Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

UPON HIMSELF (2) by ROBERT HERRICK

Poet Analysis

First Line: I COULD [CO'D] NEVER LOVE INDEED
Last Line: NEITHER BROKE I'TH WHOLE, OR PART.
Subject(s): SELF; SPINSTERS; WOMEN; OLD MAIDS;
1. I co'd never love indeed;
Never see mine own heart bleed:
Never crucifie my life;
Or for Widow, Maid, or Wife.

2. I co'd never seeke to please
One, or many Mistresses:
Never like their lips, to sweare
Oyle of Roses still smelt there.

3. I co'd never breake my sleepe,
Fold mine Armes, sob, sigh, or weep:
Never beg, or humbly wooe
With oathes, and lyes, (as others do.)

4. I co'd never walke alone;
Put a shirt of sackcloth on:
Never keep a fast, or pray
For good luck in love (that day.)

5. But have hitherto liv'd free,
As the aire that circles me:
And kept credit with my heart,
Neither broke i'th whole, or part.



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