John William Waterhouse

British, 1849 - 1917

Gather Ye Rosebuds while ye may

Date: 1908

Based on a poem by Robert Herrick (1591-1674) To Virgins to Make Much of Time.

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
	Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today,
	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.

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, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
	You may for ever tarry.

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