Clemency In Kings.

Kings must not only cherish up the good,
But must be niggards of the meanest blood.

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

On A Perfumed Lady

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

To Christ.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

Conformity.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

Upon A Child. An Epitaph.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

English

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Clemency.

For punishment in war it will suffice
If the chief author of the faction dies;
Let but few smart, but strike a fear through all;
Where the fault springs there let the judgment fall.

Robert Herrick

Upon Kings.

Kings must be dauntless; subjects will contemn
Those who want hearts and wear a diadem.

Robert Herrick

Cruelty.

'Tis but a dog-like madness in bad kings,
For to delight in wounds and murderings:
As some plants prosper best by cuts and blows,
So kings by killing do increase their foes.

Robert Herrick

Evil.

Evil no nature hath; the loss of good
Is that which gives to sin a livelihood.

Robert Herrick

Moderation.

In things a moderation keep:
Kings ought to shear, not skin their sheep.

Robert Herrick

His Confession.

Look how our foul days do exceed our fair;
And as our bad, more than our good works are,
E'en so those lines, pen'd by my wanton wit,
Treble the number of these good I've writ.
Things precious are least numerous: men are prone
To do ten bad for one good action.

Robert Herrick