Robert Herrick. The Poet's Good Wishes for the Most Hopeful and Handsome Prince, The Duke of York.

THE POET'S GOOD WISHES FOR THE
MOST HOPEFUL AND HANDSOME PRINCE,
THE DUKE OF YORK.
by Robert Herrick

MAY his pretty dukeship grow
like to a rose of Jericho :
Sweeter far than every yet
Showers or sunshines could beget.
May the Graces and the Hours
Strew his hopes and him with flowers :
And so dress him up with love
As to be the chick of Jove.
May the thrice-three sisters sing
Him the sovereign of their spring :
And entitle none to be
Prince of Helicon but he.
May his soft foot, where it treads,
Gardens thence produce and meads :
And those meadows full be set
With the rose and violet.
May his ample name be known
To the last succession :
And his actions high be told
Through the world, but writ in gold.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 134.

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