He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one;

Exceeding wise, fair-spoken, and persuading;

Lofty and sour to them that loved him not,

But to those men that sought him sweet as summer.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): King Henry VIII. Act iv. Sc. 2.

And so from hour to hour we ripe and ripe,

And then from hour to hour we rot and rot;

And thereby hangs a tale.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): As You Like It. Act ii. Sc. 7.

Cherry ripe, ripe, ripe, I cry,

Full and fair ones,—come and buy!

If so be you ask me where

They do grow, I answer, there,

Where my Julia's lips do smile,—

There's the land, or cherry-isle.

Robert Herrick (1591-1674): Cherry Ripe.