Hesperides (poetry collection)

Hesperides (/hɛˈspɛrɪdiːz/) is a book of poetry published in 1648 by English Cavalier poet Robert Herrick. This collection of 1200 of his lyrical poems, his magnum opus was published under his direction, establishing his reputation.[1][2] It is replete with carpe diem sentiments. The title refers to the Hesperides, nymphs of the evening in Greek mythology. Hesperides includes "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time", which features the famous lines:

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,

Old time is still a-flying;

And this same flower that smiles today,

To-morrow will be dying.

Title page of Robert Herrick's Hesperides, 1648

It also includes "Corinna's Going a-Maying",[3] which includes the lines:

Come, let us goe, while we are in our prime;

And take the harmlesse follie of the time.

We shall grow old apace, and die

Before we know our liberty.

Our life is short; and our dayes run

As fast away as do's the Sunne:

And as a vapour, or a drop of raine

Once lost, can ne'r be found againe.