To+the+Virgins,+to+Make+Much+of+Time

=__**To the Virgins, to Make Much of** Time__ (646)= By: Robert Herrick from //Hesperides// (1648)

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.

Herrick was an English, lyrical poet born in Cheapside, London. He graduated from St. John's College, Cambridge in 1617 and took holy orders in 1623 and later became a vicar of Dean Prior as well as a member of //The Sons of Ben,// an organization of Ben Johnson's followers. Herrick wrote mainly to express the beauty and brevity of life, frequently using the female form and nature as subjects. To live happily and enjoy one's life is a philosophy common in Herrick's works. Despite his love of sensuality, it is thought that Herrick lived his life a bachelor.
 * Robert Herrick (1591-1674)**


 * TIME**


 * Theme:** As is common in Herrick's works, this poem encourages the exploration and enjoyment of life before its inevitable end. Another version of this theme is the latin expression, //carpe diem//, which means "seize the day".


 * Imagery:**
 * Personification: Herrick utilizes the personification of nature and time to create impact upon their death, or end at the final line of each stanza. (//Ex//: lines 2, 3, 7, 12)
 * Allegory: The ending of life's beauty in death is the subject of this poem; allegorically, this death all of nature, time, and more importantly, the reader.
 * Symbolism: Rosebuds: youth, fertility, love, beauty.
 * Metaphor: "The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun" (5)
 * Meter:**
 * Four quatrains
 * Rhyme scheme: A/B/A/B
 * Iambic tetrameter (line 7), iambic trimeter with catalexis (line 8)
 * The first two stanzas describe time literally, while the third and fourth stanzas reveal the symbolic implications of time.


 * Emotion:** Although the subject matter of this poem is grim and perturbing, it is told lyrically, with a jovial tone. Because the true purpose of the poem is to recognize the passion and potential in life, it is in a song-like form, reflecting youth. In reading this poem, one is meant to be elated with life, by realizing the sureness of death.

1.) Why is Time described as "old" in line 2? a. time makes one old b. time is eternal c. time is familiar and constant d. time is limited e. a and d 2.) The poem's final two lines have a tone. a. jubilant b. melancholy c. sad d. indifferent e. b and c 3.) The poet expresses time with... a. the ceremony of marriage b. the cycle of a day c. the picking of roses d. the comparison of the sun to a lantern e. b and d 4.) The main purpose of this poem is to... a. encourage marriage b. describe time c. express life's beauty d. sadden the reader e. c and d 5.) This poem is addressed to virgins, in order to... a. make them read it b. point out their shortcomings c. persuade them to wed d. help show them their live's potential e. a and c
 * Questions**

//Perrine's Literature,// by Thomas R. Arp http://www.enotes.com/virgins-make http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides6/Herrick.html
 * Resources****:**

//-David S, AP English 12//