You say you're sweet; how should we know, I. 139. + + You see this gentle stream that glides, II. 54. + + Young I was, but now am old, I. 18. + + + + + +APPENDIX OF EPIGRAMS, etc. + + + + +_NOTE._ + +_Herrick's coarser epigrams and poems are included in this_ Appendix. +_A few decent, but somewhat pointless, epigrams have been added._ + + + + +APPENDIX OF EPIGRAMS. + + +5. [TO HIS BOOK.] ANOTHER. + + Who with thy leaves shall wipe, at need, + The place where swelling piles do breed; + May every ill that bites or smarts + Perplex him in his hinder parts. + + +6. TO THE SOUR READER. + + If thou dislik'st the piece thou light'st on first, + Think that of all, that I have writ, the worst: + But if thou read'st my book unto the end, + And still do'st this and that verse, reprehend; + O perverse man! if all disgustful be, + The extreme scab take thee, and thine, for me. + + +41. THE VINE. + + I dreamt this mortal part of mine + Was metamorphos'd to a vine; + Which crawling one and every way + Enthrall'd my dainty Lucia. + Methought, her long small legs and thighs + I with my tendrils did surprise; + Her belly, buttocks, and her waist + By my soft nerv'lets were embrac'd; + About her head I writhing hung, } + And with rich clusters, hid among } + The leaves, her temples I behung: } + So that my Lucia seem'd to me + Young Bacchus ravish'd by his tree. + My curls about her neck did crawl, + And arms and hands they did enthrall: + So that she could not freely stir, + All parts there made one prisoner. + But when I crept with leaves to hide + Those parts, which maids keep unespy'd, + Such fleeting pleasures there I took, + That with the fancy I awoke; + And found, ah me! this flesh of mine + More like a stock than like a vine. + + +64. ONCE POOR, STILL PENURIOUS. + + Goes the world now, it will with thee go hard: + The fattest hogs we grease the more with lard. + To him that has, there shall be added more; + Who is penurious, he shall still be poor. + + +99. UPON BLANCH. + + Blanch swears her husband's lovely; when a scald + Has blear'd his eyes: besides, his head is bald + Next, his wild ears, like leathern wings full spread, + Flutter to fly, and bear away his head. + + +109. UPON CUFFE. EPIG. + + Cuffe comes to church much: but he keeps his bed + Those Sundays only whenas briefs are read. + This makes Cuffe dull; and troubles him the most, + Because he cannot sleep i' th' church free cost. + + _Briefs._--Letters recommending the collection of alms. + + +110. UPON FONE A SCHOOLMASTER. EPIG. + + Fone says, those mighty whiskers he does wear + Are twigs of birch, and willow, growing there: + If so, we'll think too, when he does condemn + Boys to the lash, that he does whip with them. + + +126. UPON SCOBBLE. EPIG. + + Scobble for whoredom whips his wife; and cries + He'll slit her nose; but blubb'ring, she replies, + Good sir, make no more cuts i' th' outward skin, + One slit's enough to let adultry in. + + +129. UPON GLASCO. EPIG. + + Glasco had none, but now some teeth has got; + Which though they fur, will neither ache or rot. + Six teeth he has, whereof twice two are known + Made of a haft that was a mutton bone. + Which not for use, but merely for the sight, + He wears all day, and draws those teeth at night. + + +131. THE CUSTARD. + + For second course, last night, a custard came + To th' board, so hot as none could touch the same: + Furze three or four times with his cheeks did blow + Upon the custard, and thus cooled so; + It seem'd by this time to admit the touch, + But none could eat it, 'cause it stunk so much. + + +135. UPON GRYLL. + + Gryll eats, but ne'er says grace; to speak the truth, + Gryll either keeps his breath to cool his broth, + Or else, because Gryll's roast does burn his spit, + Gryll will not therefore say a grace for it. + + +148. UPON STRUT. + + Strut, once a foreman of a shop we knew; + But turn'd a ladies' usher now, 'tis true: + Tell me, has Strut got e're a title more? + No; he's but foreman, as he was before. + + +163. UPON JOLLY'S WIFE. + + First, Jolly's wife is lame; then next loose-hipp'd: + Squint-ey'd, hook-nos'd; and lastly, kidney-lipp'd. + + +171. UPON PAGGET. + + Pagget, a schoolboy, got a sword, and then + He vow'd destruction both to birch and men: + Who would not think this younker fierce to fight? + Yet coming home, but somewhat late (last night), + Untruss, his master bade him; and that word + Made him take up his shirt, lay down his sword. + + +183. UPON PRIG. + + Prig now drinks water, who before drank beer; + What's now the cause? we know the case is clear; + Look in Prig's purse, the chev'ril there tells you + Prig money wants, either to buy or brew. + + _Chevril_, kid. + + +184. UPON BATT. + + Batt he gets children, not for love to rear 'em; + But out of hope his wife might die to bear 'em. + + +188. UPON MUCH-MORE. EPIG. + + Much-more provides and hoards up like an ant, + Yet Much-more still complains he is in want. + Let Much-more justly pay his tithes; then try + How both his meal and oil will multiply. + + +199. UPON LUGGS. EPIG. + + Luggs, by the condemnation of the Bench, + Was lately whipt for lying with a wench. + Thus pains and pleasures turn by turn succeed: + He smarts at last who does not first take heed. + + +200. UPON GUBBS. EPIG. + + Gubbs calls his children kitlings: and would bound, + Some say, for joy, to see those kitlings drown'd. + + +206. UPON BUNCE. EPIG. + + Money thou ow'st me; prethee fix a day + For payment promis'd, though thou never pay: + Let it be Dooms-day; nay, take longer scope; + Pay when th'art honest; let me have some hope. + + +221. GREAT BOAST SMALL ROAST. + + Of flanks and chines of beef doth Gorrell boast + He has at home; but who tastes boil'd or roast? + Look in his brine-tub, and you shall find there + Two stiff blue pigs'-feet and a sow's cleft ear. + + +222. UPON A BLEAR-EY'D WOMAN. + + Wither'd with years, and bed-rid Mumma lies; + Dry-roasted all, but raw yet in her eyes. + + +233. NO LOCK AGAINST LETCHERY. + + Bar close as you can, and bolt fast too your