Early Life and Education
Robert Herrick, baptized on August 24, 1591, in Cheapside, London, was the seventh child of Nicholas Herrick, a prosperous goldsmith, and Julia Stone. His father’s mysterious death—a fall from a fourth-floor window, possibly suicide—left the family in uncertain circumstances when Robert was just a toddler . Raised in a well-connected household, Herrick likely attended The Merchant Taylors’ School before being apprenticed to his uncle, Sir William Herrick, a royal jeweler. However, his passion for literature led him to abandon goldsmithing. In 1613, he enrolled at St John’s College, Cambridge, later transferring to Trinity Hall, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1617 and a master’s in 1620 .
Herrick’s formative years were steeped in the literary circles of London. He became a devoted follower of Ben Jonson, joining the “Sons of Ben,” a group of poets who admired Jonson’s classical precision and wit. This influence shaped Herrick’s own style—playful, lyrical, and deeply attuned to the fleeting beauty of life .
Career as a Clergyman and Poet
Ordained as an Anglican cleric in 1623, Herrick’s dual identity as a poet and priest defined his life. In 1629, he was appointed vicar of Dean Prior in rural Devonshire—a role he held, albeit reluctantly, for most of his life . The contrast between his rustic parish duties and his poetic musings on pagan pleasures (like wine, love, and festivals) became a hallmark of his work.
Herrick’s poetry flourished during this period. Though he never married, his verses brimmed with imaginary mistresses—Julia, Anthea, Corinna—whose names evoked classical elegance rather than real women . His poems celebrated country rituals, from May Day dances to harvest feasts, blending Christian piety with a pagan zest for life.
The English Civil War disrupted his quiet existence. A staunch Royalist, Herrick was ejected from his vicarage in 1647 after refusing to swear allegiance to the Puritan-led Parliament. He returned to London, relying on patronage while preparing his magnum opus, “Hesperides” (1648), a collection of over 1,400 poems .
Literary Legacy: “Hesperides” and “Noble Numbers”
Hesperides (named after the mythical garden of golden apples) is Herrick’s defining work. Divided into secular poems and the devotional Noble Numbers, it showcases his versatility—from erotic epigrams to meditations on mortality .
Key Themes and Poems
- Carpe Diem (“Seize the Day”)
- “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” opens with the iconic line: “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may”—a plea to embrace youth’s fleeting joys .
- “Corinna’s Going A-Maying” similarly urges revelry in nature’s splendor .
- Sensuality and Disorder
- “Delight in Disorder” praises the allure of imperfection: “A sweet disorder in the dress / Kindles in clothes a wantonness” .
- “Upon Julia’s Clothes” marvels at the sensual movement of silk .
- Rural Life and Folklore
- Poems like “The Hock-Cart” (celebrating harvest) and “The Fairy Temple” (invoking mythical sprites) reveal Herrick’s love for English pastoral traditions .
- Spiritual Reflections
- Noble Numbers includes hymns and prayers, such as “His Litany to the Holy Spirit”, blending piety with personal vulnerability .
Restoration and Final Years
With the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, Herrick reclaimed his vicarage at Dean Prior. Though he published no new poetry, his earlier works gained posthumous acclaim. He died in October 1674 and was buried in an unmarked grave, his legacy overshadowed until the 19th century, when Romantic poets rediscovered his lyrical brilliance .
Herrick’s Enduring Influence
Herrick’s work bridges the Renaissance and Enlightenment, mixing classical allusions with earthy English charm. The Victorian poet Algernon Swinburne hailed him as “the greatest song-writer ever born of English race” . Modern composers, from Benjamin Britten to Frank Bridge, have set his verses to music, while writers like Samuel Beckett referenced him in plays .
Why Herrick Matters Today
- Timeless Themes: His meditations on love, time, and nature resonate across centuries.
- Lyrical Craftsmanship: Mastery of meter and imagery inspired later poets like Robert Frost.
- Cultural Bridge: His fusion of pagan and Christian motifs reflects the tensions of his era .
Final Thoughts
Robert Herrick—the bachelor priest who penned love poems, the Royalist who adapted to Puritan rule—remains a paradox. Yet his words, like the rosebuds he immortalized, continue to bloom. As he wrote in “To Blossoms”:
“Fair pledges of a fruitful tree, / Why do ye fall so fast?”
A question that echoes his own legacy: fleeting yet eternal.
Difficult Words & Meanings
- Carpe diem – Latin for “seize the day,” urging enjoyment of the present .
- Pastoral – Relating to the countryside or idealized rural life .
- Ephemeral – Lasting a very short time .
- Hedonistic – Pursuit of pleasure as life’s chief goal .
- Royalist – Supporter of the monarchy during the English Civil War .
For further reading, explore Hesperides on Project Gutenberg or Herrick’s biography on Poets.org .
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