Robert Herrick: The Suspicion Upon His Over-much Familiarity With a Gentlewoman.

THE SUSPICION UPON HIS OVER-MUCH FAMILIA-
RITY WITH A GENTLEWOMAN.
by Robert Herrick

AND must we part, because some say
Loud is our love, and loose our play,
And more than well becomes the day ?
Alas for pity ! and for us
Most innocent, and injured thus !
Had we kept close, or played within,
Suspicion now had been the sin,
And shame had followed long ere this,
T' have plagued what now unpunished is.
But we, as fearless of the sun,
As faultless, will not wish undone
What now is done, since where no sin
Unbolts the door, no shame comes in.
Then, comely and most fragrant maid,
Be you more wary than afraid
Of these reports, because you see
The fairest most suspected be.
The common forms have no one eye
Or ear of burning jealousy
To follow them : but chiefly where
Love makes the cheek and chin a sphere
To dance and play in, trust me, there
Suspicion questions every hair.
Come, you are fair, and should be seen
While you are in your sprightful green :
And what though you had been embraced
By me—were you for that unchaste ?
No, no ! no more than is yon moon
Which, shining in her perfect noon,
In all that great and glorious light,
Continues cold as is the night.
Then, beauteous maid, you may retire ;
And as for me, my chaste desire
Shall move towards you, although I see
Your face no more. So live you free
From fame's black lips, as you from me.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 57-58.

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