Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MR. HERRICK HIS DAUGHTER'S DOWRYE, by ROBERT HERRICK Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Ere I goe hence and bee noe more Last Line: Nourish in's breast, a tree of life. | ||||||||
Ere I goe hence and bee noe more Seene to the world, Ile giue the skore I owe vnto A female Child, And that is this, A verse Instylde My daughters Dowrye; haueing which I'le leaue thee then Compleatly riche. Insteade of gould Pearle Rubies Bonds Longe forfaite pawned diamonds Or Antique pledges, House or lande, I give thee this that shall withstande The blow of Ruine and of Chance. Theis hurte not thyne Inheritance, For 'tis Fee simple, and noe rent Thou Fortune ow'st for tenement. Howeuer after tymes will praise, This Portion my Prophetique Bayes Cannot deliuer vpp to'th rust, Yett I keepe peacefull in my dust. As for thy birth, and better seeds (Those wch must growe to Vertuous deeds) Thou didst deriue from that old stem (Loue and Mercie, cherrish them), Wch like a Vestall Vergine ply With holye fier least that itt dye. Growe vpp wth Mylder Lawes to knowe Att what tyme to say I, or noe, Lett Manners teach the More Comely flowing: where les free. Theis bringe thy husband, like to those Old Coyne's and Meddalls, wee expose To'th shew, but Neuer part wth; next As In a more Conspicuous Text (Thy fore-head) lett therin bee sign'd The Mayden Candour of thy Mynde: And vnder it two Chast borne spyes To barr out bolde Adulteryes, For through these Optickes, fly the dartes Of Lust, which setts on fier our hartes. On eyther side of theis, quicke Eares Ther must bee plac'd, for season'd feares Wch sweeten Loue, yett ne're come nighe The Plague of wilder Jelousie. Then lett each Cheeke of thyne intice His soule as to a bedd of spice Wheare hee may roule, and loose his sence As in a bedd of Frankensence. A Lipp Inkyndled wh that Coale Wth wch Loue Chafes and warmes the soule Bringe to hym next, and in it shew Loues Cherries from such fyers growe And haue their haruest, wch must stand The Gathering of the Lipp: not hand. Then vnto theis, bee itt thy care To cloath thy words in gentle Ayre That smooth as Oyle, sweet softe and Cleane As is the childish Bloome of Beane, Thay may fall downe and stroake as the Beames of the sunn, the peacefull sea. White handes as smooth, as Mercies, bring Hym for his better Cherrishing That when thou doest his necke Insnare, Or wth thy wrist or flattering Hayre, Hee may (a prisoner) ther discrye Bondage more Loued then Lybertye. A Nature, soe well form'd, soe wrought To[o] Calme A tempest, lett bee brought Wth thee; that should hee but Inclyne To Roughnes, Claspe hym lyke a Vine, Or lyke as woole meetes steele, giue way Vnto the passion, not to stay; Wrath yf resisted ouer boyles, Iff not, it dyes, or eles recoyles. And Lastly, see thou bring to hym Somewhat peculiar to each lymm, And I charge thee to bee knowne By n' other Face, but by thyne owne, Lett itt (in Loues name) bee keept sleeke Yett to bee found when hee shall seeke It, and not Instead of Saint Giue vpp his worth: to the painte; For (trust me Girle) shee ouer-does Who by a double Proxie woes. But Least I should forgett his bedd Bee sure thou bringe A Mayden head, That is A Margarite, wch Lost Thou bring'st vnto his bedd A frost Or A colde Poyson, which his blood Benummes like the forgettfull floode. Now for some Jewells to supplye The Wante of Eare rings brauerye, For puplike Eyes, take onlye theis Ne're trauylde for beyonde the seas, Theyre Nobly-home-bread, yett haue price Beyound the fare-fetch Marchandize. Obedience, Wise-Distrust, Peace, shy Distance and sweet Vrbanitie, Safe Modestie, Lou'd Patience, Feare Of offending, Temperance, Deare Constancie, Bashfullnes, and all The Vertues Lesse, or Cardinall, Take wth my blessinge; and goe forth Injewelld wth thy Natiue worthe, And now yf ther A man bee founde That Lookes for such prepared grownd, Lett hym but wth indifferent skill Soe good a soile bee-stocke and till, Hee may ere longe haue such a wyfe Nourish in's breast, a Tree of Life. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MEDITATION FOR HIS MISTRESS by ROBERT HERRICK A TERNARIE OF LITTLES, UPON A PIPKIN OF JELLIE by ROBERT HERRICK A THANKSGIVING TO GOD [FOR HIS HOUSE] by ROBERT HERRICK ANOTHER GRACE FOR A CHILD by ROBERT HERRICK ART ABOVE NATURE: TO JULIA by ROBERT HERRICK CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMASSE EVE by ROBERT HERRICK CEREMONIES FOR CHRISTMAS (1) by ROBERT HERRICK CLOTHES DO BUT CHEAT AND COZEN US by ROBERT HERRICK COMFORT [TO A YOUTH THAT HAD LOST HIS LOVE] by ROBERT HERRICK |
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