CLASSICAL POETRY

Compliments of Janet


Written by the English poet, Robert Herrick (1591 to 1674), these two are, as far we know, untitled, though various poetry books (e.g. Palgrave's) list them under the title "The Poetry of Dress".

#1

A sweet disorder in the dress
Kindles in clothes a wantonness --
A lawn about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distraction, 
An erring lace, which here and there
Enthrals the crimson stomacher --
A cuff neglectful, and thereby
Ribbands to flow confusedly, 
A winning wave, deserving note,
In the tempestuous petticoat, 
A careless shoe-string, in whose tie
I see a wild civility, 
Do more bewitch me, than when art
Is too precise in every part.

#2

Whenas in silks my Julia goes
Then, then (methinks) how sweetly flows
That liquefaction of her clothes.

Next, when I cast my eyes and see
That brave vibration each way free;
O how that glittering taketh me!


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