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TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
Last Line: You may forever tarry.
Variant Title(s): Counsel To Girls;counsel To Virgins
Subject(s): Carpe Diem; Flowers; Holidays; Love; Love - Marital; Marriage; New Year; Roses; Time; Youth; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


GATHER ye rosebuds 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,
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.
The age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worst 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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