Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE ROSE by ROBERT HERRICK

Poet Analysis

First Line: GO, HAPPY ROSE, AND INTERWOVE
Last Line: AND BURN THEE 'UP, AS WELL AS I.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; LOVE; ROSES;
1. Goe happy Rose, and enterwove
With other Flowers, bind my Love.
Tell her too, she must not be,
Longer flowing, longer free,
That so oft has fetter'd me.

2. Say (if she's fretfull) I have bands
Of Pearle, and Gold, to bind her hands:
Tell her, if she struggle still,
I have Mirtle rods, (at will)
For to tame, though not to kill.

3. Take thou my blessing, thus, and goe,
And tell her this, but doe not so,
Lest a handsome anger flye,
Like a Lightning, from her eye,
And burn thee 'up, as well as I.



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