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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  251. To Violets

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

Robert Herrick. 1591–1674

251. To Violets

WELCOME, maids of honour! 
    You do bring 
    In the spring, 
And wait upon her. 
 
She has virgins many,         5
    Fresh and fair; 
    Yet you are 
More sweet than any. 
 
You’re the maiden posies, 
    And so graced  10
    To be placed 
‘Fore damask roses. 
 
Yet, though thus respected, 
    By-and-by 
    Ye do lie,  15
Poor girls, neglected.