A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick

247. TO HIS KINSWOMAN, MISTRESS SUSANNA HERRICK

     When I consider, dearest, thou dost stay
     But here awhile, to languish and decay;
     Like to these garden glories, which here be
     The flowery-sweet resemblances of thee:
     With grief of heart, methinks, I thus do cry,
     Would thou hadst ne'er been born, or might'st not die!