The Bracelet: To Julia

Robert Herrick.
1591–1674

WHY I tie about thy wrist,

Julia, this silken twist;

For what other reason is ‘t

But to show thee how, in part,

Thou my pretty captive art?

But thy bond-slave is my heart:

‘Tis but silk that bindeth thee,

Knap the thread and thou art free;

But ’tis otherwise with me:

—I am bound and fast bound, so

That from thee I cannot go;

If I could, I would not so.