To Anthea, who may command him anything…

To Anthea, who may command him anything…

Bid me to live, and I will live

They Protestant to be;

Or bid me love, and I will give

A loving heart to thee.

A heart as soft, a heart as kind,

A heart as sound and free,

As in the whole world though Canst fine,

That heart I’ll give to thee.

Bid that heart stay, and it will stay,

To honour they decree;

Or bid it languish quite awak,

And’t shall do so for thee.

Bid me to weep and I will weep

While I have eyes to see;

And having none, yet I will keep

A heart to weep for thee.

Bid me despair, and I’ll despair

Under that cypress-tree;

Or bid me die, and I will dare

E’en death to die for thee.

Thou art my life, my love, my heart,

The very eyes of me;

And hast command of every part

To live and die for thee.

Robert Herrick(1591-1674)