Poems by Robert Herrick

Drink up

Fill me a mighty bowl

LACON: For a kiss or two, confess,

1. Come, blitheful neatherds, let us lay

Play, Phoebus, on thy lute,

Fly hence, pale care, no more remember

That love last long, let it thy first care be

If so be a toad be laid

Here a little child I stand

Chorus.

By those soft tods of wool

Thrice, and above, blest, my soul's half, art thou,

Naught are all women: I say no,

My dearest Love, since thou wilt go,

Hor. While, Lydia, I was loved of thee,

Hence, hence, profane! soft silence let us have

Bring me my rosebuds, drawer, come;

For truth I may this sentence tell,

A Master of a house, as I have read,

Bacchus, let me drink no more!

I sing thy praise, Iacchus,

Thou, thou that bear'st the sway,

I will confess

'Twas not love's dart,

When I love, as some have told

It was, and still my care is,

Honour to you who sit

O you the virgins nine!

Sea-born goddess, let me be

A just man's like a rock that turns the wrath

That prince who may do nothing but what's just,

What is a kiss? Why this, as some approve:

While the milder fates consent,

Though frankincense the deities require,

You are a tulip seen today,

No news of navies burnt at seas;

What's that we see from far? the spring of day

Spring with the lark, most comely bride, and meet

Till I shall come again, let this suffice,

Is this a life, to break thy sleep,

MONTANO, SILVIO, AND MIRTILLO, SHEPHERDS

Mon. Bad are the times. Sil. And worse than they are we.

AMIN. Good day, Mirtillo. MIRT. And to you no less;

One man repentant is of more esteem

As many laws and lawyers do express

Glory be to the Graces!

Ponder my words, if so that any be

Julia, I bring

Though I cannot give thee fires

Goddess, I do love a girl,

Come down and dance ye in the toil

From me my Silvia ran away,

Burn, or drown me, choose ye whether,

Then did I live when I did see

A little saint best fits a little shrine,

Lord, Thou hast given me a cell

Store of courage to me grant,

Goddess, I begin an art;

Happily I had a sight

Happily I had a sight

Although we cannot turn the fervent fit

Speak, did the blood of Abel cry

Against diseases here the strongest fence

If accusation only can draw blood,

Adversity hurts none, but only such

Love is maintain'd by wealth; when all is spent,

Still take advice; though counsels, when they fly

God ne'er afflicts us more than our desert,

Die ere long, I'm sure, I shall;

Whene'er my heart love's warmth but entertains,

Maidens tell me I am old;

All things decay with time: The forest sees

Adverse and prosperous fortunes both work on

Give, if thou canst, an alms; if not, afford,

Give unto all, lest he, whom thou deni'st,

In man, ambition is the common'st thing;

In ways to greatness, think on this,

End. Ah! Lycidas, come tell me why

Let's be jocund while we may,

Virgins promised when I died,

With blameless carriage, I lived here

Here a solemn fast we keep,

I.

Stately goddess, do thou please,

I will confess

Ah Ben!

Ah Ben!

In numbers, and but these few,

In numbers, and but these few,

Not all thy flushing suns are set,

Here we securely live, and eat

Dear God,

Born I was to be old,

Brisk methinks I am, and fine

I must

Angels are called gods; yet of them, none

Wrongs, if neglected, vanish in short time,

Another

Hang up hooks and shears to scare

Here a little child I stand

Here a little child I stand

1. Hence, hence profane, and none appear

God's said to leave this place, and for to come

No man so well a kingdom rules as he

How can I choose but love and follow her

Love's of itself too sweet; the best of all

To house the hag, you must do this:

Lord, do not beat me,

Though Thou be'st all that active love

If Thou be'st taken, God forbid

Mighty Neptune, may it please

Wash your hands, or else the fire

She by the river sat, and sitting there,

First, for your shape, the curious cannot show

Wassail the trees, that they may bear

The blood of Abel was a thing

If ye fear to be affrighted

In the morning when ye rise,

Let the superstitious wife

The shame of man's face is no more

That there's a God we all do know,

God is Jehovah call'd: which name of His

Where love begins, there dead thy first desire:

Art thou not destin'd? then with haste go on

Sin is an act so free, that if we shall

Sin is the cause of death; and sin's alone

Thou bid'st me come; I cannot come; for why?

Love he that will, it best likes me

Thou had'st the wreath before, now take the tree,

As sunbeams pierce the glass, and streaming in,

Anthea laugh'd, and, fearing lest excess

E'en all religious courses to be rich

When I behold a forest spread

Man may at first transgress, but next do well:

Like those infernal deities which eat

In this misfortune kings do most excel,

The strength of baptism that's within,

We two are last in hell; what may we fear

Of all our parts, the eyes express

Our bastard children are but like to plate

Be my mistress short or tall

Beauty's no other but a lovely grace

Jacob God's beggar was; and so we wait,

Hard are the two first stairs unto a crown:

Paul, he began ill, but he ended well;

When age or chance has made me blind,

Fools are they who never know

Who, railing, drives the lazar from his door,

Among disasters that dissension brings,

In battles what disasters fall,

To his book's end this last line he'd have placed:

Dead falls the cause if once the hand be mute;

Man may want land to live in; but for all

Oft bend the bow, and thou with ease shalt do

God is not only merciful to call

Play, Phoebus, on thy lute,

Care keeps the conquest; 'tis no less renown

Good things, that come of course, far less do please

Know when to speak; for many times it brings

Down with the rosemary and bays,

Come, bring with a noise,

Down with the rosemary, and so

All things subjected are to fate;

What now we like anon we disapprove:

Bring the holy crust of bread,

This I'll tell ye by the way:

Ph. Charon! O gentle Charon! let me woo thee

'Tis not a thousand bullocks' thighs

Cherry-ripe, ripe, ripe, I cry,

Julia and I did lately sit,

Give house-room to the best; 'tis never known

Thou gav'st me leave to kiss,

Christ never did so great a work but there

One birth our Saviour had; the like none yet

Christ took our nature on Him, not that He

Christ, He requires still, wheresoe'er He comes

Christ was not sad, i' th' garden, for His own

Justly our dearest Saviour may abhor us,

Thy former coming was to cure

Christ, when He hung the dreadful cross upon,

To all our wounds here, whatsoe'er they be,

Come guard this night the Christmas-Pie,

Kings must not only cherish up the good,

For punishment in war it will suffice

Though from without no foes at all we fear,

Away with silks, away with lawn,

Those garments lasting evermore,

He that ascended in a cloud, shall come

We are co-heirs with Christ; nor shall His own

Bell-man of night, if I about shall go

'Tis no discomfort in the world to fall,

Dry your sweet cheek, long drown'd with sorrow's rain,

What needs complaints,

The same who crowns the conqueror, will be

Be not dismayed though crosses cast thee down;