door, + To keep out the letcher, and keep in the whore; + Yet quickly you'll see by the turn of a pin, + The whore to come out, or the letcher come in. + + +237. UPON SUDDS, A LAUNDRESS. + + Sudds launders bands in piss, and starches them + Both with her husband's and her own tough fleam. + + +239. UPON GUESS. EPIG. + + Guess cuts his shoes, and limping, goes about + To have men think he's troubled with the gout; + But 'tis no gout, believe it, but hard beer, + Whose acrimonious humour bites him here. + + +242. UPON A CROOKED MAID. + + Crooked you are, but that dislikes not me: + So you be straight where virgins straight should be. + + +261. UPON GROYNES. EPIG. + + Groynes, for his fleshly burglary of late, + Stood in the holy forum candidate; + The word is Roman; but in English known: + Penance, and standing so, are both but one. + + _Candidate_, clothed in white. + + +272. UPON PINK, AN ILL-FAC'D PAINTER. EPIG. + + To paint the fiend, Pink would the devil see; + And so he may, if he'll be rul'd by me; + Let but Pink's face i' th' looking-glass be shown, + And Pink may paint the devil's by his own. + + +273. UPON BROCK. EPIG. + + To cleanse his eyes, Tom Brock makes much ado, + But not his mouth, the fouler of the two. + A clammy rheum makes loathsome both his eyes: + His mouth, worse furr'd with oaths and blasphemies. + + +277. LAUGH AND LIE DOWN. + + Y'ave laughed enough, sweet, vary now your text! + And laugh no more; or laugh, and lie down next. + + +292. UPON SHARK. EPIG. + + Shark, when he goes to any public feast, + Eats to one's thinking, of all there, the least. + What saves the master of the house thereby + When if the servants search, they may descry + In his wide codpiece, dinner being done, + Two napkins cramm'd up, and a silver spoon? + + +305. UPON BUNGY. + + Bungy does fast; looks pale; puts sackcloth on; + Not out of conscience, or religion: + Or that this younker keeps so strict a Lent, + Fearing to break the king's commandement: + But being poor, and knowing flesh is dear, + He keeps not one, but many Lents i' th' year. + + +311. UPON SNEAPE. EPIG. + + Sneape has a face so brittle, that it breaks + Forth into blushes whensoe'er he speaks. + + +315. UPON LEECH. + + Leech boasts, he has a pill, that can alone + With speed give sick men their salvation: + 'Tis strange, his father long time has been ill, + And credits physic, yet not trusts his pill: + And why? he knows he must of cure despair, + Who makes the sly physician his heir. + + +317. TO A MAID. + + You say, you love me! that I thus must prove: + It that you lie, then I will swear you love. + + +326. UPON GREEDY. EPIG. + + An old, old widow Greedy needs would wed, + Not for affection to her or her bed; + But in regard, 'twas often said, this old + Woman would bring him more than could be told. + He took her; now the jest in this appears, + So old she was, that none could tell her years. + + +357. LONG AND LAZY. + + That was the proverb. Let my mistress be + Lazy to others, but be long to me. + + +358. UPON RALPH. EPIG. + + Curse not the mice, no grist of thine they eat; + But curse thy children, they consume thy wheat. + + +361. UPON MEASE. EPIG. + + Mease brags of pullets which he eats: but Mease + Ne'er yet set tooth in stump or rump of these. + + +363. UPON PASKE, A DRAPER. + + Paske, though his debt be due upon the day + Demands no money by a craving way; + For why, says he, all debts and their arrears + Have reference to the shoulders, not the ears. + + +368. UPON PRIGG. + + Prigg, when he comes to houses, oft doth use, + Rather than fail, to steal from thence old shoes: + Sound or unsound be they, or rent or whole, + Prigg bears away the body and the sole. + + +369. UPON MOON. + + Moon is a usurer, whose gain, + Seldom or never knows a wain, + Only Moon's conscience, we confess, + That ebbs from pity less and less. + + +372. UPON SHIFT. + + Shift now has cast his clothes: got all things new; + Save but his hat, and that he cannot mew. + + _Mew_, change feathers. + + +373. UPON CUTS. + + If wounds in clothes Cuts calls his rags, 'tis clear + His linings are the matter running there. + + +374. GAIN AND GETTINGS. + + When others gain much by the present cast, + The cobblers' getting time is at the last. + + +379. UPON DOLL. EPIG. + + Doll, she so soon began the wanton trade, + She ne'er remembers that she was a maid. + + +380. UPON SKREW. EPIG. + + Skrew lives by shifts; yet swears by no small oaths + For all his shifts he cannot shift his clothes. + + +381. UPON LINNET. EPIG. + + Linnet plays rarely on the lute, we know; + And sweetly sings, but yet his breath says no. + + +385. UPON GLASS. EPIG. + + Glass, out of deep, and out of desp'rate want, + Turn'd from a Papist here a Predicant. + A vicarage at last Tom Glass got here, + Just upon five and thirty pounds a year. + Add to that thirty-five but five pounds more, + He'll turn a Papist, ranker than before. + + +398. UPON EELES. EPIG. + + Eeles winds and turns, and cheats and steals; yet Eeles + Driving these sharking trades, is out at heels. + + +400. UPON RASP. EPIG. + + Rasp plays at nine-holes; and 'tis known he gets + Many a tester by his game and bets: + But of his gettings there's but little sign; + When one hole wastes more than he gets by nine. + + +401. UPON CENTER, A SPECTACLE-MAKER WITH A FLAT NOSE. + + Center is known weak-sighted, and he sells + To others store of helpful spectacles. + Why wears he none? Because we may suppose, + Where leaven wants, there level lies the nose. + + +410. UPON SKINNS. EPIG. + + Skinns, he dined well to-day: how do you think? + His nails they were his meat, his rheum the drink. + + +411. UPON PIEVISH. EPIG. + + Pievish doth boast that he's the very first + Of English poets, and 'tis thought the worst. + + +412. UPON JOLLY AND JILLY. EPIG. + + Jolly and Jilly bite and scratch all day, + But yet get children (as the neighbours say). + The reason is: though all the day they fight, + They cling and close some minutes of the night. + + +419. UPON PATRICK, A FOOTMAN. EPIG. + + Now