1. “ To the Virgins, to Make Much Time” ROBERT HERRICK 1591-1674

2. BIOGRAPHY Anglican priest Admirer of Ben Jonson Loyal to the king 1648: published his only book of poems, Hesperides. “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old time is still a-flying” (Ln 1-2)

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Tone: serious but playful Theme: Time Rhyme: ababcdcdefefghgh, exact rhyme Rhythm: Alternating Iambic Tetrameter and Iambic Trimeter with Catalexis Symbolism: flowers life cycle Personification: “The sooner will his race be run” (ln 7) Type: Lyric Poem

6. FUN FACTS The poem is in the genre of carpe diem, Latin for seize the day. carpe diem The poem was featured in the 9th episode of the first season on the HBO series The Newsroom. The line "Gather ye rosebuds" was quoted and referenced by George O'Malley to Izzy Stevens in the 12th episode of the third season of TV show Grey's Anatomy.

7. Poets.org. Academy of American Poets. Web. 1 Oct. 2014. "Robert Herrick." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation. Web. 1 Oct. 2014