A selection from the lyrical poems of Robert Herrick Part 12

Why I tie about thy wrist, Julia, this my silken twist?

For what other reason is't, But to shew thee how in part Thou my pretty captive art?

But thy bond-slave is my heart; 'Tis but silk that bindeth thee, Knap the thread and thou art free; But 'tis otherwise with me; I am bound, and fast bound so, That from thee I cannot go; If I could, I would not so.

84. UPON JULIA'S RIBBON

As shews the air when with a rain-bow graced, So smiles that ribbon 'bout my Julia's waist; Or like----Nay, 'tis that Zonulet of love, Wherein all pleasures of the world are wove.

85. TO JULIA

How rich and pleasing thou, my Julia, art, In each thy dainty and peculiar part!

First, for thy Queen-ship on thy head is set Of flowers a sweet commingled coronet; About thy neck a carkanet is bound, Made of the Ruby, Pearl, and Diamond; A golden ring, that shines upon thy thumb; About thy wrist the rich Dardanium; Between thy b.r.e.a.s.t.s, than down of swans more white, There plays the Sapphire with the Chrysolite.

No part besides must of thyself be known, But by the Topaz, Opal, Calcedon.

86. ART ABOVE NATURE: TO JULIA

When I behold a forest spread With silken trees upon thy head; And when I see that other dress Of flowers set in comeliness; When I behold another grace In the ascent of curious lace, Which, like a pinnacle, doth shew The top, and the top-gallant too; Then, when I see thy tresses bound Into an oval, square, or round, And knit in knots far more than I.

Can tell by tongue, or True-love tie; Next, when those lawny films I see Play with a wild civility; And all those airy silks to flow, Alluring me, and tempting so-- I must confess, mine eye and heart Dotes less on nature than on art.

87. HER BED

See'st thou that cloud as silver clear, Plump, soft, and swelling every where?

'Tis Julia's bed, and she sleeps there.

88. THE ROCK OF RUBIES, AND THE QUARRY OF PEARLS

Some ask'd me where the Rubies grew: And nothing I did say, But with my finger pointed to The lips of Julia.

Some ask'd how Pearls did grow, and where: Then spoke I to my girl, To part her lips, and shew me there The quarrelets of Pearl.

89. THE PARLIAMENT OF ROSES TO JULIA

I dreamt the Roses one time went To meet and sit in Parliament; The place for these, and for the rest Of flowers, was thy spotless breast.

Over the which a state was drawn Of tiffany, or cob-web lawn; Then in that Parly all those powers Voted the Rose the Queen of flowers; But so, as that herself should be The Maid of Honour unto thee.

90. UPON JULIA'S RECOVERY

Droop, droop no more, or hang the head, Ye roses almost withered; Now strength, and newer purple get, Each here declining violet.

O primroses! let this day be A resurrection unto ye; And to all flowers allied in blood, Or sworn to that sweet sisterhood.

For health on Julia's cheek hath shed Claret and cream commingled; And those, her lips, do now appear As beams of coral, but more clear.

91. UPON JULIA'S HAIR FILLED WITH DEW

Dew sate on Julia's hair, And spangled too, Like leaves that laden are With trembling dew; Or glitter'd to my sight, As when the beams Have their reflected light Danced by the streams.

92. CHERRY RIPE

Cherry-ripe, ripe, ripe, I cry, Full and fair ones; come, and buy: If so be you ask me where They do grow? I answer, there Where my Julia's lips do smile;-- There's the land, or cherry-isle; Whose plantations fully show All the year where cherries grow.

93. THE CAPTIVE BEE; OR, THE LITTLE FILCHER

As Julia once a-slumb'ring lay, It chanced a bee did fly that way, After a dew, or dew-like shower, To tipple freely in a flower; For some rich flower, he took the lip Of Julia, and began to sip; But when he felt he suck'd from thence Honey, and in the quintessence, He drank so much he scarce could stir; So Julia took the pilferer.

And thus surprised, as filchers use, He thus began himself t'excuse: 'Sweet lady-flower, I never brought Hither the least one thieving thought; But taking those rare lips of yours For some fresh, fragrant, luscious flowers, I thought I might there take a taste, Where so much sirup ran at waste.

Besides, know this, I never sting The flower that gives me nourishing; But with a kiss, or thanks, do pay For honey that I bear away.'

--This said, he laid his little scrip Of honey 'fore her ladyship, And told her, as some tears did fall, That, that he took, and that was all.

At which she smiled, and bade him go And take his bag; but thus much know, When next he came a-pilfering so, He should from her full lips derive Honey enough to fill his hive.

94. UPON ROSES

Under a lawn, than skies more clear, Some ruffled Roses nestling were, And snugging there, they seem'd to lie As in a flowery nunnery; They blush'd, and look'd more fresh than flowers Quickened of late by pearly showers; And all, because they were possest But of the heat of Julia's breast, Which, as a warm and moisten'd spring, Gave them their ever-flourishing.

95. HOW HIS SOUL CAME ENSNARED

My soul would one day go and seek For roses, and in Julia's cheek A richess of those sweets she found, As in another Rosamond; But gathering roses as she was, Not knowing what would come to pa.s.s, it chanced a ringlet of her hair Caught my poor soul, as in a snare; Which ever since has been in thrall; --Yet freedom she enjoys withal.