Page:Poetical Works of Robert Herrick.djvu/21



I sing of Brooks, of Blossomes, Birds, and Bowers:

Of April, May, of June, and July-Flowers.

I sing of May-poles, Hock-carts, Wassails, Wakes,

Of Bride-grooms, Brides, and of their Bridall-cakes.

I write of Youth, of Love, and have Accesse

By these, to sing of cleanly-Wantonnesse.

I sing of Dewes, of Raines, and piece by piece

Of Balme, of Oyle, of Spice, and Amber-Greece.

I sing of Times trans-shifting; and I write

How Roses first came Red, and Lillies White.

I write of Groves, of Twilights, and I sing

The Court of Mab, and of the Fairie-King.

I write of Hell; I sing (and ever shall)

Of Heaven, and hope to have it after all.

Whither, Mad maiden wilt thou roame?

Farre safer 'twere to stay at home:

Where thou mayst sit, and piping please

The poore and private Cottages.

Since Coats, and Hamlets, best agree

With this thy meaner Minstralsie.

There with the Reed, thou mayst expresse

The Shepherds Fleecie happinesse:

And with thy Eclogues intermixe

Some smooth, and harmlesse Beucolicks.

There on a Hillock thou mayst sing

Unto a handsome Shephardling;