The Hesperides & Noble Numbers/Hesperides/Comfort to a Lady Upon the Death of Her Husband

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The Hesperides & Noble Numbers (1898)
by Robert Herrick, edited by Alfred Pollard
Hesperides
Comfort to a Lady Upon the Death of Her Husband
2658567The Hesperides & Noble NumbersHesperides
Comfort to a Lady Upon the Death of Her Husband
1898Robert Herrick

259. COMFORT TO A LADY UPON THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND.

Dry your sweet cheek, long drown'd with sorrow's rain,
Since, clouds dispers'd, suns gild the air again.
Seas chafe and fret, and beat, and overboil,
But turn soon after calm as balm or oil.
Winds have their time to rage; but when they cease
The leafy trees nod in a still-born peace.
Your storm is over; lady, now appear
Like to the peeping springtime of the year.
Off then with grave clothes; put fresh colours on,
And flow and flame in your vermilion.
Upon your cheek sat icicles awhile;
Now let the rose reign like a queen, and smile.