Poetry Alive

Robert Herrick was a Cambridge-educated Londoner stuck with an out of the way vicarship in Devon. He wasn't a fan of rural life, but it was there that he wrote almost all of the poetry he's known for: the volumes "Hesperides" and "Noble Numbers," both published in 1648. This poem sets forth the content of Hesperides. I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers, Of April, May, of June, and July-flowers. I sing of Maypoles, hock-carts, wassails, wakes, Of bridegrooms, brides and of their bridal-cakes. I write of youth, of love, and have access By these to sing of cleanly wantonness. I sing of dews, of rains, and piece by piece, Of balm, of oil, of spice and ambergris. I sing of times trans-shifting, and I write How roses first came red and lilies white. I write of groves, of twilights, and I sing The court of Mab, and of the fairy king. I write of Hell ; I sing (and ever shall) Of Heaven, and hope to have it after all. bower - A place closed in or overarched with branches of trees, shrubs, or other p