A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick






219. A REQUEST TO THE GRACES

     Ponder my words, if so that any be
     Known guilty here of incivility;
     Let what is graceless, discomposed, and rude,
     With sweetness, smoothness, softness be endued:
     Teach it to blush, to curtsey, lisp, and show
     Demure, but yet full of temptation, too.
     Numbers ne'er tickle, or but lightly please,
     Unless they have some wanton carriages:—
     This if ye do, each piece will here be good
     And graceful made by your neat sisterhood.

All books are sourced from Project Gutenberg