While leanest beasts in
pastures
feed, I.
Robert Herrick - Hesperide and Noble Numbers
98.
We credit most our sight; one eye doth please, II. 108.
We merit all we suffer, and by far, II. 243.
We pray 'gainst war, yet we enjoy no peace, II. 81.
We trust not to the multitude in war, II. 112.
We two are last in hell; what may we fear, I. 38.
Weep for the dead, for they have lost this light, II. 121.
Weigh me the fire; or canst thou find, II. 170.
Welcome! but yet no entrance, till we bless, I. 155.
Welcome, great Cæsar, welcome now you are, II. 123.
Welcome, maids-of-honour, I. 101.
Welcome, most welcome to our vows and us, I. 28.
Welcome to this my college, and though late, II. 129.
Well may my book come forth like public day, _Dedication_.
Were I to give the baptism, I would choose, I. 32.
What can I do in poetry, I. 164.
What! can my Kellam drink his sack, II. 112.
What, conscience, say, is it in thee, I. 210.
What fate decreed, time now has made us see, II. 66.
What God gives, and what we take, II. 202.
What here we hope for, we shall once inherit, II. 200.
What I fancy I approve, I. 11.
What is a kiss? Why this, as some approve, II. 18.
What is't that wastes a prince? example shows, II. 162.
What need we marry women, when, II. 120.
What needs complaints, II. 141.
What now we like, anon we disapprove, I. 240.
What offspring other men have got, II. 42.
What others have with cheapness seen and ease, II. 161.
What sweeter music can we bring, II. 202.
What though my harp and viol be, II. 199.
What though the heaven be lowering now, I. 236.
What though the sea be calm? Trust to the shore, I. 104.
What times of sweetness this fair day foreshows, I. 52.
What was't that fell but now, I. 90.
What will ye, my poor orphans, do, II. 19.
What wisdom, learning, wit or wrath, I. 57.
What's got by justice is established sure, II. 141.
What's that we see from far? the spring of day, I. 139.
Whatever comes, let's be content withal, II. 187.
Whatever men for loyalty pretend, II. 163.
Whatsoever thing I see, II. 65.
When a daffodil I see, I. 45.
When a man's faith is frozen up, as dead, II. 196.
When after many lusters thou shalt be, II. 36.
When age or chance has made me blind, I. 38.
When all birds else do of their music fail, II. 57.
When as in silks my Julia goes, II. 77.
When as Leander young was drown'd, I. 49.
When Chub brings in his harvest, still he cries, II. 157.
When fear admits no hope of safety, then, II. 163.
When first I find those numbers thou dost write, II. 125.
When flowing garments I behold, II. 138.
When I a ship see on the seas, II. 214.
When I a verse shall make, II. 11.
When I behold a forest spread, I. 254.
When I behold Thee, almost slain, II. 252.
When I consider, dearest, thou dost stay, I. 243.
When I departed am, ring thou my knell, I. 138.
When I did go from thee, I felt that smart, I. 50.
When I go hence, ye closet-gods, I fear, II. 30.
When I love (as some have told), II. 1.
When I of Villars do but hear the name, I. 172.
When I shall sin, pardon my trespass here, II. 206.
When I through all my many poems look, I. 117.
When I thy parts run o'er, I can't espy, I. 9.
When I thy singing next shall hear, I. 25.
When Julia blushes she does show, I. 150.
When Julia chid, I stood as mute the while, I. 70.
When laws full powers have to sway, we see, II. 12.
When man is punished, he is plagued still, II. 211.
When my date's done, and my grey age must die, I. 47.
When my off'ring next I make, I. 197.
When one is past, another care we have, I. 20.
When once the sin has fully acted been, II. 178.
When once the soul has lost her way, II. 243.
When out of bed my love doth spring, I. 193.
When some shall say, Fair once my Silvia was, I. 24.
When that day comes, whose evening says I'm gone, I. 15.
When thou dost play and sweetly sing, I. 178.
When Thou wast taken, Lord, I oft have read, II. 251.
When times are troubled then forbear; but speak, II. 155.
When to a house I come and see, II. 136.
When to thy porch I come, and ravish'd see, II. 154.
