A Meditation for his Mistress
by Robert Herrick
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You are a tulip seen today, |
But (dearest) of so short a stay |
That where you grew scarce man can say.
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You are a lovely July-flower |
Yet one rude wind or ruffling shower |
Will force you hence, and in an hour.
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You are a sparkling rose
i’th’bud, |
Yet lost ere that chaste flesh and
blood |
Can show where you or grew or stood.
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You are a full-spread, fair-set vine, |
And can with tendrils love entwine, |
Yet dried ere you distil your wine.
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You are like balm enclosed (well) |
In amber, or some crystal
shell, |
Yet lost ere you transfuse your smell.
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You are a dainty violet, |
Yet wither’d ere you can be set |
Within a virgin’s coronet.
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You are the queen all flowers
among, |
But die you must (fair maid) ere long, |
As he, the maker of this song.
|
Robert
Herrick |
Classic Poems |
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[ To The Virgins ] [ To Daffodils ] [ A Meditation for his Mistress ] [ Upon his Departure Hence ] [ A Ring Presented to Julia ] [ Upon Julia's Clothes ] [ Upon Julia's Voice ] |