A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick149. THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTYReading editionChapter navigation264 reading sectionsGo to chapterChoose a chapter…FROM THE LYRICAL POEMS OF ROBERT HERRICKPREFACEC H R Y S O M E L A1. THE ARGUMENT OF HIS BOOK2. TO HIS MUSE3. WHEN HE WOULD HAVE HIS VERSES READ4. TO HIS BOOK5. TO HIS BOOK6. TO HIS BOOK7. TO MISTRESS KATHARINE BRADSHAW, THE LOVELY, THAT CROWNED HIM WITH LAUREL8. TO HIS VERSES9. NOT EVERY DAY FIT FOR VERSE10. HIS PRAYER TO BEN JONSON11. HIS REQUEST TO JULIA12. TO HIS BOOK13. HIS POETRY HIS PILLAR14. TO HIS BOOK15. UPON HIMSELF16. THE COUNTRY LIFE:17. TO PHILLIS, TO LOVE AND LIVE WITH HIM18. THE WASSAIL19. THE FAIRIES20. CEREMONY UPON CANDLEMAS EVE21. CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS EVE22. THE CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS DAY23. FAREWELL FROST, OR WELCOME SPRING24. TO THE MAIDS, TO WALK ABROAD25. CORINA'S GOING A MAYING26. THE MAYPOLE27. THE WAKE28. THE HOCK-CART, OR HARVEST HOME: TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MILDMAY, EARL OF WESTMORLAND29. THE BRIDE-CAKE30. THE OLD WIVES' PRAYER31. THE BELL-MAN33. TO THE GENIUS OF HIS HOUSE33. HIS GRANGE, OR PRIVATE WEALTH34. A PASTORAL UPON THE BIRTH OF PRINCE CHARLES: PRESENTED TO THE KING, AND SET BY MR NIC. LANIERE35. A DIALOGUE BETWIXT HIMSELF AND MISTRESS ELIZA WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF AMARILLIS36. A BUCOLIC BETWIXT TWO; LACON AND THYRSIS37. A PASTORAL SUNG TO THE KING38. TO THE WILLOW-TREE39. THE FAIRY TEMPLE; OR, OBERON'S CHAPEL40. OBERON'S FEAST41. THE BEGGAR TO MAB, THE FAIRY QUEEN42. THE HAG43. THE MAD MAID'S SONG44. THE CHEAT OF CUPID; OR, THE UNGENTLE GUEST45. UPON CUPID46. TO BE MERRY47. UPON HIS GRAY HAIRS48. AN HYMN TO THE MUSES49. THE COMING OF GOOD LUCK50. HIS CONTENT IN THE COUNTRY51. HIS RETURN TO LONDON52. HIS DESIRE53. AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON54. TO LIVE MERRILY, AND TO TRUST TO GOOD VERSES55. THE APPARITION OF HIS, MISTRESS, CALLING HIM TO ELYSIUM56. THE INVITATION57. TO SIR CLIPSBY CREW58. A COUNTRY LIFE: TO HIS BROTHER, MR THOMAS HERRICK59. TO HIS PECULIAR FRIEND, MR JOHN WICKS60. A PARANAETICALL, OR ADVISIVE VERSE TO HIS FRIEND, MR JOHN WICKS61. TO HIS HONOURED AND MOST INGENIOUS FRIEND MR CHARLES COTTON62. A NEW YEAR'S GIFT, SENT TO SIR SIMEON STEWARD63. AN ODE TO SIR CLIPSBY CREW64. A PANEGYRIC TO SIR LEWIS PEMBERTON65. ALL THINGS DECAY AND DIE66. TO HIS DYING BROTHER, MASTER WILLIAM HERRICK67. HIS AGE:68. THE BAD SEASON MAKES THE POET