Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SAINT DISTAFFS DAY, OR THE MORROW AFTER THE TWELFTH DAY by ROBERT HERRICK

Poet Analysis

First Line: PARTLY WORKE AND PARTLY PLAY
Last Line: TO HIS OWNE VOCATION.
Partly worke and partly play
Ye must on S. Distaffs day:
From the Plough soone free your teame;
Then come home and fother them.
If the Maides a spinning goe,
Burne the flax, and fire the tow:
Scorch their plackets, but beware
That ye singe no maiden-haire.
Bring in pailes of water then,
Let the Maides bewash the men.
Give S. Distaffe all the right,
Then bid Christmas sport good-night;
And next morrow, every one
To his owne vocation.



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