The Hesperides & Noble Numbers/Hesperides/Upon Himself (I am sieve-like, and can hold)

by Robert Herrick

For works with similar titles, see Upon Himself.

285. UPON HIMSELF.

I am sieve-like, and can hold
Nothing hot or nothing cold.
Put in love, and put in too
Jealousy, and both will through:
Put in fear, and hope, and doubt;
What comes in runs quickly out:
Put in secrecies withal,
Whate'er enters, out it shall:
But if you can stop the sieve,
For mine own part, I'd as lief
Maids should say or virgins sing,
Herrick keeps, as holds nothing.