To him who longs unto his Christ to go,

Confession twofold is, as Austin says,

Conformity gives comeliness to things:

Conformity was ever known

God then confounds man's face when He not bears

Chorus Sacerdotum. From the temple to your home

Consult ere thou begin'st; that done, go on

'Tis not the food, but the content

Discreet and prudent we that discord call

Get up, get up for shame, the blooming Morn

God had but one Son free from sin; but none

'Twas Cæsar's saying: Kings no less conquerors are

Thrice, and above, blest, my soul's half, art thou,

I cannot love as I have lov'd before;

Fair and foul days trip cross and pile; the fair

Our crosses are no other than the rods,

Though good things answer many good intents,

Nero commanded; but withdrew his eyes

Nothing can be more loathsome than to see

'Tis but a dog-like madness in bad kings,

Thou see'st me, Lucia, this year droop;

The lictors bundled up their rods; beside,

As oft as night is banish'd by the morn,

Time is the bound of things; where'er we go

Break off delay, since we but read of one

A sweet disorder in the dress

A sweet disorder in the dress

Women, although they ne'er so goodly make it,

What can I do in poetry,

Who forms a godhead out of gold or stone

If wholesome diet can recure a man,

More discontents I never had

Fortune no higher project can devise

Cynthius, pluck ye by the ear,

Kings must not oft be seen by public eyes:

Whatever men for loyalty pretend,

To safeguard man from wrongs, there nothing must

When a daffodil I see,

Let not that day God's friends and servants scare;

Milk still your fountains and your springs: for why?

At draw-gloves we'll play,

Here we are all, by day; by night we're hurl'd

Good princes must be pray'd for; for the bad

Why wore th' Egyptians jewels in the ear?

God gives to none so absolute an ease

Empires of kings are now, and ever were,

No trust to metals nor to marbles, when

O years! and age! farewell:

Begin with Jove; then is the work half done,

By time and counsel do the best we can,

Evil no nature hath; the loss of good

Examples lead us, and we likely see;

Excess is sluttish: keep the mean; for why?

Live with a thrifty, not a needy fate;

The factions of the great ones call,

Tears quickly dry, griefs will in time decay:

Fair was the dawn, and but e'en now the skies

Smooth was the sea, and seem'd to call

Faith is a thing that's four-square; let it fall

What here we hope for, we shall once inherit;

He who wears blacks, and mourns not for the dead,

To print our poems, the propulsive cause

'Tis still observ'd that fame ne'er sings

Fled are the frosts, and now the fields appear

Despair takes heart, when there's no hope to speed:

Man must do well out of a good intent;

Of both our fortunes good and bad we find

Every time seems short to be

Many we are, and yet but few possess

Preposterous is that order, when we run

What is't that wastes a prince? example shows,

In's Tusc'lans, Tully doth confess,

Fortune did never favour one

Fortune's a blind profuser of her own,

Health is the first good lent to men;

God He refuseth no man, but makes way

Would ye have fresh cheese and cream?

When others gain much by the present cast,

That prince must govern with a gentle hand

Glory no other thing is, Tully says,

I make no haste to have my numbers read:

How am I bound to Two! God, who doth give

God, when for sin He makes His children smart,

God, who's in heaven, will hear from thence;

God, as He is most holy known,

'Tis hard to find God, but to comprehend

God still rewards us more than our desert;

Honour thy parents; but good manners call

God when He's angry here with anyone,

God can't be wrathful: but we may conclude

In vain our labours are whatsoe'er they be,

God, as He's potent, so He's likewise known

God's bounty, that ebbs less and less

In God's commands ne'er ask the reason why;

God is then said for to descend, when He

God's said to dwell there, wheresoever He

God hears us when we pray, but yet defers

God's grace deserves here to be daily fed

God's hands are round and smooth, that gifts may fall

God has four keys, which He reserves alone:

God's boundless mercy is, to sinful man,

Where God is merry, there write down thy fears:

When I shall sin, pardon my trespass here;

Prayers and praises are those spotless two

God is so potent, as His power can

God's present everywhere, but most of all

God is all-present to whate'er we do,

God's evident, and may be said to be

God bought man here with His heart's blood expense;

If all transgressions here should have their pay,

God doth not promise here to man that He

God is His name of nature; but that word

God, in the holy tongue, they call

God, as the learned Damascene doth write,

God is more here than in another place,

In God there's nothing, but 'tis known to be

Gold serves for tribute to the king,

How rich a man is all desire to know;

The bad among the good are here mix'd ever;

Play their offensive and defensive parts,

Put off Thy robe of purple, then go on

If well the dice run, let's applaud the cast:

This rule of manners I will teach my guests:

God makes not good men wantons, but doth bring

In all thy need be thou possess'd

In all thy need, be thou possest

Here, a little child, I stand,

What God gives, and what we take,

Of flanks and chines of beef doth Gorrell boast

The less our sorrows here and suff'rings cease,

To an old sore a long cure must go on:

Our mortal parts may wrapp'd in sear-cloths lie:

Consider sorrows, how they are aright:

Sorrows divided amongst many, less

Jove may afford us thousands of reliefs,

Hanch, since he lately did inter his wife,

First, may the hand of bounty bring

That happiness does still the longest thrive,

God's said our hearts to harden then,

To the Right Honourable Mildmay, Earl of Westmoreland

Haste is unhappy; what we rashly do

Health is no other, as the learned hold,

Heaven is most fair; but fairer He

Heaven is not given for our good works here;

One only fire has hell; but yet it shall

The fire of hell this strange condition hath,

Hell is no other but a soundless pit,

Hell is the place where whipping-cheer abounds,

See'st thou that cloud as silver clear,

Fain would I kiss my Julia's dainty leg,

The publisher's freak, by which Herrick's three chief Fairy poems ("The Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel," "Oberon's Feast," and "Oberon's Palace") are separated from each other, is greatly to be regretted. The last two, both dedicated to Shapcott,

Ah, Posthumus! our years hence fly

Here, here I live,

You ask me what I do, and how I live?

