Robert Herrick biography :

17th Century English poet, Robert Herrick was born in August 1591. His father Nicholas, was a prosperous goldsmith from London, and his mother was called Julian Stone. He was their seventh child and fourth son.

When he was 16, Herrick worked as an apprentice to his uncle, Sir William Herrick, a goldsmith and jeweler to the King. After six years, Herrick ended the apprenticeship and entered Saint John’s College in Cambridge where he graduated in 1617.
He became familiar with the works of Ben Jonson and was a member of a group called “Sons of Ben”, a group of Cavalier poets who admired the works of the said bard. Herrick composed five poems all dedicated to him.
By 1627, Herrick took holy orders and was made chaplain to the duke of Buckingham. Two years later, he became the vicar of the Dean Prior Parish at Devon. He held this position for thirty-one years, and it was during this time that he composed some of his best known masterpieces, such as Hesperides, a compilation of lyric poetry, and Noble Numbers, a collection of more than 1200 short poems and spiritual works. These were published in 1648.
When he refused to pledge to the Solemn League and Covenant, his position as vicar was revoked and he moved to London. His vicarship, however, was returned during the Restoration of Charles II. In 1662, he went back to Devon, and remained there for the rest of his days. Robert Herrick died on October 1674.
Herrick’s writing style was influenced by classical Roman poetry and often focused on English country life and village customs. Although he is well-known for bawdy poems with much reference to lovemaking and the female body, Robert Herrick died a bachelor.
His famous poem, which reminds women of how fleeting beauty is, is entitled “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”.
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WELCOME, maids of honour!
You do bring
In the spring,
And wait upon her.

She has virgins many,
Fresh and fair;
Yet you are
More sweet than any.

You're the maiden posies,
And so graced
To be placed
'Fore damask roses.

Yet, though thus respected,
By-and-by
Ye do lie,
Poor girls, neglected.