Ah, Chloris! could I now but sit <br />As unconcern'd as when <br />Your infant beauty could beget <br />No happiness or pain! <br />When I the dawn used to admire, <br />And praised the coming day, <br />I little thought the rising fire <br />Would take my rest away. <br /> <br />Your charms in harmless childhood lay <br />Like metals in a mine; <br />Age from no face takes more away <br />Than youth conceal'd in thine. <br />But as your charms insensibly <br />To their perfection prest, <br />So love as unperceived did fly, <br />And centred in my breast. <br /> <br />My passion with your beauty grew, <br />While Cupid at my heart, <br />Still as his mother favour'd you, <br />Threw a new flaming dart: <br />Each gloried in their wanton part; <br />To make a lover, he <br />Employ'd the utmost of his art- <br />To make a beauty, she.<br /><br />Sir Charles Sedley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/child-and-maiden/
