Robert Herrick (1591-1674). To Meadows. Robert Bridges, ed. 1916. The Spirit of Man: An Anthology

Robert Bridges, ed. (1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916.

To Meadows

Robert Herrick (1591–1674)


YE 1 have been fresh and green,
Ye have been fill’d with flowers,
And ye the walks have been
Where maids have spent their hours.

You have beheld how they	5
With wicker arks did come
To kiss and bear away
The richer cowslips home.

You’ve heard them sweetly sing,
And seen them in a round:	10
Each virgin like a spring,
With honeysuckles crown’d.

But now we see none here
Whose silvery feet did tread
And with dishevell’d hair	15
Adorn’d this smoother mead.

Like unthrifts, having spent
Your stock and needy grown,
You’re left here to lament
Your poor estates, alone.	20

Note 1. Herrick. To Meadows. O.B.E.V. [back]