When we 'gainst Satan stoutly fight, the more, II. 213.
When well we speak and nothing do that's good, II. 247.
When what is lov'd is present, love doth spring, I. 13.
When winds and seas do rage, II. 215.
When with the virgin morning thou dost rise, I. 159.
When words we want, Love teacheth to indite, II. 92.
Whene'er I go, or whatsoe'er befalls, II. 86.
Whene'er my heart love's warmth but entertains, I. 47.
Where God is merry, there write down thy fears, II. 191.
Where love begins, there dead thy first desire, II. 100.
Where others love and praise my verses, still, I. 80.
Where pleasures rule a kingdom, never there, II. 157.
Whether I was myself, or else did see, II. 156.
While Fates permit us let's be merry, I. 215.
While leanest beasts in pastures feed, I. 93.
While, Lydia, I was loved of thee, I. 85.
While the milder fates consent, I. 46.
While thou didst keep thy candour undefil'd, I. 5.
White as Zenobia's teeth, the which the girls, II. 62.
White though ye be, yet, lilies, know, I. 89.
Whither dost thou whorry me, I. 197.
Whither, mad maiden, wilt thou roam? I. 4.
Whither? say, whither shall I fly, I. 48.
Who after his transgression doth repent, II. 84.
Who begs to die for fear of human need, II. 95.
Who forms a godhead out of gold or stone, I. 147.
Who may do most, does least; the bravest will, II. 150.
Who plants an olive but to eat the oil? II. 151.
Who, railing, drives the lazar from his door, II. 46.
Who read'st this book that I have writ, II. 32.
Who violates the customs, hurts the health, II. 147.
Who will not honour noble numbers when, II. 81.
Who with a little cannot be content, II. 12.
Whom should I fear to write to if I can, I. 77.
Whose head befringed with bescattered tresses, II. 257.
Why do not all fresh maids appear, I. 128.
Why do ye weep, sweet babes? Can tears, I. 129.
Why dost thou wound and break my heart, II. 158.
Why I tie about thy wrist, I. 159.
Why, madam, will ye longer weep, I. 237.
Why should we covet much, when as we know, II. 134.
Why so slowly do you move, II. 93.
Why this flower is now call'd so, I. 16.
Why wore th' Egyptians jewels in the ear? II. 178.
Will ye hear what I can say, I. 173.
Wilt thou my true friend be? II. 2.
With blameless carriage, I lived here, I. 48.
With golden censors and with incense here, II. 208.
Woe, woe to them, who by a ball of strife, I. 29.
Women, although they ne'er so goodly make it, II. 41.
Words beget anger; anger brings forth blows, II. 107.
Would I see lawn, clear as the heaven and thin? I. 197.
Would I woo, and would I win, II. 106.
Would ye have fresh cheese and cream? I. 229.
Would ye oil of blossoms get? II. 54.
Wrinkles no more are or no less, I. 179.
Wrongs, if neglected, vanish in short time, II. 75.
Ye have been fresh and green, I. 136.
Ye may simper, blush, and smile, I. 89.
Ye pretty housewives, would ye know, I. 204.
Ye silent shades, whose each tree here, I. 211.
You are a lord, an earl; nay more, a man, I. 215.
You are a tulip seen to-day, I. 108.
You ask me what I do, and how I live, II. 138.
You have beheld a smiling rose, I. 90.
You may vow I'll not forget, II. 268.
You say I love not 'cause I do not play, I. 16.
You say to me-wards your affection's strong, I. 61.
You say you're sweet; how should we know, I. 139.
You see this gentle stream that glides, II. 54.
Young I was, but now am old, I. 18.
APPENDIX OF EPIGRAMS, etc.
_NOTE. _
_Herrick's coarser epigrams and poems are included in this_ Appendix.
_A few decent, but somewhat pointless, epigrams have been added. _
APPENDIX OF EPIGRAMS.
5. [TO HIS BOOK. ] ANOTHER.
Who with thy leaves shall wipe, at need,
The place where swelling piles do breed;
May every ill that bites or smarts
Perplex him in his hinder parts.
