No More Learning

_O'er the threshold force her in. _ The custom of lifting the bride over
the threshold, probably to avert an ill-omened stumble, has prevailed
among the most diverse races. For the anointing of the doorposts Brand
quotes Langley's translation of Polydore Vergil: "The bryde anoynted the
poostes of the doores with swynes' grease, because she thought by that
meanes to dryve awaye all misfortune, whereof she had her name in Latin
'Uxor ab unguendo'".

_To gather nuts. _ A Roman marriage custom mentioned in Catullus, _Carm. _
lxi. 124-127, the _In Nuptias Juliae et Manlii_, which Herrick keeps in
mind all through this ode.

_With all lucky birds to side. _ Bona cum bona nubit alite virgo. Cat.
_Carm. _ lxi. 18.

_But when ye both can say Come. _ The wish in this case appears to have
been fulfilled, as Lady Southwell administered to her husband's estate,
Dec.
16, 1642, and her own estate was administered on the thirtieth of
the following January.

_Two ripe shocks of corn. _ Cp. Job v. 26.

153. _His wish. _ From Hor. _Epist. _ I. xviii. 111, 112:--

Sed satis est orare Jovem quae donat et aufert;
Det vitam, det opes; aequum mi animum ipse parabo:

where Herrick seems to have read _qui_ for _quae_.

157. _No Herbs have power to cure Love. _ Ovid, _Met. _ i.