Poem by Robert Herrick

A Request to the Graces

Ponder my words, if so that any be
Known guilty here of incivility;
Let what is graceless, discomposed, and rude,
With sweetness, smoothness, softness be endued:
Teach it to blush, to curtsey, lisp, and show
Demure, but yet full of temptation, too.
Numbers ne'er tickle, or but lightly please,
Unless they have some wanton carriages:—
This if ye do, each piece will here be good
And graceful made by your neat sisterhood.

1. To Carnations: a Song
2. The Changes: to Corinna
3. The Present; or, The Bag of the Bee
4. The Apron of Flowers
5. The Lily in a Crystal

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