Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Robert Herrick. 15911674257. A Meditation for his Mistress
YOU are a tulip seen to-day, | |
But, dearest, of so short a stay | |
That where you grew scarce man can say. | |
You are a lovely July-flower, | |
Yet one rude wind or ruffling shower | 5 |
Will force you hence, and in an hour. | |
You are a sparkling rose i’ th’ bud, | |
Yet lost ere that chaste flesh and blood | |
Can show where you or grew or stood. | |
You are a full-spread, fair-set vine, | 10 |
And can with tendrils love entwine, | |
Yet dried ere you distil your wine. | |
You are like balm enclosèd well | |
In amber or some crystal shell, | |
Yet lost ere you transfuse your smell. | 15 |
You are a dainty violet, | |
Yet wither’d ere you can be set | |
Within the virgin’s coronet. | |
You are the queen all flowers among; | |
But die you must, fair maid, ere long, | 20 |
As he, the maker of this song. |