For Marlowe, the muse of song and dance are juxtaposed with the senses to inform a larger world -- not of innocent threats and fears, but rather one of coy teasing and delight. Further, this rather flirtatious repartee' leads one to view the symbolic nature of love as part of the reason to make each day the most -- for what does one have if not love? Marlowe is full of symbols that evoke not only the season of Spring, but of more sylvan delights -- "valleys, groves, hills and fields," "shepherds and their flocks." Yet, Marlowe can be blunt as well, as he makes a bed of roses with "a thousand fragrant poises." Too, there is almost sexual tension and symbology when he comments on "ivy buds," "coral clasps," and "amber studs," -- clearly then indicating, "And if these pleasures may they move, Come live with me, and be my love" (Marlowe, 19-20).

This, combined with the sensuality of the words and timbre, almost lifts one out of reality and into a meadow of rather earthly delights in which one sits upon rocks, watches shepherds, yet By shallow rivers to whose falls

Melodious birds sing madrigals (Marlowe, 7-8).

In contrast, however, there is no less fervor in Herrick, yet it is not as languid, not as sensuous, and clearly not as coy about love. For Herrick, the flower either blooms or it dies; one is either young or too old, and even the rosebuds are waiting to be taken, for if not, they, too, will be gone.

The sooner...

-- then why not "live with me and be my love." Too, there is certain pathos in Herrick as well -- he laments on age, laments on death, and laments on earnestness and youth -- oddly, if you are no longer young, it seems you are no longer interested in the senses:
For having lost but once your prime,

You may for every tarry (Herrick, 15-16).

Thus, on a timeline -- the carpe diem aspect for both men is fluid. The idea is the same -- look around at one's life, find what is important -- but do not waste it -- seize the day and do not waste the opportunities presented. And, since love is what completes a person, most especially do not waste opportunities in that regard for -- they are but fleeting, rare, and special. Clearly, this idea remains on the mind of the individual, which is part of the universality of the human condition.