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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