Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/304

 ROBERT HERRICK

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 drest; 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-Maymg.

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

beads] prayers.

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