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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO HIS LOVELY MISTRESSES by ROBERT HERRICK

Poet Analysis

First Line: ONE NIGHT I' TH' YEARE, MY DEAREST BEAUTIES, COME
Last Line: THOUGH THEN I SMILE, AND SPEAKE NO WORDS AT ALL.
Subject(s): DEATH; DEAD, THE;

One night i' th' yeare my dearest Beauties, come
And bring those dew-drink-offerings to my Tomb.
When thence ye see my reverend Ghost to rise,
And there to lick th' effused sacrifice:
Though palenes be the Livery that I weare,
Looke ye not wan, or colourlesse for feare.
Trust me I will not hurt ye; or once shew
The least grim looke, or cast a frown on you:
Nor shall the Tapers when I'm there, burn blew.
This I may do (perhaps) as I glide by,
Cast on my Girles a glance, and loving eye:
Or fold mine armes, and sigh, because I've lost
The world so soon, and in it, you the most.
Then these, no feares more on your Fancies fall,
Though then I smile, and speake no words at all.



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