Yes, we might feel we "deserve this state" a little longer, and want to have more time on earth, like Marvell's mistress. But he acknowledges (insincerely) that although the lady deserves a long and wordy courtship, full of words about her beauty, eyes, wit, forehead, and honor, he is mortal. Because we all are mortal, and pass into dust, we do not have the luxury of NOT seizing the day. Marvell reminds his mistress that the "iron gates of life" await all human beings. Indeed, it is sobering to reflect that Marvell, the mistress he wrote the poem for long ago, Robert Herrick and the maidens he saw making much of time and all the people they knew and loved are now dead in churchyards, rotting in the ground. They are not embracing, but turning into "ashes" and "dust" rather than enjoying "lust" in Marvell's memorable words. Only the poems...
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