Robert Herrick (1591-1674) | ||||||
Counsel to Girls (To Virgins, to Make Much of Time) Gather ye rose-buds while ye may, Old time is still a-flying: And this same flower that smiles to-day, Tommorrow 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 worst, Times, still succeed the former. Then be not coy, but use your time; And while ye may, go marry: For having lost but once your prime, You may forever tarry. |