In this edition some trifling errors, which had crept into the text and the numeration of the poems, have been corrected, and many fresh illustrations of Herrick's reading added in the notes, which have elsewhere been slightly compressed to make room for them. Almost all of the new notes have been supplied from the manuscript collections of a veteran student of Herrick who placed himself in correspondence with me after the publication of my first edition. To my great regret I am not allowed to make my acknowledgments to him by name. A. W. P. HESPERIDES: OR, THE WORKS BOTH HUMANE & DIVINE OF ROBERT HERRICK _Esq._ OVID. _Effugient avidos Carmina nostra Rogos._ _LONDON._ Printed for _John Williams_, and _Francis Eglesfield_, and are to be sold by _Tho: Hunt_, Book-seller in _Exon._ 1648. TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND MOST HOPEFUL PRINCE. CHARLES, PRINCE OF WALES. Well may my book come forth like public day When such a light as you are leads the way, Who are my work's creator, and alone The flame of it, and the expansion. And look how all those heavenly lamps acquire Light from the sun, that inexhausted fire, So all my morn and evening stars from you Have their existence, and their influence too. Full is my book of glories; but all these By you become immortal substances. HESPERIDES. 1. THE ARGUMENT OF HIS BOOK. I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds and bowers, Of April, May, of June and July-flowers; I sing of May-poles, hock-carts, wassails, wakes, Of bridegrooms, brides and of their bridal cakes; I write of youth, of love, and have access By these to sing of cleanly wantonness; I sing of dews, of rains, and piece by piece Of balm, of oil, of spice and ambergris; I sing of times trans-shifting, and I write How roses first came red and lilies white; I write of groves, of twilights, and I sing The Court of Mab, and of the Fairy King; I write of hell; I sing (and ever shall) Of heaven, and hope to have it after all. _Hock-cart_, the last cart from the harvest-field. _Wakes_, village festivals, properly on the dedication-day of a church. _Ambergris_, 'grey amber,' much used in perfumery. 2. TO HIS MUSE.