Robert Herrick. The Poet Loves a Mistress, But Not to Marry.

THE POET LOVES A MISTRESS, BUT NOT TO
MARRY.
by Robert Herrick

I DO not love to wed,
Though I do like to woo ;
And for a maidenhead
I'll beg and buy it too.

I'll praise and I'll approve
Those maids that never vary ;
And fervently I'll love,
But yet I would not marry.

I'll hug, I'll kiss, I'll play,
And, cock-like, hens I'll tread,
And sport it any way
But in the bridal bed.

For why ? that man is poor
Who hath but one of many,
But crown'd he is with store
That, single, may have any.

Why then, say, what is he,
To freedom so unknown,
Who, having two or three,
Will be content with one ?

Caesar van Everdingen. Bacchus with Two Nymphs and Cupid.

Bacchus with Two Nymphs and Cupid.
Caesar van Everdingen. c.1650.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 200-201.

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