To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time

The very first line of Herrick’s poem is a command, the first half of an imperative sentence. The speaker commands the virgins listed in the title to “gather” roses (Line 1). The “ye” that follows this infinitive verb form also refers back to the “virgins” to whom the poem is directed (Line 1). Unless readers take note of the title first, there is no indication here that these “virgins” are indeed the intended audience of the poem. Readers may just assume that the poet is simply addressing them directly as opposed to writing for a particular audience. The fact that the intended audience members are “virgins” indicates purity, innocence, and youth. Similarly, the “rose-buds” the speaker mentions symbolize youth, beauty, and passion. While this initial command to gather the flowers may seem pleasant and happy at first, the prepositional phrase at the end of the line introduces some tension. The speaker tells the women to gather the roses “while ye may” (Line 1), implying that they will not always have the roses to gather, and they will not always have their youth, beauty, and innocence.

The speaker echoes this sentiment in the second line when they mention “Old Time” (Line 2). The speaker personifies the notion of time, making the concept more relatable and digestible for readers. Time almost becomes something of an adversary. When readers today think of personified notions of time, they may think of figures such as Father Time, the old and weathered keeper of ages. The “Old Time” figure in Herrick’s poem is “still a-flying” (Line 2). The adverb “still” (Line 2) implies ceaselessness and continuity. Also, “a-flying” makes Time seem as though it is moving forward at a great rate of speed.

In the second half of the first stanza, the speaker returns to the imagery of the flower to elaborate on the effects of the passage of Time. The speaker relates how one day they may see “this same flower” (Line 3), referring back to the “rose-buds” (Line 1). They personify the flower using the verb “smiles” (Line 3), giving the rose the human ability to feel and express joy and happiness. Yet, while this may be what the flower looks like “today” (Line 3), when “Tomorrow” (line 4) comes, the same flower “will be dying” (Line 4). The speaker sets up this comparison between “today” (Line 3) and “Tomorrow” (Line 4) in order to show the detrimental effects of the passage of time. Personifying the flower helps to evoke an emotional response from readers, making them feel Time’s negative effects more deeply when the flower dies. The speaker conveys a sense of urgency to readers throughout the first stanza.

In the second stanza, the speaker continues with their depictions of time and its passage. Instead of representing time using the symbol of wilting flowers, the speaker uses the image of “the sun” (Line 5). The sun is listed as an appositive, or a renaming, of “The glorious lamp of heaven” (Line 5). Referring to “heaven” could simply be another way of referring to the sky, though it also carries Christian connotations with it as well. The speaker comments on the passage of the sun in the sky, how it seems to keep “a-getting” (Line 6) even “higher” (Line 6). As the sun grows higher, the day is getting later and later; time is passing. Utilizing a metaphor, the speaker equates the movement of the sun with a “race” (Line 7), which once again creates a sense of urgency in readers. The faster the sun rises in the sky, the “sooner” (Line 8) the race will be finished. However, as the sun quickly keeps to its designated path, the “nearer he’s to setting” (Line 8). When the sun sets, darkness falls, and the day reaches its conclusion. Time is, essentially, finished. All is done; the length of a lifespan is fit into the metaphor of the rising and setting sun. It is interesting to note that in this second stanza, the sun is referred to using masculine pronouns.

With the passage of time clearly described and established by images of wilting flowers and rising and setting suns, the speaker comments on particular periods of time; more specifically, the speaker comments on particular periods of life. According to the speaker, the best period of life is that “which is the first” (Line 9). The “first” (Line 9) period of life refers to the earliest years of life, to youth. During this first breakdown of one’s lifespan, “blood” is considered “warmer” (Line 10). Individuals have more energy and life in them when they are younger, leading to associations between youth and warmth. There is also an association here between the symbol of the sun used earlier and this idea of “warmth” as well. The references to youth directly speak to the speaker’s audience of “virgins,” or young women, as they are in this prime period of life.

Just as the sun mentioned in the second stanza rises and sets denoting the passage of time, the passage of one’s life is denoted by “youth and blood” (Line 10) continuously “being spent” (Line 11). As one ages and leaves their prime period of youth, things get “worse” (Line 12). The warmth of life dwindles, and one’s energy decreases. The speaker presents a rather pessimistic view of life. The vibrant and joyous early years are only followed by “worst / Times” (Lines 11-12). According to the speaker, life only goes downhill and becomes increasingly insufferable after the prime years of youth are lived through. By presenting this pessimistic view of life, the speaker is being rather strategic. They attempt to make the reader feel melancholic regarding life, setting up their argument in the fourth stanza.

Since life is short and the best years of one’s youth don’t last very long, the speaker encourages the “virgins” in the final stanza to “be not coy” (Line 13). To be “coy” means to be shy or modest, or to put on a show of modesty or shyness. Rather than being reserved, or feigning being reserved, the speaker encourages their audience to not waste their time with such games and teasing. Instead, the speaker tells the “virgins” to “go marry” (Line 14). The same prepositional phrase from the first line—“while ye may” (Line 14)—is repeated. The repetition hits home to readers the fleeting quality of life and the urgency to live life to its fullest. This message on the part of the speaker could be an innocent, altruistic desire to see others make the most of their lives. Or, if the speaker is supposed to be male like Herrick, there could also be an ulterior motive of sexual gratification if the “virgins” are no longer worried about retaining their purity. What the speaker leaves readers with is a warning. Once someone has lost their “prime” (Line 15) and surpassed their youth, they “may forever tarry” (Line 16). To “tarry” means “to delay or be tardy in acting or doing,” or it could also mean “to linger in expectation” ("tarry." Merriam-Webster, 2022). If someone lets their youth pass them by, then any opportunities they may have had in life will be lost forever. All that they will be left with, the speaker implies, are ghosts of what could have been.