Robert Herrick. To A Gentlewoman Objecting To Him His Gray Hairs.

TO A GENTLEWOMAN OBJECTING TO HIM
HIS GRAY HAIRS.
by Robert Herrick

AM I despised because you say,
And I dare swear, that I am gray ?
Know, lady, you have but your day :
And time will come when you shall wear
Such frost and snow upon your hair ;
And when (though long, it comes to pass)
You question with your looking-glass ;
And in that sincere crystal seek,
But find no rose-bud in your cheek :
Nor any bed to give the show
Where such a rare carnation grew.
Ah ! then too late, close in your chamber keeping,
It will be told
That you are old,
By those true tears you’re weeping.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 75-76.

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