Born in Cheapside, London, Robert Herrick was the seventh child and fourth son of Julia Stone and Nicholas Herrick, a prosperous goldsmith. He was named for his uncle, Robert Herrick, a prosperous MP for Leicester, who had bought the land Greyfriars Abbey stood on after its dissolution. Nicholas Herrick died in a fall from a fourth-floor window in November 1592, when Robert was a year old. The tradition that Herrick received his education at Westminster is based on the words “beloved Westminster” in his poem “Tears to Thamesis”, but the allusion is to the city, not the school. It is more likely that (like his uncle’s children) he attended The Merchant Taylors’ School. In 1607 he became apprenticed to his other uncle, Sir William Herrick, a goldsmith and jeweler to the king. The apprenticeship ended after only six years when Herrick, at age twenty-two, matriculated at St John’s College, Cambridge. He later migrated to Trinity Hall, graduating in 1617. He became a member of the Sons of Ben, a group centered upon an admiration for the works of Ben Jonson. Herrick wrote at least five poems to Jonson. Herrick was ordained in 1623 and in 1629 became the vicar of Dean Prior in Devonshire. (via Wikipedia)
Lets take a look at a few of his great quotes:
On Love:
He knows not love that hath not this truth proved,
Love is most loth to leave the thing beloved.
I’ll leave thee, and to Pansies come:
Comforts you’ll afford me some:
You can ease my heart, and do
What Love could ne’er be brought unto.
Love is a circle, that doth restless move
In the same sweet eternity of Love.
Now since my love is tongueless, know me such,
Who speak but little, ’cause I love so much.
Tears are the noble language of eyes, and when true love of words is destitute. The eye by tears speak, while the tongue is mute.
On Life:
Though hourly comforts from the gods we see,
No life is yet life-proof from misery.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while you may, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.
Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying.
On Happiness:
It takes great wit and interest and energy to be happy. The pursuit of happiness is a great activity. One must be open and alive. It is the greatest feat man has to accomplish.
Other Quotes:
If little labour, little are our gains:
Man’s fortunes are according to his pains.
Here we are all, by day; by night, we’re hurled
By dreams, each one, into a several world.
Gather ye rose-buds while ye may.
A sweet disorder in the dress
Kindles in clothes a wantonness
A lawn about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distraction.