| Francis T. Palgrave, ed. (1824–1897). The Golden Treasury. 1875. | | | | Sir C. Sedley | | | | LXXXI. Child and Maiden | | | | 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, | 5 | | 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; | 10 | | 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, | 15 | | And centr'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: | 20 | | Each gloried in their wanton part; | | | To make a lover, he | | | Employ'd the utmost of his art— | | | To make a beauty, she. | | | |
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