SAD69. ON HIMSELF70. HIS WINDING-SHEET71. ANACREONTIC72. TO LAURELS73. ON HIMSELF74. ON HIMSELF75. TO ROBIN RED-BREAST76. THE OLIVE BRANCH77. THE PLAUDITE, OR END OF LIFE78. TO GROVES79. MRS ELIZ: WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF THE LOST SHEPHERDESS80. A VOW TO VENUS81. UPON LOVE82. UPON JULIA'S CLOTHES83. THE BRACELET TO JULIA84. UPON JULIA'S RIBBON85. TO JULIA86. ART ABOVE NATURE: TO JULIA87. HER BED88. THE ROCK OF RUBIES, AND THE QUARRY OF PEARLS89. THE PARLIAMENT OF ROSES TO JULIA90. UPON JULIA'S RECOVERY91. UPON JULIA'S HAIR FILLED WITH DEW92. CHERRY RIPE93. THE CAPTIVE BEE; OR, THE LITTLE FILCHER94. UPON ROSES95. HOW HIS SOUL CAME ENSNARED96. UPON JULIA'S VOICE97. THE NIGHT PIECE: TO JULIA98. HIS COVENANT OR PROTESTATION TO JULIA99. HIS SAILING FROM JULIA100. HIS LAST REQUEST TO JULIA101. THE TRANSFIGURATION102. LOVE DISLIKES NOTHING103. UPON LOVE104. TO DIANEME105. TO PERENNA106. TO OENONE.107. TO ELECTRA108. TO ANTHEA, WHO MAY COMMAND HIM ANY THING109. ANTHEA'S RETRACTATION110. LOVE LIGHTLY PLEASED111. TO DIANEME112. UPON HER EYES113. UPON HER FEET114. UPON A DELAYING LADY115. THE CRUEL MAID116. TO HIS MISTRESS, OBJECTING TO HIM NEITHER TOYING OR TALKING117. IMPOSSIBILITIES: TO HIS FRIEND118. THE BUBBLE: A SONG119. DELIGHT IN DISORDER120. TO SILVIA121. TO SILVIA TO WED122. BARLEY-BREAK; OR, LAST IN HELL123. ON A PERFUMED LADY124. THE PARCAE; OR, THREE DAINTY DESTINIES: THE ARMILET125. A CONJURATION: TO ELECTRA126. TO SAPHO127. OF LOVE: A SONNET128. TO DIANEME129. TO DIANEME130. KISSING USURY131. UPON THE LOSS OF HIS MISTRESSES132. THE WOUNDED HEART133. HIS MISTRESS TO HIM AT HIS FAREWELL134. CRUTCHES135. TO ANTHEA136. TO ANTHEA137. TO HIS LOVELY MISTRESSES138. TO PERILLA139. A MEDITATION FOR HIS MISTRESS140. TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME141. POSTING TO PRINTING142. HIS LOSS143. THINGS MORTAL STILL MUTABLE144. NO MAN WITHOUT MONEY145. THE PRESENT TIME BEST PLEASETH146. WANT147. SATISFACTION FOR SUFFERINGS148. WRITING149. THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTY150. A MEAN IN OUR MEANS151. MONEY MAKES THE MIRTH152. TEARS AND LAUGHTER153. UPON TEARS154. ON LOVE155. PEACE NOT PERMANENT156. PARDONS157. TRUTH AND ERROR158. WIT PUNISHED PROSPERS MOST159. BURIAL160. NO PAINS, NO GAINS161. TO YOUTH162. TO ENJOY THE TIME163. FELICITY QUICK OF FLIGHT164. MIRTH165. THE HEART166. LOVE, WHAT IT IS167. DREAMS168. AMBITION169. SAFETY ON THE SHORE170. UPON A PAINTED GENTLEWOMAN171. UPON WRINKLES172. CASUALTIES173. TO LIVE FREELY174. NOTHING FREE-COST175. MAN'S DYING-PLACE