Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
     Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles today
     Tomorrow 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 forever tarry.