Читать книгу The Golden Treasury - Unknown - Страница 85

     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 center'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.