Some would know

When I behold Thee, almost slain,

Give me that man that dares bestride

My many cares and much distress

Dearest of thousands, now the time draws near

The only comfort of my life

Hence they have borne my Lord; behold! the stone

Look how our foul days do exceed our fair;

Here, Here I live with what my board

Why dost thou wound and break my heart,

I do believe that die I must,

Give me a man that is not dull,

I dreamt, last night, Thou didst transfuse

My God! look on me with Thine eye

For my embalming, Julia, do but this;

Farewell thou thing, time past so known, so dear

Though clock,

How well contented in this private grange

Among these tempests great and manifold

Call me no more,

I have been wanton, and too bold, I fear,

I have been wanton, and too bold, I fear,

In the hour of my distress,

All has been plunder'd from me but my wit:

Be those few hours, which I have yet to spend,

Water, water I espy;

You may vow I'll not forget

To join with them who here confer

As wearied pilgrims, once possest

When I did go from thee I felt that smart

If war or want shall make me grow so poor,

Only a little more

God can do all things, save but what are known

For those my unbaptized rhymes,

When I a verse shall make,

Noonday and midnight shall at once be seen:

Love, I recant,

Julia, if I chance to die

From the dull confines of the drooping west

When that day comes, whose evening says I'm gone

Have, have ye no regard, all ye

I send, I send here my supremest kiss

I cannot suffer; and in this my part

Come thou, who art the wine and wit

I would to God, that mine old age might have

I would to God that mine old age might have

Give me a cell

Fat be my hind; unlearned be my wife;

It is sufficient if we pray

When Thou wast taken, Lord, I oft have read,

Give me honours! what are these,

None goes to warfare but with this intent -

What though the heaven be lowering now,

Fill me my wine in crystal; thus, and thus

My soul would one day go and seek

White though ye be, yet, lilies, know,

Jealous girls these sometimes were,

Frolic virgins once these were,

Virgins, time-past, known were these,

Roses at first were white,

'Tis said, as Cupid danc'd among

These springs were maidens once that loved,

Why this flower is now call'd so,

Love on a day, wise poets tell,

Humble we must be, if to heaven we go:

Ask me what hunger is, and I'll reply,

Bacchus, let me drink no more!

I will confess

When I love, as some have told

Sea-born goddess, let me be

I call, I call: who do ye call?

Preposterous is that government, and rude,

My faithful friend, if you can see

O Jupiter, should I speak ill

Night hides our thefts, all faults then pardon'd be;

Since Jack and Jill both wicked be;

Jehovah, as Boëtius saith,

Put on thy holy filletings, and so

Thy azure robe I did behold

'Twixt kings and tyrants there's this difference known:

Men are not born kings, but are men renown'd;

I abhor the slimy kiss,

Give me the food that satisfies a guest:

Kissing and bussing differ both in this;

Biancha, let

Science in God is known to be

Labour we must, and labour hard

At my homely country-seat

All things o'er-ruled are here by chance:

Lasciviousness is known to be

Y'ave laughed enough, sweet, vary now your text!

When laws full power have to sway, we see

Who violates the customs, hurts the health,

To loose the button is no less,

When as Leander young was drown'd

Love is a leaven; and a loving kiss

'Tis the Chirurgeon's praise, and height of art,

When flowing garments I behold

When to a house I come, and see

Those ills that mortal men endure

Life is the body's light; which, once declining,

Like will to like, each creature loves his kind;

This is the height of justice: that to do

As in our clothes, so likewise he who looks,

In the old Scripture I have often read,

For my part, I never care

Little you are, for woman's sake be proud;

One feeds on lard, and yet is lean,

God loads and unloads, thus His work begins,

That was the proverb. Let my mistress be

The longer thread of life we spin,

Though long it be, years may repay the debt;

Great men by small means oft are overthrown;

Learn this of me, where'er thy lot doth fall,

Whatsoever thing I see,

Whatsoever thing I see,

Love is a syrup; and whoe'er we see

Let me be warm, let me be fully fed,

Let fair or foul my mistress be,

You say, to me-wards your affection's strong;

I press'd my Julia's lips, and in the kiss

If I kiss Anthea's breast,

Love and myself, believe me, on a day

Love is a circle, that doth restless move

This axiom I have often heard,

A Gyges ring they bear about them still,

Gold I've none, for use or show,

Maids' nays are nothing, they are shy

Want is a softer wax, that takes thereon,

Man knows where first he ships himself; but he

That manna, which God on His people cast,

The repetition of the name made known

When with the virgin morning thou dost rise,

Though frankincense the deities require,

By the weak'st means things mighty are o'erthrown.

Eaten I have; and though I had good cheer,

You are a Tulip seen to-day,

That flow of gallants which approach

God hath two wings which He doth ever move;

Mercy, the wise Athenians held to be

Our honours and our commendations be

True mirth resides not in the smiling skin;

Though hourly comforts from the gods we see,

In things a moderation keep:

Let moderation on thy passions wait;

Fight thou with shafts of silver and o'ercome,

When all birds else do of their music fail,

The mountains of the Scriptures are, some say,

The time the bridegroom stays from hence

'Tis still observ'd those men most valiant are,

He that may sin, sins least: leave to transgress

In desp'rate cases all, or most, are known

Ere I go hence and be no more

I have beheld two lovers in a night

Among the myrtles as I walk'd

We trust not to the multitude in war,

Who begs to die for fear of human need,

Art quickens nature; care will make a face;

God will have all, or none; serve Him, or fall

No man comes late unto that place from whence

Nothing hard or harsh can prove

To get thine ends, lay bashfulness aside;

Good and great God! how should I fear

When fear admits no hope of safety, then

Reproach we may the living, not the dead:

Night makes no difference 'twixt the priest and clerk;

God scourgeth some severely, some He spares;

No fault in women, to refuse

What I fancy I approve,

Bar close as you can, and bolt fast too your door,

I do love I know not what,

No man such rare parts hath, that he can swim,

If little labour, little are our gains;

Thou sail'st with others in this Argus here;

A bachelor I will

By hours we all live here; in Heaven is known

To bread and water none is poor;

Out of the world he must, who once comes in.

Happy's that man to whom God gives

Now, if you love me, tell me,

The Jews their beds and offices of ease,

'Tis not ev'ry day that I

Why should we covet much, whenas we know

He that will not love must be

Nothing comes free-cost here; Jove will not let

Nothing is new; we walk where others went;

The gods to kings the judgment give to sway:

The power of princes rests in the consent

A way enhanced with glass and beads

Hapcot! To thee the Fairy State

After the feast, my Shapcot, see

The Jews, when they built houses, I have read,

The Virgin Mother stood at distance, there,

Who to the north, or south, doth set

Horne sells to others teeth; but has not one

1. Instruct me now what love will do.

I do not love, nor can it be

I'll get me hence,

How Love came in, I do not know,

You say you're sweet: how should we know

This is my comfort when she's most unkind:

What was't that fell but now

Permit mine eyes to see

A wearied pilgrim I have wander'd here,

I'll write no more of love, but now repent

Lost to the world; lost to myself; alone

Weep for the dead, for they have lost this light;

Live by thy Muse thou shalt, when others die,

Ask me why I do not sing

Born I was to meet with age,

Here down my wearied limbs I'll lay;

I fear no earthly powers,

I will no longer kiss,

If that my fate has now fulfill'd my year,

I'll sing no more, nor will I longer write

Let me not live if I not love:

Love-sick I am, and must endure

One ear tingles; some there be

Some parts may perish, die thou canst not all:

The work is done: young men and maidens, set

Young I was, but now am old,

The bound, almost, now of my book I see,

Honour to you who sit

Joan would go tell her hairs; and well she might,

Breathe, Julia, breathe, and I'll protest,

Sweet are my Julia's lips and clean,

How am I ravish'd! when I do but see

So smooth, so sweet, so silv'ry is thy voice,

Love's of itself too sweet; the best of all

Love bade me ask a gift,

Love is a kind of war: hence those who fear!

