THINK NOT, 'CAUSE MEN FLATT'RING SAY." Bright as is the morning star, That you are so; or, though you are, Be not therefore proud, and deem All men unworthy your esteem ; Nor let brittle beauty make You your wiser thoughts forsake: That eye, which now is Cupid's nest, Will prove his grave, and all the rest And what will then become of all Those whom now you servants call? Remain still firm; be provident, And think, before the summer's spent, Of following winter; like the ant, 66 THINK NOT, 'CAUSE MEN FLATT'RING SAY." 143 In plenty hoard for time of scant. For when the storms of Time have moved And yellow spread where red once shined; Love may return, but lovers never : O love me then, and now begin it, Oh, then, be wise, and whilst your season Both bud and fade, both blow and wither. TO CORINNA, TO GO A-MAYING. BY ROBERT HERRICK. [ROBERT HERRICK, the son of a goldsmith, was born in London, in the year 1591. He studied at Cambridge, took holy orders, and obtained a living from Charles I. This he lost during the Civil Wars, and received again at the Restoration. He is believed to have lived to a good old age, though the time of his death is unknown. Herrick associated with Ben Jonson and the other social spirits of the time. His poems exhibit, in some instances, a licentiousness which he deeply regretted in his after life. His language is picturesque and beautiful, and his verses, though very irregular, are, at times, extremely melodious.] GET up, get up for shame, the blooming morn See how Aurora throws her fair Get up, sweet slug-a-bed, and see The dew bespangling herb and tree. Each flower has wept, and bow'd toward the east, Nay, not so much as out of bed; When all the birds have matins said, And sung their thankful hymns: 'tis sin, Nay, profanation, to keep in, When as a thousand virgins on this day Spring sooner than the lark to fetch in May. Rise, and put on your foliage, and be seen To come forth, like the spring-time, fresh and green, And sweet as Flora. Take no care For jewels for your gown or hair; Fear not, the leaves will strew Gems in abundance upon you; Besides, the childhood of the day has kept, Hangs on the dew-locks of the night : Retires himself, or else stands still Till you come forth. Wash, dress, be brief in praying; Few beads are best, when once we go a-Maying. Come, my Corinna, come; and, coming, mark Made green, and trimm'd with trees; see how Or branch; each porch, each door, ere this, Made up of white thorn neatly interwove; The proclamation made for May : And sin no more, as we have done, by staying, |