Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. II. The Seventeenth Century: Ben Jonson to Dryden
George Herbert (15931633)The Quip
T
With his train-bands and mates agree
To meet together where I lay,
And all in sport to jeer at me.
Which when I pluckt not, ‘Sir,’ said she,
‘Tell me, I pray, whose hands are those?’
But Thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
‘What tune is this, poor man?’ said he:
‘I heard in Music you had skill;’
But Thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
In silks that whistled, who but he!
He scarce allow’d me half an eye;
But Thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
And he would needs a comfort be,
And, to be short, make an oration:
But Thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
To answer these fine things shall come,
Speak not at large; say, I am Thine,
And then they have their answer home.