Write a peer response

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1648

TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME

Robert Herrick

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Herrick, Robert (1591-1674) – English poet best known for his love lyrics and pastoral verses. A clergyman, he lost his parish (it was later restored) because of Royalist sympathies. A follower of Ben Jonson, or one of the “sons of Ben,” Herrick published only one volume of verse in his lifetime. To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time (1648) – One of the most popular songs of the 17th century. It opens with the well-known lines: Gather ye Rose- buds while ye may, / Old Time is still a flying: …

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TO THE VIRGINS

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, The higher he’s a getting; The sooner will his Race be run, And neerer he’s 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 ye may, goe marry: For having lost but once your prime, You may for ever tarry.

THE END