Patrick with his footmanship has done, + His eyes and ears strive which should fastest run. + + +420. UPON BRIDGET. EPIG. + + Of four teeth only Bridget was possest; + Two she spat out, a cough forced out the rest. + + +424. UPON FLIMSEY. EPIG. + + Why walks Nick Flimsey like a malcontent! + Is it because his money all is spent? + No, but because the dingthrift now is poor, + And knows not where i' th' world to borrow more. + + +425. UPON SHEWBREAD. EPIG. + + Last night thou didst invite me home to eat; + And showed me there much plate, but little meat. + Prithee, when next thou do'st invite, bar state, + And give me meat, or give me else thy plate. + + +428. UPON ROOTS. EPIG. + + Roots had no money; yet he went o' the score, + For a wrought purse; can any tell wherefore? + Say, what should Roots do with a purse in print, + That had not gold nor silver to put in't? + + +429. UPON CRAW. + + Craw cracks in sirrop; and does stinking say, + Who can hold that, my friends, that will away? + + +430. OBSERVATION. + + Who to the north, or south, doth set + His bed, male children shall beget. + + +433. PUTREFACTION. + + Putrefaction is the end + Of all that nature doth intend. + + +434. PASSION. + + Were there not a matter known, + There would be no passion. + + +435. JACK AND JILL. + + Since Jack and Jill both wicked be; + It seems a wonder unto me, + That they, no better do agree. + + +436. UPON PARSON BEANES. + + Old Parson Beanes hunts six days of the week, + And on the seventh, he has his notes to seek. + Six days he hollows so much breath away, + That on the seventh, he can nor preach or pray. + + +438. SHORT AND LONG BOTH LIKES. + + This lady's short, that mistress she is tall; + But long or short, I'm well content with all. + + +440. UPON ROOK. EPIG. + + Rook he sells feathers, yet he still doth cry + Fie on this pride, this female vanity. + Thus, though the Rook does rail against the sin, + He loves the gain that vanity brings in. + + +456. UPON SPUNGE. EPIG. + + Spunge makes his boasts that he's the only man + Can hold of beer and ale an ocean; + Is this his glory? then his triumph's poor; + I know the tun of Heidleberg holds more. + + +464. UPON ONE WHO SAID SHE WAS ALWAYS YOUNG. + + You say you're young; but when your teeth are told + To be but three, black-ey'd, we'll think you old. + + +465. UPON HUNCKS. EPIG. + + Huncks has no money, he does swear or say, + About him, when the tavern's shot's to pay. + If he has none in 's pockets, trust me, Huncks + Has none at home in coffers, desks, or trunks. + + +476. UPON A CHEAP LAUNDRESS. EPIG. + + Feacie, some say, doth wash her clothes i' th' lie + That sharply trickles from her either eye. + The laundresses, they envy her good-luck, + Who can with so small charges drive the buck. + What needs she fire and ashes to consume, + Who can scour linens with her own salt rheum? + + _Drive the buck_, wash clothes. + + +482. UPON SKURF. + + Skurf by his nine-bones swears, and well he may: + All know a fellon eat the tenth away. + + _Fellon_, whitlow. + + +500. UPON JACK AND JILL. EPIG. + + When Jill complains to Jack for want of meat, + Jack kisses Jill and bids her freely eat: + Jill says, Of what? says Jack, On that sweet kiss, + Which full of nectar and ambrosia is, + The food of poets. So I thought, says Jill, + That makes them look so lank, so ghost-like still. + Let poets feed on air, or what they will; + Let me feed full, till that I fart, says Jill. + + +503. UPON PARRAT. + + Parrat protests 'tis he, and only he + Can teach a man the art of memory: + Believe him not; for he forgot it quite, + Being drunk, who 'twas that can'd his ribs last night. + + +514. KISSING AND BUSSING. + + Kissing and bussing differ both in this; + We buss our wantons, but our wives we kiss. + + +520. UPON MAGGOT, A FREQUENTER OF ORDINARIES. + + Maggot frequents those houses of good-cheer, + Talks most, eats most, of all the feeders there. + He raves through lean, he rages through the fat, + (What gets the master of the meal by that?) + He who with talking can devour so much, + How would he eat, were not his hindrance such? + + +533. ON JOAN. + + Joan would go tell her hairs; and well she might, + Having but seven in all: three black, four white. + + +534. UPON LETCHER. EPIG. + + Letcher was carted first about the streets, + For false position in his neighbour's sheets: + Next, hanged for thieving: now the people say, + His carting was the prologue to this play. + + +535. UPON DUNDRIGE. + + Dundrige his issue hath; but is not styl'd, + For all his issue, father of one child. + + +553. WAY IN A CROWD. + + Once on a Lord Mayor's Day, in Cheapside, when + Skulls could not well pass through that scum of men, + For quick despatch Skulls made no longer stay + Than but to breathe, and everyone gave way; + For, as he breathed, the people swore from thence + A fart flew out, or a sir-reverence. + + _Sir-reverence_, "save-reverence," the word of apology used for the + indecency itself. + + +557. UPON ONE-EY'D BROOMSTED. EPIG. + + Broomsted a lameness got by cold and beer: + And to the bath went, to be cured there: + His feet were helped, and left his crutch behind; + But home returned, as he went forth, half blind. + + +563. UPON SIBILLA. + + With paste of almonds, Syb her hands doth scour; + Then gives it to the children to devour. + In cream she bathes her thighs, more soft than silk; + Then to the poor she freely gives the milk. + + +570. UPON TOOLY. + + The eggs of pheasants wry-nosed Tooly sells, + But ne'er so much as licks the speckled shells: + Only, if one prove addled, that he eats + With superstition, as the cream of meats. + The cock and hen he feeds; but not a bone + He ever picked, as yet, of anyone. + + _Superstition_, reverence. + + +573. UPON BLANCH. EPIG. + + I have seen many maidens to have hair, + Both for their comely need and some to spare; + But Blanch has not so much upon her head + As to bind up her chaps when she is dead. + + +574. UPON UMBER. + + Umber was painting of a lion fierce, + And, working it, by