Whan the sunne shynth make hey.
[1546 J. Heywood Dialogue of Proverbs i. iii. A4]
Yt is well therefore to make hay while the sunne shines.
[1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus 24]
‘It is good to make hay while the sun shines,’ which means, in the present case‥to catch hold of a friend while she is in the humour.
[1835 J. Carlyle Letters & Memorials (1883) I. 21]
The countess's enthusiasm was cooling. Martin‥said warningly, ‘You must make hay, my child, while the sun shines.’
[1924 E. Bagnold Serena Blandish vi.]
‘Our local garage must have made a fortune out of me since this blackout nonsense began. ‥Mind you,’ the doctor added in a noncommittal voice, ‘I imagine they think of it more along the lines of making hay while the sun shines‥’
[1999 ‘H. Crane’ Miss Seeton's Finest Hour xii. 100]
Related to: opportunity, taken
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
