robert herrick

Seize the Day
Robert Herrick is considered to be one of the greatest Cavalier poets ever, “he was known for mixing sophistication with naiveté, elegance and raciness. Writing on the courtly themes of beauty, love and loyalty, they produced finely finished verses expressed with wit and directness.”(QUOTE ) “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old time is still a flying: / And this same flower that smiles today/ Tomorrow will be dying.” In this first stanza from the poem “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time,” published in 1635, Herrick illustrates a sense of urgency. This urgency can be sensed throughout the poem, and is also found in other poems from his collection. As one continues to read and understand Herrick’s work, one might ask; Why does Robert Herrick want his readers to feel this urgency?
Robert Herrick was born in Cheapside London in 1591, and was the seventh child of Nickolas Herrick. Roberts’ father died of an unknown cause one year later,...