chance from Umber's erse + Flew out a crack, so mighty, that the fart, + As Umber states, did make his lion start. + + +579. UPON URLES. + + Urles had the gout so, that he could not stand; + Then from his feet it shifted to his hand: + When 'twas in's feet, his charity was small; + Now 'tis in's hand, he gives no alms at all. + + +580. UPON FRANCK. + + Franck ne'er wore silk she swears; but I reply, + She now wears silk to hide her blood-shot eye. + + +590. UPON A FREE MAID, WITH A FOUL BREATH. + + You say you'll kiss me, and I thank you for it; + But stinking breath, I do as hell abhor it. + + +591. UPON COONE. EPIG. + + What is the reason Coone so dully smells? + His nose is over-cool'd with icicles. + + +596. UPON SPALT. + + Of pushes Spalt has such a knotty race, + He needs a tucker for to burl his face. + + _Pushes_, pimples. + _Tucker_, a fuller. + _Burl_, to remove knots from cloth. + + +597. OF HORNE, A COMBMAKER. + + Horne sells to others teeth; but has not one + To grace his own gums, or of box, or bone. + + +600. UPON A SOUR-BREATH LADY. EPIG. + + Fie, quoth my lady, what a stink is here? + When 'twas her breath that was the carrionere. + + _Carrionere_, carrion-carrier. + + +612. UPON COCK. + + Cock calls his wife his Hen: when Cock goes to't, + Cock treads his Hen, but treads her underfoot. + + +632. UPON BRAN. EPIG. + + What made that mirth last night? the neighbours say, + That Bran the baker did his breech beray: + I rather think, though they may speak the worst, + 'Twas to his batch, but leaven laid there first. + + _Beray_, befoul. + + +633. UPON SNARE, AN USURER. + + Snare, ten i' th' hundred calls his wife; and why? + She brings in much by carnal usury. + He by extortion brings in three times more: + Say, who's the worst, th' exactor or the whore? + + +634. UPON GRUDGINGS. + + Grudgings turns bread to stones, when to the poor + He gives an alms, and chides them from his door. + + +638. UPON GANDER. EPIG. + + Since Gander did his pretty youngling wed, + Gander, they say, doth each night piss a-bed: + What is the cause? Why, Gander will reply, + No goose lays good eggs that is trodden dry. + + +639. UPON LUNGS. EPIG. + + Lungs, as some say, ne'er sets him down to eat + But that his breath does fly-blow all the meat. + + +650. UPON COB. EPIG. + + Cob clouts his shoes, and, as the story tells, + His thumb nails par'd afford him sparrables. + + _Sparrables_, "sparrow-bills," headless nails. + + +652. UPON SKOLES. EPIG. + + Skoles stinks so deadly, that his breeches loath + His dampish buttocks furthermore to clothe; + Cloy'd they are up with arse; but hope, one blast + Will whirl about, and blow them thence at last. + + +661. UPON JONE AND JANE. + + Jone is a wench that's painted; + Jone is a girl that's tainted; + Yet Jone she goes + Like one of those + Whom purity had sainted. + + Jane is a girl that's pretty; + Jane is a wench that's witty; + Yet who would think, + Her breath does stink, + As so it doth? that's pity. + + +668. UPON ZELOT. + + Is Zelot pure? he is: yet! see he wears + The sign of circumcision in his ears. + + +670. UPON MADAM URSLY. EPIG. + + For ropes of pearl, first Madam Ursly shows + A chain of corns picked from her ears and toes; + Then, next, to match Tradescant's curious shells, + Nails from her fingers mew'd she shows: what else? + Why then, forsooth, a carcanet is shown + Of teeth, as deaf as nuts, and all her own. + + _Tradescant_, a collector of curiosities. See Note. + _Mew'd_, moulted. + _Deaf as nuts._ _Cf._ De Quincey, "a deaf nut offering no kernel." + + +705. UPON TRIGG. EPIG. + + Trigg having turn'd his suit, he struts in state, + And tells the world he's now regenerate. + + +706. UPON SMEATON. + + How could Luke Smeaton wear a shoe, or boot, + Who two-and-thirty corns had on a foot. + + +714. LAXARE FIBULAM. + + To loose the button is no less, + Than to cast off all bashfulness. + + +730. UPON FRANCK. + + Franck would go scour her teeth; and setting to 't + Twice two fell out, all rotten at the root. + + +733. UPON PAUL. EPIG. + + Paul's hands do give; what give they, bread or meat, + Or money? no, but only dew and sweat. + As stones and salt gloves use to give, even so + Paul's hands do give, nought else for ought we know. + + +734. UPON SIBB. EPIG. + + Sibb, when she saw her face how hard it was, + For anger spat on thee, her looking-glass: + But weep not, crystal; for the same was meant + Not unto thee, but that thou didst present. + + +755. UPON SLOUCH. + + Slouch he packs up, and goes to several fairs, + And weekly markets for to sell his wares: + Meantime that he from place to place does roam, + His wife her own ware sells as fast at home. + + +797. UPON BICE. + + Bice laughs, when no man speaks; and doth protest. + It is his own breech there that breaks the jest. + + +798. UPON TRENCHERMAN. + + Tom shifts the trenchers; yet he never can + Endure that lukewarm name of serving-man: + Serve or not serve, let Tom do what he can, + He is a serving, who's a trencher-man. + + +801. UPON COMELY, A GOOD SPEAKER BUT AN ILL SINGER. EPIG. + + Comely acts well; and when he speaks his part, + He doth it with the sweetest tones of art: + But when he sings a psalm, there's none can be + More curs'd for singing out of tune than he. + + +802. ANY WAY FOR WEALTH. + + E'en all religious courses to be rich + Hath been rehers'd by Joel Michelditch: + But now perceiving that it still does please + The sterner fates, to cross his purposes; + He tacks about, and now he doth profess + Rich he will be by all unrighteousness; + Thus if our ship fails of her anchor hold + We'll love the divel, so he lands the gold. + + +803. UPON AN OLD WOMAN. + + Old Widow Prouse, to do her neighbours evil, + Would give, some say, her soul unto the devil. + Well, when she's kill'd that pig, goose, cock, or hen, + What would she give to get that soul again? + + +804. UPON PEARCH. EPIG. + + Thou writes in prose how sweet all virgins be; + But there's not one, doth praise the smell of thee. + + +818. UPON LOACH. + + Seal'd up with