DELIGHT IN DISORDER.
by Robert Herrick


A SWEET disorder in the dress
Kindles in clothes a wantonness :
A lawn about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distraction :
An erring lace which here and there
Enthrals the crimson stomacher :
A cuff neglectful, and thereby
Ribbons to flow confusedly :
A winning wave (deserving note)
In the tempestuous petticoat :
A careless shoe-string, in whose tie
I see a wild civility :
Do more bewitch me than when art
Is too precise in every part.
Agnolo Bronzino. Lucrezia Panciatichi. c. 1540.
Agnolo Bronzino. Lucrezia Panciatichi. c. 1540.
From Web Gallery of Art.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 32.
Backto Works of Robert Herrick

Created by Anniina Jokinen on September 30, 1998.
Copyright ©1998 Anniina Jokinen. All Rights Reserved.
Violators will be prosecuted.