Robert Herrick (poet)

Robert Herrick (August 24, 1591 - 1674) was a 17th century English poet. He was a member of the "Sons of Ben[?]", a group of Cavalier poets centred around an admiration for the works of Ben Jonson. He became vicar of the parish of Dean Prior, Devon[?] in 1629. In the wake of the English Civil War his living was revoked on account of his refusal to make pledge to the Solemn League and Covenant, and returned to London. His living was returned to him in the Restoration of Charles II and he returned to Devon in 1660.

Although he wrote and published some religious verse, his reputation mainly rests on his Hesperides, a collection of lyric poetry published in 1648.

The following is an example of his style:

Whenas in silks my Julia goes,

Then, then, methinks, how sweetly flows

That liquefaction of her clothes.

External Links

• the e-text: From The Lyrical Poems Of Robert Herrick (http://www.abacci.com/books/book.asp?bookID=734)