GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may, | |
Old time is still a-flying : | |
And this same flower that smiles to-day | |
To-morrow will be dying. | |
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The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, | 5 |
The higher he's a-getting, | |
The sooner will his race be run, | |
And nearer he's to setting. | |
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That age is best which is the first, | |
When youth and blood are warmer ; | 10 |
But being spent, the worse, and worst | |
Times still succeed the former. | |
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Then be not coy, but use your time, | |
And while ye may go marry : | |
For having lost but once your prime | 15 |
You may for ever tarry. | |