To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time
Robert Herrick, 1648
Herrick’s poem urging young women to make the most of their youth and marry while they can, because time is always flying.
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,Old time is still a-flying:And this same flower that smiles to-dayTo-morrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,The higher he’s a-getting,The sooner will his race be run,And nearer he’s to setting.
That age is best which is the first,When youth and blood are warmer;But being spent, the worse, and worstTimes still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,And while ye may go marry:For having lost but once your primeYou may for ever tarry.