A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick

1. THE ARGUMENT OF HIS BOOK

     I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers,
     Of April, May, of June, and July-flowers;
     I sing of May-poles, hock-carts, wassails, wakes,
     Of bride-grooms, brides, and of their bridal-cakes.
     I write of Youth, of Love;—and have access
     By these, to sing of cleanly wantonness;
     I sing of dews, of rains, and, piece by piece,
     Of balm, of oil, of spice, and ambergris.
     I sing of times trans-shifting; and I write
     How roses first came red, and lilies white.
     I write of groves, of twilights, and I sing
     The court of Mab, and of the Fairy King.
     I write of Hell; I sing, and ever shall
     Of Heaven,—and hope to have it after all.