Ah, Chloris, that I now could sit <br />As unconcerned as when <br />Your infant beauty could beget <br />No pleasure, nor no pain. <br /> <br />When I the dawn used to admire, <br />And praised the coming day, <br />I little thought the growing fire <br />Must take my rest away. <br /> <br />Your charms in harmless childhood lay <br />Like metals in the mine: <br />Age from no face took more away <br />Than youth concealed in thine. <br /> <br />But as your charms insensibly <br />To your perfection pressed, <br />Fond Love, as unperceived, did fly, <br />And in my bosom rest. <br /> <br />My passion with your beauty grew, <br />And Cupid at my heart, <br />Still as his mother favored you, <br />Threw a new flaming dart. <br /> <br />Each gloried in their wanton part: <br />To make a lover, he <br />Employed the utmost of his art; <br />To make a beauty, she. <br /> <br />Though now I slowly bend to love, <br />Uncertain of my fate, <br />If your fair self my chains approve, <br />I shall my freedom hate. <br /> <br />Lovers, like dying men, may well <br />At first disordered be, <br />Since none alive can truly tell <br />What fortune they must see.<br /><br />Sir Charles Sedley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/song-55/
