The Argument of His Book, by Robert Herrick Poetry Alive

Robert Herrick was a Cambridge-educated Londoner stuck with an out of the way vicarship in Devon. He wasn't a fan of rural life, but it was there that he wrote almost all of the poetry he's known for: the volumes "Hesperides" and "Noble Numbers," both published in 1648. This poem sets forth the content of Hesperides.

I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers,
Of April, May, of June, and July-flowers.
I sing of Maypoles, hock-carts, wassails, wakes,
Of bridegrooms, brides and of their bridal-cakes.
I write of youth, of love, and have access
By these to sing of cleanly wantonness.
I sing of dews, of rains, and piece by piece,
Of balm, of oil, of spice and ambergris.
I sing of times trans-shifting, and I write
How roses first came red and lilies white.
I write of groves, of twilights, and I sing
The court of Mab, and of the fairy king.
I write of Hell ; I sing (and ever shall)
Of Heaven, and hope to have it after all.

bower - A place closed in or overarched with branches of trees, shrubs, or other plants; a shady recess, leafy covert, arbour. (OED)
hock-cart - The cart carrying the last load of the harvest, usually decorated in celebration.
wassails - Twelfth Night celebrations, basically big drinking parties.
wake - a rural church festival, like a fete or celebration of a feast day.
wantonnesse - Often a word for lasciviousness. Can also be naughtiness (of a child, for instance), or capriciousness. (OED)
ambergris - The base of many perfumes (at least it used to be). You don't want to know where it comes from.
Mab - queen of the fairies: she gives people dreams.

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