| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| Robert Herrick. 1591–1674 |
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| 257. A Meditation for his Mistress |
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| YOU are a tulip seen to-day, | |
| But, dearest, of so short a stay | |
| That where you grew scarce man can say. | |
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| You are a lovely July-flower, | |
| Yet one rude wind or ruffling shower | 5 |
| Will force you hence, and in an hour. | |
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| You are a sparkling rose i' th' bud, | |
| Yet lost ere that chaste flesh and blood | |
| Can show where you or grew or stood. | |
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| You are a full-spread, fair-set vine, | 10 |
| And can with tendrils love entwine, | |
| Yet dried ere you distil your wine. | |
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| You are like balm enclosèd well | |
| In amber or some crystal shell, | |
| Yet lost ere you transfuse your smell. | 15 |
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| You are a dainty violet, | |
| Yet wither'd ere you can be set | |
| Within the virgin's coronet. | |
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| You are the queen all flowers among; | |
| But die you must, fair maid, ere long, | 20 |
| As he, the maker of this song. | |
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