night-gum, Loach each morning lies, + Till his wife licking, so unglues his eyes. + No question then, but such a lick is sweet, + When a warm tongue does with such ambers meet. + + +824. UPON NODES. + + Wherever Nodes does in the summer come, + He prays his harvest may be well brought home. + What store of corn has careful Nodes, think you, + Whose field his foot is, and whose barn his shoe? + + +831. UPON TAP. + + Tap, better known than trusted, as we hear, + Sold his old mother's spectacles for beer: + And not unlikely; rather too than fail, + He'll sell her eyes, and nose, for beer and ale. + + +834. UPON PUNCHIN. EPIG. + + Give me a reason why men call + Punchin a dry plant-animal. + Because as plants by water grow, + Punchin by beer and ale spreads so. + + +836. UPON BLINKS. EPIG. + + Tom Blinks his nose is full of weals, and these + Tom calls not pimples, but pimpleides; + Sometimes, in mirth, he says each whelk's a spark, + When drunk with beer, to light him home i' th' dark. + + +837. UPON ADAM PEAPES. EPIG. + + Peapes he does strut, and pick his teeth, as if + His jaws had tir'd on some large chine of beef. + But nothing so: the dinner Adam had, + Was cheese full ripe with tears, with bread as sad. + + _Sad_, heavy: "watery cheese and ill-baked bread". + + +844. HANCH, A SCHOOLMASTER. EPIG. + + Hanch, since he lately did inter his wife, + He weeps and sighs, as weary of his life. + Say, is't for real grief he mourns? not so; + Tears have their springs from joy, as well as woe. + + +845. UPON PEASON. EPIG. + + Long locks of late our zealot Peason wears, + Not for to hide his high and mighty ears; + No, but because he would not have it seen + That stubble stands where once large ears have been. + + +880. KISSES LOATHSOME. + + I abhor the slimy kiss, + Which to me most loathsome is. + Those lips please me which are placed + Close, but not too strictly laced: + Yielding I would have them; yet + Not a wimbling tongue admit: + What should poking-sticks make there, + When the ruffe is set elswhere? + + +881. UPON REAPE. + + Reape's eyes so raw are that, it seems, the flies + Mistake the flesh, and fly-blow both his eyes; + So that an angler, for a day's expense, + May bait his hook with maggots taken thence. + + +882. UPON TEAGE. + + Teage has told lies so long that when Teage tells + Truth, yet Teage's truths are untruths, nothing else. + + +884. UPON TRUGGIN. + + Truggin a footman was; but now, grown lame, + Truggin now lives but to belie his name. + + +886. UPON SPENKE. + + Spenke has a strong breath, yet short prayers saith; + Not out of want of breath, but want of faith. + + +888. UPON LULLS. + + Lulls swears he is all heart; but you'll suppose + By his proboscis that he is all nose. + + +897. SURFEITS. + + Bad are all surfeits; but physicians call + That surfeit took by bread the worst of all. + + +898. UPON NIS. + + Nis he makes verses; but the lines he writes + Serve but for matter to make paper kites. + + +905. UPON PRICKLES. EPIG. + + Prickles is waspish, and puts forth his sting + For bread, drink, butter, cheese; for everything + That Prickles buys puts Prickles out of frame; + How well his nature's fitted to his name! + + +945. UPON BLISSE. + + Blisse, last night drunk, did kiss his mother's knee; + Where will he kiss, next drunk, conjecture ye. + + +946. UPON BURR. + + Burr is a smell-feast, and a man alone, + That, where meat is, will be a hanger on. + + +947. UPON MEG. + + Meg yesterday was troubled with a pose, + Which, this night harden'd, sodders up her nose. + + _Pose_, rheum, cold in the head. + + +961. UPON RALPH. + + Ralph pares his nails, his warts, his corns, and Ralph + In sev'rall tills and boxes, keeps 'em safe; + Instead of hartshorn, if he speaks the troth, + To make a lusty-jelly for his broth. + + +966. UPON VINEGAR. + + Vinegar is no other, I define, + Than the dead corps, or carcase of the wine. + + +967. UPON MUDGE. + + Mudge every morning to the postern comes, + His teeth all out, to rinse and wash his gums. + + +971. UPON LUPES. + + Lupes for the outside of his suit has paid; + But for his heart, he cannot have it made; + The reason is, his credit cannot get + The inward garbage for his clothes as yet. + + +972. RAGS. + + What are our patches, tatters, rags, and rents, + But the base dregs and lees of vestiments? + + +974. UPON TUBBS. + + For thirty years Tubbs has been proud and poor; + 'Tis now his habit, which he can't give o'er. + + +984. UPON SPOKES. + + Spokes, when he sees a roasted pig, he swears + Nothing he loves on't but the chaps and ears: + But carve to him the fat flanks, and he shall + Rid these, and those, and part by part eat all. + + +988. UPON FAUNUS. + + We read how Faunus, he the shepherds' god, + His wife to death whipped with a myrtle rod. + The rod, perhaps, was better'd by the name; + But had it been of birch, the death's the same. + + +989. THE QUINTELL. + + Up with the quintell, that the rout, + May fart for joy, as well as shout: + Either's welcome, stink or civit, + If we take it, as they give it. + + +999. UPON PENNY. + + Brown bread Tom Penny eats, and must of right, + Because his stock will not hold out for white. + + +1013. UPON BUGGINS. + + Buggins is drunk all night, all day he sleeps; + This is the level-coil that Buggins keeps. + + +1027. UPON BOREMAN. EPIG. + + Boreman takes toll, cheats, natters, lies; yet Boreman, + For all the devil helps, will be a poor man. + + +1068. UPON GORGONIUS. + + Unto Pastillus rank Gorgonius came + To have a tooth twitched out of's native frame; + Drawn was his tooth, but stank so, that some say, + The barber stopped his nose, and ran away. + + +1079. UPON GRUBS. + + Grubs loves his wife and children, while that they + Can live by love, or else grow fat by play; + But when they call or cry on Grubs for meat, + Instead of bread Grubs gives them stones to eat. + He raves, he rends, and while he thus doth tear, + His wife and children fast to death for fear. + + +1080. UPON DOLL. + + No question but Doll's cheeks would soon roast dry, + Were they