That love 'twixt men does ever longest last

Prat he writes satires, but herein's the fault,

Grow up in beauty, as thou dost begin,

Goes the world now, it will with thee go hard:

Thousands each day pass by, which we,

Orpheus he went, as poets tell,

Other men's sins we ever bear in mind;

We blame, nay, we despise her pains

God suffers not His saints and servants dear

Afflictions bring us joy in times to come,

A long life's-day I've taken pains

If Nature do deny

Till I shall come again, let this suffice,

Paradise is, as from the learn'd I gather,

Let's strive to be the best; the gods, we know it,

Those ends in war the best contentment bring,

God pardons those who do through frailty sin,

Were there not a matter known,

Pastoral Sung To The King

Kings must not use the axe for each offence:

Abundant plagues I late have had,

Great cities seldom rest; if there be none

The doctors, in the Talmud, say,

Who after his transgression doth repent,

A man's transgressions God does then remit,

Afflictions they most profitable are

God strikes His Church, but 'tis to this intent,

Hast thou begun an act? ne'er then give o'er:

Physicians fight not against men; but these

God doth embrace the good with love; and gains

'Tis worse than barbarous cruelty to show

Where pleasures rule a kingdom, never there

All are not ill plots that do sometimes fail;

Here I myself might likewise die,

Wantons we are, and though our words be such,

That princes may possess a surer seat,

Those possessions short-liv'd are,

Let others to the printing-press run fast;

Love and the Graces evermore do wait

Who with a little cannot be content,

Give Want her welcome if she comes; we find

To mortal men great loads allotted be,

'Tis never, or but seldom known,

First offer incense; then, thy field and meads

First offer incense, then thy field and meads

A prayer that is said alone

God, He rejects all prayers that are slight

Good precepts we must firmly hold,

Predestination is the cause alone

God's prescience makes none sinful; but th' offence

When what is lov'd is present, love doth spring;

Men are suspicious, prone to discontent:

That prince takes soon enough the victor's room

As thou deserv'st, be proud; then gladly let

Princes and fav'rites are most dear, while they

You see this gentle stream that glides,

Readers, we entreat ye pray

No wrath of men, or rage of seas,

Putrefaction is the end

What are our patches, tatters, rags, and rents,

What's got by justice is established sure:

The readiness of doing doth express

Who plants an olive, but to eat the oil?

Hast thou attempted greatness? then go on:

Physicians say repletion springs

Ponder my words, if so that any be

Lay by the good a while; a resting field

On with thy work, though thou be'st hardly press'd:

Man's disposition is for to requite

Like to the income must be our expense;

True rev'rence is, as Cassiodore doth prove,

All things are open to these two events,

Still to our gains our chief respect is had;

God could have made all rich, or all men poor;

Roaring is nothing but a weeping part

Men must have bounds how far to walk; for we

Sabbaths are threefold, as St. Austin says:

What though the sea be calm? Trust to the shore;

For my neighbour I'll not know,

Partly work and partly play

Christ, I have read, did to His chaplains say,

When we 'gainst Satan stoutly fight, the more

For all our works a recompence is sure;

Although our suffering meet with no relief,

Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt;

Shame is a bad attendant to a state:

He who has suffered shipwreck fears to sail

This lady's short, that mistress she is tall;

Suffer thy legs, but not thy tongue to walk:

After true sorrow for our sins, our strife

When once the sin has fully acted been,

God in His own day will be then severe

Sin leads the way, but as it goes, it feels

Sin never slew a soul unless there went

Sin no existence; nature none it hath,

Sin once reached up to God's eternal sphere,

There is no evil that we do commit,

There's no constraint to do amiss,

Wash clean the vessel, lest ye sour

Suspicion, discontent, and strife

Sinners confounded are a twofold way,

Shame checks our first attempts; but then 'tis prov'd

'Tis liberty to serve one lord; but he

Stripes, justly given, yerk us with their fall;

To seek of God more than we well can find,

Two things do make society to stand:

The mellow touch of music most doth wound

To conquered men, some comfort 'tis to fall

When one is past, another care we have:

Sorrows our portion are: ere hence we go,

When times are troubled, then forbear; but speak

If meat the gods give, I the steam

At stool-ball, Lucia, let us play

Let kings and rulers learn this line from me:

Studies themselves will languish and decay,

Does fortune rend thee? Bear with thy hard fate:

In the hope of ease to come,

We merit all we suffer, and by far

While leanest beasts in pastures feed,

Bad are all surfeits; but physicians call

He that will live of all cares dispossess'd,

A sweet disorder in the dress

'Tis not greatness they require

Those tapers which we set upon the grave

Knew'st thou one month would take thy life away,

When Julia chid I stood as mute the while

God from our eyes all tears hereafter wipes,

Our present tears here, not our present laughter,

Tears most prevail; with tears, too, thou may'st move

The tears of saints more sweet by far

These temporal goods God, the most wise, commends

God tempteth no one, as St. Austin saith,

Those saints which God loves best,

No man is tempted so but may o'ercome,

Temptations hurt not, though they have access:

Lord, thou hast given me a cell,

Thanksgiving for a former, doth invite

Seest thou those diamonds which she wears

I saw a fly within a bead

THE APPARITION OF HIS, MISTRESS,

To gather flowers, Sappha went,

I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers,

God did forbid the Israelites to bring

Dull to myself, and almost dead to these

About the sweet bag of a bee

Thou hast made many houses for the dead;

Please your Grace, from out your store

Shall I a daily beggar be,

Along the dark and silent night,

From noise of scare-fires rest ye free,

From this bleeding hand of mine,

The body is the soul's poor house or home,

Bind me but to thee with thine hair,

I brake thy bracelet 'gainst my will,

Why I tie about thy wrist,

This day, my Julia, thou must make

To fetch me wine my Lucia went,

To my revenge, and to her desperate fears,

White as Zenobia's teeth, the which the girls

As Julia once a-slumb'ring lay,

Instead of orient pearls of jet

Kindle the Christmas brand, and then

Be not proud, but now incline

One silent night of late,

When well we speak and nothing do that's good,

A man prepar'd against all ills to come,

Seest thou that cloud that rides in state,

Come sit we by the fire's side,

So Good-Luck came, and on my roof did light,

TO THE HONOURED MR ENDYMION PORTER, GROOM OF

Let's live with that small pittance that we have;

He who commends the vanquished, speaks the power

In holy meetings there a man may be

And, cruel maid, because I see

Go, perjured man; and if thou e'er return

For second course, last night, a custard came

Beauty no other thing is, than a beam

Why so slowly do you move

Drowning, drowning, I espy

What can I do in poetry

Whose head, befringed with bescattered tresses,

'Twixt kings and subjects there's this mighty odds:

O thou, the wonder of all days!

