Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick
Robert Herrickwas a 17th-century English lyric poet and cleric. He is best known for Hesperides, a book of poems. This includes the carpe diem poem "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time", with the first line "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may"...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth24 August 1591
flower gather smiles time tomorrow
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old Time is still a-flying. And this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying.
running flower race
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 today, Tomorrow 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 is 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 you may, go marry; For having lost but once your prime, You may for ever tarry.
time flower rose
Gather ye rose-buds while ye may, Old Time is still a flying: And this same flower that smiles to day, Tomorrow will be dying.
flower may firsts
When a daffadill I see, Hanging down his head towards me, Guess I may, what I must be: First, I shall decline my head; Secondly, I shall be dead: Lastly, safely buryed.
flower hands giving
The May-pole is up, Now give me the cup; I'll drink to the garlands around it; But first unto those Whose hands did compose The glory of flowers that crown'd it.
spring flower july
I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers: Of April, May, or June, and July flowers. I sing of Maypoles, Hock-carts, wassails, wakes, Of bridegrooms, brides, and of the bridal cakes.
bridal sing
I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers: / Of April, May, of June, and July-flowers. / I sing of maypoles, hock-carts, wassails, wakes, / Of bridegrooms, brides, and of their bridal cakes.
bid eyes
Bid me to weep, and I will weep, / While I have eyes to see.
attend befriend elves eyes lend sparks whose
Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee, / The shooting-stars attend thee; / And the elves also,/ Whose little eyes glow, / Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee.
according fortunes labor
If a little labor, little are our gains. Man's fortunes are according to his pains.
ask beg dare desire grow kiss kissed kisses-and-kissing lately lest might proud shall share utmost
I dare not ask a kiss; I dare not beg a smile; Lest having that or this, I might grow proud the while. No, no, the utmost share Of my desire shall be Only to kiss that air, That lately kissed thee.
ask beg dare grow lest might proud smiles
I dare not ask a kiss; / I dare not beg a smile; / Lest having that, or this, / I might grow proud the while.
kiss lately
Only to kiss that air, / That lately kiss?d thee.
bid
Only a little more / I have to write, / Then I'll give o'er, / And bid the world good-night.