6. TO THE SOUR READER.
If thou dislik'st the piece thou light'st on first,
Think that of all, that I have writ, the worst:
But if thou read'st my book unto the end,
And still do'st this and that verse, reprehend;
O perverse man! if all disgustful be,
The extreme scab take thee, and thine, for me.
41. THE VINE.
I dreamt this mortal part of mine
Was metamorphos'd to a vine;
Which crawling one and every way
Enthrall'd my dainty Lucia.
Methought, her long small legs and thighs
I with my tendrils did surprise;
Her belly, buttocks, and her waist
By my soft nerv'lets were embrac'd;
About her head I writhing hung, }
And with rich clusters, hid among }
The leaves, her temples I behung: }
So that my Lucia seem'd to me
Young Bacchus ravish'd by his tree.
My curls about her neck did crawl,
And arms and hands they did enthrall:
So that she could not freely stir,
All parts there made one prisoner.
But when I crept with leaves to hide
Those parts, which maids keep unespy'd,
Such fleeting pleasures there I took,
That with the fancy I awoke;
And found, ah me! this flesh of mine
More like a stock than like a vine.
64. ONCE POOR, STILL PENURIOUS.
Goes the world now, it will with thee go hard:
The fattest hogs we grease the more with lard.
To him that has, there shall be added more;
Who is penurious, he shall still be poor.
99. UPON BLANCH.
Blanch swears her husband's lovely; when a scald
Has blear'd his eyes: besides, his head is bald
Next, his wild ears, like leathern wings full spread,
Flutter to fly, and bear away his head.
109. UPON CUFFE. EPIG.
Cuffe comes to church much: but he keeps his bed
Those Sundays only whenas briefs are read.
This makes Cuffe dull; and troubles him the most,
Because he cannot sleep i' th' church free cost.
_Briefs. _--Letters recommending the collection of alms.
110. UPON FONE A SCHOOLMASTER. EPIG.
Fone says, those mighty whiskers he does wear
Are twigs of birch, and willow, growing there:
If so, we'll think too, when he does condemn
Boys to the lash, that he does whip with them.
126. UPON SCOBBLE. EPIG.
Scobble for whoredom whips his wife; and cries
He'll slit her nose; but blubb'ring, she replies,
Good sir, make no more cuts i' th' outward skin,
One slit's enough to let adultry in.
129. UPON GLASCO. EPIG.
Glasco had none, but now some teeth has got;
Which though they fur, will neither ache or rot.
Six teeth he has, whereof twice two are known
Made of a haft that was a mutton bone.
Which not for use, but merely for the sight,
He wears all day, and draws those teeth at night.
131. THE CUSTARD.
For second course, last night, a custard came
To th' board, so hot as none could touch the same:
Furze three or four times with his cheeks did blow
Upon the custard, and thus cooled so;
It seem'd by this time to admit the touch,
But none could eat it, 'cause it stunk so much.
135. UPON GRYLL.
Gryll eats, but ne'er says grace; to speak the truth,
Gryll either keeps his breath to cool his broth,
Or else, because Gryll's roast does burn his spit,
Gryll will not therefore say a grace for it.
148. UPON STRUT.
Strut, once a foreman of a shop we knew;
But turn'd a ladies' usher now, 'tis true:
Tell me, has Strut got e're a title more?
No; he's but foreman, as he was before.
163. UPON JOLLY'S WIFE.
First, Jolly's wife is lame; then next loose-hipp'd:
Squint-ey'd, hook-nos'd; and lastly, kidney-lipp'd.
171. UPON PAGGET.
Pagget, a schoolboy, got a sword, and then
He vow'd destruction both to birch and men:
Who would not think this younker fierce to fight?
Yet coming home, but somewhat late (last night),
Untruss, his master bade him; and that word
Made him take up his shirt, lay down his sword.
183. UPON PRIG.
Prig now drinks water, who before drank beer;
What's now the cause? we know the case is clear;
Look in Prig's purse, the chev'ril there tells you
Prig money wants, either to buy or brew.
_Chevril_, kid.
184. UPON BATT.
Batt he gets children, not for love to rear 'em;
But out of hope his wife might die to bear 'em.
188. UPON MUCH-MORE. EPIG.
Much-more provides and hoards up like an ant,
Yet Much-more still complains he is in want.
