To a Lady Who Desired I Would Love Her
Now you have freely given me permission to love,
What shall you act?
Am I to your joy, or ardor move,
As I commence pursue;
Do you torment, or mock, or adore me too?
All trivial beauty can disdain, and I
Spight of your aversion
Lacking your leave can see, and perish;
Bestow a nobler Lot!
It's simple to destroy, you can form.
Then grant me leave to cherish, & love me too
Lacking purpose
To elevate, as Love's cursed rebels act
As whining Poets whine,
Renown to their charm, from their tearful eyne.
Grief is a pool and mirrors not distinct
One's grace's beams;
Joys are clear currents, your gaze look
Morose in gloomier verses,
In joyful lines they shine brilliant with acclaim.
Which shall not allude to describe you fayr
Wounds, blazes, and arrows,
Storms in your countenance, snares in your hayr,
Bribing all your parts,
Either to trick, or afflict trapped hearts.
I’ll cause your vision like morning suns seem,
Like gentle, and lovely;
Your countenance as Crystall polished, and clear,
And your tousled locks
Will stream like a calm Area of the Atmosphere.
Rich Nature’s store (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I shall use, to embellish
Thy charms, if your Wellspring of Pleasure
With matching gratitude
You but release, so we mutually favor.
Delving into the Work's Ideas
This work examines the dynamics of affection and admiration, in which the poet addresses a maiden who desires his devotion. Conversely, he proposes a reciprocal arrangement of poetic praise for private pleasures. The phraseology is elegant, blending polished norms with candid expressions of desire.
Within the verses, the author dismisses common motifs of unreturned passion, like sorrow and weeping, arguing they obscure true charm. He favors joy and admiration to showcase the woman's attributes, promising to portray her eyes as bright orbs and her locks as drifting breeze. This technique emphasizes a realistic yet clever perspective on bonds.
Important Elements of the Work
- Shared Agreement: The work revolves on a suggestion of admiration in trade for delight, highlighting equality between the individuals.
- Spurning of Traditional Motifs: The poet disparages typical artistic devices like sadness and imagery of suffering, choosing optimistic descriptions.
- Creative Craftsmanship: The employment of diverse line patterns and cadence demonstrates the poet's expertise in verse, producing a graceful and captivating experience.
Wealthy Nature’s treasury (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I will use, to dress
Thy graces, if your Wellspring of Delight
With equal appreciation
One but release, so we each other favor.
This verse summarizes the essential bargain, as the author promises to use his artistic abilities to praise the maiden, as compensation for her willingness. The language combines spiritual hints with physical desires, giving complexity to the poem's meaning.