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 5
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 11
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.

UPON THE LOSS OF HIS
MISTRESSES

I have lost, and lately, these
Many dainty mistresses:
Stately Julia, prime of all;

Sapho next, a principal;

5

With the poor crooked scythe and spade.

Some men with swords may reap the field,
And plant fresh laurels where they kill; 10
But their strong nerves at last must yield;
They tame but one another still:
Early or late

They stoop to fate,

And must give up their murmuring breath
When they, pale captives, creep to death. 16

The garlands wither on your brow;

Then boast no more your mighty deeds;
Upon Death's purple altar now

See where the victor-victim bleeds:
Your heads must come

To the cold tomb;

Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet, and blossom in their dust.

ROBERT HERRICK (1591-1674)

THE ARGUMENT OF HIS BOOK

20

Above an hour since: yet you not dressed;
Nay! not so much as out of bed?
When all the birds have matins said 10
And sung their thankful hymns, 'tis sin,
Nay, profanation, to keep in,

I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds and Whenas a thousand virgins on this day

bowers,

Of April, May, of June and July-flowers;

Spring, sooner than the lark, to fetch in

May.