Let Much-more justly pay his tithes; then try
How both his meal and oil will multiply.
We credit most our sight; one eye doth please, II. 108.
We merit all we suffer, and by far, II. 243.
We pray 'gainst war, yet we enjoy no peace, II. 81.
We trust not to the multitude in war, II. 112.
We two are last in hell; what may we fear, I. 38.
Weep for the dead, for they have lost this light, II. 121.
Weigh me the fire; or canst thou find, II. 170.
Welcome! but yet no entrance, till we bless, I. 155.
Welcome, great Cæsar, welcome now you are, II. 123.
Welcome, maids-of-honour, I. 101.
Welcome, most welcome to our vows and us, I. 28.
Welcome to this my college, and though late, II. 129.
Well may my book come forth like public day, _Dedication_.
Were I to give the baptism, I would choose, I. 32.
What can I do in poetry, I. 164.
What! can my Kellam drink his sack, II. 112.
What, conscience, say, is it in thee, I. 210.
What fate decreed, time now has made us see, II. 66.
What God gives, and what we take, II. 202.
What here we hope for, we shall once inherit, II. 200.
What I fancy I approve, I. 11.
What is a kiss? Why this, as some approve, II. 18.
What is't that wastes a prince? example shows, II. 162.
What need we marry women, when, II. 120.
What needs complaints, II. 141.
What now we like, anon we disapprove, I. 240.
What offspring other men have got, II. 42.
What others have with cheapness seen and ease, II. 161.
What sweeter music can we bring, II. 202.
What though my harp and viol be, II. 199.
What though the heaven be lowering now, I. 236.
What though the sea be calm? Trust to the shore, I. 104.
What times of sweetness this fair day foreshows, I. 52.
What was't that fell but now, I. 90.
What will ye, my poor orphans, do, II. 19.
What wisdom, learning, wit or wrath, I. 57.
What's got by justice is established sure, II. 141.
What's that we see from far? the spring of day, I. 139.
Whatever comes, let's be content withal, II. 187.
Whatever men for loyalty pretend, II. 163.
Whatsoever thing I see, II. 65.
When a daffodil I see, I. 45.
When a man's faith is frozen up, as dead, II. 196.
When after many lusters thou shalt be, II. 36.
When age or chance has made me blind, I. 38.
When all birds else do of their music fail, II. 57.
When as in silks my Julia goes, II. 77.
When as Leander young was drown'd, I. 49.
When Chub brings in his harvest, still he cries, II. 157.
When fear admits no hope of safety, then, II. 163.
When first I find those numbers thou dost write, II. 125.
When flowing garments I behold, II. 138.
When I a ship see on the seas, II. 214.
When I a verse shall make, II. 11.
When I behold a forest spread, I. 254.
When I behold Thee, almost slain, II. 252.
When I consider, dearest, thou dost stay, I. 243.
When I departed am, ring thou my knell, I. 138.
When I did go from thee, I felt that smart, I. 50.
When I go hence, ye closet-gods, I fear, II. 30.
When I love (as some have told), II. 1.
When I of Villars do but hear the name, I. 172.
When I shall sin, pardon my trespass here, II. 206.
When I through all my many poems look, I. 117.
When I thy parts run o'er, I can't espy, I. 9.
When I thy singing next shall hear, I. 25.
When Julia blushes she does show, I. 150.
When Julia chid, I stood as mute the while, I. 70.
When laws full powers have to sway, we see, II. 12.
When man is punished, he is plagued still, II. 211.
When my date's done, and my grey age must die, I. 47.
When my off'ring next I make, I. 197.
When one is past, another care we have, I. 20.
When once the sin has fully acted been, II. 178.
When once the soul has lost her way, II. 243.
When out of bed my love doth spring, I. 193.
When some shall say, Fair once my Silvia was, I. 24.
When that day comes, whose evening says I'm gone, I. 15.
When thou dost play and sweetly sing, I. 178.
When Thou wast taken, Lord, I oft have read, II. 251.
When times are troubled then forbear; but speak, II. 155.
When to a house I come and see, II. 136.
When to thy porch I come, and ravish'd see, II. 154.
When we 'gainst Satan stoutly fight, the more, II. 213.
