'To His Coy Mistress' Summary

The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the constraints of time and space, suggesting that if they had more time, he would spend centuries admiring her beauty. However, he acknowledges the inevitability of death, and argues that if they were to wait until they are both dead, they would have no opportunity to enjoy each other's company. The speaker then shifts gears, appealing to his mistress's desire for a legacy, suggesting that their love could be celebrated throughout the ages. He envisions their love story being etched in the landscape, with rivers winding through their names. This grand vision, however, is ultimately dismissed as unrealistic. Instead, the speaker urges his mistress to seize the present moment, focusing on the passion and joy they could share together. The poem ends with a powerful image of the speaker and his mistress embracing, suggesting that they will abandon their past anxieties and live in the present. This shift from grand pronouncements to an intimate plea for immediate connection emphasizes the poem's core message: that time is precious, and love should be embraced without hesitation.