A careless shoe-string, in whose tie
I see a wild civility:
Do more bewitch me, than when art
Is too precise in every part.
In this stanza, which closes Herrick’s poem, the narrator comments on the diverse perspectives and perceptions of beauty. He describes a careless shoe-string and likens its winding and wandering paths to wild civility. Herrick uses this stanza to point out that beauty and art can be found in the simplest and must unassuming of objects—even a shoestring. This, he explains, can be mesmerizing and distracting, as art is all around us and is embedded in everyday life.
Farewell thou thing, time past so known, so dear
To me as blood to life and spirit; near,
Nay, thou more near than kindred, friend, man, wife,
Male to the female, soul to body; life […]
In this stanza, the narrator bids adieu to one of his most beloved and treasured companions: alcohol. This stanza opens Herrick’s poem. He uses it to establish his long-standing and detailed relationship with alcohol. He describes it as being nearly life and spirit—as being as valuable and necessary as blood. The narrator than continues to suggest that alcohol is more emotionally and physically important to him than family members or kindred men and women. In short, this stanza captures the narrator’s obsession with alcohol and explains how deeply the narrator has grown attached to it.
My vows denounc'd in zeal, which thus much show thee
That I have sworn but by thy looks to know thee.
Let others drink thee freely […]
During this quotation, which nears the conclusion of this poem, the narrator reflects upon his decision to denounce and abandon alcohol completely. He makes a point to describe this denouncement as occurring with “zeal” and then concludes that this must prove how dedicated he is to detoxing from his alcohol addiction. The narrator then encourages others to enjoy the intoxicating benefits of alcohol, but insists these pleasures and spoils will no longer be reserved for him. In this way, the narrator makes peace with his decision in this stanza and tries to convince himself that he really is done with alcohol.
I'll tell thee: while my Julia did unlace
Her silken bodice but a breathing space,
The passive air such odour then assum'd,
As when to Jove great Juno goes perfum'd [...]
In this stanza, the narrator makes a point to describe the sexual energy that emits off his lover, a woman named Julia. He compares her scent to sexual pleasure and suggests that, when she removes her bodice, the smell that wafts from her is both exciting and arousing. The narrator also likens Julia’s alluring scent to that of the powerful and beautiful Roman goddess, Juno, who exuded power and grace.
