To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time

Robert Herrick

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
  Old time is still a f-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'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 user your time
  And, while ye may, go marry;
For, having lost but once your prime,
  You may forever tarry.