R Herrick read by Classic Poetry Aloud:

http://www.classicpoetryaloud.com/

Giving voice to the poetry of the past.

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Delight in Disorder

by Robert Herrick (1591–1674)

A sweet disorder in the dress

Kindles in clothes a wantonness:–

A lawn about the shoulders thrown

Into a fine distractión,–

An erring lace, which here and there

Enthrals the crimson stomacher,–

A cuff neglectful, and thereby

Ribbands to flow confusedly,–

A winning wave, deserving note,

In the tempestuous petticoat,–

A careless shoe-string, in whose tie

I see a wild civility,–

Do more bewitch me, than when art

Is too precise in every part.

First aired: 15 May 2008

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