Poem by Robert Herrick

To a Gentlewoman, Objecting to Him His Gray Hairs

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 shew
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.

1. To Carnations: a Song
2. The Changes: to Corinna
3. The Present; or, The Bag of the Bee
4. A Request to the Graces
5. The Apron of Flowers

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