The Argument of His Book

Herrick’s poem “The Argument of His Book” is a tabulation by the speaker of all of the different topics about which they can write or sing. The repetition of “I sing” and “I write” emphasizes the creative abilities of the speaker, as singing and writing are considered artistic expressions. By listing all the different topics about which they sing and write, the speaker demonstrates their imaginative prowess. On one hand, they can write about nature: “brooks” (Line 1); “blossoms” (Line 1); “birds” (Line 1); “bowers” (Line 1); “flowers” (Line 2); “dews” (Line 7); “rains: (Line 7); “roses” (Line 10); “lilies” (Line 10); “groves” (Line 11); and “twilight” (Line 11). They can sing about celebrations and relationships: “May-poles” (Line 3); “hock-carts” (Line 3); “wassails” (Line 3); “wakes” (Line 3); “bridegrooms” (Line 4); “brides” (Line 4); “bridal-cakes” (Line 4); “youth” (Line 5); and “love” (Line 4). They also like to detail thoughts about luxury items or trade goods: “balm” (Line 8), “oil” (Line 8), “spice” (Line 8); “ambergris” (Line 8). They can weave both Christian and personified/mythological beings and places into their text: “the court of Mab” (Line 12); “the fairy king” (Line 12); “Time’s trans-shifting” (Line 9); “Hell” (Line 13) and “Heaven” (Line 14).