Tuesday Poem for Valentine’s Day: “Whenas in Silks My Julia Goes” by Robert Herrick
WHENAS in Silks My Julia Goes
WHENAS in silks my Julia goes
Then, then (methinks) how sweetly flows
That liquefaction of her clothes.
Next when I cast mine eyes and see
That brave vibration each way free;
O how that glittering taketh me!
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by Robert Herrick, 1591-1674
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Today is Valentine’s Day and I wanted to choose a poem that was both “romantic” in tone, but also light hearted. I also wanted to go with this one because of the very different content given to the word “liquefaction” compared with what we have come to know, far less pleasantly, in Christchurch during the past eighteen months.
Robert Herrick was a 17th century clergyman and poet, and a member of the group of Cavalier poets known as the “Sons of Ben”—poets with an enthusiasm for the work of Elizabethan/Jacobean dramatist and poet, Ben Jonson.
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silks and liquefaction and love – normally I don’t go for the valentines romance but this has a naughty sweetness that is quite refreshing despite its antiquity.
Alicia, I’ve always been ridculously fond of this poem, possibly because of it’s light heartedness, whereas many of the “wits” try almost too hard to be clever.
Thank you Helen for ‘Whenas in silks…’. An oldie but a goodie. Congratulations too on your UC writer in residency, which I read about in the NZSA newsletter today.
Thank you, Keith. I am just into the 3rd week of the residency and getting into the swing of ‘writing like anything.’
Oh those naughty clergymen. We lose much these days by not forcing second sons into the church.
I think I like its sense of fun most, coupled with a joie de vivre … maybe why he lived to such a great age for the times?
Very sensuous. Thanks for your suggestions too!
You’re welcome, Orchid. I hope you get to try some of the books. And enjoy Dunedin!
I have to admit the word ‘liquefaction’ took me aback for a second! It has now become so firmly associated with the negative, earthquake-y noun. it is nice to get back to a less pejorative use of the word – and a beautiful poem by the way 🙂
Yes, it’s intriguing how a word can have two such different usages. And I like the way the poem is both sensual, but with a sense of fun, too.