By dream I saw one of the three

Methought last night Love in an anger came

Part of the work remains; one part is past:

Conquer we shall, but we must first contend;

If well thou hast begun, go on fore-right;

Welcome! but yet no entrance, till we bless

He that is hurt seeks help: sin is the wound;

A wanton and lascivious eye

Make me a heaven, and make me there

We credit most our sight; one eye doth please

'Tis a known principle in war,

If ye will with Mab find grace,

A way enhanced with glass and beads

Rare temples thou hast seen, I know,

Noah the first was, as tradition says,

In all our high designments 'twill appear,

When my off'ring next I make,

I freeze, I freeze, and nothing dwells

Whither? say, whither shall I fly,

The Rose was sick, and smiling died;

Blessings in abundance come

When winds and seas do rage

The hag is astride

The staff is now greas'd;

Two parts of us successively command:

My head doth ache,

In prayer the lips ne'er act the winning part

To the Right Honourable Mildmay, Earl of Westmoreland

If thou hast found an honeycomb,

That hour-glass which there you see

To sup with thee thou didst me home invite,

Thou sent'st to me a true love-knot, but I

God hides from man the reck'ning day, that he

In doing justice God shall then be known,

Among thy fancies, tell me this,

When a man's faith is frozen up, as dead;

Though by well warding many blows we've pass'd,

Would I see lawn, clear as the heaven, and thin?

You have beheld a smiling rose

You have beheld a smiling rose

As Julia once a-slumb'ring lay,

Good morrow to the day so fair;

So look the mornings when the sun

The May-pole is up,

Come with the spring-time forth, fair maid, and be

Imparity doth ever discord bring;

'Tis much among the filthy to be clean;

Who may do most, does least: the bravest will

After thy labour take thine ease,

UPON THE DEATH OF HENRY, LORD HASTINGS.

Let others look for pearl and gold,

1. Prepare for songs; He's come, He's come;

Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee,

God hates the dual number, being known

Holy-Rood, come forth and shield

Sadly I walk'd within the field,

To a love-feast we both invited are:

Three lovely sisters working were,

I dreamt the Roses one time went

Go hence, and with this parting kiss,

Loth to depart, but yet at last each one

To-morrow, Julia, I betimes must rise,

Fresh strewings allow

Fame's pillar here, at last, we set,

If after rude and boisterous seas

I am of all bereft,

I cannot pipe as I was wont to do,

I do not love to wed,

May his pretty dukeship grow

To me my Julia lately sent

Tell me, rich man, for what intent

The sup'rabundance of my store,

Let kings command and do the best they may,

Praise, they that will, times past: I joy to see

Fly to my mistress, pretty pilfering bee,

Our household-gods our parents be;

Ask me why I send you here

Up with the quintell, that the rout,

Mine eyes, like clouds, were drizzling rain;

Look how the rainbow doth appear

All I have lost that could be rapt from me;

For each one body that i' th' earth is sown,

That Christ did die, the pagan saith;

This day, my Julia, thou must make

God has a right hand, but is quite bereft

Some ask'd me where the Rubies grew:

God's rod doth watch while men do sleep, and then

One asked me where the roses grew:

Before man's fall the rose was born,

Grow for two ends, it matters not at all,

Herr. Come and let's in solemn wise

Lilies will languish; violets look ill;

Water, water I desire,

Whether I was myself, or else did see

Anthea bade me tie her shoe;

Love in a shower of blossoms came

For sport my Julia threw a lace

The gods require the thighs

The body's salt the soul is; which when gone,

When once the soul has lost her way,

Holy water come and bring;

From this bleeding hand of mine,

Two instruments belong unto our God:

The Flourish of Music; then followed the Song.

First, April, she with mellow showers

Last night I drew up mine account,

And must we part, because some say

Glide, gentle streams, and bear

Along, come along,

If nine times you your bridegroom kiss,

Immortal clothing I put on

One silent night of late,

I dreamed this mortal part of mine

I dreamt this mortal part of mine

The Virgin Mary was, as I have read,

To work a wonder, God would have her shown

I dreamed we both were in a bed

Methought I saw, as I did dream in bed,

Sitting alone, as one forsook,

Rare is the voice itself: but when we sing

Come, Anthea, let us two

Give way, give way, ye gates, and win

Man is a watch, wound up at first, but never

When I a ship see on the seas,

I saw a cherry weep, and why?

So soft streams meet, so springs with gladder smiles

In this world, the Isle of Dreams,

Come pity us, all ye who see

No grief is grown so desperate, but the ill

When man is punish'd, he is plagued still,

A willow garland thou did'st send

Cupid as he lay among

Come, bring your sampler, and with art

Things are uncertain; and the more we get,

We pray 'gainst war, yet we enjoy no peace;

This crosstree here

God hath this world for many made, 'tis true:

Three fatal sisters wait upon each sin;

These fresh beauties, we can prove,

Bright tulips, we do know

Look in my book, and herein see

True to yourself and sheets, you'll have me swear;

Am I despised, because you say;

You say, you love me! that I thus must prove:

I could wish you all who love,

Anthea, I am going hence

Now is the time when all the lights wax dim;

So looks Anthea, when in bed she lies

Bid me to live, and I will live

Ah, my Anthea! Must my heart still break?

Come, Anthea, know thou this,

If, dear Anthea, my hard fate it be

Let's call for Hymen, if agreed thou art;

Sick is Anthea, sickly is the spring,

Thou mighty lord and master of the lyre,

Ph[oe]bus! when that I a verse

Whither dost thou whorry me,

Whither dost thou hurry me,

Let's now take our time,

Would I woo, and would I win?

Ah, Bianca! now I see

Fair pledges of a fruitful tree,

Stay while ye will, or go,

If 'mongst my many poems I can see

Ye may simper, blush and smile,

I crawl, I creep; my Christ, I come

I'll write, because I'll give

My wearied bark, O let it now be crown'd!