UNCERTAIN176. LOSS FROM THE LEAST177. POVERTY AND RICHES178. UPON MAN179. PURPOSES180. FOUR THINGS MAKE US HAPPY HERE181. THE WATCH182. UPON THE DETRACTER183. ON HIMSELF184. I CALL AND I CALL185. THE SUCCESSION OF THE FOUR SWEET MONTHS186. TO BLOSSOMS187. THE SHOWER OF BLOSSOMS188. TO THE ROSE: SONG189. THE FUNERAL RITES OF THE ROSE190. THE BLEEDING HAND; OR THE SPRIG OF EGLANTINE GIVEN TO A MAID191. TO CARNATIONS: A SONG192. TO PANSIES193. HOW PANSIES OR HEARTS-EASE CAME FIRST194. WHY FLOWERS CHANGE COLOUR195. THE PRIMROSE196. TO PRIMROSES FILLED WITH MORNING DEW197. TO DAISIES, NOT TO SHUT SO SOON198. TO DAFFADILS199. TO VIOLETS200. THE APRON OF FLOWERS201. THE LILY IN A CRYSTAL202. TO MEADOWS203. TO A GENTLEWOMAN, OBJECTING TO HIM HIS GRAY HAIRS204. THE CHANGES: TO CORINNA205. UPON MRS ELIZ. WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF AMARILLIS206. NO FAULT IN WOMEN207. THE BAG OF THE BEE208. THE PRESENT; OR, THE BAG OF THE BEE:209. TO THE WATER-NYMPHS DRINKING AT THE FOUNTAIN210. HOW SPRINGS CAME FIRST211. TO THE HANDSOME MISTRESS GRACE POTTER212. A HYMN TO THE GRACES213. A HYMN TO LOVE214. UPON LOVE: BY WAY OF QUESTION AND ANSWER215. LOVERS HOW THEY COME AND PART216. THE KISS: A DIALOGUE217. COMFORT TO A YOUTH THAT HAD LOST HIS LOVE218. ORPHEUS219. A REQUEST TO THE GRACES220. A HYMN TO VENUS AND CUPID221. TO BACCHUS: A CANTICLE222. A HYMN TO BACCHUS223. A CANTICLE TO APOLLO224. TO MUSIC, TO BECALM A SWEET SICK YOUTH225. TO MUSIC: A SONG226. SOFT MUSIC227. TO MUSIC228. THE VOICE AND VIOL229. TO MUSIC, TO BECALM HIS FEVER230. A THANKSGIVING TO GOD, FOR HIS HOUSE231. MATINS, OR MORNING PRAYER232. GOOD PRECEPTS, OR COUNSEL233. PRAY AND PROSPER234. THE BELL-MAN235. UPON TIME236. MEN MIND NO STATE IN SICKNESS237. LIFE IS THE BODY'S LIGHT238. TO THE LADY CREWE, UPON THE DEATH OF HER CHILD239. UPON A CHILD THAT DIED240. UPON A CHILD241. AN EPITAPH UPON A CHILD242. AN EPITAPH UPON A VIRGIN243. UPON A MAID244. THE DIRGE OF JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER: SUNG BY THE VIRGINS245. THE WIDOWS' TEARS; OR, DIRGE OF DORCAS246. UPON HIS SISTER-IN-LAW, MISTRESS ELIZABETH HERRICK247. TO HIS KINSWOMAN, MISTRESS SUSANNA HERRICK248. ON HIMSELF249. HIS WISH TO PRIVACY250. TO HIS PATERNAL COUNTRY251. COCK-CROW252. TO HIS CONSCIENCE253. TO HEAVEN254. AN ODE OF THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOUR255. TO HIS SAVIOUR, A CHILD; A PRESENT, BY A CHILD256. GRACE FOR A CHILD257. HIS LITANY, TO THE HOLY SPIRIT258. TO DEATH259. TO HIS SWEET SAVIOUR260. ETERNITY261. THE WHITE ISLAND: OR PLACE OF THE BLESTPrevious