Thus, till we see the fire less shine
From th' embers than the kitling's eyne,
We'll still sit up,
Sphering about the wassail-cup
To all those times
Which gave me honour for my rhymes.
The coal once spent, we'll then to bed,
Far more than night-bewearied.
Posthumus, the name is taken from Horace, Ode ii. 14, from which the beginning of this lyric is translated.
Repullulate, be born again.
Anchus and rich Tullus. Herrick is again translating from Horace (Ode iv. 7, 14).
Baiæ, the favourite sea-side resort of the Romans in the time of Horace.
Pollio, Vedius Pollio, who fed his lampreys with human flesh. Ob., B.C. 15.
Bawdery, dirt (with no moral meaning).
Circular, self-sufficing, the "in se ipso totus teres atque rotundus" of Horace. Sat. ii. 7, 86.
Iülus, the son of Æneas.
Pith, marrow.
Thyrse, bacchic staff.
Pricket, a buck in his second year.
337. A SHORT HYMN TO VENUS.
Goddess, I do love a girl,
Ruby-lipp'd and tooth'd with pearl;
If so be I may but prove
Lucky in this maid I love,
I will promise there shall be
Myrtles offer'd up to thee.
338. TO A GENTLEWOMAN ON JUST DEALING.
True to yourself and sheets, you'll have me swear;
You shall, if righteous dealing I find there.
Do not you fall through frailty; I'll be sure
To keep my bond still free from forfeiture.
339. THE HAND AND TONGUE.
Two parts of us successively command:
The tongue in peace; but then in war the hand.