When well we speak and nothing do that's good, II. 247.
When what is lov'd is present, love doth spring, I. 13.
When winds and seas do rage, II. 215.
When with the virgin morning thou dost rise, I. 159.
When words we want, Love teacheth to indite, II. 92.
Whene'er I go, or whatsoe'er befalls, II. 86.
Whene'er my heart love's warmth but entertains, I. 47.
Where God is merry, there write down thy fears, II. 191.
Where love begins, there dead thy first desire, II. 100.
Where others love and praise my verses, still, I. 80.
Where pleasures rule a kingdom, never there, II. 157.
Whether I was myself, or else did see, II. 156.
While Fates permit us let's be merry, I. 215.
While leanest beasts in pastures feed, I. 93.
While, Lydia, I was loved of thee, I. 85.
While the milder fates consent, I. 46.
While thou didst keep thy candour undefil'd, I. 5.
White as Zenobia's teeth, the which the girls, II. 62.
White though ye be, yet, lilies, know, I. 89.
Whither dost thou whorry me, I. 197.
Whither, mad maiden, wilt thou roam? I. 4.
Whither? say, whither shall I fly, I. 48.
Who after his transgression doth repent, II. 84.
Who begs to die for fear of human need, II. 95.
Who forms a godhead out of gold or stone, I. 147.
Who may do most, does least; the bravest will, II. 150.
Who plants an olive but to eat the oil? II. 151.
Who, railing, drives the lazar from his door, II. 46.
Who read'st this book that I have writ, II. 32.
Who violates the customs, hurts the health, II. 147.
Who will not honour noble numbers when, II. 81.
Who with a little cannot be content, II. 12.
Whom should I fear to write to if I can, I. 77.
Whose head befringed with bescattered tresses, II. 257.
Why do not all fresh maids appear, I. 128.
Why do ye weep, sweet babes? Can tears, I. 129.
Why dost thou wound and break my heart, II. 158.
Why I tie about thy wrist, I. 159.
Why, madam, will ye longer weep, I. 237.
Why should we covet much, when as we know, II. 134.
Why so slowly do you move, II. 93.
Why this flower is now call'd so, I. 16.
Why wore th' Egyptians jewels in the ear? II. 178.
Will ye hear what I can say, I. 173.
Wilt thou my true friend be? II. 2.
With blameless carriage, I lived here, I. 48.
With golden censors and with incense here, II. 208.
Woe, woe to them, who by a ball of strife, I. 29.
Women, although they ne'er so goodly make it, II. 41.
Words beget anger; anger brings forth blows, II. 107.
Would I see lawn, clear as the heaven and thin? I. 197.
Would I woo, and would I win, II. 106.
Would ye have fresh cheese and cream? I. 229.
Would ye oil of blossoms get? II. 54.
Wrinkles no more are or no less, I. 179.
Wrongs, if neglected, vanish in short time, II. 75.
Ye have been fresh and green, I. 136.
Ye may simper, blush, and smile, I. 89.
Ye pretty housewives, would ye know, I. 204.
Ye silent shades, whose each tree here, I. 211.
You are a lord, an earl; nay more, a man, I. 215.
You are a tulip seen to-day, I. 108.
You ask me what I do, and how I live, II. 138.
You have beheld a smiling rose, I. 90.
You may vow I'll not forget, II. 268.
You say I love not 'cause I do not play, I. 16.
You say to me-wards your affection's strong, I. 61.
You say you're sweet; how should we know, I. 139.
You see this gentle stream that glides, II. 54.
Young I was, but now am old, I. 18.
APPENDIX OF EPIGRAMS, etc.
_NOTE. _
_Herrick's coarser epigrams and poems are included in this_ Appendix.
_A few decent, but somewhat pointless, epigrams have been added. _
APPENDIX OF EPIGRAMS.
5. [TO HIS BOOK. ] ANOTHER.
Who with thy leaves shall wipe, at need,
The place where swelling piles do breed;
May every ill that bites or smarts
Perplex him in his hinder parts.
6. TO THE SOUR READER.
If thou dislik'st the piece thou light'st on first,
Think that of all, that I have writ, the worst:
But if thou read'st my book unto the end,
And still do'st this and that verse, reprehend;
O perverse man! if all disgustful be,
The extreme scab take thee, and thine, for me.