chapter ←148. WRITINGNext chapter →150. A MEAN IN OUR MEANSAll chapters and sections (264)FROM THE LYRICAL POEMS OF ROBERT HERRICKPREFACEC H R Y S O M E L A1. THE ARGUMENT OF HIS BOOK2. TO HIS MUSE3. WHEN HE WOULD HAVE HIS VERSES READ4. TO HIS BOOK5. TO HIS BOOK6. TO HIS BOOK7. TO MISTRESS KATHARINE BRADSHAW, THE LOVELY, THAT CROWNED HIM WITH LAUREL8. TO HIS VERSES9. NOT EVERY DAY FIT FOR VERSE10. HIS PRAYER TO BEN JONSON11. HIS REQUEST TO JULIA12. TO HIS BOOK13. HIS POETRY HIS PILLAR14. TO HIS BOOK15. UPON HIMSELF16. THE COUNTRY LIFE:17. TO PHILLIS, TO LOVE AND LIVE WITH HIM18. THE WASSAIL19. THE FAIRIES20. CEREMONY UPON CANDLEMAS EVE21. CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS EVE22. THE CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS DAY23. FAREWELL FROST, OR WELCOME SPRING24. TO THE MAIDS, TO WALK ABROAD25. CORINA'S GOING A MAYING26. THE MAYPOLE27. THE WAKE28. THE HOCK-CART, OR HARVEST HOME: TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MILDMAY, EARL OF WESTMORLAND29. THE BRIDE-CAKE30. THE OLD WIVES' PRAYER31. THE BELL-MAN33. TO THE GENIUS OF HIS HOUSE33. HIS GRANGE, OR PRIVATE WEALTH34. A PASTORAL UPON THE BIRTH OF PRINCE CHARLES: PRESENTED TO THE KING, AND SET BY MR NIC. LANIERE35. A DIALOGUE BETWIXT HIMSELF AND MISTRESS ELIZA WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF AMARILLIS36. A BUCOLIC BETWIXT TWO; LACON AND THYRSIS37. A PASTORAL SUNG TO THE KING38. TO THE WILLOW-TREE39. THE FAIRY TEMPLE; OR, OBERON'S CHAPEL40. OBERON'S FEAST41. THE BEGGAR TO MAB, THE FAIRY QUEEN42. THE HAG43. THE MAD MAID'S SONG44. THE CHEAT OF CUPID; OR, THE UNGENTLE GUEST45. UPON CUPID46. TO BE MERRY47. UPON HIS GRAY HAIRS48. AN HYMN TO THE MUSES49. THE COMING OF GOOD LUCK50. HIS CONTENT IN THE COUNTRY51. HIS RETURN TO LONDON52. HIS DESIRE53. AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON54. TO LIVE MERRILY, AND TO TRUST TO GOOD VERSES55. THE APPARITION OF HIS, MISTRESS, CALLING HIM TO ELYSIUM56. THE INVITATION57. TO SIR CLIPSBY CREW58. A COUNTRY LIFE: TO HIS BROTHER, MR THOMAS HERRICK59. TO HIS PECULIAR FRIEND, MR JOHN WICKS60. A PARANAETICALL, OR ADVISIVE VERSE TO HIS FRIEND, MR JOHN WICKS61. TO HIS HONOURED AND MOST INGENIOUS FRIEND MR CHARLES COTTON62. A NEW YEAR'S GIFT, SENT TO SIR SIMEON STEWARD63. AN ODE TO SIR CLIPSBY CREW64. A PANEGYRIC TO SIR LEWIS PEMBERTON65. ALL THINGS DECAY AND DIE66. TO HIS DYING BROTHER, MASTER WILLIAM HERRICK67. HIS AGE:68. THE BAD SEASON MAKES THE POET SAD69. ON HIMSELF70. HIS WINDING-SHEET71. ANACREONTIC72. TO LAURELS73. ON HIMSELF74. ON HIMSELF75. TO ROBIN