To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time (Carpe diem!)

Gather ye Rose-buds while ye may,

Old Time is still a flying:

And this same flower that smiles today

Tomorrow will be dying.

Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May

(1909)

John William Waterhouse

(1849-1917)

English artist 

Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood

The glorious Lamp of Heaven, the Sun,

The higher he's a getting;

The sooner will his Race be run,

And neerer 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, goe marry:

For having lost but once your prime,

You may forever tarry.

"To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time"
(1648)
Robert Herrick
(1591-1674)
English Cavalier poet

*Carpe diem is Latin for "Seize the day!"