Francis T. Palgrave, ed. (18241897). 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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