RED-BREAST76. THE OLIVE BRANCH77. THE PLAUDITE, OR END OF LIFE78. TO GROVES79. MRS ELIZ: WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF THE LOST SHEPHERDESS80. A VOW TO VENUS81. UPON LOVE82. UPON JULIA'S CLOTHES83. THE BRACELET TO JULIA84. UPON JULIA'S RIBBON85. TO JULIA86. ART ABOVE NATURE: TO JULIA87. HER BED88. THE ROCK OF RUBIES, AND THE QUARRY OF PEARLS89. THE PARLIAMENT OF ROSES TO JULIA90. UPON JULIA'S RECOVERY91. UPON JULIA'S HAIR FILLED WITH DEW92. CHERRY RIPE93. THE CAPTIVE BEE; OR, THE LITTLE FILCHER94. UPON ROSES95. HOW HIS SOUL CAME ENSNARED96. UPON JULIA'S VOICE97. THE NIGHT PIECE: TO JULIA98. HIS COVENANT OR PROTESTATION TO JULIA99. HIS SAILING FROM JULIA100. HIS LAST REQUEST TO JULIA101. THE TRANSFIGURATION102. LOVE DISLIKES NOTHING103. UPON LOVE104. TO DIANEME105. TO PERENNA106. TO OENONE.107. TO ELECTRA108. TO ANTHEA, WHO MAY COMMAND HIM ANY THING109. ANTHEA'S RETRACTATION110. LOVE LIGHTLY PLEASED111. TO DIANEME112. UPON HER EYES113. UPON HER FEET114. UPON A DELAYING LADY115. THE CRUEL MAID116. TO HIS MISTRESS, OBJECTING TO HIM NEITHER TOYING OR TALKING117. IMPOSSIBILITIES: TO HIS FRIEND118. THE BUBBLE: A SONG119. DELIGHT IN DISORDER120. TO SILVIA121. TO SILVIA TO WED122. BARLEY-BREAK; OR, LAST IN HELL123. ON A PERFUMED LADY124. THE PARCAE; OR, THREE DAINTY DESTINIES: THE ARMILET125. A CONJURATION: TO ELECTRA126. TO SAPHO127. OF LOVE: A SONNET128. TO DIANEME129. TO DIANEME130. KISSING USURY131. UPON THE LOSS OF HIS MISTRESSES132. THE WOUNDED HEART133. HIS MISTRESS TO HIM AT HIS FAREWELL134. CRUTCHES135. TO ANTHEA136. TO ANTHEA137. TO HIS LOVELY MISTRESSES138. TO PERILLA139. A MEDITATION FOR HIS MISTRESS140. TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME141. POSTING TO PRINTING142. HIS LOSS143. THINGS MORTAL STILL MUTABLE144. NO MAN WITHOUT MONEY145. THE PRESENT TIME BEST PLEASETH146. WANT147. SATISFACTION FOR SUFFERINGS148. WRITING149. THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTY150. A MEAN IN OUR MEANS151. MONEY MAKES THE MIRTH152. TEARS AND LAUGHTER153. UPON TEARS154. ON LOVE155. PEACE NOT PERMANENT156. PARDONS157. TRUTH AND ERROR158. WIT PUNISHED PROSPERS MOST159. BURIAL160. NO PAINS, NO GAINS161. TO YOUTH162. TO ENJOY THE TIME163. FELICITY QUICK OF FLIGHT164. MIRTH165. THE HEART166. LOVE, WHAT IT IS167. DREAMS168. AMBITION169. SAFETY ON THE SHORE170. UPON A PAINTED GENTLEWOMAN171. UPON WRINKLES172. CASUALTIES173. TO LIVE FREELY174. NOTHING FREE-COST175. MAN'S DYING-PLACE UNCERTAIN176. LOSS FROM THE LEAST177. POVERTY AND RICHES178. UPON MAN179. PURPOSES180. FOUR THINGS MAKE US HAPPY HERE181. THE