Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

There is a saying as follows,

Gather your rosebuds while you may, Old time is still a-flying; And this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying.

What does "a-flying" mean? Why is it spelt like this?

Thanks

[pugachevV]

It means "flying".
I think this is mostly a device used by poets and song writers to add an extra syllable where needed ( e.g. Bob Dylan's song... "Times they are a- changing").
In some parts of the English speaking world this usage may still be current in informal speech, but is quite rare.
To understand it, just drop the a-.

[pugachevV]

Incidentally, here's the entire poem by Robert Herrick


TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME.
by Robert Herrick


GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old time is still a-flying :
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer ;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may go marry :
For having lost but once your prime
You may for ever tarry.