Which author wrote "The Hock-Cart, or Harvest Home"?

The correct answer is Robert Herrick, who is known for his mastery of lyric poetry and his celebration of rural life in the seventeenth century. "The Hock-Cart, or Harvest Home" is a poem that reflects the harvest festival and the joy associated with the end of the agricultural year. Herrick's work often captures both the simplicity and the beauty of rural customs, as well as a sense of communal celebration.

His writing style in this piece employs vivid imagery and a playful tone, typical of his pastoral themes. Herrick was part of the Caroline poets and understood the importance of tradition and memory, particularly in relation to seasonal celebrations.

Other options are not aligned with this specific work. Sir Francis Bacon is primarily known for his philosophical and scientific writings rather than poetry. John Dryden, while a significant poet and playwright, is associated with a later period and different thematic concerns, often political and critical in nature. William Shakespeare, although a towering figure in English literature, is known for his plays and sonnets, rather than pastoral poems like "The Hock-Cart." Therefore, Robert Herrick stands out as the author of this celebratory and thematic piece.