More Potent, Less Peccant.

He that may sin, sins least: leave to transgress
Enfeebles much the seeds of wickedness.

Robert Herrick

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

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

The More Mighty, The More Merciful.

Who may do most, does least: the bravest will
Show mercy there, where they have power to kill.

Robert Herrick

Bad May Be Better.

Man may at first transgress, but next do well:
Vice doth in some but lodge a while, not dwell.

Robert Herrick

Penitency.

A man's transgressions God does then remit,
When man He makes a penitent for it.

Robert Herrick

Penitence.

Who after his transgression doth repent,
Is half, or altogether innocent.

Robert Herrick

Sin Severely Punished.

God in His own day will be then severe
To punish great sins, who small faults whipt here.

Robert Herrick

To His Conscience

Can I not sin, but thou wilt be
My private protonotary?
Can I not woo thee, to pass by
A short and sweet iniquity?
I'll cast a mist and cloud upon
My delicate transgression,
So utter dark, as that no eye
Shall see the hugg'd impiety.
Gifts blind the wise, and bribes do please
And wind all other witnesses;
And wilt not thou with gold be tied,
To lay thy pen and ink aside,
That in the mirk and tongueless night,
Wanton I may, and thou not write?
It will not be: And therefore, now,
For times to come, I'll make this vow;
From aberrations to live free:
So I'll not fear the judge, or thee.

Robert Herrick