Rules For Our Reach.

Men must have bounds how far to walk; for we
Are made far worse by lawless liberty.

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

Upon A Sour-Breath Lady. Epig.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

Upon A Maid.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

Upon Irene.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

Another. (Confusion Of Face.)

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

English

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Laws.

Who violates the customs, hurts the health,
Not of one man, but all the commonwealth.

Robert Herrick

Large Bounds Do But Bury Us.

All things o'er-ruled are here by chance:
The greatest man's inheritance,
Where'er the lucky lot doth fall,
Serves but for place of burial.

Robert Herrick

A Good Husband.

A Master of a house, as I have read,
Must be the first man up, and last in bed.
With the sun rising he must walk his grounds;
See this, view that, and all the other bounds:
Shut every gate; mend every hedge that's torn,
Either with old, or plant therein new thorn;
Tread o'er his glebe, but with such care, that where
He sets his foot, he leaves rich compost there.

Robert Herrick

Laws.

When laws full power have to sway, we see
Little or no part there of tyranny.

Robert Herrick

To The Generous Reader.

See and not see, and if thou chance t'espy
Some aberrations in my poetry,
Wink at small faults; the greater, ne'ertheless,
Hide, and with them their father's nakedness.
Let's do our best, our watch and ward to keep;
Homer himself, in a long work, may sleep.

Robert Herrick

Liberty.

Those ills that mortal men endure
So long, are capable of cure,
As they of freedom may be sure;
But, that denied, a grief, though small,
Shakes the whole roof, or ruins all.

Robert Herrick