is unusual amongst the published collections of the lyrical poets of the Jacobean and Caroline periods. Where most such collections were published posthumously, Herrick's was published under the direct supervision of the author, and it is clear that Herrick thought of the volume (his only substantial publication) as his poetic testament, a summation of his work as a poet. Relatively few poems by Herrick, other than those he chose to include in
Hesperideshave been discovered. To a degree unusual amongst his contemporaries,
Hesperides“represents” Herrick's achievement as a poet in much the way that the “Collected Poems” of a modern poet does, collecting together the work by which the poet wishes to be remembered…
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Citation: Pursglove, Glyn. "Hesperides". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 28 October 2000 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4769, accessed 22 November 2024.]