not basted by her either eye. + + +1081. UPON HOG. + + Hog has a place i' the' kitchen, and his share, + The flimsy livers and blue gizzards are. + + +1087. UPON GUT. + + Science puffs up, says Gut, when either pease + Make him thus swell, or windy cabbages. + + +1101. UPON SPUR. + + Spur jingles now, and swears by no mean oaths, + He's double honour'd, since he's got gay clothes: + Most like his suit, and all commend the trim; + And thus they praise the sumpter, but not him: + As to the goddess, people did confer + Worship, and not to th' ass that carried her. + + +1108. UPON RUMP. + + Rump is a turn-broach, yet he seldom can + Steal a swoln sop out of a dripping-pan. + + +1109. UPON SHOPTER. + + Old Widow Shopter, whensoe'er she cries, + Lets drip a certain gravy from her eyes. + + +1110. UPON DEB. + + If felt and heard, unseen, thou dost me please; + If seen, thou lik'st me, Deb, in none of these. + + +1112. UPON CROOT. + + One silver spoon shines in the house of Croot; + Who cannot buy or steal a second to't. + + +1114. UPON FLOOD OR A THANKFUL MAN. + + Flood, if he has for him and his a bit, + He says his fore and after grace for it: + If meat he wants, then grace he says to see + His hungry belly borne on legs jail-free. + Thus have, or have not, all alike is good + To this our poor yet ever patient Flood. + + +1115. UPON PIMP. + + When Pimp's feet sweat, as they do often use, + There springs a soap-like lather in his shoes. + + +1116. UPON LUSK. + + In Den'shire Kersey Lusk, when he was dead, + Would shrouded be and therewith buried. + When his assigns asked him the reason why, + He said, because he got his wealth thereby. + + +1117. FOOLISHNESS. + + In's Tusc'lans, Tully doth confess, + No plague there's like to foolishness. + + +1118. UPON RUSH. + + Rush saves his shoes in wet and snowy weather; + And fears in summer to wear out the leather; + This is strong thrift that wary Rush doth use + Summer and winter still to save his shoes. + + +1124. THE HAG. + + The staff is now greas'd; + And very well pleas'd, + She cocks out her arse at the parting, + To an old ram goat + That rattles i' th' throat, + Half-choked with the stink of her farting. + + In a dirty hair-lace + She leads on a brace + Of black boar-cats to attend her: + Who scratch at the moon, + And threaten at noon + Of night from heaven for to rend her. + + A-hunting she goes, + A cracked horn she blows, + At which the hounds fall a-bounding; + While th' moon in her sphere + Peeps trembling for fear, + And night's afraid of the sounding. + + _Lace_, leash. + _Boar-cat_, tom-cat. + + + + +NOTES TO APPENDIX. + + +64. _To him that has, etc._ The quotation is not from the Bible, but +from Martial, v. 81:-- + + "Semper pauper eris, si pauper es, Aemiliane. + Dantur opes nulli nunc nisi divitibus." + +Cp. also Davison's Poet. Rhap., i. 95. Ed. Bullen. + +126. _Upon Scobble._ Dr. Grosart quotes an Ellis Scobble [_i.e._, +Scobell], baptised at Dean Priory in 1632, and Jeffery Scobble buried in +1654. + +200. _Upon Gubbs._ Printed in _Witts Recreations_, 1650, without +alteration. To save repetition we may give here a list of the other +Epigrams in this Appendix which are printed in _Witt's Recreations_, +reserving variations of reading for special notes:--206, _Upon Bounce_; +239, _Upon Guess_; 311, _Upon Sneap_; 357, _Long and Lazy_; 379, _Upon +Doll_; 380, _Upon Screw_; 381, _Upon Linnit_; 400, _Upon Rasp_; 410, +_Upon Skinns_; 429, _Upon Craw_; 435, _Jack and Jill_; 574, _Upon +Umber_; 639, _Upon Lungs_; 650, _Upon Cob_; 652, _Upon Skoles_; 668, +_Upon Zelot_; 705, _Upon Trigg_; 797, _Upon Bice_; 798, _Upon +Trencherman_; 834, _Upon Punchin_; 888, _Upon Lulls_; 1027, _Upon +Boreman_; 1087, _Upon Gut_; 1108, _Upon Rump_. + +305. _Fearing to break the king's commandement._ In 1608 there was +issued a proclamation containing "Orders conceived by the Lords of his +Maiestie's Privie Counsell and by his Highnesse speciall direction, +commanded to be put in execution for the restraint of killing and eating +of flesh the next Lent". This was re-issued ten years later (there is no +intermediate issue at the British Museum), and from 1619 onwards became +annual under James and Charles in the form of "A proclamation for +restraint of killing, dressing, and eating of Flesh in Lent, or on Fish +dayes, appointed by the Law, to be hereafter strictly observed by all +sorts of people". + +420. _Upon Bridget_. Loss of teeth is the occasion of more than one of +Martial's epigrams. + +456. _The tun of Heidelberg_: in the cellar under the castle at +Heidelberg is a great cask supposed to be able to hold 50,000 gallons. + +574. _As Umber states_: "as Umber _swears_".--W. R. + +639. _His breath does fly-blow_: "doth" for "does".--W. R. + +652. _One blast_: "and" for "one".--W. R. + +668. _Yet! see_: "ye see".--W. R. + +670. _Tradescant's curious shells_: John Tradescant was a Dutchman, +born towards the close of the sixteenth century. He was appointed +gardener to Charles II. in 1629, and he and his son naturalised many +rare plants in England. Besides botanical specimens he collected all +sorts of curiosities, and opened a museum which he called "Tradescant's +Ark". In 1656, four years after his death, his son published a catalogue +of the collection under the title, "Museum Tradescantianum: or, a +collection of rarities preserved at South Lambeth, near London, by John +Tradescant". After the son's death the collection passed into the hands +of Ashmole, and became the nucleus of the present Ashmolean Museum at +Oxford. + +802. _Any way for Wealth._ A variation on Horace's theme: "Rem facias, +rem, si possis, recte, si non quocunque modo, rem". 