I have a leaden, thou a shaft of gold;

Fair Daffodils, we weep to see

Shut not so soon; the dull-eyed night

Dean Bourn, farewell; I never look to see

Thou bidst me come away,

I burn, I burn; and beg of you

Dear, though to part it be a hell,

Give me one kiss,

I could but see thee yesterday

Sweet, be not proud of those two eyes,

Show me thy feet; show me thy legs, thy thighs;

I'll to thee a simnel bring,

Nor art thou less esteem'd that I have plac'd,

I dare not ask a kiss,

I'll come to thee in all those shapes

Let not thy tombstone e'er be laid by me:

More white than whitest lilies far,

Shall I go to Love and tell,

'Tis evening, my sweet,

Love love begets, then never be

While fates permit us, let's be merry;

Weigh me the fire; or canst thou find

In time of life I graced ye with my verse;

Tumble me down, and I will sit

Rapine has yet took nought from me;

As my little pot doth boil,

Come to me, God; but do not come

Do with me, God, as Thou didst deal with John,

God gives not only corn for need,

God is all sufferance here; here He doth show

God! to my little meal and oil

God, who me gives a will for to repent,

God's undivided, One in Persons Three,

If anything delight me for to print

If I have played the truant, or have here

I'll come, I'll creep, though Thou dost threat,

Lord, I am like to mistletoe,

Make, make me Thine, my gracious God,

Pardon me, God, once more I Thee entreat,

The work is done; now let my laurel be

Thou hast promis'd, Lord, to be

With golden censers, and with incense, here

Verse. My God, I'm wounded by my sin,

Gold I have none, but I present my need,

What though my harp and viol be

Ye silent shades, whose each tree here

Open thy gates

Through all the night

Make haste away, and let one be

Take mine advice, and go not near

Be bold, my Book, nor be abash'd, or fear

Go thou forth, my book, though late,

If hap it must, that I must see thee lie

Before the press scarce one could see

Come thou not near those men who are like bread

Have I not blest thee? Then go forth, nor fear

If hap it must, that I must see thee lie

Like to a bride, come forth, my book, at last,

Thou art a plant sprung up to wither never,

While thou didst keep thy candour undefil'd,

To read my book the virgin shy

Who with thy leaves shall wipe, at need,

What others have with cheapness seen and ease

For being comely, consonant, and free

When I go hence, ye Closet-Gods, I fear

Can I not sin, but thou wilt be

I'll hope no more

Now is your turn, my dearest, to be set

Life of my life, take not so soon thy flight,

Can I not come to Thee, my God, for these

For all thy many courtesies to me,

Words beget anger; anger brings forth blows;

Love, love me now, because I place

Play I could once; but, gentle friend, you see

Wanton wenches do not bring

Alas! I can't, for tell me, how

For brave comportment, wit without offence,

Did I or love, or could I others draw

For civil, clean, and circumcised wit,

Stand by the magic of my powerful rhymes

To this white temple of my heroes here,

I can but name thee, and methinks I call

Rise, household gods, and let us go;

Welcome to this my college, and though late

Seeing thee, Soame, I see a goodly man,

When I consider, dearest, thou dost stay

Next is your lot, fair, to be number'd one,

When first I find those numbers thou dost write,

One night i'th' year, my dearest Beauties, come,

These summer-birds did with thy master stay

You say I love not, 'cause I do not play

Choose me your valentine,

Help me! help me! now I call

Put on your silks, and piece by piece

Whither, mad maiden, wilt thou roam?

Go woo young Charles no more to look

Were I to give thee baptism, I would choose

Tell that brave man, fain thou would'st have access

On, as thou hast begun, brave youth, and get

O earth! earth! earth! hear thou my voice, and be

Since shed or cottage I have none,

I've paid thee what I promis'd; that's not all;

Since, for thy full deserts, with all the rest

Hail, holy and all-honour'd tomb,

Go, pretty child, and bear this flower

Lord, I confess, that Thou alone art able

That little pretty bleeding part

The person crowns the place; your lot doth fall

Night hath no wings, to him that cannot sleep;

Go I must; when I am gone,

Oft have I heard both youths and virgins say

What will ye, my poor orphans, do,

When after many lusters thou shalt be

Tell me, young man, or did the Muses bring

Stand with thy graces forth, brave man, and rise

Nor is my number full till I inscribe

O jealousy, that art

Whom should I fear to write to if I can

How rich and pleasing thou, my Julia, art,

Julia, when thy Herrick dies,

Besides us two, i' th' temple here's not one

By the next kindling of the day,

Thou know'st, my Julia, that it is thy turn

Help me, Julia, for to pray,

Holy waters hither bring

I am zealless; prithee pray

Offer thy gift; but first the law commands

Permit me, Julia, now to go away;

The saints'-bell calls, and, Julia, I must read

Is this a fast, to keep

No more shall I, since I am driven hence,

A funeral stone

Let's live in haste; use pleasures while we may;

Now is the time for mirth,

I'm free from thee; and thou no more shalt hear

Or look'd I back unto the times hence flown

Touch but thy lyre, my Harry, and I hear

What! can my Kellam drink his sack

Read thou my lines, my Swetnaham; if there be

I will be short, and having quickly hurl'd

No man such rare parts hath, that he can swim,

Give way, and be ye ravish'd by the sun,

Ye have been fresh and green,

Ay me! I love; give him your hand to kiss

If thou ask me, dear, wherefore

My Muse in meads has spent her many hours

One more by thee, love, and desert have sent,

Who read'st this book that I have writ,

Begin to charm, and as thou strok'st mine ears

Charms, that call down the moon from out her sphere,

Charm me asleep, and melt me so

Music, thou queen of heaven, care-charming spell,

Whene'er I go, or whatsoe'er befalls

Thou say'st my lines are hard,

Fold now thine arms and hang the head,

What conscience, say, is it in thee,

Sweet Oenone, do but say

Thou say'st Love's dart

What conscience, say, is it in thee,

Ah, Cruel Love! must I endure

When I thy parts run o'er, I can't espy

Dear Perenna, prithee come

How long, Perenna, wilt thou see

I a dirge will pen to thee;

Thou say'st I'm dull; if edgeless so I be,

Ah, my Perilla, dost thou grieve to see

Live, live with me, and thou shalt see

Why do ye weep, sweet babes? can tears

What fate decreed, time now has made us see,

Laid out for dead, let thy last kindness be

My wooing's ended: now my wedding's near

Roses, you can never die,

Sapho, I will choose to go

Let us now take time and play,

Thou say'st thou lov'st me, Sappho; I say no;

Pardon my trespass, Silvia! I confess

Let us, though late, at last, my Silvia, wed;

