... literature; however, it is a poem about a universal moral to me. The classic first two lines read, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old time is still a-flying." (Herrick 1-2). We all know the beauty of a rosebud, and we all know how quickly they wither and die. In my opinion, Herrick wrote these opening lines of imagery in order make it clear he is concentrating on those in the prime of their life. The following lines are, "And this same flower that smiles today, / Tomorrow will be dying." (3-4). Again, the youth is compared to the flower. However, Herrick has begun to focus in on the idea of death. Obviously, the author wanted to make prevalent his intentions and theme early on in the poem. The next four lines speak of the swift rise and fall of the sun in its daily course. I think Herrick ...

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