Living

Upon himself.

by Robert Herrick 1591–1674

From Hesperides (1648)

Living

COme, leave this loathed Country-life, and then
Grow up to be a Roman Citizen.
Those mites of Time, which yet remain unspent,
Waste thou in that most Civill Government.
Get their comportment, and the gliding tongue
Of those mild Men, thou art to live among:
Then being seated in that smoother Sphere,
Decree thy everlasting Topick there.
And to the Farm-house nere return at all,
Though Granges do not love thee, Cities shall.

MLA

Herrick, Robert. “Upon himself.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/herrick/457/.

Chicago

Herrick, Robert. “Upon himself.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/herrick/457/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Robert Herrick