TO DAFFODILS.
by Robert Herrick


FAIR daffodils, we weep to see
    You haste away so soon ;
As yet the early-rising sun
    Has not attain'd his noon.
              Stay, stay,
        Until the hasting day
                    Has run
        But to the evensong ;
And, having prayed together, we
        Will go with you along.

We have short time to stay, as you,
    We have as short a spring ;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
    As you, or anything.
              We die,
        As your hours do, and dry
                    Away,
        Like to the summer's rain ;
Or as the pearls of morning's dew,
        Ne'er to be found again.


Listen to excerpt from "Popular Poetry, Popular Verse" - CD.


Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 156.
Backto Works of Robert Herrick

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