Robert Herrick (
August 24,
1591 -
1674) was a
17th century English
poet. He was a member of the "
Sons of Ben[?]", a group of
Cavalier poets centred around an admiration for the works of
Ben Jonson. He became vicar of the parish of
Dean Prior, Devon[?] in
1629. In the wake of the
English Civil War his living was revoked on account of his refusal to make pledge to the
Solemn League and Covenant, and returned to
London. His living was returned to him in the
Restoration of
Charles II and he returned to Devon in
1660.
Although he wrote and published some religious verse, his reputation mainly rests on his Hesperides, a collection of lyric poetry published in 1648.
The following is an example of his style:
- Whenas in silks my Julia goes,
- Then, then, methinks, how sweetly flows
- That liquefaction of her clothes.