1 Epist. i. 66. + +_The Portrait of a Woman_: I subjoin here the four passages found in +manuscript versions of this poem, alluded to in the previous note. As +said before, they do not improve the poem. After l. 45, "Bearing aloft +this rich round world of wonder," we have these four lines: + + In which the veins implanted seem to lie + Like loving vines hid under ivory, + So full of claret, that whoso pricks this vine + May see it spout forth streams like muscadine. + +Twelve lines later, after "Riphean snow," comes a longer passage: + + Or else that she in that white waxen hill + Hath seal'd the primrose of her utmost skill. + But now my muse hath spied a dark descent + From this so precious, pearly, permanent, + A milky highway that direction yields + Unto the port-mouth of the Elysian fields: + A place desired of all, but got by these + Whom love admits to the Hesperides; + Here's golden fruit, that doth exceed all price, + Growing in this love-guarded paradise; + Above the entrance there is written this: + This is the portal to the bower of bliss, + Through midst whereof a crystal stream there flows + Passing the sweet sweet of a musky rose. + With plump, soft flesh, of metal pure and fine, + Resembling shields, both pure and crystalline. + Hence rise those two ambitious hills that look + Into th' middle, sweet, sight-stealing crook, + Which for the better beautifying shrouds + Its humble self 'twixt two aspiring clouds + +The third addition is four lines from the end, after "with a pearly +shell": + + Richer than that fair, precious, virtuous horn + That arms the forehead of the unicorn. + +The last four lines are joined on at the end of all: + + Unto the idol of the work divine + I consecrate this loving life of mine, + Bowing my lips unto that stately root + Where beauty springs; and thus I kiss her foot. + + + + +INDEX OF FIRST LINES. + + + An old, old widow, Greedy needs would wed, 383. + + + Bad are all surfeits; but physicians call, 403. + + Bar close as you can, and bolt fast too your door, 380. + + Batt he gets children, not for love to rear 'em, 379. + + Bice laughs, when no man speaks; and doth protest, 399. + + Blanch swears her husband's lovely; when a scald, 376. + + Blisse, last night drunk, did kiss his mother's knee, 404. + + Boreman takes toll, cheats, flatters, lies! yet Boreman, 406. + + Broomsted a lameness got by cold and beer, 392. + + Brown bread Tom Pennie eats, and must of right, 406. + + Buggins is drunk all night, all day he sleeps, 406. + + Bungy does fast; looks pale; puts sackcloth on, 382. + + Burr is a smell-feast, and a man alone, 404. + + + Center is known weak sighted, and he sells, 386. + + Cob clouts his shoes, and as the story tells, 396. + + Cock calls his wife his hen; when cock goes to 't, 395. + + Comely acts well; and when he speaks his part, 399. + + Craw cracks in sirrop; and does stinking say, 388. + + Crooked you are, but that dislikes not me, 381. + + Cuffe comes to church much; but he keeps his bed, 377. + + Curse not the mice, no grist of thine they eat, 384. + + + Dunridge his issue hath; but is not styl'd, 392. + + Doll, she so soon began the wanton trade, 385. + + + E'en all religious courses to be rich, 399. + + Eeles winds and turns, and cheats and steals; yet Eeles, 386. + + + Feacie, some say, doth wash her clothes i' th' lie, 390. + + Fie, quoth my lady, what a stink is here, 395. + + First, Jolly's wife is lame; then next loose-hip'd, 378. + + Flood, if he has for him and his a bit, 409. + + Fone says, those mighty whiskers he does wear, 377. + + For ropes of pearl, first Madam Ursly shows, 397. + + For second course, last night a custard came, 378. + + For thirty years Tubbs has been proud and poor, 405. + + Franck ne'er wore silk she swears; but I reply, 394. + + Franck would go scour her teeth; and setting to 't, 398. + + + Give me a reason why men call, 401. + + Goes the world now, it will with thee go hard, 376. + + Glasco had none, but now some teeth has got, 377. + + Glass, out of deep, and out of desp'rate want, 386. + + Groynes, for his fleshly burglary of late, 381. + + Grubs loves his wife and children, while that they, 407. + + Grudgings turns bread to stones, when to the poor, 395. + + Gryll eats, but ne'er says grace: to speak the truth, 378. + + Gubbs calls his children kitlings: and would bound, 380. + + Guess cuts his shoes, and limping, goes about, 381. + + + Hanch, since he lately did inter his wife, 402. + + Hog has a place i' th' kitchen, and his share, 407. + + Horne sells to others teeth; but has not one, 394. + + How could Luke Smeaton wear a shoe or boot, 398. + + Huncks has no money, he does swear or say, 390. + + + I abhor the slimy kiss, 402. + + I dream't this mortal part of mine, 375. + + If felt and heard, unseen, thou dost me please, 408. + + If thou dislik'st the piece thou light'st on first, 375. + + If wounds in clothes, Cuts calls his rags, 'tis clear, 385. + + I have seen many maidens to have hair, 393. + + In Den'shire Kersey Lusk when he was dead, 409. + + In's Tusc'lans, Tully doth confess, 409. + + Is Zelot pure? he is: yet, see he wears, 397. + + + Jone is a wench that's painted, 396. + + Joan would go tell her hairs; and well she might, 392. + + Jolly and Jilly bite and scratch all day, 387. + + + Kissing and bussing differ both in this, 391. + + + Last night thou didst invite me home to eat, 388. + + Letcher was carted first about the streets, 392. + + Linnet plays rarely on the lute, we know, 385. + + Long locks of late our zealot Peason wears, 402. + + Leech boasts he has a pill, that can alone, 383. + + Luggs, by the condemnation of the bench, 378. + + Lulls swears he is all heart; but you'll suppose, 403. + + Lungs, as some say, ne'er sets him down to eat, 396. + + Lupes for the outside of his suit has paid, 405. + + + Maggot frequents those houses of good cheer, 391. + + Mease brags of pullets which he eats; but Mease, 384. + + Meg yesterday was troubled with a pose, 404. + + Money thou ow'st me; prethee fix a day, 380. + + Moon is a usurer, whose gain, 384. + + Much-more provides and hoards up like an ant, 379. + + Mudge every morning to the postern comes, 405. + + + Nis he makes verses; but the lines he writes, 403. + + No question but Doll's cheeks would soon roast dry, 407. + + Now Patrick with his footmanship has done, 387. + + + Of flanks and chines of beef doth Gorrell boast, 380. + + Of