To the Virgins by Robert Herrick (1591–1674)

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.      

The glorious Lamp of Heaven, the Sun,                                       5

  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;                                   10

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,                                   15

  You may for ever tarry.