A selection from the lyrical poems of Robert Herrick Part 13

96. UPON JULIA'S VOICE

When I thy singing next shall hear, I'll wish I might turn all to ear, To drink-in notes and numbers, such As blessed souls can't hear too much Then melted down, there let me lie Entranced, and lost confusedly; And by thy music strucken mute, Die, and be turn'd into a Lute.

97. THE NIGHT PIECE: TO JULIA

Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee, The shooting stars attend thee; And the elves also, Whose little eyes glow Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee.

No Will-o'th'-Wisp mis-light thee, Nor snake or slow-worm bite thee; But on, on thy way, Not making a stay, Since ghost there's none to affright thee.

Let not the dark thee c.u.mber; What though the moon does slumber?

The stars of the night Will lend thee their light, Like tapers clear, without number.

Then, Julia, let me woo thee, Thus, thus to come unto me; And when I shall meet Thy silvery feet, My soul I'll pour into thee.

98. HIS COVENANT OR PROTESTATION TO JULIA

Why dost thou wound and break my heart, As if we should for ever part?

Hast thou not heard an oath from me, After a day, or two, or three, I would come back and live with thee?

Take, if thou dost distrust that vow, This second protestation now:-- Upon thy cheek that spangled tear, Which sits as dew of roses there, That tear shall scarce be dried before I'll kiss the threshold of thy door; Then weep not, Sweet, but thus much know,-- I'm half returned before I go.

99. HIS SAILING FROM JULIA

When that day comes, whose evening says I'm gone Unto that watery desolation; Devoutly to thy Closet-G.o.ds then pray, That my wing'd ship may meet no Remora.

Those deities which circ.u.m-walk the seas, And look upon our dreadful pa.s.sages, Will from all dangers re-deliver me, For one drink-offering poured out by thee, Mercy and Truth live with thee! and forbear, In my short absence, to unsluice a tear; But yet for love's-sake, let thy lips do this,-- Give my dead picture one engendering kiss; Work that to life, and let me ever dwell In thy remembrance, Julia. So farewell.

100. HIS LAST REQUEST TO JULIA

I have been wanton, and too bold, I fear, To chafe o'er-much the virgin's cheek or ear;-- Beg for my pardon, Julia! he doth win Grace with the G.o.ds who's sorry for his sin.

That done, my Julia, dearest Julia, come, And go with me to chuse my burial room: My fates are ended; when thy Herrick dies, Clasp thou his book, then close thou up his eyes.

101. THE TRANSFIGURATION

Immortal clothing I put on So soon as, Julia, I am gone To mine eternal mansion.

Thou, thou art here, to human sight Clothed all with incorrupted light; --But yet how more admir'dly bright

Wilt thou appear, when thou art set In thy refulgent thronelet, That shin'st thus in thy counterfeit!

102. LOVE DISLIKES NOTHING

Whatsoever thing I see, Rich or poor although it be, --'Tis a mistress unto me.

Be my girl or fair or brown, Does she smile, or does she frown; Still I write a sweet-heart down.

Be she rough, or smooth of skin; When I touch, I then begin For to let affection in.

Be she bald, or does she wear Locks incurl'd of other hair; I shall find enchantment there.

Be she whole, or be she rent, So my fancy be content, She's to me most excellent.

Be she fat, or be she lean; Be she s.l.u.ttish, be she clean; I'm a man for every scene.

103. UPON LOVE

I held Love's head while it did ache; But so it chanced to be, The cruel pain did his forsake, And forthwith came to me.

Ai me! how shall my grief be still'd?

Or where else shall we find One like to me, who must be kill'd For being too-too-kind?

104. TO DIANEME

I could but see thee yesterday Stung by a fretful bee; And I the javelin suck'd away, And heal'd the wound in thee.

A thousand thorns, and briars, and stings I have in my poor breast; Yet ne'er can see that salve which brings My pa.s.sions any rest.

As Love shall help me, I admire How thou canst sit and smile To see me bleed, and not desire To staunch the blood the while.

If thou, composed of gentle mould, Art so unkind to me; What dismal stories will be told Of those that cruel be!