Poet
Robert Herrick
English poet · 1591–1674
To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time
Robert Herrick, a country vicar, wrote over 2,500 poems celebrating blossoms, brides, cider, and the shortness of life. He is the great poet of carpe diem — seize the day.
"To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" opens with the most famous gather-ye-rosebuds advice in the language and has been quoted at graduations (and in Dead Poets Society) ever since.
58 poems by Robert Herrick
Full text, free to read. Each poem records its source and display decision.
- To the Virgins, to Make Much of TimeGather ye rosebuds while ye may,…16 lines
- A Christmas Carol, Sung to the King in the Presence at White-HallChorus.…44 lines
- A Dialogue Betwixt Himself and Mistress Elizawheeler, Under the Name of AmarillisMy dearest Love, since thou wilt go,…24 lines
- A Lyric to MirthWhile the milder fates consent,…14 lines
- A Thanksgiving to God for His HouseLord, Thou hast given me a cell…58 lines
- An Epitaph Upon a ChildVirgins promised when I died,…6 lines
- An Ode to Master Endymion Porter, Upon His Brother's DeathNot all thy flushing suns are set,…28 lines
- Another Grace For A ChildHere a little child I stand…6 lines
- Art Above Nature: to JuliaWhen I behold a forest spread…18 lines
- Comfort to a Youth That Had Lost His LoveWhat needs complaints,…24 lines
- Farewell Frost, or Welcome SpringFled are the frosts, and now the fields appear…22 lines
- His Mistress to Him at His FarewellYou may vow I'll not forget…16 lines
- His Prayer For AbsolutionFor those my unbaptized rhymes,…10 lines
- His Prayer To Ben JonsonWhen I a verse shall make,…12 lines
- How Springs Came FirstThese springs were maidens once that loved,…8 lines
- Life Is the Body's LightLife is the body's light; which, once declining,…6 lines
- Loss from the LeastGreat men by small means oft are overthrown;…2 lines
- Matins, or Morning PrayerWhen with the virgin morning thou dost rise,…8 lines
- Mrs Eliz: Wheeler, Under the Name of Thelost ShepherdessAmong the myrtles as I walk'd…22 lines
- No Fault in WomenNo fault in women, to refuse…16 lines
- Peace Not PermanentGreat cities seldom rest; if there be none…2 lines
- Soft MusicThe mellow touch of music most doth wound…2 lines
- The Apron of FlowersTo gather flowers, Sappha went,…12 lines
- The Ceremonies for Candlemas DayKindle the Christmas brand, and then…8 lines
- The Country LifeTO THE HONOURED MR ENDYMION PORTER, GROOM OF…78 lines
- The Definition of BeautyBeauty no other thing is, than a beam…2 lines
- The Funeral Rites of the RoseThe Rose was sick, and smiling died;…16 lines
- The Hock-cart, or Harvest HomeTo the Right Honourable Mildmay, Earl of Westmoreland…56 lines
- The Old Wives' PrayerHoly-Rood, come forth and shield…8 lines
- The Parliament of Roses to JuliaI dreamt the Roses one time went…10 lines
- The PrimroseAsk me why I send you here…12 lines
- The Succession of the Four Sweet MonthsFirst, April, she with mellow showers…8 lines
- Time was uponWrinkles no more are, or no less,…2 lines
- To a Gentlewoman, Objecting to Him Hisgray HairsAm I despised, because you say;…15 lines
- To Enjoy the TimeWhile fates permit us, let's be merry;…4 lines
- To HeavenOpen thy gates…8 lines
- To His Dying Brother, Master William HerrickLife of my life, take not so soon thy flight,…20 lines
- To his GirlsWanton wenches do not bring…4 lines
- To His Kinswoman, Mistress Susanna HerrickWhen I consider, dearest, thou dost stay…6 lines
- To His Saviour, a Child;a Present, by a ChildGo, pretty child, and bear this flower…18 lines
- To MusicBegin to charm, and as thou strok'st mine ears…6 lines
- To Music: a SongMusic, thou queen of heaven, care-charming spell,…6 lines
- To Music, to Becalm a Sweet Sick YouthCharms, that call down the moon from out her sphere,…8 lines
- To Music, to Becalm His FeverCharm me asleep, and melt me so…33 lines
- To Primroses Filled with Morning DewWhy do ye weep, sweet babes? can tears…28 lines
- To the Lady Crewe, Upon the Death of Her ChildWhy, Madam, will ye longer weep,…8 lines
- To the Rose: SongGo, happy Rose, and interwove…15 lines
- To the Water-nymphs Drinking at ThefountainReach with your whiter hands to me…8 lines
- To the Willow-treeThou art to all lost love the best,…16 lines
- Upon a ChildHere a pretty baby lies…4 lines
- Upon a Child That DiedHere she lies, a pretty bud,…6 lines
- Upon a Painted GentlewomanMen say you're fair; and fair ye are, 'tis true;…2 lines
- Upon His Sister-in-law, Mistress ElizabethherrickFirst, for effusions due unto the dead,…4 lines
- Upon Mrs Eliz. Wheeler, Under the Name OfamarillisSweet Amarillis, by a spring's…12 lines
- Upon RosesUnder a lawn, than skies more clear,…10 lines
- Upon the Loss of His MistressesI have lost, and lately, these…14 lines
- Why Flowers Change ColourThese fresh beauties, we can prove,…4 lines
- Delight in DisorderDelight in Disorder. Alfred Pollard, ed. 1898. The Hesperides & Noble Numbers.…2 lines