To The 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,

To morrow will be dying.

Gather Ye Rosebud

(1909)

John William Waterhouse

(1849-1917)

English painter

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.

The 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 for ever tarry.

"To The Virgins To Make Much Of Time"

Robert Herrick

(1591-1674)

English lyric poet and cleric