E'en so we met; and after long pursuit, E'en so we join'd; we both became entire ; No need for either to renew a suit, For I was flax and he was flames of fire: Our firm united souls did more than twine; So I my Best-Beloved's 's am; so He is mine. If all those glittering Monarchs that command I would not change my fortunes for them all: AS AS WHEN A LADY1 S when a lady, walking Flora's bowre, Picks here a pinke, and there a gillyflowre, FRANCIS QUARLES THE BRACELET TO JULIA WHY I tie about thy wrist, WHY Julia, this my silken twist ; For what other reason is't, But to show thee how, in part, 1 From "History of Queene Ester" (1621). Thou my pretty captive art ? Knap the thread and thou art free: I am bound, and fast bound, so If I could, I would not so. ROBERT HERRICK UND UPON ROSES NDER a lawn, than skies more clear, And, snugging there, they seem'd to lie As in a flowery nunnery: They blush'd, and look'd more fresh than flowers 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. ROBERT HERRICK THE NIGHT-PIECE, TO JULIA 1 HER eyes the glow-worm lend thee, The shooting stars attend thee; Whose little eyes glow Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee. 1 1It is perhaps not generally known how much "the very best lyric poet in the language" owed to his friend Ben Jonson in No Will-o'-th'-Wisp mislight thee, Not making a stay, Since ghost there's none to affright thee. Let not the dark thee cumber : Will lend thee their light Like tapers clear without number. Then, Julia, let me woo thee, Thy silv'ry feet My soul I'll pour into thee. TO ELECTRA DARE not ask a kiss, I dare not beg a smile, Lest having that, or this, ROBERT HERRICK I might grow proud the while. this poem. In a masque called “ The Gipsies Metamorphosed" Ben Jonson wrote: "The faery beam upon you, The stars to glisten on you, In the noon of night Till the fire-drake hath o'ergone you! "The wheel of fortune guide you, Till the bird of day And the luckier lot betide you." No, no, the utmost share Only to kiss that air That lately kissed thee. ROBERT HERRICK TO HIS MISTRESS OBJECTING TO HIM NEITHER TOYING NOR 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: ROBERT HERRICK A CONJURATION TO ELECTRA Y those soft tods 1 of wool BY With which the air is full 1 Gossamers. ; By all those sweets that be While juice she strains, and pith In love with none, but me. ROBERT HERRICK Sw TO DIANEME WEET, be not proud of those two eyes When all your world of beauty's gone. TO ANTHEA ROBERT HERRICK OW is the time, when all the lights wax dim; Now And thou, Anthea, must withdraw from him Who was thy servant. Dearest, bury me Under that Holy-oak or Gospel-tree, |