A DIALOGUE BETWEEN HIMSELF AND
MISTRESS ELIZA WHEELER, UNDER
THE NAME OF AMARYLLIS

by Robert Herrick

Her. MY dearest love, since thou wilt go,
   And leave me here behind thee,
For love or pity let me know
   The place where I may find thee.

Ama. In country meadows pearl'd with dew,
   And set about with lilies,
There, filling maunds with cowslips, you
   May find your Amaryllis.

Her. What have the meads to do with thee,
   Or with thy youthful hours ?
Live thou at Court, where thou mayst be
   The queen of men, not flowers.

Let country wenches make 'em fine
   With posies, since 'tis fitter
For thee with richest gems to shine,
   And like the stars to glitter.

Ama. You set too high a rate upon
   A shepherdess so homely.

Her. Believe it, dearest, there's not one
   I' th' Court that's half so comely.

I prithee stay.  Ama. I must away ;
   Let's kiss first, then we'll sever.

Ambo. And though we bid adieu to-day,
   We shall not part for ever.


Maunds, baskets.


Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol II.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 153-154.
Backto Works of Robert Herrick

Created by Anniina Jokinen on July 11, 1999.
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