The speaker urges his coy mistress to engage in lovemaking before time runs out. He acknowledges that if they had unlimited time, her reluctance would not be a problem, but reminds her that mortality is inevitable. He passionately describes all the ways he would lavish attention on her beauty if time allowed, but notes that in the end, death will render both their bodies and desires to dust. Therefore, he encourages her to enjoy physical intimacy now, while youth and passion still remain, rather than waiting until it is too late.
The speaker urges his coy mistress to engage in lovemaking before time runs out. He acknowledges that if they had unlimited time, her reluctance would not be a problem, but reminds her that mortality is inevitable. He passionately describes all the ways he would lavish attention on her beauty if time allowed, but notes that in the end, death will render both their bodies and desires to dust. Therefore, he encourages her to enjoy physical intimacy now, while youth and passion still remain, rather than waiting until it is too late.
The speaker urges his coy mistress to engage in lovemaking before time runs out. He acknowledges that if they had unlimited time, her reluctance would not be a problem, but reminds her that mortality is inevitable. He passionately describes all the ways he would lavish attention on her beauty if time allowed, but notes that in the end, death will render both their bodies and desires to dust. Therefore, he encourages her to enjoy physical intimacy now, while youth and passion still remain, rather than waiting until it is too late.
The speaker urges his coy mistress to engage in lovemaking before time runs out. He acknowledges that if they had unlimited time, her reluctance would not be a problem, but reminds her that mortality is inevitable. He passionately describes all the ways he would lavish attention on her beauty if time allowed, but notes that in the end, death will render both their bodies and desires to dust. Therefore, he encourages her to enjoy physical intimacy now, while youth and passion still remain, rather than waiting until it is too late.
This coyness, lady, were no crime. We would sit down, and think which way To walk, and pass our long love's day. Thou by the Indian Ganges' side Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide Of Humber would complain. I would Love you ten years before the flood, And you should, if you please, refuse Till the conversion of the Jews. My vegetable love would grow Vaster than empires, and more slow; An hundred years should go to praise Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze; Two hundred to adore each breast, But thirty thousand to the rest; An age at least to every part, And the last age should show your heart. For, lady, you deserve this state, Nor would I love at lower rate. But at my back I always hear Time's winged chariot hurrying near: And yonder all before us lie Deserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found; Nor, in thy marble vaults, shall sound My echoing song; then worms shall try That long-preserved virginity, And your quaint honour turn to dust, And into ashes all my lust: The grave's a fine and private place, But none, I think, do there embrace.
Now therefore, while the youthful hue
Sits on thy skin like morning dew, And while thy willing soul transpires At every pore with instant fires, Now let us sport us while we may, And now, like amorous birds of prey, Rather at once our time devour Than languish in his slow-chapped power. Let us roll all our strength, and all Our sweetness, up into one ball, And tear our pleasure with rough strife Through the iron gates of life: Thus, though we cannot make our sun Stand still, yet we will make him run.
