Here's why the poem implies seventy years:
* The speaker says he has "twenty years left to live". This line is a crucial part of the poem. It suggests that the speaker has a limited time remaining, and he wants to make the most of it.
* The poem is a reflection on mortality. The speaker is aware of the inevitability of death, and this awareness shapes his outlook on life.
* The speaker is likely referencing a traditional life expectancy. Seventy years was a relatively common lifespan in the early 20th century, when Housman wrote the poem.
However, the speaker doesn't dwell on the exact number of years. His focus is on the urgency of living: he wants to enjoy the "sweetest things" and not waste his remaining time. The seventy years are simply a reference point, a reminder that life is finite and needs to be cherished.
Ultimately, the poem is about finding joy and meaning in the face of life's inevitable end. It's a reminder to appreciate the present moment and to live each day to the fullest.