Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Robert Herrick. 15911674267. To the Willow-tree
THOU art to all lost love the best, | |
The only true plant found, | |
Wherewith young men and maids distrest, | |
And left of love, are crown’d. | |
When once the lover’s rose is dead, | 5 |
Or laid aside forlorn: | |
Then willow-garlands ’bout the head | |
Bedew’d with tears are worn. | |
When with neglect, the lovers’ bane, | |
Poor maids rewarded be | 10 |
For their love lost, their only gain | |
Is but a wreath from thee. | |
And underneath thy cooling shade, | |
When weary of the light, | |
The love-spent youth and love-sick maid | 15 |
Come to weep out the night. |