TO HIS BOOK
by Robert Herrick


WHILE thou didst keep thy candour undefil'd,
Dearly I lov'd thee as my first-born child,
But when I saw thee wantonly to roam
From house to house, and never stay at home,
I broke my bonds of love, and bade thee go,
Regardless whether well thou sped'st or no.
On with thy fortunes then, whate'er they be:
If good, I'll smile; if bad, I'll sigh for thee.
 Poussin. The Inspiration of the Poet, 1636-38. Detail.
Poussin: The Inspiration of the Poet,
1636-38. Detail. From CGFA

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 5.
Backto Works of Robert Herrick

Created by Anniina Jokinen on August 3, 1998.
Copyright ©1998 Anniina Jokinen. All Rights Reserved.
Violators will be prosecuted.