Robert Herrick. To Prince Charles Upon His Coming to Exeter.

Robert Herrick

TO PRINCE CHARLES UPON HIS COMING TO
EXETER.

WHAT fate decreed, time now has made us see,
A renovation of the west by thee.
That preternatural fever, which did threat
Death to our country, now hath lost his heat,
And, calms succeeding, we perceive no more
Th' unequal pulse to beat, as heretofore.
Something there yet remains for thee to do ;
Then reach those ends that thou wast destin'd to.
Go on with Sylla's fortune ; let thy fate
Make thee like him, this, that way fortunate :
Apollo's image side with thee to bless
Thy war (discreetly made) with white success.
Meantime thy prophets watch by watch shall pray,
While young Charles fights, and fighting wins the day :
That done, our smooth-paced poems all shall be
Sung in the high doxology of thee.
Then maids shall strew thee, and thy curls from them
Receive with songs a flowery diadem.

Sylla's fortune, in allusion to Sylla's surname of Felix.
Doxology, glorifying.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol II.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 66-67.

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