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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ART ABOVE NATURE: TO JULIA by ROBERT HERRICK

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN I BEHOLD A FOREST SPREAD
Last Line: DOTES LESS ON NATURE, THEN ON ART.
Subject(s): CLOTHING & DRESS; COSMETICS;

When I behold a Forrest spread
With silken trees upon thy head;
And when I see that other Dresse
Of flowers set in comlinesse:
When I behold another grace
In the ascent of curious Lace,
Which like a Pinacle doth shew
The top, and the top-gallant too.
Then, when I see thy Tresses bound
Into an Ovall, Square, or round;
And knit in knots far more then I
Can tell by tongue; or true-love tie:
Next, when those Lawnie Filmes I see
Play with a wild civility:
And all those airie silks to flow,
Alluring me, and tempting so:
I must confesse, mine eye and heart
Dotes less on Nature, then on Art.



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