Addressing a Lady Who Desired Me to Love Her
Given that you bestowed me leave to love,
What shall you do?
Am I to your joy, or emotion arouse,
Once I begin to court;
Shall you trouble, or disdain, or cherish me too?
Each petty charm can disdain, and I
Despite your dislike
Without your permission can perceive, and succumb;
Grant a grander Lot!
’Tis easy to ruin, you may create.
Thus allow me leave to cherish, & cherish me too
Lacking intent
To raise, as Loves cursed defiers behave
While complaining Bards whine,
Acclaim to their charm, from their tearful gaze.
Grief is a pond and mirrors not distinct
Your beauty’s rayes;
Joyes are pure streams, your gaze seem
Gloomy in more sorrowful verses,
In happy verses they shine brilliant with praise.
That may not allude to portray you lovely
Injuries, fires, and arrows,
Tempests in your brow, nets in your hayr,
Suborning all your attributes,
Or else to betray, or torture ensnared hearts.
I shall render your vision like morning stars seem,
Like mild, and fayr;
Your forehead as Crystall even, and pure,
And your tousled hair
Will stream like a calm Area of the Ayr.
Wealthy The natural world's hoard (which is the Poet’s Riches)
I shall use, to adorn
Thy graces, if your Wellspring of Delight
In equall gratitude
One but release, so we each other grace.
Exploring the Poem's Themes
The composition examines the dynamics of love and admiration, as the poet addresses a lady who desires his devotion. Conversely, he suggests a shared agreement of artistic tribute for intimate pleasures. This language is graceful, blending courtly conventions with frank utterances of desire.
In the lines, the poet spurns typical tropes of one-sided affection, such as grief and weeping, claiming they obscure true charm. The speaker favors joy and acclaim to showcase the woman's qualities, assuring to portray her eyes as radiant orbs and her tresses as streaming atmosphere. The method emphasizes a practical yet clever view on relationships.
Significant Elements of the Piece
- Mutual Agreement: The poem focuses on a suggestion of admiration in return for pleasure, stressing parity between the parties.
- Spurning of Conventional Ideas: The poet disparages usual literary devices like grief and imagery of pain, preferring positive imagery.
- Artistic Skill: The application of varied verse patterns and flow displays the author's mastery in poetry, creating a graceful and engaging text.
Abundant The natural world's hoard (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I’l expend, to dress
Your beauties, if your Wellspring of Delight
Through equal appreciation
Thou but open, so we each other grace.
The section summarizes the core arrangement, as the writer promises to use his inventive abilities to honor the woman, in exchange for her openness. This phraseology mixes spiritual hints with worldly longings, providing profundity to the work's message.