TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH
OF TIME

R. HERRICK

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.

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.

ANON.

YOU SAY YOU LOVE ME

You say you love me, nay, can swear it too;

But stay, sir, 'twill not do.

I know you keep your oaths

Just as you wear your clothes,
While new and fresh in fashion;
But once grown old

You lay them by,

Forgot like words you speak in passion.
I'll not believe you, I.

O MISTRESS MINE

W. SHAKESPEARE

O MISTRESS mine, where are you roaming?
O, stay and hear; your true love's coming
That can sing both high and low :
Trip no further, pretty sweeting;
Journeys end in lovers' meeting,
Every wise man's son doth know.

What is Love? 'tis not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter ;
What's to come is still unsure:
In delay there lies no plenty;
Then come kiss me, Sweet-and-twenty,
Youth's a stuff will not endure.