Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/521

 SIR CHARLES SEDLEY

Your charms in harmless childhood lay

Like metals in the mine; Age from no face took more away

Than youth conceal *d in thine. But as your charms insensibly

To their perfection prest, Fond love as unperccived did fly,

And in my bosom rest.

My passion with your beauty grew,

And Cupid at my heart, Still as his Mother favoured 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.

��N!

��422 To Celia

rOT, Celia, that I juster am Or better than the rest' For I would change each hour, like them, Were not my heart at rest.

But I am tied to very thee

By every thought I have; Thy face I only care to see,

Thy heart I only crave.

All that in woman is adored

In thy dear self I find For the whole sex can but afford

The handsome and the kind.

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