41. THE VINE.
I dreamt this mortal part of mine
Was metamorphos'd to a vine;
Which crawling one and every way
Enthrall'd my dainty Lucia.
Methought, her long small legs and thighs
I with my tendrils did surprise;
Her belly, buttocks, and her waist
By my soft nerv'lets were embrac'd;
About her head I writhing hung, }
And with rich clusters, hid among }
The leaves, her temples I behung: }
So that my Lucia seem'd to me
Young Bacchus ravish'd by his tree.
My curls about her neck did crawl,
And arms and hands they did enthrall:
So that she could not freely stir,
All parts there made one prisoner.
But when I crept with leaves to hide
Those parts, which maids keep unespy'd,
Such fleeting pleasures there I took,
That with the fancy I awoke;
And found, ah me! this flesh of mine
More like a stock than like a vine.
64. ONCE POOR, STILL PENURIOUS.
Goes the world now, it will with thee go hard:
The fattest hogs we grease the more with lard.
To him that has, there shall be added more;
Who is penurious, he shall still be poor.
99. UPON BLANCH.
Blanch swears her husband's lovely; when a scald
Has blear'd his eyes: besides, his head is bald
Next, his wild ears, like leathern wings full spread,
Flutter to fly, and bear away his head.
109. UPON CUFFE. EPIG.
Cuffe comes to church much: but he keeps his bed
Those Sundays only whenas briefs are read.
This makes Cuffe dull; and troubles him the most,
Because he cannot sleep i' th' church free cost.
_Briefs. _--Letters recommending the collection of alms.
110. UPON FONE A SCHOOLMASTER. EPIG.
Fone says, those mighty whiskers he does wear
Are twigs of birch, and willow, growing there:
If so, we'll think too, when he does condemn
Boys to the lash, that he does whip with them.
126. UPON SCOBBLE. EPIG.
Scobble for whoredom whips his wife; and cries
He'll slit her nose; but blubb'ring, she replies,
Good sir, make no more cuts i' th' outward skin,
One slit's enough to let adultry in.
129. UPON GLASCO. EPIG.
Glasco had none, but now some teeth has got;
Which though they fur, will neither ache or rot.
Six teeth he has, whereof twice two are known
Made of a haft that was a mutton bone.
Which not for use, but merely for the sight,
He wears all day, and draws those teeth at night.
131. THE CUSTARD.
For second course, last night, a custard came
To th' board, so hot as none could touch the same:
Furze three or four times with his cheeks did blow
Upon the custard, and thus cooled so;
It seem'd by this time to admit the touch,
But none could eat it, 'cause it stunk so much.
135. UPON GRYLL.
Gryll eats, but ne'er says grace; to speak the truth,
Gryll either keeps his breath to cool his broth,
Or else, because Gryll's roast does burn his spit,
Gryll will not therefore say a grace for it.
148. UPON STRUT.
Strut, once a foreman of a shop we knew;
But turn'd a ladies' usher now, 'tis true:
Tell me, has Strut got e're a title more?
No; he's but foreman, as he was before.
163. UPON JOLLY'S WIFE.
First, Jolly's wife is lame; then next loose-hipp'd:
Squint-ey'd, hook-nos'd; and lastly, kidney-lipp'd.
171. UPON PAGGET.
Pagget, a schoolboy, got a sword, and then
He vow'd destruction both to birch and men:
Who would not think this younker fierce to fight?
Yet coming home, but somewhat late (last night),
Untruss, his master bade him; and that word
Made him take up his shirt, lay down his sword.
183. UPON PRIG.
Prig now drinks water, who before drank beer;
What's now the cause? we know the case is clear;
Look in Prig's purse, the chev'ril there tells you
Prig money wants, either to buy or brew.
_Chevril_, kid.
184. UPON BATT.
Batt he gets children, not for love to rear 'em;
But out of hope his wife might die to bear 'em.
188. UPON MUCH-MORE. EPIG.
Much-more provides and hoards up like an ant,
Yet Much-more still complains he is in want.
Let Much-more justly pay his tithes; then try
How both his meal and oil will multiply.
