Hesperides

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 edition. Excerpt: ...Roses for that year; And having danced, 'bove all the best, Carry the garland from the rest. In wicker baskets maids shall bring To thee, my dearest shepherdling, The blushing apple, bashful pear, And shame-faced plum, all simpering there. Walk in the groves, and thou shalt find The name of Phillis in the rind Of every straight and smooth-skin tree; Where, kissing that, I'll twice kiss thee. To thee a sheep-hook I will send, Bepranked with ribbons, to this end, This, this alluring hook might be Less for to catch a sheep than me. Thou shalt have possets, wassails fine, Not made of ale, but spiced wine; To make thy maids and self free mirth, All sitting near the glittering hearth. Thou shalt have ribbons, roses, rings, Gloves, garters, stockings, shoes, and strings Of winning colours, that shall move Others to lust, but me to love. These, nay, and more, thine own shall be, If thou wilt love and live with me. To his Kinswoman, Mistress Susanna Herrick. When I consider, dearest, thou dost stay But here awhile, to languish and decay; Like to these garden glories, which here be The flowery sweet resemblances of thee: With grief of heart, methinks, I thus do cry, Would thou hast ne'er been born, or might'st not die. Upon Mistress Susanna Southwell, her Cheeks. Rare are thy cheeks, Susanna, which do show Ripe cherries smiling, while that others blow, Upon her Eyes. Clear are her ey&, Like purest skies; Discovering from thence A baby there That turns each sphere, Like an intelligence. Upon her Feet. Her pretty feet Like snails did creep A little out, and then, As if they playe'd at bo-peep, Did soon draw in again. To his Honoured Friend, Sir John Mince. FOR civil, clean, and circumcised wit, And for the comely carriage of it, Thou art the man, the only...