Robert Herrick: The Argument of His Book

THE ARGUMENT OF HIS BOOK.
by Robert Herrick

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 bridegrooms, 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.

Hock-cart, the last cart from the harvest-field.

Wakes, village festivals, properly in the dedication-day of a church.

Ambergris, 'gray amber,' much used in perfumery.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London: Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 3.

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