Nature

To Primroses fill'd with morning-dew.

by Robert Herrick 1591–1674

From Hesperides (1648)

Nature

WHy doe ye weep, sweet Babes? can Tears
Speak griefe in you,
Who were but borne
Just as the modest Morne
Teem'd her refreshing dew?
Alas you have not known that shower,
That marres a flower;
Nor felt th'unkind
Breath of a blasting wind;
Nor are ye worne with yeares;
Or warpt, as we,
Who think it strange to see,
Such pretty flowers, (like to Orphans young)
To speak by Teares, before ye have a Tongue.

Speak, whimp'ring Younglings, and make known
The reason, why
Ye droop, and weep;
Is it for want of sleep?
Or childish Lullabie?
Or that ye have not seen as yet
The Violet?
Or brought a kisse
From that Sweet-heart, to this?
No, no, this sorrow shown
By your teares shed,
Wo'd have this Lecture read,
That things of greatest, so of meanest worth,
Conceiv'd with grief are, and with teares brought forth.

MLA

Herrick, Robert. “To Primroses fill'd with morning-dew.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/herrick/259/.

Chicago

Herrick, Robert. “To Primroses fill'd with morning-dew.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/herrick/259/.

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