Robert Herrick. Upon A Black Twist Rounding The Arm of The Countess of Carlisle.

Robert Herrick

UPON A BLACK TWIST ROUNDING THE ARM OF
THE COUNTESS OF CARLISLE.

I SAW about her spotless wrist,
Of blackest silk, a curious twist ;
Which, circumvolving gently, there
Enthrall'd her arm as prisoner.
Dark was the jail, but as if light
Had met t'engender with the night ;
Or so as darkness made a stay
To show at once both night and day.
One fancy more ! but if there be
Such freedom in captivity,
I beg to love that ever I
May in like chains of darkness lie.

Lucy, Countess of Carlisle
Engraving after Van Dyck portrait.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 78.

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