To your unpattern'd self were to require Of him that writes. It is the common fate In silent meaning, as we often see Fires by their too much fuel smother'd be : And such are mine to you, whose favour'd store Since nothing in my desperate fortune found ROBERT HERRICK. 1591-4-1674. TO JULIA. Her lamp the glow-worm lend thee! Whose little eyes glow Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee! No Will-o'the-Wisp mislight thee! Not making a stay, Since ghost there's none to affright thee! Let not the dark thee cumber! 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 : Thy silvery feet, My soul I'll pour into thee. TO DAFFODILS. Fair Daffodils! we weep to see You haste away so soon; As yet the early-rising sun Until the hastening day Has run But to the even-song! And, having pray'd together, we We have short time to stay as you, As your hours do, and dry Away Like to the summer's rain, Or as the pearls of morning dew, 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 awhile And go at last. What! were ye born to be An hour or half's delight, But you are lovely leaves, where we Like Into the grave. 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 graced, To be placed 'Fore Damask Roses. Yet, though thus respected, By-and-by Ye do lie, Poor Girls! neglected. THE TEAR. 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, Of maiden flowers : There, there present And pendant pearl of ours! Then say I've sent one more Gem to enrich her store; Which I can send Or vainly spend, For tears no more will fall. Nor will I seek supply Of them, the springs 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 Then say, my part Must be to weep Say too, She would have this: And nothing have To send or save, I'm sure She'll ask no more. TO WATER-NYMPHS DRINKING AT A 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 : And I shall see by that one kiss 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. A VALENTINE. Choose me your Valentine! Next, let us marry! Love to the death will pine If we long tarry. |