Classic Poem

C HLORIS , if the swain be true,
As his heart is fondly warm,
Thy fair cheek and eye of blue
Do save him still from harm;
Tho' many fair he see,
Yet his delight will be
To live, to breathe, alone for thee!

Could he step from star to star,
Making gold-rimmed worlds a bridge,
Could he cling to Phaebus' car,
And whirl by Space's edge,
Still his delight would be
Beneath a bowery tree
To lingering bide, O fair, with thee!

Could the gods the hues combine
Of each rarest flower that grows,
Mingle all their perfumes fine
In one consummate rose,
Still his delight would be
To wander o'er the lea
And pluck the daffodil with thee!

Did the clear-browed Dian tall
Smile him to the joyous chase
T' hear her hounds' melodious call,
To match her beauteous face,
His joyance yet would be
Thy milk-white ewes to see
And tend thy snowy lambs with thee!

If from purple-bosomed seas
Aphrodite should arise,
Wiling — seeking him to please
With her sun-glossed eyes,
Still Sylvius would be free,
For he would fainer be
Beside the rippling brook with thee!