260. Chloris

AH, Chloris! could I now but sit

As unconcern’d as when

Your infant beauty could beget

No happiness or pain!

When I the dawn used to admire,

And praised the coming day,

I little thought the rising fire

Would take my rest away.

Your charms in harmless childhood lay

Like metals in a mine;

Age from no face takes more away

Than youth conceal’d in thine.

But as your charms insensibly

To their perfection prest,

So love as unperceived did fly,

And centre’d in my breast.

My passion with your beauty grew,

While Cupid at my heart

Still as his mother favour’d you

Threw a new flaming dart:

Each gloried in their wanton part;

To make a lover, he

Employ’d the utmost of his art—

To make a beauty, she.