BIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT HERRICK

Born on August 24, 1591, Robert Herrick was the seventh child and fourth son born to a London
goldsmith, Nicholas, and his wife, Julian Stone Herrick. When Herrick was fourteen months old, his
father died. At age sixteen, Herrick began a ten-year apprenticeship with his uncle. The apprenticeship
ended after only six years, and Herrick, at age twenty-two, matriculated at Saint John’s College,
Cambridge. He graduated in 1617.

Over the next decade, Herrick became a disciple of Ben Jonson, about whom he wrote five poems. In
1623, Herrick took holy orders, and six years later, he became vicar of Dean Prior in Devonshire. His post
carried a term for a total of thirty-one years, but during the Great Rebellion in 1647, he was removed
from his position because of his Royalist sympathies. Following the restoration of Charles II, Herrick was
reinstated at Dean Prior where he resided from 1662 until his death in October 1674. He never married,
and many of the women mentioned in his poems are thought to have been fictional.

TO THE VIRGINS TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME

The theme of Robert Herrick's poem "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" is the fleeting nature of
youth and the importance of seizing the present moment. The poem encourages young people,
particularly young women or virgins, to make the most of their youth and beauty while they still have it,
as time passes quickly and opportunities may be lost. The poem emphasizes the transient nature of life
and urges the reader to embrace the joys and pleasures of the present rather than deferring them to the
future. It conveys a sense of urgency and the idea that one should not waste time, but instead live life to
the fullest.

"To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" by Robert Herrick is a lyric poem. It falls under the category of a
carpe diem poem, which is a genre of poetry that urges the reader to seize the day and enjoy the
present moment. The poem is characterized by its concise and musical language, emotional intensity,
and the expression of personal thoughts and feelings. It is written in a regular meter and adheres to a
consistent rhyme scheme, which adds to its lyrical quality.

Certainly! "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" is a well-known poem written by Robert Herrick, an
English poet who lived during the 17th century. The poem is also sometimes referred to by its opening
line, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may."
The poem consists of four stanzas, each containing eight lines and following a consistent rhyme scheme
(ABABCCDD). It begins with a direct address to "virgins," which is understood to refer to young women.
However, the poem's message can be interpreted more broadly as applicable to anyone in the bloom of
their youth.

Herrick's poem celebrates the vitality and beauty of youth, but it also emphasizes the transient nature of
time and the inevitability of aging. The central theme is carpe diem, a Latin phrase that means "seize the
day." The speaker urges the virgins to make the most of their youth and enjoy life's pleasures while they
can, before time slips away.

The opening lines, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old Time is still a-flying," set the tone for the
poem. The metaphor of gathering rosebuds represents seizing fleeting opportunities, while "Old Time"
symbolizes the passage of time that waits for no one. The poem suggests that the beauty and vigor of
youth are temporary, and one should not postpone or squander the joys of the present.

Herrick employs vivid and picturesque imagery throughout the poem, using examples like the sun
setting, the fading of flowers, and the swift flight of birds to illustrate the transitory nature of life. He
argues that just as the sun's glory declines at the end of the day, so too does youth fade with time.
Therefore, it is imperative to embrace life's pleasures and make the most of the present moment.

The poem concludes with the famous lines: "Then be not coy, but use your time, / And while ye may, go
marry; / For having lost but once your prime, / You may forever tarry." Here, Herrick advises the virgins
to not be hesitant or shy in pursuing love and relationships. He suggests that if they wait too long, they
may miss the opportunity for happiness and regret their inaction.

Overall, "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" serves as a reminder to prioritize living fully in the
present, to seize opportunities, and to appreciate the fleeting nature of youth and beauty. The poem's
message remains relevant and resonates with readers as it encourages them to make the most of their
lives and cherish the moments they have.