To Julia

Listen to:

To Julia (1:37)

by Robert Herrick

performed by Bob Gonzalez, rhapsode

HOW rich and pleasing thou, my Julia, art

In each thy dainty and peculiar part!

First, for thy queenship, on thy head is set

Of flowers a sweet commingled coronet :

About thy neck a carcanet* is bound,

Made of the ruby, pearl and diamond :

A golden ring that shines upon thy thumb:

About thy wrist, the rich dardanium.*
*
Between thy breasts (than down of swans more white)

There plays the sapphire with the chrysolite.

No part besides must of thyself be known,

But by the topaz, opal, calcedon.



*Carcanet, necklace.


** Dardanium, a bracelet, from Dardanus so called.
(Note in the original edition.)