Whilst half asleep my CHLOE lies,

And all her softest thoughts arise;

Whilst, tyrant Honour lay'd at rest,

Love steals to her unguarded breast;

Then whisper to the yielding Fair,

Thou witness to the pains I bear,

How oft her slave with open eyes,

All the long night despairing lies;

Impatient till the rosy day

Shall once again its beams display,

And with it he again may rise,

To greet with joy her dawning eyes.

Tell her as all thy motions stand,

Unless recruited by her hand,

So shall my life forget to move;

Unless, each day, the Fair I love

Shall new repeated vigour give

With smiles, and make me fit to live.

Tell her, when far from her I stray,

How oft I chide thy slow delay;

But when beneath her smiles I live,

Blest with all joys the Gods can give,

How often I reprove thy haste,

And think each precious moment flies too fast.