Robert Herrick

To Daffodils

FAIR daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon;
As yet the early-rising sun
    Has not attain'd his noon.
                Stay, stay
        Until the hasting day
                Has run
        But to the evensong;
And, having pray'd together, we
        Will go with you along.

We have short time to stay, as you,
    We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
    As you, or anything.
                We die
        As your hours do, and dry
                Away
        Like to the summer's rain;
Or as the pearls of morning's dew,
        Ne'er to be found again.