Living

A Ternarie of littles, upon a pipkin of Jellie sent to a Lady.

by Robert Herrick 1591–1674

From Hesperides (1648)

Living

A Little Saint best fits a little Shrine,
A little prop best fits a little Vine,
As my small Cruse best fits my little Wine.

A little Seed best fits a little Soyle,
A little Trade best fits a little Toyle:
As my small Jarre best fits my little Oyle.

A little Bin best fits a little Bread,
A little Garland fits a little Head:
As my small stuffe best fits my little Shed.

A little Hearth best fits a little Fire,
A little Chappell fits a little Quire,
As my small Bell best fits my little Spire.

A little streame best fits a little Boat;
A little lead best fits a little Float;
As my small Pipe best fits my little note.

A little meat best fits a little bellie,
As sweetly Lady, give me leave to tell ye,
This little Pipkin fits this little Jellie.

MLA

Herrick, Robert. “A Ternarie of littles, upon a pipkin of Jellie sent to a Lady.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/herrick/742/.

Chicago

Herrick, Robert. “A Ternarie of littles, upon a pipkin of Jellie sent to a Lady.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/herrick/742/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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