Want.

Need is no vice at all, though here it be
With men a loathed inconveniency.

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 Momus.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

To Anthea.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

Upon A Lady That Died In Child-Bed, And Left A Daughter Behind Her.

Robert Herrick, Simple Poetry

The Bellman

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.

Want

Want is a softer wax, that takes thereon,
This, that, and every base impression,

Robert Herrick

His Desire

Give me a man that is not dull,
When all the world with rifts is full;
But unamazed dares clearly sing,
When as the roof's a-tottering;
And though it falls, continues still
Tickling the Cittern with his quill.

Robert Herrick

Man

Want is a softer wax, that takes thereon,
This, that, and every base impression,

Robert Herrick

Need.

Who begs to die for fear of human need,
Wisheth his body, not his soul, good speed.

Robert Herrick

No Want Where There's Little.

To bread and water none is poor;
And having these, what need of more?
Though much from out the cess be spent,
Nature with little is content.

Robert Herrick

Evil.

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

Robert Herrick