ASK not the cause why sullen Spring <br /> So long delays her flowers to bear; <br />Why warbling birds forget to sing, <br /> And winter storms invert the year: <br />Chloris is gone; and fate provides <br />To make it Spring where she resides. <br /> <br />Chloris is gone, the cruel fair; <br /> She cast not back a pitying eye: <br />But left her lover in despair <br />To sigh, to languish, and to die: <br />Ah! how can those fair eyes endure <br />To give the wounds they will not cure? <br /> <br />Great God of Love, why hast thou made <br /> A face that can all hearts command, <br />That all religions can invade, <br /> And change the laws of every land? <br />Where thou hadst plac'd such power before, <br /> Thou shouldst have made her mercy more. <br /> <br />When Chloris to the temple comes, <br /> Adoring crowds before her fall; <br />She can restore the dead from tombs <br /> And every life but mine recall. <br />I only am by Love design'd <br />To be the victim for mankind.<br /><br />John Dryden<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/song-to-a-fair-young-lady-going-out-of-the-town/