I am holy while I stand

No more, my Silvia, do I mean to pray

Since to the country first I came,

I have my laurel chaplet on my head

Stand forth, brave man, since fate has made thee here

I heard ye could cool heat, and came

I'm sick of love, O let me lie

Where others love and praise my verses, still

When my date's done, and my grey age must die,

Thou'st dar'd too far; but, fury, now forbear

See and not see, and if thou chance t'espy

Command the roof, great Genius, and from thence

As is your name, so is your comely face

Never my book's perfection did appear

When to thy porch I come and ravish'd see

Woe, woe to them, who, by a ball of strife,

To find that tree of life whose fruits did feed

Welcome, most welcome to our vows and us,

This day is yours, great Charles! and in this war

Welcome, great Cæsar, welcome now you are

Give way, give way! now, now my Charles shines here

If when these lyrics, Cæsar, you shall hear,

Trust me, ladies, I will do

Why, Madam, will ye longer weep,

When I of Villars do but hear the name,

Good speed, for I this day

Ye pretty housewives, would ye know

Go on, brave Hopton, to effectuate that

Come, sit we under yonder tree,

Nor think that thou in this my book art worst,

For one so rarely tun'd to fit all parts,

Handsome you are, and proper you will be

So smell those odours that do rise

Well may my book come forth like public day

I, who have favour'd many, come to be

When I through all my many poems look,

When I departed am, ring thou my knell,

Come, skilful Lupo, now, and take

If I lie unburied, sir,

Let there be patrons, patrons like to thee,

Goddess of youth, and lady of the spring,

That for seven lusters I did never come

Of all those three brave brothers fall'n i' th' war

If I dare write to you, my lord, who are

You are a lord, an earl, nay more, a man

How dull and dead are books that cannot show

Go, happy Rose, and interwove

If thou dislik'st the piece thou light'st on first,

Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,

Reach with your whiter hands to me

Sweet western wind, whose luck it is,

Thou art to all lost love the best,

Both you two have

Welcome, maids of honour,

Hear, ye virgins, and I'll teach

Thy sooty godhead I desire

Close keep your lips, if that you mean

Drink wine, and live here blitheful while ye may;

The seeds of treason choke up as they spring:

Wilt thou my true friend be?

'Tis not the walls or purple that defends

Twixt truth and error, there's this difference known

Truth by her own simplicity is known,

Truth by her own simplicity is known,

Truth is best found out by the time and eyes;

Now, now the mirth comes

The twilight is no other thing, we say,

Twilight no other thing is, poets say,

Two of a thousand things are disallow'd:

And as time past when Cato the severe

Scobble for whoredom whips his wife and cries

Begin with a kiss,

I saw about her spotless wrist,

Wither'd with years, and bed-rid Mumma lies;

Feacie, some say, doth wash her clothes i' th' lie

Here a pretty baby lies

Here she lies, a pretty bud,

But born, and like a short delight,

If men can say that beauty dies,

Crooked you are, but that dislikes not me:

Come, come away

A golden fly one show'd to me,

You say you'll kiss me, and I thank you for it;

So long you did not sing or touch your lute,

Sing me to death; for till thy voice be clear,

Twice has Pudica been a bride, and led

As gilliflowers do but stay

Here she lies, in bed of spice,

That morn which saw me made a bride,

Gone she is a long, long way,

Hence a blessed soul is fled,

Men say you're fair; and fair ye are, 'tis true;

Thou cam'st to cure me, doctor, of my cold,

'Tis heresy in others: in your face

Fie, quoth my lady, what a stink is here?

'Twas but a single rose,

Spend, harmless shade, thy nightly hours

In this little vault she lies,

Let all chaste matrons, when they chance to see

Peapes he does strut, and pick his teeth, as if

Tread, sirs, as lightly as ye can

Old Widow Prouse, to do her neighbours evil,

Batt he gets children, not for love to rear 'em;

Here lies Jonson with the rest

Bice laughs, when no man speaks; and doth protest.

Blanch swears her husband's lovely; when a scald

I have seen many maidens to have hair,

Tom Blinks his nose is full of weals, and these

Blisse, last night drunk, did kiss his mother's knee;

Boreman takes toll, cheats, natters, lies; yet Boreman,

What made that mirth last night? the neighbours say,

Of four teeth only Bridget was possest;

To cleanse his eyes, Tom Brock makes much ado,

Buggins is drunk all night, all day he sleeps;

Money thou ow'st me; prethee fix a day

Bungy does fast; looks pale; puts sackcloth on;

Burr is a smell-feast, and a man alone,

End now the white loaf and the pie,

Case is a lawyer, that ne'er pleads alone,

Center is known weak-sighted, and he sells

When Chub brings in his harvest, still he cries,

A roll of parchment Clunn about him bears,

Cob clouts his shoes, and, as the story tells,

Cock calls his wife his Hen: when Cock goes to't,

Comely acts well; and when he speaks his part,

What is the reason Coone so dully smells?

Crab faces gowns with sundry furs; 'tis known

Craw cracks in sirrop; and does stinking say,

One silver spoon shines in the house of Croot;

Cuffe comes to church much: but he keeps his bed

Love, like a Gypsy, lately came,

As lately I a garland bound,

Love, like a beggar, came to me

Old wives have often told how they

If wounds in clothes Cuts calls his rags, 'tis clear

If felt and heard, unseen, thou dost me please;

No question but Doll's cheeks would soon roast dry,

Doll, she so soon began the wanton trade,

Dundrige his issue hath; but is not styl'd,

Eeles winds and turns, and cheats and steals; yet Eeles

Upon her cheeks she wept, and from those showers

When out of bed my love doth spring,

We read how Faunus, he the shepherds' god,

Why walks Nick Flimsey like a malcontent!

Flood, if he has for him and his a bit,

Fone says, those mighty whiskers he does wear

Franck ne'er wore silk she swears; but I reply,

Franck would go scour her teeth; and setting to 't

Since Gander did his pretty youngling wed,

Glasco had none, but now some teeth has got;

Glass, out of deep, and out of desp'rate want,

God is all fore-part; for, we never see

God is not only said to be

God, when He takes my goods and chattels hence,

Unto Pastillus rank Gorgonius came

An old, old widow Greedy needs would wed,

Groynes, for his fleshly burglary of late,

Grubs loves his wife and children, while that they

Grudgings turns bread to stones, when to the poor

Gryll eats, but ne'er says grace; to speak the truth,

Gubbs calls his children kitlings: and would bound,

Guess cuts his shoes, and limping, goes about

Science puffs up, says Gut, when either pease

See how the poor do waiting stand

When Julia blushes she does show

Clear are her eyes,

Her pretty feet

Let but thy voice engender with the string,

She wept upon her cheeks, and weeping so,

Thou shalt not all die; for while Love's fire shines

Let me sleep this night away,

Come, leave this loathed country life, and then

I am sieve-like, and can hold

I could never love indeed;

I dislik'd but even now;

I lately fri'd, but now behold

Mop-eyed I am, as some have said,

Thou'rt hence removing (like a shepherd's tent),

Thus I

I begin to wane in sight;

Fly me not, though I be gray,

Will ye hear what I can say

Sweet Bridget blush'd, and therewithal

Sweet virgin, that I do not set

Here lies a virgin, and as sweet

First, for effusions due unto the dead,

Now thou art dead, no eye shall ever see,

What offspring other men have got,

Hog has a place i' the' kitchen, and his share,

Huncks has no money, he does swear or say,

Angry if Irene be

When Jill complains to Jack for want of meat,

Jolly and Jilly bite and scratch all day,

First, Jolly's wife is lame; then next loose-hipp'd:

Jone is a wench that's painted;

Judith has cast her old skin and got new,

How fierce was I, when I did see

Display thy breasts, my Julia - there let me

Whenas in silks my Julia goes,

Julia was careless, and withal

Tell me, what needs those rich deceits,

Dew sate on Julia's hair,

Droop, droop no more, or hang the head,

As shows the air when with a rainbow grac'd,

As shews the air when with a rain-bow graced,

Would ye oil of blossoms get?

