To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time by Robert Herrick
Stanza 1:
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying.
Explanation:
The poet encourages young people to enjoy life while they are still young. The line “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may” is a metaphor that means one should take advantage of youth and opportunities before they fade. Time is constantly moving forward, and the beauty and vitality we enjoy today may not last forever.
Stanza 2:
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.
Explanation:
Here, Herrick compares the sun to human life. As the sun rises and reaches its peak, it also comes closer to setting. Similarly, as we grow older, we approach the end of life. The message is that life, like the sun, is always moving toward an end, so we must act while we can.
Stanza 3:
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.
Explanation:
The poet believes that youth is the best stage of life because it is full of energy and warmth. Once youth is over, life becomes more difficult and less joyful. As time passes, each stage of life gets worse compared to the one before it.
Stanza 4:
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.
Explanation:
In the final stanza, the poet advises young women not to be shy or hesitant. Instead, they should make the most of their youth and consider marriage while they are still young. Once their prime (best years) is gone, it might be too late, and they may end up waiting forever without finding the same chance again.
Difficult Words and Their Meanings:
- Ye – You (archaic form)
- Rosebuds – A symbol of youth and beauty
- A-flying – Flying swiftly; moving quickly (referring to time)
- Coy – Shy or reserved, often in a teasing or flirtatious way
- Prime – The best time of life; peak youth
- Tarry – To delay or wait for too long
- Glorious lamp – The sun (used as a metaphor)
- Spent – Used up or finished
- Succeed – To follow after (in order or time)
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