Reflection of Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time". #2

      If it weren't for the title of this poem, I would never have associated it with Virgins; no where in the entire poem does it say the word once. But if you go into the poem knowing that it has something to do with Virgins, it makes it a whole lot easier to understand. This line that says “Gather ye rose-buds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying; And this same flower that smiles today Tomorrow will be dying” could refer to ones virginity. It is a very delicate things that is gone too fast, once a rose-bud blooms it can never revert back to that bud, and once your virginity is lost, you can no longer be a virgin anymore; you are a completely different entity. The last few lines are could be advising someone not to rush into things, be a child as long as you can because you will miss those days when they are gone, you can never get them back: “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”. They are basically warning the young that they should not rush into things because youth and innocence are precious and should not be taken for granted. Have fun while you can, make the most of your life, because if you don’t, one day you will find yourself a changed person, haunted by the future and regretful for the past.