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. _Sir C. Sedley_ CVII _CONSTANCY_ I cannot change, as others do, Though you unjustly scorn, Since that poor swain that sighs for you, For you alone was born; No, Phyllis, no, your heart to move A surer way I'll try,-- And to revenge my slighted love, Will still love on, and die. When, kill'd with grief, Amintas lies, And you to mind shall call The sighs that now unpitied rise, The tears that vainly fall, That welcome hour that ends his smart Will then begin your pain, For such a faithful tender heart Can never break in vain. _J. Wilmot, Earl of Rochester_ CVIII _COUNSEL TO GIRLS_ Gather ye rose-buds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying: And this same flower that smiles to-day, To-morrow will be dying. The glorious Lamp of Heaven, the Sun, The higher he's a-getting The sooner will his race be run, And nearer he's to setting. That age is best which is the first, When youth and blood are warmer; But being spent, the worse, and worst Times, still succeed the former. Then be not coy, but use your time; And while ye may, go marry: For having lost but once your prime, You may for ever tarry. _R. Herrick_ CIX _TO LUCASTA, ON GOING TO THE WARS_ Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind That from the nunnery Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind, To war and arms I fly. True, a new mistress now I chase, The first foe in the field; And with a stronger faith embrace A sword, a horse, a shield. Yet this inconstancy is such As you too shall adore; I could not love thee, Dear, so much, Loved I not Honour more. _Colonel Lovelace_ CX _ELIZABETH OF BOHEMIA_ You meaner beauties of the night, That poorly satisfy our eyes More by your number than your light, You common people of the skies, What are you, when the Moon shall rise?