Plowman's ditty/Ah Chloris
For other versions of this work, see Ah, Chloris.
AH CHLORIS.
Tnue—Gilderoy.
Ah Chloris, could I now but sit
as unconcern'd, as when
Your infant beauty could beget
no happiness or pain.
When I this dawning did admire,
and prais'd the coming day,
I little thought that rising fire
would take my rest away.
Your charms in harmless childhood lay
as 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 unperceiv'd did fly
and center'd in my breast.
My passion with your beauty grew,
while Cupid at mv heart,
Still as his mother favour'd you,
threw a new flaming dart,
Each gloried in their wanton part;
to make a lover, he
Employed the utmost of his art;
to make a beauty, she.