Upon the Loss of his Mistresses

Herrick, Robert (1591 - 1674)

Original Text

Robert Herrick, Hesperides (London: for John Williams and F. Eglesfield to be sold by Thomas Hunt, 1648), of which a section called "His Noble Numbers: or, his Pious Pieces" has a separate title-page dated 1647. Facs. edn. Menston: Scolar, 1969. PR 3512 H4 1648A ROBA

1I have lost, and lately, these

2Many dainty mistresses:

3Stately Julia, prime of all;

4Sappho next, a principal;

5Smooth Anthea, for a skin

6White, and heaven-like crystalline;

7Sweet Electra, and the choice

8Myrrha, for the lute, and voice;

9Next, Corinna, for her wit,

10And the graceful use of it;

11With Perilla; all are gone;

12Only Herrick's left alone

13For to number sorrow by

14Their departures hence, and die.

Publication Start Year

1648

RPO poem Editors

N. J. Endicott

RPO Edition

3RP 1.196.

Form

couplets