four teeth only Bridget was possest, 387. + + Of pushes Spalt has such a knotty race, 394. + + Old Parson Beanes hunts six days of the week, 389. + + Old Widow Prouse, to do her neighbours evil, 400. + + Old Widow Shopter, whensoe'er she cries, 408. + + Once on a Lord Mayor's day, in Cheapside, when, 392. + + One silver spoon shines in the house of Croot, 408. + + + Pagget, a schoolboy, got a sword, and then, 378. + + Parrat protests, 'tis he, and only he, 401. + + Paske, though his debt be one upon the day, 384. + + Paul's hands do give; what give they, bread or meat, 398. + + Peapes, he does strut, and pick his teeth, as if, 401. + + Pievish doth boast that he's the very first, 387. + + Prickles is waspish, and puts forth his sting, 404. + + Prigg, when he comes to houses oft doth use, 384. + + Prig now drinks water, who before drank beer, 379. + + Putrefaction is the end, 388. + + + Ralph pares his nails, his warts, his corns, and Ralph, 404. + + Rasp plays at nine-holes; and 'tis known he gets, 386. + + Reape's eyes so raw are that, it seems, the flies, 402. + + Rook he sells feathers, yet he still doth cry, 389. + + Root's had no money; yet he went o' the score, 388. + + Rump is a turn-broach, yet he seldom can, 408. + + Rush saves his shoes in wet and snowy weather, 409. + + + Science puffs up, says Gut, when either pease, 407. + + Scobble for whoredom whips his wife and cries, 377. + + Seal'd up with night-gum Loach, each morning lies, 400. + + Shark when he goes to any public feast, 382. + + Shift now has cast his clothes: got all things new, 385. + + Sibb, when she saw her face how hard it was, 398. + + Since Gander did his pretty youngling wed, 396. + + Since Jack and Jill both wicked be, 389. + + Skinns, he dined well to-day; how do you think, 386. + + Skoles stinks so deadly, that his breeches loath, 396. + + Skrew lives by shifts; yet swears by no small oaths, 385. + + Skurf by his nine-bones swears, and well he may, 390. + + Slouch he packs up, and goes to several fairs, 399. + + Snare, ten i' th' hundred calls his wife; and why? 395. + + Sneape has a face so brittle that it breaks, 383. + + Spenke has a strong breath, yet short prayers saith, 403. + + Spokes, when he sees a roasted pig, he swears, 405. + + Spunge makes his boasts that he's the only man, 389. + + Spur jingles now, and swears by no mean oaths, 408. + + Strutt, once a foreman of a shop we knew, 378. + + Sudds launders bands in piss, and starches them, 381. + + + Tap, better known than trusted as we hear, 401. + + Teage has told lies so long that when Teage tells, 403. + + That was the proverb. Let my mistress be, 383. + + The eggs of pheasants wry-nosed Tooly sells, 393. + + The staff is now greas'd, 410. + + This lady's short, that mistress she is tall, 389. + + To cleanse his eyes, Tom Brock makes much ado, 382. + + To loose the button is no less, 398. + + To paint the fiend, Pink would the devil see, 381. + + Thou writes in prose how sweet all virgins be, 400. + + Tom Blinks his nose is full of weals, and these, 401. + + Tom shifts the trenchers; yet he never can, 399. + + Trigg, having turn'd his suit, he struts in state, 397. + + Truggin a footman was; but now, grown lame, 403. + + + Umber was painting of a lion fierce, 393. + + Unto Pastillus rank Gorgonius came, 407. + + Up with the quintell, that the rout, 406. + + Urles had the gout so, that he could not stand, 394. + + + Vinegar is no other, I define, 405. + + + We read how Faunus, he the shepherds' god, 406. + + Were there not a matter known, 388. + + What are our patches, tatters, rags, and rents, 405. + + What is the reason Coone so dully smells, 394. + + What made that mirth last night, the neighbours say, 395. + + When Jill complains to Jack for want of meat, 391. + + When others gain much by the present cast, 385. + + When Pimp's feet sweat, as they do often use, 409. + + Wherever Nodes does in the summer come, 400. + + Who to the north, or south, doth set, 388. + + Who with thy leaves shall wipe, at need, 375. + + Why walks Nick Flimsey like a malcontent! 387. + + Wither'd with years, bed-rid Mamma lies, 380. + + With paste of almonds, Syb her hands doth scour, 393. + + + Y'ave laughed enough, sweet, vary now your text, 382. + + You say, you love me; that I thus must prove, 383. + + You say you're young; but when your teeth are told, 390. + + You say you'll kiss me, and I thank you for it, 394. + + + + +Transcriber's Endnotes + + + Numeration Errors in the Hesperides: + + Without an obvious solution to a discrepancy the numbers remain as + originally printed, however the following alterations have been made + to ensure any details in the NOTES section apply to the relevant + poem. + + Page 290. Note to 923. "924" changed to _923_. + "923. _Revenge_. Tacitus, _Hist_. iv." + + Page 295. Note to 967. "726" changed to _724_. + "967. _Upon his spaniel, Tracy._ Cp. _supra_, 724." + + Page 297. Note to 1035. "664" changed to _662_. + "... writing to Endymion Porter (662), and earlier ..." + + Page 298. Note to 1045. "406" changed to _405_. + "... Herrick addressed the poem (405) ..." + + + Typographical Errors: + + Page 177. 33. AN ODE OF.... "disposses" corrected to _dispossess_. + "And as we dispossess Thee ..." + + Page 318. Appendix I. "arious" corrected to _various_. + "... all the various articles spread throughout ..." + + Page 379. 199. UPON LUGG. "LUGG" corrected to _LUGGS_. + "199. UPON LUGGS." + + Page 382. 277. LAUGH AND DIE DOWN. "DIE" corrected to _LIE_. + "277. LAUGH AND LIE DOWN." + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hesperides & Noble Numbers: Vol. 1 and 2, +by Robert Herrick + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HESPERIDES *** + +***** This file should be named 22421.txt or 22421.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/4/2/22421/ + +Produced by Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/22421.zip b/old/22421.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6977e06 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22421.zip |
