To His Coy Mistress

To His Coy Mistress is a witty metaphysical poem written by the British author and statesman Andrew Marvell (1621–1678) either during or just before the Interregnum. The poem is often considered an argument for the concept of 'carpe diem'. Marvell probably wrote the poem prior to serving in Oliver Cromwell's government as a minister, and the poem was not published in his lifetime. To His Coy Mistress presents a familiar theme in literature carpe ... more

To His Coy Mistress is a witty metaphysical poem written by the British author and statesman Andrew Marvell (1621–1678) either during or just before the Interregnum. The poem is often considered an argument for the concept of 'carpe diem'. Marvell probably wrote the poem prior to serving in Oliver Cromwell's government as a minister, and the poem was not published in his lifetime. To His Coy Mistress presents a familiar theme in literature carpe diem (Latin, "seize the day"), a term coined by the ancient Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus, known as Horace (65-8 B.C.). Here is the gist of Andrew Marvell's poem: In response to a young man’s declarations of love for a young lady, the lady is playfully hesitant, artfully demure. But dallying will not do, he says, for youth passes swiftly. He and the lady must take advantage of the moment, he says, and “sport us while we may.” Oh, yes, if they had “world enough, and time” they would spend their days in idle pursuits, leisurely passing... less