Upon Tap.

Tap, better known than trusted, as we hear,
Sold his old mother's spectacles for beer:
And not unlikely; rather too than fail,
He'll sell her eyes, and nose, for beer and ale.

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 Lupes.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

Wages.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

The Custard.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

Upon Cuts.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

The Tinker's Song.

Along, come along,
Let's meet in a throng
    Here of tinkers;
And quaff up a bowl
As big as a cowl
    To beer drinkers.
The pole of the hop
Place in the aleshop
    To bethwack us,
If ever we think
So much as to drink
    Unto Bacchus.
Who frolic will be
For little cost, he
    Must not vary
From beer-broth at all,
So much as to call
    For Canary.

Robert Herrick

Upon One-Ey'd Broomsted. Epig.

Broomsted a lameness got by cold and beer:
And to the bath went, to be cured there:
His feet were helped, and left his crutch behind;
But home returned, as he went forth, half blind.

Robert Herrick

Upon Prig.

Prig now drinks water, who before drank beer;
What's now the cause? we know the case is clear;
Look in Prig's purse, the chev'ril there tells you
Prig money wants, either to buy or brew.

Robert Herrick

Upon His Eyesight Failing Him.

I begin to wane in sight;
Shortly I shall bid good-night:
Then no gazing more about,
When the tapers once are out.

Robert Herrick

Upon Shopter.

Old Widow Shopter, whensoe'er she cries,
Lets drip a certain gravy from her eyes.

Robert Herrick

Upon Spunge. Epig.

Spunge makes his boasts that he's the only man
Can hold of beer and ale an ocean;
Is this his glory? then his triumph's poor;
I know the tun of Heidleberg holds more.

Robert Herrick