Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,
Old Time is still a flying:
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow 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.
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Tribute to the young person in all of us.
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To the virgins,to make much of time
Practical advice in the form of poem. Well written.
Nuggehalli Pankaja -
Carpe Diem
Each stanza is trying to persuade that life is short, so don't waste it. This was esp. important in the 16th and 17th century, when the average lifespan was 40 years old. Basically saying your not getting any younger. -
Inspiring
I realize that Herrick spoke of deflowering virgins to some degree in here, but that is not what I got out of this poem. It taught me that it is important to "seize the day" and to not waste my short life. This piece inspires me to live life to its fullest, even without deflowering virgins.
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Thank the gods for search tools...found this one on my first hit 'gather'!!!
I desire so much....to 'keep' the flow that I find now an then, these whispers that seep from their keep.....the gray matter hold them as were they treasure to be doled out in measure...allowing me the pleasure in brief inspirations of light....lest I fill my head with self adorations and think myself much too clever....I'm humbled by the absence of such voice and relvealation...for I cannot hold this magic or call upon it at will.....I love this work, this flow that weaves straw into gold and with no effort reveals beauty from thoughts so pure, so clearly seen and found before me....Robert Herrick....teach me more.
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