Like Loves His Like.

Like will to like, each creature loves his kind;
Chaste words proceed still from a bashful mind.

Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick was a 17th-century English lyric poet and cleric. He is known for his book of poems, "Hesperides," which includes the carpe diem poem "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time." His works are noted for their clarity, simplicity, and musical quality. Herrick was also a vicar of Dean Prior in Devon, despite being ejected during the English Civil War and later reinstated.

Robert Herrick

Man

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

To God, His Gift.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

His Grange, Or Private Wealth

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

Sufferings.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

English

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Like Pattern, Like People.

This is the height of justice: that to do
Thyself which thou put'st other men unto.
As great men lead, the meaner follow on,
Or to the good, or evil action.

Robert Herrick

Love Dislikes Nothing

Whatsoever thing I see,
Rich or poor although it be,
'Tis a mistress unto me.

Be my girl or fair or brown,
Does she smile, or does she frown;
Still I write a sweet-heart down.

Be she rough, or smooth of skin;
When I touch, I then begin
For to let affection in.

Be she bald, or does she wear
Locks incurl'd of other hair;
I shall find enchantment there.

Be she whole, or be she rent,
So my fancy be content,
She's to me most excellent.

Be she fat, or be she lean;
Be she sluttish, be she clean;
I'm a man for every scene.

Robert Herrick

Love Dislikes Nothing

Whatsoever thing I see,
Rich or poor although it be,
'Tis a mistress unto me.

Be my girl or fair or brown,
Does she smile, or does she frown;
Still I write a sweet-heart down.

Be she rough, or smooth of skin;
When I touch, I then begin
For to let affection in.

Be she bald, or does she wear
Locks incurl'd of other hair;
I shall find enchantment there.

Be she whole, or be she rent,
So my fancy be content,
She's to me most excellent.

Be she fat, or be she lean;
Be she sluttish, be she clean;
I'm a man for every scene.

Robert Herrick

To His Muse; Another To The Same.

Tell that brave man, fain thou would'st have access
To kiss his hands, but that for fearfulness;
Or else because th'art like a modest bride,
Ready to blush to death, should he but chide.

Robert Herrick

Another. (Upon Himself.)

Love he that will, it best likes me
To have my neck from love's yoke free.

Robert Herrick

On Love.

Love is a kind of war: hence those who fear!
No cowards must his royal ensigns bear.

Robert Herrick