Robert Herrick

Delight in Disorder

A sweet disorder in the dress
Kindles in clothes a wantonness.
A lawn about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distraction;
An erring lace, which here and there
Enthralls the crimson stomacher;
A cuff neglectful, and thereby
Ribbons to flow confusedly;
A winning wave, deserving note,
In the tempestuous petticoat;
A careless shoestring, in whose tie
I see a wild civility;
Do more bewitch me than when art
Is too precise in every part.



To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
	Old time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
	Tomorrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
	The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
	And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
	When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
	Times will succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
	And, while ye may, go marry;
For, having lost but once your prime,
	You may forever tarry.

 - Robert Herrick