Tell, if thou canst, and truly, whence doth come

Tell if thou canst, and truly, whence doth come

When I thy singing next shall hear,

So smooth, so sweet, so silv'ry is thy voice,

Kings must be dauntless; subjects will contemn

Leech boasts, he has a pill, that can alone

Letcher was carted first about the streets,

Linnet plays rarely on the lute, we know;

Seal'd up with night-gum, Loach each morning lies,

I held Love's head while it did ache;

Love scorched my finger, but did spare

A crystal vial Cupid brought,

I played with Love, as with the fire

In a dream, Love bade me go

Love brought me to a silent grove

Love, I have broke

Love is a circle, and an endless sphere;

Love's a thing, as I do hear,

Some salve to every sore we may apply;

I bring ye love. QUES. What will love do?

I bring ye love. QUES. What will love do?

My Lucia in the dew did go,

I ask'd my Lucia but a kiss,

Sound teeth has Lucy, pure as pearl, and small,

Luggs, by the condemnation of the Bench,

Lulls swears he is all heart; but you'll suppose

Lungs, as some say, ne'er sets him down to eat

Lupes for the outside of his suit has paid;

In Den'shire Kersey Lusk, when he was dead,

After the rare arch-poet, Jonson, died,

Should I not put on blacks, when each one here

For ropes of pearl, first Madam Ursly shows

Maggot frequents those houses of good-cheer,

Man is composed here of a twofold part;

Apollo sings, his harp resounds: give room,

Mease brags of pullets which he eats: but Mease

Meg yesterday was troubled with a pose,

Rare are thy cheeks, Susanna, which do show

Moon is a usurer, whose gain,

Sweet Amarillis, by a spring's

Much-more provides and hoards up like an ant,

Mudge every morning to the postern comes,

Nis he makes verses; but the lines he writes

Wherever Nodes does in the summer come,

What times of sweetness this fair day foreshows,

You say you're young; but when your teeth are told

Broomsted a lameness got by cold and beer:

Pagget, a schoolboy, got a sword, and then

Parrat protests 'tis he, and only he

Old Parson Beanes hunts six days of the week,

Old Parson Beanes hunts six days of the week,

Go hence away, and in thy parting know

Paske, though his debt be due upon the day

Now Patrick with his footmanship has done,

Paul's hands do give; what give they, bread or meat,

Thou writes in prose how sweet all virgins be;

Long locks of late our zealot Peason wears,

Brown bread Tom Penny eats, and must of right,

Pievish doth boast that he's the very first

When Pimp's feet sweat, as they do often use,

To paint the fiend, Pink would the devil see;

In this little Urne is laid

Prickles is waspish, and puts forth his sting

Prig now drinks water, who before drank beer;

Prigg, when he comes to houses, oft doth use,

Prue, my dearest maid, is sick,

Give me a reason why men call

Puss and her 'prentice both at drawgloves play;

Ralph pares his nails, his warts, his corns, and Ralph

Curse not the mice, no grist of thine they eat;

Rasp plays at nine-holes; and 'tis known he gets

Reape's eyes so raw are that, it seems, the flies

Rook he sells feathers, yet he still doth cry

Roots had no money; yet he went o' the score,

Under a lawn, than skies more clear,

Rump is a turn-broach, yet he seldom can

Rush saves his shoes in wet and snowy weather;

When thou dost play and sweetly sing -

Look upon Sappho's lip, and you will swear

Scobble for whoredom whips his wife; and cries

Shark, when he goes to any public feast,

Last night thou didst invite me home to eat;

Shift now has cast his clothes: got all things new;

Old Widow Shopter, whensoe'er she cries,

Sibb, when she saw her face how hard it was,

With paste of almonds, Syb her hands doth scour;

When some shall say, Fair once my Silvia was,

Skinns, he dined well to-day: how do you think?

Skoles stinks so deadly, that his breeches loath

Skrew lives by shifts; yet swears by no small oaths

Skurf by his nine-bones swears, and well he may:

Slouch he packs up, and goes to several fairs,

How could Luke Smeaton wear a shoe, or boot,

Snare, ten i' th' hundred calls his wife; and why?

Sneape has a face so brittle, that it breaks

Thou who wilt not love, do this,

Of pushes Spalt has such a knotty race,

Spenke has a strong breath, yet short prayers saith;

Spokes, when he sees a roasted pig, he swears

Spunge makes his boasts that he's the only man

Spur jingles now, and swears by no mean oaths,

Strut, once a foreman of a shop we knew;

Sudds launders bands in piss, and starches them

Tap, better known than trusted, as we hear,

Teage has told lies so long that when Teage tells

Tears, though they're here below the sinner's brine,

Never was day so over-sick with showers

Why do not all fresh maids appear

I ask'd thee oft what poets thou hast read,

This stone can tell the story of my life,

One of the five straight branches of my hand

I have lost, and lately, these

What wisdom, learning, wit or worth

Have ye beheld (with much delight)

Thrice happy roses, so much grac'd to have

I ask'd thee oft what poets thou hast read,

O times most bad,

Time was upon

The eggs of pheasants wry-nosed Tooly sells,

Trap of a player turn'd a priest now is:

Tom shifts the trenchers; yet he never can

Trigg having turn'd his suit, he struts in state,

Truggin a footman was; but now, grown lame,

For thirty years Tubbs has been proud and poor;

At post and pair, or slam, Tom Tuck would play

Umber was painting of a lion fierce,

Urles had the gout so, that he could not stand;

Ursley, she thinks those velvet patches grace

Vinegar is no other, I define,

So long, it seem'd, as Mary's faith was small,

Wrinkles no more are, or no less,

Is Zelot pure? he is: yet! see he wears

Who will not honour noble numbers, when

By so much, virtue is the less,

Though a wise man all pressures can sustain,

Each must in virtue strive for to excel;

Happily I had a sight

After this life, the wages shall

Want is a softer wax, that takes thereon,

Need is no vice at all, though here it be

If kings and kingdoms once distracted be,

Once on a Lord Mayor's Day, in Cheapside, when

Whatever comes, let's be content withal:

God is above the sphere of our esteem,

Be the mistress of my choice,

In sober mornings do thou not rehearse

God has His whips here to a twofold end:

These fresh beauties, we can prove,

Dread not the shackles; on with thine intent,

What need we marry women, when

When words we want, Love teacheth to indite;

God on our youth bestows but little ease;

I'll do my best to win whene'er I woo: