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The Admonition

by Robert Herrick, 1648

Seest thou those diamonds which she wears
  In that rich carcanet;
Or those, on her dishevell’d hairs,
  Fair pearls in order set?
Believe, young man, all those were tears
  By wretched wooers sent,
In mournful hyacinths and rue,
  That figure discontent;
Which when not warmed by her view,
  By cold neglect, each one
Congeal’d to pearl and stone;
  Which precious spoils upon her
  She wears as trophies of her honour.
Ah then, consider, what all this implies:
She that will wear thy tears would wear thine eyes.

Published in Hesperides
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