Hesperides, or, The works both humane & divine of Robert Herrick, Esq.

The Lilly in a Christal.

YOu have beheld a smiling Rose When Virgins hands have drawn O'r it a Cobweb-Lawne: And here, you see, this Lilly shows, Tomb'd in a Christal stone, More faire in this transparent case, Then when it grew alone; And had but single grace.

You see how Creame but naked is; Nor daunces in the eye Without a Strawberrie: Or some fine tincture, like to this, Which draws the sight thereto, More by that wantoning with it; Then when the paler hieu No mixture did admit.

You see how Amber through the streams More gently stroaks the sight, With some conceal'd delight; Then when he darts his radiant beams Into the boundlesse aire: Where either too much light his worth Doth all at once impaire, Or set it little forth.

Put Purple Grapes, or Cherries in- To Glasse, and they will send More beauty to commend Them, from that cleane and subtile skin, Then if they naked stood, And had no other pride at all, But their own flesh and blood, And tinctures naturall.

Thus Lillie, Rose, Grape, Cherry, Creame, And Straw-berry do stir More love, when they transfer A weak, a soft, a broken beame; Then if they sho'd discover At full their proper excellence; Without some Scean cast over, To juggle with the sense.

Thus let this Christal'd Lillie be A Rule, how far to teach, Your nakednesse must reach: And that, no further, then we see Those glaring colours laid By Arts wise hand, but to this end They sho'd obey a shade; Lest they too far extend.

So though y'are white as Swan, or Snow, And have the power to move A world of men to love: Yet, when your Lawns & Silks shal flow; And that white cloud divide Into a doubtful Twi-light; then, Then will your hidden Pride Raise greater fires in men.