Words on "To His Coy Mistress" Either you have sex with me or you die. This is a very strong statement which, when said, has to get someone's attention; and that is exactly what Andrew Marvell intends for the reader in this poem. He wants the undivided attention of this mistress so that he can scare her and rush her into making a decision the way he wants and in due time. Filled with time flavored symbolism, this carpe diem poem, "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell, exemplifies the seize the day theme. The cyclical, life symbolizing river, the water flowing by like time, is the first plac