To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" is a poem written by English Cavalier poet Robert Herrick in the 17th century. The poem is in the genre of "carpe diem", Latin for "seize the day". It goes as follows: First published in 1648 as number 208 in a volume of verse entitled "Hesperides", it is perhaps one of the most famous poems to extol the notion of "carpe diem". "Carpe diem" expresses a philosophy that recognizes the brevity of life and therefore the need to live for and in the moment.
To His Coy Mistress To His Coy Mistress "To His Coy Mistress" is a metaphysical poem written by the English author and politician Andrew Marvell (1621–1678) either during or just before the English Interregnum (1649–60). It was published posthumously in 1681. This poem is considered one of Marvell's finest and is possibly the best recognized carpe diem poem in English. Although the date of its composition is not known, it may have been written in the early 1650s. At that time, Marvell was serving as a tutor to the daughter of the retired commander of the New Model Army, Sir Thomas Fairfax. The speaker