Addressing a Lady That Wished Me to Love Her
Now you have bestowed me permission to love,
How will you do?
Will I your joy, or ardor arouse,
Once I start to pursue;
Do you torment, or scorn, or love me too?
Each petty grace can scorn, and I
Spight of your dislike
Absent your consent can perceive, and die;
Bestow a grander Destiny!
It is effortless to destroy, you may fashion.
Then grant me permission to cherish, & love me too
Lacking purpose
To raise, as Love's cursed rebels behave
When complaining Poets moan,
Fame to their beauty, from their tearful gaze.
Sorrow is a pool and mirrors not clear
One's grace's beams;
Delights are untainted streames, your gaze look
Morose in sadder songs,
Through happy verses they shine luminous with acclaim.
Which may not mention to portray you lovely
Wounds, blazes, and shafts,
Gales in your forehead, traps in your hair,
Corrupting all your attributes,
Either to betray, or torment captive affections.
I’ll cause your eyes like morning suns look,
As gentle, and fayr;
Thy forehead as Crystall smooth, and pure,
And your unkempt hayr
Will flow like a serene Zone of the Atmosphere.
Abundant Nature's hoard (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I will use, to adorn
One's charms, if your Wellspring of Joy
With matching thankfulness
You but open, so we each other favor.
Delving into the Work's Motifs
The composition delves the relationship of passion and praise, as the speaker engages with a maiden who requests his affection. Rather, he suggests a mutual agreement of artistic tribute for intimate pleasures. The phraseology is elegant, combining courtly conventions with direct statements of longing.
Through the verses, the writer dismisses usual themes of one-sided love, like sadness and tears, stating they dim true beauty. He chooses happiness and acclaim to emphasize the lady's features, assuring to portray her gaze as shining stars and her locks as drifting breeze. This method emphasizes a realistic yet clever view on bonds.
Significant Aspects of the Composition
- Reciprocal Exchange: The verse revolves on a offer of praise in return for delight, highlighting equality between the persons.
- Spurning of Conventional Ideas: The speaker criticizes usual artistic tools like grief and similes of anguish, choosing optimistic imagery.
- Artistic Skill: The use of diverse verse measures and flow displays the writer's proficiency in verse, creating a fluid and compelling experience.
Rich Nature's treasury (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I shall spend, to embellish
Thy beauties, if your Mine of Joy
Through equall gratitude
Thou but release, so we each other grace.
The stanza summarizes the central bargain, in which the author promises to employ his creative talents to celebrate the woman, in exchange for her openness. This phraseology blends devout overtones with physical longings, giving depth to the work's message.