WATCH182. UPON THE DETRACTER183. ON HIMSELF184. I CALL AND I CALL185. THE SUCCESSION OF THE FOUR SWEET MONTHS186. TO BLOSSOMS187. THE SHOWER OF BLOSSOMS188. TO THE ROSE: SONG189. THE FUNERAL RITES OF THE ROSE190. THE BLEEDING HAND; OR THE SPRIG OF EGLANTINE GIVEN TO A MAID191. TO CARNATIONS: A SONG192. TO PANSIES193. HOW PANSIES OR HEARTS-EASE CAME FIRST194. WHY FLOWERS CHANGE COLOUR195. THE PRIMROSE196. TO PRIMROSES FILLED WITH MORNING DEW197. TO DAISIES, NOT TO SHUT SO SOON198. TO DAFFADILS199. TO VIOLETS200. THE APRON OF FLOWERS201. THE LILY IN A CRYSTAL202. TO MEADOWS203. TO A GENTLEWOMAN, OBJECTING TO HIM HIS GRAY HAIRS204. THE CHANGES: TO CORINNA205. UPON MRS ELIZ. WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF AMARILLIS206. NO FAULT IN WOMEN207. THE BAG OF THE BEE208. THE PRESENT; OR, THE BAG OF THE BEE:209. TO THE WATER-NYMPHS DRINKING AT THE FOUNTAIN210. HOW SPRINGS CAME FIRST211. TO THE HANDSOME MISTRESS GRACE POTTER212. A HYMN TO THE GRACES213. A HYMN TO LOVE214. UPON LOVE: BY WAY OF QUESTION AND ANSWER215. LOVERS HOW THEY COME AND PART216. THE KISS: A DIALOGUE217. COMFORT TO A YOUTH THAT HAD LOST HIS LOVE218. ORPHEUS219. A REQUEST TO THE GRACES220. A HYMN TO VENUS AND CUPID221. TO BACCHUS: A CANTICLE222. A HYMN TO BACCHUS223. A CANTICLE TO APOLLO224. TO MUSIC, TO BECALM A SWEET SICK YOUTH225. TO MUSIC: A SONG226. SOFT MUSIC227. TO MUSIC228. THE VOICE AND VIOL229. TO MUSIC, TO BECALM HIS FEVER230. A THANKSGIVING TO GOD, FOR HIS HOUSE231. MATINS, OR MORNING PRAYER232. GOOD PRECEPTS, OR COUNSEL233. PRAY AND PROSPER234. THE BELL-MAN235. UPON TIME236. MEN MIND NO STATE IN SICKNESS237. LIFE IS THE BODY'S LIGHT238. TO THE LADY CREWE, UPON THE DEATH OF HER CHILD239. UPON A CHILD THAT DIED240. UPON A CHILD241. AN EPITAPH UPON A CHILD242. AN EPITAPH UPON A VIRGIN243. UPON A MAID244. THE DIRGE OF JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER: SUNG BY THE VIRGINS245. THE WIDOWS' TEARS; OR, DIRGE OF DORCAS246. UPON HIS SISTER-IN-LAW, MISTRESS ELIZABETH HERRICK247. TO HIS KINSWOMAN, MISTRESS SUSANNA HERRICK248. ON HIMSELF249. HIS WISH TO PRIVACY250. TO HIS PATERNAL COUNTRY251. COCK-CROW252. TO HIS CONSCIENCE253. TO HEAVEN254. AN ODE OF THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOUR255. TO HIS SAVIOUR, A CHILD; A PRESENT, BY A CHILD256. GRACE FOR A CHILD257. HIS LITANY, TO THE HOLY SPIRIT258. TO DEATH259. TO HIS SWEET SAVIOUR260. ETERNITY261. THE WHITE ISLAND: OR PLACE OF THE BLESTBeauty no other thing is, than a beam Flash'd out between the middle and extreme.◇← 148. WRITING150. A MEAN IN OUR MEANS →