Robert Herrick, 17th century poet and priest, wrote some beautiful poetry, and one of the recurring themes of his poems is time and the human temporal condition.“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may” from the poem To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time is his best-known line and urges us to grasp each day and make the most of every moment. His poem Ceremonies for Candlemas Eve "Thus times do shift ; each thing his turn does hold;
New things succeed, as former things grow old" follows this carpe diem theme.
Herrick also wrote in a not incompatible way about the changing seasons and the rhythms of rural and devotional life. The themes of the passing of time and the passing of the seasons combined with the religious world come together in this beautiful poem for Candelmas.
The image of the candle burning down as it shares its light was a popular image for Candlemas, a day when candles were blessed. Candlemas marks the end of the Christmas and Epiphany period and when, in some countries, the decorations are removed.
Ceremonies for Candlemas Eve
Down with the rosemary and bays,
Down with the
mistletoe
Instead of holly, now up-raise
The greener
box (for show).
The holly hitherto did
sway ;
Let box now
domineer
Until the dancing Easter day,
Or Easter’s
eve appear.
Then youthful box
which now hath grace
Your houses
to renew ;
Grown old, surrender must his place
Unto the
crisped yew.
When yew is out, then
birch comes in,
And many flowers
beside ;
Both of a fresh and fragrant kin
To honour
Whitsuntide.
Green rushes, then,
and sweetest bents,
With cooler
oaken boughs,
Come in for comely ornaments
To re-adorn
the house.
Thus times do shift ; each thing his turn does hold;
New things succeed, as former things grow old.