JOHN DRYDEN

��402. Song to a Fair Toung Lady^ going out of the Town in the Spring

ASK not the cause why sullen Spring

• • So long delays her flowers to bear ;

Why warbling birds forget to sing,

And winter storms invert the year: Chloris is gone; and fate provides To make it Spring where she resides.

Chloris is gone, the cruel fair ;

She cast not back a pitying eye: But left her lover in despair

To sigh, to languish, and to die : Ah ! how can those fair eyes endure To give the wounds they will not cure?

Great God of Love, why hast thou made A face that can all hearts command,

That all religions can invade,

And change the laws of every land ?

Where thou hadst plac'd such power before, Thou shouldst have made her mercy more..

When Chloris to the temple comesj Adoring crowds before her fall ;

She can restore the dead from tombs And every life but mine recall.

I only am by Love designed

To be the victim for mankind.

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