Treason.

The seeds of treason choke up as they spring:
He acts the crime that gives it cherishing.

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

To Live Merrily, And To Trust To Good Verses

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

The Ungentle Guest

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

Good Precepts, Or Counsel

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

To Live Freely

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

Evil.

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

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

Accusation.

If accusation only can draw blood,
None shall be guiltless, be he ne'er so good.

Robert Herrick

His Recantation.

Love, I recant,
And pardon crave
That lately I offended;
But 'twas,
Alas!
To make a brave,
But no disdain intended.

No more I'll vaunt,
For now I see
Thou only hast the power
To find
And bind
A heart that's free,
And slave it in an hour.

Robert Herrick

Clemency In Kings.

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

Robert Herrick