A selection from the lyrical poems of Robert Herrick Part 19

In prayer the lips ne'er act the winning part Without the sweet concurrence of the heart.

166. LOVE, WHAT IT IS

Love is a circle, that doth restless move In the same sweet eternity of Love.

167. DREAMS

Here we are all, by day; by night we're hurl'd By dreams, each one into a several world.

168. AMBITION

In man, ambition is the common'st thing; Each one by nature loves to be a king.

169. SAFETY ON THE Sh.o.r.e

What though the sea be calm? Trust to the sh.o.r.e; s.h.i.+ps have been drown'd, where late they danced before.

170. UPON A PAINTED GENTLEWOMAN

Men say you're fair; and fair ye are, 'tis true; But, hark! we praise the painter now, not you.

171. UPON WRINKLES

Wrinkles no more are, or no less, Than beauty turn'd to sourness.

172. CASUALTIES

Good things, that come of course, far less do please Than those which come by sweet contingencies.

173. TO LIVE FREELY

Let's live in haste; use pleasures while we may; Could life return, 'twould never lose a day.

174. NOTHING FREE-COST

Nothing comes free-cost here; Jove will not let His gifts go from him, if not bought with sweat.

175. MAN'S DYING-PLACE UNCERTAIN

Man knows where first he s.h.i.+ps himself; but he Never can tell where shall his landing be.

176. LOSS FROM THE LEAST

Great men by small means oft are overthrown; He's lord of thy life, who contemns his own.

177. POVERTY AND RICHES

Who with a little cannot be content, Endures an everlasting punishment.

178. UPON MAN

Man is composed here of a twofold part; The first of nature, and the next of art; Art presupposes nature; nature, she Prepares the way for man's docility.

179. PURPOSES

No wrath of men, or rage of seas, Can shake a just man's purposes; No threats of tyrants, or the grim Visage of them can alter him; But what he doth at first intend, That he holds firmly to the end.